KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Smith County Wide Clean-Up is underway and runs through July 31. The event is an opportunity for county residents to bring trash and bulky items to the Greenwood Farms Landfill for free. The Smith County Environmental Crimes Unit, precinct constables, and Commissioners Court are working together to host the event.

The County is providing vouchers to the public that are good for up to three cubic yards per person, about a full-sized truck bed. Smith County residents can pick up vouchers at all justice of the peace and constable precinct offices or the Commissioners Court Office in the Courthouse Annex. Vouchers can be picked up during normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. There is a limit of one voucher per household, and businesses may not participate in the voucher program. The vouchers come with a list of items that the Greenwood Farms Landfill, an Allied Waste Company, will not take. Directions and a map to the landfill are provided with the vouchers.

Items not accepted during the County Wide Clean-Up include hazardous waste, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, gasoline, oils, paint, acid, batteries, asbestos, Freon, whole tires, refrigerators, freezers, televisions, and computers. For more information or to pick up your voucher, please call: (Tyler) Pct. 1 Constable Henry Jackson, 903-590-2609; (Noonday) Pct. 2 Constable Andy Dunklin, 903-590-4840; (Troup) Pct. 3 Constable Dustin Rust, 903-842-2664; (Winona) Pct. 4 Constable John Smith, 903-590-4879 or (Lindale) Pct. 5 Constable Dennis Taylor, 903-590-4901.

TYLER — The Texas Department of State Health Services will host a community event in Tyler as part of a 15-city “Ready or Not?” outreach tour to encourage Texans to get prepared for hurricanes. The event will feature a large tent filled with informational displays, a sample disaster supply kit, and interactive kiosks where visitors can begin or continue their emergency planning. Waterproof document bags, emergency supply checklists, and other items will be distributed. It’s all going on now and continues till 2:00 this afternoon at Broadway Square Mall. Other partners in attendance may include local fire, police, emergency management, and public health departments, as well as community organizations involved in disaster preparedness.

According to officials, hurricanes threaten Texas at this time of year, and some people may have put off planning. While it’s best to get prepared early, it’s not too late. “Ready or Not?” – or “¿Estás Listo?” in Spanish – uses radio, television, newspaper, and online advertising; community outreach events; and its website to encourage every Texan to create an emergency plan now. The goal is to help Texans be ready to respond to and recover from hurricanes as well as other natural and man-made disasters.

You can go to http://www.TexasPrepares.org, or in Spanish, to http://www.TexasPrepara.org for more information. Officials say these sites offer people a way to build a custom plan step by step. Go to
http://ww.texasprepares.org/English/outreach-tour_7-10.htm to see the complete tour schedule.

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

Tyler — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as “District-Wide Seal Coat” is scheduled to possibly conclude this week with crews working extensively in Smith and Wood counties. Crews will move to Farm Road 14 inside Tyler’s Loop 323 on Monday, and finish the contract with several days’ work on Farm Road 515 in Wood County between State Highway 154 south of Yantis near Lake Fork, and State Highway 37 in Winnsboro.

Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays. The District-Wide Seal Coat program, which will seal approximately 300 miles of roads as it passes through all eight counties in the Tyler District before the end of August, uses a two-step process of spraying down hot asphalt and covering it with rock to add years of life to existing pavement.

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to conclude resurfacing work on Farm Road 344 east of Bullard between Farm Road 756 and State Highway 110 south of Whitehouse, followed by the same work on Farm Road 850 east of Tyler between Farm Road 2607 and Farm Rad 3053 in Overton. 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 if possible to avoid delays.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several weeks of base and pavement repairs on State Highway 149 between State Highway 322 in Lakeport and Farm Road 2906 (Easton Road). Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas. Some overnight lane closures are possible with this work.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repair operations on State Highway 64 between the Henderson Star and State Highway 42. 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.

ATHENS — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Monday are scheduled to resurface various locations on State Highway 31 east of Farm Road 317, then move the operation to Farm Road 1616 between Loop 7 and Farm Road 773 near Murchison. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several days of resurfacing operations on U.S. Highway 175 between Jacksonville and Farm Road 855 in Cuney. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several weeks of base-repair work on U.S. Highway 80 between Farm Road 778 and the Upshur County Line. A second crew is scheduled to perform edge and ditch maintenance on Farm Road 1804 (Hoard Road) just south of U.S. Highway 80. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists should be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1255 northeast of Canton between Interstate Highway 20 and Farm Road 773, followed by the same work on Farm Road 773 between Farm Road 16 and State Highway 64. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on U.S. Highway 287 between Farm Road 645 and Bethel. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

TYLER — A teenager remains in custody today following a weekend incident at the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. Shortly after 12:15 Saturday morning officers responded to a call at the center of shots being fired. The officers found a 16 year old from Kansas City, Missouri in a secured hallway within the facility. The youth had a gun to his head attempting to get officers to shoot him. They were able to convince him to put the gun down.

