KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — When the dust settled from Tuesday’s elections, there were some upsets. One of them: Texas House District 6. Leo Berman lost the seat he held 14 years to newcomer Matt Schaefer. Berman, a seasoned politician and U.S. Army veteran, was quick to offer Schaefer some advice. He says it’s good to get involved in the community and know your constituents. The 76-year old tells KETK he’s finally looking forward to a life of leisure. “I’m going to get out of public service,” says Berman. “44 years is long enough, and I’m going to enjoy golf, I’m going to enjoy travel, and I’m going to enjoy doing the things in life that people do at my age.” Berman says his cancer is in remission and he has one more chemotherapy treatment to undergo. His plans are to finish out his term in January. The Bermans plan a vacation to Austria after that.

TYLER — After Tuesday night’s election loss, one candidate says he’s ready to move forward. Chief Deputy Bobby Garmon spent more than 30-years serving Smith County, and Tuesday night he was defeated in his run for Smith County Sheriff. KETK had a chance to catch up with him and talk about his future. “We’ll you know when you been here 32-years. My next step is probably just retire and just kind of relax and look at all my options and what’s next and everything.” Garmon tells KETK, he’s not planning on endorsing any other candidate at this time.

LONGVIEW —- One Longview woman is homeless after a fire burned down her house. The blaze on the 100 block of White City Street was reported by neighbors around 9:15 Thursday morning. The woman and dog who lived at the residence were not home at the time of the fire. Fire officials tell KETK they believe it was caused by an electrical issue but it is still under investigation. The Longview Fire Marshal urges people to check their electrical wiring to help prevent a similar event. The Red Cross says they will help the victim. No injuries were reported.

LIBERTY CITY — Gregg County DPS is searching for a black SUV they believe was involved in a hit and run Sunday evening. DPS says Brandon Benson, 30, was struck from behind at Rice Road and Farm Road 1252 in Liberty City while riding his bike Sunday evening around 6:30 According to KETK, the driver fled the scene. Witnesses described the vehicle that struck Benson as a black SUV. Benson suffered several broken bones and is currently in ICU. He’s listed in good condition. If you have any information, contact your local law enforcement agency or DPS.

PANOLA COUNTY — A Carthage man died early Wednesday morning in a single-vehicle crash. Just after 3:00, David Mauro Rico, 26, was traveling south on U.S. 79 when his vehicle struck an iron pipe on the roadway, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Public Safety. According to the Longview News-Journal, Rico was pronounced dead at the scene.

DALLAS (AP) – A trailer that went missing while hauling a NASA-funded telescope from Minnesota has reached its destination in East Texas. A spokeswoman for Minneapolis-based Copeland Trucking says the trailer and undamaged telescope arrived Thursday at the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility near Palestine. The Copeland official, who declined to provide her full name to The Associated Press, says the driver was fired Wednesday after the truck and the trailer were recovered in the Dallas area. Other workers delivered the cargo. Police in Hutchins say the cab and the driver were located Wednesday morning at a truck stop. The trailer with the telescope was found Wednesday night in South Dallas. Dallas police have launched an auto theft investigation. No one has been charged.

MESQUITE (AP) – Investigators say a fiery wrong-way accident on Interstate Highway 20 near Dallas has killed three children and both drivers. Mesquite police say I-20 reopened early Thursday a few hours after a truck going the wrong direction slammed into an SUV. Mesquite police Lt. David Gill says the pickup was driven by Krystle Carranza, 27, from Lindale. Gill says the woman’s three daughters also died in the wreck. The youngster’s names and ages were not immediately released. Gill says the name of the man driving the SUV also has not been released, pending notification of next of kin. All five victims were dead at the scene. A Department of Public Safety trooper spotted the pickup going the wrong way and attempted to stop the vehicle just before the accident late Wednesday.

One of the children killed attended Lindale ISD’s Early Childhood Center; the other two were pre-school children. A statement from LISD reads, “The faculty and staff of the Lindale Independent School district are stunned and greatly saddened by the passing of one our Early Childhood Center students as the result of an automobile accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of all of the victims of this tragic event.”

