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TEXARKANA – A 44-year-old Gilmer man has pleaded guilty to social security fraud. Michael Wayne Jobe pleaded guilty Monday in Texarkana to theft of government property before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline M. Craven.

According to information presented in court, in 2006 and 2007 and resuming in 2009 until 2011, Jobe applied for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits on behalf of both of his children who lived with him at the time. During the first time period, both of Jobe’s children were removed by CPS. During the second time period, both children moved out of his home and began living with other family and friends. However, Jobe continued to receive Social Security Benefit payments on behalf of those children, and Jobe falsely reported to the Social Security Administration that the children were still living with him during those reporting periods. This resulted in an overpayment of Social Security Administration benefits in an amount in excess of $1,000.

Jobe was indicted by a federal grand jury on Sep. 15, 2011. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

KILGORE — More details have been released after an SUV crashed into an auto-parts store in Kilgore. Kilgore police tell KETK a Suburban crashed into the ABC Auto Parts Store off Highway 259 and Stone Road. Three people were taken to a local hospital, including the driver. The SUV caused extensive damage to the building’s front windows and damaged some items inside the business. The driver reportedly had a seizure and was unable to control the vehicle.

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department is wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Fire officials point out that the number of home cooking fires triples on Thanksgiving Day as compared to the national average on all other days. With Thanksgiving approaching, many people will be frying turkeys. If done incorrectly, this can be a dangerous endeavor. Below are just a few safety tips to think about before frying.

1. Fryers should only be used outdoors away from buildings and combustible material. Never use in garages or on wooden decks.
2. Never leave the fryer unattended.
3. Keep children and pets away from fryer at all times.
4. The turkey should be completely thawed and patted dry prior to frying. Water and oil do not mix. This could cause the oil to splatter and boil over.
5. There should always be an all-purpose, ABC rated fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.
6. Always wear the appropriate clothing: shirts with long sleeves, full length pants, and shoes that completely cover the feet. Safety goggles are also recommended.
7. If a fire or accident does occur, call 911 immediately.

You’re asked to contact the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office at 903-535-0005 for more information regarding fire prevention and safety.

TYLER — Over the weekend, PATH held its annual Coats for Kids. According to KETK, since 2002, the event has helped thousands of kids get into a new winter coat. Each year, PATH distributes the coats to kids in need. PATH’s Becky Duncan says each year, the turnout keeps getting bigger. Duncan estimates 1700 to 2000 people got coats this year.

GREGG COUNTY — Gregg County Commissioners voted Monday morning to end a countywide burn ban. County Fire Marshal David Kidder said recent rains have soaked the ground fuels enough to reduce wildfire risk. County Judge Bill Stoudt urged residents to use caution when burning.

LONGVIEW — A Joinerville man was killed Saturday night in a one-vehicle crash when he was ejected him from his pickup. According to Department of Public Safety officials, 47-year-old Joseph Wilson Castle was pronounced dead just before midnight Saturday by Justice of the Peace Seth Stein after the crash on FM 2012 in Rusk County. Castle was traveling southbound at about 10:45 p.m. on FM 2012 near CR 146 when he lost control of his Nissan Frontier.

LUFKIN — Angelina County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) needs your help locating a probation absconder. Jeremy Wade Henson is wanted on a felony revocation of probation warrant. Henson has a history of absconding and went on the run this time after failing a drug test. Henson is a 34-year-old, white male, and he is known to drive a white truck and a burgundy car. His arrest reports indicate that he typically works logging, factory, or manual labor jobs.

When arrested in June of this year, Henson’s home address was 208 East Denman Avenue, apartment #23 in Lufkin and he recently appeared at the residences of family and friends on Garrison Road and Crooked Creek Drive in Lufkin, but officers have been unable to capture him at any of these locations.

