KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY — The victim of a Smith County wreck has been identified. Natasha Moore, 24, of Fort Worth was killed in the Friday night crash near the intersection of Highway 20 and State Highway 155. According to KETK, officials with the Department of Public Safety say three vehicles were involved including a silver Mustang and an 18-wheeler. Officials say one person remains in the hospital in critical condition. DPS says a three year old child in one of the vehicles was not injured.

TYLER — City of Tyler Fire Chief Neal Franklin announced Friday that he will retire after more than 23 years with the City of Tyler effective Dec. 3. He will be pursuing a new career with East Texas Medical Center (ETMC) as the Director of EMS Business Development.

Franklin was hired by the Fire Department in 1987 as a firefighter. He worked his way through the ranks, serving as an inspector, investigator, driver engineer, captain assigned to the Hazardous Materials team and then was appointed fire chief in July 2003.

LONGVIEW — Longview Officers respond to the 500 Block of North Eastman Road around 3:10 Friday morning for a one vehicle accident. Authorities found that a silver Nissan had been traveling Northbound in the 500 Block of North Eastman Road when the driver lost control upon crossing East Marshall Avenue. The vehicle rolled several times before stopping in a restaurant parking lot. Longview Fire/EMS responded and transported both occupants of the vehicle to Good Shepherd Medical Center. The driver was transported with non-life threatening injuries and the passenger was transported with life threatening injuries.

The passenger Richard King, 20, White Oak, was pronounced dead at the hospital by Gregg County Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson. The driver, Joshua Cowart, 21, White Oak, has been arrested for intoxication manslaughter and will be booked in to the Gregg County Jail upon his release from the hospital. The accident investigation is ongoing.

TYLER — Tyler school trustees have been briefed on the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Program. STAAR will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), which is the state assessment program that has been in place since 2003. STAAR includes 12 End of Course tests and the new grade
3-8 tests. STAAR will test students over the content they study each year as opposed to testing the content studied over multiple years. School superintendent Dr. Randy Reid told school trustees last night the new assessment system will be significantly more rigorous than the current TAKS assessments. The new system will also have additional tests and the requirement that high school students pass all 12 EOC exams in order to graduate. The student’s score on the assessment must be worth 15% of student’s final grade for that course.

Dr. Reid said while there are many unanswered questions at this point as to the content and testing specifics, they are confident that many of the curriculum and instructional pieces that are in place in Tyler ISD will assist in the preparation of TISD students. He said the school district will continue to inform the students, staff, and parents as questions are answered by TEA regarding this new system as they develop and share the district’s transition plan for STAAR.

Dr. Reid also discussed high school graduation ceremonies at last night’s meeting. They are looking at the possibility of moving graduation ceremonies from the Oil Palace to Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. Each high school will hold graduation on either the Friday or Saturday evening during the first weekend in June of next year. Rain contingency plans will be in place as well. Moving the ceremony to Rose Stadium could save the school district up to $20,000. The District will draft a plan and layout for the ceremonies to be presented to the Board at next month’s meeting.

TYLER — Keeping our families safe and warm during the cold winter weather is always a top priority. But if you plan to use alternate heating sources, you may be putting your family at risk of fire. The Red Cross in Tyler urges all residents to take some steps to reduce the risk of heating-related fires.

All heaters need space. Officials say you should keep all things that can burn such as paper, matches, bedding, furniture and clothing, at least three feet away from heating equipment. Turn off space heaters when you go to bed or leave the room. Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord. Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home. Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.

Also, every home needs two important things: a working smoke alarm on every level of the residence and inside all bedrooms, as well as a fire escape plan so that every family member knows how to get out of harm’s way quickly. Red Cross staffers say the plan should identify at least two exits from every room and a place to meet outside that is located a safe distance from your home.

If a fire does occur, the Red Cross will be there. Last year the Smith County Chapter responded to 146 home fires, providing food, shelter and emotional support to the families affected. You can visit http://www.redcross.org/homefires to learn more about how you can reduce your risk of home fires and help your neighbors recover after a fire.

LINDALE — A wreck on I-20 Wednesday leaves one person dead and sends another to a local hospital. it happened just after 2 p.m. near mile marker 552 in Lindale. Firefighters tell KETK the wreck involved two trucks and a pickup pulling a trailer. I-20 westbound lanes in the Lindale area were shut down for awhile until hazmat crews cleaned up oil and Diesel that spilled on the road. The man killed in the wreck was
34-year-old Brandon Scott Merrick of Grand Prairie. Lindale Police say Merrick was heading west and rear-ended another truck, causing a domino effect. Traffic was already at a stand-still because of another wreck. An investigation is underway.

