KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SULPHUR SPRINGS (AP) – A sheriff’s office spokesman in East Texas says two inmates who escaped for two days took advantage of a guard distracted by several other duties. Capital murder suspect Brian Allen Tucker (pictured) and John Marlin King – who recently pleaded guilty to a drug possession charge – were found Thursday in a barn in Cooper, a town about 20 miles away from the Hopkins County Jail in Sulphur Springs. While the two men face additional felony charges, Hopkins County officials say they’re studying how to improve security and prevent another escape. Sgt. Brad Cummings of the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office says part of the problem was Tucker and King had been in the jail several times and possibly knew how to successfully escape.

LONGVIEW – Representative David Simpson (R-Longview) issued the following statement about the House budget passed Thursday night and his “nay” vote:

“Today the Texas House passed a budget with a $10 billion or 5.3% increase in spending over the current biennium continuing the growth of government. It also continues the longstanding practice of taxation with misrepresentation — collecting fees, surcharges, and taxes for one purpose and then using these dedicated funds to authorize other spending. I sought to amend the budget to reduce this egregious practice, but was unsuccessful. Much has been said about reforming this practice, but this budget continues its use without any substantial reform. We are counting on future legislatures to do what we should have done ourselves.

“Moreover, we again gave preference to corporate welfare and subsidies to industries such as Hollywood movie production over our schools, emergency services, and other core or constitutionally-mandated functions of government. Because of this unnecessary and substantial increase in government spending with wrong priorities I voted against the budget.”

Representative Simpson serves House District 7, which comprises Gregg and Upshur Counties.

WORTHAM (AP) – A funeral service was held Friday for the slain Kaufman County district attorney and his wife in the small Central Texas town where he grew up. The funeral for Mike and Cynthia McLelland was held in Wortham. The town of some 1,000 residents is about 75 miles south of Dallas. Dozens of law enforcement representatives from across the country and beyond were among the capacity crowd at First Baptist Church of Wortham. Following the service, a funeral procession with sirens began moving toward Wortham Cemetery, where both victims were laid to rest. The McLellands were found shot to death Saturday in their house near Forney, about 20 miles east of Dallas. No arrests have been made, but a $200,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the killer’s conviction.

LONGVIEW — Many members of Longview’s Interstate 20 Corridor Task Force are determined to find a way to crack down on untended or dilapidated buildings in the area. To do that, the focus of discussion at Thursday’s meeting turned to adding teeth into some city ordinances. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. “The ways our codes are set up are very minimum standards — unfortunately, ugly is not really one of those standards,” said City Manager David Willard. He told the task force that most ordinances of the city are designed to be non-invasive and to allow freedom. “You can leave a building as long as you secure the building and board the windows up. It can rust, it can be crooked; but unless it gets into such disrepair that it becomes a public hazard, there’s not much we can do,” he said.

Task force member Robert Crawley said the group should seize the opportunity to address vacant and blighted buildings across the city. “I lived in Longview in the 70s. There were buildings that were vacant in the 70s that are still vacant today,” Crawley said. “Not just on the I-20 corridor, but across the city, too. The mayor created this task force, so he obviously wants to do something about this problem. … I think the city needs to get aggressive in this area. … We need to put some teeth into it, so they can’t let it set there forever because it hurts the rest of us.” Crawley suggested calling for a city ordinance that would require property owners to maintain the look of non-leased property. Willard told the task force that if members proposed a strengthened ordinance, the city could look at the legalities of the suggestion and allow the City Council to decide.

Task force members also discussed the possibility of an overlay zone after a presentation by City Planner Michael Shirley about the best practices for revitalizing an interstate corridor. The overlay zone could be fit to whatever criteria the city wants, including landscaping policies or incentives to develop. Task force members discussed the opportunity of using an overlay zone to specify the look and provide incentives to promote growth in a large tract of land west of Estes Parkway south of the interstate.

Kasha Williams, council liaison to the task force, returned recommendations she gathered from members at the group’s last meeting. City staff combined those recommendations into seven larger goals. Williams told the task force to spend time before the next meeting to begin thinking of ways to achieve the goals all the members are beginning to embrace.

