KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Hastings store in Tyler was burglarized Thursday morning. According to KETK, officers were called to the business a little after 1:00. Security video shows a boy leaving the store with 5 stolen DVDs. Later, officers received a welfare check call and responded on the 3900 block of Old Bullard Road. The boy at the home matched the description of the Hastings burglar. His name was not released because he is a minor.

JACKSONVILLE — Late Monday night, around 40 mailboxes were destroyed on County Road 3108 by Lake Jacksonville. Cherokee County Precinct 3 Constable Eddie Lee tells KETK, he believes the vandals used their pickup truck. “Some of the mailboxes like the wooden mailboxes, they’re just driving right over…if they’re metal mailboxes, it looks like they’re backing up to them and just bending them over,” Lee said. The constable says many of the folks that live along the road are elderly…and they get medicine delivered to their mailbox. Resident, George Douglas, says it’s happened to him 4 times in the last year. Douglas says he and some of his neighbors have set up a $500 reward through the Constable’s office.

TYLER — A 16-year-old Chapel Hill teen was sentenced to 20 years in prison Thursday after pleading guilty to the 2010 shooting death of his sister. Mark Nathaniel “Nate” Anderson was arrested October 2010 in connection with the shooting death of 19-year-old Amanda Anderson. Amanda Anderson was found dead in her bedroom Sept. 15 around 7:20 p.m. in the 10,000 block of CR 2273 in Smith County.

Smith County Prosecutor Matt Bingham said he was certain they had the right person all along, but it wasn’t until last month that Nate Anderson admitted to a psychologist hired by the defense that he had killed his sister.

“This case is unusual because the Andersons are the parents of both the victim and the defendant. My prayers are with the Andersons because they have essentially lost both their children. I can only imagine how difficult this has been for them,” Bingham said.

Following the shooting, Nate Anderson reportedly told officers he went for a short jog in the woods, and when he returned he found his sister dead. He told officers in a recorded conversation, and several times in interviews that he did not enter his sister’s room or touch her, however Nate Anderson’s shirt, pants and shoes showed blood spatter patterns that could only exist if he were in the room at the time of the shooting, arrest affidavits showed. Bingham said the Anderson’s were in agreement with the resolution of the case.

The plea agreement included Nate Anderson waiving his right to appeal and the defense requested that his psychological evaluation be sealed, officials said.

CANTON – A missing Van Zandt County girl and her dog have been found. The search for Zoey Smith, 3, began around 12:45 yesterday afternoon after she wandered away from her home. Authorities concentrated their search south of Canton around County Road 4207. Early last night a man and his son on a four wheeler found her near a creek several miles from where she had last been seen.

TYLER – A Panola County man has pleaded guilty to drug violations in an appearance in Tyler federal court. Keith Earl Kates, 42, of Deberry, pleaded guilty to possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine in an appearance Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. Kates faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

According to federal prosecutors, last May, Kates purchased cold pills at Walgreens and Wal-Mart stores in Marshall, Texas, all in furtherance of his methamphetamine manufacturing activities. Kates was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 11, 2011.

TYLER – As pretty as the Tyler Rose Garden is, it will even be prettier this spring. Workers recently planted 8,000 bulbs throughout the garden.

“We wanted to add something special that would appeal to spring visitors and to our local residents who come out to enjoy the garden,” said Parks Director Stephanie Rollings. “As these bulbs bloom, it should be spectacular.”

From Dec. 16 through Jan. 6, the garden staff planted bulbs in various areas throughout the garden complex totaling about 10,000 square foot. Plantings include:
*3,700 Tulips (blooms in early March to early April)
*2,650 Narcissus (Daffodils or Jonquils) (blooms in early to late February)
*600 Crocus (blooms in early through mid-February)
*500 Hyacinths (blooms in early to late March)
*300 Dutch Iris (blooms in late March to early April)
*100 Allium (blooms in early to mid-April)
*5 Crinum (blooms in late April)
*385 Spider lilies (blooms in late September)

“About half of the bulbs were planted in existing beds within the garden,” explained Rollings. “The other half was planted in turf areas to add to the naturalaesthetic of the garden”.

