KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler police say they’ve made an arrest in a home invasion. On Friday around 2:00 a.m., police responded to Quail Creek Apartments, 4901 Kinsey, on a 911 call of an auto burglary that had just occurred. A female victim reported that she observed a suspect in her vehicle while she was moving items to her vehicle from her apartment. The victim yelled at the suspect to get out of her vehicle, and he fled on foot. The victim called 911 reporting that her laptop computer had just been stolen.

While officers on the scene were searching for the suspect involved in the auto burglary, a man exited an upstairs apartment, number 2021. Police say he was in the process of stealing items from the apartment while it was occupied by a couple sleeping. According to police, the suspect left the stolen goods that he had piled up in the living-room and got out the front door. Police say he then walked by an officer who was not aware he had just allegedly broken into the apartment.

Officers say they located him moments later in the complex after the 911 call was received about the burglary. The suspect was identified as Jermaine Jerrand Jackson, 20, of Tyler. Jackson fled from police on foot and resisted arrest when officers caught him, according to police. Police also say Jackson is a felon and was in possession of a firearm that was previously stolen during the commission of another burglary in Smith County. Jackson was charged with burglary of habitation, unlawful possession of firearm by a felon, theft of firearm, evading arrest, and resisting arrest.

TYLER — Tyler investigators have been advised the person they were searching for in a Friday morning shooting incident was located later Friday at Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview. The man is identified as Sirbrycelon Shelton, age 19, of Kilgore. Shelton suffered a gunshot wound to his right hand and has been sent to Dallas for surgery. Investigators are working on an arrest warrant for Shelton for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Tyler Police were called to the scene of a shooting that occurred around 9:30 a.m. Friday at Varsity Place Apartments, at 3400 Varsity Drive. Officers contacted Bradley Jackson, 19, of Dallas, who attends Tyler Junior College and lives in apartment 804. Jackson told officers that he believed he was being robbed by another suspect who was armed with a handgun standing at the doorway of his apartment. That suspect has now been named as Shelton.

Police say Jackson produced a handgun and shot Shelton in his doorway. According to authorities, Shelton fled on foot, leaving a blood trail that ended up in building 21 of the complex. Officers searched the apartment and failed to locate anyone inside. Investigators discovered narcotics at the scene of the incident and believe they played a role in the motive of the shooting. Investigators are sorting out the details of the incident. It was the latest in a series of disturbances near the UT Tyler campus, including a robbery and beating Tuesday morning at Varsity Place.

TYLER – A man accused of killing his girlfriend’s one year old son has the death penalty hanging over him. State District Judge Kerry Russell Thursday denied a motion by lawyers for Simon Lopez that sought to avoid the death penalty. The next hearing for the 28 year old Lopez is November 16th.

Lopez is charged with capital murder in the 2010 death of one year old Jeremy Silva. An autopsy determined Jeremy Silva died from blunt force trauma. Investigators say Lopez was watching the child in Tyler, while the mother was at work, when he called one of her relatives to say the boy wasn’t breathing. Police say Lopez left the youngster with the relative and fled. He was caught in July, 2011, in Queretaro, Mexico.

The infants’ mother, Emma Torres, 21, had also been charged with capital murder in the case. Earlier this month Judge Russell sentenced Emma Torres, 21, to two years in a state jail facility for child abandonment/endangering a child after she pleaded guilty. The capital murder charge was dropped October 8 after the District Attorney’s Office filed a motion to dismiss it on August 20.

HOOKS — An East Texas police officer who was arrested over the weekend for allegedly stabbing his wife with syringes has had new charges filed against him. Investigators say it was first thought Hooks Police officer David Horn had stabbed his wife with syringes filled with animal tranquilizer. Now investigators say the syringes actually contained drugs used to euthanize animals.

The original charge against Horn was dropped and he is now charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon to a family member. That is a first degree felony. His bond has been setat $1 million.

His wife, Misty Gail Horn, who he is accused of attacking, is hospitalized in intensive care. And now, a second woman has come forward to say she also had been attacked by Horn.

