KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has passed several city ordinances in relation to the newly passed alcohol propositions. KETK reports councilmembers took into consideration four ordinances — three pertaining to the regulation of beer and wine sales. Beer and wine stores’ property lines are required to be 300 feet from any church property line. The distance for schools and hospitals has not been determined due to possible differences in city and state restrictions. Stores will not be allowed in “RPO” zones, which are residential and professional office areas.

The opening of “beer barns,” or packaged drive through food and beverage businesses, will require special use permits and will limited to M-2 Zones, or General Industrial District areas only. Beer and wine stores will only be allowed one sign, unless the business is on a corner, thus permitting two signs. The sign’s content will be regulated by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the sign’s size by the city, which is no more than 50 square feet per banner. The City of Tyler restricts animated, flashing, blinking, or electronic message signs within the city. However, the use of “static,” or non-moving, signs, including neon signs, is permitted as long as they meet the TABC five foot distance requirement from any store front window or door. Heather Nick with the city’s planning and zoning department says there’s a business kit available on the city’s website outlining the process of implementing beer and wine sales.

Meanwhile, a petition to contest results of Tyler-area alcohol elections this month is filed by the district clerk. The petition alleges the city clerk and county election office did not comply with election law requirements during the certification process.

TYLER — TxTAGs will be available for sale at the Texas Department of Transportation in Smith County this week. TxDOT’s Larry Krantz says customer service specialists will be on hand at the Tyler area office, at the interchange of Toll 49 and Highway 155 South in Noonday. You can meet with them between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and until noon on Thursday, to purchase a new TxTAG or get help with existing account questions. The tags are good for use on any toll road in Texas. “This is a limited time offer,” said Krantz, “and we’re staying open until 6 to make it as convenient as possible to get a TxTAG.” After noon Thursday, those wanting to buy a TxTAG can or log on to http://www.txtag.org or call 1-888-Go-TxTAG.

TYLER — Centene Company of Texas, L.P., has broken ground on a new facility in Tyler, and officials in the city say it will offer a big boost to the local economy. Centene projects 327 new employees in Tyler with an average salary and fringe benefits of $45,000. Tom Mullins with the Tyler Economic Development Council says annual payroll would be about $13.4 million within four years. Centene Company of Texas is a subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a publicly-traded Fortune 500 health insurance company with headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri. Company officials say it’s expanding its customer base in Texas. The 50,000-square foot core claims processing facility will be located in the new Tyler Business and Technology Park on Earl Campbell Parkway.

Centene Corporation, a leading manager of health care services, is the nation’s fourth-largest Medicaid manager. The company is a multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to the rising number of under-insured and uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under Medicaid, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care, long-term care, other state-sponsored programs and Medicare (Special Needs Plans).

GLADEWATER — State Senator Kevin Eltife announced he will introduce a bill to honor a Gladewater veteran by renaming a 12-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 80 in honor of U.S. Army Master Sgt. Travis E. Watkins, who was recognized posthumously for his bravery during the Korean War. According to KETK, Eltife, R-Tyler, said he will sponsor a bill to rename U. S. 80 from U.S. Highway 271 to the Big Sandy city limits “Travis E. Watkins Memorial Highway.” Cheryl Vanek, Eltife’s chief of staff, said the bill was not ready to be pre-filed Monday on the first day legislators could pre-file bills, but should be ready to file by January when the 83rd Legislative Session begins. Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, announced in a Twitter feed Monday afternoon that he had pre-filed a companion bill in the Texas House of Representatives.

LUFKIN — In an odd twist, a Lufkin man is behind bars after he allegedly attacked the man who is believed to have just burglarized his home. According to KETK, just before 12:30 Monday morning, an officer witnessed three men jump a fence to an awaiting vehicle. When the policeman tried to approach the suspects, they all ran from the area on foot.

Two of the three alleged burglars were caught shortly after running, and it was learned they had just broken into a house, stealing guns, clothing, a TV and other miscellaneous items.

A few hours later, around 3:00, officers were dispatched to the same area to reports of a disturbance. When they arrived again in the 2000 block of Lowry Street, they found the man who had been burglarized, Eddie R. Fletcher, 26, of Lufkin, had found and allegedly attacked the third man accused of stealing from his home.

