KTBB News, Weather, Talk

EAST TEXAS — Texas firefighters have been trying to contain an 18,000-acre wildfire that has destroyed two homes and at least four trailers in East Texas. According to KETK, Texas Forest Service spokesman Richard Reuse said Sunday that there were currently no evacuations ordered. He says the fire is about 40 percent contained, but added that that could quickly drop with the windy, hot conditions. Texas Forest Service spokeswoman Rae Brooks says the fire started after noon Friday in the Davy Crockett National Forest west of Lufkin. Brooks says the fire is being called the “Bearing Fire” and is the largest wildfire ever in East Texas. Reuse says such large wildfires are unusual in forested East Texas. Most of Texas is under a red flag warning, which means there is an extreme risk of fire.

In other parts of East Texas, firefighters and Texas Forest Service officials responded two wildfires in Harrison County that burned a little more than 10 acres and another in Upshur County that burned 86 acres. Upshur County volunteers and Texas Forest Service firefighters battled the blaze, which started from an electrical spark from an oil pump jack, into Saturday evening, officials said. About 10 homes were evacuated as the fire near Kieffer Road in Upshur County between Texas 300 and Spur 502 spread in record-breaking heat Saturday afternoon.

Assistance was sent to help manage the blaze from several departments, including firefighters from Longview Fire Department who fought the fire for about four hours, according to Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary. There were also two wildfires reported in Harrison County that caused a total of 12 acres worth of damage, Brooks said.

LONGVIEW — A high speed chase through East Texas ends in a wreck. According to the Department of Public Safety, authorities were attempting to stop a speeding man on a motorcycle on Interstate 20 around 11:40 Saturday night. Authorities said the motorist crossed over Estes and Martin Luther King Boulevard in Longview before crashing on the off ramp to Eastman Road. He was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center. No word on his condition. Officials would not release the man’s name pending an arrest and arraignment.

GLADEWATER — After an honorable East Texas homecoming, funeral services for a fallen soldier were held Monday in Gladewater. On Saturday, spectators holding American flags lined the sides of roads as the motorcade bringing home the fallen soldier approached Gladewater. Officials estimated more than 1,000 people lined U.S. 80 and side streets waiting to pay their respects to U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Bradley Justin Gaudet, 31, of Gladewater, as he came home for the last time. The pilot was killed June 5 in a helicopter crash while serving in Afghanistan. It was his third tour of duty.

Gaudet’s body was accompanied by family, honor guard members and U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler. State Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, and Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview were waiting for Gaudet’s arrival at Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater. Bikers escorted the family and casket to Gladewater.

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

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to install right-turn lanes on FM 2661 at its intersection with State Highway 31 near Chandler. A second crew will also be performing edge repairs on Farm Road 2661 between State Highway 31 and Big Eddy Road. 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 on Monday are scheduled to perform pavement repairs in various locations on Interstate Highway 20 including: Eastbound side, between the Oakland-Colfax exit and the rest area west of Van; Westbound side, near FM 859 north of Canton. 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.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews are scheduled to continue seal coat operations on U.S. Highway 84 between Rusk and Reklaw, followed by the same work on Farm Road 22 between U.S. Highway 69 south of Jacksonville and State Highway 110 east of Gallatin. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 2206 between State Highway 42 and Loop 281 in Longview. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 1798 between Farm Road 839 in McKnight and Farm Road 1662 near Laneville. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs in various locations on Ranch Road 2970 between Farm Road 753 and the end of state maintenance, followed by the same work on Ranch Road 2588 between U.S. Highway 175 in LaRue and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs on State Highway 294 near U.S. Highway 79 southwest of Palestine. Daytime lane closures will be in effect 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 pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 69 north of Farm Road 515 in Coke. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — A Tatum man was killed Saturday afternoon in an all terrain vehicle crash in Rusk County. According to Department of Public Safety officials, Jeremy G. Garrett, 30, was traveling northwest on CR 2183, 3.9 miles east of Tatum at around 2 p.m. when he failed to negotiate a curve and his ATV left the roadway and struck a tree. Officials said Garrett was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview, where he was later pronounced dead at about 3:15 p.m. He was not wearing a helmet when the crash occurred.

LONGVIEW — A Longview family was displaced from their home Saturday night after a house fire that started in the attic of their home. According to Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary, firefighters were dispatched at about 8:30 p.m. to the home in the 1700 block of Buccaneer Drive. The fire was extinguished in about 20 minutes.

Fire investigators determined that the fire started from an electrical issue that occurred in the attic. About $20,000 worth of damage was caused to the home, and the family was displaced, he said. There were no injuries reported.

