LINDALE — A Hawkins teen was killed Sunday morning in a one-vehicle crash after his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. According to Department of Public Safety officials, Jonathon Scott Tutor, 18, was traveling southbound on FM 14, about five miles east of Lindale, at around 3:34 when his vehicle left the roadway and hit a tree. Tutor was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
Tyler Road Closures
TYLER TxDOT maintenance crews are performing pavement-texturing operations on Spur 147 (Gentry Parkway) in and around the roadways intersections with Glenwood, Palace and Beckham. Gentry and Glenwood in that area will be closed from 8:30 this morning until noon. This follows yesterdays closure from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes to avoid delays.
Former Bullard Officer’s Trial Date Changed
TYLER The trial date for former Bullard police officer Steven Wayne Morris, 27, accused of sexual assault of a child, was rescheduled Monday due to a request for a continuance from Morris attorney. Morris case will go to trial June 20 at 10:00 at the Smith County Courthouse. If convicted of the second-degree felony, Morris could face 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Morris, of Jacksonville, was arrested by Texas Ranger Sgt. Brent Davis on Aug. 19, 2010. On Sept. 9, 2010, Morris was released from the Smith County Jail on a $100,000 bond. Morris was indicted on March 10, 2011. Morris allegedly had a year-long sexual relationship with a female student at Bullard High School, said Bullard Police Chief Gary Lewis. When the relationship began, the student was 15 years old, Lewis said. After seeing Morris phone records, Lewis terminated Morris, who had been employed by the Bullard Police Department for two years.
Inmate’s Death Sparks More Debate
GREGG COUNTY — Amy Cowling, 33, died in the Gregg County jail of reported withdrawal symptoms from Methadone and Xanax, at the end of 2010. The incident forced the arrest of two jailers, the firing of three more, and the resignation of another. The Gregg County jail had a high jailer turnover rate of more than 40% of the 167 employees from that year.
According to the Texas Tribune: Starting in 2012, jails may be required to tell the state about their turnover rate every month. Cowling’s 2010 death led to the formation of a bill by Sen. Rodney Ellis (D – Houston), which would require the Commission on Jail Standards to monitor jail turnover rates, inmate deaths, escapes and inspection failures to figure out whether a jail is “at risk”.
Man with Rifle Arrested
TYLER — Smith County deputies arrest a Tyler man after a reported dispute Monday. It happened in the 13,000 block of Big Oak Bay Road in Tyler. According to Smith County officials, Garry Townsend, 51, who has had run-ins with the law before, had a disagreement with his father. Townsend reportedly had a rifle in his possession. Deputies say Townsend did not shoot or even point the rifle at anyone. He was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault with a weapon and family violence.
East Texas Bank Robbed, Again
WASKOM For the second time this month the Citizens National Bank in Waskom has been robbed. It was held up around 10:45 Monday morning. It was also robbed on May 6th.
Waskom ISD put all of their buildings on lock down for less than an hour yesterday when officials were dispatched to the bank in the 700 block of Texas Spur 156 in Waskom, according to Sandra Rodgers, the superintendents secretary.
FBI spokesman Mark White said Mondays bank robber could be tied to several other robberies dating back to December. The physical description and method the robber used was very similar to the person who robbed Citizens National Bank earlier this month, as well as seven or eight other robberies in Shreveport, White said. However, investigators are still looking to see if the robberies are connected or isolated.
New Dean At LeTourneau
LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University has named Dr. Ronald A. DeLap as its new dean of the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology, effective August 1. DeLap is the dean of the College of Engineering, Technology, and Economic Development at Lake Superior State University in Sault Sainte Marie, Mich. DeLap was selected following an extensive national search and the review of many excellent engineering leaders according to LETU President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford.
“Ron has led innovative electrical engineering programs for the U.S. Air Force and is known as an effective classroom teacher who values creating hands-on learning experiences for students,” Lunsford said. “He has been a champion for increasing the number of women in the engineering profession and has experience working across cultures. As an engineering professional and as an educator, Ron understands the intersection of science and the Christian faith.”
DeLap is a retired officer with the U.S. Air Force, who began at the lowest enlisted rank with only a high school diploma, rising to the rank of Major and completing his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering. His 22-year career with the USAF included leading an ROTC detachment at UCLA and teaching electrical engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology. He has been recognized for his expertise in Space Based Radar Systems and has worked as a design engineer at the National Security Agency. Most recently he has been involved in “green energy” research, especially next-generation solar cell charging systems with the Energizer Corporation.
Two Jurors Picked in Trial of Oklahoma Warden’s Wife
MANGUM, OKLA. (AP) Prosecutors and defense attorneys seated two more jurors Monday in the trial of a former warden’s wife who prosecutors say helped a convicted killer escape from jail after she fell in love with him. District Attorney John Wampler and defense attorney Garvin Isaacs said seven jurors had been picked by Monday afternoon. Jury selection in the case of Bobbi Parker resumed Tuesday morning. Wampler says he doubts a jury will be seated this week.
