KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A sold out crowd greeted former President George W Bush in Tyler Tuesday night. He spoke at the Distinguished Lecture series at the University of Texas at Tyler. With candor and humor he gave the group a glimpse of life in the oval office. He received several standing ovations throughout the presentation.

While there are some aspects of the presidency he misses, he does not miss being in the lime light. He said it was his faith, family and friends that sustained him while he served the nation. On the principles that formed the foundation for much of his foreign and domestic policies, Bush said he believes there is a God and one of the gifts of God is for everyone to know freedom. It’s this belief that helped him stay the course in Iraq.

On the economy, he recalled sitting in the White House with economic advisors Henry Paulson and Ben Bernanke three weeks into the economic downturn. He said Bernanke told him, “If you don’t do something significant, you’re likely to see a depression greater than the Great Depression.” “Depression, no depression,” Bush said. “It wasn’t that hard for me, just so you know. I made the decision to use your money to prevent the collapse from happening.”

Bush thanked the crowd for their roles in electing him both as governor of Texas and president of the United States. He said he tried to leave the presidency better than it was when he started, or at least equal to how he found it.

He also took time to mention his new book, “Decision Points,” which is due out next month. Bush quipped, “This will come as a shock to some people in our country who didn’t think I could read a book, much less write one.”

The lecture, and the dinner that preceded it, help raise funds for U.T. Tyler scholarships. School president Dr. Rodney Mabry announced that over $200,000 were generated by the events.

TYLER — An Anderson County man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking ring. He is Robert Clarence Smith, II, 30, of Elkhart. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on August 5, 2009, charging Smith and 8 others with federal drug violations. He pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. Smith was also ordered to forfeit ownership of a firearm and to pay a $5,000 judgment. Federal prosecutors say Smith admitted to being involved in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine to others in the East Texas area.

MARSHALL — A Longview man remains jailed in the Harrison County Jail after being arrested early Sunday and charged with murder in the shooting death of Carroll Gene Reeves, 52, of Hallsville. According to Harrison County authorities, Colin Christopher Rider, 29, of Longview was arrested after deputies found Reeves’ body about 6 p.m. Saturday in his home in the 6900 block of East Highway 80. Reeves suffered several gunshot wounds.

An investigation showed the residence may have been burglarized. Rider was arrested several hours later when officers and emergency medical services were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of Tiffany Street in connection to a gunshot victim. Officers and emergency personnel found Rider, also with gunshot wounds. Investigators determined he had been shot at Reeves’ residence and Rider was taken into custody. He is on parole for delivery of a controlled substance. Rider’s bond was set at $750,000.

HUDSON — Police in Hudson have charged a mother with abandonment of child. Authorities in the Angelina County town report Kelli Renee Thacker, 20, was found passed out in her front yard. They say she was intoxicated. After reviving her, officers learned her 17-month old child was in the house alone. The toddler was turned over to the custody of her father. The mother was booked into the Angelina County Jail.

TYLER – A 30-year-old Elkhart man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking ring in the Eastern District of Texas. Robert Clarence Smith, II, pleaded guilty on Apr. 27, 2010, to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. Smith was also ordered to forfeit ownership of a firearm and to pay a $5,000 judgment. According to information presented in court, Smith admitted to being involved in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine to others in the East Texas area. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on Aug. 5, 2009, charging Smith and 8 others with federal drug violations.

TYLER — Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Bill White continues to hit the East Texas campaign trail hard. He’s scheduled to welcome supporters during a Get Out the Vote Event set for at 10:30 this morning at Rick’s on the Square, 104 West Erwin Street in Tyler. That follows a similar 8:00am gathering in Texarkana.

TYLER — State Representative Leo Berman (R-Tyler) received the endorsement of the Texas Right to Life PAC for his re-election to the Texas House of Representatives. Director Elizabeth Graham wrote, “Thank you for your votes and your commitment to protect the sanctity of innocent human life while serving the people of Texas. Texas Right to Life PAC endorses strong leaders who possess a high moral character and an unyielding resolve to protect innocent human life. You meet our criteria, and your voting record on Right to Life issues is outstanding.” Berman faces Libertarian Jon Fitts in the November election.

QUITMAN — Officials say anyone interested in Lake Fork should plan to attend a public meeting on Thursday, October 28. On that date, according to KETK, the Wood County Industrial Commission and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will be hosting the “State of the Lake II” (SOTL2) meeting. It’s a follow-up to the first “State of the Lake” meeting, which took place in February. Similar to the first meeting, the SOTL2 will feature presentations by TPWD Inland Fisheries biologists, TPWD Law Enforcement personnel, and Sabine River Authority representatives. Topics will include, but are not limited to: the status of invasive aquatic vegetation control, water pumping activities, and the rapid expansion of the white bass population in the reservoir. A large portion of the meeting will be reserved for attendees to ask questions in a “town hall” format.

