KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY — A home in Troup is damaged by fire Friday evening. Flames broke out around 5 p.m. in the 21000 block Ponsard Street. Firefighters tell KETK, the outside of the house is in fair condition but flames quickly spread through the inside. Firefighters are investigating the cause.

TYLER — Although the World Health Organization announced the H1N1 pandemic ended in August 2010, the virus has lingered ever since and even killed recently. KETK reports that out of the reported cases in the East Texas area, two people have died, both in Gregg County. As of week 49, or December 2-8 of this year, more than 40 East Texas cases of H1N1 showed positive results through a “rapid test.” While the rapid test is usually accurate, it can produce a false negative. Therefore, the true number of cases is not known, according to the Northeast Texas Public Health District’s Director of Public Health Preparedness, Russell Hopkins. Continue reading Two Dead in East Texas from H1N1

LONGVIEW — A Longview business is asking for help after $50,000 worth of tools went missing. According to KETK, police say they were taken from Longview Wheel and Performance on Marshall Avenue. Owner Mike Kittner says surveillance footage shows at least two men, one wearing a camo jacket. He says they pulled up to the back of the shop, drilled a hole in the wall, and went inside. Continue reading $50,000 Worth of Tools Taken from Longview Business

TYLER – The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees held a special session Friday morning to appoint a new board member to fill the current Single Member District 5 vacancy. The District 5 position was previously held by long-time board member Brad Spradlin, who resigned from his position December 11. During the meeting, the Board of Trustees appointed Rev. Ross Strader, Senior Pastor at Bethel Bible Church, to fill the vacancy until a special election is held in May 2014. At that time, voters will elect a candidate to complete the term that will expire in May 2015.

LONGVIEW — A jury in the 188th State District Court in Longview, after deliberating for over four hours, has found Troy Carnell Saddler, 20, guilty of murder. He had been charged in the September 2011 murder Orion Marcell Peoples, 31. Peoples was found inside a residence in the 1100 block of Hutchings Boulevard with at least one gunshot wound. Christopher Carter, 23, of Longview told police that Saddler pointed a gun at him and assaulted him inside the home where Peoples was fatally shot. Saddler fled the scene, but was arrested after a traffic stop near the intersection of Noel Drive and Martin Luther King Boulevard.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman has been arrested after being accused of burglarizing a family’s home while they were at a funeral. Arrested by White Oak police was Dana Michelle Phillips, 25. She is accused of stealing, among other things, five television sets and a computer from a home back in September. Phillips was arrested earlier this week after a warrant was issued for her arrest, charging her with burglary of a habitation. KETK reports that Phillips’ Facebook page indicates she is a 2007 graduate of Pine Tree High School and is a stay at home mother.

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — State officials fighting the spread of invasive zebra mussels want the public’s input on a proposal to require that people in 30 more counties drain all boats operating on public water after use. A release from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Thursday said the 30 counties are in Central and North Texas. One of the counties is Henderson County west of Highway 19. Continue reading More Lakes May Be Included in Zebra Mussel Fight

TYLER — The Texas Department of State Health Services Laboratory Thursday advised the Northeast Texas Public Health District that a skunk submitted for analysis tested positive for rabies. The skunk was found in the 19000 block of N. Vivian in Lindale. Health officials say the four domestic dogs exposed have been identified. According to officials, it is highly recommended for all residents owning dogs and cats to verify they have been vaccinated against rabies in the last year. Continue reading Rabid Skunk Found in Smith County

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County charter school is one of six recommended for revocation of their charters by the Texas Education Agency in 2014. KETK reports Azleway Charter School, located at 15892 County Road 26, has been identified as a charter school that failed to meet its academic or financial accountability performance ratings for three consecutive years. It is unclear at this time which criteria Azleway failed to meet. “We have a unique group at Azleway,” said Superintendent Steve Lenz. “They are all Texas kids in crisis. There is an appeal in the process. And I will be requesting a hearing with the commissioner of education. Until then, we will be giving our children the best education there is.” Continue reading Officials Recommend Charter Revocation for Azleway Charter School

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities reported around 2:40 Thursday afternoon that a contractor working on West Loop 323 had struck and broken a 12 inch water main. City officials said crews were dispatched to support the contractor’s work to repair the line. Due to the break, traffic was reduced to one lane on the West Loop near Highway 31 West. Additionally, there were reports of low to no water pressure in the vicinity of Shaw and West Erwin. It was estimated that repairs wouldn’t be done until sometime Thursday evening.

