KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LINDALE – The sanctuary of the Hideaway Community Church near Lindale has been destroyed by fire. The fire on the 1100 block of Lake Cross Road was reported around 3:30 yesterday morning. While the fire was contained to the sanctuary, the church’s Family Life Center suffered smoke and water damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW — A Hughes Springs man died Monday after he wrecked during a medical emergency. KETK reports it happened at around 2:15 p.m. on Airline Drive. Officials say the driver veered onto the Longview High School campus, and then back onto Airline and into the woods. Robert Reynolds, 86, was found dead in his car. It is unclear what the medical emergency was at this time, and officials have not determined if his death was caused by the wreck or the medical emergency.

CHAPEL HILL – One person has been killed and two injured in a two vehicle accident east of Chapel Hill. The wreck was reported shortly after 4:45 Tuesday morning on Highway 64 at Farm Road 2607. Killed was Billy Donahue Norman, 46 of Troup. He was a passenger in a car driven by Lindsey Jean Barton of Troup. She is listed in critical condition at Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. The driver of the other vehicle, Jesus Alvarado of Tyler, is in stable condition at ETMC. The Department of Public Safety reports Barton’s car was south bound on Farm road 2607 and pulled out into the path of Alvarado’s pickup.

TYLER – An abandoned building north of Tyler has been damaged by fire. It was reported at the intersection of U.S. Highway 271 and Laney Road. It was said to have started from a trash fire outside the building. High winds blew debris inside the structure, catching the building on fire.

TYLER — A long-time banker in the Tyler area, Gay L. Smith, has been chosen as President-Elect of the Tyler Independent School District Foundation, Inc. Smith, who is the President for Austin Bank’s Old Bullard Road location, has served as Vice President-Development; Treasurer, and member of the Grants Committee, Nominations, Committee, and Events Committee. Smith began her volunteer work with the Foundation as a Junior League of Tyler, Inc. placement volunteer along with the Junior League’s grant for teacher incentive grants.

According to Smith, “The reason I volunteer for the Tyler ISD Foundation is because my Mom was a teacher. I know how hard teachers work; and how many times they spend their own money to make sure the students get to do the special projects that normal funding does not allow.”

HENDERSON – Counterfeit money has been turning up in the Henderson area in large numbers. So far, authorities have recovered around $10,000 worth of fake $100 bills. Lieutenant Craig Sweeney with the Henderson Police Department tells KETK many of the fake bills came from a 79 year old man. He said he claimed he didn’t know the bills were counterfeit, which Sweeny says is possible since the elderly are often victims of such schemes. The Henderson Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service are investigating.

TYLER — Last summer’s historic drought is still causing a lot of damage. According to KETK, foundations of many houses in East Texas are having to be repaired because of the heavy toll the sun took on the soil last year. Along with that, people are starting to see their lawns taken over by weeds because of the drought.

NACOGDOCHES — That very controversial “One State under God” license plate, approved by a sharply divided Motor Vehicle Commission last fall, is now on sale. The so-called “Calvary Hill” license plate shows three crosses. It will benefit the glory gang, a youth ministry in Nacogdoches founded by Pastor Richard Konderla. Konderla describes his ministry as “Sunday school on steroids.” He says so many different vanity plates are now offered by the state, he never thought that one allowing motorists to proclaim their belief in Jesus would be so controversial.

TYLER — Smith County is seeking public opinion on possible changes to the County’s current policy on the installation, repair and maintenance of culverts in private driveways and county right of way. Smith County currently installs culverts in the right of way at the site of new homes and businesses. Landowners purchase the culvert pipe and county crews install it. After the initial installation, the county continues to repair and replace damaged culverts.

