KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler ISD officials say a Robert E. Lee freshman who was walking in the street Tuesday morning was brushed on the shoulder by a school bus as it left Red Raider Drive. According to a school district statement, the student was evaluated by the school nurse and was transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure. Officials say the TISD Transportation Department is investigating the incident.

LINDALE — The Lindale Police Department and the FBI have recovered some of the bills stolen in a local bank robbery. That’s according to KETK. On September 12, at 3:00pm, a man held up the Capital One Bank on South Main in Lindale. The robber is described as having a medium complexion, wearing a white T-shirt under a blue long sleeve shirt, blue jeans and a white ball cap with a black bill. The fugitive left the bank in a small light colored, low profile style car such as an early 1990s Honda Civic. He was last seen heading south on Highway 69.

Information obtained confirms a dye pack did go off, which could cause a burn injury. There is a good possibility that the robber has a burn injury or injuries on his hands or arms and is still stained with dye. The inside of the vehicle would have red dye stains as well. A few bills have been recovered stained with red dye, suggesting that the robber might possibly be from the local area.

Authorities are still working to determine the location and travel pattern of the bills that have been recovered. They also plan to lift possible prints on the money left behind from the criminal. You’re asked to contact the Lindale Police Department or the FBI if you have any information on this case.

GULFPORT, MISS. (AP/Staff) – A mother and daughter suspected in a string of bank robberies, including one in Henderson, Texas, plan to plead guilty in a Mississippi case. They’ve notified court officials of their intent to accept a plea agreement in the armed robbery of a Gulfport bank. The Sun Herald reports Evie Mearlene Herrin, 57, and Amelia Darci Crew, 30, have been in custody since March 26, when Gulfport police arrested them minutes after the holdup of a Regions Bank. The women, who were living in Cleveland, Texas, are accused of taking just over $12,000.

A similar federal indictment in Louisiana alleges the women robbed two banks there. Court papers don’t show if their guilty pleas in Gulfport, set for October 1, will include the Louisiana robberies. And there was no immediate word on the status of the case involving a heist February 29 at Citizens National Bank in Henderson.

LONGVIEW — On September 29, from 10:00 to 2:00pm, several agencies will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft. Residents will a chance to rid their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The Longview Police Department, East Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are collaborating in the effort. You can bring your medications for disposal to Louis Morgan Drug at 110 Johnston Street. This service is free and anonymous. Residents who turn in medications will not be asked any questions.

Authorities say this initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. They say medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. According to Longview police, rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines, flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, both pose potential safety and health hazards.

SMITH COUNTY — A suspected car burglar has been killed in a hit and run accident in Smith County. The Department of Public Safety says the victim is Colton James Bain, 23. Investigators say item Bain and a companion were carrying at the time of the accident, appear to be from a car burglary that occurred a short time before. The other pedestrian with Bain at the time of the accident was arrested for public intoxication, and is being investigated in connection with vehicle break-ins in the area. The hit and run happened just after 6:00 Tuesday morning at Highway 110 North and Smith County Road 48, northwest of Tyler. The vehicle involved in the accident is believed to be a silver or gray Dodge Ram pickup truck, with possible front end damage. The case is under investigation.

MT. PLEASANT — A Titus County resident has died of West Nile neuroinvasive disease, the sole fatality in Texas attributed to the mosquito-borne illness since Friday, the last day statistics were released by the Texas Department of State Health Services. According to KETK and the Longview news-Journal, the latest East Texas death brings the state death toll from West Nile illnesses to 58. There have been no new cases of West Nile fever or West Nile neuroinvasive disease reported in any East Texas counties since Friday. The state health department on Monday reported 1,276 cases of West Nile disease, up 38 cases since Friday, including 21 new cases of West Nile fever and 17 new cases of West Nile neuroinvasive disease.

