KTBB News, Weather, Talk

EAST TEXAS — Officials say a wanted East Texas sex offender is on the loose. Eric Carlos Moyeda was arrested for aggravated assault of a 12-year-old girl back in 2004. He was handed a 5 year probation sentence. According to KETK, his last sex offender registration verification was back in September of last year. Anyone with his location or any information is asked to contact Lufkin Police.

TYLER (AP) – An East Texas woman and her boyfriend have been indicted over the 2010 death of her year-old son. A Smith County grand jury on Tuesday indicted 20-year-old Emma Torres and 26-year-old Simon Lopez on capital murder charges. An autopsy determined Jeremy Silva died from blunt force trauma. Investigators say Lopez was watching the child last November in Tyler, while the mother was at work, when he called one of her relatives to say the boy wasn’t breathing. Police say Lopez left the youngster with the relative and fled. He was caught in July in Queretaro, Mexico. Bond was set at $2 million each for Torres and Lopez. Prosecutors have not said whether they’ll seek the death penalty.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Diboll man illegally burning trash in his yard was arrested Tuesday after he refused to allow firefighters on his property. The Diboll Volunteer Fire Department was called to the property of Daniel Holeman Sr., 47, around 3:00 Tuesday on Cheatham Road in reference to illegal burning. Angelina County Sheriff’s Office deputy Chris Wade said, “Firefighters got there and (Holeman) told them, ‘I’ve got this under control, I don’t need y’all. Keep your (expletive) off my property.”

With the county burn ban and extreme fire danger, the Diboll volunteers contacted the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office to report Holeman’s refusal. When Wade arrived on scene, he said Holeman was burning trash near a heavily wooded area. The fire department was called back out to extinguish the blaze. Holeman was taken to the Angelina County Jail, where he was released on a $500 bond for the Class C misdemeanor offense, according to county records.

LONGVIEW — Longview police early Tuesday apprehended a man they say was driving drunk near a local hospital. Officers responded to the intersection of Fifth Street and Magrill Street immediately south of Good Shepherd Medical Center after report of a man passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle. One officer found the man, later identified as Marco Contreras-Mendoza, 25, passed out in the left-turn lane with his vehicle in drive. The officer removed the keys and could smell an alcoholic beverage, reports showed. Contreras-Mendoza only spoke Spanish in the officers’ presence and provided a Mexican ID, reports showed.

He failed nine of 10 clues for intoxication, and during a blood-alcohol test, he blew a 0.219 and 0.215, both more than two times above the legal limit. Contreras-Mendoza has at least three drunk driving convictions all within the past 21 months. He remained in the Gregg County Jail at last report. Bond had not been set.

GREGG COUNTY — Local authorities have apprehended a fugitive wanted in Ohio for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Kenneth Wayne Whittington, 20, Longview, turned himself in to the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office Monday. Authorities from Brown County, Ohio, issued an arrest warrant for Whittington. Whittington remained in Gregg County Jail custody without bond at last report.

TYLER — It has been one of the most difficult and controversial business openings in recent memory. The Tyler restaurant formerly known as Double D Ranch is now, technically, the El Chico Ranch; but in reality, the name is still the object of litigation. According to KETK, though, that didn’t matter to the packed house for Tuesday’s opening. The customers were pouring into El Chico Ranch for lunch, and manager Bingo Breshears was delighted.

The cost of compliance with the injunction is apparently a handful of T-shirts. The solution to the skin issues for the waitresses was the same costume with a strategically placed T-shirt underneath. Though the menu has been sanitized and the double entendres removed, the restaurant is pretty much as advertised. Some came out of curiosity and stayed for the food. A hearing on a permanent injunction comes November 28th, and the final decision on what this bustling eatery will be called will be decided then.

LONGVIEW — Crews have contained a Monday afternoon grass fire off Loop 281 on Toler Road. KETK reports a total of 11 acres burned. No one was injured, and the cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Traffic was blocked for a time from Jahan to Loop 281 on Toler Road. One concern voiced by Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary: the presence of onlookers. Zackary says people need to stay back, let firefighters do their jobs, and not risk their lives unnecessarily, because at the speed the fires travel, you can’t outrun them.