A public hearing on proposed changes to this policy was held in Commissioners Court this morning. Go to http://www.smith-county.com to view the full proposed culvert policy. County residents who were not able to attend the public hearing are encouraged to call, write or email to the Smith County Commissioners Court with comments. You can send comments via email to [email protected] or call your commissioner directly:

Commissioner Pct. 1 Jeff Warr – 903-590-4601
Commissioner Pct. 2 Cary Nix – 903-590-4602
Commissioner Pct. 3 Terry Phillips – 903-590-4603
Commissioner Pct. 4 JoAnn Hampton – 903-590-4604

CANTON — Van Zandt County authorities say three people have been arrested on drug charges. On March 14th, around 9:30 p.m., sheriff’s deputies served a felony warrant at an address on County Road 3604. A woman identified as Debra White was taken into custody. Officers say they noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the master bedroom. The officers then took into custody Donnie Lynn Addison. Officers observed a baggie of white crystal type substance inside a can. Deputies were given both a verbal and a written consent to search the residence by White and another man, Randall Sharp, who was also taken into custody. Officials say numerous baggies of a white substance, as well as marijuana, scales, and cash, were seized.

All three suspects were booked into the Van Zandt County Justice Center. Addison was charged with prohibited substance in a correctional facility – alcohol/drug/phone/tobacco and manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance. Sharp was charged with manufacture/delivery and theft of property. White was charged with manufacture/delivery and with possession of a controlled substance. Addison and Sharp remain in the Van Zandt County Jail at this time.

JACKSONVILLE – One person is in custody and the investigation is continuing into a Cherokee County shooting death. The body of Martha Caselin Ramirez, 42, of Jacksonville, was found in a wooded area on County Road 4201 near Jacksonville. She appears to have been shot at least twice.

Jose Diaz Perez, 48, Jacksonville, was arrested after he called 911 to report that he had just shot someone. They believe the shooting occurred inside his pickup. Perez remains in the Cherokee County Jail with bond set at $1 million.

TYLER – A Tyler man has been charged with injury to a child. Police responded to East Texas Medical Center in reference to a 1-year-old with a blood alcohol of over .2. The child was flown to Children’s Hospital in Dallas. Tyler Investigators were advised by Child Protective Services that they expected the child, identified as Demarion Crow, to be released from the Hospital in Dallas soon. Child Protective Services will take control of the boy during the investigation.

Ronchekal Demune Yon, 25 was arrested Saturday at his residence at 1113 North Moore. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of injury to a child, a 3rd degree felony. His bond was set at $100,000.

According to online Smith County Judicial records, Yon has a criminal history with charges including burglary of a habitation and theft.

EAST TEXAS — One person is dead and at least two others are injured after a pair of early Monday morning wrecks on East Texas highways. According to KETK, the first was a head-on crash between two vehicles at around 4:30 am on Highway 110 near CR 412. One of the vehicles involved flipped, pinning the driver in. That driver was taken to an area hospital by helicopter and is listed in critical condition. The driver of the other vehicle was also transported to an area hospital, but the extent of their injuries is not known.

Just a half-hour later, around 5:00, one person was killed in a wreck on Highway 64 east at CR 230, east of Chapel Hill. The highway was briefly closed as a helicopter landed to transport the victim to a local hospital. The highway has since reopened. No word on any other injuries.

Names have not been released.

TYLER – A Tyler burglary suspect is in custody. He was arrested around 8:45 Sunday night in the 500 block of East Line Street. A witness called 911 to report a man breaking into a home at 521 East Line. Sgt Paul Robeson says, when officers arrived, they caught John Hardy, 71, leaving the home. He was said to have been carrying electronic equipment that belonged to the resident. He was charged with residential burglary and booked into the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — Mother Frances Hospital observes its 75th anniversary with several events, including a strong nod to the infamous New London School explosion on March 18, 1937. That tragic event resulted in 298 deaths and numerous injuries, and prompted the hospital to open a day earlier than planned. According to hospital spokesman John Moore, “Because of that, we will forever share a kinship with the people of New London and those who were injured and lost.” This afternoon, the hospital scheduled a public signing of “Gone at 3:17,” a book about the New London event. Co-author David Brown was joined at Mother Frances’s Wisenbaker Conference Center by Jimmie (Jordan) Robinson, a student who survived the blast.

