KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Two persons are in custody in connection with a south Tyler robbery. It happened just before 5:30 Wednesday afternoon in the 5500 block of South Broadway. The victim told officers he was robbed at gunpoint of an undetermined amount of money. The victim, in his vehicle, then followed the two suspects to the 4600 block of Plauxy Drive. That’s where officers first located the vehicle. They stopped it in the 2400 block of McDonald Road. The two suspects were arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and placed in the Smith County Jail pending arraignment. No injures were reported.

TYLER — A Gregg County man has been sentenced to federal prison for money laundering. Dantrel Robert, 28, of Longview, pleaded guilty in January and was sentenced Wednesday to 60 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. Robert was also ordered to forfeit $30,000.00.

According to information presented in court, Robert was involved in a drug trafficking scheme which involved money being sent to California where it was used to buy illegal prescription drugs, such as codeine and hydrocodone. The prescription drugs were then smuggled from California to East Texas for distribution. After the illegal prescription drugs were sold in East Texas, the money was sent back to California to purchase more drugs, luxury vehicles and other property. A 14-count federal indictment was returned by a grand jury on June 3, 2009, charging Robert and 6 other individuals with conspiracy to comment money laundering.

TEXARKANA (AP) — A Mount Pleasant man is to report to federal prison on Veterans Day for falsely claiming blindness to get veterans benefits. Former U.S. Marine Jim Bob Shipp begins his 63-month sentence on November 11, and must repay more than $800,000. Shipp maintains his innocence and says he’ll appeal.

RUSK — A woman has lost her life in a Cherokee County fire. The body of Anita Perry was found in the wreckage of her burned home Tuesday night. The house is located outside of Rusk on Farm Road 768. The mobile home was fully engulfed in flames when firemen arrived on the scene. Along with Perry, her pet dog and cat were also found dead in the wreckage. The cause of the fire, which is believed to have started in a bed room, remains under investigation.

TYLER (AP) — A Tyler man must serve 45 years in prison over a fatal stabbing during a party at a Smith County deputy sheriff’s home. Prosecutors say Joshua Dwain Barnes on Wednesday pleaded guilty to murder in a plea agreement. Barnes also apologized over the Dec. 27, death of James Brandon Lee.

Barnes, who served in the U.S. Army in Iraq, originally claimed self defense, but prosecutors said his recorded confession to police would be used at trial. Barnes and Lee had argued at a party of then-Deputy Terry Helms Lindsey of Tyler.

Lindsey in June was sentenced to 10 years of probation and six months in jail after pleading guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Investigators say Lindsey, who was off duty, beat Barnes after Barnes stabbed Lee. Lindsey was fired after his arrest.

TYLER — Tyler federal judge Michael Schneider sets a December 9 trial date for a case filed against the federal government by Texas Spine and Joint Hospital and Physician Hospitals of America. Plaintiffs’ attorney Scott Oostdyk says it will be a “provisional,” or bench, trial, with no jury. The plaintiffs are fighting the health care reform law provision limiting expansion rights for physician-owned, and partially physician-owned, hospitals. Along with claiming that it’s arbitrary and vague, they say the provision violates their due process and equal protection under the law. There’s at least one proceeding before the trial. Oostdyk says on October 8, briefs will be filed, and the judge will hear more briefing from the parties about the legal issues.

AUSTIN — As part of an ongoing effort by the Texas Secretary of State’s Office to inform Texans about their rights as voters, the 2010 VOTEXAS Road Tour will be visiting the East Texas State Fair this Thursday. Visitors can learn more about the voter registration and elections processes and will have an opportunity to explore the newly-designed VOTEXAS.org website. Along with representatives from the Texas Secretary of State’s office, local election officials will be on hand to answer questions.

According to state officials, the 22-stop VOTEXAS Road Tour is partnering with local election officials throughout the state to inform Texans about the “when, where and how” of voting to make sure that lack of information is never a reason that one does not register to vote or cast a ballot. The VOTEXAS booth will be at the fair from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday. It will be located outdoors, and officials say some tall VOTEXAS.org banners should make it easy to spot.

