KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center EMS plays a big response role following the explosion disaster in West. The Tyler-based ambulance service dispatches in that area. Communications Director Chad Richey tells KTBB his troops got on the job quickly and had plenty of work to do. He says ETMC EMS alone transported 91 total patients — 14 critical, 30 intermediate, and 47 “walking wounded”-type individuals. Richey adds that ETMC EMS is the primary ambulance coverage for the West area until further notice, as the area works to get its trucks and personnel back in order. Also, the Tyler-based eastern regional director for ETMC EMS has been dispatched to take over medical command duties. Those duties had been handled by the Waco regional director for ETMC EMS.

TYLER — TJC trustees have approved an incentive package for the Italian company Tazza Pronto. The move comes two days after the Smith County Commissioners Court gave its blessing to the project. The Tyler City Council had already approved the package, tossing in some incentives of its own. Tyler Economic Development Council chief Tom Mullins (pictured) says the company’s been looking in Seattle, Kentucky, and Tyler. If it chooses Tyler, it will partner with Distant Lands Coffee on a popular single-serve product, operating in the old Carrier plant. Mullins remains confident the deal will go through; he says Tazza Pronto could start up operations in Tyler later this year, bringing in up to 200 jobs within three to five years.

KAUFMAN (AP) — A former justice of the peace has been charged with capital murder in the slayings of a North Texas district attorney and his assistant who prosecuted him for theft. Authorities announced Thursday that Eric Lyle Williams is charged in the shooting deaths of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia, last month, and assistant prosecutor Mark Hasse in January.

Williams has been in jail since he was arrested Saturday and charged with making a terroristic threat. Authorities say the 46-year-old emailed an anonymous threat to law officers one day after the McLellands were found dead. Williams’ wife was arrested Wednesday and charged with capital murder in the killings. An arrest affidavit alleges she confessed to taking part in the killings and told her investigators her husband was the gunman.

PITTSBURG — Authorities have arrested Omar Robles, 19, of Pittsburg, charging him with criminally negligent homicide in a fatal Camp County accident that occurred Monday. The arrest comes after the investigation into the one vehicle crash that caused the death of Loida Trinidad, 17, also of Pittsburg. The crash injured four additional teenagers. KETK reports four other occupants were not injured. The accident happened on Farm Road 1520, about 150 feet west of County Road 2127, just before 10:00 Monday morning. Investigating troopers believe Robles was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his car, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and strike a bridge guardrail, ejecting a passenger. Pending the completion of the investigation, the case will be turned over to the Camp County District Attorney’s office.

AUSTIN (AP) — Texas lawmakers have confirmed the nomination of a new district attorney to replace her slain predecessor in Kaufman County. Hours after local authorities announced an arrest and confession in the case on Wednesday, the state Senate approved 31-0 the appointment of former county court-at-law judge Erleigh Norville Wiley.

The 49-year-old former Dallas prosecutor replaced former DA Mike McLelland, who was slain with his wife Cynthia over Easter weekend. Their killings followed the death of an assistant district attorney who was shot as he walked to the courthouse.

Senator Robert Deuell of nearby Greenville noted that McLelland had stood in the legislative chamber for a resolution honoring his courage shortly before he was killed. He praised Wiley for volunteering to take the job “even with the inherent risk.”

AUSTIN — Governor Rick Perry has appointed William Lucas of Center to the Finance Commission of Texas for a term to expire February 1, 2018. The commission ensures banks, savings institutions, consumer credit grantors and other state-regulated financial entities operate responsibly to enhance the financial well-being of Texans.

Lucas is president and chief operating officer of Shelby Savings Bank. He is a member of the Texas Bankers Association (TBA) and TBA Community Bankers Council, and chairman of the Texas Bankers Foundation. He is also board secretary of the Boone Hill Foundation and the Solomon Zane Allen Foundation, and a member of the Center Rotary Club.

Lucas received a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, and is a graduate of the Southern Methodist University Southwestern Graduate School of Banking.

This appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

TYLER – The Northeast Texas Public Health District will set up immunization clinics at Tyler ISD middle school campuses on the dates and times listed below:

Thursday, April 18
Hogg Middle School
930 South Broadway

Thursday, May 2
Dogan Middle School
2621 North Border

Tuesday, May 7
Moore MST Magnet School
1200 South Tipton

Tuesday, May 14
Hubbard Middle School
1300 Hubbard Drive

Thursday, May 16
Stewart Middle School
2800 West Shaw

Immunizations will be offered between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at each campus.

Immunization requirements for pre-school and sixth grade students change as they move into kindergarten or seventh grade. For high school seniors, state law requires that first time college students receive a vaccination for bacterial meningitis. This vaccination needs to have been administered within the past five years and at least 10 days before the first day of college classes.

Students who are uninsured or have CHIP, Medicaid or private insurance that does not cover immunizations are eligible to attend these clinics. If not covered by CHIP or Medicaid, the cost is $8.00 per vaccine. A parent or guardian must accompany the student at the clinic and should bring a copy of the student’s immunization record.

In addition to the clinics listed above, the Northeast Texas Public Health District is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and each Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for immunizations. No appointment is required.

LONGVIEW — On the heels of a report about local street gangs, some Longview residents Tuesday called on police to be more open about the city’s street gangs, including the what, when, and where of their illegal operations. “We cannot fight what we don’t know about,” said Madolyn Scott, a member of Neighborhood Crime Watch. “We have to know what is happening in this town.” According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Scott said she knew gangs operated in Longview but had no idea there were so many or that some members are older.

In a story published Sunday in the News-Journal, Longview police Detective Lanie Smith said there are about 30 criminal street gangs active in the city and membership includes people ages 14 to 59. Smith said local gang members are responsible for a variety of crimes including theft, assault, and murder. “We may be moving among some of these people, and we don’t know it,” Scott said. Lamar Jones, who lives in Longview and is pastor at Galilee Baptist Church in Hallsville, said he, too, believes the community is entitled to more information about gangs and their activities.

In contrast, the Rev. J.D. Palmer of Mount Olive Baptist Church said he trusts the Longview police and stands by the department’s decision not to release detailed information about area criminal gangs. “They (LPD) should be as open as they can, but so much of police work is based on ongoing investigations and exposing certain information may hinder those investigations,” he said. “We shouldn’t expect them to expose everything they know.”

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office says a suspect in a Kilgore knife attack has been arrested by the Waller County Sheriff’s Office. He’s named as Eric Blake Eakin, 27. In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 14th, an aggravated assault occurred at the Fantasy Ranch, 6412 Highway 31 West in Kilgore. Authorities say a patron at the club received serious injuries from a knife attack, allegedly inflicted by Eakin, after a brief argument. Eakin has outstanding felony warrants for aggravated assault and evading arrest or detention. Authorities say he’d been considered armed and extremely dangerous.

MT. PLEASANT — A Mt. Pleasant woman is in critical condition following a hit and run accident. It was believed that Martha Riley, 49, was walking home from work when the accident occurred. She was found around 12:30 Tuesday morning in the 400 block of South O’Tyson Avenue. A news release from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department says the vehicle that hit her could have damage to the front passenger side. Riley is said to have suffered a head injury and a broken leg. She was first taken to Titus County Regional Medical Center and then transferred to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. She is listed in critical condition.

NACOGDOCHES — A third student has come forward against former Nacogdoches substitute teacher. Jamar Ballard, 29. The student claims she has sexual intercourse with Ballard in a local motel. Now, with the latest complaint, Ballard has been charged with one count of sexual assault of a child and three counts of improper relationship between an educator and student.

Ballard first was arrested last week and charged with improper relationship between an educator and a student after a student told an NHS staff member that Ballard had acted inappropriately toward her. Later, a second student came forward and also said that Ballard acted inappropriately toward her.

“We are saddened and outraged at the thought of an adult having improper relations with students,” said NISD Superintendent Fred Hayes. “We will see this investigation through to the end.” NISD Police Chief Doug Ploch said that any student or teacher with further information can contact the NISD Police Department. Ballard was terminated as an NISD employee, arrested in Lufkin, and booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail on Thursday.

