KTBB News, Weather, Talk

GREENWOOD, La. (AP) – The Caddo Parish, La., Sheriff’s Office says deputies have ticketed a trucker injured when his tractor-trailer rear-ended another, causing a wreck that killed Jim Harville, 56, of Waskom, Texas, the driver of a third big rig. Spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick says Larry D. Gatson II, 25, of Shreveport was cited for reckless driving and following too closely Wednesday on U.S Highway 79 near Greenwood. She says Gatson’s rig, in a northbound convoy hauling oilfield equipment for Frac Tech International Services, rear-ended the company truck ahead of him. Chadwick says that truck veered head-on into Harville’s southbound tractor-trailer. Chadwick said Wednesday that Gatson was treated for serious injuries and released. He was originally described from his driver’s license as from Spearsville; Chadwick says he told deputies he now lives in Shreveport.

HENDERSON — A Rusk County man has been arrested on allegations of sexually assaulting a mentally disabled woman. According to KETK, Eric Donnell Reese, 47, of Tatum is charged with second degree sexual assault. According to a report, Reese knew the victim suffered from a mental disease and was not capable of protecting herself. If convicted. he faces up to 20 years in prison.

PITTSBURG — A man authorities said is an illegal immigrant living in Pittsburg has been charged with the aggravated sexual assault of a 6-month-old child. Ignacio Saldano-Rivera, 32, was being held in the Camp County Jail under $103,000 in bonds. According to the Longview News-Journal, an investigation was continuing into the possibility another child also was assaulted. Authorities said a female victim alleged that she caught Saldana-Rivera sexually assaulting a baby.

Saldano-Rivera was charged Monday with the sexual assault, but had been in jail since his June 8 arrest on charges of causing bodily injury/family violence, and interfering with an emergency phone call. He was being held under a $100,000 bond for the aggravated assault charge and $1,500 each for the two misdemeanor charges. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold was in place, meaning he could not bond out of jail.

LONGVIEW (AP) – Long lost and now found, an East Texas Air Force fighter pilot was finally be laid to rest with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. Funeral for Capt. Clyde William Campbell of Longview was held this morning in the post chapel of the Northern Virginian cemetery. Campbell had been missing in action for more than four decades after the 24-year-old pilot’s plane was shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War in 1969. Only in 1997 did a joint U.S.-Laotian team find the first human remains related with Campbell’s plane. His widow, Diane Campbell, finally brought his remains back to the United States in 2010.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, you can visit the DPMO website at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call 703-699-1420.

KILGORE — Eight students are set to graduate from the Kilgore College Fire Academy No. 83 tonight. The ceremony is set for 6:30 in the Bert E. Woodruff Adult Education Center Auditorium in Kilgore.

The KC Fire Academy is accredited by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and the State Firemen and Fire Marshal’s Association and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The academy offers certification schools for NFPA 1001 Basic Structural Firefighter I and II certification, the Texas Volunteer certification, Fire Inspector and Fire and Arson Investigation courses. It is also a designated institution by the Canadian Province of British Columbia.

The following is the list of candidates and their hometown.

Diana: Ryan Cobb, Brandon T. Miller and Luis Villalpando
Gilmer: Chris Burris
Kamloops, BC: Jordan Ewert
North Vancouver, BC: Rebecca Stewart and Mike Waugh
Surrey, BC: Cory Reppen

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Louie Gohmert of Tyler is joining with other Congressional Republicans in backing a contempt resolution against Attorney General Eric Holder. Gohmert released the following statement Wednesday after the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee approved a resolution holding Holder in contempt for his refusal to hand over requested Fast and Furious documents:

“After more than a year of trying to get the Justice Department to provide information on when and what the Justice Department officials knew about Fast and Furious, the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee has done the appropriate thing. This action comes after two of their official statements to Congress have been retracted as false.

“While the subpoenaed information only involved the documentation that brought about the withdrawal of the Justice Department’s false statements, the Attorney General’s conduct warranted such committee action. Previously, the White House had claimed they had no knowledge or involvement, so the current claim of Executive Privilege means someone at the White House apparently must have known prior to their previous admissions and possibly had more involvement than admitted.”

