KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the Week of February 9, 2015. Weather conditions forecast for the area could cause changes to this week’s work schedules.

SMITH COUNTY – The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT’s) Tyler maintenance crews are conducting work this week at various locations on SH 110. Motorists should use caution when traveling through these work zones.*Pavement repairs are being performed at the junction of Acker Tap in Whitehouse. The crew will be using heavy equipment to remove and replace the existing pavement. Traffic reduced to one lane with flaggers providing traffic control. There will be no access to Acker Tap from State Highway 110. Acker Tap traffic will be allowed access to SH 110. Work will begin after 9:00am. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes.

*A second crew will be doing base repairs on State Highway 110 N just south of Interstate Highway20. The job will be conducted with traffic reduced to one lane and controlled by flaggers. Once completed, the crew will conduct base repairs on Farm Road 1253 between Farm Road 16 and Farm Road 857 with traffic down to one lane with flaggers providing traffic control. Continue reading TxDOT Project Updates

TYLER — A number of Tyler and Smith County community leaders greeted dozens of attendees Sunday afternoon at an open forum on law enforcement concerns that have emerged in different parts of the country. Attendees and participants at the “All Lives Matter” forum at Liberty Baptist Church sought to ensure that Tyler won’t be hit by incidents such as the ones in Ferguson, Missouri, and Staten Island, New York. Questions were posed to a panel that included Mayor Martin Heines, Sheriff Larry Smith, Police Chief Gary Swindle, District Attorney Matt Bingham, NAACP President Cedrick Granberry, and pastor Gilberto Avila. Continue reading Dozens Attend “All Lives Matter” Forum on Law Enforcement Concerns

TYLER – A bicyclist has been killed just outside the Tyler city limits after being hit by a car. David Durbin III, 21, of Whitehouse, was pronounced dead the scene. The accident happened around 1:00 Sunday morning on Old Jacksonville Highway. The Department of Public Safety reports Durbin was attempting to cross the highway and failed to yield to oncoming traffic. The car was driven by a Flint man, who was not injured.

LUFKIN — A couple of Lufkin hospice workers have been fired after allegedly going to a client’s home drunk to pronounce a family member dead. Officials say the nurse who was on call had been out drinking with the office manager. When they got the call, they showed up and were asked to leave. both were arrested that night. Justo Mendez, head of human resources with the hospice company, Harbor House, says, “There was no other option than immediate termination. They made decisions that are contrary to what we are, what Harbor is — particularly the nurse. She made decisions that are contrary to the license that she holds. You cannot be on call and have a drink.” Mendez says Harbor House immediately sent a spiritual counselor to the family’s home and is paying for the funeral expenses.

AUSTIN — State Representative Chris Paddie of Marshall has filed a bill to increase punishments for felony convictions for the possession or promotion of child pornography. House Bill 1123 would elevate penalties for the possession of child porn. Paddie says, “It’s about strengthening protections for our children. We need to empower law enforcement to fight these heinous crimes, and we need to enhance judicial tools for prosecuting these predators.” Higher-degree felony convictions often result in longer sentences.

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said Sunday afternoon that Constable John Smith was “awake and alert” in intensive care at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler after suffering an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. In a news release, the sheriff said, “The investigation has been completed at the scene of the shooting. From all evidence gleaned from the investigation thus far, the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. We will not be releasing any further information regarding this investigation due to it being self-inflicted. Please keep Constable Smith and his family in your prayers as they deal with this tragic event. Constable John Smith is a longtime law enforcement officer who has served with distinction and dignity and who is loved and respected as such in Smith County.” Continue reading Sheriff: Constable “Awake and Alert,” Gunshot Wound Apparently Self-Inflicted

AUSTIN – Representative Bryan Hughes of Mineola has announced his committee assignments for the 84th Texas Legislature. He has been appointed to the House Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Juvenile Justice and Family Issues. “The Appropriations Committee is one of the most sought after in the House. I am thankful to again be a member of this committee, where I can continue to be a voice for East Texas and to make sure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and frugally,” Hughes said of his appointment to the Appropriations Committee. Continue reading Hughes Appointed Again to Powerful House Appropriations Committee

TYLER — U.S. Senator John Cornyn was in Tyler Saturday to talk about gun rights. According to KETK, the Texas Republican has announced a bill that would allow concealed weapons to be carried across all fifty states. Texans with concealed handgun licenses would be able to travel from Texas to other states with their handguns legally. Right now, 15 states do not recognize concealed carry privileges in Texas’ concealed handgun license. “This does respect state sovereignty, something we feel strongly about here in Texas,” said Cornyn. “We don’t want anybody else telling Texas what to do, and we don’t presume to tell other states what to do.” Cornyn visited Tyler’s Lock and Load Indoor Gun Range, where he took a tour and had some shooting practice..

