KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler 40th Anniversary Kick-Off Celebration began today at 11:00 at the University Center Theater. On Friday, June 10, 1971, Governor Preston Smith signed a bill passed by the Texas Legislature, creating Tyler State College. The campus was renamed Texas Eastern University in 1975 and became a part of the University of Texas System in 1979.

According to a news release, “The University leadership is deeply indebted to those business and community leaders who, more than 40 years ago, had the foresight and the determination to seek a university for the community and who helped establish a firm foundation for the future. In fact, there are many to thank — 40 years of dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, civic and community supporters and elected official — all committed to the mission of the University.”

Included on today’s schedule, according to press materials: Mayor Barbara Bass, speaking about the value of a strong institution of higher learning like The University of Texas at Tyler in Tyler and the region; Austin Bank Chairman of the Board Jeff Austin, Jr. — one of the University’s Founding Board Members — on behalf of the early years; and current President Dr. Rodney H. Mabry. The schedule also includes the unveiling of the 40th Anniversary logo and a brief film will be shown. The University of Texas at Tyler 40th Anniversary film features UTT’s three presidents: Founding President Dr. James H. Stewart, Jr. (1972-1981), Dr. George F. Hamm (1981-1998) and Dr. Rodney H. Mabry (1998-present) and tells the founding story through the voice of past and current leaders who helped make the University what it has become today.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches man was sentenced to two 20-year stints in prison and another 10 years in prison, all to be served concurrently, after being found guilty Wednesday of three sexually-related crimes against a child. That’s according to KETK and the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel. Victor Manuel Gonzalez was originally indicted by a Nacogdoches County grand jury for five counts of indecency with a child, four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Assistant District Attorney Lauren Gaston said the state chose to pursue four of those counts in a jury trial this week in Judge Ed Klein’s 420th District courtroom. “We went forward with three counts of sexual assault involving a child and one count of indecency with a child, and he was found guilty of all but one count of sexual assault of a child,” Gaston said. “The judge assessed punishment.”

Gonzalez was accused of sexually molesting a younger relative for about six years until an outcry was made, according to a probable cause affidavit for his arrest. The girl, who is now 16, was 8 years old at the time the assaults began. Because the sentences will run concurrently, Gonzalez cannot be in jail longer than 20 years, but must serve 10 before he is eligible for parole, Gaston said.

MARSHALL — The family of a woman who died in the Gregg County Jail files a federal lawsuit against the county, claiming she was denied proper medical attention. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by Amy Lynn Cowling’s family on behalf of her three children, alleges her constitutional rights were violated. The lawsuit comes less than six months after her death in the Gregg County Jail and in the same week that another inmate, Micah Aaron Garner, died in the same facility. Cowling, 33, was pronounced dead Dec. 29 at a Longview hospital.

Her official cause of death was ruled “probable” seizure due to methadone and Xanax withdrawal by a Tyler pathologist in March. A second opinion was sought in the ruling because the justice of the peace said he wasn’t happy with Cowling’s cause of death being ruled “probable,” because the manner of death was left up to him to determine.

The second opinion, by a Tarrant County pathologist, resulted in Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson ruling her manner of death as “undetermined” and closed the books despite the pathologist’s recommendation to leave the books open and call the death “suspicious.” Her cause of death was then officials ruled “probable” seizures due to methadone and Xanax withdrawal.The lawsuit claims Gregg County officials failed to provide proper medical treatment to Cowling “by failing to protect her and through indifference to her medical needs.”

It also claims the county ignored Cowling’s constitutional rights and failed to implement the policies, procedures and practices “necessary to provide constitutionally adequate medical services to Cowling during her incarceration in the Gregg County Jail.”

Robert Davis, an attorney who represents the county and Sheriff Maxey Cerliano, disputed the allegations.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – Two Texas men have been sentenced to six years in federal prison for smuggling cocaine into Baton Rouge in the door panel of a pickup. U.S. District Judge James Brady sentenced 22-year-old Melesio Noyola of Lufkin and 21-year-old Jonathan Beltran of Eagle Pass on Wednesday. Noyola and Beltran pleaded guilty in 2009 to conspiracy, possession of more than 11 pounds of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a drug-trafficking crime. The case involved more than 15 pounds of uncut cocaine smuggled into Baton Rouge from Austin, Texas, in the pickup.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches Police Department intern was killed around 2:00 Wednesday afternoon in a vehicle rollover accident on State Highway 21 when she was thrown from her pickup. Rebecca Jeanne Gore, 19, of San Augustine, and a Stephen F. Austin State University student, was pronounced dead at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital after the accident when her 1998 Ford pickup left the road near FM 226 and rolled over, according to a Department of Public Safety report.