Early Childhood Center Principal Dana Sustaire added Thursday, “We met as a campus this morning to discuss our emotions during this difficult time. We will reach out to the family and support them in any way possible.” The statement says though school is out for the year, faculty members are working and counselors are available to assist Early Childhood Center staff members as they cope with the student’s death.

TYLER – The new assistant director of admissions at the University of Texas at Tyler is Jessica Chiles. She assumes her new duties starting June 1st. Chiles will follow Jay Phillips, who accepted a position at Texas A&M University. As assistant director, her responsibilities will include UT Tyler recruitment coordination and management. “I and the entire UT Tyler admissions staff look forward to working with Jessica, as she brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experiences,” said Sarah Bowdin, UT Tyler director of admissions.

A UT Tyler alumna, Chiles comes to the university from Lon Morris College where she worked since October 2007. There, she served as an admissions recruiter, international student coordinator, admissions and financial aid counselor and director of admissions and media relations.

Prior to joining Lon Morris, Chiles served as the communication specialist for the Potpourri House in Tyler. As a UT Tyler student, she helped create a promotional/recruitment video for the Patriot Talon student newspaper as well as a public relations campaign for the Tyler Museum of Art. Chiles also was a staff writer and entertainment editor for the Talon. She holds an associate degree from LMC as well as a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a public relations emphasis from UT Tyler. Chiles currently is enrolled in the UT Tyler master of arts in communication program.

TEXARKANA – A northeast Texas man has pleaded in federal court to simple possession of a controlled substance. Ezekiel Tyree Welch, 20, of Dekalb, entered his plea Wednesday in Texarkana in an appearance before United States Magistrate Caroline M. Craven.

Federal prosecutors say, on or about August 19, 2011, Welch tried to enter the Red River Army Depot in Bowie County by presenting a temporary pass. The officer at the gate of the facility smelled a strong odor of marijuana emanating from Welch’s person. The officer asked permission to conduct a pat-down search of Welch. Welch admitted that he had marijuana in his right front pocket. The marijuana, a Schedule 1 controlled substance, was tested and was found to weigh 4.17.

Welch faces a prison term not to exceed 1 year, a fine not to exceed $100,000 or both. A sentencing date has not been scheduled at this time.

LEGGETT (AP) — Three people died when the car in which they were riding slammed into a tractor-trailer rig that had turned in front of them on an East Texas highway. The crash happened Wednesday afternoon on U.S. 59 at Loop 116 in Leggett in the East Texas Piney Woods, about 80 miles northeast of Houston. Trooper David Hendry of the Texas Department of Public Safety tells KTRE-TV of Lufkin the 18-wheeler was northbound on U.S. 59 and turning left onto Loop 116 when hit by the car. The vehicles burst into flame. The truck driver escaped his cab but was kept by flames from rescuing the three. Hendry identified the dead three as the driver, Deonta Lashard Wyatt of Livingston, and passengers Connie Ray Burch and Anita Burch, both of Leggett.

TYLER – In Tyler federal court, a 50 year old Azle, Texas man, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Wallace Jackson entered the guilty plea during an appearance before United States Magistrate Judith K. Guthrie. Jackson faces a minimum of 5 years but not more than 40 years in prison, a $5,000,000 fine, and at least 4 years of supervised release.

On December 7, 2011, Jackson was indicted by a federal grand jury on single a charge of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to information presented in court, from a date prior to July 20, 2011, Jackson agreed with other persons to acquire and distribute methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas. Jackson admitted that he is responsible for the distribution of more than 35 grams but less than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine.

TYLER — An armed robbery suspect is in custody. Shortly after 3:45 Wednesday afternoon, Tyler police arrested Mark Antonio Lee, 39, for aggravated robbery of a local Conoco convenience store. Officers say they’d contacted the suspect three days earlier on a public service call. According to a police news release, information given by Lee on that contact provided officers a possible lead that he may have been involved in Wednesday’s robbery. Officers followed up on that information and located the vehicle allegedly used in Wednesday’s robbery at 1012 North Palace.

