KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’S Tyler district during the week of June 20. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues.

In Anderson County, County Road 1231 at Stills Creek closes Monday for the start of a bridge replacement project. The closure will remain in place for at least two months as the new bridge is built. Motorists will have to use alternate routes to reach their destinations. Continue reading TxDOT Issues Updated Work Schedule

LONGVIEW — Longview-area residents are gearing up for a big change in animal care. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center is set to open in a few weeks, but the movement to change the area’s mindset toward animal welfare started months ago. Directors say it’s paramount they get the word out that the new shelter signals an intention to make Longview and Gregg County a better place for animals as well as people. Continue reading New Longview Shelter Signals Shift in Caring for Pets

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office have formed a DWI Task Force in response to recent DWI-related fatalities in the region. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, officials said the task force will be out in force during the July Fourth weekend. In addition, regular shift officers will assist task force officers to identify and arrest impaired drivers on area roads. The anti-DWI effort will begin at 8 p.m. July 1 and operate through 4 a.m. July Fourth. Marshall police Chief Jesus “Eddie” Campa and Harrison County Sheriff Tom McCool said the new DWI task force will have “zero tolerance” for any drivers found to be driving while intoxicated.

TYLER — Tyler’s state representative is getting busy with Lone Star Card reform. The Texas Lone Star Card program is designed to help needy East Texas families buy food through cash benefits, but Matt Schaefer says some are abusing this privilege. According to KETK, Schaefer said he and his staff found millions of dollars in fraud after comparing the Texas program to other states. “In the state of Texas, our Lone Star Card does not have the name or the picture on there. There’s no personally identifiable information at all,” said the District 6 Republican. Continue reading Schaefer Promotes Lone Star Card Reform

TYLER — Tyler now officially has a new police chief following the recent retirement of Gary Swindle. Jimmy Toler, a 22-year veteran of the Tyler Police Department, was sworn in Friday afternoon. Toler’s worked within the Patrol, Investigations, and Administrative Divisions of the department. He has held the ranks of Sergeant, Lieutenant and Assistant Chief of Police. Among other things, Toler performed analysis for building a South Sub-station that received the approval of the Tyler City Council. He remains a member of the City of Tyler Performance Excellence Program and continues to work to implement strategic planning principles and best practices throughout the organization, according to a news release.

TYLER – The Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County has a new executive director. Stepha​n​ie Taylor moves into her new position Monday. Taylor most recently served as Director of Community Outreach and Public Information Officer at the Northeast Texas Public Health District. According to a news release, she has more than 15 years of experience in the public health and nonprofit sectors. As the Alliance’s executive director, Taylor will lead a staff that provides services to more than 3,500 people in Smith County living with dementia.

TYLER — After nine years on the run, 31-year-old Alan Patterson of Tyler has been arrested by U.S. Marshals in Austin for probation violations stemming from an aggravated robbery conviction in 2004. Patterson was sentenced to probation for the robbery case but later absconded, according to a news release. On May 14, 2007, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office issued a felony probation violation warrant, but officials say Patterson had fled Smith County. Continue reading Fugitive for Nine Years Arrested by U.S. Marshals

TYLER — Upwards of 200 people turned out Thursday evening at Tyler’s Bergfeld Park for a vigil honoring victims of the devastating Orlando attack last weekend. The event was hosted by groups representing the LGBT community and others. One of the organizers and speakers, Brenda McWilliams, says it was an occasion for “grieving and sharing our sorrow…and even in our sorrow, our hopes for a brighter future and more positive change.” She added that all of those are “elements of our common bond.” McWilliams says she hopes the violent shooting incident’s victims give people “courage to seek out and participate in conversations and community, not condemnation” and “courage to speak and act in ways that foster love and compassion, not hate and violence.”

HUNTSVILLE (AP) — A 49-year-old East Texas man set for execution next week for the slaying of his 2-year-old daughter 14 years ago has won a reprieve. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has halted the scheduled Tuesday lethal injection of Robert Roberson III. Attorneys for Roberson contend he is innocent of capital murder for the February 2002 death of his daughter, Nikki Curtis, at his home in Palestine. Lawyers argue in appeals that his conviction was based on “junk science” and “false, misleading and scientifically invalid testimony.” They say new scientific evidence establishes he would not have been convicted. The child had serious head injuries. Roberson contended she accidentally fell from a bed. The appeals court has sent his case back to his Anderson County trial court to review the claims.

