KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A man who held off SWAT team officers for about 2 hours before he was taken into custody. He’s now being sought after Smith County jailers mistakenly let him go. Officials are searching for Steven Ehrlish, 33, Lindale, after his accidental release on May 31. A jailer reportedly received a teletype from the Watauga Police Department stating a warrant they had for Erlish had been dismissed. The jailer mistook that message as the prisoner’s holding warrant and released him. They realized the mistake several hours later. If you have any information about his location, contact authorities.

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County Sheriff’s Deputy that was arrested over the weekend for DWI has resigned. Officials say Albert Lee Hill, 47, was found passed out in his vehicle at the intersection of Sunnybrook and Old Jacksonville Friday night. Hill was released from the Smith County Jail on a $500 bond.

TYLER — A dead body has been found in a vacant field in Tyler. Just before 7:45 last night police were dispatched to the 400 block of the North Northeast Loop. The remains were found by a man who was mowing the field with a brush hog. The body was badly decomposed. Due to the state of decomposition, the initial investigators are not yet able to determine the manner of death, age, race or sex of the individual. An autopsy has been ordered.

NACOGDOCHES – A four vehicle accident in Nacogdoches has killed one person. It happened around 5:45 Tuesday afternoon in the 1800 block of Loop 224. The victim is identified as Cherylee Anne Silva, 61, of Nacogdoches. Investigators say the accident occurred when a north bound pickup veered into the south bound lane and hit Silva’s car. The accident caused a truck to hit Silva’s car and the pickup struck another truck.

GLADEWATER — A man has drowned in Lake Gladewater. It happened around 5:15 Tuesday afternoon. His body was found about two hours later. Witnesses say Aceon Jones, 25 of Gladewater, was swimming when he suddenly went under. Game wardens say there is a drop off where the man drowned. The victim’s family says the man was in good shape.

TYLER — A young boy is hospitalized after being pulled from a Tyler swimming pool. It happened just before 8:15 Tuesday night at The Cambridge Apartments, 3088 Old Omen Road. Aston Wade, 4, was found floating in the pool. A Bystander was administering CPR when police and emergency personnel arrived. The youngster was first taken to East Texas Medical Center and later transferred to Children’s Hospital in Dallas. Investigators say the child, and the adults he was with, live in Tyler but do not live at the apartments where the pool is located. The investigation is continuing.

TYLER — Tyler police are sorting through conflicting reports concerning an overnight shooting. Shortly after 9:15 Tuesday night, Kenneth Mass, 56, was found lying on a porch at a home in the 1900 block of North Gaston. He had been shot once in the shoulder. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. Investigators are trying to sort through the conflicting stories to determine what happened as well as establish a motive for the shooting.

HUNTINGTON – A Tyler man has been injured in a one car accident on U.S. Highway 69 between Huntington and Zavalla. Flown to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center was Ryan Edmund Morgan, 28. The Department of Public Safety reports Morgan’s car left the road, rolled several times, and then ended up side down on a creek embankment. He is said to have suffered a broken arm and leg. What caused the accident remains under investigation.

EAST TEXAS — A Whitehouse man suffered severe injuries after being struck by a vehicle on State Highway 31 near Smith County Road 24 late Monday night. He is identified as Kyle Bush, 43. According to the Department of Public Safety, Bush’s truck was traveling west on State Highway 31 when it veered into a PT Cruiser that was stopped at a stop sign on CR 24. The truck flipped upon impact. Bush was able to get out and started walking for help when he was struck by a third vehicle.

TYLER — Falling interest rates and policies implemented to preserve a high bond rating for Smith County are factors that will make paying off the recently passed jail bond faster and less expensive than originally anticipated. That’s according to an update from Specialized Public Finance, Inc., to the Commissioners Court Tuesday. Officials say Smith County may save up to $253,000 and two years of payments on the $35 million in bonds recently approved by Smith County voters. “It’s good to know that we may be able to pay this off even sooner and save money for the citizens of Smith County because of these lower rates,” County Judge Joel Baker said.

