KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler firefighters battle an early Sunday morning blaze at Wood Trails Apartments, 1909 Shiloh Road. The initial alarm was received around 3:30. The first arriving units reported heavy smoke conditions and quickly upgraded the incident to a two-alarm response. Investigators determined that the fire originated in the kitchen and resulted from food left cooking on the stove. The fire quickly spread to the adjoining cabinets and into the wall space. Flames progressed into the subflooring of the upstairs apartment and caused damage to the apartment above. While smoke alarms were present, occupants indicated that they failed to activate. One occupant was transported to an area hospital for symptoms of smoke inhalation. Five engines and one Ladder Company, along with a district chief and an investigator, responded to the scene.

Meanwhile, officials have issued updated information on a Saturday morning fire at Autumn Glen Apartments in Tyler. Fire authorities now say two apartments sustained fire damage, while a total of 10 apartments received smoke and/or water damage. The cause hasn’t been determined, but officials say they do not suspect foul play. No injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW — The closing of Kilgore Crisis Center four months ago has not significantly boosted the number of abused spouses seeking shelter at a sister shelter in Longview, officials report. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. The Kilgore Crisis Center closed September 9 after state auditors discovered payroll discrepancies resulting in a roughly $130,000 debt. Since then, Kilgore police have looked to the Women’s Center of East Texas in Longview when they encounter people who need immediate rescue from abuse.

“Our shelter (population) numbers have not gone up much at all,” Women’s Center director Shannon Trest said, adding that there has been a small increase in non-shelter needs devoted to Kilgore spouses — services such as basic financial training, legal advocacy and support groups. “Our non-residential numbers have gone up about 12 percent, and that’s only been since September,” said Trest. “We’re very, very stable. “It was heartbreaking when that program closed, but we moved quickly and hopefully with minimal damage.”

Randy Renshaw, a sales broker/associate with Coldwell Banker Lenhart Properties in Kilgore, said Wednesday that he’s had no serious bites on the crisis center property (pictured). Renshaw, who also is a Kilgore city councilman, added, “I know there are a lot of people who would like to see somebody purchase the building and reopen the crisis center. There’s definitely a need for it.”

MANY, LA. (AP) – Opposition is growing to the proposed contract to sell water from Toledo Bend Reservoir to a private company in Texas. The Town Talk reports more than 500 people have submitted comments to the Sabine River Authority of Louisiana. The newspaper reports only a dozen lean toward support should the contract get some tweaking. But the rest are adamantly opposed. The Caddo Parish Commission has joined in the discussion with a resolution last week also opposing water sales across the state line. At issue is the proposal from Toledo Bend Partners LP seeking a commitment of 600,000 acre-feet of water annually for its Texas customers. The 13-member Sabine River Authority Board is expected to vote on the proposal later this month.

MARSHALL — Harrison County authorities believe they’ve made a significant cocaine haul. Around 9:45 Sunday morning, Trooper Josh Roraback stopped a vehicle on Interstate Highway 20 for a traffic violation. Upon contacting the driver of the vehicle, he believed he had a vehicle transporting illegal contraband. Authorities say the information that the driver, Annette Alvarez, 38, gave to the Trooper did not make sense. She stated she was going to Lake Charles, La. but officials say she was on the wrong highway. She also reportedly told the Trooper that she thought she was on Interstate Highway 10.

Trooper Roraback contacted Harrison County K-9 deputy Randy Payne, who came to the scene because the Trooper smelled what he believed to be fresh paint coming from the interior of the vehicle, as if the vehicle had been recently modified. Deputy Payne arrived and also smelled what he believed to be fresh paint coming from the vehicle’s interior. Deputy Payne then conducted a walk-around of the vehicle with K-9 Rusty. Rusty alerted on the right front fender. The Deputy and Trooper opened the hood and reportedly found a false compartment loaded with approximately 39 pounds of what appeared to be cocaine.

Alvarez, was arrested and placed in jail; the vehicle was then impounded for evidence. Alvarez had with her a 13-year-old girl who was later identified as her daughter. The daughter was released to Child Protective Services.

TYLER — The new queen of the Texas Rose Festival wasn’t expecting the good news. Haley Anderson says, “I wasn’t thinking anything this big, I mean, it was a shock.” Haley was introduced over the weekend. She’s an All Saints High School graduate and a freshman at the University of Alabama. Haley says she’s especially looking forward to meeting the out-of-town duchesses, because “I think we can take this opportunity to make some new friends.” She adds, “I’m excited to represent Tyler in a good way.” This year’s festival is October 18-21.

