KTBB News, Weather, Talk

JACKSONVILLE – Cherokee County authorities are looking for two men who robbed a store west of Jacksonville. The robbery occurred Sunday night around 7:15 at the Corner Store at the intersection of Farm Road 747 and County Road 3113. After taking nearly $2,000 from the store the men, one armed with a handgun and the other armed with a small calibre rifle, fled the store.

Employees say the men were covered in black, including gloves and ski masks. One was a white male in his early 20s, between 5’8” and 5’10” and weighing between 160 and 180 pounds. The second suspect was a black male in his early 20s, between 5’8” and 5’10” and weighing between 130 and 150 pounds.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – A Sulphur Springs man has been identified as the victim of a weekend traffic crash. Tony G. Swindell, 28, was dead at the scene of the crash, which occurred shortly before 3:00 Sunday morning. Police reports say Swindell was west bound on East Industrial Drive when his car left the road and hit two cars in a parking lot. Swindell was thrown from the vehicle.

NACOGDOCHES – Two Louisiana men have been arrested by authorities at the Nacogdoches bus station and charged with possession of a controlled substance. Investigators say the men were acting nervously. A search turned up three pounds of cocaine. Taken into custody were Rodrick Roy Gibson and Ronald Dewayne Green, both 44, and both from Monroe, Louisiana.

MARSHALL — After 12 years on the bench, U.S. District Judge T. John Ward has retired to take advantage of a golden opportunity — practicing law with his son. “I thought it was a (rare) opportunity for people to get,” the 68-year-old said of practicing law with son Johnny Ward at Ward & Smith law firm in Longview. The federal courthouse is losing another judge, as U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles “Chad” Everingham, 43, resigned to become a partner in Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and open the firm’s new Longview office. The law firm will become the largest to set up a satellite office in the Eastern District of Texas.

Ward — often referred to as the “king of the rocket docket” for speeding patent cases through the system — and Everingham — the first U.S. magistrate judge stationed in the Marshall federal courthouse — both vacated their posts Sept. 30.

LONGVIEW — A Henderson man being booked into Gregg County Jail on traffic warrants had a felony charge tacked to his record after officials said he attempted to get a released inmate to conceal marijuana for him. Donte Lamar Giddings, 30, remained jailed Monday on $5,000 bond, charged with possession of a prohibited substance in a correctional facility and with eight outstanding warrants for traffic violations.

According to arrest reports, an inmate who was being released from jail told authorities that Giddings attempted to “persuade him to reach in his shoe and take out a small bag of weed so that he could throw it away.” The exiting inmate declined to assist. Giddings was later seen throwing the marijuana into the trash can in the processing area at the jail. Officials said the marijuana was found in the trash can.

Troopers said Giddings was originally arrested after a traffic stop for having a defective brake light, which revealed his outstanding warrants.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man remained jailed Monday on bonds totaling $250,000 after police found cocaine and hundreds of prescription pills. Longview police arrested Ocie Demitrius Collier, 29, around 11:45 Saturday in the 1000 block of West Marshall Avenue after a traffic stop. Authorities say Collier was arrested for not having a drivers license. During a search of his vehicle, officers found 205 hydrocodone pills, 76 Xanax pills and two clear baggies containing cocaine. Police said digital scales were also found in the vehicle. Collier was charged with five counts of manual delivery of a controlled substance.

TYLER (AP) — Police say an apparent argument over a blanket has led to an East Texas man accused of killing his cousin. Tyler police say 29-year-old Danez Dewayne Black of Tyler has been charged with murder. Smith County Jail records did not list an attorney for Black, who was held Monday on $500,000 bond. Officer Don Martin told The Associated Press that the shooting happened early Saturday at the home of Black’s mother. Martin says the woman went into a room where 21-year-old Marquis Dwain Black was staying, asked for her blanket and the two began to argue. Martin says Danez Black, who also was at the home, heard the dispute and allegedly shot his cousin.