Areas of the garden that were planted include the Camellia/Shade Garden, the Meditation Garden area (near the Koi pond and gazebo), the Rose Garden Center entrance and several slope areas in the main Rose Garden.

More than 1,000 tulips and 400 daffodil/narcissus were donated from Abbott-Ipco, courtesy of Dr. Pemberton from the Texas Agriculture Extension Agency in Overton.

The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden, located at 420 Rose Park Drive, is open every day of the year from sunrise until sunset. There is no charge for entrance into the garden.

AUSTIN — Governor Rick Perry has appointed three members to the Finance Commission of Texas for terms 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.

Among those appointed to the post was H. “Jay” Shands III of Lufkin. He is president and CEO of First Bank and Trust East Texas, and board chairman of First Bank of Conroe and Balcones Recycling. Sands is a member of the American Bankers Association, Independent Community Bankers of America, and Independent Bankers Association of Texas, and a member and past board member of the Texas Bankers Association. He is also a trustee of the TLL Temple and Fairchild foundations, and a board member and past chairman of the Angelina County Economic Development Partnership, City of Lufkin 4B Economic Development Board and Angelina College Board of Directors. He is also past chairman of the Memorial Health Center of East Texas Board of Directors. Shands received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and is a graduate of the Southern Methodist University Southwestern Graduate School of Banking. He is being reappointed.

The governor also named to the board Victor Leal of Amarillo and reappointed to the panel Darby Byrd Sr. of Orange.

TYLER — State Representative Leo Berman, of Tyler has been released from the hospital after receiving his first chemotherapy treatment.

Berman’s office released the following statement, “I am proud of our medical team. We have some of the finest care givers and medical facilities in the world right here in Tyler, Texas. I hope my situation will encourage others to persevere when they face similar circumstances. My wife, Lou Ann, and I want to give all the glory to God for the healing thus far. We are truly grateful for the expressions of love and concern from friends in our community and across this great state. I will be resting over the next few days at home while overseeing my state duties.”

The Texas house member says he will still be seeking re-election. Berman says his doctors tell him he has Lymphoma, a form of cancer that is treatable. Berman said, “The treatment may slow down my campaigning for a brief time, but I plan to be back on the trail very soon.”

LONGVIEW — Longview Mayor Jay Dean announces his intention to run for re-election. The announcement event was held late Friday morning at downtown’s Heritage Plaza. The official filing period for candidates for mayor and two City Council positions begins Monday and runs through March 5. Dean would be running for a third and, because of term limits, final three-year term.

District 1 (west) Councilman John Sims has indicated he intends to seek a third term. Neither Dean nor Sims faced opponents in their 2009 re-election bids.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches authorities raided an apartment, resulting in the seizure of drugs, weapons and multiple arrests. The Nacogdoches County Constable Office Precinct 4 and the Nacogdoches Police Department executed a search warrant Thursday morning at an apartment located on Old Tyler Road. The search of the apartment lead to the arrest of four suspects after officers found marijuana, cocaine and weapons inside the residence. Over three pounds of marijuana, one gram of cocaine, two pistols, and one sawed off shotgun along with $1,790.00 dollars in currency was seized from the residence. Drug paraphernalia and items used to package and sell narcotics were also found inside the residence.

Courtney Bell, 25, Corey Roberts, 26, Jerry Bell, 24, and Sharvonte Cannon, 19, all from Nacogdoches, were arrested at the scene and transported to the Nacogdoches County Jail. All subjects were charged with possession of Marijuana State Jail felony and Possession of a controlled substance 3rd felony. Cannon was only charged with possession of marijuana.

WOOD COUNTY — A man is in custody after he allegedly shot his brother. Wood County Sheriff’s Department responded to a shooting at Holly Lake Ranch at 651 Holly Trail East #201-Q Just after 9:00 Wednesday night. Deputies found the victim, Tommy Winkle, 55, at a neighbor’s residence with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest. Officials said he was alert and was taken to Trinity Mother Frances Hospital with life threatening injuries. Arvis Winkle, 56, was arrested and booked into the Wood County Detention Facility on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, family violence. According to KETK, a protective order was also issued against him in case he is released on bond. His bond was set at $50,000.

