KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center Tyler’s kidney transplant program was honored recently at the Seventh National Learning Congress, where it received a bronze award from the Department of Health and Human Services. The award ceremony in Grapevine acknowledged hospitals, programs, and individuals from across the nation in the areas of donation and transplantation.

The transplant division analyzed the 266 individual kidney transplant programs. The award process measured exceptional outcomes in post-transplant survival rates, wait-list mortality rates and deceased donor transplantation rates. No programs in the nation received a gold award, 15 received a silver award and ETMC Tyler was one of 56 programs that received a bronze award. That means only 26 percent of the kidney programs in the country were honored, which included ETMC.

“This award is a tribute to our outstanding kidney transplantation team,” commented Dr. Steven Potter, medical director of the ETMC Transplant Center. “We are honored to receive this recognition. Since the program began in 1987, ETMC has performed 607 kidney transplants.

MARSHALL – Harrison County Sheriff Tom McCool and Marshall Police Chief Stan Spence have arrested 11 Harrison County parents who allegedly failed to pay their court-ordered child support. The seven-day sweep, which began last Friday, focused on parents who were the subjects of arrest warrants because of their alleged failure to pay child support. “Parents have a moral and legal obligation to make regular child support payments,” Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott (pictured) said. “By collecting child support, we are ensuring young Texans have the resources they need to grow healthy and strong. We are grateful to Sheriff McCool and Police Chief Stan Spence for their commitment to Texas children.”

This week’s sweep targeted parents who are wanted for contempt of court because of their alleged failure to pay child support. After holding a Friday evening briefing, teams of law enforcement officers were dispatched to locate and arrest the allegedly noncompliant parents. According to information from the Texas Attorney General’s Office, Child Support Division investigators supported the effort by providing logistical assistance to locate unsuspecting parents. Parents arrested on civil warrants face up to six months in jail. Cash bonds posted by parents seeking release from jail are paid to the custodial parents and children who are owed back child support, according to officials.

Officials say parents with child support warrants should contact the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. Parents who have fallen behind on their child support payments – but are not subject to warrants for their arrest – should immediately contact the Attorney General’s Child Support Division at (800) 252-8014 to make payment arrangements, according to officials.

LONGVIEW — Longview firefighters have extinguished a fire on the 300 block of Davis Street. The fire began just after noon Wednesday. A fire department investigation found that the fire began in the kitchen when one of the burners was left partially on after being used. According to KETK, four people live in the house, but only one person was at the house at the time, and there were no injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but officials do not suspect foul play. Red Cross will be assisting the family during any displacement.

GREGG COUNTY — A Kilgore man was arrested Tuesday evening after Texas Department of Public Safety troopers said he drove drunk with three children in the car. According to KETK, Jose Antonio Cordova, 40, drove off the road multiple times at about 6 p.m. before directly into oncoming traffic near Texas 31 in Kilgore. The driver was tested to see if he was drunk and admitted to having four or five beers. Troopers found more than five cans in the Hummer he was driving, according to his arrest affidavit.

Cordova had three children, ages 8, 10 and 13, in the car with him. The children told troopers they were afraid and asked their father to return to his lane. Cordova has been charged with driving while intoxicated with a child under 15-years-old and two counts of endangering a child criminal negligence. Cordova was held Wednesday in the Gregg County Jail on bonds totaling $7,500.

TYLER (AP) – The financially strapped oldest junior college in Texas has received permission to hire an auctioneer and sell some buildings. A bankruptcy judge in Tyler on Wednesday approved plans by Lon Morris College in Jacksonville to hire AmeriBid LLC. Brent Wellings with AmeriBid says the auction could be scheduled for December. Lon Morris College sought bankruptcy protection in July. Fall classes were suspended at the 158-year-old United Methodist complex because U.S. law bars federal assistance for students at schools that file for bankruptcy. The Texas attorney general’s office is investigating how a $1.3 million endowment was spent by the school.

TYLER — A young Tyler boy, the object of an Amber Alert, has been found safely. The boy’s dad, who is accused of killing his ex-wife, is in custody. The West Monroe Louisiana Police Department notified Tyler officers around 11:30 Wednesday night that they had recovered Lucas Calvert, 4, and arrested his father James Calvert, 41.

