LONGVIEW — A planned adult bookstore has some turning their heads in Longview. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, a sexually-oriented business permit was filed with the city to open an adult bookstore on FRJ Drive. It wasn’t until last week that many business owners along the street found out they’d have such a business for a new neighbor. The city says as long as the business meets requirements, nothing can be done. But one business owner says the bookstore is against his beliefs. The application is still being processed by the city. There are two other sexually-oriented businesses located within the Longview city limits.
Child Scalding Defendants Get 25-Year Sentences
TYLER – Two defendants in a Tyler child scalding case, Kenneth and Shelley Walker, were sentenced Wednesday to 25 years in prison each. According to KETK, the couple will begin serving their sentences immediately and will not be eligible for parole until 2025. Kenneth Walker, 55, and Shelley Walker, 60, were taken into custody in February. The couple was convicted Tuesday of placing their 2-year-old granddaughter into scalding water in a bathtub at a house on Aberdeen. The toddler was severely burned on her feet and ankles. She was flown to a Dallas hospital for treatment. The Walkers faced anywhere from probation to life in prison.
UTHSCT Biomedical Researcher Receives NIH Grant
TYLER — A scientist at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler who investigates life-threatening lung disease has been awarded his first research grant from the National Institutes of Health: $550,800 over five years. Torry Tucker, Ph.D., will use the money to probe the mysteries of pleural fibrosis, a lung disease caused by bacterial infections, exposure to asbestos, and heart bypass surgery. “Our research could allow people with scarred lungs to take 30 steps without being out of breath, rather than just 10 steps. That’s the difference between going to your front door and walking to your mailbox,” Dr. Tucker said.
Plea Deal Accepted in Rust Case
TYLER — Judge Jack Skeen has accepted a plea deal proposed by Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham in the case against former Smith County Precinct 3 Constable Dustin Rust. Skeen had first ordered the case to go to trial, and that trial was set to begin Wednesday. According to KETK, Rust pleads guilty to operating a security company without a license, which is a class A misdemeanor. Rust must pay $7,698 in restitution, and will be under 2 years of probation. He will not receive any jail time. The felony charge against him has been dropped.
Controversy has swirled around Rust ever since he was indicted for misuse of county property in April 2012. He is accused of using his deputies for a private security detail in Smith County neighborhoods.
Vehicle Recovered in Gun Theft Case
TYLER — Tyler police say they’re continuing to find clues in the theft of four assault rifles from a local Wal-Mart. Wednesday morning at 10:30 police recovered the vehicle allegedly involved in the heist. Police say the suspects had left the vehicle at a residence just northwest of Tyler Pipe. The homeowner said he did not know whom the vehicle belonged to when he discovered it in the home’s carport.
According to police, the suspects are still on the run, and police need your help in locating them. Investigators currently hold warrants on both Jeremy Lee Wilson, 34, a white male, and Jamie Lee Miller, 33, a white female. They are charged with theft of a firearm. Also, information led officers to a location in town where the weapons were dropped off. Officers recovered all four of the weapons from the location.
The four semi-automatic rifles were taken from the Wal-Mart at 3820 Highway 64 West. Surveillance video made around 1:30 Monday morning shows a white male breaking into the gun case in the sporting goods section and removing the weapons. He was accompanied by a white female who acted as a look-out. Police say the man placed the rifles in a shopping cart along with a gun bag and hunting jacket. The two removed the stolen merchandise from the store without paying for the items. They then got into a silver Dodge or Chrysler mini-van. The van is described as having only one hubcap located on the left rear wheel.
Anyone with information about the 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.
Man Indicted on Capital Murder Charge
HENDERSON COUNTY — An East Texas man has been indicted by a grand jury in Henderson County for capital murder. Jackie Guthrie, 22, was also indicted for theft of a firearm. He’s accused of kidnapping his pregnant girlfriend, Tiffany Hurd, 19, after fatally shooting Chantel Barret, 18, in Coffee City July 19th. Guthrie was found the next day in Galveston and taken into police custody. Hurd was with him and not injured. Guthrie remains jailed on a bond of $2 million.
