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GREGG COUNTY — Child Protective Services say they are starting an investigation into the hit-and-run death of a Gregg County 4-year-old. Deputies were called to the the boy’s residence at about 6:45 p.m. on Nov. 19 after family members reported Cesar Cruz missing. His body was found in a ditch on Texas 149 near Younger Road a few hours later.

Child Protective Services spokeswoman Shari Pulliam said their agency is called to investigate all child deaths. “CPS is currently looking into the supervision of the child at the time of the incident, and making sure that the remaining children are properly supervised,” Pulliam said. She said no children have been removed from the home and noted that CPS was providing grief counseling resources to the family.

This past week, DPS officials said investigators identified 56-year-old Margarito Salinas Aguilar as the driver of a 1999 silver Dodge Durango that they believe hit Cesar, who was walking along Texas 149. Trooper Carl Davis said Aguilar, who is a legal U.S. resident, has been formally issued citations for driving with a suspended license, an expired license and not having his vehicle insured. Aguilar has had a suspended driver’s license since 2004 or 2005 because of unpaid tickets, Davis said. “The tickets have been paid, and the issue now is that he couldn’t get insurance,” he said.

The Gregg County District Attorney’s Office is also investigating the case.

TYLER — Smith County crews were called out to County Road 378 on a report of a vehicle stuck in the trees. It happened just before 9:00 Wednesday night. Troopers say the driver of the White Ford Crown Victoria was reportedly heading down CR 378 when they lost control of the vehicle and plowed into the trees. When troopers got to the scene, the driver was nowhere to be found. Officials said it happens all the time at this particular intersection.

GILMER — An Ore City woman was indicted on two counts of murder Wednesday in the August shooting death of her husband. Sharon Maxwell was charged with murder in late August after her husband, Gordon Maxwell, 46, of Ore City was found dead in a car on Texas 155 in August. His body was found after authorities responded to a vehicle fire at a home on Texas 155, just north of the Ore City limits. Investigators found a body in the vehicle after the fire was extinguished. Officials described the condition of the body as “suspicious in nature.” According to an autopsy issued by the Southwest Forensic Center in Dallas, Gordon Maxwell died from multiple gunshot wounds. According to the Upshur County judicial website, Maxwell was being held on $500,000 bond Wednesday, charged with murder.

TYLER — The Tyler Salvation Army gears up for its annual Thanksgiving feast. Salvation Army officials say, “So many of us think of Thanksgiving as a time for celebrating with family, but, sadly, for many it is a time of stress and frustration at realizing they cannot afford a special meal for their family. Additionally, Thanksgiving is a lonely time for many people, so we are glad we can provide a joyful and loving place for those who are alone to enjoy a great meal.”

At 9:00 Wednesday morning, 50 volunteers gathered to prepare for the Thanksgiving feast. They began wrapping over 800 gifts, cut vegetables, peeled potatoes and got everything ready for the guests. The feast begins Thursday at The Salvation Army Center of Hope located at 633 N. Broadway. Meals will be served from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Almost 200 volunteers have signed up for shifts from 9:00-11:00 and 11:00-1:00 to help make the meal a success. Salvation Army officials add, “We are so grateful to the wonderful Tyler community who make it possible for us to provide a wonderful Thanksgiving meal for so many who would otherwise remain hungry and alone on this Thanksgiving holiday.”

TYLER — Tyler’s Salvation Army kicked off its 2011 kettle season Wednesday at FRESH by Brookshire’s. The Grace Community School Jazz Band provided entertainment for the event, and several local dignitaries, such as State Representative Leo Berman and State Senator Kevin Eltife, were on hand. Also, the 2011 Salvation Army Kettle Bug was unveiled. This VW Bug has been donated by Crown Motor Company for the Salvation Army’s use during the Christmas season and has been wrapped by Leon’s Signs Inc. Salvation Army officials say, “This will serve as a ‘moving kettle,’ so keep your eyes open throughout the season.”

Kettles and Bell Ringers will be ringing from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 31 locations around Smith County November 25 through December 24. Salvation Army officials add, “We are excited about starting off our Kettle season and want everyone to know that each kettle represents an opportunity for people to give to the needy in their own community.” Spokeswoman Amber Foster says the need continues to be great, especially with the economy still struggling. She adds that several kettles are equipped to swipe credit cards.

LONGVIEW — Longview police follow up on a pre-dawn shooting. On November 23 at 1:12 a.m. officers were dispatched to a shooting just occurred in the 100 block of Richardson Street. When officers arrived they were told by the car’s owner that he had fired a weapon in the direction of a car burglar. The burglar, a 37-year old Longview resident, ran from the scene. Officers later located the alleged burglar at a house in the 100 block of Culver Street. He was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The case remains under investigation, and criminal charges could be filed at a later date.

