KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY – Friday morning, the Avila family lit a fire to keep warm while preparing for a big Christmas Eve dinner at their home in the 10200 block of Smith County Road 1141. KETK reports that when Maria Avila came back from buying some last-minute groceries, things had changed. “When I came back, I saw ambulance and firefighters. I couldn’t find one of my kids, so I was thinking the – you know, the worst,” Avila said. A fire in the chimney had spread to the rest of the house, destroying nearly everything — including Christmas presents for Avila’s two boys. But thanks to her family and friends, she quickly realized everyone was okay, including her missing son. “He came out of my neighbor’s house and I was so glad. I just hugged him so hard and thanked God for him,” Avila said.

Captain Matt York with the Dixie Fire Department says East Texans should be careful this holiday season when trying to keep warm. “Make sure that you get your chimney swept out. Do everything you can to prevent having fires in your chimney. Check all your space heaters, make sure you have all the correct clearance around your space heaters – it doesn’t take much to get one going…once you get a house fire it’s…you could lose everything.” Even though her home was destroyed, Avila is just glad her family is okay. “There’ll be other times we can all celebrate together…because we’re alive,” Avila said.

Since it’s gotten colder, many East Texans will be using their fireplaces this holiday season. Go to http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/heating/fireplace.shtm to link to some safety tips for using your fireplace.

SMITH COUNTY — An East Texas family is homeless after losing its home to an assumed electric fire. If that weren’t enough on Christmas Eve, their family pets never made it out. Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton told KETK that the family’s pets, a mother pit bull and her two puppies, were inside at the time of the blaze and were unable to escape. The blaze happened on County Road 3158, also known as Joy-Wright Mountain Road.

The homeowner was not at home at the time of the blaze, but was in Palestine. Her mother lives right next door, and when she saw the flames, she called 911 immediately. The grandmother told dispatch she believed her 15-year-old granddaughter was inside the house at the time. Fortunately, the teen wasn’t. Instead, authorities say, she was in Liberty City after allegedly sneaking out around 10:00 p.m. Thursday night to hang out with friends there. According to Seaton, the teen had left a heating blanket on for the puppies. It’s assumed that is what could have sparked the blaze.

Seaton wants residents to take extreme caution when it comes to space heaters and electric blankets. He says to turn them off before you leave the house — and if you’re home, don’t leave them too close to anything that will combust.

MT. SELMAN — Cherokee County sheriff’s deputies are on the lookout for an armed robber who hit a local convenience store earlier this week. According to KETK, it happened at the Hot Spot store along Highway 69 in Mt. Selman. A masked man entered the store and pulled a gun, demanding money. The man got away with some of the store’s cash.

TYLER — Tyler police say that the victim of the shooting at a car wash on West Gentry Friday morning was a 15-year-old Longview girl. Police say the girl, Nicole Cartwright, was not involved with the shooter but “was just unfortunate enough to be standing nearby.”

Sergeant Matt Smyser tells KETK that around 1:30 a.m. officers answered a disturbance call meant for Williams Chicken at 1118 West Gentry. While police were en route, shots were fired — and when officers arrived, the victim was found at the car wash, at 1103 West Bow. The wounded girl was taken to East Texas Medical Center. She later died from a single gunshot wound. Investigators have been interviewing neighbors and witnesses. You’re asked to call Tyler police at (903) 531-1000 or Crimestoppers at (903) 597-CUFF if you have any helpful information.

LONGVIEW – Longview police report the arrest of two massage parlor employees. On December 23 at 10:30 a.m., police conducted an undercover operation at 1011 NW. Loop 281 suite 4, Oriental Massage parlor. An undercover officer entered the location and made a deal for a two-person massage. Upon agreement, officers entered the location and requested to see licenses. Two females were detained who police say did not have licenses through the state of Texas to perform massages. Both females were placed under arrest for massage without license. The females were identified as Tu Duan, 53, and Guirong Song, 45, both of Longview. Song’s charge was enhanced because she had prior convictions for massage without license.

