KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — At 1:00 Thursday afternoon, the bells of Tyler’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception tolled for eight minutes to signal the official end of Pope Benedict’s pontificate. The cathedral’s Father Anthony McGlaughlin told KETK, “We relate to him as a father figure, not just simply as a distant CEO or as a president, and in a very familial way, so we will miss him. He was a tremendous, tremendous gift.”

AUSTIN – The Texas Transportation Commission has transferred the ownership of Loop 49 from the state to the Northeast Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA). TxDOT officials term the move “another example of collaborating with partners to advance transportation projects around Texas.” Locally known as Toll 49, the transfer includes 26 miles of roadway from Interstate 20 to State Highway 110 southeast of Tyler. Loop 49, which has been in the works for more than 30 years, now is operating in segments south and west of town. The latest segment, 3B, is tentatively set to open March 29, connecting the facility with I-20. Future segments are being planned to further connect the Longview-Tyler region and provide additional mobility options in the area.

According to a TxDOT news release, Thursday’s action “is a big step for many people who have made the loop an economic stimulator for the region.” Texas Transportation Commissioner Jeff Austin III says, “Transferring Toll 49 to the NET RMA is a key milestone for those who have seen the vision of a high-speed loop around Tyler become a reality. Through regional cooperation setting regional priorities, this highway not only continues to be a lever in enhancing economic development and business activity, it also improves quality of life in the region.” Thursday’s action is also a prelude to an event this weekend at which local dignitaries celebrate the opening of Segment 3B. Visit http://www.loop49.org for more information about Toll 49.

TYLER — An alcohol vote for Smith County Justice Precinct 1 is inching nearer. A petition with 2,206 verified voter signatures was recently turned in to the Smith County Elections Office, according to Elections Administrator Karen Nelson. A total of 1,835 were needed for consideration. KETK reports the petition will now go before the Commissioner’s Court on March 19. If the court approves, voters will decide in November if the sale of beer and wine for off premise consumption will be allowed in portions of the precinct that lie outside the Tyler city limits. Smith County Justice Precinct 2 and the City of Tyler passed similar measures in November 2012.

GILMER — An April 30 trial date has been set in the case of former Upshur County Commissioner Lloyd Crabtree and his son, who each face multiple felony indictments stemming from an October incident in which they are accused of disarming a state game warden and holding him at gunpoint. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd said after a Thursday morning hearing on the cases that jury selection is set for April 29. It has not been decided whether the two cases will go to trial simultaneously, but at least one trial will begin that day, he added.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert of Tyler has voted against the Violence Against Women Act, and he’s explaining why. In a statement, Gohmert says, “It is never acceptable to carry out acts of violence against women – or anyone for that matter. It violates existing laws in every U.S. state and territory. We should always defend and protect women from abuse and mistreatment. I have prosecuted and, later as a judge, personally sentenced violent abusers to prison for such heinous crimes. Violence against women is a critically important issue to me, and I also personally know the laws in our state of Texas protect women.

“The Violence Against Women Act was previously struck down by the Supreme Court for violating the Constitution and intruding on each State’s jurisdiction. This new Senate bill was seriously flawed also having Constitutional violations again. It will eventually be struck down. The bill also gave away far more money than even the President had requested. The House bill was better but still had very serious Constitutional flaws. Even though the name of the bill appealed to me on a very strong emotional basis, I still could not in good conscience vote for a bill that will again be found to violate the Constitution.

“Also the Speaker of the House had promised to return to regular order in the House so that bills would have legislative hearings, have wide open debate and have an open amendment process to provide complete transparency. That process more than likely would have provided a bill I could have voted for, but this bill was secretly negotiated and rushed to the floor for a vote. Additionally, granting Indian tribes special domestic violence jurisdiction over non-native Americans is blatantly violative of the Constitution.

