KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Dr. L. Douglas Ried and Dr. Kathleen Snella have been named founding associate deans of the Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas at Tyler, Dr. Alisa White, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, announced. Both associate deans will join the leadership team under the direction of founding dean Dr. Lane J. Brunner with the goal of accepting the first class of UT Tyler pharmacy students in fall 2015. “We are delighted to attract such highly talented, seasoned administrators into our developing college of pharmacy,” said Brunner. “Drs. Ried and Snella will be instrumental in establishing a strong foundation for our doctor of pharmacy program.” Continue reading Founding Associate Deans of UT Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy Announced

TYLER — Homeless advocates around the country are trying to get a head count of how many people need help. In Tyler Thursday, The East Texas Human Needs Network handed out surveys trying to do the math on the local homeless population and a thumbnail sketch of what the homeless endure on a daily basis. According to KETK, advocates say the survey is crucial to find out if what they’re doing is actually helping. Project representatives in Tyler say they have to be good stewards of all their talents, their people, their resources, and their wisdom. The project reps say they want to help people make better choices — but that as people involved in caring for the poor, they need to make better choices too. Once the results are in, local human needs workers can see progress and problem areas that need to be addressed in the coming year.

TYLER — The Texas Right to Life PAC recently announced support for the re-election campaign of State Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler. A PAC news release says Schaefer co-authored several pro-life bills, including a ban on abortion after five months, when babies feel pain. The legislation also increased health and safety standards for abortion clinics, according to the release. Schaefer’s record on issues including abortion, stem cell research, and end of life issues, as well as what’s termed his dedication to supporting the pro-life cause in general, earned a rating of 112% from Texas Right to Life. The campaign website for Schaefer’s GOP primary opponent, Skip Ogle, calls Ogle “a solid conservative…focused on protecting innocent life.”

DALLAS (AP) – A judge has approved a motion to move the death penalty trial of a man accused of killing three people, including two prosecutors, to another North Texas county. Judge Michael Snipes on Friday okayed the request by defense attorneys for 46-year-old Eric Williams. Authorities say he fatally shot Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife Cynthia in March, and Kaufman assistant prosecutor Mark Hasse last January. Williams’ trial is scheduled to begin in October in Rockwall County, northeast of Dallas. Prosecutors say the killings were to avenge the former justice of the peace’s conviction on theft charges that cost him his office and law license. Authorities say Williams’ wife, Kim Williams, has confessed, naming her husband as the shooter. She’s also charged with capital murder.

MARSHALL — An East Texas man has been indicted by a Harrison County grand jury for allegedly burning down his stepmother’s home. KETK reports Harrison County deputies responded to a fire December 2 at a house in the 3600 block of FM 2208. Upon arrival, deputies found a mobile home fully engulfed in flames and James Cameron, 21, standing near the burning residence. According to authorities, investigation found Cameron had been in a verbal and physical fight with his stepmother, Tonnya Cameron, 49, and that he had struck his stepmother. He allegedly poured used cooking oil through the home and gasoline around the back of the home prior to setting it on fire, officials say. The woman ran from the house when she realized it was on fire. She was treated for smoke inhalation and taken to a local hospital, and the home was completely destroyed. Continue reading Man Indicted for Allegedly Burning Down Stepmother’s Home

EAST TEXAS — Progress can be messy, unsettling, and costly — and can get some folks in a bind. According to KETK, so it is with a proposed section of Toll 49 known as the “East Texas Hourglass.” The stretch of highway would run from south Tyler to north Marshall — going through a portion of East Texas’s oilfield along the way. People responsible for exactly where the road goes say they’re looking at all environmental factors before they start pouring pavement. They say as they develop the routes, they’ll do their best to miss important key features, one of which would be an oil well. Officials say the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority wants to hear concerns from East Texans.

LINDALE — Two people suspected in a heist of computers from a Lindale Wal-Mart have been questioned by police. KETK reports Henry Marshall and Kelly Edwards (pictured) were brought in for questioning but no warrants or arrests were issued. We’re told Smith County Constable John Smith tracked down Edwards through a Facebook post that revealed her location. Whitehouse police managed to reach Marshall. 34-year-old Adam Bowers was captured earlier this month after a chase through Smith County. Authorities believe Bowers also robbed a Family Dollar store off Frankston Highway in Tyler. Lindale police released surveillance video reportedly showing the three walking out of the Wal-Mart with a cart full of stolen merchandise.