JACKSONVILLE — While Lon Morris College struggles, neighboring Jacksonville College is getting some major renovations. According to KETK, officials say that school is growing — and on track to reach its long-sought enrollment of 500 students per semester this fall. Among the upgrades: new lab equipment, renovations of dorms, and new property that’s been purchased or donated. The college is also looking into possibly building a cafeteria.

TYLER — Ensuring clear and effective communication for all patients is the goal behind the adoption of the NexTalk Video Remote Interpreting system throughout the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System. That’s according to hospital officials. NexTalk provides on-demand translation services for the deaf, hard of hearing, and those speaking limited English. Officials say it’s been installed, and team members have been trained, at all ETMC hospitals and ETMC First Physicians clinics throughout East Texas. The system allows patients and caregivers instant, face-to-face access to an interpreter through a secure Internet video link 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Clear communication is essential in providing high quality healthcare,” said Mike Gray, vice president of human resources for ETMC. “NexTalk provides a needed tool so that we can ensure all our patients actively participate in their care through open, effective conversation with their care providers. Our goal is to remove any and all hindrances and provide all East Texans with the highest quality care possible.”

GREGG COUNTY — Gregg County sheriff’s officials say a man was seriously injured Wednesday afternoon in a Highway 31 wreck. According to KETK, it happened around 12:30 p.m. near the Smith-Gregg County line. Authorities say the driver hit a tree three miles east of FM 3053. It’s unclear how the crash happened. No other vehicles were involved. Two lanes of traffic were blocked for a short time as crews cleared the roadway. The man was taken to a local hospital. His current condition is unknown.

NOONDAY — An injunction has been granted against High Noon Gun Range in Noonday. The injunction prevents High Noon from operating until an August 6 trial determines the winner in a case that pits the gun range owners against nearby homeowners. The homeowners claim the gun range is a safety concern. Judge Jack Skeen signed the injunction on Monday. Owner Don Layton told KETK he has no comment on the injunction at this time. But gun range co-owner Karl Artmire earlier questioned the validity of residents’ concerns.

GILMER — An Upshur County jury has sentenced Glenn Wade Myers Jr., 55, of Big Sandy to 60 years in prison after convicting him of murder in the shooting death of his sister. Myers testified Tuesday morning that he did not kill Cindy Espinoza, 52, who was shot this past summer outside her rural Nutmeg Road home. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, testimony established she was shot through the mouth from close range with a shotgun. The six-man, six-woman jury deliberated more than four hours before finding Myers guilty, and less than 40 minutes in determining the sentence. Myers would have to serve half the 60-year term before becoming eligible for parole.

JACKSONVILLE — Big changes appear on the way for Jacksonville’s Lon Morris College. The consulting firm representing Lon Morris released the following statement to our news partner KETK on Wednesday, regarding the status of the school’s financial problems:

“Lon Morris College is an East Texas institution with a mission to educate students so they can better serve their community and themselves. The College has experienced negative cash flow in recent years and overextended itself in an attempt to increase its athletic programs. Debts have mounted, causing the college to employ reorganization professionals with Bridgepoint Consulting, and appoint a Chief Restructuring Officer, who conducted an assessment of the school.

“The Board of Trustees of Lon Morris College and their advisors considered the Bridgepoint assessment, and have determined the College’s mission would be best served under the current circumstances by entering into a transaction or agreement with another educational institution. Dawn Ragan, the Chief Restructuring Officer for Lon Morris, said, ‘Discussions with multiple entities are ongoing, and an initial agreement is expected this summer. A modified academic program that will continue compliance with the SACS accreditation policies is currently being developed for the upcoming academic year. Athletic programs are expected to be eliminated. Students will be notified of applicable options available to them.’

