KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A driver for Tyler fire station number ten has been named as the city’s firefighter of the year. The award to Reese Hunt was one of numerous awards handed out last night at the 22nd annual Tyler fireman’s award banquet. Described as a good firefighter from his first day on the job, Hunt was praised for his integrity, motivation, enthusiasm and drive. A new award was presented last night. The first Firefighter Association Award went to Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass.

TYLER — A Smith County home has been extensively damaged by fire. It was reported around 2:15 Saturday afternoon in the 6600 block of County Road 384, in northeastern Smith County. The fire is said to have started in the kitchen and quickly spread. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it may have been caused by an electrical problem. No one was at home when the fire started and no injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been charged with a string of armed robberies. Taken into custody was Corey Gaylon Champion, 19. Police say he stole or tried to steal money from workers at a Sonic Drive Inn on Gilmer Road, Chanel Stop and Go in the 500 block of Mobberly Avenue, and a shoe store in the 700 block of Estes Parkway. Champion is being held on bonds totaling $225.00. A companion with champion on one of the robberies remains at large.

TYLER — Texas College held its Fifth Annual Legacy Scholarship Fundraiser Friday night at Harvey Convention Center. There was a touch of Hollywood as the college honored “individuals and organizations who have given unselfishly of themselves for a better Texas College and a better city of Tyler.” This year’s honorees were Congressman Ralph Hall; B.J. Hornbostel, East Texas Regional Manager of United Heritage Credit Union; multifaceted businessman/volunteer H. Lanier Richey (posthumously) and his widow, Marilyn; the Rose City Civitan Club; and longtime educator/volunteer Dr. Bobby J. Stinson. The event also recognized 16 scholarship recipients who are students at Texas College.

For the third straight year, actor Danny Glover was on hand to offer his support for the college, as was actor, director, producer, and humanitarian Marc Gomes. Gomes keynoted last fall’s Texas College Convocation and served as honorary chair of Friday night’s event.

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — January’s unemployment in Tyler has fallen from January a year ago. The Texas Workforce Commission reports Tyler’s jobless figure in January was 7.2%. A year ago it was 7.8%. Longview’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.2%. For Texas, January’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 6.3%. But that’s almost a full point lower than in January of last year. Officials say the jobless rate ranged from 3.4% in Midland to 11.6% in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area.

TYLER — Authorities issued a warrant for a Dallas man’s arrest Thursday after they say he skipped out on a life sentence. During a court break, Nicky Charune Agnew, 37, of Dallas, left the Smith County courthouse and never returned, according to Civil Coordinator Terry Cockrum. The 7th District Court called for a lunch recess at around 10:45am and resumed at 1:00. Judge Kerry L. Russell sentenced Agnew to life behind bars following a returned guilty verdict by the jury. KETK reports the convict had been in court for a possession of a controlled substance charge.

According to state law, if the defendant does not return during trial, the court is allowed to proceed. Agnew was not held by bailiffs because he had bonded out on $150,000. Cockrum stated Agnew had at least eight criminal prior convictions with the majority in Dallas County. Agnew remains at large. If you have information on his whereabouts, you’re asked contact your local authorities or the Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

TYLER — Officials with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office are looking for Rodrick Cridell Reece, 29, in conjunction with a Thursday afternoon shooting on County Road 1113 near Highway 155. A warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a warrant for unlawful possession of firearm by felon (3rd degree felony) have been issued for Reece, who also has multiple outstanding drug, alcohol, and traffic violations.

Reece is accused of shooting an individual during an altercation at the aforementioned location. An individual who was wounded is still being treated at a Tyler hospital. Anyone who knows the location of or has any information regarding Rodrick Cridell Reece is asked to call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600 or call any other law enforcement agency. Authorities say updates will be released as they become available.

Officials won’t confirm the victim’s identity, but KETK identifies him as Ricky Taylor. The station says Reece is Taylor’s cousin. The men, who were said to have been drinking, got into an argument. Reece is said to have left, and returned with a gun and shot Taylor in the stomach.

KENNARD — A woman accused of kidnapping two Houston County children has been arrested in Fort Worth. The children are safe. Bonnie Miller, the children’s grandmother, was arrested around 3:00 Friday afternoon in a home near where her car had been found. She is accused of taking Nevaen Kimora Simpson, 2, and Malik Simpson, 1.