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville Police Officer Tim McDonald was reprimanded Tuesday for not following procedure at the scene of a car accident on Canada Street on June 2. According to a tape recorded by a dash camera in McDonald’s squad car, he left the scene of the accident without interviewing both parties involved in the accident, interviewing the witness or recording anyone’s driver’s license or insurance information. McDonald is the first Jacksonville police officer to be placed on probation since Daniel became chief five years ago, he said. Chief Reese Daniel said McDonald has gotten multiple complaints and commendations during his nearly three years with the department.

TYLER — Tyler Police search for a man who they say was shoplifting inside the South Broadway Walmart Wednesday afternoon. Police describe him as a white man. He was last seen wearing a white long sleeved shirt, black pants and black shoes. Police tell KETK when the man left the store, he pushed the loss-prevention officer. No word if anyone was hurt.

TYLER – A 57-year-old Wills Point man has been sentenced for making a false statement to the Federal Aviation Administration. Darryl Glen Reynolds pleaded guilty on June 10, 2010, and was sentenced Wednesday in Tyler to five months in federal prison. Reynolds was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

According to information presented in court, on Dec. 28, 2004, Reynolds wrote a letter to the FAA requesting a new airworthiness certificate for a Beechcraft Baron BE-58P aircraft. He attached a copy of the original certificate, stating that the original certificate had been lost, when he knew the original had been surrendered to the FAA by the original owners of the aircraft, the U.S. Forest Service.

Reynolds incorporated and ran a non-profit corporation, Texas Firebirds Volunteer Fire Department (TFVFD), in Van Zandt County, to be used to provide aerial firefighting support. Reynolds then applied, on behalf of TFVFD, to obtain surplus aircraft through the federal surplus property program. One of the aircraft was a twin-engine Beechcraft Baron, previously used by the U. S. Forest Service. The Beechcraft was provided without an airworthiness certificate, which had been surrendered to the FAA because the aircraft had been determined to have reached its useful life. Reynolds was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2010 and charged with making a false statement.

TYLER – A 42-year-old Mount PleasanT woman has been sentenced to federal prison for drug violations.
Rosa Moreno Mejia pleaded guilty on Nov. 1, 2010, to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced in Tyler this week to 30 months behind bars. According to information presented in court, on Mar. 4, 2010, Mejia delivered approximately 30 grams of powder cocaine to co-defendant Alfredo Bello Dejesus in exchange for $900. From Sep. 2, 2009, to June 11, 2010, Mejia delivered another 260 grams of powder cocaine. All of Mejia’s co-defendants have pleaded guilty in this case. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on July 14, 2010, charging Mejia with federal drug trafficking violations.

SMITH COUNTY — A wreck in Smith County Wednesday morning kills 55-year old Samuel Blackbird of Tyler. According to DPS, it happened on FM 850 west of Hwy 31 East. Authorities say an SUV driven by Blackbird collided with a tree.

TYLER — A suspect has been arrested in a recent lewd behavior incident at Kohl’s Department Store in Tyler. Police say they received numerous tips after the news media released information about the incident. 25-year-old Jose Alberto Mejia of Longview turned himself into investigators Wednesday afternoon. He has been charged with class B misdemeanor indecent exposure and a state jail felony of improper photography. Judge Christi Kennedy issued a warrant and set bond at $50,000. Mejia is incarcerated at the Smith County Jail.

On Friday at 11:28 a.m., Tyler Police responded to Kohl’s at 7715 S. Broadway in reference to a suspicious person. Officers made contact with store security personnel who had witnessed a man taking pictures of two very young females. Police say the man used his cell phone to covertly take pictures under the girls’ skirts. After taking the pictures the suspect reportedly went to another aisle of the store and exposed himself. Store security attempted to make contact with the suspect, but they say he ran out of the store to a car and drove away. Officials say the two girls left the store not knowing that the man had taken the pictures.

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center has won several national marketing awards for materials produced by the marketing department under the direction of corporate director Carroll Roge and vice president Mike Thomas. ETMC was recognized with four Aster Awards. A gold Aster was awarded to Scott Berkley for a photo for ETMC EMS. A silver Aster was presented for the ETMC Athens fall newsletter and two bronze Asters were given for a brochure and television ad for the sleep center. The Aster Awards is an international medical marketing awards program.

