KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — Authorities release the name of the woman killed in a major 18-wheeler wreck on I-20 at the MLK bridge in Longview. She was identified as Vickey Patterson, 44, a passenger in the truck. Police say the truck, the driver, and the truck’s passenger were from Mississippi. KETK reports the accident happened just before 3:45 Monday morning, when the truck had a mechanical problem and ran off the road. It crashed into the MLK overpass pillars and guardrail. The wreck ignited a fire, which caused some structural integrity issues on the bridge. Police say the bridge crossing over I-20 is “closed indefinitely.” The driver of the truck was released from the hospital later Monday. A dog was also in the truck, but managed to get out unharmed.

KAUFMAN — The new Kaufman County district attorney was sworn in Monday afternoon. Erleigh Norvell Wiley will fill the seat that murdered District Attorney Mike McLelland held. She says it’s time to move forward. Wiley comments, “We know we have these serious offenses, but it’s the day-to-day stuff. The people in Kaufman County want to know, ‘Are you ready to step in and help us with the things that happen every day where crimes are committed, and the other responsibility of the the DA’s office?’ And I’m ready to do that.” A special prosecutor will handle the murder cases against former Justice of the Peace Eric Williams and his wife, who face capital murder charges. The Williamses are charged with the murders of McLelland; his wife, Cynthia; and Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse.

TYLER — To coincide with the National Day of Prayer, Mayor Barbara Bass calls the Tyler community and surrounding area citizens to come together and pray for the Tyler community, the county and the nation. It all happens Thursday, May 2, at the 22nd Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, at Harvey Convention Center.

A news release says, “Prayer warriors will offer up specific prayers for the lost child, feeding spiritual and physical hunger, recovery through God’s love, loving your neighbor which is the Great Commission, our military, and for the local business community. A corporate prayer time will include praying for the family unit, the local, county, state and federal government, the U.S. Military personnel and their families and other needs that concern our community.”

The release says there will be special music by the Marvin United Methodist Youth Orchestra, the Grace Community School Orchestra, 2012 Ms. Texas Senior America Pageant winner Ms. Lillie Madison, and other local musicians. Members of the Friendly Baptist Church, West Erwin Church of Christ, and other volunteers will be providing a hot breakfast for all attendees. Everyone’s asked to join the Mayor for one hour of worship and prayer. This year’s theme is “Investing in Hope…Transforming our Nation through Prayer. In His name the nations will put their hope. Matt. 12:21.” Admission is free, and a free will offering will be taken. Doors open at 6:30am, and the program is from 7:00 to 8:00am.

CHANDLER — Authorities with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office have identified the man who died after falling into the water of Lake Palestine on Sunday night, near Big Eddy Road. Cpt. Mike Hanson tells KETK that the man is Frederick Perkins, 46, of Tyler. He and a woman were fishing on the lake at the time. The woman told authorities that Perkins was trying to remove a string of fish from the side of the boat when he fell in. It still is not certain whether the boat capsized or if he fell over the side. At some point, they both fell into the water. The woman was wearing a life jacket, but Perkins was not. He attempted to swim to shore, but unable to make it.

A witness saw the incident happen, and directed first responders to the location. Henderson County Sheriff officials, Noonday Fire and Rescue, and game wardens from Henderson County and Smith County aided in the search for Perkins. His body was located using sonar equipment shortly after 11:45 Sunday night.

TYLER – Tyler ISD is celebrating its 2,147 volunteers during National Volunteer Week. According to a news release, “Tyler ISD is so thankful for the parents and community members who give their time to serve as a volunteer in our schools.” James Hobbs volunteers four days a week at Jones Elementary MST Academy. “For the past 10 years I was a teacher at Tyler Junior College. When I retired from TJC I decided I wanted to go somewhere I can make a difference and help students catch up in math at the fourth and fifth grade levels,” Mr. Hobbs said. “Volunteering has been a great experience!”

The news release continues, “Tyler ISD volunteers are a much appreciated and highly respected group of people who make up a very important part of our educational team. Tyler ISD and its professional educators have witnessed the rewards of volunteer partnerships between our community and its schools.”