Zackary said crews stayed busy Saturday night, because they were also dispatched to a reported structure fire on Eastman Road. However, the Eastman Road report turned out to be a false alarm, he said.

TYLER — The City’s Tyler Against Graffiti (TAG) team and Keep Tyler Beautiful Board kick off a partnership with the Smith County Juvenile Services office to put young offenders to work cleaning up the City’s graffiti. The TAG team began putting the partnership into action Monday morning. Organizers say the partnership is aimed at using young people who have been found guilty of violating Tyler’s graffiti ordinance to clean up the tags found around the city. The youth range in age from 14 to 17.

“This is a very exciting opportunity to get at-risk youth involved with the community in a positive way,” said Marjorie Mustard, board chairperson for Keep Tyler Beautiful. “We are hoping that this program will show young offenders that graffiti is harmful to the community; it takes hard work to clean up and it is expensive.” By engaging these young offenders in cleaning up graffiti, it is also hoped that they will take on some ownership and have some pride in their work, Ms. Mustard added.

Smith County Juvenile Services Director Ross Worley says he is very excited about the program and is optimistic over its future. “We look forward to being involved with the TAG program again and partnering with the City of Tyler to help eradicate graffiti while fostering a sense of responsibility and community with our juvenile offenders.” The City of Tyler spends nearly $24,000 per year on graffiti abatement through the TAG team efforts. The team averages about 40 reports per month. The TAG program is sponsored by Keep Tyler Beautiful.

TYLER — Tyler held its Juneteenth celebration over the weekend, honoring the day in 1865 when Texas slaves learned of their freedom. The Juneteenth parade grand marshal was Texas College’s board chairman, Bishop Henry Williamson Sr. Williamson noted the participation of such community leaders as Mayor Barbara Bass and County Commissioner JoAnn Hampton in Juneteenth festivities. He urged continued work in the Juneteenth spirit of freedom and unity for all people “so that the things that we need to accomplish together, in Tyler, in Texas, and across the nation, can take place.” Williamson hopes the community will start using the celebration and other holidays “to address the dreams and hopes of this community and be solution-based rather than problem-centered.” A gospel celebration and a Woldert Park gathering were other Juneteenth highlights.

A Longview man has been found guilty of exposing himself in a Longview restaurant in May 2010. Roger Dale Brigmon Jr., 43, was convicted of third-degree felony indecency with a child Friday in Gregg County’s 124th District Court. A sentencing hearing will be held later.

A Gregg County Sheriff’s Deputy was working off-duty security at The Butcher Shop May 26th when a customer reported to restaurant management that a man was touching himself under the table while looking at a young girl. When the deputy walked toward the booth, the customer, later identified as Brigmon, had his hands under the table and appeared to be zipping up his pants.

JACKSONVILLE — A county-wide burn ban was issued Wednesday for Cherokee County. The ban is effective for seven days. The Cherokee County Commissioners Court will vote on whether to instate a 90-day burn ban on Monday. During a burn ban, Cherokee County residents are prohibited from burning outdoors and tossing lit cigarettes. The penalty for violating the burn ban is a $565 fine.

LUFKIN — The Lufkin Police Department is investigating an apparent attempted car-jacking incident that ended with the death of the suspect and a victim being treated at an area hospital for gunshot wounds. It started around 1:15 Sunday morning when police received a report of a disturbance at Applebee’s restaurant in Lufkin. The caller told dispatchers that her ex-boyfriend, Jackie Doyle Clay Jr., 34, threatened her and discharged a firearm into the air. The caller stated that she fled the area by vehicle and did not know his location. While officers were responding to the area, dispatchers received a call requesting emergency medical assistance for a gunshot-wound victim at a Whataburger restaurant.

The responding officers soon learned that the Applebee’s and Whataburger incidents were connected. Officers believe that Clay walked from Applebee’s to the intersection of South First Street and South Medford Drive in Lufkin where he attempted to carjack a vehicle. The victim resisted and was reportedly shot in the shoulder, chest, and face. He was transported to a hospital for treatment. His condition is unknown.

Lufkin Police, along with the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Department of Public Safety and a TxDPS helicopter searched a wooded area. Around 4:15, authorities found Clay in that wooded area, dead from a single, apparently self-inflicted, gunshot wound to his head.

