KTBB News, Weather, Talk

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.

WINONA – A Tyler packing plant will be closing within the next two months. RockTenn is located near Winona off Interstate Highway 20. Robin Keegan with RockTenn headquarters in Georgia tells KETK “We look at market conditions. We look at plant efficiency. We look at transportation cost. There are numerous factors that we are constantly evaluating at all of our facilities.”

The company notified employees on Wednesday of their intentions to close the plant. The decision may not have been a total surprise. Of the 56 people employed at the plant, nine were let go in February and 24 more were laid off in May.

BEAUMONT – An Angelina County woman has been sentenced to federal prison for tax violations. Sheila Phillips, 52, of Lufkin, pleaded guilty on May 30 to making a false statement to the Internal Revenue Service. In federal court in Beaumont yesterday, she was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. Phillips was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $124,217.00 to the Internal Revenue Service.

Federal prosecutors say Phillips operated a tax preparation and electronic business initially doing business as Sheila’s Tax Return and later as Ashley’s Tax Service. During that time, she prepared a tax return falsely stating that a specific individual was the head of household and that this same individual had a foster child qualifying this individual for a larger deduction. This individual did not have any children or foster children that would have qualified for this deduction. In all, Phillips made false statements in 29 individual tax returns resulting in over payments.

HUNTSVILLE (AP) – Texas has executed the 33-year-old killer of an East Texas woman. Mario Swain received lethal injection last night for the slaying of Lola Nixon, 46, during a break-in at her home in Longview two days after Christmas in 2002. An unfamiliar truck parked in her neighborhood was tracked back to Swain, and he eventually led police to her body, dumped in the back seat of an abandoned car in a remote area of Gregg County. She’d been beaten with a tire iron, stabbed, and strangled. Swain’s execution was the 13th this year in Texas. Another two are scheduled for next week.

NEW BOSTON (AP) – A judge in Bowie County is deciding whether law enforcement legally obtained an alleged confession from a teenager accused in a triple killing. The Texarkana Gazette reports that District Judge Leon F. Pesek Jr. heard testimony Wednesday on statements made by Rachel Pittman, 18. Pittman is charged in the 2011 deaths of Amanda Doss, 34, and her two children, Guinevere Doss, 11, and Texas Johnson, 8. Sheriff James Prince testified Wednesday that Pittman called police and said she had information about the killings. The sheriff testified that when he met with the teen, she said, “I killed Amanda.” Prince said he then read Pittman her Miranda rights. Pittman’s attorneys are challenging the confession. Pittman is set for trial January 14 in Rusk County.

LONGVIEW (AP) – Officials with an East Texas school district say nobody was hurt when a school bus hauling more than 60 children caught fire. Longview Independent School District officials say the front of the bus burned as everyone on board safely evacuated. Officials say the bus was hauling students home from Bramlette Elementary School on Wednesday afternoon when the engine caught fire. Authorities say bus driver noticed the smoke, stopped the vehicle and then helped students exit. Authorities are trying to determine what caused the engine to burn.

JACKSONVILLE — A man wanted in connection with a string of robberies in Cherokee County is in custody. Kendall Lucas, 25, was arrested at a South Jacksonville apartment complex. He was already wanted on an alleged parole violation for a previous burglary charge. Jacksonville police tell KETK several businesses were robbed at gunpoint. Following the robberies, Cherokee County Department of Public Safety Troopers, Cherokee County Sheriff’s deputies and Jacksonville Police were are all involved in a search for Lucas. DPS helicopters also helped with the search.

MARSHALL – A two vehicle accident in Marshall has left one person dead. Pronounced dead at Good Shepherd Medical Center-Marshall was David Joseph Belgard, 32, of Marshall. His car and a loaded log truck collided shortly before 8:15 Wednesday morning at the intersection of Loop 390 and Farm Road 1998. Investigators say Belgard’s car was attempting to cross the loop when it was hit by the truck.

TYLER – A Tyler man has been convicted by a Tyler jury of with five counts of sexual assault of a child. It took the panel over five hours of deliberations before finding David Burnett Williams, 48, guilty yesterday. State District Judge Christi Kennedy has scheduled Burnett’s sentencing for November 19th. He was accused in October of last year of sexually assaulting an eight year old girl he was babysitting.

BEAUMONT — A Nacogdoches couple has pleaded guilty to federal tax violations. In an appearance yesterday before U.S. District Judge Ron Clark, Reggie Cotton, 53, and Deborah Cotton, 57, pleaded guilty to an information charging them with failing to file tax returns for the calendar year 2004. The defendants face up to one year in federal prison and restitution. A sentencing date has not been set.

