Road Rage Blamed for Accident


TYLER — Tyler police say that it will not be up to the drivers of the vehicles involved in a Monday accident on Highway 271 to file charges against each other. A report on the incident, outside Loop 323, will be sent to a property claims department, where it will be decided whether or not both drivers will face charges.

Witnesses tell officers a Volkswagen was driving too close to a pickup truck, and the driver of the truck began tapping his brake to get the driver of the car to let up. When the VW driver went to pass the truck, witnesses say the driver of the truck jumped to the other lane to prevent the car from passing. Eventually the vehicles hit. One vehicle ran off the road and hit a power pole. No outages were reported. One driver was taken to the hospital but was quickly released. The vehicles were both towed away. Witnesses say both drivers were at fault. Police say it is fortunate that the incident did not cause a head-on collision.

Abused Horses Improving

TYLER — Over a month after they were discovered, some good news for a group of abused horses in Lindale. Two of them made their way to a new home in Tennessee on Sunday. In December, after numerous complaints about a herd of malnourished horses, rescuers found 43 emaciated horses and about a dozen skeletal remains. The SPCA of East Texas and the Humane Society brought the horses to the East Texas State Fairgrounds for rehabilitation. For the past month, they’ve been getting good food, exercise and vaccinations, all in preparation to find the horses a new home.

Car Crashes Inches from House


SMITH COUNTY – Smith County deputies say a car crashed inches from a house Monday off Highway 110, south of Interstate Highway 20. Officials say the driver was speeding on a curved portion of the highway, lost control and slid off the wet road. The car crashed through a homeowner’s fence and yard, sliding to a halt on its side just inches away from the house. No one was injured during the accident. The driver was ticketed for traveling at an unsafe speed.

Another Robbery Under Investigation


TYLER — A suspect is sought in a Monday morning aggravated robbery. Just before 10:00, Tyler Police responded to Henderson Chicken at 2122 North Grand. A male employee told officers he was working inside the business when two black males entered, pointing guns and yelling it was a robbery. The suspects were wearing all black and black ski masks. According to police, the employee gave them an undetermined amount of cash, and the suspects left in a black station wagon, unknown type or model. The employee was not harmed.

Pursuit Ended in DUI Arrest

WHITEHOUSE — Smith County Game Warden Chris Green makes an uncommon stop, on land. It happened Saturday afternoon when Green decided to grab a bite to eat near the lake in Whitehouse. He says he came across some driving behavior not commonly seen in the middle of the day. “There was a truck in front of me that was weaving from side to side. I thought they might be on the cell phone or texting. I was gonna stop them and tell them they couldn’t do that,” Green said. Then the truck hit a driver stopped at the red light and veered into oncoming traffic.

After Green forced the young man out of the truck, he cuffed him and sat him down on the side of the road while he cleared traffic and called Whitehouse P.D. “Clearly his eyes were just, you know, they were dialated, going every which way, and clearly impaired on something,” Green said. He says alcohol was found in the vehicle.

The man was to be booked into the Smith County Jail and charged with driving under the influence.

Tyler Robbery Suspect Arrested


TYLER — A Tyler aggravated robbery suspect has been arrested. Early Monday morning officers responded to 1118 West Gentry Parkway to a report of a robbery in progress. When they arrived, officers saw a suspect running from the store. After a brief foot pursuit, they were able to arrest Ronald Howard, 42, Tyler. Howard was positively identified by the store clerk and was booked into the Smith County Jail on aggravated robbery charges.

Tyler Robbery Investigated


TYLER — Tyler police are investigating an aggravated robbery that was reported around 9:45 Sunday night at Super One Foods at 1105 East Gentry Parkway. A woman told officers she was robbed at gunpoint by a black male described as mid 20’s and having a thin build. The suspect left on foot in an unknown direction. No injuries were reported.

Man Arrested for Lufkin Fatality Accident


LUFKIN – A Lufkin woman has died in a weekend accident in Lufkin. It happened around 9:30 Saturday night on Loop 287 at Lotus Lane. Killed was Connie McKay, 45. A passenger in her car was injured. Lufkin police say she was attempting to cross the loop when her car was broadsided by a car that ran a red light. The driver was arrested after fleeing the scene on foot. He is identified as Leobardo Nieves, 20. He was booked into the Angelina County Jail on a charge of intoxication manslaughter.

