KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW – Investigators will be back on the scene today of a Longview fire. It was reported late Sunday afternoon at Southwest Plastics and Fiber, a recycling facility, 3403 Estes Parkway. The blaze was extinguished within thirty minutes, before it could spread to the large amount of combustible materials in the building. The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined.

HOUSTON (AP/STAFF) — The head football coach at George Ranch High School, a female educator and her estranged husband have all been found shot to death at a Rosenberg hotel. The bodies of the three were found shortly before 5:00 Friday afternoon at the Regency Inn. The Houston Chronicle has identified the dead as coach Trevor White, pictured here, of Katy. He is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin University and formerly coached in Garrison. Also killed were Destiny Pickett of Richmond, and her estranged husband Clifford. Court records show Pickett had filed for divorce and a restraining order against her husband in February.

LAS VEGAS (AP/STAFF) – Even though Taylor Swift was named entertainer of the year, the over all winner at the Academy of Country Music awards Sunday night was Lindale’s Miranda Lambert. She will be returning to East Texas with four first place trophies. For the second straight year she was named female vocalist of the year. Her hit single “The House That Built Me,” was named both single and song of the year. The song was voted video of the year as well.

Lambert was also a performer on the show. Between her signing and winning awards, she received a lot of stage time. Her main squeeze Blake Shelton was the show’s co-host. Shelton joked Lambert will soon be giving up her second job as a wedding planner. They’ll be married in a matter of weeks.

TYLER — The Humane Society of East Texas is struggling financially, more so than ever in its 43-year history, according to Executive Director Gayle Helms. On KTBB “Staff Meeting,” she says one way you can help is to become a “Friend of the Shelter.” Helms says that’s sort of like being a member, at a cost of $30 or whatever you can afford above that figure. But Helms points out that any donation, large or small, “is just critical to us.” She also hopes you’ll come see the “Cause for the Paws” benefit concert, featuring Lindale’s own Miranda Lambert, to be held in downtown Tyler April 30. You can go to http://www.hsoet.org for more information. You can also listen to the “Staff Meeting” show at http://www.ktbb.com/audio beginning early Monday morning.

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

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 2661 east of Tyler between State Highway 64 and State Highway 31. A second crew is scheduled to perform base repairs on Farm Road 317 south of Chandler between Farm Road 314 and Farm Road 315. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement-repair operations on State Highway 19 in Canton between Interstate Highway 20 and State Highway 64. Once that work is complete, crews will be performing the same work on SH 64 west of SH 19 and on State Highway 243 west of State Highway 198. A second crew will be performing fog-seal operations on Farm Road 751 between Wills Point and the Hunt County Line. 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.

LONGVIEW — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement-repair operations on Loop 281 between State Highway 31 and US Highway 259 (Estes Parkway). 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.

Also this week in Gregg County, TxDOT contractor Knife River renewed its plans to shift traffic to the newly constructed lanes on the State Highway 135 project north of Interstate Highway 20 beginning mid-week. Motorists are encouraged to use caution in and around the construction zone.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 85 between the Navarro County Line and State Highway 274 in Seven Points. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on State Highway 110 between New Summerfield and Ponta. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repair operations on U.S. Highway 259 between State Highway 322 and Farm Road 850 north of Henderson. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs on Farm Road 323 southeast of Palestine between U.S. Highway 84 and Farm Road 1817. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to be at work on the following roadways in and around Wood County:
*Farm Road 778 between State Highway 37 in Quitman and Farm Road 49; and
*Farm Road 857 between U.S. Highway 80 in Grand Saline and Farm Road 1255. 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.

TYLER – A search for a missing boy caused a lockdown at Tyler’s Caldwell Zoo late Saturday afternoon. The 8 year old boy had wandered away from his aunt and brother around 5:45. The lockdown started about 6:00 and was lifted around an hour later when the found was found. The youngster was found about two miles from the zoo, near the intersection of the loop and Highway 69 North.

HAWKINS — Authorities release the name of a man who drowned in Lake Hawkins. The body of Gene Vatin Jr. of Longview was found floating in the lake Saturday morning about 30 feet from a boat pier. Authorities say they do not suspect foul play, but the investigation of the death is continuing.

MOUNT PLEASANT — A young girl who is thought to have wandered out the front door of a Mount Pleasant laundry has been struck by a vehicle and killed. The accident happened around 1:00 Friday afternoon at the Express Clean Laundromat, 403 West Ferguson Street. The two year old was rushed to Titus Regional Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead. The accident remains under investigation.

PITTSBURG — A former Winnsboro High School band director has pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a child and child indecency charges. Paul Bramlett entered his plea Friday in state district court in Pittsburg. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and two 10 year probated sentences. Bramlett will also have to surrender his teaching certificate and register as a sex offender.

