KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The largest shopping day of the year, commonly called Black Friday, is approaching fast and auto burglars will shop the easy way, by stealing your gifts, purses wallets, packages or other valuables you leave in plain sight inside your vehicle.

Authorities say, every 2 ½ minutes, a vehicle is burglarized in Texas with its contents stolen. These crimes escalate during this time of year when people increase shopping and do not take the necessary precautions to protect personal items left in a vehicle. Auto burglars scout shopping malls and other large parking lots, waiting for the opportunity to break into a vehicle. Within seconds, they take your items, your identity, and sometimes, your car. Drivers need to understand careless actions with vehicles and items left inside actually help auto burglars and thieves.

The Tyler Police Department offers these basic safety tips to motorists and shoppers
to prevent these crimes from occurring during the holiday season.

1) Do not follow too closely to the vehicle in front of you, slow your vehicle
speed down, don’t run red lights and please don’t Drink and Drive.

2) Hide your belongings and gifts from eyesight and lock them in your trunk or
cover them.

3) Lock your car, take the keys, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

4) Do not be a victim of a Pigeon Drop. Suspects will make you think you are
going to get a large amount of money and end up taking all of yours.

Officials say suspects will usually want to take you to your bank or ATM machine and these scams normally involve large sums of money. The department will have an increased patrol presence in shopping areas by providing bike officers and patrol officers.

OVERTON — A man walking his dog has stumbled across a body in an Overton alley. The body of the woman, thought to be in her mid 50s, was found Sunday afternoon. Authorities believe it’s a woman who had recently moved to the area from Florida. Her name has not been released pending notification of relatives. Foul play is not suspected but an autopsy has been ordered and the investigation is continuing.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University’s “Sting” Precision Flight Team won first place overall, first place in ground events and third place in the flying events at the recent National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s 2010 Region IV SAFECON competition. It was hosted by Central Texas College in Killeen, Texas. The team’s first place overall win at regionals qualifies the students to compete May 16-21, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio at The Ohio State University.

“This is the third consecutive year we have won first place in this competition,” said Brad Wooden, assistant chief flight instructor, faculty advisor and team coach. “Weather played a role in the scheduling of events this year. Tuesday, the weather was cold, rainy and windy, so we weren’t able to practice landings. All the ground events were completed on Wednesday. Thursday was too windy to safely do landings, so navigation and message drop were held. Landings were done on Friday when wind died down.”

LeTourneau competes regionally with schools in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

Members of the 2010-11 “Sting” Precision Flight Team from LeTourneau University are, pictured from left, Rachel Ballou, Michael Felts, Caleb Waite, Brandon McCann, Sam Myers, Steve Hederstedt, Bennett Hoogewerf, Jered Gebel, Patrick Harney, Stephanie Amavisca, Ken Misiak, Alex Minium, Chad Mertz, Jessie Mellon, Marc Gravelle and Daniel Johnson.

CANTON — The Sheriff’s Association of Texas awarded a $500 scholarship to Arlene Holt, daughter of James and Kristi Holt of Wills Point. The scholarship was presented by Sheriff R. P. “Pat” Burnett, Jr. This was one of many scholarships awarded by the Sheriff’s Association of Texas all over the state. This is a by-product of being an associate member of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas along with Officers receiving free training. Ms. Holt is attending the University of North Texas in Denton and is majoring in English. Pictured are Sheriff Burnett and Arlene and Kristi Holt.

TYLER — The economy doesn’t seem to be affecting people’s plans for a big Thanksgiving feast. Sam Greenberg with Greenberg Smoked Turkeys in Tyler says business is booming this year. Initially, he expected to sell about 200,000 birds. But now he says, “If Thanksgiving is any indication, that won’t be enough this year. I have never seen anything like our demand this year — and it looks like the consumer is back.” Most of Greenberg’s sales are done online, but the company has started providing turkeys through Central Market Stores.