TYLER — A special celebration is coming up at Tyler’s historic Camp Ford landmark. Randy Gilbert is vice president of the Smith County Historical Society. According to Gilbert, although the state of Texas had an aggressive history marker program during the 1936 Centennial, no new historical markers were erected until 1962, when a new program for more informative aluminum plaque markers was implemented. The site of Camp Ford, a Civil War Prisoner of War camp, was selected for the first of the new markers, and the Number One marker was dedicated on January 14, 1962.

The Texas Historical Commission, in conjunction with the Smith County Historical Society, is hosting a program commemorating a half century of the Texas marker program at the Camp Ford Historic Park on January 14 at 2:30pm. Representatives from the Texas Historical Commission and local officials will be present. The park is located at 6500 US Highway 271, at the corner of US 271 and Camp Ford Parkway. Gilbert says the public is invited and encouraged to attend, and to take a look at the park. He points out that Camp Ford is the only interpretive historic park in the county.

Camp Ford was the largest POW camp west of the Mississippi River, existing from July 1863 until May 1865. At its peak in July 1864, the camp held over 5,000 union prisoners from 27 different states. In 1995 the site was acquired by Smith County and developed as a historic park. The site is managed by the Smith County Historical Society.

LONGVIEW – A dedicated professor for 45 years at LeTourneau University has died. William H. “Bill” Kielhorn, 80, died Friday. Kielhorn was a professional engineer and a certified welding inspector for the American Welding Society for decades. Last May, LeTourneau University dedicated its Materials Joining Engineering Building in honor of longtime engineering professor Bill Kielhorn. The lab now is the Kielhorn Welding Engineering Lab.

According to the university web site, Kielhorn, who never missed a class during his 45 years of teaching at the university, was featured on ABCNEWS.com for teaching the final class of his career from his hospital bed in the Intensive Care Unit of Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. Kielhorn was released from the hospital for a few hours so he could attend the dedication ceremony.

A celebration of his life will be 7:00pm Wednesday at the LeTourneau University Student Center, on the third floor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the William H. Kielhorn Scholarship Fund at LeTourneau University.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

TYLER — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Monday and Tuesday are scheduled to close Spur 235 for pavement repairs and resurfacing. Spur 235 runs between West Front Street and West Erwin Street just behind the TxDOT District Complex. Once the work on Spur 235 is complete, crews are scheduled to move to Farm Road 2813 and perform resurfacing operations on various locations between Farm Road 2493 (Old Jacksonville Highway) in Flint and U.S. Highway 69, just south of Toll 49. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin approximately two weeks of pavement repairs on South Loop 281 between Farm Road 2205 (Jaycee Drive) and Estes Parkway. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

MOUNT ENTERPRISE — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to resume pavement-repair operations on U.S. Highway 259 in Mount Enterprise. Crews are also scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 2496 between Farm Road 1798 in Laneville and US 259 north of Mount Enterprise. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in
progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to complete fog seal operations in various locations on Farm Road 2088 between State Highway 37 in Quitman and the Upshur County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes to avoid delays.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 1995 between State Highway 110 near Garden Valley and Farm Road 314 south of Van. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on State Highway 110 between New Summerfield and Troup. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on State Highway 294 between Elkhart and Farm Road 323. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LONGVIEW – A Longview Home has been extensively damaged by fire. It occurred at 1302 block of Dale Street. No injuries were reported. Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary told the Longview News-Journal it appears as if the fire started in the area of the couple’s dryer in the garage. Zackary said an article of clothing caught fire in the dryer earlier in the day, but the couple extinguished it themselves.

TYLER – Ten apartments at a Tyler apartment complex have been damaged by fire. The blaze was reported around 3:00 Saturday morning at the Autumn Glen Apartments on Holly Tree Drive. It’s believed the cause of the fire was electrical. No injuries were reported but several residents were treated for smoke inhalation.

DALLAS (AP) — A federal grand jury has returned two indictments charging 16 Dallas area residents with running a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy linked to the La Familia drug cartel. The U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Texas and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration announced that 14 of the 16 were arrested December 14 during a takedown by law-enforcement officers in Tyler, and in the Dallas metro area. Agents executed 11 search warrants at that time, seizing about $700,000 in cash, 70 firearms, 20 pounds of methamphetamine and a kilogram of cocaine and a methamphetamine conversion lab. Federal officials say the La Familia cartel is based in Mexico but has distribution cells throughout North Texas.

