KTBB News, Weather, Talk

AUSTIN — District Judge Gisela D. Triana of Austin has ruled in favor of landowners who would have their land condemned and taken if the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir were built and a timber company whose business depends on logging in the Sulphur River Basin. The landowners and timber company had filed suit against the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), challenging TWDB ’s finding that no interregional conflict exists between the Region C Water Plan and the Region D Water Plan.

The state develops its plan for the use of surface and groundwater through a regional water planning process, with the state divided into 16 regions. The Region D area is comprised of all or part of 19 counties in Northeast Texas. Region C includes all or part of the 16 counties surrounding Dallas and Ft. Worth.

The Region C Plan, which proposes ways to meet water needs for that region through the year 2060, recommends construction of the 72,000-acre Marvin Nichols Reservoir project, to be located in the Region D area. The Region D Plan strongly recommends against building Marvin Nichols Reservoir and states that it would be an interregional conflict for any region to propose the Marvin Nichols Reservoir because of the adverse impacts on crucial farming and timber resources in the region.

Under Texas law, it is the responsibility of the Texas Water Development Board to resolve such conflicts. TWDB, however, had stated that no conflict exists. Judge Triana disagreed. Judge Triana ruled that TWDB approval of the Region C Plan must be reversed and remanded back to TWDB “for further consideration not inconsistent” with her ruling.

RUSK – For now, the burn ban remains in effect in Cherokee County. County commissioners met Monday to consider lifting the ban because of the recent rains. The commissioners delayed voting on lifting the ban, saying they’ll take a look at it next week. In the meantime they are hoping a system Wednesday night and over the weekend will bring some badly needed rain.

SMITH COUNTY — A man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after reportedly leading officers on a foot chase. Smith County Precinct 4 Constable John Smith tells KETK officials were patrolling the area near the Cross Brand Cowboy Church on Farm Road 2015 when they were informed by a church employee that a man was behaving suspiciously down the road. The church employee told officials the man, Paul Alexander, 48, was looking for a gun. Officers say when they found Alexander, he took off running into the woods. They say he only got a few hundred yards before being captured by an officer and handcuffed to a tree until backup arrived. Alexander was booked into the Smith County Jail for evading officers. Additional charges are pending.

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System has expanded its presence in the growing mobile market through a partnership with iTriage — a consumer healthcare application that gives users on-the-go access to medical information and providers. ETMC officials say mobile users have quick and easy access to symptoms, diseases and hospital information. They say iTriage is available as a free download through the app stores for iPhone and Android mobile devices, and any Internet-enabled device. You can go to http://www.iTriageHealth.com for the download.

According to the most recent Nielsen statistics, 40 percent of mobile consumers in the U.S. now own a smartphone, with 50 percent adoption predicted by the end of 2011. ETMC officials say this growing trend has led ETMC to reach out to mobile users in the community by providing convenient access to information about its facilities and services. Schumacher Group, the nation’s third largest emergency and hospital medicine management firm, is partnering with ETMC to bring iTriage to ETMC hospitals throughout the region. Hospital system officials say the technology gives East Texas residents the resources to learn more about a specific medical condition and make the most informed decision about where to seek treatment. They say iTriage lets users:

• Research medical symptoms
• Learn about possible causes and treatment options
• Obtain medication information for treatment of a specific condition
• Find detailed ETMC information like services, specialties, hours of operation and turn-by-turn directions

TYLER – A 41-year-old Garland man has pleaded guilty in Tyler federal court to access device fraud. According to information presented in court, between December 2009 and December 2010, Ricky Dale Cox used fraudulent credit card numbers in an attempt to purchase gift cards and other merchandise from various retailers. Cox was indicted by a federal grand jury back in March. He faces up to five years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — A Tyler man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the April 10 Tyler crash that killed Geneva Townsend, 88, and Jane Bohanon, 81. The two women were on their way home from church at the time. Joe Preston Rogers, 62, pleaded guilty to two counts of intoxication manslaughter with a deadly weapon on September 26. He will be eligible for parole once half his sentence has been served.

