KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — A Longview police officer has sustained non-life-threatening injuries at the hands of a hit-and-run driver. Officials say Officer Dennis Phillips was driving eastbound on Cotton at Fredonia when he was struck by a pickup that ran a red light. Authorities say the driver fled the scene, but a suspect was located shortly thereafter at the county courthouse, where he was scheduled to appear in court on an unrelated charge. 37-year-old Michael Louis Boyd of Longview, who is pictured here, was charged with failing to stop and render aid, expired driver’s license, failure to maintain financial responsibility, and failure to stop for a red light.

TYLER — Officials with Brookshire’s Friday announced plans for another Brookshire’s WWII Heroes Flight that will take 36 World War II veterans to Washington D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial and other sites. The company met with the veterans, as well as guardians that will assist them, Thursday night to explain the details of the trip. The second flight will take place on October 5-6. There is no charge for the veterans selected for the trip.

“Our first trip to Washington with World War II veterans was so rewarding for all of us we’ve decided to do it again with a new group of east Texas veterans,” said Rick Ellis, chief marketing officer for Brookshire Grocery Company. Ellis added that the response from the veterans desiring to go in May was overwhelming. “We received more applications for our May trip than we could possibly take,” Ellis said. “In fact we received so many that our October flight is already full from those who applied earlier and we still have additional applicants.”

In addition to the World War II Memorial, the group is expected to visit the Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and the United States Capitol. “We are very grateful for the service provided by these veterans,” said Ellis. “The freedoms we enjoy today were defended by these veterans and many others from different conflicts.” Veterans participating in the trip are from many different communities, including Tyler, Longview, Kilgore, Wills Point, Overton, Gladewater, Pittsburg, Canton, Whitehouse, Hideaway, Chandler and Mineola.

While the October flight is already full, veterans interested in participating in possible future opportunities can apply by calling (903) 534-3076 and requesting an application. Noting that the World War II Memorial was not built until 2004, Ellis added, “Most of these veterans have never had a chance to see their memorial. We’re thrilled to provide this opportunity to these 36 from our market area.” “We realize time is of the essence for this generation,’ Ellis said. “While there’s no way of having an exact figure, the estimates are that we are losing them nationally at a rate of about 1,000 per day. We don’t have a lot of time left to honor them in this way.”

TYLER — Heated debate Thursday as TJC held the second of two public hearings on raising the tax rate more than 33 percent. One former student spoke up for it, saying, “I wanted a better opportunity. I got my GED, I came to TJC. I still support the tax increase for maintenance and infrasrtructure needs.” Others, like George Stephenson, weren’t so supportive. “Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that we can just rely on somebody else and take their money,” said Stephenson. “Well, some people call that stealing.” As KETK explains, if the tax increase passes, it will go toward paying back $28 million taken out by the board last year for maintenance tax notes.

LUFKIN — A woman accused of killing a Lufkin man in a drive-by shooting is out of jail. Kendall Thompson, 19, posted $100,000 bond Wednesday. She’s accused of firing the shots that killed Joseph Cooper outside of his home in January. According to KETK, Thompson’s trial starts in October.

LONGVIEW — Over a year in prison is the sentence given to a Longview man for leaving his two kids in a parked car. According to KETK, a Gregg County jury found James Michael Guin guilty of child endangerment Wednesday. Witnesses say Guin and his girlfriend left the children inside a van while they went inside a bar. It happened last year. Police also found drugs inside the vehicle.

LONGVIEW — A White Oak EMT found dead last week is remembered in Longview. According to KETK, friends, family and co-workers gathered to remember Casey Steenlan, 33. She was the mother of four and an EMT trainee. Steenlan died last Friday from what authorities say was from carbon monoxide poisoning after a generator from an ambulance was left on.

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to a welfare check and reportedly find a man stabbed in the neck. It happened Friday morning around 2:40 in the 2200 block of North Palace. The victim claims he was walking across the railroad tracks when he was assaulted by an unknown suspect who cut his neck with a knife. The victim was taken to East Texas Medical Center where he received treatment. So far, no suspects have been arrested and the case is under investigation.

WHITEHOUSE – Smith County authorities believe they know who has been burglarizing homes along a street in Whitehouse. An arrest warrant has been issued for Lindsey David Maynard III, 34. He is believed to be armed and dangerous and authorities say if you spot him you should not approach him. Instead, contact authorities.