TYLER — Crews are facing a major problem on Lake Street in Tyler, and it’s going to affect travel for awhile to come. On Wednesday, the City of Tyler Street Department closed both lanes of the 1100 block of East Lake Street between Elizabeth Drive and Magnolia Drive for emergency drainage and street repair. After assessment of the situation, it has been determined that the structural integrity of the culvert under East Lake Street has been compromised, according to officials. This section of the road will remained closed for major repair until further notice. Continue reading Part of East Lake Street Closed till Further Notice

TYLER – The members of the North East Texas Regional Mobility (NET RMA) met Wednesday and awarded Judge Bill Stoudt’s proposal on behalf of Gregg County with $400,000 as the first recipient of its annual Priority Project Program. The money goes to Gregg County’s proposal for the reconstruction and improvements to the U.S. 259 and Hawkins Parkway intersection in northeast Longview. The proposal is a partnership involving the City of Longview, Gregg County, and TxDOT. Continue reading NET RMA Announces Priority Project Winner

SMITH COUNTY — Officials Thursday released more information on the death of a pedestrian on I-20 in Smith County. DPS Trooper Jean Dark says troopers responded around 3:20 Thursday morning to a location five miles north of Tyler. According to Dark, preliminary investigation revealed that a pickup was traveling westbound in the inside lane after passing a truck-tractor semi-trailer. Dark says a pedestrian was very near the westbound inside lane and yellow stripe when the pickup struck him. The pedestrian has been identified as Andrew Griffin, 47, of Waxahachie. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet was identified as Heather Roussere, 32, of Alba. There was no immediate word on any possible charges.

LUFKIN (AP) – An East Texas man must serve life in prison for the 2015 fatal shooting of his wife as the couple argued near their infant son. Joshua Ingram was sentenced Wednesday night in Lufkin. An Angelina County jury hours earlier convicted the 32-year-old Lufkin man of murder in the death of his spouse, Jennifer. The couple’s then-3-month-old son was not injured during the February 2015 gunfire at the family’s home. An autopsy determined the 29-year-old victim was shot numerous times. Lufkin police found the baby at the residence after being contacted by a relative who said Ingram had called his mother to say he shot his wife and was going to kill himself. Ingram was captured at a video store a few hours after the shooting.

BELTON (AP) – A former Texas law enforcement officer who worked for several East Texas agencies must serve life in prison without parole for the 2014 killing of Little River-Academy police Chief Lee Dixon. David Gene Risner was sentenced Wednesday night in Belton. Jurors on June 6 convicted Risner of capital murder, but deadlocked on whether he deserved the death penalty or life in prison without possibility of parole. A judge then sentenced the 59-year-old Risner to life behind bars. Dixon was fatally shot in June 2014 while responding to a report of an armed man. Dixon was the only police officer in Little River-Academy, a town of about 2,000 located 60 miles northeast of Austin. Risner formerly was a police officer in Edgewood, Gun Barrel City and Grand Saline, plus worked for the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office.

TYLER — Tyler-area residents are continuing to join hands in a spirit of peace and unity following the Orlando massacre. This evening at 6:30, a consortium of local groups representing the LGBT community and others will hold a vigil at Bergfeld Park honoring victims of the attack. Organizers say attendees should expect “peaceful, non-violent words and actions.” On Tuesday, the East Texas Islamic Society held its already-scheduled annual open house Tuesday evening in observance of the holy month of Ramadan. A huge crowd was on hand, and society spokesman Anwar Khalifa says after 13 years of holding the event, attendance gets better every year. Given what’s been on the news, Khalifa says that’s “very encouraging,” noting that “we’re all here for knowledge…and better understanding.” He adds, “I feel like it’s extremely important that we open our doors for our community.”

