KTBB News, Weather, Talk

GLADEWATER � A Union Grove High School English teacher has resigned after being charged with improper relationship between an educator and a student. Arrested Thursday morning was Angela Sue New, 38. She was placed in the Gregg County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bond.

School superintendent Brian Gray said the investigation started after allegations were made. New is accused of being involved with an 18 year old Union Grove student. According to the arrest record, the incident occurred on April 22nd. The investigation was turned over to Gladewater police, who issued an arrest warrant. She was arrested by police from White Oak, where she lives.

WINNSBORO � A state district court jury in Wood County has begun deliberations in the murder case against Ty Jordan Evans, 20, of Longview. He is accused of the May 2009 drive by shooting that killed Anna Marie Moore, 24. She was sitting on the couch playing with her two children when the shooting occurred. This is the second trial for Evans in the case. In January a mistrial was declared when the jury couldn�t reach a decision.

A second suspect is also charged in the case. Demarcus Hearn, of Longview, who turns 23 next Monday, is awaiting trial.

TYLER � The Tyler school district�s new Athletic Director will assume his new duties on Monday. TISD school trustees Thursday night hired Rodney Kaspar as Director of Athletics. He succeeds Danny Long. Kaspar has more 30 years of coaching experience. He comes to Tyler from McKinney, where he has been Assistant Athletic Director.

TYLER � Tyler school officials are considering using a different camp for its outdoor education. For over years 60 TISD has been associated with Camp Tyler. But a vote could come next month that would change that.

At Thursday night�s meeting Jeff Collum, Executive Director of Student Services, presented school trustees a comparison of the Camp Tyler and Pine Cove facilities. They were compared in program availability and costs associated with each facility. According to Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid, Pine Cove was selected for the comparison because the facility has contacted the District wanting an opportunity to be considered for services. Sky Ranch had requested the opportunity as well and it was decided to use the costs associated with Pine Cove because it was financially lower than Sky Ranch.

The cost per camper for Camp Tyler is $200. For about 1400 students, the camp cost would be $286,000, which does not include additional costs of transportation, teachers needed to spend the night, and a shared arrangement to provide a nurse. Pine Cove offers a discount for Title I campuses, and 13 Tyler ISD elementary campuses qualify for this discount rate of $75. For non-Title I campuses the cost is $158 per camper.

Difference of the financial analysis is a cost savings of approximately $150,000.00. TISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid added it is not the cost that determines the selection but the value the district receives from the facility.

LINDALE — New trustees for the Lindale Independent School District have been sworn into office. The oath was administered at Thursday�s school board meeting. Kenneth Cline was sworn into office for Place Three and Kelly Cox was sworn in for Place Four. In the picture, Judge James Cowart (middle) swears Kelly Cox (left) and Kenneth Cline (right) into office at yesterday�s LISD school board meeting.

Cline defeated longtime school board member Joe Rodriguez, Jr. by a vote of 546 to 487 in the May 14 election. Cox defeated opponent Dr. Howard Beggs by a vote of 789 to 249. Cox replaces Edward �Buddy� Munn who did not seek re-election.

Rodriguez was presented with a special plaque to commemorate his years of service to the Lindale ISD. Rodriguez had served on the school board since 1999. Munn was unable to attend Thursday�s meeting but will be presented his plaque by district staff at a later time. Munn served on the school board for 12 years, twice serving as board president.

New trustee officers were also voted on at Thursday�s meeting. Brig. Gen. James K. �Red� Brown will retain his position as board president. Matt Watts will serve as vice president in place of Tim Clemmons who nominated Watts for the position. Mike Combs will remain secretary.

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau has seen a spike in the volume of inquiries regarding door-to-door alarm sales companies that have hit the streets in both the Longview and Tyler areas. While it is not typical to see this kind of activity in the spring, BBB expects an increase in door-to-door activity during the summer months, as many companies use students on their summer break from school to conduct door-to-door sales.

�Texas law requires any person who offers and/or provides investigations or security services to be properly licensed; those without a license are liable for criminal penalties of up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, president and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. �What many consumers don�t know is that there are also penalties for hiring or employing an unlicensed alarm system company.�

One victim claims she told the salesperson that she lived in a safe neighborhood and did not need an alarm system at this time. A few days later, she came home to find her door kicked in. Later that afternoon, that same salesperson returned to ask if she had changed her mind.

While the bureau says most alarm companies employ ethical selling practices, BBB advises consumers to use caution and to be aware of the following tricks of those companies who operate dishonestly:

Trick # 1: Don�t count on the salesman in your house being licensed with the state.

Alarm salesmen can work under a licensed salesperson for up to one year before they have to be licensed themselves. In many instances, there is one licensed salesman in the neighborhood �overseeing� the other salesmen. The licensed salesman will generally pop into the house at some point during the sales pitch in order to show that he was present to support the unlicensed salesman. This is not acceptable. Under Texas guidelines, the licensed salesperson must remain for the entire presentation.

