KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LINDALE — Smith County Fire Marshals confirm a gas line was hit Friday morning at Petty’s Cafe in Lindale. It happened at 309 North Main Street just before 8:30. According to KETK, there’s no word yet what kind of gas line it is, or how it was hit, but officials say the restaurant was evacuated.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man was arrested for allegedly burning down his mother’s home with a meth lab last week. Angelina County Sheriff’s Office investigators got a warrant for James Durham’s arrest after a state fire marshal ruled the Thursday blaze arson. Durham was arrested Tuesday afternoon at the motel room Red Cross provided his family following the fire. His mother says she had no knowledge of the meth lab. Last Thursday,investigators discovered components of a portable “shake and bake” meth lab in Durham’s bedroom, where the fire began on FM 1475. Durham was being held in the Angelina County Jail on a $25,000 bond for arson.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A 79-year-old Lufkin man was arrested for allegedly fondling an 8-year-old girl. James Watson was reportedly with the girl at a hunting lease in Nogalus Prairie Oct. 29 when the girl told her mom of the abuse. The girl told her mother Watson touched her inappropriately through her clothes while at the hunting lease. According to KETK, Watson was being held in the Angelina County Jail on a $75,000 bond.

FRUITVALE — The pilot of a private plane has been injured in a Van Zandt County crash. The extent of his injuries is not yet known. The plane went down Thursday night near Fruitvale off County Road 1915.

DALLAS (AP) – A 114-year-old East Texas woman is now considered to be the oldest person in the world. Eunice G. Sanborn of Jacksonville gained that distinction after 114-year-old Eugenie Blanchard, a nun who was considered the world’s oldest person, died Thursday on the French Caribbean island of St. Barts. The Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group listed Sanborn as being born on July 20,1896. Blanchard’s birth date was Feb. 16, 1896. Dr. L. Stephen Coles told The Associated Press that, with the death of Blanchard, the group considers Sanborn the oldest person in the world. Coles also says he spoke to Sanborn’s family Thursday and “she’s doing well. There’s no doubt.” Sanborn told the Tyler Morning Telegraph, in an April interview, that she loves everything about her life and has “no complaints.”

AUSTIN (Staff/AP) — State Legislators for Legal Immigration (SLLI) coalition members Leo Berman, Betty Brown and Dan Flynn announced the formation Thursday of a nationwide task force that will develop model state legislation to eliminate what’s termed “the misapplication of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.” That’s the amendment granting citizenship to anyone born or naturalized in the U.S. The three East Texas state representatives say the amendment “has been utilized to secure citizenship for the children of illegal aliens and their families.” Currently, the three say, “illegal aliens are incentivized to cross our border to give birth and use their child to secure illegal benefits, residency and American jobs for themselves and for their families.”

“When the 82nd Texas Legislature convenes, taking proactive steps against illegal immigration will be a top priority for me. My colleagues and I are working diligently to formulate public policy proposals to protect taxpayers,” commented Berman (pictured). Rep. Flynn stated, “The people of Texas have made it clear that they want action on this important challenge. While the federal government continues to shirk its duty, the fiscal and social costs of illegal immigration weigh heavily on Texans.” Rep. Brown said, “We must join together to overturn the misapplication of the 14th Amendment and reinstate the intent of the 14th Amendment to ban automatic citizenship for children of non-citizens.” Including Texas, lawmakers from 41 state legislatures have now signed on as members of SLLI. You can visit http://www.StateLegislatorsforLegalImmigration.com for the latest updates.

Support for the 14th Amendment is widespread, while others simply aren’t sure the issue needs to be addressed on a Constitutional level. Last summer, Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona told The Associated Press he remained unconvinced that a change in the Constitution is needed. Instead, he argued that fully securing the border would help to solve the problem.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is warning the public of a possible door-to-door scam in the area. Lt. Tony Dana says they’ve been getting reports of aggressive salesmen for Advanage Wonder Cleaner. The product has been flagged on the internet as a “bait and switch” scam which says the product used in demonstration works very well, but the product that is sold does not work well, or sometimes not at all.

Lt. Dana says if you choose to purchase the product, use cash, not credit, debit cards or checks. There have been reports of identity theft linked to the company. Dana says at least one of the salesmen has a felony record in Smith County. No charges have been filed against the company in Smith County at this time. Lt. Dana says don’t let strangers into your home and report any suspicious activity.

NOONDAY — Noonday Firefighters were on the scene Wednesday night battling a small structure fire behind a home off County Road 159 near Highway 155. According to KETK, it was a shop or wood shed behind the residence. Firefighters were able to contain the flames before it spread to the woods. Fire officials say even though it is wet, there are still dry areas that may catch fire, so use precautions.

TYLER — American hero and Fox News correspondent, Oliver North, will make his way to Tyler this month. Colonel North will be at the Barnes and Noble with his new book November 14. The book is called American Heroes in Special Operations. According to KETK, North is a New York Times best selling author and was at the center of national attention during the Iran-Contra Affair scandal during the 1980’s.

TYLER — Two East Texas men have pleaded guilty in federal court in Tyler to firearms violations. Michael Shane Donald, 42, of Kilgore, and Scott Randall Terry, 39, of Gilmer, Texas, both pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Everingham, IV. Both face up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. Sentencing dates have not been set.