Louisiana officers tried to stop Calvert’s gray Buick LeSabre. After a brief chase the car wrecked on a dead end road. Officers took the driver into custody and the boy was found in a rear seat. Two weapons were found in the car.

It all began just before 12:15 Wednesday afternoon. Tyler Police received a call of a shooting in the 3300 block of Bain Place. Upon arrival, officers learned that Calvert had allegedly shot his ex-wife to death and abducted their son. Police identified the victim as Jelena Radobanovic Sriraman, 30.

Tyler police had obtained an arrest warrant for Calvert, charging him with capital murder. State District Judge Jack Skeen set Calvert’s bond at $2,000,000. He will now be returned from Louisiana to stand trial.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department has secured an arrest warrant for Capital Murder on James W. Calvert. The warrant was issued by Judge Jack Skeen. Bond has been set at $2,000,000. A 24 hour hot line has been set up at the Tyler Police Department Command Post. The number to call with information on James Calvert is 903-595-7220. If the line is busy, you’re asked to call the main communications line at 903-531-1000.

Earlier, Tyler police issued an Amber Alert and began investigating the death of a woman after a child was abducted. On Wednesday at around 12:10 p.m. the Tyler Police Department received a call of a shooting in the 3300 block of Bain Place. Upon arrival officers learned that the 41-year-old Calvert, of Tyler, had allegedly shot his ex-wife to death and abducted their 4-year-old child, Lucas Calvert. Police identify the victim as 30-year-old Jelena Radobanovic Sriraman.

Officers and investigators are searching for Lucas Calvert. He is white, about 3 feet tall, and weighs about 30-40 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue long sleeved sweatshirt and gray sweatpants. Police also seek James Calvert, who is 5’9″ and weighs 185 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He is believed to be in a 2000 Buick LeSabre 4 door, gray or silver in color, bearing Texas license plate DP4-G858. James Calvert is considered armed and dangerous.

SMITH COUNTY — The parents of a 15-year-old Quitman girl killed in a Van Zandt County auto accident in February 2011 have filed a federal lawsuit against General Motors. According to KETK, Skylar Carpenter was “properly restrained” in a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban driven by Debra Holcombe when the Suburban flipped on Texas 17 near Interstaet 20. Carpenter was among six Quitman High School FFA students on their way to a convention in San Antonio.

Skylar’s parents, David and Becky Carpenter, filed a suit in federal court in Tyler last Thursday against General Motors, claiming that the vehicle’s restraining system failed to protect their daughter. According to the Southeast Texas Record, General Motors is accused of knowing that the vehicle failed to provide adequate occupant protection in a rollover, failed to provide adequate restraint throughout the entire accident, violated the principles of crashworthiness by not providing proper restraint and by not preventing ejection, and for failing to conduct adequate testing or proper engineering analysis.

COLLIN COUNTY — Former Sulphur Springs police chief Donnie Lewis, 63, has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty in Collin County to ten counts of indecency with a child. The child is a family member. The incidents happened more than a decade ago. Lewis was originally indicted on sixteen counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, sexual assault of a child and indecency. Some of the counts were reduced or dropped as a result of his plea deal. Lewis will receive credit for the 307 days he spent in jail awaiting trial.

SMITH COUNTY – One person has been killed in two vehicle accident in Smith County. Albert Singler, 81, of Lindale was pronounced dead at the scene. The wreck happened just before 8:45 Tuesday night on Interstate Highway 20 near the 551 mile marker. The wreck blocked traffic in both west bound lanes. Prior to the accident, a call to 911 indicated someone was traveling east in the west bound lane of the interstate. The investigation is continuing.

LONGVIEW – A Gregg County man has been arrested for burglary. Officers were able to identify him by the red spaghetti sauce around his lips and mouth. Michael Don Mitchell, 38, of Longview, has been charged with burglary of a habitation.

Authorities say he was the suspect who broke into a home on Crowder Lane. He is said to have taken around $90 in cash. He also took time at the home to eat a bowl of ravioli. When a Lakeport police officer found Mitchell, he noticed the red spaghetti sauce, which the officer knew was “consistent with the sauce used in Chef Boyardee raviolis.”