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith and other County employees gathered in the Smith County Commissioners Courtroom Monday to honor volunteers of the Smith County Volunteer Services program. Since the program’s inception in 2009, volunteers have worked over 16,000 hours. That’s saved Smith County taxpayers $351,625.23, based on the Independent Sector’s Value of Volunteer Time.

“I am very grateful to all of these individuals who choose to give their time and effort to help various County departments. These are people of all ages and backgrounds who help all of us by volunteering,” said Sheriff Smith. Leading the program with Sheriff Smith were Major Deal Folmar and Alicia Armstrong of the Sheriff’s Office. Anyone wanting to volunteer for Smith County should call Volunteer Coordinator Alicia Armstrong at 903-590-2786. Visit http://www.smith-county.com for more information on Smith County services.

MARSHALL – A 56-year-old Marshall man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Adrian Denova Sanchez pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine. He was sentenced in Marshall to 127 months in federal by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap. Sanchez was also ordered to forfeiture of $10,000.00 to the U.S. Marshal Service.

According to federal prosecutors, between November 2009 and October 2012, Sanchez was involved in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and cocaine in East Texas. Sanchez admitted to distributing over 50 grams of methamphetamine and selling a semi-automatic pistol during the conspiracy. Sanchez and four others were indicted on November 7, 2012 and charged with federal drug and gun crimes.

MARSHALL – A 36-year-old Durango, Mexico, man has been sentenced to federal prison for immigration violations. Juan Gallardo-Simental pleaded guilty last November to being unlawfully present in the United States after having been previously deported. He has been sentenced in Marshall to 14 months in federal prison U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap.

Federsl prosecutors say, on August 28, 2012, Gallardo was found at the Harrison County jail by federal agents. Further investigation revealed Gallardo was unlawfully in the United States after having been deported following a battery conviction in Benton County, Arkansas, in 2006. Gallardo was indicted by a federal grand jury last September and charged with immigration violations. Gallardo will be deported following the completion of this prison sentence

WASHINGTON — Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert says the U.S. must be more watchful for potential terrorists. Following the Boston Marathon bombing and its aftermath, Gohmert renewed his call for a fence along the border with Mexico. Gohmert says some Mexican immigrants may not be what they seem. He tells C-Span, “We know al-Qaeda has camps over with the drug cartels on the other side of the Mexican border. We know that people are now being trained to come in and act like Hispanic when they’re radical Islamists.” Gohmert also says the U.S. should be more cautious in allowing Chechens to enter the country, and deport those who have records of violence. The two alleged Boston bombers came from Chechnya.

MARSHALL — A 56-year-old Karnack man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. David Lynn Sirmans pleaded guilty on December 17 to manufacturing methamphetamine and has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison. Sirmans was involved in a conspiracy with others to purchase cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at multiple pharmacies across East Texas. He admitted to using the cold pills to manufacture meth at his residence near Karnack. Sirmans, along with 16 co-defendants, was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 1 and charged with federal drug trafficking violations.

TYLER (AP) – A former publisher of the Tyler Morning Telegraph is being remembered as a man devoted to his East Texas community. Calvin Nelson Clyde Jr. died Sunday in Tyler. He was 92. In addition to the Morning Telegraph, Clyde was publisher of the former Tyler Courier-Times and the Sunday Tyler Courier-Times – Telegraph. His family’s ownership of the publications dates back to at least 1910. Grandson Nelson Clyde now heads the family publishing company.

The Telegraph reports the elder Clyde entered journalism as a reporter in 1937. He later was named president of the Texas Daily Newspaper Association, and in 1981 was recognized by the association as the Texas newspaper leader of the year.

TYLER — A man has died after being overcome by fumes during a remodeling project at Tyler city hall. The man, an employee of Watson Commercial Paint Company, which was a subcontractor of RPR Construction, was found passed out. He was working on the renovation project on the second floor. He appears to have been overcome by fumes from a stain that was being used on the project.

