KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The bed of a truck caught fire on Hwy 271 near UT Health in Tyler on Monday afternoon. Officials say several passers-by pulled over to help the drivers of the truck put the fire out before it spread to nearby dry grass. People even removed their shirts and used them to help extinguish the blaze. The truck’s driver said he had no idea how the fire began. The driver reportedly saw smoke coming from the bed of the truck and by the time he had pulled over, it had escalated to a large fire.

HARRISON COUNTY — A Kilgore man was killed and a Longview man was injured in a chain reaction of crashes that left westbound Interstate 20 blocked for nearly 12 hours Monday. Randy Arthur Bradley, 60, of Kilgore was pronounced dead at the scene. Agie Cook, 47, a truck driver from Longview, was injured in the pileup involving two tractor-trailer trucks and a pickup. He was in stable condition at a Longview hospital.

East Texas – Firemen around the area battled the high temperatures and several grass fires Monday. The largest was a 100 acre fire off Farm Road 47 near Interstate Highway 20 West of Canton. Nearly a dozen fire departments brought that Van Zandt County blaze under control.

Firemen from seven Smith County fire departments contained a fire in northern Smith County. Around 45 acres burned of County Road 370. The fire is said to have been caused by a front end loader.

A 25 acre fire has been extinguished off County Road 354 near Winona. For a while some structures were in danger, but no buildings were damaged.

Another fire was reported a couple of miles south of State Highway 31 off County Road 246.

MOUNT VERNON – A one vehicle accident near the 150 mile marker on Interstate Highway 30 in Franklin County has left one person dead and one injured. The accident occurred around 12:45 Monday morning. Killed was Michael L. Anderson, 39, of Texarkana. Slightly injured was Jonnitta Lambert, 21, of Texarkana. According to the Department of Public Safety, Anderson’s SUV had a tire blow out. His vehicle ran off the interstate and overturned.

TYLER – Tyler school trustees have filled three district positions. The action came at a meeting Monday.

The new principal at Hubbard Middle School will be D. Scott Farler, who is pictured here. He has 12 years of education experience. Prior to joining Tyler ISD, Farler worked in Farmersville ISD where he was a junior high school principal and a high school assistant principal. He will begin his new position effective August 10.

Hired as Director of Student Services was Ken Vaughn. Vaughn has 13 years of education experience. Prior to joining Tyler ISD, he worked in Lamar CISD where he was an assistant principal and math/computer technology teacher. He will begin his new position effective August 9.

And named as Director of Guidance and Counseling was Marty Barbieri. She has 22 years of education experience. Prior to joining Tyler ISD, Barbieri worked in Overton ISD where she was a high school counselor and an elementary school counselor. She will begin her new position effective August 15.

SMITH COUNTY — After a two-county chase on I-20, Van Zandt and Smith County troopers say they were able to stop a woman running from law enforcement with a spike strip. According to law officers, the driver, Tammy Scarborough, tried to evade authorities at speeds up to 90 mph after not initially pulling over for speeding. Authorities say Scarborough did pull over two times, but then sped off and was eventually stopped with the spike strip. Scarborough is charged with evading arrest.

RED SPRINGS — A Flint man is ticketed after a business owner allegedly caught the man urinating on his lawn and stealing from his business. Red Springs Motorcycle owner David Winters, also a former peace officer, tells KETK he first saw the man hanging around the store Monday morning. Winters says the man returned later and started to urinate at Winters’ house near the business. Winters says he ran the man off his property, but that the suspect circled around to the back of the shop and jumped the fence. Then the former officer reportedly discovered the man had been stealing in the back and pulled out his gun.

According to authorities, the alleged burglar tried to run, but stopped in his tracks after three warning shots were fired. Winters says he held the man at gunpoint until law officers arrived and cited the man. The name of the accused man has not been released.The Smith County Sheriff’s and Constables Office responded to the incident.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department has recently received a complaint regarding door to door sales people advertising to paint the address number on the curb. Citizens are encouraged to check out thoroughly any vendor soliciting products or services prior to conducting business with that company or individual. The Department wants all area residents to be aware of the following facts about door to door sales persons:

• Anyone selling goods or services door to door in the City of Longview is required to have a permit issued by the Longview Police Department with their photo, name and company information on it.

