KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW -— Longview Police are searching for the suspect who reportedly stole a vehicle and crashed it into a house. According to KETK, the thief took the truck from a convenience store Thursday night and led police on a chase but managed to get away.

Early Friday morning, the same man was involved in a hit and run accident on Judson Road while driving at an estimated speed of 70 MPH. The suspect then drove down Green Street where he is said to have lost control of the vehicle. He drove through a fence of one house, then crashed into another house across from the former Foster Middle School. Both houses were vacant at the time.

The man ran away from the scene. He is described as a white male, with a military style haircut.

TYLER — As part of their annual surveillance of credit ratings, Standard and Poor’s (S&P) announced that they have reaffirmed the City of Tyler’s AAA bond rating. “To initially receive the AAA bond rating in 2009 was truly a remarkable achievement for our community,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “However, to have it reaffirmed following these tough economic times is extremely rewarding and is a testament to the fiscal discipline embraced by our community.”

In their report, S&P cites the following as underlying factors in reaffirming the City’s bond rating:
* Tyler’s status as the regional trade, service, and health care center for much of northeast Texas;
* Tyler’s strong wealth levels and adequate income levels partly due to a significant student population;
* Consistently very strong financial position;
* The City’s strong financial management policies; and
* A direct debt burden that is expected to remain very low because of a dedicated sales tax that provides cash funding for essentially all of the city’s tax-supported capital needs.

“Very few cities have AA, much less a AAA rating,” said Steven Adams, managing director of Specialized Public Finance, Inc., the City’s financial advisors. “This rating can be directly attributed to the quality leadership of the City and the local, diverse economy. Tyler is a regional economic hub and the strength of its two strongest industries, healthcare and education, contributed greatly to the improved bond rating.”

“I can’t express how satisfying it is to see Tyler’s exemplary financial management and diverse local economy recognized in this way,” said Mayor Barbara Bass. “Not only does the improved rating have significant financial implications for future bond issues, but the rating demonstrates that the financial decisions that the City has made over the last decade were the right things to do.”

TYLER — A former Smith County jailer was convicted Thursday of having consensual sex with an inmate. Lakerry Devonerich Bowie, 28, was charged with of violating the civil rights of a person in custody. The jury sentenced him to two years probation.

Investigators first learned of the accusations involving Bowie and the inmate in September of last year. When authorities questioned him about the alleged incident, Bowie allegedly did not cooperate and was fired. He was employed by Smith County for two years. However, the inmate has confessed to consensual sex, but there is no such thing as consensual sex between law enforcement and an inmate, according to Sheriff J.B. Smith. The Texas Rangers investigated the incident.

MARSHALL — During the Christmas holiday break, 28 security camers will be installed at Marshall Junior High School. The are expected to be fully operational soon after students return to classes in January. A news release from the school district says 22 of the cameras will be located within the school and the remaining six will monitor outside activity at key locations.

“This is a very important part of our overall plan to increase security and safety at all of our campuses,” said Dr. Marc Smith, MISD Superintendent. “There was an area of need for cameras at our junior high school and we are pleased to be able to install these cameras and have them up and running soon after school resumes after the holidays.”

The system will include the 28 two-megapixel cameras as well as a six-terrabyte Network Video Recorder (NVR) to store the recorded footage. Matt Calvert, MISD Executive Director of Finance, said the plan is to have the system up and running by the time students return for class on Jan. 14, although that date is tentative as technical issues could arise as the system goes live.

The security cameras are part of a general review of all campus emergency management plans that have been ongoing throughout the school year. Each MISD campus is required to have an updated crisis management plan that is reviewed annually, as well as a general district crisis management plan that is also updated annually.

“There is nothing more important to us the than the safety and security of our students,” said Dr. Smith. “We will continue to review our plan and look for ways to improve our campus safety in order to ensure the most effective educational experience possible that we can provide for our students.”

