KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — Longview police seek the public’s help solving a robbery. Around 7 p.m. Thursday, officers were dispatched to a robbery already occurred in the 3600 Block of McCann Road. Upon arrival officers were told two unidentified black males, with handguns, entered the unlocked residence and demanded money and other property. One suspect was described as 30 to 35 years old, approximately 5’6” to 5’7”, wearing a blue Lacoste jacket. The other suspect was described as 20 to 25 years old, 6’2” to 6’3”, wearing a white jacket and Michael Jordan tennis shoes. The suspects left the location in an unknown direction. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Longview Police Department at (903) 237-1199.

TYLER — Some Smith County prisoners are on the road again. Because of overcrowding, Smith County inmates are sent to jails in neighboring counties. The Gregg County Jail failed inspection in December — so inmates there were sent to Upshur County’s jail. Now, Sheriff J.B. Smith tells KETK Upshur County also failed its jail inspection. So 21 Smith County prisoners were transferred from Upshur to Henderson County.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Fire Officials say a structure fire on CR 244 was caused by an electrical overload in a bedroom of a house. Three people live in the house, a woman and her two children, but they were not at home at the time. Authorities say there is heavy smoke damage to the house, but the home is intact. The family will be staying elsewhere while repairs are made.

LINDALE — Five Lindale High School students were each awarded $109,000 Post 9-11 GI Bill scholarships Wednesday from the U.S. Navy. Alexander Jamieson, Jessica Berry, Nathan Gray, Seandrea Williams and Lydia Olsen accepted their awards from Petty Officer David Rodriguez. The money will be used to pay for full tuition and books for each student as they begin their post-high school education. In return for their scholarships, students will be obligated to a 4-6 year enlistment with the Navy, depending on which career each student chooses.

TYLER — Tyler Police are called to the scene of a rollover accident early Friday morning and make an arrest. It happened around 12:00 at Highway 271 and Highway 155 going to Winona. Tyler police Sgt. Matt Smyser says 31-year-old Lucas White of Tyler, the man involved in the accident, was driving while intoxicated. He reportedly lost control of his vehicle causing it to roll. Reports show that he was wearing a seat belt. He did suffer injuries and was taken to East Texas Medical Center. The man has been charged with Driving While Intoxicated.

HENDERSON – The hunter who shot a man he thought was a deer has been named in an arrest warrant for criminal negligent homicide. Rodney Connally, 54, of Ft. Worth, was first charged with unlawful possession of a firearm in the death of Louis N. Conner. After the sheriff’s department completed its investigation, the material was presented to the district attorney’s office. It was then the arrest warrant was issued for Connally.

TYLER — The Park of East Texas, Inc., has completed design work on Phase I of the planned entertainment complex known as The Park of East Texas. Park officials term the move a significant step toward fulfilling the vision set forth by the former East Texas State Fair Association board of directors.

“The Park, as it has come to be known, is an entertainment and conference development located in west Tyler. The Phase I plan includes an event center, meeting rooms, exhibit space and ballrooms. The event center will have 4,500 fixed seats with the ability to increase to 8,000 when floor seating is utilized,” said John E. Sykes, President and CEO of The Park of East Texas, Inc. “To accommodate the needs of local education institutions, business development and the growing economy, the board of directors of The Park of East Texas, Inc. initiated a search for a design team to establish a master plan for The Park. The search led to a collaborative effort between Tyler-based firm Ron Mabry Architects and GH2 Equestrian Architects of Oklahoma.”

The need for such a development has been explored in the Tyler community for decades; the recent findings of The Industry Growth Initiative and a local survey by the Tyler Convention and Visitors’ Bureau have reiterated the desire from the community for such a development. “The configuration of Phase I is now complete. In a cooperative endeavor with local entities, the first phase is being broken into sub-phases to best meet the needs of the community in the most efficient manner,” continued Sykes. Lonny Uzzell, Board of Directors Treasurer, says he recognizes the importance a project such as The Park can and will mean to the community. “A project of this scale will have significant impact on the local economy and will require a public/private partnership to commence construction,” says Uzzell.

Officials say The Park of East Texas will attract national tours, conventions and tradeshows in addition to national and regional equestrian events. They say The Park will create commerce for Tyler and East Texas through the development process and as the complex is utilized for various events. Phase I economic impact during construction is predicted to generate over $50 million according to an economic impact study prepared by Impact DataSource from Austin, Texas.