TYLER — Officials say an elderly man hit his car’s accelerator by accident Wednesday and ran into the wall of the Tyler Cancer Center as he pulled up to the building for his appointment. According to KETK, minor damage was done to the building, and no injuries were reported. The Cancer Center, part of the Trinity Mother Frances family, is in the North Park Medical Plaza.

LONGVIEW — Our news partner KETK has learned that CPS is investigating the death of 4-year-old Cesar Cruz. CPS officials say they investigate all child deaths. In this case, CPS is looking into the supervision of Cesar at the time of the incident and making sure the remaining children in the home are being properly supervised. CPS says it’s also providing the family with resources for grief counseling.

The driver of the vehicle that hit and killed Cesar has been identified as Margarito Aguilar. According to KETK, the 56-year old claims he didn’t know he had hit anything other than a mailbox or a dog. He also tells authorities he does not own a TV or radio and wasn’t aware of the situation. Aguilar has been taken into custody and is charged with a suspended license and no insurance. The accident occurred about 8:15 p.m. November 14. DPS Trooper Jean Dark said the vehicle was northbound on Texas 149 when the motorist struck Cesar, who was most likely in the road.

Deputies were called to the boy’s residence about 6:45 p.m. November 14 after family members reported him missing. Cesar’s mother, Brandie Sieger, said she had left the house to take her father to the store. Her mother was at the house watching her four children when she was notified Cesar was missing. Gregg County Sheriff’s Office deputies, responding to reports of the missing boy, found his body in a ditch on Texas 149 near Younger Road, about a mile from where he went missing.

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas has received numerous reports of fraudulent e-mails that have the appearance of being from the Better Business Bureau. The e-mails appear to be sent from “service.bbb.org”, however, this is not a legitimate BBB email address. The subject line reads: “Complaint #” followed by a phony complaint ID number.

The e-mails are addressed to what appear to be legitimate email addresses and state that a consumer has filed a complaint with your company. They then ask recipients to click on a link in order to respond to the complaint. While this is the verbiage used when an actual complaint is filed, BBB Serving Central East Texas ALWAYS precedes the email with a phone call. Hovering over the link at the bottom of the email will show the actual destination of the link. In this case, it links to a website in the UK. These e-mails and the link included are fraudulent and were not sent by BBB.

According to BBB, recipients should consider the intent of these e-mails as an attempt to collect personal or confidential information or to load malicious software onto end users’ computers. Recipients should NOT access the link provided within the body of the e-mails and should NOT, under any circumstances, provide any personal financial information through this media. To report a fraud or scam, call the BBB Hotline: (903) 581-8373.

WHITEHOUSE — Some residents in Whitehouse are distraught over a price hike in their water bills. According to KETK, some even attended a city council meeting Monday night, demanding answers. City Manager Mike Peterson says the reason the bills are so high is that water usage is up. But angry residents aren’t buying that. They say they’re being ripped off. Peterson says the city plans to install new water meters at no charge for residents who complained about their water bills.

SACUL (AP) – A biomass plant in East Texas has shut down while law enforcement officials investigate a bomb threat scrawled inside a portable toilet. Southern Company spokeswoman Stephanie Kirijan confirms the bomb threat was found Monday evening at the Southern Power biomass plant in Sacul. Nacogdoches County Sheriff Thomas Kerss said the power company and the onsite construction firm decided to close until after Thanksgiving even though a deadline on the note had passed by several hours when it was found. Kerss says the threat is taken seriously because a power plant is considered a national security interest. The company says no fuel load deliveries were scheduled this week because of the holiday. Kerss says the shutdown will lead to a $1.1 million loss.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County commissioners on Monday approved funding a cost-benefit analysis to identify which current county facilities could house four offices slated for relocation. At Monday’s meeting, the court approved limited expeditures of $5,000 for the study by architects and urban planners last week that would identify the best available option for the county to move its election office, adult probation and Precinct 1 constable and justice of the peace.

The court has discussed several versions of relocation plans for three offices that remain in the Smith County Office Building, which is the former Carlton Hotel. For the past three years, the court has initiated and planned projects to exit the building, which it says has become a money pit.