TYLER — St. Gregory Elementary School students rank number four in the world for minutes read in the Scholastic Summer Challenge. The free program encourages children to read books and log their minutes during the summer to help avoid the “Summer Slide,” the loss of skills while out of school. Students at the Tyler school read and logged a total of 1,553,670 minutes and helped set a new world record of 64,213,141 minutes read – breaking last year’s record of 52,710,368. This year, 4,176 schools representing 22 countries participated.

Students from the Top 20 schools read and logged the most minutes and earned a listing in the 2012 Scholastic Book of World Records, which will be available through Scholastic Book Fairs, Scholastic Book Clubs and in bookstores nationwide this fall. In addition to logging their minutes on the Scholastic Summer Challenge site, children answered book trivia questions, earned virtual rewards and contributed to their school’s reading minutes.

“Scholastic congratulates all the students who participated in the Scholastic Summer Challenge and helped set a new world record for summer reading,” said Francie Alexander, Chief Academic Officer, Scholastic. “These students will begin the school year better prepared for the more challenging work they face in the next grade level.”

GILMER — If the drought doesn’t get you, a scam might. According to KETK, the Texas Forest Service is urging East Texas landowners to watch out for scam artists attempting to swindle them out of their trees. Authorities generally see an uptick in timber sale scams when the economy struggles. Recent scams involve buyers using drought scare tactics to convince landowners that their trees are dying and then push them into selling the timber prematurely. The buyer harvests the timber, but never pays the seller. While many trees have gone dormant because of the drought, state tree experts say it’s too soon to tell how many will die and how many could make a comeback next spring.

If you do opt to sell your timber now, Texas Forest Service has developed a list of tips to help you do so safely.

•Hire a consulting forester who can help you manage the sale.
•Determine the volume and value of timber being sold — before the sale.
•Bid your timber to multiple buyers, and check credentials when bids are received.
•Make sure you get a timber bill of sale, which is required by state law whenever timber is sold. The bill of sale assures the buyer that the timber does indeed belong to the seller. It also ensures payment to the seller.
•Determine ahead of time how payment will be made and what type of equipment will be used. Find out how long the contract is valid, if it requires the logger to use best management practices and if there are penalties for property damage. You should also know if the buyer carries worker’s comp insurance.

For a list of consulting foresters, view the Texas Forest Service Professional Management Service Referral List at http://tfsweb.tamu.edu/uploadedfiles/frd/referral.pdf or use this link — http://tfsweb.tamu.edu/main/article.aspx?ctrl=20 — to contact your local Texas Forest Service office.

TYLER – A 24-year-old Carthage man has pleaded guilty to federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Tuesday. Jeremy Preston Hall pleaded guilty to being a drug user in possession of a firearm on Sep. 12 in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie. According to prosecutors, on Sep. 30, 2009, Hall was found to be in possession of a Glock pistol and marijuana in Panola County. Hall also admitted to using methamphetamine and having approximately eight firearms in his possession in recent months. Hall was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 2 and charged with federal firearms violations. Hall faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — According to information released by the Smith County Fire Marshal’s office, as of midday Tuesday, all fires were contained and controlled. According to KETK, that included a grass fire that broke out Tuesday morning on Highway 155 in the Noonday area. Fire departments maintained all lines over the weekend. However, weather conditions remain favorable for the quick spread of fire. All citizens are urged to exercise extreme caution. Illegal burns continue to be an issue within the county. Household trash leads the list of items being illegally burned. Citations are still being written for all illegal fires. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has worked with Volunteer Fire Departments and the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office to put out, investigate and write citations for illegal burns in the Noonday, Dixie and Chapel Hill areas in the past day or so.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A wildfire west of Alto that forced the closure of state Highway 294 and burned about 1,700 acres was contained Monday morning, a Texas Forest Service official said. Texas Forest Service information officer Warren Bielenberg said the fire, which was reported at around 4:30 p.m. Sunday, is burning in grass and timber. “They have a line around it, but if we have a big wind event and it blows up, then there is a possibility that it could escape the containment lines,” Bielenberg said. Texas Forest Service responded to 19 new fires on Sunday for 1,099 acres, including new large fires in Harrison and Rusk counties. In the past seven days, Texas Forest Service has responded to 141 fires for 34,933 acres.

