KTBB News, Weather, Talk

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.

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 — 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

GLADEWATER — The Gladewater Fire Department contained a fire at a plastics plant on the south loop. Fire officials say the blaze started just before 1:30 Monday morning at Southwest Plastics on Commerce at Loop 485. By late morning, there were only spot fires remaining, and the fire was under control. Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire.

TYLER — A pedestrian is hit by a car Sunday. The incident happened at the intersection of Broadway and South Town around 4:15 Sunday afternoon. The victim was reportedly crossing the road away from the designated crosswalk when the car hit him. Injuries were reported to be minor.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A man is convicted and sentenced for a 2009 murder. Thomas Hugh Fielder was sentenced to life in prison for the December 2009 murder of Gary Lynn DeFratus, Huntington. After hearing four days of testimony and closing arguments Friday morning, the jury deliberated for two hours, convicting Fielder of murder. The verdict was read around 2 p.m. and the sentence was announced about three and a half hours later.

On the night of Dec. 18, 2009, Fielder returned to DeFratus’ home to confront him about hitting on his wife earlier that evening, according to testimony. Fielder, who had been friends with DeFratus, said what happened next escalated into the fight that left DeFratus dead, according to testimony. He maintains he doesn’t remember stabbing DeFratus 24 times or slashing his throat, severing his carotid artery and jugular vein, according to testimony. They were both high on methamphetamine, according to testimony.

TYLER — Nationwide, many airports have reported reductions in enplanements and airport activities. Although Tyler Pounds Regional Airport saw a decline in enplanements over the last few years due to economic conditions, it held up better than many regional airports in Texas and Tyler Pounds officials say they are now seeing signs of a rebound in activity. Between 2008 and 2009, Tyler realized a 3.06% decrease in activity compared to a 7.42% decrease at Abilene Regional Airport, an 8.61% decrease at Dallas’ Love Field, and a 9.46% decrease at College Station’s Easterwood Field.

“While Tyler did feel the effects of the recession and noticed a decrease in activity at the airport, Tyler Pounds Regional Airport fared well compared to other regional airports across the state,” said Davis Dickson, airport manager. “In 2010 Tyler Pounds saw an increase in activity, and monthly numbers for January 2011 are the highest they have been in the past three years.”

Officials say Tyler Pounds is beginning to see signs of improvement with a .40 percent increase in activities between 2009 and 2010 and an increase of nearly one percent between January 2009 and January 2011. Tyler Pounds also saw an increase of .99% in the number of rental cars leased and an increase of .95% fuel flowage between 2009 and 2010.

TYLER — It’s time for Tyler’s spring Bulky Item Collection. Bulky items that will be picked up at no charge include furniture, appliances, carpet, fence material, up to four noncommercial vehicle tires, old toys and other large items that would normally require a special fee. No liquid waste, limbs or brush will be picked up. Paint must be dried out with oil dry or kitty litter. Free bulky item collection dates are dependent on your location in the city. If your garbage is normally collected on Monday and Thursday, please place your bulky items on the curb Monday, March 7. If your garbage is normally collected on Tuesday and Friday, you are asked to place your bulky items on the curb on Monday, March 14th. You are asked to leave them there until they are picked up. There is no need to call the Solid Waste Office when you set out your bulky garbage. Items may be collected on a different day from your regular collection.

Bulky items will also be accepted from 7:00am to noon on Saturday, March 12 and Saturday, March 19 at the City of Tyler employee parking lot in the 300 block of North Bois D’Arc Avenue in downtown Tyler.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Habitat for Humanity ReStore or Goodwill Industries before disposing of unwanted items that are in good condition. Televisions, computers and other electronics can be recycled at any Tyler Goodwill Drop Off on weekdays or at the Tyler Recycling Collection Center from Wednesday through Saturday.