KTBB News, Weather, Talk

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview teen is arrested on her third D-W-I charge within six months. She allegedly hit speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour before wrecking her vehicle Monday afternoon. Chelsee Goins, 19, was arrested shortly after 12:15 on Interstate Highway 20 in Gregg County after troopers responded to a one-vehicle crash. Trooper Bryan Thurston said Goins “staggered severely and appeared to be extremely disoriented.” Thurston said an empty bottle of cough syrup was found in Goins’ purse.

A blood specimen was taken from Goins at Good Shepherd Medical Center before she was released to the jail. Goins was arrested June 25 for driving while intoxicated and again July 30. Goins remained jailed Tuesday on $20,000 bond.

LONGVIEW — A Longview toddler whose skull was fractured and teeth were knocked out will probably be in a vegetative state the rest of her life, according to officials. Meanwhile, the mother accused of injuring her daughter has been released from Gregg County Jail after posting $100,000 bond. Cynthia Cecilia Gonzalez, 26, was arrested Thursday on a felony charge of injury to a child with intent for serious bodily injury. Longview police launched an investigation December 26 after Aura Delgado, 2, arrived at the hospital with a fractured skull, several missing teeth, multiple bruises and bleeding on the brain.

Two of the toddler’s siblings told detectives Gonzalez refused to take the injured child to a hospital until the family had finished eating and opening Christmas presents. Gonzalez told detectives Aura was injured by falling out of bed, but a medical evaluation indicated the child’s injuries were not consistent with the mother’s explanation.

RUSK – The chairperson of Cherokee County’s Republican Committee has been arrested. KETK is reporting that Steven Looney, 56, was arrested Monday. He is currently free on a $20,000 bond. Jail records show Looney is charged with theft by a public servant and tampering with government records. The charges are said not to stem from his duties with the Republican Party, but as a result of his employment with adult protective services.

LONGVIEW – Funeral services are pending for longtime area coach Ken Little. The 60 year old Little died Tuesday following a lengthy battle with prostate cancer. He was first diagnosed with it in 2009.

Little’s final game, of his 37 year career, was December 10, 2010. As defensive coordinator, he helped the Henderson Lions defeat Chapel Hill 28-21 in the Class 3A Division I state championship game. Among his other coaching stops were Rains, Gladewater, Big Sandy and Beckville.

HENDERSON – By unanimous vote, the Henderson City Council has approved allowing Brookshire Brothers Grocery Store to sell alcohol. The action came Tuesday night following a discussion of about twenty minutes. Originally the store wasn’t allowed to do so because they are fewer than three hundred feet from Henderson Middle School.

TYLER — Thanks to New Year’s resolutions, this is a time of year when many take to the gym to get in shape. That’s why it’s important to remember gym etiquette, according to Tyler fitness instructor Natalie Curry. She says, “Especially in peak hours, like about 5:00 or in the early mornings, put away the stuff you take out, like your dumbbells or your benches — anything like that.” Also, she tells KETK, don’t hog the equipment, use a towel, re-rack your weights, and wipe down the machines after you use them. Fitness experts say the rush will end soon, though, as people slack off on those resolutions.

TYLER — Fire has caused considerable damage to a Tyler home. The two-alarm blaze, just before 1:45 Tuesday afternoon, was at 606 NNW Loop 323. The initial call was received at 1:40 p.m. Upon arrival, fire crews reported heavy smoke coming from the residence and called for the 2nd alarm. Five engines and one Ladder Company, along with a district chief and an investigator, responded to the scene.

It is believed the fire originated near a sofa in the living room. The structure suffered heavy fire damage in the room where the fire started and heavy smoke damage in the rest of the house. Investigators with the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office continue their investigation into the cause of the fire.

TYLER – The Tyler Independent School District continues efforts to seek public feedback on the district’s long range plan. Tyler ISD Superintendent, Dr. Randy Reid, will present the proposed plan at community meetings on Tuesday, January 17, at John Tyler High School, and Wednesday, January 18, at Robert E. Lee High School. “Presenting the proposed long range plan to the public is the next step in a year-long process to work with our community to update our facilities and prepare Tyler ISD for an expected 2,500 additional students by the year 2020,” Reid stated. “Our school board has worked diligently to put this plan together, and we feel it will help us accomplish our goals to support academic progress and create financial efficiencies.”