“We know some of the groups helping battered women do wonderful, healing, helpful work. However, there is inadequate supervision of the money spent by the federal government in these matters causing some women’s advocacy groups, such as Eagle Forum, to state that this Act has a ‘billion-dollar-a-year price tag’ that is ‘spent by the radical feminists to pursue their ideology and goals.’ Shielding women from physical and mental abuse is of the utmost importance. However, this bill was not the answer while violating the Constitution.”

AUSTIN — State Representative Matt Schaefer of Tyler has filed House Bill 1413, which he says forces the state to take a hard look at how the practice of abortion affects the economy. Schaefer says House Bill 1413 is unique among pro-life bills in that it directs the State Demographer to investigate abortion trends and the socioeconomic impact of abortion on the state. One of the duties of the Office of the State Demographer is to inform the legislature of demographic and socioeconomic changes in the population. Schaefer says House Bill 1413 capitalizes on this mission.

“An economy grows due to an in increase in working age adults, or by increased productivity. Countries that have declining birthrates have economic difficulties. Abortion leads to fewer people who contribute to the economy, and that has a socioeconomic impact. It is time we tell that story in Texas,” Schaefer says.

According to information from Schaefer’s office, though the Department of State Health Services currently collects and reports the number of abortions in the state, no state agency conducts a socioeconomic analysis of the data. In 2010, the most recent year that data is available, DSHS reported a total of 77,592 abortions in Texas. According to Schaefer, “The state would be negligent not to assess the impact of such a large scale practice.”

Schaefer says his legislation has gained ground among pro-life conservatives, including co-authors Bryan Hughes of Mineola, and Charles Perry of Lubbock. Schaefer adds that Elizabeth Graham, Director of Texas Right to Life, recognized the need for HB1413. Graham is quoted as saying, “Texas Right to Life, along with Representative Schaefer, recognizes the need for accurate statistical insight into the effect elective abortion has on Texas, including the economic and cultural impact.”

LONGVIEW — A Longview home has been extensively damaged by fire. It was reported around 4:00 Thursday afternoon in the 1300 Block of Carnegie Drive. It looks like it started clogged dryer vent pipe. No injuries were reported.

RUSK — Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputies say they met with Garrett Scott Curtis, the Rusk State Hospital Employee who was shot on Tuesday, and his story has changed. The Sheriff’s Department tells KETK numerous inconsistencies in Curtis’s account of the shooting led them to believe that the incident was staged. During an interview on Thursday, Curtis reportedly told detectives that he fabricated the facts and that the gunshot wound was self inflicted. Curtis first told detectives he had been involved in a dispute with several people in another county recently, and that the shooting was in retaliation for the previous incident. Officials earlier reported that Curtis returned to work from lunch Tuesday with the gunshot wound and was transported to a Tyler hospital. No criminal charges have been filed at this time.

TYLER — Today is the last day for Smith County residents to make payment arrangements for outstanding court costs and fines before facing arrest during the Great Texas Warrant Round Up. Smith County has joined forces with 300 other jurisdictions across Texas to participate in the largest joint warrant round up of this type in the state. Anyone with outstanding court costs and fines has until March 2 to arrange for payment before the warrant sweep begins. On March 2, officers will begin visiting homes, neighborhoods and places of work to arrest anyone who has not settled their debt with the county.

Smith County Judicial Compliance Supervisor Sheryl Keel says her office is receiving an average of 75-100 phone calls per day from Smith County citizens who want to make payment arrangements and avoid being picked up on March 2. “Save yourself the expense and embarrassment of being picked up during the warrant round up. Call the Smith County Collections Department and make arrangements to pay your outstanding fees today,” she said. Since the warrant round up amnesty period began on February 15, Smith County has collected approximately $11,000 in outstanding fines and closed about 40 cases.

Citizens are encouraged to take advantage of the grace period between February 15 and March 1, during which time they may resolve their case without penalty of arrest. Check to see if you have unpaid court costs or fines online at http://www.smith-county.com or by calling the Smith County Collections Department at 903-590-4620. Beginning March 2, the enforcement period of the warrant round up will begin and individuals will be arrested at their homes and places of work and brought to court to address their outstanding warrants before a judge.

