KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Two Rusk County residents have been sentenced to 70 months each in federal prison for a methamphetamine conspiracy involving cold pills. The sentencing hearings were held in Tyler before U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Timothy Charles David, 48, of Henderson, pleaded guilty on Aug. 24 to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced Dec. 15. Amy Nacole Hulsey, 31, of Joinerville, pleaded guilty on Aug. 24 to possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine and was sentenced Thursday.

According to prosecutos, between March 2009 and March 2010, David admitted to conspiring with others in the Eastern District of Texas to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. He admitted to purchasing cold pills containing pseudoephedrine in furtherance of his methamphetamine manufacturing activities. Hulsey admitted to purchasing cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at various stores in Longview, Kilgore, Henderson, and Tyler between June 2009 and February 2010, all in furtherance of her methamphetamine manufacturing activities A federal grand jury returned a an indictment on May 6, 2010 charging David, Hulsey and four others with federal drug violations.

TYLER – Over 40 horses are recovering after being rescued from a ranch near Lindale Wednesday. Officials say it will be roughly 4 to 6 weeks before the animals are up to health standards and ready for release. Many of the horses were termed severely emaciated, and the animals were said to be suffering from a variety of medical ailments. According to KETK, the SPCA along with Smith County deputies took the 43 horses from their owner Wednesday after a six-month investigation. SPCA officials say a neighbor’s tip led authorities to the ranch, where they also found skeletal remains of other horses.

Rescue workers say the animals were initially startled to be taken. Two of the horses are pregnant. Some are still are not strong enough to stand. Officials say they are now eating and drinking water properly at stables provided by the Humane Society of the U.S. They’ll be evaluated and treated then put up for adoption. The owner, a horse breeder, is facing civil charges in connection to the case. You can go to http://www.spcaeasttx.com to find out more about adoptions and donations.

WASHINGTON – Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert says the country needs a better plan than HR 4853. That’s the “Tax-Cut-and-Stimulus” package that President Obama recently negotiated with the Senate, and which has been under debate in the U.S. House. Gohmert had this to say Thursday regarding the proposed legislation:

“The compromise tax bill that would extend the current tax rates for two years may help avoid a potentially disastrous downturn in the struggling economy. On the other hand, the tax rate extensions have been combined with an additional 13 months of unemployment benefits on top of the two years of benefits already pushed into law. The Obama bill does not have any offsets to pay for this deficit-growing portion. The death tax is also addressed in the bill by substituting a 35% tax.”

“Since the proposed bill is not a tax cut, it is not going to stimulate the economy but rather temporarily avoid more harm. If we stand firm that businesses need more than a two-year assurance of tax stability and have a bill ready to pass on January 5th, we should get a far better deal for the economy, our future and our nation’s future. We can do better.”

“Considering all the aspects of the Obama Tax Deal, it does sound like a couple of weeks of patience and standing on the principles we believe in should yield a far better deal for the actual taxpayers and America. We can pass a bill early next year and make it retroactive so people aren’t hurt by tax hikes. Let’s do what is truly right for America and not grab the first, worst offer made.”

TYLER – A 48-year-old Laneville man has been sentenced to federal prison in a methamphetamine conspiracy. Clifford Ward Futch pleaded guilty on Aug. 31 to conspiracy to possess with intent to manufacture and distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. He was sentenced Thursday in Tyler to 70 months behind bars by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

According to information presented in court, on Jan. 21, 2009, Futch possessed methamphetamine for distribution in East Texas. Futch is responsible for distributing more than 200 grams of methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on May 6 of this year charging Futch and three others with federal drug violations. Bobby Jones pleaded guilty on Aug. 30, Brandon Jones pleaded guilty on Sep. 1, and Derrick Walker pleaded guilty on Sep. 30. They are all awaiting sentencing.

TYLER – Tyler ISD held a press conference Wednesday morning to address a growing problem with some of its students. Executive Director of Student Services Jeff Collum says students are becoming involved in a “choking game.” Collum says kids choke either themselves or others to get a high, but are really killing brain cells. The conference was called because students have reported 10 to 12 incidents this year so far. School officials want parents to be more aware of the situation and are sending letters out to parents.