Earlier, in an exclusive story, KETK reported that the arrests follow an investigation over the past few weeks. Both suspects are here on work visas from China. There had been reports that the business had also been allegedly providing clients with sexual acts at the end of their massage. Police say the investigation will continue in order to determine who is the owner/operator of the business.

MARSHALL, Texas (AP) — A Northeast Texas woman has been sentenced to life in prison over the 2008 starving and beating death of her adopted son. The victim was Samuel Hudson, 13,.

A jury in Marshall deliberated nearly two hours Wednesday before convicting 47-year-old Cynthia Hudson of capital murder. Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty, so State District Judge Ralph Burgess sentenced Hudson to life in prison without parole. Investigators say the teen was beaten and his hands and feet were bound with plastic zip ties.

The trial was moved to Harrison County due to extensive publicity about the case in Cass County.

NACOGDOCHES — A 19-year-old East Texan gets a 13-year prison sentence. Danny Reeves pleaded guilty to hitting and robbing a 79-year-old census taker in May. Surveillance cameras helped police tie Reeves and an accomplice to the crime. The census worker has since recovered. The sentence was handed down in a Nacogdoches courtroom.

CALGARY, Alberta – Nine members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas along with 30 members from 18 other states Thursday urged U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to expeditiously approve a permit for the TransCanada firm’s $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline project. Among those Texans is Jeb Hensarling, whose district covers much of East Texas. The pipeline, from Canada to the Nederland-Port Arthur area, would run through a significant portion of East Texas.

“The importance of the Keystone XL pipeline for American energy security and the economy are undeniable,” the Congressional members wrote to Clinton. “In a time when we need them most, the Keystone XL pipeline is expected to create 13,000 high-wage American construction jobs and generate millions of dollars in tax revenues for state and local governments. In addition, this pipeline will create thousands of auxiliary jobs by providing American energy security and reducing our dependence on other less stable regions of the world.”

But as our news partner KETK recently reported, some residents are concerned. Friday, a group of East Texans met in Tyler to voice their concerns about the pipeline and to learn more about how it might affect the area. They say their main concern is the sand and oil mixture running through the pipeline. They want to make sure that the quality of the pipe is kept to the highest standards to prevent corrosion and possible pollution. Eleanor Fairchild a owns a farm in Wood County and says, “I really wish it wouldn’t come across here… but if it does come across here it should be built in a way that’s as safe as possible.” TransCanada says the first phase of the pipeline has been completed, and commercial deliveries of crude oil to U.S. Midwest markets at Wood River and Patoka, Illinois, commenced on June 30. Texas is the last stretch of the project.

TYLER – A woman is taken to the hospital Thursday morning after having a seizure while driving in Tyler. It happened in front of Sweet Sue’s Family Restaurant on the 3000 block of SSW Loop 323. Police say after the seizure, the woman’s car veered off the road, rolled down a hill and hit a light pole. No one was seriously hurt in the wreck, but the woman was still taken to the hospital to be checked out.

MT. ENTERPRISE – Rusk County Sheriff’s Deputies are looking for a robbery suspect today. Derric O’Brien Blanton is accused of robbing the Conoco Station in Mt. Enterprise Tuesday night. Deputies have issued a warrant for aggravated robbery, and say Blanton should be considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information about Blanton’s location, you’re asked to contact the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department immediately.

DALLAS (AP) – Dallas police say a man sought over the killing of his girlfriend’s infant son in Tyler has fled after being shot at by an officer. Dallas police early Thursday said a man believed to be 26-year-old Simon Lopez had been located at a hotel. Police trying to serve the capital murder warrant had their guns drawn late Wednesday as they approached a room. Police say the suspect suddenly appeared and grabbed an officer’s gun. The officer fired his weapon and the suspect ran away. No officers were hurt. Police are not sure whether the fleeing suspect was wounded. Tyler police say Lopez is sought over the November death of his girlfriend’s 1-year-old son, Jeremy Silva.

