KTBB News, Weather, Talk

FRANKSTON — Three people are taken to the hospital after a car wreck on Hwy. 155 near Frankston over the weekend. Officers say two cars were involved in that wreck, which backed up traffic for a mile. A DPS trooper tells KETK there was a large amount of alcohol at the scene, but they don’t suspect the driver in question had been drinking.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – An East Texas congressman clashes with the head of homeland security over Muslim influence in the Obama administration. In a Congressional hearing, Rep. Louie Gohmert of Tyler questioned Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano over an appointee to the National Secruity Advisory Council, Mohammed Elibiary — who Gohmert says downloaded classified information and made it available to a reporter. Napolitano said, “What bothers me, quite frankly, are the allegations that are made against anyone who happens to be Muslim.” Gohmert countered, “The allegations are not because he is Muslim. You follow me around the world, you see me hugging Muslims around the world because the ones I hug are our friends.” Gohmert says the documents were released to make Governor Rick Perry appear “Islamophobic.”

Gohmert also alleges members of an Egyptian terrorist group obtained visas and visited the White House. He added, “And this administration seems to have a hard time recognizing members of terrorist groups who are allowed into the White House; you’re aware of that happening, aren’t you?” Napolitano responded, “Absolutely not.” Gohmert replied, “The evidence speaks for itself.”

LUFKIN (AP) – A former East Texas bank president faces up to 30 years in prison for using customer funds to pay his home contractor. Prosecutors in Lufkin on Monday announced the guilty plea from 33-year-old Willard T. Scott of Nacogdoches. The ex-president of Huntington State Bank in Nacogdoches pleaded guilty Friday to making false entries to bank records. Investigators say Scott in April 2010 falsified records to indicate nearly $7,400 withdrawn from a customer’s account was for a loan payment. Prosecutors say Scott instead used the customer’s money to pay his own home contractor. No sentencing date has been set. Prosecutors add Scott remains free pending sentencing.

COFFEE CITY — A suspected killer and kidnapper is expected to be returned to Henderson County this week for arraignment. Jackie Martez Guthrie, 22, was arrested Friday in Galveston and held without bond in the Galveston County Jail. He is seen here in his booking photo from Galveston.

It all started Thursday night with the death of a 2012 John Tyler High school graduate and the abduction of another woman in Coffee City. According to KETK, the shooting took place at approximately 10:35 in Briarwood Bay. Officials say Guthrie fatally shot Tyler resident Chantel Barret, 18, in the back. Police said he then forced his girlfriend, Tiffany Hurd, who is said to be 7 months pregnant with his child, into Chantel’s vehicle. A citizen’s tip led to his arrest in Galveston. Funeral services for Chantel were held Monday at First Baptist Church of Henderson, with interment at Shiloh Cemetery.

LONGVIEW — Crews work to repair water line breaks in Longview. They were reported Sunday on Fisher Road and in the 13,000 block of H.G. Mosley Parkway. The breaks are not affecting the city’s water pressure.

EAST TEXAS — Crews continued working Monday to restore power in some areas of East Texas in the wake of isolated thunderstorms Saturday. The problem appears to have been caused by trees, killed by last year’s drought, falling into power lines. Oncor has even brought extra resources to help restore power.

McALLEN (AP) — One of the victims of the Colorado shooting spent part of her childhood in Texas and is remembered by friends as a hard-working single mother who could light up a room with her smile and carefree spirit. Rebecca Wingo of Aurora, Colorado, graduated from high school in Quinlan, in Hunt County.

Cody Shafer was helping organize a gathering of friends Sunday in Aurora to remember the 32-year-old Wingo. He says Wingo performed his and his partner Marq’s marriage ceremony in Iowa two years ago and remained a close friend. Shafer says Wingo worked for a medical company and attended school, while raising her two daughters. She was an Air Force veteran.

She was among 12 people killed in a shooting rampage early Friday at a movie theater in Aurora.