Despite the death in Titus County, overall the numbers are beginning to slow. The slowing rates, combined with cooler temperatures, has the city of Longview’s Environmental Health Supervisor Buck Farrar cautiously optimistic that the season for illness is nearing an end. “I would suspect that our mosquito problem is beginning to dissipate,” Farrar said.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Louie Gohmert joined Sean Hannity on FOX News Monday night, talking about the violence in the Middle East. According to KETK, he discussed the recent death of our U.S. Libyan ambassador. He also weighed in on the numerous reports that indicate the assault was a premeditated strike. According to Gohmert, “They look at us as weaker and in fact just this afternoon, we’ve learned the DOJ is investigating the incident. Sean, these guys are at war with us and we’re preparing a criminal case for the courts? They’re at war with us. It’s time to wake up.” According to Gohmert, the U.S. was warned in Cairo that these types of attacks would take place, but that warning was ignored, and Gohmert says that needs to be investigated.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University broke ground Monday on a new $14 million student center in Longview. According to KETK, the 60,000-square foot building will include a book store and study areas. University officials also announced a $25 million fundraising campaign on Monday. That’s the largest fundraising campaign in the university’s history. The money will go toward the new student center, scholarships, and global programs.

LONGVIEW — Police say a Longview man was caught with a partially clothed child in an apartment complex laundry room. Authorities claim 48-year-old Dennis Ray Freeman was found Saturday night around 11:30 at the Longview Square Apartments. Freeman was arrested for indecency with a child by making sexual contact. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail. KETK reports his bail is set at $30,000.

TYLER – Reports of shots fired brought Tyler police to the Cambridge at Tyler Apartments near the University of Texas at Tyler. The report came in shortly after 8:00 last night. Officers say some shotgun shell casings were found at the scene. No one was injured and no damage was reported.

TYLER — It appears that charges won’t be pursued in a Monday armed robbery. Shortly before 1:45 Monday afternoon, Tyler police responded to Bullard Crossing Apartments at 5105 Old Bullard Road in reference to a robbery of an individual. The victim reported that he was robbed at gunpoint by a person that he knows in the parking lot. Police searched the area for the suspect and failed to locate him. Police say upon further investigation the victim did not want to cooperate with investigators and stated he did not wish to pursue criminal charges.

SMITH COUNTY — A 55-year-old Arp woman died in a one-vehicle wreck on Highway 31 East in Smith County. DPS reports the wreck happened just before 7:45 Monday morning about two and one half miles east of Tyler. Officials say Heloise Powell was westbound when her pickup ran off the road and struck an embankment. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials say Powell was wearing a seat belt.

TYLER — Tyler Police arrested Russell Lane Thompson, 34, of Tyler, at 10:35 Monday morning in connection to the aggravated robbery that occurred Saturday at a local Walgreens, but that’s just part of the story.

Saturday morning around 8:00, Lane was stopped by Tyler police and charged with driving while intoxicated. Lane bonded out of Smith County Jail later that day. Around 5:00 that afternoon, an aggravated robbery occurred at Brookshire’s Pharmacy on Highway 155 South near Lake Palestine. That is being investigated by the Smith County Sheriff’s Department. Lane is a suspect in that case. That night around 7:00, Lane allegedly walked into the Walgreens at South Broadway and Rieck Road and held up the pharmacy at gunpoint, taking numerous pills. Police searched the area and failed to locate him.

Just over an hour and 15 minutes later, the Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol stopped Lane in Jacksonville for DWI. During the course of the arrest, the Trooper located evidence in Lane’s vehicle that police say was connected to the robbery at Walgreens. After Lane was taken into custody he became unconscious due to a drug overdose, according to police. Lane was flown to Mother Frances Hospital by helicopter from Jacksonville and was admitted into the ICU. Tyler Investigators secured an arrest warrant on Lane for aggravated robbery and served it when he was released from the hospital Monday morning. Lane is currently in the Smith County Jail with a bond set at $400,000 by Judge Christi Kennedy.

TYLER – TJC Police are continuing an investigation into an alleged sexual assault of a female TJC student. According to college officials, based upon an interview with the student, Campus Police now believe the alleged assault was not a random event and that there is no threat to others in the TJC community. Officials say details of the reported assault are unclear, including the location, time, place, and description of the alleged perpetrator. The suspect was initially described as a black male, 6 feet tall, weighing 300 pounds, wearing a TJC shirt and blue jeans.

TJC police were summoned to East Texas Medical Center Sunday evening by Tyler Police, who were called after the arrival of a patient. College officials say TJC issued a “timely warning” notice to the campus community via emergency text, email, and social media as soon as preliminary details were provided by initial interviews with the student and her relatives. Police are continuing to piece together a timeline of events related to the alleged assault, including the whereabouts of the student and others whom she came in contact with Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Video surveillance is aiding in the investigation, TJC Police Chief Randt Melton said.