LONGVIEW — Four units of the Highland Village Apartments on West Loop 281 in Longview have been damaged by fire, and KETK reports one of those was destroyed. It was reported around 9:00 Thursday night. One resident was taken to the hospital with a minor case of smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

MARSHALL — An East Texas man who’s accused of killing his wife and then kidnapping his four-year-old daughter has been indicted for murder in a case that’s prompted a push for a new law. KETK reports Brad Dunn, 35, was arrested December 1 after an Amber Alert was issued for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of his daughter, Kylie Dunn, and the slaying of the mother of the child, Kari Dunn. He was indicted by a Harrison County Grand Jury Wednesday. Continue reading Man Indicted in Case that Led to “Kari’s Law” Push

EAST TEXAS — As very cold weather and the possibility of winter precipitation hit parts of East Texas, school districts are taking precautions by either delaying school or cancelling activities altogether. Please send all delay or closing info to closings@ktbb.com. Continue reading Winter Weather Closings, Delays, Changes

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – State officials fighting the spread of invasive zebra mussels have expanded the territory where boaters are required to drain all watercraft before and after entering lakes and streams. Commissioners for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Thursday unanimously approved adding 30 counties in North, East, and Central Texas to the requirement. Among the new counties on the list is Henderson County west of Highway 19. Continue reading Part of Henderson County among Areas Added to Mussel Fight

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP/Staff) – An Oklahoma County judge has scheduled a preliminary hearing for Feb. 26 for a former doctor facing murder and drug distribution charges in the deaths of patients from what authorities say were prescription drug overdoses. Special Judge Susan Johnson scheduled the hearing Thursday for Dr. William Valuck, who was arrested in December in Kilgore and is being held in the Oklahoma County Jail. Johnson also appointed the Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office to represent Valuck after he testified that he had no financial assets and could not hire an attorney. An affidavit says federal and state authorities have been investigating Valuck since January 2013. Authorities say eight of Valuck’s patients died of overdoses of the drugs he was prescribing to them. Another patient allegedly caused a fatal traffic accident.

HENDERSON — A Louisiana man was sentenced to three years behind bars by a Rusk County jury for tampering with physical evidence after he proceeded to eat marijuana during a traffic stop. KETK reports Raymond Riley, 64, of Baton Rouge had been a fugitive from justice since making bond in the 2005 case. Riley failed to appear in a number of different trial settings and was only returned to Rusk County when a routine traffic stop in a another jurisdiction showed outstanding warrants for felony failure to appear. Riley was stopped in 2005 by deputy-turned-prosecutor Morgan Biggs, and in the dash-cam video of the stop, Riley is seen eating a small bag of marijuana. He can also be seen, on tape, throwing heroin out the window.

TYLER — The Greater Tyler Association of Realtors says it’s backing Skip Ogle for the Texas House. Ogle is running against incumbent Matt Schaefer. According to KETK, the same group backed Schaefer in 2012. But they weren’t pleased with Schaefer’s representation or his unavailability when they traveled to Austin for a face to face. The association spoke with both candidates before making an endorsement. The realtors presented the Ogle campaign with a $10,000 check. Schaefer responded by saying he’s had a good relationship with many realtors in the Tyler area, and that he’s been supportive of favorable polices to the real estate business. Schaefer also said he’s very accessible to the community.

TYLER — A Tyler man is bringing home a huge bag of cash after three days of work in Oklahoma. Tyler Morris took first place in the World Series of Poker event at Choctaw Casino in Durant. His total earnings from the event: $369,503. Along with the money, Morris gets a World Series of Poker ring and an automatic spot in the main World Series of Poker event in Las Vegas. Morris was the last player allowed into the tournament — and outlasted 1,400 others to win it all.

TYLER — A dozen community leaders bravely “took it off for the dogs” to tell the naked truth about the needs and services of the SPCA of East Texas. According to KETK, former Smith County Sheriff, J.B. Smith, his former chief and several other well known men around the area stripped down for a calendar where the proceeds from the will help the SPCA build a shelter. Each calendar month features an image and bio of a community-minded individual that has donated money and/or given generously of their time to support the efforts of the SPCA. Each month also features a rescue dog representing the success of the program. Continue reading East Texans Strip Down for a Cause

PALESTINE — A heart attack may have been responsible for a wreck in which an Anderson County man died. Killed was Harold Ory Lamb, 82, of Palestine. Early Tuesday evening Lamb was driving east on State Highway 294 when his car left the road seven miles west of Palestine. The medical staff at Tyler’s Mother Frances Hospital told the Department of Public Safety that Lamb may have had a heart attack just before his car left the road.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A tree cutting accident in Angelina County has killed a Trinity County man. Killed when a tree he was cutting fell on him was Lucio Vasquez, of Groveton. Vasquez was pronounced at the scene. The accident happened around 1:30 Wednesday afternoon in the northern part of Angelina County, off McKnight Road.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man with a history of Alzheimer’s disease has been found. The silver alert was discontinued for Jerry Glasco, 64. As previously reported, he had last been seen around 4:30 Wednesday afternoon in the area of 128 Gilmer Road in Longview.