Fire Damages Tyler Home
Chamber Awards Presented
TYLER – Awards were handed out Tuesday night at the annual banquet of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. Peaches and Lewis Owens won the T.B. Butler Award, which is given to the city’s Most Outstanding Citizen. Rabbi Neal Katz of Congregation Beth El in Tyler received the W.C. Windsor Award. That goes to the city’s most outstanding citizen under the age of 40. Business awards were also handed out last night. Named as large business of the year was the Hospice of East Texas. The small business award went to Davis Green Paint and Body. Volunteer of the Year is the Chamber’s new chair-elect, Rosemary Jones. The new Chamber chair is Mary Elizabeth Jackson.
Mother Frances Bond Rating Upgraded
TYLER – Mother Frances Hospital Regional Health Care Center, a part of Trinity Mother Frances Health System, has received an increased bond rating from Fitch Ratings, Inc., an international financial ratings firm. According to Health System officials, the increase from a BBB rating to a BBB+ is based on numerous factors including a stable rating outlook and rapidly growing utilization of health system facilities. Moody’s Investor Services recently reaffirmed its Baa1 rating with a stable outlook for Mother Frances, a rating comparable to Fitch’s BBB+. “We are very pleased that these two well-respected agencies gave us their vote of confidence,” said Joyce Hester, CPA, chief financial officer, Trinity Mother Frances Health System. “Bond ratings are important and an indication of the overall health of a company.”
Vigil for Missing Teen
GRAND SALINE — Grand Saline ISD held a vigil for the safe return of Charity Pulley, who has been missing since September 18. KETK reports the event took place this morning at 7:30 at the high school’s flagpole. Everyone was invited to attend.
Authorities with the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and the Grand Saline Police Department have been looking for Charity, 17, a sophomore at Grand Saline High School. The girl’s father, Jewelus Pulley, is a pastor at the Grand Saline Central Pentecostal Church. He says family members noticed Charity was missing early in the morning, and noticed that the screws had been removed from her window and the screen. Mr. Pulley says that it is not normal for his daughter to run away, and that she seemed fine the evening before her disappearance. He says she had been texting a boy, and may have sneaked out for a date with him, but if so, he never brought her back.
Pulley also says that Charity’s glasses, contacts, wallet, and house key were left behind. The teenager is legally blind in one eye, so Mr. Pulley says it would be highly unlikely she would leave all this behind. Charity is 4’11″ and about 115 lbs. She was last seen at 9:30pm on September 18th.
Heroic K-9 Finds Missing Autistic Child
MARSHALL — With the help of a heroic K-9, Harrison County deputies were able to find a missing autistic child quickly. That’s according to KETK. At 2:30 Monday afternoon, authorities were notified of the missing child on Roosevelt Taylor Road. When they arrived, the mother told officials she had last seen her 14-year-old son in his bedroom around 8:00 that morning. Due to the close proximity of Interstate 20 and a heavily wooded area surrounding the house, deputies brought in Bruce, a specially trained K-9. After the dog got a scent from the boy’s clothing, the child was found safe deep in a wooded area near the home. Sgt. Best, the deputy who helped find the child, has extensive training in tracking and utilizing his K-9 partner’s abilities for drug detection and tracking of human scents.
High School Football Player Collapsed on Field
CHAPEL HILL — A football player at Chapel Hill High School is recovering after undergoing emergency surgery on Monday. The Bulldogs head coach, Thomas Sitton, tells KETK the freshman collapsed on the practice field and suffered a seizure-like reaction. Trainers and coaches on the scene immediately worked to stabilize him and were able to keep him breathing during the entire episode. Medical officials told Chapel Hill officials the boy had experienced a subdural hematoma, which is a blood clot on the surface of the brain. The student is in stable condition following surgery. Sitton says the boy had not been hit at practice when he collapsed. His name has not been released.