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center Tyler has added the da Vinci Si Surgical System, and the public is invited to come and see it. Hospital officials say the system makes it easier to treat a variety of procedures with greater benefits for the patient. The new system will be on display at the ETMC Pavilion at 801 Clinic Drive in Tyler on Tues., April 9, from 2-6 p.m.

“The da Vinci technology allows surgeons to perform procedures through just a few tiny incisions using the latest in computer and robotic technologies,” said John Stewart, vice president of operations for ETMC Tyler. “The surgeon controls the da Vinci system, which translates his or her hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside the body. Although it is often called a “robot,” the da Vinci can’t be programmed or make decisions. The system replicates the surgeon’s movement.”

The da Vinci system consists of a surgeon’s console, a patient-side cart with four interactive robotic arms, a 3D HD vision system, and miniaturized wristed instruments. Officials say the surgeon is able to operate from a comfortable, seated position, with eyes and hands placed in line with the instruments. To move the tools or change the camera, the surgeon simply moves his hands.

Officials say the da Vinci system, manufactured by Intuitive Surgical, has been successfully used worldwide to perform a variety of procedures including cardiac, colorectal, general surgery, gynecology, head and neck, thoracic and urology. The potential benefits to the patient compared to traditional open surgery may include shorter hospital stay, less blood loss, less pain, faster recovery, and less scarring.

TYLER — A Smith County grand jury has no-billed a Tyler officer following a fatal shooting in January. According to authorities, Officer Matt Riggle was involved in a shooting that occurred at 603 E. Queen Street on January 1. The patrolman was responding to multiple reports of shots fired. Victor Fuentes, 22, died at the scene after he was shot by Riggle.

Officer Riggle was reassigned to an administrative duty pending the outcome of the Grand Jury investigation. He will remain on administrative duty until the conclusion of the department’s administrative investigation, which is expected to be concluded next week.

TYLER — Early morning gunfire had Tyler Police on alert. According to KETK, it happened around 1:30 Friday morning at Club Ice on Lake Wood Drive. Dispatchers received reports of a man shooting his gun outside of the club. No injuries were reported and no arrests were made.

TYLER — The investigation into Wednesday’s incident at a structure at 1430 E SE Loop 323 is ongoing. Fire Investigators have not yet determined the ignition source of the explosion. The victim that was transferred to Parkland Hospital in Dallas remains in critical condition. Witnesses reported seeing a man on fire after an explosion at an East Texas house being remodeled in an accident that left two rescuers hurt. The Tyler Fire Department says the critically burned man apparently was using solvents to refinish the floor when the vapors ignited. Authorities say two other people who saw the house on fire Wednesday and helped search the structure were treated for smoke inhalation. Investigators say the burn victim was transported to a Dallas hospital where he remains critical.

AUSTIN — The Texas Transportation Commission has approved funding to pay for the continued operations of air traffic control towers at 14 airports in Texas, including Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. Currently, 21% of aircraft take off and land at these towered airports in Texas. Cuts in federal funding for air traffic control services at 149 facilities nationwide are scheduled to begin in phases starting next week. “Safety is our top priority and I am glad we’re able to keep these critical air traffic control services operating,” said Texas Transportation Commissioner Fred Underwood. “As a pilot, I know firsthand how critical these services are to the safety of air traffic.”

“I applaud the commission for taking this action as it was the right thing to do for Texas,” said TxDOT Executive Director Phil Wilson. “The commission’s action today will allow these communities to partner with TxDOT during this period of transition while longer-term solutions are being evaluated and considered.”

The decision by the Commission will provide approximately $2 million for the following 14 airports for 90 days: New Braunfels (BAZ); Brownsville (BRO); Easterwood Field College Station (CLL); TSTC Waco (CNW); Lone Star Executive Houston (CXO); Georgetown Muni (GTU); San Marcos Muni (HYI); Dallas Executive (RBD); Sugarland Regional (SGR); Stinson Muni San Antonio (SSF); Collin County Regional (TKI); Texarkana (TXK) ; and Victoria Regional (VCT). Tyler Pounds Manager Davis Dickson is one of many who are very happy with the move — but he says the job’s not done. Dickson says the airport will be working with TxDOT through the 90-day period as Tyler Pounds gets ready for permanent plans to keep the control tower open.

