KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — A Marshall woman died early Sunday morning while walking on Texas 149 near Whiskey Bend after she was hit by an unidentified vehicle. Mindy Woodson, 30, was pronounced dead about 1:02 a.m. Sunday, according to the Department of Public Safety. Woodson was walking in the northbound lane of Texas 149 when she was hit by an unidentified vehicle, also traveling north on the highway. A driver of a second vehicle contacted law enforcement about her. DPS is conducting an investigation to find the driver of the first car. The accident happened about a mile south of Eastman Road in Longview. Justice of the Peace Arthur Fort pronounced the woman dead.

TYLER � Tyler Police investigate a report of shots fired. It happened at an apartment at 2700 North Grand. The resident was asleep inside the apartment and was not injured. It�s the 2nd time in two weeks the same apartment had reportedly been shot at. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Tyler Police or Crimestoppers.

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

UNDATED — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as “District-Wide Seal Coat” kicked off Monday in Cherokee County, followed by the same work in Anderson County. Crews were scheduled to apply a seal coat to State Highway 110 in Cherokee County between U.S. Highway 79 in New Summerfield and U.S. Highway 84 in Rusk on May 2, then move to US 84 in Palestine between U.S. Highway 287 and Farm Road 3266 east of town.

Staying in Anderson County, the work is scheduled to move to Farm Road 645 between Farm Road 320 and U.S. Highway 79, Spur 324 between US 287 and Farm Road 321, and US 287 between the Freestone County Line and FM 321.

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.

The District-Wide Seal Coat program, which will seal approximately 300 miles of roads as it passes through all eight counties in the Tyler District before the end of August, uses a two-step process of spraying down hot asphalt and covering it with rock to add years of life to existing pavement.

CHEROKEE COUNTY � Beginning Monday, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 79 at its intersection with U.S. Highway 69 (Rusk Street and South Jackson Street), and then move east on US 79 making the same repairs in various locations. This work is scheduled to last throughout the week: US 69 and US 79, working in and around the intersection; and US 79 east of US 69. 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 delays.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on SH 19 north of Palestine between Farm Road 860 in Bois D’Arc and the Henderson County Line. The work is being performed in advance of a seal-coat application in May. 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 resurfacing operations on Farm Road 85 between the Navarro County Line and State Highway 274 in Seven Points. A second crew is scheduled to perform the same work on Farm Road 2892 between Farm Road 2495 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.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to conclude pavement-repair operations on Spur 63 in Longview. The work is being done in preparation for a seal-coat application later this summer. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone. Also this week in Gregg County, the overnight lane closure on State Highway 149 in the Whiskey Bend area has been extended to last through May 16.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base repairs in various locations on U.S. Highway 259 north of Henderson between State Highway 322 and Farm Road 850. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repair operations in various locations on State Highway 37 in Winnsboro between State Highway 11 and Farm Road 515, and south of Winnsboro near Farm Road 1647. A second crew is scheduled to perform edge repairs on Farm Road 69 between Farm Road 515 in Coke and the Hopkins 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.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing and edge-repair operations on State Highway 198 between State Highway 64 in Canton and Farm Road 1651. The work is being done in advance of a seal coat application later this month. A second crew is scheduled to perform fog seal operations on Farm Road 858 between State Highway 19 and Ben Wheeler. 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.

NOONDAY — Tasty treats mixed with serious business as the Noonday Volunteer Fire Department held a community fish fry Saturday, largely to raise funds. The fire department gets tax money through an emergency services district. But Assistant Fire Chief Jonathan McClish says there are always a few expenses that the ESD does not cover, “and that’s where the donations come in.” McClish says such events, held several times a year, also promote awareness among residents. According to McClish, “They come out and introduce themselves and see where their tax dollars have gone.”

It all happened as Texans continued to deal with wildfire-prone conditions. McClish and a colleague recently helped battle a devastating wildfire in West Texas. McClish encourages residents to drop in any time and get to know their firefighters. He says his department stays busy and has grown substantially in recent years.

TYLER — Early voting in the May elections got underway today. One high-profile item is the Smith County jail bond. 384 beds would be added under the $35 million plan, which calls for expansion and renovation of the existing jail. Early voting continues through May 10, and Election Day is May 14.

