KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Salvation Army is asking for the community’s help now that the threat of winter weather is approaching. The Salvation Army says they are in need of new, full-sized blankets. They say they have been providing 50 blankets a week to the needy of Smith County. Blankets can be taken to 633 N Broadway in Tyler or monetary donations can be made at http://www.salvationarmytyler.org

EAST TEXAS — The Texas Department of Public Safety urges drivers to pay attention to changing weather conditions and prepare for the winter driving season. Stranded drivers can call the DPS helpline at 1-800-525-5555 for help from a DPS trooper or appropriate emergency service. Customers of participating wireless companies–ALLTEL, Nextel and Verizon Wireless–can dial *DPS (*377) free of airtime charges anywhere in Texas.

Winter driving tips include:

• Wear your seat belt, and make sure all passengers—including children—are buckled up.

• Remember that ice forms first on bridges, overpasses and shady areas. If you hit a patch of ice, stay off your brakes and decelerate slowly, holding the car steady as you go over the ice.

• Speed is the main problem with driving on ice. Adjust your speed to fit the weather conditions. Keep a safe distance from the car in front of you.

• If your car goes into a skid, take your foot off the gas pedal but don’t hit the brake. Steer gently in the direction you want the front of the car to go. As the car straightens out, you will be able to regain traction and control.

• Check your car battery before cold weather sets in. Battery power dips in cold weather.

• Keep blankets, a first-aid kit, flares, jumper cables, tire chains, a flashlight, ice scraper and gloves in your car. Take a food supply of candy bars or dried fruit in case you become stranded.

• Keep the gasoline level as high as possible to prevent water condensation in the tank.

• Check the automobile’s motor oil, transmission fluid, ignition system, lights, heater, cooling system and wipers.

TYLER — Now there are reports of dead birds in Texas. Plainview Animal Control, just north of Lubbock, was called to pick up about 35 dead Grackles this week. Game Warden Bill Jones says there’s really no concern. The belief here is the birds fell victim to turbulent wind. About 200 dead birds were found in Tyler, also a far cry from the numbers reported in other states.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford announced the appointment of Dr. Philip A. Coyle, chief academic officer at Richmont Graduate University in Chattanooga, Tenn., as LETU’s new provost and executive vice president, following a national search.

As the university’s new chief academic officer, Coyle will have executive level responsibilities for planning, development and administration of the academic mission of the university. He will provide leadership to achieve initiatives of the university’s strategic plan and will oversee the recruitment, development and performance of deans, academic administrators, and faculty in the university’s six schools. Coyle will report directly to Lunsford and will serve as the chief executive officer in the president’s absence.

Coyle will officially assume his new role at LETU effective July 1, but will be actively involved in the school’s search to fill two dean positions, one in engineering and one in arts and sciences.

“Philip has a number of strengths that will well serve our university,” Lunsford said. “He is unapologetic in defending the value of Christian higher education and will bring an orientation for innovation and growth in our academic programs, calling our faculty to excellence in all they do. Much of his career has been focused on preparing Christians to
claim the psychology and counseling workplace for Christ, so Philip is excited about LETU’s strategic Every Workplace – Every Nation vision. I am eager to see what God will do with Philip’s talents here at LETU.”

TYLER – A Gilmer man has pleaded guilty to federal firearms violations. James Franklin Bracey, 35, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Everingham IV. Bracey faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

According to federal prosecutors, on December 7, 2009, Bracey was found to be in possession of a rifle with an attached scope in Upshur County, which he was using to conduct surveillance on a neighboring Wal-Mart store and then steal items from the store. Further investigation revealed Bracey was a convicted felon, having previously been found guilty of burglary. Convicted felons are prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 14, 2010.

EAST TEXAS — One person is in custody after leading East Texas authorities on a chase. Cherokee County authorities along with Troup Police were involved in the high speed chase near Troup. Officials say Smith County Sheriff’s deputies and State Troopers were brought in to assist. Deputies surrounded a wooded area near Troup, east of Highway 110. Law enforcement even used a helicopter to aid in the search.

The chase began with a routine traffic stop, but the suspects fled in a gold Ford Focus. Officials say soon the Ford Focus crashed and the male driver took off. The woman passenger was taken to the hospital. The suspect then reportedly stole a blue Dodge Ram with keys inside the vehicle. Choppers later spotted the man, and officials took him into custody. He was identified as Justin Toole, 21, of Whitehouse. Constables say the chase began on Highway 79 and finally ended at County Road 4702.