TYLER — Tyler Police arrest a suspected drunk driver after he wrecks into a house. It happened around 5:40 Saturday morning on the 300 block of north Parkdale Ave. When officers arrived, they learned the suspect had fled the scene on foot, leaving his tan 2000 Ford F150 in front yard of the residence. Authorities say they found the intoxicated suspect, Jair Zarate-Cobos, 25, Tyler, a short time later near the 1300 block of Bellaire Drive. Zarate-Cobos is the registered owner of the wrecked truck and officers determined he was the operator of the truck at the time of the incident. He was arrested, booked into the Smith County Jail and charged with DWI and leaving the scene of an accident. A resident was injured as a result of the crash and transported to the East Texas Medical Center emergency room for minor injuries.

KILGORE (AP) — Five graduates will face misdemeanor charges over dozens of damaged school buses that forced classes to be canceled for a day in an East Texas district. Kilgore police initially said the students could face felony criminal mischief charges. Gregg County District Attorney Carl Dorrough says the former Kilgore High School students have been charged with misdemeanor vandalism offenses. The Kilgore Independent School District called off classes April 8 after 39 buses were discovered with valve stem damage. All five seniors were then sent to an alternative school, but were allowed to graduate June 3. The students have apologized and agreed to pay the $3,100 in damage. The misdemeanor charges carry a sentence of up to a $500 fine.

LONGVIEW — Two men charged with sexually assaulting children entered guilty pleas Thursday. Willie Markham III, 29, of Longview accepted a four-year prison sentence under a plea agreement. Markham admitted to having sex with a girl in August 2009 when she was 14, making it a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. If Markham is convicted of another sexual offense involving children, he could face an automatic life sentence, according to a stipulation in his plea agreement.

Also Phillip “Bubba” Hudson III, 20, of Longview entered a guilty plea to indecency with a child. A Gregg County grand jury in September indicted Hudson on second-degree indecency charges for touching a girl younger than 17 around Christmas 2009. Sentencing was set for July 5 to allow Hudson to find suitable employment and housing. Hudson is eligible for parole because this is his first felony conviction. Hudson is out of jail on $11,000 bond.

LONGVIEW — Longview police have arrested a second teen in connection with a May 5 aggravated robbery at a local park. Officers took 19-year-old Erica Angela Pena of Longview into custody on Thursday, charged in the robbery and beating of a man and woman at Willow Park, in the 300 block of East Birdsong Street. Pena remained in the Gregg County Jail without bond on Friday.

Seventeen-year-old Eunice Abigail Zavalla remained jailed Friday on $50,000 bond following a Tuesday arrest related to the case, authorities said. The women are charged with aggravated robbery, punishable by up to 20 years in prison upon conviction.

LUFKIN — A ban on burning and fireworks has been filed by Angelina County Judge Wes Suiter due to drought conditions across the county. According to KETK and the Lufkin Daily News, Suiter said the burn ban must be extended by county commissioners within seven days and the fireworks ban must be approved by Gov. Rick Perry’s office within 60 hours. As for the yearly city display, Suiter said he is exempting organized fireworks shows under fire department supervision.

TYLER — The teen accused of stabbing and killing John Tyler High School teacher Todd Henry in 2009 is headed back to a mental health facility. According to KETK, a judge ordered 18-year-old Byron Truvia to spend a maximum of 120 days in the facility. It’s all in an effort to try and get Truvia to regain competency, and see if he’s fit to stand trial. He could be tried as an adult on capital murder charges.

TYLER — Smith County is encouraging Internet safety for minors by providing East Texas parents with free parental Internet monitoring software, according to officials. The software, called Computer COP, is available at most Smith County offices including all constable and JP offices, the Courthouse Annex, Sheriff’s Office and Cotton Belt Building. “This provides parents insight into who their children are talking to online,” Sheriff J.B. Smith said. “Parents have a responsibility to monitor and protect their children online just as they do in real life.”

According to a county news release, the software helps parents monitor what their children are doing online by compiling an image review and text review which flags key words and phrases from emails and online conversations. The software runs off a disc and does not need to be downloaded onto the computer’s hard drive. It is compatible with Windows 95 through Vista. “Consistent monitoring and awareness of our children’s activities are critical to their safety,” County Judge Joel Baker said. ”This is a tool that can help parents combat on-line predators and encourage Internet safety.”

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office purchased the programs with drug forfeiture funds. More than 3,000 copies are available on a first come, first serve basis. Organizations wishing to pick up multiple copies of the program can contact Public Relations Liaison Adrienne Graham at 903-590-4607.

TYLER — After what was termed an extensive national search, Total Healthcare Center appointed Stephanie Jones-Theaker as its new Chief Executive Officer. According to press materials, the center is Federally Qualified and in 2010 served 8,416 patients with 16,969 visits from thirteen counties. The center’s mission is to provide a medical home for patient-centered access to affordable, quality primary and preventive health care. The center accepts patients with Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, private insurance, and no insurance.