TYLER (Staff/AP) – The Chapel Hill murder case that sent shock waves throughout East Texas is still pending. According to KETK, Amanda Anderson’s 15-year-old brother Nathaniel, who has been accused of her murder, was ordered held in the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center for another 10 days after a detention hearing in Tyler Monday morning. Assistant DA Tonda Curry tells the Tyler Morning Telegraph that Nathaniel is charged with delinquent conduct because he is a juvenile — too young to be charged with murder unless certified to stand trial as an adult. Attorneys J. Brett Harrison, Buck Files and Jennifer Deen will be representing Anderson. Tyler attorney Cynthia Kent has been appointed as the boy’s guardian, since his parents are also the victim’s parents. So far, plans for Nathaniel to be tried as an adult have not yet been sought. The next hearing in the case will be on December 6th.

AUSTIN — Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples has officially recognized the city of Henderson as a GO TEXAN Certified Retirement Community (CRC). The CRC Program helps communities attract retirees and potential retirees to make their homes in Texas. Henderson is the 39th community in the state to be certified.
“I extend my most sincere congratulations to the citizens and leaders of Henderson for achieving this notable certification,” Commissioner Staples said. “Not only do retirees have a significant economic impact on the regions in which they reside, but they also bring a wealth of knowledge and energy to community service, employment and business.” To become a CRC, communities must complete an application and retirement desirability assessment covering a wide range of topics.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police along with the assistance of the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit executed a narcotics search warrant at 213 South Houston Street Friday around 1:45. Authorities found a quantity of methamphetamine and GHB was also located. Timothy “Timbo” Hutchison of Longview was arrested and charged with possession of controlled substance and delivery of controlled substance.

TYLER — An arrest has been made in a Monday morning stabbing incident in Tyler. Police responded to 518 West Selman around 6:00 on a disturbance call. Investigators determined that two neighbors who both live in separate apartments in the same large residence were involved in an argument. Police allege that Joshua Ishiah Malina, 20, stabbed Marcus Williams, 31, several times with a knife during the altercation. According to police, Williams was transported to East Texas Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, and Malina fled the scene on foot.

Police say during the investigation, Malina showed back up at the scene of the incident and was taken into custody by police. Malina was charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and placed into the Smith County Jail with a $100,000 dollar bond.

TYLER — The Chapel Hill teen charged in the shooting death of his sister is scheduled for a hearing today. Amanda Anderson, 18, was found 8 weeks ago murdered in her Chapel Hill home. Her brother, Nathaniel, is being detained in the Smith County Juvenile Detention Center. According to KETK, the prosecution says his detainment is suggested because he may represent a possible danger to himself and the public. Anderson’s attorney, Jeff Haas, has asked for a mental evaluation for the teen suspect.

TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation has announced that it expects to complete three projects by the end of this month, which would bring the total number of projects under construction to 18 across the Tyler District.

In Smith County, TxDOT announced contractor APAC-Texas, Inc., of Dallas, is scheduled to complete a $1.3 million repair-and-resurface contract on the westbound lanes of Interstate Highway 20 between State Highway 110 and the Van Zandt County Line. The project let to contract in August and began October 11. “We’ve made some huge improvements in our pavement on the Interstate in the past few years,” said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. “This is one of the areas that we’d had on hold while we’ve gotten the other projects done. We’re very pleased that it will be open to traffic for the Thanksgiving holiday.”

Also in Smith County, contractor Simon Traylor & Sons, of Jacksonville, is scheduled to complete a $165,000 project to repair and resurface Cedar Camp Loop Road and campsite pads in Tyler State Park. The project let to contract in July and began in October.

In Rusk County, TxDOT contractor Encino Landscape, Inc., of Cleveland, Texas, is scheduled to complete a $75,000 Green Ribbon landscaping project to add shrubbery to traffic islands around the Henderson Star. The project let to contract in August and began in October. Green Ribbon projects are landscaping projects that target counties either in or close to non-attainment of air-quality standards.