SMITH COUNTY — A Diana man charged with criminally negligent homicide for a fatal crash last October was sentenced Thursday morning in a Smith County courtroom. Justin Echols pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide. He learned Thursday that he will serve an 8 year sentence for the criminally negligent homicide charge and 10 years for an accident involving injury or death, according to KETK.

Last year, Echols was driving a pickup when he lost control and crashed into a tree on Smith County Road 217, near Farm Road 850. Michele Allen, 27, of Harleton, was a passenger in the truck, and was thrown from the vehicle and pinned underneath it. She later died from her injuries. Echols left the scene of the accident on an ATV before authorities arrived. A warrant was issued for his arrest and a manhunt ensued. Echols later turned himself in to Upshur County authorities and transferred to the Smith County Jail.

RUSK — A lengthy police chase that began in Rusk ended in a crash on Hwy. 69, just outside the city, around 9:00 a.m. on Thursday. Rusk Police tell KETK that an officer attempted to pull over a driver for a traffic violation, but the driver refused to stop. The driver sped through town, running stop signs and almost running over some people crossing the road, according to authorities. Officials report the vehicle then sped down Hwy. 69 toward Alto. Authorities say the driver threw bags out the window during the pursuit.

About 5 miles south of Alto, the driver turned around and sped back to Rusk, according to police. Cherokee County DPS authorities say they laid out a spike strip to stop the vehicle. Officials report the spikes hit a tire, causing the vehicle to wreck into a street sign near Cherokee County Road 1506, just north of Rusk. There were no injuries involved.

Police say the driver, Jennifer Cross of Louisiana, was arrested and taken to the Cherokee County Jail. Authorities claim she was under the influence of narcotics, and that they found multiple prescription pill bottles in her vehicle.

RUSK COUNTY — A Henderson man is sentenced to 9 years in prison on Tuesday for kicking an EMS paramedic twice in the head during an ambulance ride September of last year. According to KETK, on Tuesday, Christopher B. Davis, 34, was found guilty of Assault on a Public servant by a Rusk County jury. The jury heard testimony from Henderson Police Officer Robby Fowler who was dispatched to the home of Davis when his family reported he overdosed on his prescribed medication and alcohol. During the ambulance ride he attacked the paramedic without provocation. Davis had been sentenced to two years in prison for burglarizing a home in 2011 and 180 days in jail for theft in 2012.

TYLER — The Tyler Economic Development Council is working on another major project, announced Thursday during the Development Council’s 24th Annual Membership Meeting. CEO Tom Mullins (pictured) says during next week’s City Council meeting, he’ll seek approval of an incentive package for the Italian company Tazza Pronto. The company plans to partner with Tyler’s Distant Lands Coffee to produce the single-serve coffee product that’s become very popular in the U.S. Mullins says he’s “95 per cent sure” the deal will go through. If it does, he says it will create 200 new jobs in the community within three to five years to go along with the 100 jobs already at Distant Lands.

Also at the annual meeting, Mullins served up a report on the Centene Medical Claims Center. He says construction is progressing on the facility on Earl Campbell Parkway and that it will eventually employ 325 people. Keynote speaker at the meeting was Tom Pauken, immediate past chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission and current GOP gubernatorial candidate. Pauken said there’s a need for career- and college-ready education in Texas. According to Pauken, that covers kids who want to attend college and those who don’t. He emphasized that young people who bypass college need to be prepared for all the technical jobs being created.

TYLER — Three persons have been injured in a Tyler explosion and fire. Shortly after 11:45 yesterday morning, a house exploded across the street from Bishop T.K. Gorman school, in the 1400 block of East South East Loop 323. According to the Tyler Fire Department, a man was said to be on fire and running down the street.