HENDERSON — The judge presiding over the Bernie Tiede case has dismissed the convicted murderer’s theft indictment, agreeing it violated Tiede’s Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial, according to the Longview News-Journal and KETK. The action by visiting Judge Diane DeVasto expands the possibilities for Tiede, who is appealing a 99-year sentence jurors levied in April after hearing three weeks of testimony. Defense attorney Mike DeGeurin’s motion for a new sentencing trial, which would be Tiede’s third for the 1996 murder of 81-year-old Marjorie Nugent in Carthage, remains pending before DeVasto. Continue reading Bernie Tiede Theft Charge Dismissed

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man is safe after his boat capsized Tuesday morning on the Sabine River, just north of the Texas 149 bridge. KETK reports, Ismael Martinez, 59, had been planning to spend his Wednesday morning fishing just near the bridge. But when he got to the spot where he was going to tie off his boat, the boat flipped. A rescue call came in to emergency responders at 7:45, Gregg County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Josh Tubb said. Emergency response teams from Gregg County, Lakeport, Texas Parks & Wildlife and the Longview Fire Department responded to the scene, with the Longview Fire Department’s water rescue team bringing the man’s boat to shore. Martinez was not injured, but he did lose one sandal and his bait.

GLADEWATER — Two young alligators were rescued from a Gladewater swimming pool Tuesday afternoon, Game Warden Todd Long said. Homeowners living about a quarter of a mile from the river called authorities Tuesday when they noticed the alligators were stuck in their pool, which had a low water level. It’s not known when exactly the alligators became trapped, according to the Longview News-Journal and KETK. Long, along with officers from the Gladewater Police Department, moved the alligators and released them back into the Sabine River. The Parks and Wildlife Department is seeing a lot of displaced alligators recently because of flooding, Long said. He urged anyone who sees an alligator where it shouldn’t be to contact the Parks and Wildlife Department or their local authorities.

ATHENS — An East Texas man has received the maximum sentence for six sexually-related crimes after pleading guilty. KETK reports that Cedric Verachai Herring, 34, formerly of Brownsboro, was sentenced in Athens Tuesday. He gets life in prison for aggravated sexual assault, life in prison for sexual assault of a child, 99 years for sexual assault of a child, 20 years for indecency with a child by contact, 20 years on each of two counts of sexual performance by a child, and 10 years for possession of child pornography. Herring was indicted after an investigation into the cases in April 2014 when a complaint was made to the Brownsboro Police Department by the mother of one of Herring’s victims. Continue reading Man Gets Maximum Sentence for Multiple Sex Crimes

GREGG COUNTY — The mother of a toddler who died Tuesday in a fire north of Lake Cherokee has identified the child, two of her other children injured in the fire, and the children’s father — and she says the surviving kids are going to be all right. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Tasha LaShell Holland said 3-year-old Ayden Bounds was the boy who died in the fire Tuesday afternoon on Victorian Oak. Holland said Bounds, who had moderate autism, was “the sweetest little boy you could ever meet.” Lilly Bounds, 1, was taken to a hospital in Dallas. Jacob Bounds, 4, was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. The children’s father, Thomas Bounds, was also injured in the fire while getting the children out of the home. The extent of his injuries is not yet known. Continue reading Victims Identified in Fire near Lake Cherokee

TYLER — Brookshire Grocery Co. Wednesday announced the pending acquisition of 25 former Walmart Express stores in smaller communities. According to KETK, the company announced the new stores will open this summer as the company’s new “Spring Market” brand. The acquisition is scheduled to close in July. BGC says the name “Spring Market” represents and honors the company’s great history, which began in 1928 with the opening of its first store on Spring Avenue in Tyler. The stores will offer hometown convenience in an easy to shop format with a surprising assortment of products at highly competitive prices, according to the company. Continue reading Brookshire’s to Buy Former Walmarts for New “Spring Market”