TYLER — In the wake of Friday’s shocking movie theater massacre in Aurora, Colorado, the host of KTBB’S “Gun Talk” shares his thoughts on the importance of self-defense in an exclusive interview with KTBB. Tom Gresham says all of us must make a commitment to our families — “and that commitment must include getting training, which is an investment of time and money, and keeping it up.” Gresham compares it to buying insurance. He says it will increase the likelihood “that you get to see your kids graduate from high school, you get to give away your daughter at her wedding, you get to have your 50th anniversary with your wife or your husband. That’s the kind of insurance I’m interested in.” He calls the mass shooting tragic but says an armed and trained individual might have reduced the toll.

TYLER — Today is the first day of early voting in the July 31 primary runoffs. One high-profile race is the GOP contest for U.S. Senate between David Dewhurst and Ted Cruz. The winner will face either Paul Sadler of Henderson or Smith County native Grady Yarbrough of San Antonio in November; Sadler and Yarbrough are vying for the Democratic nomination. And Larry Smith takes on Chris Green in the Republican runoff for Smith County sheriff; there are no Democrats going after that position. Early voting continues through July 27.

TYLER — The countdown is underway to the Texas Rose Festival, set for October 18-21. At the festival’s kickoff over the weekend at Willow Brook Country Club, Rose Queen Haley Anderson thanked the event’s numerous volunteers. She remarked, “Obviously, they have to love what they do, because they work really hard for us, and we can’t do it without them.” The kickoff also served to welcome out-of-town guests, thank the festival’s 2012 corporate sponsors, and more. By the way, Haley hopes to see you at the festival. She says, “Everyone should come join us in October. It’s gonna be a great year!” General public ticket sales begin September 4. You can go to http://www.texasrosefestival.net for more information.

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

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin several days of pavement repairs throughout the county including various locations in Interstate Highway 20, followed upon completion by the same work on State Hoghway 19 south of Canton and on U.S. Highway 80 between Farm Road 859 in Edgewood and State Highway 19. 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 zones.

Also this week, work associated with TxDOT’s annual preventative maintenance program known as District Wide Seal Coat, is scheduled to begin in Van Zandt County. Crews are scheduled to seal the following roadways:
● State Highway 64 between Interstate Highway 20 west of Canton and State Highway 19 in Canton;
● Farm Road 859 between U.S. Highway 80 in Edgewood and Interstate Highway 20 north of Canton;
● Farm Road 1395 between Farm Road 47 and Farm Road 859 north of Edgewood;
● Farm Road 47 between the Rains County Line and Farm Road 2475
Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

LONGVIEW — Construction crews this week are scheduled to resume nighttime resurfacing work on South Loop 281 in Longview between Farm Road 2205 (Jaycee Drive) and Estes Parkway. The work is being conducted Sunday-Thursday between 7:00pm to 6:00am, weather permitting. Once the work on Loop 281 is complete, crews are scheduled to move to perform the same work on Spur 63 between U.S. Highway 80 (Marshall Ave.) and North Loop 281. Overnight lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to use caution and be on the lookout for workers and heavy equipment in and around the work zone.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 79 east of Henderson between the city limits and the Panola County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

Also affecting motorists in Rusk County, TxDOT maintenance forces from Nacogdoches County are scheduled on Monday to close Farm Road 225 between U.S. Highway 84 in Rusk County and Cushing to replace a culvert. The roadway is scheduled to re-open on Thursday, July 26th. Local traffic will be allowed access to driveways, but thru traffic must seek an alternate route.

SMITH COUNTY — Construction crews are scheduled to continue several weeks of nighttime work on Tyler’s WSW Loop 323 between State Highway 155 (Frankston Highway) and Bellwood Drive, which is just south of the railroad overpass near West Front Street. Crews are scheduled to work from 7:00pm to 5:00am, Sunday-Thursday repairing and then resurfacing the roadway. Temporary lane-closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists should be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — TxDOT maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue edge work on Farm Road 855 between U.S. Highway 69 in Mount Selman and Farm Road 2137. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 2022 between State Highway 294 in Slocum and the Houston County Line.

WOOD COUNTY — Work associated with TxDOT’s annual preventative maintenance program known as District Wide Seal Coat, is scheduled to begin in Wood County as early as Wednesday, July 25th, weather permitting. Crews are scheduled to seal the following roadways:
● Farm Road 17 between U.S. Highway 69 in Alba and Farm Road 515;
● Farm Road 2088 between State Highway 37 in Quitman and the Upshur County Line;
● Farm Road 2869 between Farm Road 852 south of Winnsboro and Farm Road 14 north of Hawkins Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

LONGVIEW — A two story home in norther Gregg County has been destroyed by fire. The fire was reported yesterday afternoon in the 1100 block of Hunter Road. No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.