EAST TEXAS — Thousands of people were reportedly left without power following the storms late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. According to KETK, the outages were caused by high winds and some fallen trees. In Longview, an estimated 150 homes were without power as of late Thursday afternoon in the general area between LeDuke Boulevard and Delwood Drive, and between 4th Street and Eastman Road. Officials said there may be some sporadic power outages scattered throughout the community as well. A similar situation has been reported in Tyler. Utility crews are working to restore electricity; however, officials say it may not be restored before Friday.

With temperatures expected to dip into the upper twenties or low thirties overnight, the cities of Longview and Tyler encourage residents to check on elderly or disabled neighbors in the area. You’re asked consider staying with friends and family until power is restored. For emergency sheltering assistance, you may contact the American Red Cross at 903-753-2091 in Longview or 903-581-7981 in Tyler. The Longview Fire Department has been canvassing the area. Also, the city of Longview is utilizing the Code Red Emergency Notification System to call residents in the affected area.

Elsewhere in East Texas, Alto ISD classes were cancelled for Thursday. The schools lost power around midnight. Classes will resume as scheduled today. Garrison ISD in Nacogdoches County started late on Thursday due to a power outage, with activities beginning at 10:00 am.

WHITEHOUSE — Due to threats of violence surrounding the supposed Mayan end of the world prediction, Whitehouse ISD will beef up security on Friday’s early release. According to Whitehouse Police Department Captain Steve Henry, officials made the decision following recent incidents in and around Smith County, as well as social media, involving violent threats. Authorities will have officers stationed at every campus in the morning and during early release. Officials assure parents their students will not be in danger Friday and the “campuses will be safe.” Friday will be the first time a police officer has been assigned to every Whitehouse ISD campus.

Whitehouse police tell KETK threats of violence aren’t new to campuses, but they will be taking extra precautions in light of the Newtown shootings and drama surrounding the supposed Mayan end of the world prediction on December 21, 2012. Parents or students with information regarding a violent threat should contact their local authorities or a school official instead of posting to social media. Parents are also asked to speak with children about not bringing a gun on campus for protection.

Friday was already a scheduled early release for Whitehouse ISD. At this time, there have been no threats of violence towards the school district, and this was a notification for safety precaution. Henry emphasizes his department’s pledge that the fall term end without incident. “Our campuses will be safe because we’ll be there,” he said.

TYLER — Bullet holes in new vehicles at a local auto dealership have Tyler police seeking clues. Police were called to Crown Motor Company at 4716 Troup Highway on a report of 13 new Volkswagens that had been shot sometime during the pre-dawn hours Thursday. When employees showed up for work they discovered that an unknown suspect had shot the vehicles, parked in the front row facing Troup Highway. Employees also discovered three bullet holes in the building. Investigators believe that the weapon was fired from a moving vehicle on Troup Highway as it passed the business.

Anyone with information about the suspect or suspects involved in this crime is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to arrests and charges filed against the suspects in this case or any felony case.

HENDERSON — The Rusk County Sheriff’s office is looking for Roy Edward Smith of Tyler. According to KETK, the 31-year-old is wanted for an active warrant of retaliation, a 3rd degree felony. Rusk County Crime Stoppers is offering a $500 reward for his arrest. Anyone knowing of his whereabouts is asked to call Rusk County Crime Stoppers at 903-655-8477 or the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office at 903-657-3581.

WOOD COUNTY – The Texas Forest Service said Thursday afternoon that about 30 to 40 acres of land burned on Wood County Road 3588. KETK reports the fire was called in around 11 a.m. Crews employed two bulldozers to help control the fire. Six different fire departments were battling the blaze at one point. Several houses were threatened but firefighters were able to contain the fire.

TYLER – A Tyler federal judge has approved a pre-holiday distribution of $130,000 for more than 100 former employees of Lon Morris College who were unpaid for their final weeks of work when the school filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this year. That’s according to KETK. In a ruling announced Thursday, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Bill Parker approved the payment requested by estate chief restructuring officer Dawn Ragan.

