KTBB News, Weather, Talk

JACKSONVILLE — A charred home is all that remains following a major house fire in Jacksonville, the second blaze there in the last few days. According to the Jacksonville Fire Department, the blaze happened around Tuesday morning in the 1600 block of North Quevado, and another fire had been reported at the same address Sunday morning shortly after 8:15. No one was home at the time of the second incident. But the homeowner, Jose Diaz, told KETK the family lost a car along with the house. The family’s primary house is in Tyler. The Texas Fire Marshal’s Office was called in to investigate the unusual circumstances. No cause has been determined.

MARSHALL — Bonds have been set Tuesday for two people charged in the Friday slaying of a Marshall man. Jason Stevens Rand, 31, and Oriel J. Alexander, 21, are both being held in the Harris County Jail under $500,000 bond, each. According to the Longview News-Journal, the two been charged with murder. A $2,500 bond for possession was also set for Rand. Investigators said David James Cherry, who was found in his home, died of a single gunshot wound to the head. Detectives identified the suspects after finding a surveillance camera at the victim’s house, which showed Rand and Alexander at Cherry’s home about the time of the shooting.

KILGORE — Investigators said they believe a shooting near the Kilgore College campus may be gang-related, that’s according to the Longview News-Journal. Authorities said they recovered as many as 30 shell casings that were fired from several handguns during the March 4 incident. The shooting apparently was a continuation of a fight on campus earlier that day. Witnesses told police the same two people later continued the fight in an off-campus alley near Houston and South streets. The incident led to a campus lockdown under the college’s Ranger Alert system. Students were asked to stay inside as police investigated. Kilgore police are working with Kilgore College police to identify the suspects.

TYLER – Three Anderson County residents have been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Brandon Thomas Maciel, 26, of Palestine; Valerie Lynn Doyle, 24, of Itasca; and Jeremy Bice, 35, of Anderson County pleaded guilty to possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine in 2012. They were sentenced Wednesday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. Maciel received a sentence of 87 months, Doyle got 70 months, and Bice was handed a 37-month sentence.

According to officials, on March 3, 2010, Bice purchased 2.4 grams of cold pills containing pseudoephedrine from a Wal-Mart in Palestine. October 29, 2010, Maciel purchased 2.4 grams of cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a Walgreens store in Palestine. Doyle purchased 2.88 grams of cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at the same Walgreens store. Maciel also admitted to making two other purchases of cold pills at a CVS store and a Wal-Mart in Palestine on the same day and on numerous other occasions. The cold pills were purchased to be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

A federal indictment was returned on April 11, 2012, charging Maciel, Doyle and Bice with federal drug crimes. An additional co-defendant, Craig Lee Bice, pleaded guilty to the same charges and is awaiting sentencing.

LONGVIEW — The wife of a Gregg County justice of the peace is free on $100,000 bond and has checked herself into an area medical facility after being accused of shooting the judge over the weekend. Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Sam Lawson was allegedly shot during an argument with his wife, Ina, 70. KETK reports the couple’s daughter applied for an emergency warrant. She says her mother suffers from a mental illness and is a danger to herself as well as others. The daughter, Debbie Drayden, says her mother needs medical treatment and supervision. The emergency warrant was filed with Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson.

On Tuesday afternoon, Jameson told KETK that Mrs. Lawson had been released on bond Tuesday morning. He said he did indeed sign an emergency warrant, and it was served. Mrs. Lawson later checked herself in to a facility in Kilgore. Judge Lawson is listed in good condition after being hospitalized in critical condition. Mrs. Lawson was booked into jail Sunday on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

TYLER — The leader of the Catholic Diocese of Tyler says the selection of a new pope is a joyous time for the Catholic Church and for all people of faith. Speaking to KETK, Bishop Joseph Strickland (pictured) remarked on how quickly Pope Francis was chosen. Strickland noted that the selection was made on the second day of voting in the conclave. He calls that “a great sign of the unity of the cardinals.”