KILGORE -— A 7-year-old girl was hospitalized Tuesday night after a house fire that displaced a Kilgore family. Firefighters were dispatched to the 400 block of Gulf-Hercules Road about 11:00 Tuesday night in connection with a residential house fire. According to the Longview News-Journal, Kilgore fire investigators said they were able to control the fire by 11:30 but the home was heavily damaged. Homeowner Leatha McBroom said her granddaughter was transported to Parkland Hospital in Dallas following the fire for burns to her feet.

McBroom said she is unsure how the fire started. The family has been put in contact with the American Red Cross, who is putting them up in a hotel room for the next several days. Fire investigators said the cause of the fire remained under investigation Wednesday.

LUFKIN — A 22-year-old Lufkin man has been arrested on accusations of having sex with a 16-year-old girl. Royce Westbrook Jr. claims the sex was consensual, but the girl told police a different story about the January 21 incident. She said that on the night in question, she had been drinking at a party and fell asleep around 5:00 that morning. She said she woke up to Westbrook having sex with her and then got up off the couch and left the apartment. During police questioning, Westbrook said the girl was a willing participant but that he did not know she was only 16. He is charged with second-degree felony sexual assault of a child, carrying up to a 20-year prison sentence. Westbrook remained in the Angelina County Jail Wednesday afternoon on a $20,000 bond.

WHITEHOUSE — The Smith County Precinct 3 Constable’s office is no longer investigating the fire chief and the police chief, they’re sending it to the Texas Rangers. Constable Dustin Rust tells KETK, even though they were asked by a citizen to investigate, he says the case is just getting too big and there is too much potential for a conflict of interest. Rust tells KETK, they were investigating 2 officials in Whitehouse for “financial irregularities and other undisclosed charges.”

According to a release from the constable’s office, it was a Whitehouse volunteer firefighter that suspected financial discrepancies at the department. The firefighter then requested the Constable’s office investigate. And while looking into general fuel records from the city, the office said they also began to investigate Chief Waller for allegedly putting fuel into his personal vehicle from city pumps while he was allegedly being reimbursed by the city.

TYLER — A spokesperson for Carrier says the bargaining process with the sheet metal workers union has come to an end. The workers have agreed to accept severance packages. The details of the packages were not immediately available. Carrier representatives say the closure will directly affect about 500 employees. No word on how many might be transferred to other Carrier plants. The Tyler plant will continue operation through 2013.

Carrier has a scholarship program to help employees pay for tuition and book fees, which will still be available to employees of the Tyler facility for up to 4 years. When we last spoke to Carrier, a spokesperson said that the Tyler plant operations might shift to Monterrey, Mexico. Thursday morning, however, Carrier said the move to Mexico is not definite.

TYLER -— Tyler Police have arrested a suspected car thief after a wreck Wednesday morning. Jerry Barnett III, 28, of Lindale, is accused of stealing the vehicle in Lindale. Officers said he wrecked it in Tyler. The one-vehicle accident happened at the intersection of Sneed and Lake Streets around 7:00 yesterday morning. Officers said Barnett hit a utility pole, knocking down power lines across the road. He then fled on foot. Authorities said Barnett was arrested at the Dollar General on Fifth Street in Tyler, where he was reportedly caught shoplifting. He was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $20,500.

OVERTON — An Overton ninth-grade math teacher was placed on paid administrative leave Wednesday after a freshman accused the teacher of throwing a mechanical pencil at him. Overton Police Department Capt. Clayton Taylor said a 15-year-old and his parents filed assault charges against the teacher Wednesday. Taylor said the student, who has Tourette syndrome, told police the teacher threw the pencil at him Monday afternoon. Clayton said the pencil left a cut on the victim’s lip. Overton ISD Superintendent Alan Umholtz said the ninthgrade teacher, whose name will not be released, was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Umholtz said this is the teacher’s first year with the district.

On Dec. 8, a Kilgore ISD special education teacher was placed on paid administrative leave after school officials said she slapped a 4-year-old autistic child. This past week, the teacher’s attorney said the educator remained on paid administrative leave.

The child’s mother filed assault charges against the teacher, but Kilgore police officials said their investigation was on hold because they were waiting on medical records from the boy’s mother.

The Kilgore educator’s teaching certificate is currently flagged while Texas Education Agency investigators review the case, according to TEA officials.

