KTBB News, Weather, Talk

MINEOLA — There may be more arrests made in the case involving a former Mineola teacher charged with having an improper relationship with a student. KETK and the Longview News-Journal are reporting 43-year-old Jo Ann Stephens was arrested last week and released from jail on a $25,000 bond. Stephens has also resigned. Sources tell the News-Journal there might be another arrest made related to perjury charges.

JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville police dispatchers say there was an armed robbery at the Corner Market in the 200 block of North Jackson. It happened around 2:00am. Police say the man was armed with a revolver. They’re looking for a black man, approximately 5’1”, wearing a red hooded shirt, dark pants, a ski mask, belt and a brown leather glove on his right hand. He was last seen traveling south from the Corner Market. If you have any information, you’re asked to call Jacksonville police at 903-586-8268.

LUFKIN (AP) – A building contractor convicted of scamming victims of a December 2009 tornado in Lufkin must serve 25 years in prison. A judge in Lufkin on Tuesday sentenced 43-year-old Jason Lynn McKnight of Wells. A jury in October convicted McKnight on five counts of fraud. He was accused of illegally securing building permits from the city on behalf of tornado victims without their knowledge or not having the residents under contract. McKnight, who says he was unfairly judged because he previously spent time in prison, says he plans to appeal. Further details on his criminal history were not immediately available.

TYLER – Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith says authorities believe Monday’s double shooting in Pine Springs was a murder-suicide. Smith says he thinks the evidence will show that the husband fatally shot his wife, and then himself. Smith County authorities are investigating the shooting deaths of the couple on County Road 334 in the Pine Springs area. It was reported just before 3:00 Monday afternoon. Dead at the scene were Billy Hays, 68, and Bonnie Hays, 71. Prior to the shooting a deputy had been to the home to take a report of a burglary and assault that occurred a couple of weeks ago. About an hour after the deputy left, the call came in concerning two persons dead in the home. The bodies have been sent to Dallas for autopsy.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is now confirming that a Pine Springs couple’s weekend deaths were a murder-suicide. Police say 68-year-old Billy Hays shot his wife, 71-year-old Bonnie Hays, before turning the gun on himself on Sunday. Monday afternoon, police responded to a 911 call from the couple’s son — and found their bodies. Sheriff J.B. Smith tells KETK it’ll be at least six months before forensics come back. Authorities are still looking for a motive.

TYLER – Child Protective Services workers say the full extent of a two-month-old Smith County baby’s injuries is not known, but say there is a possibility of permanent brain damage. According to KETK, the CPS staffers say they are still working on the case. According to authorities, 23-year-old Saul Lino-Porcayo admitted to deputies Monday night that he was lying. He originally told officials he dropped the two-month-old by accident and the child’s 13-month old sister jumped on the child. Lino-Porcayo has now told investigators he was drunk and became frustrated with the child. He then says he punched the baby in the face. The child remains in critical condition with a fractured skull at Children’s Hospital in Dallas. Lino-Porcayo remains in the Smith County jail, and his bail has been set at $500,000.

CUMBY — The Department of Public Safety has identified the woman killed Monday morning in a head on collision between an 18-wheeler and an SUV. It happened around 3:30 on Interstate Highway 30 in Cumby. She is Colleen Margaret Dorsey, 27, of Dallas. State troopers say she driving a Ford Escape and was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane. Cumby police tried to intercept her but were unable to before she collided with the truck.

HUGO, OKLA — A Hopkins County woman has died in a two vehicle accident in Oklahoma. Leah Peters, 40, of Sulphur Springs, was a passenger in a pickup that failed to heed a stop sign and collided with a vehicle driven by an Oklahoma woman. The wreck happened just west of Hugo, Oklahoma on U.S. Highway 271.

LONGVIEW — Longview Mayor Jay Dean wants your input. According to KETK, the City of Longview is considering a bond election to fund some of the city’s improvements, but that may mean a tax increase.
City officials say that the improvements are needed, but they have set up an online survey to get opinions from Longview businesses and residents. Go to http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/U2H5HPZC7ZT2 if you want to offer your thoughts.

