KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Officials with Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics announced that Joyce Anne Hester, CPA, has been elevated to Senior Vice President and System Chief Financial Officer. Hester has served as the System’s Vice President of Financial Operations since 2004. Since joining Trinity Mother Frances in 1982, Hester has served in several capacities including Administrative Director of Business Services, controller and accounting manager.

“During her 30 years of service, Joyce has played a pivotal role in the growth of Trinity Mother Frances and in the expansion of the services we provide. As we celebrate Trinity Mother Frances’ 75th year of service in 2012, I have full confidence that her financial leadership and commitment to the community will position our organization for an exceptional next 75,” said Lindsey Bradley, FACHE, president, Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics.

GRAPEVINE (AP/Staff) – The late Carmage Walls, who formed two companies that now operate 11 Texas newspapers, was among four newspaper people inducted Friday into the Texas Newspaper Foundation Hall of Fame for 2012. Under the management of Walls’ widow, Martha Ann Walls, and daughter Lissa Walls Vahldiek, those companies today own and operate 15 newspaper operations, including The Lufkin Daily News and The Daily Sentinel of Nacogdoches.

TYLER – A 38-year-old Tyler man has pleaded guilty to to failure to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Jose Eleazar Gamaz, also known as Jose Eliazar Gamez, also known as Jose Gamaz-Gonzalez, pleaded guilty in Tyler on Jan. 19 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie. According to authorities, in March 1997, Gamaz was convicted of a sexual assault in Colorado which required his registration as a sex offender. In 2008, Gamaz moved to Athens, Texas, without notifying authorities and updating his registration as a sex offender. Gamaz was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 2, 2011, and charged with federal violations. Gamaz faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — Smith County was awarded a certificate of compliance for receiving high marks in cleanliness and safety during its annual inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards on January 18. Commission Inspector Robert Green said Smith County passed its surprise inspection without any deficiencies in the more than 650 compliance areas checked, including cell cleanliness, secure lock systems, proper medical screening of prisoners, proper staff training, adequate shower and toilet facilities and sanitary food preparation within the jail system.

“We are very proud to receive a report completely absent of deficiencies. I think it shows all of our staff members are working together to maintain a high standard of cleanliness, health, safety and organization,” Chief Deputy Bobby Garmon said. Chief Garmon also remarked that Smith County’s record of positive inspections is notable because it has been done with the additional burden of transporting inmates in and out of the county due to overcrowding. “It really shows the leadership and managerial skills of one of the best jail administrators in the state,” Chief Garmon added about Jail Administrator Chief Deputy Gary Pinkerton and the Smith County jail staff.

Pinkerton said passing the jail inspection is a “testimony of teamwork that consists of the detention staff, the maintenance staff, the medical staff, kitchen staff and the supervisory staff that take pride in the operation of a detention facility.”

Smith County manages an average of 700 inmates, both male and female on a daily basis. Of the 355 people employed by the Sheriff’s Office, 216 work in jail services. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards is also responsible for making sure all Texas jails have an up to date evacuation plan, and a working procedure to process inmate grievances.

HOUSTON (AP) – Tyler is included in an exercise scheduled across Texas by the Civil Air Patrol to brush up on skills used in emergency operations like Hurricane Ike. Details of the Jan. 28-29 exercise were announced Friday, with plans for many of the state’s more than 3,400 volunteer members to take part. The command post will be at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport in Spring. Incident command posts are planned in Tyler, Dallas, Denton, Odessa, San Antonio, west Houston, and Victoria.

Maj. Risher Lewis says air and ground teams will train on missions usually associated with responses to natural disasters, missing people, or downed aircraft. Aerial photography also plays a role. Lewis says the CAP, when Ike hit in September 2008, flew more than 350 missions and provided about 40,000 high-definition photos for damage assessment.

TYLER — The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) reminds drivers that a portion of Smith County Road 412 will be permanently closed as of Friday, Jan. 20. Officials say the design/build contractor of Toll 49, CH2M Hill, is coming along in the construction on Segment 3B. The construction has moved to the north end of the project, where CR 412 is to be closed. There have been static message signs placed to remind drivers, area residents, and businesses of the impending closure. Officials say CH2M Hill is on schedule with the construction of Toll 49 Segment 3B and an opening to traffic is anticipated in early 2013.

