KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler school trustees today will consider calling a bond election for November 6. They’re scheduled to meet in special session this afternoon at 5:00 at the Plyler Instructional Complex, moving into an open meeting following an executive session. The open meeting agenda calls for discussion of the potential bond election and opportunity for public comment, followed by consideration and action on the matter. TISD’s last bond proposal, in November 2010, fell short by a narrow margin. Since then, school officials have developed and adopted a long range plan that’s served as a basis for discussion of a possible 2012 bond issue. The plan addresses needs at all academic levels as well as a possible advanced technology and career center. You can go to http://www.tylerisd.org to get more information.

TYLER — The City of Tyler will hold a public meeting today to present the preliminary outcomes of the Medical District and Tyler Junior College Area Development Plan. The meeting’s set this afternoon at 5:30 at TJC’s White Administration Building Board Room, 1327 South Baxter. Meeting participants will have the opportunity to hear conclusions on the Area Development Plan including the planning team’s findings and recommendations.

The City of Tyler initiated the Medical District and Tyler Junior College Area Development Plan study in January, 2011, to build upon recommendations set forth in the Tyler 21 Comprehensive Plan. According to city officials, the purpose of the plan is to further develop East Texas Medical Center, Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals, Tyler Junior College, neighborhoods, and surrounding areas as a vibrant district. Officials say today’s gathering will include plans for long term growth, pedestrian friendly corridors, and ideas to enhance the Medical District and Tyler Junior College area.

TYLER — Two physicians at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler are helping lead a clinical trial of a new drug that they say offers significant hope to people suffering from mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), a rare but serious lung disease. David Griffith, M.D., and Richard Wallace, M.D., are co-principal investigators in the study designed to determine if inhaled liposomal amikacin (trade name ARIKACE) can help patients with MAC and other nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung diseases.

“The rate of MAC lung disease is increasing in the United States. And it is difficult to treat,” said Dr. Wallace, an infectious disease specialist who is nationally known for his success in treating people with MAC. Dr. Griffith, a pulmonary physician at UTHSCT, agreed. “While almost 98 percent of the people who contract tuberculosis are successfully treated, only 75% of people with MAC are cured. This drug offers the remaining 25 percent the hope of better treatment outcomes,” he said.

Dr. Griffith is the lead author of diagnosis and treatment guidelines for NTM approved by the American Thoracic Society and the Infectious Disease Society of America. MAC is the most common NTM to cause infections in people. Dr. Wallace recently was ranked in the top 1% of U.S. physicians who treat MAC by U.S. News and World Report magazine.

TYLER — Police in Tyler have arrested a suspect in what’s termed an apparent family violence incident. Saturday night around 8:30, Travesea Danyet-Shun Mallard, 25, turned herself in. She was jailed on a charge of aggravated assault family violence, with bond set at $300,000. Tyler Police responded to 3200 Rolling Hills Drive around 1:30 Saturday afternoon and made contact with a 23-year-old man who had a stab/cut wound beneath his left arm. EMS were called to the scene and transported the victim to East Texas Medical Center for a non-life threatening injury. Police say Mallard was gone on officers’ arrival.

COLLEGE STATION — Tyler police tell our news partner KETK that a man who robbed a credit union in College Station could be the “Loan Ranger” who hit the Compass Bank in Tyler in May. At about 11:29 Friday morning, officers with the College Station Police Department responded to the FedStar Credit Union located in the 700 block of Harvey Road for a report of an aggravated robbery. Upon arrival, officers were told that a male suspect had entered the bank with a handgun and demanded money. The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle with an undisclosed amount of money.

Suspect Description:

•White male, 6’ tall
•Medium build
•In his 20s
•Stubble-like facial hair
•Wearing glasses
•Ball Cap (black with green shamrock)
•Black basketball shorts
•Black high top shoes
•Black zip up nylon athletic jacket
Vehicle Description: Small blue or silver vehicle

No employees or customers were injured during the robbery. This incident remains under investigation by the College Station Police Department Criminal Investigation Division. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the College Station Police Department at 979-764-3600.

EAST TEXAS — An early Friday morning bomb threat call to a Carmike Theater in Columbus, Georgia, prompts inspections in East Texas. According to KETK, the call did not specify any particular Carmike theater as a target, so theaters across the country were investigated as a precaution. Authorities have the phone number where the threat originated and are working to track down the person who made the call.

Firefighters and police responded to the threat at the Tyler Carmike shortly after 9:00 a.m. Authorities remained on scene until approximately 1:00 p.m. No devices were found, and the theater was expected to be open Friday evening. Also, there’s been no word of any devices at any of the other Carmikes that were inspected. Officials in Tyler have been in contact with the local FBI, and the incident remains under investigation. Authorities say updates will be available as new information is obtained.