One person was transported to a local hospital with burns. He was later transferred to a Dallas Hospital and is listed in critical condition. Witnesses reported that several citizens stopped to render aid. Two were also injured and transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators believe a worker was renovating the structure when the incident occurred. It looks like the victim was using solvents to refinish the floor in the structure. According to fire officials, vapors ignited, causing the explosion and resulting fire. The actual ignition source has not been determined.

TYLER — A suspect has been arrested following a series of incidents that spread to several locations. Shortly after 6:45 yesterday morning, Tyler Police responded to Capital One Bank at 909 ESE Loop 323 on a report of a man acting suspicious. The female caller stated that she was approached by the man as she got off the elevator to go to work. She said she felt threatened by him and got back on the elevator to remove herself from the situation, and called police.

Police say the man fled the building on foot and was later reported to be on the Lee campus causing a disturbance. The man then reportedly fled the campus on foot, went to an office building at 821 ESE Loop 323, and assaulted a female by physical contact. Police say the suspect fled that office building and was taken into custody after fleeing police in and around Loop 323 and Donnybrook.

The suspect was identified as Alvord Martin, 23, of Tyler. Martin was transported to Smith County Jail and charged with Criminal Mischief, two Class C Assaults, Burglary of Vehicle, Evading and Resisting Arrest.

TYLER — One person has been injured following a one vehicle accident in Tyler. The pickups’ driver, Charlie Shubert, 22, of Athens, is hospitalized for injuries that do not appear to be life threatening.

Investigators say Shubert was east bound on the Chandler Highway when, for unknown reasons, the pickup left the road and struck a model modular home located at American homes. The accident occurred Wednesday evening just before midnight. The accident remains under investigation.

KAUFMAN (AP) – A sheriff’s official says a man has been arrested for making a threat during the investigation into the killings of a Texas prosecutor and his wife, but there is no indication he’s connected to the deaths. Kaufman County sheriff’s Lt. Justin Lewis said Wednesday that Nick Morale, 56, has been arrested on a charge of making a terroristic threat. Lewis says Morale called the tip line established by authorities after the killings of District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife Cynthia and used it to threaten a specific county official. Authorities aren’t identifying the official. Lewis says there’s nothing to link Morale to the McLellands’ deaths or the January killing of Kaufman County assistant district attorney Mark Hasse and he’s not a suspect in either case.

KAUFMAN (AP) — A former Texas justice of the peace convicted of theft says he voluntarily submitted to a gun residue test as part of the investigation into the weekend killings of a Texas prosecutor and his wife.

Eric Williams said Wednesday he’s cooperated with law enforcement and hopes authorities find who fatally shot Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia. The couple’s bodies were found in their home Saturday.

The slayings happened two months after assistant prosecutor Mike Hasse was gunned down outside the Kaufman County Courthouse. Investigators haven’t named any suspects in either case.

Williams says he has no hard feelings toward McLelland’s office, which prosecuted Williams for theft last year. He says he understands authorities investigating the deaths need to conduct a thorough process of elimination.

QUITMAN — Two persons are dead in Wood County in what is believed to be a murder-suicide. The bodies of Thomas and Mary Williams, both 85, were found in their home by a relative around 11:00 Wednesday morning. Investigators say both died from gunshot wounds.

HENDERSON — A federal grand jury has indicted a former Henderson High School teacher on child pornography charges, said Sgt. David Roberts with the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department. According to KETK, James Brent Malone, 42, of Henderson is charged with one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography, officials said. Malone remains in the Rusk County Jail on $10,000 bond.

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System eyes a cutback on expenses. In a statement released to KETK, system officials say, “Throughout our organization’s history, ETMC has focused on providing the highest level of healthcare in the communities we serve throughout East Texas. Changes in the healthcare landscape are resulting in further cuts in reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers.