Several Sentenced in Tyler in Federal Drug Cases
TYLER – A native of El Salvador, A Mexican national and a man from Mississippi have been sentenced for federal drug violations.
Jorge Sanchez, 28, a Mexican national currently residing in Tyler, pleaded guilty on May 31, 2012, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Sanchez was sentenced Monday to 30 months in prison and ordered to forfeit $50,000.
Jose Lopez, 42, a citizen of El Salvador currently residing in Tyler, Texas, pleaded guilty on May 21, 2012, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Lopez was sentenced Monday to 228 months in prison and ordered to forfeit $50,000.
Roderick McGee, 35, of Water Valley, Mississippi, pleaded guilty on May 31, 2012, to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana. McGee was sentenced Monday to 30 months in federal prison.
All three men appeared in Tyler federal court before United States District Judge Michael H. Schneider.
Tyler Area Chamber Holds Annual Meeting
TYLER — Awards for top citizens and an overview of the past year are among the highlights as the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce holds its annual meeting tonight. It all happens at Harvey Convention Center from 6:00 till 9:00pm.
UTT Officials: Crime Stats Indicate Safe Campus
TYLER — In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, The University of Texas at Tyler has released its 2012 Annual Security and Fire Report, Chief Mike Medders announced. The report includes campus crime statistics, security policies, and other safety services provided by the campus police department and the university for 2009 – 2011. “We are pleased to report that our crime statistics for last year are low, especially in light of the recent incidents that have occurred at facilities near the campus. We want students, parents and the community to know that UT Tyler is a safe campus, and we work diligently to maintain that safe environment,” Chief Medders said.
Recently City of Tyler police have investigated crimes at Cambridge Apartments, an independently owned and operated complex located across the street from UT Tyler. UTT officials point out that the university does not own the complex and is not associated with it. “Due to the close proximity to our campus, we work with the management at Cambridge Apartments to provide a police presence. We recognize that the activities occurring within the complex can affect the safety of our students,” Chief Medders added. UT Tyler police have gate access to both Cambridge and Varsity Place Apartments, and make routine patrols through the complexes.
Other campus policy safety measures noted by UTT officials include the Patriot Alert System. That’s a multi-layered emergency notification system, includes text messages, emails, phone calls, website announcements, outdoor and indoor warning systems, as well as “blue light” phones in 20 locations around campus for immediate contact with campus police dispatch. Campus housing safety measures include mandatory meetings for residents addressing rules and emergency procedures and safety issues. You can go to http://www.uttyler.edu/police/security-info.php to view the full report.
Loop 281 Reopened Between Hollybrook and Tryon Road
LONGVIEW — Downed power lines due to a fallen tree cause some major traffic issues in Longview. East Loop 281 between Eastman and Hollybrook was shut down for hours. Longview Police say that segment is now open — but the Tryon Rd. exit on both the north and south sides of the Loop remains closed. Drivers are used to take an alternate route as needed. For access to J.L. Everhart Elementary School, parents and staff are asked not to attempt to use the Tryon Road entrance. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the Loop problem is just one of several downed tree incidents that emerged in the Longview area over the rainy weekend.
PA Who Allegedly Exposed Himself Charged with 5th Count
WASKOM — A physician’s assistant who allegedly exposed himself to patients under his care has received an additional charge from Harrison County authorities. According to KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office has filed a fifth charge against Christopher Magill, 25. Magill had charges filed in July after he was accused of exposing himself to patients where he worked. The victims claim he asked personal questions unrelated to the examinations and exposed his genitals when they were alone with him in the exam room. One woman says he also touched her breasts inappropriately during an exam for an unrelated illness.
The PA’s license was suspended in Texas on August 4 by the Texas Board of Medical Examiners and also in Louisiana following allegations made by female patients at a clinic where he worked. Magill was released on a $500 bond on September 24. He was released on an $8,500 bond following his initial charges.