According to federal prosecutors, in May, Donald and Terry were in Upshur County when both were discovered to be in possession of a sawed-off shotgun with an obliterated serial number. Further investigation revealed that both men were convicted felons, Donald having been found guilty of assault, family violence in 2004 in Upshur County, and Terry having been convicted of possession of a controlled substance in 2007 in Upshur County. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. The men were indicted by a federal grand jury in July and charged with federal firearms violations.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University has won nine awards in the 2010 MarCom Awards competition that recognizes outstanding creative achievement by marketing and communication professionals. LETU won two platinum awards, three gold awards and four bronze awards.

The university’s NOW magazine Winter/Spring 2010 Floor Lore issue and the Authentic fall travel admissions brochure took top honors, winning platinum awards which are presented to those entries judged to be among the most outstanding entries in the competition.

Gold awards are presented to those entries judged to exceed the high standards of the industry norm. The university’s NOW magazine Summer 2010 Faculty Focus issue, New Logo Banners and Bell Tower in Seasons video all won gold awards.

Winning four bronze awards were the university’s NOW magazine Fall 2009 Welcome Home Aviation issue, Realities admissions magazine, the LEGS highlight video and Pilot Summer Camp highlight video.

MarCom entries come from corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, PR firms, design shops, production companies and freelancers. The competition has grown to perhaps the largest of its kind in the world. A look at the winners shows a range in size from individual communicators to media conglomerates and Fortune 500 companies.

TYLER — Some changes have been made to a local food establishment order. Officials say a public hearing was held October 28 by the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NETPHD) Board to consider revisions to the Food Establishment Order 2007-1. Officials say the board considered revisions that would enhance the education and enforcement of regulations governing the retail food establishments in Smith County. The Board approved revisions amending District Order 2007-1 to be superseded by District Order 2010-1.

According to health officials, partnering with the food industry is essential to safeguard public health from foodborne illness and provide to consumers food that is safe and honestly presented. Robert Westbrook, President of the Texas Restaurant Association and owner of CiCi’s Pizza, attended the public hearing and supported the proposed changes. Officials say NETPHD provides education as well as code enforcement to work with the food industry on keeping food establishments safe. The revised District Order is effective as of November 1.

Previously each food service establishment that prepared food for the public was required to have at least one Certified Food Manager employed. The revision will now require a Certified Food Manager on duty during the food service establishment operations. A six-month period will be given to allow owners and operators time to obtain additional certified staff. Certification is achieved by successfully passing an accredited food safety test available through accredited Internet providers or the continuing education program at Tyler Junior College. A registry system was also approved requiring food service establishments register each Certified Food Manager with NETPHD as proof of compliance.

An annual fee for service was approved to provide services to school cafeterias necessary to the inspection requirements of the Texas Department of Agriculture. Other revisions included adjustments to certain food service establishment permit fees, clarification on the frequency of and location of temporary food establishment operations, risk based assessments for inspection frequency, and minimum food establishment permit suspension of 24 hours in the case of imminent health hazards.

Copies of the District Order 2010-1 will be posted on the website http://www.healthyeasttx.org and will also be available at the Northeast Texas Public Health District, 815 North Broadway in Tyler. You contact the Environmental Health Department at 903-535-0037 for more information.

TYLER — The citizen action group Grassroots America – We the People will sponsor Governor Perry’s “Fed Up!” book tour stop in Tyler. The governor is fresh off a resounding victory in the midterm elections. The book tour stop is Friday, Nov. 12, at 11:30 a.m., at Lone Star Event Center, 4036 FM 2767. The tour is being arranged by the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The book’s full title is “Fed Up — Our Fight to Save America from Washington.”

According to materials from the foundation, “Governor Perry has asked that all proceeds from ‘Fed Up!’ book sales benefit the research and outreach activities of the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Tenth Amendment Studies so that the Foundation can continue to ensure that Texas is a national leader in the cause of liberty and respect for a limited government.” Grassroots America Executive Director JoAnn Fleming says, “Grassroots America – We the People is happy to sponsor the Governor’s book tour stop in Tyler. We welcome his limited government Tenth Amendment message because it’s high time ‘We the People’ put the federal government back into a Constitution-sized box.” You can go to http://www.texaspolicy.com for more details.

WHITE OAK — The city of White Oak will stay dry following Tuesday’s election. According to KETK, voters defeated two propositions. One would have allowed the sale of mixed drinks in restaurants. The other would have permitted beer and wine sales in stores for off-premise consumption.

TYLER — Tyler Police Department will be participating in a DWI enforcement program that will include every weekend in the month of November. The enforcement detail of officers will be on the look-out for intoxicated drivers in the City of Tyler. This enforcement program is funded by a state grant that was awarded to the department for DWI patrol. Officers urge everyone who is drinking and considering driving to have a designated driver, or to hire a cab to get home safely.

Also, during the Thanksgiving Holiday the police department will participate in a seat belt enforcement program also funded by a state grant that will run from November 22nd through November 27th. This effort is to promote safety for drivers and passengers traveling on very busy streets and highways during this holiday season.