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WASHINGTON (AP/STAFF) — Despite a small revolt among the Republican rank and file, John Boehner has easily been re-elected as speaker of the House. It happened yesterday as the 113th Congress took power. Tyler Republican Louie Gohmert didn’t vote for Boehner. He cast his vote for former Florida Congressman Allen West.

According to Gohmert, “As this nation continues plunging deeper and deeper into debt every minute of every day, I could not cast a vote for ‘business as usual.’ With so many talented, brilliant members of Congress, it certainly seems that seven years after our current leader was elected Majority Leader and with our goals now even farther away, it is time for a change from ‘business as usual.’ Since the Constitution does not require the Speaker of the House to be a Member of the current Congress, my vote for Allen West was for a man who knows how to stand for principle and has always been faithful to those he was entrusted to protect.”

TYLER — A Tyler man has pleaded guilty to stealing government property. Raymond Kyle Welsh, 33, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie. to an Information charging him with theft of government property. Welsh faces up to 10 years in federal prison, restitution of $240,569.19 and forfeiture of $26,588.00 at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

Federal prosecutors say from January 2003 to September 2010, Welsh concealed and failed to disclose his financial resources and income in order to receive Social Security and Medicaid benefits. Welsh stole approximately $26,588.00 from the Social Security Administration in the form of Social Security Supplemental Income (SSI) payments and $213,981.19 from the Department of Health and Human Services in the form of Medicaid benefits. Welsh admitted that he knew he was not entitled to the benefits and that they belonged to the United States government..

TYLER — A well know Tyler Junior College professor has submitted his resignation following his theft arrest late last month. Manouchehr Rostamy Khosrowshai, 59, who is also known as Dr. K, turned in his resignation yesterday morning. He cited cited physical and mental health as causes as the reasons for his decision.

Dr. K, who has taught at T-J-C since1987, was arrested by Tyler police December 26th at the Wal-Mart on the the Troup Highway where he had been accused of stealing items. He is currently out of jail on a $15,000 bond.

According to the T-J-C web site, Khosrowshai received his B.A. in Political Science from the National University of Iran in 1976, his M.A. in Political Science from Tehran University, Iran, in 1978, his Ph.D. in Political Science from University of North Texas in 1983 and has three post-doctoral fellowships from UT-Austin, Rice and the United States Institute of Peace.

His awards include ‘Texas Professor of the Year’ (2008), ‘The Piper Professor’ (2010), and most recently ‘The Best Advisor of Year’ (2012).

HENDERSON — A Northeast Texas teen on trial for allegedly murdering a woman and her two children said she will plead insanity. Rachel Nicole Pittman, of Redwater, has been accused of stabbing a woman and her two young children to death in May of 2011. She then allegedly set the victim’s house on fire. Pittman’s trial is being held in Rusk County after a change of venue was granted. She’s being held in the Rusk County Jail.

LONGVIEW — A terminated police officer appeals her termination. Leigh Ann Snyder, the Longview police officer fired December 11th, one year after suffering an injury while on the job, appealed her termination yesterday morning. She went before the City of Longview council. The Longview Police Department also pleaded her case. A decision will be made within the next five days. The city fired Snyder after she failed to return to duty one year after her patrol car was hit by a suspected drunk driver. Snyder says she was not provided the benefits she needed from the city.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University psychology professor Dr. Vicki Sheafer has been selected as one of the top 23 psychology professors in the state of Texas by http://www.State.States.org. The website reports that top professors in the field of psychology research extensively, inspire, teach, and even help the community. The professors chosen stand out for their academic achievements, awards and impressive research. Sheafer was selected for her proven excellence in research, instruction, and community/campus service.

As a premier post-secondary educator and scholar, Sheafer also recently won the Frank Costin Memorial Award for Excellence in teaching for using drama to enhance student learning of classic experiments in social psychology. Sheafer adapted a technique of having undergraduate social psychology students develop dramatic scripts to describe their research, then present the play to the class. Her research results showed that students enjoyed both participating in the activity and also watching the plays of others, and that it allowed them to be creative, caused them to work hard and was interesting and helpful.