Officials have not yet said what the relationship is between the man and woman, or the extent of her injuries.

KAUFMAN (AP) — A Texas Highway Patrol spokesman says a 7-year-old boy died when he was hit by a pickup truck after exiting his school bus on a rural state highway north of Kaufman.

Spokesman Lonny Haschel says the pickup driver, Salvador Hernandez, 47, of Terrell, was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter. Hernandez was taken to Kaufman County jail.

Haschel says the Kaufman school district bus was stopped facing north on State Highway 34 with all of its red lights activated and its red stop arm displayed when Hernandez – traveling in the southbound lane – failed to stop. The boy was struck after crossing in front of the bus. The child’s name has not been released.

NAPLES – A four year old pre-kindergarten girl in Naples has been killed by the school bus she had just ridden. Patience Grace Alderman was pronounced dead Wednesday afternoon at Titus County Regional Medical Center in Mount Pleasant.

Authorities say the youngster had gotten off the bus and walked around the left side of it. For some reason she headed back toward the bus. As the bus started up, the youngster tripped and fell and was run over by a rear wheel of the bus. The accident happened in the 200 block of Patterson Street in Naples.

Authorities say the girl’s death was an accident and that no charges will be filed. The bus was being driven by Deanna Van Story, who is also a coach at Pewitt Consolidated Independent School District. She was extremely shaken by the accident and required medical attention.

MARSHALL – Two East Texans are going to prison for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.

Chadwick Ray Howe, 23, of Avinger, pleaded guilty on September 22. He was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison on January 5, by U.S. District Judge T. John Ward. According to information presented in court, from June 2009 to April 2010, Howe conspired with others to manufacture methamphetamine by purchasing cold pills containing pseudoephedrine in Panola and Harrison counties in the Eastern District of Texas. A federal grand jury returned a 20-count indictment on May 6, 2010 charging Howe with federal drug violations.

And in a separate case, James Everett Scudday, 54, of Jefferson, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison on January 5, by U.S. District Judge T. John Ward. According to federal prosecutors, on November 15, Scudday purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a Wal-Mart and a Walgreens in Marshall. Texas. The purchases were made in furtherance of his drug manufacturing activities.

GLADEWATER (AP) — The buzzards are back in the East Texas city of Gladewater.

City Manager Sean Pate tells the Longview News Journal that about 30 of the large scavenger birds have been seen roosting on the city’s water tower in recent weeks.

Gladewater has dealt with an abundance of buzzards before, most recently in the spring and summer of 2009. State wildlife expert Steve Epperson helped the city get rid of the problem in the past and has been contacted again.

Officials say buzzard droppings are a threat to the water tower’s paint job, which runs about $80,000. The birds also can damage telecommunications equipment on top of the tower.

LONGVIEW — An East Texas man is in critical condition after being hit by a car. Now his family is offering a reward to help capture the person responsible. Kahn Vu, 52, was hit by a car December 28 in the 900 block of Pine Tree Road. Vu’s son says his dad was returning from a local gas station when he was hit and the driver of the car drove off. The family is pleading for information leading to the arrest of the driver.

LONGVIEW — Longview police say they have caught a wanted man after a routine traffic stop. Officers pullover Andrew Snoody at around 10:30 this morning. Snoody ran from the stop on foot and police caught him shortly after. Snoody had warrants out for his arrest in Dallas County.

NACOGDOCHES — A Henderson man faces possible manslaughter charges in connection with a Wednesday accident on U.S. Highway 259 north of Nacogdoches that left a Garrison man dead and his passenger hospitalized with undisclosed injuries.

Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper John Henley said Timothy Melton, 35, of Garrison died when the Jeep he was driving was struck by a tractor-trailer rig driven by Leon Wood, 38, of Henderson. Henley said Melton was stopped in the northbound lane of the highway, waiting to turn in to the Logmasters business parking lot at the time of the mid-day accident.

Preliminary investigation of the accident indicated Wood was also northbound in the same lane. He apparently attempted to avoid striking Melton’s vehicle but, as Melton began his turn, Wood’s truck struck the passenger vehicle in the driver’s side door, Henley said. Wood’s truck continued northbound, pushing Melton’s vehicle for about 100 yards before coming to rest in the southbound lane of the highway.