In thanksgiving for the election of Pope Francis, a Holy Mass will be offered at 12:05pm this afternoon at the Chapel of Sts. Peter & Paul, ESE Loop on Bishop Gorman High School Campus. Fr. Anthony McLaughlin, JCD, rector of the Cathedral Parish, will be the celebrant and homilist. All parishioners, and the general public, are invited to attend.

TYLER — The Tyler ISD Foundation has created a memorial fund for Humberto Arriola, a Spanish bilingual teacher at Douglas Elementary School. Arriola died March 8 at age 57 of a massive heart attack. Douglas principal Christina Roach says he’d worked for TISD since 2004. Roach remembers Arriola as “an amazing teacher that loved his students, always had a smile on his face, and (was) willing to do anything and everything for his students and Douglas Elementary.” Roach continues, “He loved and lived life. He will certainly be missed by all those who knew him and loved him.” Stewart Family Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Donations to the fund may be sent by mail to Tyler ISD Foundation, Inc., 315 North Broadway, Suite 401, Tyler, Texas 75702-5757. According to the Foundation’s Larry Goddard, “Arriola asked that no flowers be sent but a memorial fund be established to be used for the area of greatest need as determined by principal Christy Roach.”

“We honor the family wishes for this man who dedicated his life to the education of young people,” said Goddard, “We have had communication with daughter Andrea who expresses gratitude that her father will be remember with an innovative activity for the students rather than flowers in his honor. He wants a memorial of life and learning and smiles from young students. That is a fitting tribute to any educator.”

According to a news release from the Foundation, “Donation information from credit cards may be sent to [email protected] or calling (903) 266-9805 or 9806. The Foundation staff shreds all credit card information as soon as the contribution goes through the credit card process. A nice card will be sent to the family with no dollar amount.

TYLER — A man killed in a two vehicle wreck on Interstate Highway 20 in Smith County has been identified as a Tyler resident. Dead at the scene of the wreck early Tuesday morning on the Interstate near Lavender Road was Calvin Edward Dorsey, 58. He was killed when his car hit a Tractor trailer rig. The Department of Public Safety reports Dorsey’s Corvette heading west in the east bound lane when the accident occurred. The truck’s driver was not injured.

NACOGDOCHES — A one vehicle accident in Western Nacogdoches County has left one person dead. Killed was Lola Ophleia Martines, 52, of Nacogdoches. She died when her car left the road and hit a tree. The accident happened around 6:00 yesterday morning on State Highway 7.

MINEOLA — A man has been injured when his ultralight crashed in East Texas. Flown to a Tyler hospital for treatment was Willie Czupryna, 48, of Grand Saline. The plane crashed at Wisener Field in Mineola around 2:45 yesterday afternoon.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been arrested for breaking into a preschool. Taken into custody was David Wayne Kirkpatrick, 21. Longview police were called to the Kid Connection Preschool Learning Center on Pine Tree Road shortly after 1:30 Tuesday morning. They saw a man running away, but he was later caught. It’s not the first time he has been handled by authorities. His booking sheet shows he has been booked into the Gregg County Jail 18 times since 1998 for a variety of complaints.

BEAUMONT — A Delta County man has been sentenced to federal prison for making threats against the President of the United States of America. Joseph Scott Sword, 26, of Cooper, also known as Stretch, pleaded guilty on December 19, 2012, to making the threats. He was sentenced yesterday to 46 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.

Prosecutors say on May 31, 2011, Sword, who was incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Stiles Unit in Jefferson County, wrote a letter threatening the President and First Family. Sword stated that he was a member of a violent street gang called the Black P Stone and that he had men on the street watching the President and his family. Sword was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 18, 2012.

Sword must complete the remainder of his state prison sentences of 8 years for burglary and 6 ½ years for robbery before he will be transferred to federal prison to begin serving his 46 month sentence.

BEAUMONT – A 45-year-old Lufkin man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Mark Dwaine Helton pleaded guilty last October 31 to possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. He was sentenced yesterday to 78 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark in Beaumont.