The Tyler Transit Department has implemented adjustments to fixed-route schedules based upon customer feedback. These changes include the following:
Blue line:
*The first run has been modified by five minutes to ensure first run passengers can make a timely connection to Red Line 1A.
*A final run has been added to Blue Line headed southwest at 7:45 p.m. Green line:
*An additional run has been added from the main transfer point towards Texas College at 7:45 p.m. It is timed to connect customers from the Blue Line and Red Line 1A back to north Tyler. Red Line 1A:
*An additional run has been added starting at Heritage at 6 a.m.

Additionally, 20 stops have been added or moved to enhance service. Nine of the 20 stops are on the Yellow Line; these stops are highly requested stops and filled service gaps.

“These changes address feedback that we’ve received from our customers and provide additional connections,” said Heather Nick, transit manager. “These route enhancements will ensure that our customers are provided the best possible service.”

Tyler Transit will continue to observe the new routes and make changes as necessary to provide the best service possible to its riders. Currently, alternative routes are being explored to better connect the Yellow Line to the Red Line and a new transfer location is being explored to create a smoother transfer between these lines.

Additionally, Tyler Transit is looking at the timing of the Yellow Line to Green Line transfer at the University of Texas at Tyler and exploring the possibility of adding service to Green Acres Shopping Center and the new VA Clinic.

You can go to http://www.tylerbus.org where the new route maps and schedules are available. Brochures are also made available on all Tyler Transit buses.

TYLER – A Henderson County woman has pleaded guilty to federal firearms violations. Lehua Deann Mauala, 25, of Athens, pleaded guilty yesterday in an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to federal prosecutors, last December, Mauala burglarized a residence in Athens stealing a rifle and several pistols. She was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of this year and charged with federal firearms violations. Mauala faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

GREGG COUNTY — Two people were arrested early Tuesday morning in connection with a chemical bomb that detonated in the backyard of a Longview residence. Celeste Marie Tebow, 20, Longview and Benjamin Enloe Hilton, 30, Gladewater (pictured) were arrested at about 2:00 in the 100 block of East Hawkins Parkway.

Police were dispatched to the 1900 block of Wimberly Street at about 11:45 Monday night after the victim reported that a chemical bomb went off in the backyard of her home. Police found the remnants of two homemade bombs in the backyard. The devices “appeared to be constructed of a plastic bottle, tin foil and an unknown liquid.” The victim told police she suspected that it was Hilton who detonated the bomb because of an “ongoing feud.” Police made contact with Tebow and Hilton at Summer Green Apartments in the 100 block of East Hawkins Parkway.

During a search of Tebow’s vehicle, police found tin foil, toilet bowl cleaner and latex gloves. Police say Tebow admitted that the items were used to construct a bomb. Tebow told police that Hilton drove her to the victim’s home and helped plant the device with another person in the yard. Hilton admitted to police that he assisted in constructing and planting the bomb, according to arrest reports.

Tebow remained jailed on $7,500 bond, charged with possessing the components of explosives. Hilton remained jailed on $7,500 bond, charged with having a prohibited weapon.

PITTSBURG — It was no Halloween prank when two men wearing masks approached a man near Pittsburg after bumping his vehicle early Monday morning. The man was struck several times in the head, and his money was taken. It happened around 2:00 on U.S. Highway 271. Authorities say a black SUV, possibly a Chevy Tahoe, got behind him and followed him. When the motorist got to the stop sign on County Road 4220, at the intersection of Farm Road 557, the vehicle bumped the rear of his vehicle.

He attempted to get out when two subjects attacked him, striking him in the head with possibly a baseball bat and robbed him. The men were wearing Halloween masks. One was about 6 feet tall; the other was approximately 5 feet, 4 inches. An undetermined amount of cash was taken. The victim was taken to East Texas Medical Center Pittsburg where he received several stitches in the back of his head.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers, 903-855-STOP, or the Camp County Sheriff’s Office, 903-856-6651.

TATUM — A Tatum man was arrested on drug charges Monday night after officials say they found methamphetamine and prescription pain pills. According to Rusk County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Viki Penny, Mark Russell Stewart, 37, was arrested at about 9:30 Monday night near the intersection of County Road 2132 and Farm Road 1716 near Tatum. Penny said the sheriff’s deputy noticed a pickup truck in the parking lot of an oil lease on CR 2132, which he thought was suspicious for the area. After stopping the vehicle, the deputy smelled an alcoholic beverage on Stewart’s breath and requested that he exit the vehicle because there was a rifle in the vehicle with him. During a search of Stewart, deputies found 10 pain pills and 3.3 grams of suspected methamphetamine. A small amount of marijuana was found as well. Stewart remained jailed Tuesday on bonds totaling $12,500, charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Lufkin woman was arrested Saturday evening on a driving while intoxicated charge after crashing her car into the back of a hayride full of children in the Central community.

