KTBB News, Weather, Talk

BULLARD — A detached garage went up in flames in Bullard early Monday morning, destroying vehicles and other property belonging to the homeowner. The Bullard Volunteer Fire Department was called to 504 Ella Street at about 4:45 by the homeowners, who were awakened by a loud explosion in the garage. According to KETK, when firefighters arrived, they found the large garage fully involved with the structure already completely destroyed. Inside the garage, two vehicles, a boat, and several ATVs were burning. All of the items were a total loss. There were no injuries reported. The Bullard Police Department is investigating the cause of the fire. The Flint-Gresham VFD also assisted in fighting the fire.

UNDATED – Here’s a quick look at events and work planned in the Tyler District.

SMITH COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as “District-Wide Seal Coat” is scheduled to continue work this week in Smith County, weather permitting. Crews were scheduled to apply a seal coat to the following roads:
● Farm Road 2964 (Rhone’s Quarter Road) between State Highway 110 in Tyler and Farm Road 346 in Whitehouse on Monday and Tuesday;
● Farm Road 346 between State Highway 110 in Whitehouse and SH110 in Troup on Wednesday; and
● State Highway 155 between Coffee City and Frankston on Thursday and Friday
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 p.m.-6 a.m., weather permitting. Once the work on Loop 281 is complete, crews are scheduled to move to perform the same work in various locations on Spur 63. 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. Also this week in Gregg County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to resume pavement-repair work on eastbound Interstate Highway 20 between Joy Wright Mountain Road to Farm Road 3053 in Liberty City. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge 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, July 23, 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.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue seal coat operations on Farm Road 17 between State Highway 64 in Canton and Interstate Highway 20, followed by the same work on various IH 20 service roads. Daytime lane closures will be in effect 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.

Looking ahead, work associated with TxDOT’s annual preventative maintenance program known as District Wide Seal Coat, is scheduled to begin in Van Zandt County as early as Monday, July 30, weather permitting. Crews are scheduled to seal the following roadways:
● Farm Road 47 between the Rains County Line and Farm Road 2475;
● 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;
● State Highway 64 between IH 20 west of Canton and State Highway 19 in Canton.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge work on Farm Road 317 between Farm Road 1803 and Farm Road 607 in Leagueville, and on Farm Road 753 between State Highway 19 and Farm Road 59 in Crossroads. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Looking ahead, work associated with TxDOT’s annual preventative maintenance program known as District Wide Seal Coat, is scheduled to begin in Henderson County as early as Thursday, July 19, weather permitting. Crews are scheduled to seal the following roadways:
● State Highway 155 between Coffee City and Frankston;
● Farm Road 317 between Farm Road 1803 and Farm Road 607;
● Farm Road 1616 between State Highway 31 in Athens and Farm Road 773 in Murchison;
● Farm Road 753 between Farm Road 59 and State Highway 19 south of Athens;
● U.S. Highway 175 between Farm Road 316 and Loop 7 in Athens;
● Farm Road 316 between Farm Road 1861 at the Van Zandt County Line and State Highway 198 near Payne Springs. 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.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 2022 between State Highway 294 in Slocum and the Houston County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LINDALE — A fire destroys a house in Lindale. According to KETK, it was a home in the Highlands subdivision, which is off of Wood Springs Road in Lindale. Three fire departments responded to the fire Sunday afternoon. No one was home at the time. The house belonged to Glenn and Deborah Pool, who own Glenn’s Jewelry in Lindale. Glenn’s Jewelry burned down back in March of this year. No word yet on what caused the house fire.

TYLER – Tyler police are looking for the man who robbed woman at the Tyler Public Library. The 82-year-old woman was finishing a book while sitting in her vehicle Sunday afternoon. She said a man walked to her vehicle, showed her a black handgun, and demanded that she take him where he wanted to go. She refused and stepped out of her vehicle and gave the suspect $100. The man then walked to Bois d’ Arc Street and was last seen walking north from the area. The woman was not injured. The suspect was described as a black male; 19-20 years of age, 5’10” tall and clean shaven.

