KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler police are asking for your help identifying a burglary suspect. On June 26, a burglary occurred at Polo’s Grocery, 611 East Oakwood. Tyler police say the suspect was caught on surveillance video inside the store. It’s been reported that the suspect stole a large amount of cash and merchandise. Police note that the photo of the suspect indicates that he has a shaved head. The suspect is wearing a bandanna to cover his hair. Anyone with information about the suspect is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833).

TYLER — A Tyler motorcycle officer has received minor injuries in an accident. Just before 10:30 Monday morning Officer J.D. Smith was operating traveling west on the inside lane of East 5th Street. Investigators say a 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser driven by Jason Moore Auringer, 34, of Tyler, pulled from the Exxon Station onto Fifth Street, turning left in front of the officer. Officer Smith hit the driver’s side door of the car. Police say Auringer was found at fault in the collision for failing to yield the right of way. Officer Smith was transported to East Texas Medical Center by EMS with minor injuries. Officer Smith is a 37 year veteran of the Tyler Police Department. He has been assigned to the motorcycle division for 33 years.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin father accused of injury to a child in the death of his infant son was arrested Sunday for allegedly beating the child’s mother in the head with a pistol over transferring a title. Mark and Vanessa Clark, both 32, are charged in the death of their infant son after losing another child the same way 18 months earlier. Both cases involved allowing the child to sleep in the same bed as the parents, a practice strongly discouraged by child welfare experts. The couple got into a fight over a title transfer Sunday afternoon, according to an arrest warrant.

KETK and the Lufkin Daily News report that when police arrived at their home, Vanessa, bleeding from a head wound, told them Mark threw her to the ground and started punching her. She said he then held her down by putting his knees to her chest, causing her difficulty in breathing, the affidavit stated. After that she said he hit her in the back of the head with the .380 pistol he often keeps in his pocket, according to the affidavit. He then went outside to leave their home in his Ford Expedition while she dialed 9-1-1.

Upon realizing he was trying to leave, Vanessa told police she ran outside and got in front of the SUV to stop him. According to the affidavit, Mark then bumped her with the SUV, knocking her to the ground. She told police after that he put the SUV in reverse and left. Vanessa told police she expected Mark to be at his mother’s home. Police located Mark at his mother’s home although he had pulled his SUV into the woods near the home, the affidavit stated.

Upon searching the vehicle, officers located a box of .380 ammo but were unable to find the pistol. Mark was then arrested and taken to the Angelina County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault and family violence, causing serious bodily injury, a second degree felony. If convicted, Mark faces up to 20 years in prison.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP/Staff) – A new report says a Canadian company underestimated the potential for spills along the pipeline it wants to build to carry tar sands oil across the Plains to refineries near the Gulf of Mexico. The pipeline would cross a significant portion of East Texas, where there’s been considerable concern among residents about its potential effects.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln engineering professor John Stansbury says TransCanada has been overly optimistic about the frequency and possible impact of spills along the proposed Keystone XL. Stansbury examined several worst-case scenarios along the proposed route and came up with much larger estimates. TransCanada spokesman Terry Cunha says the company is still reviewing the report released Monday and couldn’t immediately comment on it.

The pipeline is designed to carry oil from Canada across Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. It could also connect to the Bakken oil field in Montana and North Dakota.

TYLER — The County Treasurers’ Association of Texas (CTAT) has announced that Smith County Treasurer Kelli White is one of 4 nominees for the 2011 Texas Outstanding Treasurer Award. There are 245 County Treasurers grouped into 12 Regions in the County Treasurers’ Association of Texas (CTAT), and each one nominates a treasurer from his or her region. The other three nominees are Sharon Reynolds from Brazoria County, Dolores Ortega Carter from Travis County, and Mitzi Wohleking from Midland County. “I feel honored to be nominated by my peers for this prestigious award,” Ms. White said.

The winner will be announced at the 63rd Annual County Treasurers’ Association of Texas Conference September 18-22, 2011, which will also be hosted by Smith County. The event will be held at the Holiday Inn on South Broadway and is expected to attract more than a hundred county treasurers from across the state. “We are working hard with CTAT to make this a successful program and an event that is sure to attract a lot of people to Smith County,” Ms. White said.