“Dr. Sheafer exemplifies the excellence we seek at LeTourneau University, where faculty are not only great scholars, but also great teachers who see both as mutually important,” said Steven D. Mason, associate provost and dean of faculty.

TYLER — A Tyler businessman and entrepreneur whose latest creation was produced with the assistance of the Tyler Junior College Small Business Development Center will be a part of the popular TV show “Shark Tank” tomorrow.

Doug Marshall, whose The Gameface Company benefited by business counseling from the SBDC, will be one of four entrepreneurs on this week’s episode of the critically acclaimed ABC show hoping to sell his business concept to anxious and sometimes hostile investors.

Shark Tank airs from 8-9 pm (CT) on ABC television. Shark Tank is in its fourth season of providing budding entrepreneurs with the chance to make their dreams come true and possibly make a business deal that will make them a millionaire. The show has become the top rated show in it’s time slot and is the number one family viewed television show.

18 DWI Arrests in Smith County Over New Years Holiday
TYLER — The multi-agency No-Refusal DWI campaign, December 28th through January 1st resulted in 18 DWI arrests with 2 search warrants were obtained for blood. The breakdown looked like this:
*DPS had 12 DWI arrests
*Tyler PD had 3 DWI arrests
*Smith County Sherriff’s Office had 1 DWI arrest
*Lindale PD had 1 DWI arrest
*Whitehouse PD had 1 DWI arrest
The 2 search warrants for blood were obtained by the DPS

LONGVIEW — Funeral services have been scheduled in Longview for retired Texas Ranger Glenn Elliott. He died Monday at the age of 86. Visitation will be today from 5:00 to 7:00pm at Rader Funeral Home on Judson Road in Longview. Burial will be tomorrow morning at 10:00 at the Worship Center of Alpine Church of Christ, Loop 281 in Longview. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery.

Elliot had worked with the Texas Department of Public Safety, and was promoted to Texas ranger in 1961. He retired from the Texas Rangers several years ago, but not before leaving his mark on important cases in the East Texas area.

One of the biggest cases he worked were the KFC murders in 1983. In 2008, Elliot testified in court 25 years after the murders, saying that he saw two key pieces of evidence, a blood-stained napkin and a cash register tape box, at the KFC restaurant in Kilgore. His testimony was used to connect Darnell Hartsfield and his cousin Romeo Pinkerton to the deaths of five people.

According to the Rader Funeral Home obituary, he published a series of books about his career, “A Ranger’s Ranger” and “Still a Ranger’s Ranger,” with the late Robert Nieman. These books cover a vast area of Texas and a variety of cases throughout his law enforcement career. One of the many recognizable names in the books is Paul Harvey, radio commentator. He dedicated a portion of his worldwide radio program to Ranger Elliott to commemorate his retirement, “I don’t know what you know about the Texas Rangers, but they are an elite core of lawmen. Respected at all levels of law enforcement and revered in their home state. And if you had to pick one to represent the best of the best, that one would be Ranger Glenn Elliott.”

In October of 2011, a baseball field at Longview’s Lear Park was dedicated to Elliot, in recognition of his achievements in law enforcement. Elliot was also the focus of an exhibit at the Gregg County Historical Museum in 2012, and had written two books about his career.

LUFKIN — An East Texas robber is on the loose after he stole a bed comforter from a local business Tuesday evening. According to KETK, it happened Tuesday evening around 7:40 at the Lufkin Walmart on McCall Drive. Officials said a man was caught trying to leave the store with a brown bed comforter. Loss prevention team members approached the thief and he initially agreed to go with employees into an office. As they made it to the room, the bandit threw a worker to the ground and took off running. According to witnesses, the robber made it out of the store with the comforter, valued at about $50. The staff members reported minor injuries.