JACKSONVILLE — Funeral Services for Jo Meredith will be this morning at 10:00 at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Longview. Rader Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Meredith was a Health Science teacher at Jacksonville High School for the past 3 years. She helped numerous students graduate under the Certified Nurses Aid program, helping them to have good jobs in the nursing field as soon as they graduate. On Friday morning, she was killed in an accident with a tanker truck while driving her motorcycle to work from Longview where she lives. Officials say she was wearing her helmet. Meredith was an advocate for breast cancer awareness on campus. At the Tomato Bowl Friday night, the town was dressed in pink for breast cancer awareness…and also to remember their teacher.

JACKSONVILLE — The Cherokee County Sheriff Department SWAT team seized 1.5 pounds of marijuana and 9 grams of crack cocaine from a Cuney residence in the 200 block of County Road 3509 at 6:30 a.m. on Friday. “Most of the drugs appeared to be packaged and ready to sell,” Sheriff James Campbell said. Three suspects were arrested at the scene, two of which Campbell said they believe to be the homeowners. Ricky Lynn Allen, 44, was charged with five felonies: two counts of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, one count of possession of marijuana and two counts of endangering a child. Tashawn Monquie Johnson, 30, (pictured) was charged with four felonies: one count of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, one count of possession of marijuana and two counts of endangering a child. Allen’s bond was set at $240,000 and Johnson’s was set at $230,000. A 20-year-old male was arrested for possession of marijuana and his bond was set at $2,000.

Child Protective Services was called to the scene to take custody of an infant child and a 12-year-old juvenile male. Campbell said the investigation had been going on for several weeks and ended with the search warrant being executed.

MARSHALL — The Harrison County Commissioners Court will consider today approving a grant to help with prosecution expenses related to a capital murder case. The grant could fund more than $200,000 in expenses the county occurred in the trial of Cortne Mareese Robinson. Robinson, 19, of Marshall was one of three people charged with the fatal shooting of Frank Zabokrtsky, 82, during a September 2009 home invasion. Jurors sentenced Robinson to death for Zabokrtsky’s murder.

In September, the county received $98,000 from the Texas Task Force of Indigent Services to help offset the almost half-million dollar deficit accumulated from trial expenses. The award only funded the defense expenses used to provide access to counsel for the poor. The grant that will be considered Tuesday is from the Office of Governor Criminal Justice Division in the amount of $203,500. The commissioner’s court approved a resolution in August to submit an application for the grant to reimburse prosecution expenses. Harrison County First Assistant Auditor Jana Smallwood said the county had budgeted $250,000 for the trial, which ended up costing almost double that.

EAST TEXAS — Federal officials are urging residents who have been affected by wildfires to register for assistance. “It doesn’t matter how little damage they had. If they had damage to their primary residence, they need to register,” FEMA spokeswoman Margaret Broadbent said. “We may can help them.”

Wildfire Recovery Assistance centers have been making their way to Northeast Texas towns hit by wildfires, and centers will remain open this week in Longview and Gilmer for people who have questions about assistance, Broadbent said. A recovery center will be open Wednesday and Thursday at the Longview Exhibit Building, 1123 Jaycee Drive. Officials will be available to answer application questions or for those who would like to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Upshur County recovery center will reopen today at the First Baptist Church of Gilmer, 304 Buffalo Street, from 9:00am to 6:00pm. A recovery center in Cass County also will be open today at the law enforcement training center, 1031 CR 1913. “If you were affected by the fires, you can go to any recovery center that is convenient for you,” Broadbent said. Broadbent encourages residents to seek services.

FEMA has approved almost $900,000 to date to help wildfire survivors who have applied for federal and state assistance.

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

HENDERSON COUNTY– Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs on State Highway 31 in Chandler on either side of the Farm Road 315 intersection. 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 zone.