“The College is continuing to work on its financial restructuring efforts, and continues to receive strong support from its faculty and employees, the community, alumni, the Texas Annual Conference of the Methodist Church, and its creditors. We are hopeful that the community and future students will benefit from our efforts to achieve the best outcome for Lon Morris, but recognize that near-term disruptions are inconvenient and inevitable.”

TYLER — A suspect who led Smith County officials on a brief manhunt Tuesday evening is behind bars. He’s Sharmon Glenn James, 39, of Cedar Hill. DPS officials tell KETK that just after 5:00, James was pulled over during a traffic stop on I-20. That’s when officers say they found a gun in his car. James reportedly took off on foot near CR 3119 but was arrested shortly after.

WOOD COUNTY — A man has been shot to death in Alba. According to the Wood County Sheriffs Department, a call came in around10:00 Tuesday night about shots fired in the 400 block of County Road 2375. When deputies arrived, they found the victim, Scott Reed, 37, with a gunshot wound to the chest. Reed was stabilized and taken to a Quitman hospital where he later died. His body was sent to Dallas for autopsy. Officials are still investigating the shooting and so far, no arrests have been made.

SMITH COUNTY — An early morning rollover has claimed the life of a Lindale woman. The accident happened at County Road 433 and Highway 110 in Smith County just after midnight. The vehicle the woman, Windy Holland, 38, was driving left the roadway, flipped, and hit an electric pole, splitting the pole in two. According to KETK, several homes in the area were left without power for several hours until ONCOR could repair the electric pole.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Chamber of Commerce has a new Convention Meetings and Main Street Manager. She is Kayla Cantey, who will work closely with the Convention and Visitors Bureau and Main Street divisions of the organization. She will join the staff next Monday.

Cantey brings a wealth of event and volunteer management to the organization. In her most recent role as the Member Services Coordinator at The Institute for Healthy Living, she interacted with members, volunteers and staff on a daily basis to create a positive experience for all utilizing the facility. Cantey’s degree in marketing from Louisiana Tech University will be an asset as she works to promote Longview as a convention meeting destination and create a better awareness of Downtown Longview. “We are excited to welcome Kayla to our team,” said Longview Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Kelly Hall, “and we are certain that her skills will help elevate the level of service we provide to our customers, both locally and those visiting.”

DALLAS (AP/Staff) – Celebrated auto designer and race car driver Carroll Shelby’s family is fighting over custody of his body more than a month after his death. Shelby, a native of the Camp County community of Leesburg, died May 10 in a Dallas hospital. But his body remains in a Dallas County morgue as his wife and children fight in court about burial plans. Shelby’s children say in court documents filed in Texas that the 89-year-old Shelby gave his son Michael authority shortly before his death to have his remains cremated. But Shelby’s wife counters the document was forged. Cleo Shelby, who lives in California, says in a court filing that Shelby gave her power of attorney two years ago. Another of Carroll Shelby’s sons, Patrick, told The Associated Press on Tuesday he expects the dispute to take weeks to be resolved.

WINONA — A Smith County woman wins a prize for submitting a “wheels off” warning label. Kelly Watson of Winona won the 15th annual Wacky Warning Label Contest. Her submission was a warning that came on a seven-inch globe that said, “These globes should not be used for navigation purposes.” Bob Dorico Jones with the conservative nonprofit group Center for America sponsors the contest. Jones says, “There’s a certain sub-segment of the population that’s willing to use the courts as a sort of lawsuit lottery, and they’re continuously goaded on by trial lawyers who are advertising on television.” Other winners included a tag on a scooter warning, “This product moves when used,” and one on a painter’s mask that read, “Warning, does not supply oxygen.”

TYLER — Tyler officials are marking one year of existence for an effort to help veterans. According to press materials, the Mayor’s Veterans Roundtable was established in May 2011 to develop and implement a Community Blueprint for supporting and enhancing Veterans services in Tyler. The focus of the Roundtable is on employment, education, housing, medical care and mental health.

“Since the creation of the Veterans Roundtable, significant progress has been made toward enhancing the relationship between Veterans, their families and the Tyler community,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. “The members of the Roundtable have worked tirelessly to ensure Tyler’s Veterans have the resources they need available to them. I am very pleased with the progress that has been made in one short year.” You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org to read much more.