MARSHALL — Two East Texas men are heading to jail for child pornography. A 31-year-old Marshall man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today. Corey Robert Collins pleaded guilty on Aug 17, to possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison on Jan. 5. According to information presented in court, on May 19, 2010, investigators executed a search warrant at Collins’ home for suspected child pornography. During the investigation, Collins admitted to downloading child pornography over the Internet using his laptop, and consented to a search of his computer. A forensic analysis of the computer revealed 24 complete downloaded videos of child pornography.

A 49-year-old Gilmer man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas today. Terry Don Briant pleaded guilty on Aug 17 to possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison on Jan. 5. According to information presented in court, on May 19, 2010, investigators executed a search warrant at Briant’s home for suspected child pornography and seized several digital cameras and computers. A forensic examination of a laptop was found to contain about 86 videos and 17 pictures of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

HENDERSON — Rusk County authorities have posted a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of suspects who stole high quality hay and the trailer it was stored on. Lone Star Farm & Home in Henderson received a big load of horse quality square bales of hay on a large trailer, Thursday afternoon December 30th. At some time after closing and prior to the owner’s arrival at 6:30 am December 31st, unknown person(s) entered the property thru locked security gates at the back on Wilson Street. Thieves hooked to the 32’ flat bed trailer load of hay with a truck equipped with a gooseneck trailer ball and pulled it away. There were 350 bales of horse quality hay on the trailer. The hay and trailer was valued at over $10,000. If you have any information, you are asked to contact Rusk County Crime Stoppers 903-655-TIPS (8477).

EAST TEXAS — New details on the man who allegedly shot and killed a hunter over the weekend. Authorities say the Ft. Worth man arrested for that crime was convicted of murder back in 1983. Rodney Connelly, 54, told authorities he thought he shot a deer, but instead shot Louis Conner Jr., 41. Connelly was arraigned on a weapons charge Sunday. A felon can not legally possess a a weapon in the state of Texas.

LUFKIN — The pregnant Garrison woman injured in a Diboll wreck Monday is in stable condition at Memorial Medical Center-Lufkin but her unborn baby boy did not survive the crash, according to her sister.

Mary Chiz, 38, and her fiance, Travis Wertz, 35, were traveling along U.S. Highway 59 south in Diboll when an 18-wheeler rear-ended their Montero Sport, forcing them into the 18-wheeler in front of them, according to previous reports. Emergency workers from Lufkin and Diboll fire departments spent nearly 30 minutes freeing the couple from the mangled SUV. The driver of the 18-wheeler that rear-ended Chiz was cited for failure to control speed, Diboll Police said.

TYLER — Trane’s Tyler Plant is looking to fill 600 positions for their assembly line. The East Texas company plant already has 800 employees. Some 400 were laid off last year, and a company spokesman says those people will be the first considered for hiring, before outside candidates.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Investigators discover a meth lab while conducting a follow-up at a local known drug location. It happened Tuesday at a residence near the Kaufman County/Van Zandt County line. Shortly after arriving at the location it was learned that two males had fled on foot out the back from two out buildings that set toward the back of the property. Investigators say they noticed a smell that lead them to believe that methamphetamines were being cooked or had been cooked there recently. After being given consent by the owner of the out building to enter, authorities located what was believed to be a methamphetamine lab. Investigators located multiple bags of a white powdery substance believed to be methamphetamine, ranging in weight from the largest being just over 28 grams to some only having a few grams. Charges are pending for manufacture and delivery, felon in possession of a fire arm and possibly violation of parole.

TYLER — Another arrest has been made in the shooting death of a 15-year-old Longview girl. Gregory Dewayne Polley, 26, Longview was arrested Tuesday night in Longview on a parole violation. Tyler Investigators obtained an arrest warrant last night for Polley issued by Judge Kennedy for 1st degree Murder. Polley’s bond was set at $500,000 dollars and he remains in Gregg County Jail. Adrian Earl Blankenship Jr., 22, Longview was arrested Sunday on misdemeanor motor vehicle and driving violations. Judge Kennedy signed the arrest warrant for 1st Degree Murder and placed a $500,000 bond on Blakenship.

