KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — Police arrested a suspect at a south Longview apartment complex after a report of an armed man. That report comes from KETK and the Longview News-Journal. The suspect is identified as Bendrick Jerod Jones, 26, of Longview. Police say a Signal Hill Apartments resident saw a man drive into the complex in a truck and begin wiping the truck. According to reports, the resident did not recognize the man and went to talk to him and saw he had a gun. The resident called police. When officers arrived, the suspect reportedly ran into the woods carrying a bag. Police arrested him a short time later at a nearby apartment complex.

Police contacted the owner of the truck, who said it was stolen. The owner said he had a pistol in the vehicle. Police were unable to find the gun. Jones is facing a variety of charges, including felony theft of property and evading arrest.

TYLER – A Houston man has appeared in Tyler federal court to plead guilty to in connection with a multi-state health care fraud scheme. Sunday Adebisi, 59, appeared yesterday before United States Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie. A sentencing date has not been set. Adebisi faces up to 5 years in prison in addition to court ordered restitution and criminal forfeiture.

On August 1, 2012, a federal grand jury returned a sixteen count indictment charging Adebisi, the owner of a Maryland medical supply company, with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

According to the indictment, from January 2007 through September 2009, Adebisi and others carried out a scheme to defraud Medicare through the marketing of power wheelchairs and accessories, as well as “ortho kits,” which primarily consisted of a bag of orthotic items, including braces, wraps, and supports, and a heat lamp or heat pad. As part of the scheme, the defendant and his co-conspirators illegally obtained protected health information, including names, dates of birth, and Medicare numbers from elderly individuals. Adebisi supplied beneficiaries with kits and power wheelchairs which were not prescribed or otherwise authorized by a physician and which were not wanted by the beneficiaries. Claims were submitted by the defendant for approximately 480 beneficiaries located in Texas, Louisiana, and elsewhere. Adebisi submitted false and fraudulent claims to Medicare of more than $2.4 million and obtained more than $855,000.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Due to conditions which have occurred recently in the water system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required Craft-Turney Water Supply to notify all the customers involved in the repair area to boil their water prior to consumption. That’s according to KETK. From the intersection of Farm Road 768 and County Road 1405, the notice runs east on FM 768 for 1 1/4 miles, and includes all of CR 1405.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, water system officials will notify you. If you have questions regarding this matter you may contact Rhonda Briggs, Manager, at 903-586-9301.

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Public Health District is partnering with Tyler ISD to host an informational meeting on pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough, for parents and community members. School officials said Wednesday that three students at Andy Woods Elementary have now been diagnosed with the disease in recent days. The meeting is tonight at 6:30 at the Davidson Conference Center, 807 West Glenwood Boulevard.

Dr. Jonathan MacClements, Smith County Health Authority, and Russell Hopkins, Director of Preparedness and Disease Surveillance, will present information about how to best prevent the spread of whooping cough among children and adults. Nancy Jones, Tyler ISD Coordinator of Health Services, will also serve on the panel to provide information about the school district’s
actions to protect students.

“The best way to prevent pertussis (whooping cough) among infants, children, teens, and adults is to get vaccinated. Many young children get whooping cough from adults or older brothers or sisters who don’t know they have the disease.” Dr. MacClements said. NET Health encourages parents to make sure that not only their children are vaccinated, but that adults also receive their Tdap vaccination.

According to school officials, Tyler ISD is taking extra precautions, reviewing student vaccination records, and working closely with NET Health to protect the health of students. Students who are diagnosed with whooping cough must remain out of school until they complete five days of antibiotic therapy and are fever free for at least 24 hours. For more information on pertussis, DTaP and Tdap vaccinations, you can visit the NET Health website at http://www.healthyeasttx.org or call 903-595-1350.

