KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — UT-Tyler is still working to fix the parking problem for students. Recently, KTBB and our news partner KETK reported on a shortage of some 400 parking spaces. In an e-mail, university officials say they have restriped some lots and opened temporary parking areas. Also, beginning Monday, a shuttle service will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. This will take place for two weeks, to see how it goes.

This is the e-mail sent to students about the parking problem:

All Students:

By now you have obviously experienced the parking issues that we have had at the beginning of the semester. The situation has been improved with the restriping of certain lots as well as opening temporary parking areas, but with increased enrollment, the parking lots are still crowded. The University administration and the police department understand this and we are working to improve the situation.

Beginning Monday, September 17, we are experimenting with a shuttle service that will run from 8:30 am through 3:30 pm each day, Monday through Friday, for two weeks. The pickup location will be at Rose Heights Church which is at 2120 Old Omen Road, about 1/2 mile north of the university. For those of you who wish to participate, please park your cars on the north end of the lot, farthest from the church. The shuttle will pick up passengers from there and drop them off in parking lot #8 at the Ratliff Engineering Building. The shuttle will run every 15-20 minutes. Parking lot #8 will also be the location to board the shuttle to ride back to your car.

We are interested to see how much participation we get from students. A permanent shuttle service is one thing that is being considered so this trial period will assist university administrators in making that decision.

Park, ride, and avoid having to search for a parking spot!

Mike Medders
Chief of Police

TYLER — It’s official. The new world record for most people making spring rolls simultaneously is 327 and was achieved by Team Ross in Tyler on September 2. That’s according to the Guinness World Records website. The spring rolls made were Filipino “lumpia”; each contained ground pork, dried onions, dried garlic, dried red pepper, and salt. Team Ross was formed to support and raise money for Ross Sajo and her family following her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP/Staff) – A federal appeals court has overturned the prison sentences of East Texas brothers who ran a camp in Kansas where hunters paid thousands of dollars to illegally shoot deer. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday the district court made a mistake in sentencing James and Marlin Butler, who ran Camp Lone Star near Coldwater. The court said the value of the wildlife at the camp should not have been based on the full price of a guided hunt, but on the actual value of the animals involved. Camp owner James Butler Jr. was sentenced to 41 months in prison. His brother, Marlin, who worked as a guide, was sentenced to 27 months in prison. The brothers are both from Martinsville, in Nacogdoches County.

LONGVIEW — The Longview City Council adopted a 50 cent tax rate Thursday to fund a $153.1 million budget that was approved earlier this month. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. “I think it is a good budget for the city, a good conservative budget that provides for the city to continue services we provide in a cost effective manner,” said City Manager David Willard. Though the newly-approved tax rate is unchanged from this past year, that does not mean taxpayers won’t see an increase on their bills. If the owner of a $100,000 house paid $500 this past year, that same house, valued 2.5 percent more, will cost an additional $12 in city taxes.

TYLER — Art of Peace Festival – Tyler kicked off Saturday and runs through September 23 at a variety of venues. Now in its second year, the festival has expanded from 2011′s one-day event. Organizers call it a week of promoting peace through creative and community enriched activities. The local event is in celebration of the International Day of Peace, established by the United Nations in 1981.

“The expectation is to see Tyler citizens getting involved in the activities, which include art, films, storytelling, a Peace Meal, live music, prayer and worship,” according to Festival organizers. The Literacy Council of Tyler is the 2012 peace concert beneficiary. You can go to http://www.tylerpeace.com or http://www.facebook.com/artofpeacetyler for more information.

UPSHUR COUNTY — An Ore City man was indicted on a charge of cruelty to livestock animals after being accused in June of hanging a donkey by the neck from a tree, Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd said Thursday. According to KETK, Anthony George Bassler, 35, remains in the Upshur County Jail on $50,000 bond. He was arrested July 3 after being seen abusing a donkey in June, two days before hanging it in the woods behind his house on Janis Street in the Camp Joy community.