LONGVIEW — The legal fight over the December 2010 death of a Gregg County Jail inmate goes to a last-ditch mediation hearing Friday. Should mediation fail, jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in U.S. District Court in Marshall. According to the Longview News-Journal, the survivors of Amy Lynn Cowling of Gilmer filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Gregg County following her death while in jail custody. Cowling died on the fifth day she was in jail, held on misdemeanor theft charges and unpaid traffic tickets.

The federal court record indicates attorneys will meet Friday in Marshall for a one-day mediation hearing in U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap’s court. This would be the second time mediation has been attempted in the case. Jury selection also is scheduled to begin Monday, with the trial slated for January 22.

CANTON — Police in Greenville still haven’t caught the murderer of teenager Alicia Moore, whose body was dumped in Van Zandt County in November. As of 12:01 Tuesday morning, the investigator on the case in Van Zandt County was replaced when new sheriff, Lindsay Ray, took office. Ray said that should not hinder the investigation.

About one-third of the Van Zandt County sheriff’s office has been replaced. The Texas Municipal Police Association, which represents many of the Van Zandt County sheriff’s deputies, says massive personnel swings are fairly common. Ray says the department will head in a new direction. First off, how to better serve the community and secondly, getting the overtime budget under control.

TYLER — Tyler’s first baby of the new year arrived at 12:45 Tuesday morning. Born at Mother Francis Hospital was Mikah Nelson. He tipped the scales at 6 pounds and 6 ounces. He is the son of Melva Redick of Tyler.

TYLER — One suspect is fatally shot after reportedly pointing a gun at a Tyler police officer. It happened Tuesday morning just after midnight on Queen Street. Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer, Don Martin says authorities received a call about numerous gunshots being fired in the area. Police arrived at the house where the shots were coming from and approached the back of the home. Officers say they saw men run into the house. One suspect was ordered to drop the gun but instead pointed it at officer Matt Riggle. The officer fired several shots, fatally wounding Victor Fuentes, 22, of Tyler, An autopsy has been ordered. A revolver was located on the floor next to Fuentes.

There were indications at the scene that suggest gang associations with the residence. Alcohol was present at the residence. In addition, detectives located in excess of 50 plus spent firearm cartridge rounds located at the rear of the residence. This indicates that a substantial amount of gunfire occurred prior to police arrival.

Officer Riggle was not injured. He’s been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing. The Texas Rangers are assisting Tyler police with the investigation.

TYLER — There’s a new sheriff in town. Larry Smith has officially been sworn in as Smith County Sheriff. According to KETK, in a crowded Smith County courtroom yesterday, Smith was sworn in by Smith County District Judge Jack Skeen. He replaces Sheriff J.B. Smith, who has been Smith County’s Sheriff since 1977.

TYLER — Next week, District 6 Representative Leo Berman will pass the torch to Tyler attorney Matt Schaefer. “After 14 years and 45 years in public service, including the military and city council and Texas State Guard, I’m ready to retire really…and do my own things like playing golf and traveling a lot,” Berman said.

Berman is looking and feeling pretty good these days after a battle with cancer in the midst of the election season. “Apparently stemmed from 2 years in Vietnam and slogging around the jungles in agent orange. And I came down with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,” Berman said. After 6 months of Chemo, he says the Cancer is in remission.

Berman is proud of what he’s done for East Texans. “The fact that we answered every call, every e-mail, every piece of mail that we got, everybody got a response and we were very succesful in helping people with their problems with the state,” Berman said.

Schaefer tells KETK he’s also looking forward to helping people have a voice. He already knows some of the issues he’ll tackle right out of the gate. “We have to look at what’s going on in our public schools. Everything from standardized testing, to financing to equity,” Schaefer said. Leo Berman says he has well wishes for Matt Schaefer and Schaefer has a lot of respect for his predecessor, calling Representative Berman a “tough guy.” “I’m very glad that he’s doing well. And I expect I’ll be calling him from time to time to tap into his wisdom,” Schaefer said.

