KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler Junior College trustees will hold a public hearing this morning at 11:00 on a proposal to increase tax revenues for 2013. College spokesman Fred Peters says the proposed tax rate of $0.199926 is the same as this year’s, “but by Texas law, we must hold hearings if it appears that property valuations will result in revenues exceeding the prior year’s.” Another public hearing on the same topic is set for August 15 at 5:30pm. Both hearings will be held in the Board Room of TJC’s White Administrative Services Center.

TYLER – Contract construction crews have completed work at the intersection of Front Street (SH 31) and Broadway Avenue. The work was to
repair a damaged storm drain that caused a sinkhole to form in the intersection on July 23. They had said the intersection would be closed until around 5:00 Monday morning or until the work was completed. The work was completed sooner since the crews worker 24 around the clock on the project since last Friday, removing the old storm drain pipe and replacing it with a new pipe, then repairing the roadway.

LUFKIN (AP) – A 51-year-old Lufkin man is back in a familiar place. Jail. Records show when Angelina County sheriff’s deputies Wednesday arrested John Richard Burch Sr., it was his 47th arrest. Burch appeared in court Thursday and pleaded guilty to resisting arrest. He’s still held on $1,500 bond. Lufkin TV station KTRE reports Burch’s record goes back to 1994 with a public intoxication arrest. He notched his second charge four days later for resisting arrest. Since then, jail records show he’s had wide range of misdemeanor and felony charges. He’s also had prison time. Continue reading Lufkin Man Arrested for 47th Time

LUFKIN (AP) – A man charged with capital murder for the weekend slayings of his ex-girlfriend and her daughter says he’s responsible for the Angelina County killings. Kevin McKelvey turned himself in and was arrested Monday night, a day after 39-year-old Teresa McCoy and her daughter, 22-year-old Shaunika Hoyle, of Lufkin, were shot to death. The 37-year-old McKelvey, in an interview with The Lufkin Daily News says he did the fatal shootings. He also says while he didn’t mean to kill Hoyle, he has no remorse for killing her mother, his former girlfriend. Hoyle was shot inside a trailer home. Her mother was shot while trying to escape the area in a pickup truck. Records show McKelvey has a previous conviction for attempted murder. He now could face a death sentence.

MT. PLEASANT — A man thought responsible for half a dozen church burglaries has been arrested by Mt. Pleasant police. Derrick Grayson Bowers, 26, of Mount Pleasant, was arrested on Wednesday based on forensic evidence found at two of the churches. The burglaries occurred between February 10th and March 28th. Bowers has been charged with six counts of burglary of a habitation.

UPSHUR COUNTY — Firefighters finally contained a 60-acre forest fire in Upshur County Thursday. The blaze broke out around 2 in the afternoon Thursday, near Flamingo Road, just off Highway 300. Upshur County firefighters say a hot spot from a last week, rekindled, sparking Thursday’s fire. Around 25 firefighters, including those from Upshur County and the Texas A&M Forest Service, battled the blaze throughout the day. Firefighters tell KETK no one was hurt and no homes have been damaged. The Texas A&M Forest Service cleared the scene, but firefighters headed back to the scene Friday. According to the Forest Service’s website, Upshur County’s fire was largest of the 13 that sparked on Thursday.

TYLER — The Texas Education Agency has released the 2013 state accountability system ratings for school districts and charter schools.Districts and schools received one of three ratings under the new system: Met Standard;Met Alternative Standard; or Improvement Required. Under the new system, the Tyler school district and 22 of the districts schools were rated met standard. Of the schools rated as having met standard, 62% earned one or more distinction designations. Continue reading Most Tyler Schools Make the Grade

EL PASO (AP) — The Family of Johnny Manziel has hired an El Paso attorney with experience in NCAA matters as the Heisman Trophy winner reportedly faces an investigation into whether he was paid to sign autographs. The Manziel family said in a statement Thursday that Jim Darnell (pictured) would be representing the Texas A&M quarterback. Continue reading Manziel Family Hires Attorney with NCAA Experience

PALESTINE — A Palestine woman is dead after her unmanned car ran over her in the parking lot of a Palestine Post Office. KETK reports Sumiko Coleman, 87, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police were dispatched Thursday morning just before 10:15 to the site at 1213 North Link. Upon officers’ arrival, it was learned that a driver of a car drove onto the premises, allowed her husband to exit the vehicle, and moments later she left the vehicle herself while the vehicle was still running. The vehicle then, unmanned, started to back out of the parking space, apparently striking Coleman, knocking her to the ground. The vehicle then continued to back out of the parking space and ran over the her. Continue reading Elderly Woman Dies after Unmanned Car Runs over Her

