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LONGVIEW – A man who is accused of making numerous threats against a Kilgore woman and her toddler has been arrested in Longview. Taken into custody yesterday was Arsenio LaJuane Thomas, 28. He is accused of making several threats against the woman over the past month. He was even charged with criminal trespass in Kilgore last month after locking himself in the victim’s apartment with the woman and her two year old son. The arrest warrant said Thomas had made 76 calls to the woman’s phone. He is said to have threatened to burn down the apartment complex where the woman lived. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail on a charge of obstruct retaliation and bond was set at $100,000.

CANTON – A traffic stop turned into a brief chase in Van Zandt County. It started when a sheriff’s deputy tried to stop a car for a traffic violation on County Road 1803. But the car’s driver sped away at a high rate of speed. They were finally able to stop the vehicle four miles South of Highway 80 on County Road 1818. The driver, identified as Juvey Daniel Landaverde, 22, of Grand Saline, was booked into the Van Zandt County jail for felony evading arrest and bond was set at $7,500.

CENTER (AP) – The district attorney in an East Texas county with a well-known drug-trafficking route repeatedly allowed suspected drug runners and money launderers to receive light sentences – or escape criminal charges altogether – if they forfeited their cash to prosecutors. That’s according to an Associated Press investigation. As a result, the AP reports, authorities collected more than $800,000 in less than a year using a practice that essentially let suspects buy their way out of allegations that, if proven, would probably have resulted in prison sentences. “They were looking out for the treasury of their county instead of doing the job of protecting society,” said R. Christopher Goldsmith, a Houston attorney who represented one of the defendants.

The system reportedly engineered by Shelby County District Attorney Lynda Kaye Russell is now one focus of a federal criminal investigation that is also reviewing whether Russell and other law enforcement officials targeted black motorists for traffic stops. Interviews, court records and other documents reviewed by The Associated Press show numerous examples of suspects who went unpunished or got unusually light sentences after turning over tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The money from those and other defendants increased the DA’s forfeiture account by more than two hundredfold and helped ease a tight budget. The county’s former auditor has testified that at least a portion of it was spent on campaign materials, parades, holiday decorations, food, flowers, gifts and charitable contributions.

Russell, who has been district attorney in the county on the Texas-Louisiana border since 1999, did not respond to repeated requests for comment. She announced in June that she was resigning, effective at the end of the year, to care for her sick mother. The Shelby County cases arose from traffic stops on U.S. Highway 59, which runs from the U.S.-Mexico border to Canada and is one of the nation’s most notorious drug corridors.

Russell and other county law enforcement officials have been under investigation by the Department of Justice’s civil-rights division since 2008, when they were named defendants in a class-action lawsuit stemming from traffic stops in the small town of Tenaha. The lawsuit contends that a drug-enforcement program established by the town in 2006 was actually a scheme to threaten innocent motorists, most of them black, with money laundering charges if they didn’t forfeit their cash. FBI agents have interviewed many of the motorists who were stopped in Tenaha, including some who were given leniency. And several Shelby County officials have testified before a grand jury in Tyler.

AUSTIN – East Texas is prominently in the picture as federal disaster aid in the form of Public Assistance has been approved in four more wildfire-scorched counties in Texas. That brings to 19 the number of counties designated for infrastructure repair grants and other supplementary funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Cass, Morris, Navarro and Panola counties join the 15 other counties approved for FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program under Tuesday’s amendment to the Sept. 9 major disaster declaration.

The PA program helps reimburse applicants in the designated counties for the cost of removing disaster-related debris from public rights of way, and for measures taken by state and local emergency responders to protect lives and property before, during and after the wildfires. The program also helps defray the cost of repairing roads, public buildings, utilities and other public infrastructure damaged or destroyed as a result of the wildfires.

Supplementary funding under the PA program goes to the state and its agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations. Under the program, FEMA obligates funds to the state for 75 percent of eligible costs, while the applicant covers the remaining 25 percent. The state forwards the federal funds to the eligible local governments or organizations that incurred costs. The other counties designated for PA reimbursements are Anderson, Bastrop, Cherokee, Colorado, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hill, Houston, Leon, Marion, Rusk, Smith, Upshur and Walker.