NECHES – The Department of Public Safety has identified the victim of a three vehicle accident in Anderson County. It was reported around 1:15 Tuesday afternoon On U.S Highway 79 near Neches. Dead at the scene was Bonnie W. Poston, 81, of Palestine.

The DPS report says Poston was west bound on U.S. 79 when her car drifted into the east lane of traffic and hit the rear axles of a truck’s trailer driven by Kevin Owen, 46, of Murphy. It was then hit by a second vehicle driven by Danny Seymour, 63, of Louisville, Kentucky. Authorities are still trying to figure out why Poston’s car drifted out of her lane.

TYLER – Tyler school trustees are considering the possibility of creating a charter school in the city. Kim Tunnell with Tyler ISD presented the plan last night. If school trustees approve the project, a federal grant would be sought. The campus would be strictly academically based, and would allow students to graduate with the equivalent of an Associates Degree. Some parents who spoke with KETK about the proposed charter school said they feel that another option for students is always a good addition.

TYLER – Tyler school trustees have named Dawn Parnell as the Communication Director. The action came at last night’s meeting. Parnell comes to Tyler ISD from the San Antonio area where she currently serves as the Executive Director of Tri-County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in Uvalde, Texas. Parnell’s roots are in Tyler, Texas. From 1992-2002 she worked in our community as the Vice President of the Tyler Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“Mrs. Parnell will bring a wealth of experience to the District,” Interim Superintendent Gary Mooring said. “We are excited to welcome her back to the Tyler area, and we look forward to her joining our Tyler ISD team.”

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University’s new South Residence Hall has been recognized for excellence by a national jury of architects. The newest addition to LETU residence halls will be featured in the American School & University 2012 Architectural Portfolio honoring education design excellence. The building will be featured at http://www.SchoolDesigns.com and in the November 2012.

“A vibrant residential learning environment is one of our priorities at LeTourneau University,” said LETU President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford. “This competition honors design excellence and effective learning environments and we are most pleased South Hall has been selected as an excellent example of both.”

LUFKIN – A fire was contained Thursday at a Lufkin salvage yard. The fire was reported just before 4:45 Thursday afternoon in a wood grinder at the site of the former Citation Texas Foundry, The fire was said to have been contained about an hour and a half after being reported. There were no injuries.

LONGVIEW – An infant has died after being involved in a two vehicle accident in Longview.
Five week old Bentley James Hathorn died at Children’s Hospital of Dallas following the accident in the 3900 block of East Marshall Avenue. The wreck occurred just after 8:15 Wednesday night. The infant was being held by his mother, Robin Hathorn, 21, when the accident happened. She wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and was tossed from the vehicle, along with the baby, when it rolled over several times. She was transported from Good Shepherd to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler with life-threatening injuries. The other occupants in the vehicle were wearing seatbelts.

They were passengers in an SUV driven by William Robert Hathorn of Longview. Their vehicle was hit by a car driven by Danielle Sierra Dunkin of Canadian, Oklahoma. She was traveling east in the outside lane of East Marshall when she suddenly turned improperly from the wrong lane striking the rear of Hathorn’s vehicle.

Dunkin was issued a citation for improper turn. Hathorn was issued a citation for no seatbelt and for no seatbelt child passenger. The crash remains under investigation.

HENDERSON — The Department of Public Safety is investigating a fatal hit and run accident. It happened the night of October 11 on Highway 323 and Loop 571 just outside of the Henderson city limits. According to KETK, 25-year-old Brandon Boyd Bing was killed in that wreck.

TYLER — The 79th Texas Rose Festival is underway in Tyler, running through October 21st. Rose Queen Haley Anderson cut the ribbon Thursday morning and welcomed attendees. Haley says she’s excited and terms her role an honor and privilege. She says she especially likes the big Saturday morning Rose Festival Parade and Saturday afternoon’s Queen’s Tea, because it gives her a chance to meet the public. Haley points out that along with the color and pageantry, the festival offers a big economic boost, pumping lots of money into Tyler’s hotels and restaurants.