The youth had been arrested Friday night at the Tyler bus station. Around 9:00pm, Tyler Police received information that the juvenile was on a bus from Kansas City, Missouri to Tyler and he had outstanding warrants. He is wanted for assault, failure to appear, and being a runaway. Officers contacted the teen on the bus and took him into custody.

He was transported him to the Tyler Police Department and then to the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. While the he was being held in a secured intake room in the facility, he gained access to his personal duffel bag that contained a handgun hidden in his clothing. He took the handgun from the bag and fired several shots within the intake holding room. The intake officer took cover and was not injured. Tyler police spokesman Don Martin says no juveniles housed in the facility were in any danger during the incident. The teen had been searched at the time of the arrest; however his bag was not searched prior to being placed into the trunk of the patrol vehicle.

The juvenile was transported to East Texas Medical Center for minor injuries he sustained by cut glass during the incident. He was treated and released back into the custody of officers. The youth was charged with aggravated assault on a public servant, possessing a deadly weapon in a penal institution, possession of controlled substance marijuana and directive to apprehend from Missouri.

LONGVIEW — Funeral services will be held in Longview tomorrow for longtime businessman and restaurateur Spiro S. Mijalis. Mijalis died Saturday from a heart attack. He was 72. Mijalis started Fisherman’s Market in 1973 and the Butcher Shop in the early 1980s. Funeral services for Mijalis will be Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 in the chapel at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. Burial will follow in Rosewood Park.

KILGORE – Three dozen young women are the newest members of the world-famous Kilgore College Rangerettes dance and drill team. The announcement, made in a closed ceremony in Dodson Auditorium on the Kilgore campus, culminates a week-long tryout process that saw 107 hopefuls vying for a coveted position on the 71st Rangerette line. The new Rangerettes will join 35 sophomores to make a line of 71.

The Rangerettes were the first of their kind when they began in 1940 as a vision of the late Gussie Nell Davis. The organization created a unique combination of dance moves and precision drills that quickly earned them the reputation not only as the originators of dance/drill teams, but as the best in the world. Known for their high kicks and the jump splits, the organization has traveled around the world and entertained millions.

The new freshman members of the 2010-11 Rangerettes, listed by hometown:
Austin – Kimberly Hookanson, Alyssa Hutcheson and Kayla Kopp
Beaumont – Katie Canant
Buda – Amanda Bailey
Dallas – Bethany Ford and Malia Freitas
Friendswood – Jacquelyn Garza, Ashley Cupples and Amanda Nobles
Frisco – Cara Rzucidlo
Garland – Hope Boyd and Elise Smith
Grand Prairie – Jennifer Aguinaga
Houston – Rachel Bruno, Ellen Dutton, Ivette Armenta and Angela Lozzi
Keller – Lindsay Early
Kingwood – Jessica Pike
Longview – Carson Latus
Orange – Katelyn Norman
Pasadena – Rachel Keller
Plano – Kimberly Hackler
Richmond – Alli Schneider and Erica Trull
Rowlett – Gina Cross and Logan Roesle
San Juan – Ariana Salazar
The Woodlands – Mary Pennington and Kirstie Tullis
Tyler – McKenzie Robinson
Victoria – Lauren Chapman
Waco – Sydne Miller
Waxahachie – Kate Basinger
Whitehouse – Sarah Leonard

TYLER — A teenager is facing a variety of charges following an incident at the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. Shortly after 12:15 this morning officers responded to a call at the center of shots being fired. The officers found a 16 year old from Kansas City, Missouri in a secured hallway within the facility. The youth had a gun to his head attempting to get officers to shoot him. They were able to convince him to put the gun down.

The youth had been arrested Friday night at the Tyler bus station. Around 9:00pm, Tyler Police received information that the juvenile was on a bus from Kansas City, Missouri to Tyler and he had outstanding warrants. He is wanted for assault, failure to appear, and being a runaway. Officers contacted the teen on the bus and took him into custody.

