KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler fire crews extinguish a blaze that broke out in a semi in front of the Carmike 14 theater on South Broadway Wednesday afternoon. According to KETK, the fire started while the driver was eating lunch inside Burger King after making a delivery of concession food to the Carmike. At about 1:15, Burger King employees noticed the truck was on fire and tried to put the flames out with a fire extinguisher, but the fire was too large. The Tyler Fire Department eventually used foam to put the fire out. No one was injured, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

TYLER — A federal grand jury returned multiple indictments Wednesday charging individuals with separate federal crimes in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

Mark McCullars, 44, of Marshall, and Amanda Henderson, 21, of Longview, were indicted on charges of access device fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, they each face up to 10 years for the access device charge, 30 years for the conspiracy charge, and two years for the identity theft charge. According to the indictment, from May 2011 to August 2011, McCullars and Henderson are alleged to have possessed approximately 150 credit card numbers, and had printed numerous counterfeit checks and fictitious drivers’ licenses, which were used as a means of identification when they cashed the checks at businesses providing check cashing services.

Daniel Joseph Kubisty, 54, of Tyler, was indicted on charges of malicious attempt, by means of fire, to damage or destroy a building. If convicted, he faces from 5 to 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on Mar. 19, 2012, Kubisty is alleged to have attempted to destroy a building located at 3400 East Fifth Street in Tyler, Texas, by means of fire and explosive materials.

Arturo Navarro-Rico, 34, a Mexican national, was indicted for being a criminal alien present in the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison to be followed by deportation. According to the indictment, on Mar. 20, 2012, the defendant was being held in the Gregg County Jail. An investigation revealed Navarro-Rico is alleged to have re-entered the United States following deportation in 2002 after felony convictions for possession of prohibited weapons in 1998 and failure to stop and render aid for an accident which resulted in injury/death in 1999.

Ubaldo Garcia-Rodriguez, a/k/a Ubaldo Rodriguez-Garcia, a/k/a Ubaldo Morales-Garcia, was indicted for being a criminal alien present in the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison followed by deportation. According to the indictment, on Feb. 5, 2011, the defendant was found in Mount Pleasant, Texas, after having been previously deported.

KILGORE — An East Texas city is much bigger. The Kilgore City Council voted to annex 217 acres of the Pinewood subdivision. According to KETK, many residents were against that annexation but Kilgore officials said many of the residents changed their opinions after a meeting with city officials cleared up many of their concerns. The annexation is effective immediately.

SMITH COUNTY — Crews spent most of Wednesday cleaning up debris from an East Texas wreck. The DPS said late in the afternoon that one lane of I-20 remained closed. According to KETK, the wreck at Highway 110 (Van Highway) around 6:00 Wednesday morning was caused by an 18-wheeler that rear-ended another 18-wheeler. One of the trucks was carrying cleaning supplies. It reportedly lost its load, causing debris to scatter over the roadway. No one was injured in the crash.

LINDALE — A Lindale gas station was robbed at gunpoint Tuesday afternoon. It happened at around 4:00 at the Exxon station near Highway 69 and I-20. Lindale Police said a black male wearing long black shorts, a white hooded shirt and a black hat came in the store, bought something, and then left. According to KETK, witnesses told authorities he came back, robbed the store with a handgun and left heading east. If you have any information on this robbery, please call local authorities.

TYLER — Smith County Republican Chairman Ashton Oravetz shares his thoughts after Rick Santorum suspends his presidential campaign. The move all but assures Mitt Romney will get the GOP nomination, and Oravetz was less than excited when he spoke to KETK. Oravetz remarked, “Is it good for the Republican party? I personally don’t think so, because I think it’s better to go and have Romney prove himself rather than be anointed as the candidate.”

LUFKIN — Officials are preparing “a vigorous defense” to keep the Ward R. Burke Federal Courthouse in Lufkin open, a U.S. District Court clerk said Monday. KETK and the Lufkin Daily News report that as part of an effort to cut costs, the federal government is considering closing dozens of courtrooms across the country, including the federal courthouse in Lufkin. Of the 60 facilities to be looked at for possible closure, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press, Lufkin’s courthouse was ranked 45th. David Maland, U.S. District Court clerk for the Eastern District of Texas, said that means the facility “is getting a fair amount of use.” You can go to http://lufkindailynews.com to read more.