Fletcher was arrested and is charged with assault. The three men accused of burglarizing his home, Terrance J. Harris, 23, Joshua R. Nash, 23, and Ishmeal M. Washington, 24, were all charged with burglary of a habitation and evading arrest.

TYLER – A new coalition has been formed to help the Tyler school system make the grade. The four person group Monday presented a list of reasons the TISD is unacceptable in its handling of everything from education results to how it treats its teachers. The group is called “No More Excuses, Tyler ISD!” They say the problems are not new, they go back several years.

The group feels that a school bond issue that may come next spring is not the answer. They feel the school district must first address academic, personnel and student discipline issues before they consider constructing new buildings.

JoAnn Fleming from Grassroots America: We the People say they are tired of hearing excuses. She said “The time has come to face these issues head on.” The main issues addressed by the group were TISD’s poor academic results, growing discipline issues and the lack of respect for teachers.

A member of the group is Cedrick Granberry, a father of students in TISD. He said he is ok with paying money to improve the school system, but after the latest results from the state comptroller’s office, he wonders where his money’s going. “My youngest goes to an elementary that was given a 1.5 star and that’s a brand new school,” Grandberry said.

KETK said it contacted TISD and this was their response; “”As always, Tyler ISD appreciates and welcomes concerns and input from the community. We will review the information presented today and will forward these concerns to the Board of Trustees for further review.” After school trustees look over the information they should have more to say later this week.

SHREVEPORT – Eight persons have been arrested at the Louisiana State Fair in Shreveport for drug possession. The arrests, which were made over the weekend, include fair goers and carnival workers. One of the fairgoers taken into custody was Timothy Haley, 41, of Hawkins. Ketk Reports he was booked into the Caddo Correctional Center on a charge of drug possession.

FLINT – A Smith County home has been heavily damaged by fire. It was reported around 5:00 yesterday afternoon on County Road 189, in the southwestern part of the county. KETK reports neighbors woke up the 91 year old man living in the house. He was able to escape unharmed. Two barns in the back of the property also caught fire. No word on what started the blaze.

LONGVIEW – A Longview home has been extensively damaged by fire. It was reported around 8:00 Monday morning in the 2200 block of 13th Street. No one was home when the fire started and no injuries were reported. Investigators say the fire started from an electric heater that was too close to a bed.

KILGORE – Kilgore fire investigators are still trying to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a Kilgore home. It was reported around 11:30 Saturday night in a duplex at 505 Town Oaks Drive. There were no injuries.

EAST TEXAS — In conjunction with the Shreveport Police Department, the Caddo Sheriff’s Department took into custody multiple people for alleged drug possession at the Louisiana State Fair over the weekend. According to KETK, on Saturday, agents with narcotics unit conducted a one-night operation at the fair and made eight arrests, including some carnival employees. The workers have been identified as Issam Alkheid, 26, of Huntington Beach, CA, Jay Beeson, 31, of Dallas and Fawn Odom, 31, of Casper, WY. All three are were charged with possession of a drug.

Fairgoers arrested were Adam Anderson, 31, of Shreveport, Tyler Dickson, 20, of Traskwood, AR, Rumney Evertt, 50, of Shreveport and Timothy Haley, 41, of Hawkins. (pictured) All five were charged with possession of a drug and booked into the Caddo Correctional Center.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches authorities are searching for a man who allegedly pulled a rifle on a jogger in a local park. It happened just before 6:00 Monday morning at the Lanana Creek Trail. According to KETK, the victim told police he was running on the trail when a middle-aged white man, dressed in camouflage, appeared behind him pointing a deer rifle in his direction. The gunman then re-entered a wooded area near the trail. The Nacogdoches Police Department closed the trail from Main Street to the back of Pecan Park while they hunted for the man. Officers were not able to locate the alleged gunman and reopened the trail around 8:30.

GREENVILLE — Some possible new leads into the murder of a Greenville teenager whose body was found in a trunk along a Van Zandt County road last week. Investigators released new images from surveillance video of a vehicle of interest in hopes that someone could identify it. Alicia Moore, 16, went missing after getting off a school bus just blocks from her home. Her body was found last Tuesday. Greenville police say they’ve received several helpful calls.

LONGVIEW — Authorities have identified the man killed in a train accident in Longview. It happened around 6:30 Saturday evening in the 100 block of Eastman Road. Jon Thomas Klar, 40, Longview, was found dead on the tracks after he fell under the train while trying to get off a train car. According to KETK, alcohol intoxication may have played a factor in the incident. The accident remains under investigation.

