KTBB News, Weather, Talk

RUSK — Officials say lawn equipment thefts are up in Cherokee County — and the problem seems to be getting worse. According to KETK, one issue is that some of the property is being taken outside the county, where authorities say it’s harder to track. One example: equipment reportedly taken for sale at Canton Trades Days. Another problem, according to authorities, is that most people don’t keep track of the serial number on their lawn equipment. Some, officials say, don’t even know the brand of their missing equipment. Authorities recommend that you take both of these precautions.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College today will conduct the first of two town hall meetings to discuss its upcoming $25 million bond election for the purpose of constructing a new nursing and health sciences building. Today’s meeting will be held at the TJC West Campus Skills Training Center, 1530 SSW Loop 323, Room 124. There’s also a meeting next Tuesday in the Family Learning Center at Douglas Elementary School, 1508 North Haynie. Both meetings are set for 6:00pm. College officials say the meetings will provide the public the opportunity to learn about the proposed project and ask questions.

The TJC Board of Trustees has called for the election within the TJC district for Saturday, May 12. Early voting begins April 30 and concludes May 8. The TJC tax district comprises properties within the Tyler, Chapel Hill, Lindale, Winona, Grand Saline and Van independent school districts. Portions of the Tyler and Chapel Hill districts are not within the TJC district. You can visit http://www.tjc.edu/bondproposal for more information.

TYLER — The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) is announcing a traffic switch. Officials say the Design/Build Contractor for Segment 3B of Toll 49, CH2M Hill, is putting the last touches on the State Highway 110 detour and is moving traffic onto the newly constructed detour. As traffic switches onto the detour, CH2M Hill is increasing activity in this area of the project during the week, therefore increasing congestion in the area. Drivers are asked to allow for potential delays in the area during this adjustment period.

TYLER — The Board of Directors of PATH (People Attempting to Help) met Wednesday in a called meeting and received the news that Executive Director Christina Fulsom has decided to leave PATH. Her resignation will be effective April 30, but according to a PATH news release, “she has graciously agreed to remain as a consultant through July 31 in order to help PATH through the transition period.”

Board President Stuart Baskin said, “Christina’s departure obviously leaves a big hole at PATH, but she is leaving the organization in excellent shape organizationally and financially. Her tenure has been marked by growth in the number, scope, and quality of its programs, as well as in its vision. She has been an effective voice for the poor in Tyler and Smith County, and I look forward to seeing what else she will do in the future to relieve the suffering of those who are caught in poverty.”

According to the news release, “Fulsom leaves PATH in a strong position financially and in terms of its programs to combat poverty. With total assets (including buildings and homes) of $4.8 million and programs to address everything from emergency food to low-cost rental housing, PATH is one of the key players in helping people in need in Smith County.”

LUFKIN (AP) – Two former East Texas dental workers have been accused of selling stolen gold including a piece attached to a bloody tooth. Heather Ricks Terry and Mary Dorsey are charged with theft. Investigators say the Huntington women last year allegedly sold about $5,000 worth of gold pieces taken from a dental office. An official with Palmer and Ross Dental Group in Lufkin said Wednesday that both women were fired in December. Dorsey and Terry were booked Tuesday. Each is free on $3,500 bond. KTRE-TV reports a buyer told police that some items were clean, but one batch had gold still in a bloody tooth. Terry in January was charged with fraud after some dental prescriptions allegedly were forged. Angelina County Jail records did not list attorneys for the women.

LINDALE — A man is dead near Lindale after he’s crushed by a vehicle. According to KETK, the man was changing the oil in his truck when it rolled and crushed him. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said the accident happened in the 13000 block of County Road 442. The victim has been identified as James York, Jr., 83. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say he died of blunt force trauma. York’s wife was working in the front yard when the accident happened.

KILGORE — Authorities say a routine traffic stop led deputies to an illegal stash of prescription pills. According to KETK, around 12:45 Wednesday morning, Rusk County deputies made a traffic stop on County Road 172 in Kilgore. The driver, Gerald Hosea Gibson, 35, of Kilgore, was pulled over for alleged failure to signal a turn. According to authorities, during the stop, officials discovered Gibson was driving with an invalid license and no insurance. Dispatchers also informed the deputy on scene that Gibson had an outstanding warrant. Gibson was arrested for the active warrant.

