KTBB News, Weather, Talk

EAST TEXAS — Congressman Louie Gohmert, of Tyler, spoke with KTBB to weigh-in on the 2nd Presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney at Hofstra University Tuesday night. He said he thought it was quite a bit more spirited than the last one. He said both men made points and were rude to each other at times in the way they cut in and cut out. Gohmert went on to say that the moderator was exactly who he expected her to be, meaning a little bit partisan. He said it wasn’t exactly fair in the way the time was cut into and handled. The Congressman said, “I really doubt that it was going to change anyone’s mind; if they hadn’t made up their mind by now, they just haven’t been paying attention.” Gohmert said he thought it was a good event and gave a little more insight into the two candidates.

LONGVIEW – A four vehicle accident on Interstate Highway 20 in Gregg County has killed two persons. The wreck happened about 1:00 yesterday morning near the 597 mile marker. Killed was Alex Terhune, 26, of Marshall, and his passenger, Brandie Lockwood, 24, of Marshall. Neither man was wearing seat belts.

The Department of Public Safety reports Terhune was eastbound on the interstate when his car hit a sport utility truck. The impact pushed the truck into a tractor-trailer rig. A BMW avoided the crashed vehicles but ran over Terhune who had been thrown from his car.

QUITMAN – A woman has been sentenced to ten years probation in connection with a hit and run accident that killed a teenager. Connie Reed Young, 58, of Golden was indicted late last year in the accident that killed Jacob Burrell of Mineola. He was hit by a car while walking home on the shoulder of U.S. 69 in Wood County. The event was witnessed by another driver who reported the vehicle left the scene. The teen died at Tyler East Texas Medical Center the next day. According to the Department of Public Safety, Young was traveling North on Highway 69 when she drove onto the improved shoulder to allow an approaching vehicle from the rear to pass her. Investigators believe that while driving on the improved shoulder, Young struck the youth. The Long-time nurse was charged with serious bodily injury.

After pleading guilty, Young received 10 years probation, 160 hours of community service, a $10,000 fine and $341 in court costs in what is described as deferred adjudication.

QUITMAN — A lawsuit filed to end routine prayer by Wood County commissioners and remove the words “In God We Trust” has been thrown out. Charles Scott sued the commissioners, claiming an elected official cannot honor both the U.S. Constitution and the word of God. His contention is that the court’s sworn oath to uphold the Constitution contradicts scripture. Attorneys for Wood County were ready to argue their display and routine prayer are constitutional. A hearing was set for Tuesday, but when plaintiff Scott did not show, the judge decided there was insufficient evidence for the case and tossed it out. According to KLTV, Scott says he was ready to go, but the Lord did not provide him with a means to get to court. According to our news partner KETK, Scott can appeal Tuesday’s decision.

TYLER — One person is in custody in connection with a recent Tyler shooting. Arrested around 2:45yesterday afternoon was Trent Durell Mumphrey, 23. He was charged with aggravated robbery.

Police say Mumphrey (pictured) is responsible for the shooting of Dasha Webb at 628 S. Augusta, on September 30. Webb is reported to be paralyzed as the result of his gunshot wound. Investigators located Mumphrey at a residence on Smith County Road 3111 North. Mumphrey was taken into custody and transported to Smith County Jail on a $500,000 bond. It is believed Mumphrey entered the victim’s residence through the front door and fired several rounds, striking the victim.

TYLER — One person is hospitalized after being beaten and robbed at the Varsity Place Apartments, 3400 Varsity Drive. It happened just before 1:45 Tuesday morning. Dearis Davis, 21, said he answered a knock at his door to find three masked black males, who forced their way at gunpoint and demanded cash. They are said to have struck the TJC student several times in the face and head with guns. He was seriously injured.

The suspects then entered into the room-mate’s room and forced him and his girlfriend into the bathroom during the robbery. The men allegedly stole an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the area on foot.

Varsity Place Apartments is neither owned nor operated by the University of Texas at Tyler. But, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of Texas at Tyler Police Department is issuing the following timely notification bulletin:

“It is the policy of the University of Texas at Tyler to issue timely warnings for crimes occurring within the immediate vicinity of campus which, in the opinion of law enforcement, represent an ongoing danger to the campus community. Specifically, in this case, UT Tyler resident students are urged to always use caution prior to opening their doors when the person’s identity is unknown. If you are not aware of who is knocking, contact the University Police at (903) 566-7300. Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings, and report any suspicious activity to the University Police Department.”

