KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — State Representative Leo Berman has received the endorsement of Governor Rick Perry as the longtime Tyler lawmaker seeks re-election. Perry says, “Leo Berman is a solid conservative legislator who serves the people of Texas with honor and integrity. His commitment to keeping taxes low and adhering to conservative budget principles have helped keep Texas a job-creation powerhouse and the Texas economy the envy of the nation. I know I can always count on Leo Berman to do the right thing, and I ask the people of District 6 to send him back to Austin.”

Berman commented, “Governor Perry and I have worked closely together to make Texas the great state that it is. I’m honored that the Governor has chosen to endorse my candidacy for reelection to the Texas House of Representatives and I expect to work closely with him to secure the Texas budget compact for our state.” Berman faces Matt Schaefer in May 29 GOP primary.

TYLER — Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass is encouraging residents to register their home and cell phone numbers on the City Code Red System. This system is used by emergency management officials to notify residents of emergency situations. The system is used in a myriad of emergency situations, including amber alerts, missing persons, gas leaks and extreme weather emergencies. “The purpose of the Code Red system is to get information to our citizens as quickly as possible in an emergency situation,” said Mayor Bass. “Many of us rely upon the media for this type of notification; however, if you are not tuned in to your television when a situation arises, you may not be aware of the need for action.”

The City recently has used the Code Red system to warn Tyler residents to take cover due to a tornado sighting. Although the City does have outdoor warning sirens, residents inside their homes may not hear them in the event of an emergency. “The key word is outdoor,” explained Police Chief Gary Swindle. “If you are inside your home, it is quite possible you may not hear the outdoor sirens – particularly if you have music playing, are watching TV, if the wind is blowing or there is heavy rainfall. The Code Red system will call your home or cell phone to alert you of emergencies. We encourage residents to register their phone numbers if they haven’t already.” You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org to read more.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Police Department is searching for a man who robbed a gas station at gunpoint Thursday evening. According to KETK, at about 9:30 p.m., police were called to Clayton’s Git-N-Go on South Henderson Boulevard. When officers arrived, the clerk told them that a black man wearing a blue hoodie and a bandana over his face held the clerk up at gunpoint and demanded money. After getting the cash, the robber left on foot. Kilgore Police, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department, a DPS helicopter, and Kilgore College police officers joined the hunt for the suspect, but he was not found. If you have any information about this robbery, you’re asked to contact Kilgore Police.

HENDERSON — Rusk County officials have found a missing Henderson woman who was allegedly abducted. KETK reports Kimberly Ann Davis, 39, was located unharmed in Gregg County on Wednesday; however, she was arrested because of outstanding warrants and taken to the Rusk County Justice Center. Davis was reported missing by family members on Saturday, May 5, after they received information that she may have been abducted. Investigators immediately began to search across the Ark-La-Tex area. At last report, no persons had been identified in the alleged abduction. Davis told officers she did not wish to seek criminal prosecution in the matter. Authorities continue to investigate the possible abduction.

LAIRD HILL — Two Kilgore residents were arrested during a search of a home in Laird Hill Thursday. According to KETK, Rusk County officials busted Cecil Kenneth Babb, 26, and Carolyn Nell Brown, 43, on County Road 169D. Babb is charged with manufacture/delivery of substance, 2 counts of possession of controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and possession of a dangerous drug. His bond is set at$100,000. Brown is charged with possession of controlled substance. Her bond is set at $30,000. In February, 2009, Babb was arrested by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office for possession of controlled substance and money laundering. He was sentenced to 5 years in jail. Both suspects remain in the Rusk County Justice Center.

RUSK — A citizens’ group by the name of “CALL,” Citizens against Legalized Liquor, is clearing the air about its position on the liquor election in the city of Rusk. Voters there approved the sale of beer and wine three years ago. Now comes Saturday’s vote on sales of liquor in the city. According to KETK, the group is refuting rumors that it has accepted money from competitors in other towns to fight the liquor sale election in Rusk. The group says its members are people of integrity who have refused offers of money from people who sell liquor in other East Texas communities. The group is asking the people of Rusk to pray about the election to decide if the sale of hard liquor is what is best for their families and the community.

