KTBB News, Weather, Talk

CANTON — Van Zandt County authorities make two arrests in a recent burglary — in which the stolen items landed in a pawn shop. On the 13th of July, burglary was reported at a residence on VZCR #3104 in Edgewood. The same day, according to authorities, several items belonging to the victim were pawned at a local pawn shop by suspects Thomas Brown and Shelly Izzo. Authorities say the complainant purchased the property back from the pawn shop rather than have a property hearing. Felony warrants were obtained on Brown and Izzo by the Sheriff’s Office.

On the 30th of July, Sheriff’s Office Investigators and Deputies arrested both suspects at the Adult Probation Office in Canton after being contacted by one of the probation officers. Both suspects were interviewed, and the investigation continues. Officials say the cases will be referred to the District Attorney’s Office for filing.

LINDALE — More recognition for the Lindale Independent School District. On Friday, the Texas Education Agency released its 2010 accountability ratings. Lindale ISD was rated Exemplary, the highest accountability rating. Lindale Junior High School, E.J. Moss Intermediate School, Velma Penny Elementary School, and Lindale Primary school were also rated Exemplary. Lindale High School received a rating of Recognized.

Districts and schools are rated based on student performance on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). For the first time, the accountability rating also included student performance results in reading and math for TAKS Accommodated, a standardized test for special education students. A school district’s dropout and completion rates are also factors in the accountability rating. Rates for the 2008-2009 school year are examined and LISD had no dropouts during that school year.

“I am so excited that our district achieved an Exemplary rating,” LISD Superintendent Stan Surratt said. “Our community is buzzing about this great achievement from our students and teachers. The teachers, principals and staff should be commended for their dedication to our students and the leadership they have shown in the classroom. Their hard work and efforts have certainly paid off. I am so proud of the entire district. LISD is certainly an Exemplary district in every way.”

CRAFT — Due to conditions which have occurred recently in the water system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required Craft-Turney Water Supply to notify all the customers involved in the repair area to boil their water prior to consumption. According to KETK, the area included in this boil water notice is from the intersection of Highway 69 South and FM 22 (Craft), going south on Highway 69 – all county roads off 69 South up to Seven Mile Hill, including the last half mile of CR 1514.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, water system officials will notify you. If you have questions regarding this matter you may contact Rhonda Briggs, Office Manager, at 903-586-9301.

TYLER — For the past several weeks, Tyler PD and several surrounding Police agencies have been working a vehicle theft/fraud ring involving several black and white suspects. The suspects are buying vehicles from individuals with fictitious cashier’s checks. The checks are drawn on different banks, and police say they appear to be legitimate cashier’s checks. The suspects are using multiple names, and after buying the vehicles and receiving the titles, they take the vehicles to other towns/cities in Texas. They then sell the vehicles for cash by assuming the identity of the person they bought the vehicle from. Police say these suspects are creating fictitious paper Texas drivers licenses in whatever names they need.

Tyler Police Investigators warn citizens if they are selling a vehicle and the buyer wants to pay with a cashier’s check, be aware of this scam and verify funds with your bank before releasing the title. Any further questions can be directed to Detective Gary King with the East Texas Auto Theft Task Force at 903-593-6090.

TYLER — Three suspects are now in custody following an attempted robbery and shooting and authorities are searching for a fourth. The incident took place July 19 at a residence at 3312 Garden Valley. Kentrell Jennings, 19, Cortnie Hubbard, 23 and Brandon Caddell, 27 all of Tyler, have been booked into the Smith County Jail and charged with aggravated robbery. Hubbard has also been charged with possession of cocaine and criminal trespass. Tyler Police say information from a Crime-Stoppers tip led to the identity of the suspects. The fourth suspect, who has not been located, was identified as Mandisa Jones, 18, Tyler. Jones is also wanted for Aggravated Robbery. If you have any information on her whereabouts please contact Tyler Police or Crime-Stoppers.

Authorities say on the night of June 19th, the resident answered her front door when one of the suspects showed a gun and attempt to come into the house. A male resident had retrieved his own hand gun and immediately kicked the door into one of the suspects. Shots were exchanged between the suspects and the male resident resulting in a minor gunshot wound to the female resident.

TYLER (AP) — An 83-year-old east Texas woman is recovering after being attacked by a pit bull mix authorities say may have been used in illegal dog fighting. Glynda Hulsey and her two dogs were attacked as she walked to her mailbox in Smith County last week. She made it back to her house, with the dog following, and her husband shot the dog. She said she had more than 50 stitches and is still using a wheelchair. Her dogs have recovered.

Smith County Sheriff’s Lt. Gary Middleton says they’re investigating. He says dog fighting occurs in the county, but the locations move around. He says, “We have to find the location while the fights are going on to catch them.” He says animal control officers are catching pit bull mixes each day.

LUFKIN — Authorities in Lufkin are searching for a man involved in a robbery. Police say it happened at the Rent First Store off of South Timberland Dr. According to KETK, officers say a man with a gun stole some cash from the register, merchandise and a car.