Financial analyst Steven Adams told the court that a total of $40.875 million in bonds will be issued: $35 million from the jail bond passed in May plus the refunding of existing debt. The bonds will go to bid on Monday, June 27, after the county receives an updated bond rating.

“The timing is outstanding. Our rating may come back even better than where we are right now. We are already in the cream of the crop, but we could be at the very top,” Commissioner Jeff Warr said. “The citizens had faith that we were putting together a good plan. It is great timing.” Officials say the entire bond sale process should close and funds should be delivered to the Court to use by July 26. “This is a huge savings and we want the citizens to know that,” Commissioner Terry Phillips said.

TYLER — Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham confirms the death of his friend and Smith County Assistant DA Guy Conine early Tuesday morning of heart-related problems. Conine was 54 years old.
Conine began his work in Smith County in the mid-90s, stopping his work as an assistant district attorney for awhile to work in his own private practice. He eventually returned as a felony prosecutor in September of 2008. Bingham described Conine as “someone who never talked bad about anyone” — a person with a kind heart, who was “dedicated to his family, especially his grandson, Adam.” Bingham added, “He worked really hard for the people of Smith County.” According to KETK, on Friday, there will be a graveside service at 10:00 a.m., followed by an 11:00 a.m. memorial service at Colonial Hills Baptist Church.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to restrict the sale and use of certain aerial fireworks outside of city limits for the Fourth of July Fireworks season and as needed during existence of drought conditions. The ban applies to the sale and use of fireworks that are “rockets with sticks” or “missiles with fins.” A violation of a Commissioners Court fireworks restriction is a class C misdemeanor under state law. The ban will not have any effect on commercial displays of fireworks.

First Assistant Smith County Fire Marshal Oren Hale told the court Tuesday morning that the ban needed to be implemented due to dry conditions and the unpredictable nature of aerial fireworks. “This is a small percentage of fireworks sold,” Hale said. “They are unstable. These types of fireworks are supposed to go in the air and burn up before they hit the ground. Unfortunately, many times they do not take that path.”

As of Tuesday, no burn ban has been issued for Smith County. Hale reported that the drought index in Smith County was 624, and that local fire departments had battled approximately 100 acres of wildfire due careless burning in the past seven days. According to Hale, the Fire Marshal’s office monitors the drought index, the volume of fires reported, and severity of the fires to determine when a burn ban is warranted. Hale said the Fire Marshal’s office is monitoring the situation closely. “We try to hold off on asking for a burn ban as long as possible, due to the economic impact it can have the area,” Hale said.

TYLER — After a lengthy four year investigation a 77-year-old Cherokee County licensed deer breeder has pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegally transporting wildlife in the Eastern District of Texas and then lying about it to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife agent.

Billy Powell pleaded guilty to the felony offense of smuggling at least 37 whitetail deer, over a 3 year time span, from Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio into Texas in violation of state and federal laws. Powell also admitted that he made a false statement and submitted a false document to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife special agent who was looking into the matter. Powell has agreed to pay a $1 million fine, to be deposited into the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Lacy Act Reward Fund, as well as $500,000.00 in restitution to Texas Parks and Wildlife, on his sentencing date.

Powell’s agreement with the government calls for Powell to serve 3 years probation with six months of home confinement which will be monitored with an electric anklet. During the term of probation, Powell will be prohibited from participating in any manner in commercial deer breeding.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man could face life in prison after admitting he planned to sell more than 240 grams of hydrocodone from his home. Raffiel Sirmon Cox, 31, entered a guilty plea Monday to first-degree felony drug possession, which carries a punishment range between five and 99 years, or life in prison.

Cox was arrested July 3 by Longview Police responding to a disturbance call at his 310 Davis St. home. While there, an officer saw a marijuana-filled cigar and a clear plastic bag with 6.7 grams of hydrocodone pills. Officers found another 234.2 grams of yellow and green hydrocodone pills and a large denomination of U.S. currency in a safe, reports showed. Cox was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

A sentencing hearing has not been set. Cox is out of jail on $20,000 bond.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin mother was arrested Monday morning for reportedly leaving her 1-year-old child home alone. Ashley Nicole Montgomery, 22, was arrested after 1:00 on a charge of abandoning a child with the intent to return.