Rita Maxie, 47, was southbound on Farm Road 2251 around 8:00pm when she rear-ended the hayride stopped at a stop sign at Farm Road 2021, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety report. The hayride, carrying 22 adults and kids, was part of a baseball team party. The kids on the hayride ranged in age from 2 to 14, according to the DPS report.

Maxie was taken to the Angelina County Jail, where she posted a $1,500 bond hours later. Her Ford Mustang was towed from the scene.

KILGORE – The Department of Public Safety has released the names of the victims of a Friday afternoon accident in Gregg County. The accident happened just before 5:45 Friday afternoon on Goforth Road, just east of Farm Road 3053.

The DPS reports a pickup driven by Latrisha Harrod, 30, of Kilgore was east bound when it left the road and overturned. Harrod and a passenger, Jaina Kitchens, 13, of Kilgore, were killed in the crash. Three children were injured in the crash. Two were taken to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport where one was listed in serious condition and the other in good condition. The third youngster injured in the wreck is in good condition at Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center. The DPS report said the two youngsters listed in good condition were the only ones wearing their seat belt.

RUSK — With recent rains bringing some extra moisture to the area, many residents want to see burn bans lifted. And Tuesday, the Cherokee County Commissioners Court will decide whether to cancel its burn ban. County Judge Chris Davis tells KETK if the ban is lifted, good sense will be the most important factor. According to Davis, “You can’t fix stupid,” and if people don’t use their heads, there’ll be fires whether there’s a burn ban or not.

TYLER – Funeral services are scheduled Wednesday for the pastor of Tyler’s Lanes Chapel United Methodist Church, Lou Gary Thomas. Thomas, who was 64, passed away Friday at Tyler’s Mother Francis Hospital. A memorial service for Thomas will be held on Wednesday, November 2, at 3:00pm at the church. A private burial will follow.

According to the obituary from the Stewart Family Funeral Home, Thomas taught and coached in many different elementary, Jr. High and Sr. High Schools throughout East Texas. He was dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ in ministry for over 40 years. On 3 different occasions his church received the Kenneth Copeland Award for Evangelism which is given for church growth through new believers. Thomas served in many churches including, Spurger UMC, Fairview UMC of Nacogdoches, Bonita UMC of Central Heights, Laird Hill UMC of Kilgore, First United Methodist Church of Harlingen, St. Marks UMC of Center, St. Andres UMC of Carthage, First Untied Methodist Church of Mt. Enterprise, Concord United Methodist Church, Bethlehem UMC of Hudson and the final 22 years at Lanes Chapel UMC of Tyler.

FRANKSTON — A man is behind bars after a string of vandalism Saturday in Frankston. According to Frankston city officials, Joshua Bradley Mundell was arrested for his alleged connection with the destruction of property over the weekend. According to KETK, four places were hit including Van’s, Dixie House BBQ, a propane gas facility, and a private residence. Among the property destroyed was a truck at Van’s in Frankston, several buildings, and also a church in Henderson County. Mundell was caught by a man at the private residence when he was found allegedly carrying items out of the home. The homeowner held Mundell at gunpoint until police arrived. Mundell was arrested for burglary of a building and is awaiting further charges. His bail is set at $25,000.

JACKSONVILLE — Three men have been arrested in connection with the Jacksonville Wal-Mart robbery on October 2. Police have taken into custody Maurice DeShun Jones, 28, Willie Duane Rogers, 23, and Jonathan Rashard Brown, 19. All three are charged with engaging in organized criminal activity. Police tell KETK a Crime Stoppers tip lead to the arrest of Jones and Rogers, while Brown turned himself in to authorities. The three are accused of stealing nearly $10,000 from the store in two money bags. One suspect is still at large.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) released the following statement Monday regarding the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s decision to grant the Palestinian bid for full membership:

“Today’s vote made by UNESCO to grant the Palestinian bid for full membership to the United Nations is not only outrageous, it’s utterly offensive. This vote will bolster the fraudulent Palestinian bid for recognition as a state by the United Nations without requiring it to recognize a nation in being and disclaim the goal of Israel’s destruction. It offers further evidence of the United Nations’ embrace of a radical political agenda.