Mitchell was being held in the Gregg County Jail in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

NACOGDOCHES – A Nacogdoches home has been destroyed by fire. KETK says it was reported Tuesday night in the 5000 block of East Hospital. The initial report made no mention of injuries. The fire remains under investigation.

TEXARKANA – A Bowie County teen has pleaded guilty to bank robbery. Temetrius Manning, 18, of Texarkana, pleaded guilty to bank robbery in an appearance in federal court in Texarkana before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline M. Craven. Manning faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

Federal prosecutors say on August 27, Manning entered the Wells Fargo Bank in Texarkana, Texas, and presented a threatening note to a bank teller demanding money. Manning then fled the bank with the money. He was arrested a short time later. Manning admitted to the charges following his arrest.

TYLER — A man accused of beating his wife to death last Thanksgiving is back in the Smith County Jail. Bob Gray with the Smith County Probation office tells KETK Kelly Gage was arrested and jailed for violating his bond agreement, which says you can’t be re-arrested for another crime. Gage, 50, had been arrested earlier in October for public intoxication and assault.

Gage spent 90 days behind bars for allegedly beating his wife, Patti McHugh Gage. McHugh later died from her injuries, which her son Nicholas claimed were caused by Gage. However, authorities failed to gather enough evidence to charge Gage with the crime, and he was released on February 28, 2012, after his bond was reduced from $1 million for aggravated assault to a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.

Upon his release, Patti Gage’s son, Nicholas McHugh, and his younger brother, Caden, both took out protective orders against Gage. At the time, Nicholas told KETK, “I’m really scared of any type of retaliation. He’s really nuts and he’s threatened my life and my grandmother’s life particularly in the past.” The investigation into the case is ongoing. Gage is being held in the Smith County Jail on a $30,000 bond.

TYLER – A 39-year-old Palestine man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in East Texas. Craig Lee Bice pleaded guilty in Tyler to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to information presented in court, on November 17, 2010, Bice was found to be in possession of 97.25 grams of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it to others in East Texas. A federal indictment was returned on April 11, 2012, charging Bice with federal drug crimes. Bice faces at least 5 years and up to 40 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

EAST TEXAS — It’s been more than 30 years in the making. Lake Columbia can now move forward with the final permit process thanks to a new partnership. Once cleared, construction can begin, according to KETK. The proposed lake will run from Smith County, near Tyler, into Cherokee County. Plans for Lake Columbia began in 1978. But funding delays hindered the project’s development. One official says, “Once the federal permits are in hand, the rest of the process is rather fast and straightforward. I wouldn’t think it’d take more than 1 to 2 years to complete. It’s just taken 10 years to date to get the federal permits in process, and they haven’t been accomplished yet.” Lake Columbia is named in honor of the NASA shuttle that went down in East Texas back in 2003.

TYLER — A Tyler apartment complex that has been riddled with violence says it will be working harder to ensure the safety of its residents, many whom are students at UT-Tyler. In the past two years alone, there have been reported shootings, robberies, and brawls at the site. The apartment’s parent company, Peak Campus Management, released a statement to its residents and made the statement available to our news partner KETK. It reads, in part:

“Varsity Place has a zero tolerance policy on crime and is actively joining forces with community partners to make a difference. We ask that you join our effort. If you witness any questionable activity, call the police: 9-1-1 if it is an emergency or at 903-531-1000 for non-emergency issues. After you have called the police, then let us know. We cannot take care of specific problems if we do not know about them.

“Also, we would like to bring to your attention the efforts that we are taking and remind you of some Varsity Place rules and regulations. Varsity Place has partnered with the Tyler Police Department and the UT Tyler Police to enforce a zero tolerance policy on crime or destructive behavior. Tyler Police Department has set-up a 24-7 mobile station on-site. Varsity Place has outsourced courtesy patrol in addition to our four courtesy patrol officers employed. We have partnered with other student housing communities to cross reference files and prohibit problem residents from leasing.

