KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — With its heavy health care industry concentration, Tyler stands to be especially affected by possible legislative cuts in funding for hospitals and other components of the health care sector. That’s the word from Texas Hospital Association President Dr. Dan Stultz, who discussed the issue Thursday during a visit to Tyler. Stultz says in the Tyler community, “those ripple-down cuts, those ripple-down effects in state funding for local hospitals will touch everybody.” Stultz points out that health care is one of Tyler’s four largest industries — and he says that sector provides a cutting edge that helps attract employers and families to the area. He also pointed out that the funding cuts would lead to federal match loss for Texas — “so that we’re gonna leave money behind that’ll go to California, Massachusetts, New York, and Florida.” Stultz is urging local residents to be aware of the issue and contact their legislators about it.

AUSTIN (AP) – An East Texan is in the forefront as Republican lawmakers push legislation to oppose federal health care mandates in Texas. One bill, by Representative Leo Berman of Tyler, attempts to outright “nullify” the federal reforms. Asserting national-like sovereignty in some cases, the lawmakers were debating a variety of bills Thursday in a State House Committee aimed at the sweeping federal health care legislation signed by President Barack Obama last year. Many Republican lawmakers say the health care reforms are unconstitutional, particularly the provision requiring people to buy health insurance or face a penalty by 2014. Another bill, by Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, would allow states to form alliances, or “compacts,” to take over certain federal health care responsibilities.

RUSK — A Rusk man is behind bars after he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman. KETK reports that Michael Parker was arrested Monday. He’s being held in the Cherokee County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

TYLER — Smith County Commissioners will consider pledging revenues from the proposed jail addition to pay down the $35 million debt the project would require. It means, the county will promise to use money generated by housing non-Smith County inmates, like federal prisoners. The expansion could increase jail capacity by almost 400 beds. The bond issue for the jail expansion is on the May 14th ballot.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin woman was arrested Monday on a robbery charge, according to a police report. Earline Garcia, 26, allegedly attempted to steal three packages of Orajel and a bottle of BC pain relief from Brookshire Brothers on North Timberland Monday. She managed to walk out of the store with the items in her purse, but after being confronted by a store employee in the parking lot, she gave them back. When the employee told her police had been called she fled the parking lot in her car, attempting to hit him with her vehicle twice, a police report stated. Garcia was later arrested at her home on Hoskins Street and taken to the Angelina County Jail, charged with second-degree robbery.

She also had 13 outstanding warrants through Lufkin Municipal Court for offenses including unrestrained child, speeding, no driver’s license and expired inspection.
Her bond is set at a collective $6,861 on the outstanding warrants, according to jail records. At last report she remained in the Angelina County Jail.

HENDERSON — A motorcyclist was injured in a head-on collision in Henderson. Rusk County DPS officials say the man was traveling on Highway 43, near Farm Road 2658 in Henderson, when he was struck by an SUV. The man was taken to the hospital with head injuries. The driver of the SUV is said to be okay. The Wednesday morning accident is still under investigation. No word yet on whether any charges will be filed.

TYLER – An Ellis County podiatrist has been indicted and arrested for health care and income tax fraud. Shannon Gallentine, 45, of Maypearl, was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 9 and charged with 24 counts of health care fraud and 2 counts of failing to file federal income tax returns. Gallentine was arrested Tuesday and made an initial appearance before Tyler U.S. Magistrate Judge Amos L. Mazzant that afternoon. If convicted, Gallentine faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each count.

According to the indictment, from January 2004 through May 2007, Gallentine, a podiatrist, owned and operated Ambulatory Foot Care in Lancaster, Texas. During this time, Gallentine is alleged to have submitted false and fraudulent claims to Medicare seeking reimbursement for procedures which he did not perform. As a result of these false claims, Gallentine is alleged to have received in excess of $365,000.00 to which he was not entitled. Additionally, it is alleged that Gallentine willfully failed to file federal income tax returns for calendar years 2004 and 2005.

TYLER – Funeral services will be held on Monday for Jerry Kidd, founder of the Kidd Jones convenience stores. He died Tuesday, two weeks after his 77th birthday, following a lengthy illness. Visitation will be Sunday from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Stewart Family Funeral Home. Services will be held Monday morning at 10:00 at the first United Methodist Church of Chandler.

TYLER — A Smith County judge orders 15-year-old Nate Anderson detained for another 2 weeks at the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. Anderson is being held for the murder of his 19-year-old sister, Amanda, who was found shot in the head in their New Chapel Hill home last September. A hearing is set up to determine whether or not he will be tried as an adult.

