KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The investigation into a fire case in Waco has East Texas ties. According to KETK, there was an explosion and a fire in a Waco garage in March of 2010. Jennifer Matthews, now a Tyler resident, lived in the house at the time. More than 80 percent of her body was burned in the fire. Now Matthews admits she set the house on fire, causing her own injuries. She tells police she poured gasoline on the car in the garage and the vapors exploded. An arrest warrant has been issued, but due to her injuries and condition, Matthews hasn’t been taken into custody.

HENDERSON — Authorities in Rusk County have arrested 30-year-old Talbert Dan Williams of Henderson on drug charges. According to KETK, Rusk County and Henderson Police Department units executed a search/arrest warrant Friday in the 1900 block of FM 2276 in Henderson. During the search, according to authorities, narcotics officers located crack cocaine, marijuana, two semi-automatic firearms, and body armor. The estimated street value of substances seized is $2000. Williams was arrested at the scene and charged with possession of a controlled substance, a third-degree felony. He remains jailed on $20,000 bond.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County property values dropped less than 3 percent in estimates released Thursday by the Gregg Appraisal District. That according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Oil and gas property values dominated the small overall drop by plunging some 30 percent, Chief Appraiser Tom Hays said, adding, �That�s probably (happening) statewide. From what I�m hearing from chief appraisers, they all are looking at about 25 percent (mineral value) drops.�

Schools, cities and other taxing entities base their annual levies on property values set by the appraisal district. Gregg County�s overall taxable value is estimated at $7.8 billion, which is $217 million lower than the $8 billion figure on which this year�s tax rates were based. The small drop in values continues a trend of recent years after successive years of climbing values, Hays said.

NACOGDOCHES � The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office and Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association are investigating the theft of over 20 head of cattle which were stolen from the Nacogdoches Livestock Exchange between 10 p.m. Wednesday and 6 a.m. Thursday. That’s according to KETK and the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel. Anyone who may have seen a large gooseneck-type trailer loaded with cattle leaving the Livestock Exchange in the 3800 block of Northwest Stallings Drive during those hours is asked to visit http://www.ncstips.com — or contact the Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers at (936) 560-4636.

HENDERSON — A teacher and bus driver for the West Rusk ISD faces child pornography charges. According to KETK, Rusk County Sheriff�s Office criminal investigators executed an arrest warrant Thursday for Jerry Vinson, 54, of Henderson. Vinson was arraigned Friday morning and charged with possession of child pornography, a third-degree felony punishable by up to ten years in prison. Vinson�s bond was set at $15,000, with conditions. Vinson is now free on bond. Late Friday afternoon, Vinson resigned from his job at West Rusk Junior High School.

TYLER � The Smith County Bar Association and Smith County Bar Foundation held their annual Law Day Luncheon on Friday. Hundreds of judges, attorneys, and legal professionals were present to celebrate Law Day and recognize various award winners. As well, numerous area children were recognized for their success in Law Day related events such as essay contests. Mock trials were held during the week as well to help educate children to the legal process.

Every year near May 1, Americans celebrate Law Day, termed an opportunity for all Americans to reflect on the rule of law and the foundations of the country’s legal system. The Legacy of John Adams is the theme for Law Day 2011. This year�s theme fosters understanding of the historical and contemporary role of lawyers in defending the principle of due process and the rights of the accused.

Numerous award recipients were recognized for their service in the justice community. The Justinian Award was awarded to J. Mike Rowan. The Justinian Award recognizes a member of the Smith County Bar Association who is, or has been for the major portion of his or her professional life, a practicing attorney. The award is in recognition of longstanding dedication to volunteer service-benefiting Smith County in the area of civic, cultural, educational, health and welfare, religious or philanthropic endeavors.

This year�s recipient of the Award of Excellence is Honorable Diane V. DeVasto. This award is presented to an attorney who has significantly contributed to the community and raised the profile of the legal profession within the community. The Liberty Bell Award was given to Clay Alexander. Clay Alexander is the Resident Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the Tyler Field Office. He has been a Supervisor in Tyler for the past 10 years. His notable investigations include supervision of investigations with federal response to the space shuttle crash, and the 2010 church arson and mailbox bombs investigations. He has been an ATF Special Agent for the past 24 years.

The Smith County Young Lawyer of the Year is Debby Gunter. Every year the Smith County Young Lawyers Association recognizes a member of their association for outstanding service to the community as well as the legal profession. The Legal Professional of the Year is Alice Roach Zillmer. Attorneys who have been practicing for 50 years were also recognized at the event. The Tyler Area Association of Legal Professionals (TAALP) announced the recipients of its three 2011 scholarships. Jason McCloskey is the recipient of the Betty Miller Memorial Scholarship; Jack Skeen III is the recipient of the Betty Kirby Memorial Scholarship; and Carrie L. King is the recipient of the TAALP Scholarship.