“In response to this reduction in funding, the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System is making adjustments. Across our system, we are looking to cut 5 to 7 percent from our expenses. This will result in the reduction of some services and the loss of some jobs at facilities across the region. We are making these difficult decisions in order to continue to provide the core services required by our local communities. ETMC continues to be committed to providing excellent clinical care to our patients throughout East Texas.”

TYLER — An East Texas appeals court upheld a temporary injunction keeping a gun range in Noonday from operating. KETK reports the High Noon Gun Range has been closed since the injunction was granted in June of 2012. Gun range owners face a civil suit, filed by nearby homeowners. Plaintiffs say stray bullets, noise, and property value losses are reasons for their suit. They claim the gun range is a safety concern. However, the owners say they are in compliance with state laws.

LONGVIEW — On April 15, Longview Police and local apartment complex managers will team up on a new project known as the “Yellow Card” program. Police say the project’s focus is to open lines of communication between the property managers and police. According to a news release, when the police have responded to a particular apartment in the complex, they will use the yellow cards to notify property managers of information regarding the call and people involved. Police Area Representative (PAR) Officers will also be notified of yellow card activity in the apartments in their Beats. Police say this will allow managers and PAR officers to interact more closely to solve community problems occurring in apartment complexes. For more information visit http://www.Longviewpolice.com and click on the “Yellow Card” program.

TYLER — The Smith County Veterans Service Office has begun to operate in a new location. Basic services became available Wednesday at 210 East Ferguson. According to a county news release, full services should be available again by Friday in the new quarters. Officials say they want to thank members of the public for their patience and apologize for any inconveniences during the moving process. The office had previously been in the Cotton Belt Building at Front and Glenwood.

UPSHUR COUNTY — Upshur County Authorities scheduled arraignment today for three defendants indicted for the December slaying of a mentally impaired Longview man. According to KETK, the suspects are Sarah Haslam (pictured), 20, and Daniel Jones, 19, both of Longview, along with Andrew Norwine, 21, Arlington. The trio is accused of kidnapping, beating and killing Ronnie Joe Gammage, 27, of Longview in December. Gammage’s mother, Frankie Ann Gammage, reported him missing Dec. 8. His body was found Dec. 19 in rural Upshur County. All three were expected to enter not guilty pleas.

SULPHUR SPRINGS (AP) – Authorities have continued hunting a capital murder suspect and a convicted drug offender who escaped Tuesday from the Hopkins County Jail. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brad Cummings says one escapee, Brian Allen Tucker, has short hair and “drop dead” tattooed on the back of his head. The inmates fled the jail in Sulphur Springs by scaling a fence or slipping through a gap in a perimeter fence Tuesday morning. Tucker, of Sulphur Springs, faces trial in the 2011 slaying of Bobby Riley of Mahoney. John Marlin King, of Cumby, pleaded guilty last month to drug possession as a habitual offender and was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

EAST TEXAS — East Texas counties are beefing up security following the weekend shooting deaths of Kaufman County DA Mike McLelland and his wife. Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis tells KETK county officials have had discussions within the department, but says it’s impossible to protect everybody all the time. In Smith County, we’re told there’s a plan in the works. Sheriff’s spokesman John Moore says, “Well when it comes to security, we’ve always been very vigilant in the county; however, this has given us a moment of pause to try and step back, take a look at all areas, and see if there are any places that we can improve.” Authorities in both counties say their hearts go out to families who lost loved ones in Kaufman County.

TYLER — A Tyler man convicted of sexually assaulting a little girl gets his punishment. Joshua Robert Williams, 28, was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Williams entered a guilty plea last Thursday. Smith County Sheriff’s deputies tell KETK the child’s mother told them she left her daughter in Williams’ care. When she returned home, the toddler was in respiratory arrest and was suffering from severe injuries.

KILGORE — Authorities have identified a pedestrian killed in a Tuesday morning wreck 4 mile south of Kilgore. He is Frank Nelson Hunter, 39, of Blossom, Texas. The wreck happened where U.S. Highway 259 business splits from Hwy. 259 north shortly after 10:15 Tuesday morning. Authorities say Hunter lost a box out of his truck bed and was hit when he went to retrieve it.