He was transported him to the Tyler Police Department and then to the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. While the he was being held in a secured intake room in the facility, he gained access to his personal duffel bag that contained a handgun hidden in his clothing. He took the handgun from the bag and fired several shots within the intake holding room. The intake officer took cover and was not injured. Tyler police spokesman Don Martin says no juveniles housed in the facility were in any danger during the incident. The teen had been searched at the time of the arrest; however his bag was not searched prior to being placed into the trunk of the patrol vehicle.

The juvenile was transported to East Texas Medical Center for minor injuries he sustained by cut glass during the incident. He was treated and released back into the custody of officers. The youth was charged with aggravated assault on a public servant, possessing a deadly weapon in a penal institution, possession of controlled substance marijuana and directive to apprehend from Missouri.

PALESTINE — Both of the suspects in the Thursday night robbery of the Palestine Wal-Mart Supercenter are now in custody. The suspects have been identified as Terrance Lavar Williams, 31, and Michael-Anthony J. Darkins, 21. Both are from Palestine. They have been charged with aggravated robbery. The robbery happened around 10:30 Thursday night. Reports indicate a shot was fired inside the store, but not injured.

MARSHALL — An inmate of the Harrison County Jail has died after hanging himself in his jail cell. Jecori Montra White, 34, of Marshall, was arrested Wednesday morning and charged with aggravated assault-family violence. He was believed to be under the influence of narcotics at the time of his arrest. According to a news release from the sheriff’s department, White was found hanging in his cell around 5:20 Thursday afternoon. He was rushed to Good Shepherd Medical Center-Marshall, where he was pronounced dead about an hour later.

TYLER – Tyler police have confirmed the suspect in the July 14 robbery of the BBVA Compass Bank has been arrested. According to KETK, Tyler FBI officials say 61-year-old Eddie Ray Myers was arrested without incident. Shortly after his arrest he was taken to East Texas Medical center after complaining of chest pains. Precinct 5 constables were doing surveillance when they saw Myers enter a house. Deputies pulled him over and arrested him. Myers was on parole in Arkansas, but was living in Tyler. It is unknown when Myers will be moved to a jail.

TYLER — The Sonic Drive-In on South Broadway in Tyler is temporarily closed. According to KETK, a spokesman for the chain says local health and police departments are investigating an allegation the restaurant may be involved in a food-borne illness or food tampering incident. No other information was immediately available.

EAST TEXAS — The American Red Cross in East Texas is partnering with Wells Fargo Advisors on Operation American Pride. According to a Red Cross news release, “In celebrating the greatness that is America, and our freedom, we can do no less than thank the young men and women, around the world, that serve as the guardians of our freedom.” The Red Cross and Wells Fargo have committed to filling boxes, during the month of July, with items needed by military personnel. The Red Cross has collected money and shopped for the items. Wells Fargo Advisors has collected approved items and will be paying all shipping costs involved to get the provisions to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Friday morning, the Smith County Red Cross delivered its items to the Wells Fargo Advisors offices in Tyler. In Longview, the East Texas Piney Woods Chapter delivered its items to the local Wells Fargo offices on Thursday.

TYLER — Hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts gathered Saturday in the north parking lot of Broadway Square Mall before their 100-mile ride throughout East Texas collecting school supplies for the annual PATH School Supply Train. The 2nd annual “Bikers Rule 4 School” will get underway around with Mayor Barbara Bass will kick things off.

The caravan left Broadway Square Mall at on a route that took them to several stops throughout East Texas. Those include Brookshire’s/Bullard,, Brookshire’s/Whitehouse, Brookshire’s/Troup, Arp City Park, Chapel Hill Bethel Baptist Church, New Zion Baptist Church/Winona, Lowe’s/Lindale and back to Broadway Square Mall/Tyler.

PATH distributes school supplies to elementary, middle and high schools in Smith County prior to the beginning of the ’10-’11 school year. PATH staffers say parents who need help with school supplies for their children should contact their school before the beginning of the fall semester. For additional information, you can contact PATH at 903- 597-4044, ext. 120.

TYLER — The Smith County District Attorney’s office will not block a complete mental evaluation of the teenager accused of fatally stabbing his John Tyler teacher last September. That’s according to a brief filed by his attorney. The student was 16 at the time of the incident. According to KETK, Texas law requires such an examination be made before trying someone as young as Byron Truvia as an adult.

PALESTINE — One person is in custody and one being sought in the robbery of the Palestine Wal-Mart Supercenter. The robbery happened around 10:30 Thursday night. Reports indicate shots were fired inside the store and that one store employee was pushed to the ground, but not injured. According to KETK-TV, one suspect was arrested near an apartment complex shortly after the robbery. They are still looking for the second suspect.