TYLER — State Senator Kevin Eltife will have an opponent in November. Northeast Texas native Steve Russell of Tyler will run unopposed in the Democratic Primary for Texas State Senate District 1. Russell says he “believes this sets the stage for an informative campaign that was missing from the 2010 elections,” when Eltife ran unopposed in the general election. One of Russell’s key campaign concerns is education. He says he’ll “work toward educating students for life instead of ‘teaching to the test.’” Other concerns Russell mentions include health care, immigration policy, and elderly care.

Russell, who has a career background in education and insurance, is executive director of “Empowering Texas Youth.” He describes that agency as “a non-profit that educates mentors in ways to help children and youth avoid destructive behaviors and become caring, successful adults.” As a volunteer, among other things, Russell has served as chairman of the Tyler Together Race Relations Forum.

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

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs on South Loop 281 between Farm Road 2205 (Jaycee Drive) and Estes Parkway early in the week, followed by applying a seal coat in the same location later in the week. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 2868 between State Highway 155 in Noonday and Farm Road 346 in Flint. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Daytime lane closures will be in effect on the project while the work is in progress.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on State Highway 294 west of Elkhart between Farm Road 322 and Farm Road 1990, and on U.S. Highway 79 near Westwood High School. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on Farm Road 3056 between U.S. Highway 80 east of Mineola and Farm Road 778. The work is in preparation for a seal coat application this summer. A second crew is scheduled to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 2869 north of Farm Road 49. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 177 and Farm Road 3052 in the Mixon area. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 859 in Edgewood between U.S. Highway 80 and Farm Road 1395, on Farm Road 1395 north of Edgewood, and on Farm Road 47 south of Interstate Highway 20. 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.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement-repair operations on State Highway 31 in Malakoff, followed upon completion by the same work in the curb-and-gutter section of State Highway 198 in Malakoff. 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.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 95 between State Highway 315 and U.S. Highway 84 east of Mount Enterprise. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WHITEHOUSE – One person is in custody in connection with a Smith County death. Sandy Greenhall was found Friday night shot to death on the front porch of a house on County Road 2171. The home owner, Larry Joe Smith, 57, first told sheriff’s deputies he shot Greenhall as she was breaking into his home. Investigators say after Smith changed his story several times about the shooting of his ex-girlfriend, they charged him with murder. His bond has been set at $1 million.

TYLER — The Tyler Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce honored several individuals, organizations, and businesses during its Heritage Business Dinner at the Rose Garden Center. Here’s a list of honorees:
– Henry Miller Morgan “Business of the Year”: S&S Select Choice Vending
– Unity Award: Rev. Charles Faulks, pastor of North Star Missionary Baptist Church
– Ernest Sterling Award: A. Philip Randolph Institute
– Hattie Wright New Business Award: Crimson Door
– Community Re-Investment Award: Lee’s Construction
– Ernest Deckard Community Image Award: (tie) Gamma Omicron Omega
Chapter – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Tyler Alumnae Chapter – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
– Pillar of the Community Business Award — Cole-Brooks Enterprises/Club Skyy Social Club Inc. – James Cole
– Community Ambassador Award — Clifton Roberson
– Sibbie Jones-Waits Community Service Award — LaQueta Timmons

You can go to http://www.tylermetrochamber.com for more information about the Metro Chamber.

CENTER – A Nacogdoches man has been killed and a Shelby county woman arrested in his murder. The man, who was stabbed to death, was found in a home in the 9200 block of State Highway 7 West Thursday night. Dead at the scene was Mark Allen Ray, 39. Charged in the death was Rebecca Gale Fountain, 34. She remains in the Shelby County Jail in lieu of a $40,000 bond.