HARRISON COUNTY — A Harrison County wildfire touched off by a spark from a tractor-trailer tire blowout had spread to more than 800 acres Monday and destroyed at least one home. Harrison County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jay Webb said authorities were dispatched to the fire, which officials are calling the “Marshall fire,” about 1:45 p.m. Sunday near the intersection of Interstate 20 and Webb Rogers Road.

The fire spread to both sides of the interstate and to Ireland Williams Road, Webb Rogers Road, FM 2199 and south to FM 2625. It destroyed three structures, including one residence, and had “possibly more” in its path.

UPSHUR COUNTY — An autopsy released Monday showed that a man who was found in a burning car near Ore City died from multiple gunshot wounds. Gordon Maxwell, 46, was found dead August 30th on Texas 155 just north of Ore City. His wife, Sharon Stanley Maxwell, 43, is charged with murder in his death. She remained jailed on $750,000 bond.

GREGG COUNTY — Gregg County Crime Stoppers are asking the public for any possible information involving a hit & run fatality at the intersection of Rice Road and Debbie Street in the Liberty City area July 22. The victim, Brain Scott Carr, was standing with his bicycle at the intersection when he was struck by a white van, knocking him and the bicycle into the ditch. Carr was able to provide information to a DPS trooper that the van was occupied by a black male. The driver of the van proceeded west on Rice Rd. Carr was transported to an area hospital where he later passed away due to injuries sustained in the accident. Officials say the van should have damage to the right front and right side mirror. Gregg County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the subject or subjects responsible in this case.

HUGHES SPRINGS — A 51-year-old man has been arrested after assaulting a woman with his vehicle. Kenneth Mark Williams was taken into custody Friday after ramming his truck into the home of Linda Vanover, a woman police say he had been stalking. It happened in the 500 block of Live Oak Drive in Hughes Springs. Vanover was airlifted to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview, where she was treated for broken facial bones. She also suffered a concussion and major bruising from the incident.

Williams was charged with aggravated assault and retaliation.and is being held on $2 million bond. Vanover had filed a protective order against Williams in July after police said he broke into her home. Williams is on probation for breaking into a woman’s home in Bryan and sexually assaulting her.

WINONA — Winona volunteer firefighter Tommy Brock issues another caution against outdoor burning during the current burn ban. According to KETK, he says Winona is still running two to three calls a day on illegal burns. Brock says East Texans are sometimes just unaware of how dry we really are. He tells of a man who had just fired a .22 when the casing came out of the rifle and started a fire. Then there are the usual warnings against things like disposing of lit cigarettes through car windows.

TYLER — Tyler ISD gears up for a series of public meetings on the long-range plan it’s been developing. Chatting with KTBB’S Bill Coates, Superintendent Randy Reid said the meetings, all at 6:00 p.m., will kick off with one Tuesday at the Plyler campus. On the 14th, there’ll be a meeting at Douglas Elementary in Spanish. On September 19, a meeting will be held at John Tyler, followed by a September 20 gathering at Robert E. Lee. The series wraps up September 22 at Jack Elementary. Reid encourages everyone to come out and offer feedback on the plan.

TYLER – A 50-year-old Tyler woman has pleaded guilty to social security fraud in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Monday. Lisa Godfrey pleaded guilty to theft of government property Monday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

According to federal authorities, in 2006, Godfrey applied for Title II, Social Security Retirement and Survivors Insurance Benefits on behalf of both of her children who lived with her at the time. In January 2007, one of Godfrey’s children moved out of her home and began living with their father. However, Godfrey continued to receive Social Security Benefit payments on behalf of that child and on three separate occasions, Godfrey falsely reported to the Social Security Administration that the child was still living with her during those reporting periods. This resulted in an overpayment of Social Security Administration benefits in the amount of $29,490. Godfrey, indicted by a federal grand jury on June 2, faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Monday that the remains of a U.S. serviceman from Tyler, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. Army Sgt. Lee D. Henry, Jr., 22 when he died, will be buried Sept. 17 in his hometown.