LONGVIEW — Glenn Elliot, longtime Texas Ranger, and resident of Longview, died on Monday, Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt tells KETK. Elliot had worked with the Texas Department of Public Safety, and was promoted to Texas ranger in 1961. Elliot retired from the Texas Rangers several years ago, but not before leaving his mark on important cases in the East Texas area.

One of the biggest cases he worked were the KFC murders in 1983. In 2008, Elliot testified in court 25 years after the murders, saying that he saw two key pieces of evidence — a blood-stained napkin and a cash register tape box — at the KFC restaurant in Kilgore. His testimony was used to connect Darnell Hartsfield and his cousin Romeo Pinkerton to the deaths of five people.

In October of 2011, a baseball field at Longview’s Lear Park was dedicated to Elliot, in recognition of his achievements in law enforcement. Elliot was also the focus of an exhibit at the Gregg County Historical Museum in 2012, and had written two books about his career.

TROUP — No word yet on what caused an explosion that killed a Cherokee County couple. Jerry Vessels, 68 and his wife Madeleine, 66, died in the explosion that was reported around 11:30 Sunday morning. It occurred at their two story log home in the 1100 block of County Road 4706. Their bodies were sent to Tyler for autopsy.

DAINGERFIELD — A Daingerfield doctor has had his license revoked by the Texas State Medical Board. The action was taken against Dr. Roderick Lee Mitchell for failure to meet the standard of care and not maintaining adequate medical records. The Longview News Journal reports the state board released the information on Monday. Officials said the board entered a final order regarding Dr. Mitchell on November 30.

GILMER — Firefighters from three Upshur County fire departments battled a house fire southeast of Gilmer on Sunday evening. According to the Longview News-Journal, a spokesman for the Gilmer Fire Department said the mobile home, located on Flamingo Road, was fully engulfed when they arrived. No one was injured. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police search for the suspects responsible for numerous reports of vandalism. Early this morning, calls came into the Longview Police Department about vandalism in the area of Columbia and Princeton Streets. According to witnesses, at least 20 vehicles in the area were vandalized overnight. Police tell KETK, the vandals egged some vehicles and wrote on the them with a type of paint.

Authorities are advising people to park their cars in driveways or garages, and to notify police if they notice any suspicious activity. Police also want to remind citizens it is illegal to park a car on a city street overnight between the hours of sundown and sunup. If you have any information about this or any other crime call 903-237-1199 or call CrimeStoppers.

TYLER — Two men have been arrested after breaking into a Tyler business to find a place to sleep. Tyler police were notified just before midnight Saturday that two persons had broken into the Edwards Jones office at 101 East Erwin. The men had broken the front door and were found inside the building, one sleeping on the floor and the other in a chair. The two were charged with public intoxication and criminal trespassing.

TYLER — Today is a tax deadline for Smith County residents. If you’re planning on claiming your property tax on your 2012 federal income taxes, The property tax bill must be paid in full by Monday. The tax office accepts cash, check, money order or credit card, debit card and electronic check payment.

This is the first time the tax office is offering free payment by electronic check. You can go to http://www.smith-county.com to access your taxes on the Smith County web site.

Property tax bills are due upon receipt. The deadline for payment is January 31. Starting February 1st, penalties are added to your tax statement. On February 1st, 2% per month is added to your tax bill until it reaches 15% in June. In July, penalties continue to escalate in 1% increments with an additional 15% collection fee.

LONGVIEW — Longview Transit, in partnership with R&K Distributors – Your Local Budweiser Distributor, is preparing to provide a “Safe-Ride-Home” on New Year’s Eve. For the fifth consecutive year, Longview Transit will give free rides to anyone within Longview city limits on New Year’s Eve between 8:00pm and 3:00am. Rides can be scheduled by calling Longview Transit at 903-753-2287 ext.10.

Transportation service will be available to or from any Longview destination. The service is offered to the general public, including individuals that have had a couple drinks or those that simply do not want to drive that evening. Longview Transit encourages riders to schedule trips in advance if possible.