TYLER — A Tyler home has been damaged by fire. The two alarm blaze was reported shortly after 9:45 Tuesday morning at 308 East Queen. Neighbors reported flames coming from the house. One neighbor knocked on the door to alert anyone that might be home, but no one was there. Officials say firefighters had the fire under control by 10:15. The cause is under investigation.

HENDERSON — Another East Texas community is making an attempt to go wet this upcoming election. The early voting started Monday in Henderson as voters headed to polls to make their decision on future alcohol sales in the city. Two propositions are on the ballot: one for the sale of beer and wine at convenience and grocery stores, another to sell mixed drinks at restaurants.

TYLER — Tyler’s sales tax revenues deposited for the month of October have increased 1.3% resulting in a 1.3% year-to-date increase. The reported revenue of $2,743,579 is comprised of $1,829,053 general sales tax revenue and $914,526 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures, which are reported by the state comptroller’s office, represent receipts from August 2011 collections as there is a two-month lag before taxes are reported and remitted back to the City from the State. “October is the first month in the City’s fiscal year and this increase is a solid start to the new year,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel.

KILGORE — Over the last several months, the Kilgore Police Department have received many citizen complaints and information regarding D’s Smoke Shop, 2508 U.S. Hwy 259 N., Kilgore. According to KETK, the shop was reportedly selling Synthetic Marijuana products, commonly referred to as “K2” along with “Molly” pills.

On Friday, October 21, Kilgore Police executed a search warrant at D’s, resulting in two arrests. The owner Michael Siv, 43, Kilgore, and a store clerk, Vannwathanak Hun, 28, Allen, were both charged with violation of city ordinance, illegal smoking products and violation of city ordinance – adult business regulations. Both were booked into the Kilgore City Jail.

Police seized numerous boxes of suspected synthetic marijuana, suspected “Molly” pills and an AR-15 Rifle. Police also discovered the business was selling pornographic movies and magazines. All the pornographic items were also seized by police.

TYLER — No lights, no decorations, no trick-or-treaters this Halloween for sex offenders. Officials tell KETK they will be checking on the nearly ninety sex offenders in Smith County to make sure they’re staying indoors, and away from the public and, they say this year, like in years past, they don’t expect any problems, but there is always a need to be cautious. Robert Gray with the Intensive Supervision Unit in Smith County says “We’ll be going by there doing checks and we’ll be going by their houses to make sure they are at home because they’re also to be at there house as well during that time and make sure they’re not answering the door for other than police and emergency.”

MOUNT ENTERPRISE – A one vehicle accident in Rusk County has left one person dead. The wreck, just before 8:45 Sunday night, killed Matthew Karl Tompkins, 43 of Mount Enterprise. The accident occurred on Farm Road 95, about four miles northeast of Mount Enterprise. According to the Department of Public Safety, Tompkins car drifted off the road to the right and he overcorrected and hit a tree.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department has released the year-end statistics for the recently concluded Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (S.T.E.P.) that ran from October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011. Off-duty Officers working on the grant program put in a total of 1,142 hours of additional traffic enforcement in the City. During this period Officers issued 3,468 traffic citations and made 78 arrests during the year. The breakdown of citations and arrests were:
*Speeding citations: 2,227
*Adult Seatbelt citations: 597
*Child Seatbelt/Safety Seat citations: 34
*Other citations: 610
*DWI arrests: 32
*Other arrests: 46

In the category of other arrests, S.T.E.P. Officers made on-view arrests for charges including Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Minor in Possession of Alcohol and a variety of other misdemeanor charges. Officers also served a total of 98 outstanding arrest warrants.

The Comprehensive Selective Traffic Enforcement Program is funded by a grant awarded to the Police Department by the Texas Department of Transportation, using federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The program supplements traffic enforcement efforts of the Department by utilizing off-duty officers, working overtime, to conduct traffic enforcement without the interruption created by other duties that must be handled by on-duty officers. The STEP officers are able to focus solely on traffic enforcement, targeting the offenses of speeding, DWI, and seatbelt and child restraint violations. Although the program focuses on those offenses, all traffic offenses witnessed by the officer are also enforced.