GILMER — A drug-like high could be as close as an app on a teen’s smartphone, and that has some area school officials concerned. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, an official at Gilmer High School is warning parents of the digital-drug craze known as “i-Dosing” that claims to produce a narcotic-like euphoria through sound. In an email to parents and guardians, Principal Greg Watson warned of the dangers of getting high through the app, including reports of people going into trances, becoming paranoid and some “extreme reactions that required immediate medical attention.” Watson wrote, “These recordings are being called digital drugs because they can produce some of the same effects as illegal drugs. I just wanted you to be aware of what they are doing and to encourage you to be watchful and mindful of the situation.”

TYLER — The East Texas Medical Center Cancer Institute is the only cancer center in the region to offer the CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System to treat men with prostate cancer, according to information from ETMC. “Prostate cancer patients now have the option of using CyberKnife for treatment,” said Todd Sigmon, vice president of the ETMC Cancer Institute. “Four CyberKnife treatments have been shown to be as effective as 40 treatments of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), long considered the gold standard of radiation therapy. CyberKnife is recognized as an accepted treatment option by Medicare and other major insurance carriers, giving many men a choice in how they wish to be treated.”

CyberKnife is a type of radiation therapy referred to as stereotactic radiosurgery because of its ability to destroy tumors with knifelike precision, sparing surrounding healthy tissue. The procedures are largely non-invasive and patients should experience very little discomfort during planning and treatment.

“CyberKnife offers advantages to patients who have to travel for treatment, since this course can be completed in as little as a week versus up to eight weeks for IMRT. We are receiving calls from patients as far away as Dallas who are excited about potentially using CyberKnife for their prostate cancer treatment. A man with a prostate cancer diagnosis should discuss whether CyberKnife is a reasonable option for treatment in his particular case, so we ask that they call our CyberKnife Coordinator and discuss this with our care team,” Sigmon said.

TYLER — The trial of Shelley and Kenneth Walker continues today in Tyler. KETK reports both of them are charged with injury to a child. The Walkers were arrested in March, accused of hurting their two-year-old granddaughter when they held the child’s feet under hot water. The little girl suffered severe burns to her feet and ankles. She’s now in care of Child Protective Services.

LONGVIEW – Longview’s Green Street will be closed from Tyler Street north to Methvin Street today from 8:00am till 1:00pm and tomorrow, if needed, from 8:00am till 1:00pm. The road closures will be for both north and south bound lanes.

This road closure is for a private project that will be spray painting part of a building exterior. The contractor is David Reichert of D&M Painting. If you have any questions about the closure, please call the City Engineer, Mark Adas, at 903-237-1053.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview’s contractor will construct shoulder improvements on Dundee Road on Thursday and Friday, September 27 and 28. The work is scheduled to start after the morning rush hour. Expect some delays if using Dundee Road. Alternate routes are recommended. This project is being constructed by Reynolds and Kay of Tyler, Texas. The project was approved by City Council in August. If you have any questions about the construction, please call the City’s Project Manager, Alton Bradley, at 903-237-1067.

UNDATED (Staff/AP) — Protesters Tuesday chained themselves to construction equipment in Winnsboro to protect a tree village in the path of the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline. Tar Sands Blockade spokesman Ron Seifert says they’ll do whatever it takes to stop construction because if the pipeline ever leaks, toxic chemicals will be released.

Meanwhile, a judge has ruled that developers of the planned Canada-to-Gulf Coast oil pipeline can take land by eminent domain from property owners in a coastal Southeast Texas county. However, the Beaumont Enterprise reports Jefferson County Court-at-Law Judge Tom Rugg has scheduled a Friday hearing. There, Keystone Pipeline and the property owners will hash out whether Keystone properly posted bonds for damage to properties if it ultimately loses the right to the land in later legal proceedings. Rugg also will determine if Keystone must send out new legal notices to property owners not included in previous value-setting.

Keystone and Canadian owner, TransCanada, want a federal permit to send crude oil through a pipeline from western Canada’s tar-sand oil fields to Jefferson County by way of a Cushing, Oklahoma hub. The proposed route will carry the pipeline through much of East Texas, including eastern Smith County.