Mary Mikule, from T.K. Gorman High School, won the Smith County essay contest and was selected as the Second Place winner in the State Bar of Texas (SBOT) contest. Mary won a cash prize of $200 from the Smith County Bar Foundation. She also won a $500 cash award that will be presented to her at the SBOT Law Day luncheon in Austin. Second place went to Colleen O. Neill and third place to Hannah Frossard, all of Bishop T.K. Gorman High School.

TYLER — Instead of holding May�s Monthly FitWalk, Mayor Barbara Bass encouraged residents who were planning to participate in the FitWalk to participate in the 13th Annual Susan G. Komen Tyler Race for the Cure this morning at Bergfeld Park. Officials at the event announced 5,800 registered to participate in the race this year.

The Mayor�s Monthly FitWalks take place the first Saturday of each month; visit http://www.CityofTyler.org/News for the location of each walk. The next Mayor�s Monthly FitWalk is scheduled to take place at Faulkner Park�s new bike trail at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 4. The walks last between 30-40 minutes and are planned in the early morning to allow residents to easily fit them in to their busy schedules.

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank is the 2011 recipient of the Technology and Fundraising Model Program Awards from Feeding America for its Comprehensive Technology Infrastructure Enhancement (CTIE) Project and Tyler Independent School District BackPack Program. The awards were recently presented to Dennis Cullinane, executive director of the East Texas Food Bank, at the Feeding America Network Summit in Las Vegas.

�We are deeply honored to be recognized by Feeding America with these prestigious national awards. We could not have won either award without the generous support of our donors who made the success of these programs possible,� said Cullinane. �There are over 200 food banks in the Feeding America network across the country and I am so proud of the East Texas Food Bank and our generous community of which this is a reflection.�

Each year, Feeding America honors a member food bank with the Model Technology Program of the Year award. It’s presented to a food bank for an innovative technology solution that significantly increases the member�s capability to serve its community and enhance its existing hunger-relief services. Additionally, the Fundraising Program of the Year award is handed out for an innovative fundraising activity or strategy that increased the revenue for the network member and demonstrated growth potential in the coming year. The winning program or campaign in each category also contains elements that can be replicated by other member food banks.

East Texas Food Bank officials say the Comprehensive Technology Infrastructure Enhancement (CTIE) Project is a holistic, fully integrated approach to technology, data and online management systems. Serving more than 183,000 people every year � a 90 percent increase over 2006 � the food bank implemented the project to build capacity by more efficiently managing food, funds, partner agencies, volunteers and operations. The results, according to food bank officials: reduced fuel costs, increased food donations from national donors, constituent relationship management systems, faster and more efficient acknowledgment of financial donors. and larger gifts. Officials say the implementation of this comprehensive, cross-departmental plan improved technological capacity and the overall service to the hungry.

According to food bank press materials, the objective of the BackPack Project objective was to raise enough funds to support the BackPack Program at every elementary school in the district, while engaging the public in the goal of eliminating hunger in the district. Food bank officials say the project model is designed to build hunger advocates within each school and the school circle-of-influence, and project donors, in alignment with the food bank�s and Feeding America�s strategic plans.

�The East Texas Food Bank�s technology strategy has positioned itself as a leader among nonprofits to increase service, grow donations and reduce costs,� said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America. �Our network strives for enhanced technology solutions that streamline our work and enable us to help more people in the most efficient way possible. Their successful BackPack Initiative also engaged individuals and companies throughout their service area and stands as model for food banks across the country looking to further develop hunger-relief efforts at a local level.�

TYLER — Former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, now running for a U.S. Senate seat, makes a stop at KTBB. Leppert, a Republican, seeks the post that will soon be vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison. Leppert says he thinks he can make a difference. He says not only did he have successes as mayor in setting priorities and cutting expenses — “but for 25 years I’ve led businesses. I’m the one that has signed both sides of the paycheck; I’ve created thousands of jobs. And that’s where the perspective needs to be. We need to reduce the role of Washington, not increase it.”

Leppert also commented on the huge debt currently faced by the United States. “Everybody in this nation understands that you have to live within your means, be it a family or a business,” said Leppert. “The disconnect is in Washington. Washington just needs to have the message.” On the future of the dollar in world commerce, Leppert said Washington must decide whether to make the hard choices and cut spending. He said national leaders must also reduce taxes and regulation to grow the economy.

Along those lines, Leppert addressed the topic of “entitlements” such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid — considered untouchable by many politicians. Leppert said, “We’ve gotta be realistic enough to understand that the three big entitlement programs — Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid — have to be reformed…I believe the deal is the deal that we made; I wouldn’t touch that. But we do have to reform those longer-term and understand that if we don’t, they’re simply not gonna be around — they’ll be bankrupt.” Leppert says such reform must happen “between the middle and the end of this decade.”