In August 1950, Henry died near Haman, South Korea. In early 1951, the remains of an unknown soldier were exhumed from the 25th Infantry Division Cemetery in Masan, South Korea. The remains had initially been interred on Aug. 18, 1950, but available documentation didn’t identify the individual or indicate where the remains were originally found. The exhumed remains were analyzed in Kokura, Japan, four men—including Henry—were possible candidates but couldn’t be identified given the technology of the time. The remains were buried as unknown at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

In 2010, scientists at Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) concluded they had evidence that supported identification of the unknown soldier. The remains were exhumed in March 2011 for analysis using modern technology. Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command used dental comparisons in the identification of Henry’s remains. For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.

TYLER — PATH Week is underway in Tyler, running through Sept. 18. The week’s activities are designed to raise awareness of the interfaith human needs organization and encourage support for it. This year’s honorees are the women of the Windsor family. According to press materials, “It was their commitment to helping those in need and their vision of an end to poverty in Smith County that led to the creation of the PATH organization.” At a media conference Monday, ETMC and First Presbyterian Church were given this year’s PATH Week awards. That was followed by the PATH Week Prayer Luncheon at Rose Heights Church of God, with Rabbi Neal Katz delivering the keynote address.

Wednesday, it’s the PATH Week Philanthropy Dinner at 6:30 pm at Villa di Felicita, 7891 Hwy. 110 N., Tyler. Barbara J. Elliott will deliver the keynote address for that event. She’s president of the Center for Renewal, a resource center for faith-based organizations seeking to renew America’s inner cities. Saturday brings Faith In Action Day at 9 a.m. That’s set for PATH Community Homes at 1412, 1429, 1501 and 1506 Pegues St. in Tyler, with area youth groups working to clean and repair the homes. You can go to http://www.pathhelps.org for more information on PATH and PATH Week.

JEFFERSON — A Voluntary Organizations Disaster Assistance Center (VODAC) has opened for individuals impacted by the East Texas Wildfires. “Our mission is to coordinate multiple charitable organizations at a central location for families and individuals to come for help,” said Bradley Scott, Community Partnerships Coordinator with American Red Cross. The Center is located at The First United Methodist Church, 305 W. Henderson, Jefferson, Texas. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

Charitable organizations and their services include:
American Red Cross — Recovery backpacks, health services, counseling
Marion County Food Bank — Food
Communities Services of NE TX — Housing
Home Depot — Fire sifters
Lone Star Legal Aid — Legalities
Jefferson Housing authority — Housing
1st United Methodist/Jefferson — Furniture, clothing, housewares
St. Vincent de Paul — Clothing
Enon Ministry/Linden — Linens, new pillows, clothing
1st Baptist of Linden — Medications, showers and laundry
Linden United Methodist Churches– Large and small animal shelter, first aid, storage, clean-up, construction crews

“We know people are distraught and don’t know what to do next,” continued Scott. “Our hope is for clients to have a recovery plan in place when they leave the facility to speed the process of rebuilding their lives.
More agencies are needed in Cass and Marion Counties to help meet the unique needs of rural communities, such as: barn storming, property clean-up, tree trimming, well services, construction and etc. Agencies should contact Alicia Toombs, 325-665-7066.

MANGUM, Okla. (AP/Staff) – The defense in the trial of a former deputy warden’s wife who is accused of helping a convicted killer escape from prison has rested its case without calling her to the witness stand. Lawyers for Bobbi Parker rested their case in Mangum, Okla., around 1:45 p.m. Monday. Jurors were sent home as lawyers for both sides rounded up rebuttal witnesses. Defense attorneys have called 38 witnesses since prosecutors wrapped up their case on Aug. 24. Lead attorney Garvin Isaacs said he planned on having Parker testify but said he changed his mind because he believes everyone is tired.