TYLER — Three buildings which at one time was Belcher’s Auto Ranch has been destroyed by fire. It was reported around 5:00 Sunday afternoon in the 8500 block of Farm Road 850. KETK reports a man was injured when he tried to save items from the building and over exerted himself. The cause of the fire remains under investigation

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

KILGORE — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs and preliminary dirt and pavement work on the US Highway 259-Kilgore Bypass near Synergy Park. The work at Synergy Park will require a daytime closure of the bypass between US 259 north of Kilgore and Farm Road 349. A marked detour will be in place while work is in progress, sending southbound traffic past the US 259 bypass entrance and then left at the State Highway 31/FM 349 intersection, and then onto the bypass at FM 349. Northbound traffic will exit at FM 349, turn toward Kilgore, then north toward Longview at SH 31/US 259 intersection. The work is in preparation for a second project to add a turn lane at Synergy Park, which is scheduled to let to contact in August.
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SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make base and pavement repairs on State Highway 64 between West Loop 323 in Tyler and Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. 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.
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VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to conclude repairs at the railroad crossing at Farm Road 859 in Edgewood, and then begin base and pavement-repair work on FM 859 north of Edgewood. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.
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RUSK COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make edge repairs on State Highway 323 between State Highway 135 in Overton and Loop 571 in Henderson. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.
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WOOD COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make pavement and edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 779 northwest of Mineola and perform spot-resurfacing operations on Loop 564 in Mineola. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.
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HENDERSON COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin several weeks of pavement-repair operations on US Highway 175 between SE Loop 7 in Athens and Farm Road 804. The work is being done in preparation for a seal coat application later this summer. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement-texturing operations on Farm Road 855 between US Highway 69 in Mount Selman and US Highway 175 in Cuney. A second crew is scheduled to make base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1911 east of US 69. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.
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ANDERSON COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make edge repairs on Farm Road 320 between Loop 256 in Palestine and Farm Road 645 in Johnson. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LONGVIEW — Longview’s Cherokee Street will be closed at Anniversary Drive to Royal Oak Drive for through traffic beginning Monday. The closure is for sanitary sewer connections as part of improvements for the development of the Pine Tree ISD Stadium. The closure will be effective for about three weeks. Through traffic will be detoured down Anniversary Drive to Willow Springs Drive to Royal Oak Drive. The work is being done by Porter Services of Longview.

TYLER — Smith County sheriff’s deputies are investigating a business robbery. It happened just before 11:45 Saturday morning at the Food Fast convenience store, located at the intersection of Highway 64 West and Thompson Lane. The clerk said the man entered the store, pulled a fireman and demanded cash.

The clerk complied with the request and the man left the store with an undetermined amount of money. The suspect is described as a black male, 5’4”, medium build, 160-170 pounds, wearing a flannel hoodie, dark jeans and dark colored shoes. He got into a silver car with another individual and the two left, traveling north. Neither the clerk nor the customers in the store were harmed during the robbery.

TYLER — Tyler ISD officials are investigating an incident that occurred at John Tyler High School on Friday afternoon around 1:45. Based on preliminary investigation, a male student and teacher were involved in teacher initiated horseplay in a classroom that escalated into an altercation. The teacher has been placed on paid administrative leave and the student has been suspended for three days pending further investigation.

“Our priority is to provide our students and staff with a safe and secure learning environment. We take discipline issues very seriously,” said Gary Mooring, Superintendent of Schools. “We are currently investigating this incident to determine not only what happened, but also how we can improve classroom safety.”

The administration and police department will continue to investigate the situation and follow District policy in regards to further discipline actions.

Contrary to earlier media reports the teacher was not knocked unconscious. There were no other Tyler ISD students or staff involved in the incident.

TYLER — A Tyler woman is facing charges of making a false report after telling officers she had been stabbed. Officers were sent to the 800 block of South Chilton around 4:00 Friday afternoon. Rebecca Jones, 39, told officers she came home to find a man in her house. She said that the man stabbed her several times and then fled out the back door.