HALLSVILLE — Longview Fire Department hazardous materials crews joined Harrison County first responders in containing a railcar spill about three miles east of Hallsville on Sunday. According to Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary, a railcar was leaking phosphoric acid. Crews led by Hallsville Police Department were making entry to stop the leak at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Harrison County sheriff’s officers, meanwhile, cordoned off nearby roads and temporarily closed Harrison CR 3102, also known as Muntz Road. Zackary said there was no danger or immediate threat to neighbors of the spill. He said Longview haz-mat crews had mitigated the leak by 5:50 p.m. at which time Union Pacific railroad crews were cleaning the spill and working to reopen the rail spur.

LONGVIEW — A Sunday morning house fire could have been deadly if not for the response of neighbors. Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said firefighters were called at 8:04 a.m. Sunday to a house fire at 307 Marion Drive in south central Longview. When firefighters arrived, they found the front of the home engulfed in flames. They also found neighbors consoling the house’s six residents in the front lawn, including one neighbor who pulled a wheelchair-bound elderly woman to safety.

Zackary said neighbor Jerriel Dixon ran across the street and pulled the woman’s chair down the front steps. A young boy who escaped the fire alerted Dixon because he could not pull the woman’s chair.

Zackary said it appears the fire started in the kitchen near the stove, which resulted in heavy smoke near the doorway where the woman was sitting. The American Red Cross is assisting the family of three adults and three children, who lost all of their belongings to smoke, fire or heat damage, the fire marshal said. The family also is getting help from an usual source.

The fire marshal said seeing Dixon’s actions, coupled with those of neighbors who consoled the family and children, was “a very positive thing with neighbors stepping in during these tragic times.”

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Republican co-chair of Congress’ debt supercommittee says chances are slim that the panel can agree on a plan to reduce spending by $1.2 trillion over 10 years. Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling says “nobody wants to give up,” but he also tells “Fox News Sunday” that “the reality is to some extent starting to overtake hope.” The committee faces a Wednesday deadline. But members would have to agree on the outlines of a package by Monday to allow time for drafting and assessing by the Congressional Budget Office. Republicans are demanding changes in programs such as Medicare and Medicaid while Democrats are insisting on tax increases on the wealthy. The Democratic co-chair, Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, is appealing for “shared sacrifice.” She was on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Monday are scheduled to conclude base and pavement repairs on SH 110 in Whitehouse between Hagan Road and the southern city limits. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make pavement repairs on SH 154 near FM 288. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on FM 1995 between SH 110 and FM 773. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

EAST TEXAS — Long time East Texas disc jockey and comedian Warren Bradley died Sunday morning after a long fight with cancer, according to friends. Bradley, 55, was a staple on the morning show on radio station KYKX for years. He also was a popular standup comedian at area clubs and for parties and banquets. In recent years he took his act to venues in Branson, Mo., where he sometimes appeared on stage with another East Texas entertainer, Neal McCoy. Warren was born in Longview, Texas in 1956.

TYLER — The task force launched by Mayor Barbara Bass to take a close look at homelessness in the City of Tyler held its first meeting on Nov. 8. The Homeless Task Force is chaired by City Council member Martin Heines and, according to city officials, comprises primary stakeholders who provide services to the homeless.The Task Force is examining the current state of homelessness in Tyler to determine what services are currently offered, who is providing those services, and if there are gaps in services. Task Force members are reviewing reports that attempt to measure how many homeless there are in Tyler as well as visiting facilities and meeting one-on-one with agencies who provide services to the homeless.

“There is a lot of information that needs to be assessed during this process,” said Heines. “There are so many groups offering assistance to the homeless that it is important to piece together where the gaps in services may be.” Also important to the Task Force, says Heines, was arriving on a shared definition of homelessness. Some think of homelessness as just those people who actually are sleeping without shelter. However, other definitions include people who are living in shelters or transitional housing.

“One of the biggest challenges is determining what services are available and where they are,” added Heines. “I am not surprised that there are so many groups that are trying to help their fellow Tylerites who are in need because Tyler is such a giving community. However, I believe we can do a better job of communicating where these services are available as well as identifying if there are unmet needs.”

The Task Force plans to expand to include additional stakeholders that were identified during the first meeting. The task force will meet again in early December with a goal of concluding its assessment and providing recommendations to the City Council by the end of January 2012.