CHANDLER — A car/pedestrian accident in Hendeson County has killed a teenager. Killed was Seth Austin Bullock, 17, of Chandler. The Department of Public Safety reports he had jumped on the trunk of a moving car. The driver accelerated and he fell from the vehicle, fatally injuring himself. The accident happened shortly after 11:30 Friday night in the Wild Woods Subdivision south of Chandler.

TYLER — A motorcyclist has been injured in a two vehicle accident in Tyler. The wreck occurred around 12:15 Saturday afternoon on University Boulevard just south of Loop 323. According to Sgt. Robert Phillips, a car turned south onto the 3600 block of University Boulevard from a private drive. The motorcycle was accelerating from the Loop on University and hit the car. The motorcyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, was seriously injured and transported to East Texas Medical Center. The car’s driver was not injured. No names have been released at this time and the accident remains under investigation.

TYLER — A fire has caused damage at Tyler’s Hollytree Country Club. The two alarm blaze was reported shortly after 5:15 Saturday morning. Arriving firemen reported light smoke. The second alarm was called in when fire was discovered in the attic. Invesitgators say the fire started in a deep fryer the kitchen.

The automatic fire extinguishing system in the kitchen did not activate, but the exhaust fan in the kitchen vent hood evacuated most of the heat and smoke, which prevented further smoke damage. The automatic fire sprinkler system activated. Heat caused the fire to spread into the attic. Firefighters extinguished the fire and removed water from the kitchen and ballroom areas. No injuries were reported.

WASHINGTON — Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert released the following statement regarding the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado: “My thoughts and prayers go out to those who lost their loved ones because of senseless violence last night in Aurora, Colorado. This tragedy is not only heartbreaking – it is incomprehensible. We should unite together as compassionate Americans to comfort those who are mourning. It is my prayer that we will cling tightly as ‘one nation under God’ and lift each other up in ongoing prayer, as well as, bringing physical comfort and support during this heartbreaking time.”

RUSK — Another suspect has been arrested on charges related to battery thefts that have been occurring at oil fields in Cherokee, Angelina, Houston, and Nacogdoches Counties. According to KETK and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Justin Ray Pinckard, 23, from Jacksonville, was arrested on July 12 and charged with one count of theft, a state jail felony.
According to authorities, Cherokee County Det. Joey Ray was able to obtain video footage of Justin Pinckard and Ricky Schakosky at a local recycler as they allegedly dropped off 18 industrial batteries, weighing approximately 1,500 pounds. Bond for Pinckard was set at $7,000 by Justice of the Peace Brenda Dominy. Other charges may still pending from Cherokee and adjoining counties as the investigations continue. The first suspect in the battery thefts, Ricky Lee Schakosky, 26, was arrested on June 27th.

TYLER — Significant numbers of consumers are contacting the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Central East Texas regarding a mailing they’ve received from HomeServe USA. The mailings inform recipients that they are responsible for the maintenance and repair of their exterior water lines, leaving them liable for repairs which could potentially cost thousands of dollars. The mailings provide an 800 number and a deadline to enroll in their water Service Line Coverage. Some consumers have stated the mailings appear to be from a local government agency or utility company.

BBB advises consumers to review these notices carefully, particularly the portion that says HomeServe USA is an independent company separate from your local utility or community. BBB received similar waves of calls related to HomeServe USA mailings in 2011. BBB also notes that while the company is correct in saying homeowners are responsible for the maintenance and repair of their waterlines “utility service connection to your home,” the warranty coverage they offer is optional.

“Similar to any warranty, service plan or insurance policy, it is up to the consumer to determine whether or not it meets their needs and is worth purchasing”, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “They should also have a good understanding about what is covered under the policy offered, as well as what is not covered.”

