Gladewater Man Arrested for Aggravated Kidnapping


LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say they’ve brought in a Gladewater man in an aggravated kidnapping case. On Monday, officers responded to a domestic dispute in the 100 Block of Evergreen Street. Upon arrival officers were told that there were no problems. Upon further investigation they spoke with relatives of the victim. They told police they had located the victim’s vehicle in a ditch near the intersection of Brentwood and Clinton Streets with what appeared to be new damage to it.

Police say through further investigation by the officers, and with the assistance of the Gladewater Police Department, police were able to locate the involved parties and bring the case to a peaceful conclusion. The victim told police the suspect, 24-year-old Kransten Turner, had struck her vehicle with his SUV, causing her to veer off the roadway. He then allegedly forced her out of her car and into his SUV. Turner then reportedly drove to his home in the 300 Block of Allison Drive in Gladewater, where officers located him and the victim a short time later. Turner was taken in to custody for an outstanding warrant for assault family violence and was also charged with aggravated kidnapping.

Gladewater Plant Destroyed by Fire


GLADEWATER — Officials now say an early morning fire destroyed a Gladewater business on Monday. The fire at Southwest Plastics was called in shortly before 1:30 a.m. Due to safety concerns, firefighters had to battle the fire from the outside. Officials say the fire could have been a lot worse: a full 3,000-gallon oil tank was less than 20 feet from the building. The cause of the fire is still unknown at this time and remains under investigation. No one was hurt in the fire.

Gov. Perry Visits North Texas, Touts Budget Cuts

DALLAS (AP) – Gov. Rick Perry is visiting Dallas and Tyler to tout his tough stand on budget cuts and what he calls a pro-business climate in Texas. Perry will first stop in Tyler before heading to Dallas on Tuesday afternoon, where he will attend a fundraiser for American for Tax Reform. That group opposes all attempts to raise taxes. Texas is facing its worst budget crisis in generations. Some Republican lawmakers have proposed tapping the state’s Rainy Day Fund to make up for a $27 billion shortfall. But Perry continues to oppose any effort to raise more state revenue, or to tap the fund. Perry is expected to use his public appearances to drive home that message.

Teacher of the Month-March 2011

Holly McClarty-Tyler’s Clarkston Elementary

Michelle Noble-Lindale Primary

Christi Smith-Winona Elementary

Kevin Grigsby-Troup Elementary

Campus Teacher of the Year

Tyler Secondary Teacher of the Year-Toby Wahl, Dogan Middle School

Tyler Elementary Teacher of the Year-Laurie Wells, Dixie Elementary

Winona ISD-Jennifer Taylor, Winona Elementary

Troup ISD-Amy Ledford, Arp Junior High

Whitehouse
Wendie Turner – Staton-Smith Elementary

Teri Agnew – Higgins Elementary

Robin Ballard – Holloway 6th Grade

Shari Knight – Whitehouse Jr. High

Tom Young – Whitehouse High School

Danny Robey – Aim Center

Wood County Murder Under Investigation

QUITMAN – A preliminary autopsy ruled an 81-year-old Winnsboro man’s cause of death to be homicide, Wood County Justice of the Peace Cindy Weems said. Weems said the report attributed the man’s death to “multiple sharp force injuries.” According to Wood County Sheriffs’ Lt. Jerry Blaylock, deputies were called to the residence located at 2460 FM Road 852 near Winnsboro on Feb. 25 where they found the body of Don Randoll Askew. Blaylock said investigators believe someone placed the emergency 911 call, after evidence was found near Askew’s home, which indicated there may have been problems. No arrests have been made, but police said they are searching for a person they believe to be responsible for the death.

Teen Murder Suspect May Be Tried as an Adult


TYLER — Smith County prosecutors have filed papers to have a teen murder suspect tried as an adult. Nathaniel “Nate” Anderson, 15, is accused of shooting his sister, Amanda Anderson, in the head last September. The motion, which was filed last Friday, was signed by a judge yesterday. The teen remains in custody at the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. His next court appearance will be next Monday.

Mercy Ships Health Screening Turns Deadly

SIERRA LEONE — One person has been killed and nearly a dozen injured when violence broke out during a routine medical screening that Mercy Ships was providing in Sierra Leone. Problems began when a crowd stormed the Freetown National Stadium when the screening was taking place.

A news release issued by the Smith County Organization said Mercy Ships is deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred today during medical screening at the Freetown National Stadium when a crowd stormed the gate resulting in several injuries and one life lost. Mercy Ships personnel working at the site attended the injured and accompanied them to local hospitals.

According to Don Stephens, Mercy Ships’ founder, “Our hearts and prayers are with the individuals and families of those affected by today’s events. The occurrence of this incident in the course of activities intended to restore lives is tragic. We move forward with tremendous sadness, but great determination, to assist as many people as possible in the next ten months.”