BULLARD — Cherokee County authorities say they turned up marijuana, weapons, and other materials at a home in the Bullard area. Officials say the marijuana was found while a search warrant was being executed around 4:00 Monday afternoon at 390 Tarrant Road (CR 3705). According to a news release, officers seized some two ounces of marijuana inside the home and about 14 marijuana plants growing outside. Authorities say officers located four firearms, along with several other items of paraphernalia and evidence, during a subsequent search.

Investigators identified three suspects at the scene, but no arrests were immediately made. Charges are pending, and an arrest warrant or warrants will be sought on at least one suspect. Officials say the search warrant was the culmination of an ongoing investigation that also included another search warrant. That one, executed September 14 in the Mt. Selman area, resulted in the arrest of one person for marijuana possession.

RUSK — Cherokee County authorities are investigating an aggravated assault that occurred in the Woodville community on County Road 1209 outside Rusk. Officials say the sheriff’s office got a call about the incident around 1:00 Sunday morning. Officials say the victim sustained numerous cuts to his face and upper torso. He was taken to Mother Frances Hospital in Jacksonville, and then flown to ETMC/Tyler. No suspect has been identified at this time.

LONGVIEW — Authorities have identified a six-year-old who died in a Shreveport hospital after nearly drowning in an East Texas lake over the weekend. That report comes from our news partner KETK. Longview ISD released the following information: “All of us at Longview ISD are saddened by the tragic loss of Aujaylin Johnson, a 1st grade student at J.L. Everhart, and we pray that his family can find peace. Our thoughts and prayers are also with his classmates and teachers. Parents of J.L. Everhart students are being informed of Aujaylin’s passing, so that they can discuss it with their own children. Grief counseling is also being made available to students.”

At 3:30 Sunday afternoon, Marion County Game Warden Charles Furlow, who was off duty, overheard radio traffic of a child missing at Lake O’ The Pines. Furlow, who is a member of the Texas Park and Wildlife Dive Team, grabbed his gear and made it to the scene in about eight minutes. In less than two minutes, he was able to find the six-year-old in 8 to10 feet of water.

At this point, Aujaylin had been in the water for around 20 minutes. CPR was conducted on shore for around 25 minutes before he registered a pulse. The boy was taken to a Longview hospital and then flown to a Shreveport hospital, where he died on Monday. Family members say Aujaylin knew how to swim, but went under about 30 feet from shore.

KILGORE — An East Texas campus of higher learning recently had an unwelcome visitor. A man on the Kilgore College campus last week was accused of recruiting students for adult movies. Students gave a heads-up to campus police, but the man left before they were able to find him. KETK spoke with the school’s police chief, who says student safety is a top priority and student awareness plays a big role. He says, “We depend on students to report incidents like this to us so that we can remain aware and locate individuals that may be committing offenses here on campus.” The college requires all visitors to sign in. All staffers and students wear name badges.

MARSHALL – A 33-year-old Karnack woman has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in a sweeping East Texas case. Shonda Michelle Jones Perry pleaded guilty on June 1 to possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. Perry was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison Tuesday in Marshall by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap.

According to authorities, Perry was involved in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine in East Texas. The conspiracy involved defendants traveling to multiple pharmacies to purchase numerous boxes of cold pills containing pseudoephedrine which is used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. An 839-count federal indictment was returned on Feb. 1, charging Perry and 16 other co-defendants with federal drug crimes. Of those defendants, 14 have been convicted.

TYLER — Tyler Police said they were called to East Texas Medical Center Tuesday morning after a report by staff of two gunshot victims in the emergency room. The victims told authorities that they had been at a dice game at 3088 Old Omen Road. Kendrick Harper, 24, Dallas, and Brandon Rainwater, 24, Cedar Hill (pictured), were reportedly sleeping in their car at Cambridge Apartments when a black male reportedly opened the door, demanded everything they had and started firing a small handgun. Rainwater was hit in the leg and Harper in the head, shoulder and wrist. The shooter, reported to be wearing a black and white shirt, fled on foot. The men drove themselves to the hospital. Their wounds are said to be non-life threatening. Anyone with info is asked to contact Tyler Police.