TYLER — A 49-year-old former municipal court judge has pleaded guilty to making a false statement to federal investigators in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Thursday. Monica Lynn Corker, of Kemp, pleaded guilty Nov. 17 to making a false statement. The plea came in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

According to information presented in court, on Sep. 17, 2009, Corker was the municipal court judge for the City of Seven Points, when she was interviewed by federal agents. During the interview, Corker was specifically asked if she had ever deleted from the computer server of the Seven Points Municipal Court entries concerning criminal misdemeanor cases pending, or that had been pending, before the municipal court. Corker told the FBI that she had only deleted entries that were duplicates or erroneous entries, a statement which she knew to be untrue. Corker was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 3, 2010. Corker faces up to 5 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — A car-pedestrian accident in Tyler has left one person injured. It happened shortly before 8:15 Wednesday night in the 100 block of the NNW Loop 323. Taken to East Texas Medical Center for treatment was Lorenzo Robles, 19, of Tyler. According to investigators, Robles was crossing the loop westbound from the area of CiCi’s Pizza when he was struck by a vehicle in the center southbound lane. The car’s driver was not injured. No charges are expected to be filed.

TYLER – The Smith County Animal Shelter has received a donation to help feed the over 125 animals they have to feed. Brookshires and Pedigree teamed up to donate dog food and more than $8,000. In January when they became a no-kill shelter, The Humane Society lost its funding.

Gayle Helms, the Humane Society Executive Director, told KETK-TV, “A check of this size just secures our future and allows us to continue to pay staff to buy vaccinations, to spay and neuter and then to just buy the dog food that we don’t get donated.” Helms said this is the second year for a donation like this.

Machelle Good with Brookshires added, “It’s hard to see all these dogs out here without homes, so coming out here and helping them makes them feel better and lets them know that there are people out there that care about them.”

TYLER — There could be changes in Tyler’s bus stops. A consulting company has been looking at Tyler’s current bus routes. The city has more than 200 stops for the five buses. The routes are nearly ten years old. Barbara Holly, with Tyler’s metropolitan planning organization, tells KETK-TV the new plan cuts the number of stops down almost in half. Plus, there will be changes in the routes. The plan also includes 20 new bus station shelters. Holly says the cost for new shelters will be paid for with the American Recovery Act.

AUSTIN — Leaders of the Alliance for I-69 Texas will push for continued development of I-69 in a presentation before the Texas Transportation Commission this morning at 9:00 in Austin. The Alliance, comprised of public and private sector leaders from thirty-four counties along US 59, 77 and 281, will focus on several short term objectives including:

*Completion of the master development plan for I-69, based on the work being done by the five I-69 Segment Committees and the I-69 Corridor Advisory Committee in conjunction with TxDOT.
*Securing interstate signage for segments of the corridor that are currently at interstate standard.

Alliance Chairman Judge John Thompson of Polk County will stress during the presentation that the development of I-69 is critical to each of the communities along the corridor. The Alliance remains committed and focused on seeing that US 59, 77 and 281 are upgraded as quickly as possible so that these communities and the state as a whole will reap the benefits of a seamless interstate from Texarkana to Laredo and the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Texas needs the missing pieces of I-69 completed to extend the geographic reach of the ports at Houston, Victoria, Corpus Christi and Brownsville and inland markets and production centers. Texas needs I-69 completed to better connect the Lower Rio Grande Valley with the rest of Texas. Texas needs I-69 completed to open up East Texas to new industry and economic growth.

TYLER — Two East Texas men have been sentenced to federal prison for money laundering convictions.

Tony Harris, also known as California Red, 33, of Marshall, and Lakendrick Miller, also known as Pee Wee, 26, of Longview, were convicted in February of money laundering following a three-day trial. They were sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Harris was sentenced to 293 months in federal prison and Miller received 252 months in federal prison. They were also both assessed forfeiture judgments of $1.5 million and ordered to relinquish assets which were seized from them at the time of their arrests, including several luxury cars and over $17,000 in cash.