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD Deputy Superintendent Andrea Mayo has resigned effective June 30 to take a position as Assistant Superintendent of Operations for Duncanville ISD. According to a news release, Mayo said she is stepping down to take a position closer to her residence in the Dallas area. “It is with a heavy heart that I leave Longview ISD,” she said Tuesday in the release. “It is not something I thought would ever happen, but the opportunity to be able work much closer to home — and spend more time with my family — was too good to pass up.” LISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said Mayo leaves “big shoes to fill” and thanked her for her long and distinguished service to the district.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police arrest a suspect wanted in a shooting earlier this month. According to KETK, Tyson Dixon, 22, was taken into custody for aggravated assault. According to police, on June 6th, officials received a report of gunfire near the intersection of Scenic Drive and Spring Street. Bullet casings were located at the site, but no victim was found. Officers were later notified that Victor Jessie, 21, arrived at a Longview hospital with a gunshot wound. Police confirmed Jessie was connected to the shooting on Spring Street. Police say Jessie, who sustained life-threatening injuries, was taken to the hospital by way of personal vehicle. Prior to the incident, Dixon was named as a person of interest in the connection with the August 2015 fatal shooting of Laprida Shears at Bunny’s in Tyler. Dixon was also booked on outstanding warrants. Police say he has gang ties and has since posted his $50,000 bond.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday voted to approve a reinvestment zone and a four-year tax abatement as an incentive for Arkansas-based Boyd Metals Inc. to open a full-line steel service center in Smith County. According to a press release from the Commissioners Court, Tyler Economic Development Council President/CEO Tom Mullins said they were contacted in 2014 by Boyd Metals about opening an assembly and distribution center in Smith County. Recently, the former Amega West facility on Sand Flat Road became available, and Boyd Metals closed on purchasing the 38,540-square-foot building on Monday, June 13. The company plans to operate a distribution center for all types of steel and expanded metal products. Continue reading Commissioners OK Tax Abatement for Boyd Metals

SMITH COUNTY — A visiting judge has appointed an East Texas judge to hear the petition asking for the removal of Smith County Judge Joel Baker. According to KETK, this comes after District Attorney Matt Bingham asked to be recused and that request was granted. The Attorney Pro Tem appointed by visiting Judge David Peeples is Jim Parsons of Palestine.

TYLER – A 53-year-old former bank vice president and trust officer has been sentenced in Tyler federal court for unlawfully structuring transactions. Carol D. Rushton of Tyler pleaded guilty Dec. 17 and was sentenced to 36 months of federal probation. Rushton was also ordered to pay a $30,000 fine and must perform 108 hours of community service as well as notify all of her current and future clients of her conviction. Continue reading Former East Texas Bank VP Sentenced to Probation

TYLER — Tyler police have arrested Christopher Lamar Arnold, born in 1984, who was wanted for the May 7 aggravated robbery of the Valero Station at Troup and Thistle. Police are still seeking the female suspect identified as Candice Renae McGee, born in 1988. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrests and charges filed against the suspects in this case or any felony case. Continue reading Third Suspect Arrested in May Store Heist

TYLER — Tyler police have released photos of the suspect in a robbery this past Sunday at Food Fast at Houston and Palace. Authorities say officers responded around 3:15 Sunday morning. They learned that an unknown Hispanic male had come around the sales counter, pushed the clerk down, grabbed the cash register, and left the store walking northbound from the property. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the suspect. He is described as being in his 20s, wearing a dark blue shirt and tan pants, about 5’05” in height, approximately 180 pounds, with tightly cropped black hair, light brown skin, and speaking English as though it was his primary language. The sales register contained an undisclosed amount of cash. The sales clerk was not injured during the incident. Continue reading Photos Released in Store Robbery

RUSK COUNTY — Authorities are seeking leads in a recent hit-and-run that left 26-year-old Longview resident Roberta Alfaro critically injured. Troopers responded to the incident June 10 on FM 95, one mile south of SH 315, near Mt. Enterprise. Preliminary investigation revealed that an unknown vehicle was traveling southbound on FM 95 when it struck Alfaro, a construction worker, on the side of the roadway. Alfaro remains in critical condition in an area hospital. Anyone with information on the driver is asked to call 903-657-0382 or the Rusk County Crime Stoppers at 903-655-8477. Troopers believe that the suspect vehicle will have front end damage.