KTBB News, Weather, Talk

KILGORE — The Kilgore College Rangerettes will perform at the Black Tie & Boots Presidential Inaugural Ball tonight at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The ball, held on the eve of the inauguration of presidential candidate Donald Trump, is sponsored by the Texas State Society. The Rangerettes will perform their “Texas show” which consists of a kick, pom, skirt and jazz routine to popular Texas-themed music. Also, sophomore Swingsters will perform special numbers at the ball. The Rangerettes have performed at the last four inaugural balls for Pres. George W. Bush in 2001 and 2005 and for Pres. Barak Obama in 2009 and 2013.

LONGVIEW — A Kilgore man was sentenced Wednesday to 42 years in prison for the December 2014 shooting death of Franciosa Lakeef Jackson, 36, in Kilgore. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Marcus Demois Whitaker, 37, pleaded guilty Friday in the 124th District Court in Gregg County. A sentencing hearing took place Wednesday. Whitaker will be eligible for parole after having served half of his sentence. Continue reading Man Gets 42 Years in Fatal Kilgore Shooting

MARSHALL — One of Marshall’s “Most Wanted” is now behind bars. Trekevien Jacquia Darnell Miller, 20, of Longview, was taken into custody by Longview Police on Monday. Miller, whom police term a known gang member, was wanted for a felony bond forfeiture warrant out of Gregg County and wanted for questioning for his reported involvement in engaging in organized criminal activity in Marshall. Miller is being held in the Gregg County Jail.

UPSHUR COUNTY — The Texas Department of Public Safety on Tuesday identified the highway patrol officer involved in a fatal officer-involved shooting Jan. 3 in Upshur County. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, DPS spokeswoman Jean Dark identified Trooper John Smith as one of the law enforcement officials involved in the shooting of Dale Hightower Jr., 53, of Gilmer. Upshur County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ramon Ortiz also was involved in the shooting. Smith and Ortiz are on paid administrative leave while the Texas Rangers investigate the shooting. Smith joined the Department of Public Safety in 2009 and is assigned to the office in Gilmer. Continue reading Trooper Involved in Fatal Shooting Identified

ZAVALLA — Two people remain hospitalized following a house explosion Tuesday morning in Zavalla. According to KETK, volunteer fire-fighters in Zavalla were called to the scene of an explosion a little after 6:00 a.m. The two victims were in the care of their neighbors. One of the victims, Lyle West, was buried in the burning debris that once was his home. The other victim, Elaine West, was in a neighbor’s yard. Lyle West was flown to Galveston with serious injuries and Elaine West was transported to a Lufkin hospital for her injuries. Zavalla VFD could only speculate as to what caused the fire but they believe it was possibly caused by a propane gas leak. The explosion had people startled from all around even businesses located three to five miles away heard and felt the blast. In addition to debris being scattered everywhere most of the neighbor’s homes were damaged by either the flying debris or the shockwave.

TYLER — A Tyler man remains behind bars following his arrest for alleged indecency with a child. According KETK, Mark Allen Vanhouten, 53, was arrested by the Tyler police Tuesday on one count of indecency with a child by sexual contact. A warrant was issued by the 7th District Court of Judge Kerry Russell. Vanhouten was booked into the Smith County Jail Tuesday night with bond set at $150,000. Details concerning the case were not available.

TYLER — During a ceremony Wednesday at the Tyler Police Department, Chief Jimmy Toler promoted Lieutenant Billy Yates (pictured) to Assistant Chief and Sergeant Eddie Sheffield to Lieutenant. Assistant Chief Yates will be assigned as the Commander over the Investigation Division and Lieutenant Sheffield will be assigned to Training Division. Asst. Chief Yates has received numerous awards and commendations, including meritorious conduct, life saving award, certificate of achievement and certificate of merit. In 2001, he was also recognized as Rookie of the Year and Supervisor of the Year in 2012. Continue reading Assistant Chief and Lieutenant Promotion Ceremony

LONGVIEW — Classes at Longview ISD’s Foster Middle School remained canceled Wednesday after a water line ruptured, sending students home early Tuesday. According to KETK, the district contacted parents, and buses were made available to take students home. Longview ISD will release more information about the status of the repairs as it’s available.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – It’s been nearly three decades since a 31-year-old East Texas woman was found dead on the shoulder of New York State’s Adirondack Northway, and state police say the case remains open. Terri Kay Roark’s body was found in 1988 on the shoulder of Interstate 87 at the Thaddeus Kosciusko Bridge, which spans the Mohawk River and links Albany and Saratoga counties. An autopsy found that she died of a skull fracture and the case was ruled a homicide. Troopers say the victim’s last known address was Mount Pleasant, Texas. An investigation revealed that she was last seen leaving a mental health facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma the week before her death. Investigators haven’t been able to identify any ties the victim may have had to the Northeast. Anyone with information is asked to call (518) 783-3211.