TJC President Dr. Mike Metke said students, employees and visitors to TJC facilities should be confident of their safety. “I continue to hear positive comments from parents, students and employees about the measures we take each day to ensure the safety of everyone who comes in contact with TJC,” he said.

CANTON — Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers has authorized $1,850 in rewards for tips that led to arrests in three cases. Those included two major crimes –- a burglary spree in northwestern Van Zandt County and an arson case involving a house burning north of Edgewood. A $1,000 reward was approved for an anonymous tipster whose call led to the arrest of Michael Schwankner, pictured here, of West Tawakoni, who had been sought by authorities in connection with a series of burglaries in the Edgewood and Lake Tawakoni areas. Crime Stoppers had publicly announced the award on September 5, and the tip resulted in his arrest on September 10.

Crime Stoppers also approved a $650 reward for a tip that led authorities to a Hunt County residence, where they arrested two suspects wanted in connection with a July house fire on Van Zandt County Road 3705. Both those suspects are Wills Point residents. In addition, a $200 reward was approved for a tip that resulted in the arrest by Wills Point police of a Quinlan man wanted on a drug possession warrant. That warrant was from Hunt County, and police turned the suspect over to authorities there.

“Once again, Crime Stoppers is proving invaluable in helping put some serious crime suspects behind bars,” said Andy Flowers, president of Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers. “The burglary suspect was wanted not only for those crimes, but for numerous warrants from three counties, so we felt the maximum $1,000 reward was justified there.” Flowers added that Crime Stoppers has authorized more than $5,000 in rewards just this summer, related to tips connected with crimes such as a double murder, sexual assault, and burglaries. The Crime Stoppers number is 903-567-STOP (567-7867). More information about Crime

TYLER — Smith County is now accepting applications for a vacancy on the Emergency Services District #2 Board of Directors. Emergency Services Districts are political subdivisions of Texas that are entrusted with providing fire services to many unincorporated areas of the state. Applications will be accepted through September 24.

An ESD is governed by a board of commissioners who are appointed for two year staggered terms. All members must own real property or be a registered voter in the district where they serve. The five-member Smith County ESD #2 board serves the areas of Whitehouse, Dixie, Flint-Gresham, Jackson Heights, Red Springs, Troup, Winona, Arp, Bullard, Noonday, and Chapel Hill volunteer fire departments. Emergency services districts are political subdivisions of the State of Texas, and are required to comply with all open government laws.

You’re asked to visit the Smith County Website at http://www.smith-county.com if you’re interested in submitting an application. Applications can be found by selecting the “Government” tab on the home page, selecting the “Commissioners Court” page, then clicking on the tab labeled “Boards and Commissions.” Those interested should direct any questions to the Smith County Public Relations Office at 903-590-4607.

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

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repair operations in various locations on Interstate Highway 20, including pavement repairs in and around the rest area near Van. Also this week in Van Zandt County, TxDOT maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 80 in and around Grand Saline. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

Finally this week, construction crews have closed Farm Road 1861 south of Martins Mill for approximately two weeks to replace a culvert that collapsed during recent rains. Farm Road 1861 will be closed to thru traffic between Farm Road 858 in Martins Mill and Farm Road 2339. Marked detours will be in place.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation contractor Clark Construction, this week, is scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on Interstate 20, including entrance and exit ramps, between Joy Wright Mountain Road at the Smith/Gregg county line, and State Highway 135 in Kilgore. The work is scheduled to take approximately two weeks to complete.

Also this week in Gregg County, TxDOT maintenance crews on Monday are scheduled to begin several days of fog-seal operations in various locations on the U.S. Highway 259 Kilgore Bypass. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic in two-lane areas.

HENDERSON — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs in various locations on U.S. Highway 79 in Henderson between Farm Road 225 and State Highway 322. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists should be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones.

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin approximately one week of resurfacing work on Farm Road 2868 between State Highway 155 in Noonday and Farm Road 346 in Flint. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to resume base and pavement repair operations on Ranch Road 3273 between Farm Road 59 south of Cross Roads and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 1799 near Golden. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue ditch-cleaning work in various locations on Farm Road 321 in and around Neches. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

TYLER — The Veterans Service Office in the Cotton Belt Building will close at noon today and remain closed through Friday, September 21. The Veterans Service Officer and staff will be attending their bi-annual Texas Veterans Commission training. Smith County officials apologize for any inconvenience. The office will re-open on Monday, September 24, providing full services.