BROWNSBORO — School officials say approximately 115 HVAC units in the Brownsboro ISD were vandalized and copper tubing stolen from those units. The vandalism is believed to have occurred over the past few weeks on at least three campuses. A suspect has been arrested by the Brownsboro ISD Police Department and charged with criminal mischief and vandalism. The investigation is ongoing at this time, and the damage is estimated at more than $100,000. The schools affected are Brownsboro Elementary School, Brownsboro Intermediate School, and Chandler Intermediate School. Anyone with information related to this crime is urged to call the Brownsboro ISD Police Hotline at 903-852-8068. Callers will remain anonymous.

School Superintendent Christopher Moran commented that he was pleased with responsiveness of the Brownsboro ISD Police Department and stressed that no classes were disrupted as a result of the air conditioner units being damaged.

LONGVIEW — As outside temperatures rise, the dangers for children being seriously injured or even dying from being left alone inside a hot car also rise. That’s why the Longview Police Department has joined with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in an effort to reduce these deaths by reminding parents and caregivers about the dangers of heatstroke in young children.

“More than half of all vehicle-related heatstroke deaths in children are caused by a child accidentally being left in the car, and more than 30 percent are from a child getting into a hot car on their own,” said Officer James Bray. “In an effort to prevent these needless tragedies, we want to urge all parents and caregivers to do three things:

1) NEVER leave a child in a vehicle unattended;
2) Make it a habit to look in the backseat EVERY time you exit the car;
3) ALWAYS lock the car and put the keys out of reach. And, if you ever see a child left alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 right away.

There’s more at http://www.longviewpolice.com/ in the Press Release section.

TYLER – A 44-year-old Terrell man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations. James Clinton Squires pleaded guilty in Tyler yesterday to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine Tuesday. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

According to federal prosecutors, on August 2, 2012, Squires distributed approximately 8 grams of methamphetamine to Jason Ray Ragan in Terrell. Squires knew Ragan intended to return to Gregg County with the methamphetamine for redistribution in the Eastern District of Texas. Squires also admitted to possessing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine at his residence on August 3, 2012. In addition to supplying drugs to Ragan, Squires also traveled to Tyler, Lindale, and Pritchett to distribute methamphetamine. A federal indictment was returned on September 12, 2012, charging Squires and Ragan with federal drug crimes.

Ragan pleaded guilty back in February and is awaiting sentencing. Squires faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — A small plane made an emergency landing Tuesday morning at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. Emergency responders were notified around 11:30 yesterday morning. The Tyler Fire Department responded with two aircraft rescue firefighting units, along with multiple engines from fire stations in the City.

Tyler fire officials say the pilot was the only occupant aboard the four-passenger Beechcraft Bonanza, which was carrying approximately 250 gallons of fuel at the time. Upon takeoff from Tyler Pounds Regional, the pilot recognized a potential issue with the plane. He was able to notify personnel at the air traffic control tower, who visually verified that the aircraft had an issue with the nose gear. Air traffic control quickly notified airport personnel, along with emergency responders stationed at the airport. Per protocol, additional units with the Tyler Fire Department responded to the scene.

Firefighters and airport personnel were on the scene prior to the emergency landing. The pilot was able to successfully land the aircraft without the nose gear. No injuries were reported. For safety purposes, Runway 22 was shut down throughout the incident.

TYLER — State Senator Kevin Eltife of Tyler announced his endorsement of the Tyler ISD bond that would build a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center and three middle schools, and remodel two elementary schools, with no tax rate increase. That’s according to KETK. Along with his endorsement, Eltife officially joined Tyler Proud, an organization Eltife says is dedicated to bringing people together to improve Tyler ISD. “I am excited to be a member of Tyler Proud and appreciate the work the organization is doing to promote public education and help with passage of the May TISD bond proposal,” Eltife stated.

“We are thrilled to have Senator Eltife on our team,” Tyler Proud President Mark Randall said. “He is a dedicated public servant who works tirelessly for what is best for our community. We appreciate all that he does on our behalf in Austin, and we are especially proud that he stays involved on important local issues like this school bond.”

The bond issue will be decided in the election on May 11. Opponents are spearheaded by the “No More Excuses, Tyler ISD” group. That organization says Tyler ISD needs to focus on discipline and academics, not new facilities.

