KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A local man makes sure no one in his community suffers in times of extreme heat. When the temperatures hit 95 degrees or above in Tyler, the Salvation Army opens its doors for people to cool off or even stay overnight. Phil Anderson with the Salvation Army says this is a way he can give back. Anderson says he’s had hard times himself, and someone helped him, so he’s doing likewise through the Salvation Army. The agency also runs a soup kitchen and hands out fans and bags of food for the needy.

AUSTIN — An elaborate plan to expand highways and airports across Texas gets approved by the political group which oversees the highway department. Texas Transportation Commissioner Jeff Austin of Tyler tells staff it’s important to look at how to connect more places than just along current interstates. He suggests taking a look at some of the east-west corridors, much as officials do on some of the north-south routes, such as I-69 and I-35. The state has compiled that document, which reaches out to the year 2035, as a way to connect remote Texas locations.

BIG SANDY — Governor Rick Perry spent part of Independence Day in Big Sandy. KETK reports he spoke for about 20 minutes at the New Beginnings Christian Church for an event hosted by the Big Sandy Rotary Club. The former Republican presidential candidate said, “There’s no better way to spend a holiday, and this truly is a special holiday for people across our great nation.”

Perry also remarked about the nation’s founding fathers. “Today,” he said, “we remember and celebrate the wisdom and the courage of our founding fathers who faced adversity and created a new nation, the greatest nation. I’m not going to say they get it right all the time in Washington D.C., because they don’t. But what a great country we live in. How blessed we are to wake up in a country that was founded on principles. Our founding fathers did get it right.” Governor Perry planned to spend the rest of the holiday in Austin.

JACKSONVILLE — Due to conditions which have occurred recently in the water system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required Craft-Turney Water Supply to notify all the customers involved in the repair area to boil their water prior to consumption. That’s according to KETK.

The area included in this boil water notice is from the west end of County Road 3108 (Southshore Drive) to Antioch Church, including all of the area on County Road 3111 and Taylor Hill Road – County Road 3109; County Road 3113 (Summit Drive); from the intersection of Farm Road 747 South and CR 3111, continuing south on Farm Road 747 up to County Road 3211 (Earle’s Chapel Road), including County Roads 3205 and 3206.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, water system officials will notify you.

TYLER — A Smith County sheriff’s deputy’s son has been indicted on charges of criminally negligent homicide and failure to stop and render aid in the December 2011 hit-and-run death of a 50-year-old Tyler man. According to KETK, police say Jared Stinecipher, 25, left the scene of a crash that killed Arthur Murphy of Tyler. Murphy later died at a Tyler hospital. Stinecipher was arrested after the hit-and-run for parole revocation. He remains in the Smith County Jail.

JACKSONVILLE — Questions abound as trouble continues at Lon Morris College. On Monday night, our news partner KETK received word of a new chapter in the saga, a bankruptcy filing. Currently, Lon Morris is under the care of Bridgepoint Consulting, a firm meant to help the school get its over-extended finances in order. They’ve hired a firm called Capstone Partners to help find another educational institution or strategic partner to team up with the college. Dean of Students David Hubbard was asked was asked what will happen to the name “Lon Morris” if such a deal is struck. His answer: “I’ve had that question asked before. I have no idea. I would certainly hope that the legacy could be preserved. The name as well as historical references.from just a historical standpoint.”

Hubbard also says Summer 2 is starting up with just online classes, and the restructuring firm is still working with the school’s debt situation. They hope to have a modified academic schedule starting in the fall.

