KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Roads in a small portion of Tyler were closed for a while Wednesday night following an ammonia leak. The leak near Oakwood and Palace Streets was reported just before 6:15pm. The leak was at Tyler Public Warehouse which uses ammonia for their refrigerator system. The leak was repaired and just over an hour later the area was reopened to traffic.

TYLER — A Tyler man is heading to federal prison for drug violations. Juan Prieto Retano, 20, pleaded guilty last November to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced Wednesday to 87 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. Retano also agreed to a forfeiture judgment of $50,000.

According to information presented in court, since July 2004, Retano was part of a drug conspiracy ring distributing methamphetamine to others in the Longview area. A federal grand jury returned a 17-count indictment in February 2009, charging 19 individuals, including Retano, with federal drug trafficking crimes.

TYLER — Here’s a way to enjoy the 4th of July — and help your neighbors in need at the same time. This July 4th the Tyler Jaycees will be organizing a day of festivities and night of fireworks for the 47th time. This year, you can can bring a box fan to donate to The Salvation Army on location at Lindsey Park (12557 Spur 364 W). Admission is $10 a carload, gates open at 4:00pm, and fireworks will begin at dark. Entertainment will include games, music, and special performances from The Salvation Army Texas Youth Music Conservatory. Last summer, The Salvation Army in Tyler gave out over 800 fans and this summer is expecting to give out at least 1,500.

TYLER — Smith County Judge Joel Baker has issued a “Declaration of Disaster” due to excessive amounts of rainfall that occurred June 9-10. “The recent storms and flooding have taken a toll on Smith County residents. The road situations in Smith County have been affected to the extent that some homes have limited access due to impassable roads,” Baker said. Officials say County Roads 1113, 1130, 1131 and 1141 will remain closed for a prolonged period of time.

“Declaring a local disaster allows Smith County to begin the process of applying for reimbursement funds for damaged roads and bridges from the Texas Department of Rural Affairs,” Smith County Emergency Services Coordinator Jim Seaton said. The Smith County Fire Marshall’s Office is reporting $174,350 of damage to county roadways. Officials say the Smith County Road and Bridge department is working to repair water damaged roads as quickly as possible. You’re asked to continue to seek alternate routes around flood damaged roads and notify the Road and Bridge department of any hazardous conditions at 903-590-4801.

TYLER – Two east Texas men have pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. The pleas came Wednesday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judith Guthrie. According to information presented in court, Sterling William Blade, 36, of Longview, was arrested Feb. 26 for failing to register as a sex offender. Blade had been previously convicted of carnal knowledge of a juvenile in 1995 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, and was required to register with local authorities as a sex offender.

During the arrest, officers located Blade’s cell phone and received consent to search the phone. An analysis of the phone revealed that Blade had received several text messages with photo attachments containing child pornography. The search ultimately revealed that Blade had received 34 pictures of child pornography, and likely distributed those images via text messaging. Officers later located two DVDs in Blade’s home, which contained videos of child pornography. Some of the material depicted children less than 12 years of age engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct. Blade was indicted by a federal grand jury on Apr. 7.

Authorities also say Ronnie Ben Chappell, 55, of Kilgore, consented last Dec. 12 to a search of his laptop computer after being identified as having used his credit card to purchase child pornography over the Internet. An analysis of the computer revealed approximately 75 images of child pornography, some of which depicted children less than 12 years of age engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct. Chappell was indicted by a federal grand jury on Mar. 3.

The cases are being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Blade and Chappell each face up to 10 years in federal prison. Sentencing dates have not been set.

TYLER — Artistic interpretations of family will be on display as Gallery Main Street opens its “Family” art exhibit with a reception from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at 110 W. Erwin. The reception, which is open to the public, will feature art, live music and refreshments. There is no cost to attend. More than 60 entries were considered for inclusion in the show, said Beverly Abell, director of the City of Tyler’s Main Street Department. Eighteen pieces were eventually selected for the exhibit. Abell explained that all exhibits and pieces of art in the gallery are selected via a jury process. The jury is composed of artists and arts instructors. Oil, acrylic, photography, watercolor and mixed media are all represented in the exhibit. Participating artists range in age from their 20s to their 80s. “We take pride in the wide variety of media and artists who participate in Gallery Main Street,” Abell said.