According to Longview Transit General Manager Scott Lewis, “Longview Transit has been providing Safe-Ride-Home transportation on New Year’s Eve for several years now, and it continues to be a great service for the community. Thanks to the community sponsorship, we are able to provide a free alternative to getting behind the wheel.” The Safe-Ride-Home initiative is made possible by the financial contribution of R&K Distributors.

TROUP — Two persons have been killed in a Troup house fire. They are identified as Jerry Vessels, 68 and his wife Madeleine, 66. Their home, which was a total loss, is located in the 1100 block of County Road 4706. Investigators say an explosion caused the fire that killed the couple. Some of the debris was scattered up to 100 feet from the house. A state fire marshal will help determine of the cause of the explosion.

LONGVIEW – A Tyler man is being held in the Gregg County Jail on robbery and drug charges. Arrested Friday by Longview police was Charles William Sadler, 27. He is wanted for two armed robbery charges and in Kilgore where he is charged with possession of marijuana. His bonds total over $150,000.

TYLER — A Tyler woman has been charged with aggravated robbery. She is accused of robbing a person at America’s Best Value Inn, 2828 WNW Loop 323 around 9:15 Friday night. The victim described the suspect as a white female, who was later identified as Jessica Ann Walker, 25. Officers started searching for the suspect, locating her on the southwest corner of the complex. After a brief foot chase, she was taken into custody. On her, officers found a 25 caliber pistol and an undetermined amount of cash. She was booked into the Smith County Jail.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is warning citizens to be wary of email scams. One such scam that was seen Friday involves an email sent to citizens purportedly from Fed Ex. When citizens open the email, they’re told a courier tried to deliver a package to them but was unsuccessful. This email contains a link for the citizen to click on for further information. It is believed the link may contain a virus or some other type of malware. Longview police warn citizens to never click on an unsolicited email or link they are not familiar with. If you have clicked on an unfamiliar or unsolicited link from an email, Longview Police advise having your computer scanned for viruses.

GREGG COUNTY — One person has been killed in a one-vehicle crash on Interstate Highway 20 in Gregg County. Around 9:30 Friday morning, dispatchers were alerted to a wreck at mile marker 591 near Farm Road 2087. When troopers arrived, they found a truck that had run off the road and hit a tree. The driver of the pickup, Justin Schattel, 25, was pronounced dead. His hometown is unknown at this time. Authorities believe the crash was caused by Schattel driving at an unsafe speed.

GILMER — Two of the three suspects accused of killing a Longview man in early December appeared before an Upshur County judge Friday morning. Sarah Haslam, 20, and Daniel Jones, 19, are charged with killing Ronnie Joe Gammage, 27, of Longview, (pictured) who disappeared on December 4. KETK reports the two suspects appeared before Judge Lauren Parish in the 115th District Court. The third alleged murderer, Andrew Conrad Norwine, 21, will be transferred to Upshur County in about 10 days.

A missing person report was filed on December 8, the same day Gammage’s truck was found in a Waffle House parking lot with slashed tires. After the pickup was found, Longview police released surveillance video of a group of people trying to cash a check from Gammage’s account. Tips from the public helped identify two of the people in the car as Haslam and Jones. On Wednesday, December 19, Jones and Haslam led authorities to Gammage’s body in Upshur County.

The Longview News-Journal reports Norwine, a U.S. Army private assigned to Fort Polk in Leesville, La., signed a waiver of extradition from the Vernon Parish Jail on Thursday allowing his transfer to Gilmer. Norwine’s bond was set at $1 million on a capital murder charge. Haslam and Jones were each held on $1.3 million bond. They are charged with capital murder and aggravated kidnapping. Haslam and Jones were transferred from the Gregg County Jail to the Upshur County Jail Thursday.

According to probable cause affidavits for the arrest of Haslam and Jones, Gammage, who was mentally disabled, was lured by the trio into a vehicle Dec. 5 and driven to a construction site in Gregg County, where he was beaten. After the attack, Gammage was loaded into a vehicle and driven to rural Upshur County where he was killed and his body burned, according to police records. Prosecutors will seek the death penalty.