Federal prosecutors say the Cottons were involved in running and operating D&R Services, a janitorial cleaning service. The Cottons had received gross income for 2004 totaling $207,857 for D&R Services which they failed to file a federal income tax return for. The Cottons knew they were required to file an income tax return because they had filed an income tax return for a separate janitorial company they had been involved with in the past.

GREENVILLE (AP/Staff) – An East Texas teenager has been identified as the person found dead inside a storage trunk along a rural road. Meanwhile, there’s some controversy about how the case was handled by authorities. Officials in Greenville said Wednesday that Alicia Chanta Moore, 16, was identified as the person found by a road crew in Van Zandt County. Moore was reported missing Friday. She was last seen getting off a school bus in Greenville.

Family members say more should have been done to find Alicia. Greenville Police Chief Dan Busken says authorities initially didn’t have a lot of information to go on, but he is looking into claims it took three days before his department began an active search. A road crew on Tuesday found the teen’s body in a trunk sitting on a farm-to-market road near Wills Point, which is about 35 miles south of Greenville. Police have not said if they have a suspect, but Busken says numerous tips have already been received.

TYLER — Now that the alcohol propositions have passed, opening the door for beer and wine sales in Tyler and Justice Precinct 2, how soon can you get your hands on some booze locally? According to KETK, the city has already started the ordinance approval process and should have it approved next week. Once the City Council sets the ordinance in place, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will be prepared; it’s already authorized offices across the state to process alcohol sales applications. By the way, Brookshire Grocery Company is one retailer that’s begun the process of obtaining the proper sales permits.

TYLER – A 50-year-old Azle, Texas, man has been sentenced in Tyler to federal prison for drug violations. Wallace Jackson pleaded guilty on May 30, 2012, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 57 months behind bars by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. According to federal prosecutors, up until July 20, 2011, Jackson conspired with others to acquire and distribute methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas. Jackson admitted to distributing more than 35 grams, but less than 50 grams of methamphetamine in East Texas. Jackson was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 7, 2011.

KILGORE — A Kilgore police officer was injured while trying to detain two men who were allegedly passing counterfeit checks. The Kilgore Police Department responded to claims of two men, later identified as Moyses Aguirre-Banega and Jose Ortez, passing bad checks at the H&L Liquor store. When authorities made contact with the alleged criminals, a struggle ensued and one of the officers used his taser to subdue Aguirre-Banega. According to KETK, a police officer’s finger was broken during the fight. No major injuries were reported. Banega was charged with Robbery, forgery, and assault on a peace officer. Ortez is charged with tampering and failure to ID.

TYLER — While many Smith County residents were focused on alcohol propositions, three incumbent local lawmakers and one newcomer, all Republicans, easily defeated their opponents. Congressman Louie Gohmert (pictured) returns to Capitol Hill after a victory over Democrat Shirley McKellar and Libertarian Clark Patterson. State Senator Kevin Eltife prepares for another term in Austin after beating Democrat Steve Russell. And Matt Schaefer geared up for his first tour of duty as Tyler’s state representative by defeating Libertarian Charles Parkes III.

PALESTINE – Anderson County authorities have released the name of a woman whose body was found north of Palestine last month. The remains were that of Deborah LeAnn Vickery, 35. She is said to be a Tyler area woman. Her body was found in a wooded area of Highway 155. The death was determined to have been caused by a gunshot wound and the case is being treated as a homicide. Anderson County authorities along with the Texas Rangers are continuing the investigation.

JACKSONVILLE – A contingent of law officers tried unsuccessfully last night to find who was responsible for a string of Cherokee County Robberies. A Department of Public Safety helicopter aided in the search. No injuries were reported. KETK reports the man hunt took place in the area of Loop 456 and U.S. Highway 79.

TYLER – Here are the voting totals on the alcohol option issues in Smith County based on early voting and 78 of the 78 precincts:
Tyler Prop 1
Against 8,450….27.07%
For 22,767……..72.93%

Tyler Prop 2
Against 10,670….33.45%
For 21,225……..66.55%

JP 2 Prop 1
Against 6,772…..28.32%
For 17,138………71.68%

JP 2 Prop 2
Against 8,850…..34.64%
For 16,695……..66.55%

In a press release from Buy Local First, supporters of the proposals:
We are very excited about the outcome of tonight’s elections. The people have overwhelmingly stated they want to legally be able to purchase beer and wine in their grocery stores, supermarkets and convenience stores. Restaurants in the newly annexed parts of Tyler and JP 2 will be free from having to comply with private club rules.