MOUNT PLEASANT (AP) – Authorities in Mount Pleasant say a man shot and killed his girlfriend and a co-worker then turned the gun on himself outside a vocational center. Titus County Sheriff Tim Ingram said Lee Boyd, 48, shot Junior Lee Horton, 35, about 6:30 Thursday morning in the parking lot of Vocational Opportunities Center of North East Texas. Ingram says Boyd then sat in the cab of his truck and shot himself in the head. Deputies who went to Boyd’s home found Vivian Mitchell, 45, dead with gunshot and stab wounds. Ingram said Boyd was upset with Mitchell because her ex-boyfriend had started working at the center where Mitchell also worked. The sheriff said it appears Boyd shot Horton because of a previous argument between the two.

TYLER — Tyler Police are asking for the public’s help in finding a shoplifting suspect. It happened Saturday at the WalMart on Hwy 64. Authorities say a white male went to the electronics section of the store, took a laptop computer, valued at $900.00 and walked out of the store without paying. Police say someone in a PT Cruiser was waiting for him in the parking lot. If you have any information, contact Tyler Police or Smith County Crime Stoppers.

LUFKIN — Two Lufkin convenience stores were robbed last week and investigators need your assistance to identify the suspects. On December 8th, an unidentified suspect robbed a convenience store located in the 3100 block of Atkinson Drive in Lufkin. On December 12th, an unidentified suspect robbed a convenience store located in the 1900 block of North Timberland Drive in Lufkin.

In both instances, a suspect entered into the convenience stores just before 9:00 P.M., used a handgun to threaten employees of the stores, and demanded money. The employees complied with the suspect’s demands and the suspect fled on foot from the stores. The suspect in both crimes was described as a black male, approximately nineteen years old, average build, wearing a black hooded-jacket, and dark blue or black jeans. His face was covered with a blue bandana. Police believe the suspect was dropped off and picked up in a white Dodge Caravan.

TYLER – A Smith County home has been destroyed by fire. The fire was reported Wednesday night at the Arthur Freeman residence on County Road 21. Arthur and his wife Tammy smelled smoke and fled to a neighbor’s home. Their house was a total loss. They were not injured. The house had experience electrical problems prior to the fire and that may be what caused it. The fire remains under investigation.

NACOGDOCHES — A single engine plane has crashed near the Nacogdoches airport. The crash occurred around 8:00 Wednesday night. The aircraft was flying from LaPorte to Longview when it experienced engine trouble. It crashed about half a mile from the airport, taking out a power line and some trees. The pilot was not injured.

TYLER – A Tyler aggravated assault is under investigation. It occurred just before 1:15 Thursday morning in the 1400 block of West Claude. According to police Sgt. Michael Burge, the victim was cut on the stomach with a sharp object by an unknown black male. They had been involved in a verbal altercation. The victim was not seriously injured. He was treated at Mother Frances Hospital.

TYLER — A Cherokee County man’s conviction for continuous sexual abuse is affirmed by a state appeals court. Bobby Eugene Coker pleaded guilty in 2009. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison. The 12th Court of Appeals found Coker failed to show the statute used to convict him was unconstitutional.

PICKTON — One person has been killed and one injured on State Highway 11 East in Pickton. The accident happened Wednesday morning. The Department of Public Safety identified the dead man as Melvin Bell, 74, of Sulphur Springs. Reports indicate Bell had drifted across the center of the highway and hit an oncoming pickup. This is the second fatal accident on Highway 11 East in as many days. A Tuesday morning crash killed Lou Dickey, 73, of Sulphur Springs.

CUSHING – Nacogdoches County authorities are looking for two men who robbed the Cushing branch of the Longview Bank & Trust Company. It happened shortly after 3:30 Wednesday morning. The men, wearing masks, broke the front glass window and then used a pry bar to get into the tellers’ cash drawers. They were gone within two minutes. Nacogdoches County Sheriff Thomas Kerss say the men, plus the car they were driving, resemble the suspects in a bank robbery in Joaquin last month.