TYLER — A Smith County home has been destroyed by fire, and a family of ten is homeless. The fire was reported around 2:00 Friday morning off U.S. Highway 271 on Country Hills Boulevard. It was said to have started when a Thursday burn pile reignited. The fire spread to a storage shed, which in turn spread to the house. No injuries were reported.

LINDALE — Lindale Primary School Principal Dr. Belinda Neal has been elected to the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association’s (TEPSA) state office. Dr. Neal will serve as the TEPSA secretary during the 2011-2012 school year. Her term is a six year commitment that will progress into her role as president of TEPSA during the 2015-2016 school year. Neal is only the fifth educator from Region 7 to be elected to a TEPSA state office in the organization’s 94 year history. The Texas Education Agency’s Region VII covers most of East Texas. Dr. Neal is the first Region 7 representative in the TEPSA state office since 1970.

Neal has been a member of TEPSA since 1999 and served on the board of directors, marketing and public relations committee, special committee on elections and ad hoc communications committee. “I have a strong passion for helping others,” Dr. Neal said. “I have been motivated and inspired by TEPSA leaders. Serving as a state officer will allow me to give back to our great profession.”

Dr. Neal has been with Lindale ISD since 2005. She served as principal of the Early Childhood Center until May 2010 and became principal of Lindale Primary School in June 2010.

HOUSTON (AP) – An East Texas man condemned for fatally shooting a disabled man at a convenience store has lost an appeal at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The ruling posted Friday clears the way for prosecutors to seek an execution date for 28-year-old Beunka Adams. Adams was one of two men sentenced to die for the 2002 attack that left 37-year-old Kenneth Vandever dead. Two female employees at the store in Rusk were abducted and shot and wounded. One of them was raped. Adams’ co-defendant, Richard Cobb, also is on death row. The women testified Adams was in charge during the holdup and abduction. He also was identified as the man who raped one of the women and initiated their abduction.

TYLER — 26-year-old Christopher Summerville faces a huge bond amount after Tyler police investigators secured evidence that led to obtaining an arrest warrant on Summerville for aggravated assault on a peace officer, a first degree felony. The incident occurred on March 24, when he allegedly shot a Smith County deputy who was attempting to serve an arrest warrant on Summerville at the Arbors Apartments. Deputy Josh Caulkins was wearing a vest and sustained only minor injuries. Summerville has also been charged with manufacture or delivery of controlled substance, engaging in organized criminal activity, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a prohibited weapon. Total bond amount for all charges is $7,125,000, set by Judge Jack Skeen.

Summerville, 26, had earlier been released from East Texas Medical Center. Police say Summerville was hospitalized for an overdose of methamphetamine that he reportedly had injected into his body just prior to the arrest warrant being served. Two other suspects at the scene of the shooting, 29-year-old Kara Hanley and 31-year-old Jeffery Andrysiak, have also been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity. They’d earlier been charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance.

JACKSONVILLE — A Jacksonville police officer breaks his leg while attempting to apprehend a mentally ill man who was reportedly “off his meds.” KETK reports Officer Lex Moses was trying to stop the man, who grabbed a club and was threatening officers. Moses tripped while backing up. He’s now recovering from surgery.

TYLER — The Greater Tyler Association of Realtors (GTAR) held an open house Thursday for its new Southeast Loop facility. Past GTAR President and project building chairman Bill Pillsbury says the building makes an architectural statement and puts real estate “front and center” — largely by offering event space to the public. Pillsbury hopes the facility will help draw attention to the local real estate industry, which he expects to start rebounding by mid-year — with things getting noticeably better by the end of 2011. The association’s called the location home for about a month.

ANGELINA COUNTY — An Angelina County Jail inmate late Thursday stabbed a jailer using a 10-inch metal shank, according to Sheriff Kent Henson. William Colquitt, 38, stabbed jailer Gary Amo, 23, in Colquitt’s cell around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Henson said. Amo is recovering in Memorial Medical Center-Lufkin after sustaining a cut about one inch deep, Henson said.

Last week a state district judge ruled that Colquitt was incompetent to stand trial in the July 2010 robbery of a Lufkin rental store, and ordered him to a maximum security state hospital in Vernon. Colquitt is alleged to have used a gun to force two Rent First employees to remove their clothing, and then stole their wallets and a car, the employees told police.

Colquitt started acting erratic in his cell Thursday night, Henson said. Amo and another jailer went to check on him, and Colquitt tried to hit the other jailer, Henson said. Colquitt then stabbed Amo in his side with the metal shank, but it bent, so it did not go any deeper than an inch, Henson said.

The sheriff said his staff had just shaken down Colquitt’s cell, so he did not know where the inmate got the metal shank. He said Colquitt was placed in a restraining chair and taken to a padded cell, and that he would be kept in isolation until he is transfered to the state hospital. Colquitt had a 9mm handgun on him when he was first booked into the jail, Henson said. He said Colquitt laid it on the counter as he was being booked into the jail.