“We are extremely pleased that the court is allowing this deserving group of former Lon Morris College employees to receive a paycheck before the holidays,” says Ms. Ragan, who negotiated the payment with representatives from the Nashville-based United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. “We are working hard to increase the estate’s value and make sure that every employee receives all the wages they’re owed. This is a positive step in the right direction.” Ms. Ragan says the $130,000 will be distributed to 138 former Lon Morris College employees beginning Friday.

A day before approving the payment for former employees, Judge Parker also approved the remainder of a $500,000 loan requested in early December to help complete the bankruptcy process. A scheduled auction of Lon Morris assets is set for Jan. 14 in Dallas.

LONGVIEW — Two people have been charged in the death of 27-year-old Ronnie Joe Gammage (pictured). KETK reports 20-year-old Sarah Haslam and 19-year-old Daniel Jones are charged with capital murder. Both are in the Gregg County Jail. During the course of the investigation, detectives identified four individuals who may have been involved in Gammage’s disappearance. Detectives interviewed Gammage and Jones. Authorities say that after the interview, the two led police to Gammage’s body, which had been left in Upshur County.

The suspects were identified through bank surveillance video that was released to the media. Police say four people had tried to cash a check on Gammage’s bank account within 30 minutes of Gammage visiting the same bank. Haslam and Jones were initially booked on aggravated kidnapping charges. Gammage was last heard from on December 4. He suffered from a mental disability which could impair his ability to make sound judgments. His vehicle was found abandoned in the parking lot of the Waffle House located at 318 East Loop 281 in Longview. The investigation is ongoing.

FLINT -— Some stores in Flint received their permits to sell alcohol late Wednesday night. According to KETK, Brookshire’s grocery store on the 20000 block of Highway 155 in Flint began selling beer and wine for off-site consumption after receiving their permit approval from the TABC on Thursday.

Another Flint store, Craft Corner on the 18000 block of Farm Road 2493, began selling alcohol as early as Wednesday evening. The store’s manager said they received their permit and first delivery of alcohol Wednesday and their second delivery was expected to arrive yesterday.

TYLER — Tyler Police continue their investigation of an assault and robbery. It happened at City Park, North Broadway and Queen around 10:00 Wednesday night. Officers said two Hispanic men and three Hispanic women were playing basketball when they were approached by several black men. One had a gun and fired a shot striking one person in the neck. The suspects then reportedly robbed the group and fled the scene on foot. The wounded victim was treated at a local hospital. The suspects were described as young thin black males about 5’8″ to 6 feet tall weighing approximately 150-180 lbs.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tyler Police at 903-531-1000 or Crimestoppers at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and charges filed against the suspects in this case or any felony case.

LONGVIEW — A suspect has been arrested in what Longview police say was a robbery that saw one of the suspects killed. Monday night, Noah Wood, 17, was shot after officers say he broke into a Longview apartment. He was said to have been shot by a resident with a rifle who was defending himself. Authorities have now arrested Xavier Ward, 20, (pictured) of Longview. He has been charged with aggravated robbery in the case. He is being held in the Gregg County Jail. His bond was set at $50,000.

BEAUMONT — A Northeast Texas man has pleaded guilty to making threats against the President of the United States. Joseph Scott Sword, 26, of Cooper, pleaded guilty Wednesday when he appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith F. Giblin in Beaumont. He faces up to five years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

According to federal prosecutors, Sword, who was incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), Stiles Unit, located in Jefferson County, Texas, wrote a letter threatening the President and First Family. Sword stated that he was a member of a violent street gang called the Black P Stone and that he had men on the street watching the President and his family.

HOUSTON (AP) — A Texas landowner battling TransCanada Corp. says a judge has declined for now to hear arguments on whether to temporarily stop work on the property. Michael Bishop says a Nacogdoches County judge put off a hearing scheduled for Wednesday until he can determine whether the matter should be in state court. Bishop wants work on his property to cease until the judge rules on whether the product TransCanada plans to carry through it is crude oil.

TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline is meant to transport tar sands, or diluted bitumen, from Canada to Texas. Bishop says tar sand isn’t crude oil. The section of the pipeline that would cross the international border has not been approved. A shorter portion from Oklahoma to Texas is under construction. The route carries it through eastern Smith County.

TYLER — A Henderson County man has been sentenced to federal prison. Mark Eugene Thomas, 56, of Athens, pleaded guilty March 7 to mail fraud. He was sentenced yesterday to 41 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. Thomas was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,509,169.70.

Federal prosecutors say from 1998 to 2009, Thomas was employed by Argon Medical Devices, Inc. (AMD), an Athens-based manufacturer and supplier of specialty medical products utilized in the areas of cardiology, radiology, and critical care. From 2004 to 2008, Thomas, the Accounting Manager for AMD, provided fraudulent data to AMD’s parent corporation and external auditor to make AMD appear more profitable in order to secure additional capital investments for AMD and the payment of performance incentives for AMD employees, including Thomas. This fraudulent activity resulted in a financial loss of between $1 million and $2.5 million.

TYLER — A 55-year-old Braidwood, Illinois geneticist has been sentenced for acquiring semen from illegally imported deer in East Texas. Dr. Raymond Favero pleaded guilty on July 11 to the felony offense of acquiring wildlife in interstate commerce in violation of state law and federal laws. He was sentenced yesterday to three years probation by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Favero was also fined $6,000.00 and ordered to pay community restitution in the amount of $24,000.00 to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

According to information presented in court, on February 1, 2007, Favero acquired approximately 184 straws of whitetail deer semen valued at approximately $92,000.00, which he drew from a buck which he knew had been transported illegally from an out-of-state source. Then again, on January 28, 2008, Favero acquired another 110 straws of whitetail deer semen valued at approximately $55,000.00 which he drew from another buck which he knew had been transported illegally from an out of state source. Favero knew that Texas law prohibits any importation of live whitetail deer or live mule deer due to the threat of diseases transmittable by deer such as Chronic Wasting Disease and bovine tuberculosis. Favero earned a P.H.D. in Animal Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1992.

TYLER – The City of Tyler has been recognized by Homeward Deployed, an organization supporting the successful transition of men and women from our armed services into civilian life, with their Sea of Goodwill Award. Presented annually, the Sea of Goodwill Award is given to a community that best demonstrates superior support in linking public, private, and governmental support for our Veterans and their families. Homeward Deployed formally presented the Sea of Goodwill Award to the community at a ceremony at the Tyler Rose Garden yesterday morning.

In recognizing Tyler, Homeward Deployed specifically cited the Mayor’s Veterans Roundtable. Established in May 2011, this initiative exists to further develop and implement a Community Blueprint for supporting and enhancing veterans services with a focus on employment, education, housing, medical care and mental health. “Since the creation of the Veterans Roundtable, tremendous progress has been made toward enhancing the relationship between Veterans, their families and the Tyler community,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. “The members of the Roundtable have worked tirelessly to ensure Tyler’s Veterans have the resources they need available to them.”

“It says a lot about our community that we are working to ensure that those who have served have what they need,” said Roundtable Co-Chair, Veteran and Councilmember Ralph Caraway. “What better way is there to thank those who have done so much for us?”

Smith County is home to nearly 18,000 Veterans as well as a Super Armory and the Texas Veterans Home that opened in November 2011. The economic impact of Veterans to the Smith County economy is estimated to be $60.8 million annually. “The Roundtable has increased community awareness of Veteran’s needs,” added Bass. “It is truly promoting the City of Tyler as a place that really cares about our Veterans.”

“Veterans have service and sacrifice for others in their DNA and the Veterans and Community Roundtable gives them the opportunity to continue to serve in making things better, not only for our Veterans and their families, but for the entire community,” said Major General John T. Furlow, U.S. Army retired. You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org for much more on this story.