GILMER — An Upshur County man is arrested for animal cruelty. According to KETK, deputies were called to Anthony Bassler’s home north of Ore City to investigate. When deputies arrived, they found a starved donkey and a goat hanging from a tree on the property. Bassler told them he was using the donkey as bait and it was already dead when he put it in the tree. According to law enforcement, “He did offer an explanation to what had taken place, but the evidence we saw at the scene did not support his story…and other witness statements did not corroborate his statements either.” Bassler was arrested in January 2009 on animal cruelty charges. A donkey and goat taken from his property were turned over to the SPCA.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – A Cherokee County home has been destroyed by fire. It was reported Tuesday afternoon on County Road 3511. Along with the house, around half an acre of land was also burned. KETK reports there were no injuries and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

TYLER — East Texas animal shelters are expecting a busy week after a booming Fourth. According to KETK, the unexpected and sudden loud sounds scare most dogs, and they can sometimes run away from home. The SPCA of East Texas has some examples of how to keep Rover relaxed. Spokespeople say dogs shouldn’t be kept in cars. They advise putting your small dog in a crate or an ex-pen, which is a big playpen in which small dogs can romp around. The SPCA says you can stake large dogs out on long leads and let them play, knowing they won’t escape should there be a sudden or loud noise. The SPCA adds the best option for pet owners is to stay with your dogs this Fourth of July and make sure they keep calm.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police say they were called to a shooting at Willow Park on East Birdsong Road Tuesday afternoon. They tell KETK that when they arrived on scene, a car was speeding away. After a short chase, officers managed to stop the car in front of a house on Flannigan Street. There were four people in the car, as well as an assault rifle and two handguns. Police say all four were arrested; their names have not been released. The car had multiple bullet holes. The incident is still under investigation, but police do say the people at the house on Flannigan Street are not related to the incident.

LONGVIEW — A Longview teenager has been arrested after troopers said he led officers on a chase in his vehicle, rammed a patrol car and attempted to pull a knife on them. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers arrested Lucas Dane Stevens, 18, after he fled during a traffic stop at about 10:00 Monday night near Jaycee Drive and Texas 31, according to arrest reports. After stopping, authorities say, Stevens took off in his vehicle. During the pursuit, he allegedly rammed a patrol car and attempted to stab an officer. According to officials, Stevens was found to be on meth. He’s charged with aggravated assault on a public servant, evading arrest, and a slew of other crimes.

TROUP — Crews get a structure fire under control at Neckover Trailer Manufacturing in Troup, and they’re now busy assessing the damage. At least one building has been lost. Smith County officials tell KETK that Whitehouse, Arp, Troup, and Jacksonville firefighters headed to the scene in the 900 block of South Railroad. Authorities closed Highway 135 South from Troup to Jacksonville while they fought the blaze. All utilities at Neckover were shut off, and all employees were sent home. An employee of Neckover said the fire started from grinding sparks. Fire crews said the blaze began in the paint shop, where four painters were at work. All four got out safely.

TYLER – Tyler school Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid has been named the sole finalist for the superintendent’s job in the Keller school district. The Keller ISD Board of Trustees made the decision last night. Dr. Reid has been the TISD Superintendent for the past five years.

“I am proud of the accomplishments we have made at Tyler ISD during my tenure as Superintendent,” Dr. Reid stated. “The teachers and staff here truly care about our students, and it is rewarding to work with such dedicated professionals.”

“We wish Dr. Reid great success in his new endeavor as he leads Keller ISD,” Reverend Orenthia Mason, Vice President of the Tyler ISD Board of Trustees, said. “Now we have a task ahead of us in selecting another outstanding leader for Tyler ISD,” she continued.

Keller ISD is located in Keller, Texas. The district has 39 campuses serving more than 33,000 students with over 3,400 employees. By state law, the Keller ISD Board of Trustees must wait 21 days before finalizing their decision for superintendent.

JACKSONVILLE – Lon Morris College in Jacksonville has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The action comes after over a year of financial turmoil which has seen all but 11 of is employees furloughed. According to a release from the school’s consulting firm:

Lon Morris College filed a voluntary chapter 11 bankruptcy petition today in the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division, case number 12-60557.

The College has experienced negative cash flow in recent years by overextending itself in an attempt to increase enrollment, taking on significant debt. The College recently hired Capstone Partners to facilitate a transaction with another educational institution or strategic partner, which the school is trying to complete this summer.