According to a news release from the Houston County Sheriff’s Department, the children’s mother died in late December. Their father, who had custody of the kids, took them to the grandmother’s house to visit for Christmas. When he returned to pick them up, the grandmother refused to return them to their father. A court order was issued listing the father as the sole managing conservator. During the time when the court proceedings initiated and were being finalized, the grandmother fled with both children. She has been named in two felony warrants for kidnapping.

KILGORE — Multiple agencies worked together in the arrest of multiple East Texans during a drug ring bust Thursday. According to KETK and the Kilgore Police Department, authorities arrested Paul Bryan Jones, 44, and Carrie Hammer, 32, each of Kilgore. The two were caught at their home on FM 1252 in Kilgore. In addition to their arrest, agents seized methamphetamine, packaging material and drug paraphernalia from the home.

Hammer and Jones were charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Shelly Wiles, of Longview, Rickey Velin, of Mt. Pleasant, and Paul Knight, of Kilgore, were also arrested on drug charges.

MARSHALL — East Texas law enforcement officers are investigating a murder after they responded to a 911 call early Friday morning. According to the Marshall Police Department, at 1:27 a.m., dispatchers received a call about a man inside a house with blood on him, who would not come to the home’s door. When emergency crews arrived at the scene, they found a man with a single gunshot wound to his head. He was later identified as David James Cherry, 28. KETK reports Justice of the Peace Kenneth Alford pronounced him dead at the scene.

The Marshall Police Department is asking the public for any information on this homicide to please contact the Marshall Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 903-935-4540. Any after hour calls may be directed to MPD Dispatch at 903-935-4575 or Crimestoppers at 903-935-9969.

MARSHALL — Harrison County authorities are asking for the public’s help in finding a wanted suspect. KETK reports Dennis James Perry, 58, is sought over a warrant issued for criminal trespass. Perry is described as a white male, standing five foot eight inches, weighing 125 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. Any information may be given anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969 or the Harrison County Investigators at 903-923-4000.

TROUP — Residents of Troup woke up to discolored water coming from their faucets Friday morning. KETK reports that according to City Administrator Gene Cottle, the coloration is not a reflection on the water’s safety. Historically, anytime the city uses well #1, which is a backup well, discoloration issues arise, due to the ground water being affected by the aquifer that is its source. Cottle says the water is safe and is tested according to the state mandates and meets all requirements that make it safe to drink. Since the issue came about, well #2, which was under renovations, is back in action, and normal operations have resumed. According to state law, the water from well #2 could not be used until it had been tested and approved by regulators.

LONGVIEW — Over the last several weeks, the City of Longview Environmental Health Department has received several calls regarding bats found primarily in the downtown area. Although none of the reported bats have tested positive for rabies, the Environmental Health staff encourages residents to be cautious when encountering the animals. “Thankfully, we have been able to trap and test several bats, and none of those had rabies. That said, citizens should always refrain from touching wild animals, especially those that appear sick or injured. In our area, bats, skunks, and raccoons are the most common carriers of the rabies virus, but we encourage caution when encountering any wild animal,” said Environmental Health Supervisor Buck Farrar.

If someone encounters a bat or other wild animal, that person should contact the Environmental Health Department at 903-237-1285. If the event occurs at night or during a weekend, contact the Longview Police Department non-emergency number at 903-237-1199.

Helpful Information about Bats:
* Bats flying overhead do not pose a risk for transmitting rabies. Rabies is transmitted when an infected bat bites or scratches a person’s skin.
* Never handle a bat.
* If a person is scratched or bitten by a bat, the Environmental Health Department advises that the exposed person begin treatment to prevent rabies as soon as possible.
* Residents are encouraged to periodically check attics and other quiet structures around the home. If bat roosts are discovered, pest control companies may assist with removal.
* Vaccinate your pets to protect them against rabies.
* Call the City of Longview Environmental Health Department if you encounter a bat or other wild animal around your home or place of business.