WILLS POINT – A Van Zandt County Teenager has been killed in a hit and run accident. Dead at the scene was Casey Eggeling, 16, of Wills Point. He was walking south on Farm Road 47 when he was hit. The accident happened around 2:30 Friday morning about eight miles north of Wills Point. Authorities believe they know who was driving the vehicle, but have released no other information.

LONGVIEW – A Longview mother has been arrested and charged with injury to a child. In the Gregg County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond is Cynthia Cecilia Gonzalez, 26. Her daughter, Aura Delgado, 2, is at Children’s Medical Hospital in Dallas. Investigators say the little girl suffered bruising to her right eyelid and on the right side of her chest, two absent front teeth, one loose tooth and a gum line laceration, along with a bone fracture underneath her skull and bleeding on the surface of her brain. Police spokeswoman Kristie Brian described the youngster’s injuries as life threatening. The woman’s four other children have been placed in foster care.

LAFAYETTE, LA. (AP) — A 53-year-old Northeast Texas man is in custody, accused of killing his older brother during a domestic disturbance in Lafayette. Police responded about 6:30 Thursday evening to calls of a shooting at a residence and found Michael Granstaff, 61, of Lafayette, dead from a gunshot wound. Investigators also found Granstaff’s brother, Danny Granstaff, of Sulpher Springs, Texas, injured. Police say he apparently shot himself in the leg and was listed in serious condition at an area hospital. Police said Friday that officers are guarding his hospital room and upon discharge, he will face a charge of second-degree murder in Michael Granstaff’s death. Authorities have not said what sparked the shooting.

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview restaurant has donated a percentage of last night’s sales to the family of a man who died in a recent motorcycle wreck. Johnny Carino’s Italian Restaurant is giving the funds to the family of Patrick Alexander Ramey, who died in the Tuesday crash. Ramey was a staff member at the restaurant. Carino’s General Manager Matt Langham also said donations to assist Ramey’s family with funeral expenses can be dropped off at the restaurant. Funeral services were held yesterday at Rader Funeral Home.

HAWKINS – The president of Jarvis Christian College has resigned. The action was taken by Dr. Cornell Thomas just weeks after it was announced the college’s accrediting agency had placed the school on warning. According to a statement on the school’s website, “The Board of Trustees of Jarvis Christian College is announcing that Dr. Cornell Thomas, President, will be pursuing other interests and is leaving Jarvis after three years of service. This decision is effective as of December 27, 2011. The board would like to thank Dr. Thomas for his contributions and wish him and his family the best in their new endeavors. The board has plans for succession in place and will be making a decision regarding Dr. Thomas’ replacement soon.”

According to the website, “Carolyn Hernandez, senior adviser to the president, and Reginald Dickens, vice president for administration and finance, are coordinating the “day-to-day activities at the college,”

The Hawkins college was placed on a six-month warning by the Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges, in December after not being in compliance with several core requirements, mostly related to finances and audits.

COMO – The Superintendent of the Como-Pickton Consolidated School District is announcing her retirement. Sandra Billodeau has announced she will be stepping down at the end of the school year. Billodeau has been superintendent of the district since 2007. At their regular meeting Monday night, school trustees are scheduled to consider hiring the Texas Association of School Boards search team to help in finding her replacement.

TYLER — University of Alabama freshman Haley McGrede Anderson is named Queen of the 2012 Texas Rose Festival, set for October 18-21. The announcement was made Friday night at the Winter Gala held at the Tyler Rose Garden. Haley is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rowe McGrede Anderson. She graduated from All Saints High School, where she was a cheerleader. Haley also participated in the Junior Symphony League and danced with the Spirit of Tyler dance studio while growing up in Tyler. Haley was introduced Friday night just prior to the Winter Gala, the annual fundraiser for the Tyler Rose Museum. The Duchess of the Texas Rose Festival for this year is Joy Lynn Ramey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry King Ramey. The 2012 Rose Festival theme is “Indochine — Celebrating All Things Oriental.”

MARSHALL — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office identifies two suspects after issuing a plea for assistance Friday from the public regarding oilfield thefts that had been captured on video. The images of a white female were very clear, as was the vehicle they were driving, according to authorities. Officials say thanks to the information that was broadcast by the local media and the information that was presented, a Rusk County Sheriff’s deputy recognized the image as Jamie Gardner, 35, of Overton, and Brandon Galloway, 30, of Henderson, whom he had spoken to on January 4.