Jones described the man as a heavy set white male with brown hair, wearing a navy blue shirt and jeans. Jones was transported to ETMC hospital where she was treated for several superficial puncture wounds and released. Officers, along with a Tyler Police K9 team searched the area but failed to locate the alleged suspect.

Later, in an interview with investigators, Jones admitted that she lied about being attacked and stabbed. The incident never happened. She is facing potential criminal charges for false alarm or report, a class A misdemeanor, and false report to a peace officer, a class B misdemeanor.

TYLER — Cornelius, a 33-year old black rhinoceros at the Caldwell Zoo, has died after showing signs of illness including lethargy and loss of appetite. As with all animals that die at the zoo, a necropsy and tissue testing was done. Early results of testing indicate that the animal was suffering from pneumonia and mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was present in his lungs. Further testing is underway to identify the species of mycobacterium.

The Zoo has consulted with Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Animal Health Commission, medical staff at The University of Texas Health Science Center Occupational Health Clinic and is working closely with these agencies.

Despite determination by these experts that the risk to employees, visitors, and animals is minimal, the Zoo is being proactive in taking steps to ensure safety. Pending further test results, the rhino building will be closed to the public. The remaining three rhinos are showing no signs of illness and can continue to be viewed safely in their exhibit yards.

EAST TEXAS — There are a number of ways East Texans can help victims of the fertilizer explosion in West.

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KETK reports Smith County fire departments will be participating in a “Fill the Helmet” fundraiser campaign to support the West Fire Department. Look for your local firefighters to be standing at main intersections in in the county during the times listed below. If you are unable to find a firefighter location, you may drop off any monetary donations to your local volunteer fire department. If you are making out a check, you’re asked to make it out to “Red Cross,” “Salvation Army,” or “West Fire Department.” In the comments/memo section, make sure to write “West, TX explosion” so that the money is earmarked for that purpose.

DO NOT LEAVE CHECKS AT UNATTENDED FIRE DEPARTMENTS DURING OFF-HOURS.

Firefighters urge you to use caution while approaching any intersections where they are collecting donations. All proceeds collected will be hand delivered to the West Fire Department.

“Fill the Helmet” locations:

Arp: State Hwy. 135/CR 294 (9:00am – the afternoon)
Chapel Hill/Jackson: Spur 248/FM 848 & Brookshire’s on 2734 East Fifth Street
Dixie: Spur 364/CR 1125 (9:00am – 1:00pm)
Flint-Gresham: FM 2493/FM 346 (9:00am – 2:00pm) & the fire station at 188823 FM 2493 (all evening)
Lindale: US 69/FM 16 (9:00am – 2:00pm)
Noonday: Brookshire’s on 20100 State Hwy. 155 & the fire station at 16619 State Hwy. 155
Red Springs: FM 14/FM 16 (9:00am – 1:00pm)
Whitehouse: Brookshire’s on State Hwy. 110 w/Boy Scouts (10:00am – 4:00pm)
Winona: State Hwy. 271/Loop 323 (9:00am – 12:00 noon)

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Donations for children with learning disabilities:

Another need that West, TX, has is for therapy and learning materials for special needs children. To that end, a donation site has been set up for items such as special carseats, weighted blankets, swings, wheelchairs, sensory accessories, therapy tools, electronics for autistic children, and learning materials (videos, books, etc.). The dropoff location is the Jackson Heights VFD Station 2 (Hwy. 31 E).

For more information about how to donate, you’re asked to contact Victoria Young with Jackson Heights VFD. Email [email protected] or call (903) 566-9900 (Monday-Friday 8:00 – 5:00). If you are unable to make it to a location to drop it off, they are willing to come to you and pick up any donation you’d like to give. Use the contact information above to find out more.

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Lindale FFA Donations

Lindale FFA invites you or your school organization to join the FFA in collecting donations for the families of the victims and the first responders who have been impacted by this event. The main things listed as needed are water, kids’ toys, clothing, nonperishable food, blankets, rain gear, and blood/platelets. The organization plans to gather donations in the Lindale Ag shop and travel to Waco next Friday or Saturday to deliver the donations. If you are interested in volunteering to help with this endeavor during the weekend of April 27th and 28th, you’re asked to contact them. Donations will be accepted at the Lindale Ag shop from 7:00am-4:00pm. If you are unable to make it during that time, you’re asked to contact the Lindale FFA to work something out.