“I applaud the U.S. State Department for its necessary action made today – to halt a $60 million transfer due in November to the UN cultural agency. The United States should not fund a United Nations bent on bestowing statehood to a Palestinian government run by Hamas, an Islamist terror group devoted to annihilating our strong ally, Israel. Desiring peace in the Middle East is noble, but granting statehood to Hamas, the Palestinian arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, is foolhardy and does not advance the cause of peace in the region.”

AUSTIN — Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) congratulated Representative David Simpson of Longview for earning the Rookie of the Year in their ratings of the 82nd Texas Legislature with a session score of 91. “YCT is especially pleased to announce that David Simpson earned the highest score of all the freshmen on our ratings for this session,” said Jeff Morris, YCT Vice Chairman.

“I am grateful to receive the Rookie of the Year award from Young Conservatives of Texas. For YCT, it isn’t enough to call yourself ‘conservative’ — you have to back up your words with actions. The voters of the district that I serve sent me to Austin to do what’s right and not to ‘just play along,’” Representative Simpson said. “By God’s grace I did my best to honor their trust.” On top of earning YCT’s Rookie of the Year for the Texas House, Simpson also ranked among the most conservative members of the legislature on the organization’s Honor Roll for the session.

ALTO — An Alto man has been arrested in connection with a series of burglaries. That’s according to KETK. At around 3:15 p.m. Friday, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a house on the 300 block of West San Antonio Street in Alto in reference to several burglaries in the area. During the search of the singlewide mobile home, officers found a small caliber pistol believed to have been taken during the recent burglary of the Pearman Dodge Motor Company located on U.S. Highway 69 in Alto. Investigators also arrested the suspected burglar, 20-year old Craig Anthony Wilkins. Wilkins had two prior arrest warrants for burglary, which were issued after several weeks of investigations and surveillance.

Wilkins was charged with the following:
1) Burglary of a Building (Alto High School); Bond: $20,000
2) Burglary of a Building (Pearman Motor Company); Bond: $20,000
3) Burglary of a Habitation (July 20th residential burglary); Bond: $30,000

TYLER — Officials with Judge Floyd Getz’s office have told KETK, Mark Nathaniel Anderson’s Jury trial will begin November 14th with jury selection. The case has been moved to Judge Jack Skeen’s courtroom in the 241st District Court. This comes after the October 24th trial date was continued to October 31st. Anderson has been indicted in the case of his sister’s murder. Amanda Anderson, 19, was found shot to death in their Chapel Hill home back in September of last year. A short time later, then 15 year old Nate Anderson was taken into custody in connection with the murder. Anderson’s bond was raised to $1.5 million dollars.

WOOD COUNTY — A suspected robber has been jailed. Wood County Deputy, J.W. Williams, arrested Travis Herrera Holder, 21, for a Burglary of a Habitation Saturday. It happened after several guns that had been recovered and link back to Holder from more than one burglary in Wood County. The owners of the guns were able to get their property back. Holder is being held on a $10,000 bond in the Wood County Jail.

GREGG COUNTY — A Gladewater man remained jailed at last report after police said he shot out the window of a vehicle and attempted to rob the driver. Sylvester Kelly, 37, was charged with aggravated robbery, and bond was set at $20,000. He also had an outstanding warrant for a traffic violation at the time of his arrest. Police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said Kelly shot a bullet through the driver’s side window in an effort to rob the driver. The bullet exited through the front windshield. Brian said Kelly stole the victim’s wallet and driver’s license, but no one was injured in the robbery. Police said the robbery happened about 3:15 a.m. Sunday in the 2700 block of Estes Parkway.

PALESTINE — A 33-year-old Palestine man who earlier pleaded guilty to robbing Walmart Supercenter last year has been sentenced to serve 70 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for his role in the crime. Terrance Levar Williams, 33, Palestine, was also sentenced to serve 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. His sentences will be served concurrently.

SABINE COUNTY — A Hemphill woman died in a Beaumont hospital Sunday after a one-vehicle accident in Sabine County hours earlier. Jordan Stallard, 19, died at 8:05 a.m. at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Beaumont, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety accident report. She was the passenger in the accident that happened around 6:00 Sunday morning on U.S. 96. According to the DPS, the driver, Drew Woods, 19, of Hemphill, veered off the road and the vehicle, a 1994 Mercury Marquis, overturned.