• Because someone has a permit issued by the Police Department to sell door to door does not mean the Police Department or the City of Longview has endorsed a vendor, their goods or services. The permit only means the vendor has registered with the Police Department and the vendor has agreed to abide by state laws and applicable city ordinances while selling their product.

• The Longview Police Department recommends residents to check out a business through the Better Business Bureau before entering into any contracts or purchasing products. The Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas can be contacted in Tyler online at http://easttexas.bbb.org or at 903-581-5704.

• Longview City ordinance requires a vendor to leave immediately if you tell them you are not interested in their goods or services. If a vendor refuses to leave, contact the police and ask for an officer to respond. Violations of the city ordinance can result in the revocation of a vendor’s sales permit.

• The Longview Police Department encourages citizens to contact their Police Area Representative (PAR Officer) if they have questions, comments, or concerns about an issue occurring in their neighborhood. Visit http://www.Longviewpolice.com to find out what PAR Officer is assigned to a particular area of town.

TROUP — The City of Troup have requested that residents curtail non-essential water consumption till further notice, i.e. watering lawns and washing cars, due to heat-related equipment problems with the city’s wells. Officials say the malfunctions have been resolved, but storage levels became low, though they are said to be gradually recovering. According to KETK, city officials expect water storage levels should be normal by this morning.

LONGVIEW — Two local teens have been arrested in a Longview school break-in. On Sunday at 2:30 a.m. officers were dispatched to the 1500 Block of Lake Drive for a business alarm at Bramlette Elementary School. After Officer James Lucas arrived he began walking around the school and saw two youths looking out a window of the school. According to a police statement, officers set up a perimeter around the school and the suspects fled on foot. Police say both suspects were located a short time later and arrested for burglary of a building and evading arrest. According to authorities, the two suspects caused extensive damage to the teachers’ workroom and lounge. Both were transported to the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Facility.

LONGVIEW — A suspect is caught in a weekend hit-and run in Longview. On Sunday, police arrested Jonathan Soto Estrada, 21, of Longview for accident involving serious bodily injury or death. Estrada’s arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by Longview police in connection with the hit and run of a man earlier that day in the 200 Block of Magnolia Lane. Police say the victim was walking with a friend shortly after 5:45 a.m. when he was struck by the vehicle. The victim has been identified as 37 year-old Charles Edward Leatch. Leach remains in a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Estrada’s bond has been set at $50,000.

TYLER — Grassroots America – We the People Executive Director JoAnn Fleming says Governor Perry brings excitement to the race for the White House, even though he hasn’t announced his candidacy yet. But Fleming says Perry has some unfinished business in Texas first: the Sanctuary Cities Bill. In a couple of weeks, says Fleming, she and her colleagues will deliver a letter to Perry with thousands of signatures of citizens all across the state asking him to take care of that issue. Fleming says Perry can make an executive decision.

LIBERTY CITY — Texas Department of Public Safety officials confirmed Monday that Brian Scott Carr, 31, died during the weekend from injuries sustained in a July 22 hit-and-run incident in Liberty City. According to Trooper Robbie Dillard, Carr, who had Down Syndrome, died Saturday night at Good Shepherd Medical Center.

DPS officials said Carr was hit at about 5:00 July 22 near the intersection of Rice Road and Debbie Street in Liberty City while he was pushing his bike along the road. Dillard said after the incident, Carr told first responders that he had been hit by a white van, but officials have yet to make an arrest.

The suspect’s vehicle could have passenger side, front-end and mirror damage. Anyone with information regarding the crime is asked to contact the DPS office at 903-758-1789.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a reported shooting at an apartment complex. It happened around 12:50 yesterday morning at the Southwest Pines Apartments, 3200 Walton Road. Several victims say they were approached by five or six unknown suspects that began shooting at them as they sat in their car. Police say the victims managed to escape the apartment complex unharmed before the suspects, described as black males, fled the area, possibly in a blue 4 door Crown Victoria. The scene and the victim’s vehicle were processed for evidence and the case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tyler Police or Crimestoppers.

GLADEWATER — Some residents in Gladewater are being asked to boil their water until further notice. This impacts residents south of U. S. Highway 80. The problem stems from a water main break Saturday on U.S. Highway 271. Once the water is restored, residents south on US 80 are asked to boil their water until the order is lifted.