The news release went on to say that Mercy Ships has served Sierra Leone five times over the past two decades, also helping establish two land-based health care facilities. For the next ten months, Mercy Ships will be providing surgeries for qualified patients while working alongside the Sierra Leonean Government to support its five-year healthcare plan and strengthen the functions of the national health system.

Longview Warrant Round-Up Deemed a Success

LONGVIEW — Authorities in Longview say they’re pleased with the results of a recent warrant roundup. Local citizens have been taking care of their warrants since February 21, according to Sergeant Jack Lanier, Supervisor over the Warrant Section for the Police Department. The State Wide Round-Up began on February 21, when Court clerks sent out notices to all those with outstanding warrants. Over the next few weeks the amount of fees collected from those with warrants in Longview totaled $242,056.24. Police say the total accounts for 733 outstanding municipal warrants that were cleared up.

Police: Man Arrested in Hit and Run Was Also DWI


LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say a man arrested for a hit-and-run was also driving while intoxicated. Sunday evening just before 7:45, officers responded to the hit-and-run in the 700 Block of West Marshall Avenue. Officers learned the driver of a white Ford truck had struck a vehicle in the Jack in the Box parking lot and left the scene. Police say the victim followed the driver of the vehicle to an address in the 1700 Block of Lorin Lane. Authorities identified the driver of the truck as Johnny Quentin Miller Jr., 37, of Longview. Miller was arrested for failure to stop at an accident over $200 damage and driving while intoxicated. No one was injured in this accident.

Fugitive Caught after Five Years on the Run


TYLER — A man who has been a fugitive from the law for five years has been arrested in Gladewater. Taken into custody was Keith Earl Robertson, 46. He was arrested by members of the Joint East Texas Federal Fugitive Task Force at 303 Tenery, Gladewater, after a lengthy investigation. Robertson had been named in an arrest warrant that was issued on March 20, 2006 by Smith County Judge Randal Rogers for Theft, a first degree felony. Robertson was implicated in the theft of over $200,000 from Mid-South Health Care Companies in Tyler, Texas. Robertson was booked in at the Smith County Jail today and Judge Rogers set bond at $15,000.

At Least 13 Arrested in Warrant Roundup


NACOGDOCHES — Around 4:00 Monday morning, Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a warrant roundup, focusing on individual outstanding child support warrants. Of the initial list, 29 people were targeted, and at least 13 were arrested. According to KETK, three others contacted officials and made bond arrangements, or turned themselves in. Officials say child support is a civil matter, so sentencing time varies and is up to the judge. Those arrested will go before the judge on Tuesday.

Student Gets Intensive Probation for Gun Incident

TYLER — The Robert E. Lee student who brought a gun to school in February has been sentenced to 18 months in intensive supervision at home. He will go to school at the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. Officials say that the gun was reported stolen, but they do not know whether the student was the one who took it. According to earlier reports, the student had been accused of theft; when he was approached by authorities, he ran off, leaving behind a backpack with the gun inside. The incident prompted a campus lockdown that lasted about thirty minutes. The teen was taken into custody shortly after the incident.

Police Investigate Possible Homicide


LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating what they term a possible homicide. Yesterday morning just after 10:00, officers were dispatched to a shooting in the 100 block of East Melton Street. Upon arrival they located Danielo E. Nelson 25, of Longview, dead inside the house. If you have any information regarding this crime or any other crime, you are encouraged to contact the Longview Police Department at http://www.Longviewpolice.com or (903)237-1199. Information may also be reported anonymously by contacting Gregg County Crime Stoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com or 903-236-STOP.

Brief Standoff Ends with Arrest

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man surrenders to police after reportedly robbing his friend for cash. Police reports say, Scott Alexander Stewart, Lufkin, was high on crack when he pulled a knife on his friend in order to try and steal rent money. When police arrived, they say Stewart refused to come out of his house and they had to shoot pepper balls into the residence. Stewart is charged with aggravated robbery and resisting arrest.

Veteran Police Chief Resigns

DIBOLL — Diboll Police Chief Kent Havard has resigned after a 30-year career with the department, the result of an ongoing investigation, according to City Attorney Jimmy Cassels.

Diboll Mayor Bill Brown said he could not give specifics on Havard’s resignation, but that it was effective at noon Wednesday. Havard declined comment Thursday. The resignation does not concern an incident in July, in which a Diboll police officer stopped two men on their way to the hospital and allegedly postponed them for more than an hour, Cassels said. Patrol Sgt. Steve Baker will fill in as a temporary interim chief. Baker has been a member of the Diboll police force for more than 17 years. Another interim chief will be assigned until a permanent chief is chosen, Baker said.

An emergency meeting of Diboll City Council was not declared, according to Brown. Council members will hold their regular meeting at 5:15 p.m. Monday at Diboll City Hall.