LONGVIEW — A restaurant employee is facing charges following a Monday afternoon Longview incident in which a robbery was reported. At around 12:39 p.m. Monday, officers were dispatched to Dickies Barbecue at 2330 Judson Rd. Upon arrival officers were told that Andrew Gugliuzzi had been robbed at gunpoint. During the investigation, the alleged victim was arrested on an unrelated, outstanding, Gregg County warrant. After further investigation, police say they determined Gugliuzzi had filed a false report with police. Gugliuzzi is facing charges of false report to a police officer and felony theft.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman and her husband remain jailed after being charged with indecency with child and two counts of assault. The charges involve two boys younger than 17 years old, police said. Crystal Charie Vanlandingham, 32, was arrested Friday after a warrant for her arrest was issued in connection to the sexual assault of a boy. Her bond was set at $50,000. James Bennett Davis, 34, was arrested Dec. 1 in connection to the assault of his mother and two boys. His bond was set at $40,000.

According to arrest reports, the boy said Vanlandingham tried to inappropriately touch him during Thanksgiving. He said similar events happened around Dec. 1. Police said several prior reports had been filed against Davis at the time of his arrest, one from another family member and two from the boys.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies arrest a man at an Interstate 20 truck stop. Authorities say Richard Lopez, 27, Angleton, was so drunk, he thought he was in Houston. Deputies say he was eating when they arrived and he asked why Houston Police were questioning him. Lopez has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and driving while intoxicated. Authorities say he rammed a vehicle at a red light along Loop 323 and FM 14.

ANDERSON COUNTY — The Anderson Country Sheriff”s office is following leads in the burglaries of three businesses targeted for their copper. Sometime earlier this month, thieves cut off the locks on three buildings in the 23,000 block of U.S. 287. They then stripped all of the businesses of their copper wire. Copper wire is frequently stolen because of its resale value. Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor says the Texas Legislature is expected to consider “toughening up” laws relating to the sale of copper wire when it convenes next year.

TYLER — Smith County officials say a 2-month-old child’s father has been arrested after the baby suffered a skull fracture. The child remains in critical condition at Children’s Hospital in Dallas. The child was originally transported to a local hospital, but was later moved to Dallas. The father of the child says he found his 12-month-old jumping on the two month old. When he went to remove the two month old, he dropped the baby. The dad later admitted to officers he was under the influence of alcohol when he hit the youngster out of frustration. Saul Lino-Porcayo, 23, was charged with injury to a child and placed in the Smith County Jail in lieu of a $500,000 bond. Authorities say the father has a history of assault and was jailed in 2005.

TYLER – Tyler police are looking for four men who robbed a man shortly after 6:00 Monday night in the 700 block of West Shaw. The victim was sitting in a car when a black man beat on his window and told him to get out of the car. The suspect, who was wearing a white muscle shirt and had a bandana over his face, was armed with a revolver.

When the victim got out of the car he got into a scuffle with the suspect and was forced to the ground. He was then told to hand over his wallet, which he did. The victim said with the suspect were three other men, all with masks over their faces. After getting the his wallet, the men fled on foot south on Vine Street. The victim was not injured.

CUMBY — A woman was killed Monday morning in a head on collision between an 18-wheeler and an SUV. It happened around 3:30 on Interstate Highway 30 in Cumby. State troopers say the woman driving a Ford Escape with a Dallas registration was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane. Cumby police tried to intercept her but were unable to before she collided with the truck. At last report, the victim’s name had not been released.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department commissions three new officers. The ceremony took place Tuesday morning in the City of Longview Library’s Moeschle Room. The new officers are Cassi Hechler, Marley Webster, and Dustin Ashworth.

EAST TEXAS — State Troopers respond to a one vehicle roll-over accident around 3:00 Monday morning along Hwy 110 North and FM 724. Authorities say when they arrived on scene, the driver was gone. They’re currently searching for that driver.

FLINT — A Flint man was left without a home Sunday after a fire broke out on his property. It happened about 11:30 Sunday morning near the corner of Eastern Hills Drive and Lakeview Drive in the Pine Trail Shores subdivision. Ted English lived alone with his two pets, a dog and a cat. Officials say, while loading his wood-burning stove, his home caught fire. Responders on the scene say five different fire departments were called in to fight the fire in English’s mobile home. The American Red Cross is providing assistance for English.

In 1999, English’s wife Mary was murdered by her own brother. English said doctors diagnosed him with depression and a stress disorder following the incident, and he hasn’t been successful getting help.