Prosecutors have charged Parker with assisting a prisoner to escape for allegedly helping Randolph Dial break out of the Oklahoma State Reformatory in 1994. Parker’s attorneys say Dial kidnapped her and held her hostage. The two were found on a chicken ranch in Shelby County, Texas, in 2005.

TYLER — El Chico Ranch opened this morning at 11 a.m. According to KETK, the restaurant previously tried to open as the Double D Ranch before a lawsuit was brought against it in a Smith County courtroom by Toys R Us. Concerns largely centered around the attire to be worn by waitresses. The El Chico Ranch will go back to court in November in an attempt to operate as the Double D Ranch.

ALTO — Officials of the Texas Forest Service tell KETK that now 1,800 acres have burned in in a wildfire near Alto. It started Sunday and was reportedly caused by a truck that had stopped near a deer feeder. Officials re-opened Hwy 294 at noon Monday, but the fire continues uncontained. A command hub has been established in Alto. KETK staff report several bulldozers have been brought in to battle the blaze. Firemen there report flames as high as 100 feet. Residents living along FM 294 west of Alto and 21 west are being told by officials they should leave the area if they feel they are in danger but no mandatory evacuations have been issued at this time.

NORTHEAST TEXAS — Official assessments made by volunteers from the American Red Cross, in aid of Marion and Cass Counties, have determined the number of homes lost as a result of the Bear Creek Fire to be approximately 66 primary residences. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of homes suffered by our friends and neighbors in Marion and Cass Counties. Judge McMichael and I are seeking emergency aid funding in the hope that we can provide some relief for our homeless citizens, said Marion County Judge Phil Parker.

In an effort to help, locals have dated 8,000 cases of Gatorade, 10,000 cases of water, and countless amounts of clothes and personal hygiene items in support of the firefighters. Locals have also donated $3000 in cash to help displaced families in need. “The amount of donated items coming in to support the firefighters and the displaced families is unprecedented. This is another amazing example of the generosity of the people of Cass and Marion Counties and their eagerness to help in times of need,” added Judge Parker.

According to information from the Longview Police Department, the Northeast Texas Fire Complex currently consists of the Magnolia Complex located east of Longview in Gregg County and the Bear Creek Fire located east of Avinger in Marion and Cass Counties. Firefighters and aerial resources are also responding to a number of new starts in the area. The Magnolia Complex is 4,909 acres and 100% contained; this complex includes the Moore, Locker Plant and Old Magnolia Fires. Three engines and three dozers remain assigned to the complex for mop-up operations. There was a 17-acre slopover on the Old Magnolia Fire near the community of White Oak late yesterday. Firefighters were successful in containing the slopover.

The Bear Creek Fire has been determined to be 40,548 acres in size as a result of more accurate mapping. The fire is now 80% contained. Crews have made good progress with completing line around the perimeter of the fire. Crews are continuing to work on the sections of line in the northwest and southeast corners of the fire.

Fixed wing aircraft with water scoopers (Canadair CL-215s) and several helicopters were utilized to cool interior hot spots on the Bear Creek Fire. Four Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) were available to make retardant drops as needed throughout the day. Most of the aircraft was utilized for initial attack efforts on the I-20 fire east of Marshall.

Officials say projected changes in wind direction will increase the risk of spotting on the northern edges of the fire. Flare-ups have been continuing with the hot temperatures and low humidity. Numerous snags in the area make night operations challenging and more dangerous for the firefighters. Reburn potential within the fire area is high, as unburned fuels can rekindle and threaten homes in the area.

Red Cross Shelter & Disaster Assistance

The American Red Cross has established a public shelter in the City of Jefferson located at the Visitor Center, 305 E. Austin Street. Contact (903) 655-7220 for additional information. The public shelter is tentatively scheduled to be closed on Tuesday, September 13, unless there is a need to keep it running. The Red Cross, in cooperation with a number of community organizations, has opened a Volunteer Organization Disaster Assistance Center at the First United Methodist Church, 305 West Henderson in the City of Jefferson. There’s more information about that elsewhere on this web page.