Also, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base repairs on U.S. Highway 175 between Farm Road 804 in Baxter and Loop 60 in LaRue. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 839 between U.S. Highway 79 and Farm Road 1798. 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.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on Farm Road 320 between West Loop 256 in Palestine and Farm Road 645. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs on Farm Road 2012 in various locations between State Highway 31 and Farm Road 850 near New London in Rusk County. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location 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 resurfacing operations on Farm Road 2088 between Farm Road 14 in Oak Grove and the Upshur County Line. Crews will also be at work on U.S. Highway 80 near Farm Road 1799 west of Mineola, and east of Mineola between Farm Road 2422 and Farm Road 3056. 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.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to resume resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 13 between Troup and Price, and on Farm Road 1911 south of Alto. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

GILMER – The State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Upshur County continues in its temporary location at the Gilmer Fire Station Monday after moving there Saturday. The recovery center will return to First Baptist Church of Gilmer on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The schedule:

Gilmer Fire Station
120 Henderson St.
Gilmer, TX 75644
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10

First Baptist Church of Gilmer
304 Buffalo Street
Gilmer, TX 75644
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12

Upshur County wildfire survivors with questions about the recovery process or needing help registering with FEMA are urged to stop by the recovery center. Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors who want disaster assistance, but officials say the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it.

Texas homeowners, renters, and business owners can register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov, or by telephone via FEMA’s toll-free numbers: 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 1-800-621-3362. Assistants are available by phone from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

TYLER — Starting yesterday, the City of Tyler Water Utilities Department began implementing voluntary “Step One” of the Drought Contingency Measures as outlined in Article X (Water Conservation/Emergency Demand Management Plan) of the City of Tyler Code of Ordinances. “Although the City has not reached the consumption parameters outlined in the plan to warrant Step One Drought Measures, we feel that because of the dry weather conditions we have been experiencing, it is in the best interests of Tyler’s long term planning efforts to take this action at this time,” said Water Utilities Managing Director Greg Morgan.

Step One Drought Measures are typically taken when the average daily water consumption reaches 85 percent of the system’s production capacity. Tyler’s capacity is currently 72 million gallons per day; eight million gallons from deep water wells, 34 million gallons from Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East and 30 million from Lake Palestine. The peak use this year was on Aug. 15 when 49 million gallons were used. However, the average use this summer was 40.9 million gallons which is still well below the 85 percent consumption rate of 61.2 million gallons per day which triggers drought measures.

Voluntary Step One modified drought measures call for residents to voluntarily conserve water and limit irrigation of landscaped areas to Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for customers with a street address ending in an even number (0,2,4,6,8) or Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays for water customers with a street address ending in an odd number (1,3,5,7,9). Additionally, irrigation should be done between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Additional steps that the City will take under Step One include expedited repair of water line breaks, reducing flushing of water mains and discontinuing fire hydrant testing.

“The City of Tyler has a very stable, long-term water supply that is projected to serve us for the next 75 years,” added Morgan. “However, it is anticipated that the La Nina system that has led to the current dry conditions may last for at least another six to nine months and that overall drought conditions in the state of Texas could last for several years. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the community to take precautionary measures at this time.”

DERIDDER, LA. (AP) – A two-vehicle crash in Beauregard Parish, La., has resulted in the death of an East Texas woman. State troopers say a car driver by 62-year-old Julia Esteves, of Diboll, was traveling on Louisiana Highway 26 when her vehicle crossed the center line and sideswiped a tractor-trailer rig. Esteves was taken to a Lake Charles hospital following Friday’s accident. Troopers say she died early Saturday. The truck driver was not injured.

LUFKIN — The City of Lufkin extends its burn ban for another 90 days. According to KETK, the ban prohibits all outdoor burning of brush, trees, and storm debris, along with open campfires. City officials say burning trash and construction material is never allowed within the city limits. They ask if you see anyone burning trash illegally, please call the police right away. The Texas Forest Service reports right now, outdoor burn bans continue in 251 of the state’s 254 counties.

JACKSONVILLE — More details in a heist of money bags from the Jacksonville Walmart last week. KETK reports police have identified a fourth man they believe was involved. 23-year-old Roderick Denard Silmon of Jacksonville was identified Thursday morning, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Three other men were identified Wednesday. Police are additionally trying to identify a woman who they believe was also involved.

NACOGDOCHES — The final person Nacogdoches County constables were looking for as part of an 18-person methamphetamine warrant roundup was booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail Thursday evening. According to KETK and the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel, Rebekah Lynn Middleton, 29, of Nacogdoches is charged with one count of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. The investigation began more than a year ago in an effort to target the high-volume methamphetamine dealers within the county, Pct. 4 Constable Jason Bridges has said.