Looking ahead to December, TxDOT has one project set to break ground. Contractor A.L. Helmcamp, Inc., of Buffalo, Texas, is scheduled to begin a $2.2 million project to add 3-foot shoulders to and resurface Farm Road 344 in Smith County between Farm Road 346 in Teaselville and U.S. Highway 69 in Bullard. The project let to contract in August.

TxDOT also plans to let three projects to contract in December. In Henderson County, TxDOT is planning an approximate $782,000 project to add shoulders to and resurface Farm Road 314 between the Van Zandt County Line south of Edom and Henderson County Road 3300, approximately one mile north of State Highway 31 in Brownsboro.

A second project will repair and resurface State Highway 31 from Farm Road 314 in Brownsboro to the east intersection with Farm Road 3204.

Finally, in Cherokee County, TxDOT is planning a combined $1.4 million project to add 3-foot shoulders to and resurface a portion of Farm Road 752 south of Farm Road 241 in Rusk, and the same on Farm Road 2137 between Farm Road 344 west of Bullard and Farm Road 855.

TYLER — Tyler Police respond to a home invasion Sunday morning just before 1:30 at 533 Bandera Drive. Authorities say the suspects reportedly kicked in the victim’s door and came into the house. Officers say the suspects stopped when they noticed the homeowner. The victim stated he then heard a gunshot and fired a round from his handgun in response. No one was injured and the suspects fled the area immediately following the incident.

LINDALE — The Tyler Junior College presence in Lindale is growing to meet increased demand. The College has entered into a lease agreement that will provide an additional 2,700 square feet of space for TJC-Lindale, located in the Identity Center, 2808 N. Main St.

The lease agreement was approved by the TJC Board of Trustees on
Thursday. The new space is on the east side of the Identity Center Complex. It will provide three new classrooms and two additional office spaces, said Heather Stokke, TJC-Lindale site coordinator. The College presently operates two classrooms with office space on the north side of the Identity Center. TJC-Lindale is home to a cohort of licensed vocational nursing students and offers core curriculum credit and continuing education courses.

The new space will be ready for Spring 2011 classes.

TYLER — The decision has been made and Judge Kelly will stay on Patric Kelly’s case. Attorney Thad Davidson has been fighting to have Judge Jack Skeen removed from a child sex ring case. Kelly was convicted in 2008 for his alleged role in a Mineola child sex ring.

In June, a Houston appeals court found his conviction should be reversed and re-tried. The same court said that Judge Skeen gave Kelly an unfair trial and should be removed from the case. However, after reviewing paperwork, Senior District Judge Alvin Khoury ruled that there is no reason to remove him from the trial. Khoury says, “Judge Skeen, not being perfect because he is human, certainly could have done a better job, but i have to believe he gave it his best efforts.”

According to KETK, Kelly’s attorney Thad Davidson, says he respects Khoury’s decision, but still believes Kelly has not and will not get a fair trial.

No date has been set yet for Kelly’s retrial.

TROUP — The Assistant Principal of Troup High School has been placed on leave and allegations are being investigated. According to KETK, Mike Staples has been at Troup High School only since the beginning of this school year. He came to Troup from West Rusk High School where he was the assistant there as well.

Superintendent Marvin Beaty told KETK that there were allegations, and they are being investigated. He added though that Staples was under contract, and had not resigned. Under the terms of his contract, he can only be dismissed by the board, and that action has not taken place.

“Mr. Staples is on paid leave, and we are conducting an investigation,” said Beaty, “but there is no change in contract status at this juncture. We should conclude the investigation today, and then to make a determination as to exactly what happened and then meet with Mr. Staples. I’m in hopes of being done with this before thanksgiving. We just need to figure out what happened exactly first.”
Staples was the interim Principal at West Rusk High School while a search was completed and a new principal hired last Spring. He left there and went to Troup this year.