“There is a 10:00pm curfew. No loitering is allowed after 10:00. You are responsible for your guests and their actions. You will be held responsible for any criminal activity committed by your guests. Any violations of the above policies will be grounds for eviction or termination of your lease. You will still be responsible for the amount of your contract.”

TYLER — Early voting will continue through this coming Friday night at seven. But in Smith County, many people aren’t waiting for that deadline. On Monday of this week, Smith County Election Administrator Karen Nelson told KETK that 33,000 voters had voted early. Compare that to the entirety of early voting in Smith County in 2008, which was 49,000, a number Nelson expects to surpass.

LONGVIEW — An oil spill Tuesday morning has shut down a major East Texas road. Longview police say Gum Springs road is completely shut down between Cotton and Eastman Roads. According to KETK, traffic traveling south on Eastman road from Cotton to Gum Springs has been closed down to one lane, while HazMat crews work to clear the scene.

TYLER – A Tyler man has been arrested in connection with a shooting in the 300 block of East Grande. It happened shortly after 4:45 Monday afternoon.

Police say while Jack Davis Stinnett, 51, of Tyler, was riding a bicycle on the sidewalk, he was approached by two men who were also using the sidewalk. He then yelled at them as he was approaching telling them that he was driving by. They moved out of his way but also yelled back at him as he passed. At some point Stinnett turned around and approached the men again.

This time they saw him approaching and moved over. As he passed, they began arguing again from about 10 yards away. Stinnett then stopped and got off of his bicycle. He said he felt threatened by the two unarmed men so he drew a small caliber revolver and fired one shot at them. No one was hit. Officers arrested Stinnett for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

TYLER – A Smith County man has pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and failure to stop and render aid in connection with a fatal accident in December of last year. Jared Stinecipher, 26, pleaded guilty Monday in Tyler’s 7th State District Court.

Stinecipher’s pickup and a car driven by Arthur Dewayne Murphey, 50, collided at the intersection of Farm Roads 2767 and 757. Murphey later died at a Tyler hospital. Stinecipher, who fled the scene, was later arrested after the hit-and-run for parole revocation. He was indicted in the fatal accident this past July. He is the son of Smith County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Mark Stinecipher.

He is scheduled to be sentenced December 7th by State District Judge Kerry Russell.

TYLER – A retired Tyler dentist has his murder trial scheduled for November 26th. Dr. Bobby Ray Nichols was it court Monday for a pre-trial hearing. He is accused of killing his wife of 26 years.

This summer, Nichols told the Associated Press he regrets fatally shooting his wife. Dr. Nichols said that he misses and loved his wife. He said, “We just got in a fight and I screwed up and killed her with a gun.”

Tyler police arrested Nichols and charged him with the June 29 death of Rosiland Nichols, 71. Nichols said he’s never been in trouble, but after a few drinks with his buddies he came home and his wife began nagging him. Nichols said he doesn’t really “remember what happened” before the shooting. He said it was “almost like blacking out,” so he had hoped it was only a dream.

DALLAS (AP/Staff) – A judge has handed a 35-year federal prison sentence to a man with Tyler connections who admitted being the “Handsome Guy Bandit.” Steven Ray Milam pleaded guilty in Dallas last May to 11 federal counts of bank robbery, admitting responsibility for 11 North Texas bank holdups. U.S. District Judge Sam Lindsay sentenced the 45-year-old on Monday. Reports have listed Milam as having residency in both Tyler and Richardson. The “Handsome Guy Bandit” got his name from tellers at the banks he robbed, who described the mask he wore. Milam was arrested Jan. 3 in Mississippi after a chase on Interstate 10 in which a sheriff shot out a tire on the vehicle Milam was driving. Prosecutors had said Milam could have received from 32 years to life in prison.

TYLER — A new medical director of emergency medicine, an interventional cardiologist, and an internal medicine physician have joined The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. They are Paul B. Roberts, MD; Sridevi Pitta, MD; and Riad Kesiry, MD, MSBS.