TYLER — A burglary Suspect has been apprehended after a neighbor witnesses him running from a house where a burglar alarm was going off. It happened around 4:25 Sunday morning in the 300 block of W. First Street. Arriving officers found the back door forced open. The suspect, Antonio Hernandez, 27, was detained about 6 blocks away. He’s charged with burglary of a habitation.

EAST TEXAS — More than 1,600 East Texas families will have a happy Thankgiving thanks to hand delivered baskets from Saturday morning’s Community Food Drive. For nearly the past four decades, the event has provided needy East Texas families with something to put on the table for Thanksgiving dinner. Event coordinator Bruce Love called the work of this year’s 400 plus volunteers a success. “We actually sent out 1,625 baskets this year so I’m very pleased with the turn out,” Love said. The carefully prepared baskets of 20 staple items, included a six-pound ham. Love said he wanted to thank Brookshire Brothers for their help.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Lufkin man was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated after rolling over his vehicle early Saturday morning. According to a Lufkin Police report, Gary Guerrero, 19, was traveling on Feagin Drive when his car ran off the road, resulting in a rollover accident. Responding officers found Guerrero to be intoxicated and arrested him, according to the report. The officers booked Guerrero into the Angelina County Jail.

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville police arrested a local man involved in a string of gas station robberies Friday. Ray Hawkins Jr., 27, of Jacksonville, was arrested for his alleged involvement in the Oct. 18 robbery of J-N-J’s Food Mart on Jackson Street. Hawkins provided the revolver used in the robbery as well as the get-away car. He faces two counts of aggravated robbery, a first degree felony. Hawkins will not be charged as an accomplice, but for the actual offense. Each count carries a possible sentence of between five to 99 years in jail and/or a $10,000 fine.

Police officials said Rodrick Johnson, 20, of Jacksonville executed the robbery of the store and robbed a customer at gunpoint for his wallet. Officials said this counts as two robberies. JPD arrested Johnson on Oct. 28 for warrants on two gas station robberies in Freestone County. Officials also said he was also involved in the robbery of The Corner Store, on F.M. 747, on Oct. 9.

Police arrested Aaron Hale, 19, of Jacksonville and his wife, Briana Hale, 17, of Jacksonville, Cody Kirby, 22, of Jacksonville and Wayne Frangiosa, 21, of Jacksonville. Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department Aaron Hale was the possible driver in the Fastrac robbery and information gained from that arrest gave led to other robberies. Officials said a gun found in the car matched one involved in the robbery of the Nu Time Truck stop on Oct. 18. Officials said store videos show Kirby using the rifle. Frangiosa has also been linked to the robberies of the Corner Store and Nu Time.

KILGORE — Three people were transported to an area hospital Saturday afternoon after the driver of a sport utility vehicle ran through a Kilgore auto parts store. Kilgore police Sgt. Johnathan Gage said the wreck happened about 2:20 p.m. at ABC Auto Parts in the 1400 block of U.S. 259 North. Gage said the driver was traveling west on Stone Road when he lost control of his Chevy Tahoe, ran over a curb and went through the parking lot and the front of the store. The injured included a customer who was in the parking lot and a clerk who was inside the store. Their conditions were unknown.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A convicted Moffett methamphetamine cook will get to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with his family before turning himself in, according to a decision made in a federal courtroom Friday.

Although he was hoping to avoid federal custody until after the Christmas holiday, David Arthur Dunman, 52, was pleased with the decision made by Federal Magistrate Zack Hawthorne, according to his attorney, Al Charanza. He is set to turn himself into federal custody in Beaumont at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 28.

Dunman’s legal issues began in September 2010, when he was busted by the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office for cooking methamphetamine. While out on a $100,000 bond, Dunman was busted again for cooking methamphetamine at his home on FM 842. In July, Dunman was named as the kingpin of a 66-count federal methamphetamine indictment. According to the indictment, Dunman had two women, Deana Sunshine Turner, 25, and Crystal LeAnn Keisler, 22, buying pseudoephedrine for him to use in cooking meth. Keisler is in federal custody while Turner is out on bond.