TYLER — The League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County kicks off its 2017 Great Decisions Lecture Series. It’s a project of the Foreign Policy Association, sponsored locally by the League of Women Voters, AAUW Tyler, and Tyler Public Library. The program provides background information and policy options for what organizers term the eight most critical issues facing America each year and serves as the focal text for discussion groups across the country. The lecture series begins Wednesday and continues through March 8. The lectures are held at the Tyler Public Library’s Taylor Auditorium. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.; lectures begin at noon. Continue reading Great Decisions Series Kicks Off

DALLAS – The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday announced the city of Tyler agreed to significantly upgrade its sanitary sewer system to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act. The city will also undertake extensive operational improvements to its sanitary sewer system and pay a total of $563,000 in civil penalties. DOJ, on behalf of the EPA, and the State of Texas, on behalf of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, jointly filed a complaint against the city of Tyler alleging that, since 2005, the city has allowed and continues to allow untreated sewage to overflow from the city’s sanitary sewer system in violation of the CWA and the Texas Water Code. Continue reading City of Tyler Agrees to Fine, Extensive Sewer System Upgrades

ANDERSON COUNTY — The search for a man reported missing on Lake Palestine continues. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Palestine Fire Department Tuesday moved into the third day of searching for 37-year-old Cody Lusk, last seen Saturday night. According to KETK, he was reported missing Sunday morning. Additional equipment is being used to help in the search, including a side scan radar unit with mapping capability which is used to help define underwater structures.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Chief Jesus “Eddie” Campa was selected as one of the 2017 recipients of the Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Humanitarian Award. According to the Dr. MLK Junior Awards Committee, the prestigious honor is indicative of one who has demonstrated leadership skills and made a difference in the community. The award is given to those who personify the highest standards of service and character. Chief Campa accepted the award given by the Dr. Martin Luther King Junior Awards Committee during a ceremony on Sunday, January 15 at Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in Marshall. Continue reading Marshall Police Chief Receives Humanitarian Award

TYLER — Tyler Police are looking for the driver responsible for a hit and run accident on Gentry Parkway Monday night. Officers responded to the 3200 block of West Gentry Parkway in reference to a welfare concern. Officers arrived and found the man, identified as Albert Daron, 82, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. There was vehicle debris in the road where Daron was found, indicating that he had been hit by a vehicle while he was crossing the road on foot. The vehicle that struck him did not remain on scene and Daron was unable to tell officers what happened. Daron was transported to East Texas Medical Center by ambulance. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Anyone with information about the suspects involved in this crime is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000.

LONGVIEW — Some Longview residents have a chance to get to know their city council member a little better. District 4 Councilwoman Kristen Ishihara has called a Town Meeting for 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at Mobberly Baptist Church on East Loop 281. The meeting will be held in the Bridge Building, Room D120. City officials say the event is intended as an informal opportunity to interact with Ishihara. Unlike council meetings, the meeting will not be recorded for rebroadcast on CityView Municipal Television.

ATHENS — An Athens business is asking for the public’s help locating its stolen food truck. According to KETK, Chick’s BBQ says its trailer was stolen over the weekend from downtown Athens off South Palestine Street. In a post on Chick’s Facebook page, the company says it was full of vital business equipment. “Our girls are heartbroken over this – please share with everyone you can and tag all of your friends, to help our small business,” the company stated. It is believed the trailer was taken between noon Saturday and noon Monday.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the Week of Jan. 16. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones.

Longview motorists should consider alternate routes as a new construction project gets underway Monday on Loop 281. The Loop 281 at FM 1845/Pine Tree Road widening project limits are from US 80 to Shofner Drive. The project will have a major impact on traffic causing travel delays as roadways are reduced to one lane in all directions. The contractor is Longview Bridge and Road. Additional information is available in the Gregg County section of this story. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

EAST TEXAS — East Texans observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. The Tyler Together Race Relations Forum presented the 31st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Interfaith Community Program. This year’s theme was “The Time is Always Ripe to do What’s Right.” The downtown event featured a short program, a march, and an interfaith service. The keynote speaker, popular chef Kevin Belton, said honoring Dr. King means getting to know people who are different from you. Belton told KTBB, “I just want everybody to take the time to get to know their neighbor — know something about someone else… that speaks a different language or from a different culture — learn something about them.” He said another good idea is to share a meal with family and friends. Continue reading East Texans Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

TYLER — A Tyler family’s house has gone up in flames, and they’ve lost a pet. According to KETK, neighbors say the only people living inside the residence on Woodland Hills Drive were a couple in their fifties. They had several pets in the home, and one dog died. But the couple was able to get out safely. 3 neighbors say the sound of an explosion woke them up around 2 Saturday morning. That’s when they saw it was a fire and called 911. Continue reading Dog Dies, Family Homeless in Tyler Fire