LINDALE — Crews responded to a structure fire in Lindale Thursday evening. It happened around 6:00 in the 200 block of Shanna Terrace. According to KETK, lightning struck the house, causing significant damage to the roof. No other area of the home was affected. Officials said thanks to alert neighbors, firefighters were notified quickly and the fire was put out. No injuries have been reported.

TYLER — Speakers at the PATH Week Philanthropy Dinner Thursday encouraged attendees to continue their support of PATH — and strengthen the partnerships PATH maintains with other community agencies. During the event at The Arbor on Roy Road, PATH Board President Dr. Stuart Baskin said, “Whatever you can give goes a long, long way. We can stretch your dollar so far that you wouldn’t even recognize it.” Bethesda Health Clinic Executive Director Dr. John English emphasized the partnerships and the importance of giving back. He shared two stories about two people in need who were helped by his agency and decided to become community volunteers.

Two annual PATH Week awards were handed out. The Stone Soup Award went to Peggy Abernathy of the King’s Storehouse, Tyler’s oldest food bank, dating to 1984. Woody Weaver Pharmacy was given the Gertrude Windsor Award for its continuing work to make medications more affordable for the needy. PATH Week continues through Saturday; it’s held every year to increase awareness and support of the interfaith human needs agency. You can go to http://www.pathhelps.org/ to learn more about PATH.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Three people were taken to a nearby hospital Thursday afternoon when they were struck by lightning in Jacksonville. According to KETK, as school was letting out around 3:15 p.m., two Fred Douglass Elementary teachers were escorting kids into a car when lightning struck, according to the Jacksonville Fire Department. Fire officials believe the bolt hit the top of an umbrella and traveled through the teacher holding it, then jumped to the teacher standing next to her in a puddle of water; both felt tingling. A mother and her 1st grade daughter, who were nearby, also felt tingling. Three of the four were transported to an area hospital as a safety precaution. They were treated and released with no major injuries. The names of the victim’s have not been released.

TYLER – A federal grand jury returned multiple indictments Thursday charging individuals with separate federal crimes in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.

Mohammad Moosa Yahya, also known as Muhammad Moosa Yahya, 36, of Tyler, was charged with multiple counts of wire fraud in connection with an investment scheme. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, Yahya is alleged to have devised a scheme related to investments made in EMN Global Trading, a Texas corporation that operated a used car dealership in Tyler. Yahya is alleged to have misappropriated wired investment funds for his own personal use and benefit.

Jerry Meyer, 33, of Longview, was indicted on various charges. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, Meyer is alleged to have possessed stolen mail and used the contents of the mail, which included credit cards and checks, for his own benefit. The indictment also alleges that Meyer used the identifying information of others, which he also obtained from the stolen mail, to commit fraud.

Andrew Mark Harris, 48, of Grand Saline, has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, it is alleged that Harris was found in possession of a pistol and seven cartridges of ammunition. Further investigation revealed Harris to be a convicted felon.

Juan Gallardo-Simental, 35, a Mexican national, was indicted for being present in the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison followed by deportation. According to the indictment, the defendant was arrested in Harrison County on charges of driving while intoxicated. Further investigation revealed the defendant is alleged to have a criminal history dating back to 2005 and that he had been previously deported from the United States.

TYLER — Information from the Texas Comptroller indicates that City of Tyler sales tax revenues deposited for the month of September have grown 6.35 percent as compared to September 2011, resulting in a 2.37 percent cumulative year-to-date increase. The reported revenue of $2,729,198.31 comprises $1,819,465.54 general sales tax revenue and $909,732.77 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from July 2012 collections as there is a two-month lag before taxes are reported and remitted back to the City from the State.

“We are pleased with the continued growth of our sales tax revenues,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “The six percent growth we saw this month has helped us end this fiscal year on a high note and is a great way to kick off the new budget year.” Although revenue has continued to rise slowly over the last year, collections did not meet the budgeted amount of three percent. Therefore, City employees will not see raises in fiscal year 2011-12. Increases are included in the 2012-13 budget for both sworn and civilian City employees.

