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HENDERSON — Two people were arrested on Tuesday in an ongoing investigation into copper wire thefts in Rusk County. Rusk County Sheriff’s officials tell KETK they executed an evidentiary search warrant at a house on the 11000 block of Farm Road 2151 near Henderson just before 5:00 Tuesday afternoon. In the house, authorities say they found transformer tanks, cores, ground wires, meters, clamps, fuse doors, copper and aluminum lines. After further investigation, officials reportedly discovered a stolen gun and 2005 Dodge pickup truck, along with drug paraphernalia and some marijuana.

Jason Bartley, 36, and Ashley Story, 26, were both arrested at the scene for charges including unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of marijuana, and theft. Bartley is being held on a $16,000 bond, while Story is held on a $1,000 bond. Both remain in the Rusk County jail.

JACKSONVILLE — During a recent city council meeting, control of the rodeo arena, once part of the Lon Morris campus, was officially handed over to the city of Jacksonville. City Manager Mo Raissi tells KETK getting control of the rodeo property turned out to be a big job. He added the city is working on plans for the next two months to present to the board, a name change, and to build a recreation center. “On the arena side, talking with the rodeo association, they decided they wanted to go ahead, do whatever possible to keep it up and keep it going,” said Raissi. “The rodeo’s been going on for the last fifty years, so they would like to have it for another 50 years.”

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) and Smith County received some encouraging news about residents’ health in a national report Wednesday, though it also shows that much more needs to be done in some vital areas. That’s according to NET Health CEO George Roberts. In a news release, Roberts says, “The release of the County Health Rankings Report, by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin, shows us what may be keeping people from being healthy and living their best life and doing things they enjoy like spending time with family and friends.”

In the study, Smith County ranked 83 out of 232 counties for Health Outcomes – Today’s Health, and a rank of 50 out of 232 in Health Factors – Tomorrow’s Health. The County Health Rankings allow counties to see how they compare on a range of factors that influence health including high school graduation rates, obesity, smoking, and family and social support. “Change begins by bringing people from all walks of life together – from education, transportation, public health, business, and other sectors – so we can develop and implement strategies that improve health,” says Roberts.

According to Roberts, “The County Health Rankings continue to reinforce that where we live matters to our health; Lighten Up East Texas, 5210 Goes to School, and the East Texas Food Coalition are examples of how our community is taking action to improve health. While we have taken important steps to improve the health of our community, there is more we can do to help our residents lead healthier lives.

“NET Health encourages residents, community leaders and officials to respond positively to the report by carrying out their individual roles to help everyone live healthier, longer and more satisfying lives, as the data suggest. Where we live, learn, work, and play influences how healthy we are and how long we live.” You can visit http://www.countyhealthrankings.org or http://www.healthyeasttx.org for more information.

TYLER — Tyler’s Mentoring Minds is one of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas for the second consecutive year on the 2013 list of 100 companies. The annual competition was created in 2006 as a project of Texas Monthly, the Texas Association of Business, Texas State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management, and Best Companies Group. The effort identifies, recognizes, and honors what are deemed the best places of employment in Texas, benefiting the state’s economy, its workforce and business.

“At Mentoring Minds, we are committed to partnering with educators in Texas and around the country to ensure that their students develop critical thinking skills that are requisite for success in school, careers and life,” said company founder Michael Lujan. “We are able to achieve this important goal because of the talented, focused, dedicated educators and other professionals that work with us here in Tyler. It is a tribute to our entire team to be named one of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas for the second year in a row.”

TYLER — Keeping his campaign promise to hold regular news conferences, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith Tuesday held his first press event and Q&A session since taking office January 1. Smith discussed putting more deputies on the street, cost-saving efforts, his stated commitment to transparency, arrests, and his plans for the future. “When I was campaigning, I outlined many changes that I felt needed to take place to improve the way the Sheriff’s Office operates. One of those changes was providing more transparency and scheduling meetings with the news media to give them the opportunity to ask me questions directly,” said Sheriff Smith. “Since January 1 when I took office, changes have been implemented that have significantly improved how we serve the citizens of Smith County.”