MARSHALL – A two vehicle accident in Harrison County has left two persons dead and three injured. The Wednesday night accident occurred on U.S. Highway 80. Killed was Bobby Jenkins Jr., 37, and Gilbert Sena-Quintana, 45, both from Marshall. According to the Department of Public Safety Report, Jenkins, who was west bound when swerved onto the wrong lane and hit Quintana’s pickup. Two children in Jenkins van and a passenger in Quintana’s vehicle were injured.

AUSTIN — Governor Rick Perry has appointed Connie Ware of Marshall to the Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents for a term to expire Jan. 31, 2015. Ware is president and CEO of the Marshall Chamber of Commerce, and vice president of Ware Machine and Supply Inc. She is a member of the Sabine River Authority Board of Directors, Texas Association of Business, Marshall Citizens Advisory Council, Texas Association of Symphony Orchestras, and the Marshall Symphony League. She is also past chair of the Texas State Technical College Advisory Board and Texas Commission on the Arts. Ware received a bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College.

TYLER — East Texas Fair staffers are pleased with response to this year’s event, which wrapped up last weekend. “This is the first time in my career I have seen attendance at a Fair finish almost identical to the previous year,” said John Sykes, President of The Park of East Texas, Inc. “This year’s attendance is within a few people of being the same number as 2010. Total attendance in 2011 is 242,163.”

Per capita spending increased. North American Midway Entertainment set an all time record for ride revenue. Most established food vendors reported record income. “While attendance remained flat, it is obvious that those who came spent more money once inside,” stated Sykes. “We again saw more families and children at the Fair.” The East Texas State Fair also saw increases in livestock show exhibits and the addition of more retail vendors adding to the commercial exhibitor line-up. Officials say the trend of adding retail vendors to The Marketplace inside Harvey Convention Center will continue, giving fairgoers the opportunity to purchase mattresses, jewelry and numerous other items while increasing sales tax revenues for the area.

It is estimated the East Texas State Fair generates over $20 million in economic impact for the region. The Fair’s gross income is over $2 million during the 11-day event. “It is stirring to see an increase in spending during a time when much of the country is still suffering through a troubled economy,” said Sykes. “We will now take the successes of this year’s event and improve on them as we plan for the 2012 East Texas State Fair.” The 97th East Texas State Fair is scheduled for September 20-30, 2012, at the East Texas State Fairgrounds.

MANGUM, OKLA. (AP) — A Comanche County judge has denied a motion to disqualify the judge who presided over the trial of a former Oklahoma prison warden’s wife who was convicted of helping an inmate escape. District Judge C. Allen McCall ruled Thursday that removing Greer County District Judge Richard Darby from Bobbi Parker’s case would fall outside the court’s authority. McCall delayed Parker’s formal sentencing until an appeals court considers the issue.

A jury found Parker guilty Sept. 21 of helping convicted killer Randolph Dial escape from the Oklahoma State Reformatory. The couple were later found in Texas on a chicken farm in Shelby County.

Defense attorney Garvin Isaacs argued that Darby should’ve recused himself because his brother, Ken, works for the prosecutor. Assistant District Attorney David Thomas said Ken Darby wasn’t involved in the case, and added the defense knew about him before the trial started.

QUITMAN — Wood County officials say the woman accused of throwing a young boy down on a table while working at a Mineola daycare has been arraigned in a Quitman courtroom. According to KETK, Jennifer Lynn Stone’s next hearing date is set for November 10th. She was arraigned on charges of injury to a child, which is a third degree felony. Stone earlier turned herself in and was released on $10,000 bond. Stone is accused of mistreating a 5-year-old boy who was under her care earlier this year.