TYLER � A high-speed chase that started in Longview made its way to Tyler Saturday evening. Authorities tell KETK the car being pursued made its way on down U.S. Highway 271 onto Loop 323 in Tyler. Smith County sheriff’s deputies picked up the chase on the Smith County line. After driving on the loop, police were able to stop the car south of Grande and highway 155 in Tyler. The suspect is currently in custody in the Smith County Jail. We’ll have more details as they’re made available.

TYLER � Over 6,000 people poured into the downtown Tyler Square on Saturday afternoon for the 4th Annual Cause For The Paws event — an event envisioned by award winning country artist Miranda Lambert, a native East Texan. The event was originally meant just to help the Humane Society of East Texas, but now it’s growing — while still including its original beneficiary. “Now that we’ve gotten the Humane Society of East Texas so built up, we wanted to start branching out and going across the United States, so we started the foundation (Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation) to sort of put all the money we raise in one pot and be able to help more than just our hometown…but spread it out,” Lambert told KETK Also at Saturday’s event, there were performances by Stoney Larue and Josh Kelley.

Lambert says Saturday’s show is actually the last show she’ll be performing for a while due to some other plans she has coming up. “Ready to get married, it’s been a year in planning so it kind of consumes everyone’s life for a year and so I’m ready to experience it and then move on,” Lambert said. Lambert’s people says they raised over $50,000 Saturday night in just the live auction alone. Lambert’s fiance is fellow country star Blake Shelton.

FORT WORTH (AP) – The Humane Society of North Texas just received some new tenants – 79 nonvenomous snakes. An East Texas judge granted custody of the snakes, all constrictors, to the nonprofit this week. Tammy Roberts of the agency says they include a rock python, anacondas and “a few things in between.” They are 2 to 14 feet long and weigh up to 70 pounds. The reptiles were seized by the Wood County sheriff last week from a snake dealer in a cruelty investigation. He has 10 days to appeal. The serpents are living in the Humane Society’s area for exotic animals, each in a 10- to 12-inch-high bin that is about 4 feet long and 2 feet wide. They will be fed thawed rats or rabbits by workers who use 4-foot tongs.

LINDALE � Local citizens and law officers are expressing dismay over the activities of a body shop owner. Smith County Constable Dennis Taylor says law officers have already taken three cars from Alvey’s Body Shop in Lindale this week for drivers who were tired of waiting for their cars to get fixed. “We’ve been getting complaints about cars not being worked on,” he says. According to KETK, Taylor says David Alvey, the owner, makes about $30,000 in insurance checks every month, but the cars aren’t getting fixed. “His electricity and water are shut off. The cars aren’t getting fixed. So where’s the money going?” Taylor says.

One driver says she took her truck to Alvey’s to get a new bumper. When she went to pick it up, she says it had no bumper and Alvey had messed up other parts on the truck. She also says her rims and tires were taken off of her truck and put on Alvey’s truck, so she called the Constable. Alvey was arrested for theft of property, but was released just a couple of hours later on a $4,000 bond. Since she gave Alvey her insurance check and he already cashed it, she says the $7,000 to fix the damage is coming from her pocket.

Several East Texans also say they went to Alvey’s and gave him money, but their cars never got fixed. Some people say just a couple of years ago, they took their cars to Alvey and he fixed them well. Now the Better Business Bureau rates Alvey’s Body Shop with an “F” after a customer filed a complaint that his mirror was replaced with a shiny piece of cardboard.

Constable Taylor says if anyone has a car at Alvey’s, he will go get it. Unfortunately, he says customers will probably not get their cars fixed or get their money back. The Constable also says they searched Alvey’s car, business, and home for drugs, but none were found.

TYLER – TJC’s board of trustees recently approved an across-the-board tuition increase. In addition to a higher tuition, officials say students can expect increases in other areas such as a higher general education fee, registration fee, and campus meal plans. According to KETK, officials say a full time student can expect a grand total 9% increase in tuition and fees starting in the fall.