Smith discussed the new 12-hour patrol shifts that put more deputies on the streets. He said that many deputies were now being trained in crime scene investigation techniques, including crime scene photography, fingerprinting, processing tire and shoe print impressions and collecting DNA evidence. ​Another of Smith’s campaign promises was to find more efficient ways to spend tax dollars while improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Sheriff’s Office. One of the first cost-saving measures he implemented happened immediately after he took office. Smith changed vendors and modified the design for striping and applying Sheriff’s Office markings to new vehicles. ​The new vendor and design change, coordinated through Wagner Cadillac in Tyler, dropped the cost per vehicle from $2,700 to $500. The previous design will be phased out as older vehicles are retired.

Smith also discussed the addition of a public information officer (PIO), a position that he says is necessary to get information out to the public. John Moore, who for 13 years served as PIO for Trinity Mother Frances, was hired for the new position in February. Smith says Moore now proactively provides the media with information and updates, and is available to answer questions as events happen.

Numerous high-profile arrests have been made since Smith took office, including individuals who were charged with murder, sexual assault of a child, a Smith County Sheriff’s Office Jail Corporal who was charged with aggravated assault and the arrest of a Smith County adult probation officer who is accused of injury to a child.

​Smith reiterated his stated commitment to transparency and asked the news media to provide input on how his office could better serve their needs in disseminating information to the public. He said he plans to have media updates monthly, either in person or via a news release. The Sheriff’s Office also provides information through its Facebook page and its new Twitter account, @SmithCSO.

TYLER — Tyler police are looking for the man who robbed a Tyler store. The robbery occurred just before 10:00 Tuesday night at the Dollar General at 2724 West Gentry Parkway. The clerk told officers at black man in his 50’s wearing a mesh type material over his face entered the store with a handgun and demanded money. The suspect was wearing a black colored hoodie, blue jeans, and white shoes. He left the store with an undisclosed amount of money. No injuries were reported.

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville police have arrested a second suspect in a November 2012 robbery at a local bank. Monday afternoon just before 12:45, detectives arrested Michael Deangelo Johnson, 25, of Jacksonville. KETK reports Johnson was charged with aggravated robbery in the November 2012 robbery and shooting of Louise Barnett at the Austin Bank drive thru. Another suspect is being held at the Cherokee County jail on another robbery charge. His name has not been released.

Police Chief Reece Daniel said, “I am grateful for the long hours these detectives have worked to begin making these arrests and ultimately clear this case. Any time a person is shot during the course of a robbery, it becomes our number one priority. They are not finished yet and I fully expect them to arrest the remainder of the people involved, soon.”

TYLER — A man has been wounded and his father jailed following a disturbance in the 15000 block of County Road 2223. It happened shortly after 7:00 Monday night. The disturbance was said to have been over the son’s alleged refusal to leave the father’s property. The father allegedly fired warning shots to scare the son off the property, with one of the shots reportedly ricocheting and hitting the son in the foot. The son drove himself to the East Texas Medical Center clinic on South Broadway in Tyler to seek medical attention. The father, Steve Ray Swindle, 52, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and booked in to the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — A string of electronic store burglaries has Tyler Police looking for answers. Cruisers Audio, Cole Cellular, Spring Cellular, and Jack’s Stereo on South Broadway were all burglarized Monday morning. KETK reports several electronic items were stolen from Cole Cellular and Jack’s Stereo.

TYLER — Beer and wine sales for Smith County Justice Precinct 1 will be on the ballot in the November elections. According to KETK, county commissioners approved the proposal for the ballot Tuesday. The petition for the alcohol sales needed at least 1,835 signatures. Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson says that the petition received 2,206. Precinct 1 includes part of the city of Tyler and some territory outside the city limits.