TYLER — A child has been released from the hospital following a near-drowning over the weekend. An off-duty law officer is being credited with reviving the small boy after he was pulled from a Tyler swimming pool. Saturday afternoon around 1:45, Tyler police were dispatched to 6519 Rochester Way on a possible drowning. Upon arrival, officers were told that the residents were having a birthday party for a three-year-old boy. During the party, the youngster was found on the bottom of the residence’s swimming pool. Family members were able to remove the child from the bottom of the pool and discovered that the child was not breathing and unresponsive.

Tyler Police Officer Jimmy Turner was off duty and attending the birthday party. Officer Turner was called to the child’s location and began to perform CPR on the child. Officer Turner was able to revive the child, who began to breathe on his own. The child was transported to Mother Frances Hospital by ETMC EMS. At the hospital, the child was awake and speaking. The child was later flown to Children’s Hospital in Dallas as a precaution. He was released from that hospital later in the weekend.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

GREGG COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as “District-Wide Seal Coat” is scheduled to continue work in Gregg County this week. That includes work Monday on Farm Road 2205 between Loop 281 and State Highway 31, and State Highway 322 between State Highway 149 and Farm Road 2011.

Also Monday, TxDOT maintenance crews began seal coat work on U.S. Highway 80 west of Fisher Road in Longview, followed by a hot-mix resurfacing in the same area later in the week, and on South Loop 281 between Farm Road 2087 and Estes Parkway. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress and flaggers will control traffic in two lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin two weeks of resurfacing operations on State Highway 37 between Quitman and Winnsboro. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic in two-lane areas.

ATHENS — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on SH 31 Business in Athens between State Highway 19 Business and NE Loop 7. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

HENDERSON — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on U.S. Highway 79 in Henderson and then later in the week on U.S. Highway 259 in and around Mount Enterprise. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

OWENTOWN — With voluntary water restrictions already in effect, mandatory restrictions kick in today for a utility district that serves some Smith County residents. As in other area cases, officials with the Owentown-based Smith County Municipal Utility District #1 cite ongoing dry weather. According to KETK and press materials from the district, the water system is under Stage I Water-Use Restrictions. This means that water use is restricted in the following ways:

1. Voluntary Restrictions:
• Customers are encouraged to limit nonessential water use to prevent further restrictions.

2. Mandatory Outdoor Restrictions:
• Usage of water for outdoor purposes, such as lawns, gardens, and car washing, is restricted to Saturday & Sunday or 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
• Outdoor water use is not allowed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. during the week.
• Washing of motor vehicles and filling pools are prohibited during the week.
• Washing of sidewalks, driveways, and other hard surfaces is prohibited.

Officials say failure to comply with the terms and conditions of this notice will result in one warning, thereafter a $250 fine for residential, $1000 for non-residential, and termination of water service till the fine is paid. Once the mandatory restrictions take effect Monday, they will remain in effect until customers receive written notice of termination of emergency.

HENDERSON — The Rusk County Commissioners Court will consider a petition today to place a measure legalizing alcohol sales in Henderson on the November ballot. Although the petition is for the City of Henderson, the court must vote to put it on the ballot, according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Weldon Gray, treasurer of the Henderson 1st Committee, said that his group has encountered mostly positive reactions to the proposals.

There are two separate proposals. One would allow the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption, which would allow grocer and convenience stores to sell beer and wine, but would not permit packaged liquor sales. The second would allow for the sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders, which would permit restaurants to serve mixed drinks without a private club license. “We haven’t run into any organized opposition to the proposals,” Gray said. “There have been maybe three or four individuals who have expressed their disapproval of the idea, but we’ve mostly had a positive response.”

Gray says the purpose of the proposals is to attract more businesses to Henderson, particularly chain restaurants that want to serve mixed drinks without having to apply for private club status. The group will probably start advertising and holding information sessions about the proposals as the election grows nearer, Gray said. The county commissioners gather this morning at 10:00.