GUN BARREL CITY – An unidentified person has died in a fire in Henderson County. The fire was reported around 4:00 Monday morning in the 2200 block of East Main Street in Gun Barrel City. After the fire had been extinguished a search turned up the body. It has been sent to a Dallas lab for autopsy. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW — Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying burglary suspects. The two suspects are believed to be responsible for seven vehicle burglaries and two home burglaries. The burglaries occurred on the night of September 23rd / morning of September 24th in the subdivisions of Bella Terra and Country Place off Tryon Road in Longview. The sheriff’s office has provided two video links showing the suspects:

http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/apj978

http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/2z8r26

You’re asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (903) 236-STOP or Investigator Cecil Shelton at (903) 237-2531 with information.

DENTON – After months of collaboration and information sharing resulting in preliminary flood maps, officials with Smith County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are now asking the public to participate in a 90-day comment period. Homeowners, renters, and business owners in the cities of Hideaway, Lindale, New Chapel Hill, Noonday, Tyler, Whitehouse, Winona and the unincorporated areas of Smith County are encouraged to view the maps to better understand where flood risks have been identified. Those with comments or who would like to file an appeal have from September 27 to December 25 to do so.

An appeal is a formal objection to proposed base flood elevations or flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) boundaries and zones or floodways. Appeals must be based on technical data that show proposed maps to be scientifically incorrect. Anyone who makes an appeal must include the method, data, and analysis used to support the claim. A comment is an objection to a base map feature change such as labels, incorrect roads, jurisdictional boundaries, or any other non-appealable change.

Comments and appeals should be sent to FEMA through the local floodplain administrator. Anyone who hasn’t had a chance to participate in local flood insurance meetings or to review the new flood maps is encouraged to contact his or her county or community floodplain administrator. Other resources include:

· View a Preliminary Interactive Flood Map Index at http://riskmap6.com/documents/Meeting_53/Preliminary%20Interactive%20Flood%20Map%20Index.pdf

· Using a live chat service about flood maps at http://go.usa.gov/r6C — click on the “Live Chat” icon.

· Contacting a FEMA Map Specialist at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627); email [email protected]

Once all comments and appeals are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.

QUITMAN — A hearing is set on October 16 in a lawsuit filed by a Hawkins man, contesting the constitutionality of a posting in the Wood County commissioner’s courtroom and the commissioners’ practice of opening sessions with prayer. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that the lawsuit, filed in April by Charles Frederick Scott III, contends “In God We Trust” is posted in violation of the First Amendment.

Commissioners retained the Alliance Defense Fund and Liberty Institute for representation in the lawsuit. Liberty Institute, on behalf of the Wood County Commissioners court, filed a motion for summary judgment “to end the frivolous lawsuit.” Erin Leu of Liberty Institute said, “The law is entirely clear in this.” She noted there are two issues. She said the posting of the national motto has been established as a “national acknowledgement of our religious heritage.” She said every court of appeals to consider the issue has ruled use or display of the national motto is constitutional. Leu said the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled opening with prayer is constitutional. Wood County Judge Bryan Jeanes declined to comment because the matter is in litigation.

DENTON – After months of collaboration and information sharing resulting in preliminary flood maps, officials with Smith County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are now asking the public to participate in a 90-day comment period. Homeowners, renters, and business owners in the cities of Hideaway, Lindale, New Chapel Hill, Noonday, Tyler, Whitehouse, Winona and the unincorporated areas of Smith County are encouraged to view the maps to better understand where flood risks have been identified. Those with comments or who would like to file an appeal have from September 27 to December 25 to do so.