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

TYLER – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make pavement repairs on State Highway 64 (Glenwood Boulevard) between State Highway 31 (Front Street) and the water tower. A second crew is scheduled to perform pavement repairs on Interstate Highway 20 ramps and frontage roads at State Highway 155 and Farm Road 757. The work will involve brief ramp closures while the work is in progress. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones.

Also this week, beginning Tuesday, TxTAGs will be on sale at the Tyler Area Office, located at the interchange of Toll 49 and SH 155 in Noonday. Customer service specialists will be on duty between 8:00am to 6:00pm Tuesday and Wednesday, and until noon on Thursday to sign up new TxTAG customers or to help with existing account questions. The tags, which are good for use on any toll road in Texas, are also available online at http://www.txtag.org or by calling TxTAG customer service at 1-888-Go-TxTAG.

WOOD COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1799 between U.S. Highway 80 and Farm Road 779 in Golden, and edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 1801 east of Mineola, and on Farm Road 515 and Farm Road 2225 near Lake Fork. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Beginning Wednesday this week in Winnsboro, TxDOT and the Kansas City Southern Railroad will be closing the railroad crossings at State Highway 11, Farm Road 312, State Highway 37 and Farm Road 852 so the railroad can make repairs to its tracks. The crossings will be closed on at a time, beginning with SH 11. The railroad’s plans call for closing FM 312 on Friday, then SH 37 on Saturday, November 17. FM 852 will be closed Monday, November 19. Detours will be posted at each closure to help motorists find ways around the work.

LONGVIEW – Construction crews from Texas Department of Transportation contractor Longview Bridge & Road is scheduled to continue final resurfacing operations on State Highway 149 (Eastman Road) and State Highway 322 (Estes Parkway) between Interstate Highway 20 and Sysco Foods, then begin final resurfacing on Eastman Road between SH 322 and IH 20. Crews will begin by closing the inside lanes and center turn lane on Eastman Road for resurfacing work, including overnight lane closures through Wednesday, before swapping traffic into the inside lanes midweek so work can be done on the outside lanes. One lane will be open to traffic in each direction while the lane closures are in place. Some turns may be restricted while work is performed directly in front of driveways or in the center turn lane. Motorists are strongly encouraged to use caution in the work area, and seek an alternate route if possible to avoid delays.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on U.S. Highway 175 east of Athens between Loop 7 and Farm Road 804. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

HENDERSON — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on State Highway 43 between the Henderson Star and Farm Road 1251 in New Prospect. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin resurfacing operations on Farm Road 47 between Farm Road 2475 near Lake Tawakoni State Park and Farm Road 751 in Wills Point. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and 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 make base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1137 between U.S. Highway 84 and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to resume shoulder work on Farm Road 855 between U.S. Highway 69 in Mount Selman and U.S. Highway 175 near Cuney. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK — Cherokee County jury duty scheduled for tomorrow morning at 8:30 in the 369th Judicial District Court has been canceled. If prospective jurors have any questions, they should contact the court office at 903-683-2236.

TYLER — The Tyler ISD Foundation has raised $50,000 of its $150,000 campaign goal for this school year. The announcement was made at the foundation’s recent kickoff luncheon. The campaign continues through March 1, 2013. Also at the event, six honorees (pictured) were inducted as second year members of the foundation’s prestigious Honor Roll. Following are brief sketches of the honorees and their contributions:

C.C Baker was principal of John Tyler High School and Billy Hall was principal of Robert E. Lee when John Tyler burned in 1981. The students of John Tyler were transported to the Lee campus and were welcomed with streamers and welcome signs, all created by Lee’s student body. The TISD Foundation’s Larry Goddard points to “the leadership and collegial relationship between Baker and Hall.”

Bonnie and Tab Beall are long time donors from their personal funds as well as Mr. Beall’s law firm, Perdue Brandon Collins Fielder and Mott LLP. Goddard says upon calculating the growing Beall Family Endowment, and with creative planned giving processes such as paid life insurance policies, the Bealls’ Endowment will have a corpus in perpetuity for students who might not otherwise have an opportunity for higher education.