According to federal prosecutors, on October 12, 2011, Helton purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a Walmart store in Lufkin with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. During the investigation, it was determined that from August 2011 to April 2012, Helton purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine on seven separate occasions from a Lufkin Wal-Mart, once from a Nacogdoches CVS pharmacy, and eight separate times from a Lufkin Walgreens pharmacy. The average person attempting to correct sinus de-congestion problems is believed to purchase only one or two boxes of the product per year. Helton and seven others were indicted on August 15, 2012, and charged with federal drug trafficking violations.

LUFKIN — In an ironic twist, a Lufkin woman found herself behind bars after trying to visit another inmate at the county jail. Last Sunday morning just before 8:30, Contesha M. Thompson, 32, of Lufkin, was served a Lufkin Police Department warrant when an officer recognized her as a wanted suspect. KETK reports that Thompson was at the jail visiting a prisoner when authorities realized she had a warrant out for her arrest that was issued November 14, 2012. In September 2012, on the 2300 block of East Lufkin Avenue, the fugitive allegedly drove her vehicle into another woman with whom she had an ongoing dispute. Thompson was booked into the jail on an aggravated assault charge. She was released on $20,000 bond.

TYLER — Local retailers say feral swine are a real nuisance lately. More and more hogs are being seen in the Tyler area and officials with the Texas Parks and Wildlife say it’s not an uncommon sight. But what seems to be uncommon in heavily populated areas is the size of the pack. According to KETK, a herd of feral hogs, about thirty of them, all different shapes and sizes, were spotted chomping away at the grass on Grande between Old Jacksonville Highway and Highway 155. Some say it’s dangerous for joggers and the hogs pose a rick to drivers if the swine were to wander into the roadway.

HOUSTON — Houston authorities arrested two suspects wanted in connection with an East Texas murder Sunday night. KETK reports Jason Stevens Rand (pictured), 31, and Oriel Jacinta Alexander, 21, are awaiting charges, according to the Houston Police Department jail records. The duo allegedly killed David James Cherry, 28, at a home in Marshall on Friday morning. He was found with a single gunshot wound to his head. Rand’s bail is set at $2,500 on a possession charge. No bail has been set for either suspect in connection to the murder.

VAN — Crews extinguished a day care center fire in Van Sunday, but not before considerable damage was done. The blaze at the Little Vandal Day Care Center on FM 314 appears to be accidental and started in a resource/store room in the center of the facility, according to authorities. The center suffered extensive fire, smoke, and heat damage and will be closed until further notice. Any parent needing information on the status of the day care center is urged to contact Julie Jackson at 903-590-0035. Day care center officials stated that they believe that they have contacted all the parents of children who are currently enrolled. The center has an enrollment that fluctuates between 50-60 children each day.

ANGEL FIRE, N.M. (AP/STAFF) — A preliminary report by federal investigators into the crash of a small plane in New Mexico that killed four people says the pilot was warned against taking off in windy conditions.

The single-engine plane crashed during takeoff in 55 mph winds on March 2 from a northern New Mexico ski resort in Angel Fire, 150 miles northeast of Albuquerque. The plane was headed to Dallas-Fort Worth following a family ski trip and killed two adults and two children, all from Texas. KETK and the Marshall News-Messenger report that two of the four victims were originally from the Marshall-Scottsville area, and the FAA says the plane was owned by a company in Scottsville.

WASHINGTON (AP) – A $406,000 federal grant will help Texas fund temporary jobs as cleanup and recovery efforts continue from devastating 2011 wildfires, including some in East Texas. The U.S. Department of Labor on Monday announced the latest National Emergency Grant that pushes the Texas total to more than $1.2 million.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency previously declared 32 Texas counties eligible for public assistance. The grant will help pay for continued recovery in Anderson, Bastrop, Bosque, Briscoe, Cass, Cherokee, Clay, Colorado, Coryell, Edwards, Gregg, Hall, Harrison, Henderson, Hill, Houston, Howard, Kimble, Leon, Marion, Menard, Montague, Morris, Navarro, Nolan, Panola, Rusk, Smith, Sutton, Upshur, Walker and Wise counties.

TYLER — Smith County is seeking public input and priorities from citizens on all county related services and issues, and a community input meeting is set for this evening. It’s the first in a series of such gatherings, and it’s for residents of Precinct 4. The meeting is at 6:00pm, at 304 East Ferguson Street.