Donations for Firefighters

The American Red Cross and the NE Texas Resource Advisory Council (RAC-F) and the Good Shepherd Medical Center (Linden) is working with local residents to disburse donated items to the firefighters. Contact Bertha Evans at (903) 235-8835 for additional information.

Recovery & Needed Donations for Displaced Animals

Additional Texas Animal Health Service inspectors have been called in to help with the recovery of animals within the Bear Creek Fire area. Shelter and feed is being provided for the displaced animals. Anyone wanting to donate feed is being asked to contribute round hay, square hay, cubes and other feed for horses and cattle. Location for animal feed is at the Linden Rodeo Arena on State Hwy 8 in Linden. Volunteers are also helping locate stray pets and providing temporary shelter. Currently, 6 horses, 17 dogs and 21 cats are waiting to be claimed by their owners. Two animal fatalities include one emu and one cow.

Texas Animal Health Service is working with AgriLife from the Cass County Extension Service; AgriLife will be relieving some of the current workers by providing people to help with the recovery effort. You can contact Eddie Hayes at (903) 277-3979.

MIXON — Another fire rekindles near Mixon Sunday, but it’s under control. Cherokee County deputies confirmed with KETK that crews have now contained the fire on CR 4910. No evacuations were ordered for that area, and no injuries have been reported.

TYLER – The Northeast Texas Public Health District, or NET Health, is getting some national exposure. The FEMA Getting Real II Conference is being hosted in Arlington through Wednesday and will feature best practices among disability and emergency management leaders from across the country. NET Health’s Anderson County Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Stephanie Walker, has been invited to share NET Health’s promising practice during the event and showcase its work toward integrating accessible resources into its planning efforts.

According to NET Health CEO George Roberts, “This year, FEMA has committed to building partnerships and sharing promising practices. A promising practice can be identified as a practice, approach or method that’s proven to have gained a positive outcome. The objective of the conference is to identify those practices that strengthen the whole community’s capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from the impact of disasters. These practices must also emphasize inclusion, integration, dignity, independence, accessibility and self-determination for individuals with disabilities before, during and after a disaster.

“The NET Health Public Health Preparedness department has created a series of videos in accessible formats to serve deaf, blind, limited sight, hard of hearing, cognitively delayed, and limited English proficiency audiences. These videos are the key focus of the presentation.”

“I hope to bring about awareness of the resource, share our resource, as well as inform those in attendance of the importance of integrating multiple audiences in resource creation and to develop partnerships with other entities to further advance our planning efforts,” said Stephanie Walker, NET Health Anderson County Preparedness Coordinator.

Roberts continues, “The resource we developed has been adopted by many emergency management offices across the United States and Canada. We are proud to highlight our work to a national audience in this venue and hope to develop further partnerships for success.”

RUSK COUNTY — Three county roads in Rusk County were closed Sunday evening while firefighters battled a wildfire in the area. Rusk County Sheriff’s officials say at least 150 acres burned but the fire is now 100% contained. CR 324, 327, and 328 in Church Hill, were closed due to heavy smoke and fire danger. Drivers are urged to use extreme caution when traveling these roadways due to heavy smoke still in the area.

HARRISON COUNTY — Residents had to be evacuated Sunday after a more than 100-acre fire ignited from a tractor trailer that had a blowout. Harrison County Fire Marshal Thomas Mock said crews were dispatched to the blaze near FM 2199 and Interstate 20 about 2:30. Officials say about 100 acres have burned so far. Four local fire departments were on scene as well as three dozers from the Texas Forest Service. Mock said crews from Emergency Services District No. 3 and Elysian Fields and Waskom volunteer firefighters were working alongside Texas Forest Service personnel to battle the blaze to prevent it from spreading. Air drops were being made as well, Mock said. They were still fighting the blaze late Sunday.