Authorities say Nicole Cartwright left Club REO December 24th to meet with family and friends, also from Longview, at the car wash on West Bow Street. Once at the car wash a disturbance occurred in the parking lot between four females in a gray or blue car with dark tinted windows, possibly a Pontiac, and a group of individuals in a red Dodge Challenger. Shots were fired, striking Ms. Cartwright who later died at a local hospital. Investigators have determined that Ms. Cartwright, who was also from Longview, was not involved in the disturbance nor was she in either vehicle.

GILMER (AP) – A state panel has suspended indicted Upshur County Judge Dean Fowler in an official oppression investigation that led some residents to protest by covering their mouths with duct tape. The suspension was announced Tuesday by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Fowler attorney Todd Tefteller says the suspension, with pay, is standard procedure when a judge has been indicted. County commissioners in September decided to stop hearing public comment.

A protester in November who put duct tape over his mouth was removed from the public meeting. A grand jury December 29 indicted Fowler on charges of official oppression and abuse of power. Two other county officials also were indicted. No trial dates have been set. County commissioners on December 30 voted to lift the ban on public comment.

TYLER — The City of Tyler, Texas, is launching the second phase of its citywide Lean Sigma program. The first phase of the program enabled the City to reduce costs and improve processes, netting a 179% return on investment in just one year.

Tyler initiated 17 projects in October 2009 and to date nine projects have been Completed, resulting in $149,559 in reduced costs and 2,500 work hours saved.

City leaders deployed Lean Sigma in a proactive effort to reduce costs and address potential budget shortfalls caused by tough economic conditions.

“We wanted to be innovative in finding ways to save tax dollars, eliminate waste and improve customer service for our citizens,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “By all accounts, year one of our Lean Sigma program has yielded exceptional results citywide.”

Highlights from Phase One of Tyler’s Lean Sigma program include:
*Police: Reduced defect rate in evidence processing;
*Water: Improved variation of response time for customer call-outs (variation of 30-60 minutes to less than 20 minutes);
*Fire: Implementation of Total Predictive Maintenance program (estimated annual savings of $220,000); and,
*Legal: Reduced document review time from 16 days to 8 days.

Phase two projects, rolled out three months ago, will focus on improving urgent repair processes in Neighborhood Services, reducing the time required to get more police officers on the street, lowering the costs of chemicals in the City’s water treatment facility and lowering vehicle parts inventory on hand.

“Our employees are enthusiastic because they’re helping their departments cut costs and operate more efficiently,” said McDaniel. “This initiative has taken Tyler’s Blueprint focus on continuous improvement to the next level. The program is reaching all levels of the organization through project teams so improvements are driven by those involved in the process.”

Tyler officials estimate that Lean Sigma will save $557,522 dollars during the first two phases of its implementation.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police say a woman was injured during a mugging Tuesday morning. It happened around 6:45 in the 300 Block of Lake Lamond Road. Officers say Ruth Miller, 57, Longview, was attacked by an unknown assailant as she went to her vehicle. Miller had been struck on the head by some type of stick, later determined to be a small tree limb. The suspect was described as a black male, wearing all black, approximately 5’5” and thin build. After striking Miller the suspect took her purse and fled the scene. Miller was transported to a hospital for treatment of her injures.

LONGVIEW — A man struck and killed by a train in Longview December 28 is identified as Sean Lee Holloman, 38, of Longview. Officers responded to a call of a pedestrian that had been struck by an oncoming train on the tracks located between Green Street and Fredonia Street. When officers arrived they located Holloman who was dead. A witness said the victim was walking down the railroad tracks waving at the train as it came towards him.

HALLSVILLE (AP/STAFF) — An overnight fire at the Tall Pines Mobile Home Park just outside Hallsville has killed Cody Cohen, 8. Two relatives were injured

The fire was reported around 12:30 Tuesday morning. Harrison County Fire Marshal Thomas Mock says the child was dead at the scene. Mock says the boy’s mother and grandmother were transported to a hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. A total of three children and three adults were in the home when the fire started. While investigators look for the cause of the fire, it is believed to be electrical in nature.

TYLER — Tyler Police have arrested a suspect wanted in the break-ins at the South Tyler Animal Clinic on Old Jacksonville Highway. Travis Carl Lemmert, 17, Tyler was charged with burglary of a state building. The burglaries happened December 26 and January 3. Police say surveillance video led to a tip which in turn led to the arrest. Some of the medications that were stolen have been recovered.

