KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — A soldier heading home from leave is stuck in Longview after stopping to help with a wreck. Iit happened on Interstate 20. Robert Devolld was heading back to Fort Hood at the time. Devolld reportedly pulled over to check on the drivers, but as he was helping, his truck was hit by another car. Devolld at the time had no money for a hotel room but says a good Samaritan helped him get a room by putting it on their tab. Devolld is being sent back to Iraq after a 3 week leave.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council took a decisive step forward in their effort to improve traffic flow Wednesday when they voted unanimously to expand the City’s adaptive control system (ACS). The ACS system uses cameras to detect traffic volumes and makes signal timing adjustments in real time. “The ACS system is like having a traffic engineer at every intersection making constant adjustments,” explained Associate Traffic Engineer Justin Smith. “Using this system on the Broadway corridor helped us dramatically improve traffic progression. We anticipate a similar impact with this expansion on Loop 323.”

The ACS expansion will integrate 21 additional intersections into the system. These signals are along Loop 323 from Shaw Street, South and East along Loop 323 to Old Bullard Road and from Commerce Street, South and West to Copeland Road. Utilization of the ACS technology was a recommendation from the Tyler 21 plan to help ease traffic congestion. The City launched its first segment in 2007 and has added to the system in the last three years.

“Addressing traffic congestion was the number one concern identified in the Tyler 21 comprehensive plan,” shared Mayor Barbara Bass. “The City has taken many steps to improve traffic flow in the last three years and has made a lot of headway. I think this enhancement will keep us moving in the right direction.” Once the construction of Loop 323 West is complete, the City also plans to extend the system from SH31 north to US 69.

TYLER — Investigators say 62-year-old Linda Sue Michael of Quitman is the owner of 43 horses rescued in Lindale on December 13th — several of them pregnant and all of them starving. Since the rescue, things have changed for the animals. The S.P.C.A of East Texas and the Humane Society of the United States are making sure these animals receive the care they need. Besides daily food, something these horses are not used to, and exercise, Monday afternoon the animals were given vaccinations as well as additional medical attention.

As the horses receive the care they need, officials say the next step is finding them a home. Officials say in the coming weeks the S.P.C.A. will hold an open house and allow the public to see these animals once they are ready for adoption.

LUFKIN — An East Texas man is behind bars after he was arrested for an apparent meth lab at his home. Angelina County Sheriff’s officials say Matthew Thomas Harvard, 46, was arrested on methamphetamine charges. Harvard had been investigated for several months by police. Reports show this is not the first time Harvard has had a run-in with the law regarding drug offenses.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — An East Texas man is on trial for shooting his wife to death and then dumping her body in December of 2009. Police officials say John Presley killed Stephanie Fowler Presley and later left her body on an isolated road out in the county. He is facing murder charges. Presley was arrested near the U.S.-Mexico border.

TYLER -– Police round up a suspect in an aggravated kidnapping. According to authorities, Gerardo Zuniga surrendered to investigators at the Tyler Police Department without incident Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. Zuniga was jailed with bond set at $250,000 for the first-degree felony. The 26-year-old Zuniga, also known as “Ya-Yo,” is accused of kidnapping a former girlfriend. The 29-year-old woman told officers that she was forced away from a party on January 7th by Zuniga and held against her will overnight at a residence on South Oakland Street in Tyler. Investigators observed several signs of physical abuse on the victim that were allegedly caused by the suspect.

TYLER – A Gregg County woman has pleaded guilty in Tyler federal court to drug trafficking charges. Latisha Marie Anthony, 26, of Kilgore pleaded guilty to possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. She now faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the violation. A sentencing date has not been set.

According to federal prosecutors, on August 20, 2009, Anthony purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine from a Wal-Mart store in Longview, as well as on numerous other occasions at other stores in the area, all in furtherance of her methamphetamine manufacturing activities.

EAST TEXAS – The Winter storm that moved through the area Sunday and Arctic air that followed are responsible for more delays in the start of classes. Because of the very cold temperatures, the Van School District will have a two hour delayed start again today, as it did yesterday. A couple of schools will have delayed openings this morning; Hughes Springs starts at 9:00 and Pittsburg begins at 10:00.

TYLER — Tyler Police are seeking the location of 26-year-old Gerardo Zuniga, AKA “Ya-Yo,” a Hispanic male allegedly responsible for the January 7 aggravated kidnapping of a former girlfriend. The 29-year-old victim told officers that she was forced away from a party by Zuniga and held against her will overnight at a residence on South Oakland Street in Tyler. Investigators observed several signs of physical abuse on the victim that police say were caused by Zuniga.