LONGVIEW – A man is arrested in connection with two Longview robberies. The alleged robber, Vincent Lee Hundle, 31, of Longview, was taken to the Gregg County Jail. The robberies occurred in about a ten hour span. The first occurred around 8:00 Saturday night at E-Z Access on Gum Springs Road. Then, about 6:00 Sunday morning, Hundle, allegedly armed with a gun, reportedly robbed the Day Night Texaco convenience store at 3100 Estes Parkway. He was spotted near another Longview business a short time later. His bond was set at $100,000.

CHANDLER — Several injuries were reported in a Monday morning accident. According to KETK, Brownsboro, Coffee City, Westside and Henderson County emergency crews all responded to County Road 317 around 7:30 after a report of a head-on collision in Chandler. Three vehicles were said to be involved, leaving three people injured. Two were flown to a Tyler hospital in critical condition. Another person was taken by ambulance. That person’s condition is unknown.

TYLER — Tyler Police have released the identity of a shooting victim. Authorities said Tarrington Joiner, 21, Tyler (pictured) was injured after an argument at a local club. Investigators were told that Joiner and two friends were at Outlaws on Highway 110 South Saturday night. Joiner reportedly got into an altercation with another man inside the club, then left. A tan Dodge Durango with large rims occupied by several men pulled up next to Joiner’s vehicle on Patriot at University and allegedly fired several rounds into Joiner’s vehicle. Joiner was struck by one round that entered his chest. His friend jumped into the driver’s seat and immediately drove him to the hospital. Joiner remains in stable condition at this time.

Anyone with information about the suspects involved in this crime 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 arrest and charges filed against the suspects in this case or any felony case.

CUNEY — Cherokee County fire and emergency crews were called Monday morning to the scene of a fully-involved structure fire on County Road 3502 near Cuney. According to KETK, the house was completely destroyed by the fire, which broke out during the 6:00 hour. The homeowners had left the residence to take their children to school and came back to find the house completely consumed by fire. The cause of the blaze is under investigation. No injuries were reported.

RUSK – Cherokee County authorities are investigating the theft of some guns near Rusk. A resident on County Road 1626 returned home late Friday afternoon to find his back door open and four guns missing. The rifles are described as follows:
*H & R 12 gauge shotgun, black in color
*Marlin Model 91, 22 caliber rifle with scope and brown wooden stock
*Ruger Model 1022, 22 caliber rifle with brown wooden stock
*Belgian made, Pieper Flobert, 32 caliber, rim fire, single shot rifle with octagon barrel (photo of similar rifle attached)
The total Loss is put at $2,000.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

SMITH COUNTY — Construction crews on Tuesday are scheduled to begin approximately three weeks of resurfacing work on Segments 1 and 2 of Toll 49, which run between State Highway 155 in Noonday and Farm Road 756 (Paluxy Drive) near Whitehouse. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

Also this week in Smith County, TxDOT maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 2908 between Farm Road 2767 and State Highway 31 east of Tyler, followed mid-week by the same work on Farm Road 848 between Chapel Hill and Whitehouse.

Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repair operations in various locations on Interstate Highway 20, including pavement repairs in and around the rest area near Van.

Also this week in Van Zandt County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 80 in and around Grand Saline.

Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

Finally this week, Farm Road 1861 remains closed between Farm Road 858 in Martins Mill and Farm Road 2339 south of Martins Mill to replace a culvert that collapsed during recent rains. Marked detours are in place. The roadway is scheduled to re-open in early October.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation contractor Clark Construction is scheduled to continue resurfacing operations this week on Interstate Highway 20, including entrance and exit ramps, between Joy Wright Mountain Road at the Smith/Gregg county line, and State Highway 135 in Kilgore. The work is scheduled to be complete by the end of the week. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

HENDERSON — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs in various locations on U.S. Highway 79 in Henderson between Farm Road 225 and State Highway 322. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists should be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to resume base and pavement repair operations on Ranch Road 3273 between Farm Road 59 south of Cross Roads and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 1799 near Golden and Farm Road 1801 east of Mineola. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 1137 east of Palestine. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