TYLER — After 26 years of service, Solid Waste Director Dan Brotton retired Thursday. A celebration will be held yesterday afternoon at the Rose Garden Center. “Dan has been a tremendous asset for the City of Tyler and we will miss his leadership,” said Mark McDaniel, Tyler City manager. “On a personal level, I will greatly miss his business acumen and his servant leader’s heart.”

In another move, McDaniel has announced the appointment of a new communications manager, Kristi Boyett. Boyett has worked for the City of Tyler for more than seven years, most recently as the manager for organizational development. Among other things, she also serves on the city’s Performance Excellence Program team.

VAN — An accident after concealed handgun license training in Van has sent an employee of the school district to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center for treatment of a leg wound. KETK reports the accident happened Wednesday after class when a certified person stayed for a private instruction with the instructor.

It was reported that there was a mechanical malfunction with a weapon. As they were working on the malfunction, the gun misfired and the bullet ricocheted coming back to hit the VISD employee in the left leg. The injury is not life threatening. The accident comes a month after the Van school board voted to allow guns on campus.

TYLER (AP) — A scientist says fireballs that streaked over the East Texas skies before dawn were likely pieces of a rocket booster that launched a Chinese satellite into orbit. Shanyn Beason of Beckville, about 25 miles southeast of Longview, told KLTV-TV of Tyler that she saw multicolored streaks of light shooting southeast to northwest over her head just after 3:00 Wednesday morning.

Harvard astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell tells The Associated Press that a Chinese CZ-4B rocket booster had been in a decaying orbit after lifting a satellite into orbit on May 10. It was expected to re-enter the atmosphere about the time as Beason saw the streaks of light, and McDowell says it’s highly likely they were fragments from the Chinese booster.

LINDALE — A former Lindale firefighter has pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated in November 2011. That’s according to KETK. Christopher Michael Combs, 27, has been ordered by Judge Thomas A. Dunn to serve 180 days in the Smith County Jail and fined $200.

On November 27, 2011, Combs was accused of crashing into a Tyler gas station drunk. According to jail records, his blood alcohol content was higher than .15. Tyler Police say the incident happened shortly after 2:30 that morning at the Exxon station on the 1200 block of West Gentry. Combs had previously stated he fell asleep at the wheel and drove off the roadway, hitting several gas pumps and causing major damage to the business.

Tyler Fire Department Haz-Mat responded to the scene to control gas leakage in the parking lot. There was no report of any fire that occurred from the crash. Combs was taken to a local hospital following the wreck.

KILGORE (AP/Staff) – Leaders of Navarro college have defended their basketball team after Kilgore College police used pepper spray on the squad following a loss. Navarro College District President Richard Sanchez denies that his players were unruly after an 88-78 loss Saturday at Kilgore. KC spokesman Chris Craddock said Wednesday that Navarro players made threats and two officers discharged pepper spray when the team refused to return to the locker room. Craddock says the officers remain on the job and the investigation continues. Navarro Athletic Director Roark Montgomery says all 15 players and three coaches suffered some pepper spray effects and police were too aggressive. Several players applied cooling foam to their skin.

FORT WORTH (AP/Staff) – The renowned American classical pianist Van Cliburn has died. He was 78. Cliburn was born in Louisiana and raised in Kilgore, where an auditorium at Kilgore College bears his name. His publicist and longtime friend Mary Lou Falcone told The Associated Press that Cliburn died Wednesday morning after suffering from bone cancer. She’d announced in late August that Cliburn had been diagnosed with advanced cancer and was being cared for at his home in Fort Worth.