KILGORE – The Kilgore School District and three of its staff members have been named in a federal lawsuit filed in Tyler. The suit was filed by a parent of a Kilgore student who claims the staff members violated her daughter’s privacy when they disclosed her sexual orientation.

Named in the suit were softball coaches Rhonda Fletcher and Cassandra Newell. The mother, Barbara Wyatt says in the suit, the two coaches confronted her daughter in a locker room in March of last year and questioned her about her sexuality. According to the lawsuit, “Fletcher, Newell and KISD have absolutely no legitimate state interest in the disclosure of students’ sexual orientation to parents. Doing so is a severe and traumatic violation of students’ privacy, and lacks any legitimate academic, disciplinary, or administrative purpose.”

Also named in the suit is Assistant Athletic Director Douglas Duke. The suit contends he did not properly train and supervise Fletcher and Newell.

The suit is seeking monetary compensation and that the district and its staff to be prohibited from disclosing students’ sexual orientation without their consent.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department hosted a ceremony Thursday to recognize the promotions of a new Assistant Chief, 3 Battalion Chiefs, 3 Lieutenants and 3 Fire Drivers.

Assistant Chief: David Bates
Chief David Bates was recognized as the new Assistant Chief of Operations, replacing Chief Claude Ford, who retired in September. Chief Bates began his career as a firefighter in January 1991. He was later promoted to Fire Driver in 1997, Station Officer in 2000, and Battalion Chief in 2007. Bates’ training and service include working with the hazardous materials team, air pack maintenance team, hiring board, and strategic planning participation. Chief Bates holds an Associate degree in Fire Protection, a Master Firefighter Certification, and has numerous certificates from the National Fire Academy and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

Battalion Chief: Roger Groves, Steve Green, Buddy Anderson
Battalion Chief Roger Groves began his service with the City of Longview in July 1989 as a firefighter. Groves was promoted to Fire Driver in February, 2000 and Company Officer in March 2003. Chief Groves is a Master Firefighter and has an Instructor II certification with the State. He earned an Associate Fire Science Degree at Tyler Junior College. Groves has served on the Special Operations Team, on the hiring board, and as a member of the honor guard, and received the Firefighter of the Year commendation in 2007.

Battalion Chief Steve Green began his career in 1997 as a firefighter with the city. Chief Green was promoted to Fire Driver in 2000 and Captain in 2004. His education includes Associate degrees in Fire Administration and Fire and Safety Technology. He has served as shift vice president of IAFF Local 4331 since 2006. Green also served on the Standard Operations Procedures committee, as a Field Training Officer, and on the recruitment team.

Battalion Chief Buddy Anderson began his career in the fire service with Elderville-Lakeport. In April 1982, he began serving with Longview Fire Department as a firefighter/paramedic. Anderson was promoted to Driver/Engineer in November 1989 and Company Officer in March 1997. Chief Anderson has served on several committees and specialty teams within the department.

Lieutenant:
Jeff Walling
Cory Clanton
Steven McCarthy

Fire Driver:
Brandon Reeves
Jason Chamberlain
Weston Kay

LONGVIEW — City of Longview Public Works employees began clearing debris from Iron Bridge Creek Street Tuesday as part of an effort to improve drainage in the area. Over the next several weeks, the City will remove trash and cut vegetation from the creek area between Buchanan and 12th Street.

Iron Bridge Creek meanders through a southeastern portion of Longview and has been an area of concern for some residents. The cleanup project focuses on the beginning portion of the creek that is mostly wooded. To conduct the cleanup, the City first had to acquire temporary easements from the adjacent property owners in order to gain access. According to Mayor Jay Dean, “We realize that this type of cleanup is not a long-term solution. In the short-term though, cleaning the creek and removing vegetation should make a considerable difference.”