TYLER — Tyler Investigators have arrested the suspect in the shooting that occurred at M.L. King and North Broadway early Tuesday morning. Leon Lajuan Luton, 26, of Flint, was taken into custody yesterday. He faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, with a $200,000 bond on each count, and engaging in organized criminal activity, which carries a bond of $750,000.

Police were notified by Smith County Sheriff’s Deputies of a drive-by shooting just before 12:30 Monday morning on M.L. King and Broadway. Officers say a couple reported they were eastbound on MLK when a car pulled up beside them and fired several shots into their vehicle hitting a woman in the arm. She was transported to ETMC for treatment.

Tyler Police investigators along with deputy United States Marshals began an intensive search for Luton. He was spotted in a vehicle that was stopped in the neighborhood behind John Tyler High School. After conducting a search on foot for Luton, he was spotted by Tyler Police investigators and taken into custody without incident. He was later transported to the Smith County Jail where he was booked in for the arrest warrants.

TYLER – A 31-year-old Longview man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in East Texas. Rickey Spratling pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute ecstasy yesterday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to information presented in court, on May 7, 2011, Spratling was found in possession of ecstasy, which he intended to distribute. Spratling also admitted to possessing a gun during a drug trafficking crime. Spratling was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 5, 2011. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

JACKSONVILLE –- Two Jacksonville men have been released from the hospital and jailed in Cherokee County after being identified as those injured in the shooting involving a Cherokee County Deputy Sunday evening. Bond for Roel Gallegos, 20, was set at $200,000. Eric Carlos Torres, 18, has had his bond set at $500,000.

The Texas Rangers were called in to assist authorities in the shooting. It happened around 11:30 Sunday night when a deputy was investigating the sound of gunfire in the area around County Road 3303 and County Road 3304, just west of Jacksonville. Captain John R. Raffield said the deputy encountered a car with two persons inside that quickly accelerated, attempting to run over the deputy. The officer fired at the vehicle. The deputy was not injured, but officials say Gallegos and Torres, the vehicle’s occupants, were transported to area hospitals with injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man is behind bars after authorities there claim he terrorized his ex-girlfriend on Easter Sunday. According to KETK, authorities received a 911 call at around 12:33 p.m. in relation to an assault happening in the 200 block of Oak Hollow. The caller, 26-year old Roberto Estrada, ran to a neighbor’s house and told police the woman’s ex-boyfriend, 38-year old Ismael Gonzalez Jr., had forced his way into a house with a woman and her daughter inside. The witness also claimed Gonzalez was armed with a knife. When officers arrived on scene, they secured the house and entered the home soon after. Gonzalez was taken into custody coming out of a bedroom where the woman and her child were located.

According to witness and victim statements, Gonzalez went to the residence of his ex-girlfriend and entered the home without permission by pushing past a child who answered the door, knocking the child down. The child was not hurt. Gonzalez then allegedly confronted Estrada wielding a large knife. Gonzales told Estrada to leave or he was going to kill him, at which time Estrada says he got his 7-year-old and ran to another house to call police. Estrada received a small cut to his left hand during the incident.

Gonzalez was taken to the Angelina County Jail, where he was booked in for two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, and aggravated robbery. The knife was recovered at the scene. Money and a ring reported stolen from the victim were recovered in Gonzalez’s pocket at the time of his arrest. Officers also obtained a search warrant for Gonzalez’s residence in the 3400 block of Oakwood Drive for a handgun the victim reported Gonzalez had threatened to kill her with. A handgun was seized as evidence. Authorities say Gonzalez, a convicted felon with a history of family violence, is not allowed to possess a firearm by law. An emergency protective order was served on Gonzalez at the Angelina County Jail.

NACOGDOCHES — The victim in a Nacogdoches homicide case has been identified as Gilbert Joseph Thibodeaux, 32, of Nacogdoches. According to KETK, police say the homicide happened sometime Monday night. At 11:18 p.m., officers responded to a suspicious person call at Nacogdoches Floral Company on North Street. A man and woman were observed placing some items in the dumpster outside the business and leaving the scene in a pickup truck. After checking the dumpster, officers found some items that appeared to have blood on them.

A description of the truck was obtained and a search was launched. Shortly after 1:00 Tuesday morning, a Nacogdoches Police Officer on patrol located the truck in the parking lot of Walgreens, located at North Street and East Austin. Upon checking the vehicle, officers located Thibodeaux’s body inside the vehicle. The deceased appeared to be the victim of an assault. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation led officers to a residence in the 300 block of Myrtle Street. At the residence, officers found evidence of an assault in the driveway. Officers have two suspects in custody: Erin Leann Belz, 26, and Randy Ellinwood, 31, both of Nacogdoches. The investigation indicates that the victim and the suspects were acquainted, and that the victim went to the Myrtle Street address where he was assaulted. It is believed that the suspects drove the victim to Walgreens parking lot. The pickup truck involved belongs to the victim. The investigation is continuing in the case at this time.