Cliburn’s triumph at a Moscow competition in 1958 helped thaw the Cold War and launched a spectacular international career. Cliburn skyrocketed to fame after winning the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow at age 23. He returned to a New York ticker tape parade, a first for a classical musician. He’d performed for every president since Harry Truman, and for years devoted his time to the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

According to a news release from Kilgore College, the school is saddened to hear of Cliburn’s passing. KC President Dr. Bill Holda says Cliburn is among the college’s most distinguished alumni. Cliburn attended summer classes at KC in 1951 and 1952. “He was a once-in-a-lifetime musician who in many ways was bigger than life,” Holda said. “Whether on the musical stage or the international political stage, he was a signature individual.” Holda said Kilgore College will always cherish the long and warm relationship the college has enjoyed with Cliburn through the years.

OWENTOWN — Officials now say the East Texas Mail Processing and Distribution Center in Owentown will close beginning in mid-March. KETK reports mail originating in the greater Tyler area will go to Shreveport and Houston or Dallas and Austin for handling, all by May 1. The closure of East Texas P&DC was originally reported in February of 2012, when the decision was made to shut down the facility. The issue of the processing center’s shutdown was initially broached in December of 2011, when the U.S. Postal Service held a public meeting about the potential closure of several processing centers across the country in order to save money. The Waco and Lufkin centers were also among those slated to close.

RUSK — Cherokee County officials believe a shooting Tuesday involving a Rusk State Hospital employee was an isolated incident. Sheriff’s Capt. John Raffield issued a statement Wednesday saying, “Apparently there have been calls to several news outlets from concerned citizens about the safety of the general public in regards to this shooting. From all information available to investigators yesterday, last night, and this morning, we believe this was an isolated incident that was directed solely at the victim and not a random attack.” Raffield says officials “are actively pursuing what leads we have from the victim and witnesses that were at Rusk State Hospital when he arrived back at work.”

The statement continues, “An investigator spoke briefly with him last night at the hospital, but because of the medications being administered, that interview was cut short. When he is released from the hospital, he has agreed to meet with investigators on the case. At this time this department has no information on when he will be released. The victim made statements to several people prior to the shooting, that he had been in an altercation with some individuals from another county in the past week, and this shooting was in direct retaliation to that altercation. Investigators are actively pursing all leads in the case and an update on the investigation will be released as soon as it becomes available.”

Officials said earlier that the victim returned to work from lunch Tuesday with a gunshot wound to the shoulder or neck area. He’s identified as Garrett Scott Curtis, 22, of Alto.

LONGVIEW — Longview police investigate a gunfire incident. Tuesday evening shortly after 10:15, officers responded to a shooting at the Globe Inn Motel, at 1300 East Marshall Avenue. When officers arrived they were told a man identified as Will Cox Jr., 37, of Longview, and several others were involved in an altercation. Witnesses said Cox allegedly shot Darkis Ramond Vaughn, 29, once in the leg. He then allegedly turned the weapon on a 29-year-old woman and threatened to shoot her as well. He allegedly fired the weapon several more times, striking the rear of the car the woman was sitting in. Cox then reportedly fled the scene. He was located a short time later near Teague Park. Cox was arrested for Deadly Conduct and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He was transported to the Gregg County Jail without incident.

TYLER – The Tyler City Council decided Wednesday to table three alcohol boundary exemption requests. According to KETK, retail stores asked the council for permission to sell alcohol within the current 300 foot boundary. CEFCO on Broadway, Super Mercado on the Loop and Sam’s Club on the Loop were all seeking permission to sell alcohol at their respective locations. Two of the stores were denied because of nearby schools, and the third, a church. Council members said they plan to look over each location’s dynamics before making a decision.

TYLER — Smith County Republicans have a new party chairman. With 33 of 46 precinct chairs at the meeting, the Smith County Republican Executive Committee voted Tim McCormick, 50, as the new Republican Party of Smith County’s chairman. The vacancy came open due to J. Ashton Oravetz, Jr.’s resignation in January. Mr. McCormick is a Tyler public school music teacher and has served as a Republican precinct chair in Smith County, as well as in several other Texas counties.