According to Goddard, Jill Fondren is the Payroll Coordinator for Tyler ISD and carefully prepares the detailed work of creating exact payroll and with many deductions for close to 3,000 employees. Goddard says Mrs. Fondren kept the bookkeeping for the Foundation on her own time for fourteen years and prepared the IRS 990 form for nonprofits, which Goddard terms a highly complex form. No findings from auditors were ever found while Mrs. Fondren prepared the books in collaboration with the Foundation, which now uses a community CPA firm.

Finally, a well-known and popular Tyler ISD graduate, Kathey Comer, is credited with sustaining the foundation after the small group of founders had passed on. “Mrs. Comer, through her tenacity of finding the right directors at the right time, led countless meetings on campaign and event planning,” said Goddard. “Her upbeat speeches in the board meetings provided pure genuine guidance that has made the Tyler ISD Foundation a strong entity in Texas and the United States.” Mrs. Comer is honored in memory of her mentor, Mrs. Pat Oge, founding member of the Tyler ISD Foundation.

TYLER — The United Way of Smith County is conducting a community survey as part of its Community Assets and Needs Assessment. United Way officials say they’re serious about their responsibility as good stewards of the donors’ monies in addressing community needs. According to a United Way news release, “To ensure that United Way continues to address the community’s most pressing needs, it is important that everyone in the community has an opportunity to share their perceptions, experience and opinions about the needs of the community, The survey also asks about the assets and strengths of the community.”

“If you live in Smith County, we ask that you take a few minutes to complete the survey,” said United Way Community Relations Director Lisa Gardner. Log on to http://www.unitedwaysmithcounty.org to complete the survey, There is a large, gold “Community Needs Survey” button in the middle of the home page.

The first introduction of this survey to the community was at the East Texas State Fair. After gathering over 400 surveys at the Fair, United Way of Smith County is now reaching out to even more residents of Smith County to complete the survey online. The data collected from the surveys will be compiled by UT Tyler and released in a report in January 2013. The final report will be made available to Smith County municipalities, the county, nonprofits, other funding entities and other interested parties for future planning and development.

TYLER — Tyler’s Salvation Army has kicked off two key projects for the holiday season. Friday, November 9, marked the kickoff event for the 2012 Salvation Army Angel Tree, at Broadway Square Mall in front of JC Penney. Each year, residents are asked to visit the tree and pick a needy “angel” who might not otherwise receive Christmas gifts. All new and unwrapped angel tree gifts must be returned to the angel tree location or The Salvation Army by December 14.

Also, the Salvation Army held a Kettle Kick-Off Concert Saturday, November 10, at Rose Heights Church, to kick off the Red Kettle 2012 season. Kettles were on site at the concert for the community to begin donating. Bell ringing officially begins Friday, November 23, and continues through Monday, December 24. Volunteers can begin signing up now at http://www.ringbells.org and view other volunteer opportunities. Go to http://www.salvationarmytyler.org to learn more about the Salvation Army.

LONGVIEW — Two Longview men were arrested Thursday in connection with a burglary. LeDaryon Antwon Anderson, 27 (pictured) and Matthew Ewers, 38, were found standing next to a truck with antique collectibles inside. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the antiques were allegedly taken from a nearby house earlier that day. Ewers and Anderson live in the 3400 block of Morrison Street. It’s the same block of the house where the items apparently came from. According to arrest affidavits, a witness told police she saw the men enter the vacant house and steal the items. They were charged with burglary and held in the Gregg County Jail on $10,000 bonds.

TYLER — Smith County offices will be closed today in observance of Veterans Day. Regular office hours will resume tomorrow. For the week of November 12, Commissioners Court will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 15. There will be no meeting Thanksgiving week. Court will resume regular meeting times on Tuesday, November 27.

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) – The Navy is telling its leaders around the world to work harder on preventing sexual assaults by sailors after two enlisted men, including one from East Texas, were arrested in Japan on rape charges, inflaming tensions with a critical ally in the region. The alleged rape was reported Oct. 16 in Okinawa, leading to an uproar on the island and a sharp rebuke from the Japanese government. According to Japanese media, the sailors had been drinking before they attacked the woman, in her 20s, who was on her way home before dawn.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. We cannot comprehend the grief and trauma she has endured. We are appalled that such violent criminal behavior reportedly emerged from our ranks,” Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Adm. William E. Gortney, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces command, wrote in a message to their top officers and enlisted leaders on Nov 3. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the message on Friday. Charged in the case are Seaman Christopher Browning of Athens, Texas, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Skyler Dozierwalker of Muskogee, Okla. Both are 23, joined the military in 2008 and are assigned to Joint Naval Air Station, Fort Worth, Texas.