WHITEHOUSE — An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death of a man found lying in a ditch near Whitehouse. Around 1:30 Saturday morning, Smith County authorities received a welfare concern call. Dwight Wayne Pawul, 41, who had been taking medication, had been drinking heavily. When they went to his home on County Road 2194, there was no trace of the man.

Then, around 7:00 that morning, it was reported that Pawul was found in a ditch near the intersection of Farm Road 756 and County Road 129. He was rushed to East Texas Medical Center where he died earlier this week.

TYLER — This weekend, as parents prepare for the start of the new school year, they can expect some savings on some of their purchases and retail merchants hope to get an economic shot in the arm. The tax-free weekend continues through today. You won’t pay a tax on such items as clothing, most school supplies and backpacks.

According to KETK-TV, the tax-free weekend comes at a time when retailers are struggling. The tax free holiday does bring some hope to retailers who looking for some big sales over the weekend. The savings on average come out to about eight dollars for every one hundred dollars spent.

LONGVIEW — Authorities are following up on a shooting incident. On Thursday at approximately 12:13 p.m., Longview Officers were called to 505 East Grand Avenue for a “shots fired” call. Upon arrival officers were told by the resident that two males attempted to burglarize his home and he shot at them as they attempted to leave with his property. An adult suspect was being held by the resident, and the other suspect was later located by officers. Neither suspect was injured during the incident. The matter is still under investigation at this time, and detectives have responded to determine if arrests will be made — and, if so, what charges will be filed.

LONGVIEW — Persons with any outstanding warrants may be arrested at anytime, but the City of Longview will be giving additional attention to the issue during an upcoming warrant roundup Friday, August 27 – Saturday, August 28. The purpose of the roundup is to pursue outstanding warrants associated with unpaid fines and tickets from the City of Longview. Prior to the warrant roundup, Longview Municipal Court mailed notification letters to approximately 5,700 defendants representing more than 10,372 outstanding warrants. Worth more than $3.8 million in total, the outstanding warrants range in value from $70 for a parking offense to $900 for a failure to provide insurance offense.

According to Municipal Court Administrator Sharon George, “As the result of our last Warrant Roundup in May, we were able to clear or serve 299 warrants values at $126,705. Also, two of the Municipal Court’s top ten were arrested, each with over 20 outstanding warrants. We encourage anyone with an outstanding warrant to pay the fines as soon as possible to avoid an arrest.”

Longview Municipal Court offers several options for payment. Customers may pay by phone at 903-237-1186; pay online at http://www.LongviewTexas.gov (online payments require an additional convenience fee); or pay in person at the Municipal Court, 302 W. Cotton St. For convenience, there is also a drop box located in the lobby of the Municipal Court. It should be noted that individuals trying to resolve cases prior to the roundup will not be arrested at the court window.

Warrant payments may be cash, credit card, or money order. No personal checks will be accepted. A government issued picture ID card or driver license will be required when appearing in person. For more information, including to check an outstanding balance, contact the Municipal Court at 903-237-1186.

TYLER – The East Texas Food Bank will be distributing boxes of food to families in Tyler and Longview this month through the Summer Family Nutrition Program. The Food Bank and its volunteers will screen to determine eligibility and then distribute food to families who qualify. The screening and distribution in Tyler is underway and continues till 6:00 p.m. today at the East Texas Food Bank, 3201 Robertson Road. In Longview it’s Wednesday, August 25, noon – 7:00 p.m. at Maude Cobb Convention Center, 100 Grand Boulevard.

“The Summer Family Nutrition Program targets families with children who are struggling in this recession and are having difficultly providing nutritious food for their family,” said Dennis Cullinane, executive director of the East Texas Food Bank. “In four years, the East Texas Food Bank has grown 90 percent in the number of East Texans seeking emergency food assistance, that’s nearly double the national increase.”

Cullinane says families will receive nutritional food boxes containing pantry staples such as pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned soups, stews, and fruit, peanut butter, baking mixes and other substantial food items. “Nearly half, 44 percent, of who the East Texas Food Bank serves are children,” said Cullinane. “The Summer Family Nutrition Program will alleviate both child hunger and child obesity for East Texas families with children at risk of hunger.”

Since June, the East Texas Food Bank and its partner agencies have been distributing the 46-pound boxes of food to eligible families. The Summer Family Nutrition Program is a program of the Texas Food Bank Network. Those families who are eligible to participate are: households with legal guardianship over at least one child under 18 years of age and with an annual household income equal to or less than 185 percent of the federal poverty guideline; and families whose children received free or reduced-price lunch, or who receive WIC, SNAP (food stamps) and other federal programs.