TYLER — Carrier announced to employees Friday morning a proposal to close their Tyler plant pending a collective bargaining agreement with the union. Carrier officials said the plant will continue operation through at least 2013. Bargaining could take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. According to KETK, employees would receive separation benefits if the plant closes, and would keep scholarships awarded through work. Operations would shift to Monterrey, Mexico. A total of 500 employees would be affected.

SMITH COUNTY — A man is arrested shortly after his truck flipped into Lake Palestine. It happened just before 9:00 Thursday night at the Villages Marina on Big Eddy Road. Noonday Fire officials tell KETK the driver of the truck decided to drive out onto a pier. The pier reportedly gave way and caused the truck to fall into the lake. The driver of the truck was given a sobriety test at the scene and then taken into custody. The driver has been identified as 36-year old Matthew Wayne King. King is charged with driving while intoxicated. His bond is set at $500.

TYLER — Barbara Bass announced today her plan to seek re-election as mayor of Tyler. Mayor Bass was first elected in May 2008.

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities have released the identity of a man killed in an accident Thursday in eastern Smith County. Smith County Pct. 4 JP Mitch Shamburger tells KETK the victim was traveling west on Highway 31 from Kilgore to Tyler. According to authorities, the man, identified as Michael Paz, 26, Kilgore, was passing a car at a high rate of speed as he wove in and out of traffic. Authorities say he realized he wasn’t going to make the pass, so he tried to get back into his lane, but over-corrected and clipped a car, sending him head-on into a Jeep. Shamburger pronounced Paz dead at the scene.

It is unknown if alcohol was involved in the wreck. A toxicology report has been ordered. Officials say Paz was wearing a seat belt. His body has been sent to the Rader funeral home in Kilgore.

TYLER — There’s still plenty of disagreement over President Obama’s rejection of the Keystone XL Pipeline. Congressman Louie Gohmert told KETK he’s not the least bit happy. Gohmert says the move comes “at a time when we have so many people needing work, we’re spending so much for unemployment, and this would create tens of thousands of jobs directly.” Gohmert also says the president’s decision will mean increased oil and gas costs.

TYLER — Some East Texas reaction after Governor Perry drops out of the presidential race. Smith County Republican Party Chair Ashton Oravetz tells KETK it just wasn’t meant to be. Oravetz says, “You know, there were two things that did it. One was his Dream Act, because the number two issue in this election was immigration.” Oravetz says Perry’s decline in the polls can be tied to some of the things in the Dream Act. Oravetz adds, “Then he had disastrous debate performances on top of that, and that about sealed it.” Perry has thrown his support behind Newt Gingrich.

KILGORE — Kilgore College President Dr. Bill Holda announces that KC and Texas A&M University—Texarkana have signed an articulation agreement. Officials from the two schools met in Kilgore Jan. 18 to sign a Reciprocal Articulation Agreement that will offer students at KC and A&M—Texarkana access to more enhanced educational opportunities. The agreement, signed by Holda and A&M—Texarkana President Dr. C.B. Rathburn III, is effective through August 31, 2014.

Holda said he believes the agreement will serve as a benefit to students. “Kilgore College has much to gain by working with the colleges in our region for the benefit of our students,” Holda said. “The articulation with A&M—Texarkana will provide our students with additional options as they try to seamlessly further their educational objectives. I knew President Rathburn when he was president at Galveston College and he very clearly understands the world of the community college and the value which transfer students bring to the university environment.”

Rathburn said that officials at A&M—Texarkana are also very excited about the agreement. “Texas A&M University—Texarkana is honored to be in partnership with Kilgore College to open an affordable new pathway for KC students to complete their bachelor’s and advanced degrees in an exciting new campus environment,” Rathburn said.