MARSHALL – A 51-year-old Pittsburg woman has pleaded guilty to theft of public money. Tammye Hollins pleaded guilty to theft of public money and health care fraud on Dec. 14 in Marshall before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Everingham.

According to information presented in court, on June 1, 2006, through June 30, 2010, Hollins devised a scheme to defraud and steal money from the Supplemental Security Income program and Medicaid by making fraudulent statements and representations by failing to report her marital status and sources of income. As part of her plea, Hollins has agreed to pay restitution and a forfeiture judgment to Social Security Administration in the amount of $35,316 and $5,596.57 to Medicaid. Hollins was indicted by a federal grand jury on Sep. 1, 2010. Hollins faces up to three years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER – Two Mexican nationals were sentenced to federal prison Wednesday for transporting illegal aliens. The sentences were handed down in Tyler federal court. German Gonzalez-Espinoza, 20, of Mexico City, Mexico, pleaded guilty on May 6, 2010, to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens in furtherance of the aliens’ unlawful presence in the United States and was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Sergio Hernandez-Cruz, 30, of Tejupilco, Mexico, pleaded guilty on Apr. 21, 2010, to the same charge and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison Wednesday by Judge Davis. Upon completing their sentences, the two will be deported.

According to prosecutors, on Feb. 5, 2010, a van being driven by the two defendants from Dallas to Atlanta was stopped in Van Zandt County, Texas. State troopers notified immigration agents, and an investigation revealed that the occupants of the van were Mexican nationals who were illegally in the United States. Gonzalez-Espinoza and Hernandez-Cruz were indicted by a federal grand jury on Mar. 3, 2010, and charged with immigration violations.

TYLER – Two Mexican nationals have been sentenced in Tyler to federal prison for immigration violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales on Wednesday. Juan Gavino-Hernandez, 29, of Tejupilco, Mexico, pleaded guilty on Aug. 18, 2010 to being a criminal alien unlawfully in the United States after having been previously deported and was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Oscar Garcia-Cadena, 48, of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, pleaded guilty to the same charge on June 10, 2010 and was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison Wednesday by Judge Davis. Both men will be deported upon completing their sentences.

According to authorities, on May 9, 2009, Gavino-Hernandez was found to be in Anderson Countyafter having been previously deported. Gavino-Hernandez was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 6, 2010, and charged with immigration violations. On Mar. 10, 2010, Garcia-Cadena was found to be in Van Zandt County after having been previously deported. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on Apr. 8, 2010, and charged with federal immigration violations.

LINDALE — The Humane Society of the United States, SPCA of East Texas, and Humane Society of North Texas worked with the Smith County District Attorney’s Office to rescue 50 horses from a Lindale property. According to information from the national humane society and KETK, an investigator with the Smith County District Attorney’s office served a seizure warrant to the owner of the horses Tuesday evening, allowing the rescuers to begin removing the horses Wednesday. Humane society officials say many of the horses on site were severely emaciated and showed signs of neglect. Rescuers say the animals were suffering from a variety of medical ailments including overgrown hooves and parasite infestation. Rescuers also found several dead horses and numerous equine skeletons on the scene.

“These horses may have been struggling to survive for quite some time, but now thanks to everyone involved in this rescue they will receive the care they so desperately need,” said Nicole Paquette, Texas senior state director for The HSUS. “It is the responsibility of every horse owner to provide humane, responsible care for their horses at all stages of their lives.” Rescuers have been removing all of the horses from the property and transporting them to a temporary shelter. Officials say once the horses reach the shelter, they will be checked by a team of veterinarians and given any necessary immediate medical care. Officials add that the horses will be cared for at the shelter until their custody is determined.

PITTSBURG (AP) – A man’s self-proclaimed “journey by faith” through Texas and beyond has been delayed after his covered wagon was hit by a vehicle and two of his mules were killed. Gregory Kuehmichel of Mineral Wells was bound for Tyler when the accident happened between Pittsburg and Gilmer, killing his mules named “Courageous” and “Constance.” The Longview News-Journal reported Wednesday that Kuehmichel was traveling along U.S. 271. The Department of Public Safety says half of the wagon was on the highway when the accident happened Saturday morning. The car driver was treated and released from a hospital. Kuehmichel was not hurt, but his covered wagon was destroyed. He’s vowed to continue his journey, which in 2008 included a trip to Wisconsin, if he can get a new wagon and more mules.