TYLER — Gateway to Hope is a homeless center in Tyler whose founders say it’s been helping people since last September. But KETK reports some neighbors are not impressed by the center’s good works. And recently, the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission extended the facility’s permit for just a year, not the five years requested by the center.

Gateway to Hope is a labor of love for its overseer, Pat Mallory: a facility designed around not just helping the homeless for a day, but striving to help them for the rest of their lives. Mallory says since September, more than 100 people have found jobs, which is why she says the ruling came as a shock. She continues, “We were totally surprised, we have heard nothing but praise from everyone who’s come in from the city, from the policemen that come here.”

But according to the restaurant across the street and neighbors who live next door, the center has only brought unwanted homeless traffic. They say once the center closes at 4 p.m., many of the homeless people stay around and bother residences and businesses. But Mallory says as long as the doors stay open, the center will continue to apply for the permit every year — and, she says, keep turning Tyler homeless into Tyler taxpayers. “We’re just hoping we can just continue to do what we do, not just for the homeless, but for the city of Tyler,” says Mallory.

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – Statewide officeholders would be limited to two consecutive terms under a constitutional amendment proposed by Tyler State Senator Kevin Eltife that’s now advancing in the Capitol. In a 27-4 vote on Tuesday, the Texas Senate approved the amendment that would apply to future governors, attorneys general, and state agency commissioners. It would not apply to judges or the legislators themselves. It also would not apply to current officeholders such as Governor Rick Perry, who has been elected to three consecutive terms since 2000. Eltife said his proposal would bring “new ideas” to government. He ran for the legislature after local term limits prevented him for running for re-election as mayor of Tyler. Republican Sen. Craig Estes of Wichita Falls put up a fight against the proposal, saying it would take power away from voters.

HARRISON COUNTY — Two people were killed Monday night when their cars collided on Loop 281 in Harrison County three miles north of Farm Road 968, according to Texas Department of Public Safety officials. Tysheliamie Jordan, 45, of Marshall and Ricardo Gonzales, 23, of Longview were pronounced dead at the scene, a DPS spokeswoman said. The two-vehicle wreck happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. when the vehicle driven by Jordan entered the northbound lane traveling south, DPS said. Jordan’s 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis hit Gonzales’ 2007 Lincoln MKZ head on, DPS said. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, DPS officials said they do not yet know why Jordan was traveling in the wrong direction.

HENDERSON — A pit bull has been put to sleep after attacking a nine-year-old child in Henderson last week. KETK reports that Rusk County deputies were sent to a local hospital March 12 on reports of a dog bite. The mother victim, Juana Rodriguez, 33, stated the attack happened in front of their house in the 190 block of Deer Trail. Luciano Becerril, 27, said he also lives at the home and saw the attack. Becerril claimed several children were playing with a ball in the front yard of the house when the ball was kicked into the road. When the child went to get the ball, a male pit bull mix came from across the road and bit the child on the left side of his head and face. Becerril stated the dog then ran off and the child was taken into the house where the authorities were then contacted. The child was taken to the hospital in the family vehicle.

According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, the child had severe cuts to the left side of his face and head. The injury was deep enough to expose the child’s skull and the surrounding tissue. All witnesses of the attack did not know who the dog belonged to and had never seen the animal before. Becerril told authorities a man showed up after the incident and claimed the dog belonged to him, and he was going to take it home and kill it.

Sergeant Russell Smith went to the scene of the attack to find the dog. Sergeant Smith was able to locate the dog on the next street over on the 140 block of Buck Run. The dog’s owner, Beth Young, 33, of Henderson, could not provide proof of vaccinations. The pit bull mix was taken to the Henderson Animal Shelter for quarantine. A deputy was later told the child’s injuries were unable to be treated at the local hospital and he was moved to a hospital in Dallas to undergo surgery. His current condition is unknown.

On March 13, authorities went to the animal shelter and photographed the dog. The pictures were then presented to Becerril and the victim, who were able to identify the dog as the one behind the attack. On Monday Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 Judge Joe Sorrells made the decision to euthanize the dog.