WAKE VILLAGE (AP) — An escapee from a county jail in Texarkana has been recaptured in Wake Village, Texas. Bowie County, Texas, Chief Deputy Larry Parker told the Texarkana Gazette that Marquis Tervon Franklin of Texarkana, Texas, was arrested Saturday afternoon. Parker said a tip led officers to a home in Wake Village where deputies spotted Franklin and arrested him after a short chase on foot. Franklin escaped the Bowie County Correctional Center between 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Parker says investigators are still trying to determine how Franklin escaped. Franklin was being held on charges of robbery, evading arrest, unauthorized use of a vehicle and failing to identify himself to authorities.

LONGVIEW — A man beaten outside the Lodge Sports Bar & Billiards early Thursday has died. Sean Drake, 39, of Longview, died Saturday at Good Shepherd Medical Center, where he had been hospitalized since being beaten unconscious during an early morning fight Thursday, Longview police said.

According to the Longview News-Journal, Kim Phillips, Drake’s ex-wife and the mother of their daughter, Kristen, said Drake was attempting to diffuse the altercation before being knocked unconscious. A suspect fled the scene before police arrived, and no arrests had been made in connection with the fight, Longview police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said.

After being taken to Good Shepherd, Drake was being treated in the hospital’s intensive care unit, where he initially was listed in critical condition. An autopsy has been ordered to determine if the death occurred due to injuries suffered during the beating. Police will then determine whether they will classify the beating as a homicide, Brian said. Police are still investigating.

TYLER—A Tyler home has been extensively damaged by fire. It was reported just after 4:00 Saturday afternoon at 815 Meadow Lane. When they arrived, firemen reported heavy fire and smoke conditions in the two-story home. No one was home when the fire broke out and no injuries were reported. They’re still trying to determine what caused the fire

RUSK — Cherokee County officials say jury selection scheduled for 8:30 a.m. in the 2nd Judicial District Court has been cancelled for Monday, July 16th. That’s according to KETK. Contact the Cherokee County Courthouse for further information.

TYLER — The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) has started work on I-20 to connect with Toll 49 as part of the Segment 3B contract. The NET RMA’s Design/Build Contractor, CH2M Hill, has begun dirt moving activities to build the ramps and bridge crossing of I-20. This week, CH2M Hill starts activities that will impact traffic as they start the I-20 construction. Everett Owen, NET RMA Project Director, stated, “This is another milestone on the project as the work at I-20 is significant in advancing the opening of Segment 3B of Toll 49.” Once the connection to I-20 is complete, Toll 49 will provide connectivity to the west and south of Tyler. The project is on schedule to be complete in the spring of 2013.

The construction activities planned by CH2M Hill will consist of two major elements, construction of the entrance and exit ramps and the Toll 49 Bridge crossing I-20. Traffic delays on I-20 due to this construction are expected to start taking place this week, pending weather. Through the end of 2012, the traveling public should expect delays on I-20 between FM 849 and CR 433 (Harvey Road). The CR 411 Bridge crossing I-20 will remain closed to the public to facilitate new I-20 ramp construction. You’re advised to be prepared for any potential delays in the construction area.

NET RMA officials advise you to follow the NET RMA on Twitter and Facebook and stay current by logging onto http://www.toll49.org for the all of the latest updates.