All local business owners, lake homeowners, fishing guides, recreational anglers, and any others with an interest in the resources at Lake Fork are invited to attend. The meeting will take place from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Quitman United Methodist Church’s J.O.Y. Center located at 406 E. Lane St., Quitman, TX 75783. Officials say this new venue for the meeting can comfortably accommodate 400 attendees and features ample parking close to the facility. For questions or additional information concerning the upcoming meeting, you’re asked to contact TPWD Inland Fisheries management personnel in Tyler at (903) 593-5077.

TYLER — A former cafeteria worker at Lindale High School has been given a 10 year probated sentence for improper relations between an educator and a student. Lisa Walker, 41, had pleaded guilty to the complaint. A hearing will be held in several weeks to determine if she will have to register as a sex offender. The incident between Walker and the 15 year old student, which is said to have offs school property, was reported back in January. The 15 year old male student has since moved out of state.

BULLARD — An ordinance is under consideration that would ban new billboards within the city limits of Bullard. Bullard Mayor Teresa Adams-Wilks says prohibiting new billboards will help the health, safety, and welfare of people who live there. She also says it will “prevent eye sores and maintain Bullard’s beauty.” KETK-TV reports there is another reason for the billboard ban. Adams-Wilks says if the alcohol measures pass in next month’s elections, she doesn’t want alcohol advertised.

TYLER — The American Red Cross, Smith County Chapter, is participating in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. Red Cross officials say the Veterans History Project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the first-person accounts of American wartime veterans and civilian workers who supported the war efforts by preserving their stories of service to our country.

The Library of Congress and the American Red Cross are offering free training for volunteer interviewers to collect veterans’ stories on behalf of the Library of Congress. The Smith County Chapter will host the training on Thursday, November 4, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and again from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the American Red Cross office located at 320 E Rieck Rd., Tyler. The training is to be conducted by Stephen Sloan, Oral Historian at Baylor University. It’s open to anyone in 10th grade or older wanting to become a part of the project. Seating is limited, so you’re advised to reserve your space today by emailing the Red Cross’s Linda Edwards at [email protected] or calling 903-581-7981.

Edwards says, “Every day we all get older, and every day more and more stories are lost. This is one way that everyone can help capture this information. She urges residents to “join us and keep our veterans’ voices alive for future generations.” You can visit http://www.loc.gov/vets to learn more about the Veterans History Project.

TYLER — Former President George W. Bush is tonight’s Distinguished Lecturer at U.T. Tyler — and the event is now sold out. The Joseph Z. and Louise H. Ornelas Lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m. KTBB is among the media sponsors and will be on hand for the speech. The evening will also include a dinner to aid the university’s scholarship program.

TYLER — The next hearing is about two months away in the custody fight over Jaden McLean. According to KETK, two-year-old Jaden is recovering from a near-fatal head wound suffered when he found a loaded gun in the sports bar owned by his grandparents. Now, his divorced parents are fighting for custody, and proceedings continued Friday. Among other things, Accusations of drug use and excessive drinking flew back and forth as family members watched. Judge Carole Clark ruled Jaden will remain in foster care while both parents are drug tested and treated for anger management and co-dependency.

LONGVIEW — A 22-year-old Gilmer woman dies in a Longview accident. Monday morning just before 12:40, Longview Officers responded to a one-vehicle crash that occurred in the 1200 Block of West Marshall Avenue.

Officers found that Destiny Boyle had been westbound on West Marshall Avenue when her vehicle left the roadway in a curve and struck a utility pole. There were no other occupants in Boyle’s vehicle and no other vehicles were involved. Boyle was pronounced dead at the scene, and it was determined that she was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

TYLER — Tyler Rescue Ministries has a couple of fundraising events scheduled in its continuing effort to help the area’s homeless. Founder/CEO Maurice Barnes invites everyone to a concert Thursday featuring Casey Rivers and Beyond the Ashes. It’s set for 7:00pm at First United Methodist Church of Lindale. Saturday, it’s the ministry’s 13th Anniversary Banquet, featuring Congressman Louie Gohmert. That event will take place at 6 p.m. at Tyler’s Southside Baptist Church. Barnes says you must make a reservation for the banquet; to do that, you can e-mail [email protected] or call 903-877-9252. Both events are free, but love offerings will be taken.