LONGVIEW – The investigation into the death of a Gregg County jail prisoner has resulted in five jail employees being fired and two of them being arrested. Arrested were Tomeka Cross, 34 and Brian West, 30.

Amy Lynn Cowling, 33, of Gilmer, was found unresponsive in a separation cell at the North facility before midnight last Tuesday. Cowling was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center and was dead on arrival early Wednesday morning.

Sheriff Maxey Cerliano said all documents, reports, logs, and electronic recordings pertaining to Cowling were secured and reviewed by investigators. It was discovered that a jail observation log had been falsified by a Gregg County Jail staff member. This information was forwarded to Texas Ranger Brent Davis and presented to the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office. An arrest warrant was issued by District Judge David Brabham charging Cross with tampering with a government document. She had been employed at the jail just over four months. Last Friday Cross was fired and booked into the Gregg County Jail. She appeared before Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson and bond was set at $2,500. Brian West, 30, of White Oak was also arrested and charged with tampering with government records. The sheriff did not rule out more arrests or additional charges in the case.

Investigators determined that other employees were involved in conduct that was in direct violation of the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office general orders, code of conduct, and jail operational guidelines. Fired as a result of these violations were Corporal Kashena Davis, jailer Jacqueline Smiddy, jailer Gary Lewis, and jailer Brian West. During the investigation jailer Darrell McClenton resigned.

Sheriff Cerliano said information regarding the jail observation log as well as additional information was forwarded to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. The Commission determined that the jail was in Non-Compliance effective December 30, 2010. This finding resulted in the transfer of all Smith County contract inmates at the Gregg County Jail to the Upshur County Jail. Since Smith County is under a remedial order, those inmates can only be housed in a county jail in Compliance.

Sheriff Cerliano added that the investigation is ongoing and the autopsy report is pending. The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Rangers, and Gregg County District Attorney’s Office are conducting the investigation. Sheriff Cerliano stated that if anyone has done anything improper regarding the incarceration of Cowling or has failed to follow medical standards established to safeguard the health of all inmates, that employee will be dealt with quickly and severely.

LONGVIEW – Captain Mike Claxton with the Gregg County Sheriff’s Department confirms a street-arrest prisoner was found with a handgun while in custody. Claxton says the prisoner was transported to the Gregg County Jail, when they found a handgun inside a pant leg during his booking. It happened after he had been restrained in handcuffs and leg irons, which Claxton says is standard procedure. DeMichael Johnson, 19, now faces, besides the original arrest charge, a complaint of having a deadly weapon in a penal institute

TYLER — A Tyler Officer was injured while chasing a suspect. It happened Monday 2:25 a.m. Tyler Officers responded to 435 S.Bonner Apartment 8 on a residential burglary in progress. The suspect was attempting to enter the apartment through the bedroom window as the owner fled out the front door. When officers arrived on the scene the suspect fled the apartment on foot into the neighborhood with officers giving chase. The apartment owner said that she believed she knew the suspect who was attempting to retrieve some property from her.

Officer Wes Lawrence was one of the officers in foot pursuit of the suspect in a wooded area when he fell into a concrete drainage ditch after climbing over a chain-link fence. Officer Lawrence suffered head trauma after striking his head on the pavement and dislocated his shoulder. Officer Lawrence was transported to East Texas Medical Center and has been placed into ICU for observation. This case remains under investigation.

TYLER — Tyler Police Investigators have made an arrest in connection to the shooting of Nicole Cartwright, 15, that occurred on December 24. The suspect is identified as Adrian Earl Blankenship Jr., 22, Longview. Judge Kennedy signed the arrest warrant for 1st Degree Murder and placed a $500,000 bond on Blakenship. This case remains under investigation.

Authorities say Cartwright left Club REO to meet with family and friends, also from Longview, at the car wash on West Bow Street. Once at the car wash a disturbance occurred in the parking lot between four females in a gray or blue car with dark tinted windows, possibly a Pontiac, and a group of individuals in a red Dodge Challenger. Shots were fired, striking Ms. Cartwright who later died at a local hospital. Investigators have determined that Ms. Cartwright was not involved in the disturbance nor was she in either vehicle.