TYLER — One person is killed, one injured in a northeastern Tyler accident. Tyler Police, Fire and EMS responded to the two vehicle crash in the intersection of Hwy. 271 and NNE Loop 323 around 11:00 a.m. Wednesday. Accident Investigators determined that a 2007 Chevy Trail Blazer driven by an elderly couple from Twelve Mile, Indiana, was southbound on 271, turning left onto Loop 323 on a yellow flashing arrow. A 2008 Ford F-350 pick-up was northbound on 271 on a green light and entered the intersection, striking the Trail Blazer in the passenger side doors.

The occupants of the Trail Blazer were identified as driver Clarence Bechdol, age 79, and his wife Margarett Bechdol, age 80, who was the front seat passenger. Mrs. Bechdol was transported to East Texas Medical Center, where she died from injuries sustained in the crash. Mr. Bechdol was also transported to ETMC for non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford pickup was identified as John Ainsworth of Longview and was not injured. The Bechdols were traveling from Indiana to Tyler to visit a granddaughter who attends a local college. Mr. Bechdol was determined to be at fault in the crash for failure to yield right of way/left turn.

TYLER — Police have made an arrest in a July homicide at a Tyler park. On Wednesday, Tyler Police Investigators arrested 60-year-old Sharieff Hussein Dean pursuant to an arrest warrant for capital murder for retaliation. The warrant was issued Wednesday by State District Judge Jack Skeen, Jr., who set bond at $1,000,000. The arrest is in connection with the murder of Ronnie “Goldie” Kemp that occurred at W.E. Winters Park on July 5. Investigators say they anticipate additional arrests in the case. On the night of July 5, officers were dispatched to park at 910 S. Peach Street in reference to a welfare concern. Upon arrival at the scene, officers located the body of the 48-year-old Kemp, a Tyler resident.

Anyone with information about the suspects involved in this crime is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to arrests and charges filed against the suspects in this, or any, felony case.

TYLER — The East Texas Communities Foundation announces the recipients of a $100,000 grant from the Retail Merchants Association of Tyler Charitable Fund. A foundation news release says the merchants’ fund provides annual grants to support designated charities benefiting Smith County. Here’s a list of this year’s grant recipients and where the money will go:

Boys & Girls Clubs of East Texas – After-school program scholarship assistance
City of Tyler Communications Department – Community branding and marketing campaign
Discovery Science Place – Arts and Science Integration Program
East Texas Area Boy Scout Council – Leadership EASTEXAS Program
East Texas Regional Food Bank – BackPack Program
Goodwill Industries – Purchase equipment for recycling program
Salvation Army – H.E.L.P. Program
Tyler ISD Foundation – Teacher and Campus Grants Program
Living Programs Foundation – School of Tyrannus programs
United Way of Tyler/Smith County – Professional training and consulting to area nonprofits

The East Texas Communities Foundation is a nonprofit corporation serving 16 counties in East Texas. In 2009, the Foundation distributed over $3.4 million and manages over $40 million in 167 unique charitable funds which support non-profit organizations and student scholarships. The mission of the Foundation is to support philanthropy by offering simple ways for donors to achieve their long-term charitable goals. For more information about the Foundation, you can contact Kyle Penney at 903-533-0208.

TYLER — The 23rd Annual Festival on the Square is headed back to the brick streets of Downtown Tyler, and organizers are issuing the call for volunteers to help operate the event. Festival on the Square is set for Saturday, Oct. 9, 5:30 p.m. to midnight, in the area surrounding the T.B. Butler Plaza in downtown Tyler. The event will feature some of the hottest names in Texas Music like Casey Donahew, Sean McConnell, J.B. and the Moonshine Band and Ryan Beaver.

“We depend on literally hundreds of volunteer hours to make this event happen,” said Beverly Abell, director of the City of Tyler’s Main Street Department. “Without the volunteers, there is no way possible we could produce events such as this,” she added. Volunteers are needed in a variety of areas, including front and back gate, soft drink sales and souvenir sales. Those interested in volunteering should go to
http://www.FestivalOnTheSquare.com and follow instructions to go to the volunteer sign-up link. All volunteers will receive a free Festival T-shirt and a ticket to the concert, Abell said, adding that online advance ticket sales information is also available on the site. You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org to read more.