TYLER — Big changes are coming to Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium after the Tyler ISD trustees voted to make some major renovations. According to KETK, changes would include replacing turf and extending the field, narrowing the track lanes from seven to two. It also means the stadium would become a multi-purpose venue allowing soccer games to be held there. Another item passed by the board allows the superintendent to start planning modifications to the track and field complex at John Tyler High School.

Regarding Rose Stadium, Superintendent Randy Reid told KTBB’s Bill Coates, “We’re gonna be able to provide a safe and a high-quality facility for all of our athletes in all of our sports, and really, it also makes the most economic sense for us.” But some were none too happy about the plan. One said, “We need more to time to make sure this is carried out in the right way, with the children being the primary concern, and not just a specific racial ethnicity, which the soccer, we know, is targeting a certain racial ethnicity.”

TYLER – A Tyler robbery remains under investigation today. It happened just before 9:30 Monday night at the Express Stop convenience store at 1204 West Gentry. A man entered the store and pulled a black revolver and demanded money from the clerk. The suspect was given an undisclosed of cash and fled the store. The clerk was not injured. The suspect is described as a black male wearing a mask, a white and black horizontally striped shirt and pants that fall above the suspect’s ankles. The clerk said he had a bushy afro.

LONGVIEW — According to the Longview Fire Department, a Monday morning house fire at 1012 Lambert Lane was intentionally set in a back bedroom. The fire broke out at around 7:30. KETK reports the fire department had it under control within 10 minutes of arriving on scene. Five people were displaced. Authorities say the blaze was contained to the back part of the house but the home was heavily damaged. The family was at home when the fire started but escaped uninjured. Officials say there are no leads at this time. If you have any information about this case, you’re asked to call Gregg County Crimestoppers.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Rodeo Arena at the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex is opening following a major renovation project. A ribbon cutting will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday. The first event in the renovated facility will take place on Saturday: Dalton Days, hosted by the Gregg County Historical Museum.

The arena is a PRCA-approved facility with seating for approximately 5,000. During the renovation, the arena received new stadium seats, new lighting, and a new announcer’s booth. Additional parking surrounding the arena was also added. The renovations were funded by the City of Longview. Gregg County provided in-kind assistance of materials and labor for the parking lot improvements.

The City of Longview closed the arena in October 2011 after an engineering review noted several structural deficiencies. The rodeo arena was constructed at its current site during the 1980s, but the stadium grandstands had been in use for several previous decades as the former Longview Lobo football stadium. According to Activity Complex Manager Dixie Golden, “In 2011 there were seventeen events in the rodeo arena. So far, nine events have already reserved for 2012, with several additional groups expressing interest.”

LUFKIN – A guilty verdict recently handed down by an Angelina County jury was the result of coordinated investigative efforts of numerous federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. That’s according to U.S. Attorney John M. Bales and Angelina County District Attorney Clyde Herrington. On Mar. 30, Kimberly Saenz, a 38-year-old Lufkin dialysis nurse, was found guilty of three counts of aggravated assault and one count of capital murder following an 18-day trial in state court. Saenz was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole for the murder conviction and received an additional 20 years in prison for each of the assault convictions. According to KETK, she’s planning an appeal.

According to a press statement from the U.S. attorney’s office, “This case is yet another excellent example of the cooperation of multiple agencies of federal, state and local law enforcement and prosecution teams in bringing justice to the Lufkin community.” Bales noted, “The jury’s verdict of guilty, is of course, a bittersweet one. I am pleased that justice has been done, but we all know that a criminal trial is a poor substitute for the losses experienced by the friends and family members. We continue to pray for God’s peace and healing for all involved.”

“There are no winners in this case,” said HHS/OIG Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows. “Many families still grieve the loss of their loved ones. Rest assured that HHS/OIG is dedicated not only to protecting the financial integrity of the Medicare Trust Fund, but also to ensuring the physical safety of Medicare beneficiaries. Together, with local and State law enforcement as was displayed in this case, we’ll do exactly that.”