Henson said he talked with Amo, who has worked at the jail since December 2009, this morning and that he was doing well. He said Amo felt lucky that the shank had bent. Amo was expected to be held overnight for observation, Henson said. The department is investigating how Colquitt was able to obtain the shank.

TYLER — Tyler Police search for three robbery suspects. Authorities say around 1:30 Friday morning at 4400 Paluxy, the victim says a black female knocked on his apartment door and when he opened the door, a black man armed with a baseball bat and another with a gun entered his home. Officials say the four occupants of the apartment were ordered to the ground while the suspects took the victim’s cell phones, wallets, and a set of keys. The three suspects fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction.

TYLER — Police have found a Tyler man accused of trying to run over two patrol officers on their bicycles. Authorities say a tip led police to the suspect, Charles Jose Baker, 32, in the 300 block of Hill around 8:30 Friday morning. Patrol officers found Baker sleeping in the back seat of his car, and he was taken into custody without incident. He was taken to Tyler Police Department for further questioning. Baker is under arrest for the probation warrant with no bond, aggravated assault on a peace officer warrant with a bond amount of $500,000, and a warrant for evading in a vehicle with a bond of $250,000.

The incident occurred shortly after 8:45 last night in the 1200 block of West Bow Street. Baker was reportedly sitting in his vehicle playing loud music when officers approached him. Officers observed alcohol in the vehicle and detected that Baker had been drinking. When officers asked Baker to turn the vehicle off, he put it in reverse running over a police bike and then ran into a parked vehicle. Baker then drove forward heading for a second officer on his bike causing him to jump from it to keep from being struck. The officer, Sgt. Eddie Sheffield, fired one shot at the suspect as he drove towards him, running over his patrol bike. Sgt. Sheffield has been employed by the department for 16 years and has been supervisor over the Bike Team for the past two years.

TYLER – A long-time member of the Smith County Sheriff’s Department has formally announced he is running for sheriff next year. Smith County Chief Deputy Bobby Garmon announced Thursday night he would be running for sheriff on the Republican ticket.

Garmon says his experience gives him the advantage in the race. According to Garmon, he’s the best man for the job because he has done all of them. He started with the sheriff’s department as a patrolman 31 years ago.

Sheriff J.B. Smith, who will be retiring, says he is supporting Garmon. “I’m supporting Bobby ’cause anyone involved in public office needs to be involved in the community. There’s not an individual in this community more involved with the Red Cross, Azleway Boys Ranch, Tyler Jaycees, and his list goes on and on. He’s just a great guy.”

Others who have said they would be running for the post are Retired ATF Senior Special Agent Larry Smith and Smith County Constable Precinct Three Captain Donn Rust.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – The trial of a Sulphur Springs doctor will be moved out of Hopkins County. State District Judge Robert Newsom Thursday approved a change of venue for Dr. Don O’Neal. It will be decided at a later date where the trial will be held. O’Neal was indicted on 61 counts of financial crimes as well as delivery of a controlled substance and prescription fraud.

TYLER (Staff/AP) – A funeral service is set for the Smith County deputy hit and killed by a cow last week. Officials say the funeral for Robert Britton will be held tomorrow at Rose Heights Church on Old Omen Road in Tyler. The service will begin at 2:00pm. Britton died Monday of head injuries suffered when he was attacked by an injured cow while he directed traffic around the half-ton animal early on March 24 near Bullard.

Sheriff J.B. Smith said the 54-year-old deputy had responded to a report of a stray cow struck by a vehicle and was directing traffic on Farm Road 344 when the cow charged him. Smith said Britton was knocked into the air and landed head-first on the pavement before the animal continued the attack until other deputies rescued Britton. Smith says the cow was euthanized. Britton had served as a deputy for the Smith County Sheriff’s Department since 1992.

LONGVIEW — A Wednesday afternoon blaze at a house in the 1700 block of Oden Street in Longview has been ruled arson. Officials ruled the fire “suspicious” after witnesses saw people leaving the scene as the fire ignited. Longview firefighters were dispatched to the blaze at 1:15pm for a reported structure fire that destroyed the home. The house was unoccupied when the fire started. According to Gregg County online records, the residence is owned by Derrick King, 33, who is serving a nine-month sentence in the Gregg County Jail for possession of a controlled substance.

Nearby neighbors said they didn’t know anything about the fire, but called 911 after they heard loud popping and saw flames shooting out of the windows. Longview Fire Chief J.P. Steelman said witnesses at the scene told investigators they saw “unknown subjects” leaving the scene around the time the fire started. Steelman said investigators ruled out all natural causes that could have started the blaze, including an electrical incident and natural gas. Twenty one firefighters, including three fire engines, two fire trucks and one ambulance were called to the scene.