AUSTIN – Four Texas cities — including Mt. Pleasant — have new millionaires with tickets matching five of the numbers drawn in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing being sold by local retailers. Second-tier prize winning tickets were sold in Arlington, Amarillo, Mt. Pleasant, and San Antonio. According to a Lottery news release, the winning ticket in Mt. Pleasant — worth $1 million — was sold at South-End Grocery, 1101 South Jefferson Avenue. Continue reading Winning Powerball Ticket Sold in Mt. Pleasant

DeSOTO (AP/Staff) – A mother and her teenage daughter are among four people fatally shot at two Dallas-area homes in a domestic dispute that left four other youths wounded — and a former Tyler athlete is suspected. Dallas and DeSoto police on Thursday said charges are pending against Erbie Bowser, who was apprehended at the second crime scene in DeSoto. According to KETK, CNN, and Dallas TV station WFAA, Bowser is a 1987 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler — where he was an all-state football selection in 1986. Officials have confirmed that Bowser is a former Army staff sergeant who more recently worked as a special education teacher and supplemented his time as a hip-hop dancer for the Dallas Mavericks. Continue reading Former Tyler Footballer Held in Fatal Dallas-Area Shootings

AUSTIN — State Senator Dan Patrick has tried to dismantle the state’s controversial CSCOPE online school lesson program. State Education Board Member Thomas Ratliff is fighting to allow school districts to continue to use it. The two have agreed to debate the issue this month in Tyler. Patrick says, “I think we should close the program down now.” He also tweeted to Ratliff, “I’m coming to East Texas, will you be there?” — referring to the August 24th debate. Continue reading Patrick, Ratliff to Debate CSCOPE

TYLER — The Smith County Chapter of the American Cancer Society is participating in a nationwide study called CPS-3. KETK reports the goal is to better understand the factors that cause or prevent cancer and, ultimately, help eliminate cancer for future generations. For 20 years, researchers will keep a close eye on the lifestyles of “healthy” people. On Tuesday, folks gathered to increase awareness at the Chamber of Commerce in Tyler. The meeting was designed to let people know about the program and share with people on how they can become involved. Continue reading Cancer Study Being Conducted

CHANDLER — A two vehicle accident south of Chandler has killed a Smith County man. Jesus Alvarado, Jr, 20, of Flint, was dead at the scene, on Farm Road 315, just north of Farm Road 3079. Alvarado was a passenger in a car that veered into the opposite lane of traffic, colliding with an oncoming car. The accident happened around 9:00 Tuesday night. The Department of Public Safety reports the accident remains under investigation.

MARSHALL — A warrant sweep by Harrison County Sheriff’s deputies has resulted in nine drug related arrests. According to a news release from the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, the arrests are the result of sealed grand jury indictments issued late last week. Several of the suspects, all of whom were arrested in the eastern part of the county, had multiple indictments and warrants. Three of the suspects were already in custody. The others were awakened and arrested at their homes. They are all being held in the Harrison County Jail on bonds ranging from $25,000 to $50,000. Continue reading Arrests Made in Harrison County Warrant Sweep

PLANO — A 57 year old Hunt County man has pleaded guilty to negligently releasing an extremely hazardous substance and placing another person in danger of imminent death or serious bodily injury. William “Bill” Lafon Musgrove, 57, of Quinlan, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. Magistrate Judge Don D. Bush’s court in Plano. Musgrove faces up to one year in prison and a $250,000.00 fine. A sentencing date has not been scheduled. Continue reading Manager of Metal Recovery Business Pleads Guilty

NEW YORK (AP) — A simple search on eBay reveals Johnny Manziel (pictured) is far from the only college football player whose autograph is for sale. Pick a star and you can find memorabilia with a signature the seller claims to be verified. South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney. Ohio State’s Braxton Miller. Oregon’s De’Anthony Thomas. Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater. Alabama’s AJ McCarron. The list goes on and on. Continue reading Easy to Find Autographs of College Stars for Sale

SWAN — One person is dead after the industrial vehicle he was riding fell into a hole at Tyler Pipe. KETK reports contracted worker Joel DeLeon was killed when he backed his Bobcat vehicle into a hole shortly after 8:00 Wednesday morning. DeLeon was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace James Cowart. Continue reading One Dead after Bobcat Vehicle Falls into Hole at Tyler Pipe

ETOILE — One person is dead after Nacogdoches County deputies, SWAT, and U.S. Marshals attempted to serve a high risk felony warrant Wednesday morning. According to KETK, officials say Kevin Barrett Koonce, 46, of Etoile, was shot as he charged at officers firing his gun. Sheriff Jason Bridges said Koonce had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for the offense of motion to revoke probation with the original charge being aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The warrant was issued for Koonce’s arrest on July 17, 2012. Since that time, deputies had attempted to locate Koonce and execute the felony warrant several times but were unsuccessful. Continue reading Nacogdoches County Deputy Involved in Fatal Shooting