DIBOLL — Former Diboll Police Chief Kent Havard pleaded guilty to stealing city funds Tuesday, accepting a plea deal for three years probation. Havard will also pay full restitution to the city, totaling about $5,000, in addition to paying a $500 fine and agreeing to permanently surrender his peace officer commission, according to Angelina County District Attorney Clyde Herrington. Havard resigned his 30-year post at the Diboll Police Department on March 2, after being informed he was under investigation by the Texas Rangers.

After the investigation was complete, it was determined there were several incidences of theft, including charges to the city credit card at Wal-Mart and Minute Maid Park, and five stolen cashed checks, Herrington said. Facing grand jury for indictment on March 29, Havard came forward and admitted his guilt Tuesday, Herrington added. According to Herrington, “He said he had gotten into a financial bind and just thought he would borrow that money. He hoped to pay it back but he was not able to do that,” Herrington said. Herrington went on to commend Havard for coming forward. The City of Diboll has appointed retired Texas Ranger Donald Morris interim police chief until a replacement for Havard can be found.

TYLER (AP/Staff) – A judge has ruled that an East Texas teen accused of fatally stabbing his teacher is unfit to stand trial and should get additional evaluation. The review will help determine whether Byron Truvia needs to be committed to a mental health institution. He was a juvenile when special education teacher Todd Henry (pictured) was attacked in a classroom at John Tyler High School in September 2009. Defense attorney Jim Huggler says the ruling Wednesday in Tyler, by Judge Floyd Getz, means the 17-year-old suspect will be returned to Vernon State Hospital for evaluation by two physicians over the next 90 days. Huggler says the physicians will determine whether the youth should be committed to a hospital where he would receive further evaluations every year.

TYLER — Tyler police welcome the newest K-9 member, Paco, to join the Tyler Police Department K-9 program. Police introduced Paco at Food Fast Store #70, located at 1222 WSW Loop 323. Paco is a two-year-old German shepherd male who is imported from the Netherlands. He was trained by U.S. Canine Unlimited in Katlan, Louisiana. Paco has been trained to track people and to detect marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and ecstasy. Police are thanking Food Fast Corporation for its donation to the police department, which allowed the department to purchase a second K-9 and pay for its training. This is the second donation in recent years by Food Fast to the Police Department to provide funding towards the K-9 program.

AUSTIN — Dog owners whose pets kill a child or senior citizen could spend some time in prison. For Jacksonville Republican State Representative Chuck Hopson, the issue is personal. He’s had two kids lost in his district to vicious dog attacks. Hopson says it would be a first-degree felony when a child under the age of fifteen or an adult over the age of 65 is killed by a dog. Hopson says someone would face that charge only if the person had been notified that he or she had a vicious dog, or if it was the dog owner’s negligence that led to the fatal attack. The bill is being considered by a House committee.

KILGORE — Kilgore Fire Department officials are searching for suspected arsonists in connection with three fires that happened within a day of each other. Kilgore Fire Marshal Brandon Bigos said Kilgore firefighters responded to the first two fires about 80 yards from one another on a piece of developmental property off Old Private Road 3500 at about 6 p.m. March 9, and fire crews were dispatched to the third fire on Swanson Street the following evening.

Anyone with information should call (903) 983-1559 or submit an anonymous tip to Gregg County Crime Stoppers at (903) 236-STOP.

TYLER (AP) – The issue of whether a teen accused of stabbing his teacher to death in 2009 can stand trial as an adult will again be considered in court. A hearing was scheduled Wednesday in Tyler for the youth, who’s now 17. He is accused in the deadly attack on special education teacher Todd Henry in a classroom at John Tyler High School. The Texas Supreme Court ruled last October that the question of the teen’s competency for trial can’t be determined until a mental health evaluation is completed. His court-appointed attorney, Jim Huggler, declined comment Tuesday except to say the hearing involves further mental health issues stemming from the case. The teen was returned to juvenile detention in Tyler in February after spending three months at the Vernon State Hospital.

MARSHALL – One boy is dead and another injured after a car hit the go-cart they were riding on Monday, the first day of spring break. Killed was Ethan Moore, 12. A seven-year-old child is in critical condition at LSU Hospital in Shreveport. The youngsters were riding on County Road 4102 near Marshall when they tried to make a right hand turn and were hit by a car driven by a friend of Ethan’s family, Candace Paluk, 29, of Marshall.