LONGVIEW — One person is in custody in connection with a weekend shooting death in Longview. Shot several times just before 5:00 Sunday afternoon was Huey Gray, 63. He was shot in the 800 block of Walnut Street. He later died at Good Shepherd Medical Center. Arrested in the case early Monday morning was Cedric Bernard Carldwell, 43, of Longview. He was arrested at a home a few block from the shooting. Carldwell was booked into the Gregg County Jail and his bond was set at $175,000.

KAUFMAN (AP) — Authorities investigating the murders of a Texas prosecutor and his wife believe a former county official sent a threatening email to law enforcement officers one day after the killings. The Kaufman County sheriff released a probable cause affidavit Monday that shows authorities traced the threat to the personal computer of former Justice of the Peace Eric Lyle Williams. The prosecutor’s office handled a theft case against Williams that resulted in him losing his job.

Authorities say the email implied that if authorities didn’t respond to various demands, there’d be another attack.Williams is being held on $3 million bond on a charge of making a terroristic threat.A law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity says at least 20 weapons found in Williams’ storage locker are being tested.

PALESTINE — A two vehicle accident in Palestine has left one person dead. Dead at the scene was Tranessa Nicole Reed, 21, of Waco. According to a police department news release, her car left the road, traveled about 200 feet along the grass, returned to the road and crossed over the center stripe and collided with the trailer of the truck. The truck’s driver was not injured. The accident happened around 6:30 Sunday morning in the 4600 block of West Oak Street. The accident remains under investigation.

PALESTINE — A man who was the subject of a manhunt in Palestine has been arrested. Taken into custody was Jorge Mendoza, 30. He was found hiding in a clothes dryer in a home in the 700 block of Lamar Street. Police converged on the area late Monday afternoon. He surrendered to authorities just over five hours later.

Around 8:30 Saturday night, Palestine Police responded to a disturbance call in the 200 block of Crest Drive. Officers said they received a tip that a wanted man, Mendoza, was at the location and may be involved in the incident. Arriving officers noticed Mendoza jump from a vehicle in the driveway and run through the backyard into a wooded area.

Police searched the area and were not able to locate him. Authorities from Palestine Police Department, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, DPS Troopers and Officers from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice helped in the search for Mendoza. TDCJ officers used tracking dogs to assist in the search for Mendoza and a helicopter was also used in the search. Police believed that Mendoza may have been armed.

Mendoza was previously involved in another incident with police just over a month ago in Cherokee County. Mendoza is also wanted on several felony charges.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches County authorities have arrested three persons for what could be up to four burglaries. Arrestd Sunday evening were Jarrod Henson, 17, Roderick Pollock, 18, and Loretha Thompson, 20. They have been charged with two counts of burglary of a habitation and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Henson was also charged with hindering proceedings by disorderly conduct after disrupting court proceedings for his arrest.

The trio is accused of burglaries at two homes on Farm Road 225 and County Road 717. Authorities are trying to determine if they are responsible for two more burglaries that occurred Sunday night. The three were arrested at a Nacogdoches apartment complex. Stolen propery from two of the burglaries has been recovered.

BOSTON — There are over 27,000 runners who participated in this year’s Boston Marathon, and a number of them are East Texans. That includes Tyler attorney Wes Volberding. He told KTBB’s Bill Coates that he had finished the race and was just blocks away when he both heard and felt the explosions that rocked the location this afternoon. Volberding says, “My immediate reaction was concern and recognition that it may be an attack.” Volberding says he immediately began moving out of the area, along with 80-year-old Tylerite Harold Wilson, leaving the situation up to responders. He said others around him reacted in a similar fashion. Wilson had also completed the race, and had actually won in his age group, when the blasts went off.

Dr. John Camp of Tyler’s Azalea Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinic had also finished and was on his way back to a Boston hotel when the explosion happened. Camp told Coates he’s always felt secure at the marathon, but the explosions were “one of those things that unfortunately happens in this day and age.”

TYLER — Tyler police say an autopsy was being performed to determine the cause of death of the victim in a structure fire at 2415 Rivera. According to police, the preliminary findings show that the woman appeared to have died from smoke inhalation. Police say the investigation remains open, and there was no more information as of late Monday afternoon. The townhouse fire happened around 7:45 Friday evening at Villa Ridge, off Old Troup Highway. Investigators believe the fire originated in the bedroom, but are not certain of the cause. The victim’s name has not been released.