An off-duty officer working security at Pinewood Park Apartments walked by a unit and heard a child crying inside. He stopped for a second and several people told him they saw the mother leave the apartment more than 30 minutes before he walked by. They said when asked about the child, she told them the baby wasn’t at the apartment, an arrest report stated. After searching, the witnesses reportedly found an open window and coaxed the child to it. They got the baby out of the apartment and turned it over to the officer.

Montgomery remained in the Angelina County Jail Monday on a $3,500 bond.

GILMER — The Upshur County District Attorney is under investigation for a possible violation of the Texas Constitution. According to KETK, documents show Billy Byrd has reportedly been paying employees bonuses with money from his hot-check fund. The Texas attorney general’s press office confirmed it received a letter May 6 from another county official requesting investigative assistance. It said the “matter is under review.” Byrd paid employee Christmas bonuses in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and wrote subsequent checks to reimburse the county for taxes on the bonuses, according to Upshur County documents.

MANGUM, OKLA. (AP) — A pool of prospective jurors remains at 21 four weeks after jury selection began for the trial of a former prison warden’s wife accused of helping an inmate she allegedly fell in love with escape. Defense attorney Garvin Isaacs says the jury pool for the trial of Bobbi Parker remained at 21 on Monday, the same number as Friday. Attorneys plan to pick 22 prospective jurors from which Parker’s 12-member jury will be chosen. Four alternate jurors will also be chosen. Parker is accused of helping convicted killer Randolph Dial escape from the Oklahoma State Reformatory in 1994. Prosecutors allege she ran away with him, but defense attorneys say Dial kidnapped Parker and held her hostage until she was rescued in 2005 in Shelby County, Texas. Parker has pleaded not guilty.

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORDIA – The original lead singer of the Coasters, and Tyler native Carl Gardner, has died. According to the group’s web site, “Carl had been ill with congestive heart failure and vascular dementia for some time.” Gardner, who was 83, died Sunday in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

He was born in Tyler in 1928. Gardner was trained in singing by an early teacher, a German classical pianist, who also trained his sister Carol. He later studied at Emmett Scott High School, where he linked up with Lasalle Gunter´s “territorial” band, singing and playing drums.

Gardner co-founded the Coasters in 1955. It’s his voice that leads such Coaster classics as “Yakety Yak,” “Poison Ivy” “Along Came Jones” and “Charlie Brown.” He was the last surviving member of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Coasters. They were also the first group to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The group continues to perform. Carl Gardner Jr. has been the lead singer since his father retired in 2005.

TYLER — A suspect is taken into custody after allegedly pointing a gun at a Tyler police officer and a local resident. Monday morning around 10:15, Tyler officers responded to the area of Cedar and N. Spring Streets, on a report of a man walking around the area with a shotgun. Officers converged on the area and spotted the suspect behind a residence located at 112 E. Cedar Street. Police say the officer ordered the suspect, later identified as Christopher Dion Williams, 25, to drop his weapon. Williams allegedly pointed the 12 gauge shotgun at the officer and then fled on foot when the officer moved to cover.

According to police, Williams ran several blocks with the shotgun and was spotted several times by officers and citizens as he attempted to elude police. Williams was taken into custody by officers in the 1600 block of N. Border when they surrounded him. Williams was arrested, jailed, and charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer, a first degree felony. Upon further investigation, Williams was charged with a second-degree felony count of aggravated assault. Police allege Williams pointed the shotgun at a citizen who lived in the area of the incident.

LONGVIEW — A Tyler man is being added to the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted fugitive list in connection with the murder of his girlfriend’s young son. Authorities have been searching for Simon Lopez, 26, since late last November when a warrant was issued for his arrest. Lopez fled after he dropped the 18-month-old boy off at the home of one of the boy’s aunts, according to Tyler police officials. The boy was not breathing at the time.