The vehicle they were allegedly driving in the images, ironically, matched a vehicle that Rusk County was interested in locating for oil field thefts in their county. Authorities say the vehicle had mechanical trouble and had broken down in Henderson when the Rusk County deputy spoke to them. By having this information, he provided the names of the suspects to Harrison County investigators, and a warrant has been obtained for their arrest. According to KETK, investigators are continuing their investigation and are currently seeking the suspects in the Rusk County area. Harrison County investigators believe the assistance of the media aided in the identification of these suspects and will assist in their arrest.

LONGVIEW – A Longview teenager has been arrested after being accused of assaulting a teacher and student at Longview High School. Arrested Thursday was Takeyah Terrell Carter, 18. Longview police say the teen went to a classroom and attacked a student. The teacher was injured when trying to keeping Carter from leaving. When police arrived Carter is said to have tried to flee, but officers were able to take her into custody. She is charged with assault of a public servant, evading arrest, assault causing bodily injury and is being held on a municipal warrant for failure to attend school dating back to February 8. Her bonds total $53,500.

LONGVIEW – A Longview animal control officer has sustained minor injuries by at least two pit bull dogs. The incident occurred shortly before 1:15 Friday afternoon in the
2300 block of South 12th Street.

Police say animal control officer Jacqueline Lynch was trying to take a loose pit bull dog into custody when another pit bull dog jumped a backyard fence and attacked her. She was able to escape the dogs by going into a neighbor’s home.

Officials will try and determine which dog bit Lynch, and then that dog or dogs will be quarantined for 10 days. The dogs have been taken to the Humane Society of Northeast Texas

TYLER — Tyler police are crediting some citizens with helping in an arrest. Shortly after 11:15 Friday morning, Tyler police were notified that several citizens were chasing an auto burglary suspect in the area of Paluxy and Loop 323. Police say the suspect, identified as Gabriel Harris, 23, of Tyler, was observed acting suspicious in a business parking lot located at 1828 ESE Loop 323. A witness reportedly saw Harris enter a parked vehicle and remove a woman’s purse.

Several men from the office building gave chase attempting to apprehend the suspect. Police say Harris threw the purse down in the nearby Texaco gas station parking lot and ran into a bathroom of an office building in the 3800 block of Paluxy. A City of Tyler waste disposal employee and Starbucks employee along with the original witnesses all chased the suspect and apprehended him until police arrived on the scene.

Harris is charged with auto burglary that is enhanced to a state jail felony due to prior convictions. According to a news release, “The Tyler Police Department would like to thank the citizens for their involvement in bringing this suspect to justice and recovering the stolen purse.” The Tyler Police Department reminds you not to leave purses or electronic items in your vehicle that may be stolen.

MARSHALL — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is currently seeking MARSHALL — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is currently seeking information on the location of a missing juvenile. Bailey Emerson, 13, left the residence of his mother on Page Road in Longview on December 26, 2011, and has not returned or had any contact with his family. According to KETK and the sheriff’s department, Bailey is currently taking prescription medication for anxiety and depression and does not have his prescribed medications with him. He is further described as 6’0” tall, dark short hair, and green eyes. The missing juvenile left his residence with a brown cloth jacket, boots, and unknown other items of clothing.

Deputies have worked with the Hallsville ISD School Police Chief, Jim Johnson, and he advised that the missing subject is enrolled in the alternative resource program and has not returned to school. Deputies are pursuing information as to locations where the subject may have gone, but have not been able to develop any further leads as to his whereabouts. Any information on the location of Bailey that will be helpful may be directed to the Investigation Section at the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office at 903-923-4000. All information is confidential.

MARSHALL — Harrison County officials have located a missing juvenile safe and sound. According to KETK and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, thanks to a broadcast from the media, a citizen noticed Bailey Emerson, 13, walking across a pasture close to Page One Rd. in western Harrison County and recognized him from a phone app that he had on his cell phone. The citizen contacted investigators and the juvenile was taken into custody. He will be returned home. He is well and does not need medical attention. Bailey left the residence of his mother on December 26 and had not returned or had any contact with his family until he was spotted by the citizen.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police have located some of the children’s Christmas presents stolen from a storage facility on Jahan trail sometime between November 30 and December 7, 2011. The toys and electronics were among many that belonged to the Gregg County Child Welfare Board. Police continue to investigate the crime, and believe some may have been purchased by unsuspecting citizens. Police have identified two alleged suspects, Racheal Bradley and Sarah Adams, both of Longview, in the thefts. They have also identified 3800 Gilmer Road and 30 Dawn Circle #A as two addresses where the items were allegedly sold from.