ZAVALLA — A three-vehicle accident claimed the lives of two people Tuesday afternoon on U.S. Highway 69 north of Zavalla, according to Angelina County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Bryan Holley. Holley said a car driven by Bruce Gulley, 51, of Zavalla was northbound on U.S. Highway 69, and a car driven by Megan Hollingsworth, 19, of McKinney was southbound. Gulley’s car went into the southbound lane and collided head-on with Hollingsworth’s vehicle.

Both drivers were dead at the scene, Holley said, and both had to be cut out of their vehicles. A third car, driven by David Fields, 53, of Woodville, was also involved. His car was struck by Gulley’s car. Fields had minor injuries and refused transport, according to Holley.

TYLER — Retired Tyler police officer Allan Crosby and his sister, Audrey Crosby Spies, a retired Bowling Green, Ky., and former Tyler police officer, plan to walk across Texas this spring in memory of their sister and to raise money to help East Texas cancer patients. Working with East Texas Medical Center, they plan to start their walk on April 1 on the Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas state line near Atlanta, Texas, and walk 857 miles during April and part of May to El Paso. The walk, called “Cops Crushing Cancer,” is in memory of the Crosbys’ sister, Jacqueline Crosby Mazzola, a retired Dallas police officer, who died in 2010 of colon cancer. Mazzola told her family to look for change on the street as a sign that she was dropping pennies from heaven for them to help cancer patients. Crosby says they are asking walkers to get pledges of one penny per mile.

All money raised from the walk will go to ETMC’s Cancer Institute Remembrance Fund. The fund, which is coordinated through the East Texas Medical Center Foundation, assists cancer patients and the community through patient support programs, such as retreats and support groups, cancer screenings, advancement of cancer programs and services and assistance to patients with special needs. Crosby hopes retired and active law enforcement officers as well as cancer survivors will join them as they pass through their county and walk with them. They plan to use their Facebook page, under Cops Crushing Cancer, to update walkers as to when they will be in their area.

The walk will begin in Cass County on State Highway 155 and turn onto U.S. Highway 80 to travel to Dallas. Walkers will travel through Dallas-Ft. Worth and take routes north of Midland to reach El Paso. They are staying off main interstates so the trip will be safer for the walkers. To make a donation by check, you can send your tax-deductible gift to the ETMC Foundation, Cancer Institute Remembrance Fund, P. O. Box 6400, Tyler, TX 75711. For more information on the walk, you can contact Crosby at 903-245-9004.

TYLER – The new director of sponsored research at The University of Texas at Tyler is Dr. Michael Odell. A member of UT Tyler since 2006, Odell holds the Celia and Sam Roosth chair in education and is a professor of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. He replaces Dr. Arlene Horne, who accepted a position at the University of West Georgia.

“In this role, Dr. Odell will work to continue the growth and success of sponsored programs, begun by Dr. Horne, at UT Tyler,” said Dr. Peter Fos, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. The Office of Sponsored Research provides effective leadership through the promotion and support of quality research and sponsored programs both within the university and through collaborative efforts with other universities, industries and businesses. Sponsored research awards topped the $12 million mark in 2009.

Odell holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction and science education from Indiana University and a master of arts in teaching degree from UT Dallas. He was instrumental in creating the UT Tyler East Texas STEM Center, which also is under his directorship. He also has served as a consultant or project evaluator to school districts, industry, professional organizations and universities. Odell currently serves as a reviewer for Pearson Publishing and has been acknowledged in a number of industry-leading science education textbooks.

TYLER — The United Way of Tyler/Smith County has surpassed its $1.7 million campaign goal for 2010 by over $13,000. The final take of $1,713, 829 is also 10% more than what was raised in the 2009 campaign. United Way President Nan Moore says she’s very pleased. She says it’s the first time in about six years the campaign has met or exceeded its goal. Moore attributes that largely to “a stronger and larger group of volunteers in our loaned executive group and in our campaign cabinet.” And she says that’s needed because of a local market shift from larger to smaller businesses. According to Moore, years ago, volunteers often addressed hundreds at a single sitting, but now it’s much more common for them to speak to groups of ten or 15.