The ETMC First Physicians Minute videos, produced by Rebecca and Scott Berkley, received the highest designation from the “Videographer Awards” with the “Award of Excellence.” A training video for surgery titled “Time Out” received the “Award of Distinction.” Only 14 percent of the over 1,800 entries received an award. The “Videographer Awards” recognize pieces produced, shot and edited in a high standard of excellence. The ETMC First Physicians Minute television spot also received an “Award of Distinction” from the Communicator Awards, an international marketing awards competition featuring over 9,000 entries.

ETMC won two bronze “Telly” awards for ETMC First Physicians Minute and “Time Out” training video for surgery. The Telly awards received over 13,000 entries from ad agencies, production companies, TV stations and corporations worldwide. A silver award is the highest an entry can receive followed by a bronze.

MARSHALL — Former Marshall High School teacher and coach Andy Townsend has been sentenced after entering a guilty plea to four charges of having an improper relationship with a student. Townsend was sentenced to serve six years probation and pay a $2,000 fine. He’ll also have to give up his teaching certificate, and he can never re-apply. Townsend was arrested in February 2009 after an investigation revealed he sent inappropriate text messages to three minor female students. The messages were sexually charged, and in one, Townsend even requested one of the girls meet him for sex.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches County commissioners on Wednesday reinstated the county-wide burn ban effective immediately for 90 days. According to KETK and the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel, an order restricting outside burning in the unincorporated areas of the county was enacted April 19 and then lifted May 24 after a few showers lessened the fire danger. With the exception of a few quick, sparse showers over the last weekend, little to no rain has fallen since the ban was lifted. At that time, commissioners warned that it would likely be re-enacted in the near future. “We do look at the report (Keetch-Byram Drought Index),” Nacogdoches County Judge Joe English has said. “When it reaches 575, we can call for a ban on fireworks. We’re at about 535 today (Monday).” The court has until June 14 to vote to enact a fireworks ban, according the Local Government Code.

HENDERSON COUNTY — The Henderson County Sheriff’s Department was notified of a deceased man. Sheriff Ray Nutt said a worker was found dead on a ranch on US Hwy 175 near Athens Monday. The Sheriff said property owners found the ranch hand next to a tractor with what appeared to be numerous injuries. The body has been sent to Dallas for autopsy. His identity has not been released.

ARP — A Monday night raid on a convenience store in Arp lead to several arrests. Arp police investigators arrested the owner of the Valero gas station on south Main for three gambling-related offenses. Saeb Kutob, 63, was charged with gambling promotion, keeping of a gambling place and possession of a gambling device. Brandi Warner, 38, was also arrested. Both have since been released on bond. Authorities say Kutob reportedly paid cash prizes to winners of the seven video-poker style gambling machines set up in his store. By law, the station is only allowed to award merchandise.

GILMER (AP) – Some East Texas leaders already accused of abuse of power have been charged over alleged free legal service. Upshur County Sheriff Anthony Betterton and County Commissioner Lloyd Crabtree were charged Tuesday with gift to a public servant by someone in his jurisdiction. The two on Dec. 31 allegedly accepted free legal help after being indicted on official oppression charges. County Judge Dean Fowler was charged with conflict of interest/failure to file an affidavit. The Longview News-Journal reports Fowler had done legal work for a bank that also had county business. The official oppression charges came after a man was removed from a meeting for wearing duct tape over his mouth to protest a public comment ban. The ban was later lifted.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was arrested Monday morning after he was found hiding in the closet of a Foster Middle School classroom on the last day of class. Willie Earl Hill, 49, was arrested around 8:15 a.m. after a school staff member notified school resource officers that a man was hiding in the closet of her classroom.The officer said when police arrived, Hill was running out of the doors of the school, and he was arrested in the 300 block of East College Street. Investigators determined Hill had broken a window to a downstairs classroom to enter the school. He was released from the Gregg County Jail on Monday on $500 bond, charged with criminal trespassing.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court appointed Chad Gulley of Nacogdoches as Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s County Extension Agent-Agriculture/Natural Resources for Smith County effective July 1, 2011. Gulley is transferring from Nacogdoches County, where he served as County Extension Agent-Agriculture/ Natural Resources for five years. Before transferring to Nacogdoches County, Gulley served as County Extension Agent-4H and Youth Development in Polk County for five years. Prior to joining Extension, he worked as a ranch manager in Tyler County.

TYLER — A structure at 406 West Bow Street sustains an estimated $20,000 in fire damage. The Tyler Fire Department responded to the two-alarm blaze around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. Five engines and one Ladder Company, along with a district chief and an investigator, responded to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters reported heavy fire involvement in the two-story structure. The fire was brought under control and all units had cleared the scene by 3:30 a.m. Investigators believe the fire’s cause was electrical in nature. No injuries were reported. Fire officials say the structure appeared to be an unoccupied garage apartment.