Two Arrested in Gregg County on Drug Charges


LONGVIEW – A traffic stop by the Department of Public Safety has resulted in the arrest of two North Carolina residents on drug charges. Their car was stopped Saturday night on Interstate Highway 20. A K9 unit was called to the scene and the dog found 30 pounds of crack cocaine in the SUV. Arrested were Terry Bumgarner, 47, of Newton, North Carolina and Chelsea Elizabeth McDowell, 25, of Hickory, North Carolina.

Flu Vaccine Available at Lower Cost

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) has recently reduced the cost of the seasonal flu vaccine for the general public. The vaccine is now being offered for a fee of $8.00 at 815 North Broadway in Tyler. Medicaid and Medicare Part B are also accepted and cover the cost of the vaccination. The seasonal flu vaccination will be given on a first come, first serve basis until the vaccine supply is depleted. NET Health Immunization Clinic hours are Monday – Wednesday 8:00am till 11:00am and 1:00pm till 4:00pm and Wednesday until 6:00pm.

“It is not too late for citizens to get vaccinated against the flu for this season. We are pleased to be able to offer this protection to our community at a more affordable rate.” says George Roberts, CEO of NET Health.

“Seasonal flu vaccine, available in shot and nasal spray forms, is recommended for people ages 6 months and older. It is especially important for individuals at high risk of complications from the flu to become vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available,” says Dr. Jonathan MacClements, Smith County Health Authority.

The 2010 – 2011 seasonal influenza vaccine will protect against three strains of flu viruses, including the 2009 H1N1influenza virus, which cause so much illness last season. Health officials say flu is unpredictable, but it is very likely that the flu virus will cause illness in the coming months.

Spring Bass Spawning Season Nears

TYLER — Warm temperatures over the weekend sent fishing enthusiasts to area lakes, a reminder that bass season is just around the corner. Bass will begin spawning in the spring, when the water temperature consistently stays above 60 degrees. When bass “bed,” or find a place to mate, they stay in shallow waters and tend to stay stagnant, making it much easier for fishermen to come away with a bag limit of bass. Smith County Game Warden Chris Green says when the weather gets consistently warmer, the fishermen will be out bass fishing in full force. Green added that it’s still critical to follow any and all safety guidelines provided when bass fishing this early in the year. Green also says not to exceed the legal bag limit of bass.

TxDOT Project Updates


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

LONGVIEW — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs in various locations on State Highway 300 (Gilmer Road), Spur 63, and Spur 502 (Judson Road) in and around Longview. 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.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repair operations on State Highway 31 between Trinidad and Malakoff, followed later in the week by the same work on State Highway 31 Business and State Highway 19 Business in downtown Athens.

A second crew is scheduled to perform edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 315 and Farm Road 2010 near Chandler. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue fog seal operations on Farm Road 2330 between State Highway 19 and Farm Road 860, and on Farm Road 1817 between U.S. Highway 287 and Farm Road 323.

Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Fog seal operations require lengthy lane closures and can cause moderate delays to traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 1251 east of Henderson, and of Farm Road 2658 on the west side of Martin Creek Lake. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 858 between State Highway 19 south of Canton and Farm Road 314 south of Van. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to be at work on the following roadways in and around Wood County:
Farm Road 778 between State Highway 37 in Quitman and U.S. Highway 80; State Highway 37 north of Quitman; Farm Road 857 near Farm Road 1255; and Farm Road 49 east of Farm Road 14. 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.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several weeks of edge repairs in various locations on U.S. Highway 175 between Jacksonville and Poynor. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

Man Found in Burning House Dies


LUFKIN — A man pulled from a burning Lufkin home has died. Richard Browning, 37, died in a Houston Hospital Saturday. The fire was reported around 9:15pm Friday night at 1009 Mitchell Avenue. The house was gutted by the flames. Investigators say Browning was found in a rear bedroom. From the injuries to his head, it appeared as if he had been involved in a fight. Investigators say the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but they term the blaze “suspicious.”