TYLER – Tyler ISD showed progress in several areas according to the latest Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) Report. Those areas include attendance, dropout rate, completion rate, and college readiness. Tyler ISD’s student attendance rate increased from 95.8% to 96% from the 2009-2010 school year to the 2010-2011 school year. At the same time, the District’s dropout rate for students in seventh and eighth grades dropped from 0.1% to 0%. The completion rate for students in the class of 2011 also increased to 93%, up from 91.2% last year and 89.6% the prior year.

In terms of college readiness indicators, Tyler ISD students improved in several areas. The number of students who took the SAT/ACT increased; the average ACT score increased; and the advanced course/dual enrollment completion increased.

When compared to the state, Tyler ISD has a higher percentage of Economically Disadvantaged students, At-Risk students, and Limited English Proficient (LEP) students. Nearly 70% of Tyler ISD students are Economically Disadvantaged, compared to the state average of 60.4%.

“Our students are benefiting from the instructional support our teachers provide combined with rigorous coursework,” Tyler ISD Superintendent Gary Mooring (pictured) said. “We are proud of these improvements, and we will continue to focus on areas where there is more work to be done. Despite becoming an increasingly urban school district, we are continuing to make progress in key areas. We are responsible for educating all children, and our teachers and staff are determined to help each student reach his or her highest potential.”

NACOGDOCHES — Carpenter Elementary school in Nachogdoches as evacuated after a fire Tuesday morning around 10:00 in a pre-K classroom. KETK reports firefighters were able to contain the blaze to one room, but smoke spread from the fire to twelve other classrooms. Authorities believe the blaze was electrical in origin. No one was hurt.

NACOGDOCHES — One person has been arrested and a second is on the loose after a pair of men were caught allegedly stealing heavy equipment. According to KETK, deputies were dispatched to a burglary in progress near County Road 262 in Nacogdoches County Monday afternoon. The suspect’s used a tractor to pull another tractor from a wooded area and crank it. The duo then hooked up a Bush Hog mower to their tractor and headed in different directions, each on a tractor. Responding law enforcement found Joey Van-Cooper Smith, 26, on his tractor with the stolen Bush Hog close-by County Road 262. He was arrested and booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail and charged with theft. Detectives later found the stolen tractor at a house on Appleby Sand Road, but the suspect, David Heath Parker, 23, had already left the scene and is still on the loose. A theft warrant for Parker was obtained by authorities.

TYLER – Tyler ISD is embarking on what’s termed a new and innovative effort to engage all segments of the community and increase involvement in discussions on how to improve schools. The first step in this process will be a parent survey to identify strengths and areas needing improvement at each campus. The survey launches today, and will ask parents to share their thoughts regarding the overall campus climate, including areas such as safety and behavior, communications, instructional programs and support services. “We welcome this survey as it invites parents to share their thoughts on what we do well and where we can improve,” said Gary Mooring, Tyler ISD Superintendent. “Our conversations will continue beyond this one initiative. Engaging in an ongoing, constructive dialogue is the best way to work toward continuous improvement.”

Parents for whom the District has an email address on file will receive email invitations to participate in the survey. Any parent who does not receive an email invitation may click a link posted on http://www.tylerisd.org to access the survey . Any parent without Internet access may complete the survey at any Tyler ISD school, or a paper copy may be requested by contacting the Tyler ISD Communications Department at 903-262-1064. The District is working with independent research and communication firm K12 Insight, which will administer the survey. Parent responses will be confidential, with reports shared in a manner which does not identify individuals.

Once the reports are reviewed by the Tyler ISD leadership team, they will be made available to the public, along with specific actions parents can expect as a result of their feedback. According to a TISD news release, “Future projects are planned to ensure that all stakeholders have a voice in this critical dialogue and that every facet of the District continues to improve.” Mooring adds, “We embrace another opportunity to hear from all of our parents, and I thank all our community partners who are helping us with outreach. I know that such transparency will help us build more trust which will lead to more productive collaboration as we work toward achieving our mission of providing all students a premier education and preparing them to be successful, productive citizens.”