Over the past year, the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees and Tyler ISD administrators researched best practices from around the state and worked with the Tyler community to develop a plan to improve district facilities and prepare the district for the future. “The Board of Trustees greatly appreciates the community feedback we have received throughout this long range planning process,” Michelle Carr, Board President, said. “We hope community members will continue to show their support for our schools by attending these meetings and sharing their thoughts with us.” Dr. Reid will present the feedback received at the community meetings to the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees at their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, January 19.

Community meeting information is listed below:

Tuesday, January 17
6:30 p.m.
John Tyler High School Theater
1120 NNW Loop 323
Tyler, TX

Wednesday, January 18
6:30 p.m.
Robert E. Lee High School
Fine Arts Center
411 ESE Loop 323
Tyler, TX

LUFKIN — A Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Deputy crashes his squad car. KETK reports it happened Monday morning, and the lawman was pinned in the wreckage. The Lufkin Daily News reports it happened along highway 59 North in Angelina County when the deputy lost of his car during heavy rain. He was taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries.

HENDERSON — Rusk County Sheriff Danny R. Pirtle has returned to his job duties. In November, 2011, Sheriff Pirtle had successful heart bypass surgery, and a month later, he underwent a second surgery when the doctors discovered a shift in his sternum. This surgery set him back for two more months, and that was when he and his family made the decision not to run for re-election in 2012. According to KETK and Sheriff’s Department press materials, Sheriff Pirtle is doing well and is thankful he is able to return and fulfill his commitment to the term for which he was elected.

Sheriff Pirtle stated, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued prayers and support during this trying time. It has been an uphill battle and I will recover completely. May God bless you all.”

AUSTIN (AP) – A Texas Senate committee is examining how current and future drought conditions might hurt the state’s capacity to generate electricity and could leave some areas without enough power. The Senate’s Business and Commerce Committee on has begun to analyze response plans and identify parts of Texas that may be affected by a lack of power production capacity. A member of the committee is Senator Kevin Eltife of Tyler.

Planners are rushing to approve coal-fired power plants, expand nuclear facilities, create more wind power, build transmission lines and extract natural gas to meet the rising demands of the state’s growing population. Vast amounts of water, however, are often necessary to generate electricity. The worst single-year drought in Texas history has made water scarce, prompting residents in some parts of the state to oppose new projects and even take utilities to court.

Trip Doggett, president of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, told senators that the drought probably won’t cause significant shortfalls through the end of this year but could have severe impacts on energy production if it lasts into 2013.

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville police and animal control believe they have caught the last adult pit bull in a pack that has been terrorizing a local Jacksonville neighborhood on Friday. Officials said the last pit bull was the original mother of the pack, and there have been reports she had four brown puppies, approximately three to four months old, around Harrison Street. Officials said the puppies are less dangerous than adults, but they are still feral. They could bite and may have diseases. Officials said if anyone spots them to call the department.

Officials said this is the same group that has attacked goats in the neighborhood and attempted to attack a 3-year-old girl on Harrison Street December 28. After that incident, traps were set in the area and two were caught. While loading up the cages, officer Tim McDonald shot a third roaming around the area, leaving police to believe one was left.

LONGVIEW — A family was displaced from their central Longview home after an electrical fire. It happened on the 600 block of North Fredonia Street shortly after1:45 Monday afternoon in connection with a residential structure fire. Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said three people were in the home when the fire started. No injuries were reported.

Zackary said a fuse had blown, and about 15 minutes after the resident replaced the fuse, a fire ignited. He said the house received about $5,000 worth of damage, but the residents left because the electricity in the home had to be cut off.

HARRISON COUNTY — One of the peace officers officer hired by the Hallsville Police Department this past week is facing the grievance phase of his termination from Longview Police Department. Paul Montoya, 32, was hired as a patrol officer with Hallsville to fill one of the three vacant positions opened after the mayor fired the police chief and two officers and the lone remaining officer resigned.