Federal prosecutors say from April 2007 to June 2009, Harris and Miller were involved in a drug trafficking scheme which involved money being sent to California where it was used to buy illegal prescription drugs, such as codeine and hydrocodone. The prescription drugs were then smuggled from California to East Texas for distribution. After the illegal prescription drugs were sold in East Texas, the money was sent back to California to purchase more drugs, luxury cars, and other property. During trial, prosecutors presented evidence showing that more than $2 million was laundered through this scheme. A 14-count federal indictment was returned by a grand jury on June 3, 2009, charging Harris, Miller and 5 other individuals with conspiracy to commit money laundering.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler led the nation this year in training new Project Lead The Way middle and high school teachers, UT Tyler President Rodney Mabry announced. University officials say PLTW teachers learn to teach engineering and technology courses in schools, thereby causing more students to choose engineering careers. “I am proud of UT Tyler’s full commitment to enabling more teachers to teaching engineering concepts and encouraging their students to pursue engineering in universities,” President Mabry said. The university had 243 participants who successfully completed training and will be qualified to teach PLTW engineering courses at their schools. UT Tyler offered two Texas Project Lead The Way Summer Training Institutes in 2010.

FORT WORTH (AP) – An agreement has been reached to build a $1.6 billion pipeline to provide water from East Texas to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The board of the Tarrant Regional Water District on Tuesday approved the deal. The Dallas City Council approved the agreement last week. Board members approved a financing agreement with Dallas for the 149-mile pipeline from Lake Palestine to Benbrook Lake. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports the board also approved paying $16.3 million to five contractors for engineering work on nearly 95 miles of the pipeline. Construction could begin by 2013, with the goal of having the water available by 2018. Water district planning director Wayne Owen says the work serves as a blueprint for cooperation on future projects.

TYLER — Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) East Texas kicks off its 6th annual “Tie One On For Safety” Campaign. Spokespeople say it honors outstanding community leaders and law enforcement for saving lives and being “Difference Makers.” In addition to a Wednesday awards luncheon, the holiday “Tie One On For Safety” PSA campaign urges motorists to tie a MADD red ribbon, place a MADD decal or put a MADD red ribbon magnet on the side of their vehicle as a pledge to “drive safe, sober & buckled up” and remind other motorists to do the same. You can pick up the materials in Tyler at the MADD office, 215 Winchester Drive, or at Julian’s restaurant.

Difference Makers Award Honorees include J. B. Smith, Sheriff of Smith County; R. Scott McKee, District Attorney for Henderson County; and Tammi Branch, Victim Volunteer. MADD East Texas Executive Director Leslie Watson says the soon-to-retire Smith was honored for his ongoing service. Watson says she thinks Smith County “is probably one of the toughest place as far as DWI enforcement.” McKee was given credit for his close work with MADD’s victim advocates — and for serving in Iraq for about ten months, while keeping his DA post and continuing to support MADD. Branch has helped raise funds and handled speaking engagements for MADD since losing her son in a 2009 drunk driving crash. Watson terms Branch “an inspiration and a role model.”

Keynote speaker was Kimberly Earle, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Also attending was Mayor Barbara Bass and other community leaders. MADD leaders point out that Texas continues to lead the nation in drunk driving fatalities. In 2009, 1,235 Texans lost their lives in drunk driving crashes, 40% of the total driving fatalities that year. Drunk driving is a 100% preventable crime.

GLADEWATER — A woman crossing the railroad tracks in Gladewater has been struck and killed by an Amtrak train. The victim is identified as Crystilla Devorra Houston, 36, of Gladewater. She died instantly. Investigators say the warning signals at the crossing were working properly. The accident happened shortly before 6:00 Tuesday night on Walter Derrick Avenue in downtown Gladewater.

CANTON — Van Zandt County Sheriff R. P. “Pat” Burnett, Jr. has been appointed to three committees of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas. He has been appointed as Vice Chairman of the Jail Advisory Committee. This committee will provide input as to the daily problems confronting the Sheriffs in maintaining a safe jail and complying with Commission rules and regulations. The second committee, the Legislative Committee, enables the Sheriffs to actively participate in the legislative process and to insure that all bills introduced which affect the duties, responsibilities, training, court and jail functions of the Sheriffs are given proper consideration. When a particular bill affects the Sheriffs, they will be notified so that they may contact their Senators and Representatives concerning their views. The third committee that Sheriff Burnett has been appointed to is the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education Advisory Committee. This committee provides input as to the education, training and curriculum of the training program.

TROUP — The body of a missing Cherokee County man has been found. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of death. The body of Steven L Dowdy, 62, was found Wednesday afternoon in his car in a wooded area off Highway 110, about five miles south of Troup. It appears as if he had been there nearly a week. The body has been sent to a Dallas area lab for autopsy. Dowdy was reportedly last seen at 7:30am on November 11. Relatives were concerned because they say he needed medical care and medication that he did not have with him.

