KTBB News, Weather, Talk

MOUNTAIN HOME, ARK. — No injuries reported after a plane carrying at least two East Texans crashes Tuesday in northern Arkansas. Officials say a single-engine 1974 Piper plane piloted by Tony Clowers, 62, Texarkana, Arkansas, was attempting to take off when it lost lift and crashed into an open field past the end of the runway. Clowers and passengers Ann Clapp, of Texarkana, Texas, and her son, Zack Clapp, of Kilgore, were not injured in the cash. The FAA is investigating.

Ann Clapp said a burst of wind blowing from the north might have played a role in the failed take off. The Federal Aviation Administration was notified of the crash. The damaged plane will remain where it stopped until FAA officials arrive and conduct an investigation.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County Crime Stoppers and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office are seeking information concerning the recent burglaries of a business located on Highway 149 near the Farm Road 349 intersection. The business, TD Mart at 8753 Highway 149 in Longview, was broken into on December 4th around 1:00am by a white male with brown hair, a beard, wearing bib overalls and a dark color hoodie. He reportedly threw an object through the front window and reached in taking several cans of tobacco products and placing the items in his pockets, all captured on the store’s video recording system. The same suspect is seen again on the store video on the morning of December 27th throwing an object through the store window and then reaching in taking several cans of tobacco products.

Anyone with information on the identity of this suspect is encouraged to contact either the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office at 903-236-8409 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP (7867).

TYLER – A Tyler home has been extensively damaged by fire. It was reported around 7:00 yesterday morning at a home on Sunnyside, near the East Texas Fairgrounds. An extension cord is believed to be the cause of the fire. It was a small cord and a TV and a space heater was plugged into it. Investigators say the extension cord was too small for that many amps. No injuries were reported.

ALBA — A three vehicle crash located on U.S. Highway 69 in Wood County just south of the city of Alba, has left two persons dead and two injured. The crash was reported just before 10:00 Tuesday morning. Preliminary investigation shows that a Honda passenger car was traveling North bound when it slowed to make a left turn into a rest area. While the vehicle waited for traffic to clear from the southbound lanes, it was struck from behind by a Ford pickup truck. The impact sent the Honda into the oncoming southbound traffic where it was struck broadside by a Toyota Camry.

The driver of the Honda passenger car has been identified as Margaret Miller, 69, Sherman. She was airlifted to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center in critical condition. The Dodge truck was driven by Michael West, 38, Alba. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Toyota has been identified as Angela Ann Shoffstall, 74, Fairview. She was also airlifted to ETMC, Tyler in critical condition. A passenger in her vehicle who was ejected at impact has been identified as Suzan Fincher, 74, Sherman. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

TYLER – Republican State Representative Leo Berman of Tyler has been awarded an A+ rating and endorsed for reelection by both the National Rifle Association and the Texas State Rifle Association. Berman, a seven-term representative, has received these awards for each of his terms in the Texas Legislature.

Alice Tripp, legislative director for the Texas State Rifle Association, wrote: “Texas gun owners, hunters, and concealed handgun licensees are in your debt. Our 40,000 members could not have a better friend in the Texas House than Rep. Leo Berman.”

Berman said, “I am a strong advocate of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a life member of both the NRA and TSRA, and I am a concealed handgun licensee. I am proud to receive these endorsements.”

TYLER — Roadwork at Loop 323 and Donnybrook and Loop 323 and Copeland will begin this morning at 7:30. It should continue through Thursday. The City of Tyler will restructure lanes and lights in both areas. Drivers are urged to use caution and seek alternate routes if possible.

TYLER — Police officials have confirmed that a Tyler Fire Department truck has been involved in a minor accident. The engine was parked at Amherst and Broadway when it was hit by another vehicle. No one was hurt in the wreck. Crews have since cleared the scene.

TYLER (AP) – The former wife of a Dallas minister, who was acquitted at a sensational trial of trying to kill her, has died nearly 25 years after an attack left her incapacitated. Ron Gammell of the Tyler Memorial Funeral Home confirmed the death Tuesday of Peggy Railey, but declined to release details, citing a family request for privacy. Railey, who was 38 at the time of the savage choking assault at her Dallas-area home in April 1987, never recovered and remained in what doctors called a vegetative state. Walker Railey, her husband at the time of the attack, was once a rising star at Dallas’ First United Methodist Church. He eventually acknowledged lying about his whereabouts the night of the attack to hide an affair.

