KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — Longview Fire Department officials are investigating the cause of a Saturday afternoon fire that burned down a home. Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said firefighters were dispatched to a house in the 800 block of Butler Drive about 4:30. Zackary said the home was unoccupied and had no utilities because it was being remodeled. He did say the fire looked as though it was intentionally set.

LONGVIEW — A Longview couple accused of endangering their 14-month-old child is indicted. Misty Ann Beasley, 27, and Jason Wayne Beasley, 34, were arrested May 16 after the father told a neighbor he believed someone had killed his child’s mother. Police said Jason Beasley was hallucinating and had chased imaginary people with a knife and pistol, discharging the firearm in public. The couple told police that they had taken meth in the past few days, but no one else was there to care for the 14-month-old child, who was in a crib in a separate room.

TYLER – Funeral services were held Monday morning at Green Acres Baptist Church for former Tyler Mayor Bob Layton, with burial following at Tyler Memorial Park. Layton, who was 86, died Friday after a brief battle with cancer.

Layton served as a member of the Tyler City Council from 1974-1976. He was elected mayor of Tyler and served from 1975-1976. According to the Stewart Family Funeral Home obituary, he was a member of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, where he was past vice president and served on and chaired several committees. He was a member and past president of the Tyler Rotary Club and district governor of the Rotary International in 1975-76. Mr. Layton served on the Board of Directors for the East Texas Hospital Foundation, the East Texas Medical Center Hospital, Leadership of Tyler, Mother Frances Hospital, and Good Will Industries of East Texas. He was past chairman of the Airport Advisory Committee, the Appeals Board for Building Codes, and the Airport Advisory Technical Committee for the City of Tyler. He was Chairman Emeritus of the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport.

Layton was initially employed by Layton Supply Company until 1950, when he founded the Layton Engineering Company, which he owned for over 40 years. In February 1987, he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan and later re-appointed by President George Bush, Sr. and began working as Regional Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 in Dallas, where he was responsible for directing federal environmental programs in five states. He rose to SES Level 6, the highest senior executive service level. He was appointed to direct a pilot program in Environmental Education at UT-Tyler in 1992-1993. He later became an environmental consultant on many environmental issues.

COOKVILLE – Three persons have been killed and one injured in a weekend accident in Titus County. The wreck occurred Saturday when a car hit the rear of a parked 18 wheeler on Interstate Highway 30 at the 174 mile marker near Cookville. Dead at the scene was Leah Eason., 30, of Rockwall. Her husband James Eason, 30, and their one year old son Luke, later died at Titus Regional Medical Center in Mt. Pleasant. Another son, Jace Eason, 3, is listed in stable condition at Children’s Hospital in Dallas.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at events and work planned in the Tyler District:

GREGG COUNTY — This week, TxDOT maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on State Highway 300 (Glimer Road) between Hawkins Parkway and Farm Road 1844, including work in the State Highway 300/Hawkins Parkway intersection on Monday and Tuesday. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid the work in the Hawkins Parkway intersection.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs in various locations on Ranch Road 2970 between Farm Road 753 and the end of state maintenance, followed by the same work on Ranch Road 2588 between U.S. Highway 175 in LaRue and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also in Henderson County, TxDOT contractor Big Creek Construction, Ltd., of Hewitt, on Monday is scheduled to begin initial base-repair work on the $3.9 million project to repair and resurface State Highway 31 between Farm Road 314 in Brownsboro and the east end of Farm Road 3204 east of Brownsboro.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Beginning Tuesday, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs at the intersection of State Highway 243 and State Highway 198 in Canton. The work is being redone at the cost of the material provider since the material was faulty. Once the work on SH 243 is completed, crews are scheduled to perform the same type of work on State Highway 19 in Canton between State Highway 64 and Interstate Highway 20.

Also this week, a second crew is scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 314 between Interstate Highway 20 south in Van and Farm Road 1995. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes to avoid delays.