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating the robbery of a pizza delivery driver. It occurred early Sunday morning in the 2500 block of Van Highway. The driver told officers he had stopped to deliver a pizza when he was approached by three Hispanic males. The suspects were armed with handguns. The men robbed him of his cash and then fled on foot. The victim could not give any description of the suspects.

TYLER – Tyler police continue their investigation into an aggravated assault. It happened Saturday in the 1800 block of North Forest. Investigators say the intoxicated victim claimed a black male attacked him at his residence with a baseball bat and a knife. The victim received a large cut to his wrist in during the altercation and was transported to East Texas Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

TYLER — A promotion ceremony was held Monday afternoon as Police Chief Gary Swindle promoted Officers Mike Saxion and Matt Leigeber to the position of Sergeant

Officer Mike Saxion was hired by the Tyler Police Department in January 1995. Since that time he has served the Department in the Patrol Division, the Narcotics Unit and the Bike Unit, where he is currently assigned. He also serves the Department as a Field Training Officer and is a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team. Officer Saxion is a certified TCLEOSE instructor and firearms instructor

Officer Saxion was awarded a Medal of Valor bar in 2004, a Meritorious Conduct bar in 2003 and 2006, a Police Commendation bar in 2002 and 2006, a Certificate of Merit bar in 2004 and a Civic Achievement bar in 2006. Officer Saxion was selected as Officer of the Year in 2001.

He has also received a Master Certificate bar, Fifteen Year Safe Driving bar, Three Year Perfect Attendance bar and Distinguished Expert bar for firearms proficiency.

Officer Matt Leigeber was hired by the Tyler Police Department in February 2000 and is assigned to the Patrol Unit.

He has been a SWAT team member for nine years, a Field Training Officer for seven years and worked as a Property Crimes Detective in 2005. Officer Leigeber is a TCLEOSE Instructor, a Firearms Instructor and a Certified Shotgun Breaching Instructor.

Officer Leigeber was awarded a Meritorious Conduct bar in 2004, a Police Commendation bar in 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2009, a Life Saving bar in 2005, a Civic Achievement bar in 2010 and was selected as Rookie of the Year in 2002. He has also received a Master Certificate bar and a Five Year Safe Driving bar.

Leigeber has competed at the Texas Police and Fire Games and the World Police and Fire Games in several events including the Biathlon, Police Action Pistol, Precision Pistol competition and the Iron Man competition. He has won numerous medals at the Police Olympics including three gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal and was the overall Men’s champion in the Texas Biathlon event at the Texas Police and Fire Games in 2003.

TYLER — January is Literacy Awareness Month, and you’re encouraged to join the battle against illiteracy in East Texas. Over the past two decades, the Literacy Council of Tyler (LCOT) has grown from a handful of 30 students to 2,400 in 2010. Council staffers say Illiteracy and under-education are real problems that have the power to impact every aspect of living, from the economy to unemployment rates and levels of crime. The Literacy Council relies on over 300 volunteers each year. You’re urged to become a volunteer, make a donation or share information about the council with someone in need. For more information, you can contact LCOT’s main office at 903-533-0330.

LINDALE — The Lindale ISD Education Foundation is celebrating a successful 2010 campaign after announcing $131,565.97 in gifts. That’s well over the initial campaign goal of $100,000. Executive Director Maya Bethany said, “We cannot say thank you to our donors enough.” During the 2009-2010 school year, the Foundation awarded its first two rounds of grants in the amount of $22,274.66. The Foundation will award its third round of teacher grants in March 2011.

The Lindale ISD Education Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization formed in 2008 to fund innovative classroom projects in Lindale ISD. Funds provided pay for projects and programs not funded or under-funded by the district’s budget. Funds are awarded through teacher grants that expand student knowledge and enhance student performance. The Foundation also recognizes student achievement through the Academic Excellence Recognition Banquet held each May to recognize the top ten graduating seniors and their most influential teachers.

TYLER — Here is the monthly construction update for projects in the Tyler district of the Texas Department of Transportation.

The Texas Department of Transportation’s Tyler District has announced it expects to complete three projects before the end of the year, bringing the total number of projects under construction to 15 across the Tyler District. “Things are obviously slowing down for the holidays and the cooler weather,” said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. “But 2011 is going to be a busy year.” TxDOT contractor Garey Constriction, Ltd., of Austin, completed the final U.S. Highway 175 expansion project in Henderson County in December, closing the book on a $26 million project that added two lanes to the highway between Eustace and the Kaufman County Line. The project began in earnest in December 2007.