LUFKIN — A panhandler was arrested beneath a Lufkin overpass Monday afternoon for reportedly assaulting a church solicitor who was “in his territory.” Dowell Evans, 72, of Nacogdoches, was booked in on a charge of disorderly conduct for knocking a church donation can out of the hands of 21-year-old Juan Tejeda-Ruvalcaba under the overpass next to El Chico. The can, belonging to the white-uniformed church member from Dallas, then rolled into traffic. Evans reportedly told Tejeda-Ruvalcaba it was his spot first.

Because Evans disturbed the peace, Lufkin Police arrested him on Class C misdemeanor disorderly conduct and took him to the Angelina County Jail. Five days before the incident, Evans was arrested for panhandling beneath the same overpass. Evans has a criminal history dating to 1976, has been to prison twice and at times uses an alias of Burt Anson III, according to public records. There are five different birth dates listed for Evans and his alias, including one that makes him two years younger.

KILGORE — A landowner about to be annexed into Kilgore told city council members Tuesday the Fredonia community doesn’t feel a part of the city despite consistent contributions. “We’ve been there over 100 years,” Terry Dunn said of Fredonia, which was settled south of a former Fredonia by freed slaves after the Civil War. “Fredonia has always participated in everything the city of Kilgore has done. And I don’t know why y’all look at us as not Kilgoreites. … We’ve never thrown out a task, never backed down for any fundraiser.”

Dunn was one of three speakers from a 261-acre tract the city council is poised to annex into Kilgore on Dec. 13. The council cites a lack of land suitable for new housing in a quest that previously annexed land formerly to the south and east of the city limits. Tuesday’s was the second and final public hearing on the annexation before next month’s vote. Dunn and others said they do not see the benefit to them to become part of the city. They shunned fines, fees and building inspections that are on the horizon, though city staff members maintained that the residents will be eased in as painlessly as possible.

The annexed residents won’t pay city taxes until 2013, and once water and sewer lines reach them they may keep using personal septic systems until those wear out. The hookup fee is $450, General Services Director B.J. Owen said. They also may keep their trash disposal arrangements for two years, Director of City Planning/Zoning Carol Windham added. She also said no one will pay for water, sewer service and trash pickup until they are using those services — those bills are not part of property tax payments, which one speaker said will rise $200 for her under the city’s 39-cent tax rate.

WOOD COUNTY — Wood County officials have identified a 55-year-old Canton woman’s husband as a person of interest in connection with her disappearance. Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Jean Dark said Marquita Leanne Gutierrez was reported missing on Nov. 11 by family members, and has not been seen since. Dark said officials believe her husband, 53-year-old Gilbert Cortez Gutierrez, might be involved in her disappearance. Marquita Gutierrez was reported missing after borrowing her mother’s truck that morning to go to a doctor’s appointment. The doctor’s office said she never showed up.

Her husband was last seen in the Dallas area and was possibly heading toward Laredo. Gilbert Gutierrez is five-foot, six-inches tall, weighs about 265 pounds, has brown eyes and black hair. He has a tattoo of the word “Apache” on his forehead. Dark said he also is typically dressed in Native American-style clothing and jewelry.

TYLER — The Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas is cautioning you about so-called “free trial offers.” Officials say the word “free” is frequently used by marketers to attract customers. In fact, according to the BBB, it is one of the three most consistently used words in advertising. While there are federal regulations which instruct companies how they can and can’t use the word, many companies disregard these regulations by not conforming to the guidelines. The BBB receives numerous calls from consumers who have been hit with unexpected charges after they have signed up to receive one of these free offers and reminds consumers to be extremely cautious when signing up for these types of promotions.

“Many free trial offers require you to divulge a checking account or credit card number so they can bill you for a nominal shipping and handling charge. However, that small fee is often just a ruse to get your account information”, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “Once the company has that information in their possession, many consumers notice huge charges on their accounts which either covered exorbitant shipping and handling charges or were simply made without their permission.”

BBB advises consumers to consider the following tips before taking advantage of free or low-cost introductory offers:

Before you do business with a company, call its customer service line posing as an existing customer (not as a new buyer). If you can’t get through to a live person, or if you can’t get a message returned, it’s probably not a good idea to do business with them. Similarly, if you e-mail the company with a question and you get no answer or you get a response from a free e-mail service like Yahoo, gmail or hotmail, that’s a huge red flag. Remember, legitimate businesses have their own domains. For example, when you get an e-mail from the East Texas BBB, the email address will end in ends in “@easttexas.bbb.org.”

Be extremely cautious about committing to trial offers, especially when asked to supply credit card information. The trials often require payment of the full product price in advance or automatically enroll you in an ongoing program as soon as the trial period is over.

Never allow your bank account to be debited when you do business with a company for the first time. Using a credit card gives you a right to dispute – or not pay – if a company tricks you. Debit cards give you no such right, and these large, multiple unexpected debits can trigger overdrafts.