Theaker, daughter of Bessie and Willie T. Jones, is a native of Columbus, Mississippi. Theaker was the former Chief Operation Officer of Tampa Family Health Centers, Inc. Tampa, Florida, which is also a Federally Qualified Health Center. She was in charge of the day to day operations of seven health centers and 250 employees. Theaker also served as the chairperson of the Health Education and Social Services committee in East Tampa. She has been in the healthcare field for fifteen years.

Total Healthcare Center spokespeople say Theaker worked her way up the ladder, originally starting out as the office manager of a clinic. During her time with Tampa Family, she was promoted from Office Manager to Administrative Manager, Director of Administrative Services, Deputy Chief of Operations and finally Chief Operations Officer. THC officials say Ms. Theaker wrote many grants for the organization that provided additional services in the East Tampa area and throughout Hillsborough County. Officials say she attended many community meetings in order to help educate the community about the healthcare services in Tampa. During her time at Tampa Family, Ms. Theaker earned her MBA from the University of South Florida in 2009, and she holds a Bachelor of Science, Health Care Management, from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.

Spokespeople say the Total Healthcare Center organization is excited about having a CEO who has extensive Federally Qualified Health Center experience. A special reception is being planned later this month to introduce Theaker to the entire community.

SMITH COUNTY — Department of Public Safety Officials are investigating a wreck Friday morning that sent one man to the hospital. Authorities say alcohol was a factor in the wreck. It happened a little before 8:00 on Hwy 110 near County Road 2234 south of Whitehouse. DPS officials say a truck was driving northbound on Hwy 110, when it was struck by a driver heading westbound on County Rd 2234 who failed to yield. The driver who failed to yield right of way had reportedly been drinking. One man was pinned in his vehicle and had to be removed.

TYLER — The teen arrested for an arson fire in Tyler was in a Smith County courtroom Thursday. The judge ordered the teen to undergo a mental health evaluation and to be detained at the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center until the next hearing, set for June 27. The teen has been charged with arson. The fire was reported around 9:15 Wednesday morning at Dollar General Store on Erwin. Tyler Fire Department spokesman Paul Findley said damage was minimal.

GREGG COUNTY — A Hallsville woman has been charged with forging prescriptions after she tried to pick up diet and pain pills at a Walmart pharmacy. Mary Cecilia Acosta, 25, remained in the Gregg County Jail on $5,000 bond. She was arrested about 5:15 p.m. Wednesday after authorities said she forged a doctor’s signature to obtain prescriptions of Vicodin and Phentermine.

LONGVIEW — Recent LeTourneau University graduate Matthew C. Bradley has been recognized as a 2011 Texas Student Teacher of the Year for the state of Texas. Bradley graduated in May and did his student teaching in the spring of 2011 semester at Pine Tree ISD, teaching fifth grade language arts and 7th grade Texas history.

State judging took place during the Consortium of State Organizations for Texas Teacher Education (CSOTTE) summer conference recently in Austin, Texas. Bradley has been hired by Tyler’s Hogg Middle School to teach seventh grade language arts beginning in the Fall 2011 semester.

Dean of LETU’s School of Education Dr. Wayne Jacobs said Bradley’s honor is indicative of the quality of the school’s students and its program. “We are proud of Matthew’s accomplishments in student teaching,” Jacobs said. “He is an example of the quality of students we are blessed to have in our program. Our teachers are some of the best in the state, and we are excited to have another ‘shining star’ recognized in this way.”

TYLER — Officials have tentatively identified a dead body found in Tyler this week in a vacant field by an individual who was mowing the field with a brush hog. Investigators located a wallet on the badly decomposed body, found Tuesday in the 400 block of NNE Loop 323. A Mexican identification card was discovered in the wallet that belonged to 49-year-old Asuncion Baldovinos-Toribio. Investigators also located a cell phone and apartment key that belonged to Baldovinos-Toribio in the immediate area of the body.

Investigators have talked with family members of Baldovinos-Toribio, and they confirmed that Baldovinos-Toribio has not been seen in the last month. Investigators believe at this time that the remains are those of Baldovinos-Toribio. Tests are being conducted, such as DNA testing, for final confirmation. The cause of death has not been determined and is still under investigation. Baldovinos-Toribio is also identified by the name of Valdovinos Chon in judicial records

HUDSON — The case against a former Hudson High School teacher charged with having an improper relationship with a 17-year-old student will be difficult to prosecute, as the two are now married, according to Angelina County District Attorney Clyde Herrington. Jesus “Jesse” Gonzalez, 23, and the girl, who is now 18, filed for a marriage license June 11 in Cherokee County, according to a Cherokee County records clerk. Herrington said that turn of events could affect the state’s decision to prosecute.

