KTBB News, Weather, Talk

NACODOCHES — Working with Nacogdoches police, a Nacogdoches County constable has conducted a search warrant that has led to two arrests and the seizure of several types of controlled substances and marijuana. According to KETK, Constable Jason Bridges said the warrant was executed on West View Street around 6:30 Friday morning. Authorities say the two suspects were found inside the residence with their two small children. Officials say a search of the residence revealed 15 grams of crack cocaine, 4 grams of powder cocaine, 41 ecstasy pills, ½ gram of methamphetamine, 3 pounds of marijuana and four marijuana plants that were found inside of a closet.

Constable Bridges said the investigation started last month when deputies with the Precinct 4 constable office seized narcotics from a traffic stop in Precinct 4. Arrested at the scene were Melanie Rose Arnold, 29, and Jarcory Bussey, 33, both from Nacogdoches. Both were charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and child endangerment. Bridges said Child Protective Services was called to the scene and is assisting with the ongoing investigation involving the children.

TYLER — Tyler supporters of GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum want to know who took 15 Santorum campaign signs in the Tyler area Thursday night. Local campaign spokesman Adam Comer says the cost was $750. Comer says police have been notified, and “this is not something that the Rick Santorum grassroots campaign is going to ignore.” Comer says the campaign has put up some signs in place of the ones that were taken. He asks anyone with information to call Tyler police.

HENDERSON — A Rusk County man is still missing after almost 2 months. According to KETK, authorities are still looking for James Tidwell of Mt. Enterprise, who was last seen on Feb. 15. His vehicle was found abandoned on the side of FM 95 on February 29. If you have any leads, you’re encouraged to call authorities.

GILMER — A judge on Wednesday placed 29 small-breed dogs in state custody after their owner testified she loves the animals and does not operate a puppy mill. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Upshur County sheriff’s deputies seized the dogs March 30 after a burglary investigation led them to a home on Texas 155 south of Gilmer. Owner Thelma Poche has 10 days to appeal Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Laura Norred’s decision that seven Chihuahuas, 14 Yorkshire terriers and eight Yorkshire puppies should remain in state care.

“My objective was to raise show dogs,” Poche testified Wednesday, specifying the terrier breed. “I was trying to raise and choose from them which ones could be shown.” No charges have been filed against Poche, though sheriff’s Lt. Freddie Fitzgerald said charges are possible as the investigation continues.

ATHENS — Two months after he threatened to sue an East Texas county for allowing a nativity scene on public property, a longtime Atheist announces during holy week, he’s converting to Christianity and become a pastor. Facing massive medical bills, Patrick Greene decided to stop his suit against Henderson County after learning his ability to see was rapidly deteriorating. Thousands of dollars flowed in from local Christians causing Green to undergo a radical change of heart. Green says the Theory of Evolution left him empty and the compassion of Christians who should have been angry at him caused his transformation. Greene says he’s going to help minister with a local chapter of The Rainbow Baptists, a ministry that accepts the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community.

TATUM — Authorities have arrested a suspect after he reportedly beat an elderly woman and an elderly man working in the yard. He’s been identified as Michael Christopher Ferris, 20, White Oak. Officials said the attack happened shortly before 4:00 Thursday afternoon in the 600 block of East Johnson Street in Tatum. Officials said Ferris reportedly knocked on the victim’s door. When she answered, he allegedly attacked her with a claw hammer. As he ran from the home, he reportedly encountered a man working in the yard and attacked him as well.

According to the Longview News-Journal, both victims, identified by the Panola County Sheriff’s Office as Betty Barker and Buddy Wagstaff, were hospitalized in Longview. Both are listed in stable condition. Barker was the more severely injured of the two. She was struck repeatedly from behind and was left with many bruises and lacerations.

After the assaults, Tatum police said Ferris ran into the woods, beginning a three-hour manhunt. At least two nearby Tatum schools and one child care facility were locked down as authorities searched for Ferris, who police said was in custody by early evening. According to KETK, Ferris faces two counts of attempted murder and two counts of injury to an elderly person. He has been booked into the Panola County Jail, and his bond is set at $4 million.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department has seen a recent rash of car burglaries over the past three weeks. Officials said there have been over 100 reports filed from March 18th to April 2nd. According to KETK, the burglaries are not central to one location but districts throughout the city are seeing their share of the burglaries. Large commercial spots such as the mall and other shopping centers are prime targets for the burglars who can spot items by just walking around. LPD officials said they have made one arrest.