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department battles a two-alarm structure fire after responding Friday morning at 9:07 to 3417 Timberlane Dr. Upon arrival, firefighters reported heavy fire conditions in the home. The fire was primarily located in the garage area. Officials say firefighters made a quick interior attack on the fire and prevented further fire damage to the rest of the home. Heavy heat and smoke damage was sustained throughout the structure. Fire Investigators believe the fire originated in the area around a clothes dryer. The fire was brought under control and all units had cleared the scene by 10:55 a.m. One occupant was transported to an area hospital for evaluation.

SMITH COUNTY — A boil water notice issued Friday affects the Jackson Water Supply Corporation area south of Highway 31 East and north of County Road 223. According to officials, to ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. According to KETK, when it is no longer necessary to boil the water, water system officials will notify customers. You can go to http://www.jacksonwatersupply.com for further updates. If you have any questions or concerns, you may call 903-566-1320 or 903-216-4992.

LONGVIEW — The Public Health Department has confirmed that one person in Gregg County has died after contracting the West Nile Virus. According to KETK, this is the first death caused by the virus in East Texas. Details are limited, but we will bring you more as they become available.

The Tyler-based Northeast Texas Public Health District advises citizens to avoid breeding mosquitoes by eliminating standing water around their homes. To avoid contact with the mosquitoes, the recommendation is to wear long sleeves and long pants when outside, apply insect repellent before going out, and avoid the outdoors during the dusk and dawn hours when mosquitoes are most active.

Officials say the Health District will continue to work with the media to report positive West Nile Virus activity in the area so that the citizens of Smith County and other counties can be aware of potentially high risk local areas and take appropriate action. Anyone with questions concerning mosquito-borne illnesses may contact the Northeast Texas Public Health District, Disease Surveillance Division at 903-595-1350. For current confirmed human case counts, prevention tips, and much more, you can visit http://www.healthyeasttx.org and click on the West Nile Virus link.

LUFKIN (AP/Staff) – A top Tyler meat producer and federal prosecutors have resolved a U.S. Agriculture Department investigation of mislabeled meat products. U.S. Attorney John Bales says John Soules Foods Inc. will tighten policies to comply with meat inspection laws and pay $392,000 to reimburse costs of a three-year investigation. Prosecutors won’t bring charges against the company, which federal officials term the leading fajita processing and marketing company in the United States.

Bales said Friday investigators found that in late 2006 and early 2007, the company sold beef trimmings that had freezing problems to a broker as pet food. The company, however, didn’t change labels on the boxes and the broker violated an agreement by selling it to another broker who resold some meat to the Federal Bureau of Prisons for human consumption. Bales says there’s no evidence anyone became sick.

LONGVIEW — A key witness in a deadly Longview shooting is arrested. According to KETK, authorities say after he was caught stealing from a Longview resident, 20-year-old Dashun Taylor was arrested after police found him in a home. Officials say Taylor was found with several electronics belonging to the homeowner. Taylor was a key witness in the shooting of a former Kilgore football player, DeAundray Rossum, in May.

HALTOM CITY — State investigators Friday arrested senior executives with Haltom City-based HEST Technologies Inc. during a joint operation led by the Texas Attorney General’s Office, the Anderson County Criminal District Attorney’s Office and the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. Federal and local law enforcement agencies also executed search warrants at HEST’s headquarters and at the residences of five executives and the operator of an alleged charitable organization. The defendants face felony gambling, money laundering and organized criminal activity charges. The Texas Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the cases in conjunction with the Tarrant and the Anderson County Criminal District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant Attorney General David Glickler will serve as the lead prosecutor for the State.

In addition to the Texas Attorney General’s Office and the Tarrant and Anderson County Criminal District Attorney’s Offices, the following agencies have participated in the HEST investigation:
• Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office
• Dallas Police Department
• U.S. Secret Service
• FBI’s Dallas and Tyler offices
• Internal Revenue Service’s office in Dallas

Assistance was also provided by the California Department of Justice, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police and the Virginia Commonwealth Attorney’s Office in Virginia Beach.

HEST’s promotional materials claim the corporation develops “sweepstakes promotional systems.” According to the felony charges filed against the defendants. However, officials allege HEST’s so-called “sweepstakes” systems constitute illegal gambling devices. As a result, the defendants face organized criminal activity charges for allegedly conspiring to violate state laws that prohibit gambling.