ATHENS — A drug dealer is sentenced in Henderson County’s 173rd Judicial District Court. On Monday, David Allen Thomas, formerly of Wills Point, received a 15-year prison term for transporting narcotics in Henderson County.

According to KETK and the DA’s office, Thomas was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over late into the night on November 30th of last year. Sheriff’s Deputy Kenny Collard initiated the traffic stop due to a defective headlamp. Officials say Collard immediately observed the odor of marijuana when he approached the vehicle. Thomas and the driver were asked to step out of the vehicle, and as Thomas exited, Collard saw Thomas throw something into the tall grass on the side of the road. During further investigation and a search of the vehicle, Collard discovered a Mary Kay bag which contained multiple baggies, digital scales, a pipe, and a large gallon sized baggie with just over 80 grams of methamphetamine.

Assistant District Attorney Justin Weiner said, “This is a case where Deputy Collard followed his instincts. He was as persistent as the law allowed and that persistence is the reason that over 80 grams of meth are off of the streets of Henderson County. We will always aggressively prosecute people like Thomas who was poisoning our community with large quantities of narcotics.”

ATHENS — Michael Shane Haskins, 43, of Troup, was sentenced to 25 years in prison Monday for charges of Tampering with a Government Document and Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information. According to KETK and the Henderson County DA’s office, Judge Mark Calhoon of the 3rd Judicial District Court imposed the sentence after Haskins pleaded guilty to the offenses.

Haskins was indicted after Gun Barrel City Officer Jesse Ison performed a traffic stop on Haskins’ vehicle in September of 2011. Officer Ison obtained consent to search Haskins’ vehicle and located several Texas Department of Public Safety ID Cards that had been tampered with to include a photograph of Haskins and other individuals’ names and information, including birthdates and addresses. Officer Ison also located more than 50 blank checks containing different bank account information for numerous individuals. These individuals were found to be living in Cherokee County where their checks and identifying information had been originally stolen. Haskins has an extensive criminal history including drug and gun possession convictions. Haskins also has Fraud charges pending in Rusk County.

District Attorney Scott McKee credited the hard work of the Gun Barrel City Police Department in locating and confiscating all the victims’ financial and identifying information so that it could be returned to them. “Identity theft crimes are extremely harmful to the victims and the arrest and prosecution of the criminals who perpetrate these crimes is a top priority for my office.”

AUSTIN — Nacogdoches County is responding after Texas violated the federal MOVE Act to provide absentee ballots to the military and citizens living abroad. Keith Ingram of the Texas Secretary of State’s Office testified to a joint House and Senate committee. He said for the November general election, the 45-day deadline passed September 22, and several counties, including Nacogdoches, didn’t make it. Statewide, according to Ingram, 66 overseas ballots were involved. He said 62 of those were mailed or e-mailed October 8, and the other four went out the next Friday. Ingram says the reasons revolve around the ballots not being ready and he expects the counties will hear from the federal Department of Justice.

According to KETK, Nacogdoches County says its delay in the mailing of the ballots was due to an attempt to verify the mailing and email addresses of the receivers, and that the number of ballots that were delayed numbered no more than 2.

LUFKIN — Jurors in Lufkin found Kerry Jock Woodard guilty of first-degree murder just before 1:30 pm Monday. According to KETK, Woodard’s charge was reduced from capital murder to first-degree murder on Friday. Jurors sentenced Woodard to life in prison late Monday evening.

Woodard, a Lufkin sex offender, was accused in the December 2010 death of his girlfriend’s 3 year old son. Zi’Keishun “Zi” Lane was injured while in Woodard’s care while the child’s mother, Valerie Mosby, was at work. Lane was rushed to a local hospital, and then airlifted to a Houston hospital, where he later died. His autopsy showed more than 100 bruises and liver damage. At the time of Woodard’s arrest, the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department called it the worst alleged child abuse death they’d seen.