KILGORE — Authorities are investigating a Christmas morning fire that left a 39-year-old Kilgore man dead. Kilgore firefighters were dispatched to the 3600 block of Sycamore Street around 8:15 a.m. in connection with a residential structure fire, police spokesman Roman Roberson said. Roberson said Allen McGee was found dead in one of the rooms in the residence. He was pronounced dead at the scene. “After the fire was extinguished, firefighters discovered the resident,” he said. When firefighters arrived, half of the double-wide mobile home was engulfed in flames.

Gregg County Fire Marshal David Kidder, who was called to assist the Kilgore Fire Marshal’s Office, said in the investigation they didn’t see “any signs of a working smoke detector.” McGee’s body was sent for autopsy to confirm a cause of death, but Roberson said the initial investigation determined that he “succumbed to smoke and heat from the fire.”

While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, fire officials said they believe the fire was unintentional.

Services for Allen Harrison McGee 39, of Kilgore are scheduled for 10:00 Friday morning at Rader Funeral Home Chapel in Kilgore. Burial will follow Walnut Grove Cemetery in Garrison, Texas. McGee was a DJ at 96X in Tyler.

GILMER –- A Big Sandy police officer was terminated Tuesday after being arrested for driving while intoxicated. Big Sandy Police Chief Tim Scott said officer Shanon Louise Davis was arrested shortly after12:45 Tuesday morning on U.S. 155 south of Gilmer by Department of Public Safety troopers. “Officer Davis’ current situation should serve as a reminder that all of us are subject to the same laws and nobody is above the law, regardless of occupation or status as a law enforcement officer,” Scott said. Davis was released from Upshur County Jail on $1,500 bond about 4:00am.

She served as a Big Sandy Police Department Reserve officer from February 18, 2010 to May 24, 2010; Kilgore police from April 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010; and has been employed with the Big Sandy Police Department since May 24, 2010.

LONGVIEW — The Humane Society of Northeast Texas has reopened its doors, more than a week after closing the Enterprise Street facility due to a viral outbreak. On Monday, a California animal rescuer who worked with the Longview shelter released emails to the News-Journal suggesting the shelter discontinued vaccinations that might have prevented the outbreak. Humane Society of Northeast Texas Board President Susan Mazarakes-Gill said the allegation is untrue.

Since 1972, the shelter has operated as a nonprofit group on funds from contracts with Longview, Gregg County and several other local governments, along with public donations and fees for adoptions and other services. Longview City Council members and Gregg County commissioners this fall authorized one-year deals with the Humane Society for animal sheltering services through September 30.

LUFKIN — Funeral services for Lufkin Panthers head coach, John Outlaw, are set for today at 11:00 at the Lufkin Middle School auditorium. The 58-year-old died suddenly Friday morning.

NACOGDOCHES – A Gregg County Man has been killed in a one car accident in Nacogdoches County. Killed Monday was Giles Kendrick White, 42, of Gladewater. He died about an hour after the accident in a Nacogdoches hospital.

The Department of Public Safety reports White’s car was northbound of U.S. Highway 59 when he lost control of the vehicle on the rain-slick road. His car left the road to the right and hit a tree. The accident happened about seven miles south of Nacogdoches just before 12:45 yesterday afternoon. The report said he was not wearing his seat belt.

LUFKIN – A Lufkin home has been damaged by fire. The fire around 8:30 Christmas night caused considerable heat and smoke damage to the house in the 200block of April Street. No injuries were reported. Capt. Brad Gallaway of the Lufkin Fire Department told the Lufkin Daily News, “The occupants of the home turned the furnace on and the attic started filling up (with smoke).” When firemen arrived, the fire was in the attic. It took them just over half an hour to bring the blaze under control.

WOOD COUNTY — A three vehicle fatality crash on US 69 in Wood County just south of the city of Alba leaves two people dead. The crash was reported at around 9:50 this morning. The preliminary investigation shows that a Honda passenger car was traveling North bound on US 69 when it slowed to make a left turn into a rest area. While the vehicle waited for traffic to clear from the southbound lanes, it was struck from behind by a Dodge pickup truck. The impact sent the Honda into the oncoming southbound traffic where it was struck broadside by a Toyota Camry.

The driver of the Honda passenger car has been identified as Margaret Miller, 69, Sherman; who was airlifted to ETMC, Tyler in critical condition. The Dodge truck was driven by Michael West, 38, Alba. He was pronounced dead at the scene.The driver of the Toyota has been identified as Angela Ann Shoffstall, 74, Fairview. She was also airlifted to ETMC, Tyler in critical condition. A passenger in her vehicle who was ejected during impact has been identified as Suzan Fincher, 74, Sherman. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

TYLER – Tyler police continue looking for a suspect in a weekend shooting. It happened around 7:00 Christmas night in the parking lot of the American Inn at 1800 West Erwin where a man and a woman got into an altercation. During the altercation the man is said to have pulled a semi-automatic pistol and pointed it at the woman. The woman ran away and as she was running heard several gunshots. She was not injured. The man then drove away in a black Honda Accord. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Tyler police.