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue work to install right-turn lanes on Farm Road 2661 at its intersection with State Highway 31 near Chandler. A second crew will also be performing edge repairs on Farm Road 2661 between State Highway 31 and Big Eddy Road. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Looking ahead, TxDOT contractor Reynolds & Kay, Ltd. of Tyler, is scheduled to begin nighttime resurfacing work on Tyler’s WSW Loop 323 between State Highway 155 and New Copeland Road as early as Tuesday, July 5. Crews have been making repairs to storm-drain inlets and access areas in the past few weeks in preparation for the work. Once the night work begins, crews will be closing lanes between 8 p.m.-5 a.m. each night except for Fridays and Saturdays. The work is scheduled to take approximately two months to complete.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 84 between Reklaw and the Rusk County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also in Cherokee County, beginning Tuesday, July 5, TxDOT contractor TNT’s Pipeline, Corp., of Southlake, is scheduled to begin nighttime resurfacing work on U.S. Highway 69 in Jacksonville between U.S. Highway 79 and South Loop 456. Crews will be at work and lane closures will be in place between 7:00pm and 5:00am each night except Friday and Saturday while the project is in operation.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs on Farm Road 1990 between State Highway 294 and U.S. Highway 79 in Palestine. 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 continue pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 69 north of Farm Road 515 in Coke. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also in Wood County, beginning Tuesday, July 5, the Union Pacific Railroad is scheduled to replace ties on its overpass on U.S. Highway 80 near Fruitvale. The work will be conducted over the next two months with various daytime lane closures possible while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on Farm Road 1798 between Farm Road 839 in McKnight and Farm Road 1662 near Laneville. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

TYLER — The Texas Agrilife Extension Service joins the chorus of voices strongly discouraging outdoor burning during the current drought — even if your county’s not under a burn ban. Sarah Bolt of the Tyler extension office says conditions remain very dry, with no relief on the way in the near future. Bolt discussed the issue on KTBB “Staff Meeting” — adding some important notes about watering. Bolt said you should be putting about an inch of water a week on your lawn — and don’t fertilize it, because that makes it require more water. On the other hand, says Bolt, gardens need to be fertilized and heavily watered so they’ll keep producing. You can go to http://www.ktbb.com/audio to hear the “Staff Meeting” show in its entirety beginning early Monday morning. Log on to http://smith.agrilife.org to learn more about the extension service and its programs.

TYLER — Tyler police investigate a report of a Saturday night robbery. Police responded around 11:20 at the Southside Motor Bank on South Broadway. A 28-year-old woman reported that she had just been robbed by the bank’s ATM. The victim said she had pulled up to the machine in her vehicle when an unknown black male entered her vehicle and demanded that she withdraw money from her bank account. The robber reportedly pulled the victim’s hair and held an unknown object to the back of her head.

The victim said she withdrew money from the ATM, and that the money was taken by the robber. The robber then reportedly directed the victim to drive out of the bank parking lot and to an apartment complex at 5621 Old Bullard Road. The victim said the robber exited her vehicle and fled the area on foot in an unknown direction. The victim told police she then drove away from the apartment complex and called 911. Police searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

GILMER — One person is dead in a weekend Upshur County accident involving a motorcycle and a large cow. Officials say it happened shortly after 9:30 Friday evening on State Highway 154, four miles west of Gilmer. The DPS report says the motorcycle, driven by Rafeal Gunter, 20, of Gilmer, was eastbound when it struck the cow in the roadway. Gunter was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say it’s unknown whether Gunter was wearing a helmet.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County fire officials are continuing to investigate a mobile home fire on CR 1104 in the Noonday area around 8:30 Friday morning. Officials say the home was completely destroyed. According to KETK, no one was home at the time of the blaze. Some nearby trees also caught fire. Officials say CR 1104 was shut down due to the threat of a propane tank exploding.

The fire marshal says there was a family argument at the home at 2 a.m. and the home owner, Daniel Hippe, asked everyone to leave. Officials say they don’t know what started the argument, but that it’s a linchpin to the investigation. However, investigators said they don’t believe the probe will lead to an arrest. The exact cause of the fire is still being sought.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Economic Development Corporation (LEDCO) has announced that American HomePatient, Inc., one of the nation’s largest home health care providers, will expand its patient support center operations into Longview this summer. The firm will occupy an existing building at 2920 Tuttle Boulevard and will employ over 200 when fully operational.