TYLER – A Tyler man has been charged with public intoxication after he was reportedly found dancing outside a Tyler restraint in his underwear. Deshondre Antonio Jones, 22, of Tyler, was arrested last night outside On the Border. Police reports say, while Jones was dancing, he began taking off his clothes until he was down to his underwear. Jail records indicate this was Jones’ second arrest this week. He was arrested on Monday and also charged with public intoxication

AUSTIN — If Bigfoot is in Texas, he might want to hit the road. It’s legal to kill him. The reason this came up was that an Oregon-based Bigfoot hunter wanted to explore East Texas for the mythical creature, so he shot a letter to Parks and Wildlife, asking if it was against the law to shoot a Sasquatch. The agency wrote him back, saying no. Parks spokesman Mike Cox comments, “We’re all in favor of tourists coming to Texas and enjoying the great Texas outdoors — and, you know, they might want to stay in one of our state parks.” But Cox says Bigfoot hunters will be disappointed. Game wardens have been out since the 1800s, and they’ve never seen one.

LUFKIN — The Texas Forestry Association, which represents forest landowners, loggers and forest products manufacturers in Texas, has announced its opposition to S. 2324 recently introduced by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. The bill would allow the study of the Neches River in East Texas for possible designation for protection under the National Wild & Scenic River (NW&SR) Act. According to KETK, the Forestry Association made the announcement following approval at their May 4th Board of Directors Meeting, held in Lufkin.

“Designation of the Neches River as wild and scenic is not in the best interest of landowners and would have devastating effects on the forest industry and surrounding communities,” said Ron Hufford, Executive Vice President of Texas Forestry Association. “Designation would infringe on private property rights of landowners and limit the use of the land for agricultural and forestry practices, as well as encumber the future economic growth of the forest industry in East Texas.”

Earlier, Hutchison said, “The Neches River is one of Texas’ most beautiful, free-flowing rivers and provides a vital habitat for fish and other aquatic animals. Its location in the heart of the Central Flyway makes it a crucial path for migrating ducks, geese, and songbirds. A Wild and Scenic River designation would help preserve all these attributes.”

TYLER – In an appearance in federal court in Tyler, a Dallas man has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Rafael Maciel, 28, appeared yesterday before United States Magistrate John D. Love.

Maciel was indicted by a Grand Jury on March 8. According to the evidence presented in court, on or about January 26, Maciel possessed approximately 3 kilograms of cocaine. He possessed the cocaine with the intent to deliver it to others in and around the Eastern District of Texas.

Maciel faces no less than 5 years in prison, nor more than 40, a $5,000,000.00 fine and at least 4 years of supervised release. Maciel also agreed to a forfeiture judgment in the amount of $50,000.

TYLER – A Harrison County man has appeared in Tyler federal court to plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Ty Hardin, 47, of Hallsville, appeared yesterday before United States Magistrate Judith K. Guthrie. Hardin faces no more than 5 years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine and at least 2 years of supervised release.

Hardin was indicted by a Grand Jury on March 8, along with one co-defendant. According to the evidence presented in court, from a date prior to November 1, 2011, and continuing through that date, Hardin agreed with other persons to acquire and distribute marijuana in the Eastern District of Texas and elsewhere. Hardin and his co-defendant possessed more than 5 kilograms of marijuana.

KILGORE — A fistfight at Kilgore High School led to one teen being taken to the emergency room for a minor cut. The fight, involving five high schoolers, broke out in the lunch line during the second lunch period on Thursday and eventually moved outside. When teachers came to break up the fight, the teens scattered. In order to determine which kids were in the fight, the school told teachers to keep students in the classrooms until those who were involved in the fight were identified.

Superintendent Jody Clemens tells KETK that the school was never on official lockdown, despite other media reports. The teachers were simply told to keep the students in their classrooms for a short time so that the teens involved in the fight could be identified. No weapons were involved in the fight. One high school student was taken a local hospital to have a cut over his eye stitched up, but his injury was not serious.