GREGG COUNTY — Federal Aviation Administration regulations require all FAR Part 139 Certificated Commercial Service Airports to conduct a full scale emergency exercise every three years. East Texas Regional Airport will conduct its Tri Annual Emergency Exercise today, from 10:00am until around 3:00pm. Airport Director Roy Miller says, “The site is away from the highway and the terminal area so there is no conflict or inconvenience to the public. They may see emergency response vehicles proceeding to the airport and some smoke. TxDot is providing an electronic sign near the airport entrance stating that an emergency drill is in progress and not to be alarmed.”

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — Two men a jailed following a major drug bust. 94 grams of cocaine were seized by the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s office during a traffic stop. According to KETK, Sheriff Jason Bridges said deputies stopped an SUV near Appleby on Highway 59N that was occupied by two Guatemalan men. The deputies were suspicious of Joselito Sical, 22, and Oscar Xitumul, 31, due to their nervousness and conflicting stories about their trip. Authorities then searched the vehicle and discovered 94 grams of powder cocaine underneath the passenger seat. Both men were arrested for possession of a controlled substance and taken to the Nacogdoches County Jail. Sheriff Bridges stated the street value of the cocaine is $4,200.

TYLER — Citizens in need of a copy of their birth certificate, no matter where they were born in Texas, can now purchase those copies at the Smith County Clerk’s office — and officials say the move is paying off. According to a county news release, the County Clerk’s office is making it more convenient than ever for citizens to have access to their personal records with the addition of a Remote Birth Access program that has the capability of tapping into state-wide electronic records.

Before the addition of the Remote Birth Access program, the County Clerk’s Office could only provide a copy of a birth certificate for those who were born outside the city limits of Tyler but within boundaries of Smith County or for delayed births that occurred in Smith County. Having remote access to the State’s records now gives the County Clerk’s Office the ability to print a record for anyone born in the state of Texas from 1926 to the present.

“We saw the frustration of our customers leaving with nothing in hand. People thought if they needed a copy of their Birth Certificate they could go to the County Clerk to receive it yet our records were limited,” Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips said. “Smith County is now able to print a birth certificate for anyone born in the state of Texas using Remote Birth Access.” Mrs. Phillips says the program was an added expense in the beginning but paid for itself in less than 2 months. “On January 2, 2013, we began providing birth certificates for our customers and to date have sold over 153 Certified Remote Birth certificates,” she said.

TYLER — The SPCA of East Texas has received a $98,000 targeted grant from PetSmart Charities to spay or neuter dogs living in the 75702 zip code for a discounted rate of $25 which includes rabies. The program is called SNIPPET, or “spay neuter initiative partnership project of East Texas.”

“The 75702 zip code of Tyler has the highest percentage of strays according to City of Tyler Animal Control. The major reason being pets not spayed or neutered and having multiple litters of puppies or kittens each year,” said Deborah Tittle-Dobbs, SPCA of East Texas Board President. “For many families the joy of pet ownership is also a burden when it comes to the cost of spay/neuter, vaccinations and other needed medical care. We hope this grant will help families keep their pet but also prevent the hundreds unwanted litters born each year in our community.”

In other news, the SPCA of East Texas is seeking loving and safe homes to take care of the dozens of homeless and abandoned animals that are waiting to be adopted. Dobbs hopes the adoptions will alleviate the challenges the SPCA faces until it can build a community animal shelter. The SPCA continues to seek private donations to build the shelter in the Tyler area. Contact the SPCA of East Texas at 903-596-SPCA or 596-7722 or visit our website at http://www.spcaeasttx.com for more information.

AUSTIN (AP) — A Republican in the Texas Senate is proposing tighter rules for abortion facilities. Greenville Senator Bob Deuell, whose district covers portions of North and East Texas, says he wants to protect the safety of women seeking to end pregnancies. Abortion rights supporters say it’s a back-door attempt to force clinics to close.