KILGORE — A Kilgore teen missing since Monday evening has been found safe in Mesquite, according to the Kilgore Police Department. Police said 15-year-old Alexis Wardlaw’s family was notified of her location and family members had gone to pick her up. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Wardlaw was reported missing several days ago after she left her residence through her bedroom window. Police thanked everyone who helped provide detectives with information about Wardlaw’s disappearance.

LONGVIEW — Protesters wearing masks began showing up in small groups Saturday at Longview police headquarters to bring focus to the shooting death of 17-year-old Kristiana Coignard last month. KETK reports that by 12:45 p.m. there were about 50 people outside the police station taking part in the social media-driven effort. Those wearing masks chanted, “Don’t shoot kids; arrest, don’t shoot.” By 4 p.m. or so, about a dozen protesters remained. A candlelight vigil was scheduled for Saturday evening, and the demonstration was due to continue Sunday. Police said Coignard was shot multiple times when she allegedly rushed an officer with a knife in her hand in the Longview Police Department lobby on January 22. Continue reading Protest Activity Follows Longview Police Shooting

MINNEAPOLIS (AP/Staff) – The NFL Players Association’s attempt to have Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson reinstated has been taken under advisement by a federal judge. U.S. District Judge David Doty heard arguments from the NFLPA and the NFL on Friday. He did not provide a timetable for his decision. The former Palestine High School star has been suspended at least through April 15 after he was charged in a child abuse case last year, a case he resolved with a plea bargain. NFLPA attorney Jeffrey Kessler said arbitrator Harold Henderson’s rejection of Peterson’s appeal was biased. Dan Nash, a lawyer for the league, said the union is simply is seeking to “re-litigate” the appeal and is bound by the collective bargaining agreement to the arbitration. Peterson said afterward he felt he had “a fair hearing, for once.”

LONGVIEW — Protest activity is being held this weekend over the recent shooting death of 17-year-old Kristiana Coignard by Longview police officers. Police said Coignard was shot multiple times when she allegedly rushed an officer with a knife in her hand in the Longview Police Department lobby on January 22. A group that considers the police response unjustified has organized “police accountability demonstrations” and a candlelight vigil at police headquarters. In an effort known as “Justice for Kristiana,” participants planned to kick off the demonstrations at noon today. The vigil is scheduled to get underway at 5:30 this afternoon, and the demonstrations are due to resume at noon Sunday. Continue reading Protest Activity Follows Police Shooting

TYLER — Tyler police say a woman was stabbed 19 times by her fiancé but survived the attack. Police responded Thursday to 423 E. Ferguson Street just before midnight on a report of a stabbing. Arriving officers found that Karistha Johnson, 28, had been stabbed multiple times, allegedly by Cedric Humble, 26. Johnson was transported to East Texas Medical Center by ambulance. Officers were told that Johnson and Humble had gotten into a verbal altercation that led to Humble’s stabbing Johnson with a steak knife numerous times inside their residence. Her 12-year-old son witnessed the incident and ran out of the house calling for help, police say. Humble pursued and threatened the child with the knife as he fled the residence, according to authorities. Officials say Humble then fled the scene before officers arrived. Continue reading Police: Woman Survives Being Stabbed 19 Times by Fiancé

KILGORE — A man considered a person of interest in the shooting death of a woman has been captured in Shreveport on a parole violation charge. KETK reports the Kilgore Police Department had been looking for Marcus Demois Whitaker, 35, of Kilgore, to question him about the death of Franciosa Lakeefe Jackson, 36, of Kilgore. Jackson was killed on December 28. Whitaker was taken into custody at a home in Shreveport. Kilgore detectives traveled to Shreveport and met with Whitaker and other possible witnesses. Whitaker is currently being held in the Caddo Parrish Jail on a Texas warrant for parole violation. Authorities are working on extraditing Whitaker back to Gregg County.