ATLANTA, GA. (AP) – The husband accused of shooting his wife eight times outside of their Sandy Springs, Georgia, apartment has waived extradition and is returning to Georgia. Michael Parson was arrested in Van Zandt County last weekend. Police say he will be charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and giving false statement in writing concealing the facts of a felony. Adina Parson, an attorney for the state Department of Public Health, is making significant progress after being shot three times in the head on April 20. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Michael Parson could be back in Georgia by early next week. The case is not yet on the calendar to be heard before the grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia.

TYLER — Tyler’s sales tax revenues deposited for the month of May have decreased .76% as compared to May 2011. This has resulted in a 1.84% cumulative year-to-date increase. The reported revenue of $3,282,753.29 comprises $2,188,502.19 general sales tax revenue and $1,094,251.10 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures from the state comptroller’s office represent receipts from March 2012 collections as there is a two-month lag before taxes are reported and remitted back to the City from the State.

“We are disappointed to see this slight decrease in collections after experiencing an almost 11 percent increase last month,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “The economy is slowly recovering; however, we are seeing significant fluctuations in sales tax revenues. Consequently, we are approaching our expenditures and next year’s budget in a very conservative manner.

“The year-to-date increase of 1.84% is still below our budget of 3% growth; so, at this time, we will continue with the soft hiring freeze that was put in place as a precautionary measure to ensure we are keeping our expenses in balance with current revenues. In addition, we will continue the postponement of employee pay adjustments until we reach our goal of 3% growth.”

LONGVIEW (AP/Staff) – LONGVIEW (AP/Staff) – Representative David Simpson of Longview admits his job in the Texas Legislature makes his stomach churn. But the tea party favorite says he’s seeking re-election to keep government from becoming all-consuming. Whether tea party supporters can propel their favorites from 2010 to victory again may decide three key Texas House races in the state’s May 29 Republican primary. Simpson is facing the man he beat two years ago, former state Representative Tommy Merritt.

A Southeast Texas race pits tea party darling Representative James White against another incumbent, Representative Mike Hamilton. The two Republicans are squaring off due to redistricting. But some grassroots conservative groups claim Hamilton is too moderate. In West Texas, another 2010 rematch has former state Representative Delwin Jones trying to unseat tea partier Representative Charles Perry of Lubbock.

TIMPSON (AP) – Authorities say a 3.7 earthquake has shaken parts of East Texas. The U.S. Geological Survey says the tremor struck Thursday morning in an area between Garrison and Timpson, about 24 miles northeast of Nacogdoches. Gary Patterson of the U.S. Geological Survey in Memphis says survey geologists are baffled by the event. He says, “It’s not where we normally see earthquakes in Texas.” Timpson City Secretary Tanya Windham says she initially thought a nearby train had derailed and it “shook the whole city hall” for about 15 to 20 seconds. Nacogdoches County Sheriff Thomas Kerss says the shifting earth cracked concrete and brick support columns and window panes but did no significant damage. There were no reported injuries.

TYLER — Tyler philanthropist and businessman Bill Barrett is dead. He was 67. KETK reports that Barrett has been honored for his work in education and civic leadership. He served on the development board for UT Tyler and on the Tyler Junior College Foundation board. A memorial service and private burial were held Thursday.

LONGVIEW — Natural gas prices are hurting property values in East Texas. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, property values in Gregg County dropped from $8.2 billion last year to $7.9 billion this year. The values aren’t being helped by the combination of low natural gas prices and companies shifting operations to the Haynesville Shale in South Texas. White Oak was the only area in the county to see an increase. The values will be certified by mid summer.

LONGVIEW — Next time you ride the city bus in Longview, you may notice a police officer riding along with you. As part of a new program, Longview Transit and LPD have teamed up to put officers on the buses. Once a month, according to KETK, officers will board the buses and ride along for a couple hours. The program will help provide a more secure environment for riders and will also allow riders to reach out to the officers.