Parker is accused of helping convicted killer Randolph Dial escape from the Oklahoma State Reformatory in 1994 and running away with him. Defense attorneys say Dial abducted Parker and held her captive until she was rescued at a Texas chicken ranch in Shelby County in 2005. Dial maintained until his 2007 death that he kidnapped Parker.
Abortion Issues Dominate Debate in Texas House
AUSTIN (AP) For some Republicans in the Texas House, it’s becoming all about abortion, all the time. Conservative representatives tried to tack obscure anti-abortion measures onto important but otherwise unrelated legislation throughout the day Monday. Liberals countered with long-winded speeches, points of order and other clumsy delaying tactics. As legislators took up a fairly benign proposal creating health cooperatives for private insurance companies, Republican Rep. Bryan Hughes of Mineola proposed an amendment that would bar private insurers statewide from reimbursing patients for abortions once the federal health care act is implemented in Texas. Hughes was eventually forced to scrap that motion, and the House passed the bill Tuesday. Later, however, a bill modifying operation of the state judiciary passed with two amendments related to toughening rules on waiving parental consent for minors seeking to have abortion. Another measure failed to adopt.
East Texas Bank Robbed, Again
WASKOM — FBI investigators on Monday morning were called to assist the Waskom Police Department after Citizens National Bank had their second reported bank robbery this month. Waskom ISD put all of their buildings on lock down for less than an hour after about 10:45 when officials were dispatched to the bank in the 700 block of Texas Spur 156 in Waskom, according to Sandra Rodgers, the superintendent’s secretary.
FBI spokesman Mark White said investigators were still on the scene at around 4 p.m. conducting interviews and canvassing the area to see if neighbors or area residents saw anything. White said it’s possible that Monday’s bank robber could be tied to several other robberies dating back to December. “The physical description and method the robber used was very similar to the person who robbed Citizens National Bank earlier this month, as well as seven or eight other robberies in Shreveport,” White said. “However, investigators are still looking to see if the robberies are connected or isolated.”
The bank was robbed May 6.
Two Killed when SUV Slams through Mobile Home
NACOGDOCHES (AP) Two men died when their sport utility vehicle veered off a rural road and slammed through an East Texas mobile home that had been vacated only two days before. The Texas Department of Public Safety report identifies the dead men as Zachtavius Demario Garrett, 30, and Jarome Ramon Murchison, 23. Both were wearing seat belts when they were found dead in the wreckage of their SUV early Monday just behind the mobile home they had crashed through. Neighbors reported they heard a crash about midnight Sunday. No other injuries were reported in the accident about five miles east of Nacogdoches. Mobile home owner Mary Lampin says the woman who had lived there had moved out and into a nursing home on Friday.
Police: Burglar Caught in the Act
LONGVIEW Police in Longview say a burglar was caught in the act over the weekend. On Sunday, just before midnight, officers responded to a commercial burglary alarm in the 2100 Block of Gilmer Road. When officers arrived they found a man leaving the building. According to a police report, officers stopped the man and he stated he worked for the business as a plumber. Officers also say they observed several power tools lying inside the suspects car. The man was identified as Dereck Alan Duvall 30, of Longview. The officers contacted the business owner. When the owner arrived on scene he told police that Duvall did not work for him. Duvall was arrested for burglary of a building, a state jail felony. Duvall was also arrested for four outstanding city warrants.
Gas Leak Fixed at TJC
TYLER Monday afternoon classes at Tyler Junior Colleges Pirtle Technology Building were canceled for a while yesterday because of a gas leak. The building was back to normal by 5:00pm. Utility crews struck the gas line Monday morning. Faculty and staff evacuated the Pirtle building; about 150 people were inside. Officials say crews hit the gas line when they were attempting to replace an electrical line. There were no injuries.
Identity Released in Fatal Friday Wreck
KILGORE The name of a woman killed Friday in a vehicle rollover has been released by the Department of Public Safety. Brittnie Bing, 23, of Kilgore was a passenger in a 2001 Chevy Metro that hit a culvert on U.S. Highway 259 south of East Danville Street in Kilgore and rolled. Two people were injured. Driver Wallace Maples, 48, and Jeanie Maples, 48, both of Kilgore are listed in stable condition at Good Shepherd Medical Center. He has a broken shoulder, and she has a leg injury, authorities said.
Massage Parlor Reopens
LONGVIEW A Longview massage parlor, shut down back in February after a raid, is back open. The Secura Spa, located along the 2000 block of Gilmer Road, was shut down after an undercover raid revealed a couple of workers did not have a massage license. The owner was also arrested for operating a massage parlor without a license. Longview Police say the business is now in compliance.