Contractor R.K. Hall, of Paris, Texas, also completed a pair of small projects in Wood County, which called for adding shoulders to Farm Road 779 between Farm Road 17 and Farm Road 1799 in Golden, and to Farm Road 69 between Farm Road 515 in Coke and State Highway 37 in Quitman. The combined $3.5 million projects broke ground late this past spring.

In January, contractor A.L. Helmcamp, of Buffalo, Texas, is set to begin a project to add shoulders to Farm Road 344 between Farm Road 346 in Teaselville and U.S. Highway 69 in Bullard. “This project is among the first of several safety-related projects we’re going to be working on this summer,” Krantz said. “A majority of those projects a designed to add three-foot shoulders to narrow Farm-to-Market roads in the hopes that the extra six feet of pavement may be the difference between a wreck and a near-miss.” The $2.2 million project let to contract in August and is scheduled to take approximately six months to complete.

TxDOT also let three projects to contract in December, including a pair of projects calling for shoulder-widening similar to the Farm Road 344 project. In Cherokee County, contractor Big Creek Construction won the bid to add shoulders to and resurface Farm Road 752 south of Rusk, and Farm Road 2137 between Farm Road 344 near Bullard and Farm Road 855 north of Cuney. The approximate $978,000 project is scheduled to begin in the spring.

In Henderson County, contractor A.L. Helmcamp won the bid to add shoulder to and resurface Farm Road 314 between the Van Zandt County Line and State Highway 31 in Brownsboro. The approximate $687,000 project is scheduled to begin in the spring.

Also in Henderson County, Big Creek Construction won the bid to repair and resurface State Highway 31 between Brownsboro and the east end of Farm Road 3204. The approximate $3.9 million project is scheduled to begin in the spring. TxDOT also has plans to let one project to contract in January.

In Henderson County, TxDOT is planning an estimated $1.4 million project to repair and resurface Ranch Road 2329 between Farm Road 316 and U.S. Highway 175. The project would likely begin in the late spring or early summer.

TxDOT-Tyler District at-a-glance
Projects marked for completion in December:

*U.S. Highway 175-Adding two additional travel lanes to US 175 between Eustace and the Kaufman County Line. The $25.8 million project is on schedule to be completed by the end of 2010. Garey Construction, Ltd. of Austin, Texas, is the contractor.
*Adding shoulders to Farm Road 779 between Farm Road 17 and Farm Road 1799 in Golden. The approximate $1.5 million project let to contract in March and is scheduled for completion in December. R.K. Hall Construction of Paris, Texas, is the contractor.
*Adding shoulders to Farm Road 69 between Farm Road 515 in Coke and State Highway 37 in Quitman. The approximate $2 million let to contract in March and is scheduled for completion in December. R.K. Hall Construction of Paris, Texas, is the contractor.

Projects set to begin in January:
*Resurfacing and adding shoulders to Farm Road 344 between U.S. Highway 69 in Bullard and Farm Road 346 in Teaselville. The estimated $2.2 million project let in August. A.L. Helmcamp, Inc. of Buffalo, Texas, is the contractor.

Projects let to contract in December:
*Adding 3-foot shoulders and resurfacing Farm Road 752 between Farm Road 241 in Rusk to CCR 2405 south of Rusk; and Farm Road 2137 between Farm Road 344 west of Bullard and Farm Road 855. The approximate $978,000 let in December and is scheduled to begin in the spring. Big Creek Construction, Ltd., of Hewitt, Texas, is the contractor.
*Adding 3-foot shoulders and seal-coating between the Van Zandt County Line and HCR 3300, approximately one mile north of State Highway 31 in Brownsboro. The approximate $687,000 project let to contract in December, is scheduled to begin in the spring and take approximately four months to complete. A.L. Helmcamp, Inc., of Buffalo, Texas is the contractor.
*Repair and resurface between Farm Road 314 in Brownsboro and the east end of Farm Road 3204. The approximate $3.9 million project let in December and work is scheduled to begin in the spring. Big Creek Construction, Ltd., of Hewitt, Texas, is the contractor.