TYLER — For the third time, Texas Comptroller Susan Combs recognized the City of Tyler with a “Gold Leadership Circle Award” for transparency in local government. According to a news release, the Comptroller’s Leadership Circle program recognizes local governments across Texas striving to meet a high standard for financial transparency online, in a user-friendly format. “Transparency has been a priority for me personally during my tenure as Mayor of Tyler,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass (pictured). “Tyler works hard to ensure financial information is readily available to citizens via our web site. Our goal is to communicate and operate in a way that is open and accessible to our community.” Continue reading Tyler Earns Gold Leadership Circle Award for Transparency

TYLER — Texas A&M University-Commerce and Tyler Junior College have formally announced their partnership to simplify the transfer process for students transitioning from associate degree programs at TJC into bachelor’s degree programs at A&M-Commerce. The three-year partnership becomes effective today. TJC students following the recommended program of study, common core, and transfer curriculum, or who have earned an associate degree and meet all other admissions requirements, will automatically receive admission to A&M-Commerce in order to begin work toward their bachelor’s degrees. Continue reading TJC, A&M Commerce Formally Announce Partnership

NACOGDOCHES — A maintenance man entered a Nacogdoches apartment around 2:00 on Wednesday afternoon to find a two year old boy playing with toys inside alone. According to KETK, the boy had been left in the apartment by his father, Howard Terrell Dodd, 28. Police were called to the apartment on the 300 block of Ellington Street and arrested Dodd on site when he returned. Child Protective Services was called to the apartment complex and released the boy to his mother. Dodd has been charged with Child Endangerment/Neglect and has been booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail.

LUFKIN (AP) – An East Texas grand jury has indicted a woman and her boyfriend for allegedly using belts, switches and shoes to beat her 3-year-old daughter. Angelina County jail records show Ashley Wingo and Elisiah Phipps were being held Thursday on felony injury to a child charges. Online jail records don’t list attorneys for the pair, whose bond is $50,000 apiece. Continue reading Mom, Boyfriend Accused in Beating of Girl

TYLER — A Tyler man has been sentenced to 80 years in prison for a murder last year. Marquel Jermon Scott, 33, after being convicted of the killing on Tuesday, was sentenced Wednesday. He could have received a life prison sentence for the November 26, 2012, shooting death of Keeston Fields, 26. The shooting occurred early that morning at the Hyena’s motorcycle club in north Tyler.

LONGVIEW — A Longview burglary suspect has been arrested. A homeowner returned home shortly after 1:30 Wednesday afternoon to see a man taking a television from his house. He called police with a description of the vehicle. The suspect was taken into custody about 15 minutes following a brief chase that ended in Harrison County. The suspect’s name has not been released.

LINDALE — U.S. Arrmy Sgt. Stephen Stroman has braved the brutal desert temperatures of Iraq and Afghanistan. He is comfortable in his Army fatigues. His military training and expertise was no match for the stifling heat and itchy interior of a high school mascot costume. “It’s pretty hot in this thing,” Sgt. Stroman said, “and I can see out of my peripheral but I can’t see straight ahead.” The temporary discomfort and obscured vision were quickly put at ease when the tiny arms of his daughter Emmaleigh wrapped around him for the first time in more than a year. Sgt. Stroman surprised Emmaleigh, a first-grade student at Lindale’s Velma Penny Elementary School, with a visit to her physical education class on Wednesday. He dressed in the Lindale Eagle mascot costume to conceal himself and provide a special gift in time for Christmas. The father and daughter had been separated for a year due to his assignment in New York. Continue reading Dad Surprises Daughter at Lindale School

LONGVIEW — East Texas appears to be bucking a statewide trend that sees schools hiring fewer first-time teachers than ever. KETK reports the Pine Tree, Longview, Gilmer, and Kilgore Independent School Districts are among a list of 18 East Texas schools that have seen an increase in the hiring of “freshman,” or first-time, teachers since 2009. Pine Tree Human Resources Director Suzanne Shackelford says while the number of first-time teachers Pine Tree hires is on the rise, her district looks for the best teaching candidates of all ages. She does note that the freshman teachers are graduating with an important knowledge of technical skills, something that veteran teachers may not have.

TYLER — The City of Tyler has announced its plan to move forward with the purchase of property at 4218 Chandler Highway for the purposes of opening a city-owned and operated animal care facility. On Nov. 15, the City entered into a sales contract for $550,000 for the 10 acres and existing buildings on the property to be used for the facility. The sales contract allowed the City 30 days to evaluate the property, which was originally a commercial facility used for manufacturing. During this 30-day window, the City began the process of determining the costs of renovation to prepare the structures for this new purpose, according to a news release. “While firm opinions of probable costs are not in yet, the renovation of the building is estimated to cost in the range of $180 per square foot, versus approximately $240 per square foot for a new building,” said City Engineer Carter Delleney. Continue reading Tyler Moves Forward with Purchase of Property for Animal Care Facility

DALLAS (AP/Staff) – A memorial service is scheduled in East Texas for Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Price, who died this week. The service is planned for 1:00 Saturday afternoon at First Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant. Price died Monday at the ranch he owned with his wife, Janie, outside Mount Pleasant. He was 87. Janie Price told the Mount Pleasant Daily Tribune that the couple enjoyed living in “the small, quiet setting of this town.” Ray Price is credited with changing the sound of country music as he collaborated with the genre’s biggest stars and remained relevant for more than half a century. He was one of country music’s most popular and influential singers and bandleaders, recording more than 100 hits.