Assistant Attorney General Glickler, who is coordinating the multi-jurisdictional investigation, has successfully prosecuted video sweepstakes operations for gambling violations in the past. According to AAG Glickler, video sweepstakes promoters often attempt to circumvent anti-gambling laws by claiming to sell a lawful service – such as time at an Internet café – that is used to induce gamblers to participate in an illegal electronic sweepstakes. Earlier this month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit rejected two video sweepstakes promoters’ legal argument, finding: “…the main purpose of [the defendants’] Internet cafés was to induce people to play the sweepstakes, and that the Internet time sold by the cafés…was not the primary subject of the transaction, but instead mere subterfuge.”

TYLER — The traffic control box and pole at Front and Palace were struck by a semi-truck last night which knocked out the traffic lights. The traffic department has been on scene repairing the damage all night. The lights are still out and are not expected to be operational until sometime later morning. Stop signs have been placed on the intersection for traffic control. Motorists are advised to avoid this intersection if at all possible this morning.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department and TxDOT are urging all drivers to avoid West Loop 323 from State Highway 155 south to West Front Street. This portion of the Loop is undergoing storm-related cleanup, and only one northbound lane of traffic was open at last report. According to TxDOT, a stray thunderstorm early Friday morning delivered heavy rainfall on freshly-shot seal coat, washing it away before it had a chance to cure, causing the rock to come loose. Police say all southbound lanes are open.

Motorists whose vehicles were damaged by this incident should contact Carol Stone with Big Creek Construction at (979) 200-9379. Meanwhile, TxDOT’s Larry Krantz urged motorists to be thinking about alternate routes for their evening trips, with the temporary repairs possibly remaining in progress into Friday night. “Our main goal is to get everything back open and up to proper safety standards,” Krantz said. “But we won’t be sacrificing safety for speed.”

Looking ahead, Big Creek Construction says it is planning to re-apply the seal coat during daylight operations when the weather allows, which will likely be early next week. That will mean additional lane closures, but only for one day while the work is in progress. “We’re hoping to have this done by Monday or Tuesday, but we’ve just been reminded, Mother Nature is in control of things for the moment,” Krantz said. “We’re going to be absolutely sure we have the conditions we need before go.” Crews have also been instructed not to begin setting lane closures before 9 a.m.

After the daytime work is completed, crews will resume nighttime operations, which call for work to be done between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday-Thursday. “There will obviously be some inconvenience involved in correcting this,” Krantz said. “To minimize that, we’re asking folks to seek an alternate route of they can.”

HOPE, Ark. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with the shooting death of a Hope man. Officers were called to a Hope apartment complex early Thursday morning on reports of a shooting. Assistant Police Chief Kimberly Tomlin says 33-year-old Mark Harris was found suffering from a gunshot wound. Tomlin says Harris died shortly afterward at a hospital in Hope. The Texarkana Gazette reports that 21-year-old Michael Muldrow was arrested Thursday afternoon on suspicion of first-degree murder. Authorities say Muldrow was arrested on a bus in Mount Pleasant.

EAST TEXAS — The cleanup continues in East Texas following thunderstorms that moved through the area. Heavy rains flooded area roadways and high winds toppled trees and large limbs, disrupting power throughout the area. Oncor reported numerous customers without electricity in Smith County Friday. Gregg County and Harrison County were also affected. Crews have continued working to get the power back on.

TYLER — Two persons have been arrested after Tyler police have received a series of theft reports by persons who had responded to a Craigslist advertisement to purchase an IPad. The victims were presented with book bags containing paper notebooks. The bags were tied shut, delaying the victims ability to inspect the contents. Once the seller was presented with the money, he would flee the area, leaving the victim with the backpack. Three incidents were reported on Wednesday and two additional incidents were reported on Thursday.

When officers saw the pattern of the crimes, undercover investigators responded to the ad and set up a meeting to buy the Ipad. Working with uniformed officers, a sting operation was conducted and two suspects arrested for the thefts.

Arrested were Anthony Joseph Falbo and Kimberly Ann Bowman. Both are 25 and both are from Tyler. Falbo was charged with evading arrest and class A theft. Bowman was charged with class A theft.

TYLER — Officials cut the ribbon Thursday on the latest in a series of projects designed to bring quality affordable housing to the residents of Tyler as part of the North Chase Development master planned development. “Pinnacle at North Chase is the first development in Texas for Pinnacle Housing Group, which is the seventh largest developer of affordable housing in the United States,” said North Chase Developer Ed Thompson.