TYLER – A two vehicle accident in Tyler has left one person dead and one is in custody. It happened around 9:15 Wednesday night in the 9100 block of Paluxy Drive. For a while, Paluxy had to be closed between Cumberland Road and Loop 49. Killed was Tara Dawn Smith, 36. She died during surgery at Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. Charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle was Dallas Youmans, 21, of Tyler. He was booked into the Smith County Jail.

PALESTINE – Anderson County authorities say a man wanted in a murder case from November 2010, is now in custody. Jacob Martinez, 22, of Palestine, was arrested around 6:00 Tuesday evening in Midland. Representatives with the Midland County Sheriff’s Department and U.S. Marshal’s Service arrested Martinez at some Midland apartments. He was wanted for the shooting death of Cedric Bland, 20, of Palestine. Bland was first taken to Palestine Regional Medical Center. He was later transferred to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center where he died.

JACKSONVILLE — Lon Morris College in Jacksonville could be getting some help. The school has been plagued with cash flow problems for the last year or so, with some recent paychecks delayed. Now, according to KETK, the school board has met with staff members and decided to hire a reorganization specialist. The hope is that the firm will help the school review its budget and make the cuts that will be most beneficial to Lon Morris. In a statement, the two-year college says, “The board is dedicated to finding resources to ensure that employees will be paid in full. All options for the viability of the future of the college are being explored, and decisions will be made in respect to the best interests of the school, students, employees, and the community of Jacksonville.”

TYLER — Tyler Police Investigators Wednesday arrested Lewis Bret Hampton, 41, for two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful carrying a weapon. The charges stem from an incident last month. Hampton was released Wednesday from a local hospital and was immediately taken into custody by detectives. Hampton was transported to the Smith County Jail; bond was set at $325,000.

Police say Hampton was responsible for attacking two victims with a large knife at 7109 Richfield on April 29. On that day at about 1:55 pm, Tyler Police received a 911 call of a man with a gun shooting in the area of Richfield Drive. Once officers arrived at the scene, they found two men on the ground in an alley way behind 7109 Richfield. Officers were told that Hampton had threatened several people with a large knife. One man, who was allegedly threatened by Hampton, reportedly had a handgun in his possession. Police say he confronted Hampton in an effort to protect himself and others.

According to authorities, Hampton continued to use the knife and continued to threaten people, including the man who’d reportedly confronted him. Police say Hampton eventually used the knife to cut the man who’d reportedly confronted him, at which point the cutting victim reportedly shot Hampton. After being shot, Hampton allegedly continued to verbally threaten and attack the cutting victim, who reportedly shot Hampton again. At this point, police say, other people were able to subdue Hampton until Tyler Police arrived.

Hampton was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for two gunshot wounds. The cutting victim was also transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for several knife wounds and released. Investigators were called to the scene as well as the Crime Scene Unit to process the scene. Investigators believe at this point that the cutting victim was acting in self-defense. The investigation continues.

DALLAS (AP) – Tyler prosecutors say they believe a man linked to a 1977 rape and stabbing can get a fair hearing before a local judge on his request to have new DNA testing that could demonstrate his innocence. Kerry Max Cook was twice convicted and condemned for the killing of Linda Jo Edwards, 21, in Tyler. Courts overturned both convictions. He would later plead no contest to the murder for a sentence of time served. Cook wants new DNA testing in hopes of being declared formally innocent. His attorneys have asked that State District Judge Christi Kennedy be removed from the case, a request that was denied by an administrative judge. They have since renewed that request. In new filings Tuesday, prosecutors say the attorneys’ newest motion should be denied.

TYLER — Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass and Dr. Kirk Calhoun, president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler (UTHSCT), jointly hosted a ceremony Wednesday to mark the annexation of UTHSCT into the city limits of Tyler. “As illustrated in the Industry Growth Initiative plan, the higher education and healthcare industries are critical components of Tyler’s local economy,” said Bass. “Health care provides for more than 25,000 jobs in our region and has an economic impact estimated at $3.1 billion. By annexing UTHSCT into Tyler city limits, we are taking an important step in continuing to support and grow these industries.”