MARSHALL — Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew Hasler, 32, was identified Monday as the suspected gunman in a Sunday shooting, according to the Marshall Police Department. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that police said Hasler was taken to the Marshall Police Department for further investigation after the 2 a.m. shooting. The gunfire occurred outside Charlie’s BackYard Bar in the 300 block of North Columbus Street, police said. The victim, 20-year-old Trey Austin Rogers, was listed in critical condition Monday evening at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview, a hospital spokesman said. Continue reading Police ID Deputy as Suspect in Marshall Shooting

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for the suspect wanted in an attempted robbery Wednesday morning. It happened around 2:35 at the CVS Pharmacy, 4922 South Broadway Avenue. Officers reviewed the store’s security video, which showed what appeared to be an older model mini-van backing-up to the store’s front doors. The suspect exits the vehicle, forcibly opens the doors and attempts to remove the ATM. Following several failed attempts to remove the ATM from the store, the suspect then fled the area in the mini-van. Continue reading Police Searching for Suspect in Attempted Robbery

PALESTINE — A Tyler man has been flown to Mother Frances Hospital after his ultralight plane crashed in Palestine. Hospitalized with non life-threatening injuries is Ronald Quencer, 55. A witness told investigators he was about 50 feet over the runway when the nose of the craft came down and he crashed. The accident happened around 3:00 Tuesday afternoon. The FAA is investigating the crash.

TYLER — A Tyler man is facing up to life in prison after being convicted of murder. A jury Tuesday found Marquel Jermon Scott, 33, guilty of the November 26, 2012, shooting death of Keeston Fields, 26. The shooting occurred early that morning at the Hyena’s motorcycle club in north Tyler. The trial has now moved into the punishment phase.

JACKSONVILLE — A young Jacksonville boy remains hospitalized after one of the family’s two pet dogs bit him in the throat. The boy, who has not been identified, was first taken to East Texas Medical Center-Jacksonville. He was then flown to a Dallas hospital. Both of the dogs were euthanized by city authorities. The attack occurred shortly before 5:45 Sunday afternoon in the 1600 block of Meadow Hill.The case remains under investigation.

LUFKIN — A suspected burglar shot by an Angelina County homeowner is back in custody. According to KETK, it all started when deputies say 33-year-old Cody Barnhill was caught at a house on Farm Road 2251 with a jewelry box under his arm. The woman who owns the house reacted quickly, shooting Barnhill in the back as he was running away, according to authorities. Barnhill was arrested near Houston and taken to a hospital for his bullet wound injuries; officials say he then escaped the hospital. Barnhill has now been arrested again. He faces burglary charges and has been booked into the Angelina County Jail.

JONESBORO, LA. — The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency says the man known as “John Doe 2,” now captured, has been identified as Christopher Nixon. KETK reports the manhunt ended late Monday night, less than four hours after ICE issued a public appeal for information about his identity and location. Nixon was taken into custody at a home in Jonesboro after Homeland Security Investigations received nearly 50 tips from the public via the HSI Tip Line. Officials had earlier advised that Nixon might have ventured into East Texas and issued a notice to be on the lookout for him there. Continue reading Alleged Sexual Predator Identified

KILGORE — According to the Kilgore Police Department, a “business” claiming to represent the Kilgore ISD has been soliciting funds from local business owners. According to KETK, the “business,” Concepts Incorporated, is claiming to sell “rally rags” to be used at the state championship game against Carthage this Friday. But police say Concepts Incorporated is in no way affiliated with KISD and that the information the “business” is providing is incorrect. Officials ask citizens to share this story with others so they are not fooled by the scam.

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office has filed two more felony charges against Justin Lejeune, who has been in custody since December 5 on charges of child pornography and improper photo or visual recording. KETK reports the sheriff’s office executed a search warrant December 5 on the Lejeune home, where investigators say they found child pornography and improper visual recordings allegedly made at his residence. Lejeune was not at the house during the execution of the warrant but was later found at work. Investigators conducted an interview with Lejeune, who reportedly gave a confession to the evidence allegedly found at his home. Continue reading Officials Add Charges in Child Sex/Porn Case

TYLER — Tyler Police are called to a report of a robbery early Tuesday morning. It happened shortly after 1:15 at the Reserves Apartment complex, 2851 County Road 272. Authorities said the victim was reportedly carjacked at gunpoint. The victim said it happened at the front gate of the complex after he noticed he was being followed by at least two black males in a white Chevy Impala. The victim said he was forced out of his burgundy 1995 Buick Roadmaster at gunpoint. The suspect then got into the driver’s seat of the victim’s car and left the area with the Chevy Impala following. The victim was not injured. The suspect is described as a 20 to 25 years of age, 6’3 240-250 lbs with a dark complexion, wearing a gray thermal shirt and gray sweat pants. Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF.