KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER � Tyler police have located a missing person. The search began yesterday for Arabelia Ramirez, 80, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer�s and is also in poor health. She had last been seen leaving Gilbert�s El Charro at East 5th and Loop 323 around noon yesterday. Mrs. Ramirez was found driving in the City of Hudson Oaks, Texas. She was found in good condition and was released to family members.

LONGVIEW — We�ll be getting the final numbers shortly for the 61st annual Gregg County Fair. But from the looks of the crowds, but attendance should be outstanding. Outstanding weather and more attractions were responsible for the big crowds. The annual Gregg County Fair finished its run over the weekend.

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

HENDERSON COUNTY — Work has begun to repair a bridge on State Highway 334 closed since Wednesday evening. The bridge, which spans a northern portion of Cedar Creek Lake, is located between Seven Points and Gun Barrel City in northwest Henderson County. Crews will be repairing a sheared bridge column, the damage to which forced the bridge’s closure on Wednesday evening.

TxDOT inspectors determined that the damage to the column, which is just above the waterline, was likely caused by being struck by a heavy boat or barge. TxDOT officials met with contractors Friday morning to discuss the work after an inspection by the department’s dive team indicated the bridge would have to remain closed until repairs could be made.

“We’re hoping that by Tuesday morning, the bridge is open to traffic,” said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. “We don’t like having to close roads or bridges, but we’re not about to gamble with the public’s safety on our system.” A TxDOT incident hotline has been established for this closure to provide the latest information to the public. That number is 1-866-633-8106. Updated information will also be posted on TxDOT’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/TxDOT Videos posted on the site featuring the bridge inspection process and close-ups of the damage registered more than 1,500 hits overnight between Thursday evening and Friday morning.

TxDOT’s posted detour takes traffic north from Seven Points on SH 274 to Kemp, then south and east on US 175 to SH 198, then south on SH 198 to Gun Barrel City.

Also this week in Henderson County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on SH 315 between FM 279 north of Chandler and FM 314 south of Moore Station. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform seal coat operations on State Highway 135 between Jacksonville and Troup. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and traffic will be controlled by flaggers. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several days of resurfacing operations in various locations along State Highway 43 between Henderson and Tatum. A second crew is scheduled to be at work on U.S. Highway 259 south of Kilgore performing shoulder work. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to 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 repair operations on Farm Road 751 in the northwest corner of the county between the Hunt County Line and FM 47 in Wills Point. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on US 80 east of Mineola between Loop 564 and Farm Road 2422, and in various locations on U.S. Highway 80 in and around Hawkins. 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.

TYLER — Business is booming at Tyler’s downtown Cotton Belt Depot Museum — home to model trains galore, along with various artifacts tracing railroad history in East Texas and beyond. Glenn Wilkins, the director of museum activities, was a guest on KTBB “Staff Meeting.” He says visitors come from far and wide, as shown by a map at the museum on which people place pins to show where they’re from. According to Wilkins, since the map was hung in 2006, guests have come in from all 50 states and 31 foreign countries. Wilkins says there’s lots of fun for the whole family at the museum, where the highly valued Bragg Collection of model trains is a centerpiece. He adds that you’re welcome to add to the museum’s displays, either by making a gift or lending something.

Admission to the museum is free, but you’re urged to call ahead if you’re planning on bringing a large group. You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org and click on the “Visitors” tab for more information. You can also go to http://www.ktbb.com/audio beginning early Monday to hear the “Staff Meeting” show online.

LONGVIEW — A shooting Saturday morning in Longview sends three to the hospital. Authorities say Robert Lynn Buchanan has been arrested and is now in the Gregg County Jail. Buchanan is charged with four counts of aggravated assault. The incident happened around 11:50 at a residence on 2407 Pickett Street. Police received a call of shots fired. Witnesses told officers that one of the victims, a 21-year-old man, had been arguing with his uncle when the uncle fired two shots at the victim. The shots mostly missed the 21-year-old victim, only causing him a minor wound, but struck three other family members at the residence.

A 17-year-old male victim was struck in the groin area, a ten-year-old female victim was struck in the leg and a nine-year-old female victim was struck on her feet. None of the four victims received life-threatening injuries and the three younger ones were transported to a Longview area hospital for treatment.

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to a disturbance call Friday night and arrested one man. It happened around 9:40 at 1337 Cold Water Cove, a subdivision in Hollytree. Authorities say they received a call about a man in the home who “shoot up” the place. The caller told police that the man was possibly intoxicated on prescription drugs, had a weapon and was making threatening remarks towards cops. Officers along with the SWAT team surrounded the home and were able to talk the man out without incident. Police say the man involved in the standoff was John Harvey, 51. He was taken to the hospital for a medical exam, then to the Smith County Jail. After a search of the home, authorities found a significant amount of damage. The estimate of the damage was over $100,000.

TYLER — Six Tyler faith- and community-based agencies were awarded a total of $186,505 in grants to build their capacity to address priorities set by the North Tyler community. That’s the word from A Circle of Ten, Inc. Leaders of A Circle of Ten announced funding to Christian Men�s Job Corps, Project HEAT, Arts & Humanities Council of East TX, Sisters in Christ, New Integrated Beginnings and Spring Creek Baptist Church. The money comes through the Expanding Capacity Opportunities for Nonprofits Initiative grant from the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services.

Each of the awardees will focus on two or more of the previously identified community priorities, determined earlier this year during several priority setting meetings as part of the efforts of the North Tyler Rebuild America Initiative. More information is available at http://www.etvv.org or 903-541-0013.

TYLER � The third suspect in a recent Tyler home invasion has been identified as 19-year-old Traevon Marlon Ray of Tyler. Tyler police say they’ve been unable to locate Ray. A warrant has been issued for his arrest for aggravated robbery. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to arrests and charges filed against the suspects in this or any felony case.

Earlier, Tyler Police Investigators arrested Torriunte Jacoby Pollard, 20, of Tyler. Bond was set at $150,000. Previously arrested in the case was Channing Javier House, 17. His bond is also $150,000. Police say the incident happened around 11:30 p.m. Monday at the Dovetree Apartments at 1600 Rice Road. The victims say they thought a friend was at the door when three black males aged about 18 to 21, with bandanas over their faces, forced their way into the apartment. Victims told officers the suspects had a gun and rummaged through the apartment, taking an undisclosed amount of property before fleeing.

DALLAS — Two-year-old Jaden McClean — who accidentally shot himself Wednesday — is in stable condition today. According to KETK, the family says he was up watching Spongebob and moved out of the Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas Friday afternoon. According to Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith, Jaden wandered into an office at the Sportsmans Club in Smith County, found a handgun on a desk, and accidentally shot himself in the head. The boy’s grandmother, one of the club’s owners, was reportedly busy when the toddler wandered off. The case will be referred to the DA for possible charges against the grandmother.

TYLER — Tyler’s PATH agency kicks off its 25th Anniversary “Faith in Our Future” campaign. The fund drive was announced at Thursday night’s PATH 25th Anniversary Dinner, part of PATH Week in Tyler. The goal is go raise $1,000,000 by the end of 2012. PATH officials point out that that more than 26,000 people turn to PATH for help each year — and things have gotten especially challenging since the economy worsened. According to information from the agency, “The funds generated by the 25th Anniversary Campaign will establish a fund to help sustain future, inevitable, economic downturns. This fund will be managed by the Board through special provision policies.” Longtime PATH volunteer C.C. Baker Jr. says $215,300 has been raised so far.

Speakers at the dinner were former PATH Executive Director Nancy Lamar; current agency chief Christina Fulsom; and the Very Rev. M.L. Agnew, who helped organize PATH in 1985. Cecil Ward, who has served PATH in various capacities, won the agency’s Gertrude Windsor Award. PATH officials say that honor, named for PATH’s founder, goes to someone who exemplifies the spirit of PATH by giving selflessly and quietly. The agency’s Stone Soup Award, inspired by the old folk tale “Stone Soup,” went to Emalene Clouse. She crochets baby blankets and donates them to PATH.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview investigate a shooting at a local motel. It happened around 5:55 p.m. Thursday. Officers were dispatched to the Sunset Inn at 1308 West Marshall Avenue after someone reported gunfire. Lucian Alexander of Longview was found with a gunshot wound to the head. Alexander was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Witnesses stated that Alexander and another man had been fighting in the parking lot, when a woman stepped up and shot Alexander. The female suspect and the man fighting with Alexander then fled in a silver Toyota Camry. Officers stopped the vehicle on I- 20, just west of Longview and detained the female driver and male passenger. A 9mm handgun was located inside the car. Janet Embry, 42, Henderson, was charged with aggravated assault . She was booked into the Gregg County Jail.

TYLER — A six year old who was wearing a seat belt, but not in a booster seat, has been killed in a one vehicle accident in Smith County. Dead at the scene was Moises Marino of Tyler. The wreck happened around 4:30 Thursday afternoon north of Tyler on County Road 381. The boy�s mother and two other children in the mini van, were injured, but not seriously. The Department of Public Safety says the van left the roadway and hit a tree.

CANEY CITY — A Henderson County toddler is in serious condition in a Dallas hospital after a pickup backed over him. The accident happened yesterday at the Sunshine Fina station on State Highway 198 in Caney City. The 18-month-old child�s mother works at the station. Investigators say the boy�s mother often brings him to the station when she has to work. Somehow, the youngster got out of her sight and wandered into the station�s parking lot. The pickup�s cab is so high that the driver, said to be the boy�s uncle, didn�t see the child. The youngster is being treated at Children�s Medical Center.

HENDERSON — The State Fire Marshal�s Office has been asked to assist in determining the cause of a mobile home fire. The home on County Road 2125 was destroyed by a Wednesday morning blaze. The mobile home was a crime scene a couple of years ago.

It was in that home that 13-month-old Amora Carson was beaten to death as a couple tried to remove demons from the child during an exorcism in December, 2008. A forensic pathologist, Dr. Keith Pinckard of the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences, said the little girl suffered a long list of injuries. He told of numerous broken bones, lacerations of her brain and liver and severe tears to her sexual organs. He said the potentially fatal injuries were so numerous that he couldn’t determine a specific cause of death.

The baby�s mother, Jessica Carson, remains in the Rusk County Jail pending her trail. The woman�s boyfriend, Blaine Milam, 20, was convicted of capital murder four months ago. His trail was moved from Henderson to Conroe on a change of venue.

LONGVIEW — By this time next month, Longview could have a new fire chief. City Manager David Willard will recommend J.P. Steelman as Chief of the Longview Fire Department. Steelman has served as Interim Fire Chief since February. According to Willard, �Throughout the hiring process, J.P. demonstrated that he is the best fit for the job. I have been very pleased with his leadership as Interim Fire Chief, especially during this tough budget cycle.� The request will be presented to the city council at the October 14th meeting.