TYLER — Authorities say Adrian Blankenship Jr., one of the men charged in the shooting death of 15-year-old Nicole Cartwright of Longview, entered a plea deal Thursday in a Smith County courtroom. According to KETK, this brings his charge down from first degree murder to manslaughter, also reducing his sentence to 20 years in prison. Cartwright was found shot to death outside of a Tyler car wash on Christmas Eve in 2010, after being caught in the crossfire of a gun allegedly shot by another man, Gregory Polley. Polley pleaded guilty earlier this year and was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Blankenship was said to be in the same car as Polley at the time of the shooting.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating the death of a 10-year-old J.L. Everhart student who died Wednesday evening in an area hospital. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Jamaal Jones, of Longview was pronounced dead at about 7:50 p.m. Wednesday at Good Shepherd Medical Center after being transported from his grandmother’s home in the 200 block of Harvard Ave., Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson said.

Longview police and emergency medical services were called to the residence at about 6:50 p.m. in connection with a boy who had been injured in the front yard. Longview police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said officers were called to investigate, but Jameson said “the child’s death appears to be an accident at this time. The injury appears to be a spinal cord injury from an accident.” Jameson said the fourth grader’s body was sent for autopsy in Fort Worth for an official ruling on what caused his death.

Longview ISD officials said counselors were being made available at J.L. Everhart for grieving students. According to a school district statement, “All of us at Longview ISD are touched by the tragic loss of Jamaal Jones, a 4th grade student at J.L. Everhart, and we pray that his family can find peace. Our thoughts and prayers are also with Jamaal’s extended family – the students and staff at J.L. Everhart.”

WINONA — A one-acre fire has been contained after breaking out Thursday morning on FM 1252 in the Winona area. The blaze had threatened one home. Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton said the pasture fire was caused by a squirrel on an electric line.

WHITE OAK — Gregg County Crime Stoppers and the White Oak Police Department are seeking information on the identity of the suspect seen in this picture, who was responsible for the attempted break-in of the ATM at Citizens Bank, located on S. White Oak Rd. The suspect is a white male, who can be seen on security video walking up to the ATM with a hammer and lug wrench. The suspect is able to get the lower door of the ATM open, but was unable to gain access to the cash vault. The suspect is seen in the video walking north on S. White Oak Rd.

Anyone with information is requested to contact Lt. Ferris Ellis, White Oak PD, at 903-759-0106 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com or 903-236-STOP (7867).

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man who burned down his mother’s home with a methamphetamine lab last year became emotional in the courtroom Wednesday as he was sentenced to additional prison time. That’s according to KETK and the Lufkin Daily News. James Durham Jr. got 20 years in prison on an evading arrest charge last week. Now he’s received another 25 years in prison on each of three charges, including arson, possession of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. Because he is to serve those charges concurrently, the 38-year-old man technically only received another five years in prison.

After being sentenced by state District Judge Gerald Goodwin, he told the court there was something he would like to say about the day he was shot earlier this year by two men near the charred remains of his mother’s home. “I might be what the papers say, but that day I was mowing my yard, two men drove up and shot me with a shotgun and a .22 and beat me with a two-by-four, and I didn’t deserve it. It was premeditated. I hope and pray justice is served on them, same as it was on me,” Durham said. “They shot me while I was on the ground, in the buttocks. I have to wear a (colostomy) bag now. I’ll have to wear that for the rest of my life for something that I don’t even know why they shot me, and they’re going to get away with it. They weren’t even charged. They drove up in my yard and shot me dead.”

After speaking with Angelina County District Attorney Clyde Herrington about getting help for his drug problem, Durham was taken back to the Angelina County Jail, where he will be housed until being transported to prison.

MARSHALL — Pilgrim’s Pride is prepared to appeal a recent decision in Marshall federal court in which a judge ruled the company must pay $26 million. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the company was found guilty of manipulating the price of chicken in 2009. The most damaging evidence against the company came from an e-mail that stated the sale of one processing plant would “foil their plans” to restrict chicken and increase prices. Individual growers could get up to $700,000 from the ruling.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches woman and her ten children are trying to get things back on track after being forced out of their residence. Fire devoured the family’s mobile home Tuesday afternoon on George Street. According to KETK, homeowner Cassandra Washington says she lost three dogs in the blaze. The fire marshal believes the fire was accidental.