According to the Lufkin Daily News, Stallard was ejected. It appears she was not wearing her seat belt, according to the DPS report. Woods, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken to Jasper Memorial Hospital following the crash and was in stable condition. Stallard is the daughter of Gary Stallard, the Angelina College sports information and marketing director who writes regularly for The Lufkin News’ Sports section.

JONESVILLE – A driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, has died in a one vehicle wreck in eastern Harrison County. Killed around 3:00 Saturday morning in the one vehicle accident was Gerardo Munoz, 21, of Waskom. The Department of Public Safety reports he was east bound on U.S. Highway 80 near Jonesville when he lost control of his vehicle and it left the road and hit several trees.

TYLER – A two story home in Tyler has been extensively damaged by fire. It was reported shortly after 5:45 Sunday afternoon at 1604 North Bois D Arc, near the intersection of West Vance Street. Fire Marshall Paul Findley says arriving firemen reported fire on the upper floor of the two story residence. Initial findings indicate that the fire may have started in an upstairs bedroom near a space heater. There were no injuries reported and the fire remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW – A space heater that had fallen over is responsible for a fire that destroyed a Longview home. The fire at 318 Gum Street was reported around 11:45 Friday night. No injuries were reported.

TYLER – Two members of the Tyler Police Department were promoted Monday morning. Police Chief Gary Swindle promoted Robert Lee Plymail, a graduate from Hawkins High School in 1983, from sergeant to lieutenant. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1983 to 1986 when he was honorably discharged. He graduated from the East Texas Police Academy in 1986. Lee worked for the Smith County Sheriff from 1987 to 1993. He has been with the Tyler Police Department since 1993. In 1998 he was promoted to Sergeant and served as a patrol Sergeant until 2008. In 2008 he moved to investigations as the Youth Crimes Sergeant.

Plymail received the Certificate of Merit bar in 2002 and the Police Commendation bar in 2004. He has Master Peace Officer certificate through TCLEOSE and has been a TCLEOSE Instructor since 1998. He has instructed Family Violence, Penal Code and Arrest and Search and Seizure classes in the basic academy. He has also instructed Intermediate Arrest Search and Seizure for in service training. Lee has been a member of the Special Operations Team since 2008

Also at the ceremony, Officer Paul Robeson was promoted to Sergeant. Robeson began working for the Tyler Police Department in May of 2002, and currently holds an Advanced Peace Officer license. In 2003, Paul was chosen as the Rookie of the Year. That same year he worked as a cross-trained Investigator in Property Crimes. He also joined the Honor Guard that year and has been an active member since then. Within a few years of being hired, Paul was chosen as an FTO where he served for several years. He also became part of the Police Department’s Accident Investigation team as well as a TCLEOSE instructor.

In 2006, Robeson was selected to work in the Criminal Investigation Division as a Crimes Against Children Investigator. While working within this division he received several awards including: Plain Clothes Officer of the Month, Unit of the Year, East Texas Crisis Center Hope Award, and several other Volunteer awards given through the Childrens Advocacy Center.

In December 2007, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from UT Tyler. And, in May 2009, Paul transferred into the Traffic division where he has been working up to this point. Since obtaining his Peace Officer license, he has received hundreds of hours of specialized training furthering his knowledge. He has been trained as an intermediate crime scene officer and has processed numerous major scenes. He has also received advanced training in accident investigations. He has attended 100’s of hours of investigation related courses.

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – East Texas native Beryl Pickle, widow of longtime Texas congressman Jake Pickle, has died. Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home in Austin said that Pickle died last Thursday. She was 93. Pickle was born in Rusk and grew up in Jacksonville. She attended Lon Morris College. She and Jake Pickle, whose first wife died in 1952, were married in 1960. Three years later, he won a seat in Congress. The congressman, who served in Washington for 31 years, died in 2005. Longtime aide Paul Hilgers told the Austin American-Statesman that Beryl Pickle had a keen sense of humor and kept her husband grounded. Stepdaughter Peggy Pickle says she came to politics reluctantly, “but once she got into it, she came to enjoy it.” Services will be this Thursday at First United Methodist Church in Austin.