LONGVIEW – A Henderson man was jailed in Longview, accused of beating and stabbing his common law wife. Placed in the Gregg County Jail under bonds totaling $40,000 was Ronnie Alan Montalbano, 29. The woman was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center Sunday where she told officers Montalbano had stabbed her in the shoulder with a pair of needle nose pliers. He is also said to have punched her in the face and stomped on her head. She also received bruises and abrasions which she said she got when she jumped from his moving vehicle.

LONGVIEW – A person reported standing naked in a Longview street has been taken into custody. Arrested Sunday afternoon was Sandra Lois Smith, 57. Police describe her as a local transient.

Arriving officers said they found the woman fully clothed and blocking traffic in the 3100 block of 4th Street. Officers told her she was free to leave as long as she stopped walking in the middle of the road. However she walked onto the north bound lane of 4th street, causing cars to stop. She was escorted from the street, but continued to walk back into traffic. It was then she was arrested. At her arraignment Monday morning, a mental health evaluation was ordered.

WILLS POINT — After a month-long investigation, authorities in Van Zandt County make a methamphetamine bust. This past Friday, the Sheriff’s Office along with the Wills Point Police Department and the Constable of Precinct #3 executed a search warrant on VZCR #3825 in Wills Point. An undisclosed amount of methamphetamines was recovered. Kimberly Dawn Marshall, 25, was arrested, placed into custody, and booked into the Van Zandt County Justice Center. Marshall was charged with manufacturing and delivery, and her bond was set at $10,000.

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s office is following up on its discovery of a large amount of stolen vehicles and property last week. KETK reports that law officers executed search warrants Monday at two more locations where stolen property was located. Several more vehicles, trailers, and ATVs have been recovered. Sheriff’s officials reported their initial find Friday at a residence in Briar Forest subdivision. On that day, authorities reported that vehicles and ATVs that were stolen from Panola, Rusk, and Shelby Counties had been recovered.

EAST TEXAS — Here’s an update on mobile disaster recovery centers available in the coming days to survivors of the recent East Texas wildfires:

Smith County
Bethel Baptist Church
13108 Highway 64 East
Tyler, TX 75707
Monday, Oct. 31
1 pm – 6 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 1 and Wednesday, Nov. 2
9 am – 6 pm
Closes Wednesday, Nov. 2

Henderson County
Emergency Operations Center Building
622 S. Prairieville Street
Athens, TX 75751
Monday, Oct. 24
1 pm – 6 pm
Tuesday, Oct. 25, and Wednesday, Oct. 26
9 am – 6 pm
Closes Wednesday, Oct. 26

Marion County
Jefferson Visitor Center
305 East Austin Street
Jefferson, TX 75657
Monday, Oct. 24, through Friday, Oct. 28
9 am – 6 pm
Closes Friday, Oct. 28

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Disaster loans up to $2 million are available to businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other business assets.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) up to $2 million are available to small businesses and most private, nonprofit organizations to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster, regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. The maximum business disaster loan is $2 million for any combination of property damage and working capital.

Interest rates can be as low as 2.5% for homeowners and renters, 4% for businesses and 3% for private, nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the U.S. Small Business Administration and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela — SBA’s secure Web site. Residents and business owners may obtain information on SBA disaster loans by calling SBA’s Customer Service Center toll-free at (800) 659-2955, visiting SBA’s Web site at http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or contacting [email protected] via e-mail. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877‑8339. The filing deadline to return applications for property damage has been extended to December 8, 2011. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 6, 2012.

PALESTINE — According to the Anderson County Judge’s Office, Judge Robert Johnston has decided to temporarily drop the county’s burn ban. According to KETK, the judge felt that the amount of rain the county received in the last few days was enough to allow people to burn their trash. People are still cautioned to use common sense while burning.

CRAFT — Due to conditions which have occurred recently in the water system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required Craft-Turney Water Supply, south of Jacksonville to notify all the customers involved in the repair area to boil their water prior to consumption. According to KETK, the area included in this boil water notice is on FM 347 South, from Smith Wrecking Yard on both sides of FM 347 to and including County Roads 3101, 3103, 3145, 3147, 3148, 3159 — and from the intersection of FM 2138 and FM 347, south ½ mile down FM 2138 on the west side of the road.

Officials say 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. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, water system officials will notify you. If you have questions regarding this matter you may contact Rhonda Briggs, Office Manager, at 903-586-9301.