TYLER — Tyler officials say efforts to expand the economic impact of the Rose Season paid off this year with an estimated $2,041,529 spent by attendees at the three-week long event – up from $973,706 in 2009. Hotel-motel occupancy tax revenue during the month of October also rose significantly according to information from the State Comptroller’s Office; revenue grew by more than $20,000 over the same month in 2009.

“Following the Rose Festival in 2009 we formed a committee to look at ways we could capitalize upon the event to attract more visitors to Tyler,” commented City Manager Mark McDaniel. “We already had several longstanding, successful attractions – so it was simply a matter of adding additional activities that appealed to a broad range of visitors and getting the word out across the State. The result was the three-week long Rose Season.”

In addition to the traditional Rose Parade, Queen’s Tea and Coronation, the 2010 Rose Season included Tyler’s first full marathon, the Festival on the Square Texas Music Concert, a self-guided garden tour, horticulture workshops, the Master Gardener Fall Conference and Bulb Sale, an arts and crafts fair and much more. “By expanding the Rose Season into three weekends, we were able to offer a variety of events that were marketable to a cross section of tourists,” added Convention and Visitors’ Bureau Chief Operating Officer Henry Bell. “We focused our marketing efforts on this region as well as the major metro areas such as Dallas.”

Overall, reports from the planners of Rose Season events showed that attendance grew from 57,410 attendees in 2009 to 83,839 in 2010. More than 50 percent of attendees were considered tourists from outside Smith County and overnight stays grew from 1,423 in 2009 to 1,878 in 2010.

Some events that were part of the Rose Season had been held at other times of the year in the past. The Festival on the Square had traditionally been held in September; however, to reach a critical mass, the event was moved to October as part of the Rose Season line up. The concert occurred the night before the Rose Marathon, which allowed for cross marketing of both events, and drew an estimate 2,500 attendees. “The Tyler Rose Marathon was a great addition to the Season’s events,” said McDaniel. “It drew more than 1,800 people and resulted in 302 hotel room nights.” At least 70 percent of the marathon’s participants were from outside Smith County, with six percent coming from other states.

“Planning for the 2011 Rose Season is already underway,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. “The spirit of cooperation that is growing is positioning tourism as a major economic driver in our community. I have every confidence that we will continue to see growth moving forward.” The year-to-date hotel-motel occupancy tax has grown more than 10 percent as compared to the same period in 2009.

TYLER — A Cherokee County man’s conviction for continuous sexual abuse is affirmed by a state appeals court. According to KETK, Bobby Eugene Coker pleaded guilty in 2009. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison. The 12th Court of Appeals found Coker failed to show the statute used to convict him was unconstitutional.

TYLER — The driver of a Tyler school bus involved in a collision this week is getting some re-training behind the wheel. Two students on board during the crash were taken to a local hospital for precautionary reasons. The driver of the bus was cited for making an improper turn. School officials now say all Tyler ISD transportation employees involved in collisions are required to retrain prior to returning to the job. The training would include toxicology testing, defensive driving and practical behind the wheel assessments.

TYLER — A Tyler man has been sentenced to prison for robbing a Tyler drug store. On Monday, Jerry Craig Jr., 32, pleaded guilty to the July robbery of the CVS Pharmacy on South Broadway at East 5th Street. Craig decided to let a jury assess his punishment. After about two hours of deliberations Tuesday, the jury sentenced him to 42 years in prison.

MOUNT PLEASANT – The victims in a Monday morning crash in Titus County have been identified. The accident happened around 4:45am on State Highway 49, eight miles east of Mount Pleasant. Dead at the scene were Javier Galvez, 34, of Winfield, who was driving a Pilgrim’s Pride truck, and Tommy Gilbert, 51, of Wichita, Kansas, whose refrigerated truck contained frozen pizzas. According to the Department of Public Safety, Galvez may have fallen asleep and his truck drifted across the roadway. He appears to have tried to get back in his lane but struck the oncoming truck head on. Both trucks then burst into flames.