TYLER — Information from the Texas Comptroller indicates that total City of Tyler sales tax revenues deposited for the month of January have increased 9.34 percent as compared to January 2010, resulting in a 4.98 percent cumulative year-to-date increase. The reported revenue of $2,710,337.24 is comprised of $1,806,891.49 general sales tax revenue and $903,445.75 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from November 2010 collections, as there is a two-month period before revenue is reported.

“The City budgeted for a two percent increase in our sales tax revenue for 2010-2011,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “It is tremendous to see that we have already met that projection only four months into our fiscal year. Still, we have taken a very conservative approach in filling vacancies frozen last year and will continue to monitor expenditures closely as we prepare for the next fiscal year.”

SMITH COUNTY — A seriously injured Tyler baby has been released from the hospital. CPS says the girl is in a foster home and they believe she will suffer permanent brain damage. The suspect, who first said his infant suffered a head injury after her sister jumped on top of her, admitted later that he is the one who injured the baby. The 2 month old girl suffered a head fracture last month. Saul Lino-Porcayo, 23, Tyler, was taken into custody after admitting to authorities he was drunk and frustrated when he hit the child.

LUFKIN — Former Congressman Charlie Wilson now stands immortalized in front of the clinic that bears his name and his passion. A 10-foot statue entitled “Standing Tall with Charlie Wilson” was unveiled at the Charles Wilson VA Outpatient Clinic during a remembrance ceremony Wednesday. Charles “Charlie” Nesbitt Wilson, 76, died Feb. 10, 2010. Friends and former colleagues spearheaded the fundraiser for the project, garnering nearly $50,000 in honor of Wilson.

TYLER (AP) – Two men already sentenced to life in prison for torching a series of East Texas churches face new arson charges. A Henderson County grand jury on Tuesday indicted 21-year-old Jason Robert Bourque on three arson counts, and 23-year-old Daniel George McAllister on two arson counts. In a statement, Henderson County District Attorney Scott McKee said bonds of $500,000 were set against each defendant.

Both were sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to arson counts in neighboring Smith County. Nobody was hurt in last year’s blazes that damaged or destroyed 10 churches, leading to an investigation that included state and federal arson experts. Three churches were burned in Athens in Henderson County, two in Van Zandt County and five in Smith County.

TYLER — The SPCA of East Texas has formally retained the services of a specialized architectural firm for the study and design of a Regional Animal Services Center. Animal Arts of Denver, Colorado, has been contracted to perform a feasibility study for the assessment of the needs of the community. The SPCA of East Texas will be hosting an all day workshop this Friday, January 14th, for City of Tyler Animal Control, Northeast Texas Public Health District (NETPHD), Smith County Sheriff’s Department, Smith County Animal Control, Animal Rescue Fund (ARF), the Humane Society of East Texas, SPCA of East Texas and several other members of local government.

Currently, over 10,000 dogs a year are being euthanized in the Tyler/Smith County community. The 2007 cancellation of the city and county animal contracts by the Humane Society left the community with no local animal shelter or adoption facility. Officials say the creation of a Regional Animal Services Center would provide numerous important services to the community that are currently unavailable locally. Funding for the new center is being sought through the SPCA of East Texas Capital Building Campaign. A kickoff benefit concert is scheduled for February 12th at the Lone Star Event Center in Tyler.

LAMARQUE — Authorities in LaMarque have released the names of a Lufkin couple killed in what’s now been ruled a murder and suicide. They are Gary Frank Parker, 63, and his wife Kathleen, 57. Their bodies were found Wednesday morning in their travel trailer at an RV park on Interstate Highway 45. Investigators say the husband shot his wife in the head and then shot himself in the chest.

TYLER – A police chase that started near Tyler Junior Collage ended on Highway 64 East in front of Chapel Hill High School. Taken into custody yesterday was Anthony Boyd, 42, of Athens. Around 1:15 Wednesday afternoon, A Tyler Junior College police officer reported seeing Boyd driving erratically, nearly hitting a TJC police car. The officer radioed for assistance and started the pursuit. It ended when Smith County sheriff’s deputy was able to cut off Boyd’s vehicle and stop him. He is facing a variety of charges.