GILMER — Upshur County officials are investigating after carcasses of three dogs were found under a bridge east of Gilmer. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. The discovery occurred Monday under the Cypress Creek Bridge at Farm Road 726 and State Highway 154, Upshur County Sheriff’s Capt. Gary Roberts said Tuesday. One of the dogs was found in a black garbage bag, one in a feed sack and the other was lying out in the open, Roberts said. The three dogs, which are believed to be mixed breeds, were severely decomposed, he said. Roberts said investigators could not tell whether the dogs had been shot, or died of natural causes and were left under the bridge to decompose.

TYLER — A northeast Tyler home is considered to be a total loss following a fire. . Emergency crews were called to 2118 Lyndon Avenue just before 10:30 yesterday morning. KETK reports firefighters were able to quickly put out the blaze, but fire officials say there was heavy fire and smoke damage throughout the house. Authorities believe the fire was sparked by a space heater placed too close to curtains in the living room. No injuries were reported in the incident, but two people are now without a home. Red Cross was notified to assist the occupants, who were at home at the time of the fire, but were not injured.

PALESTINE (AP) – Police credit several adults with stopping a fleeing suspect from driving away in an East Texas school bus. Palestine police on Tuesday arrested Cedric Brenard Lewis. About a dozen students were on the stopped bus, which was picking up more youngsters. Nobody was hurt. Lewis was being held Wednesday on charges of aggravated kidnapping, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, public intoxication, criminal mischief and resisting arrest. Anderson County Jail records didn’t list an attorney for Lewis. Bond wasn’t immediately set. Lewis allegedly caused a disturbance at some apartments and was being escorted out by a maintenance worker when he jumped into the bus driver’s empty seat. Sgt. James Muniz says the driver, who’d been assisting a student, helped the maintenance worker and an off-duty corrections worker subdue Lewis.

TYLER — Tyler Police say a man and a woman have been found dead inside a house at 1200 North Albertson Avenue. They are identified as Cynthia Pettigrew, 50 and Johnathan Lydia, whose 49th birthday would have been Tuesday. Police believe carbon monoxide poisoning from an electric generator operating indoors in the deaths of the couple, whose bodies were found in their home.

A Tyler police statement says police were called to the couple’s home about 3 p.m. Tuesday after a family member found their bodies. Police found the gasoline-powered generator had been operating inside the home. Sgt. Paul Robeson says an autopsy has been ordered.

The couple were found by family members who went to check on them, since they had not been heard from in a couple of days.

LONGVIEW — Longview police say it appears a teen shot to death was killed while trying to burglarize an apartment. Noah Wood, 17, was found dead Monday night. He was in an apartment at the Town East Apartments on Eastman Road. His body has been sent to Tyler for autopsy.

Investigators say Wood had entered the apartment an assaulted the residents. He was then shot by one of the residents with a rifle. A news release from the Longview Police Department said detectives have determined that aggravated robbery was the motive in the case. Police arrested a second suspect in connection with this case. Information will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s office for further review. The shooting remains under investigation.

TYLER — A Tyler man has received two 10 year prison sentences in connection with a fatal accident in December of last year. Jared Tyrell Stinecipher, 26, pleaded guilty in October to criminally negligent homicide and causing an accident involving serious bodily injury or death. Killed in the accident was Arthur Dewayne Murphy, 50. Stinecipher fled the scene, touching off a manhunt.

In 7th District Court yesterday, Judge Kerry Russell sentenced Stinecipher to two 10 year sentences, which will be served concurrently. Stinecipher is the son Lt. Mark Stinecipher with the Smith County Sheriff’s Department. He was the one who called authorities when his injured son showed up at his home following the accident.

BEAUMONT (AP/STAFF) — A group of Southeast Texas property owners are appealing a ruling to the Texas Supreme Court a ruling allowing condemnation of private land for a planned Canada-to-Gulf Coast oil pipeline.

A Jefferson County court-at-law judge ruled in October that Keystone pipeline developer TransCanada can take land by eminent domain from property owners in the coastal Southeast Texas county.