GREGG COUNTY — A Dallas man with warrants for his arrest on drug charges was stopped Thursday morning on Interstate 20 with 30 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of his vehicle, police said. Alejandro Rene Prieto, 30, of Dallas, was stopped at 11:35 a.m. on I-20 by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, according to his arrest affidavit. According to the Longview News-Journal, after running his information, troopers said they found Prieto was wanted in Dallas County on charges of possession of between four ounces and five pounds of marijuana and failure to identify a fugitive. Prieto was arrested and troopers found 30 pounds of marijuana in the back of Prieto’s SUV, according to his arrest affidavit. He was charged with possession of between five and 50 pounds of marijuana, according to his booking report. Prieto was held Friday in the Gregg County Jail on more than $35,000 in bonds.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches authorities are investing the alleged gang rape of woman that took place earlier this week. On Wednesday, an unidentified woman walking on the 300 block of west Main Street accepted a ride from three unknown black men in a van, according to police records and KETK. The men then took the victim to an unknown location, possibly in the southeast part of town, and allegedly raped her. Officials could not release any information on the criminals descriptions. The case is under investigation.

JACKSONVILLE — The man police believe is responsible for a string of armed robberies in Jacksonville has been arraigned in Cherokee County. KETK reports Kendall Lucas was arraigned by Jacksonville Municipal Judge B.K. Menefee late Friday Morning. Lucas’s bonds were set at $200,000 each on three aggravated robbery charges, $150,000 each on three charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and also $1,500 on a charge of “hindering a secured creditor.” The charge of hindering a secured creditor is unrelated to the investigation into the string of armed robberies.

Lucas was arrested on Thursday morning, just after midnight at the Jacksonville Square Apartments. The Jacksonville Police Department says the numerous tips they received were instrumental in linking Lucas to the robberies and ultimately to his capture.

WICHITA FALLS — Downtown Tyler won top honors Thursday at the Texas Downtown Revitalization President’s Awards Gala held in Wichita Falls. City Councilman Martin Heines was named the state’s Downtowner of the Year, and the Downtown Tyler Arts Coalition (DTAC) won the statewide Best Downtown Partner program. According to city of Tyler press materials, Heines was honored for his years of dedication to downtown revitalization as a volunteer, Heart of Tyler board member, property and business owner, project supporter, and Council member. DTAC won top honors for its many contributions to promotion of the arts in downtown Tyler.

“These are two of the most prestigious awards presented at the event,” said Beverly Abell, department leader for the City of Tyler Main Street Department (pictured with Heines). “We could not be more proud of those honored. Real and lasting downtown revitalization must include the leadership of volunteers, and these awards are confirmation that volunteers have a huge impact on our local program. “Our volunteers dedicate thousands of hours per year to the cause of revitalizing the historic heart of Tyler, and we are so grateful for their time, talent and heart.”

These are not the first awards earned by the downtown Tyler revitalization effort. More than a dozen businesses, properties and projects have been honored over the years. In 2009, Tyler won four awards: Downtowner of the Year (former mayor Joey Seeber), Downtown Partner of the Year (City of Tyler), Downtown Business of the Year (Discovery Science Place) and Best Adaptive Reuse (Moore Grocery Lofts). Last year, Abell received the inaugural Susan Campbell Award for Professional Excellence. The Texas Downtown Association, founded in 1985, has more than 400 members involved in more than $1 billion in downtown revitalization efforts.

TYLER – Segment 3A of Toll 49 is open. TxDOT cleared the way for drivers on the new stretch Friday afternoon following a Friday morning ribbon-cutting. Motorists will be able to drive Toll 49 between State Highway 110 in Whitehouse to State Highway 31 west of Tyler in approximately 15 minutes.

The new 8-mile segment, which began construction in 2009, connects the former west end of Toll 49 at SH 155 in Noonday with SH 31 between Tyler and Chandler, and will be free to drive through Monday, December 3. “We’re almost there,” said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. “But we wouldn’t be this far along without help from our partners.” Segment 3B of Toll 49, which will connect SH 31 and IH 20, is under construction by the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority and is scheduled to be open to traffic in 2013.