Contact Rebecca Curry at [email protected] or (903) 881-4050. Parents are asked to make every effort to avoid disturbing the classes that are working in the Ag Shop while dropping off donations during school hours.

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Lone Star Military Farmers/Jacksonville Marine Corps League Donations

Lone Star Military Farmers and Jacksonville Marine Corps League will be in the Atwoods parking lot on Saturday from 10:00am – 2:00pm to collect donations for the people in West, TX. That address: 1824 S. Jackson St. The Carter Blood Center will be there as well for anyone who would like to donate blood. The blood donated during this drive will be given directly to the West area.

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You can also donate financially to the Salvation Army. Anyone interested in doing so can use this link:

http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/media/?ID=97199fb429c5d62e3eb21ab56c72e5ef

Area residents can also send donations to the Tyler Salvation Army with “West,TX Explosion” marked in the memo. Spokeswoman Chantel Millin says her agency will forward that donation to the appropriate location. You can go to http://www.salvationarmytyler.org for more information.
– See more at: http://www.ktbb.com/post/?p=252838#sthash.pPmjBSqn.dpuf

TYLER — The East Texas Striders are doing their part for victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. The group is holding a Boston Marathon Victims Benefit Run beginning this morning at 7:10am in the parking lot behind Einstein Bagels, 4500 South Broadway Avenue. Cost is free, but donations will be accepted for The One Boston Fund Inc. You can go to https://www.facebook.com/easttexasstriders to find out more.

KILGORE — A Kilgore woman has been arrested after deputies said she climbed in a car she didn’t own with a child in it and drove it into a tree while drunk. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Gregg County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the incident at about Thursday evening. Julie Lynn Russ, 50, was charged with injury to a child criminal negligence, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and public intoxication in connection to the incident.

The vehicle’s owner said Russ climbed into the car and tried to leave the owner’s house in the 1400 block of Goforth Road in Kilgore. Russ then “accelerated quickly hitting a tree in the front yard of the residence,” the owner told authorities. According to the probable cause affidavit for her arrest, a six-year-old girl was in the car when Russ tried to drive away. After being arrested, Russ told deputies she was “unaware the child was in the vehicle until after the incident,” according to law enforcement reports. Russ was placed in the Gregg County Jail on two $2,500 bonds.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Economic Development Corporation is extending its hand to out-of-state gun manufacturers. Due to increased pressure on the gun industry, many manufacturers outside of Texas have expressed an interest in finding a better home for business. Governor Rick Perry and Attorney General Greg Abbott have encouraged these industries to set up shop in Texas. And according to KETK, members of the Kilgore EDC believe their community has the right workforce and resources for any new gun company looking for a move.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches ISD has announced it will not consider arming its teachers. Superintendent Dr. Fred Hayes made that announcement after a Texas Senate committee approved a bill that would provide educators with firearms training. According to KETK, Hayes said NISD has a police department to do that kind of work already.

TYLER – Beginning in April, the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) began enforcing the payment of tolls on Toll 49. The enforcement effort follows a major community outreach program aimed at informing drivers about the newest segment of Toll 49, which opened to traffic on March 28. The NET RMA is encouraging all drivers to use a prepaid toll tag account from one of the three Texas Toll agencies: (1) the North Texas Tollway Authority (Toll Tag), (2) the TxDOT Toll Operations Division (TxTag); or (3) the Harris County Toll Road Authority (EZ TAG). Those using a prepaid toll tag account enjoy the lowest toll rate possible for using Toll 49 and toll roads statewide. The majority of Toll 49 drivers will not be impacted by the change in enforcement as most already pay their tolls electronically with TxTag.