This year’s Festival theme is “Indochine: The Year of the Dragon.” Besides the parade and tea, activities include a Rose Show at the Rose Garden Center, the Queen’s Coronation, the Ladies Luncheon with guest speaker Laura Bush, and a Men’s Luncheon with guest speaker Ray L. Hunt. Add to all of this an Arts and Crafts Fair and a Saturday evening concert, and there’s something for every member of the family. You can go to http://www.texasrosefestival.net to get more information about the activities as well as a calendar of the various events.

TOKYO (AP/Staff) — The investigation continues in an alleged rape in Japan, in which an East Texan is one of two people accused. Police say they have arrested two U.S. sailors in the alleged rape of a Japanese woman in Okinawa, which has sparked a diplomatic protest. Japanese police say the two 23-year-old suspects were arrested Tuesday. They were identified as Seaman Christopher Daniel Browning of Athens, Texas, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Skyler Dozierwalker, both from the Fort Worth Naval Air Base.

Cmdr. Kenneth Marshall, a spokesman for the U.S. Navy in Japan, said military authorities are cooperating with and supporting the investigation by Okinawan police. Marshall says the Naval Criminal Investigative Service has also launched its own investigation, although Japan has primary jurisdiction. Vice Foreign Minister Shuji Kira lodged a protest with U.S. Ambassador John Roos, who promised full cooperation with the investigation. Okinawa prefectural spokesman Susumu Matayoshi said the suspected rape “shocked all Okinawans and is unforgivable.”

Okinawa hosts more than half of the nearly 50,000 American troops in Japan. Local opposition to the U.S. bases over noise, safety concerns and crime flared into mass protests after the 1995 rape of a schoolgirl by three American servicemen.

PALESTINE – Anderson County authorities have a little more information about a body found near Palestine Sunday afternoon. The badly decomposed body appears to be that of a white woman in her mid 30s. When the body was found, Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Troy Black said the body was so badly decomposed, could not immediately identify the person’s race, sex or age. Black said the Texas Rangers had been summoned to help with the investigation.

PALESTINE – Two persons repossessing a pickup at an Anderson County residence have been shot and the truck’s owner has been arrested. Taken into custody Tuesday night was Doyle Henry Cook Jr., 64. He has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault. His bonds total $250,000.

The shooting occurred on County Road 109 when two persons working for Tyler based Investor Recovery Services went to repossess Cook’s truck. They were driving away with the vehicle when Cooks is said to have come outside and fired several shots at the wrecker from a .45 caliber handgun. He then chased the wrecker in his car, got in front of it and blocked the road. He is then said to have gotten out of the car and fire numerous rounds from an assault rifle at the wrecker.

Down the road, the wrecker dropped the vehicle and left the area. Authorities found cook and the pickup on Farm Road 319. The wrecker was found on the side of the road on State Highway 294, about half a mile east of Farm Road 319. The occupants of the wrecker, Vic Crawford and Jennifer Miller, were taken to Palestine Regional Medical Center and later transferred to a Tyler hospital. Crawford was said to have received gunshot wounds to his head and shoulder while Crawford was wounded in the hip. The injuries were said to have been non-life threatening.

JACKSONVILLE – The Western Pulp Products plant in Jacksonville has been damaged by fire. The fire was reported around 3:15 Wednesday afternoon. It appears as if the fire started when a worker accidentally packed a cardboard corner pad that was still smoldering from the oven. It then caught fire. No injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University student Franco Muniz of El Paso, Texas, has been selected to receive a $2,400 UPS Scholarship provided through the ICUT Foundation. Muniz is a sophomore majoring in Business Administration. He hopes to own a successful business in the future where he can use the education he is getting at LeTourneau University. “This scholarship really means a lot to me and my family,” Muniz said. “This money helped me continue my education at LeTourneau and I would like to return the favor to future students in the coming future.”