ANGELINA COUNTY — Citing improved weather conditions, Angelina County commissioners voted Friday to lift the outdoor burn ban. The order allows outdoor burning or outdoor burning of trash, brush or open camp fires in unincorporated areas of the county. However, commissioners said residents should use extreme caution while burning and warned that unattended fires are illegal in the county, punishable by a fine. County officials said they would continue to monitor weather and fire conditions, and Cooper warned that commissioners could re-establish a ban if conditions warrant.

Texas Forest Service responded to two fires for 254 acres in East Texas. The largest was a 250-acre grass fire in Orange County.

Burn bans in Cherokee, Houston, Nacogdoches, Polk, San Augustine, Shelby and Trinity counties were also lifted this week. As of Friday, burn bans were still established in 188 of Texas’ 254 counties including Jasper and Tyler counties, according to the Texas Forest Service.

An outdoor burn ban is still in effect for the city of Lufkin, prohibiting all outdoor burning of brush, trees, storm debris and open campfires in the city. Burning trash and construction material is never allowed within the Lufkin city limits, and the sale, possession or use of fireworks is also prohibited by city ordinance.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Lufkin area psychiatrist is turning over his right to practice to the Texas Medical Board. According to a government website, Doyle Brashear, agreed to voluntarily and permanently surrender his medical license for failing to abide by the terms of an agreement reached by the medical board last year. On April 9, 2010, Brashear agreed to stop treatment of chronic pain patients, according to previous reports. The basis for this action was Brashear’s failure to maintain adequate medical records and his failure to follow board rules on the treatment of chronic pain.

According to the Board’s agreed order, Brashear, in his treatment of six patients with chronic pain, violated the standard of care by failing to review existing labs/x-rays or order new ones, and by failing to screen the patients for drug abuse potential, previous reports stated. Board staff additionally found his documentation to be illegible and inadequate.

MARSHALL — The historical childhood home of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Y.A. Tittle burned to the ground early Thursday. The two-story home at 1200 Harper St. in Marshall was completely engulfed by 1:30 when the fire department arrived, authorities said. The cause of the fire was unknown, but authorities said it may have been caused by a halogen lamp that was knocked over at the back of the house.

“It is completely destroyed,” said Marshall Fire Department Assistant Chief Reggie Cooper. Cooper said 14 firefighters worked until 5 a.m. battling the blaze. The Longview News-Journal reports, no one was inside at the time of the fire, which was being renovated. Cooper said the owner lives out of town.

Former football quarterback in the National Football League, Yelberton Abraham Tittle was born in 1926 in Marshall. As a Giant, Tittle set an NFL record by throwing 36 touchdown passes during the 1963 season, and in 1971, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

GILMER — Upshur County commissioners on Friday dropped a burn ban that had been in effect since June. Also joining in dropping bans on outdoor burning late this week were Titus and Morris counties. Gregg County officials may consider dropping the county’s ban at a Monday meeting. During the special session of the Upshur County Commissioners Court, Fire Marshal Paul Steelman said the county’s danger levels have dropped significantly since the commissioners opted to keep the burn ban in effect. County Judge Dean Fowler can reinstate the burn ban at any time.

Commissioners first adopted a burn and fireworks ban in June. The fireworks ban was lifted in early July with the burn ban set to expire Sept. 19. However, just days before the burn ban’s expiration, several fires damaged areas of Diana, Union Hill, Harmony and East Mountain. Commissioners voted on Sept. 15 to extend the burn ban for 90 days. The lift took effect immediately Friday.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County officials report several stolen items have been recovered after four burglary suspects were caught. Officials say the alleged thieves were involved in at least two burglaries on Thursday between the hours of 8:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Coby Robert Gordy, 17, (pictured) and James William Gullette, 32, were booked into the Smith County jail. They are each charged with two counts of burglary. Bond was set at $30,000 each. Two juveniles were also taken into custody. Officials say Gordy and Gullette may be linked to other crimes in the area. The case is under investigation.