TYLER — Residents gathered outside the would-be site of Tyler’s Double D Ranch Saturday in support of the restaurant. Some in Tyler are concerned about the revealing outfits worn by female Double D employees. They cite the restaurant’s proximity to Toys R Us and Robert E. Lee High School. But Amber Danner-Kirk has started a Facebook page boycotting Toys R Us, which in fact owns the planned site of the restaurant. Toys R Us sought and got a restraining order, at least temporarily holding off plans for the Tyler Double D Ranch. Danner-Kirk told KETK she doesn’t think Double D is at all degrading to women. She says, “I think that the woman has a choice to work there or not, and as a woman, you have a choice to go there or not.” East Texan Sherry Sneed says for the Double D supporters, it’s all about rights. Sneed says, “We’re not interested in telling people, hey, you have to eat here…but we don’t want people telling us that we can’t.”

TYLER — Hundreds attended a Tyler simulcast of Saturday’s “The Response U.S.A” event, hosted by Governor Perry in Houston. The simulcast was held at Green Acres Baptist Church’s Crosswalk Conference Center. With guest speakers, prayer, and worship, Green Acres’ Buddy Holland told KETK folks were praying for the nation, their state, leadership — and of course, here in Texas, rain. “Too many times, we pray to God last instead of praying to God first when we get in trouble, before we get into trouble,” said Holland. “And so I think Governor Perry saw the direction that our nation is headed — that we needed to seek God’s counsel, ask for His leadership.”

TYLER — State Rep. Leo Berman of Tyler is requesting applications for the Texas Armed Services Scholarship. Berman says the scholarship has been created to assist promising students from throughout the state who are committed to education and service. It encourages young leaders to participate in the Texas Guard, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, or to become commissioned officers in the United States armed services. The scholarship will provide recipients with up to $10,000 per academic year for up to four years (out of the five years allowed for graduation) toward undergraduate education at any Texas university with an active ROTC program. (Currently, this includes 32 public and private institutions.)

To be eligible, a student must meet academic criteria including:
• Be on track to graduate high school in a Distinguished Achievement Program or International Baccalaureate program
• A GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Ranked in the top third of the graduating class
• SAT score of 1590 or ACT score of 23

To receive the scholarship, a student must:
• Be appointed by a state representative or state senator or by the Governor or Lieutenant Governor. (Each member of the Legislature may make one appointment to receive one of the first scholarships. The Governor and Lt. Governor may make two appointments.)
• Enroll in an eligible Texas institution and an eligible ROTC program.
• Commit in writing to:
– Remain in ROTC for four years.
– Graduate within five years.
– Enter Guard service or accept a commission with the armed services within six months of graduation from college.
• Meet program physical fitness requirements.

Scholarships will be converted to loans for recipients who are unable to fulfill the terms of the written agreement. Anyone interested in applying for this scholarship should contact Rep. Berman’s office at (903) 939-2400.

TYLER — August is World Breastfeeding Month. The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) celebrates World Breastfeeding Month each year to encourage more women to breastfeed their babies exclusively until they are six months old and then supplement breastmilk with solid foods until the baby’s first birthday or longer. According to a statement from NET Health, “It makes your kids healthier and smarter. It boosts babies’ immune systems, guards them against childhood obesity and diabetes and may even protect infants from leukemia and asthma. It reduces women’s chance of breast cancer and burns as much as 600 calories a day. It’s free and available day and night.”

Currently, health officials say, about 75% of women in Texas initiate breastfeeding but only 11% are exclusively breastfeeding at six months. According to a 2009 survey, only 48% of moms enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children said they were able to breastfeed for as long as they wanted. The NET Health statement continues, “When it comes to breastfeeding, every ounce counts towards the health of mom and baby. That is why this year’s World Breastfeeding Month theme is Every Ounce Counts: Helping Moms Achieve their Breastfeeding Goals.”

You’re invited to join the NET Health WIC Department celebration of World Breastfeeding Month on August 12 at 815 N. Broadway in Tyler, from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The celebrations will continue, at various WIC clinics all over East Texas, through the month of August and are open to the entire community. The celebrations will include activities to teach expectant women, moms and family members how to help moms achieve their breastfeeding goals. For more information about World Breastfeeding Month, breastfeeding, and a list of celebration information, visit http://www.healthyeasttx.org or call the Northeast Texas Public Health District WIC Department at 903-535-0030.

