News - KETKnbc.com

Veteran congressman's death adds to Barack Obama's woes

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:28:31 -0600

The Democratic party faces another election test after the death yesterday of John Murtha, a congressman dubbed by his colleagues the "king of pork".

Murtha, aged 77, had been in the House of Representatives since being elected to his Pennsylvania district in 1974.

The fear in the party is that Republicans will notch up another victory when a special election is held, probably May.

The Democrats have been panicking since losing Ted Kennedy's Massachusetts Senate seat to the Republicans last month.

Obama hopes to see jobs package in coming weeks

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:15:40 -0600

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama, reaching out to lawmakers in both U.S. political parties, said on Tuesday he hoped Congress would soon deliver a package of measures to boost U.S. employment and economic growth.

"My hope is ... that both in the House (of Representatives) and the Senate, we'll see some packages moving over the next several weeks that can provide a jumpstart to hiring and start lowering the unemployment rate," Obama told reporters ahead of a meeting with Democratic and Republican party leaders.

Does the US government spend too much money on space exploration?

Bob Brackeen / KETK News — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:31:55 -0600

Tyler---

Does the US government spend too much money on space exploration?

Two Smith County Churches On Fire

Jennifer Kielman / KETK News — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:10:20 -0600

LINDALE — Fire Crews and Local authorities are on the scene of a church fire in Lindale.

The fire started just before 9 o'clock at the Dover Baptist Church on the 21-hundred block of FM 1995.

Heavy smoke and fire was seen from the back of the church.

The second one is at Clear Springs Missionary Baptist Church.

It is destroyed.

We are told many crews are on scene.

DPS Troopers are on stand-by making sure people are safe.

Unconfirmed reports say, authorities are looking for a suspect or suspects who may be involved in these fires.

Mike's Mail Bag: Sarah Palin

Michael Wesp/ KETK News — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:07:38 -0600

TYLER - Michael Wesp wants to hear your thoughts on today's issue, Sarah Palin comes to Texas in support of Governor Perry.

Caught in the Web: Video game offers $1 million for perfect game

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:00:37 -0600

Here are some stories we found tonight, "Caught in the Web":

What did you think of the Super Bowl ads last night? Here's a look back:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35290235/ns/business-business_of_super_bowl_...

Video game is offering $1 million to first player to pitch a perfect game:
http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/playback/playback-102/1387919

Australian man sets record by swallowing 18 swords:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/02/australi...

Point of View: Republicans and Democrats on TV

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:29:51 -0600

TYLER - Neal Barton offers his "Point of View".

Police Still Investigating

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:14:16 -0600

TYLER - Police say they are still investigating who might have placed hidden cameras into Smith County Commissioner Terry Phillips rental house off of Idel Street in Tyler without the tenant's consent or knowledge she was being video taped.

According to police, the female tenant found a camera in her bedroom and then called police.

Police searched the house with a warrant and found several other cameras and recording equipment inside.

Neighbors say they believe the son of Terry Phillips, Lance Phillips had been living in the house and dating the girl.

Break in at Tyler church

Lindsay Landry / KETK News — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:29:54 -0600

TYLER-With the recent church fires law enforcement is on the look out for suspicious activity at places of worship. Monday the focus was on a break in.

Police say shortly before midnight on Saturday they were called out to Heritage Park Baptist Church in Tyler after they were notified that the churches' alarm system had been activated. When they got there the back door was shattered and there was no one in sight.

Police say it's a very bold act considering Heritage Park Baptist sits right on the main drag down South Broadway.

Police investigating double death in Rusk County

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:16:09 -0600

The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the deaths of Matthew Thomas Rawley, and Erica Nicole Rawley, of Frisco, Texas.

At approximately 9:30pm, on Sunday, Rusk County Deputies were sent to the Northern part of the county to the Gator Run RV Park in reference to a welfare concern. The victims were supposed to be leaving the park at 11:00am, Sunday morning, February 7, 2010.

Rep. John Murtha dies at 77

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:32:20 -0600

HARRISBURG, PA. - U.S. Rep. John Murtha, an influential critic of the Iraq War whose congressional career was shadowed by questions about his ethics, died Monday. He was 77.