While searching Gibson’s vehicle, authorities say they found a prescription bottle with no label, containing 29 hydrocodone pills. Gibson’s vehicle was impounded to a local wrecking yard, and he was taken to the Rusk County Justice Center. He’s charged with possession of controlled substance, and his bond is set at $10,000.

QUITMAN — After a 16 month poaching investigation, four men have been arrested for allegedly killing more than 30 deer illegally in Wood and Rains Counties. According to KETK, Wood County game wardens found several deer dead in the area with only the backstrap removed. The suspects are charged with more than 500 offenses, 40 of which are state jail felonies.

RUSK COUNTY — Two women have been arrested in Rusk County for theft. According to KETK, sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Farm Road 782 in reference to a theft in progress. While deputies were in route to the scene, a witness contacted the land owner advising him two suspects were loading his scrap metal into a truck. The suspects had an old refrigerator along with other scrap metal in the bed of their truck which belonged to the land owner. The land owner was able to arrive on scene before the suspects were able to flee.

Once on scene Deputy Medford arrested suspects Aimee Rachele Burdeshaw, 27, and Danielle Marie Burdeshaw, 25, both of Tatum, on charges of theft. While processing the scene Deputy Medford also discovered marijuana. Both suspects were charged with theft.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches man was jailed early Tuesday morning after falsely reporting an armed robbery to get a ride. According to KETK, Larry Joe Smith Jr., 32, reportedly went to his neighbor’s home on CR 555 in Nacogdoches County about midnight Monday, telling the neighbor that he needed a ride because someone had entered his home and was attempting to rob him at gunpoint.

The neighbor called 911, and when deputies arrived Smith confessed he was not being robbed. He told deputies he was out of gas and just wanted a ride. Smith was arrested and charged with false report of an emergency.

TYLER — Smith County Constable Dustin Rust is free on bond and says he will fight the charges that have been filed against him. The Precinct 3 Constable turned himself in Tuesday following his grand jury indictment. His bond was set at $22,500. Rust was released a short time later. The special grand jury indictment stems from charges that Rust and his deputies had been running an unlicensed private security business.

Last month, Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham confirmed that he had asked Longview attorney Lance Larison to take over the investigation of the case. Bingham says he wanted to avoid any hint of favoritism in the case.

The case revolves around private security patrols that were provided by the Precinct 3 office for the Woods subdivision. Peace officers are allowed to do private security work, within certain limits. Rust says it ties to County Commissioner Cary Nix and his investigation into wrongdoing in Whitehouse. Rust claims the whole situation is politically motivated. Bingham says three of the deputies have cooperated with the probe and admitted their guilt. Rust is seeking reelection, and his father, Donn Rust, is running for sheriff.

HENDERSON — Beer and wine became available February 1 in Henderson, and the move is translating into a big uptick in sales tax receipts. According to KETK, the Texas Comptroller’s Office says February sales tax revenues were up over 25 per cent from February of last year. Weldon Gray was treasurer for the action committee that proposed alcohol sales. He says it’s not just alcohol that’s responsible for the revenue surge. He says alcohol customers buy more fuel and groceries in the city, and “it’s just a big boost to the local economy.” But some continue to oppose the move. One man says he’s noticed an increase in beer bottles and cans on the side of the road.

DALLAS (AP) – The federal government is offering low-interest disaster loans to residents and business owners in 13 East and North Texas counties damaged by April 3 tornadoes and other storms. Small business Administration Administrator Karen Mills announced the disaster designation Tuesday. An SBA statement says the move came in response to an April 13 request from Gov. Rick Perry.

The disaster declaration makes the assistance available in Van Zandt, Henderson, Kaufman, Hunt, Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Parker, Rockwall, and Wise counties. The filing deadline for property damage is June 18, while the deadline to return economic injury applications is Jan. 17. Information is available from http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or 800-659-2955. You can also contact [email protected] via e-mail. The deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800-877-8339.

HENDERSON — Three people have been taken into custody in a Rusk County aggravated robbery that occurred at a church parking lot on County Road 263. Victor Paul Jones, 35, and wife Courtney Gail Jones, 34, both of Henderson, and Richard Raymond Jones, 34, of Hallsville, surrendered to authorities Monday. According to KETK, bond for each suspect has been set at $15,000.

On March 24 around 12:30pm, Deputy Ben Reynolds was dispatched to a local hospital where the victim was being treated for injuries sustained due to the assault. Deputy Reynolds was advised by the victim that earlier that morning, suspect Courtney Jones drove to his place of employment and picked him up. He stated sometime later, Jones pulled over at the. The victim said he noticed another vehicle parked at the church as they drove up.