Read the company’s privacy policy. Keep in mind, some companies may supply your contact information to other businesses.

Steer clear of companies that don’t have a physical address on their websites.

Ask the company if you must cancel by a certain date to avoid being shipped additional products or being charged for “buying club” memberships. Keep in mind that many of these types of companies ignore cancellation requests and/or make the cancellation process difficult.

Before signing up for a trial or reduced price promotion, go to http://www.bbb.org to check out the company’s BBB Business Review. For more tips on how to be a savvy consumer, go to the aforementioned website. To report a fraud or scam, call the BBB Hotline: (903) 581-8373.

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to the 3000 block of Old Jacksonville Hwy after a one car crash that knocked down power lines across the roadway. It happened around at 7:50 Tuesday morning. The driver, Erica Kirby, 25, and her six year old daughter were traveling northbound on Old Jacksonville Hwy in the outside lane when she lost control of her vehicle on a curve. Police say she went into a spin knocking down a utility pole and lines and coming to a rest on top of a brick wall belonging to the property owner where the crash occurred.

Kirby and her daughter were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. Officers had the northbound traffic lanes shut down until the roadway could be cleared. Traffic was flowing again in both directions by early afternoon.

LUFKIN — A Bullard man who seriously injured a Lufkin woman in a car crash last week has been additionally charged with intoxication assault. Initially, Marshall Lucas Jr., 27, was charged with resisting arrest and DWI for the accident that seriously injured 20-year-old Kaley Linton, of Lufkin, on Nov. 16. As Linton continues to recover from her injuries, including a broken back and pelvis, Lucas is out of jail on a collective $8,000 bond, according to jail records.

EAST TEXAS — Harrison and Gregg county grand juries have cleared law enforcement officers of any wrongdoing in a pair of shooting deaths earlier this year. The decisions appear to close the books on a trio of officer-involved shootings. In the latest decisions, a Harrison County grand jury cleared one Harrison County and two Hallsville Police officers in the September shooting death of Richard Owen Dean, 44, of Longview. On Oct. 26, a Gregg County grand jury cleared three Gladewater Police officers in connection with the shooting death of Willie B. Green, 56, who authorities said was wielding a knife. On Oct. 13, two Kilgore police officers were cleared in connection with the shooting death of 19-year-old Jamel Freeman, who police said stabbed the two officers before being fatally shot. All three cases were investigated by Texas Rangers before being turned over to grand juries.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Authorities have identified the man rescued after dangling from an antenna tower on Cherokee County Road 3137. According to Cherokee County officials, Johnny Perry, 53, Bullard, was hanging about 60 feet from the ground. Authorities first said he was the homeowner trying to adjust his television reception. Officials later said Perry was actually from an antenna company and was called by the homeowner to remove the antenna. Rescue crews say he climbed the 60-ft. tower, then fell around 10:30 Monday morning and dangled upside down in his harness for about 3 hours before crews were able to rescue him. Perry was not seriously injured but was transported to a Jacksonville hospital to be checked out as a precaution.

EAU CLAIRE — A Longview man was found dead in the woods in Wisconsin. According to the Eau Claire, Wisc., Leader-Telegram, Barron County Sheriff’s officers on Saturday were called to the community of Chetek, where a hunter was found unresponsive in the woods. The man, identified as 68-year-old Carl H. Zimmerman, of Longview, was transported to a Bloomer, Wisc., hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 6:41 p.m. Saturday. Officers told the newspaper that initial investigation showed no suspicious activity and that Zimmerman appeared to have died from natural causes.

TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation’s statewide “Know When to Pass” campaign is scheduled to be at Tyler Junior College’s Rogers Student Center faculty parking lot between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22. The campaign is designed to increase awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving on “game day,” and to encourage fans to pass their keys to a sober driver if they plan to drink.

In 2010, TxDOT reported 25,045 DUI crashes in Texas and 1,392, or six percent, occurred on football game days when a Texas team was playing. Another report showed college home football games were associated with a 13-percent increase in arrests for drunk driving.

The campaign features a display truck and cardboard cutouts of football players holding their hands out for keys. Fans are encouraged to have their picture taken handing their keys to the football players. The best photos will be uploaded to the Facebook site, http://www.facebook.com/KnowWhenToPass. The campaign and the truck have been featured at football games in Austin, Lubbock, Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Houston and El Paso.