TYLER — Using the input received from residents at the recent neighborhood meeting, the City of Tyler has created a work schedule for the Fall 2010 Neighborhood Empowerment Works (NEW) program. The meeting provided residents an opportunity to meet with representatives from the City to share their ideas and concerns about their neighborhood. The NEW neighborhood’s boundaries are from West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between Border and Palace Avenues to West Vance Avenue between Moore and Palace Avenues to Franklin Street. “Resident input is critical to this program,” said Neighborhood Services Director Brenda Johnson. “The residents know their neighborhood better than anyone and are in the best position to identify opportunities for improvement.”

City officials say the NEW program enhances the quality of life for Tyler residents – one neighborhood at a time – by intensely concentrating City services in a specific area for three weeks. Various City departments use information gathered from the neighborhood meeting as well as an examination of the area to identify services that could make an immediate impact on the neighborhood.

Activities scheduled for the Fall 2010 NEW program include mowing yards; picking up trash, including removing large items from yards and moving it to the curb; minor painting and repairs to the exterior of homes in the neighborhood; and trimming branches and bushes. Residents and City employees will work on these activities through Dec. 3. On Jan. 28, the Neighborhood Services Department will make a report to the City Council on the outcomes of the Fall 2010 NEW program. A wrap-up meeting with the neighborhood will be held on Dec. 17 to discuss the results and how to sustain them while giving the residents the opportunity to celebrate their efforts.

This is the 10th NEW neighborhood since the City started the program in 2006. “The NEW program is an important tool that the City uses to stop neighborhood decline in its tracks,” said Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Caraway. “The program has made great progress throughout the City since its inception and the 10th program will certainly continue the success of NEW.”

JACKSONVILLE – The president of Jacksonville College plans to step down. Dr. Edwin Crank has told school trustees he plans to retire at the end of the year. According to the Jacksonville Daily Progress, before taking reins as president in 1988, Crank served as chairman of the Religion Department. Before he joined the faculty of Jacksonville College, Crank served on the faculty of the BMA Theological Seminary and pastor of First Baptist Church, New Summerfield.

TYLER — A teenager accused of stabbing his teacher to death in Tyler will undergo more mental health evaulation. 17-year-old Byron Truvia will be returned to the Vernon State Hospital as early as next week. He’s accused in the September 2009 stabbing death of John Tyler High School teacher Todd Henry. The incident occured inside a school classroom. Prosecutors want Truvia certified as mentally competent so he can be tried on murder charges. The hospital stay could last up to 90 days.

MARSHALL – A 35-year-old Jefferson man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Travis Earl Shelton pleaded guilty on August 17 to possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison on Monday by U.S. District Judge T. John Ward.

According to information presented in court, on July 20, 2009, Shelton purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a Walgreens in Marshall in addition to making two other purchases that same day at other stores in the area, all in furtherance of his methamphetamine manufacturing activities.

Shelton was one of nearly four dozen persons indicted by a federal grand jury in Tyler in early May. They were charged with involvement in a methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution criminal enterprise in the Panola, Rusk, Gregg, Upshur, Marion, and Cherokee Counties. The indictments charged the defendants, cumulatively, with over 2000 counts of federal drug violations. The indictments resulted from a lengthy investigation launched by the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Panola County Sheriff’s Department, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department, the Gilmer Police Department, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department, the Henderson Police Department, the Gregg County CODE Unit, the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, the Jefferson Police Department, Cherokee County Precinct 4 Constable Office, and the New Summerfield Police Department.

TYLER – A 36-year-old Longview man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations Tuesday in Tyler. Sterling William Blade pleaded guilty on June 23 to possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison. According to information presented in court, on Feb. 26, Blade was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender. Blade had been previously convicted of carnal knowledge of a juvenile in 1995 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana and was required to register with local authorities as a sex offender. During the arrest, officers retrieved Blade’s cellular phone and received consent to search the phone.

Analysis of the phone revealed that Blade had received several text messages with photo attachments containing child pornography. The search ultimately revealed that Blade had received 34 pictures of child pornography, and likely distributed those images via text messaging. Officers later located two DVDs in Blade’s home, which contained videos of child pornography. Some of the material depicted children less than 12 years of age engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct. Blade was indicted by a federal grand jury on Apr. 7, 2010.

HENDERSON — A 2-year-old is dead, and a grandfather may be charged. But when a dog fatally attacks someone, what kind of charges can they face? There have been several dog attacks in East Texas in the last couple of years, and most involved pit bulls. According to KETK, the job of the Rusk County Grand Jury is not going to be an easy one. The death of 2-year-old Kaden Muckleroy involves at least two guilty parties. One is obvious. A pit bull tied to a tree in his grandfather’s yard mauled the toddler to death November 10th. It has been euthanized.