WOOD COUNTY — A Wood County grand jury has indicted a man who was arrested and accused of killing a dog by throwing it in a fire. Larry Lowrey, 28, of Point, was indicted this past week on the charge of cruelty to a non-livestock animal and torture. Lowrey was arrested in April after Wood County sheriff’s deputies discovered the remains of a dog inside a burn pit with other debris. Witnesses, who were with Lowrey on CR 2174, told authorities Lowrey threw the dog in the fire on a dare. The Longview News-Journal reports, he told authorities that he was swinging the dog in the direction of the fire when he tripped and tossed the animal into the flames, If convicted, Lowrey could face up to two years in jail and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

MARSHALL — A 79-year-old woman was in the Harrison County Jail on Friday, charged with shooting her husband in the head during an argument Wednesday. Investigators said Bonnie Hooper was arrested after her husband was found on the floor of their home with a bullet wound to his head. Bonnie Hooper was charged with aggravated assault while her 62-year-old husband, Hubert Dean White, was treated and released from Good Shepherd Medical Center-Marshall, said Harrison County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jay Webb.

KILGORE — Kilgore police searched Friday for a man and woman whom, they say, stole nearly $70 worth of sex toys from a Kilgore adult shop. According to the Longview News-Journal, the suspects bought $75 worth of items Thursday from Adult Video and DVD in the 1900 block of Industrial Boulevard, but a shop worker told police they stole four other items, said Lt. Roman Roberson of the Kilgore police. The store owner said the two loitered in the shop for a long time, and after they left, the owner checked the surveillance video. “Shop lifting is a problem for any retailer, and it is stealing,” the owner said. The surveillance video showed the man stuffing the items into his pants. The suspects fled before police arrived.

TYLER — Grassroots America We The People held a debate for Smith County Sheriff some months back. The controversy starts when Larry Smith made these comments about a case he claimed we worked back in 1999. “Newton Anderson killed a man and woman in New Harmony several years ago. Raped a lady and killed both of them, burned the house down. He’s in the cemetary now. Those are cases also with ones that I worked on, took great pride in and felt very helpless in doing so.”

Chief Deputy Bobby Garmon, at that time was also in the running for sheriff who disputed Smith’s claim. “One of my opponents said he worked a lot of these cases, a lot of these cases he wasn’t even there for, while ago he said the first 48-hours. He wasn’t there the first 48-hours, the Anderson case. That’s a Smith County case we’re the ones that worked that case.”

Shortly after that, the lead investigator in that case, Troup Chief of Police Pat Hendrix, spoke out against Smith’s and shared that information with Smith Country Sheriff’s Candidate Chris Green. “I’m the one that told Chris Green that Larry Smith wasn’t there. Chris Green uses that at the next debate, at I believe a Grassroots of America debate and then May the 18th I get this nasty letter saying that Mr. Green made false allegations that he was actually there and he investigated it. We’ll I’m here to say as the lead investigator, 20 year veteran of the Sheriff’s office,all the evidence I have, Mr. Smith was not there.”

Larry Smith spoke with KETK Friday and brought several court documents with him. They’re documents from the case that show Larry Smith was a witness in the capital murder trial back in 1999, when smith was an ATF agent.

LUFKIN — Law enforcement arrested a Lufkin man after receiving a unique report of strange activity Friday morning. According to the Lufkin Police Department, officers were called to the Motel 6 located on the 1100 block of South Timberland Drive around 11:36 to reports of a man acting strangely. When officers arrived, they found Derrick Lews, 37, lifting imaginary weights and growling outside a motel room. According to KETK, it was later discovered that he was high on PCP. He was arrested and booked into the Angelina County Jail. His bond was set at $500.

ATHENS — 51-year-old Doyle Wayne Brewer of Longview pleaded guilty Thursday in Athens to his seventh driving while intoxicated offense. According to KETK and the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office, he will serve a 25-year prison sentence as a result. The charge stemmed from a two-vehicle collision in which Brewer rear-ended another driver on Highway 31 just west of Athens. Neither driver was injured.