Investigators hold an outstanding warrant for aggravated kidnapping, a 1st degree felony, on Zuniga. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Zuniga is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to arrest and charges filed against suspects in this case or any felony case.

TYLER — Two East Texas arsonists are sentenced. Jason Bourque and Daniel McAllister were sentenced Monday morning in Judge Kennedy’s 114th Court for several charges on arson and attempted arson dating back to the beginning of 2010. Both defendants pleaded guilty in December.

In the cases involving Jason Bourque, the State of Texas, honored the guilty plea, and sentenced Bourque to 5 life sentences and two 20 year sentences for his role in burning down East Texas churches.

In the cases involving Daniel McAllister, the State of Texas, honored the guilty plea, and sentenced McAllister to 2 life sentences and two 20 year sentences for his role in burning down East Texas churches.

Both defendants gave up their right to appeal their sentencing at this time. Charges are pending over fires in Van Zandt and Henderson counties. Nobody was hurt in the 10 blazes.

KILGORE (AP) – Kilgore police are seeking a suspect after an adult video store clerk was shot and killed during a robbery. Police early Monday responded to a disturbance at the Kilgore Adult Video Store and discovered the slain clerk. Police say 25-year-old Renee Garrett of Kilgore was dead from a probable gunshot wound. An unknown amount of money was stolen, along with a cash box. Police say the suspect, or possibly suspects, had fled before officers arrived.

TYLER – The various winter weather warnings and advisories for northeast Texas have been lifted. The winter storm that caused the problems has moved east of the area, taking the frozen precipitation with it. Caution should still be exercised when driving around the area. Overnight temperatures are remaining in the 20s and snow and sleet on roadways should refreeze, causing some problems especially on bridges and overpasses and secondary roads. KTBB weatherman Dr. Bob Peters says because of hazardous travel conditions, travel north of an Emory Henderson line should be discouraged.

The main arctic airmass is still poised to push through the area late Monday night. It will come in dry, but bitterly cold temperatures will follow for much of the week, especially at night where clearing skies will allow temperatures to fall. A warm up is in store for the end of the week.

EAST TEXAS – Snowy conditions prompted a number of area closings, cancellations, and postponements Monday. We’ll continue to keep you up to date. A couple of advisories: the 115th District Court in Upshur County is rescheduling Monday 8:30am jury to Tuesday at 8:30am — and the Kilgore East Texas Police Academy in-service class has also been re-scheduled until Tuesday.

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

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge and ditch repairs on Farm Road 16 north of Tyler between State Highway 155 in Winona and U.S. Highway 271. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 314 between Brownsboro and Farm Road 315 near Coffee City. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to be at work on the following roadways in and around Wood County:
Farm Road 778 between State Highway 37 in Quitman and U.S. Highway 80; and Farm Road 49 east of Farm Road 14. 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.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several weeks of edge repairs in various locations on U.S. Highway 175 between Jacksonville and Poynor. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

SMITH COUNTY – The weather has been responsible for numerous wrecks around the area. Shortly after 1:00 Sunday afternoon, in the span of 15 minutes, Tyler police reported six traffic accidents.

Street conditions in Tyler declined because the snow and sleet made the roads and highways difficult to negotiate. Motorists are still advised to limit all non-essential driving and exercise caution. Drivers should pay special attention to overpasses, bridges, and large culverts that may hasten freezing conditions on these surfaces. Drivers should also keep extra distance between their vehicle and the vehicles that are in front of them.

Numerous wrecks have been reported in Smith County, including one involving a State Trooper. Shortly after 8:45 Sunday night, Trooper Nic Castle was working a traffic crash on Interstate Highway 20, eastbound at the 570 mile marker, when his patrol unit was struck by another motorist. Castle was not injured; however the occupants of the Dodge Neon were taken to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. The Department of Public Safety continues to warn motorists of the potential danger of icy road conditions, and to use extreme caution when driving in inclement weather conditions.

Another Smith County wreck occurred on Interstate Highway 20 at the U.S. Highway 69 overpass Sunday morning. A pickup’s driver lost control of his vehicle and drove over the overpass, landing upside down on Highway 69. Reports from the scene were the driver was taken to the hospital with non life threatening injuries.