LINDALE — The Lindale Independent School District has applied for a waiver from the Texas Education Agency which would exempt the district from holding classes on May 31 as a snow day makeup. The date was originally scheduled on the district’s school calendar to recover instruction time lost after LISD’s closure on February 4 due to winter weather. The district will extend two early release days to full-length instruction days to meet the criteria for the waiver. Students will no longer be released two hours early on March 22 and May 26. Instead, classes will be released at the regularly scheduled end time on each campus. The Lindale ISD school board approved the amendment to the calendar on Monday night. “By substituting two early release days for a full makeup day, we are not requiring students to be back in the classroom after Memorial Day,” LISD Superintendent Stan Surratt said.

LINDALE — A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday for the construction phase of the Lindale Industrial Park Infrastructure Project. John W. Clary, president of the Lindale Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), calls the effort an “important economic development project for Lindale and northern Smith County.” Located south of I-20 on Harvey Road (CR 433), the land for the 120-acre park was purchased in 2007 by the LEDC. The infrastructure project is being completed in partnership with the City of Lindale and the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) through a 50/50 matching grant from the EDA and LEDC Funds. The infrastructure project will include a new cul-de-sac concrete street with storm drainage, water, and wastewater to all sites within the park. Sites are available from two acres to 40 acres.

TYLER — A home has been destroyed by a Smith County fire. It happened at 12412 Farm Road 14, just south of Interstate Highway 20. The home’s owner, Steven Kovac, said it started in a wood burning stove. He says he tried to put the fire out himself, but it got out of control. No injuries were reported, but the homeowner does not have insurance.

LUFKIN — Lufkin Memorial Hospital staff members call police after suspecting a young patient was abused. Lufkin Police say a mother brought her son into the hospital Saturday night after she noticed he was bleeding. An examination showed he had a severe case of a sexually transmitted disease. Police are investigating the case and so far, no arrests have been made.

PITTSBURG – A Camp County man has been arrested and charged with his wife’s death. Johnnie Morse, 75, is charged in the death of Terry Morse, 73, his wife of 56 years.

Last Wednesday night Morse called the Camp County Sheriff’s Department to report his wife missing. He told officers he had returned home and his wife’s car was there but she wasn’t. A search of the area the area turned up no trace of the woman.

Last Friday Morse came to the sheriff’s department to report he had found his wife’s body behind a gun safe in the master bedroom. An autopsy was ordered. The body was so badly decomposed deputies were unable to determine the cause of death.

At last report Morse remained in the Camp County Jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

TYLER — Tyler school trustees have continued their discussion on academic initiatives for the school district. Monday’s discussion was a continuation of the February board workshop where four initiatives were shared. They were:
*CTE Expansion and Enhancements
*High School STEM Academy
*Early College High School
*Non-Traditional High School Expansion and Enhancements

Monday’s discussion included a brief review of the first four initiatives as well as a look into the final two initiatives: a Freshman Academy and 5th and 6th Grade Centers.

According to school superintendent Dr. Randy Reid, statistically, the freshman year in high school has proven to be one of the largest stumbling blocks to students’ academic success. As a result, many districts have begun to focus significant attention on freshmen by isolating them either in separate campuses or in areas of their facilities. Additional resources are usually allocated in an attempt to help the students begin their high school careers on the right track.

He explained that currently, this school year, John Tyler High School began a pilot program by creating a Freshman Academy program. They identified the downstairs portion of their main building as the designated area for all freshman core classes. Additional staff and resources were focused on meeting the needs of these freshmen, and initial results are showing great promise.

He said a consideration about this program is the district could continue to support John Tyler’s efforts and begin to look at opportunities to expand the concept to Robert E. Lee High School. He also said the district could consider this concept when planning future facility enhancements with the goal of creating freshman-specific spaces within future high school facilities. Dr. Reid shared with the Board of Trustees how 9th grade academies can address academic and facility challenges.

The final academic program presented to the Board was the concept of 5th/6th grade centers. Dr. Reid explained how fifth and sixth grade students have very similar characteristics. He said this is a critical phase in their educational progress and by this age, they usually have enough data to identify strengths and weaknesses. Coupling these grades would allow strong interventions to help struggling students and bring greater rigor to the classroom. This could help to prevent the usual drop-off in performance for middle school.

He said considerations of this 5th/6th grade proposal are that fifth graders are currently housed at elementary campuses while 6th graders are in middle schools; projected growth at the elementary level will lead to a shortage of space at many of our campuses; and our middle school campuses are already overcrowded and in need of updating/replacing. He also said the district could seek opportunities to build new middle schools and remodel existing facilities to utilize for 5th/6th centers and the district could build new 5th/6th centers. Dr. Reid explained how 5th/6th centers can address academic and facility challenges.