FORT WORTH (AP) – A former Miss USA’s claims of being groped during a pat-down at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport could be a criminal matter under a bill sponsored by Republican Representative David Simpson of Longview. The measure’s gaining momentum in the Texas Legislature. If it becomes Texas law, it would be a felony for a security officer to intentionally touch someone’s private areas – even on top of clothing – unless they have probable cause. Susie Castillo says the pat down left her feeling molested and violated. Castillo, who was crowned in 2003, was in tears following the April 21st experience. She says a female Transportation Security Administration worker who checked her touched her crotch area several times.

EAST TEXAS — East Texas takes up the battle against prescription drug abuse. The Tyler Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) host a Prescription Drug Take Back Day today from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Super One Foods located at 3000 WNW Loop 323 in Tyler. Police say there will be �no questions asked.”

In Longview, The Region 4 Prevention Resource Center, a program of East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (ETCADA), conducts a similar effort — also today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can drop off your prescription drugs at Louis Morgan Drug #4, located at 110 Johnston St. To find a site near you, simply visit the DEA website at http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov or by contacting Linda Moyer with ETCADA at (903) 247-9646.

According to authorities, the purpose of this National Take Back Day is to provide a venue for persons who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs. Police say a prior take back effort was a huge success in removing potentially dangerous prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances, from the nation�s medicine cabinets. There were approximately 3,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation that participated in the event. All told, the American Public turned in more than 121 tons of pills on the first National Take Back Day.

Due to what’s termed the overwhelming success of the first event, DEA has scheduled the second National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Police say it’s a great opportunity for those who missed the first event, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted or unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of them.

Police say the initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration�s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

MARSHALL � A 44-year-old Linden man has pleaded guilty to sexual assault-related charges in the Eastern District of Texas. Rodney Ray Hayes pleaded guilty to the transportation of minors with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity Friday in Marshall before U.S. District Judge T. John Ward.

According to information presented in court, Hayes, also known as the Texas Kid, had a professional rodeo act which was based out of Linden. As part of his rodeo act, Hayes had children under the age of eighteen years old performing and traveling with him. Hayes would travel with these children in interstate commerce to other states to perform their act at various rodeos. An investigation revealed that at various times between March 2005 and June 2008, Hayes engaged in illicit sexual contact with at least one minor. Hayes was indicted by a federal grand jury on Sep. 7, 2010.

In addition to facing federal prison time, Hayes will be required to register as a sex offender and is prohibited from having any contact with his victims. A sentencing date has not been set. The case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

EAST TEXAS — East Texans hit the road Friday morning in Red Cross emergency response vehicles to help out with the tornado devastation that hit nine states. Hundreds of Red Cross volunteers have either headed in that direction or are already on site — providing food, shelter, relief supplies, blood products and equipment. Sonya Meador is an experienced Red Cross volunteer who showed up Friday morning to be deployed. She told our news partner KETK, “All I can do is what I’ve been trained to do, is to be available — whether it’s staffing a shelter or feeding, running a vehicle through neighborhoods, helping people clean up, whatever — just to be available.” Forty Red Cross emergency vehicles are involved in the response effort. More than 1600 people already have taken advantage of Red Cross shelters following the tornadoes and flooding. This is believed to be the deadliest tornadio outbreak in more than 35 years.

HENDERSON – Three East Texas suspects were arrested Thursday for theft of livestock after allegedly stealing two head of cattle from a pasture near Reklaw. KETK reports John Frederick Hinds II, 26, Reklaw; his wife, Kellie Dawn Hinds, 22, Reklaw; and Bobby Addrian Askew, 24, Jacksonville, were admittedly high on methamphetamine at the time of the theft. The suspects hired a commercial hauler to transport the cattle to a livestock auction barn in East Texas. Livestock company employees immediately saw multiple signs of possible theft and reported it. The cattle were later identified as stolen and returned to the owners.

“These cattle were quickly identified and returned to their owners because employees at the livestock market stepped forward and voiced concerns they had about the sellers,” said Larry Hand, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) special ranger. “Thanks to the collaboration between TSCRA and sheriff deputies, we were able to track down the suspects and take them into custody.” Hand advises ranchers to brand their cattle and count them regularly, especially now that cattle prices are at record highs. Hand led the investigation in cooperation with deputies from the Panola and Rusk County sheriff’s departments, the Rusk County district attorney’s office, TSCRA Market Inspector Pat McGuigan and TSCRA Special Ranger Jimmy Dickson.