SMITH COUNTY – Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a shooting in the northern part of Smith County. It happened around 7:00 last night on County Road 3116. Details surrounding the incident are unavailable this morning. No injuries were reported.

TYLER – A squirrel is responsible for a power outage in south Tyler. Up to a thousand customers lost power Christmas day. A power transformer was blown near the intersection of Loop 323 and Richmond Road. An ONCOR spokesman says a squirrel caused a capacitor bank to explode. The power was restored about and hour and a half later.

LUFKIN (AP) — A Texas man who once built some of the lightest-weight BMX Blazer bicycle frames has retrieved four brand new vintage models and brought them home in time for Christmas. The Lufkin News reported Sunday that Mike Maberry and his partner handcrafted the frames for two years beginning in 1981. He says the lightweight frames made of aircraft tubing became known among BMX racers. Due their limited production, Maberry says he was surprised to get a phone call two weeks ago from one of his Blazer factory riders saying he had found a frame online and it was still in the box. After a few phone calls, Maberry says he tracked it to a long-closed bike shop in Shreveport, Louisiana. He says he drove to Louisiana and bought them back.

LONGVIEW — Lafamo Road in Longview will be closed at Lafamo Creek beginning today. The closure will allow for construction improvements on the culverts. Alternate routes are recommended. The closure will be effective for approximately two months depending on the weather. This project is providing bridge and culvert improvements per the Master Drainage Plan. This project is being constructed by East Texas Bridge of Longview.

TYLER — Plans for a TxDOT contractor to begin placing bridge beams for Toll 49 overpasses at State Highway 31 west of Tyler and State Highway 155 south of Tyler have been postponed. Work was to have started this week. The work has now been postponed until January. TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz says the contractor Longview Bridge and Road did not provide a specific date for the work to be conducted.

LINDALE – A new store has opened in Lindale. Its grand opening will be next month. It’s the Collin Street Bakery. Known for its fruitcake, the Corsicana-based Collin Street Bakery’s new store is at the intersection of Farm Road 849 and Interstate 20. The Lindale bakery also offers sandwiches, soups, cookies, pies, cakes and breads. Collin Street spokesman Hayden Crawford said the company has one of its best customer bases in East Texas, so it made perfect sense for the company to build its fourth location near Lindale.

Store manager Guy Robichaux has been with the company four years and said he was excited about the future of his store. “We are really blessed to be in a location such as this,” he said. “All the city officials have been so very kind and gracious; they’ve made us feel very welcome.’’

Collin Street Bakery was founded in 1896 by German immigrant August Wiederman. Its signature item has been, and continues to be its fruitcake. It accounts for 98% of the bakery’s total sales. The company sells about 3 million pounds of fruitcake each year, which equates to 1.5 million individual cakes. The bakery ships to 196 countries. The majority of orders are placed from October through November.

MARSHALL – The long-time professor and the chair of the Department of Mathematics at East Texas Baptist University on Marshall in retiring. Dr. Steve Capehart has taught at the school for 16 years.

During a recent reception held for Capehart, ETBU President Dr. Dub Oliver said, “I think of the thousands of students who have been through your classes, who have benefited from your deep intellect, and who have gained also from your very deep wisdom. I am very grateful for that.”

ETBU Student Government Association President John Mark Francis read a resolution adopted by the student senate heralding Dr. Capehart’s influence on students. The professor is known very well on campus because of his ministry of encouragement to students, faculty, and staff. Dr. Capehart very often dressed up wearing a cape to deliver candy to classrooms and offices, as well as offer an encouraging word.

According to the school’s website, Dr. Capehart is a graduate of Arkansas Tech University. He received his Master of Arts in Mathematics from the University of Arkansas and his doctorate from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Capehart also taught math at the high school level. He spent 13 years teaching mathematics at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After retiring from the United States Air Force, he came to ETBU to teach mathematics.

Dr. Capehart plans to spend his time in retirement with his family. He and his wife, Betty Lue, enjoy traveling throughout the country. The Capehart’s have two sons and two granddaughters and are members of Woodlawn Baptist Church.

WHITEHOUSE (AP) — A Christmas card that has crisscrossed the country as part of an old joke between two Texas men will rest this holiday for the first time in 61 years. Actor Hanks, 89, says he first sent the card in 1951 to his friend, Lee Kelley, as a joke. The Tyler Morning Telegraph reported Saturday that a year later, Kelley mailed it back. This sparked a tradition that continued after Kelley died when his widow mailed the card back to Hanks. But last year, the card was returned to Hanks unread. He believes Kelley’s widow has moved to a nursing home. He says he will frame the now-tattered card that is decorated on the outside with a Christmas tree and a holiday greeting. Inside are dates documenting the card’s journey.