The College is continuing to work on its financial restructuring efforts, however, the timing of the filing was necessitated by a foreclosure proceeding on certain dormitories scheduled to proceed Tuesday, July 3. Dawn Ragan of Bridgepoint Consulting, the Chief Restructuring Officer, said “Lon Morris continues to receive strong support from many of its creditors, as well as its faculty and employees, and the general community.

We are operating with core staff, and continue to work on a modified academic program that will continue compliance with the SACS accreditation policies for the upcoming academic year.” With the filing of the petition, the College may now concentrate on finding a partner or consummating a transaction that will allow the college to continue its core mission of educating students, as it will realize some relief from its creditors.

The bankruptcy filing will put off legal or collection actions against the college. The petition was filed by the Chief Restructuring Officer. The case has been assigned to Judge Parker in Tyler.

CANTON — Investigators with the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office have issued a warrant for a Clint Wayne Mills of Wills Point in reference to an attempted aggravated sexual assault. It occurred on County Road 3502 in August, 2004. Circumstances leading up to the subsequent warrant was the evidence that was submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety for analysis and entered into the Combined DNA Index System. The database was able to make a match with the evidence, to the DNA profile of Mills. He is currently incarcerated with The Texas Department of Criminal Justice on unrelated charges and is due to be released at anytime where he will then be transported back to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office with a recommended $50,000 bond.

KILGORE — Thousands turn out to pay respects to East Texas police instructor Les Ferguson. He died last week in a motorcycle accident on State Highway 31 near I-20. Since 1990, Ferguson had worked as a range master for the East Texas Police Academy in Kilgore. Those attending the memorial service tell KETK News his death is a big loss for East Texas.

FRANKSTON — One of the people mentioned on the TV show “America’s Most Wanted” has been captured in Frankston. According to a release from the show, Brian Maurice Fuller of Wichita Falls has already served time in federal prison. According to authorities, on January 25, 2010, Fuller pulled into the parking lot of a Whole Foods in an upscale neighborhood in Dallas along with a man named Timothy Walters. Authorities say Walters got out of Fuller’s car and attacked customer Jil Katz in the parking lot, taking a necklace and a diamond ring. Police arrested both Fuller and Walters, but a judge allowed Fuller out on bail, awaiting trial.

Authorities arrested Fuller as the result of tips received by the AMW hotline. Anderson County officials tell KETK they captured Fuller on Sunday with the help of a Dallas fugitive task force, DPS, and U.S. Marshals. Officials say Fuller is currently in the Anderson County Jail and will be turned over to Dallas County in the next 10 days.

TYLER – A retired Tyler dentist remains jailed after being charged with murder in the death of his wife. Booked into the Smith County jail was Dr. Bobby Nichols, 76. Just after 9:00 Friday night, officers answered a 911 call to 3417 Allen. There they found the body of Rosiland Nichols, 71. She had died from an apparent gunshot wound.

Investigators say they have determined that around 5:00 Friday afternoon, Dr. Nichols arrived at his home. After a short while, police say, he and his wife got into an argument. According to authorities, Dr. Nichols went out to his vehicle sometime later to get his gun and went back into the residence. After further argument, Dr. Nichols allegedly shot his wife twice. She died of her injuries. Bond has been set at $750,000.

LONGVIEW — In its sixth season, LeTourneau University’s S. E. Belcher Jr. Chapel and Performance Center announces its 2012-2013 Performance Series lineup, featuring nine shows. This year’s Performance Series features concerts by The Midtown Men, Michael Bolton, and the California and Montreal Guitar Trios; music of Buddy Holly; the clean comedy of Sinbad; the drama “Of Mice and Men”; and musical theatre including “Shrek the Musical” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” plus a special season event presentation of Celtic Woman.

This year also marks the third year of the School and Family Series, featuring programs for all ages including a two-part performance that includes “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Tortoise & the Hare,” as well as a performance of classically trained violinists known as Black Violin. Season tickets are now on sale. Individual tickets will go on sale for all shows Aug. 1. You can go to http://www.letu.edu for more information.