While some homeowners may not be covered for the line repairs offered by HomeServe USA, the BBB says anyone who is uncertain should call his or her water department to avoid paying for duplicate coverage. Likewise, BBB officials say, review your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if coverage is already provided — and contact your insurance company to ask how this coverage would work in conjunction with your current policy.

Although HomeServe USA is headquartered in Stamford, CT, the company does claim a post office box in Austin, TX. HomeServe USA has entered into consent agreements with the states of Kentucky, Ohio and Massachusetts. Both Kentucky and Ohio alleged that the mailing solicitations “generated confusion” and were “deceptive” in their appearance. The settlements should not be considered as an admission of guilt or a legal violation.

BBB recommends the following tips to consumers who receive a call or letter from HomeServe USA or similar companies:
• Read the service contract very carefully and make sure you have a clear understanding of it, especially each of the exclusions, before agreeing to buy coverage. Do not purchase any coverage over the phone without seeing a contract with all details that were discussed verbally set down in writing.
• Make sure you’re familiar with the company’s cancellation policy in case you change your mind after signing up.
• Check the company’s BBB Business Review at bbb.org
For more information, you can visit http://www.bbb.org or call 903-581-5704.

LONGVIEW — Funeral services for Gerard Cace will be held this afternoon at 2:30 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Longview. The owner of Longview’s famous Johnny Cace’s Seafood & Steakhouse died this week. According to KETK, restaurant employees say Cace suffered a heart attack around 2:30 Wednesday while on a fishing trip in Alexandria, Louisiana. Cace was 59.

TYLER — Well-known gun rights advocate Tom Gresham, host of KTBB’s “Gun Talk,” weighs in on Friday’s Colorado shooting tragedy in an exclusive KTBB interview. From now into early next week, we’ll be sharing some of his thoughts on the incident, which he terms “tragic” and the work of “a deranged madman.”
Among other things, Gresham says, “If there had been someone there “who had a firearm and had training and had the right mindset, something could have been done.” Gresham doubts the incident could have been stopped, but he thinks an armed and trained person might have been able to diminish the tragedy’s toll. Gresham cites a recent incident in Florida in which a 71-year-old man took on two men wielding a gun and a baseball bat at an Internet cafe. According to Gresham, “He moved decisively, he moved well, he had training, and he knew what he was doing, and he saved a lot of people.” Gresham says people often suggest calling the police in such situations. To that, he responds with his familiar mantra, “When seconds count, police are just minutes away.”
Gresham also has some advice on gathering in a movie theater or auditorium: don’t sit in the middle of a row, but choose an aisle seat. Gresham says, “If you’re in the middle of the row, you’re trapped — you can’t do anything.” Keep it on KTBB and ktbb.com for more from Tom Gresham.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches Police are searching for a black man wearing a black shirt, blue Dickie pants and a black skull cap who may have shot a gun during a disturbance in the 100 block of Dutch Street Friday morning. According to KETK, someone reported a suspect with a gun pointed at a victim’s head. The dispatcher reportedly heard two gunshots before the phone hung up. It is believed the victim is not injured, but emergency services were responding to Martin Luther King, Jr. Street.

PAYNE SPRINGS — A young boy has drowned in Cedar Creek Lake. The youngster, Truitt Kennedy, who was nearly two, and his four year old brother, were playing near the lake near the Southwood Shores area when the boy fell into the water. The accident happened around noon Thursday. He was rushed to East Texas Medical Center Gun Barrel City, where he was pronounced dead. Henderson County Game Warden Dustin Balfaufens along with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department are conducting the investigation.

LUFKIN (AP) – An East Texas man has been sentenced to five years in prison for the beating death of his brother in a marital dispute. A judge in Lufkin on Wednesday accepted the plea agreement from Gary Wayne Hodges, 53, of Moffett as his murder trial was to begin. Hodges was charged in the April 2011 death of Kevin Hodges, 47. Gary Hodges pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury. Prosecutors say the case involved an alleged affair between the victim and the estranged wife of Gary Hodges. Investigators say Gary Hodges had vehicle trouble, returned home and found evidence of a drug lab and his wife being with his sibling. Authorities say Gary Hodges was enraged when he beat his younger brother with a tire-testing bat.