“Family” will be on exhibit through July 31. The next exhibit, “The Uncommon Image: an Exhibition of the Abstract and the Non-Objective,” is set for Aug. 5 through Sept. 10. Go to http://www.downtowntylerarts.com for prospectus for all exhibits. Gallery Main Street is a project of the City of Tyler Main Street Program and the volunteers of the Downtown Tyler Arts Coalition. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Those who want more information should go to http://www.downtowntylerarts.com or call Gallery Main Street at (903) 593-6905.

TYLER — The Smith County Red Cross honors volunteers and donors at its annual meeting. A record setting year according to executive director, Tammy Prater, with an unprecedented house fire season and all the effects of the still struggling economy, together with weather disasters like the recent floods. For all that Prater says it’s amazing what Red Cross volunteers do. And that’s why she considers it important to offer up a special night to those who gave them their time and resources. Prater also added that help is always needed and she would love to hear from you if can lend a hand.

LONGVIEW — Funeral services are scheduled Friday for well known Longview attorney R. E. Peppy Blount. He died yesterday morning at his home at the age of 85.

Over the years Blount wore many hats. He played football for the Texas Longhorns on championship Cotton, Sugar, and Orange Bowl teams. He also lettered in basketball and baseball. He was the co-emcee for the East Texas segment of the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon for over three decades and he is the author of four books published by Eakin Press of Austin.

According to his obit at the Rader Funeral Home, in the General Election of 1962 Blount was elected Gregg County Judge on a write-in ballot, the highest elective office ever achieved in the State of Texas by a write-in ballot on voting machines.

MARSHALL — An investigation in Harrison County is looking at missing funds belonging to the Marshall Symphony League. So far no charges have been filed and no suspect has been named. But it appears to be a board member. How much is missing has not been disclosed, but officials say the symphony leagues entire operating account has been wiped out. Local as well as state and federal investigators are looking into the misappropriation of the league funds.

LONGVIEW — Longview police say two pawn shop burglars were captured Tuesday morning. At around 12:12 a.m., Longview Officers were dispatched to a business alarm at the Insta Cash Pawn shop at 1200 East Marshall Avenue. Sergeant David Hazel arrived within minutes and located two men with flashlights in the fenced-in area of the pawn shop, just east of the building. Sergeant Hazel saw that the two suspects were carrying chainsaws from a storage container located within the fenced area, and he demanded that the suspects stop.

According to police, both men ran from Sergeant Hazel, but he captured 28-year-old Byron Houston as he tried to escape. Responding officers located a second suspect, 24-year-old Ronald Gray, in the 1100 block of Lake Drive, and he was arrested without further incident. As officers investigated the scene, they found the fence to the outside storage area of Insta Cash Pawn had been cut and the padlock from the storage container had been broken off. Several chainsaws were located lying on the ground outside of the fenced in area, by the cut fence, and they were returned to Insta Cash Pawn. Both Houston and Gray are from Longview. They were booked into the Gregg County Jail for burglary of a building (State jail felony) and evading arrest (Class A misdemeanor).

LONGVIEW — Longview police have a woman in custody after a man was stabbed during a domestic argument. Just before 6:15 Monday night, Longview officers were dispatched to a family violence call at 304 Avenue D #B. Officers arrived and found Glenn Cary had allegedly been stabbed by his common-law wife, Sonya Dews. Cary told officers that he and Dews had been arguing before she stabbed him and that she had fled prior to the officers arrival. Cary refused transport to the hospital for his injuries, and Dews was found a short time later at West Marshall Avenue and Forest Park Drive. Police say Dews was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center for non-life threatening, self-inflicted injuries. She was later arrested after being treated by doctors. Dews was booked into the Gregg County Jail and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a 2nd degree felony.