The first five community input meetings will focus on individual precincts within the county. On Tuesday, April 9, the Community Input Project will conclude with a joint meeting for all precincts to attend and provide input. That meeting is also set for 6::00pm at 304 East Ferguson. Additionally, you can go to http://www.smith-county.com/ to find a short questionnaire, along with more detailed information about the Community Input Project. County officials plan to use the information gathered during the Public Input Project for the upcoming budget year and in long-term comprehensive planning.

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful (KTyB) received the Keep America Beautiful (KAB) President’s Circle Award during Keep America Beautiful’s 60th Anniversary National Conference, which recently took place in Washington, D.C. The President’s Circle Award recognizes exemplary performance by certified affiliates of the national nonprofit in building and sustaining vibrant communities, according to a KTyB press release. In qualifying for a President’s Circle Award, Keep Tyler Beautiful has met the standards for excellence by conducting activities in three core focus areas of litter prevention, recycling and waste reduction, beautification and community greening.

KTyB Board Chair Phyllis Carlyle says she is very proud of this recognition and the work done by Keep Tyler Beautiful. “This award means a great deal to us,” Carlyle said. “It is great to be a part of making a difference in Tyler and this recognition is a welcome pat on the back for the board’s hard work.”

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

SMITH COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform ditch-clearing work in various locations on Toll 49 between State Highway 110 near Whitehouse and State Highway 155 in Noonday. A second crew is scheduled to make base and pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 271 in and around its intersection of Farm Road 2015 just north of Tyler’s North Loop 323.

Elsewhere, crews are scheduled to perform edge repairs on Farm Road 849 between Lindale and Interstate Highway 20, and in various locations on Farm Road 346 between Farm Road 2868 in Flint and Farm Road 2964 (Rhone’s Quarter Road) near Whitehouse.

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. Looking ahead to the week of March 18, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to make pavement repairs in various locations on IH 20 between U.S. Highway 69 and Farm Road 14.

WOOD COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement and edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 49 northeast of Mineola, and on U.S. Highway 80 east of Mineola. A second crew is scheduled to perform edge work in various locations on Farm Road 2869 southeast of Winnsboro. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several weeks of base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 782 between Farm Road 1716 in Oak Hill and State Highway 149 near the Gregg County Line. A second crew is scheduled to continue spot resurfacing operations on State Highway 135 between Overton and Sexton City. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform spot-seal operations in various locations on Farm Road 349 in Lakeport between State Highway 149 and State Highway 322. 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.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 2636 between Farm Road 3441 in Malakoff and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several weeks of resurfacing operations on State Highway 243 west of Canton, between State Highway 198 and Farm Road 47.

Elsewhere, a contract crew is scheduled this week to begin several weeks of base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 773 between Interstate Highway 20 and Ben Wheeler. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic. Looking ahead to the week of March 18, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform two days of pavement-texturing operations on IH 20 between Farm Road 1255 east of Canton and the Smith County Line.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 768 between Jacksonville and Gallatin, and on Farm Road 1910 between Farm Road 2138 south of Lake Jacksonville and Farm Road 347 in Dialville. 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 make base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 2961 north of the Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area, and on Farm Road 319 southwest of Elkhart. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ARP — A man arrested in a Smith County shooting has been re-arrested after the victim died. Richard Lee Hunt, 51, has been charged with murder in the shooting death of Tony Tillman, 53. Tillman, who had been hospitalized since the shooting last Tuesday, died Saturday at a Tyler Hospital. Hunt allegedly shot him in the neck and chest, then reportedly shot himself accidentally in the leg. The incident happened shortly after 6:15 March 5th at a residence in the 15000 block of Highway 135 near Arp.

Early last Wednesday morning, after receiving treatment for his wound, Hunt was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was booked into the Smith County Jail. Hunt was later released on bond. Hunt was re-arrested on the new charge of first degree murder and is now back in the Smith County Jail. State District Judge Jack Skeen set Hunt’s bond at $750,000.