TYLER — State District Judge Jack Skeen of Tyler has declined to dismiss charges against former Smith County Precinct 3 Constable Dustin Rust. According to KETK, Rust appeared in court Thursday morning for a hearing about his April indictment. Rust’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss all three cases against him, two felonies and one misdemeanor.

A courtroom reporter says the prosecution gave a written statement and signed agreement by Rust to Judge Skeen. In the document, the constable agreed to one year’s probation, admitting guilt, and paying about $7,600 in restitution. The prosecution also requested a pretrial diversion, which is an option of taking Rust back to court if he fails to meet those requirements, and for a dismissal. However, Skeen denied all motions made by the state. The judge has set the trial to begin Monday, October 1.

Controversy has swirled around Rust ever since he was indicted for misuse of county property. He is accused of using his deputies for a private security detail in Smith County neighborhoods. Last week, special prosecutor Lance Larison made a motion to dismiss the charges. Rust lost his race for Constable to Jim Blackmon and stepped down in early August.

LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University’s 12th class day enrollment for Fall 2012 revealed a growth of six percent in the total number of traditional students over last year with a total of 1,360 students over last year’s total of 1,283, according to LETU President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford. LETU officials say much of that is due to the new class of first time in college and transfer students, who totaled 439. That’s one of the university’s largest incoming classes, and represents a 13.4 percent growth over last year’s incoming class of 387. This year the university is also reporting that it has seen a 64 percent increase in international students, with 92 enrolled this year, over 56 enrolled last year. The number of dual credit students has risen from 16 to 53.

Online enrollment is the highest ever, totaling 1,067 students, which is up from 1,025 last year. Grad school enrollments are also up with 393 students enrolled, over 359 last year, which is attributed to the growth in the number of graduate programs being offered. Total university enrollment is 2,843.

Retention is also up at LETU. The university is reporting that its one-year retention rate of 79 percent is the highest it has seen in over a decade, and the overall retention rate is 89 percent, which rose significantly since last year’s 82.9 percent. “Anytime a university achieves a one-year retention rate of nearly 80 percent, it makes a clear statement from students that their experience at LeTourneau is outstanding and that the value of their investment is worthy,” Lunsford said.

LAKE PALESTINE — A small plane crashed Wednesday afternoon, killing one person, near Lake Palestine in the Cumberland Ridge neighborhood. Officials said the pilot of the plane has been identified as a Stephen Annis, 51, Huntsville. According to KETK, the crash happened in the 15000 block of Treasure Cove in the Bullard area. The Smith County Sheriff’s Department says the FAA was called in to investigate. Witnesses says they saw the craft “corkscrew” into the ground. The plane’s cockpit was crushed. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — Nacogdoches authorities have arrested Tuesday the man accused of punching and pushing down a 10-year-old. According to KETK, just after 8:00 Monday night, a woman reportedly tried to take back her vehicle from Daniel Carl Toole, 23, Nacogdoches, who had borrowed it. The man became upset after returning the vehicle and confronted her.

During the verbal fight, which took place in a trailer park on the 700 block of E Lane Drive, the woman’s child attempted to get between Toole and his mother. Toole allegedly punched and pushed down the 10-year-old. The woman reported the incident to police and filed charges. The child did not suffer serious injuries. Toole is charged with injury to a child, a third degree felony. Toole is currently in the Nacogdoches County Jail, and his bond is set at $15,000.

LINDALE — The Capital One Bank on the 2500 block of South Main in Lindale was robbed around 3 p.m. Wednesday by a person with a towel wrapped around his face and carrying a handgun. The suspect was last seen heading south on Highway 69 toward Tyler in a blue car, according to the Lindale Police Department. The car’s windows are covered in red after a dye pack exploded. The robber is described as a Hispanic male, 5’10,” wearing a white cap, possibly with a mustache and driving a light blue or grey two-door car, according to the FBI. It’s unclear if the robber is working alone. According to KETK, no injuries have been reported.