GREGG COUNTY — A wreck involving a motorcycle in Gregg County injures one person. According to KETK, it happened at the intersection of Hwy 149 and FM RD 2906. Officials say the motorcyclist was taken to a local hospital.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man is now in jail after police say he had a tube of lip balm that stored crack. Police say Jacob Alexander Woodard, 17, ran from officers and when the did arrest him, they we unable to find the lip balm. Officials originally thought he had swallowed it. According to KETK, police say they later found the tube of crack while making a separate arrest.

TYLER — Tyler Police say they have located a missing person. Officers were called to Melrose Nursing Center, 1501 W. 29th Street, after the staff reported resident, Frankie Hademenos, missing around 10:00 last night. They say she suffers from Schizophrenia and Delusion.

JACKSONVILLE — A horseback riding charity event goes terribly wrong when a participant gets severely injured. Sharon Slayden of Jacksonville was injured in a traffic accident near El Paso on Monday, a few days after reaching the city as part of the Cowboys Against Cancer Cross Texas Trail Ride, benefitting the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life of Cherokee County. According to KETK, the Slaydens had reportedly stopped to render aid to a stranded motorist when a pickup traveling at a high rate of speed struck Slayden and her horse. She suffered several broken bones and underwent surgery Tuesday morning. Her horse was killed in the accident.

TYLER — A challenge to part of the much-debated health care reform law goes before a federal judge in Tyler at 2:00 Wednesday afternoon. In June, Tyler-based Texas Spine and Joint Hospital joined up with Physician Hospitals of America. The two are fighting the provision limiting expansion rights for physician-owned, and partially physician-owned, hospitals. Texas Spine and Joint’s Dr. Mike Russell calls the provision arbitrary and vague. He also says it violates the plaintiffs’ due process and equal protection under the law. Russell’s not sure how soon the judge might rule on sending the case to trial.

JACKSONVILLE – An arrest is made in connection with recent shots fired on Lon Morris College property. According to KETK, the shooting took place about two weeks ago at an inn that is being used as student housing. According to Jacksonville police, Overton police arrested 19-year-old Brandon Dekerith Carey Monday morning. He has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and deadly conduct in a gang-free zone. That’s because the inn where the shots were fired is considered college property. Plus, the inn is near a park.

Detectives say they think the shooting was gang-related, and some of the people involved have identified themselves with the Bloods and Crips gangs. Investigators say at this point, they think Carey was the only shooter. Carey could face up to 20 years behind bars per charge and a fine of up to $20,000. Carey is currently being held in the Rusk County Jail on $40,000 bond.

WILLS POINT — Wills Point police have arrested 21-year-old Jonathan Coffman in connection with the beating of C.D. Whittington. KETK reports Coffman is from Wills Point and was arrested on a parole violation warrant for narcotics Tuesday morning. Police are in the process of getting a felony warrant for aggravated robbery. Coffman is in custody in Van Zandt county. Coffman was picked up in Myrtle Springs, another Van Zandt town.

And there’s more to the story. Police say Whittington was badly beaten and left for dead — and the family now says the attacker also beat up his own girlfriend. Additionally, the reported girlfriend is suspected of an earlier encounter with Whittington, an 89-year-old World War II veteran. Whittington tells police he was getting ready for bed on Friday night when a young man knocked on the door and asked for money and prescription pills. The young man allegedly began beating Whittington and eventually left him for dead after Whittington told him he had no money and no pills.

Whittington says when the attacker arrived, he told Whittington a woman was supposed to meet him there. Now the family says that woman, whom they say is the girlfriend of the attacker, came to them after allegedly being beaten up herself by Whittington’s alleged attacker. The family also says the woman actually tried to rob Whittington hours earlier that same day. They say she and another woman knocked on Whittington’s door asking to borrow money from him. When Whittington went to get his wallet, he believes the women tried to get into his file cabinet. Whittington says he asked the women to leave and didn’t think anything of that incident until the young man arrived later that night.

