KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A hearing resumed in Tyler this morning to have State District Judge Jack Skeen removed from the upcoming retrial of the man convicted in the Mineola child sex ring case. KETK-TV reports Patrick Kelly’s defense lawyer, Thad Davidson, says that Judge Jack Skeen has had private meetings with the prosecution during the Mineola sex ring trial and should be removed from the case. Davidson has filed a motion to recuse Judge Skeen from the proceedings. Presiding over the hearing is retired State District Judge Alvin Khoury of Longview.

TYLER — The City of Tyler hosted an on-campus ceremony Wednesday to unveil a marker in the Reflections Program honoring Texas College as part of TC’s Homecoming activities. In accordance with the Tyler 21 North End Action Plan, in 2009, the City of Tyler launched a three year program to promote Tyler Historic Landmarks status and the installation of historic markers and plaques at North End locations important to city history, including the history of the African-American community. Officials say the Reflections Program encourages citizens or interested organizations to submit nominations for the designation in the North End as Tyler Historic Landmarks, Tyler Historic Subject Markers or Half Mile of History stones.

Texas College was founded in 1894 by a group of ministers of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church who were interested in offering a quality education to African American youth. City officials say today, with its diverse student, faculty and staff populations, Texas College admits students of any race, color, gender, religious affiliation, or national or ethnic origin. The College is an affiliate of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and has a modified open admissions policy that permits it to serve a broad-based traditional and non-traditional student clientele.

CANTON — Authorities in Van Zandt County have arrested a man who now faces multiple charges. On Tuesday at approximately 2:10 p.m., the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a concerned citizen stating an unknown person was seen running from the citizen’s residence. Sheriff’s Deputies and Investigators responded to the scene and immediately cordoned off a perimeter. Authorities say the suspect, later identified as Larry Leroy Jackson, Jr., was observed by one of the Investigators in a pasture and took off running toward a wooded area.

The Canton helicopter and the Canton K-9 Unit were called in to assist. Participating with the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office were the Canton Police Department, Precinct #1 Constable, Department of Public Safety, the Grand Saline Police Department and the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office Posse. Within a short time after the pursuit begun, the suspect was flushed out with the help of the helicopter pilot and the K-9 unit and taken into custody

Authorities say the Precinct #1 Constable had made a traffic stop earlier in the day in which Jackson, a passenger in the vehicle, took off running. A foot pursuit ensued at that time, but was suspended after a thorough search proved to be futile. All agencies had also participated in that search. Jackson faces charges of possession of a controlled substance, tampering or fabricating physical evidence with intent, and evading arrest or detention, along with revocation of supervision out of Wood County. His bonds total $100,000.

LONGVIEW — Six adults escape a house fire Wednesday morning unharmed. It happened around 10:00 at 1002 Oden St. Longview firefighters say about 25% of the home was a blaze when they arrived. Authorities say it started in the upstairs bed room. Fire crews were able to extinguish the fire in about 10 minutes. One resident said she had a candle burning in the window sill with the window open. The drapes then caught on fire. The remainder of the house sustained heavy smoke and heat spread.

TYLER — Community leaders are now getting answers from Tyler school officials after repeat attempts to ask the school district why they needed millions of dollars. Tyler ISD is responding to concerned citizens on a pricey bond proposal by holding several public meetings. Tyler officials say the bond is needed for new schools and they say the meetings are open to the public. According to KETK, Tyler school officials have 14 more meetings set up until election day. But, Grassroots members say it’s not the time for this kind of spending. For a schedule of the meeting times, go to: http://www.tylerisd.org/Bond%202010/Events.htm

JACKSONVILLE — What would you do if a mass shooting occurred near your home or business? The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) of Cherokee County would like for you to consider this as a possibility. On Thursday, November 4, the CERT will be conducting a community disaster drill involving a mass shooting. This will only be a drill – not a true event.

The drill will begin at 9:00 a.m. at Sadler’s at the Landmark. The scenario will be a mass shooting with fatalities at the scene, and multiple victims being transported to Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville, ETMC-Jacksonville & ETMC-Rusk. There will be various authorities at the scene (i.e. Jacksonville Police Department & SWAT Team, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department & SWAT Team, Jacksonville Fire Department, multiple emergency vehicles, and other emergency responders).

Officials say it is very important to keep unnecessary traffic to a minimum, so they’re asking you to inform your family and/or employees not to approach that area during the drill. The drill will be announced again on KTBB as it draws closer. The City’s Code Red Alert will also notify the community on the evening of November 3rd of the drill.

LUFKIN (AP) – An East Texas man is accused of cutting a birth control device out of a 16-year-old girl’s arm and tattooing her. James Jacob Thompson of Groveton was jailed Wednesday on charges of practicing medicine without a license, tattooing at an unlicensed facility, tattooing an underage person and possession of a controlled substance. Angelina County Sheriff’s Cpl. Jarrod Gardner says Thompson, who’s 22, also was held on 14 traffic violations. Bond was $13,000. Thompson was arrested Tuesday. Police were contacted Oct. 12 about Thompson allegedly tattooing the girl during a party, plus cutting her arm to remove a birth control device. An affidavit says the girl paid Thompson $20 for the procedures.

MARSHALL — The committees on Redistricting and Judiciary of the Texas House of Representatives are in Marshall today. During the hearing, which got underway at 11 a.m., public testimony is to be taken regarding the redistricting process for Texas Senate, Texas House, Congressional and Texas State Board of Education Districts that the State Legislature will undertake in the 2011 regular session. Marshall’s redistricting hearing is being held in the Historic Harrison County Courthouse District Courtroom.

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.