LONGVIEW – A suspect has been arrested in connection with the robbery of a Longview drug store on January 13. The suspect, Jason Corey Benson 26, of Garland turned himself in on Monday.

Benson is said to be the man who took an undisclosed amount of medication after handing the pharmacist a note stating that he wanted specific narcotic medication. After the suspect got the medication he left. Benson has been charged with the robbery of the Walgreen’s Pharmacy and with delivery of a controlled substance.

TEXARKANA (AP) — A 17-year-old northeast Texas girl has been charged as an adult with three capital murder counts in the deaths of a Texarkana mother and her two children. Rachel Nicole Pittman was booked Tuesday into the Bi-State Justice Building jail in Texarkana, Texas. Bond is set at $3 million. She’s accused in the May 11 deaths of Amanda Doss, 34, and her two children, Guinevere Doss, 11, and Texas Johnson, 8. Bodies of the three were pulled from the charred ruins of their home in Redwater, a rural community 13 miles southwest of Texarkana. If convicted, Pittman could be sentenced to death or life imprisonment without parole. A gag order prevents investigators and attorneys are commenting on the case.

TYLER — Smith County has received notice from the Texas Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Management that residents are eligible to apply for low-interest emergency disaster loans due to drought and related disasters including high winds, high temperatures and wildfires since January 1, 2011. The Administrator of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) will immediately make emergency loans available to eligible applicants in Smith County. To receive details on terms and eligibility for these loans, you can contact the nearest FSA office.

In addition, the Small Business Administration (SBA), in an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides Economic Injury Disaster Loans to eligible small businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers in counties that have received a disaster declaration. Applicants may go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela to apply online via the SBA’s secure website. Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from the SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling the SBA toll-free at 800-659-2955 or contacting [email protected] via email. You can also go to http://www.sba.gov for info and application forms. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800-877-8339. The deadline to apply for these loans is September 4, 2012.

TYLER — Wednesday marked the ninth anniversary of the deadly Shuttle Columbia disaster over East Texas. Tylerite Scott Lieberman is well-known for his photo of the incident. He tells KETK, “It did look a little unusual. There seemed to be some trailing…dots of light. Then we realized that, in fact, we were seeing the…disintegration of the vehicle.” With the shuttle missions now over, NASA is preparing for whatever comes next. Regardless, it’s worth noting that as of this month, NASA’s no longer accepting applications to become an astronaut.

TYLER — Miranda Lambert is discontinuing “Cause for the Paws” in East Texas. To date, the concert has raised more than half a million dollars for the Humane Society of East Texas. The Shelter’s Director, Gayle Helms, tells KETK it’s disappointing. However, she says, they will come up with something just as much fun to raise money. A spokesperson for Lambert says the fundraiser “outgrew” East Texas. Lambert was born and raised in Lindale.

Here is the statement from Bev Lambert:

“After much consideration and coordination effort, we have come to the realization that we will no longer be able to host Miranda’s annual Cause for the Paws concert in East Texas. Due to the enormous turnout with Miranda’s growing popularity, we regrettably do not have a venue in East Texas that is suitable for the attendance numbers. We are currently in talks regarding the relocation of the event, which will most likely take place in the latter part of 2012. Rest assured we will continue to lend support to the Humane Society of East Texas as well as our other animal related outreaches.

“MuttNation Foundation extends a much-deserved thank you to all of the concert attendees, sponsors and volunteers that helped us reach the unexpected goal of outgrowing our venues, as well as raising over a half a million dollars over the past four years. We promise to keep you informed of further information.”

TYLER – A 21-year-old Houston man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Saul Cobarrubias pleaded guilty on Jan. 31 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to money launder. The plea came in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

According to prosecutors, on Mar. 9, 2011, Cobarrubias traveled from Houston to Tyler with 2 kilograms of cocaine for distribution in the area. Cobarrubias admitted that he possessed between 15 and 50 kilograms of cocaine for distribution in East Texas. Cobarrubias also admitted to assisting in the collection of illegal proceeds from the sale and purchase of cocaine and using bank accounts to manage the funds from the drug trafficking and to conceal the nature of the illegal proceeds. Cobarrubias was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 13, 2011. Cobarrubias faces at least 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER – Officials with Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics held a formal open house Wednesday at Trinity Clinic-Broadway Commons, located at 8288 S. Broadway. The clinic incorporates an expanded medical home model and offers family medicine, internal medicine and pediatric care provided by eight physicians and two mid-level providers. Trinity Clinic-Broadway Commons is Trinity Clinic’s 36th location in the region.