SMITH COUNTY — A date has been finalized for the closure of a mail processing center in Smith County. Sources with the local postal service employee union tell KETK they were informed by management that the East Texas Processing and Delivery Center will close in June. The sources say employees had originally been told that the facility would not close until 2014. They also question the actual savings the Postal Service claims it would obtain from the facility’s closure.

The closure of East Texas P&DC was originally reported in February of 2012, when the decision was made to shut down the facility. Authorities had announced facilities operations would be split between the Shreveport, North Texas, and Austin centers. At the time, employees said they did not want to be “uprooted” or transferred to other cities. One employee estimated that up to 100 of the current facility’s employees would choose not to relocate.

The issue of the processing center’s shutdown was initially broached in December of 2011, when the U.S. Postal Service held a public meeting about the potential closure of several processing centers across the country in order to save money. The Waco and Lufkin centers were also among those slated to close. KETK spoke to McKinney Boyd, spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Service early Tuesday morning. An official statement is expected later in the day.

TYLER — Tyler Police have asked for the public’s help in identifying two suspects accused of stealing cash from a hotel customer. It happened February 12 at the Best Western, 120 West Rieck Road. Authorities said a customer was checking into the hotel when a suspect reportedly noticed he had a large cash roll. The suspects, described as black males, told the clerk that they wanted an application for employment. As the victim went to his car to retrieve luggage, one suspect reached into his pocket and grabbed the money. The suspects fled the area when the victim displayed a handgun in attempt to stop the theft. The getaway vehicle is described as as a blue four door.

If you recognize the suspects pictured, please contact the Tyler Police Department, 903-531-1000 or Crimestoppers, 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and charges filed against the suspects in this case or any felony case.

TYLER — A suspect has been arrested after an attempted residential burglary. It happened Monday evening around 11:00 at 3617 Jan Street. According to authorities, the resident was awakened when he heard a loud noise. Shortly after the noise his bedroom door was opened and an unknown man was standing in the doorway. The suspect, who broke into the front door to burglarize the residence, realized that he was not alone and ran out the front door fleeing the scene on foot. Officers searched the area for the suspect and found a person matching the description at Paluxy and Loop 323. After further investigation officers arrested Shaquille Lollar, 18, Tyler. Lollar was transported to Smith County Jail and charged with Burglary of a Habitation, a 2nd degree Felony. His bond was set at $10,000.

SMITH COUNTY — Several East Texas fire departments were able to band together and save more than a dozen houses. Just after 2:00 Tuesday afternoon, a brush fire spread in the 17000 block of Ravenwood Drive, just off of Highway 155. A total of 14 homes were threatened by the blaze. Fire officials tell KETK one mobile home in particular was extremely near the brush fire. Winds were a suspected factor in the fire, but no official cause has been released. Authorities warn the public to pay close attention to burning during high winds. The Noonday Fire Department was the primary responding crew.

TYLER — A Lindale man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking crimes in the Eastern District of Texas. Christopher Florence, 41, pleaded guilty last September to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He was sentenced yesterday to 38 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis.

According to information presented in court, on January 27, 2011, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence on County road 141 in Overton, during which Florence was observed attempting to discard a semi-automatic pistol, $1,757 in cash and approximately 6.16 grams of cocaine base in the yard of the residence. Florence admitted to possessing the cocaine with the intent to distribute it to others in the area.

TYLER — A Tyler man and woman have pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in an appearance in Tyler federal court. Juan Dedias Herrera, 29, and Lamanda McCoy, 34, both pleaded guilty yesterday to the distribution of more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine when they appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie. According to information presented in court, on October 31, 2011, Herrera agreed to acquire and distribute methamphetamine with another person. McCoy admitted to being in possession of methamphetamine on April 20, 2011. Herrera faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison. McCoy faces up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing. Sentencing dates have not been set.