HARRISON COUNTY — Harrison County investigators have been notified by the family of Jason Dillard that he has returned home and all efforts to locate him have been called-off. According to KETK, he is currently in Liberty City with his family. Officials said he is not injured and appears to be in good health, per his mother. The 36-year-old was reported missing June 17th after his abandoned vehicle was discovered.

TYLER – Smith County District Clerk Lois Rogers says the jury pools scheduled for Monday and Tuesday have been cancelled. She says those who have been called for jury duty on July 2nd and 3rd will not have to come to the courthouse until they receive another summons. This is for Smith County only.

LONGVIEW – One person has been arrested following a weekend shooting in Longview. It happened around 8:00 Saturday night in the 800 block of Sylvan Drive. Police were told that two subjects had gotten into an altercation. One of them produced a weapon and fired at least one shot, striking the victim in the leg. The victim’s injuries were non-life threatening and the victim was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center. The suspect, identified as Ryan Hedrick, 25, of Longview, was arrested by officers a short time later on a traffic stop. Hedrick was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and transported to the Gregg County Jail.

LONGVIEW – A Longview woman has been arrested after being accused of threatening to find and kill a pregnant woman and take her baby to raise as her own. The suspect is said to have bought duct tape, latex gloves, and knives which she planned to use to commit the crime. Witnesses said the suspect, later identified as Tanya Lynette Bradley 30, told family members she was pregnant. Bradley told witnesses she was going to tell her family she had the baby on Thursday. Bradley was arrested on two charges of criminal attempt to commit capital murder and booked into the Gregg County Jail.

LONGVIEW – Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center officially became a teaching hospital today. The first residence class has arrived and is prepared to get down to work.

Two years ago, Good Shepherd partnered with the University of Texas Health Science Center in Tyler to establish a three-year internal medicine residency program in Longview. Since then, the two organizations have worked vigorously together, and today, Good Shepherd makes history by welcoming its inaugural class of 18 internal medicine residents.

The program attracted more than 1,200 applicants from 35 medical schools from across the nation and around the world. “We were quite impressed with the response to our program,” said Emmanuel Elueze, MD, Program Director for Good Shepherd Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Residency Program. “With its national reputation, being in partnership with the UT system has helped a great deal.” From October 2011 to January 2012, the Good Shepherd Graduate Medical Education program interviewed around 180 candidates for the available 18 first-year positions in the program. Candidates were interviewed by medical staff and residency program administration, provided tours of the Longview area Medical Center, its state-of-the-art simulation center and the Institute for Healthy Living.

After completion of the three-year internal medicine residency program, the program participants are board-eligible in internal medicine and can begin practicing hospital medicine or outpatient primary care medicine. Others may choose to further their careers by seeking a fellowship in a subspecialty of internal medicine, such as cardiology, gastroenterology, nephrology, infectious disease and geriatric medicine among countless others.

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

RUSK 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 Rusk County, weather permitting. Crews are scheduled to apply a seal coat to the following roadways in the coming week:
*State Highway 149 between the Gregg County Line and Tatum;
*State Highway 322 between Farm Road 2011 and Farm Road 1249; then move into Gregg County later in the week on Farm Road 2087, between Loop 281 in Longview and Farm Road 349 in Kilgore. 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.

TYLER — 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 through 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.

Also in Smith County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on Farm Road 16 on either side of U.S. Highway 69 in Lindale. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on Interstate Highway 20, both eastbound and westbound, between State Highway 135 and the Smith County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists should be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

Looking ahead, work associated with TxDOT’s District-Wide Seal Coat Program is scheduled to begin in Gregg County as early as this week, with work on Farm Road 2087 beginning as early as Tuesday between Loop 281 in Longview and Farm Road 349 in Kilgore. Once work on FM 2087 is complete, crews are scheduled to seal Farm Road 1252 between State Highway 135 near Liberty City and State Highway 42; and Farm Road 3053 south of Liberty City between State Highway 31 and Rusk County line. 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.