BEAUMONT – A 31-year-old Nacogdoches man has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations. Lincoln Jerome Watts pleaded guilty on November 19, 2012, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison Monday in Beaumont by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.

According to information presented in court, on November 13, 2011, law enforcement authorities responding to a report of a disturbance involving a weapon encountered Watts in the 100 block of Zula Street in Nacogdoches. Watts consented to a search and was arrested after an officer discovered a loaded pistol in Watts’ front pants pocket.

Further investigation revealed Watts was a convicted felon having been found guilty of aggravated robbery in Nacogdoches County; possession of a firearm while under indictment in the Eastern District of Texas; possession of a stolen firearm in the Eastern District of Texas; and burglary of a federal firearms licensee in the Eastern District of Texas, all in 2001. Federal law prohibits a convicted felon from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Watts was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 3, 2012.

TYLER — Authorities report a person was spotted on top of a communications tower in Smith County, but finally came down more than two hours later. Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies and personnel responded to a call shortly after 11:45 Monday morning at a residence in the 11000 block of County Road 1121. They were told that a person who also lived at the location had climbed to the top of a communications tower on the property and that they were concerned about their well-being because of their emotional state.

Sheriff’s Office personnel talked with the person on the tower and were told that the individual worked in an industry that required climbing towers. Around 1:00pm, the person climbed down from the tower and was taken to a Tyler facility for a mental evaluation. No names are being released.

KAUFMAN (AP) – A law enforcement official says Texas authorities investigating the killings of a district attorney and his wife are building a case against a former justice of the peace prosecuted last year for theft. The official said Monday investigators are focused on 46-year-old Eric Lyle Williams, who’s jailed on a charge of making a terroristic threat. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation into the deaths of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife. The official says at least 20 weapons found in Williams’ storage locker are being tested by ballistics experts. The official also says a car similar to one seen in the McLellands’ neighborhood on the day they died also was found at the locker. Williams’ attorney didn’t immediately return a call.

GREGG COUNTY — One person is killed and one seriously injured in Gregg County. Shortly after 12:30 Friday afternoon, on Farm Road 2087, a car driven by Charlotte Coleman, 29, of Kilgore, was traveling southbound. KETK reports the car was hit head-on in the center of the road by Susan Thompson, 40, also of Kilgore, who was driving north. Coleman was taken to a Longview hospital, where she later died. Thompson is listed as in serious condition, having both legs and arms broken. According to officials, Coleman was not wearing a seatbelt during the accident. Authorities are still investigating.

LONGVIEW — A fire in Longview displaced nine and resulted in two being taken to a local hospital. KETK reports that shortly after 10:45 Sunday evening, fire crews responded to building #13 of the Belaire Manor Apartments on reports of an apartment fire. Officials discovered a large fire coming from the windows of the upstairs apartment #84. According to neighbors, the occupant of the unit exited from the upstairs window which caused injury and resulted in the person being taken to a local hospital. A second person was taken to the hospital for a medical condition that could have been caused or worsened as a result of the fire. Officials say the fire was brought under control very quickly saving the adjoining units of the building. Water damage was kept to a minimum due to the salvage operations of the fire crews. Two other units received some smoke damage.

The cause of the fire has been narrowed down to the area of the window air conditioning unit which was on in the living room. The Red Cross responded to the scene and assisted the 9 residents who were displaced as a result of the fire and the electricity being disconnected.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County firefighters answered the call for help on a couple of house fires, including one that destroyed the residence. KETK reports that happened along County Road 485. There was no immediate word on what sparked the blaze. Firefighters believe some sort of electrical problem caused an earlier fire along Lariat Circle. There was no immediate report on extent of damage. No one was home at either residence. Both fires were Saturday afternoon.

LONGVIEW — Longview police say 30 gangs operate in and around the city and are responsible for a wide variety of crimes, including murder. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report a recent statewide assessment found a variety of gangs are funneling illegal drugs through East Texas on their way to destinations in the north. The Department of Public Safety estimates there are more than 100,000 gang members in the state representing 2,500 gangs.