LONGVIEW — Longview residents are invited to participate in the Citywide Cleanup, Tire Recycling, and Electronics Recycling events today. They run from 8:00am to noon. The events are sponsored by the City of Longview and Keep Longview Beautiful and are in conjunction with the Great American Cleanup, the nation’s largest community improvement program. All events will be held at or near the Longview Public Library, 222 West Cotton Street.

According to City of Longview Community Relations Coordinator Mary Jane Burnett, “Last April, we had a great turn out for the event with over 300 volunteers working on cleanup projects throughout Longview. This is usually our single largest volunteer cleanup of the year.”

Citywide Cleanup volunteers clean the street or park of their choice. The purpose of the event is to beautify the community by removing litter. Volunteers may register, receive supplies, and enjoy refreshments from 8:00 to 9:30am at the kickoff event at the library. To volunteer in the Citywide Cleanup, please contact the City of Longview at 903-237-1390 or Keep Longview Beautiful at 903-212-4KLB (903-212-4552).

Tire Recycling will also take place from 8:00am to Noon on Saturday. During the event, Longview residents may bring tires to the recycling trailer located across the street from the Longview Public Library at 200 West Cotton Street. Tire Recycling is limited to Longview residents and non-commercial users only. Tires on rims will not be accepted.

The City of Longview Sanitation Department will sponsor Electronics Recycling for Longview residents from 8:00am to noon. The Electronics Recycling trailer will be located outside the north entrance to City Hall, 300 West Cotton Street, which is across the parking lot from the Library. Items accepted for recycling include: computers, CRT monitors, flat screen LCD’s, networking equipment (servers & cabinets), telecommunications equipment, phone systems/cell phones, video and audio equipment, power supply units, connectors, wire, cables, printed circuit boards, computer cards, printers, and ink cartridges. No television sets, business copiers, or industrial material will be accepted.

To participate in Tire Recycling or Electronics Recycling events, please bring proof of Longview residency such as a water bill. For recycling information, contact the Sanitation Department at 903-237-1250. You can go to http://www.LongviewTexas.gov to get more information about these events.

NACOGDOCHES — Authorities say the Nacogdoches County Constable Office Precinct 4 and the Nacogdoches Police Department stopped a burglary in progress Thursday around 11:00 p.m. in the city of Nacogdoches. According to KETK, officials say two men from Nacogdoches were caught inside a building on Hunter Road in the process of stealing copper. David Driver, 19, and Joshua Walker, 21, were arrested and charged with Burglary of a Building, a State Jail Felony. Both were transported to the Nacogdoches County Jail. Constable Jason Bridges stated that his office has been working an ongoing investigation into copper thefts for the last six months.

TYLER — Traffic was partially shut down for a time Friday due to a wreck on SSE Loop 323 in Tyler. The wreck happened during the lunch hour near the intersection of Highway 31 East. KETK reported beer cans were scattered across the roadway after the accident, but police say alcohol was not a factor.

The driver of one of the vehicles, 22-year old Jonathan Sanfelippo of Tyler, says that another vehicle cut him off. In reaction, Sanfelippo says he jerked his vehicle to the right, lost control and flipped it. Sanfelippo claims he and three other passengers, all TCU students, were headed to Florida for spring break. The officer working the accident did not detect any alcohol on the driver; police say it was just being transported for the trip. All four occupants of the flipped vehicle were to be released from the hospital with minor injuries. The driver who cut off the flipped vehicle fled the scene.

GREGG COUNTY — Longview Police have arrested a Kilgore man and charged him with online solicitation of a minor following a cyber sting. Christopher Scott Church, 34, was booked into the Gregg County Jail around 3:00 last Tuesday after officers say he went to the 1500 block of North Eastman Road after exchanging email and text messages with an officer he thought was a 14-year-old. His bond was set at $20,000.

TYLER — Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham weighs in on a matter involving two Whitehouse officials, and Bingham’s not happy with the situation.