TYLER — Police have arrested a Whitehouse resident in the wake of a Sunday accident. Just after 2:00 Sunday morning, off-duty Officer J. Doughton witnessed a major accident in the 2700 block of South Broadway. Police say a white Ford Expedition driven by Cody D. Brown, 22, left the roadway and struck a utility pole. Doughton says she then saw Brown exit the vehicle and start walking northbound away from the scene.

Doughton attempted to contact Brown at this time. Upon seeing Officer Doughton, Brown attempted to flee on foot, according to officials. Police say after a short pursuit and with the help of a citizen, Brown was taken into custody. He was subsequently arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated and other charges. The accident caused the power to go off for the residents at Broadmore Apartments. Utility crews headed to the scene to restore power to the residents.

TYLER — The construction of Toll 49 continues to move closer to Interstate Highway 20. CH2M Hill, contractor for Segment 3B project of the NET RMA is putting the last touches on the State Highway 110 Bridge and will be moving traffic onto the new structure and roadway in early October. In preparation for switching traffic onto the new construction, CH2M Hill is increasing activity in this area of the project this week, therefore increasing congestion in the vicinity. Drivers are asked to allow for potential delays in the area.

LAKE PALESTINE — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is trying to solve a home burglary in which a large amount of money and goods were taken. Specifically, authorities are seeking the identity of the individual seen in surveillance footage of the incident, which happened in the ShadyBrook Subdivision on Lake Palestine in the Bullard community.

The burglary occurred between 11:00am and noon on Thursday. The homeowner left the residence just minutes before the burglar walked through his front yard and began trying to break into the side door of the residence, according to officials. A sheriff’s office report says prior to touching the door, the burglar removed his t-shirt and wrapped it around his hand to conceal any fingerprints. Authorities say he made several attempts to break in the side door but failed, then briefly tried the back door. Officials say he eventually returned to the side door and made entry.

According to the sheriff’s report, the burglar spent a little over 5 minutes inside the house and left with over $7,000 in silver coins, two pistols, jewelry, and other valuables. Surveillance video indicates the burglar took the items and is not seen for almost 15 minutes. It is believed he took the items to a nearby house or vehicle. Authorities say the burglar then returned and entered the residence two more times, taking more valuables each time. The total loss is estimated at $10,000.

Surveillance photos can be downloaded from these links:

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Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 903-683-2271.

TYLER — UT-Tyler is still working to fix the parking problem for students. Recently, KTBB and our news partner KETK reported on a shortage of some 400 parking spaces. In an e-mail, university officials say they have restriped some lots and opened temporary parking areas. Also, beginning Monday, a shuttle service will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. This will take place for two weeks, to see how it goes.

This is the e-mail sent to students about the parking problem:

All Students:

By now you have obviously experienced the parking issues that we have had at the beginning of the semester. The situation has been improved with the restriping of certain lots as well as opening temporary parking areas, but with increased enrollment, the parking lots are still crowded. The University administration and the police department understand this and we are working to improve the situation.

Beginning Monday, September 17, we are experimenting with a shuttle service that will run from 8:30 am through 3:30 pm each day, Monday through Friday, for two weeks. The pickup location will be at Rose Heights Church which is at 2120 Old Omen Road, about 1/2 mile north of the university. For those of you who wish to participate, please park your cars on the north end of the lot, farthest from the church. The shuttle will pick up passengers from there and drop them off in parking lot #8 at the Ratliff Engineering Building. The shuttle will run every 15-20 minutes. Parking lot #8 will also be the location to board the shuttle to ride back to your car.

We are interested to see how much participation we get from students. A permanent shuttle service is one thing that is being considered so this trial period will assist university administrators in making that decision.

Park, ride, and avoid having to search for a parking spot!