When Jones’s vehicle stopped, the passenger door opened and he was forcefully removed from the vehicle by suspects whom he named as Victor and Richard Jones. That’s when the victim stated the assault began, and both suspects were reportedly hitting him with their hands and feet. During the assault the victim was struck several times with what he described as a baseball bat. He stated that due to his injuries, he was knocked to the ground and unable to get up. As the assault ended, the suspects allegedly took his cell phone and left him on the ground. Once the three left, the victim said he was able to retrieve help from a nearby residence. The victim sustained multiple fractures, lacerations, and bruising due to the assault.

MARSHALL – A student has been found dead in his dorm room at Marshall’s Texas State Technical College. According to a news release from the school, the student was found unresponsive in his bedroom on campus around 9:00 Tuesday morning. Emergency personnel were called to the scene and performed CPR, but the student died.

The name of the student is being withheld until his family has been notified. The cause of death has not yet been determined; however there is no evidence of foul play. The Texas State Technical College Police Department, in conjunction with the Marshall Police Department are conducting the investigation.

Counseling sessions will be available to all students for the duration of the week.

TYLER — In preparation for the National Day of Prayer on May 3, Mayor Barbara Bass calls for local church pastors and their staffs, local ministry leaders, elected officials, school board members, and other government agency leaders to a day of prayer and fasting for the Tyler community. The event is scheduled from noon to 1:00 today at the Tyler Rose Garden Center. According to a news release, “During the noon hour local pastors and prayer warriors will offer up specific prayers concerning the Tyler community and the nation. Please join the Mayor for one hour of prayer.”

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Lufkin man is behind bars following the alleged molestation of a 10-year old girl on several different occasions. According to KETK, on Friday, Lufkin police arrested Juan Homero Hernandez, 38, at his home in the 900 block of Moore Avenue. Hernandez is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child. His bond is set at $250,000.

The victim first disclosed the assault to her school principal, who told her mother. The child’s mother then filed a report with the Lufkin Police Department, according to an arrest affidavit. The girl claims she was touched several times by Hernandez, starting more than a year ago and ending years ago.

LONGVIEW — Three people have been arrested after a police chase in Longview. Just before 1:45 yesterday morning, Lieutenant Ben Kemper observed suspicious activity near the 500 block of Baylor Drive. When the suspects realized the police were watching them look into vehicles, they attempted to flee the area in a white 1999 Pontiac Grand Am. Police pursued the vehicle over a large portion of the city before deploying spike strips in the 1400 block of Parkview Street, where authorities were able to arrest the suspects.

Adrian Cerda (pictured), 17, and Edwin Enrique Alarcon-Najera, 19, both of Longview were charged with two counts of burglary of a vehicle. Najera was also charged with evading arrest in a vehicle. A juvenile was also taken into custody.

TYLER – A fire was reported at The Texas Roadhouse Restaurant in Tyler around 11:00 Monday night. It was said to have started in the ventilation system of the restaurant. No injuries were reported.

KILGORE — A Kilgore man was arrested Monday in connection with a report that alleges a gun was brought onto the Kilgore College campus on April 4. According to KETK, the Kilgore College Police Department took into custody 18-year old Johaun Deriare Dupree yesterday morning. He is charged with possession of a firearm on school campus, a third degree felony. Dupree is not a student at Kilgore College.

On April 4 at around 9:20 p.m., Kilgore College officials received a call regarding a person who was allegedly carrying a handgun near the male dormitories on the west side of campus. “We take these calls very seriously,” said Martin Pessink, KCPD Chief of Police. “KCPD called for assistance from Kilgore PD who responded to the area with both patrol officers and a K-9 unit to search.” Residential halls were put on lock down while a search was conducted, including a DPS helicopter. After an extended search of the area, no one was found.

Officials say KCPD conducted an in-depth search of the video surveillance system in the days following and captured an image of a person that met the description of the alleged gunman. After questioning witnesses and gathering information, officials say enough evidence was collected to obtain a warrant for the arrest of Dupree.