The Pennsylvania Democrat had been suffering complications from gallbladder surgery. He died at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va., spokesman Matthew Mazonkey said.

UPDATE: Club shooting, arrest warrants issued for two men

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:23:49 -0600

***UPDATE***

TYLER - Tyler Investigators have obtained arrest warrants on two suspects involved in the shooting and assault on Markeeth Williams that occurred at Club Skyy, on February 8, 2010.

Tyler police are looking for Joseph Dewayne Williams, B/M, 09/01/1984, for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Gerald Wayne McGee, B/M, 05/05/1983, for Assault Causing Bodily Injury.

If you have any information on their whereabouts please contact the Tyler Police Department or Smith County Tyler CRIMESTOPPERS.

Tyler man pleads guilty to child pornography

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:11:10 -0600

TYLER, Texas - U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced today that a 37-year-old Tyler, Texas man has pleaded guilty to child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas.

Christopher Hull pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with possession of child pornography today before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

Michael Jackson's doctor charged with manslaughter

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:46:46 -0600

LOS ANGELES - Michael Jackson's doctor has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the pop singer's death.

Prosecutors announced the charge Monday against Dr. Conrad Murray, a Houston cardiologist who was with Jackson when he died June 25. He faces up to four years in prison if convicted.

Murray's attorney Ed Chernoff says Murray will plead not guilty.

Jackson hired Murray to be his personal physician as he prepared for a strenuous series of comeback performances in London.

UPDATE: County Commissioner issues statement regarding improper taping case

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:02:28 -0600

***UPDATE 2***

TYLER - Commissioner and Mrs. Terry Phillips released this statement:

Defiant Iran set to begin higher enrichment of uranium

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:59:50 -0600

IRAN - Iran will begin enriching uranium to 20 percent from Tuesday, the Islamic republic's atomic chief announced on Sunday just hours after being told to do so by hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The decision raises the stakes in a dispute with the West less than a week after Iran had appeared to accept a UN-drafted nuclear deal on the supply of fuel for a research nuclear reactor in Tehran.

Toyota plans to recall 300,000 Priuses

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:31:13 -0600

TOKYO - Toyota plans to recall about 300,000 Prius hybrids worldwide over a brake problem and will notify the U.S. and Japanese governments Tuesday, a news report said, as a top executive will testify before U.S. lawmakers over recall woes that have tarnished its reputation for quality and safety.

The recall of the gas-electric Prius will cover the latest version of the cars that went on sale since May, Kyodo News agency reported late Monday.

Person hospitalized after hit by vehicle

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:01:17 -0600

TYLER - On Sunday evening, Tyler Police responded to a pedestrian accident in the 7200 block of South Broadway.

A person was hit in the north bound, inside lane of Broadway and had life threatening injuries. He was taken to a local hospital by EMS, and his condition is not known at this time.

Police investigators were called to the scene and the investigation is on-going.

The victim's name has not been released.

Obama will meet with Republicans next week on health care

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:25:58 -0600

WASHINGTON D.C. - President Obama said on Sunday that he will hold a meeting with Republican lawmakers next week, to be followed by a meeting with members of both parties, in an effort to get health care reform legislation back on track.

UPDATE: ATF deems Wills Point fire arson

Michael Wesp/ KETK News and Lacy Beavers / KETK News — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:22:59 -0600

***UPDATE***

WILLS POINT - ATF agent Tom Crowley tells KETK the Wills Point fire has been deemed arson.

***UPDATE***

An official with the ATF says they are calling this a suspicious fire. This is due to the signs of forced entry and the recent rash of church fires.

********************
WILLS POINT, Texas (AP) - The seventh church fire this year in
east Texas destroyed the sanctuary of Russell Memorial United
Methodist Church in Wills Point.

Do think Sarah Palin is a viable candidate for the 2012 Presidential Election?

Bob Brackeen / KETK News — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:58:46 -0600

Tyler—

Do you think Sarah Palin would be a viable candidate come the 2012 Presidential Election?