LONGVIEW — Officials say smoke alarms allowed the occupants of a burning home to escape with only one minor injury. The Longview Fire Department responded to 1314 America Drive shortly before 11 a.m. Wednesday. On arrival fire crews found a bedroom and contents of that room heavily involved with fire. Authorities say crews were able to extinguish the fire quickly, keeping it from entering the attic or other portions of the home. According to a fire department news release, the home did sustain moderate to heavy smoke damage. One occupant was treated on scene for a minor cut as a result of the fire. No firefighters were injured. Officials say the fire was caused by a 4-year-old child using or playing with a lighter or match.

MINEOLA — There may be more arrests made in the case involving a former Mineola teacher charged with having an improper relationship with a student. KETK and the Longview News-Journal are reporting 43-year-old Jo Ann Stephens was arrested last week and released from jail on a $25,000 bond. Stephens has also resigned. Sources tell the News-Journal there might be another arrest made related to perjury charges.

JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville police dispatchers say there was an armed robbery at the Corner Market in the 200 block of North Jackson. It happened around 2:00am. Police say the man was armed with a revolver. They’re looking for a black man, approximately 5’1”, wearing a red hooded shirt, dark pants, a ski mask, belt and a brown leather glove on his right hand. He was last seen traveling south from the Corner Market. If you have any information, you’re asked to call Jacksonville police at 903-586-8268.

LUFKIN (AP) – A building contractor convicted of scamming victims of a December 2009 tornado in Lufkin must serve 25 years in prison. A judge in Lufkin on Tuesday sentenced 43-year-old Jason Lynn McKnight of Wells. A jury in October convicted McKnight on five counts of fraud. He was accused of illegally securing building permits from the city on behalf of tornado victims without their knowledge or not having the residents under contract. McKnight, who says he was unfairly judged because he previously spent time in prison, says he plans to appeal. Further details on his criminal history were not immediately available.

TYLER – Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith says authorities believe Monday’s double shooting in Pine Springs was a murder-suicide. Smith says he thinks the evidence will show that the husband fatally shot his wife, and then himself. Smith County authorities are investigating the shooting deaths of the couple on County Road 334 in the Pine Springs area. It was reported just before 3:00 Monday afternoon. Dead at the scene were Billy Hays, 68, and Bonnie Hays, 71. Prior to the shooting a deputy had been to the home to take a report of a burglary and assault that occurred a couple of weeks ago. About an hour after the deputy left, the call came in concerning two persons dead in the home. The bodies have been sent to Dallas for autopsy.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is now confirming that a Pine Springs couple’s weekend deaths were a murder-suicide. Police say 68-year-old Billy Hays shot his wife, 71-year-old Bonnie Hays, before turning the gun on himself on Sunday. Monday afternoon, police responded to a 911 call from the couple’s son — and found their bodies. Sheriff J.B. Smith tells KETK it’ll be at least six months before forensics come back. Authorities are still looking for a motive.

TYLER – Child Protective Services workers say the full extent of a two-month-old Smith County baby’s injuries is not known, but say there is a possibility of permanent brain damage. According to KETK, the CPS staffers say they are still working on the case. According to authorities, 23-year-old Saul Lino-Porcayo admitted to deputies Monday night that he was lying. He originally told officials he dropped the two-month-old by accident and the child’s 13-month old sister jumped on the child. Lino-Porcayo has now told investigators he was drunk and became frustrated with the child. He then says he punched the baby in the face. The child remains in critical condition with a fractured skull at Children’s Hospital in Dallas. Lino-Porcayo remains in the Smith County jail, and his bail has been set at $500,000.

CUMBY — The Department of Public Safety has identified the woman killed Monday morning in a head on collision between an 18-wheeler and an SUV. It happened around 3:30 on Interstate Highway 30 in Cumby. She is Colleen Margaret Dorsey, 27, of Dallas. State troopers say she driving a Ford Escape and was traveling westbound in the eastbound lane. Cumby police tried to intercept her but were unable to before she collided with the truck.