LUFKIN — Lufkin Police say crimestoppers tips helped identify a man and woman caught on tape at an optometrist’s office stealing glasses. According to KETK, security footage from the July 18th theft showed the couple browsing the eyeglasses and walking out with them. Police say they targeted the more expensive brands doing little to conceal their actions from the staff or customers. Authorities say the couple stole at least 11 pairs of frames with no lenses.

TYLER — The lawyer for Byron Truvia, 17, files a brief with the Texas Supreme Court. The brief states a trial court made a mistake in refusing to allow the teen to have a complete health study. Under Texas law, a juvenile is required to have a complete mental evaluation. According to KETK, the Smith County District Attorney’s office says, if Truvia didn’t get the required evaluation, his conviction could be overturned in adult court. Truvia is accused of fatally stabbing John Tyler teacher, Todd Henry, back in September.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College Board of Trustees passed proposals Thursday to vote on raising taxes. President Mike Metke says last year, it was becoming difficult to run the college because of maintenance problems. He says they had to do something. The board then passed maintenance tax notes. Those are to be paid off starting in 2011. With the $26 million tax notes, they rebuilt and repaired infrastructure around the campus. In August, the board will vote on raising taxes to pay this off, along with taxes to help with their sagging budget.

Recenlty, the campus cut $1.5 million in their budget. But Metke says, the maintenance tax and budget tax money has to be kept separate. He says, “‘By law, that money (maintenance tax money) is only to make those emergency repairs needed. If we didn’t use it for that purpose, we’d have to return it–and we’ve actually spent almost all of it already.” The Chief Financial Officer says if the maintenance tax passes, it would be an average of a $3.46 increase per household a month. If the budget tax passes, it’ll be an extra $1.46 a month.

According to KETK, two public hearings will be held August 12th and 19th.

TYLER (Staff/AP) — Smith County officials say Whitehouse police have charged Kimberly Cargill with capital murder. According to KETK, Cargill is charged with the murder of 29-year-old Cherry Dianne Walker, a mentally challenged woman. Walker’s body was found in June off County Road 2191. Officials say Walker was murdered one day after she was issued a subpoena to testify in a custody hearing regarding Cargill’s 4-year-old son. Cargill’s bond is set at $1 million. The 43-year-old is also charged with injury to a child. That charge comes with a $500,000 bond. Cargill’s attorney declined to comment to The Associated Press.

TYLER— Two Tyler homes have been damaged by fire. The first one was reported Thursday morning at 1203 West Second Street. A woman in the house awoke and smelled smoke. She and another woman were able to escape unharmed. However, a pet dog died in the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Just before noon Thursday, a fire was reported at 1213 West 32nd Street. The house suffered smoke damage. No injuries were reported and its cause is also under investigation.

LONGVIEW — A small fire at Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center was quickly extinguished yesterday. The fire was reported shortly after 1:30 Thursday morning in a laundry room. Fire department public information officer Johnny Zackary said fire crews connected to the built in fire protection system and supported the sprinkler system. The fire was out within about 4 minutes after arrival. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Damage is estimated at $5,000.

TERRELL (AP) — A rural east Texas man has been reunited with his long-lost gun more than two decades after it was stolen.

Kauffman County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Pat Laney says Bruce Garner received his H&R nine-shot revolver at an upbeat property hearing Thursday morning. According to the Sheriff’s Office, burglars took the gun from Garner’s home in Terrell soon after he moved there in June 1989. Terrell is about 30 miles east of Dallas.

The thieves were never caught. But deputies found the firearm at a pawn shop and traced it to Garner. Garner says he’s astounded that he was able to get his favorite dispatch gun back. The 59-year-old leathersmith says he once used it to hunt and trap to make money.

Former John Tyler Lion Teddy Williams hadn’t played football in five years, but the Dallas Cowboys signed him Thursday and he was on the practice field in uniform by the afternoon workout at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Click here to listen to his interview with KTBB’s Bill Coates and Jamie Lent.

The Cowboys will give the 22-year-old former Texas-San Antonio track star a shot to play defensive back and become a return specialist.

He got plenty of instruction Thursday from Cowboys secondary coach Dave Campo and had the chance to go one-on-one against some of the best Cowboys receivers including Lufkin native Dez Bryant and Pro-Bowler Miles Austin.

The 6-foot-3, 198-pound Williams was a four-time All-America sprinter. He ran a wind-aided 9.90-second 100 meters in 2009 and has reportedly been clocked at 4.31 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

Williams, who worked out for the Cowboys earlier this week, last played football as a wide receiver at John Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas. Williams’ high school football career ended when he broke his ankle in the fourth game of his senior season.

Williams joins fellow East Texans Manny Johnson (Gilmer), Stephen Hodge (Tatum) Dez Bryant (Lufkin) and Montrae Holland (Jefferson) currently on the Cowboys training camp roster.

The Cowboys cut punter/kicker Delbert Alvarado, an undrafted rookie, to make room for Williams.