Officers made contact with Lee at the residence after they confirmed that he was inside. According to the release, officers set up a perimeter around the residence and were able to talk Lee out of the residence without incident. Lee was transported to Smith County Jail and booked on the aggravated robbery charge.

Tyler police responded to the robbery at 2706 West Gentry just before 12:30 Wednesday afternoon. Police were told that the suspect entered the store and displayed a semi-automatic handgun demanding the cash from the register. The store clerk told officers that the suspect removed the cash from the register, exited the store, and got into a car. A witness who was in the store at the time of the robbery followed the suspect, but lost him in the area of Parkdale and Garden Valley Road. Officers searched the area and initially failed to locate the suspect vehicle before finally catching up with Lee.

CANTON — Authorities in Van Zandt County continue to investigate a pair of theft incidents after recovering some stolen property. On Tuesday, May 15, two victims reported theft from their residences on County Road 3514 in Wills Point. On Tuesday, May 29, the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on County Road 3415 in Wills Point, where some of the stolen property was recovered. Later that day the Sheriff’s Office recovered additional stolen property from a residence on County Road 3210. Authorities say there has been a suspect identified and charges will be filed at a later date while the investigation continues. All of the property was returned to the victims. The recovered property was valued at approximately $7,000.

TYLER — A Smith County road is being permanently closed at the future Toll 49 interchange. CH2M Hill will be constructing the tie-in of the county access road between County Road 1150 and County Road 1151, with a scheduled opening of mid- to late June. In order to meet this proposed date, it will be necessary to complete the permanent closure of CR 1151 at Toll 49 by today. Drivers are asked to avoid the area since construction activities will be increasing, and finding an alternate route is also recommended to avoid potential delays. Local agencies and residents have been notified of the impending closure. The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) says the construction of Segment 3B of Toll 49 is progressing as scheduled

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – An Oklahoma appeals court has dismissed an appeal from the wife of a former prison warden who was convicted of helping a convicted killer escape. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals took the action in the case of Bobbi Parker, who was captured in East Texas. Parker served about half of a 1-year sentence she received after she was convicted of helping Randolph Franklin Dial escape from the Oklahoma State Reformatory more than 17 years ago. The court dismissed Parker’s appeal and rejected a request for more time to purchase a transcript of her four-month trial in Greer County. The estimated cost of the transcript is more than $100,000. Defense attorney Garvin Isaacs says Parker is indigent and can’t afford the cost. Isaacs says he will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to look at the issue.

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) — Texas House Speaker Joe Straus will face at least one challenge to his leadership next year. Republican Representative Brian Hughes from Mineola, pictured here, sent a letter to fellow lawmakers on Tuesday announcing his intent to challenge Straus. The speaker is the most powerful lawmaker in the state, controlling who chairs what committees, and by default, which bills come up for a vote.

Straus took power after forming a coalition between moderate Republicans and Democrats when the Texas House was almost evenly divided. After tea party members helped form a 101-49 supermajority in 2010, conservative Republicans challenged Straus but lost. Since then conservative groups have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to challenge Straus, whom they consider too moderate to run the Texas House. Straus insists he represents the state’s interests.

PALESTINE – A stabbing in Palestine has left a man dead and his roommate charged with murder. It happened Monday morning around 10:30 at 518 block of North Sycamore Street. Warren George Smith Jr., 51, was found face down in the driveway to the home. He was rushed to Palestine Regional Medical Center. Arrested on the scene was Alvin Eugene Hines, 49.

LONGVIEW – A vacant Longview home has been destroyed by fire. It was reported around 4:30 Tuesday morning in the 1100 block of Maple Street. Investigators say the house has been vacant for several years. No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.