HOUSTON (AP/Staff) – Prosecutors have agreed to reset former Palestine star Adrian Peterson’s court date to Aug. 6 on a misdemeanor charge stemming from an incident at a Houston nightclub. The Minnesota Vikings running back was charged with resisting arrest and briefly jailed after a confrontation with an off-duty police officer at the club last Saturday. Police say Peterson pushed the officer after he asked Peterson and his acquaintances to leave the club, which was closed. Peterson and attorney Rusty Hardin arrived early for his initial court hearing on Friday, then left before Judge Natalie Fleming even arrived. Hardin says he wants prosecutors to gather more information. Peterson said outside the courtroom that he is “200 percent innocent” and that he didn’t “push, shove, touch anyone that night, especially an officer.”

TYLER – The Director of the Tyler Museum of Art, Kimberley Bush Tomio, has announced her resignation. She will become the Director of Museum Services at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. She starts her new duties next month.

“This decision was very difficult for me, as my twelve-year tenure at the TMA has been a tremendously rewarding experience,” said Mrs. Tomio. “The Museum has grown in scope and vision since my arrival, and has achieved many successes. It has been an honor to be part of the historic changes that took place, and I am confident the Museum will continue to build upon its reputation and the local support from its members, foundations and donors who recognize the importance of maintaining a world-class art institution for this community and the wider east Texas region.”

Mrs. Tomio arrived in Tyler in 2000 from Dallas, where she had served as Director of the Crow Collection of Asian Art and Associate Director at the Dallas Museum of Art. Prior to that, she held positions at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.

The Tyler museum of Art will soon start its quest for a new director.

TYLER — A federal grand jury in Tyler has returned multiple indictments charging individuals with separate federal crimes in East Texas.

Robin Marion Allen, 52, was indicted on charges of bank robbery. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on June 25, 2012, Allen is alleged to have robbed the Wells Fargo Bank in Atlanta, Texas by giving a bank teller a note demanding a bag be filled with money.

Steven R. Lipps, 34, of Hope, Arkansas was indicted on charges of simple possession of a controlled substance. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on April 23, 2012, Lipps was found to be in possession of methamphetamine while in the jurisdiction of the United States at the Red River Army Depot.

TYLER – A professor of biochemistry at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler and director of its graduate program in biotechnology, Dr. Michael Pangburn, has received the Regents Outstanding Teaching Award from The University of Texas System Board of Regents.

This is the first year that faculty at the six UT health institutions have been eligible for the award. Dr. Pangburn is one of 40 faculty members from these health institutions to receive the 2012 award.

“We are all very proud of Dr. Pangburn receiving this prestigious award for his exemplary teaching. He is a gifted educator who leads the successful master’s degree program in biotechnology at UTHSCT,” said UTHSCT Vice President for Research Steven Idell, MD, Ph.D.

Dr. Pangburn, who joined UTHSCT in 1984, has taught students enrolled in the master’s degree program in biotechnology since 1996. As a scientist at the Biomedical Research Center, he has spent the past 36 years studying the complement system, part of the body’s innate immune system that is the first line of defense against illness or infection.

The UT System Board of Regents established this award for the nine academic institutions in 2008. Last year, the board authorized $6 million to expand the awards to health institution faculty. Each year the UT System will make 40 awards of $25,000 each to outstanding faculty at the health institutions.

MARSHALL – A couple’s argument has led to a man being shot and his wife arrested in the case. Taken into custody was Bonnie Hooper, 79. Hubert Dean White, 62, was found on the floor of their home on County Road 1228. He had a bullet wound in the head. He was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Marshall for treatment.

GILMER — The family of Jeremiah “Jeremy” Neely, who was killed while working at a gas well just southwest of Chireno in Nacogdoches County, has hired a wrongful death law firm. Jeremy Neely was an ex-Kilgore firefighter employed by Platinum Pressure Pumping, Inc. A high-pressure explosion resulted in Neely’s death and the injury of some of his co-workers in the early morning hours on July 5. KETK reports the family is working with Gilmer-based Tefteller Law. An employee of the firm told KTBB Thursday the family has yet to file a lawsuit.