NACOGDOCHES — When it comes right down to it, if people don’t conserve water now and a deluge of steady rain doesn’t hit Nacogdoches County soon, projections show that Lake Nacogdoches will be empty in less than a year. That’s according to KETK and the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel. “Not only are we running out of water, we’re using more water,” Nacogdoches City Engineer Steve Bartlett said. “We have had a 25 percent increase in a one-year study period in our sprinkler account.” Brad Randall, chief operator at the Nacogdoches Surface Water Treatment Plant, says the process of preparing water from the lake for consumption hasn’t changed, but the city is contemplating mandatory conservation regulations as the ongoing drought has worsened.

TYLER — Smith County sheriff hopeful Chris Green hung up his game warden badge over the weekend at his retirement party. According to KETK, Green served 16 years as Smith County’s game warden and 20 years in the state. Green says family, friends, and other wardens came in from all over Texas to see him off. Although he’s retiring as game warden, Green says it’s only the beginning of a new chapter in his life. He says, “You know, we’re having a good time tonight. It’s kind of a closing chapter to my career as a game warden…we’re off to bigger and better things.” Green announced his run for sheriff earlier in the year. He says he’s ready to serve the public in a larger capacity.

SMITH COUNTY — Halloween is just around the corner and the drought is putting a damper on those decorations. If you’re thinking of putting out jack-o-lanterns, think twice about using an actual candle to light it up. With the burn ban still in effect, Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton says pumpkins are no exceptions. He confirmed that all outdoor burning of any combustible material is prohibited, which includes candles burning in pumpkins. Seaton suggests LED lights as an alternative.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man with a blood alcohol concentration twice the legal limit was booked into the Angelina County Jail after crashing his truck into a pole Friday night. Witnesses at the scene of the accident in the 1900 block of East Denman Avenue said a man driving a silver Ford pickup truck hit the pole, then backed up and drove away. Because the truck sustained extensive damage from the crash, it broke down about 200 yards west of the accident.

The man, later identified as Miguel Garcia, 50, of Lufkin, ran into a nearby wooded area, according to witnesses. When police found him hiding in low-lying grass near the edge of a wooded area, they discovered he was intoxicated. After being transported to the jail, Garcia provided breath samples that indicated his blood alcohol content was twice the legal limit. He was booked on a charge of driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of the accident.

LONGVIEW — A Longview teenager is in custody after a fatal hit and run. Ashley Nicole Lambert, 19, faces a charge of failure to stop and render aid, a third degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. She remained jailed on $10,000 bond. Police say, for more than a month, Lambert eluded police despite a grand jury indictment for the March 28th collision on Loop 281 that killed Harold Grady, 57, Farmersville. Authorities search for Lambert ended Oct. 17, when the 19-year-old motorist was arrested after what was at least her second wreck of the year. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Friday.

TYLER – Early voting is underway in Texas in the November 8th constitutional amendments election. Ten proposed amendments to the Texas constitution are being presented to voters. Early voting will take place at the Smith County Courthouse Annex Building, 200 East Ferguson Street. According to the Smith County website, the election hours are:

10/24/2011-10/28/2011 Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
10/31/2011-11/02/2011 Monday-Wednesday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
11/03/2011-11/04/2011 Thursday-Friday 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.

LUFKIN – A Lufkin home has been destroyed by fire. The blaze was reported around 5:45 Sunday morning in Lufkin’s Crown Colony subdivision. No injuries were reported. Authorities say, while it is apparent the lightning strike is to blame, the Lufkin Fire Department will do a routine investigation before declaring an official cause.

TYLER –The East Texas Food Bank will soon be signing up senior citizens for the Commodity and Supplemental Food Program. The program is designed to improve the health and nutrition of senior citizens.

Dennis Cullinane, the executive director of the food bank says the program will provide the East Texas Food Bank more resources for which to serve the area’s senior population. “We are eager to start providing nutritious boxes of food for our seniors.

Participants must meet two requirements to be included in the program: be 60 years of age or older and meet gross income requirements. Proof of age and income is required. Those who are already enrolled in SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps, Medicaid or SSI will automatically qualify, pending proof of enrollment.