LONGVIEW — — LeTourneau University has again ranked in the top tier nationally in U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings of “America’s Best Colleges.” LETU ranks 6th among schools in Texas for 2013 and was ranked above all state universities in Texas in its category of “Best Regional Universities in the Western Region.” LETU is ranked 36th among all the universities in its category in the western region, which extends through 14 states from Texas to Alaska. You can go to http://www.usnews.com/colleges to view the rankings, which include nearly 1,400 schools nationwide. The guidebook will be on newsstands Sept. 18.

For nearly two decades, LETU has ranked in the magazine’s top tier. U.S. News ranks colleges and universities among other schools with similar programs and degree offerings. Indicators used to determine the rankings include academic reputation, retention, faculty, small class sizes, high SAT and ACT scores of incoming freshmen, average graduation rates and assessments by administrators at other peer universities.

“We are always encouraged when we receive national recognition for our quality programs,” said LETU President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford. “We are seeing an increase in our national recognition by attracting quality faculty and high academic ability students, and those students continue to build our reputation as they make an impact in every workplace in every nation after they graduate.”

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has recorded a 2.7 percent increase in enrollment compared to last fall, President Rodney H. Mabry announced. Total headcount for this fall is 6,875 over the fall 2011 figure of 6,696. This fall, the university experienced increases in new freshmen, transfers, and graduate students. “We’re extremely pleased with our recruitment and retention efforts this year which resulted in an increase in undergraduate and graduate enrollment over last year,” said President Mabry. On the downside, as reported last week, the increased enrollment has contributed to parking problems on campus. According to KETK, Mabry says the university is working to address that problem.

TYLER — Three doctors in Tyler are disciplined for ethical violations. According to KETK, one doctor sent inappropriate messages to a patient. Another failed to monitor a patients narcotics intake, resulting in an overdose. And the third doctor failed to follow up on an abnormal chest x-ray, in which the patient was later diagnosed with lung cancer. Tyler physician Dr. Hope Short says the Medical Board of Examiners holds doctors accountable to the highest standards. She says, “It’s extremely important. We are going to be held to a different standard because of how we are held and looked at in the community by our patients. It’s inappropriate to have inappropriate relations with a patient.” Dr. Short added that physicians are obligated to follow up with patients on their lab values every time they order a test.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches man died Tuesday after flipping his truck on Highway 59. According to KETK, it happened around 10:55. William Johnson was traveling on Highway 59 South when, for unknown reasons, his truck flipped and hit the Fine Candles store, located about five miles south of Nacogdoches city limits. The 83-year-old man was taken to a Nacogdoches hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Officials said Johnson was wearing a seat belt. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the wreck.

TYLER — The city of Tyler has passed its 2012-13 budget and tax rate. The tax rate fell by $.0012, to 20.77 cents per $100 valuation. Citizens had one last chance to weigh in on the package Wednesday morning before the council approved it.

SMITH COUNTY — Officials have confirmed, one person is killed in a wreck on Hwy 31 West Wednesday morning. The name of the deceased has not been released and, according to KETK, it’s unclear if there were any other injuries. The accident, near the Spur 364 intersection, was cleared later in the morning.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — A Nacogdoches County traffic stop has landed one man in jail. According to KETK, $27,000 worth of marijuana was found during that stop. Nacogdoches County Constable Jason Bridges and Deputy Allen pulled over a Chevy pickup around 11:00 am on Monday, September 10th for a routine traffic violation on Highway 59 South. Deputy Allen reported that there was a strong smell of marijuana inside the truck. The officers searched the truck, and noticed fresh tool marks on the back quarter panels of the vehicle. They removed the panels and found 12 bundles of marijuana hidden on both the passenger and driver sides. The total value of the marijuana is estimated around $27,000.

The driver, 23 year old Hosie Lee Williams, from Pontotoc, Mississippi, was arrested for possession of marijuana. The offense is a 3rd degree felony. Williams was booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail.