The objectives of the agreement are:

· To transition qualified students from KC to A&M—Texarkana and from A&M–Texarkana back to KC to promote the completion of the Associate’s Degree at KC.
· To ensure, through clear communication, the efficient and orderly movement of students from KC to A&M—Texarkana, while promoting continuous advancement in learning.
· To provide specific advisement for all students at KC who intend to pursue a degree at A&M—Texarkana.
· To establish academic and administrative coordination between KC and A&M—Texarkana and the exchange of evaluative information on the outcomes of the program, with the goal of continuous improvement.

Furthermore, the agreement will enable Kilgore College and A&M—Texarkana to jointly facilitate and support consultation and collaboration between their facilities related to the agreement, general education, degree requirements and other academic matters. The intent of the agreement is to encourage completion of the associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. It will encourage KC students to complete an associate degree under the terms of the agreement after transfer to A&M—Texarkana.

SMITH COUNTY — One teenager has been killed and two others injured in a one vehicle wreck in Smith County. It happened just after 9:00 Wednesday night on County Road 1178, near Highway 155, just South of FM 2661.

The Noonday Fire Department responded to the call and said the vehicle was completely in flames when they arrived. Officials said the accident involved two girls and one boy. According to KETK, the car veered off the road and into the woods, then burst into flames. Authorities believe speed was a factor in the crash. A man on the scene says the girl who died was pinned inside the vehicle, and that he tried to get her out but was unsuccessful. No word if the teens were wearing their seat belts.

The teen who died has been identified as 17-year-old Brytnie Stithem, a junior at Robert E. Lee High School. The two others involved in the accident are identified as C.J. Wilkerson and Brandon Page. Conditions of C.J. and Brandon are unknown at this time.

Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid released the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our students, Brytnie Leah Stithem. Our sympathy goes out to her family, friends, and classmates. We understand that many students will need time to heal, and we have counselors available to help students through this difficult time.”

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man was arrested Thursday morning after police said he was driving while intoxicated when he ran through a North Longview church sign and fled. Longview police crash investigator Brad Bell arrested 39-year-old Rufus Dwayne Bowie III about 9:30 near the intersection of Eden Drive and Judson Road, charged with fleeing the scene of a crash and driving while intoxicated. Firefighters were dispatched to True Vision Ministries in the 100 block of East Hoyt Drive at 8:49 in connection with a church sign that had been plowed through.

According to the Longview News-Journal online, Bowie’s vehicle had front-end damage and the grill of the Toyota Altima was gone. Bell said investigators were still looking for missing pieces to Bowie’s vehicle. Bowie failed a field sobriety test, officials said.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A former Lufkin dental assistant turned herself in Wednesday on four counts of prescription fraud. Heather Terry of Huntington, a former Palmer Dental employee, is out of the Angelina County Jail on a collective $20,000 bond.

In the last year, Terry allegedly wrote prescriptions using fraudulent authorization from Dr. Amy Ross and Dr. David Palmer. According to Lufkin Police, at least two of the four counts involve prescriptions for the drug hydrocodone. Terry faces up to 10 years in prison for the third-degree felony charges.

RUSK COUNTY — The Tatum police chief and an officer with the city resigned late Tuesday during a special City Council meeting. Tatum City Secretary Shelly Williams said Police Chief Ron Martin and officer Jeffrey Brock resigned in open session Tuesday night after the council met in closed session for several hours. Their resignations come a week after the council heard allegations against Martin by a woman who said she was forced by the chief to leave her home in her vehicle while she was intoxicated.

LONGVIEW — A Longview native and her husband were among the survivors of the Costa Concordia cruise ship that capsized Friday. The survivors are identified as Tameshia Wilson Gumbs and Kishun Gumbs. Tameshia is a 1999 graduate of Longview High School. Both are said to be fine, according to her mother Debbie Johnson. The Longview News-Journal reports, the Gumbs currently serve in the Navy and were aboard the Concordia on vacation. So far, 11 people are confirmed dead with more than 20 missing after the cruise ship wrecked off the Tuscan coast.

TYLER — Internationally-known minister R.W. Schambach died of heart failure Tuesday night. KETK reports Schambach was 85 years old. He was the co-founder and president of Schambach Ministries, located in Tyler. His program “Power Today” was seen around the world.