Trick #2: Getting rid of your old equipment.

Once an alarm system is sold to a consumer with an existing system, it�s likely the equipment will end up in the trash. The downside to this is that you might not actually own the equipment. In many cases, the existing equipment is leased. Expect to continue to receive a bill for the old equipment even if it�s already in the dumpster.

Trick #3: You�re not under any obligation to your existing alarm company.

Another deceptive practice used by unethical alarm companies is to tell the consumer that their original contract has expired, and are therefore under no obligation to the existing alarm company. Standard procedure for these types of contracts is for them to automatically renew after the initial contract is completed. In order to terminate the renewal, notify the existing company in writing thirty (30) days prior to the auto-renewal date. Otherwise, once the new alarm system installed, it�s possible you�ll either receive a bill from both companies until the end of the contract, or be obligated to pay a cancellation fee.

Don�t give in to high pressure sales tactics. Take the time to check for licensing and check out the company�s report on http://www.bbb.org to see the company�s complaint history and company history. Remember it is worth the time to do your homework before making any purchasing decision. It�s also in your best interest from local vendors. Not only does it help the local economy, it also protects you should you experience problems down the road. Keep in mind that a company from out of town is not likely to return to make any repairs or to make adjustments to your service. To see if an alarm company�s license is current, go to http://www.txdps.state.ts.us/psb or call BBB at (903)581-5704. To report a fraud or scam, call the BBB Hotline: (903) 581-8373.

MANGUM, Okla. (AP) – Jury selection continues in Greer County District Court for the trial of a former warden’s wife accused of falling in love with an inmate and helping him escape. The fourth day of jury selection began Thursday in the trial of Bobbi Parker. Defense attorney Garvin Isaacs says the selection process has been slow because attorneys are trying to choose jurors who haven’t been swayed by pretrial publicity. Parker has pleaded not guilty to helping convicted killer Randolph Dial escape from the Oklahoma State Reformatory in 1994. Defense attorneys say Dial kidnapped Parker and held her hostage until she was rescued at an East Texas chicken ranch in 2005. Dial maintained until his death in 2007 that he kidnapped Parker.

AUSTIN (AP) � Texans who want to catch catfish using only their bare hands would be able to do so legally under legislation approved by the state Senate. While budget negotiations were teetering on the brink of collapse Thursday, state senators took action to legalize hand fishing, called noodling, in Texas. Right now the fine is $500 for noodling in Texas. The bill would require “noodlers” to have a fishing license and freshwater fishing stamp. Enduring joking questions from fellow senators, bill sponsor Senator Bob Deuell, who has part of Smith County in his district, said he’s never noodled, but that the bill needed to be passed for the “noodlers of Texas.”.

TYLER — Robert E. Lee’s Mike Owens has resigned his duties at Head Football Coach and Campus Athletic Director. Owens is retiring with the hope of reapplying for the job on August 1st. The practice, commonly as retire/rehire, will take effect June 30th. Owens told KTBB Sports that “I fully intend to reapply for the job.” He insists that there has been no deal made with the people at TISD guaranteeing him the position. He also says if he is not rehired he will seek to continue coaching elsewhere. Owens has been the head man at REL since 1996 and won a state championship with the Red Raiders in 2004.

TYLER — Tyler property crime investigators make a significant haul using the off road Yamaha Rhino Police Vehicle to search the median and roadside areas of Highway 69 South to search for stolen property. That follows the recent arrest of an Orange, Texas, man on suspicion of numerous auto burglaries. Investigators searched a 10 mile stretch of the highway on Wednesday and recovered various items that belonged to victims in auto burglaries that occurred this past Sunday in Tyler. Investigators recovered eight purses, two billfolds, two identification cards, numerous credit cards, and one passport. Police say a witness observed a suspect later identified as Brian Linscomb discarding stolen items out his vehicle window as he was leaving Tyler. Investigators advise they will notify the victims if their property was recovered as soon as possible.

Linscomb is suspected in numerous auto burglaries in East Texas, Southeast Texas, and Louisiana; he was arrested Sunday in Lufkin. On Sunday, Tyler police responded to over 30 auto burglaries that occurred during daytime hours in the city of Tyler. The suspect was later identified as Linscomb, 44. He�s suspected of breaking into vehicles at Willowbrook Country Club, Bergfeld Park, Faulkner Park, Rose Rudman Park, Woodcreek Center, Broadway Square Mall, Children�s Park, Tyler Tennis and Swim, and Tyler Internal Medicine.

A witness followed Linscomb�s vehicle down 69 South towards Mixon. Law enforcement authorities were notified of the information on Linscomb�s vehicle and determined that he was wanted out of Orange, Texas, for felony auto burglary, with a $100,000 bond. Linscomb was spotted in Lufkin Sunday night and was taken into custody by authorities. Linscomb is a suspect in over 92 cases of auto burglary in Louisiana. Tyler investigators are checking into the incidents that occurred Sunday in Tyler, and charges are pending.