LINDALE — Two suspects are arrested for prostitution in Smith County. Authorities say a man and woman were taken into custody after allegedly offering sex to an undercover agent following a massage. According to Constable Precinct 5 Dennis Taylor, it happened around 11:15 Thursday morning at Sunny Foot, located in the 900 block of Main Street in Lindale. Constable Taylor says one suspect gave a massage to one of his deputies for $60, and then offered sex for $200. He Chong Chong and Yuhong Kenny (pictured) were taken into custody and charged with promotion of prostitution and operating a business without a license. According to KETK, the two were smuggled into the United States from China. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is investigating the matter.

TYLER — Some in East Texas say the economy is starting to rebound, and they have some thoughts on where to look for work. According to KETK, Snelling Personnel’s Brenda Balch points to the oil and gas industry. Balch specifically mentions cooks and chefs, since some oil and gas companies provide meals for their field workers. Another staple of East Texas is the medical field. Balch says Tyler is the region’s medical hub, and it continues to add jobs. According to Balch, new physicians come on board every year, and that creates a spinoff effect. New restaurants in Tyler are also creating additional employment opportunities.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department says a missing woman has been located. An alert was issued yesterday for Elizabeth Aileen Clark, 80. She had last been seen at noon Thursday at 1301 South Chilton. She disappeared after going for a walk. We were notified this morning that Clark was found a couple of block from her home, walking in the 400 block of Mockingbird. An area resident saw her and notified police. She appeared to be confused and could not advise where she had been. Clark did not appear to have any physical injuries but was transported to Mother Francis Hospital to be checked.

CANTON — Van Zandt County authorities are investigating the theft of two historical markers. On Monday, the Van Zandt County Historical Commission reported a theft to the sheriff’s office. When a deputy arrived, he was told the markers had been stolen from County Road 1117 in the Canton area. One marker indicated a Cherokee boundary line and was located on near County Road 3051. The second marker was recognizing Father Jose Calahorra and was located near County Road 2419. Both markers were stolen sometime within the past week, and there are no suspects identified at this time. Anyone with information relating to the case is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 903-567-4133 or Crime Stoppers at 903-567-STOP (903-567-7867).

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman has been arrested in connection to stolen charity Christmas gifts. Rachel Bradley, 39, was arrested April 3rd and indicted by a grand jury on theft charges. She was released from the Gregg County Jail after posting a $25,000 bond. Longview Police say more arrests in this case could be forthcoming.

Last December, the Gregg County Child Welfare Board reported almost $20,000 worth of gifts, intended for area foster children, and were stolen from a storage facility on Jahan Trail in Longview.

HENDERSON — Henderson Police responded to a domestic dispute and discover numerous firearms. According to KETK, police said at least two guns have been reported as stolen. Jimmy Don Reedy was arrested and booked into the Rusk County Jail. According to KETK, he was arraigned on felony theft of a firearm charges. His bond was set at $10,000.

LUFKIN — Convicted serial killer Kimberly Saenz has returned to court to begin appealing her case. The 38-year-old was sentenced Monday to life in prison without parole for killing five DaVita Dialysis patients by bleach injection in April 2008. According to the Lufkin Daily News, she’s now attempting to overturn the ruling. Following the brief hearing, Saenz was taken back to the Angelina County Jail, where she will remain prior to prison transport. Saenz’s husband said Monday, their attorney would be appealing the conviction, and that the family planned to hold a press conference soon.

TYLER — Tyler Police continue their investigation into an armed robbery. It was reported around 2:30 yesterday morning at Speedy’s Exxon, 900 West Front Street. Officers said the clerk reported two suspects, armed with a handgun, entered the store and demanded money from the register. The suspects took an undetermined amount of money and fled the business westbound towards Glenwood Blvd. The clerk described the suspects as two black males, the first about 5’8″, 150 pounds wearing a red bandanna and a gray sweater. The second suspect was described as about 5’8″, 180 pounds wearing a brown cameo jacket/sweater. No injuries were reported. Anyone with information is urged to contact Tyler Police.

ANGELINA COUNTY — An Angelina County jury handed down a guilty verdict against a 33-year-old woman in connection with the July 2010 death of her 4-month-old son. Vanessa Clark now faces up to two years in state jail on the child endangerment charge of which she was found guilty. Clark and her husband were sharing a bed with the infant when he stopped breathing, making him the second baby to die while sleeping in the couple’s bed.