To accommodate drivers who choose not to pay using a prepaid toll tag account, the NET RMA has implemented a Pay-By-Mail program. Customers simply drive down Toll 49. While on the road, their vehicle’s license plate will be photographed, and an invoice will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. For Customers using Pay-By-Mail, officials say it is important to respond promptly to the request for payment to enjoy the lowest cost. If an invoice is paid after the initial due date, additional fees may be added to offset administrative costs to collect the toll. These fees increase with each attempt to collect, and if unpaid will require appearance in court to reconcile.

Pay-By-Mail customers who used Toll 49 prior to March 28th may receive an invoice from TxDOT’s Toll Operations Division for their tolls from driving on Toll 49. Drivers are responsible for payment of all toll invoices or violation notices received, regardless of the tolling agency listed. The NET RMA has partnered with the other Texas Toll agencies and Toll 49 customers should start seeing NET RMA invoices the week of May 5th. Once received, you may call 1-888-923-2808 or visit http://www.PayNETRMAToll.com to pay your NET RMA invoice.

You’re asked to contact one of these agencies to receive information about getting a prepaid toll tag account:

– TollTag account – contact NTTA at 972-818-8862 or online at http://www.ntta.org
– TxTag account – contact TxDOT Toll Operations Division at 888-468-9824 or online at http://www.txtag.org
– EZ TAG account – contact HCTRA at 281-875-EASY (3279) or online at http://www.hctra.org

TYLER — Today is the public’s last chance to take advantage of the Smith County AgriLife Extension Office discount rabies vaccination clinic for cats and dogs. Clinics will be held at two locations in Tyler at 2 p.m. on Saturday: Colonial Hills Baptist Church (South Broadway) and the John Tyler High School parking lot, NNW Loop 323 side. Vaccinations are $10 per animal (cats and dogs only). You don’t have to live in Smith County to have your cats or dogs vaccinated. For more information contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service 903-590-2980.

KAUFMAN (AP) – A sheriff says investigators in the slayings of two Texas prosecutors got their big break from a tip about a storage unit that contained guns and a vehicle tied to the crimes. When authorities uncovered the storage unit, they also unraveled what they contend was a meticulous revenge plot against the Kaufman County district attorney and a top assistant for their successful prosecution of a former justice of the peace for theft. That former official, Eric Lyle Williams (pictured), and his wife are charged with capital murder in the slayings of the DA, his wife and an assistant prosecutor. Sheriff David Byrnes says the storage unit was “the watershed event” that helped authorities put everything together. A friend of Williams’ told authorities about the unit.

KAUFMAN (AP) — Authorities say the wife of a former justice of the peace was the driver of the vehicle used in the killing of a North Texas assistant prosecutor. They say she was a passenger when her husband allegedly later shot a district attorney and his wife. An arrest affidavit shows Kim Williams implicated husband, Eric Williams, as the shooter of Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse in January and also District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife Cynthia last month.

Authorities on Thursday said Kim Williams was the getaway driver when her husband allegedly approached Hasse as he walked into work and fatally shot him. They contend she was a passenger in late March when her husband drove to the McLelland home in the Dallas suburb of Forney.

KILGORE — Two persons are in custody following a robbery and shooting in Kilgore. It occurred just before midnight Wednesday at apartments near the 700 block of Houston Street, which is north of Kilgore College. Arrested were Nickolas Rinche, 19, and Phue Nguyen. One of the victims was shot with a small caliber rifle. The second victim was beaten with a rifle, and was treated and released. The two suspects were arrested a short while later by Kilgore police and Kilgore College officers.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal regulators fined the company that operates the Texas fertilizer plant that exploded Wednesday night $10,000 last summer for safety violations. But the government accepted $5,250 after the company took what it described as corrective actions. Records reviewed by The Associated Press show that the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration determined that the West Fertilizer Company planned to transport anhydrous ammonia without making or following a security plan. An inspector also found that the plant’s ammonia tanks weren’t properly labeled. The same plant just outside Waco, Texas, exploded Wednesday night, killing as many as 15 and injuring over 160. The blast had the impact of a small earthquake and was heard from more than 40 miles away. It is not unusual for companies to negotiate lower fines with regulators.