Investigators said the residence suffered heavy smoke damage and said there was significant damage to the bedroom where the fire started. Steelman said there was an estimated $15,000 worth of damage, which is more than the home is worth, according to 2010 tax records. Investigators are conducting interviews to determine how the fire started. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the Longview Fire Department at 903-237-1119 or submit an anonymous tip to Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-237- STOP.

TYLER — Brookshire’s and Tyson Foods donate 29,000 pounds of protein to the East Texas Food Bank in conjunction with the Tyson “KNOW Hunger” campaign and to draw attention to a recent hunger survey commissioned by the company and the Food and Research Action Center. The East Texas Food Bank distributes more than 19 million pounds of food annually throughout its 26 county service area. Approximately 183,000 residents, including nearly 80,500 children and 11,000 seniors, receive emergency food assistance each year from the Food Bank and its more than 200 member agencies. All told, Tyson will donate more than 1 million pounds during March to 37 food banks in 22 states and Washington D.C. The company has donated more than 78 million pounds of protein during the last 10 years.

WHITEHOUSE — Some drivers are getting tired of having traffic tickets issued for running a stop sign at Whitehouse railroad tracks that no one uses anymore. Union Pacific says it could put the tracks back to work at any time. But one driver pointed out that railroad ties are caving in at places, and weeds have overgrown. Others say regardless of citizen concerns, the law is the law, and all stop signs must be obeyed. The crossing is at Acker Tap Road.

LONGVIEW — Two Longview men are jailed for reportedly stealing copper from an abandoned refinery. Authorities say David Branch and Gary Wilson were arrested around 9:00 Tuesday night in the 600 block of Premier Road after being found with three rolls of copper wiring. Officers say Branch told them that he owned the copper wiring. But, officers noticed that the wires had been freshly cut with no visible dirt or corrosion.

NACOGDOCHES — A former Nacogdoches County jailer is heading back to prison. Brian Sowell was on probation for child pornography after he was busted in 2007. Authorities say he violated his probation by opening a facebook account and signing up on match.com. He’s now sentenced to 7 years in prison.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a suspected robbery. It happened this morning around 4:45 at the Food Fast gas station, 805 W. Houston St. when a panic alarm was activated. While officers were en route, dispatch was informed by the caller that the panic alarm was actually a robbery of the business. Moments later officers arrived on scene and found the caller/victim unharmed. The area was searched by officers, but were unable to locate any suspects. The victim stated the suspects were two younger black males who took several cartons of cigarettes and an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the scene on foot.

One suspect was wearing a dark color jacket and black wind pants with white on both sides and a red stripe down the back and light blue shoes. The second suspect was wearing a black jacket with a fur lined collar and rolled up blue jeans and a blue bandanna around his face.

TYLER — The County Health Rankings Report, by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin, shows Smith County leading in the East Texas area. In the study, which is based on data from 2009, Smith County ranked 66 out of 223 counties for Health Factors and a rank of 51 out of 223 in health outcomes, which is a significant improvement over the last report.

George Roberts with the Northeast Texas Public Health District says one of the main reasons is because the county has greater access to primary physicians and health care services than others in the region. And he feels the county will even do better in the next report.

He says the Smith County community has made tremendous strides, through a variety of efforts, in improving the health of the community since these statistics were last reported. Among the reasons for the improvement:
*Establishment of the Tyler Fit City Challenge to combat obesity
*City of Tyler passed a strong smoking ordinance
*NET Health started a Health Living Initiative
*Pay Attention East Texas Coalition campaigns against reckless driving
*City of Tyler Expansion of Walking Trails

AUSTIN — An East Texas man is one of three persons appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the Texas Optometry Board for terms to expire January 31, 2017. The board oversees licensing and regulation of optometrists in Texas.

Being reappointed to the board is Larry Fields of Carthage. He is an attorney and real estate broker in private practice, and a municipal court judge for the City of Tatum. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Panola County Bar Association, Texas Municipal Court Association, Texas Association of Realtors, and Longview Area Board of Realtors. He is also a member of the Carthage Lions Club and Panola County Cattlemen’s Association, and a past board member of the Panola County Chamber of Commerce. Fields received a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and a law degree from South Texas College of Law.

Also being appointed to the panel is Mario Gutierrez of San Antonio and John Coble of Rockwall. All of the appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.

WHITEHOUSE — A dispute over a rescue ranch in Whitehouse is finally put to rest. Wild Rose Rescue Ranch filed suit against the city, claiming its ordinance limiting the number of pets in each household to four is unconstitutional. In the new settlement, the ranch agreed to reduce the number of dogs, and the city is prohibited from seizing any animals already present from the property. Whitehouse city officials are allowed to inspect the ranch every 30 days to verify the number of dogs present.