LUFKIN — A woman is taken into custody Monday after claiming her vehicle was rammed by a car, according to Lufkin police records. The crash took place on the 1800 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard around 4:15. According to KETK, the victim, Taqueta L. Edwards, 33, of Lufkin, claims she was driving on MLK when a known person drove a car into the driver’s side front fender, causing the car to spin out. The complainant believes the crash was an intentional attack. During the investigation of the wreck, officers learned Edwards was wanted on 10 warrants. She was arrested and booked into the Angelina County Jail. Her bond is set at $3,651. Investigators are still looking into the alleged aggravated assault.

TYLER — Tyler Police respond to a report of a burglary on a residential street. It happened early Wednesday morning in the 1000 block of Lindsey Lane. Authorities said the caller advised officers that a black male had reportedly stolen several items from a parked vehicle. The suspect, later identified as Herbert Leon Cain, 46, fled on foot as officers investigated the area. He was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit and charged with burglary of a vehicle and evading arrest. He was booked into the Smith County Jail.

TYLER – A 40-year-old Tyler man has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Tuesday. Christopher Florence pleaded guilty Tuesday in Tyler to possession with intent to distribute cocaine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

According to information presented in court, on Jan. 27, 2011, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence on County Road 141 in Overton. While the warrant was being executed, Florence was observed attempting to discard a semi-automatic pistol, $1,757 in cash and approximately 6.16 grams of cocaine base in the yard of the residence. Florence admitted to possessing the cocaine with the intent to distribute it to others in the area. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on Sep. 15, 2011.

Florence faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set. A co-defendant, Don Paul Haynes, was sentenced to time served on Mar. 21, 2012. Another co-defendant, Francie Irene Jernigan-Haynes, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison on Apr. 13, 2012.

TYLER — Tyler Police are requesting the public’s help in rounding up a robbery suspect. Police responded to Payless Shoes at 3840 Highway 64 West on a robbery call at 11:11 a.m. on Tuesday. The suspect is described as a black male, approximate age early 20s, 6’ tall, thin build, wearing a gray shirt with a black garment wrapped around his neck. Police say he walked into Payless Shoes, displayed a handgun to the clerk, and advised her it was a robbery. During the course of the robbery a woman walked into the store. Police say the suspect became nervous, grabbed the customer’s purse from her, and ran out of the store. The suspect drove away in a dark green vehicle, possibly a Ford Explorer SUV, with an unknown license plate. No one was injured during the incident.

Anyone with information about the suspect is urged 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 suspect in this case or any felony case.

TYLER — A worrisome issue involving Smith County Emergency Services District #2 is resolved. An emergency item was added to the agenda of Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting calling for removal proceedings for former ESD #2 head Mitch Henderson. Henderson resigned his position in July but has been attending meetings since state law allows so-called “holdover” attendance until a new person is named or elected. County officials added that Henderson has been “actively participating” in the meetings, and that his participation has caused “confusion.” KETK reports that when decision time came, it was announced in court that Henderson had voluntarily said he would no longer attend meetings and the issue was resolved.

NACOGDOCHES — A domestic dispute turned violent Monday night when a child was hurt trying to stop an argument in Nacogdoches. It happened just after 8:00 at a trailer park on the 700 block of E Lane Drive. A woman reportedly tried to take back her vehicle from a man who had borrowed it. According to KETK, the man became upset and an argument ensued. During the verbal fight, the woman’s 10-year-old attempted to get between the two adults when the man punched and pushed down the child. The woman reported the incident to police and has filed an injury to a child charge, which is a third degree felony. The child did not suffer serious injuries. Officials have not released any names of those involved or if the man has been arrested.

MARSHALL — A 52-year-old Atlanta, Texas man has pleaded guilty to bank robbery. On June 25, Robin Marion Allen borrowed a car and drove to the Wells Fargo Bank on East Main Street in Atlanta. He gave the teller a hand-written note with instructions to fill a black bag with cash. The teller gave Allen $1,944 in cash in the bag. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 11 and charged with bank robbery. Allen faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.