Two Pertussis Cases Confirmed in Lindale ISD
LINDALE — Two cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, have been reported in students attending classes in the Lindale Independent School District. According to a school district statement, the LISD was notified recently by officials with the Northeast Texas Public Health District in regards to the first case. The student attends College Street Elementary School. Parents of students at the campus received a notification letter explaining the diagnosis and received recommendations for treatment and prevention. The district was notified with regards to the second case after the end of the school day on Friday, September 28. The student attends Lindale’s Early Childhood Center. Notification letters are on their way to parents.
According to the statement, “The Lindale Independent School District is taking every precaution to prevent the spread of this infection. Classrooms and school buses are sanitized daily. Parents and guardians of students at the affected campuses will receive instructions concerning prevention. The safety and health of the students educated in our schools is our top priority.”
“We are taking this situation very seriously,” LISD Superintendent Stan Surratt said. “The health and safety of our children is our number one concern as we work to keep parents informed and educated concerning pertussis. Our staff is taking extra steps to clean and sterilize classrooms, bathrooms and water fountains.”
The school district statement continues, “The Lindale ISD is working closely with officials at the Northeast Texas Public Health District. If parents or guardians seek possible treatment for pertussis, they should tell the child’s doctor that pertussis has been reported in the school district. Please report possible pertussis infections to the school nurse and the Northeast Texas Public Health District at 903-535-0030.”
Trial for Former Constable Pushed Back
TYLER — The trial for former Precinct 3 Constable Dustin Rust is now slated to begin tomorrow. According to KETK, Rust’s trial was first scheduled to start yesterday morning at 10:00, but was pushed back two days because of an ongoing child injury case.
The prosecution filed a motion to dismiss all three charges against Rust last week, which included sanctions agreed to by the defendant, but was denied by presiding Judge Jack Skeen, who issued a gag order back on April 17. Controversy has swirled around Rust ever since he was indicted for misuse of county property back in April 2012. He is accused of using his deputies for a private security detail in Smith County neighborhoods. Last month, special prosecutor Lance Larison made a motion to dismiss the charges. Rust stepped down in early August after losing his race for constable to Jim Blackmon.
Judge: No New Trial in Pregnant Wife’s Slaying
HOUSTON (AP) – A judge has dismissed a motion for a new trial by attorneys for a Houston-area former high school coach who claims new evidence shows he is innocent of his pregnant wife’s slaying. David Temple, seen in this Facebook photo, is serving a life sentence for the 1999 shooting death of his wife. Belinda Lucas and David Temple dated as classmates at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches. Prosecutors accused him of staging the crime to look like a burglary and killing his wife because he was having an affair with another woman, whom he later married. At a court hearing Monday in Houston, state District Judge David Mendoza ruled he doesn’t have jurisdiction to decide the motion because an appeal in the case is still pending before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Temple’s attorneys say they will ask the appeals court to rule on whether Mendoza does have jurisdiction.
Expired Med Drop-Off Successful
TYLER — Law Enforcement authorities collected 11 boxes of expired medications this past Saturday during the Medication Drop-Off event at Fresh. Tyler Police said they would like to thank the public for coming out during the bad weather to participate in the worthy cause to reduce medications from entering our water system.
Power Outage Closed School
LONGVIEW — According to our news partner, KETK, there were no classes at Longview’s J.L Everhart Elementary Monday due to strong storms over the weekend that knocked out power. Power outages affected numerous customers throughout East Texas during the weekend and into Monday.
Armed Robbery Suspect Turned Himself In
TYLER — A man wanted for a September 24th armed robbery has turned himself in to authorities. Blake Irving Thomas, 18, Tyler, was wanted in an aggravated robbery reported near UT Tyler. Tyler police were called to 3088 Old Omen Road (Cambridge Apartments) in reference to the robbery of an individual inside an apartment. Officers say two men told them they were robbed at gunpoint by a person they had met on the basketball court at TJC. The victims told police that the suspect had entered their apartment after being let in and pulled out a handgun demanding their cash. The suspect took the cash and fled the area. Thomas resided in the same apartment complex at the time of the incident. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on two counts of aggravated robbery. His bond has been set at $600,000.