PALESTINE (AP) – Investigators say an autopsy has been ordered on human remains found on some rural East Texas property. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office says the owners of the land near Palestine discovered the remains late Sunday. Chief Deputy Troy Black said Monday that Texas Rangers have been summoned to help with the investigation. Black says the remains are so decomposed that authorities could not immediately identify the person’s race, sex or age. Further details haven’t been released.

GILMER – A man wanted in connection with a fatal wreck near Overton has surrendered to authorities in Upshur County. Justin Lee Echols, 30, of Diana turned himself in at the Upshur County Jail Monday. He will be transferred to the Smith County Jail.

The accident happened last week on County Road 217 just north of Overton. Officials at the scene say a man in a Ford F-350 truck, believed to be Echols, lost control while turning a corner and hit a tree. A passenger in the truck was Michele Allen, 27, of Harleton. She was thrown from the truck and pinned underneath it. She later died from her injuries. Authorities believe Echols, hopped on an ATV, traveled away from the crash site and crashed again. He then reportedly ran from the area. State troopers had an arrest warrant for Echols, charging him with accident involving personal injury or death.

HOOKS – A Northeast Texas police officer is in custody after allegedly stabbing a woman with syringes filled with a horse tranquilizer. David Kelly Horn, 44, a sergeant with the Hooks Police Department, was arrested early Monday morning. The woman, who was found lying in a pool of blood, was airlifted to a hospital for treatment. She is reported to be in very serious condition. Horn remains in custody, charged with aggravated assault, deadly conduct and assault by contact.

QUITMAN – A temporary restraining order has been issued against persons protesting the Keystone XL Pipeline. The order was filed in the 402nd State District Court in Wood County. It prohibits the protesters from interfering with, preventing or obstructing the construction of the Keystone pipeline. For several weeks workers have been interrupted by protesters, including celebrity protester actress Darryl Hannah. Hannah and others have been arrested since the protests began, and there have been more arrests this week. A hearing has been set for October 22nd to determine if the temporary restraining order should become a temporary injunction.

SMITH COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation announced today it would be closing the Westbound Interstate Highway 20 exit at Farm Road 849 (Hide-A-Way Lake) in conjunction with North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NETRMA) contractor CH2M-Hill and its project to build frontage roads for Segment 3B of Toll 49.

The exit will be closed between 7:00am and 6:00pm on Wednesday and Thursday this week, and during the same hours Monday and Tuesday next week to allow the new Toll 49 frontage road to be tied into FM 849. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays during the work.

LONGVIEW — A Longview teen is in jail after police say she stabbed her boyfriend in the chest with a pair of scissors, injuring him critically. Police say Arianna Champion, 17, was in an argument with her boyfriend of nine months Sunday night at her home when she got a pair of scissors and stabbed him in the upper left chest. According to KETK, he remains in the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Champion has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and remains in the Gregg County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

TYLER — The parents of Jacob Kimbley, the Winona-area toddler found dead in August, were scheduled to be in court Monday morning. But their hearing was rescheduled to November 26. David and Sabrina Kimbley face several counts of child endangerment and abandonment. The Kimbleys were arrested at a CPS hearing in September. Their bail is $1.3 million each.

LONGVIEW — Funeral services for a mother and daughter found dead Wednesday in their home — the result of what police have ruled a double homicide — are pending at Stanmore Funeral Home in Longview. According to the Longview News-Journal, La Toya Nicole Reese, 28, and her 11-year-old daughter, Mya Rosetta Nichol Sebron, were each killed in their bedrooms from gunshot wounds. La Toya Reese was shot once in the head, while her daughter was shot multiple times.

No arrests have been made in the case, though Longview police spokeswoman Kristie Brian has said investigators have identified a person of interest in connection with the deaths. Police have not yet identified the person of interest.

On Friday, Reese’s ex-husband, Joushal O’Steven Reese, 31, was arrested for burglary of a habitation. The couple divorced on Aug. 28, court records stated. An arrest warrant filed by Longview Police indicates that Joushal Reese, on Sept. 5, entered the Young Street apartment of his previous wife, Tawanna Reese. The arrest warrant further stated that Tawanna Reese told the officer her ex-husband Joushal Reese entered her apartment without permission, took her 46-inch television and some clothing he kept at her home.