TYLER — To raise awareness of women’s cancer, Tyler Firefighters are inviting the entire community to don their pink shirts for the second annual Turn Tyler Pink event Oct. 5, from 5-8 p.m., on the Downtown Square. The event will feature the Pink Heals Tour, a caravan of pink fire trucks that travel the country to raise awareness of cancer. The trucks are signed by thousands of people who have been affected by the disease. There will also be a blood drive, health information, music, free screenings, food, and of course – firefighters in pink.

“The inspirational messages written on the trucks about the ravages of this disease and the spirit of those who are fighting it is something everyone should see,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass, a breast cancer survivor. “This event is an opportunity for the entire community to come out and honor those who have been affected by cancer. We are particularly excited to welcome “Tonya” (a Tyler Fire truck given to the Pink Heals Tour in 2009) back to Tyler, showing off her new pink paint and messages from cancer survivors from around the U.S.”

Turn Tyler Pink shirts and caps can be purchased at:

* Gallery Main Street – 110 W. Erwin;
* Carter Blood Care – 815 S. Baxter; and,
* Holiday Inn South Broadway – 5701 S. Broadway.

Proceeds from the sale of Turn Tyler Pink shirts benefit local cancer organizations. In 2009, the Tyler Firefighters CARE Fund donated more than $20,000 to organizations that support the fight against cancer. You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org to learn more.

CHAPEL HILL — Smith County Deputies are called to Chapel Hill High School Monday night to break up a fight, not between students — but between grownups. According to KETK, no injuries were reported, but parents picking up their kids from school were shocked to see deputies there. So far, no charges have been filed.

TYLER (AP) – A seminary student in Tyler has pleaded guilty to two counts of indecency with a child over an alleged relationship with a 16-year-old girl who was in a church youth group. Jorge Ivan Sanchez on Monday pleaded guilty to both second-degree felony charges. Attorneys for Sanchez, who faces up to 20 years in prison, are seeking probation as part of the plea agreement. Sentencing is Oct. 15.

The Roman Catholic seminary student, who was charged in April, faces deportation to his native Colombia if the plea agreement is accepted. Sanchez remains in custody. He had been studying at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler, after previous studies in Houston at the University of St. Thomas seminary.

NORWOOD — A one vehicle accident in San Augustine County has killed a Lufkin man and left another injured. The accident happened around 9:15 Monday morning on State Highway 103. Dead at the scene was James Alton Austin, 62. He was not wearing a seat belt and was tossed from the vehicle when it overturned. Listed in stable condition at San Augustine Memorial Hospital in San Augustine is Bennie S. Green, 57. According to the Department of Public Safety report, the accident happened Austin swerved the pickup to miss a vehicle in front of him that was making a left turn. The pickup ran off the road to the right and was then overcorrected, and rolled over several times.

TYLER – A Tyler discount clothing store is broken into, resulting in nearly $6,000 in stolen merchandise. According to KETK, officers say the commercial burglary was reported Sunday at Amuri’s Apparel in the 1800 block of South Vine. According to police reports, someone broke into the back window of the business, causing several hundred dollars in damage to the building. Among other things, the thief took off with clothing, watches and electronics. Police say the investigation is ongoing.

TYLER — Charles McLean, age 60, was arrested Monday on a class A misdemeanor charge of making a firearm accessible to a child. His grandson, Jaden McLean, 2, was at the Smith County bar the family owns when he found a loaded 9 mm gun and accidentally shot himself in the head. According to KETK, the incident happened September 15. Sheriff J.B. Smith says the gun was normally kept in a safe, but the grandfather had left it on an office desk following a recent disturbance — and that’s where the little boy found it. Smith says Charles McLean could get a year in jail, a $10,000 fine, or both. He’s currently free on $10,000 bond.

Jaden survived the incident after being hospitalized in Dallas; he is now home and said to be doing well. Smith adds that the McLean family has been cooperative throughout the investigation. The sheriff earlier told KTBB that Charles McLean’s son was murdered a couple of years ago in a still-unsolved case.