TYLER – Today’s the day you can vote for the East Texas Food Bank, one of 500 nonprofit finalists in Toyota’s 100 Cars for Good program. That’s a major philanthropic initiative in which the automaker is giving 100 cars to 100 nonprofits over the course of 100 days. The East Texas Food Bank was selected as a finalist from more than 4,000 applications nationwide.

Each day, beginning May 14, 2012, 100 Cars for Good will profile five finalists. You can go to http://www.100carsforgood.com to view the finalists. Individual members of the public will be able to vote for whichever nonprofit they think can do the most good with a new vehicle. The nonprofit with the most votes at the end of each day will win one of six Toyota models. Runners-up will each receive a $1,000 cash grant from Toyota.

The East Texas Food Bank is up for consideration today from 9:00 am – 11:00 pm. “Everyone at the East Texas Food Bank is thrilled to have been selected as a finalist for the 2012 100 Cars for Good program,” said Dennis Cullinane, executive director at the East Texas Food Bank. “We’re grateful for this incredible opportunity to showcase the East Texas Food Bank’s mission to reduce hunger by providing food, support and education to those in need with passion and efficiency. We hope East Texans will help us win a car to increase our impact in East Texas. Please spread the word now and make time to visit http://www.100carsforgood.com on Tuesday, June 19th, to vote for us.”

MARSHALL — The U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force has issued a felony warrant for a Marshall man for failure to register as a sex offender. Walter Earl Hicks Jr., 24, also is wanted on an outstanding felony probation warrant, according to the Longview News-Journal. During a sweep to verify sex offender registration earlier this week, Marshall Police said two other people were not located and will be charged with failure to register. Thirty-four other registered sex offenders were properly registered.

TYLER – Tyler police are trying to learn the circumstances surround a stabbing. It was reported around 9:00 Monday night in the 500 block of Wells Street. Eldon Wilks, 39, Tyler, was hospitalized with cuts to his arms and upper body. Hospital officials have listed Wilks in stable condition.

Investigators say they were told that two male adults had come over to the Wilks residence at 520 Wells Street around 9:00 for reasons unknown. The suspect involved in the stabbing had said something to Wilks’s 14 year-old step-son out in the roadway. Wilks reportedly heard the comment, went outside the residence and got into a physical altercation with the suspect because of the comment. During the altercation, Wilks was stabbed and cut numerous times by the suspect with a small knife. The suspect, along with an identified friend, left before officers arrived.

WHITEHOUSE — Smith County ESD #2 board president Mitch Henderson tells KETK that Whitehouse Assistant City Manager Kevin Huckabee made a presentation to the board Monday night. Huckabee said the city is looking to increase its level of involvement in the district to forming a city department that will also service the entire VFD district. The city presented its plan to the board, and which tabled it until the board can set up a workshop to learn more about the cost structure, effectiveness of response, and so on. Henderson suspects it will be a professional fire department and a volunteer service as well.

“Certainly it’s the way it used to be done years ago before the ESD, the City of Whitehouse, which had its own VFD, performed those services throughout the whole district. So it may be a merging together of monies and talents…and it may not be successful at all. We don’t know,” Henderson said.

According to KETK, many of the firefighters were upset about what’s in their new contracts. But board president Henderson said it’s a contract that was made from the ground up, with all of the VFD’s participation and support.

QUITMAN – Two burglary suspects are in custody in Wood County as officers recovered around 100 items stolen in the area. According to a release from the Wood County Sheriff’s Department, deputies arrested Davey Cole Hall-Carroll, 18, of Quitman and a 15 year old juvenile. From various locations around the county they recovered guns, golf carts and laptops from as many as 25 burglaries. Hall-Carroll has been charged with burglary of a habitation and more charges are pending.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University has named Kathy Majzner to the position of University Registrar, effective July 1. As the LETU Registrar, Majzner will report to the associate provost for academic administration and quality assurance and will serve as the university’s chief advisement officer. Majzner will provide training for new and veteran faculty on curriculum and degree program requirements and equip the records office staff to assist students more fully.