“I found that out (Wednesday) and the charges had already been filed for several days. It could present a difficult situation with the husband/wife privilege where in the young lady does not have to testify against him,” Herrington said. “For now we will leave the charges pending, complete the investigation and then make some sort of decision as to how to proceed.” Gonzalez’s attorney, Al Charanza agreed that the marital status of the two will impact how the case is handled.

TYLER — Area residents are being advised of a gun safety presentation occurring on the UT Tyler campus today. The presentation will include the firing of 10 shots of blanks, and university officials want to make sure it’s not mistaken for an emergency situation. The Outsiders, an Old West reenactment group, will fire 10 shots of blanks between 8:15 and 8:45this morning. According to a news release, UT Tyler campus police officials are working with the group to ensure safety. UT Tyler Chief of Police Mike Medders also has notified city law enforcement officials.

LONGVIEW — A South Longview daycare reopened Thursday morning after a half-hour evacuation when workers detected a gaseous odor. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that fire, hazardous materials, and police units responded to Longview Child Development Center, in the 1200 block of South High Street, shortly after 8:00am. Administrators said they smelled gas in the front entryway and hallways before evacuating children to a nearby playground and calling authorities and parents. Several parents arrived to pick up their children during the evacuation. Shortly after 8:45, crews with the Longview Hazardous Materials and Rescue Unit tested the air and determined that it was safe for children to return to the building.

LONGVIEW — Longview police jailed a 39-year-old man on charges related to allegedly attacking and stabbing his 67-year-old father. Police took Michael Eric Lee into custody at his home in the 800 block of South Eastman Road shortly before midnight Wednesday; one month after an arrest warrant was issued.

According to a Gregg County Sheriff’s Office complaint, an argument ensued between Lee and his father at Lee’s mother’s house in the 5800 block of Judson Road on May 19, because the father would not agree to give Lee an acre of family land in Gladewater. According to authorities, Lee yelled at his father and moved toward him “in an aggressive manner” before swinging his arms at the father, who reportedly defended himself with pepper spray before leaving the home. “Once outside, (the father) realized that he had been cut by (Lee) with an unknown object,” the complaint showed.

Lee told sheriff’s investigators that he used an ax handle and was swinging it merely to open a door screen for air after the pepper spray was used, reports showed. When asked how his father sustained a cut on his right arm that required 12 stitches at Good Shepherd Medical Center, Lee replied, “I don’t know. I’m guessing he’s saying I did it,” reports showed. Lee remained in the Gregg County Jail without bond on Thursday.

LONGVIEW — An arrest this week for online solicitation of a minor is the latest in a series of such arrests by Longview police. A Diana man remains in the Gregg County Jail on charges of online solicitation of a minor and unlawful carry of a weapon. Longview police arrested Gregg Lee Haden, 36, at the intersection of Alpine and Page roads at 11:00 Tuesday morning. Authorities say, on Monday and Tuesday, Haden reportedly sent text messages to who he believed was a 14-year-old minor to meet for sex. When Haden arrived to meet the minor at the location, he was instead met by officers. Haden posted $21,000 bond and was released Wednesday from the Gregg County Jail. Jail records showed that he has an alias, Gregg Lee Mathison.

Earlier, a Spring man was arrested by Harris County sheriff’s deputies after Longview investigators posed as a 14-year-old female. Longview police said Bryan Dudley sent sexually explicit images of himself to someone he thought was a young girl. Stephen Wayne Perritte, 66, of Henderson, is out of jail on $20,000 bond after his May 25 arrest in Longview for online solicitation of a minor. Meanwhile, Charles Abner Richey Jr., 62, of Christianburg, Va., remains in the Gregg County Jail on $200,000 bond and a U.S. Marshal’s detainer following his May 5 online solicitation arrest.

MARSHALL (AP) – A federal trial is underway in East Texas over claims that Pilgrim’s Pride closed two plants where it had a monopoly in order to boost chicken prices. The trial in Marshall centers on a lawsuit filed by chicken farmers in four states. The suit says Pilgrim’s Pride violated federal and state laws by manipulating the price of commodity chicken when it shut down the Arkansas and Louisiana processing plants. Pilgrim’s Pride has said it closed those plants and others during bankruptcy reorganization to save costs. It emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late 2009, a year after the filing. It then sold a majority stake to Brazilian beef giant JBS. The company’s headquarters moved from Pittsburg in East Texas to Greeley, Colo.