Flooded Roadway Causes Nacogdoches County Death
CHIRENO – A woman has died when the car she was in was swept off a flooded Nacogdoches County road. The accident happened just before 7:00 Sunday morning on Farm Road 95, south of Chireno. Dead at the scene was Chanda Pipes, 35, of Martinsville. The driver was rescued, clinging to a tree. Their vehicle was washed downstream.
East Texas State Fair Closes Early
TYLER – The weekend rains caused an early end to the East Texas State Fair. The fair closed around 4:00 Sunday afternoon. It was closed all day Saturday because of the rain.
Rains Close Schools in Grapeland
GRAPELAND – Heavy rains in the Grapeland area have closed a road and caused school to be cancelled. The Texas Department of Transportation reports Farm Road 227 three miles west of Grapeland is closed because the rains caused a culvert to collapse and washed away a part of the road. Because of the flooding, Grapeland school officials cancelled classes for all schools Monday.
Angelina County Fatality
LUFKIN – A one vehicle accident in Angelina County over the weekend killed one person. He was a passenger in a pickup that left the road and hit a tree. Dead at the scene was Rickey Torbert, 52, of Lufkin. The driver, Ronald Reed, was uninjured. The accident happened Saturday night on Rivercrest Road.
Police Probe Aggravated Assault
TYLER — Tyler police are investigating an aggravated assault that sent a person to the hospital. Very early Sunday morning, officers were dispatched to the 600 block of South August Avenue. While en route, officers were notified that an individual had been shot inside his residence and was being transported to a hospital by private vehicle.
As officers reached the scene, they located the victim sitting in a vehicle stopped within the 600 block of South August Avenue. The victim, Dasha Webb, 22, had suffered several gunshot injuries and decided to wait for EMS to arrive on scene. EMS arrived moments later, and the victim was transported to East Texas Medical Center, where he was rushed into surgery.
It is believed the assailants entered the victim’s residence through the front door and fired several rounds, striking the victim. Major Crimes Detectives and CSI Investigators were notified and responded to the scene. Police reported later Sunday morning that the victim was out of surgery and in stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit of ETMC.
Anyone with information about the 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 the arrest and charges filed against the suspects in this, or any, felony case.
TMF Uses Twitter to Improve Patient Care
TYLER – Using the latest social media technology, Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics invited the public to follow the launch of the revolutionary electronic health record (EHR) technology, ConnectCARE, live on Twitter today. Those with a Twitter account were able to follow the system’s public debut at @TMFHC and tune in for a Twittercast that included updates, pictures, and videos. The Twittercast ran from 7 till 10 a.m. TMF officials say TMF’s Twittercast was one of the first in the U.S. to launch an EHR system.
During this wave of the launch, TMF activated ConnectCARE in the Trinity Clinic physician offices, as well as for the processes of scheduling, registering, and billing patients. ConnectCARE will be launched for acute patient care in the TMF hospitals in December. A TMF news release says physicians, IT professionals, and key medical personnel Tweeted the public launch as it was happening. The release says that gave TMF patients the first window into how ConnectCARE will make accessing their records and communicating with their doctor’s office easier, faster, and with less paper.
According to officials, the fundamental feature that ConnectCARE brings is an integrated and unified patient-centered database. Officials say patients will benefit by having online access to much of their clinical information. Officials add that this information will also be available to caregivers at every point of care across the system.
Rain Causes Power Outages
TYLER — Persistent rain has caused numerous power outages in East Texas. At one point Sunday, it was reported around 2,000 people without power in Smith County. By early this morning, the number had fallen to over 100. Crews worked all day to get all the electricity back on. You can go to http://www.oncor.com for more information, including an up-to-date outage map.