LONGVIEW — Two victims of a hammer attack in Tatum last week continue to recover. As of Monday morning, Betty Barker was listed in good condition at Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. Barker spent three days in serious condition before her condition was upgraded. Donald Wagstaff was released from the hospital Sunday afternoon.

According to KETK, authorities arrested 20-year-old Michael Christopher Ferris of White Oak after the Thursday afternoon attack on the elderly woman and the elderly man, who was working in the yard. Officials said Ferris reportedly knocked on Barker’s door. When she answered, he allegedly attacked her with a claw hammer. As he ran from the home, he reportedly encountered Wagstaff and attacked him as well. Barker was the more severely injured of the two. She was struck repeatedly from behind and was left with many bruises and lacerations.

After the assaults, Tatum police said Ferris ran into the woods, beginning a three-hour manhunt. At least two nearby Tatum schools and one child care facility were locked down as authorities searched for Ferris, who police said was in custody by early evening. Ferris faces two counts of attempted murder and two counts of injury to an elderly person. He has been booked into the Panola County Jail, and his bond is set at $4 million.

TYLER (AP/Staff) – A man twice sentenced to death – but later freed – over the 1977 rape and murder of a Tyler woman will get new DNA testing that he says will demonstrate his innocence. A judge on Monday granted Kerry Max Cook’s request to have more testing. Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham says he doesn’t know yet what Cook will want tested or re-tested, but that he doesn’t oppose it. Cook was twice convicted of killing Linda Jo Edwards. Courts overturned both convictions. In 1999, Cook agreed to plead no contest to murder for a sentence of time served. Judge John Ovard of Dallas denied the request of Cook’s attorneys to have State District Judge Christi Kennedy recuse herself and to have the case moved elsewhere.

NOONDAY (AP/Staff) – In southwest Smith County, Jody Jennings, 47, died after her parked recreational vehicle caught fire. Smith County First Assistant Fire Marshal Oren Hale says the fire broke out Sunday afternoon at an RV park in Noonday. Hale says the materials used to build the RV, like many manufactured homes, meant it burned quickly. Officials add that the smoke in an RV fire is extremely toxic and can incapacitate those trying to escape.

According to KETK, authorities believe the cause may have been a mechanical fire in the RV’s electrical system, but they say it will be several days before they have an official cause. Jennings’ dog also died in the fire. Jennings had only lived in the RV for 10 days before the fire. Monday would have been her 48th birthday.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department and the University of North Texas have teamed up to conduct a survey of residents regarding police services. The research study was reviewed and approved by the University of North Texas Institutional Review Board. According to a police statement, the survey is being issued “as the Longview Police Department strives to provide professional police services to the citizens of Longview.”

Police say the survey is designed to provide feedback to the Department on numerous topics including:
1. The identification of perceived crime in Longview
2. The level of citizen satisfaction
3. Possible fear of crime
4. The familiarity with community-based police programs

Surveys were due to be mailed to 3,500 residential addresses in Longview around April 9. If you receive a survey in the mail, you’re asked to complete or have a member of your household 18 years of age or older complete the survey. It should then be returned directly to the University of North Texas in the provided postage-paid envelope. Police say the results of the survey will be available later this year.

YANTIS — Wood County officials have charged one person with possession of K-2 in a drug free zone Monday. According to KETK, deputies arrested Mohan Jassal, 42, on two felony warrants at his store; the Yantis Food Mart. Officers seized an undisclosed amount of drugs at the store. Jassal was booked into the Wood County Jail and later released on bonds totaling $23,000.

TYLER — Tyler Police investigate a disturbance and suspected suicide. It happened around 10:25 Sunday night at 4201 Chester Drive. Officers said a 46-year-old man was in possession of a handgun. Family members were moved to safety and shortly after, officers heard gunfire from inside the residence. Weldon Hall was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Detectives are investigating.

TYLER – The mother of a Tyler man is coming to her son’s defense following his arrest after reports of gunshots in the city. According to KETK, Brandon Choice’s mother, Ruthie Bride, said her son was being attacked by several people. She claims she gave Choice the gun and told him to fire warning shots. One shot allegedly struck the car of one of the attackers. She said she’ll file charges against the attackers.

Just before 2:15 Saturday morning, Tyler police received a call from a residence located within the 500 block of Maxwell Drive about a suspicious person running across their yard and the sounds of gun shots in the distance. Arriving officers were notified of persons located on east M.L. King Boulevard they were shot at moments earlier on Maxwell Drive. When given a suspect’s name, they contacted Choice, 28, at his Maxwell Drive home. Following an investigation, Choice was booked into the Smith County Jail on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to Sgt. Matthew Smyser, no injuries were reported in the incident.