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – The Environmental Protection Agency has raised new concerns about a proposed pipeline that would carry oil from western Canada to the Texas Gulf Coast. In a letter to the State Department, the EPA says it is concerned about the risk of oil spills that could affect drinking water and sensitive ecosystems, as well as the effect of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. The EPA said that despite two lengthy reports, the State Department still has not done sufficient analysis of the project’s impact on the environment. The letter urged State to conduct a more thorough analysis of oil spill risks and alternative pipeline routes.

The $7 billion pipeline planned by Calgary-based TransCanada would carry crude oil extracted from tar sands in Alberta, Canada, to refineries in Texas. It would run through a significant portion of East Texas and has raised concerns among a number of area residents.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County officials confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the county has had its second jail death in less than six months. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. During a specially called press conference, Sheriff Maxey Cerliano said 30-year-old Micah Aaron Garner of Longview was pronounced dead Monday evening at the jail. Inmate Amy Lynn Cowling died in December. Garner was in a medical holding cell at the time. He didn’t respond during a 7:30 p.m. medical check. Longview Fire Department officials said emergency medical services were dispatched to the north jail at around 10 p.m. Monday, but no one was transported from the jail.

Garner was arrested at around 5:15 p.m. Friday by sheriff’s deputies on charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle and forgery of a financial instrument. He also had two outstanding Lakeport warrants for traffic violations. Garner was being held on bonds totaling $5,000 when he died. Adan Munoz, director of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, said the commission was notified about the death Tuesday morning, but he was unsure if representatives would be coming to Gregg County to perform an inspection.

On Dec. 29, 33-year-old Cowling was pronounced dead at an area hospital after being found unresponsive in a Gregg County Jail separation cell. Her death was ruled “probable” seizure due to methadone and Xanax withdrawals. Cowling’s manner of death was ruled undetermined despite a medical examiner’s request to call it “suspicious.” Officials have said she was denied needed medication because they were on the jail’s unapproved medication list. Texas Rangers Jason Dudley and Brent Davis are investigating the most recent death.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Department tells our news partner KETK it’s looking into a robbery that happened Monday night around 9:30 at the Brookshire’s gas station inside the grocery store’s parking lot off Highway 155. Police say a female Sonic employee walked across Highway 155 and entered the gas station where she saw an acquaintance inside a white passenger vehicle. Police say the woman approached the car while counting her tips. That’s when she says the driver sped off and the passenger, whom she did not know, grabbed her cash. The woman suffered minor injuries consisting of scrapes and bruises. Police say she then called 911 after jumping into another vehicle trying to pursue the men. But later lost sight of their vehicle.

Police are still investigating the robbery and need your help in solving the crime. If you have any information you’re asked to call the Smith County Sheriff’s Department or Crimestoppers.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council will hold a public hearing Wednesday at 9 a.m. to receive public input on options for redistricting Tyler’s single member Council districts. “At their April 6 meeting, the Council adopted redistricting criteria for the consultants to use as the framework for developing options,” said City Attorney Gary Landers. “At the May 25 meeting they heard two options for proposed new boundaries to achieve proportionate representation in our Council districts and choose to hold another meeting to receive public input.”

The current proposal involves fewer geographical shifts that result in changes in voting precinct boundaries and takes into account the need to ensure that in the majority-minority districts the new districting plan does not result in a reduction of the minority group’s ability to elect a candidate of their choice. “Less change in voter precinct boundaries should result in less voter confusion during the next election,” added Landers. The Council asked the public for comments in preparation for the June 8 hearing. You can go to http://www.CityofTyler.org to submit your comments.

The City of Tyler last redistricted in 2000; since that time, there has been a sizable increase in the total population of the city, requiring the City to again redistrict. The United States Constitution requires that each district within a city have approximately equal population. Preliminary results from the 2010 Census indicate that the population of Tyler is 96,900, an increase of 15.84 percent from the 2000 Census. The distribution of that growth has not been evenly dispersed resulting in an uneven number of residents in some of the City’s single member districts. Given Tyler’s current population, each district should have 16,150 residents or be within 10 percent of that figure. To achieve this equity, district boundary lines must be adjusted to rebalance the populations in the districts.

In addition to the one voter – one vote rule, cities in Texas must be aware of the federal Voting Rights Act requirements that govern the redistricting process. To ensure redistricting obligations are met, the City of Tyler along with Smith County and Tyler Independent School District, has contracted with the law firm of Bickerstaff and Health to assist with the redistricting process to increase coordination and cooperation. It is anticipated that this coordination will assist voters in the future.