NACOGDOCHES — A student at Nettie Marshall Elementary in Nacogdoches is suspended this week for bringing a toy gun that shoots foam pellets to school in his backpack on Wednesday. Other students saw the toy on the bus in the morning before school and reported it, said Marty Prince, NISD’s public relations and community outreach coordinator. District administrators and NISD’s police department began an immediate investigation to find the student.

TYLER — Tyler Police investigate an assault and robbery Thursday night. It happened around 10:15 in the 500 block of south Bois D’ Arc Ave. The victim claims he heard a knock on his front door and claims two black males dressed in dark colored clothing asked to speak with him. The victim stated he opened the door and was immediately attacked and knocked to the floor by the suspects. The suspects reportedly took an undetermined amount of cash and fled the scene. One suspect is described as 6’0″, 250 lbs., in his mid-twenties and bald. The victim was taken to Trinity Mother Frances hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tyler Police.

TYLER — ETMC Tyler was recognized May 5 by UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Transplant Services Center as a member of the �Leadership Circle� of top eye donor hospitals in North Texas with 20 cornea donations in 2010. Transplant Services Center, one of the nation�s longest continually accredited tissue and eye banks, provides corneas, sclera, bone grafts, heart valves, and skin to the communities served by ETMC as well as areas all over the United States. Since 2001, ETMC has provided 203 corneas for transplant. There are an estimated 43,000 cornea transplants and more than 800,000 tissue transplants annually in the United States. Tissue donation/transplant includes skin, bone, heart valves, veins and tendons. Cornea transplants can relieve patients with glared or blurred vision, painful swelling and effectively avoid corneal blindness.

TYLER — Research by a team of scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler indicates that a natural chemical produced by the body boosts the immune system and protects against lethal flu infections. Lead investigator Amir Shams, Ph.D., said the chemical enables immune system cells to signal each other, helping to regulate the system. Scientists call it GM-CSF, which stands for granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor.

According to a UTHSCT news release, if their results are confirmed in future clinical trials, research by Shams and the UTHSCT team could change the way people are protected against the flu. UTHSCT officials say rather than getting an annual flu shot, individuals might be able to use a nasal spray that boosts their lungs� immune system, enabling them to fight off the flu.

�If we had a flu pandemic, we could use this chemical to increase the innate immunity of the population,� said Dr. Shams, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at UTHSCT. That would provide a head start in protecting people, because creating a vaccine against a new and deadly flu strain takes time, and flu viruses mutate very quickly, he said. �In addition,” he added, “the flu vaccine doesn�t work as well in older people, and it takes two weeks after you get a flu shot to build up your immunity.� Adults 65 years of age and older have an increased risk of developing serious complications from the flu, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The research done by Dr. Shams and the UTHSCT team recently was published in the online edition of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, a prestigious journal published by the American Thoracic Society. UTHSCT President Dr. Kirk A. Calhoun expressed his pride in the achievements made by Dr. Shams and the UTHSCT team. �Our researchers and physicians have identified a potential treatment that may save the lives of up to half a million people worldwide annually who die from the flu,� Dr. Calhoun said.

LONGVIEW — Two men are in custody after reportedly stealing a vehicle. Abel Garcia, 20, and Eric Pena, 21, both of Longview were arrested last night. Longview Police were called to the 1000 block of McCann Road around 11:55 after someone called and reported a possible car burglary. Officers found the stolen silver Cadillac with the two men inside along with some stolen property. They were both arrested for burglary of a vehicle. Pena was also charged with driving with an invalid license.

TYLER � Tyler’s observance of the National Day of Prayer kicked off Thursday with the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. Various prayers, musical performances, and more were offered during the Harvey Convention Center event. Mayor Barbara Bass remarked, “Freedom of religion and freedom of speech are God-given rights. They are not man-made.” She asked the hundreds in attendance to remember “all of the different ways that we need to be praying, all of the different groups we need to be recognizing.” She added, “I ask that you continue to keep prayer in your life throughout the year.” Various churches joined other agencies and community members in sponsoring and organizing the free event.

Also on the schedule: two new events sponsored by Bridlewood Church of Bullard, Lane�s Chapel United Methodist Church, and Mission Tyler. �Prayer on the Square� was held at noon in downtown Tyler. Clergy participants included Rev. David Dykes of Green Acres Baptist Church, Rev. John Robbins of Marvin United Methodist Church, and Bro. Lou Thomas of Lane�s Chapel United Methodist. Along with that event, organizers scheduled an Evening Community Prayer Service at Lane�s Chapel with Pastor Stephen Broden of Fair Park Bible Fellowship of Dallas as guest speaker.

Bridlewood Church pastor Dan Cummins says the noon and evening events are to become annual activities for Tyler�s National Day of Prayer. Cummins says next year�s Evening Community Prayer Service will be hosted by another church in the community.