Lopez was babysitting his girlfriend’s two children while she worked in Lindale that day, and had reportedly left the children home alone while he took his girlfriend, Emma Torres, to work. The victim, Jeremy Silva, was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital by his aunt. An autopsy report showed that his death was caused from a torn atrium in his heart, a result of blunt force trauma to his chest, officials have said. The report also indicated that Jeremy suffered prior abuse, including several broken ribs and bruising to his body, according to Tyler police.

Lopez faces charges for capital murder in connection with the toddler’s death and assault on a public servant in connection with an incident in Dallas, U.S. Marshal officials said. U.S. Marshals officials said a reward up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading directly to Lopez’s arrest. Anyone with information regarding Lopez’s whereabouts is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals Communications center at 800-336-0102. You can visit http://www.usmarshals.gov for more information.

DALLAS (AP/Staff) – Largely because of a high-profile Tyler case, Texas is close to enacting a law that would provide teachers with more detailed information about the criminal histories of students in their classrooms. Texas already provides some background information about students, but the new law would turn over details of crimes and arrests that most states keep confidential. The measure was spurred by the fatal stabbing of John Tyler High School teacher Todd Henry (pictured) in 2009.

Juvenile experts complain the new law could make it harder for young offenders to lead a normal life after they are released. But educators insist teachers are in too much danger. The legislation is adding to a national debate over whether teacher safety should outweigh the rights of young offenders. It was passed by the legislature last month and awaits approval by Gov. Rick Perry.

TYLER — In a groundbreaking move, the March of Dimes, Children’s Miracle Network, and At Home Healthcare unveil a new kiosk/information center at Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler for use by parents and family members of children born prematurely. Officials say the comprehensive Internet-based system pools the answers to many of the questions that families have when they find themselves unexpectedly with a child in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Mother Frances. According to information from Mother Frances, the kiosk is the first one installed in a Texas hospital.

Parents and family members of premature children can access the kiosk free of charge at any time for answers to NICU-related questions. Funding for the kiosk was provided by At Home Healthcare and Children’s Miracle Network.

NACOGDOCHES — A routine traffic stop ended in officers seizing almost 26 pounds of marijuana, according to a Nacogdoches police report. Around 8:45 Saturday night, police pulled over a car for speeding around the 900 block of South St. Once officers made contact with the two in the car, the report describes the officers suspecting illegal activity. During a search of the vehicle, officers say 25.6 pounds of marijuana was discovered in the rear seating part of the car. They arrested Danetra Rainey, 20 of Missouri, and Adrian Osborn, 28 of Missouri, for possession of marijuana.

HENDERSON — The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and Rusk County Crime Stoppers are asking the public for information leading to the arrest of three suspects responsible for a burglary at Clayton’s Mini Mart, Farm Road 322 North, in Elderville, May 28. Authorities say an alarm call triggered the investigation.

An arriving deputy discovered the front door of the business was forced open. The owner confirmed that a safe, money, and lottery tickets had been removed from the store. The total amount of loss was approximately $14,000; in addition to approximately $700 in property damage. Later that afternoon, authorities say a safe had been found on Etheridge Road, in Longview which later was identified as the safe missing from the store. The safe had been pried open.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Rusk County Crime Stoppers at 903-655-TIPS(8477) or call Rusk County Sheriff’s Office at 903-657-3581.

TYLER (AP) – A recent high school graduate from Louisiana has been identified as the passenger killed when a church van crashed and rolled in East Texas. The Texas Department of Public Safety on Monday identified the victim as J’Marco Jewel Greenard, 19. DPS says the van blew a tire Saturday while eastbound on Interstate Highway 20, about 12 miles northeast of Tyler. Nine other passengers were hurt. Cotton Valley, La., High School Principal Beatha Brantley says Greenard graduated in May. DPS listed Greenard’s hometown as Arcadia, Texas., but Brantley says he was from Cotton Valley. DPS had no information on the van’s church affiliation. The Shreveport Times reports the van was from Mount Sariah Baptist Church in Cotton Valley. The church’s voice mail was full Monday and not accepting messages.