Tyler Rescue Ministries currently consists of Kathryn’s House, a facility for single women and women with small children. But the organization’s “Catch the Vision – Save a Family” capital campaign, which includes the two upcoming events, seeks to raise funds for expansion of the ministry’s work. That involves purchasing an additional 40 acres to provide care for eight intact families at one time. Barnes says once the campaign’s work is done, “We will be the only Christian ministry shelter in nine counties that will allow the entire family to learn, to grow, and to serve together as a family.” You can go to http://www.tylerrescueministries.org for more information.

TYLER — The Tyler District Office of the Texas parole division is seeking volunteers. The office’s chaplain and volunteer coordinator, Jesse McLendon, said on KTBB “Staff Meeting” that parolees have various needs. Current parole programs address such issues as literacy, life skills, parenting, and substance abuse. McLendon says it’s all with an eye on keeping former prisoners from returning to prison. If you’d like to help, you can email McLendon at [email protected] or call him at 903-581-8311 or 903-312-7780. McLendon also discussed other aspects of the parole division’s work. You can go to http://www.ktbb.com/audio to hear the “Staff Meeting” show online beginning early Monday.

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

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs on Farm Road 346 between U.S. Highway 69 in Flint and State Highway 110 in Whitehouse. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LONGVIEW — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs in various locations on Spur 63 in Longview. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

QUITMAN — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue approximately two weeks of resurfacing operations on State Highway 154 east of State Highway 37 near Quitman High School, and begin base-repair operations on Farm Road 2966 north of Quitman. 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.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge and pavement repairs on Farm Road 3062 between Malakoff and Star Harbor, and on Ranch Road 2588 between LaRue and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to conclude several days of resurfacing operations in various locations on U.S, Highway 84 east of U.S. Highway 259 in Mount Enterprise, followed upon completion by the same work on Farm Road 13 between State Highway 42 and Loop 571. 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 Farm Road 315 between U.S. Highway 175 in Poynor and Farm Road 837 in Brushy Creek, and on Farm Road 837 between State Highway 19 and U.S. Highway 175.

A second crew is scheduled to make pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 287 between the Trinity River Bridge and Cayuga, and on Farm Road 2054 between Farm Road 321 and the Coffield Prison Unit. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

BOSTON (AP) — Native East Texan Mildred Jefferson, the first black woman to graduate from Harvard Medical School and a nationally recognized leader of the anti-abortion movement, has died at age 84. Anne Fox, the president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, says Jefferson died Friday in Cambridge. She says Jefferson recently became ill.

Jefferson helped establish the National Right to Life Committee. Communications director Derrick Jones says she was its at-large director when she died. Jefferson was born in Pittsburg, Texas, in 1926, the daughter of a schoolteacher and a minister. She grew up in Carthage and graduated from Texas College in Tyler and earned a master’s degree from Tufts University in Medford, Mass.

Jefferson had also taught as an assistant clinical professor of surgery at Boston University Medical School. She was given honorary degrees by 28 schools.

JACKSONVILLE — An accident at the Mud Creek off-road park in Jacksonville has killed a Tyler man. Michael Chad Gray, 26, had become separated from his group. He was found around 12:15 Saturday morning with a severe head injury. Attempts to resuscitate him failed. His body was sent to Tyler for autopsy.

TYLER — A Tyler man is hospitalized after firefighters rescued him from his burning home. The man was found in the bedroom of his duplex at 3907 McDonald Road around 4:30 Saturday morning. Firemen reported smoke and fire billowing from the home when they arrived. The cause of the fire, which is believed to have started in the living room, remains under investigation.

TYLER — Ideal weather brought out thousands who lined the streets for the Texas Rose Festival Parade. The parade, which helps end the annual rose festival, starts at Glenwood and West Front and then proceeds into Trinity Mother Francis Rose Stadium. Capping off Saturday’s parade was the Queen’s Float with Rose Queen Mary-Lawson Bracken Walden. This year’s festival theme is “A Tapestry of Blessings.”

In other activities, the Ladies’ Brunch featured New York Times best-selling author Sandra Brown. Legendary financier T. Boone Pickens keynoted the Men’s Luncheon. Both of those events were held Friday. Also on Friday were the Queen’s Coronations.

TYLER — A former Tyler seminary student has received five years probation and will be deported to Columbia. State District Court Judge Kerry Russell says Jorge Sanchez, 31, will remain in the Smith County Jail until he is deported. He will not be able to return to the country without permission from the U.S. Attorney General. Sanchez, a native of Columbia, was a student at Tyler’s Cathedral of Immaculate Conception after previous studies in Houston at the University of St. Thomas seminary. Sanchez was arrested in April on charges that he engaged in sexual contact with a teenage girl who was in a church youth group. Last month, he pleaded guilty to indecency with a child.