TYLER — On October 5, Louis and Peaches Owen made a record philanthropic donation of $18 million to Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler to help construct the area’s first stand alone heart hospital. Tuesday, hospital officials unveiled the completion of Phase One of The Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital, which is located in the Ornelas Tower.

Phase One is a new Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) with twenty-four private rooms for care of cardiac patients. This unit employs the modified universal bed model, allowing all aspects of pre- and post-operative cardiac care to be delivered in one room. As patients progress through the healing process, hospital officials say, the resources of the patient’s room flex to meet the needs of the patient, rather than having the patient move through different units of the hospital. Families are encouraged to participate in the healing process.

Officials also announced the naming of the cardiac intensive care unit as the William Powell, MD, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Dr. Powell, now retired, was one of the first heart surgeons to practice at Mother Frances Hospital.

The Owen Heart Hospital will be completed in two phases. Construction of Phase Two begins in the spring of 2011 and should take 18 months to complete. The Heart Hospital will be six stories; include comprehensive cardiac, thoracic and vascular services; and stand east of and adjacent to Mother Frances Hospital.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College dual-credit students will benefit from a $25,000 grant the college has received from the AT&T Foundation, TJC officials have announced. “This grant will launch the AT&T Scholars Program,” said Dr. Kim Russell, TJC Foundation director. “The goal of this pilot program is to encourage more economically disadvantaged students to complete college-level courses while they are still in high school. We know that if at-risk high school students successfully complete one or more college-level courses while still in high school, they are more likely to graduate and have a greater chance of attaining a post-secondary degree or certificate in the future.” At a news conference announcing the grant, Russell was joined by TJC President Dr. Mike Metke, State Sen. Kevin Eltife, Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid, and AT&T Foundation Director Candice Gast.

HENDERSON — On Monday at approximately 11:15 p.m., the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit seized approximately 5 lbs. of marijuana during a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 59 in the southern part of the county. KETK reports that during the traffic stop of an SUV, the deputy suspected criminal activity and asked the suspects for consent to search the vehicle. Authorities say both suspects occupying the vehicle agreed to the search. According to authorities, during the search of the back seat area, the deputy discovered five bags which contained marijuana. A sheriff’s department news release says the deputy seized the drugs, then arrested and charged both suspects with possession of marijuana. The suspects, of Cleveland, Mississippi, remain in the Rusk County Jail. They’re named as 26-year-old Jermaine Lamonte Farmer and 21-year-old Steve Terrell. Justice of the Peace Bob Richardson set bond for both men at $15,000.

TYLER — Two men have pleaded guilty in 114th District Court to burning several churches across Smith County. James Bourque, 20, and Daniel McAllister, 22, pleaded guilty yesterday morning in 114th District. Bourque was charged with five counts of arson and three counts of arson attempts, while McAllister was charged with two counts of arson and two arson attempts. The arson charges are first-degree felonies, for which the state recommends a life sentence in prison. The arson attempts are second-degree felonies, and the state recommends a 20-year sentence for those. Both McAllister and Bourque pled guilty to all charges, which means they gave up their right to a jury and witnesses. The court will meet again on January 10th at 8:30am to discuss their sentences.

HENDERSON — A Henderson man is arrested for possession of methamphetamine. Police say 56-year-old William Ricky George was arrested Friday night after a traffic stop for possession of a controlled substance. His was also driving on a suspended license. While police searched his vehicle, they came across several items that are used in making meth as well as thousands of dollars in cash. He was released from jail after posting $9,500 bond.

GILMER — An East Texas man is on trial for intentionally setting a fire. Testimony in the arson trial of Wesley Leon Spangler started Monday in Gilmer. The 39-year-old is charged in connection to a March 19, 2008 blaze. Officials say the building where Spangler was living caught fire. He’s also indicted on a separate charge of insurance fraud stemming from the same incident.