LUFKIN — The capital murder trial of a Lufkin nurse accused of killing five dialysis patients by injecting them with bleach is set for September. The jury selection in Kimberly Clark Saenz’s case will start August 9 and will take the entire month. Each juror will be selected individually as the death penalty has been put into play, according to Saenz’s defense attorney Ryan Deaton. Since the allegations came to light in April 2008, Deaton has maintained that his client, now 37, is a scapegoat for DaVita Dialysis, where she worked for eight months.

Federal health officials became involved in a massive health investigation in late April 2008 after a series of patient deaths and illnesses at the Lufkin dialysis center. The center closed for nearly two months as investigators spent weeks combing through patient documents and preserving dialysis equipment for forensic testing.

Lufkin Police linked Saenz to some of the center’s patient complications May 30 of that year when they charged her with aggravated assault. DaVita fired her a day before police filed charges, according to previous reports. A statement issued by Lufkin Police last year said two witnesses saw Saenz fill a syringe with bleach and inject the substance into two patients’ dialysis lines. Both of those patients survived. Lufkin police have not offered a motive in the case.

BULLARD – A building in downtown Bullard has been destroyed by fire. It was reported around 1:00 Sunday afternoon at 212 West Main Street. An electrical short is said to have caused the blaze. No injuries were reported.

PITTSBURG – A one vehicle accident in Camp County has left one person dead. Killed in the weekend wreck was Melissa McVay, 31, of Pittsburg. She was a passenger in a car driven by Shynese Rotrice Hamilton. The driver was not injured. The Department of Public Safety says the women’s car left the road, hit a culvert and overturned. The accident occurred Saturday morning on State Highway 11, about four miles west of Pittsburg.

MARSHALL — The federal trial in Marshall against Pilgrim’s Pride resumes today following a recess. Pilgrim’s is charged with violating the Packers and Stockers Act in order to manipulate the price of chicken. The court previously heard testimony from growers who claimed the company closed plants and ran them out of business. Pilgrim’s rebutted, saying they closed the plants due to bankruptcy.

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

TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program, known as District-Wide Seal Coat, is scheduled to resume work in Tyler on Tuesday on State Highway 110 (Van Highway) between NW Loop 323 and Farm Road 3271. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each seal coat location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays. Loose gravel may be present for several days following seal coat application.

Also in Smith County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 848 between Farm Road 346 in Whitehouse and Spur 248 (University Boulevard). Daytime lane closures will be in effect.

Finally this week in Smith County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to continue work to replace a culvert pipe and build a right-turn lane for eastbound State Highway 64 at its intersection with County Road 229 (Big Oak Bay Road), just east of Farm Road 3226. The work will require some lane closures on SH 64 and on SCR 229 while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation contractor Pinto Construction, Ltd., of Nacogdoches, is scheduled to close Farm Road 1251 to thru-traffic on Monday between Farm Road 2658 and Farm Road 3231 for approximately two months of repairs to the roadway there. The approximate $570,000 project let in May and calls for a full-depth repair of the roadbed followed by a complete resurfacing. Detours for the work will be posted and include using FM 2658 and FM 3231 to avoid the work zone.

Also this week in Rusk County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on Farm Road 839 between U.S. Highway 79 southeast of Henderson and Farm Road 1798 in McKnight. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

GREGG COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation contractor TNT’s Pipeline Corp., is scheduled to work tonight, Saturday and Sunday nights on State Highway 322 between Farm Road 349 in Lakeport and Farm Road 2011 at the Rusk County Line. Nighttime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress and flaggers will control traffic at intersections.

Also this week, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on State Highway 300 (Glimer Road) between Hawkins Parkway and Farm Road 1844, including work in the SH 300/Hawkins Parkway intersection on Tuesday and Wednesday. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid the work in the Hawkins Parkway intersection.

