KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — A Longview family escaped without injuries but is displaced from their home after an early morning blaze. Firefighters were dispatched to the 100 block of West Birdsong Street about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday for a fire that started in the home�s attic. Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said residents told investigators their breaker tripped repeatedly, but they kept resetting it. He said the fire, which caused about $25,000 worth of damage, was caused by faulty wiring in the home. Zackary said the fire could have been prevented if the residents had heeded the electrical breaker warning. He said if a breaker trips in your home multiple times it is important to leave it off until an electrician can diagnose the issue.

ATHENS — Two men who pleaded guilty to a series of church fires in Smith County have now pleaded guilty to similar charges in Henderson County. Jason Bourque and Daniel McAllister pleaded guilty in a court appearance Tuesday afternoon. Bourque was assessed three life sentences and McAllister was assessed two life sentences. They will be served concurrently with the life sentences they received for the Smith County church arson cases. The pair still faces charges in Van Zandt County.

TYLER � A two-alarm fire at Tyler�s Transit Mix Concrete Company caused an estimated $20,000 in damage. The fire in the 4200 block of the Old Troup Highway was reported around 3:30 Wednesday afternoon. Six engines and two ladder companies along with a district chief and an investigator responded to the blaze. Flames were visible on the roof when firemen arrived. Investigators say workers constructing a new roof on the structure were using a propane torch and accidentally ignited wooden material beneath the roofing. The employees were quickly evacuated from the building and no injuries were reported.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert is concerned after three Texas teens were shot to death Saturday in violent Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, while visiting an auto dealership. Gohmert says the U.S. has to put pressure on the Mexican authorities — “and if they do not seem able to address these murders adequately, then it’s time to take what action we need to.” Gohmert says he’s discussed the situation with FBI personnel, and that they’re willing to assist in whatever way the Mexican government will allow. Gohmert serves as vice chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. He says when there are drug cartels killing people on either side of the border, obviously it’s going to spill over into America.

TYLER � A teen responsible for a 30 minute lockdown at Tyler�s Robert E Lee High School is in custody. Tyler I.S.D. officials say the lockdown was instituted because �the safety of our students is our foremost concern.�

They say that the incident began when a student reported some stolen items to the school�s Crime Stoppers organization. Officials say when the accused thief was approached by authorities; he dropped his bag and ran out of the school and into a nearby park. A handgun was found in the student�s bag, and the school was placed on lockdown. School district officials say Tyler ISD Police assisted by the Tyler Police Department in securing the suspect�s location. There were no injuries.

Around 9:00 Tuesday night, the student turned himself into authorities with the Tyler ISD Police Department. He was taken into custody by officers for the offense of �Places Weapons Prohibited� and transported to the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center.

According to a statement from the school district, �Although we hope we never have these types of instances, this is a great example of how to use the Crime Stoppers program successfully and how students can help keep each other safe. We applaud the efforts of our students in communicating this information to school officials. Campus administrators acted immediately to secure the campus. We appreciate the efforts of the students, staff, and both law enforcement agencies in acting efficiently and effectively to secure the campus in a timely manner.�

TYLER � A 32-year-old Mexican National has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in Eastern Texas. Gabriel Hernandez Rodriguez, who�s said to be illegally living in Tyler, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

According to information presented in court, from an unknown date to January of last year, Rodriguez conspired with Jose Zavala of Whitehouse to distribute methamphetamine in the Eastern District. Rodriguez also possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. Rodriguez was arrested on September 28, 2010, and charged with federal drug trafficking crimes. Zavala pleaded guilty on July 6, 2010 and will be sentenced today. Both men face a minimum of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date for Rodriguez has not been set.

EAST TEXAS � A hard freeze warning and a wind chill advisory are in effect for the Tyler-Longview area overnight. Travel could remain treacherous through Friday morning due to minimal melting on Thursday. Because of the winter weather, some schools and other agencies have announced some schedule changes for Wednesday evening and Thursday.

WEDNESDAY:

Closed:
Texas College
A & M Commerce
Bethel Christian (Pittsburg)
Jarvis Christian College
Star College
Kilgore College
UT Tyler
All Tyler ISD after-school programs and tutorials
LeTourneau University – Longview campus, Abbott Aviation Center and Tyler location. Food service will continue all day for students living on the LETU Longview campus.

The Tyler Municipal Court is canceling Partners for Youth Classes held at the Court between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday. Persons involved may call the Court at (903)531-1266 to get a reset appointment date.

The Tyler Public Library is canceling all events scheduled to take place on Wednesday.

PATH’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program has been cancelled for Wednesday night.

Services Cancelled Wednesday:
Colonial Hills Church
1st Baptist – Gresham
South Oaks Baptist Church
Cross Brand Cowboy Church
West Erwin Church of Christ
Central Baptist Church, Tyler
Friendly Baptist Church, Tyler

Wednesday night’s TJC Men’s & Women’s Basketball games at Panola College in Carthage have been postponed until Thursday. Game times will be 3pm and 5pm.

Wednesday night’s Kilgore College men’s basketball game against Navarro College has been postponed until Thursday at 6 p.m.

Trinity Clinic facilities closed Wednesday:
Sulphur Springs
Hawkins/HollyLake
Chandler
Canton and Canton DirectCARE
Mineola
Quitman
Winnsboro
Whitehouse
Manhatton
Trinity Children’s Clinic
Trinity Pediatric Clinic

All Carter BloodCare donor centers in North, Central and East Texas are closed Wednesday.