MINEOLA (Staff/AP) — Wood County Emergency officials spoke with our news partner KETK again Friday, confirming that Thursday afternoon’s train derailment on CR 2790 was, in fact, heat related. A train had previously derailed in that location a few weeks earlier, and officials say that the repairs that were made on that same section of track were done in the night hours, and during a much cooler time of year. Officials say the repairs were tightly fitted at that time, and when East Texas entered a period of record-setting heat, the metal expanded, busting the line and causing another derailment.

The derailment left 18 grain-hauling cars off the tracks. Union Pacific spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza said crews have been working to clear the tracks, several miles east of Mineola, and that the line could reopen sometime today. She says nobody was hurt in the derailment of a train made up of four locomotives and 99 cars, traveling from Kingfisher, Okla., to Westwego, La. The National Weather Service says the temperature in the area reached 109 degrees. Some hopper cars overturned, spilling grain. Espinoza didn’t immediately have a damage estimate.

TYLER — Two early morning robberies this week on the outskirts of Tyler, and the bandit is still on the loose. According to KETK, one robber targeted a Food Fast convenience store off Highway 64 and a Conoco off Northeast Loop 323 around 4 Wednesday morning. Police say they’re not sure if the man was armed. The bandit managed to hide his face with a bandana. You’re asked to call police or the sheriff’s department if you have any leads.

TYLER — Tyler gets involved in today’s “The Response U.S.A” event, Governor Perry’s prayer rally in Houston. Mayor Barbara Bass has issued a proclamation calling for a day of prayer and fasting, and the event will be simulcast at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler. Green Acres Pastor Dr. David Dykes invites everyone to the church’s new Crosswalk Conference Center for the viewing.

Visiting with our news partner KETK, Dykes said America is “a nation in crisis — and it’s not just a debt crisis or a political crisis, it’s really a moral crisis and a spiritual crisis, and prayer is the answer to that.” He adds that Christians don’t always know how to deal with the problems the country is facing, “but every single day, Christians can pray, and that is the one thing, really, that brings Christians together of all different denominational stripes.” The Houston event and the Tyler simulcast happen today from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m. You can contact the church for more information.

KILGORE — Kilgore police were on the scene for about eight minutes before Monday morning’s fatal shooting of a troubled 19-year-old man who reportedly stabbed two officers and was said to be about to stab again, Kilgore Police Chief Todd Hunter said Thursday. An electronic stun device, which officers never got a chance to use, was found on the ground nearby. In interviews Thursday, Hunter said that while questions have been raised about the officers’ handling of the situation, his early assessment was that it was appropriate.

“A knife is a deadly weapon,” he said. “When an officer finds himself fighting for his life or the life of another, deadly force is the only option. When forced to utilize their weapon, officers are taught to shoot to stop, not kill or wound. When faced with a deadly encounter, our only goal is to stop the threat.”

The Texas Rangers are investigating events that led to the Monday morning shooting of Jamel Freeman, 19, who police said attacked two officers with a knife. Later Monday, the department said the man was mentally unstable and was known to officers.

EAST TEXAS – Grass fires kept area fire fighters busy Thursday. In Smith County, a large grass fire started around 3:00pm in the 13,000 block of County Road 1141. It started when a farmer was cutting hay and the blade hit a rock that caused sparks. Around a dozen structures were in danger at one time.

In the Winona area, a grass fire was reported around 5:00 yesterday afternoon off County Road 254. A storage building was destroyed before the fire was contained. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Nearly ten acres burned in a grass fire on Cherokee Street in Longview. The fire produced thick, black smoke because of several hundred tires that caught fire. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

TYLER – A Tyler man has been arrested on a variety of charges after officers executed a narcotics search warrant at 1219 East Locust Street. Taken into custody was Jerry Lewis Barrett, 56. When officers entered the house they found a quantity of crack cocaine, prescription pills, a short-barrel firearm, and evidence of bootlegging. Barrett as booked into the Smith County Jail on charges of possession of a controlled substance in a drug free zone, possession of a prohibited weapon, and bootlegging.

TYLER — A naked man has been arrested in a Tyler restaurant. It occurred around 4:30 Thursday afternoon at Wendy’s at West Front and Bonner Street. Witnesses tell officers the man entered the restaurant and went into the bathroom. There he stripped down to nothing but his glasses. He is said to have to have told the customers he wanted to have sex with some of the people in the restaurant. He was hospitalized for a mental evaluation.