City of Longview spokesman Shawn Hara said Montoya was employed as a patrol officer from August 1, 2005 to December 15, 2011 when he was terminated. Hara did not elaborate about the termination because it is in the “grievance phase,” in which a panel of employees will hear what Montoya has to say in regards to the termination, he said.

Montoya was among two who were hired to fill vacant positions within the department this past week.

GLADEWATER — A 16-year-old Gladewater High School student is in Good Shepherd Medical Center after being shot in the face this past weekend. Late Monday afternoon, a suspect in the case surrendered to authorities. Charged with aggravated assault in the case was Kari Darryieus Harper, 17.

Gladewater Police Chief Farrell Alexander said officers were dispatched to Weldon Bumble Bee Park on South Main Street shortly after 12:15 Saturday morning. The call was in connection to a report of multiple shots fired in the area. Alexander said while officers were responding, another caller reported a gunshot wound victim at the Valero Gas Station near the intersection of U.S. Highway 80 and Lee Street. “The victim was able to say who shot him and give us a little information about what was going on,” Alexander said. The shooting is said to have stemmed from an ongoing dispute over a girl.

TYLER — The City of Tyler has converted the intersection of Old Omen Road and Varsity Drive from a single stop condition to an all-way stop. The stop signs and stop ahead warning signs are erected on north and south bound approaches of Old Omen Road at Varsity Drive. The University has already informed students and faculty of the change.

TYLER — A woman is arrested following a shooting in Smith County. Around 11:45 Monday morning, the Sheriff’s Department got a call about a shooting in the 4000 block of Morningside Driver. Officials say Shannon Deanna Grimes, 41, had called her boyfriend of 8 years, John Paul Parker, 41, to come to her house to work out their failing relationship. While Parker was there, Grimes reportedly found a suspicious text message on his phone and pulled out a .22 rifle. Authorities say she shot at Parker as he went to leave, and the bullet just grazed his scalp. He was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Sheriff’s officials say Grimes asked a relative living nearby to hide the gun. Grimes has been booked into the Smith County jail for aggravated assault. Her bond is set at $200,000.

WILLS POINT – The driver involved in a fatal hit and run accident in Van Zandt County has been identified. Killed in the early Friday morning accident was Casey Eggeling, 16, of Wills Point. It appears as if Eggeling and another teen were sleeping in the road when the accident occurred. The other teen was not injured. The Department of Public Safety reports Ruben Lann, 67, of Wills Point, contacted authorities after learning of the accident. He said he thought he hit a bag in the road. Charges are not expected to be filed in the case.

LONGVIEW — Longview police take a woman into custody after finding drugs at a local hotel. On Sunday, officers responded to a call at a hotel in the 500 Block of South Access Road. The caller told Police that they thought there was someone dealing drugs out of a hotel room. Eyewitnesses told Police that several people were going in and out of a particular room and that the room was getting an excessive amount of phone calls.

When Police knocked on the door they a spoke with a woman, later identified as Jaime Bautista, 35, of Longview, who told Police the room was rented to her. According to authorities, When Officers searched Bautista they located several baggies of suspected methamphetamine. Bautista consented for her hotel room to be searched, and officers reportedly located more suspected narcotics as well as cash, scales, and other drug paraphernalia. Police say the methamphetamine weighed approximately 20.9 grams. Bautista was arrested on a charge of Manufacturing/Delivery of a Controlled Substance, which is a felony offense. She was transported to the Gregg County Jail and booked in without incident.

MARSHALL — Marshall’s artist-in-residence David Alexander Elam was found dead over the weekend. Elam, an internationally known boogie woogie music performer, died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Marshall Mayor Chris Paddie expressed sadness upon hearing the news. Paddie said, “Well, obviously, the city of Marshall, and the world, for that matter, has lost a musical legend, and it’s just such a tragedy.” Marshall is the birthplace of boogie woogie, and Elam was widely regarded as Marshall’s last living link to the music genre. Elam performed worldwide under the stage name Omar Shariff.