TYLER — A beating and robbery Tuesday morning at Varsity Place Apartments is the latest in a recent series of violent incidents near UT Tyler. Tyler police officer Don Martin says while officers patrol Varsity Place when they can, it would be up to the complex corporation to bring in its own 24-hour security. Our news partner KETK called the corporate office and got an automated machine saying someone would try to call back within two days. But for some, that’s just too late.

Former resident Kyle Money says living in Varsity Place was a nightmare. He said there were two shootings at the complex while he was living there, and “you’re always watching your back.” He adds that a lot of non-students live there, and “they’re just messing it up for the people who are students who just want to go here to UT and just get a good education.” Money says he tried to break his contract and was even willing to pay the fees, but he couldn’t find someone to cover his lease. Lack of safety is not listed among reasons to break your contract without penalty. The only reasons are family violence, sexual assault, and military deployment.

TYLER — Four people have been hospitalized following a five vehicle wreck in Tyler. It happened just after 2:00pm on Wednesday, at the intersection of Loop 323 and Van Hwy. Tyler Police tell KETK a woman was driving northbound on Loop 323, attempting to turn onto Van Hwy. However, she allegedly did not yield the right of way to a vehicle heading southbound on the Loop. The southbound vehicle struck the woman’s car, which in turn hit three other vehicles stopped at the light on Van Hwy. Four vehicles had to be towed from the scene. Four people were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries. The roadway had been cleared by later in the afternoon.

TYLER — The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) on Wednesday approved by resolution a loan in the amount of $1,500,000 to the Smith County Municipal Utility District No. 1 from the Texas Water Development Fund to finance water system improvements. That’s according to information from KETK and the TWDB. The Smith County Municipal Utility District No. 1 intends to use the funds to rehabilitate a ground storage tank.

The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional planning and preparing the State Water Plan for the development of the state’s water resources. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.

LONGVIEW — With a new fire chief and crew, the Clarksville City – Warren City Volunteer Fire Department is set to begin guarding residents once again. That report comes from KETK and the Longview News-Journal. In a clean sweep two weeks ago, the executive board that oversees the department locked all members of the volunteer service out of the station, citing ongoing concerns about the readiness of the department to serve in an emergency. Derek Zivney, who has 12 years experience in fire prevention and served two years with the Clarksville City – Warren City VFD, was appointed as the new chief for the department on Thursday by the executive board.

“The residents of these cities are going to be protected by people that will be certified and will have the training done,” said Richard Rogers, president of the fire department’s editorial board. “We will have a much better fire department in a short period of time; a lot of these young firefighters have been trained.” The Clarksville City – Warren City VFD had been led by Ricky Wallace for years. Wallace declined comment on the reorganization.

LONGVIEW — A license for a Longview adult bookstore has been delayed. Surveyors are trying to determine if The Venus is located within a thousand feet of a home. The business, which is located on FRJ Drive in Longview, has been waiting for approval for a sexually oriented business license from the city. The city expects to get the survey results sometime this week..

TYLER — The trial for a man accused in a 1999 Smith County cold case murder began Tuesday in Tyler. KETK reports 34-year-old Shams Emil Masters faces up to life in prison if he’s convicted of murder. Masters had to be extradited from a prison in Colorado, where he was already serving time for seven bank robberies. He’s accused of murdering 19-year-old William Thomas Young at the Woodland Estates subdivision.

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches Police Department is investigating what officials believe may be the sexual assault of a child, records show. According to KETK, an unidentified physician told police on Monday that a patient, a 4-year-old boy, may have a sexually transmitted disease.

EAST TEXAS — Congressman Louie Gohmert, of Tyler, spoke with KTBB to weigh-in on the 2nd Presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney at Hofstra University Tuesday night. He said he thought it was quite a bit more spirited than the last one. He said both men made points and were rude to each other at times in the way they cut in and cut out. Gohmert went on to say that the moderator was exactly who he expected her to be, meaning a little bit partisan. He said it wasn’t exactly fair in the way the time was cut into and handled. The Congressman said, “I really doubt that it was going to change anyone’s mind; if they hadn’t made up their mind by now, they just haven’t been paying attention.” Gohmert said he thought it was a good event and gave a little more insight into the two candidates.