TYLER – A 41-year-old Texarkana, Texas, man has been sentenced in Tyler to federal prison for drug violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Christopher Dale Conley pleaded guilty on Nov. 2, 2011, to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine and the manufacture of methamphetamine on premises where children are present. He was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison on Jan. 17 by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Conley was sentenced to 50 months for the manufacturing charge and 50 months for the charge regarding the children. The terms were ordered to be served consecutive to each other.

According to information presented in court, during 2010, Conley purchased items such as lithium batteries in furtherance of his methamphetamine manufacturing activities. The manufacturing of the methamphetamine took place at a residence where small children were present at the time. Conley was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 11, 2011.

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville Police say one of two men hospitalized after a stabbing incident has been released from a local hospital. Police tell KETK two brothers were in an argument late Tuesday afternoon over a woman. They say that’s when one left and then came back with a knife. Police say one of the brothers was stabbed in the forearm and had a puncture wound to the back. He has since been released from the hospital. The incident at a house on San Saba Street is under investigation.

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – President Barack Obama says he’s denying an application for a Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline because a GOP-mandated deadline didn’t allow time for a full review. As currently planned, the pipeline would run through much of East Texas, including eastern Smith County. Obama says his decision isn’t a judgment on the merits of the proposed $7 billion pipeline. Rather, he’s citing the “arbitrary nature” of the Feb. 21 deadline that was set by a GOP-written provision in a recent tax bill that Obama signed.

The president says in a statement that he’s disappointed that Republicans in Congress forced the decision. Obama had until late next month to decide whether the pipeline was in the national interest. Administration officials say the looming deadline cut short the time needed to conduct environmental reviews after the State Department ordered the project developer to find an alternate route to avoid environmentally sensitive areas of Nebraska.

The 1,700-mile pipeline would carry oil from tar sands in western Canada to refineries in Texas. It would pass through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma. Supporters of the pipeline argue that it would alleviate the country’s energy challenges and create jobs; opponents voice concerns about the project’s potential environmental impact.

TYLER — About 150 vendors have gathered today to display their wares to the public at the Tyler Area Chamber’s annual Business Expo. The Chamber’s Henry Bell says it’s an important event that encourages attendees “to make purchases locally more often and to keep the tax dollars and overall dollars in the area.” He says that’s “good for the economy and helps everyone.” The event is free and runs till 5 at Harvey Convention Center.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin woman, arrested on suspicion of drunk driving with a 12-year-old in the car, racked up additional charges after trying to bite an officer’s finger at a local hospital. Lufkin Police became involved with Tycia Rodgers early Tuesday morning after seeing her white Cadillac traveling at a high rate of speed. Officers say she ran a stop light, at which point the officer pulled her over, finding a 12-year-old child as her front-seat passenger.

The officer noticed several signs of intoxication including slurred speech, glassy eyes and balance issues. She failed a sobriety check but refused to have a breath or blood sample taken so the officer had to get a search warrant signed. A family member came to pick up the child.

She was taken to a local hospital to have blood drawn when she reportedly attempted to bite one of the officers. Rodgers was booked on charges of DWI with a child under 15 and resisting arrest.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Lufkin man was sentenced to 55 years in prison Tuesday afternoon for breaking into a woman’s home and raping her last April. Antonio Brumley, 22, appeared before state District Judge Barry Bryan Tuesday to answer for his actions the night of April 5, 2011. Because of a deal, in exchange for his guilty plea entered in December, the maximum amount of prison time Brumley faced was 60 years on each of two counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of aggravated robbery.

The victim said she was awakened by a strange sound and turned on her bedside lamp to see Brumley standing in a corner. He then grabbed her and placed his hands over her nose and mouth. She said he bound her hands behind her back and raped her while beating her in the head. After the first sexual assault, he demanded money from her, and after receiving it, he raped her again. Brumley then left her home.