TYLER – Tyler ISD announces the 2013 Campus Teachers of the Year. According to a news release, “The Teacher of the Year program acknowledges the phenomenal dedication and success of our teachers and recognizes them for their contributions to the children of Tyler.” Each campus teacher of the year will be recognized at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet on Tuesday, May 14, at Harvey Convention Center. This year’s theme is “A Legacy of Caring.” During the banquet a District Elementary Teacher of the Year and a District Secondary Teacher of the Year will be named for the 2012-2013 school year.

The 2013 District Teachers of the Year will be eligible to be selected as the regional honoree. Regional honorees are eligible for two titles, Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year and Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. Texas Teacher of the Year is the highest honor that the State of Texas can bestow upon a teacher.

The 2012-2013 Campus Teachers of the Year:
Elementary Campuses:
Erica Ramirez – T. J. Austin Elementary School
Andrea Gipson – Bell Elementary Global Communications Academy
LaTeh Franklin – Birdwell Elementary School
Derrell Broughton – Bonner Elementary School
Brenda Corley – Boshears Center for Exceptional Programs
Kemle Barroso – Caldwell Elementary Arts Academy
Karri Ohlhausen – Clarkston Elementary School
Cecilia Gonzalez – Dixie Elementary School
Ashley Green – Douglas Elementary School
Kim Whaley – Griffin Elementary School
Jennifer Phillips – Dr. Bryan C. Jack Elementary School
Whitney Lamonte – Jones Elementary MST Academy
Embria Williams – A. W. Orr Elementary School
Regina Lane – Owens Elementary School
Rebecca Lewis – W. A. Peete Elementary School
Ruth Elmakiss – Ramey Elementary School
Vikki Mosley – Rice Elementary School
Theresa Moore – St. Louis Early Childhood Center
Oralia Hood – TARGET
Erica Miller – Andy Woods Elementary School

Secondary Campuses:
Michelle Grayson – Boutler Middle School
Aubrey Ballard – Dogan Middle School
Alacia Reid – James S. Hogg Middle School
Sarah Holzbauer – Hubbard Middle School
Lynnette Hadley – John Tyler High School
Kathy Miles – Moore MST Middle School
Gary Stracener – Plyler Instructional Complex
Elgin Johnson – Robert E. Lee High School
Rikkita Devers-Watson – A.T. Stewart Middle School

GRAPEVINE (AP/STAFF) — The nephew of former President George W. Bush headlines a local North Texas Republican fundraiser, along with one of the state’s most strident conservative voices.

George Prescott Bush is seen as a potential future star and the latest member of the Republican Party’s most prominent families to enter GOP politics. His father is former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and his uncle and grandfather are former presidents.

The 36-year-old Bush is to speak Saturday at the Denton County Republican Party’s Lincoln-Reagan dinner. The master of ceremonies is U.S. Representative Louie Gohmert of Tyler, an East Texas Republican and tea party firebrand.

Bush has crisscrossed the state and is raising money for a run at statewide office next year. Saturday’s event allows him to meet tea party voters critical in Republican primaries.

EAST TEXAS — Tyler is just one of several East Texas cities where sales tax revenue is up. According to KETK, that may be due to legalized alcohol sales. Tom Mullins (pictured) of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and Tyler Economic Development Council says it’s “pretty clear to us” that beer and wine sales are one of the biggest reasons for Tyler’s 8% sales tax spike over last March. Meanwhile, Tyler City Manager Mark McDaniel is withholding comment; he says more info should be available in a few weeks on which sectors of industry subject to sales and use tax might be up. Noonday, located inside newly wet Smith County Justice Precinct 2, saw a sales tax revenue increase of over 45% from a year ago. Noonday Mayor Mike Turman says alcohol sales have helped his city more than he expected.

AUSTIN — Tyler State Senator Kevin Eltife is bucking his party and the state’s leadership. KETK reports that he filed a bill proposing a constitutional amendment to temporarily raise the state sales tax. Eltife wants the state to pay off billions of dollars in bond debt accrued by TxDOT. The half-cent tax would free up $1 billion a year now used for debt service. TxDOT could use that money to expand and maintain the state’s transportation system. TxDOT has said it needs $4 billion in additional money every year to maintain the state’s current level of congestion as the population continues to grow.