Saints Win Super Bowl 44

Phil Kuchinsky — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:48:05 -0600

MIAMI (AP) - The New Orleans Saints stymied Peyton Manning, then
intercepted him to seal the Super Bowl, rallying to beat the
Indianapolis Colts 31-17 Sunday night.
Tracy Porter intercepted a pass from Manning - of all people -
and sprinted 74 yards for a touchdown and a 31-17 lead with 3:12
left. Playing in the Super Bowl for the first time, the Saints went
on a 31-7 run after falling behind 10-0 early.
MVP Drew Brees went 32 for 39 for 288 yards for the Saints,
tying Tom Brady's Super Bowl record for completions.

Sarah Palin joins Governor Perry on campaign trail in Texas

Abby Eden / KETK News — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:50:16 -0600

CYPRESS - Right after speaking at the tea party convention, Sarah Palin headed straight to Texas.

She appeared with Governor Rick Perry at a Super Sunday Rally in Cypress.

Governor Perry said the two were there together to promote their beliefs in conservative values, including limited government and low taxes.

Mrs. Palin is campaigning with Governor Perry as he makes a bid for re-election.

Local Republican politicians speak out in forum

Abby Eden / KETK News — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:46:01 -0600

GILMER - Republican candidates for everything from county judge to county clerk to commissioners were at a political forum sponsored by the Republican Women of Upshur County.

Candidates discussed transportation, county image, and fundraising for the county.

They also gave their views on the best ways to draw more businesses to the area.

There were about one hundred people at the forum, including our news director and evening anchor, Neal Barton. He was a panelist.

Plant explosion kills at least five, injures a dozen more

Abby Eden / KETK News — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:42:01 -0600

MIDDLETOWN, CT - Search and recover teams continue to scour the rubble at the Kleen Energy Power Plant.

A gas explosion killed five workers and injured twelve.

People miles away from the facility said they felt the ground rumble when the explosion occurred.

Officials say construction was ninety-five percent complete.

The plant had been scheduled to go online this summer.

Stride and Ride for M.D.A.

Abby Eden / KETK News — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:02:16 -0600

TYLER - Saturday more than 400 walkers and riders participated in the 4th annual MDA Stride and Ride to benefit local individuals and families coping with muscular dystrophy and related progressive muscle diseases.
Event organizers tells us they raised over 34,000 dollars for MDA today. the money raised will help over 400 kids battling these diseases here in East Texas.

Jeb Hensarling in G.O.P. response

Abby Eden / KETK News — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:55:39 -0600

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, the GOP's response also focused on the economy, but it criticized the way the President tackled economic hardship including what they call out of control government spending.

Texas Representative Jeb Hensarling delivered the Republican response this week. He's called "Representative Budget Reform" for his efforts to reign in spending and deficits.

Here's his take on Democrats' dealings with the economy.

Two men arrested in Gregg County homicide

Abby Eden / KETK News — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:44:47 -0600

KILGORE - Two men have been arrested in the shooting death of Llonzo McGregor.

McGregor was shot last weekend at the Wild Thing West of Kilgore.

Jimmy Lee Hall has been charged with murder and Ray Lewis Gerstenberger is charged with deadly conduct.

Hall was arrested Friday at his house in Kilgore, and Gerstenberger was arrested in Tyler.

Hall's bond is at $100,000.

Gerstenberger's is set at $20,000.

Teen shot in Tyler

Abby Eden / KETK News — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:37:01 -0600

TYLER - Friday night Tyler police responded to a shooting off North Confederate Street.

A 16 year-old was shot and taken to a local hospital.

Several people were at the scene when the shooting happened and everyone was interviewed by police.

The victim's wound was not life threatening.

Banks urged to make loans easier to get for small businesses

Abby Eden / KETK News — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:08:24 -0600

TYLER - Federal officials including the F.D.I.C. urged banks to be more lenient with their credit requirements to allow more small businesses to get loans.

One report shows banks were the strictest on lending to small businesses in 2009 than they were in 20 years.

The statement made by the feds today could help more money become available to entrepreneurs who want to open a "mom and pop" store.