TYLER — Tyler firefighters battle an early Sunday morning blaze at Wood Trails Apartments, 1909 Shiloh Road. The initial alarm was received around 3:30. The first arriving units reported heavy smoke conditions and quickly upgraded the incident to a two-alarm response. Investigators determined that the fire originated in the kitchen and resulted from food left cooking on the stove. The fire quickly spread to the adjoining cabinets and into the wall space. Flames progressed into the subflooring of the upstairs apartment and caused damage to the apartment above. While smoke alarms were present, occupants indicated that they failed to activate. One occupant was transported to an area hospital for symptoms of smoke inhalation. Five engines and one Ladder Company, along with a district chief and an investigator, responded to the scene.

Meanwhile, officials have issued updated information on a Saturday morning fire at Autumn Glen Apartments in Tyler. Fire authorities now say two apartments sustained fire damage, while a total of 10 apartments received smoke and/or water damage. The cause hasn’t been determined, but officials say they do not suspect foul play. No injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW — The closing of Kilgore Crisis Center four months ago has not significantly boosted the number of abused spouses seeking shelter at a sister shelter in Longview, officials report. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. The Kilgore Crisis Center closed September 9 after state auditors discovered payroll discrepancies resulting in a roughly $130,000 debt. Since then, Kilgore police have looked to the Women’s Center of East Texas in Longview when they encounter people who need immediate rescue from abuse.

“Our shelter (population) numbers have not gone up much at all,” Women’s Center director Shannon Trest said, adding that there has been a small increase in non-shelter needs devoted to Kilgore spouses — services such as basic financial training, legal advocacy and support groups. “Our non-residential numbers have gone up about 12 percent, and that’s only been since September,” said Trest. “We’re very, very stable. “It was heartbreaking when that program closed, but we moved quickly and hopefully with minimal damage.”

Randy Renshaw, a sales broker/associate with Coldwell Banker Lenhart Properties in Kilgore, said Wednesday that he’s had no serious bites on the crisis center property (pictured). Renshaw, who also is a Kilgore city councilman, added, “I know there are a lot of people who would like to see somebody purchase the building and reopen the crisis center. There’s definitely a need for it.”

MANY, LA. (AP) – Opposition is growing to the proposed contract to sell water from Toledo Bend Reservoir to a private company in Texas. The Town Talk reports more than 500 people have submitted comments to the Sabine River Authority of Louisiana. The newspaper reports only a dozen lean toward support should the contract get some tweaking. But the rest are adamantly opposed. The Caddo Parish Commission has joined in the discussion with a resolution last week also opposing water sales across the state line. At issue is the proposal from Toledo Bend Partners LP seeking a commitment of 600,000 acre-feet of water annually for its Texas customers. The 13-member Sabine River Authority Board is expected to vote on the proposal later this month.

MARSHALL — Harrison County authorities believe they’ve made a significant cocaine haul. Around 9:45 Sunday morning, Trooper Josh Roraback stopped a vehicle on Interstate Highway 20 for a traffic violation. Upon contacting the driver of the vehicle, he believed he had a vehicle transporting illegal contraband. Authorities say the information that the driver, Annette Alvarez, 38, gave to the Trooper did not make sense. She stated she was going to Lake Charles, La. but officials say she was on the wrong highway. She also reportedly told the Trooper that she thought she was on Interstate Highway 10.

Trooper Roraback contacted Harrison County K-9 deputy Randy Payne, who came to the scene because the Trooper smelled what he believed to be fresh paint coming from the interior of the vehicle, as if the vehicle had been recently modified. Deputy Payne arrived and also smelled what he believed to be fresh paint coming from the vehicle’s interior. Deputy Payne then conducted a walk-around of the vehicle with K-9 Rusty. Rusty alerted on the right front fender. The Deputy and Trooper opened the hood and reportedly found a false compartment loaded with approximately 39 pounds of what appeared to be cocaine.

Alvarez, was arrested and placed in jail; the vehicle was then impounded for evidence. Alvarez had with her a 13-year-old girl who was later identified as her daughter. The daughter was released to Child Protective Services.