Mike Medders
Chief of Police

TYLER — It’s official. The new world record for most people making spring rolls simultaneously is 327 and was achieved by Team Ross in Tyler on September 2. That’s according to the Guinness World Records website. The spring rolls made were Filipino “lumpia”; each contained ground pork, dried onions, dried garlic, dried red pepper, and salt. Team Ross was formed to support and raise money for Ross Sajo and her family following her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP/Staff) – A federal appeals court has overturned the prison sentences of East Texas brothers who ran a camp in Kansas where hunters paid thousands of dollars to illegally shoot deer. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday the district court made a mistake in sentencing James and Marlin Butler, who ran Camp Lone Star near Coldwater. The court said the value of the wildlife at the camp should not have been based on the full price of a guided hunt, but on the actual value of the animals involved. Camp owner James Butler Jr. was sentenced to 41 months in prison. His brother, Marlin, who worked as a guide, was sentenced to 27 months in prison. The brothers are both from Martinsville, in Nacogdoches County.

LONGVIEW — The Longview City Council adopted a 50 cent tax rate Thursday to fund a $153.1 million budget that was approved earlier this month. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. “I think it is a good budget for the city, a good conservative budget that provides for the city to continue services we provide in a cost effective manner,” said City Manager David Willard. Though the newly-approved tax rate is unchanged from this past year, that does not mean taxpayers won’t see an increase on their bills. If the owner of a $100,000 house paid $500 this past year, that same house, valued 2.5 percent more, will cost an additional $12 in city taxes.

TYLER — Art of Peace Festival – Tyler kicked off Saturday and runs through September 23 at a variety of venues. Now in its second year, the festival has expanded from 2011′s one-day event. Organizers call it a week of promoting peace through creative and community enriched activities. The local event is in celebration of the International Day of Peace, established by the United Nations in 1981.

“The expectation is to see Tyler citizens getting involved in the activities, which include art, films, storytelling, a Peace Meal, live music, prayer and worship,” according to Festival organizers. The Literacy Council of Tyler is the 2012 peace concert beneficiary. You can go to http://www.tylerpeace.com or http://www.facebook.com/artofpeacetyler for more information.

UPSHUR COUNTY — An Ore City man was indicted on a charge of cruelty to livestock animals after being accused in June of hanging a donkey by the neck from a tree, Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd said Thursday. According to KETK, Anthony George Bassler, 35, remains in the Upshur County Jail on $50,000 bond. He was arrested July 3 after being seen abusing a donkey in June, two days before hanging it in the woods behind his house on Janis Street in the Camp Joy community.

LINDALE — Crews responded to a structure fire in Lindale Thursday evening. It happened around 6:00 in the 200 block of Shanna Terrace. According to KETK, lightning struck the house, causing significant damage to the roof. No other area of the home was affected. Officials said thanks to alert neighbors, firefighters were notified quickly and the fire was put out. No injuries have been reported.

TYLER — Speakers at the PATH Week Philanthropy Dinner Thursday encouraged attendees to continue their support of PATH — and strengthen the partnerships PATH maintains with other community agencies. During the event at The Arbor on Roy Road, PATH Board President Dr. Stuart Baskin said, “Whatever you can give goes a long, long way. We can stretch your dollar so far that you wouldn’t even recognize it.” Bethesda Health Clinic Executive Director Dr. John English emphasized the partnerships and the importance of giving back. He shared two stories about two people in need who were helped by his agency and decided to become community volunteers.

Two annual PATH Week awards were handed out. The Stone Soup Award went to Peggy Abernathy of the King’s Storehouse, Tyler’s oldest food bank, dating to 1984. Woody Weaver Pharmacy was given the Gertrude Windsor Award for its continuing work to make medications more affordable for the needy. PATH Week continues through Saturday; it’s held every year to increase awareness and support of the interfaith human needs agency. You can go to http://www.pathhelps.org/ to learn more about PATH.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Three people were taken to a nearby hospital Thursday afternoon when they were struck by lightning in Jacksonville. According to KETK, as school was letting out around 3:15 p.m., two Fred Douglass Elementary teachers were escorting kids into a car when lightning struck, according to the Jacksonville Fire Department. Fire officials believe the bolt hit the top of an umbrella and traveled through the teacher holding it, then jumped to the teacher standing next to her in a puddle of water; both felt tingling. A mother and her 1st grade daughter, who were nearby, also felt tingling. Three of the four were transported to an area hospital as a safety precaution. They were treated and released with no major injuries. The names of the victim’s have not been released.