“We are excited to be providing this level of care for family members of all ages who live in south Tyler and the surrounding area,” said Steven P. Keuer, MD, President-Trinity Clinic and Chief Medical Officer-TMFHC. “Part of our mission is to take healthcare to the patient whenever possible and the population in southern Smith County has grown significantly over the last several years. I believe that this level of care and a convenient location are a great combination and will be appreciated by those who select Trinity Clinic-Broadway Commons as their medical home.”

Trinity Clinic-Broadway Commons is accepting new patients. It’s open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon. You can go to http://www.tmfhc.org/broadway for more information.

LONGVIEW — The trial continues for a man charged in a deadly Longview shooting. According to KETK, Toronto Eldermek Lockridge faces life in prison for the death of Kelvin Muckleroy. Police found Muckleroy’s body inside the charred remains of his Longview home. Prosecutors believe Lockridge shot Muckleroy, then set his house on fire. Lockridge’s first trial ended in a hung jury. Brandon Quadnell Horne of Longview already has been convicted of murder in Muckleroy’s death.

TYLER — The trial for a former Bullard police officer has been rescheduled. KETK reports that Steven Wayne Mills is accused of having a year-long sexual relationship with a 15- year-old student at Bullard High School. Morris was indicted last March for sexual assault of a child. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. The trial date is now set for Monday February 13, at 10:00am.

TYLER — Leadership Tyler will celebrate its 25th anniversary as an organization at a community lunch presentation on Thursday, February 2, at 11:30 a.m. in the Green Acres Baptist Church Crosswalk Conference Center. The celebration will feature Carol Weisman, president of Board Builders and internationally known humorist, author, trainer and consultant. “This will be a wonderful event that will not only celebrate Leadership Tyler but will also entertain and enlighten,” said Colleen Colby, executive director of Leadership Tyler.

The lunch costs $50 a person. You can call 903-535-9242 or email [email protected] to reserve a seat. Everyone, regardless of past affiliation with Leadership Tyler, is invited to attend. Leadership Tyler is a non-profit organization providing unique opportunities for people to improve their professional skills, learn about Tyler area needs and develop as community leaders.

LONGVIEW — Police arrested a Longview man Tuesday after a victim claimed he was robbed at knifepoint in a convenience store parking lot last week. Brett Andrew Jones, 26, remained jailed Wednesday on $50,000 bond, charged with aggravated robbery. Officers were dispatched to EZ Mart in the 1800 block of South High Street Jan. 24 around 11:30 in connection with a robbery that had just occurred. The victim told officers that a man with a pocket knife robbed him.

According to the Longview News-Journal, the store clerk said the man came into the store prior to the robbery and attempted to use the restroom, but was denied. He then returned to the store with a knife. The store clerk said he fled and the suspect, who was later identified as Jones, attempted to break into the cash register and stole several packs of cigarettes.

KILGORE – A Kilgore home has been damaged by fire. It was reported around 11:00 Tuesday night in the 400 block of Gulf Hercules Road. According to KETK, when officials arrived on the scene, the home was 30% involved. Several units were able to get the fire under control in under 10 minutes. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

TYLER (AP) – Three teenagers have been charged with aggravated assault in the dart-gun shootings of two women in an East Texas department store parking lot. The shootings happened in a Walmart lot in Tyler about 8:50 p.m. Monday. A Tyler police statement Tuesday says the women were in different parts of the lot and were hit with darts fired from a car, one in the leg, one in the arm. Witnesses followed the suspect vehicle until officers stopped it in a Dairy Queen parking lot. Charged and booked into the Smith County Jail in Tyler were 18-year-old Matthew Allen Arnold, Troup and 17-year-old Kasey Dewayne McClendon, Overton, who were released on $60,000 bond, and 17-year-old Gregory Alan Smith, Arp, was released on $40,000 bond. Jail records did not list attorneys for the three.