TYLER — Tyler gains a new City Councilmember — and keeps an active volunteer. Though she lost to Jason Wright in the District 6 runoff Saturday, Kara Camp plans to continue chairing the Board of Adjustments and Tyler’s first neighborhood conservation committee. She adds that the Council race was a great experience, that she learned a lot — and that she cares “about the city even more, if possible, than before I started.” Camp also says she may run for Council again someday. Wright is due to be sworn in at Wednesday’s Council meeting.

TYLER — Law Enforcement Agencies in Smith County are planning to be out in force during the 4th of July Holiday on the lookout for intoxicated drivers on streets, highways, and area lakes. Officers won’t be taking “NO” for an answer. The No-Refusal initiative will run Friday, July 2 thru Sunday, July 4. A multi-joint effort between the Smith County District Attorney’s Office and police agencies from all over Smith County will participate in the ‘No-Refusal’ D.W.I Campaign.

Upon the arrest of a suspected drunk driver, he or she will be asked if they would submit to blow into a breath-test instrument or take a blood test. If the driver refuses and says “No” to a test, officers will obtain an immediate search warrant signed by an on-call judge to have blood drawn by a certified nurse on staff at the Smith County Jail. The blood will then be analyzed to determine whether the driver’s blood-alcohol concentration is 0.08 or higher, the legal limit for driving in Texas.

In 2009, Law Enforcement Agencies in Smith County arrested 31 drivers for Driving While Intoxicated.

LONGVIEW — According to the shelter’s executive director and founder, the Rev. “Sister” Helen Johnson, the city of Longview has forbidden the emergency women and children’s shelter from accepting any more people until it is up to code. Fire Marshal Johnny Zachary said House of Hope has already addressed kitchen requirements but must reduce its occupancy to 20 people and maintain a 24-hour fire watch until the facility is compliant with city code. “We are in critical need of bringing our building up to city codes, which includes a sprinkler system complete with fire alarms, and a new shower room and bath room,” said Johnson in an e-mail. Johnson is the founder and executive director of the shelter.

According to the Longview News-Journal, Johnson said the shelter accommodate 60 women every night. At present we only have two showers and two bathrooms. The city code states that they must have one shower per every eight women and a toilet and sink for every ten women. The House of Hope has plans in place and is ready to start construction. People willing to donate labor, time, materials or money are asked to call project coordinator Kelly Flatt at (903) 746-3974.

AUSTIN (AP) – Republican state Rep. Leo Berman of Tyler is running for speaker of the Texas House during the 2011 legislative session. Berman on Tuesday filed the paperwork with the Texas Ethics Commission. Berman seeks to unseat GOP House Speaker Joe Straus of San Antonio, who has been criticized by some conservative Republicans as being too moderate. Straus won the leadership post in 2009 with the help of Democrats and Republicans. Berman, elected to the House in 1998, addressed a tea party rally in April, speaking against what he called federal government overreach. Berman has championed bills to crack down on illegal immigration, but nine pieces of legislation he filed in 2009 failed to pass.

TYLER (AP) — An ex-Smith County deputy must serve 10 years of probation after pleading guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in an off-duty attack on a murder suspect. Terry Helms Lindsey of Tyler must serve 180 days in jail in his plea agreement Tuesday in Tyler. The case against the 24-year-old Lindsey involved a 2009 party at his home. An affidavit says Lindsey was accused of beating 22-year-old Joshua Dwain Barnes after Barnes allegedly killed James Brandon Lee. Barnes, who served in the U.S. Army in Iraq, sought to have Lindsey’s plea deal rejected. Barnes testified that his alleged stabbing of Lee was self defense. Barnes still faces a murder charge. A judge declined to reject the plea agreement for Lindsey, who was fired after his arrest.

TYLER – The Smith County American Red Cross Chapter will honor its outstanding volunteers and donors at its annual tonight. Each year the Smith County Red Cross Chapter responds to hundreds of family disaster victims who may need food, clothing, medications, shelter, and grief counseling. This assistance is free to families, made possible through financial donations from citizens. Volunteers donate time to help families with immediate disaster recovery needs, class instruction, military cases, and office tasks. According to staffers, the Red Cross works with the City of Tyler and the Smith County Emergency Management Offices to provide a safe place for disaster victims.