Projects scheduled to let to contract in January:
Repair and resurface between Farm Road 316 and U.S. Highway 175. The estimated $1.4 million project is scheduled to let in January and begin in the late spring or early

EAST TEXAS – Like the state, unemployment in the area has gone up slightly. The Texas Workforce Commission reports unemployment in Tyler in November was 7.9%. That compares to 7.6% in October and 7.9% in November of last year. For Longview, Unemployment last month was 7.3%. In October Longview jobless rate was 7.1% and it was 7.6% in November of 2009. The October metro jobless rate for Texas was 8.1 percent.

TYLER — Smith County Judge Joel Baker has been honored by the Texas Judicial Academy for going the extra mile to prepare for his duties as County Judge. Judge Baker was inducted as a Fellow in the Texas Judicial Academy at a reception in Austin, during the 2010 Fall Judicial Education Session.

The Academy, a partnership between the Texas Tech University School of Law and the Texas Association of Counties, names as Fellows each year those judges who attain significant judicial education above that required by state law. The educational program of the Texas Judicial Academy is overseen by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and includes instruction by higher court judges, law school faculty as well as representatives of the Texas Probate College and the National Judicial College.

In the picture, Wichita County Judge Woodrow Gossom, on the right, presents Smith County Judge Joel Baker with his 2010 Fellowship certificate.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department is looking for individuals interested in becoming firefighter/paramedics as part of the Fire Apprentice Program. Apprentices receive salary and benefits, and the City of Longview pays education related expenses as well. The program includes 22 weeks of firefighter training followed by 12 months of paramedic school. After completion of firefighter training, apprentices are able to work as a Firefighter/EMT within the department while finishing paramedic school. This year, there are 6 openings in the Fire Apprenticeship Program. To be considered for the program, applications should be received through January 5, 2011.

According to Chief J.P. Steelman, “If someone has ever been interested in becoming a firefighter, now is a great time to pursue that dream. In Longview, we want all of our firefighters to also be fully certified as paramedics, but it is sometimes difficult to find applicants that have both certifications. The Fire Apprenticeship Program allows us to hire the best available individuals and then train them for the proper certifications, which will hopefully broaden our pool of eligible applicants.”

In addition to the Fire Apprenticeship Program, the Fire Department is also currently accepting applications for certified Firefighters and Paramedics. To apply or to learn more about the program, visit http://www.Fire.Longview.Texas.gov or contact Fire Training Chief Curtis Shaw at 903-237-1209.

MARSHALL — East Texas Baptist University will begin offering two master degrees next spring. The Marshall university will begin offering the Master of Arts in Religion and the Master of Education degrees in May 2011. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission On Colleges (SACSCOC) has approved for ETBU to offer the graduate programs.

Since 1995, over 1,300 students have graduated from programs in either religion or teacher education at ETBU. The University made the decision last spring to seek approval for these two graduate programs because of a need for such programs in East Texas. The graduate programs are an opportunity for current students to continue their educational training as well as to reach others in the area who are seeking an advanced degree. The ETBU Board of Trustees approved the curriculum for both graduate programs in September 2010.

According to Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, “Today’s students are looking for universities that offer a seamless transition from undergraduate to graduate study opportunities. The ability to offer graduate opportunities in a compacted format for our undergraduate students, as well as new graduate opportunities for people of our community who already have undergraduate degrees is a real addition to the ability of ETBU to provide quality lifelong learning to the region we serve.”

The Master of Arts in Religion will be offered by the School of Christian Studies. The 30 hours of coursework for this degree may be completed in three semesters, and is set to begin during the fall semester of 2011. According to the Dean of the School of Christian Studies, Dr. John Harris, the program is designed to provide opportunities for intensive study in Christian scriptures, theology, and ministry.

The Master of Education degree will be offered by the School of Education. According to the Dean, Dr. Donna Harrell Lubcker, the department is excited about the opportunity to offer two programs that will serve the needs of area schools. The 30 hours of coursework for the Master of Education degree may be completed in 13 months, and is designed to attract new teachers to the profession as well as provide new opportunities for graduate training leading to a master’s degree for licensed educators in our local P-12 schools. The first cohort will be admitted in May of 2011.

GILMER — An Upshur County jury finds 39-year-old Leslie Leon Spangler Jr. guilty of arson in a March 2008 fire in Big Sandy at the building where he lived. Spangler will be sentenced next week. According to KETK, he faces up to 20 years behind bars.