LONGVIEW — A second suspect has been arrested in last year’s theft of Christmas gifts intended for charity. On April 13, officers arrested Sarah Marie Corson-Adams of Gilmer. The thefts occurred sometime between November 30 and December 7 from a storage facility on Jahan Trail. The presents, totaling nearly $20,000 in value, belonged to the Gregg County Child Welfare Board and were intended for area foster children. Adams was indicted by a Gregg County Grand Jury on a theft charge. Adams, along with Rachel Bradley, was arrested at #19 Covington Trail in Longview during an unrelated incident. Bradley, 39, was arrested April 3 and indicted by a grand jury on theft charges. She was released from the Gregg County Jail after posting a $25,000 bond.

RUSK — Authorities in Cherokee County are investigating a robbery/stabbing and seeking the public’s help. According to the sheriff’s department, on Friday at approximately 7:40 p.m., the victim was traveling north on State Hwy. 110 when he encountered a truck sitting in the north lane of traffic, approximately a mile and a half north of State Hwy. 204. Authorities say the victim stopped his vehicle behind the truck and got out to see if he could be of assistance.

According to law enforcement, a Hispanic male exited the driver side of the truck, and a Hispanic female exited the passenger side of truck. The male reportedly approached the victim and asked if he could use his cell phone. The victim reportedly told the male that he would have to get his phone from his truck and turned to return to his vehicle.

Authorities say the male suspect said something in Spanish causing the victim to turn around towards him. The male suspect then reportedly approached the victim and stabbed him three times in the right side of his stomach. Authorities say one of the suspects removed the victim’s wallet from his pants pocket and removed the money from his wallet. The suspects reportedly left in their vehicle traveling north on State Hwy. 110 toward New Summerfield.

According to the victim, the male suspect was 5-5 to 5-7, 170 to 180 lbs., of medium build, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans, with short hair, a short goatee with trimmed style sideburns and beard that connect, and a diamond style earring in his right ear. The female suspect is described as 5-5 to 5-7, with long black hair. The suspect vehicle is said to be a Ford truck, year model 1973-1979 body style, baby blue in color, single cab, with a possible exhaust leak (based on the sound of the truck). The vehicle is said to be similar to the one pictured at left.

The victim is not being identified at this time; however, on the night of the stabbing he was airlifted from the scene by CareFlight and taken to Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, where he underwent surgery. He was released late Sunday and returned home.

LONGVIEW — Longview police officials have identified the man allegedly responsible for a fatal shooting over the weekend. That’s according to KETK. On Saturday at around 9:15 p.m., authorities were called to a shooting in the 800 block of Dalston Avenue. When they arrived, officers found 38-year old Francisco Roque, of Longview, lying in a yard with a gunshot wound. Roque and another man, identified as 26-year old Jose Amaro Olivarez of Longview, had been drinking, according to witnesses. According to police, the two began arguing, and Olivarez pulled a gun and shot Roque multiple times. The gunman then reportedly fled the scene. Roque was taken to a local hospital where he died from his wounds.

Police are asking for help in locating Olivarez. He is described as having short, dark colored hair and a long beard tied into braids. He was last seen driving a 1998 Ford Winstar van. The van was later located abandoned in Harrison County. If anyone has any information regarding this homicide, you’re asked to contact Detective Gregg McCasland at 903-237-1199. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact the Gregg County Crimestoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.org or 903-237-7867.

TYLER — A Robert E Lee Student has been killed in a Tyler accident. Allen Hall, 15, was critically injured when his bicycle was struck by a pickup truck. He was transported to East Texas Medical Center by EMS with severe head injury, where he died a short time later.

The accident happened shortly before 8:45 Monday morning on the loop in front of Green Acres Bowl. Investigators say Hall was traveling westbound on the shoulder of the eastbound lanes on the loop when hit by a truck driven by Michael Rose, 63, of Tyler. Rose was exiting out of the private drive of the bowling alley parking lot when the accident occurred. Police say Rose was unaware that he had struck the teenager until he had dragged him down the road approximately 100 feet and stopped in the roadway.

In a statement issued to media, TISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid said, “We are deeply saddened by the unexpected loss of Allen Hall, one of our Robert E. Lee High School students. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. We know this will be a difficult time for many of our students. Our school counselors will be available to help them cope with the loss of their classmate.”

TYLER — A new imaging procedure at ETMC will help doctors pinpoint key differences between Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Amyvid, from Eli Lilly, is newly approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. ETMC officials say it is the first and only diagnostic agent approved for imaging of amyloid plaques in a patient’s brain. Amyloid plaques are considered a hallmark characteristic of Alzheimer’s. “This is an important step forward in evaluating patients with signs of cognitive impairment,” said Dr. George M. Plotkin, PhD, MD, of the ETMC Neurological Institute. “Patients with cognitive symptoms should discuss this test with their primary care physician to determine if they are candidates.”