TYLER — The City of Tyler is taking additional steps to comply with a request for pro-alcohol petitions. The request comes from Stand Strong for Tyler, which opposes efforts to place alcohol measures on ballots this November in the city and in Justict Precinct 2. A city news release sent says the steps come “in light of newly received information.”

The news release states, “It is, and continues to be, the City’s position that the requested petitions are open and are subject to disclosure. The City’s initial concern was that some information, such as the home addresses of peace officers, or the home addresses of City employees that have signed a confidentiality form, might be confidential under State law. In addition, the petitions contain the individual Voter Registration Numbers of citizens. When it appears that information might be confidential under State law, the Public Information Act provides a specific procedure for seeking an Attorney General Opinion, which the City of Tyler has done.

“After following the standard process for seeking an Attorney General Opinion, the City of Tyler has contacted other entities to get their input regarding the information contained in the alcohol petitions. The City has learned that other jurisdictions have received similar requests, and have released petitions without redactions [blacking out certain pieces of information]. Similarly, it has been learned that the City of Dallas received a public information request when it went through the alcohol petition process, and Dallas released the alcohol petitions without redacting any information.

“State law provides that when information cannot be released within 10 business days after receipt, the City must give the requestor a reasonable date when the information will be available. The City initially provided a release date of on or before August 13, 2012, based upon the ongoing verification process and the possible need to redact potentially confidential information. However, after contacting other cities and the Secretary of State’s Office, the City of Tyler has determined that it will be able to release the requested information, without any redactions, by close of business on July 13, 2012.

“The City is taking a calculated risk in releasing the requested information prior to receipt of an Attorney General Opinion, but the City is also balancing the public’s right to obtain information contained in the petitions with the individual privacy interests and has concluded that the information can be released earlier than the August 13, 2012 deadline. The City received payment today [Thursday] for the associated costs of producing the records, so the City of Tyler can now proceed with copying and releasing the documents.”

TYLER — Wednesday evening, members from Grassroots America – We the People agreed to show their Smith County sheriff candidate tapes in their entirety at the request of the candidates. According to KETK, candidate Chris Green claims his office had been wiretapped. He also claims opponent Larry Smith withheld information from Tyler Police Chief Gary Swindle and Fire Marshal Jim Seaton during a church fire investigation. Smith was grilled on all of the things Green said in his interview, not knowing Green said them. Smith denied any knowledge of wiretapping. He also denied having anything to do with an investigation of candidate Donn Rust’s family.

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches County Jail is getting a nurse practitioner. This comes after the death of inmate Edwinta Deckard. According to KETK, she died of dehydration in December. Jailers Elizabeth Owens and Danny Russell were charged with negligent homicide in connection with the incident.

SALADO — Authorities say the man known as the “Loan Ranger” has robbed yet another bank in Texas. According to KETK, Salado Police Chief Jack Hensley says the bandit knocked off the First State Bank in Central Texas on Monday at around 10:40 a.m. Authorities say he used a handgun and did not wear a mask. Witnesses say he wore a navy blue sports shirt and white shoes. After the robbery, the gunman left First State on foot. This is believed to be his sixth bank robbery in the past three years.

The man is accused of robbing Summit Bank on the 1100 block of Highway 35 North in Benton, Arkansas, on January 16, 2009 and again on June 30, 2011. Authorities say he then came to Tyler and robbed the Altra Federal Credit Union located in the 5500 block of Troup Highway on August 11, 2011. He’s also allegedly responsible for robbing the Compass Bank on the 6900 block of S. Broadway on May 17, 2012. And, most recently, he allegedly held up First State Bank at 50 South Main Street in Salado, Texas on July 9, 2012. He is also believed to have recently robbed a credit union in Temple, Texas.

Authorities are still waiting for surveillance video from the bank heist in Salado. Law enforcement authorities in all three cities, along with the FBI, are coordinating their efforts to catch the purported “Loan Ranger.” Officials say the robber received his nickname from the Texas Rangers ball cap he wore.