The first burglary occurred in the 17000 block of County Road 15, where a woman noticed a suspicious vehicle in the area. Later that day, her next door neighbor and family member realized his home had been burglarized and she described the vehicle, a white Avalanche, to the authorities. A vehicle matching the description was located later that day on Morningside Dr. in Tyler.

Inside the vehicle, officers found four men, including two juveniles, along with several of the items said to be stolen from the house on CR 15. The items were verified as the stolen property by the homeowner’s name which was etched on many of his belongings. Among the stolen items were guns, electronics, and DVDs. Also found in the car was property which was found to belong to another household which was burglarized that morning on the 8200 block of County Road 1161.

DIBOLL — A worker was taken by medical helicopter to a Tyler hospital following an industrial accident at ATCO Structures this morning. Around 10:00, a wall fell on a 44-year-old man while working at the facility at 1106 N. Temple Drive. Lufkin Fire Department and Diboll first responders transported the man from ATCO Structures to the helipad at Temple-Inland’s corporate headquarters. The company did not release any details immediately after the accident citing the need for further investigation. However, Lufkin Fire Chief Ted Lovett said a sheetrock wall fell on top of the man, and “he had some significant bleeding from the ear area.”

TYLER — A water main that caused conjestion at the intersection of 5th and Broadway has been repaired. However, City of Tyler officials say Elm will be closed down all day tomorrow between Broadway and Spring so they can repair a broken water line.

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man was charged with aggravated assault after police said he was involved in a robbery at a motel. Eric Eugene Christian, 30, remained jailed Thursday on $50,000 bond, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was arrested early Thursday on charges stemming from an assault November 1, at America Dream Inn on East Marshall Avenue.

According to reports, a man at the motel told police that he went to the motel looking for a prostitute. The victim said he met with another man, who called a woman to the hotel room. While in the hotel room, the victim realized that $300 and the keys to his car had been stolen. The victim said he confronted the woman, she tried to run away, and they began arguing, police said. During the argument, Christian entered the room and started hitting the victim in the face several times.

GREGG COUNTY — Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Jean Dark said troopers are looking for a silver or gray 2001 Dodge Durango or Dodge Dakota in connection with the hit-and-run that killed Cesar Cruz about 8:15 Monday night. Dark said the vehicle was traveling northbound on Texas 149 when the motorist struck Cesar, who was most likely in the road.

“The vehicle may have damage to the right front area, with damage to the fog lamp, headlights as well as the turn signal,” Dark said. Officials were not releasing details on the suspect they had interviewed regarding the child’s death. Investigators found parts of a headlamp at the scene that helped them identify the make and model of the vehicle involved.

Deputies were called to the boy’s residence about 6:45 p.m. Monday after family members reported him missing. Cesar’s mother, Brandie Sieger, said she had left the house to take her father to the store. Her mother was at the house watching her four children when she was notified Cesar was missing. Gregg County Sheriff’s Office deputies, responding to reports of the missing boy, found his body in a ditch on Texas 149 near Younger Road, about a mile from where he went missing.

TYLER — Tyler ISD voted to join a class-action lawsuit against the state during their regularly scheduled school board meeting on Thursday night. School officials tell KETK, the vote was unanimous, 6-0, with one member not present. Tyler now joins several East Texas school districts, and hundreds of others from across the state, that are a part of the lawsuit. The lawsuit is a challenge to the Texas funding system for public schools. Supporters of the lawsuit are hoping it will bring more equality to the way funding is distributed to schools. East Texas school districts already involved in the lawsuit include Diboll ISD, Lufkin ISD and Union Grove ISD.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Diboll mother was air-lifted to a Tyler hospital and her husband has been arrested after she suffered a severe head wound. Arthur Brown, 34, is behind bars on a $100,000 bond. His wife, Candace Brown, 29, was seriously injured from falling off the trunk of their car along Highway 59 south Wednesday afternoon.

Brown told Angelina County Sheriff’s Office investigator Seth Stover he was in fear for his life when he hit the gas Wednesday afternoon instead of stopping. Because his actions caused his wife to fall off the trunk of their Cadillac sedan, he is being charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon/family violence.

Candace was airlifted from the scene and taken to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler with a severe head injury.