Also of note for motorists using State Highway 294 between Palestine and Alto: beginning Monday, October 1, TxDOT will be closing SH 294 to thru-traffic during daylight hours between Farm Road 23 and State Highway 21 in Cherokee County for tree trimming and removal operations. The closure will be in effect between 8:00am to 3:00pm Monday-Friday for approximately two weeks.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Beginning Monday, October 1, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews will be closing State Highway 294 to thru-traffic during daylight hours between State Highway 21 in Alto and Farm Road 23 near the Anderson County Line for tree trimming and removal. The closures, which will be in effect between 8:00am to3:00pm, will last approximately two weeks.

TYLER — Goodwill Industries of East Texas is asking for help from the East Texas community. They are in great need of unwanted clothing, housewares, shoes, furniture and electronics.

According to Gail Gray, Director of Donated Goods, “Our donations are at an all-time low right now. Our mission of providing job and skills training and job placement is funded and supported through the sale of these donated goods through our stores. We would like the public to know that their donations are not only tax deductible, but the proceeds stay right here in East Texas and put East Texans to work. In today’s difficult time of finding jobs, we feel this mission takes on an even greater value to support and find jobs for those individuals who have some type of barrier to employment such as a mental or physical disability. We have a critically low supply of donations and our concern is that we will not have the ability to keep our stores stocked to provide for this mission. We are asking for help from our very generous East Texas community.”

Donations can be dropped off at any of Goodwill’s 18 donation sites which include the store locations. You can go to http://www.goodwilleasttexas.com and find a Goodwill donation site near you. You can also email [email protected] if your club or group is in need of community service hours and would be interested in hosting a donation drive.

LAKE PALESTINE – The body of a missing autistic Smith County boy has been found. Authorities say the body of Evan Reed was found by a boater floating in the waters of Lake Palestine near the Villages around 2:00 Saturday afternoon. The body was about three miles from where the Reed’s live. The youngster, who lived in the 17,000 block of Carol Circle, was reported missing around 5:00 Friday afternoon. His mother told officers the last time she saw her son he was sitting on a couch watching cartoons. An autopsy has been ordered and the case remains under investigation.

DOTHAN, ALA. (AP) — FBI agents have safely recovered an abducted Alabama teenager, who was thought to be in East Texas, in Ohio.

Dothan police Sgt. Rachel David said that federal agents found Ailene Mariz Lander, 15, early Saturday. Authorities have taken her stepfather, Charles Dean Partin, 36, and mother, Julie Ann Bethke, into custody. It was not immediately clear whether they will face criminal charges. David said law enforcement officials have also recovered five siblings.

There was a report Thursday that the kidnapped girl and her alleged abductors had been spotted in San Augustine, Texas. Officials say a man believed to be the child’s primary abductor came into the First Baptist Church in San Augustine around 7:30 Thursday morning and asked the pastor for gas money. They were said to have been seen in a green minivan, which matched the description of the vehicle they are believed to be in. Authorities say they’ve determined the van was a stolen 2003 green Toyota Sienna.

Alabama authorities had asked East Texans to be on high alert. According to the Dothan, Ala., Police Department, shortly after 1:00 Monday afternoon, officers were dispatched to reports of a kidnapping in front of the Southeast Alabama Medical Center. When police arrived, an employee with the hospital told them she had taken Lander to the medical center for an appointment. While at the office, the worker and Lander were approached by Partin. Police say Partin grabbed the teen and put her inside a van, then left the parking lot.

EAST TEXAS (AP/STAFF) — Unemployment in Tyler and Longview has fallen while in Texas, it remains steady. The Texas Workforce Commission reports the July jobless rate in Tyler in August was 7.2%. It was 7.4% a month earlier. In Longview, unemployment fell from 6.6% in July to 6.2% last month. Texas’ unemployment rate held steady in August at 7.1%. It was also 7.1% in July. In August 2011, the unemployment rate was 8.1% .