TYLER — Tyler police have arrested a kidnapping suspect. William Easley, 33, Flint, was arrested last night at his residence. This comes after an ordeal at a Tyler grocery store. On Monday around 4:22 p.m., Tyler Police responded to Fresh by Brookshire’s at 6991 Old Jacksonville Highway in reference to an attempted robbery that occurred in the parking lot. Police contacted a 39-year-old female victim who told police that she was exiting her vehicle when she observed a man approaching her door. The victim told police that the suspect told her that he had a gun and was forcing her back into her vehicle.

The victim immediately started to scream for help and was pushing the suspect in order to get out so her screams could be heard. Upon hearing the screams, two customers in the parking lot came running to her aid. The suspect ran from the victim’s vehicle and jumped into a blue, Grand Am vehicle and sped from the scene.

Officers located a suspect vehicle along with a suspect on S. Broadway who was identified and released pending further investigation. Tyler Detectives were able to develop information that allowed them to secure an arrest warrant for kidnapping.

Around 8:30 Tuesday night, law enforcement watching the residence of Easley observed his vehicle at the residence. He was arrested and transported to the Smith County Jail. His bond was set at $150,000.

HARRISON COUNTY — The Hallsville City Council voted 3-2 on Tuesday night to reinstate police officers terminated in December, while the officers hired to replace them are out of jobs, that’s according to the Longview News-Journal. Council members, along with Mayor Jerri Medrano and the city attorney, were in closed session from 6:15 until 9:00 last night before the vote.

Police Chief Greg Scott, Sgt. Mack Fuller and officer T.C. Livingston were terminated Dec. 28 by Medrano. The lone remaining officer, Earl Dykes, resigned in the middle of his shift that same night. Without further explanation, Medrano has said the officers were terminated for violating city policies. She had no comment Tuesday night about the council’s vote.

Since the December firings, the city hired Lukas Reynolds as chief and also hired Shane Guthrie and Paul Montoya as officers. This past week, Robert Perkins, who worked as a reserve deputy with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, was hired for the final officer position.

KILGORE — Four children were injured Tuesday afternoon after a car struck a Kilgore school bus. The Kilgore Independent School District bus was traveling southbound on U.S. 259 when it turned onto Woodlawn Street and was struck by a car, according to Kilgore Police Department Sgt. Will Dietrich. Four students in the bus and the driver of the car were transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Dietrich said it appears the driver of the school bus made an unprotected left turn at the intersection and that the car struck the bus near its rear end. He said there were about 25 children on the bus.

TYLER – The second of two meetings this week is set for tonight as the Tyler Independent School District continues efforts to seek public feedback on the district’s long range plan. Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid will present the proposed plan at a community meeting at 6:30 at Robert E. Lee High School’s Fine Arts Center. That follows a Tuesday gathering at John Tyler High School. “Presenting the proposed long range plan to the public is the next step in a year-long process to work with our community to update our facilities and prepare Tyler ISD for an expected 2,500 additional students by the year 2020,” Reid stated. “Our school board has worked diligently to put this plan together, and we feel it will help us accomplish our goals to support academic progress and create financial efficiencies.”

Over the past year, the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees and Tyler ISD administrators researched best practices from around the state and worked with the Tyler community to develop a plan to improve district facilities and prepare the district for the future. “The Board of Trustees greatly appreciates the community feedback we have received throughout this long range planning process,” Michelle Carr, Board President, said prior to the John Tyler session. “We hope community members will continue to show their support for our schools by attending these meetings and sharing their thoughts with us.” Dr. Reid will present the feedback received at the community meetings to the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees at their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County Sheriff’s officials said Tuesday the autopsy of a 39-year-old Longview woman who was found last week on the side of Interstate 20 showed no signs of trauma. The department is waiting for toxicology reports on the woman identified as Melissa Diane Gonzales, Chief Deputy Chuck Willeford said. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the report from the Tarrant County medical examiner might take more than a couple of months.

The body was found just before noon Wednesday on I-20 near the Estes Parkway exit after a hitchhiker discovered her body behind a concrete barrier in the westbound lane of the roadway. “We’re still following up on leads of people who might have seen her, or who might have been with her,” Willeford said. Willeford said they still were unsure of the nature of her death and couldn’t speculate natural causes, drug overdose or homicide, though he has said the situation is suspicious.