The Pinnacle at North Chase is a gated community of 120 garden apartment homes. According to Pinnacle Housing Group, this luxury-style rental community, located at 3651 N. Broadway Ave., offers a clubhouse with a cyber café/computer lab, fitness facility, game room with a serving kitchen and a patio with an outdoor fire pit. The swimming pool is located adjacent to the playground and covered picnic area. A vita course complete with a walking/jogging trail and outdoor fitness stations centered on a sand volleyball court will provide a park-like area for resident use.

The Pinnacle at North Chase is part of a 405-acre master-planned development off US 69 North designed to revitalize and encourage investment in north Tyler. North Chase also includes the senior living facility Lakeview Apartment Homes and single-family homes in the Forest Meadows subdivision. Neighborhood amenities include the Glass Recreational Center, Woldert Park, and walking trails, along with the newly constructed Mamie E. Griffin Elementary School. Spokespeople say it is also conveniently located near Caldwell Zoo, Tyler State Park, and historic downtown Tyler.

Thompson added that he is excited that the Pinnacle at North Chase project is now part of the community. “It has been a great honor working with Pinnacle Housing Group, and I look forward to working with them on future developments. This is another piece in our puzzle to provide affordable housing to the Tyler community,” he said.

CANTON (Staff/AP)) – A man suspected in the slayings of two Ben Wheeler residents is back in East Texas. Authorities brought Donny Lee Greenhow to the Van Zandt County Justice Center Thursday afternoon after he was found last week and arrested in Tennessee. Ripley, Tenn., police Lt. Lynn Gould says officers with several West Tennessee law enforcement agencies were looking for Greenhow in Lauderdale County August 9. Greenhow was arrested in Ripley, according to the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department.

Gould says Greenhow was identified after leaving his driver’s license at a gas station in Ripley on the morning of August 9. An officer ran his license and found that Greenhow was wanted in connection with the Ben Wheeler killings. A capital murder warrant for Greenhow was issued after the bodies of Peter Shick, 74, and his wife, Latricia, 55, were found in their mobile home the week before his arrest. Officers found Greenhow’s pickup truck abandoned near a fish camp.

TYLER — On Thursday, the Northeast Texas Public Health District received notice from a local veterinarian that a horse he treated tested positive for West Nile fever. The case is also being investigated by the Texas Department of State Health Services Zoonosis Division. The disease is spread through the bite of a mosquito infected with the West Nile virus. The horse was pastured off FM 2813 and Beddingfield Road near Flint on the south side of Smith County. At this time the horse is surviving. According to health officials, symptoms in a horse are neurological in nature, coordination is affected, and the horse may lack appetite and/or appear colicky. A vaccine for horses is available; anyone with questions about the horse vaccine should contact his or her veterinarian.

The Northeast Texas Public Health District advises citizens to avoid breeding mosquitoes by eliminating standing water around their homes. To avoid contact with the mosquitoes, the recommendation is to wear long sleeves and long pants when outside, apply insect repellent before going out, and avoid the outdoors during the dusk and dawn hours when mosquitoes are most active.

Officials say the Health District will continue to work with the media to report positive West Nile Virus activity in the area so that the citizens of Smith County and other counties can be aware of potentially high risk local areas and take appropriate action. Anyone with questions concerning mosquito-borne illnesses may contact the Northeast Texas Public Health District, Disease Surveillance Division at 903-595-1350. For current confirmed human case counts, prevention tips, and much more, you can visit http://www.healthyeasttx.org and click on the West Nile Virus link.

HENDERSON — Rusk County authorities make a big drug haul at a traffic stop. According to KETK, it happened Tuesday at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Highway 59 North. Authorities say Rusk County Sheriff’s Office K9 Deputy Jason Smith and Certified Narcotic Dog Caro discovered some 12 ounces of phencyclidine (PCP) with an estimated street value of $10,000.

Smith arrested suspects Crayton Lytrone Davis, 33, of Houston, and Marcus Marquis Armstard, 33, of Monroe, Louisiana, after he reportedly located a plastic bottle containing the drug. Both suspects were transported to the Rusk County Justice Center. Armstard also had an active warrant out of Nacogdoches County for possession of marijuana. Both suspects were charged with possession of controlled substance, a first degree felony, and both bonds were set at $50,000.

GILMER — A former candidate for Upshur County constable is arrested again. KETK reports 35-year-old Gary Henson Jr. was arrested and charged August 9 for aggravated assault causing bodily injury. Henson was arrested in May on the same charge and in July for driving while intoxicated.

TYLER — Tyler Investigators have arrested David Ford, 21, Tyler, for the aggravated robbery that occurred on August 10. Authorities said Ford was located by police Wednesday after they received a tip on his location. Both suspects involved in that aggravated robbery are now in custody and booked into Smith County Jail.