LUFKIN – A teen has been arrested by Lufkin police following a pickup-train accident. It happened shortly after 8:15 Saturday night on Hoshall Road near the Southwood intersection. The pickup driven by Seth Hargis, 18, of Lufkin was on the tracks as the train approached. The conductor said he saw the truck on the tracks and sounded the train’s horn. Hargis is said to have jumped from the truck and ran away. Hargis was not injured. He was arrested and booked in the Angelina County jail on a charge of driving while intoxicated.

TYLER — Internet safety remains a top focus for local authorities. On this week’s KTBB “Staff Meeting,” Community Response Officer James McCraw with the Tyler Police Department shares a list of do’s and don’ts, for kids and adults alike. For one thing, he says parents need to be familiar with their kids’ favorite Internet sites. He also suggests establishing clear rules — and seeing that computers are kept in a family room or other high-traffic area of the home to promote better parental supervision.

Additionally, McCraw discusses a local multi-agency web safety collaboration. The Committee to RAISE Tyler consists of the police department, SuddenLink, Tyler ISD, and Discovery Science Place. “RAISE” stands for “Raising Awareness of Internet Safety through Education.” For more information, you can visit http://www.tylerpolice.com or call 903-531-1096. You can also click on http://www.ktbb.com/audio to hear the full “Staff Meeting” show online beginning early Monday morning.

LONGVIEW — Ray Street in Longview will be closed at Sabine Street to through traffic beginning today. The closure will allow for water main adjustments at the intersection of Ray and Sabine Streets as part of the Annexation Sewer and Water Improvements Project. Access to Ray Street will be at Loop 281. The closure will be effective for approximately three days. This project is providing water and sewer service to areas annexed by the city in 2009. This project is being constructed by Texas J and D Construction of Bronson, Texas.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at 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 base and pavement repairs on State Highway 155 between Toll Road 49 and State Highway 57 (Grande Extension). 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.

TENNESSEE COLONY — Texas Department of Transportation construction crews this week are scheduled to begin approximately three weeks of resurfacing work on Farm Road 645 between U.S. Highway 287 north of Tennessee Colony and Farm Road 3328 near the TDCJ Beto I Unit. Also this week, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on State Highway 294 west of Elkhart between Farm Road 322 and Farm Road 1990, followed by the same work on Farm Road 323 between U.S. Highway 84 east of Palestine and Farm Road 1817. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement-repair operations on State Highway 31 in Malakoff. Also this week in Henderson County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to continue resurfacing work on Farm Road 3079 between Farm Road 314 south of Brownsboro and Farm Road 315 south of Chandler. 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.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs on South Loop 281 between FarmRoad 2205 (Jaycee Drive) and Estes Parkway early in the week, followed by applying a seal coat in the same location later in the week. Daytime lane closures will be in effect 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 approximately two weeks of edge repairs on Farm Road 1716 between State Highway 43 near Tatum and Farm Road 782. The work is being done in advance of a seal coat application later this summer. 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.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 2869 north of Farm Road 49. The work is in preparation for a seal coat application later this summer. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on US 84 in Rusk and work east toward Reklaw. 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.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 47 north of Farm Road 2475, and on Farm Road 1395 between Farm Road 47 and Farm Road 859. 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.

LONGVIEW – According to new data, over 25% of Texas children live in poverty. The living conditions of many children in East Texas are worse. The figures from new 2010 data released this past week, thousands of area children are impoverished, with no health insurance, and relying on government assistance for food.

According to a report in the Longview News-Journal, 39% of Texas mothers received no, or very late, prenatal care. Rates were higher in most East Texas counties. Gregg County’s rate of child poverty topped the statewide rate with just shy of 30% of children 17 and younger in poverty. The region’s highest rate, however, was 35%, in Marion County. Panola County had the area’s lowest child poverty rate, at 20%, the only area county with a rate below the state average of 25.7%.

You can go to http://www.news-journal.com to see more study.

WOOD COUNTY – Three illegal gambling operations have been raided in Wood County. Over 100 eight-liner machines were seized when three separate teams raided the businesses at Quitman, Winnsboro and Alba. All three raids were staged at the same time Thursday night. Besides the machines, authorities also seized the property and a large amount of cash. At least one person has been arrested because she was in possession of a firearm, and more arrests are anticipated. Sheriff Bill Wansley said the raid followed a year-long investigation.