Police encourage anyone who may have either purchased some of the items or received the possible stolen items as a gift, to contact Longview Police Detective Melissa Dobbs at 903-237-1168. If anyone has more information concerning this or any other crime, and they wish to remain anonymous, they can contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at 903-236-7867.

LONGVIEW — Six Longview firefighters got new badges this week, including the department’s first woman firefighter to promote to officer. Longview Fire Chief J.P. Steelman said firefighters Amy Dodgen and Eric Karling were promoted to lieutenant; Olan Doxey and Josh Tanner were promoted to captain; and Tim Maricle was promoted to driver. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Steelman said Dodgen is the first woman firefighter in the department’s history to be promoted past a firefighter and paramedic.

MARSHALL — The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help from the public regarding the identification and arrest of two oil and gas field thieves. According to KETK, over the last few months, several gas well sites in East Texas and Louisiana have had some $1500 worth of items stolen from the production and distribution areas. These items have been batteries, copper wiring, and related equipment.

During a recent theft, a video camera captured the image of a white small 4 door vehicle with a missing right front wheel cover. Two white suspects, one man and one woman are observed driving into the area and pulling up to a satellite relay station during the daytime hours on January 2 at 3:22 p.m. The male suspect, who was driving, walks to the box containing the batteries and other equipment and pries open the box. After a few moments, the passenger, who is female, exits the vehicle and brings a large pair of what appear to be bolt cutters to the box. The female appears to be approximately 25-35 wearing a blue “hoodie”, blue t-shirt, and light blue jeans. She is a heavy-set female with either short or pulled-up blond hair.

The male suspect appears to be 25-35 and is slim. He has dark hair and was wearing a grey long sleeve t-shirt with a design, jeans, and a ball cap. The cables at the bottom of the box are then cut and the suspects remove items and place them in the car and drive away. The damage to this distribution site was over $1500.00. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is asking for anyone with information, or anyone who may recognize the vehicle or suspect, to contact the investigation section at 903-9223-4000 or crimestoppers at 903-935-9969.

TYLER — According to Smith County Probation officials, a Brazoria County sex offender, Anthony Lawrence Taylor, was caught in the John Tyler High School area multiple times. Smith County authorities alerted Brazoria officials to the problem. Brazoria lifted the probation and issued a warrant for Taylor’s arrest. According to KETK, Taylor was arrested in early December.

Tyler ISD released the following statement:

“Earlier this week, John Tyler High School administrators initiated a thorough investigation into claims that Mr. Anthony Lawrence Taylor had been allowed on campus to wash cars. Through the course of the investigation, administrators learned that a Tyler ISD employee had allowed individuals on campus without following proper procedures. While Tyler ISD does not disclose internal personnel issues, we can confirm that the individual who failed to follow proper procedure is no longer employed by the district.

“Student safety is a top priority at Tyler ISD. Campus and district administrators will continue to review policies and practices and take appropriate actions to ensure our campuses remain safe places for students to learn.”

GULFPORT, MISS. (AP) – Texas fugitive Steven Ray Milam is now in the hands of federal authorities. Milam appeared in federal court Thursday in Gulfport to face 11 counts of bank robbery. The 44-year-old Milam, of Tyler, Texas, was denied bond by U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert H. Walker. Each bank robbery charge carries a penalty of up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Afterward, Milam was turned over to U.S. Marshals to await extradition back to Richardson, Texas. Authorities would not disclose where he was being held. Milam was arrested Tuesday after Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd shot out a tire on his vehicle during a westbound, high-speed chase on Interstate 10. Milam was wanted in Texas for shooting at officers during a New Year’s Eve robbery of a Richardson bank.

Richardson authorities say a bank employee’s quick thinking led to the eventual downfall of the “handsome guy” bandit suspect. According to KETK, police reports show that the gun-wielding robber was herding employees into the vault of a Richardson bank this past Saturday. A worker managed to hit a panic alarm before entering that vault.

RUSK COUNTY — United States Marshal services have captured a fugitive wanted in Rusk County for arson. Darrell Chadwick Mills, 32, Hallsville, has an active warrant for violating his probation on an arson charge. In May of last year, Mills pleaded guilty to the offense, a 2nd degree felony, and was placed on probation for a term of 7 years. He had since violated the conditions of his probation sentence.