TYLER — A Kilgore woman has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing and distributing methamphetamine. Terri Young, 51, pleaded guilty March 8 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. She was sentenced Thursday in Tyler to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. In addition to her prison sentence, Young will be required to complete a 3-year term of supervised release. According to prosecutors, on or about May 27, 2011, Young aided and abetted her co-conspirators in the possession and distribution of methamphetamine in East Texas. Specifically, Young admitted that she was responsible for assisting in the distribution of 20 grams of methamphetamine.

Three of Young’s co-defendants pleaded guilty and have been sentenced. Matthew Dean Willis was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment on June 12, 2012. On July 16, 2012, David Christopher Wheeler and Raelene Dawn Ferguson were sentenced to 46 months imprisonment. Two additional co-defendants have pleaded guilty and currently await sentencing.

FRUITVALE — Van Zandt County authorities have arrested a woman after a several hours standoff. It happened around 8:30 Thursday morning when officers responded to a report of a woman with a gun. She was in a house on County Road 1930.

A man told officers he was making coffee in the home he shared with the woman when she pointed a gun at him. When it jammed, he said she pulled a knife and tried to stab him. He then went to a bedroom and called authorities. When deputies arrived, he crawled out a window.

Officers tried to contact the woman, identified as Nancy Khabazian, 55, of Fruitvale, but she remained in the house with the weapons. When she would not come out, deputies administered CS gas into the residence. She then came out and surrendered without incident. Khabazian has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon/family violence. She was booked into the Van Zandt County Justice Center where she is being held on a $50,000 bond.

HENDERSON — A Henderson man is sentenced to 40 years in prison for aggravated sexual assault of a child under the age of 14. According to KETK and the Henderson Daily News, Juan Manuel Bernal, 37, pleaded guilty this week. Because he’s not a U.S. citizen, the paper reports he will be deported once he completes his prison term. For now, he’s in the Rusk County Jail.

CANTON — Authorities report they’ve made an arrest following a standoff in Van Zandt County. On Thursday around 8:30 a.m., sheriff’s deputies and investigators, constables from Precincts #1 and #2, and DPS responded to a call on VZCR 1930 in the Fruitvale community. That’s where they say a female had pointed a loaded gun at a male. The man told the deputies that they both resided in the home and when he was making coffee she came up to him and pointed the gun at him, but that the gun had jammed. The female suspect then allegedly tried to stab the man with a kitchen knife.

The man said he was able to retreat into his bedroom, where he contacted the Sheriff’s Office. Officials say that as the deputies arrived, the male was able to climb out of his bedroom window to escape the attack. Authorities report that the female, named as 55-year-old Nancy Khabazian of Fruitvale, remained inside the residence with the weapons. The deputies tried to make contact with Khabazian for several hours. Deputies then administered CS gas into the residence, at which time Khabazian exited the residence, where she surrendered without incident. Khabazian was then transported to the Van Zandt County Justice Center, where she is being held on a $50,000 bond for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon/family violence.

SULPHUR SPRINGS — A train/truck accident in Hopkins County has left one person dead. Killed was truck’s driver, Martin Ruiz-Herrera, 33, of Point. The accident happened around 7:45 Wednesday night on County Road 4721 and the I-30 Service Road in Sulphur Springs. The accident is being investigated by the Department of Public Safety.

TYLER — A Tyler man has died from his injuries following a two vehicle accident about four miles north of Tyler. Killed was Anthony Todd Wilkerson, 34. His motorcycle hit a pickup hauling a trailer. The Department of Public Safety reports the truck was making a U-turn when the accident occurred. The truck’s driver was identified as Todd Ryan of Whitney. The accident happened around 7:00 Wednesday night on U.S. Highway 271 just south of Interstate Highway 20.

TYLER — If you’ve taken a trip through Tyler recently, you’ve probably noticed many street lights aren’t working properly. Now we know why. The city’s traffic engineer, Peter Eng, tells KETK the city is conducting a software upgrade, which means temporary changes to intersections. Eng says crews are working on 150 signal lights around town, and so far, only half have been updated. According to Eng, “If you do see an intersection that’s going on red flash, please treat it as a 4-way stop and use extreme caution and make sure to yield to others who are already there.” Eng says the flashing red lights are only temporary, and lights should be back to normal very soon.