LONGVIEW – A four vehicle accident on Interstate Highway 20 in Gregg County has killed two persons. The wreck happened about 1:00 yesterday morning near the 597 mile marker. Killed was Alex Terhune, 26, of Marshall, and his passenger, Brandie Lockwood, 24, of Marshall. Neither man was wearing seat belts.

The Department of Public Safety reports Terhune was eastbound on the interstate when his car hit a sport utility truck. The impact pushed the truck into a tractor-trailer rig. A BMW avoided the crashed vehicles but ran over Terhune who had been thrown from his car.

QUITMAN – A woman has been sentenced to ten years probation in connection with a hit and run accident that killed a teenager. Connie Reed Young, 58, of Golden was indicted late last year in the accident that killed Jacob Burrell of Mineola. He was hit by a car while walking home on the shoulder of U.S. 69 in Wood County. The event was witnessed by another driver who reported the vehicle left the scene. The teen died at Tyler East Texas Medical Center the next day. According to the Department of Public Safety, Young was traveling North on Highway 69 when she drove onto the improved shoulder to allow an approaching vehicle from the rear to pass her. Investigators believe that while driving on the improved shoulder, Young struck the youth. The Long-time nurse was charged with serious bodily injury.

After pleading guilty, Young received 10 years probation, 160 hours of community service, a $10,000 fine and $341 in court costs in what is described as deferred adjudication.

QUITMAN — A lawsuit filed to end routine prayer by Wood County commissioners and remove the words “In God We Trust” has been thrown out. Charles Scott sued the commissioners, claiming an elected official cannot honor both the U.S. Constitution and the word of God. His contention is that the court’s sworn oath to uphold the Constitution contradicts scripture. Attorneys for Wood County were ready to argue their display and routine prayer are constitutional. A hearing was set for Tuesday, but when plaintiff Scott did not show, the judge decided there was insufficient evidence for the case and tossed it out. According to KLTV, Scott says he was ready to go, but the Lord did not provide him with a means to get to court. According to our news partner KETK, Scott can appeal Tuesday’s decision.

TYLER — One person is in custody in connection with a recent Tyler shooting. Arrested around 2:45yesterday afternoon was Trent Durell Mumphrey, 23. He was charged with aggravated robbery.

Police say Mumphrey (pictured) is responsible for the shooting of Dasha Webb at 628 S. Augusta, on September 30. Webb is reported to be paralyzed as the result of his gunshot wound. Investigators located Mumphrey at a residence on Smith County Road 3111 North. Mumphrey was taken into custody and transported to Smith County Jail on a $500,000 bond. It is believed Mumphrey entered the victim’s residence through the front door and fired several rounds, striking the victim.

TYLER — One person is hospitalized after being beaten and robbed at the Varsity Place Apartments, 3400 Varsity Drive. It happened just before 1:45 Tuesday morning. Dearis Davis, 21, said he answered a knock at his door to find three masked black males, who forced their way at gunpoint and demanded cash. They are said to have struck the TJC student several times in the face and head with guns. He was seriously injured.

The suspects then entered into the room-mate’s room and forced him and his girlfriend into the bathroom during the robbery. The men allegedly stole an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the area on foot.

Varsity Place Apartments is neither owned nor operated by the University of Texas at Tyler. But, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of Texas at Tyler Police Department is issuing the following timely notification bulletin:

“It is the policy of the University of Texas at Tyler to issue timely warnings for crimes occurring within the immediate vicinity of campus which, in the opinion of law enforcement, represent an ongoing danger to the campus community. Specifically, in this case, UT Tyler resident students are urged to always use caution prior to opening their doors when the person’s identity is unknown. If you are not aware of who is knocking, contact the University Police at (903) 566-7300. Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings, and report any suspicious activity to the University Police Department.”