WOOD COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as “District-Wide Seal Coat” is scheduled to start work in Wood County as early as Friday, July 15, weather permitting. Crews are scheduled to apply a seal coat to Farm Road 49 between U.S. Highway 69 in Mineola and Farm Road 14, Farm Road 778 between Farm Road 49 and U.S. Highway 80, and on US 80 between Farm Road 778 and the Upshur County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.
Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform seal coat operations on in various locations on Farm Road 858 between Farm Road 279 in Ben Wheeler and State Highway 19 south of Canton, followed by the same work on Ranch Road 2909 between SH 19 south of Canton and Farm Road 858 just west of Martins Mill. A second crew is scheduled to perform pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 857 between U.S. Highway 80 in Grand Saline and Farm Road 1253.

Also this week, District-Wide Seal Coat operations are scheduled to resume in the county as early as Wednesday on State Highway 19 south of Canton between Farm Road 858 and the Henderson County line, followed by the same work on State Highway 198 just south of State Highway 243 in Canton.

Crews are also scheduled to seal Farm Road 47 between SH 243 and SH 198 and Farm Road 751 northwest of Wills Point between the Hunt County Line and Farm Road 47. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each seal coat location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays. Loose gravel may be present for several days following seal coat application.

Finally this week, TxDOT contractor Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview, is scheduled on Friday, July 15, to begin work to repair and resurface the roadways inside Lake Tawakoni State Park. The work is scheduled to be finished in mid-August.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on Farm Road 1990 between State Highway 294 and U.S. Highway 79 in Palestine. 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 perform edge repairs on the recently resurfaced sections on Farm Road 2709 between State Highway 19 north of Athens and Farm Road 316 in Eustace, on Ranch Road 2970 between Farm Road 753 and the end of state maintenance, and on Ranch Road 2588 between U.S. Highway 175 in LaRue 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.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 84 between Reklaw and Farm Road 2753 in Rusk County. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

BEAUMONT (AP) — A Texas man has been charged with capital murder after police say he intentionally drove his fleeing sport utility vehicle into a patrol car, killing an officer. Bond was set at $250,000 for John Wesley Nero, 30, of Beaumont. He remained in a hospital in serious condition after the Friday night crash.

TYLER — July is Watch Your Car Awareness Month in Texas and the East Texas Auto Theft Task Force, Tyler Police Department and the Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) warn Texans they need to actively protect themselves against vehicle theft. Pickups are not only popular among Texas Drivers; they are also the top targets for Texas vehicle thieves!

2010 TOP 5 STOLEN VEHICLES IN TEXAS
1. Ford Pickup 6,233
2. GM Pickup 5,229
3. Dodge Pickup 2,931
4. Honda Civic 1,629
5. Chevrolet Tahoe 1,587

2010 TOP 5 STOLEN VEHICLES IN CITY of TYLER
1. Chevrolet Pickup 20
2. Ford Pickup 10
3. Chevrolet Caprice 10
4. Ford Crown Victoria 8
5. Mercury Gr. Marquis 7
5. Chevrolet Impala 7

Vehicles are stolen for a variety of reasons, and contrary to popular belief, the most stolen vehicles are several years old. Some are stolen and stripped for parts. Others are stolen and resold by the thief to another party. Many vehicles are stolen for joyriding, robbery, for use in committing other crimes, to support drug habits, drug smuggling or to perpetrate insurance fraud.

Vehicle theft costs Texans more money than any other crime. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety Uniform Crime Report, there were 68,220 vehicles stolen in 2010 with an economic loss of over $635,570,078. There were 261,166 thefts from motor vehicles including motor vehicle parts with an economic loss of $219,274,501. It is important that we acknowledge this trend and educate the citizens of Texas in how to protect their car. In the City of Tyler 207 vehicles were reported stolen in 2010 and 367 were reported stolen in all of Smith County. Auto Burglaries reported for the City of Tyler were 1,054.