American HomePatient is a national respiratory provider with locations in 35 states. The company is based in Brentwood, Tennessee, and owned by funds managed by Highland Capital Management, L.P. (Highland), a Dallas-based, SEC-registered investment adviser with approximately $23 billion of assets under management. The focus of American HomePatient is respiratory services, delivering sleep therapy, aerosolized medications and oxygen to patients across the country. From the Longview facility, the firm will provide telephonic support for its customer patients to monitor their therapy.

“The economic impact to the Longview area will be significant,” said Steve Metcalf, President of the LEDCO Board of Directors. “American HomePatient will invest in new equipment and facilities in the City of Longview, Gregg County and the Longview Independent School District. The total payroll, benefits, capital investment and taxes paid will reach $80 million over the next ten years.” Patrick Daugherty, Head of Private Equity at Highland, stated: “American HomePatient’s investment in Longview is an important component of the company’s growth strategy and demonstrates Highland’s commitment to American HomePatient.”

A LEDCO news release says LEDCO — aided by city officials and staff, local community colleges and universities, and existing businesses — worked for several months to attract the company to the area. Officials say the company will invest over $300,000 in building improvements and hire approximately 70 people this year. “LEDCO really worked hard to understand our city selection evaluation process and adapted quickly to our needs, making our company feel like we could add value to the community,” said Chris Johnson, American HomePatient Vice President.

In April, the LEDCO Board of Directors unanimously approved a seven year $1.1 million performance grant as an incentive for American HomePatient to expand and grow in Longview. “We are very proud and thankful to our board of directors for their forward-thinking, aggressive approach to this incentive package,” said Susan Mazarakes-Gill, LEDCO’s Executive Director. “This package sets higher, more competitive standards for the economic development industry in the U.S. and proves Longview can compete and win high-wage, sustainable jobs for the region.”

TYLER — A pedestrian suffered serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle. Tyler Police say it happened Friday morning around 10:00 in the 2600 block of South Broadway when a vehicle had pulled out of the U.S. Postal Service driveway heading north and struck a 63-year-old pedestrian as he was crossing the road. Authorities say Larry Taylor, Tyler, was taken to Trinity Mother Frances Hospital by EMS. The driver of the vehicle was interviewed by police at the scene and was released. Taylor was found at fault for failing to yield the right of way.

WINNSBORO — A Winnsboro teen has died in a one-vehicle wreck around 11:45 Thursday night. Hopkins County Department of Public Safety Officials say Autumn Dale Romine, 16, was headed east on Highway 11 near County Road 2401 when her vehicle left the north side of the roadway, hit a tree and caught on fire. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The DPS report said she had been wearing her seat belt but failed to control the car’s speed.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was arrested Wednesday after a child told police she was sexually assaulted. Leelliot Deniro Johnson, 31, was arrested around 6:00 in the 300 block of West Cotton Street. Johnson is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child younger than 14 years old. His bond was set at $100,000. On May 20th, the victim reportedly told police in a forensic interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center that she was sexually assaulted by Johnson on May 7th.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Lufkin man facing a murder charge in connection with a 2010 drive-by shooting accepted a plea deal Thursday for six years in prison. Elton “June” Gibson, 20, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault in connection with the January 2010 shooting death of Joseph Cooper, 63. In addition to the six-year sentence, Gibson received five years for violating terms of his probation, stemming from a failure to stop and render aid charge in 2009.

Gibson was the last of three to face charges in Cooper’s death. His then girlfriend and co-defendant Kendall Thompson, 20, walked last month on a murder charge, while Johnx Greer, 20, was sentenced to 20 years in prison last week in a plea agreement for aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.

Gibson was offered the deal in exchange for agreeing to testify against Thompson and Greer about the night Greer reportedly shot and killed Cooper.

DALLAS — Noticed more grasshoppers lately? The folks at Texas Agrilife Extension Service have been fielding lots of calls from folks who are seeing more of the insects. They’re especially more noticeable in Northeast Texas, from Fort Worth to Smith and Rusk Counties. The Extension’s Dr. Chris Sansone says it’s all courtesy of the drought. According to Sansone, “It’s dry, grasshoppers are moving off their natural feeding deals and coming into hay pastures, so producers are trying to defend their hay pastures. Homeowners still are trying to keep their landscapes alive, and grasshoppers are coming in and eating their landscape.” Sansone says people normally think of insect outbreaks happening when it’s wet, but drier conditions lead to an uptick of these critters.