KILGORE — A Kilgore police officer is recognized by her city for not giving up on a former Marine. In September of 2015, someone discovered a box containing cremated human remains, with the name Donald Krell, in a Walmart grocery cart. Over the next year, Angela Burch, who has been on the force for 21 years, learned Krell was a veteran who was supposed to be buried in a nearby county. They didn’t want him interned there. She tracked down his daughter in England, who gave her his death certificate. Burch then arranged to have him laid to rest in the Kilgore Memorial Cemetery, in a donated plot, on Veterans Day last year. As to why she was so tenacious, Burch says it was “because he’s a human being, and he was a veteran, and he deserved all our respect to give him a…final resting place.” Krell served in Korea. He was in his late 70s, and he died in Palestine.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Traffic Department will be closing parts of eastbound and westbound Sunnybrook Drive and Earl Campbell Parkway at Frankston Highway, State Highway 155, to remove existing striping and install new striping to create two lanes for eastbound traffic. The lane closures will get underway at 6:00 Sunday morning and will last until around noon that day. Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling in this area. Frankston Highway will not be affected by this work.

TYLER — Bergfeld Realty Co. and Fuddruckers made a joint announcement Friday evening about a new development across from UT Tyler on University Boulevard. In a release, Andy Bergfeld said ground was broken over Christmas break for Patriot Corners. The land was purchased several months and final plans for construction are underway. The mixed use development will include Fuddruckers, Cooley Cosmetic Family Dentistry and a drive-thru donut shop. The shopping center is expected to be complete in May 2017. “With the groundbreaking on the new business school at UT Tyler, which is right across from our property, I think the timing is great. Continue reading Shopping Center Under Construction Near UT Tyler

MARSHALL – One of Marshall’s “Most Wanted” suspects has surrendered to authorities. Vuntarius Lamar Brown, 20, turned himself in Friday. He had an outstanding warrant for deadly conduct. Police Chief Jesus “Eddie” Campa said it was the members of the community who viewed and shared information on social media regarding Brown’s case, along with countless hours the department’s detectives spent on this case, which ultimately led to Brown’s surrender.

NACOGDOCHES – We occasionally hear of a student getting into trouble for bringing a weapon to school. We now have a report of student who got into trouble for bringing a venomous snake to school. It happened Thursday at Nacogdoches High School. The school’s staff and students told administrators about the snake. The district’s law enforcement then contacted the Nacogdoches Fire Department to come get the snake. The school district’s Facebook page says the incident remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW – The Longview School District webpage has posted video of the construction of the district’s new Montessori school. The school, which will be about 150,000 square feet, is set to have 64 classrooms, a band hall and fine arts area, a cafetorium, a gym, a library and more. It’s located at Eastman Road and Marshall Avenue. When completed, it will be the school district’s second largest building, only behind Longview High School. Since it is far all of the students in the district, the building is centrally located. It will serve will serve all Head Start, pre-K and kindergarten students in Longview ISD, teaching them with the Montessori method. The $31.25 million facility should start welcoming students for the first time this fall. You can go to https://youtu.be/7MG0lg_EGZ8 to view the video.

TYLER – Traffic was reduced to one lane in each direction for awhile early Friday afternoon on West Grande Boulevard near Shady Oaks Drive in Tyler following a three vehicle accident. Police spokesman Don Martin says one person was injured in the wreck. Martin says an SUV driven by Tiffany Pearson, 31, of Flint, was heading east when she lost control in a curve during a rain shower. She slid sideways into the westbound lanes hitting a pickup and a VPG Taxi that were heading west. Pearson, the only person injured, is hospitalized in critical condition.

LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University signed a Memorandum of Agreement on Friday for a new public and private and corporate partnership with Iowa State University and Eastman Chemical. The new agreement will provide a pathway for LETU chemistry students to enter a graduate program at Iowa State to earn a Master of Chemical Engineering degree, while receiving support and mentoring from corporate partner Eastman Chemical in Longview. A news release from the school quotes the LETU Dean of Education, Arts and Sciences Dr. Larry Frazier as saying, “In this new partnership, qualified undergraduates from LeTourneau University will gain early entry in the Masters of Engineering in Chemical Engineering program at Iowa State University and be able to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with an engineering concentration from LETU and a Master of Chemical Engineering from Iowa State-in only five years.” He said the program may be the first chemical engineering degree program pathway in East Texas.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department has responded to a major wreck on West Grande east of Shady Oaks Drive. It was reported around 12:20. Traffic in both directions is down to one lane of traffic. Motorist are asked to avoid this area if possible.

LONGVIEW – A study is beginning over the possibility of building an outdoor amphitheater along the Interstate 20 corridor. It would serve as a concert and entertainment venue for the East Texas area. The feasibility study is being conducted by the Longview Economic Development Corporation and the City of Longview. A consulting firm has been hired to study the potential viability of such a project. This would include market demand, site considerations, as well as financial and funding analysis. The project is only under consideration. No funding has been identified for it. According to a city news release, if it proves feasible, there would have to be a major fundraising campaign to raise private and corporate dollars to help fund construction and on-going operation.