While there is no totally foolproof way to prevent theft, the ATBPA recommends a few
Common-sense steps to help protect your car.
1. Take Your Keys. One out of every five vehicles stolen had the keys in it.
2. Lock Your Car. Approximately half of all vehicles stolen were left unlocked.
3. Never Hide a Second Set of Keys in Your Car. Extra keys can easily be found if a thief takes time to look.
4. Park in Well-Lighted Areas.
5. Park in attended Lots. Auto thieves do not like witnesses and prefer unattended parking lots.
6. If You Park in an Attended Lot, Leave Only the Ignition/Door Key. If your trunk and glove box use the same key as the door, have one of them changed. Don’t give the attendant easy access to your glove box and trunk. Upon returning, check the tires, spare and battery to insure they are the same as those you had when you parked.
7. Never Leave Your Car Running, Even if You’ll Only Be Gone for a Minute. Vehicles are commonly stolen at convenience stores, gas stations, ATM’s, etc. Many vehicles are also stolen on cold mornings when the owner leaves the vehicle running to warm up or on hot days to keep the vehicle cool. Leaving your key in an unattended motor vehicle is a crime in Texas punishable by a fine of up to $200.
8. Completely Close Car Windows When Parking. Don’t make it any easier for the thief to enter your vehicle.
9. Don’t Leave Valuables in Plain View. Don’t make your car a more desirable target for thieves by leaving valuables in plain sight.

INVESTING IN VEHICLE PROTECTION

1. Ignition Kill Switch. Splice an inexpensive toggle switch into your ignition wire or to your starter. The trick is hiding the switch well. Keypads, pressure pads and more expensive “Immobilizers” and “Passkeys” can also be used.
2. Fuel Kill Switch. The valve that halts the fuel supply is closed.
3. Visible steering wheel lock. Prevents the steering wheel from being turned.
4. Floorboard Locks. Devices that disable the gas or brake pedal.
5. Gearshift Locks. Disables shifting of the transmission.
6. Tire/Wheel Locks. Prevents the vehicle from moving.
7. Hood Locks. Prevents the thief from gaining access to your security system and battery.
8. Armored collar around the steering column. Protects the column and ignition.
9. Alarms. Security systems which make loud warning sounds when door/hood/trunk are opened. Optional sensors detect glass breakage, motion, tampering, and towing. Panic buttons, back-up batteries, flashing parking lights or headlights, and automatic engine disable features are also popular.
10. Vehicle Tracking. Transmitter hidden in car enables police to track car (may not be available in all areas).

More information regarding auto theft can be obtained at the ABTPA Web Site:http://www.txwatchyourcar.com or by calling 1-800-carwatch.

LONGVIEW – A woman has been arrested for trying to steal $100 worth of cosmetics from a Longview Wal-Mart. Authorities say Jackquine Denise Bell, 46, tried to escape on an electric cart. During her escape, she is said to have used the cart to hit a store employee who tried to stop her. Her bond is set at $7,500. Plus she also has fines of $1,700 on a variety of other complaints. According to arrest sheet at the Gregg County Sheriff’s office, Bell has been convicted of five offenses ranging from marijuana possession to prostitution.

BRYAN – A Smith County teen has died in a one vehicle accident in Grimes County. The accident happened around 8:15 Friday night on State Highway 21 near Sandy Creek. Dead at the scene was the pickup’s driver, Kayla Wager, 17, of Whitehouse. The girl’s father, Milton Wager, Jr., suffered only minor injuries. According to the Department of Public Safety, the pickup left the road and rolled over several times.

MANGUM, OKLA. (AP) — It’s been almost 17 years since the wife of a former prison warden disappeared with a convicted killer from the southwestern Oklahoma prison her husband helped supervise. Time, however, hasn’t diminished interest in the case in Mangum, the Greer County town where Bobbi Parker is on trial for allegedly helping Randolph Dial escape from the Oklahoma State Reformatory.

Prosecutors say Parker fell in love with Dial and engaged in a “decade of deception” while living with him on a Shelby, County Texas chicken ranch. But defense attorney say she was kidnapped, beaten and raped by Dial, who was described as a manipulative sociopath. Mangum resident Ruby Capes says she believes Parker fell in love with Dial and ran away with him, but fellow resident Andrienne Sherwood thinks Dial brainwashed Parker. Parker has pleaded not guilty.

TYLER – A woman who appeared in state district court in Tyler for a pretrial hearing Friday learned the state will be seeking the death penalty against her. Kimberly Diane Cargill, 44, is accused of killing Cherry Diane Walker. Walker was a mentally challenged babysitter who was keeping Cargill’s four year old son. A passing motorist found her body off County Road 2010 in June of last year. Cargill’s next pre trial hearing on 241st State District Court will be next week. Her trial is scheduled for September 1st.