During a previous interview last Monday, Joushal Reese told police that Tawana Reese had threatened both him and his ex-wife La Toya Reese on Facebook and on voicemail. Tawana Reese had also threatened to put him in jail, he stated. Joushal Reese was booked into the Gregg County Jail on Friday, where he remains on a $100,000 bond.

GRAND SALINE – A Van Zandt County teenager has been missing since September 18th is back home today. The Grand Saline Police Department says Charity Pulley, 17, is back with her family and is well. The police department released no further details about the disappearance or return of the Grand Saline High School sophomore. An article in the Mineral Wells Index late last month said the teen could be in the Mineral Wells area.

The girl’s father, Jewelus Pulley, is a pastor at the Grand Saline Central Pentecostal Church. He told KETK, after the teen turned up missing, that family members noticed Charity was missing early in the morning, and noticed that the screws had been removed from her window and the screen. He said that it is not normal for his daughter to run away, and that she seemed fine the evening before her disappearance. He says she had been texting a boy, and may have sneaked out for a date with him.

VAN — There are 1.7 million Texas veterans in need, and State Representative Dan Flynn of Van, himself an army vet, co-chairs a new federal military and veterans affairs task force. He hopes the state’s prominent national role will translate into more much needed help for Texas veterans as well vets across the country. State Senator Leticia Van De Putte of San Antonio has also been appointed to co-chair the National Conference of State Legislatures task force.

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

LONGVIEW – On Tuesday, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews are scheduled to perform pavement repairs in the intersection of eastbound Loop 281 and Spur 63. Traffic will not be able to turn left from Loop 281 at this intersection while the work is in progress, and Spur 63 traffic will only be able to turn right. The work should take two days to complete. Once the work on Loop 281 is complete, crews are scheduled to move to Spur 502 (Judson Road) to make pavement repairs between Loop 281 and US 80 (Marshall Avenue). A second crew is scheduled to complete shoulder work on Interstate Highway 20 between the Smith County line and State Highway 135 in Kilgore. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes to avoid delays.

HENDERSON — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin base and pavement repairs on SH 43, between the Henderson Star and Farm Road 1251 in New Prospect. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 271 between the Loop 323 extension and Farm Road 2015. Once that work is complete, crews are scheduled to move to perform the same work at Farm Road 14 and Interstate Highway 20, and on IH 20 between Farm Road 14 and Willow Branch Road. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

ANDERSON COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 837 north of Palestine between State Highway 19 in Bradford and Farm Road 315 in Brushy Creek. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

Also of note for motorists using State Highway 294 between Elkhart and Alto: TxDOT will resume closing State Highway 294 to thru-traffic during daylight hours this week between Farm Road 23 and State Highway 21 in Cherokee County for tree trimming and removal operations. The closure will be in effect between 8:00am and 3:00pm Monday-Friday through October.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 1615 south of Athens. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

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

FRUITVALE – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 80 in various locations in and around Fruitvale. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews will resume closing State Highway 294 to thru-traffic during daylight hours this week between State Highway 21 in Alto and Farm Road 23 near the Anderson County Line for tree trimming and removal. The closure will be in effect weekdays between 8:00a and 3:00pm. State Highway 294 will be open to all traffic each day after 3:00 p.m. and until work begins the following weekday at 8:00am.

TYLER – A Tyler stabbing is under investigation. It was reported just after 2:15 Saturday afternoon at 6122 Plantation Drive. Officers first received a report of a fight. While heading to the scene, another call came in about a stabbing. A man was taken to a Tyler hospital where he underwent surgery for his injuries. The man’s name and other details about the case have not been released.

ATHENS – Athens police have arrested a man accused of sexually assaulting his date. The incident reportedly occurred just before midnight on Wednesday and was reported to authorities early Thursday morning. Taken into custody Friday afternoon was David R. Figueroa, 21, of Athens. A 21 year old woman said Figueroa forcibly restrained her in a car and then sexually assaulted her on the east side of the Cain Center Park.

CHEYENNE, WYO. (AP/STAFF) – Authorities have recovered the bodies of four East Texas men killed in a plane crash in the mountains of Wyoming. The bodies were removed at mid-afternoon Friday when the recovery team was lowered to the wreckage from a helicopter.