Our news partner KETK has learned the investigation into Whitehouse Police Chief Rick Waller has been called off after his resignation. Waller announced that resignation Thursday, and it’s effective today. Waller and Volunteer Fire Chief Ronny Fite had been under investigation for what were termed “financial irregularities.” Waller was accused of using city gasoline for personal use and was placed on paid leave. The two have denied any wrongdoing, and no charges against Fite or Waller have ever been formally filed. But Whitehouse city leaders are asking the investigation to continue for Fite unless he resigns as well.

Bingham (pictured) says if the charges were dismissed against one, they should be for both. Bingham remarked, “The DA’s office is not some kind of pawn for the city of Whitehouse to use to force the resignation of somebody. If there’s a criminal case, fine, take it some where else. Not here.” Bingham says he’s not going to be a hall monitor for small town politics.

RUSK COUNTY — As the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office investigation continues in the search for James “Jimmy” Tidwell, 58, of Mt. Enterprise, a $3,000 reward is being offered for any information leading to his visual location. According to KETK, the Rusk County Crime Stoppers are offering $1,000, while Mr. Tidwell’s brother-in-law and sister, Joe and Lynn Akin have matched that offer with an additional $1,000. Another $1,000 was donated by Mr. Tidwell’s employer and co-workers at Flanders Electric, in Longview, all in a joint effort to possibly help authorities locate him.

Mr. Tidwell’s employer reported him missing on Tuesday, February 28, advising authorities February 15, was the last day he had reported to work. An investigation was initiated and Wednesday, February 29, his abandoned truck was located on FM 95 and Hwy 315, approximately 5 miles from his home located in Rusk County. On March 3, investigators formed search and rescue teams in effort to locate Mr. Tidwell but were unsuccessful.

Any information must be received through the Rusk County Crime Stoppers tip line at 903-655-TIPS(8477). The reward will be paid in full when Mr. Tidwell is visually located. All callers will remain anonymous.

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA (AP) – Anchorage police say a 34-year-old man in East Texas has been arrested on charges connected to the disappearance of an 18-year-old barista in February. Police say Israel Keyes was arrested Tuesday in Lufkin but that details in a sealed arrest warrant would not be immediately released. Police have revealed few details about the disappearance of Samantha Koenig, who vanished February 1 and remains missing. A surveillance video showed an armed man forcing Koenig away from the coffee stand where she worked. The Anchorage Daily News reports local detectives have been in Texas for several days working on the case. Police say they’re seeking information from anyone who had personal contact with Keyes, or his business, Keyes Construction, since January 1.

TYLER — The costs of gas and vehicle maintenance are given as two big reasons more people are using Tyler Transit buses. Officials tell KETK in 2010, the city had about 4,500 riders per week. That number’s now jumped to about 6,000, and city officials expect that figure to keep going up.

TYLER – Rusk County’s Precinct 2 Constable has been charged with federal drug and firearms violations. Benjamin Thomas Ferrell, 36, of Henderson, was indicted on March 8 and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and delivery of a firearm to a convicted felon. Ferrell was arrested yesterday and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith Guthrie this afternoon for an initial appearance in federal court.

According to the indictment, Ferrell is alleged to have conspired with an unindicted co-conspirator from December 2001 to January 2012, to possess with intent to distribute phentermine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and marijuana. It also alleges Ferrell sold an SKS assault rifle to a known felon on January of this year.

If convicted, Ferrell faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the drug violations and up to 10 years for the firearms offense.

Meanwhile, Amanda Gayle Ferrell, 32, of Henderson, was arrested at her residence on County Road 2127, by Rusk County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Officers. She was charged with two counts of Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled Substance, a state jail felony. She remains in the Rusk County Jail with bond set at $10,000. The investigation continues.

PLANO – An East Texan is among those named as a federal grand jury in Plano returns multiple indictments this week charging individuals with separate federal crimes in the Eastern District of Texas. Lesa Ann Rasure, 54, of Sulphur Springs, has been indicted for unlawful use of an unauthorized access device. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in federal prison. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard J. Johnson.