LUFKIN – A small explosion in Angelina County has led authorities to a meth lab. Four people have been arrested. The explosion was in a small camper on Coach Redd Road. Inside the camper, deputies seized lab equipment, several grams of finished meth, a stolen pistol and a sawed off shotgun. Beth Ann Fetzer, 32, James Scott Harrelson, 28, James Thomas Ward, 25 and Shianne Horton, 20 were all arrested and charged with possession of chemicals with intent to manufacture Methamphetamines and possession of Methamphetamines. Ward, the owner of the residence, was also charged with felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a prohibited weapon. Their bonds ranged from $125,000 to $140,000.

SMITH COUNTY — An early morning fire at a Smith County halfway house has been determined to have been intentionally set. Although the building was occupied at the time the fire broke out, residents and employees were able to exit safely, and no injuries were reported. According to KETK and Smith County fire authorities, fire damage was confined to an area of offices in the building.

Just before 4:45 Friday morning, Dixie, Lindale and Noonday Fire Departments were dispatched to a fire at the facility on CR 46 in western Smith County. Upon Dixie Fire Department’s arrival on-scene, crews found fire in an office area of the building that had been contained by the building’s fire protection systems. The first arriving units were able to extinguish the fire quickly. The building was occupied at the time of the fire, but all residents and workers were able to safely exit the building prior to the fire department’s arrival. About 50 people were evacuated. Investigators with the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office were called to the scene and determined the cause of the fire to be arson. The investigation is still underway, and at this point no suspects have been identified.

“This was a brazen act. To set fire to a building is bad enough, but to set fire to a building that has known occupants shows a complete disregard for life. We need the public’s help to get this person off the streets and into a jail cell where they belong. If you have any information on this fire or any other arson fire please contact the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office or other law enforcement agency,” said Deputy Jay Brooks with the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office.

TYLER — A Tyler home has burned to the ground. Fire officials say an abandoned house, tucked into the woods on the 2800 block of West Erwin Street, caught fire around 6:30 Thursday night. There were no injuries reported. An investigation into how it got started is continuing.

CLARKSVILLE CITY— Multiple fire departments extinguish an RV blaze in Clarksville City. Clarksville City and Warren City fire departments responded, with the assistance of Gladewater Fire. Officials with Gladewater Fire say the RV was being used as a residence, but they were not certain if anyone was at home when the fire started. There were no injuries reported. The fire began around 4:00 Friday morning, in a mobile home park on U.S. Highway 80, near Texas Street. Two vehicles and an outbuilding were damaged during the blaze.

LUFKIN – Funeral services are scheduled tomorrow for the head football coach of the Lufkin Panthers, John Outlaw. He died Friday morning. Funeral services for the legendary coach are scheduled for Tuesday morning at 11:00 at the Lufkin Middle School auditorium. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00pm tonight at Gipson Funeral Home.

The 58-year-old Outlaw died suddenly Friday morning. Coach Outlaw collapsed on the floor of his home, just after his Friday morning jog. His wife attempted to revive him using CPR. Lufkin school superintendent Roy Knight is quoted as saying, “His impact on Lufkin is more profound than any person I’ve ever known. He’s influenced more young people than any other school person that I know.”

COLLEGE STATION — Senior Texas A&M offensive lineman Joseph Villavisencio, 22, of Jacksonville, died Thursday in a highway crash near the town of Normangee. Villavisencio was on his was home to Jacksonville when the accident occurred.

Villavisencio was driving north of Farm Road 39 Thursday when he swerved to avoid a buzzard in the road and his car hit an 18-wheeler in the southbound lane, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.

Villavisencio was killed in the accident. The driver of the 18-wheeler was not injured, KBTX-TV in Bryan reported.

Villavisencio was radiological health engineering major. Texas A&M said he was among teammates earlier Thursday as they presented gifts for children and families at the Twin City Mission in Bryan, Texas.

At Jacksonville High School, he earned Second Team All-State recognition from both The Associated Press and the Texas Sports Writer’s Association, was named a first-team all-district offensive lineman as a junior and a senior, and earned first-team all-state academic honors as a senior in 2007-08. He was coached by Randy Copeland at Jacksonville.

Former head coach Mike Sherman, who was fired several weeks ago, remembered Villavisencio as “one of the most respectful and high character players I have ever coached. The world lost a very special person today. My heart aches for his mom, dad and sister, all of whom were so dear to him.”