Tillman’s body was sent to Southwestern Institute of Forensic Science in Dallas for an autopsy.

TYLER — A driver for Tyler fire station number ten has been named as the city’s firefighter of the year. The award to Reese Hunt was one of numerous awards handed out last night at the 22nd annual Tyler fireman’s award banquet. Described as a good firefighter from his first day on the job, Hunt was praised for his integrity, motivation, enthusiasm and drive. A new award was presented last night. The first Firefighter Association Award went to Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass.

TYLER — A Smith County home has been extensively damaged by fire. It was reported around 2:15 Saturday afternoon in the 6600 block of County Road 384, in northeastern Smith County. The fire is said to have started in the kitchen and quickly spread. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it may have been caused by an electrical problem. No one was at home when the fire started and no injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been charged with a string of armed robberies. Taken into custody was Corey Gaylon Champion, 19. Police say he stole or tried to steal money from workers at a Sonic Drive Inn on Gilmer Road, Chanel Stop and Go in the 500 block of Mobberly Avenue, and a shoe store in the 700 block of Estes Parkway. Champion is being held on bonds totaling $225.00. A companion with champion on one of the robberies remains at large.

TYLER — Texas College held its Fifth Annual Legacy Scholarship Fundraiser Friday night at Harvey Convention Center. There was a touch of Hollywood as the college honored “individuals and organizations who have given unselfishly of themselves for a better Texas College and a better city of Tyler.” This year’s honorees were Congressman Ralph Hall; B.J. Hornbostel, East Texas Regional Manager of United Heritage Credit Union; multifaceted businessman/volunteer H. Lanier Richey (posthumously) and his widow, Marilyn; the Rose City Civitan Club; and longtime educator/volunteer Dr. Bobby J. Stinson. The event also recognized 16 scholarship recipients who are students at Texas College.

For the third straight year, actor Danny Glover was on hand to offer his support for the college, as was actor, director, producer, and humanitarian Marc Gomes. Gomes keynoted last fall’s Texas College Convocation and served as honorary chair of Friday night’s event.

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — January’s unemployment in Tyler has fallen from January a year ago. The Texas Workforce Commission reports Tyler’s jobless figure in January was 7.2%. A year ago it was 7.8%. Longview’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.2%. For Texas, January’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 6.3%. But that’s almost a full point lower than in January of last year. Officials say the jobless rate ranged from 3.4% in Midland to 11.6% in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission area.

TYLER — Authorities issued a warrant for a Dallas man’s arrest Thursday after they say he skipped out on a life sentence. During a court break, Nicky Charune Agnew, 37, of Dallas, left the Smith County courthouse and never returned, according to Civil Coordinator Terry Cockrum. The 7th District Court called for a lunch recess at around 10:45am and resumed at 1:00. Judge Kerry L. Russell sentenced Agnew to life behind bars following a returned guilty verdict by the jury. KETK reports the convict had been in court for a possession of a controlled substance charge.

According to state law, if the defendant does not return during trial, the court is allowed to proceed. Agnew was not held by bailiffs because he had bonded out on $150,000. Cockrum stated Agnew had at least eight criminal prior convictions with the majority in Dallas County. Agnew remains at large. If you have information on his whereabouts, you’re asked contact your local authorities or the Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

TYLER — Officials with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office are looking for Rodrick Cridell Reece, 29, in conjunction with a Thursday afternoon shooting on County Road 1113 near Highway 155. A warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a warrant for unlawful possession of firearm by felon (3rd degree felony) have been issued for Reece, who also has multiple outstanding drug, alcohol, and traffic violations.

Reece is accused of shooting an individual during an altercation at the aforementioned location. An individual who was wounded is still being treated at a Tyler hospital. Anyone who knows the location of or has any information regarding Rodrick Cridell Reece is asked to call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600 or call any other law enforcement agency. Authorities say updates will be released as they become available.

Officials won’t confirm the victim’s identity, but KETK identifies him as Ricky Taylor. The station says Reece is Taylor’s cousin. The men, who were said to have been drinking, got into an argument. Reece is said to have left, and returned with a gun and shot Taylor in the stomach.