TYLER — Longtime State Representative Leo Berman of Tyler will not be heading back to Austin, following a decisive victory by challenger Matt Schaefer. In another high-profile race, it’s Larry Smith and Chris Green in a July 31 runoff for Smith County sheriff. Here are the final, unofficial results of those two Republican races in Tuesday’s primary:

State Representative, District 6
Matt Schaefer . . . . . . . . . 11,138 57.68 %
Leo Berman . . . . . . . . . .… 8,172 42.32 %

Sheriff
Bobby Garmon . . . . . . . . . 4,678 16.99 %
Chris V. Green. . . . . . . . . 10,353 37.59 %
Donn Rust . . . . . . . . . . …366 1.33 %
Larry R. Smith. . . . . . . . . 12,143 44.09 %

In other races, incumbent Terry Phillips and newcomer Ronnie Pilcher face a runoff in the GOP Primary race for County Commissioner Precinct 3. Incumbent Democratic Precinct 1 Constable Henry Jackson has won another term, as has incumbent Republican Precinct 2 Constable Andy Dunklin. That’s not the case in Precinct 5, where longtime Constable Dennis Taylor was trounced by challenger Kenneth Bibby in a GOP race. In the Republican bid for Constable Precinct 3, it’s Jim Blackmon and Scott McAuley in a runoff, with incumbent Dustin Rust finishing last. You can click on http://www.smith-county.com/Government/Departments/Elections for full election results, details, and statistics for all Smith County races.

In another area race for the Texas House, David Simpson has defeated Tommy Merritt in the District 7 GOP primary. Both men are from Longview. You can click on http://enr.sos.state.tx.us/enr for other results around the state.

In the race for the Texas House in District 11, incumbent Chuck Hopson and Travis Clardy will meet in a runoff. Unofficial returns showed Hopson with 9,249 votes and Clardy with 9,083. A third candidate, Tony Sevilla, polled 1,284 votes.

TYLER — The Board of Directors of PATH (People Attempting to Help) Tuesday announced the appointment of Wayde Klein as Interim Executive Director, effective May 30. PATH officials say Klein is a 28-year veteran of the cable industry, most often serving in the capacity of Vice President of Marketing. He has worked for companies such as Cox Communications, Advance Newhouse, and InterMedia Partners. PATH, a leading human needs agency in Tyler, continues seeking a permanent executive director following the recent resignation of Christina Fulsom.

ATHENS – A motorcycle accident in Henderson County has left one person dead. The wreck occurred around 11:45 Monday night on Farm Road 1615, just south of Farm Road 4626, Southeast of Athens. Dead at the scene was Frankie Ray Eggleston, 47, of Athens. The Department of Public Safety report says Eggleston was south bound on farm Road 1615 when his motorcycle left the road and hit a tree.

WELLS — Cherokee County officials are investigating the death of an infant whose parents chose to pray over the baby prior to calling 911. Around 4:00 Sunday morning, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office received a call in reference to the death of a 3-day-old infant. The caller told dispatchers that the child was born on Wednesday and had passed away around 1:00 Saturday afternoon. The caller admitted to praying over the child before calling for help 15 hours later.

Deputies, emergency crews and investigators responded to the Wells Manor Apartments on Wright Patman Drive and found the infant in a bassinet next to the bed in the master bedroom of the apartment. The mother, father and several adults, who identified themselves as elders of the church with whom the parents are members, were present and cooperated with detectives when they arrived. The identities of the family members and witnesses are not being released at this time. Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Vera Foreman pronounced the infant at the scene and ordered and autopsy. Authorities say no other information can be released at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

LONGVIEW — The Dana Corp. manufacturing plant located in Longview Business Park will be closing in August leaving 210 workers jobless, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. In a notice released Tuesday, the state said it has been notified by Dana officials the plant will close by Aug. 23. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal.

“This is not a surprise for our employees,” said Chuck Hartlage, Dana spokesman. Company officials and the plant’s workers have known the plant was targeted for closure once its main customer, the Shreveport plant that makes General Motors mid-sized trucks, closes. “As previously announced to local employees, Dana will close its Longview plant in the third quarter in sync with the end of production of the pickup truck for which it produces frames,” Hartlage said Tuesday.