TYLER — With expansion projects recently completed at the Smith County Jail’s Low-Risk Facility, located off of Highway 69 North, officials with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office recently unveiled a new video visitation service at the facility that now connects visitors with inmates at both Low-Risk and the Central Jail downtown. A new kiosk is also now available that allows visitors to post bonds online and deposit funds for inmates to access for commissary purchases. Now, all visitors will travel to the low-risk facility to use one of the 30 private video screens and phone handsets for inmate visitation. Previously, visitors traveled to whichever location housed the inmate they wanted to visit.

“Technology has allowed most of us to communicate through computers, smart phones, iPads and other devices. This same comfortable form of communication is now available to those who want to visit with inmates at either jail location,” said Sheriff Larry Smith. Visitation hours remain the same, but all visitation now takes place over a private, secure video link instead of in person. Sheriff’s Office officials said the change streamlines the 20-minute visits and provides easier parking for visitors.

A kiosk is now located in the visitor’s lobby at Low-Risk that provides visitors the capability to go online and post bond for an inmate or deposit funds that an inmate can access for commissary purchases for items such as snacks, drinks and sundries. Smith said the new system, including five stations that are built to accommodate those in wheelchairs, went online March 14. Currently, only 20 of the 30 visitation booths are available pending the installation of the last of the communication links. Smith says the remaining 10 will be in service soon.

The video visitation system and online kiosk were provided for and funded through the new jail construction project. The deputies who previously manned the visitor’s desk at the Central Jail downtown are now available 24/7 at the Smith County Sheriff’s Office administration building, located at 227 N. Spring Street to answer questions and assist the public.

About Smith County Jail Visitation:
Visitation is established for visitors to communicate with inmates who are incarcerated in a Smith County jail. All visitors must go to the Low Risk facility, located at 2811 Public Rd, Tyler, Texas.
Visitation for Women is Monday, Thursday and Saturday
Visitation for Men is Tuesday, Friday, Sunday
Visitors must sign up at the Low-Risk facility the day of visitation between 12:30pm and 4:30pm
Visitation is 1PM to 5PM
Visitation is limited to 20 minutes

TEXARKANA — A 19-year-old Texarkana, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for bank robbery. Temetrius Manning pleaded guilty on October 30, 2012, to bank robbery. He was sentenced Tuesday to 84 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Manning was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,490.99.

Federal prosecutors say on August 27, 2012, Manning entered the Wells Fargo Bank in Texarkana and presented a threatening note to a bank teller demanding money. Manning then fled the bank with the money before being apprehended s short time later. Manning admitted to the charges following his arrest.

TYLER — Smith County authorities have arrested a suspect in the June 2012 shooting death of Jose Alfredo Sanchez. The shooting took place at a home on County Road 37 in Northern Smith County. Two persons were wounded in the incident, including the suspect, Natalio Gurrusquieta, 72. He was arrested Monday by Smith County sheriff’s deputies and agents of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations. Gurrusquieta was taken into custody without incident in the 600 block of East Queen Street in Tyler.

An arrest warrant for Gurrusquieta was issued Monday by 241st State District Court Judge Jack Skeen, Jr., charging Gurrusquieta with murder. After his arrest, Gurrusquieta was booked in to the Smith County Jail. Bond has been set at $1,000,000.00.

TYLER — The parents of the Smith County toddler found dead near their home after a lengthy overnight search last August are now set for trial May 3. 241st State District Judge Skeen set the new date as the couple appeared in court Monday. According to KETK, David and Sabrina Kimbley face multiple child endangerment charges. Their son, Jacob Kimbley, was found dead in a septic tank near their home after they claim he went missing during a game of hide and seek.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A man is on the run after a weekend chase in Cherokee County. Sgt. Patrick Dark with Cherokee County DPS tells KETK the chase began following a routine traffic stop on Highway 110, about 5 miles north of New Summerfield, just after 7:00 on Saturday night. DPS Trooper Tim Hatch approached the driver, who began acting in a suspicious manner and fumbled for his driver’s license, according to officials. There were two women in the vehicle with him. Officials say when Trooper Hatch asked the driver to step out of the vehicle, the man sped away. He reportedly made it a considerable distance before the trooper was able to make it back to his vehicle and pursue the driver.