LONGVIEW — Longview officials now say the estimates of the damage caused to Lear Park because of vandalism June 13 totals about $18,000. Longview Police have arrested six people. Aryan Snyder and Brallan Yair Gamaz, both 19, and four juveniles have been arrested. Park employees found concession stands and restrooms vandalized at the baseball and soccer fields. All six suspects were charged with burglary of a building.

TYLER — Smith County Fire officials say a fire at Tyler Pipe has been extinguished, and crews began the process of clearing the scene late Thursday morning. They say the fire was in the so-called back house, in the rear portion of the facility. No word yet on the cause or extent of the fire, called in around 8:40 Thursday morning. The business, located on the 11000 County Road 492 in Smith County, manufactures soil and utility pipe products. According to KETK, several fire departments, including Red Springs, Dixie, and Lindale, were called to the scene.

TYLER — Tyler’s sales tax revenues deposited for the month of July have grown 9.34% as compared to July 2011. This has resulted in a 2.31% cumulative year-to-date increase. According to a city news release, in a review of the detailed payment information, the current period collections represent a 6.42% increase and prior period collections (primarily audit and prior period related collections) amounted to a 2.92% increase for the total of 9.34%.

The reported revenue of $2,844,191.49 is comprised of $1,896,127.66 general sales tax revenue and $948,063.83 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from May 2012 collections as there is a two-month lag before taxes are reported and remitted back to the City from the State.

“We are very pleased to see a jump after seeing revenues in the last few months incrementally go up and down,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “The year-to-date increase of 2.31 percent is still below our budget of 3 percent growth; so, at this time, we will continue with the soft hiring freeze that was put in place as a precautionary measure to ensure we are keeping our expenses in balance with current revenues. In addition, we will continue the postponement of employee pay adjustments until we reach our goal of 3 percent growth and we are approaching our expenditures and next year’s budget in a very conservative manner.”

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is in custody for reportedly choking his son. Willie Dean Taylor, 43, was arrested at his home on Nikki Drive Tuesday. Longview Police said Taylor was arguing with his wife, when his son entered the room. Officers said Taylor grabbed his son by the neck and choked him until he saw his wife leave the room to call 911. Taylor was booked into the Gregg County Jail for assault family violence. His bond was set at $7,500.

TYLER — There’s some controversy right now surrounding a local non-profit organization. It involves an event scheduled for this weekend, and why a big-time movie star will not be making an appearance in east Texas. According to KETK, billboards around town claimed Halle Berry is coming to town. For month’s, local non-profit “Sisters in Christ” has claimed Berry was making a trip for a charity event at The Cascades in Tyler. But the problem is there are media reports from Halle’s “people,” denying she’s making such an appearance. KETK said calls to Berry’s publicist were not returned.

Another problem: Sisters in Christ founder and CEO Michelle Johnson has a record of writing hot checks. The reports also claim Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham is recommending Johnson face jail time. Calls to Bingham were also not returned.

But the one person who would talk: Johnson herself. “My history with the law is like everybody else,” Johnson said. “I have a background. Somebody, somewhere, we all have fallen short.” Johnson admits her record goes all the way back to late the 80s. “It does go back that far. I was in my early 20s then. I want to clear up I didn’t know how to balance a checkbook, and I’m 47 now … I know how to balance a checkbook.” But when it comes to Halle Berry … she believes she did no wrong, claiming she met Berry in Los Angeles in April. “I asked her could she come out to Texas to help us out,” Johnson said. “Her response was ‘yes,’ she had a lot on her plate … that was basically all I needed.”

But she does say she has faith from God that the event may still go on if they can find another venue in the next couple of days. She went forward with planning the event, until she couldn’t pay the money due to The Cascades and the event was canceled. Johnson says “Sisters in Christ” never sold a single ticket for the event, hence why she couldn’t pay the money due.