The public is invited to join the celebration and learn more about their local Red Cross Chapter. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at the Lanes Chapel United Methodist Church located at 8620 Old Jacksonville Hwy. You can call 903-581-7981 to R.S.V.P. or for more information.

TYLER — Again this year, several thousand turned out for Tyler’s Juneteenth activities. UT Health Science Center at Tyler President Dr. Kirk Calhoun was grand marshal of this year’s parade. He remarked, “To receive this kind of honor and recognition by the community leaders who are responsible for this parade — words can’t express how excited I feel about it.” June 19, 1865, marks the day Texas slaves learned of their freedom. That wasn’t lost on Calhoun, who commented, “Slavery was a tragedy in our country, and we overcame it, and we’ve become a better and stronger country because of overcoming it.”

Along with the parade, Saturday’s events included a celebration at Woldert Park and a Gospel Explosion at St. Louis Baptist Church. Juneteenth Association spokeswoman Serrena Johnson was pleased that the activities drew attendees from as far away as Houston and Dallas.

JEFFERSON — Visitors to Lake of the Pines in East Texas will not to be able to swim there till at least later this week due to E. coli. All seven of the beaches at the lake have been closed. Bobby Hamrick with the Army Corps of Engineers in Jefferson says they tested the waters again Monday. If the tests show that the E. coli in the lake is within state standards, the beaches could reopen Thursday. If not, they’ll remain closed and another test will be run.

TYLER — Smith County Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber was sworn in as the President of the Tax Assessor-Collectors’ Association (TACA) of Texas during the annual TACA conference this month in Abilene. “I am proud to have the opportunity to serve as president during a legislative year,” Barber said. Barber said the Tax Assessor-Collectors’ Association is an organization that provides support to its members and serves as a watchdog group for tax-related legislation in Austin. “We have a lot of contact with the taxpayers in our counties, and we try to look out for any legislation that may affect them,” he said.

Barber was elected Tax Assessor-Collector of Smith County in 2005. He was the recipient of the prestigious TACA President’s award in 2009. “TACA is so important to me. Without this organization, I would not have made it through my first year as Tax Assessor-Collector. This is why I want to be active on their board and someday I might help other members, the way they helped me,” Barber said.

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

GREGG COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as “District-Wide Seal Coat” is scheduled to resume this week in Gregg County.

Crews are scheduled to be at work today applying a seal coat to the northbound lanes of State Highway 31 between Interstate Highway 20 and Loop 281 in Longview, followed as early as tomorrow afternoon by Farm Road 3272 (White Oak Road) between Farm Road 2275 and U.S. Highway 80. 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. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

Also this week in Gregg County, TxDOT maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs in various locations on Loop 281 between Jaycee Drive and Estes Parkway. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on westbound Interstate Highway 20 between U.S. Highway 69 and Farm Road 849. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are should be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform seal coat operations on Farm Road 804 between Henderson County Road 4700 and Farm Road 607 in New York, and on Farm Road 1305 between Farm Road 315 and the end of state maintenance. 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. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to conduct several days of resurfacing operations on Farm Road 1795 north of Hawkins, and continue base repairs on U.S. Highway 80 and Farm Road 2869 north of U.S. Highway 80. 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 begin a week of pavement-repair operations on U.S. Highway 79 in Jacksonville west of U.S. Highway 69 between the post office and the end of the curb-and-gutter. Crews will be grinding up old pavement and replacing it with fresh hot mix. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 47 between Interstate Highway 20 and State Highway 243 west of Canton. Daytime lane closures will be in effect, and flaggers will control traffic. Crews are also schedule to continue making repairs to flood damage on Farm Road 3080 between Farm Road 316 and State Highway 198, and expect to have the road re-opened to all traffic by Wednesday, June 30.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on U.S. Highway 287 between Farm Road 59 and the Trinity River. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

IRVING — First Choice Power has awarded Tyler’s Discovery Science Place its Reduce Your Use Grant. First Choice Power officials say the grant provides funding for energy-efficiency products and services to reduce nonprofits’ energy usage and costs now and in the future. “These grants enable nonprofits around Texas to decrease their energy use, allowing them to dedicate their time and resources toward the long-term vision of achieving their missions,” said Brian Hayduk, president of First Choice Power.