Trooper Hatch spotted the driver a few times during the pursuit, but the driver turned down several roads, and eventually was lost on Farm Road 264, according to DPS. However, law enforcement was notified some time later by nearby residents who claimed they were contacted by a man and two women. The three people reportedly asked the residents if they could be hidden at their house on Cherokee County Road 4912. When the homeowners refused to provide them with a place to hide, all three reportedly ran into a nearby wooded area.

DPS helicopter units were dispatched and were able to locate two women in the woods around 9:00pm. They were arrested, and their abandoned vehicle located. However, according to authorities, the man who had been driving the vehicle managed to get away. Authorities are still looking for him. The names of the people involved have not been released at this time.

TYLER — The traffic signals on SSW Loop 323 at Highway 31 west are back in operation this morning. The went back in service last night. The traffic lights were knocked out of order following a traffic accident Monday afternoon. Tyler police officers directed traffic in the intersection until the lights began operating last night.

MARTELL, NEB. (AP) — Now that a recent environmental report has cleared the way for a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline, a diverse band of activists is mustering a new effort to kill the project. The opponents hope to make a big showing at a public hearing on the pipeline in Nebraska this spring. They say they are also appealing to new Secretary of State John Kerry to recommend that federal approval be denied.

The activists include both veteran environmentalists and conservative ranchers angry about intrusions on their property.

The pipeline would transport 800,000 barrels of oil per day from the tar sands in Alberta, Canada, to refineries on the Texas Gulf Coast. The route carries the pipeline through eastern Smith County.

The TransCanada oil company says the project would create jobs and further North American energy independence.

SMITH COUNTY — Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene of a major accident involving two 18-wheelers on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 20 Monday afternoon. According to the Smith County Department of Public Safety, the crash took place at mile marker 559 near Jim Hogg Road around 3:30 p.m. One of the semi trucks involved in the wreck was attempting to get back onto the interstate from the shoulder when another 18-wheeler hit the vehicle from behind. KETK reports traffic began flowing again at around 5:15 p.m. No major injuries were reported. A man was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital.

TYLER — Due to a traffic accident at SSW Loop 323 and 31 West, the traffic lights were knocked out of order Monday afternoon. Officers headed to the scene and began directing traffic in the intersection. They asked all drivers to avoid the area if possible, due to heavy traffic back-up. According to KETK, police said the lights were not expected to be operational again until sometime Monday evening.

NEW SUMMERFIELD (AP/Staff) – Four Palestine men were killed when the car in which they were riding slammed into another vehicle and a semi-truck while on the wrong side of a Cherokee County highway. The DPS says the crash happened just before 8:00 Saturday morning on U.S. Highway 79, 1.4 miles south of New Summerfield. Cherokee County Constable Eddie Lee says the vehicle with the four people in it was on the wrong side of the road when it sideswiped a sport utility vehicle and slammed head-on into the truck. No other injuries were reported.

The dead are identified as driver Michael Estrada, Christian Chavez, Jaime Benitez, and Saul Mancera. All died at the scene. All were 24 years of age except Mancera, who was 22. The DPS says Chavez was the only one wearing a seatbelt. According to KETK, Highway Patrol Officer Steven Crosby said it appeared that Estrada fell asleep. The highway was closed for almost nine hours as officials cleaned the area of debris and oil.

LUFKIN — A car-pedestrian accident in Angelina County has killed a Nacogdoches man. Pronounced dead at the scene was Jayson Wayne Moore, 36. He died after being hit by a pickup pulling a boat. It’s not known why Moore was in the roadway. The accident happened around 6:45 Sunday morning on State Highway 103 East.