HALLSVILLE — A one vehicle accident on Interstate Highway 20, near the 610 Mile marker, has killed a Florida driver. The accident occurred around 12:45 Friday afternoon. Dead at the scene was Harold Spicer, 54.

The Department of Public Safety reports Spicer was west bound when his car started veering off the road. It hit a concrete culvert and traveled another 300 feet before stopping upside-down in a creek. Investigators feel Spicer may have had a medical problem or may have fallen asleep at the wheel. An autopsy has been ordered.

BEAUMONT – A 59-year-old Lufkin man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations. Philip Charles Taylor pleaded guilty on May 21, 2010, to possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 102 months Friday in Beaumont by U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone.

According to information presented in court, on Jan. 26, 2010, law enforcement officers made contact with Taylor after receiving information that Taylor was viewing child pornography in a Lufkin motel room with at least one child present. According to authorities, officers received consent to search Taylor’s computer and several DVDs found in the room, and discovered nine videos of minors involved in sexually explicit conduct. Prosecutors say some of the videos depicted children less than 12 years of age engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct. Taylor was indicted by a federal grand jury on Mar. 17, 2010. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

TYLER — Police say they now have all three suspects in custody in this week’s robbery at a Tyler dollar store. On Friday, Tyler Police Investigators received a Crime Stoppers tip on the location of 36-year-old Michael Wayne West. Police went to Town Village South apartments at 200 Muller Garden and found West in his mother’s apartment. Police say West was taken into custody without force and transported to Smith County Jail.

The other suspects were apprehended soon after the robbery, which happened shortly after noon Wednesday at the Family Dollar store located at 530 S.S.E. Loop 323. Officers were advised that a man entered the business and demanded money from the clerk. He did not display a weapon. The clerk gave him an undetermined amount of money. The man ran out of the store and got into a black SUV. The SUV was occupied by two women. A Smith County deputy constable followed the SUV and saw the man and one woman get out of the SUV at the Super 1 Foods located at 1105 East Gentry. The SUV then drove to the Family Dollar store located at 1401 E. Gentry.

Officers contacted the remaining woman in the SUV and arrested her for the robbery. Officers were advised that the two other suspects were seen leaving the Super 1 Foods. Officers were able to locate the second female suspect in the area of E. Line and Anderson Street in Tyler and arrested her for the robbery. The two females arrested have been identified as Lara Michelle Trumble, 37, of Tyler, and Amber Cordell Martin, 33, of Jacksonville. The women have also been transported to the Smith County Jail.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man accepts a lesser charge earlier this week for attacking a deputy during the 4th of July weekend. According to KETK, 25-year-old Norman Thacker was on drugs when he ran from and kicked a deputy. Having already served 101 days in jail, Thacker will finish out his six-month sentence.

TYLER — Tyler Police arrest two suspects after an alert citizen notifies authorities of suspicious behavior. It happened Friday morning around 2:00 in a neighborhood off of Rhones Quarter Rd. Police say during a traffic stop of the suspicious vehicle, numerous stolen electronic items were found. Aaron Brady Jones, 18, who is pictured here, and Kelton Derk Wilson, 18, both of Tyler, were arrested and charged with four counts of burglary. Officers say the two were reportedly only breaking into cars that were left unlocked. Police say they are attempting to find the owners of stolen property that was recovered.

LONGVIEW — Investigators have concluded a fire at a Longview business is intentionally set. Firefighters responded to Buccaneers Satellite Company around 3:00 Thursday morning. According to KETK, they were able to get the fire under control in less than an hour. No injuries were reported but the damage is estimated at $100,000.

BIG SANDY — No new charges will be filed for a Big Sandy student. Ashley Williamson, 17, is in the Upshur County Jail charged with manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance in a school zone. Authorities say Williamson is connected to the death of her 16-year-old friend, Britnee Mount, who was also a Big Sandy High School student. According to KETK, police say the events leading up to her death happened at the school. School officials say they have grief counselors on hand.

WHITEHOUSE — A one vehicle rollover accident on Hwy 110 Wednesday night, in the Whitehouse area, leaves one woman dead. According to KETK, Barbara Holmes was driving southbound when she attempted to move around a slower vehicle. Troopers say her car went off the road and hit a light pole and rolled over. The 46-year-old died on impact.