HUGO, OKLA — A Hopkins County woman has died in a two vehicle accident in Oklahoma. Leah Peters, 40, of Sulphur Springs, was a passenger in a pickup that failed to heed a stop sign and collided with a vehicle driven by an Oklahoma woman. The wreck happened just west of Hugo, Oklahoma on U.S. Highway 271.

LONGVIEW — Longview Mayor Jay Dean wants your input. According to KETK, the City of Longview is considering a bond election to fund some of the city’s improvements, but that may mean a tax increase.
City officials say that the improvements are needed, but they have set up an online survey to get opinions from Longview businesses and residents. Go to http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/U2H5HPZC7ZT2 if you want to offer your thoughts.

LONGVIEW — A restaurant employee is facing charges following a Monday afternoon Longview incident in which a robbery was reported. At around 12:39 p.m. Monday, officers were dispatched to Dickies Barbecue at 2330 Judson Rd. Upon arrival officers were told that Andrew Gugliuzzi had been robbed at gunpoint. During the investigation, the alleged victim was arrested on an unrelated, outstanding, Gregg County warrant. After further investigation, police say they determined Gugliuzzi had filed a false report with police. Gugliuzzi is facing charges of false report to a police officer and felony theft.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman and her husband remain jailed after being charged with indecency with child and two counts of assault. The charges involve two boys younger than 17 years old, police said. Crystal Charie Vanlandingham, 32, was arrested Friday after a warrant for her arrest was issued in connection to the sexual assault of a boy. Her bond was set at $50,000. James Bennett Davis, 34, was arrested Dec. 1 in connection to the assault of his mother and two boys. His bond was set at $40,000.

According to arrest reports, the boy said Vanlandingham tried to inappropriately touch him during Thanksgiving. He said similar events happened around Dec. 1. Police said several prior reports had been filed against Davis at the time of his arrest, one from another family member and two from the boys.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies arrest a man at an Interstate 20 truck stop. Authorities say Richard Lopez, 27, Angleton, was so drunk, he thought he was in Houston. Deputies say he was eating when they arrived and he asked why Houston Police were questioning him. Lopez has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and driving while intoxicated. Authorities say he rammed a vehicle at a red light along Loop 323 and FM 14.

ANDERSON COUNTY — The Anderson Country Sheriff”s office is following leads in the burglaries of three businesses targeted for their copper. Sometime earlier this month, thieves cut off the locks on three buildings in the 23,000 block of U.S. 287. They then stripped all of the businesses of their copper wire. Copper wire is frequently stolen because of its resale value. Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor says the Texas Legislature is expected to consider “toughening up” laws relating to the sale of copper wire when it convenes next year.

TYLER — Smith County officials say a 2-month-old child’s father has been arrested after the baby suffered a skull fracture. The child remains in critical condition at Children’s Hospital in Dallas. The child was originally transported to a local hospital, but was later moved to Dallas. The father of the child says he found his 12-month-old jumping on the two month old. When he went to remove the two month old, he dropped the baby. The dad later admitted to officers he was under the influence of alcohol when he hit the youngster out of frustration. Saul Lino-Porcayo, 23, was charged with injury to a child and placed in the Smith County Jail in lieu of a $500,000 bond. Authorities say the father has a history of assault and was jailed in 2005.

TYLER – Tyler police are looking for four men who robbed a man shortly after 6:00 Monday night in the 700 block of West Shaw. The victim was sitting in a car when a black man beat on his window and told him to get out of the car. The suspect, who was wearing a white muscle shirt and had a bandana over his face, was armed with a revolver.

When the victim got out of the car he got into a scuffle with the suspect and was forced to the ground. He was then told to hand over his wallet, which he did. The victim said with the suspect were three other men, all with masks over their faces. After getting the his wallet, the men fled on foot south on Vine Street. The victim was not injured.