Representatives of the East Texas Food Bank will be at the following locations:
Tuesday October 25
9:00am at the Senior Citizens Center, 112 Church Street in Grapeland
1:30pm at the First Baptist Church, 424 West Parker Street in Elkhart
Thursday October 27th
9:00am at First Christian Church, corner of Broad and Holly Street in Oakwood
1:30pm Leon County Senior Center 941½ Hill Street in Buffalo

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

SMITH COUNTY — Construction crews on Tuesday afternoon are scheduled to temporarily close part of Farm Road 2767 east of Farm Road 757 for a culvert replacement. The closure is scheduled to be lifted by 5:00pm on Friday. While the closure is in effect, local traffic only will be allowed on Farm Road 2767 between Farm Road 757 and County Road 372, and between State Highway 31 in Gregg County and Smith County Road 239. No traffic will be allowed to cross between SCR 372 and SCR 239. Crews are scheduled to be at work in this location 24 hours per day during the closure to limit the amount of time the roadway is closed. The work is the first phase of a larger construction project designed to widen and resurface the roadway between Farm Road 850 near Tyler and State Highway 31 near Country Tavern in Gregg County. FM 2767 runs roughly parallel and north of SH 31, from East Loop 323 in Tyler and SH 31 near Country Tavern in Gregg County.

TYLER — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on State Highway 110 in Tyler between West Loop 323 and U.S. Highway 69 (Gentry Parkway). Once that work is complete, crews are scheduled to perform similar work in various locations on the westbound lanes of Interstate Highway 20 between U.S. Highway 69 in Lindale and State Highway 110 south of Van. 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 zones.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue building a left-turn bay on NB US 259/SH 31 for traffic turning onto Post Oak Road, which is located between the US 259 Kilgore Bypass and Interstate 20. The project is scheduled to take several weeks to complete. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists exiting the northbound end of the US 259 Kilgore Bypass will need to merge right once they have transitioned onto US 259/SH 31 to avoid the closure.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs in various locations on State Highway 149 between State Highway 43 in Tatum and the Gregg County Line. 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.

VAN ZABDT COUNTY– Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on State Highway 19 north of Canton between Interstate Highway 20 and U.S. Highway 80, and on Farm Road 1995 between State Highway 110 and FarmRoad 773. Construction crews are also scheduled to be at work making deep pavement repairs in various locations on IH 20 in between Kaufman and Smith counties. Their work will require some overnight lane closures.Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 315 between Farm Road 314 and U.S, Highway 175 in Poynor. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing and shoulder operations on Farm Road 320 between West Loop 256 in Palestine and Farm Road 645. 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 continue resurfacing operations on Farm Road 2088 between Farm Road 312 in Oak Grove and the Upshur County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect 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 perform resurfacing operations in various locations on U.S. Highway 84 east of Rusk. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LONGVIEW – A fire at a Gregg County RV park has left a man dead. He is identified as Richard Andrew Hillman, 58, of Longview. The fire was reported just after 5:00 Saturday morning on Farm Road 2011 between Longview and Kilgore. Two campers were destroyed by the fire. The camper where the fire is thought to have started is where the victim was found. Officials are awaiting autopsy results. The fire appears to be accidental.

LUFKIN – The former manager of a Dollar King store in Lufkin has pleaded guilty to improperly photographing his employees in the store’s restroom. Nathan Scott Kesler, 36, of Livingston, will be sentenced following a pre-sentence investigation. A sentencing date has not been set.

Kesler is alleged by police to have put his cell phone on a bathroom cabinet of the business in a position to photograph the toilet using a spy camera application. The two store employees were photographed in the restroom when the application, which uses motion detection, took the photos.

The two women employees who are said to have been photographed by Kesler, have filed a civil suit against him and Dollar King, LLC.

TYLER— The Tyler school district is looking to the future. Over the next ten years, TISD anticipates 2,500 students. To meet the demands school officials are talking about building two new high schools. They would be built on the existing sites of Robert E Lee and John Tyler. Currently between the two sites, 31 portable buildings are on use on the two campuses.

Future plans also include a new Rice Elementary, which would be built on a new site and a new Dixie Elementary to be built on the existing site. There is also talk of an ‘Advanced Technology and Career Center’ at a new location that will be shared between the two high schools.

The discussion of the districts needs also include creating 4 middle schools and 4 intermediate schools.

All of this is still in the discussion stage. If the public approves of the plan, somewhere down the road a bond proposal would have to be presented to the public to finance the improvements.