TYLER — The new queen of the Texas Rose Festival wasn’t expecting the good news. Haley Anderson says, “I wasn’t thinking anything this big, I mean, it was a shock.” Haley was introduced over the weekend. She’s an All Saints High School graduate and a freshman at the University of Alabama. Haley says she’s especially looking forward to meeting the out-of-town duchesses, because “I think we can take this opportunity to make some new friends.” She adds, “I’m excited to represent Tyler in a good way.” This year’s festival is October 18-21.

TYLER — A special celebration is coming up at Tyler’s historic Camp Ford landmark. Randy Gilbert is vice president of the Smith County Historical Society. According to Gilbert, although the state of Texas had an aggressive history marker program during the 1936 Centennial, no new historical markers were erected until 1962, when a new program for more informative aluminum plaque markers was implemented. The site of Camp Ford, a Civil War Prisoner of War camp, was selected for the first of the new markers, and the Number One marker was dedicated on January 14, 1962.

The Texas Historical Commission, in conjunction with the Smith County Historical Society, is hosting a program commemorating a half century of the Texas marker program at the Camp Ford Historic Park on January 14 at 2:30pm. Representatives from the Texas Historical Commission and local officials will be present. The park is located at 6500 US Highway 271, at the corner of US 271 and Camp Ford Parkway. Gilbert says the public is invited and encouraged to attend, and to take a look at the park. He points out that Camp Ford is the only interpretive historic park in the county.

Camp Ford was the largest POW camp west of the Mississippi River, existing from July 1863 until May 1865. At its peak in July 1864, the camp held over 5,000 union prisoners from 27 different states. In 1995 the site was acquired by Smith County and developed as a historic park. The site is managed by the Smith County Historical Society.

LONGVIEW – A dedicated professor for 45 years at LeTourneau University has died. William H. “Bill” Kielhorn, 80, died Friday. Kielhorn was a professional engineer and a certified welding inspector for the American Welding Society for decades. Last May, LeTourneau University dedicated its Materials Joining Engineering Building in honor of longtime engineering professor Bill Kielhorn. The lab now is the Kielhorn Welding Engineering Lab.

According to the university web site, Kielhorn, who never missed a class during his 45 years of teaching at the university, was featured on ABCNEWS.com for teaching the final class of his career from his hospital bed in the Intensive Care Unit of Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. Kielhorn was released from the hospital for a few hours so he could attend the dedication ceremony.

A celebration of his life will be 7:00pm Wednesday at the LeTourneau University Student Center, on the third floor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the William H. Kielhorn Scholarship Fund at LeTourneau University.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

TYLER — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Monday and Tuesday are scheduled to close Spur 235 for pavement repairs and resurfacing. Spur 235 runs between West Front Street and West Erwin Street just behind the TxDOT District Complex. Once the work on Spur 235 is complete, crews are scheduled to move to Farm Road 2813 and perform resurfacing operations on various locations between Farm Road 2493 (Old Jacksonville Highway) in Flint and U.S. Highway 69, just south of Toll 49. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin approximately two weeks of pavement repairs on South Loop 281 between Farm Road 2205 (Jaycee Drive) and Estes Parkway. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

MOUNT ENTERPRISE — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to resume pavement-repair operations on U.S. Highway 259 in Mount Enterprise. Crews are also scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 2496 between Farm Road 1798 in Laneville and US 259 north of Mount Enterprise. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in
progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to complete fog seal operations in various locations on Farm Road 2088 between State Highway 37 in Quitman and the Upshur County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes to avoid delays.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 1995 between State Highway 110 near Garden Valley and Farm Road 314 south of Van. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on State Highway 110 between New Summerfield and Troup. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on State Highway 294 between Elkhart and Farm Road 323. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LONGVIEW – A Longview Home has been extensively damaged by fire. It occurred at 1302 block of Dale Street. No injuries were reported. Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary told the Longview News-Journal it appears as if the fire started in the area of the couple’s dryer in the garage. Zackary said an article of clothing caught fire in the dryer earlier in the day, but the couple extinguished it themselves.

TYLER – Ten apartments at a Tyler apartment complex have been damaged by fire. The blaze was reported around 3:00 Saturday morning at the Autumn Glen Apartments on Holly Tree Drive. It’s believed the cause of the fire was electrical. No injuries were reported but several residents were treated for smoke inhalation.