August 23 is the closing date that GM has announced for its Shreveport plant. GM will shutter the plant as outlined in a four-year labor deal with the United Auto Workers Union and transfer production to a plant in Missouri, officials said. Hartlage said Dana will provide eligible employees with separation pay benefits and outplacement assistance.

TYLER – A possible meth lab has been found in a Tyler apartment. Officers were sent to the Quail Creek Apartments located at 4901 Kinsey drive when residents noticed a suspicious strong chemical odor coming from apartment #7110. In the apartment officers found several chemicals that were believed to be used in the Methamphetamine cooking process. Officers talked with the resident of the apartment. So far, no charges have been filed but the investigation is continuing.

HAWKINS – Authorities have identified the victim of a drowning during a holiday outing at Lake Hawkins. Marcos Daniel Hernandez, 27, of Tyler, drowned shortly before 6:45 Monday night. Game Warden Derek Spitzer says Hernandez was swimming about 80 yards out near the swim buoy. Witnesses say after a couple of laps he started struggling and went under. He was under water around 20 to 30 minutes before he was found and taken ashore. CPR was unsuccessful.

EAST TEXAS — The Memorial Day Holiday No-Refusal DWI campaign nets 31 DWI arrests. It ran from May 25th through May 28th. According to the Tyler Police Department, the Department of Public Safety reported 19 DWI arrests, Tyler PD had 8, Texas Parks & Wildlife had 1, Bullard PD had 2 and Lindale PD had 1 DWI arrest. The total number of search warrants for blood obtained was 1 for DPS, Tyler PD and Texas Parks & Wildlife for a total of 3.

TYLER — People throughout East Texas paid their respects to fallen military members on Memorial Day. At an annual ceremony at Smith County’s Memorial Park Field of Honor, every branch of the government was represented. KETK reports that in part of the ceremony, each branch walked with its brothers and sisters representing the various wars in which the United States has been engaged.

SMITH COUNTY — Crews responded to a couple of Smith County brush fires Monday. KETK reports that one broke out on County Road 185; that one was contained Monday afternoon, but not before setting around 50 hay bales and a small structure ablaze. Meanwhile, a second fire developed nearby on the 19,000 block of County Road 1108. That one burned about 5 acres and prompted authorities to shut down the road for a time. The Texas Forest Service was on the scene of both fires.

EAST TEXAS — Primary Election Day rolls on in Texas. The primaries determine November candidates for state, county, and national offices. Of key interest in Smith County is the sheriff’s election. Bobby Garmon, Chris Green, Larry Smith, and Donn Rust are on the GOP ballot; they’re vying to succeed longtime Sheriff J.B. Smith, who is retiring. There are no Democratic candidates. In another Tyler-area race, District 6 Texas House incumbent Leo Berman faces a challenge from Matt Schaefer in the Republican primary. In the District 7 GOP primary, incumbent David Simpson squares off against fellow Longview resident Tommy Merritt, who was defeated by Simpson in 2010. Both of those races also lack Democratic opposition. For more information on the elections, you can go to http://www.sos.state.tx.us or contact your local election office.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — The Nacogdoches County Constable Office Precinct 4 seized a methamphetamine lab and made two arrests late Friday afternoon. Constable Jason Bridges tells KETK his office conducted a search that led to the confiscation of 100 grams of meth. The investigation started on Harris Street in Nacogdoches. Bridges says deputy constables arrived at a residence looking for a wanted fugitive while trying to execute a felony drug warrant roundup that they had been working during the early morning hours. When authorities arrived, they reportedly found drug paraphernalia and a small amount of marijuana in clear view. This led deputies to obtain a search warrant of the residence.

Once inside, officers say they found a gallon jar mixed with chemicals inside the bedroom that tested positive for meth. According to authorities, the method being used to manufacture the methamphetamine was different from what the constable’s office had found before. The suspects are said to have been using a gallon jar with chemicals inside that also had a rope tied from the top of the lid to the chemicals. The common street name for this type of cook is “dope on a rope,” and officials say this is the first seizure of its type in Nacogdoches County using this method.