THURSDAY:

Van ISD will delay opening 2 hours.
Jacksonville will open with a two hour delay.
Rusk ISD will open at 10:00 a.m.
LaPoynor ISD will open at 10 a.m. Buses will run two hours late.
Slocum ISD will open at 9:30 a.m.

This list will be updated when additional information is received. Be sure to keep it on KTBB and check ktbb.com for the latest information.

LONGVIEW — Longview residents say two area citizens have fallen victim to pigeon drop schemes in the past month. According to victim statements, the same two black males and possibly a black female are suspected of being responsible for both incidents. Reports state the older black male suspect will approach the victim and strike up a conversation with them. After a few minutes the suspect will begin talking about money and then ask for a ride to a designated location. The victim will be asked to give the suspect money. In return the victim will be told they are going to receive more money. After the transaction occurs the suspect will leave the area, possibly in a bright blue newer model extended cab Ford truck. If you have any information regarding this crime, you are encouraged to contact the Longview Police Department at http://www.longviewpolice.com or (903)237-1199.

TYLER — Tyler Police observed several incidents of hazardous driving during last week’s winter ice storm that affected our area. Due to possible slippery conditions in the wake of Wednesday’s cold and precipitation, authorities want to bring attention to the most common errors that were observed by officers.

1. Driving too fast for road conditions. When roads are covered with ice, driving the posted speed limit is not safe. The key is to drive SLOWLY and maintain control of your vehicle.

2. Avoid, if at all possible, any route that may cause you to drive on icy inclines. Drive where your vehicle will maintain the best traction.

3. Following too Closely. Please maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.

4. Remove all snow from your windows before you begin to drive. Impaired visibility affects your ability to react. Numerous drivers had windows that were completely covered with snow & ice while they were driving.

5. Don’t drive if you don’t have to.

TYLER — Tyler officially welcomed its new fire chief Monday. Dozens of well-wishers filled a room at the Rose Garden Center for Tim Johnson’s promotion ceremony. Johnson says Tyler’s fire department has a historic tradition of high-quality service to residents — and he hopes to make it the best it can be. The former district chief called his decision to join the fire department thirty years ago “life-changing.” Mayor Barbara Bass said Johnson’s appointment was the right move for the city.

WOOD COUNTY — A Yantis woman has been arrested on animal cruelty charges after Wood County Sheriff�s deputies confiscated 30 malnourished horses and several horse carcasses from her property. According to authorities, Linda Hurley Jones, 67, was taken into custody after a court hearing this past Wednesday. She was charged with nine counts of animal cruelty. Deputies, along with volunteers of the True Blue Animal Rescue organization rescued the horses two weeks ago.

Deputies responded after several neighbors reported Jones for failing to feed and water her horses as well as providing adequate shelter for them. Volunteers found more than eight dead horse carcasses and 21 malnourished mares, many of them pregnant, and nine weanlings on Jones� property at the time of the seizure. Jones was released from the Wood County jail after posting a $13,500 bond. She faces up to a year in jail on each of the misdemeanor charges.

TYLER — It looks like more snow is on the way for the Tyler area. Last week’s four inch snowfall turned out to be a kid�s delight but a motorist�s nightmare. The Department of Public Safety reported at least 75 car wrecks during Friday’s winter storm. A majority of them were on Interstate 20, Highway 155, and U.S. Highway 69.

Larry Krantz with Texas Department of Transportation says “We put down 60,000 pounds of meltdown 20 and used over 100 pieces of equipment to do so.” He said they put down gravel on major roads outside of city limits and they say they are prepared to do it again if needed. Krantz says they cannot cover every street, and their priority is Interstate Highway 20 and U.S. Highway 69.

Inside the city limits, some streets like Loop 323 and Highway 271 were like sheets of ice on Friday. City officials say they sanded slick spots, bridges, and overpasses first, but with only two sand trucks, they say they can only sand parts of roads.

TYLER — Tyler School Superintendent Randy Reid has been given a one year contract extension. On a 5 to 2 vote Monday school trustees approved the action. His contract is now set to expire June 30, 2012. With the contract extension, Reid received no raise, his salary remains at $185,000 a year. He will also continue to receive a variety of benefits, like car and cell phone allowances. Reid has been the Tyler School Superintendent since May, 2007.

AUSTIN � A Northeast Texas resident is one of three persons appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents for terms to expire February 1, 2017. The East Texan is Judy Morgan of Texarkana.

Morgan is owner and president of Jack B. Kelley Enterprises Inc. She is president of the Women for Texas A&M University (TAMU) at Texarkana Board and a member of the U.S. Compressed Gas Association. She is founder and past president of the Texarkana Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, co-founder and past president of Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council, co-founder of Texarkana Women for the Arts, and past president of the Sustainers of the Junior League of Texarkana. She is also past president of the Wadley Regional Medical Center Foundation Board and St. James Day School Board of Directors, and a past member of the TAMU at Texarkana Engineering IT School Endowment Board, and TAMU at Texarkana President and Dean of Engineering Selection committees. Morgan received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and a Master of Business Administration from TAMU at Texarkana.

Also appointed to the panel are Cliff Thomas of Victoria and Elaine Mendoza of San Antonio. All three appointments are subject to senate confirmation.

TYLER — A least for the time being, the remaining Tyler post offices are safe from closure. The downtown office was closed last year, but the remaining offices will cope with the departments monetary losses in other ways.

McKinney Boyd with the Dallas District Postal Service says that they will merge processing plants and reroute mail carriers. Boyd says post office loses about $23 million dollars nationwide every day. He blames the losses on a more technology driven public, and on businesses hoping to cut costs by “going green” in the economic downturn.