According to the Lufkin Daily News, in 2009 the Clark’s had a 1-month-old son who died the same way. At that time, Child Protective Services workers warned them about the dangers of co-sleeping, as babies can be accidentally suffocated by their parents, bedding or even pillows. Following a CPS investigation, the couple’s 3-year-old son was returned to their custody. At the time of the July 2010 death, a blood test showed Clark had elevated levels of Xanax and hydrocodone. The drugs were prescribed by a doctor, according to her attorney, John Reeves.

Sentencing will take place in four to six weeks after a pre-sentencing investigation. Her sentence will range from probation to two years in state jail.

AANCHORAGE, ALASKA (AP) – An Anchorage police spokesman says the Alaska state medical examiner’s office has confirmed that a body recovered from Matanuska Lake is that of an 18-year-old coffee stand worker who vanished February 1. Lt. Dave Parker said Wednesday that autopsy results confirm the body recovered Monday is Samantha Koenig. No cause of death has yet been released. Anchorage Police Chief Mark Mew has said investigators believe she died within hours of her abduction from the coffee stand. Mew also says they believe they have the responsible person in custody.
The only man who has been listed by Anchorage police as a “person of interest” in the case was arraigned March 27 in federal court in Anchorage on a fraud charge, shortly after being returned from Lufkin, Texas, where he was arrested. Israel Keyes has pleaded not guilty to a charge of access device fraud. Federal prosecutors say he made cash withdrawals from a stolen debit card. The card was not Koenig’s.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP/Staff) – A former Oklahoma prison warden’s wife convicted of helping an inmate escape almost 18 years ago has been released from prison. Department of Corrections spokesman Jerry Massie says Bobbi Parker was released at 1 a.m. Thursday from the Hillside Community Correctional Center in Oklahoma City. She served a little more than half of her 1-year prison sentence.

Parker was convicted September 21 for helping convicted killer Randolph Franklin Dial escape from the Oklahoma State Reformatory where her husband, Randy, was deputy warden. Parker and Dial disappeared together from the Greer County prison on Aug. 30, 1994. They were discovered living together as man and wife on a chicken farm in Shelby County, Texas, in April 2005. Prosecutors allege Parker fell in love with Dial. Her defense attorneys say she was kidnapped.

LONGVIEW — Longview police seek help tracking down a driver in a hit-and run incident. Tuesday afternoon just before 3:45, officers were dispatched to the overpass at Eastman Road and I-20. According to witnesses, an oversized truck with equipment on the trailer had attempted to go under the overpass. The oversized load caught on the overpass and pulled off chunks of concrete. Even after catching on the overpass, the truck continued northbound on Eastman Road. No one was hurt. If anyone has information on the incident, you’re asked to call Officer Steve Burnett at 903-237-1199 and leave a message.

TYLER — A 39-year-old San Juan, Texas woman has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in East Texas. In an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love in Tyler, Annette Alvarez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Federal prosecutors contend Alvarez was found in possession of approximately 13 kilograms of cocaine, which she intended to deliver to another person for distribution. Alvarez faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER – In an appearance in Tyler federal court, a 49-year-old Deberry man has pleaded guilty to drug violations. Jimmie Gaston Langston pleaded guilty last November to possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine and the manufacture of methamphetamine on premises where children are present when he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

Federal prosecutors say Langston purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a CVS store in Marshall, as well as additional purchases in Shreveport, with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. The manufacturing of the methamphetamine took place at Langston’s residence where one or more young children were present. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and an additional consecutive 20 year sentence. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison visits Tyler today to address members and supporters of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. Hutchison will appear at a luncheon scheduled for 11:30 till 1:00 at Willowbrook Country Club. Organizers say they’ll be thanking Hutchison “for her dedicated service to Texas.” The event is sponsored by the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee. Tickets are $25 per person or $200 for a table of eight. Go to http://hutchison-calendar.eventbrite.com to register online.

TYLER — There was more good news to share at Wednesday’s annual meeting of the Tyler Economic Development Council. The development council’s Tom Mullins says, “We’re working on some new projects that could create over 600 new jobs and attract over $13 million in investment.” Mullins says things continue to look good for the Tyler economy in general. He encourages others to be optimistic, noting that consumer confidence is a key driving force in the economy.