Also at Monday’s meeting, Steve Hulsey with Corgan Associates, Inc. presented the District’s facility assessment to the board. He explained the assessment process and the results. The consultant interviewed all department leaders and looked for efficiencies as well as current and future needs of the facilities in the District. Hulsey explained that the future needs of the District will require more space. He also said that the reorganization of departments will make operations more efficient. Some of the older facilities have served the district beyond their useful life and repurposing these facilities would be cost prohibitive.

Dr. Reid suggested that at the April Board Workshop half of the meeting will be for the purpose to share the demographic report and half the meeting will be dedicated to conversations about these programs and facilities presented today. It was also discussed that it is important to involve the community, parents and students in the discussion process in the future.

TYLER — Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips says the land records portion of the County Clerk’s office is being reorganized and relocated from the third floor to the basement of the Smith County Courthouse Annex. The move is underway and will continue through Wednesday. The land records division and the criminal department of the County Clerk’s office will remain open during this time but will be minimally staffed, and delays in processing are expected. “The changes are being made in an effort to streamline work flow and improve customer service. We know this small inconvenience will result in increased efficiencies and a leaner operation of our services,” Mrs. Phillips said.

Officials say both the land records division and criminal division will return to full operational capacity Friday, the 18th, with four land record work stations downstairs to better serve Smith County customers. “We apologize ahead of time to our customers for the inconvenience but feel the restructuring of our land records department will benefit our office, our customers and the tax payer’s pocket book,” Mrs. Phillips said.

TYLER — The Smith County Red Cross is continuing to brief the public on how to address the Japan earthquake and tsunami. According to Red Cross staffers, the best way to contact or locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan is to contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or (202) 647-5225. People in Japan and other countries in the Pacific can register at http://www.icrc.org/familylinks to inform their family and friends that they are safe and provide their current contact details. People in the U.S. looking for loved ones can check the ICRC list for information. They can also register the names of family members and friends, encouraging them to get in touch.

Those who want to help can go to http:// http://www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. Gifts to the American Red Cross will support our disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific. People can make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999. Their donation will go to support relief efforts for the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

NACOGDOCHES – Nacogdoches police are investigating a motorcycle accident that killed a Nacogdoches County sheriff’s deputy. Morgan Sheppard, 26, a county jailer, died early Sunday morning when a car pulled into his path. The accident happened shortly after 1:15am in the 2800 block of North Street.

GARDEN VALLEY – Mercy Ships, an international charity operating the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship, is debuting promotional spots on the CBS “Super Screen” in Times Square. Smith County-based Mercy Ships will have 30 seconds of air time each hour from March 14 through April 30. The Super Screen is located on 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. It is 26 feet wide and 20 feet tall. During the 6 weeks of airtime, the promotional spots will range from three 10-second spots to two 15-second spots to one 30-second spot.

The airing of the promotional spots coincides with the arrival of the Africa Mercy to Sierra Leone, one of the poorest nations in the world, for the Mercy Ships 2011 Field Service. Mercy Ships officials say this advertising opportunity in Times Square — combined with a complementary marketing campaign in web, print, and local events — will allow Mercy Ships to increase awareness of its organization in the United States.

“We are very pleased to have a presence in such a recognizable and high-traffic area,” says Mercy Ships Founder Don Stephens. “Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to bring state-of-the-art medical services to developing countries—we simply need to expand awareness of the needs in West Africa so more people can be helped. Times Square is a great platform to achieve that!”

According to press materials, Mercy Ships follows the 2000-year-old model of Jesus by bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor. Mercy Ships officials say their state-of-the-art hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, is equipped with six operating theaters, a 78-bed ward, a lab, a pharmacy and a CAT scanner. The officials say their crew of 450 volunteers transforms lives by delivering world-class health care to developing nations in West Africa. Program offerings for the 2011 Field Service in Sierra Leone include reconstructive surgeries such as cleft lip and palate correction, orthopedics, plastics, and tumor removal. An eye care team offers corrective cataract procedures, and an off-ship dental clinic provides dental care.

Officials say Mercy Ships is also committed to building capacity by training local medical personnel. In this way, medical care is available to the people of Sierra Leone even after the ship leaves port. Mercy Ships provides all services free of charge and without regard to race, gender, or religion. You can visit http://www.mercyships.org to learn more about Mercy Ships.