PET, or positron emission tomography, scans allow doctors to see how organs are functioning inside the body by delivering color contrast images. Amyvid, which is mildly radioactive, binds to amyloid plaques in the brain. Physicians can get a contrasting view of the presence of plaques on a computer screen. Since the test is new, it is still under evaluation by Medicare, so hospital officials say patients will want to discuss potential out-of-pocket costs vs. benefits. “For those patients who are proper candidates, when the test is interpreted by a neuroradiologist and coupled with an appropriate clinical history, the test can provide important diagnostic details,” Dr. Plotkin said.

CANTON — In the wake of two reported thefts of historical markers from locations in Van Zandt County, Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest of the person or persons who stole those markers. The two markers, both located along County Road 1117, were stolen in early April. One of the markers denoted a Cherokee boundary line and the other recognized Father Jose Calahorra.

“This is a pathetic and irritating crime,” said Andy Flowers, president of Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers. “The value of these markers, even if you tried to sell them for scrap metal, is minimal, but because of some idiots, we’ve lost a bit of our historical awareness.” Flowers urged anyone with knowledge of the thefts to call Crime Stoppers at 903-567-STOP (7867) to anonymously report information, and if that information leads to an arrest, the caller can claim the reward of up to $1,000.

He also urged people to call the Crime Stoppers tip line if they know anything about other nuisance crimes, such as road or stop sign thefts, mailbox vandalism, or people driving through muddy areas and causing damage. “These types of crimes seem to peak in the spring and early summer, so we urge people to be watchful, and if they see something or know something, call Crime Stoppers, report it, and pick up their reward after the arrest,” Flowers said.

EDGEWOOD — Officials continue to investigate after three tombstones were found in Van Zandt County last week. Last Thursday, the sheriff’s office along with the Edgewood Police Department recovered the stones near the Oak Hill Cemetery in Edgewood. One of the tombstones is marked with the name J. Kenneth Davidson, the second is marked with the names Frank and Merle Riney, and the third is marked Howard and Alta Sparks.

It is unknown how the tombstones got to this location and where they might belong. The Oak Hill Cemetery has no record of the people’s names buried in their cemetery. The Van Zandt County Clerk’s Office is currently researching the names of the people with the hopes of determining where the tombstones belong. If anyone has any information, you’re asked to contact the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office at 903-567-4133.

MARTINS MILL — The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office responded to an alarm at the Martins Mill Store around 3:00 April 3 and discovered the back door had been broken into and the ATM machine was pried open. The suspect is believed to be a black male who fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect also cut the telephone lines to the service box near the business leaving over 100 people in the area without phone service. Video surveillance shows a vehicle passed the store while the suspect was outside the rear of the building and may have seen the suspects’ vehicle. If anyone has any information that would assist in apprehending this suspect please contact the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office at 903-567-4133 or Crime Stoppers at 903-567-STOP.

GULFPORT, Miss. (AP) – A June 4 trial is scheduled in Mississippi for a mother and daughter suspected in the robberies of four banks in three states. Evie Mearlene Herrin, 57, and her daughter, Amelia Darci Crew, 30, were indicted in Mississippi on April 3 on charges stemming a March 26 holdup of Regions Bank in Gulfport, Miss. The women are suspected in similar holdups Feb. 13 at Iberia Bank in Kinder, La., Feb. 29 at Citizens National Bank in Henderson, Texas, and March 15 at MidSouth Bank in Sulphur, Louisiana. They pleaded not guilty last week. An attorney listed in the case didn’t immediately respond to a message Monday. Herrin is retired postal worker from Texas. She had been sharing an apartment with her daughter in Cleveland, Texas.

TYLER — Police in Tyler are investigating the deadly weekend shooting of a young boy. Shortly before 12:30 Sunday afternoon, officers responded to 3204 Fairlawn on the report of an accidental shooting. Prior to the arrival of officers, the victim was transported by private vehicle to East Texas Medical Center. Jaylen Johnson, 4, was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Investigators say the boy’s mother, Andrea Johnson, is employed at the Smith County Sheriff Jail. They say the youngster got into his mother’s car and found the gun, and accidently shot himself in the head.