LONGVIEW — The Pine Tree School District’s school board has approved a contract extension for superintendent Dr. T.J. Farler. According to Farler, “It’s a three-year contract that is extended by a year after the first year served.” She says this means she will be the Pine Tree school superintendent through August, 2017. Financial terms of the agreement will be discussed at a later time. Continue reading Pine Tree ISD Superintendent’s Contract Extended

WASHINGTON, D.C. — East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert is personally feeling the effects of Obamacare. KETK reports the Tyler lawmaker has dropped his own health care insurance. He says the Affordable Care Act caused his insurance to jump from about $300 to about $1500 a month. Gohmert says he can’t afford the increase, so his family is setting some money aside every month, “and hoping that we can take whatever comes along.” Gohmert has the option to take a government subsidy for his health care insurance, but he says he doesn’t think it’s fair to accept that.

CARTHAGE — An East Texas killer whose case has elicited sympathy has been transferred. Convicted murderer Bernie Tiede, who has spent almost two decades in the state penitentiary for the shooting of wealthy East Texas widow Marjorie Nugent, found himself back in Carthage Wednesday after being served with a bench warrant. Tiede is now being held at the Panola County Detention Center, where District Attorney Danny Buck Davidson gave this statement: “Evidence has recently been discovered that affects punishment considerations.” Tiede’s crime was recently featured in the hit motion picture “Bernie.”

SAN ANTONIO — The Texas Fourth Court of Appeals has upheld the sentencing of East Texas serial killer Kimberly Saenz. On April 12, 2012, Saenz, of Lufkin, was sentenced to life in prison by an Angelina County court. Saenz was convicted of injecting bleach into 10 dialysis patients in 2008, and five of those died as a result.

CENTER (AP) – An East Texas woman has been sentenced to life in prison for the death of her 5-month-old daughter who was beaten, bitten and smothered. A Shelby County jury on Tuesday found 30-year-old Shakeitha Cartwright of Center guilty of capital murder. Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty so the mother received an automatic life prison term for the January 2013 death of Keilly Hoyt. Prosecutors say the baby’s skull was fractured and her back was broken. An arrest affidavit says Cartwright told police she lost her temper then hit, bit and shook the baby. An autopsy determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma and smothering. Cartwright must serve life in prison with no possibility for parole.

TYLER — Tyler Police say 35 auto burglary cases have been cleared in East Texas with two recent arrests. According to a news release, investigators obtained a search warrant and located numerous stolen items worth thousands of dollars in the vehicle used in the latest crime. Police say Tyler investigators have been able to clear 18 auto burglary cases within the city. Smith County investigators have reportedly cleared 14 such cases, and three auto burglaries are said to have been cleared in Kilgore. Police advise, “Please remember to harden the target for auto burglars and remove all valuable items from your vehicle overnight.” Continue reading Authorities: Arrests Clear 35 Auto Burglaries

CANTON — Van Zandt County authorities say an inmate died Sunday in the county jail. The Texas Rangers were notified and are handling the case, according to a county news release. An autopsy was ordered by Van Zandt County Justice of the Peace Ronnie Daniell. Officials say the autopsy revealed no notable trauma and no indications of any foul play. The final autopsy is pending the results of the toxicology report.

HOUSTON (AP/Staff) – A Canadian company has started operating the Texas portion of a proposed cross-border pipeline that has stirred controversy and tension between the United States and Canada. TransCanada says in a statement posted on its website Wednesday that it is delivering oil through the Gulf Coast portion of its proposed Keystone XL pipeline. The pipeline runs through much of East Texas, including part of eastern Smith County. Continue reading Canadian Company Starts Keystone Pipeline in Texas

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – In an East Texas-linked case, the Supreme Court has lent a sympathetic ear to a victim of child pornography who wants the court to make it easier for victims to collect money from people convicted of downloading and viewing the pornographic images. The justices underscored in arguments Wednesday that the woman, known as Amy, and other victims of child pornography suffer serious psychological harm whenever anyone looks at their images online. But the court seemed to struggle with determining how much restitution for counseling, lost income, and legal fees any single defendant should be asked to pay. Continue reading Court Struggles with Restitution for Child Porn

VAN ZANDT COUNTY (Staff/AP) — An elderly woman killed in an accidental house explosion in Van Zandt County around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday has been identified. On Wednesday morning, authorities said the victim was Rita Armstrong, 63. KETK reports Van Zandt County officials returned to the scene of the explosion Monday to continue their investigation and determined that the fire was accidental. Authorities say that it was caused by a partially open propane valve on an unused line running into the house. According to officials, the propane seeped into the house, and something ignited the vapors shortly after Armstrong arrived home.

TYLER — The committee for the Black Tie Bingo fundraiser was recognized with the Brick Award at Tuesday night’s annual meeting of Heart of Tyler. That’s the organization’s top yearly honor. Heart of Tyler also celebrated the past year’s accomplishments in construction and renovations, new businesses and expansions, events, arts, and preservation. Ongoing construction at the county jail and parking garage sites was spotlighted as Heart of Tyler looked to the future. The meeting was held at Smith County’s newly renovated Hub Center on East Ferguson. Heart of Tyler works with the city’s Main Street Department on various downtown revitalization efforts.