Searchers looked for the plane for almost two days before they found the wreckage of the single-engine Piper plane toward sunset Thursday. Albany County officials said Friday those killed were Charles Ford, 52, and James Morgan, 29, both of Marshall; Maverick Cayce, 21, of Longview; and Billy Gee, 65, of Karnack. Their bodies were taken to the Albany County Coroner’s Office, where autopsies were to be performed.

The plane had taken off from Marshall and was due in Casper Tuesday evening. The plane went missing in foggy weather. A pilot spotted the wreckage on Laramie Peak in a remote area of southeast Wyoming.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. Allen Kenitzer, spokesman for the FAA’s Northwest Mountain Region, said a preliminary report could come within a couple of weeks.

TYLER — Smith County election workers saw a good number of folks rushing to beat that October 9 voter registration deadline for the November elections. County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson tells KETK there’s always a rush of people on the last day, but this year was more than normal, with over 150 coming in. Nelson says there has also been an increase in mail-in ballots this year.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has died after the bicycle he was riding was struck by a vehicle. Gary Spruille, 51, (pictured) was struck around 10:00 Thursday night while riding his bike in the 2900 block of Estes Parkway, according to Longview police. Witnesses told officers a 2003 red Honda Accord, driven by Hameed Ali Shahzad, 25, Longview, was traveling northbound in the outside lane of traffic when the vehicle struck Spruille. According to the Longview News-Journal, Spruille was riding in the middle of the outside lane. Shahzad told officers that he did not see Spruille. Spruille’s bicycle did not have safety equipment required by law. Pct. Justice of the Peace Sam Lawson pronounced Spruille dead at the scene.

TYLER — A Whitehouse man has been arrested for public lewdness after allegedly groping a woman. According to KETK, it happened around 1:45 Thursday afternoon at Rose Rudman Park. Authorities said the woman was grabbed and fondled from behind by a man in the park as she was pushing her child’s stroller. The woman screamed, drawing the attention of others in the park, who followed the man and called police. The man, later identified as Jacob Bobbitt, 19, was pulled over on Rhones Quarter Road and arrested for public lewdness. He was booked into the Smith County Jail. Bobbit was also arrested in September on the same charge after he allegedly fondled a woman in a Tyler Wal-Mart.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – Authorities have released the names of four East Texas men killed in a plane crash in the mountains of Wyoming. Searchers looked for the plane for almost two days before they found the wreckage of the single-engine Piper plane toward sunset Thursday. There were no survivors. Albany County officials said Friday those killed were 52-year-old Charles Ford and 29-year-old James Morgan, both of Marshall; 21-year-old Maverick Cayce, of Longview; and 65-year-old Billy Gee of Karnack. The plane had taken off from Marshall and was due in Casper Tuesday evening. The plane went missing in foggy weather. A pilot spotted the wreckage on Laramie Peak in a remote area of southeast Wyoming. The crash is being investigated and authorities plan to remove the wreckage.

OVERTON — Bond is $250,000 for a man who fled a fatal East Texas crash. Late Thursday afternoon, State District Judge Kerry Russell signed an arrest warrant and set Justin Echols’ bond at $250,000. The incident happened on County Road 217 just north of Overton. Officials at the scene told KETK a man in a Ford F-350 truck lost control while turning a corner and hit a tree. A passenger in the truck was Michele Allen, 27, of Harleton. She was thrown from the truck and pinned underneath it. She later died from her injuries. Authorities believe Echols, 30, hopped on an ATV, traveled away from the crash site and crashed again. He then reportedly ran from the area. State troopers the arrest warrant for Echols, charging him with accident involving personal injury or death.

LONGVIEW — One person has been killed and one injured in a three vehicle wreck in Longview. It happened just before 7:30 yesterday morning in the 5400 block of Loop 281. Witnesses tell Longview police a pickup driven by Richard Townsend of Beckville was heading west on the loop when it drifted into oncoming traffic. It hit an SUV driven by Brenda Ann Scheid, 52, of Gilmer. The SUV then spun around and hit a truck driven by Guy Malcolm Reed of Gilmer. Scheid was pronounced dead at the scene. Townsend was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center by ambulance with non life-threatening injuries. Reed received minor injuries but was not transported to the hospital. The crash remains under investigation.