Mazjner has served LETU in several capacities since her initial employment in 2002. She served at the Dallas site as Coordinator of Student Services, achieving the rank of Master Faculty, and later relocated to Longview to serve as the Director of Academic Services for the university’s School of Graduate and Professional Studies (GAPS).

LONGVIEW — Changes may be coming in the way Longview runs its elections. Mayor Jay Dean has proposed possible addition of a filing fee or requiring candidates to acquire a certain number of signatures before being placed on the ballot for city elections. The proposal comes after a Dean opponent moved away just before the May election. Dean says he just wants to make sure taxpayers’ money isn’t being wasted. According to Dean, some of the people who filed for the election weren’t “serious candidates.” He says they “really didn’t plan to win the election, they didn’t plan to serve, it was just an emotion thing.” Right now, city officials are exploring other options. According to KETK, any changes would have to be approved by the Department of Justice and then voted on by local residents.

TYLER — A local group has filed paperwork with the Smith County Elections Office to oppose the “Buy Local First” organization and the sale of alcohol in Tyler and Smith County Justice Precinct 2. According to KETK, “Stand Strong for Tyler” filed paperwork last week and is led by Dr. Michael Daniels, pastor of Landmark Baptist Church. Buy Local First has been collecting signatures since April to vote on the referendum in the November elections.

CANTON — Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers has authorized $700 in rewards for nine recent tips that led to the arrests of four local individuals. The organization also re-emphasized how the anonymous tipsters can collect their rewards.

In two of the recent cases, Crime Stoppers received multiple tips. Those tips resulted in the arrests of a Colfax man wanted on warrants for assault and drug possession, and a Wills Point man wanted on a child support warrant. The other arrests were of a local woman wanted on several warrants, including forgery and organized criminal activity, and a Wills Point woman wanted on a bad check charge.

Noting that there might be some confusion about how tipsters can collect on a reward, Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers President Andy Flowers offered advice. “The Crime Stoppers board approves rewards on the second Monday of each month, so anytime after that, callers can call the tip line, 903-567-STOP, again to get their instructions for claiming their reward,” Flowers said. “Callers are assigned a temporary number at the time of their original call, and when they call back to find out if there is a reward, they are given their final number, and told which bank to go to so they can pick up their reward.”

Once rewards are approved, they are left active for six months. Crime Stoppers currently has several 2012 rewards available that haven’t yet been picked up. “We realize that not everybody calls Crime Stoppers for the reward. They may just want to be able to help the authorities anonymously,” Flowers said, “and we appreciate that. We just want to be sure that anybody who has earned a reward can get it if they want.”

Crime Stoppers’ cash rewards are designed to encourage anonymous tips that lead to the arrest of a criminal offender who has either just committed a crime or is wanted on a warrant. The Crime Stoppers number is 903-567-STOP (567-7867). Rewards of up to $1,000 are financed by criminal court fines and donations. More information about Crime Stoppers is available online at http://www.vanzandtcrimestoppers.org or on Facebook.

KILGORE — Authorities report a rash of mannequin burglaries in downtown Kilgore. According to KETK, officials say a mannequin was stolen from the Kilgore Historical Preservation Society office on the 100 block of Kilgore Street. The burglar appears to have smashed the display window with a small 7.5 pound barbell weight. A similar crime took place recently at the Crystal Spur across the street. If you have any information about this crime, you’re asked to contact the Kilgore Police Department at 903-983-1559.

HARRISON COUNTY — A construction worker has been struck by a vehicle in western Harrison County on Interstate Highway 20. Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Eric Nieves said a small cargo truck was involved in a wreck with a pickup shortly after 6:15 Monday morning in a construction zone in the eastbound lanes of I-20.

According to The Longview News-Journal, the cargo truck struck the worker while pulling onto the roadway’s shoulder. The construction worker was sent to the hospital with what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

Motorists are urged to use caution and watch out for workers when traveling in construction zones