26 nonprofits agencies will receive the grant across Texas, each located in a community served by First Choice Power. The Discovery Science Place will use the grant funds to replace standard light bulbs with CFL bulbs. First Choice Power officials say the energy efficient lighting must be retrofitted for use with the existing tube lighting fixtures.

“We’re very excited to have been selected as a recipient of the Reduce Your Use Grant” said Michael Shanklin, executive director of The Discovery Science Place. ”As a non-profit organization that is also a hands-on museum with a focus on science and technology, the ability to demonstrate the importance of energy conservation while reducing our energy usage and costs is important to us, our guests and our supporters.”

TYLER — Lone Star Self-Storage has partnered with The Salvation Army in Tyler to sponsor a “Food and Fan Drive.” You can donate non-perishable food items or a box fan and receive your second month of storage free. Donations can be made through the last day of June, Monday through Friday 9-6, Saturday 9-5, and Sunday 9-2 at Lone Star Self-Storage, 3521 Frankston Hwy. Salvation Army staffers say food and fans are needed to help ess-fortunate East Texans beat the heat this summer.

KILGORE — 2010 marks the Texas Shakespeare Festival’s 25th season, and the TSF Foundation is highlighting the festival’s impact on the East Texas economy. Among the examples:

• More than 96% of available seats were sold during the 2009 season.
• 75% of attendees were from outside the Kilgore area.
• More than 75% ate out in the region before/after attending performances.
• Almost 30% spent the night in the area as a result of attending performances.

• TSF has worked with more than 1,139 theatre artists from forty states, the District of Columbia, and eight foreign countries.
• The Festival has staged 110 productions for more than 1,181 performances including 28 plays of the Shakespeare canon, many of them more than once; 22 non-Shakespearean classics; fifteen American musicals; nine productions of a history play based on the East Texas oilfield; 24 productions for children, many of them original scripts; and a world premiere of the musical, Reveoco.

Also of note: Recognizable TSF alumni include Michael Hall, Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor and star of the HBO series “Six Feet Under”; Glenn Kessler, Emmy-winning writer and co-creator, writer, and executive producer for the FX series “Damages” with Glenn Close; and Danny Pino, in his seventh season as Detective Valens on the CBS series “Cold Case.” You can go to http://www.texasshakespeare.com for more on this year’s festival.

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating an early Sunday morning drive-by shooting. Police responded around 1:00 a.m. to a residence in the 400 block of Cochran Street and found a woman inside who had sustained a single gunshot wound. She was transported to East Texas Medical Center Hospital by ambulance. Police say her injury is not believed to be life-threatening. According to authorities, the incident involved several shots being fired from an unknown vehicle as it passed by the residence.

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 or any felony case.

SMITH COUNTY — The body of a young woman was found on a dirt trail Saturday. Now, according to KETK, deputies say they’re looking for help in what could be a case of murder. Smith County detectives say a passerby found the young woman’s body off County Road 219 just south of Tyler. They have yet to identify the woman.

Deputies say clues at the scene indicate the body wasn’t there for very long. “We believe she’s been here for less than 24 hours,” said Lt. Tom Dana of the Smith County Sheriff’s Department. “We do believe there’s foul play involved in this death.” Detectives describe her as a young black woman between 18 and 35 years old. She was wearing capri style pants, a black blouse, and white shoes.

TYLER — Jason Wright says he’s humbled to have been elected to Tyler’s City Council. The local businessman bested runoff opponent Kara Camp Saturday, 867 votes to 816, in the race to succeed Charles Alworth in District 6. Wright commented, “What an honor it is…to have the opportunity to be a servant-leader in a city that you love.” He says he can’t wait to get to work and is looking forward to meeting with city officials and staff so he can start learning his way around City Hall. Wright said the Council race was long and hard, but well-run. He added that both he and Camp love the city and want to serve it in any capacity possible.