Once adopting a final plan, the City must gain approval from the U.S. Department of Justice for the new district boundaries before they are implemented in an election. After the June 8 public hearing, the City Council may vote to approve a redistricting plan. The plan will then be submitted to the Department of Justice after adoption and be implemented prior to the 2012 City Council elections.

TYLER (AP/Staff) – Preparations are underway after Judge Floyd Getz ruled Monday that Mark Nathaniel “Nate” Anderson will stand trial as an adult. The 15-year-old, of New Chapel Hill, is accused of killing his sister by shooting her in the head. He’s charged with murder and remains in the Smith County Jail on bond of $1 million. The body of 19-year-old Amanda Anderson was found Sept. 15 in the family’s home. Mental health expert Jim Brown had recommended Anderson remain in the juvenile system. Prosecutor Matt Bingham says pornographic sites were found on Anderson’s computer and crime scene photos show the seriousness of the attack.

TYLER — The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees has approved the Service Agreement between Camp Tyler Foundation and Tyler Independent School District for one year for the 2011-2012 school year. This year, the camp raised its prices $25 per student. Camp officials say the camp’s charging price was not enough to keep it running for TISD, especially since the camp is a non-profit. Now, because of state budget cuts, TISD looked at cheaper camp options. However, many say it’s not about the price, it’s about tradition.

In other action, the Board of Trustees authorized and approved Dr. Alfreddie Coleman Felder as Principal of Ramey Elementary School. Felder has 30 years of education experience. She is joining Tyler ISD from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, as an adjunct professor in Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership. Trustees also authorized and approved Crystal Forrest as Director of Career and Technology Education (CTE). Forrest has 8 years of education experience in Palestine ISD. Both new employees will begin their duties July 1.

UPSHUR COUNTY — Upshur County’s longest-serving county judge, former Gilmer mayor, and local business owner Charles Everett Dean died Monday after a long illness, county officials said. Dean, 92, served as Upshur County Judge from 1974 to 1994 and as mayor of Gilmer from 1996 to 2003. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Gilmer. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches man was arrested Sunday evening after a person reported the vehicle he was driving nearly hit another vehicle head-on, according to a Nacogdoches Police Department Public Information Officer Greg Sowell. Officers found the Nissan pickup at about 7:30 p.m. in the 100 block of Old Tyler Road and discovered through field sobriety tests that the driver was intoxicated and had eight children between the ages of 1 and 12 in the vehicle, Sowell said.

According to KETK, authorities say there were also four adults in the pickup. Lionso Rodarte Torres, 27, is charged with one count of driving while intoxicated with a child passenger. His bond was set at $15,000. None of the children were restrained and the other four adults were not intoxicated, Sowell said. The vehicle was released to one of the occupants, who took the other occupants to their homes.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A weekend incident in Henderson County results in one death and one injury. On Sunday, sheriff’s officials responded to a disturbance in the 31000 block of CR 2100 in Henderson County. KETK reports they found Jeff Whitworth, 33, with gunshot wounds to his chest, arms, and face. They also found Wilburn “Murl” Stanfield, Jr., 43, dead in the driveway.

Henderson County investigators say Whitworth and his family were driving ATVs near their home when they were approached by Stanfield about allegedly driving recklessly in the area. Authorities say after an argument, Stanfield left briefly and returned a short time later with his cousin, Patrick Russey (pictured), and a shotgun. Stanfield allegedly shot Whitworth once, reportedly sending Whitworth and his family running for their vehicles. Once in his truck, Whitworth allegedly ran over Stanfield. According to authorities, Russey then began shooting at the truck, striking the driver’s side door several times. Stanfield was pronounced dead at the scene.

Russey was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and is being held in the Henderson County Detention Center. Whitworth is reportedly in stable condition at a nearby hospital. He is not being charged with any crime at this time. Authorities say the incident is still under investigation.

EAST TEXAS — Two East Texas soliders died this past weekend in Afghanistan. According to KETK, family members have confirmed that U.S. Army Sergeant Joshua David Powell, 28, of Quitman, was killed Saturday. Powell was killed in a Humvee along with three other soldiers, according to a statement released by the family. Powell was the son of Quitman residents Ray and Brenda Powell. He was a 2001 graduate of Quitman High School.

Gladewater High School graduate and U.S. Army Warrant Officer Bradley Justin Gaudet (pictured) was also killed Saturday, during an unrelated helicopter crash. Family members confirmed his death Monday morning. Gaudet is the son of Scott and Rhonda Owens. Scott Owens is a Gladewater city councilman. Gaudet, who has two daughters, was on his third tour of duty and was a member of the the Sixth U.S. Calvary Regiment. He was a helicopter pilot.