MARSHALL — Two persons are in custody, charged in the death of Bobby Joe Inzer of Hallsville in 2009. He had been shot to death. Harrison County authorities have arrested Thomas Dean Richardson, Jr. (pictured) and Harley Blake Vaughn. The two 20 year olds were originally detained in the case, but released after claiming self defense. But new evidence has led prosecutors to charge them with murder. Vaughn is being held on a $75,000 bond and Richardson’s bond is $50,000. The two were teenagers at the time of the murder. A hearing scheduled next month will determine if the two will be tried as adults.

TYLER — A Van Zandt County man man has pleaded guilty to possessing a short barrel shotgun. Michael Jack Callaway, 36, of Wills Point, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. Magistrate Judith Guthrie’s court. He is facing up to ten years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine. A sentencing hearing date has not been set.

A federal grand jury indicted Callaway for the offense last November. He admitted that on August 22, 2012, members of the Van Zandt County Drug Task Force found a short barrel shotgun among numerous rifles, pistols, and shotguns, as well as hundreds of rounds of ammunition, during the execution of a search warrant at his residence. Callaway must forfeit the seized weapons and ammunition to the United States Attorney’s Office.

TYLER — A 39-year-old Fort Worth, Texas man has been sentenced In Tyler federal court to 51 months in prison for drug trafficking violations. Ray Lee Ransom pleaded guilty on April 20, 2012 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hydrocodone, alprazolam and promethazine with codeine. Ransom was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider.

Federal prosecutors say from May, 2009 through 2011, Ransom conspired with others to purchase and distribute drugs. Ransom and his co-conspirators purchased these controlled substances at numerous pharmacies in cities located throughout the Eastern District of Texas and in other locations, utilizing fraudulent prescriptions. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on November 2, 2011, charging 5 individuals, including Ransom, with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute the drugs. All of the co-defendants have been sentenced.

TYLER — A 34 year old Fairfield man has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Victor Vasquez pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. Magistrate Judith Guthrie’s court. He is facing up to ten years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

Vasquez admitted that on April 4, 2012 he was stopped by a police officer in Rusk for speeding. During the course of the stop, the officer determined that Vasquez had been drinking alcoholic beverages and Vasquez was arrested for DWI. Following the arrest, the officer inventoried Vasquez’s vehicle and found a 7.62×39 mm, semi-automatic rifle and ammunition for the rifle. The next day, a Rusk detective determined that Vasquez had a prior felony conviction in Kansas for Attempted Aggravated Burglary. A search warrant for Vasquez’s vehicle led to the discovery of a short-barrel, 12 gauge shotgun and a dozen 12 gauge shotgun shells under the back seat. Vasquez must forfeit the seized weapons and ammunition.

TYLER — For some 700 Tyler residents, power was out for a while yesterday. KETK reported the outage was near Loop 323 and West Gentry Pkwy. A blown transformer is believed to be the reason behind the outage.

LONGVIEW — Spring Break for most area schools and colleges is next week. The Longview Police Department would like to warn motorists that police will be increasing traffic patrols during the Spring Break week in an effort to increase traffic safety during this high traffic period.

Additional enforcement will be accomplished using off-duty officers funded by the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant awarded to the Longview PD by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT). The grant runs from October 1, 2012 – September 30, 2013. The grant allows the use of off-duty police officers to perform additional traffic enforcement. Officers working STEP will be looking for drunk drivers as well as those drivers committing speed and seatbelt violations. On-duty Traffic Officers will be focusing on these and any other moving violations they observe.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches Police arrest 7 people this evening after a drug bust. The Nacogdoches County Sheriff office released a search warrant in the 2700 block of Old Tyler Road. According to KETK, Sheriff Jason Bridges stated that he had received several complaints from citizens in the area of ongoing drug activity. The investigation took place at three locations that were believed to be distributing crack cocaine. Deputies conducted several undercover purchases of crack cocaine from that area. A search turned up crack cocaine, digital scales, currency and drug paraphernalia. The suspects were booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail.