TYLER — Tyler’s sales tax revenues to be deposited for the month of August have grown 6% as compared to August 2012. According to the Texas Comptroller, this has resulted in a cumulative fiscal year-to-date increase of 4.19%. The reported revenue of $3,468,664.88 comprises $2,312,443.26 general sales tax revenue and $1,156,221.62 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from June 2013 collections as there is a two-month lag before taxes are reported and remitted back to the City from the State. Continue reading City Sales Tax Figures Up 6%

WOOD COUNTY — An electric company in Wood county is warning its customers to look out for scammers. KETK reports more and more scammers are scaring customers into coughing up their personal information. Wood county electric cooperative is one of the latest companies having to deal with this mess. WCEC Director of Communications Paige Eaton says, “We were notified by a couple of members who called us and wanted to know if we were actually requesting credit card information over the phone and if their bills were in jeopardy.” Continue reading Customers Warned of Electricity Scam

TYLER — Some community members are responding to the recent shooting death of a young Tyler woman at a local park. On Monday, August 12, at 6:00pm, Rev. Jerome Milton will host a Community wide Summit on Nonviolence at Greater New Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 502 North Horace. Police believe Bri’ana Young, 20, was caught in gang crossfire when she was killed last month at P.T. Cole Park. Young was accompanied by her three-year-old child, who survived. Police continue to investigate. Continue reading Summit on Nonviolence Planned after Park Death

MARSHALL — Harrison County investigators are seeking information from the public regarding the identification of a suspect in a burglary on the county’s west side. The picture was captured on a home security system on Wednesday, July 31, as she was attempting to enter the front door. The door knob was damaged during the attempt, and the suspect then broke a window. Continue reading Harrison Co. Officials Seeking Burglary Suspect

SMITH COUNTY — A condo at The Villages near Lake Palestine has been destroyed by fire. It was reported shortly after 1:15 Tuesday afternoon on Spring Creek Road. KETK reports witnesses told them some people were cooking on a grill and they believe embers from the grill caught the grass on fire. The fire then spread under the porch of the condo that was destroyed. Three other condos suffered smoke damage. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

TYLER — A 35-year-old Fairfield, Texas man has been sentenced for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Victor Vasquez pleaded guilty on March 7 to charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced yesterday to 70 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Vasquez must also forfeit a 12 gauge shotgun and a 7.62×39 mm semi-automatic rifle to the government. Continue reading Fairfield Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of a Firearm

TYLER — A 39-year-old Palestine man has been sentenced for his part in a multi-defendant drug conspiracy in East Texas. Craig Lee Bice pleaded guilty on last October 30 to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Bice was sentenced yesterday to 96 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Continue reading Palestine Man Sentenced in Meth Case

LONGVIEW — Longview Environmental Health officials are encouraging residents to exercise precaution following a report of the first positive case of West Nile in Longview this year. In response, the city will conduct mosquito spraying during early morning hours in the area surrounding the 300 block of Erskine Drive. In addition, city staff are distributing informational placards to the neighborhood advising individuals to take precaution against West Nile. Continue reading West Nile Reported In Longview

TYLER — According to the office of Magistrate Judge John D. Love with the Tyler federal court, former Smith County Sheriff’s Deputy Kimbrick Bernard Jones, 38, has pleaded not guilty to drug charges. Jones was arrested July 10, on reports he was on duty when he allegedly sold drugs from his county patrol unit. Sheriff Larry Smith told KETK he heard rumors when he took office that Jones had been selling crack cocaine while on duty. “We got enough information on him two months ago to begin an investigation,” said Smith. The investigation included officials with the Sheriff’s department, as well as the Narcotics Unit, FBI, and Texas Rangers. Continue reading Former Deputy Pleads Not Guilty to Drug Charges

ATHENS — An East Texas man has received the maximum sentence for a murder in 2010. KETK reports that Avery Lee Denton, 49, was sentenced in Athens to 20 years for the death of his former girlfriend. Denton had also burned her body in a burn pile near Brownsboro. He was sentenced to serve 15 years on a charge involving tampering with a human corpse. Continue reading East Texan Given Maximum Sentence for 2010 Murder

TYLER — Tyler state Rep. Matt Schaefer voted Monday in favor of House Bill 1 and House Joint Resolution 1, which he says will provide much needed funding for road construction and maintenance. The boom in the Texas oil and gas sector has significantly increased the amount of tax revenues sent to the Economic Stabilization Fund, also known as the Rainy Day Fund, according to Schaefer. He says it is the state’s savings account that has helped maintain government functions during hard economic times. Continue reading Schaefer Supports Increased Road Funding