“We are pleased to see this process move forward,” said Calhoun. “We look forward to becoming a part of Tyler not only in name, but as a partner in our city’s future growth and development.” Calhoun notes that the move will allow the two entities to jointly pursue grants in community and public health, as well as educational opportunities. An announcement was in fact made about a new joint community education program. Calhoun says it will give citizens, particularly younger ones, opportunities to experience the workings of the health center first-hand.

The voluntary annexation of the campus was initiated by representatives of UTHSCT and is allowed under the State Annexation Law in the Texas Local Government Code. With the addition of the campus, Tyler is now 57.02 square miles or 36,494.90 acres.

GREGG COUNTY — Seven years after a Longview drunken driving wreck that killed two women, Jamie Lee Coker has been tried and sentenced on two counts of intoxication manslaughter and three counts of intoxication assault. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison. According to the Longview News-Journal, the 53-year-old had agreed to plead guilty to the charges in 2005, but days before his sentencing, the former construction worker skipped town, fleeing to Mexico. He was found this past summer, hiding in Cancun and was returned to Gregg County to be tried for his role in the deaths of his wife, Sonya Coker, and Martha Wallace, 74.

Coker was drunk when he and his wife left Mom’s Biker Bar a short time before the pickup he was driving crossed the median in the 4500 block of West Marshall Avenue and slammed into an oncoming car driven by Joe Wallace, killing his mother, Martha Wallace.

LUFKIN — A security guard in Lufkin made a gruesome discovery Tuesday afternoon at the Charles Wilson VA Clinic. William Clark Kreger, 67, of Lufkin, was found dead inside a car with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. Officers found a handgun inside the car. According to KETK, police said there was no evidence of foul play but an investigation continues. Reports suggest the man had been in the parking lot since early Tuesday morning.

NOONDAY — A Noonday home was destroyed by fire Wednesday morning. The fire happened along the 12000 block of Pioneer Drive in Smith County. Firefighters got the call around 3:00 am from a next-door neighbor. They tell KETK no one was at home at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported.

TYLER – Tyler’s Teachers of the year have been announced. At Harvey Hall Tuesday night, the district honored Campus Teachers of the Year before naming District Teachers of the Year: W. A. Peete Elementary School Third Grade Teacher Wanda Wilson, Elementary Teacher of the Year; and Robert E. Lee High School Biology Teacher and Coach David Howard, Secondary Teacher of the Year.

With more than 16 years of teaching experience, Mrs. Wilson’s goal is to prepare students for the future. “It is my goal to foster students’ critical thinking skills, facilitate the acquisition of life-long learning skills, and prepare them to be competitive in today’s society,” Mrs. Wilson said. “Loving kids unconditionally helps them realize they are not defined by their circumstances and to seek and seize opportunities, strategies, and solutions that will assist and encourage an inward transformation of their self-worth.”

Coach Howard has spent the past 10 years teaching in Tyler ISD, and says that all the great teachers in his life taught him right from wrong while caring about him as a person. “I have been blessed with amazing people in my life that showed me the value of education,” Coach Howard said. “Education can be the key to open many doors in a person’s life and I consider it a privilege to play that role in the process.”

TYLER – A Tyler man has been arrested for burglary. Around 5:15 Tuesday afternoon, Tyler police responded to a report of a residential burglary at 508 South Bois D’Arc. Officers found that the front door to the apartment had been kicked in. According to the victims and witnesses, Vondreick Green had been verbally arguing and threatening to fight people within the complex. He then began trying to fight a woman when her husband stepped in to prevent the assault.

Police reports say Green and the husband began fighting. It was then when Green is said to have tried to get into the apartment in an effort to assault the woman. He then began kicking the door, knocking it off its hinges. The victim was able to get Green out of the apartment at which point he left the complex.

Officers arrested Green for Burglary of a Habitation and transported him to a Tyler hospital where he received stitches for a cut he received during the fight. He was then transported to the Smith County Jail.