TYLER — Tyler’s sales tax revenues deposited for the month of March have grown 8.08% as compared to March 2012. The Texas Comptroller reports this has resulted in a cumulative year-do-date increase of 3.33%. The reported revenue of $2,776,953 comprises $1,851,302 general sales tax revenue and $925,651 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from January 2012 collections as there is a two-month lag before taxes are reported and remitted back to the City from the State.

“We are pleased to see an increase in our sales tax revenue after experiencing very slow growth the last few months,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel (pictured). “At this point we do not have enough detailed information to determine which sectors of industry subject to sales and use tax might be up, since the comptroller only reports recent information in the aggregate. More detailed information will be available in approximately three to four weeks.”

TYLER — Two Tyler motorcycle officers have arrested a suspect in the burglary of the Army Navy Store in the 1200 block of the South Southeast Loop. The officers were riding by the store around 8:45 Wednesday night when they heard a burglar alarm. They found a large hole that had been cut into the back of the building.

As they were waiting for additional officers, they saw a man wearing black clothing exit the woods north of the building and cross the loop. As they detained the suspect he is said to have told them he had broken into the building. They found in possession of a pair of gloves and a flashlight stolen from the business as well as a small axe that had been used to cut through the wall.

The suspect was identified as Richard Kelly Moore, 20. He was transported to East Texas Medical Center for treatment of an unrelated cut on his leg and then booked into the Smith County Jail for Burglary of a building.

UNDATED — The FBI and police in three states are continuing to seek a serial armed bank robber dubbed the “Loan Ranger Bandit.” The suspect is deemed responsible for ten robberies in Tyler and elsewhere in the state, along with Arkansas and Mississippi, from January 2009 till October 2012. The suspect allegedly robbed two Tyler institutions: Altra Federal Credit Union, 5523 Troup Highway, on August 31, 2011; and BBVA Compass 6910 South Broadway Ave., on May 17, 2012. During the robberies, the armed man, who does not attempt to disguise his face, displayed a note demanding 20s, 50s and 100s and received an undisclosed amount of money. To date, no one has been physically harmed, according to KETK.

The robber is described as a white male in his early 30s, approximately 5’7” to 6’0” tall, approximately 200 pounds, with a medium build. He has short light brown hair, wears glasses, and has a small mole or mark just above his right eye on the lower part of his forehead. His varied clothing styles have included athletic wear, jeans, and business attire. He was dubbed the “Loan Ranger Bandit” for the blue Texas Rangers baseball cap he has worn while robbing banking institutions where loans are offered. The suspect may drive a maroon Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck with a thin white pinstripe around the truck bed.

The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information concerning this case, you’re asked to submit a tip online at: http://tips.fbi.gov or call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

TYLER — A man has been pulled from a vehicle and taken to a local hospital after crashing into a Tyler bank, according to authorities. The extent of his injuries is unknown at this time. The SUV crashed into the Citizens First Bank on the 2000 block of ESE Loop 323. The call came in just after 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Tyler Fire officials tell KETK the wreck happened in the drive thru area of the bank.

ARP — Smith County Sheriff’s authorities say the alleged shooter’s name in an Arp-area incident is Richard Lee Hunt. He was booked into the Smith County Jail Wednesday morning. According to authorities, Hunt was treated and released from a local hospital. The other man is still in the hospital in critical condition. Hunt allegedly shot him in the neck and chest, then reportedly shot himself accidentally in the leg. The incident happened shortly after 6:15 Tuesday night off State Highway 135. The investigation into the incident continues.

KILGORE — A Kilgore pastor arrested Monday and charged with sexually assaulting a child was reportedly recorded by his victim warning the boy to “cover for each other” in weeks leading to the arrest. According to KETK, the criminal complaint described acts that police said Glenn Douglas Barton, 62, pastor of Calvary Way Church, committed against a child starting in 2009. On February 21, the victim told workers at the Rusk County Children’s Advocacy Center that the assaults started with the pastor fondling the boy and placing his hands in the child’s pants, according to the complaint. After that, the victim stated Barton forced him to perform sex acts on regular occasions. Barton was charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child, a felony offense, and was held Tuesday on $50,000 bond. Kilgore police spokesman Capt. Roman Roberson said there is no indication more than one child was involved in the assault. According to the church’s website, Barton is the senior pastor and has been with the church since 1999.