TYLER — Discovery Science Place, a hands-on family science museum located in downtown, Tyler has been making significant changes in its exhibits and activities over the past 18 months. Now, thanks to a generous donation from the Horace C. Cabe Foundation, the museum’s entry courtyard will be undergoing a remodel beginning in October that will last through early November. At the same time, the lobby and Explore Store will acquire a new look thanks to the generous donation from the Watson W. Wise Foundation.

“Over the past 18 months, we’ve added over 10 new exhibits and exhibit upgrades,” explained Michael Shanklin, executive director of the family science museum. “In addition to the new exhibits, guests can experience scheduled walks with ‘Kiwi’ the iguana, the mascot of the museum. And with the lobby and courtyard remodel, our guests will see that Discovery Science Place is committed to providing the families, schools and other educational associations with the very best guest and educational experience in east Texas!”

During the remodel, which is scheduled to begin later this week, the temporary entrance to the museum will be located at the far east entrance near Broadway and will be clearly marked. The museum will remain open throughout the renovation process, and guests are encouraged to visit and see the changes being made. For information about the museum, visit the website at http://www.discoveryscienceplace.org or call (903) 533-8011.

LONGVIEW — Longview Transit, the public bus transportation system, is seeking feedback from residents regarding the quality and availability of bus service. Throughout the month of October, Longview Transit will distribute voluntary surveys to bus passengers. You can also go to http://www.LongviewTransit.com to view the survey online.

According to Longview Transit General Manager Rob Stephens, “We are conducting this survey because we want to hear from the community as a whole, not just from current bus passengers. We want residents to share their perspective on the quality of transit services currently offered, and we want to know what other transit services they think would be helpful.”

The survey is open to anyone who resides or commutes within the Longview area. A free daily pass will be given to anyone completing the survey. The survey may only be completed one time per person. Two forms of the survey are available: an individual form to be completed by residents; and an agency form to be completed by local organizations that utilize the bus service. For more information, you can go to the Longview Transit website or call 903-753-2287.

HENDERSON — A man has been charged with a weekend sexual assault in Rusk County. According to KETK, on Saturday just before 2:15am, the Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the western part of the county after a 911 call in reference to a sexual assault. An investigation led to an arrest warrant for the suspect, Gary Lynn Jones, 42, of Henderson. He was arrested around 5:30 Saturday morning and jailed on a charge of aggravated sexual assault. He remains in the Rusk County Jail in lieu of a $35,000 bond.

NACOGDOCHES — Jury selection is set to begin today for Steven Gerard Sledge, 43, of Nacogdoches, who is charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault against a female Steven F. Austin State University student last December. According to KETK, Sledge has been in the Nacogdoches County Jail since the date of his arrest on Dec. 13. At about 5:30 a.m. Dec. 13, 2009, Sledge is accused of approaching an SFA student who was outside her dormitory, forcing her into his vehicle with a knife, according to a Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office report.

BIG SANDY — A weekend accident in Upshur County has killed one person and injured two. The accident occurred around 4:00 Sunday morning on U.S. Highway 80, just east of Big Sandy. Dead at the scene was Justin Frick of Longview. In stable condition at Tyler’s Mother Francis Hospital is Jerry Dyeer of Gladewater. He was a passenger in a pickup driven by David Shearer, 42, of Gladewater. Shearer was treated and released at Mother Francis Hospital.

The Department of Public Safety report says Frick was west bound on Highway 80 and Shearer was east bound. The driver of a car in front of Frick says, for some reason, the Longview man turned off the headlights to his car. The car then drifted into the east bound lane of traffic where it collided head on with Shearer’s pickup.

WILLS POINT — Wills Point authorities are looking for a man who severely beat a World War II veteran. It began Friday night when C.D. Whittington answered a knock at the door. He asked if there was a lady there and when Whittington said no, the man started beating him. KETK-TV reports the suspect then asked for money. When Whittington said he had no money, the beating continued.

After putting on rubber gloves and putting a knife to the victim’s head, the suspect started tearing up the house looking for money. The suspect eventually broke into Whittington’s file cabinet with a wallet inside. He wasn’t happy that there was only $105 in the wallet. After the man left, Whittington called authorities. The suspect was described as a black male between 18 to 30 years of age. He was wearing a blue and white striped shirt.