TYLER — TISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Randy Reid is announcing several changes that will take place for the 2011-12 school year. These changes are being made as part of reorganizational efforts that will save the district over $275,000 in central staffing. Several positions shall be either eliminated or have pay grade reductions as a part of this process. Some of the key changes include:

� Executive Director for Secondary Schools Debbie Kelly has announced her retirement effective June 30. Mrs. Kelly is completing her 34th year in public education and her 2nd year in Tyler ISD. District officials say they wish her the best in her retirement.
� Jeff Collum will move from his current role of Executive Director for Student Services into the role of Executive Director for Secondary Schools. His current position will be reduced to the level of Director and posted for hire immediately. This move, combined with the elimination of the Executive Director of Instructional Support, will bring the number of Executive Directors in the district down to five from the current total of seven.
� Angela Jenkins, Director of Communications, will be moving into a new role as the Coordinator of TISD Television and Video Production. Officials say this move will fulfill a great need throughout the district by enhancing the district’s programming and communication capabilities, as well as providing an even greater level of transparency and community awareness. Additionally, Ms. Jenkins will be promoting student involvement in district-wide communication efforts through career and technology coursework. Her current position of Director of Communications will be posted for hire immediately.
� To absorb some of the duties and better serve the students of Tyler ISD, officials say, they will post one new position. The Director of Guidance and Counseling will be posted for hire immediately.

�We feel these changes will not only be an efficient way of operating the district, but also will provide an effective way of serving our students, staff and community members,� said Dr. Reid. The changes will take effect beginning July 1, 2011.

JACKSONVILLE � Officials are continuing to investigate a large brawl at a Jacksonville park, caught on tape with a cell phone camera and posted on the Internet. The video showing students from both Jacksonville and New Summerfield has been pulled from YouTube. Detective Javier Guerra says authorities are investigating a possible case of retaliation regarding one of the teens in the video. �This could be also related to gang violence because one of the people in the video that I recognized happens to be one of our local gang members,� Guerra said.

Guerra added that accountability is important, remarking, �Take care of your children. Learn what they do. Talk to them, communicate with them. Don�t take them for granted. Just because they have a Game Boy or a PlayStation doesn�t mean that they�re gonna raise themselves. The parents have to be involved, that�s the bottom line.� Guerra says no one has pressed charges as of yet, so he�s hoping a good talking to will prevent any more fights.

LUFKIN — The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office follows up on a shooting Wednesday near Lufkin off FM 1475. According to the victim’s cousin, two men pulled up in a black truck, fought with the victim, shot him and then left. Angelina County Investigator Bart Riley has identified the shooting victim as James Durham Jr. Durham was taken by ambulance to Memorial Medical Center-Lufkin and is reportedly in stable condition. The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office said they do have a person of interest in custody. Earlier this year, Durham allegedly burned his mother’s home down with a meth lab.

HARRISON COUNTY — A Hallsville woman was jailed Wednesday, after authorities said she assault her mother and put her two children in danger. Amanda Gail Walker, 30, was arrested Tuesday morning at the Wingate Hotel in the 400 block of Loop 281, after officers were dispatched to the hotel for a reported assault, according to police reports. Police said Walker was found in a hotel room with her two children, and was arrested after a “brief struggle.”

When officers were escorting her out of the hotel, a hotel clerk saw a small bag with a clear substance fall from Walker’s clothing and gave it to police. The substance was later identified as methamphetamine. Authorities said the two children told officers they had tasted the drug because they thought it was candy. The 11- and 9-year-old children were taken to an area hospital, where one of them tested positive for meth. Police also said the assault victim, who was holding a clump of her hair when officers arrived, told authorities that Walker assaulted her by pulling her hair.

Walker remained jailed Wednesday on bonds totaling $6,000, charged with assault causing bodily injury, possession of a controlled substance and criminal child negligence. She also had an outstanding Harrison County warrant for driving while intoxicated.

TYLER � Two men wanted in a Tyler murder six years ago appeared at their arraignment Wednesday. Bryante Denard Gee, 27, and Terrance Wideman, 24, appeared Wednesday before State District Judge Jack Skeen. Neither men entered a plea and their bond was set at $1,000,000.

Investigators say Wideman was allegedly the a getaway driver in the homicide of Christopher Horn, 19. Horn was shot in the parking lot of Kureshe�s Mart at 1118 West Gentry Parkway the evening of April 7, 2005. Detectives say they also confirmed that Gee was the shooter in the incident.

Wideman was also said to have been involved in an incident in which gunfire erupted in the parking lot of Broadway Square Mall around 6:45 p.m. on May 11th. That aggravated assault case is still under investigation. It was during the investigation of that shooting that detectives were able to secure evidence implicating Wideman and Gee in the Horn murder.