WILLS POINT — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 47 between U.S. Highway 80 and Interstate Highway 20 in the Wills Point area. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on Farm Road 316 between U.S. Highway 175 and Ranch Road 2329. Once the work is complete, crews will stay on FM 316 to work on the shoulders and ditches. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

TYLER – Tyler police are looking for the armed gunman who robbed the Speedy Exxon Gas Station located at 900 West Front Street. It happened just before 5:30 Sunday morning. The store clerk told officers a man entered the business and approached the counter holding a handgun demanding money. He fled southbound on foot with an undetermined amount of cash. He is described as a black male between 5’5” and 5’7” tall and around 140 pounds wearing sunglass, a black shirt with a black bandana over his face and a black rag covering his head. No injuries were reported.

TYLER – A historical marker now stands at the site of the old Emmett J. Scott High School. The land, which is not vacant, is owned by Texas College. The city unveiled the marker during a ceremony Saturday morning. In accordance with the Tyler 21 North End Action Plan, in 2009, the City of Tyler launched a three year program to promote Tyler Historic Landmarks and the installation of historic markers and plaques at North End locations that are important to our city’s history, including the history of the African-American community.

The original high school in Tyler for African Americans was established in 1888 in the old West End School building on South Herndon Avenue. It was a four-room structure that housed grades one through ten. The building burned in 1921, which caused school sessions to be held in churches within the city.

A new building was erected in 1923. The location was changed to North Border Avenue since neighbors protested rebuilding the school on South Herndon. The new school building was renamed Emmett Scott Junior High and was used for both elementary and high school grades. When W. A. Peete and T. J. Austin elementary schools were built, the small building formerly used for elementary grades became the Emmett Scott homemaking department.

In 1949, what began as a four-room school with a graduating class of four students became Emmett J. Scott High School on West Lincoln Street (now M. L. King Jr. Boulevard). The school included 26 classrooms, an administrative suite, library, cafeteria, shop, auditorium, gymnasium and band hall.

Emmett J. Scott High School closed in June 1970, through an integration order affecting all Texas public schools.

FLINT – Firefighters have contained a brush fire in southwestern Smith County. It has scorched about three acres of land off County Road 1102 just west of Flint. It was reported around 2:00 Saturday afternoon. No structures are in danger. It is said to have started when a brush fire got out of control. No injuries have been reported.

TYLER — An assistant attorney general in the Child Support Division’s Tyler office, Carrie Tibiletti, has been named “Assistant Attorney General of the Year” for the Child Support Division’s Tyler region, which covers 43 counties. She was cited for her commitment to Texas children. Attorney General Greg Abbott presented the award to Tibiletti at the Statewide Assistant Attorneys General Conference in Houston.

“Carrie Tibiletti’s hard work and dedication help ensure thousands of young Texans receive the child support they need to become healthy, successful adults,” Attorney General Abbott said. “A committed and selfless public servant, Carrie stands out as one of the state’s most dedicated and impressive lawyers. We are grateful to Carrie Tibiletti
for her commitment to Texas children.”

Tibiletti, who joined the Office of the Attorney General in 2003, represents the State of Texas in legal actions to establish paternity between children of unmarried parents and their biological fathers. As an assistant attorney general, she also works to establish, enforce and modify court orders that require parents to provide child support and
medical support. Tibiletti also was named “Assistant Attorney General of the Year” in 2006 when she served as a staff attorney in the Longview child support office.

Tibiletti, a graduate of St. Mary’s University School of Law, was chosen to be the region’s “Assistant Attorney General of the Year” because of her ability to handle complex legal issues that arise on child support cases. In addition, her strong leadership skills and team building efforts significantly aided her office in exceeding its goals for
establishing paternity and child support orders.

JACKSONVILLE – One person has been arrested in connection with oil field thefts in southern Cherokee County. Arrested at a Jacksonville motel, where he had been staying, was Ricky Lee Schakosky, 26. He was arrested on outstanding warrants. Inside the trunk of his car, authorities recovered batteries and some other oil field equipment that had been taken from oil sites in Cherokee and Houston Counties. Investigators believe he is responsible for several other oil field thefts in Cherokee, Angelina, Nacogdoches and Houston Counties.