TYLER — A motorcyclist has been killed in a two vehicle accident. Dead at the scene was Adam Clark Beddinghauf, 26, of Tyler. According to investigators, just before 12:30 Saturday morning, a 2010 Honda motorcycle was traveling westbound on Highway 64, just under two miles west of Tyler, when it struck a 1996 Pontiac traveling in the outside lane. Witnesses say the motorcycle was going at a high rate of speed when it hit the car.

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

TYLER — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled perform pavement repairs on State Highway 64 west of Tyler in various locations between Loop 323 and Farm Road 724 near the airport. 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.

Also, TxDOT severs SCR 2297 (Brewer Road) today as part of ongoing construction on Segment 5 of Loop 49. Residents will have access to Farm Road 756 (Paluxy Drive) via SCR 2191.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews are scheduled to begin seal coat operations on Tuesday on State Highway 135 in Jacksonville in the curb-and-gutter section, followed by the same work on Farm Road 2274 between State Highway 204 in Ponta and U.S. Highway 79. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 2206 between State Highway 42 and Loop 281 in Longview. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 1798 between Farm Road 839 in McKnight and Farm Road 1662 near Laneville. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs in various locations on Ranch Road 2970 between Farm Road 753 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.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to conclude resurfacing operations on State Highway 294 between U.S. Highway 79 and Farm Road 322. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual seal coat preventative maintenance program is scheduled to resume on Monday, June 20, in Van Zandt County. Crews are scheduled to begin on State Highway 19 south of Canton and in the following additional locations:
*FM 751 between the Hunt County Line and FM 47
*SH 198 between SH 64 in Canton and the Kaufman County Line
*FM 315 between FM 279 and Henderson County Line
*FM 47 between SH 243 and SH 198 Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 778 south of Farm Road 49 and U.S. Highway 80, followed by the same work on Farm Road 69 north of FM 515 in Coke. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

QUITMAN — On Sunday, countless East Texans lined the streets to watch the procession carrying Sgt. Joshua Powell’s body from Tyler all the way to Powell’s hometown of Quitman. Powell and U.S. Army Warrant Officer Bradley Justin Gaudet of Gladewater were among those killed in separate incidents June 4 in Afghanistan. KETK reports Powell’s journey Sunday began at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. Friends, family, military, motorcycle groups, East Texas law enforcement agencies, and patriotic East Texans welcomed the fallen soldier. Joshua’s uncle, Faron Petty, was among them.

“Well, he’s just a country boy, I guess you’d say,” Petty remarked. “He likes hunting and fishing, and I don’t know, most people have already heard — he volunteered for his fifth tour over there to take the place of other fallen soldiers that had just happened. And he went back and of course him and two other gentlemen and a young lady lost their life.”

Petty says he wasn’t prepared for just how many people stood on the streets to show support for his nephew. “No…we knew there would be several people, but not that many. And then when we turned on Main Street and saw the flags on the ladder truck, it was just all we could stand just about,” Petty said. Before Sunday’s procession, Petty said it’s a hard time for the family, but they are all very proud of Joshua. “These guys are out here doing the best they can and people really need to be behind them and support them. They’re giving their life for this…that’s…that’s all I can say,” Petty said. Funeral services for Sgt. Powell are this Tuesday morning at 9 at Lake Fork Baptist Church in Quitman.

TYLER — A Smith County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested after reportedly driving while intoxicated. Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Bobby Garmon says that deputy Albert Lee Hill was found passed out in his car at the intersection of Sunnybrook and Old Jacksonville Highway around 11:30Friday night. Garmon says Hill was released from the Smith County Jail Saturday on a $500 bond. An internal investigation is underway, and Garmon says Hill has been indefinitely suspended for now.

TYLER — Investigators continue to probe a Friday night house fire in which one person was injured. It happened off the 4800 block of Picadilly in Tyler. Neighbors tell KETK an elderly couple lives in the house. Fire officials say they received the call at 10:07 p.m. They say when they arrived, smoke could be seen coming from the house, and they found a woman lying outside in the front yard. She was taken to a local hospital. There’s no word on her condition. Officials added that there is extensive damage to the inside of the house. No word yet on the cause of the fire. Neighbors believe oxygen tanks could be the cause.