The incident happened just after 5:00 at Shiloh Pines mobile home park. A woman was reportedly returning home when she was robbed by an armed man. That man reportedly fled the scene as a passenger in a light blue sedan. Authorities said a tip from a concerned citizen provided authorities with the suspect’s license plate, which allowed officials to identify the suspects. Tevin Dorsey was located at the Economy Inn on Mineola Highway Saturday and was taken into custody.

TYLER — A 41-year-old Tyler man has been convicted of drug trafficking charges. Bonifacio Nunez-Romero was found guilty by a jury on Aug. 15 of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activity. The jury deliberated for an hour following a three day trial before U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider.

According to information presented in court, up until September 2011, Nunez-Romero conspired with another person to acquire and distribute more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine throughout the Tyler area. Evidence indicated that Nunez-Romero was distributing methamphetamine manufactured in Mexico and was also selling heroin. Nunez-Romero was in possession of firearms, a military flak jacket and body armor. Nunez-Romero faces a minimum of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

EAST TEXAS — According to our news partner, KETK, well known and beloved Stephen F. Austin University professor, Dr. Archie McDonald, died on Thursday morning after a battle with cancer. He was 76 years old. McDonald had been a History professor for 48 years, as well as Director of the East Texas Historical Association. He was also the editor of the Historical Association’s Journal.

McDonald began working at SFA in 1964, and was still a professor there at the time of his death. He also served as the University’s Community Liaison, representing SFA to the public. According to the SFA website: McDonald also was the author/editor of more than 20 books on historical topics, and one book of humor titled “Helpful Cooking Hints for HouseHusbands of Uppity Women.” He was also a weekly commentator on National Public Radio, and wrote a well-received weekly column for the local newspaper, The Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel.

U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison Thursday issued the following statement on the passing of McDonald: “Texas has lost one of our best historians. Archie’s knowledge of Texas history was unsurpassed. Living in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches, and teaching at Stephen F. Austin University, he specialized in East Texas history and lore. His research was prodigious. He will be missed by all who knew him.”

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies are looking for a man who robbed a local convenience store, very early Thursday morning. Authorities tell KETK just after midnight a man armed with a pistol robbed the Food Fast on Highway 64 East. They say the suspected robber was wearing a black muscle shirt, gray pants and a black mask. If you have any information, please call the Smith County Sheriff’s Department.

SMITH COUNTY — The trial for an East Texas couple accused of scalding the feet of their 2-year-old granddaughter is set for September 24th in Smith County. Kenneth and Shelley Walker, Whitehouse, are each charged with 1st degree felony injury to a child. According to KETK, they face up to life in prison if convicted. Bridget Walker was severely burned on her feet and ankles when she was reportedly placed in a bath tub with scalding water back in February. Both grandparents were at the house at the time of the incident. The toddler was flown to Parkland Hospital and later placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.

TYLER — A vehicle catches fire Wednesday at a busy Tyler intersection. Police tell KETK a woman was turning onto West Front Street when her vehicle malfunctioned. She dodged several vehicles before crashing between the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and storage building at the Palace intersection. No one was hurt in the incident.

LONGVIEW — Two cases of human West Nile virus in Gregg County have been confirmed by state health department officials. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the two cases are the first two in the county this year, but more could be confirmed in coming days. Health workers at Good Shepherd Medical Center have confirmed treating several patients for illnesses with West Nile-type symptoms and have sent tests to Texas State Health Department labs in Tyler for confirmation. “There have been West Nile tests done; we are looking at several right now. I know the state said they knew of at least six in Gregg County,” according to Cheryl Hebert, director of infection prevention at Good Shepherd Medical Center. Other cases of the West Nile virus have been reported in Van Zandt, Hendrson and Angelina Counties.

According to Environmental Health Supervisor Buck Farrar, “The chance of a normally healthy individual being bitten by an infected mosquito and developing the disease is still extremely small, but the virus is still a serious concern. So we encourage everyone to take some simple steps to help prevent mosquitos around your home.”

Here are some effective ways to avoid a mosquito bite:
• Get rid of any standing water near residence
• Remain indoors during the dusk and dawn hours
• Wear long pants and long sleeves when outside
• Use an effective mosquito repellant according to label directions

More information about West Nile Virus can be found on the City of Longview website, http://www.LongviewTexas.gov or by calling the Environmental Health Department at 903-237-1285.

TYLER — Houses are selling in Tyler. According to KETK, more than 300 were sold last month in the city. That’s an almost 16 percent jump from last year. The numbers were released by the Greater Tyler Association of Realtors. This is the biggest increase since 2005.