For a limited time only, East Texans will have the ability to purchase a TxTAG this week at the Tyler Area Office, located at Toll 49 and SH 155. TxTAGs will be on sale between 8:00am to 6:00pm Tuesday and Wednesday, and between 8:00am and noon Thursday. TxTAGs can also be purchased by logging on to http://www.txtag.org or by calling 1-888-Go-TxTAG.

TxDOT opened Segment 5 of Toll 49, which runs between State Highway 110 and Farm Road 756 (Paluxy Drive), in June. Segment 1 of Toll 49, which runs between SH 155 and U.S. Highway 69, opened in August of 2006. Segment 2, which runs between US 69 and FM 756 opened in February 2008. Segment 4 of Toll 49, also known as the Lindale Reliever Route, would connect US 69 in Lindale to IH 20. It is not currently funded for construction, but planning and environmental impact studies have been under way for several years in anticipation of funding becoming available one day.

LAKE PALESTINE – A suspect in a Cherokee County stabbing has been apprehended. According to the county sheriff’s department, investigators continued their search early Friday morning for Shawn Anthony Reep in the ShadyBrook subdivision near Lake Palestine. At approximately 10:30 a.m. investigators checked a residence that Reep was known to frequent. Reep was not found in the house, but when investigators say when they checked a small travel trailer next to the residence, he was found hiding under a pile of blankets on the bed.

Officials say the 31-year-old Reep offered no resistance when taken into custody. He was transported to Cherokee County Jail on another outstanding arrest warrant for violation of a protective order – a Class A misdemeanor – stemming from an incident that occurred several weeks earlier. Charges are still pending for the offenses committed during the stabbing and another altercation Thursday.

The stabbing occurred at 642 Elizabeth Drive in the ShadyBrook subdivision. Reep is accused of stabbing Joseph Lee Johnson, 31, Bullard, in the stomach. Johnson was flown to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler, where he underwent emergency surgery. At last report he was in stable condition in the hospital’s intensive care unit. Following the stabbing Reep is said to have forced his way into the house where Johnson had been taken following the stabbing. He is said to have threatened the homeowner with the knife. The homeowner grabbed a display sword and hit Reep on the head, causing him to bleed profusely. The extent of his injuries hasn’t been reported.

RUSK — Cherokee County jury duty scheduled for Tuesday, November 13th, at 8:30 a.m. in the 369th Judicial District Court has been canceled. If prospective jurors have any questions, they should contact the court office at 903-683-2236

UPSHUR COUNTY — A Gilmer man receives 10 years deferred adjudication for a manslaughter charge stemming from a “road rage,” incident. If 20-year-old Benjamin Lee Powers, completes the probation, the charge will not appear on his record. According to the Longview News-Journal, Powers was charged with manslaughter in connection to a Dec. 30 wreck that killed the passenger in his vehicle, 19-year-old Caderrius Green, also from Gilmer. Officials said Powers wrecked his vehicle after attempting to aggressively pass a truck. Green was ejected and ran over by another truck.

LONGVIEW — Cristian Monreal was remembered Thursday as a witty, comical and sometimes troublesome teenager by the Longview High School soccer coach for whom he was a midfielder. “I’m going to miss that boy’s face,” Coach James Wright said. “In athletics, it’s like a family. To lose one is incredibly hard. Cristian is going to be missed terribly this year.” A memorial for students was held in the High School parking lot at 10:15 Friday morning.

According to the Longview News-Journal, Monreal, 18, was killed and three other varsity soccer players were injured in a rollover wreck Wednesday about 200 yards from Longview High School. Police said Monreal’s teammate Jose Armando Corona, 17, was northbound on Airline Road when the truck ran off the roadway, overcorrected, traveled back across the road, hit a fence and rolled over, ejecting its three passengers. Corona was to be cited by police for unsafe speed over the limit, police said Thursday. The case was sent to the Gregg County District Attorney’s office for review. Monreal and Alex Aguirre, 18, were riding in the bed of the truck, police said. Eduardo Abarron, 17, was in the passenger seat.

Monreal was pronounced dead at the scene. The other passengers were taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center. All three had been released Thursday, said Wright, who spoke with them Thursday. Monreal’s body was sent to Tyler for an autopsy, police said.