TYLER — Smith County could soon see another wet/dry election, and it could mean expanded alcohol sales in the city of Tyler as well as other parts of the county. Buy Local First is a special purpose political action committee, formed to support allowing limited alcohol sales Tyler and in Justice of the Peace Precinct 2. The group consists of local residents, business and community leaders and will be asking registered voters to sign petitions calling for a local option election this November. In order to call an election, state law requires the group to collect approximately 7,800 signatures of City of Tyler registered voters and 6,700 signatures of voters in JP Precinct 2. The precinct includes southwestern Tyler, Flint, and Bullard.

The group will be asking voters to sign petitions calling for an election. For starters, the election would allow “the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only.” By state law this will only allow beer and wine sold in places like grocery and convenience stores. This law will not allow packaged liquor sales. The election would also permit “the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders only.” This version was overwhelmingly approved by City of Tyler voters in 2008. The current effort will expand sales to those areas annexed after the 2008 election and in all of JP 2.

The group released results from a telephone public opinion survey showing overwhelming support for expanding alcohol sales. Bob Westbrook, Spokesman for the Buy Local First Committee, says, “In light of the current economy, and based on the fact there will be a higher turnout this November, we felt it was time to support the alcohol sales laws so that the citizens of Tyler and Smith County can now Buy Local First and keep our tax dollars in Smith County.” Wet/dry elections in the area have unfailingly generated opposition groups, and there’s no doubt that will happen this time.

LUFKIN — The trial of a Lufkin woman charged in the death of her second child while sleeping is winding down. On Tuesday, lawyers questioned Vanessa Lynn Clark’s parenting skills. According to KETK, the 33-year-old is charged with endangering a child following the July 2010 death of her two-month-old baby. Clark and her former husband, Mark Wayne Clark, 32, are charged with causing the baby’s death by sleeping in the same bed with it.

The couple told police that they awoke to find the child dead at around 4:30 am after going to sleep with it around 11:30 pm. The couple also had another baby who died in May 2009 during co-sleeping. They also have a six-year-old child.

GILMER — A judge in Gilmer awarded custody of 14 starved horses to the Humane Society of Northeast Texas following a seizure last week. Upshur County Sheriff’s Lt. Freddie Fitzgerald said officers acting on a tip found the horses on land in the northern part of the county on March 27. According to the Longview News-Journal, on Tuesday, Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace W.V. “Valton” Ray turned custody of the animals over to the Dallas/Fort Worth area humane society. A hearing was scheduled Wednesday before Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Laura Norred on 28 small-breed dogs seized last week. Both cases remain under investigation.

LUFKIN — The Lufkin City Council has unanimously approved the final reading of an ordinance prohibiting panhandling and solicitation of vehicle occupants on city roadways. According to KETK, city officials have been citing an increase in solicitation by individuals from vehicle occupants in traffic on public streets, which could threaten the safety and welfare of vehicle occupants and pedestrians, as a reason for introducing the measure.

RUSK — Rusk ISD Classes have been delayed until 10:30 due to power outages in that area, according to KETK. Also, Alto ISD classes are canceled today.

GARY (AP/Staff) – Officials say no injuries have been reported in a gas line explosion in East Texas that shook some homes before dawn. The Panola County Sheriff’s Office says the fiery accident happened around 6:00 Wednesday morning near Gary. No damage was immediately reported. A sheriff’s dispatcher says the wellhead was shut down.

According to KETK, MarkWest Energy Partners released the following statement late following the blast around 6:00 Wednesday morning:

“ A fire was detected on a MarkWest pipeline about one-quarter of a mile from the Gary Compressor Station in Panola County, Texas. There were no injuries or structural damage to the compressor station equipment. The pipeline and compressor station were immediately shut-down and MarkWest’s emergency response plan was implemented. MarkWest’s personnel were immediately dispatched to the location. The fire, which was limited to brush surrounding the pipeline, was quickly extinguished by the Gary Volunteer Fire Department who left the site by 8:00 a.m. CDT. MarkWest is investigating this incident and will work with local and state authorities throughout this process. MarkWest would also like to thank the first responders for their quick and professional response.”

EAST TEXAS – A line of severe thunderstorms marched across East Texas Tuesday night. Funnel clouds were reported in Hopkins and Rains counties. The rain, wind and lightning were responsible for power outages around the area. Tyler, Longview, and Nacogdoches were among the communities affected.