Dr. Roberts returns to UTHSCT as medical director of emergency medicine after spending seven years as an emergency physician with Texas Health Resources in the Dallas area. He completed his family medicine residency at UTHSCT and then held positions as an emergency medicine physician and medical director of emergency services at UTHSCT for 11 years. Dr. Pitta, an assistant professor of medicine, joins UTHSCT after two years in private practice as an interventional cardiologist in San Antonio. Dr. Kesiry, an assistant professor of medicine, comes to UTHSCT after serving as chief of staff at Morton General Hospital in Morton, Wash. He is board certified in internal medicine.

KILGORE — The Kilgore Fire Department worked to clean up an oil spill along Highway 135 (Gladewater Highway) that occurred Monday afternoon. KETK reported the spill was affecting the following intersections:

Highway 135 and Highway 31
Highway 135 and Highway 42
Industrial and Watson

Officials encouraged drivers to avoid these intersections until the conclusion of cleanup, anticipated by sometime Monday evening. There’s no word on the cause of the spill at this time.

LONGVIEW — A Longview family is alive and well after a near-death encounter with carbon monoxide poisoning over the weekend. According to KETK and Longview Fire Marshall Johnny Zachary, the Middletons had been exposed to carbon monoxide since Thursday night. After several family members passed out Saturday morning, they called 911 for help and were immediately rushed to a local hospital. They were treated with pure oxygen and have since recovered. Zachary says the carbon monoxide levels at the house were 200 and 300 parts per million. Exposure above 100 ppm can be dangerous to a person’s health. The average level in a home is .5 to 5 ppm. Officials recommend the public safeguards their home from carbon monoxide poisoning with detectors and making sure your appliances are serviced by a qualified technician.

TYLER – Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics is forming a major alliance with a key Dallas-based facility. Officials with Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler and Children’s Medical Center Dallas signed a relationship agreement Monday. Officials say it’s expected to bring pediatric cardiology, urology, telemedicine, other subspecialties, and educational services to Tyler and the surrounding area.

“This relationship agreement is a natural fit for these…medical entities that share a mutual respect for each other and have worked collaboratively for many years,” said Lindsey Bradley, FACHE, president, Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics. “It is a privilege for us to support the long history of outstanding care at Trinity Mother Frances through this unique collaboration,” said Christopher J. Durovich, president and CEO, Children’s Medical Center. Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler and Children’s Medical Center are Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) hospitals. They are two of approximately 170 hospitals throughout North America that provide care for 14 million children and benefit from the Children’s Miracle Network organization.

EAST TEXAS — Authorities say they may have located an East Texas bank robber. The “Lone Ranger Bandit” may have resurfaced in Mississippi. Authorities in Madison told KETK about a bank robbery there that they say may be the infamous bandit. If it is the suspected “Lone Ranger,” he’s suspected of robbing Tyler’s Ultra Federal Credit Union off Troup Highway and the Compass Bank located on south Broadway.

NACOGDOCHES — An infant is fighting for her life after a gun allegedly accidentally discharged in Nacogdoches around 2:00 this morning. According to KETK, emergency crews were dispatched to an apartment at Oak Hill Plaza, located in the 1500 block of Dolph Street. When officials arrived, they found an 8-month-old baby girl with a single gunshot wound to the face. Investigators discovered several people were in the apartment at the time of the shooting. A 19-year-old was reportedly seated holding the child when a 21-year-old man was unloading a 9 mm pistol. The gun fired, hitting the man in his left hand, striking the female holding the infant in her left hand and then hit the baby in her face. The bullet ended up lodged in a piece of furniture next door. No one was injured in the neighboring apartment. The baby has been transferred to a Houston hospital and is in serious condition. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. So far, no charges have been filed and no arrests have been made.

CANTON — Van Zandt County authorities have caught a man suspected of assaulting a 97-year old woman and stealing her car Thursday night in the Callender Lake community. The suspect has been identified as David Wayne Taylor, 26, Chandler. He’s being held at the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office on charges of Evading and Aggravated Robbery. No bond has been set at this time pending arraignment.

Officials tell KETK a high speed chase started in Smith County late Saturday, and ended just outside Van Zandt County. Choppers and dogs were then called in to help once the man ran from law officers, according to authorities. Officials say he was later found and detained early Sunday morning. Taylor was taken to a local hospital and was treated for minor injuries reportedly sustained during the foot chase.