BULLARD — The Brook Hill School in Bullard had an unexpected science lesson land right on its campus Thursday. KETK reports a weather balloon from Fort Worth fell from the sky and landed right in Brook Hill’s backyard. Sixth grade teacher Ms. Wallace said the discovery was impeccable timing. She had just been teaching her class about atmospheric pressure and weather balloons. “Our science teacher said weather balloons actually go up there, and we had to draw pictures about it, so seeing one actually come down on our campus is pretty bizarre,” remarked one student. The students had the chance to look at and touch the balloon up close before sending it back to Fort Worth. Weather balloons record temperature, wind direction, and atmospheric direction. The information is placed into a national grid for meteorologists to forecast the weather.

FLINT — Officials have released more details surrounding what are termed strange occurrences during an RV fire in the Flint area Wednesday evening. According to KETK, Smith County Fire Marshal Jay Brooks said crews first responded to reports of a house fire off FM 346 West. While at the scene, a man reportedly gave a false name to Brooks for unknown reasons. He was later identified as Jereme David Nelson, 30, of Bullard. When questioned about the alleged fake name, Nelson became upset and walked to another property, according to officials. The fire marshal said Nelson made a threatening motion before he entered the house. In response, Brooks drew his gun and deputies were called for backup. While Brooks waited for law enforcement, the suspect was able to leave the area, officials say. Continue reading Bullard Man Sought in Connection with RV Fire

HENDERSON — One person is killed and one injured following a two vehicle accident north of Henderson. Killed was David Haynes, 33, of Henderson. Injured was Scotty Martin, 36, of Troup. The Department of Public Safety reports Haynes pickup was traveling south on U.S. Highway 259 at an unsafe speed. The pickup veered into the center median and flipped, entering the north bound lane where it hit Martin’s car. Haynes was dead at the scene and Martin was treated and released from East Texas Medical Center in Henderson. The accident happened around 5:45 Thursday morning.

KILGORE — Representatives from Texas Mutual Insurance Company presented a $100,000 grant to Kilgore College Thursday to fund the KC Risk Management Institute. The money will provide free workplace safety courses for employers, employees and the general public. “We continue to be grateful for this partnership between Texas Mutual and Kilgore College, which has helped educate many East Texas employees,” said KC President Dr. Bill Holda. “The safety training provided through the institute is a valuable resource for our community and helps local industry professionals prevent injuries on the job and possibly save lives.” This is the eighth consecutive year that Texas Mutual has given the $100,000 grant to the college to sustain the Risk Management Institute.

TYLER — A combined task force of federal, state and local law officers have arrested 18 persons in Gregg and Upshur Counties. They executed federal arrest warrants following a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in East Texas. Two suspects remain at large. The arrests followed a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Drug Administration, Gregg County CODE Unit, Longview Police Department, and Gregg County Sheriff’s Office. Continue reading 18 East Texans Arrested on Drug Allegations

TYLER — The Smith County Volunteer Firemen’s Association Thursday donated four Taser Axon body-worn cameras to the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office in honor of late Fire Marshal Jim Seaton (pictured). ‘These cameras will be used to provide a more detailed and unbiased documentation our fire scenes as well as offer protection to our officers and the public, said Fire Marshal Jay Brooks. “We are so thankful for the donation and the partnership we have with all of our area firefighters.

The Smith County Volunteer Fireman’s Association is made up of area firefighters who serve Smith County residents outside the incorporated limits of the city of Tyler. The Association represents firefighters who serve Arp, Bullard, Chapel Hill, Dixie, Flint-Gresham, Jackson Heights, Lindale, Noonday, Red Springs, Troup, Whitehouse, and Winona Volunteer Fire Departments. The association wanted to donate the cameras in honor of Seaton for his dedicated service to the community and to the association, according to Brooks.

ALBA — Authorities in Wood County are asking for the public’s help in the recent theft of livestock. According to KETK, law officers are searching for two goats taken January 30 or 31 from the Alba area. A $1,000 reward has been offered by Wood County Crime Stoppers for the return of the goats or information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever’s responsible. The goats are described as female Kiko goats and were only about a week old. One is all black with a white star on its forehead, and the other is a solid cream color. Call Wood County Crime Stoppers at 903-763-CASH (2274) if you have information about this case.

TYLER — Dr. Barbara Haas has been elected chairperson of Nursing Education Xchange, a national collaborative of doctoral programs in nursing, Dr. Yong “Tai” Wang, Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at The University of Texas at Tyler, announced. Haas serves as the David G. Braithwaite professor in nursing and associate dean for the graduate and international programs within the college. “I am honored to have been elected and look forward to working with outstanding doctoral program directors and deans from across the nation,” Haas said. “This group represents some of the most prestigious doctoral programs in the country. Beyond that, these are innovators and leaders in re-envisioning the future of doctoral education.”