Pit bulls are responsible for anywhere from 47-62% of the fatal dog attacks in this country in the last 5 years. But the grand jury has to decide on charges against the grandfather, Kelvin, who owned the dog along with over 30 others. Half of the animals confiscated were pit bull breeds and many were destroyed. The family claims they were just accumulated over the years.

The Rusk County Grand Jury will meet after the first of the year to look at charges based on the Sheriff’s investigation. But absent a civil suit, the charges will likely involve variations on negligence or child endangerment.

TYLER — One man is dead, one in custody after a police chase and stand-off ends all because of a kiss on the cheek. In the late Sunday night incident, Chad Otis Jones, 39, Arlington, was shot to death. The suspect, Ricky Jay Reynolds, 45, is said to have shot Jones after he saw his wife kiss the victim on the cheek. After the shooting Reynolds is said to have driven off in his truck.

Smith County Deputies, State Troopers and Troup Police forced the driver to stop at County Road 230 and 345, near the Omen community. The suspect refused to come out of his car and told officers he had a gun. After a short time, deputies say they were able to get the man out of his truck and into custody. Authorities searched the vehicle and found a handgun.

WINONA — A fireman is injured fighting a mobile home blaze. KETK-TV reports the fire was around 6:30 Monday evening near Highway 155 and Fannin Parkway south of Winona. The fireman had to be rescued when he fell through the living room floor and became trapped in the burning home. He is listed in good condition this morning. Two other firefighters had to be treated for smoke inhalation. The mobile home was destroyed. The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined.

TYLER — Lacks Furniture stores has announced they plan to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. They plan to shut down their stores. Lacks Stores Incorporated plans to hold closing sales their remaining 27 locations across state, including the stores in Tyler, Longview and Lufkin. Lacks blames lenders, who will no longer lend money and are demanding repayments of loans.

NACOGDOCHES — A one vehicle accident on a wet Nacogdoches County Road has killed a Bryan man. The crash on Highway 6 in eastern Nacogdoches County occurred shortly after 6:00 Monday morning. The Department of Public Safety identified the victim as Michael Gaylon Heatly, 24. The report said his east bound pickup hydroplaned on State Highway 7, left the road and hit a tree.

LUFKIN — The Timothy Hamilton home just south of Lufkin has been destroyed by fire. The blaze, which was reported around 10:30 Monday morning, was extinguished by firemen from the Diboll and Fuller Springs Fire Departments. No one was at home when the fire started and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

TYLER — Police say Colcord, Oklahoma, resident Bill Crum was released Monday from East Texas Medical Center and was taken into custody by Tyler Police. Police say Crum was the driver of a tractor trailer involved in a hit-and-run and police chase last week. He was charged with Hit and Run and Evading Arrest and placed into Smith County Jail on a $180,000 dollar bond.

Police say they deployed stop sticks to stop Crum’s 18-wheeler miles away from the accident. Police were notified of the hit and run at Old Bullard Road and WSW Loop 323 around 8:10 a.m. Thursday involving the tractor trailer and a Cadillac. The Cadillac, driven by Patricia D. Williams of Tyler, was traveling south on Old Bullard through a green light. The 18-wheeler was westbound on Loop 323. Witnesses indicated that Crum ran the red light, striking the Cadillac in the intersection and failed to stop at the scene of the accident. Williams suffered minor injuries from the crash.

Witnesses followed the 18-wheeler around the Loop and kept officers posted on its location until they could catch up to the vehicle. Officers caught up to the 18-wheeler at Van Highway and Loop 323 and attempted to pull it over near 69 North and Loop 323. Police say Crum failed to pull over for officers, who now had their emergency lights and siren activated. Crum continued to travel east on Loop 323 at normal speeds, but police say he would not pull over for emergency vehicles. Crum traveled to the 271 North extension and headed north on 271, then turned left onto 271 and was now heading back towards Loop 323 and 271.

Officers deployed tire deflation devices at 271 and Loop 323 as Crum entered the intersection with officers still following. A second set of spike strips was deployed at Hillsboro and E. Gentry. Police say Crum finally pulled the 18-Wheeler over near the intersection of Beckham and E. Gentry after the tires were flat and he was driving on his rims.

Crum’s wife was asleep in the cab of the truck at the time of the incident. Police say when officers interviewed Crum, he was extremely confused and was not aware of his surroundings. Officers did not detect any signs of alcohol on Crum, and no narcotics were present on or about his person. Crum was transported to East Texas Medical Center by EMS for medical observation. Police say they believe that by getting the vehicle stopped, they prevented further injury and property damage. The case remains under investigation.