LONGVIEW — The driver of the vehicle that hit and killed a 4-year old boy, Cesar Cruz, has been identified as Margarito Aguilar. According to KETK, the 56-year old claims he didn’t know he had hit anything other than a mailbox or a dog. He also tells authorities he does not own a TV or radio and wasn’t aware of the situation. Aguilar has been taken into custody and is charged with a suspended license and no insurance. The accident occurred about 8:15 p.m. November 14. DPS Trooper Jean Dark said the vehicle was northbound on Texas 149 when the motorist struck Cesar, who was most likely in the road.

Deputies were called to the boy’s residence about 6:45 p.m. November 14 after family members reported him missing. Cesar’s mother, Brandie Sieger, said she had left the house to take her father to the store. Her mother was at the house watching her four children when she was notified Cesar was missing. Gregg County Sheriff’s Office deputies, responding to reports of the missing boy, found his body in a ditch on Texas 149 near Younger Road, about a mile from where he went missing.

TEXARKANA – A 44-year-old Gilmer man has pleaded guilty to social security fraud. Michael Wayne Jobe pleaded guilty Monday in Texarkana to theft of government property before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline M. Craven.

According to information presented in court, in 2006 and 2007 and resuming in 2009 until 2011, Jobe applied for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits on behalf of both of his children who lived with him at the time. During the first time period, both of Jobe’s children were removed by CPS. During the second time period, both children moved out of his home and began living with other family and friends. However, Jobe continued to receive Social Security Benefit payments on behalf of those children, and Jobe falsely reported to the Social Security Administration that the children were still living with him during those reporting periods. This resulted in an overpayment of Social Security Administration benefits in an amount in excess of $1,000.

Jobe was indicted by a federal grand jury on Sep. 15, 2011. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

KILGORE — More details have been released after an SUV crashed into an auto-parts store in Kilgore. Kilgore police tell KETK a Suburban crashed into the ABC Auto Parts Store off Highway 259 and Stone Road. Three people were taken to a local hospital, including the driver. The SUV caused extensive damage to the building’s front windows and damaged some items inside the business. The driver reportedly had a seizure and was unable to control the vehicle.

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department is wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Fire officials point out that the number of home cooking fires triples on Thanksgiving Day as compared to the national average on all other days. With Thanksgiving approaching, many people will be frying turkeys. If done incorrectly, this can be a dangerous endeavor. Below are just a few safety tips to think about before frying.

1. Fryers should only be used outdoors away from buildings and combustible material. Never use in garages or on wooden decks.
2. Never leave the fryer unattended.
3. Keep children and pets away from fryer at all times.
4. The turkey should be completely thawed and patted dry prior to frying. Water and oil do not mix. This could cause the oil to splatter and boil over.
5. There should always be an all-purpose, ABC rated fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.
6. Always wear the appropriate clothing: shirts with long sleeves, full length pants, and shoes that completely cover the feet. Safety goggles are also recommended.
7. If a fire or accident does occur, call 911 immediately.

You’re asked to contact the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office at 903-535-0005 for more information regarding fire prevention and safety.

TYLER — Over the weekend, PATH held its annual Coats for Kids. According to KETK, since 2002, the event has helped thousands of kids get into a new winter coat. Each year, PATH distributes the coats to kids in need. PATH’s Becky Duncan says each year, the turnout keeps getting bigger. Duncan estimates 1700 to 2000 people got coats this year.

GREGG COUNTY — Gregg County Commissioners voted Monday morning to end a countywide burn ban. County Fire Marshal David Kidder said recent rains have soaked the ground fuels enough to reduce wildfire risk. County Judge Bill Stoudt urged residents to use caution when burning.

LONGVIEW — A Joinerville man was killed Saturday night in a one-vehicle crash when he was ejected him from his pickup. According to Department of Public Safety officials, 47-year-old Joseph Wilson Castle was pronounced dead just before midnight Saturday by Justice of the Peace Seth Stein after the crash on FM 2012 in Rusk County. Castle was traveling southbound at about 10:45 p.m. on FM 2012 near CR 146 when he lost control of his Nissan Frontier.

LUFKIN — Angelina County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) needs your help locating a probation absconder. Jeremy Wade Henson is wanted on a felony revocation of probation warrant. Henson has a history of absconding and went on the run this time after failing a drug test. Henson is a 34-year-old, white male, and he is known to drive a white truck and a burgundy car. His arrest reports indicate that he typically works logging, factory, or manual labor jobs.

When arrested in June of this year, Henson’s home address was 208 East Denman Avenue, apartment #23 in Lufkin and he recently appeared at the residences of family and friends on Garrison Road and Crooked Creek Drive in Lufkin, but officers have been unable to capture him at any of these locations.