KILGORE — Multiple agencies responded to a major multi-vehicle crash involving a wrong-way driver on I-20 Thursday morning. According to KETK, the Kilgore Fire Department says it received a call for assistance on a vehicle accident at around 10:54 a.m. By that time, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office had already received multiple reports of a vehicle traveling east in the westbound lanes. Authorities later learned an “older man” had been driving the wrong way. His vehicle caused several crashes involving two 18-wheelers and four other vehicles, including his own. The man’s vehicle came to rest near exit 589A inside Kilgore city limits. Multiple minor injuries were reported, and the man who is believed to have caused the wrecks was taken to a Longview hospital. The Kilgore Police Department is working with DPS and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office to determine why the man was traveling in the wrong direction.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department requests your assistance in identifying a suspect who reportedly has touched several female victims from behind inappropriately while they were shopping in a department store. According to the TPD Facebook page, the suspect was observed getting into a red Dodge Dakota pickup. If you have any information on who this suspect is, contact Detective Ken Gardner at 903-535-0192 or you may call Tyler Smith-County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

TYLER – Tyler police are investigating an assault that occurred Wednesday night on the Texas College campus, 2404 North Grand. A man driving a car had been attacked by several persons. During the assault, the driver attempted to flee in his vehicle. A woman, who was attempting to exit the car, fell from the vehicle. As the driver backed up, the woman was struck and injured. The driver then hit a light pole and was forcefully removed from the car by the assailants. The driver was then severely beaten, receiving non-life threatening injuries. The suspects then fled the area. A third occupant was in the back seat, but sustained minimal injuries. All three individuals were transported to the hospital for treatment.

TYLER — Dr. Tom Johnson and Dr. Tim Drain have assumed new responsibilities at Tyler Junior College.

Johnson, executive director of TJC Campus Police and director of the law enforcement academy, has been named assistant vice president for student services. In this new role, Johnson will work with key leaders from the institution, including the dean for enrollment management and the college registrar, to promote access through various enrollment strategies, including a more focused approach to serving our nation’s veterans. He will continue to oversee TJC Campus Police and work with the TJC judicial department, all focused on campuses where civility and safety are paramount. He will also work with TJC Career Services to strengthen the services provided to students to serve the region’s business and industry. Continue reading New Assistant Vice Presidents at TJC

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department has ended its search for a missing 15-year-old who’d been termed a runaway. According to KETK, family members of Taylor Banks say she was found alive and safe Wednesday afternoon. Taylor had last been seen in the area of Boldt Street and McDonald Road on Monday, February 2, around 9:00 p.m.

WHITEHOUSE — Funeral services were held this morning at Whitehouse United Methodist Church for former Whitehouse Mayor Acker Hanks, who died Sunday at 92 following a brief illness. According to the Lloyd James Funeral Home website, Hanks was the principal of Bullard Elementary for two years and Whitehouse Elementary for nine years. In 1966, he returned to the classroom to teach agriculture at Whitehouse High School until he retired in 1985. He also served four terms on the Whitehouse City Council and one term as the mayor. Hanks and his wife of 35 years, Bobbie, were deemed instrumental in establishing the Whitehouse YMCA and the construction of the Whitehouse Meals on Wheels building. Hanks is survived by his wife and a number of other family members.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A woman reported missing from Kilgore since May 15, 2014, has been located and arrested in Lexington, Kentucky. According to KETK, the Kilgore Police Department Criminal Investigation Unit was notified early Wednesday morning that Christina Rae Davison had been arrested at around 1:00 a.m. in Lexington. The arrest stemmed from an outstanding Harrison County, Texas, warrant along with local charges in Lexington. Lexington officials booked her into jail on a felony warrant, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Continue reading Christina Rae Davison Found, Arrested in Kentucky; Missing since May

ATHENS — Henderson County authorities report that Zackery Childers, 19, of Kemp, was recently sentenced to 5 years in prison for a 2013 burglary of a habitation. The investigation began when Sheriff’s Deputy Jodie Sorrells responded to a call that a young man had been seen driving an allegedly stolen lawnmower into the woods. Continue reading Man Gets Five Years in Burglary Case