Attorneys for the property owners contend that the trial judge misapplied state law granting eminent-domain powers to common carriers and developers of crude-oil pipelines. They contend TransCanada would have exclusive use to the pipeline and that it would carry oil from tar sands, which requires processing to liquefy it and is, therefore, not crude.

TransCanada wants a federal permit to ship oil by pipeline from western Canada’s tar-sand fields to Jefferson County. The proposed route would take the pipeline through eastern Smith County.

LONGVIEW — Authorities have released surveillance video of a group of people trying to cash a check belonging to a missing Longview man. The video, from December 4, shows four people in a car attempting to cash a check under Ronnie Joe Gammage’s account about 20 minutes after he had been there. He had been reported missing that same day.

Gammage is described as 6’ 8” tall, weighing 265 pounds, and usually dressed in western attire. Officials say he suffers from a mental disability which can impair his ability to make sound judgments. Gammage’s truck was found abandoned with slashed tires in the parking lot of a Waffle House at 318 East Loop 281 in Longview. His vehicle is a tan Chevrolet pickup truck. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Ronnie Gammage is asked to contact Detective David Cheatham at 903-237-1147.

TYLER – A 43-year-old Tyler methadone clinic owner has pleaded guilty to attempting to burn down a building occupied by a competing clinic and then plotting to murder his co-conspirator after it became apparent that his co-conspirator might testify against him. Edward Jacobs pleaded guilty Tuesday in Tyler federal court to the felony offenses of attempted arson and solicitation of murder for hire. Jacobs admitted that on March 19, 2012, he gave Daniel Kubisty approximately $3,000 to burn down a building at 3322 E. Fifth Street in Tyler that was at the time being used by the “Add-Life Recovery Center” methadone clinic.

Jacobs and Kubisty both were indicted on June 6 and charged in a superseding indictment with attempted arson and conspiracy to commit arson. The indictment alleged that Jacobs and Kubisty conspired to burn down the building in order to gain a competitive advantage for the Methadone Clinic of East Texas, which also had an office in Tyler. On March 19, Kubisty was arrested in Tyler by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and was found to have a gasoline can, with a wick saturated in gasoline protruding from its neck, in the back of Kubisty’s pickup.

Jacobs also admitted that on June 1, he arranged a meeting with a man he believed he could hire to murder Kubisty in order to prevent Kubisty from testifying against Jacobs in a federal arson case. What Jacobs didn’t know was that the “hit-man” he was dealing with was cooperating with the ATF. During the meeting Jacobs offered to pay the cooperating witness $12,000.00 for Kubisty’s murder. ATF was monitoring the meeting and arrested Jacobs at the scene. The June 6 indictment also charged Jacobs with witness tampering, murder for hire, solicitation of murder for hire, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Jacobs had been in jail awaiting trial since that time.

Jacobs is facing from five to twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the attempted arson and up to twenty years in prison and a $125,000 fine for solicitation of murder for hire. Kubisty’s case is still pending trial.

CANTON — Authorities in Van Zandt County say they’ve captured a wanted felon after a vehicle and foot chase. Monday afternoon around 2:00, investigators with the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s office assisted Prec.# 1 Constable Mickey Henson along with the Grand Saline Police Department in executing a felony warrant at a location on County Road 1313.

Upon arrival at the location, authorities saw two people inside a truck. The occupants spotted authorities and quickly fled, eventually abandoning the truck with both doors open and still running. Authorities say it was confirmed the vehicle was stolen out of Dallas. Authorities were advised that the wanted person, Jimmy Don Thompson, had recently made threats to kill law enforcement to keep from going back to prison and was considered armed and dangerous.

Officials say they eventually found Thompson and made the capture by luring him toward a family member’s vehicle. According to officials, as Thompson approached the vehicle, units rushed out of it; authorities say Thompson was tasered and then placed into custody. Thompson was booked into the Van Zandt County jail for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle pending arraignment. He will be facing evading arrest charges at a later date. The other suspect is still at large but has been identified, and felony warrants will be issued for that person’s arrest.