We expect those who will apply for licenses will be able to begin selling after the first of the year as it typically takes from 45-60 days for the licenses to go through the proper review process. The process entails requiring the local City Secretary and County Clerk to confirm the retailer is located in a ‘wet’ area and then the license goes to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) for final approval.

As for the opposition, we hope they will see tonight as a sign that the battle is lost and to give up their efforts whose only benefit is to delay the will of the people. However, State law specifically states that even if there is an election challenge, the challenge does not suspend the effect of the local option election. Therefore, the citizens signed the petitions, the city and county thoroughly reviewed the petitions, not once but twice, and ordered the election. The people have spoken, it is time to move forward and come January, start buying locally first.

Opponents of the propositions sought an injunction against the proposals. The filing was based on alleged improper election procedure by the City of Tyler and Smith County. Visiting judge Andrew Kupper rejected the request. The opponents have indicated, if Tyler went wet, a law suit would be filed.

TYLER — Starting today, contractors for Tyler Pounds Regional Airport will be moving fill dirt across the entry road that leads to the commercial airport terminal building. Passengers should not expect any measurable delays as a result of the work but are urged to obey all construction traffic signs and drive slowly in the construction area.

“We have carefully worked with our contractor to be very attentive to airline schedules so that we can coordinate their work to minimize impacts to travelers driving to the terminal,” said Airport Manager Davis Dickson. “We also ask our passengers to allow for a few more minutes in their drive plans to allow for slower speeds through the construction zone.”

The work is expected to last two to three months. Skyway Boulevard will not be closed to traffic.

CANTON (AP) — A traffic collision sent a tractor-trailer rig careening into an East Texas city hall and erupting in flames, killing the driver. Police dispatcher Stacy Hitmer said the crash happened about 1:30 Tuesday afternoon when the 18-wheeler collided with a sport utility vehicle and careened into Canton’s municipal office complex. Fire Chief Bud Sanford said firefighters took about 45 minutes to extinguish the flames. He said no one was in the wing of the building most affected and no one else was injured. Sanford said it was unclear whether the driver died in the crash or the ensuing fire.

TYLER – An East Texas man and woman have pleaded guilty to federal bank fraud violations. Mark Alan McCullars, 44, of Marshall, and Amanda Henderson, 23, of Longview, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud Tuesday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

According to authorities, beginning in May 2011, McCullars and Henderson created counterfeit checks which appeared to be payroll checks from businesses in East Texas. They also created fraudulent drivers’ licenses so that they could cash the counterfeit checks at check-cashing businesses. McCullars and Henderson cashed over 100 fraudulent checks resulting in over $55,000 in loss to check cashing businesses in East Texas. They were indicted by a federal grand jury on May 11, 2012. McCullars and Henderson each face up to 30 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set

TYLER – A 27-year-old Hickory, N.C., woman has pleaded guilty in Tyler to federal drug trafficking violations. Chelsea Elizabeth McDowell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

According to prosecutors, up until January 29, 2011, McDowell conspired with others to assist in transporting methamphetamine and money obtained from selling drugs in East Texas. McDowell admitted to being responsible for distributing approximately 15 kilograms of methamphetamine to others in the area. A federal indictment was returned on April 11, 2012, charging McDowell and others with federal drug crimes. McDowell faces at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

TOKYO (AP) – Two U.S. sailors, including one from East Texas, accused of attacking a woman on Okinawa, have been charged with rape. Local prosecutors on Tuesday formally charged the two, Seaman Christopher Browning of Athens, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Skyler Dozierwalker of Muskogee, Oklahoma, in the October 16 incident that has brought an angry outcry on the southern Japan island. Okinawa hosts more than half of the 52,000 U.S. troops in Japan. The alleged rape has heightened longstanding tensions over base-related crime, accidents and noise. Military officials have since put all U.S. troops in Japan under a strict curfew, but police on Okinawa are now investigating an airman for allegedly violating the new restrictions and punching a 13-year-old boy after a late-night drinking binge.

SMITH COUNTY — A one year old baby was found in the middle of a Smith County road. Smith County Sheriff officials tell KETK, they received a call around 8:30 yesterday morning about a child walking in the 11,000 block of Farm Road 14 near Fielder Road. Two people reportedly swerved to miss the baby, then stopped and removed the child from the road. A neighbor told them the baby belonged to a family nearby.

Authorities approached the house that the neighbors reported as the baby’s home. The door was ajar, and officials discovered an elderly woman passed out on the floor inside. After medical care, the woman was discovered to be the baby’s grandmother, and had suffered a seizure just after opening the door. The baby had walked out the open door after the woman collapsed.

The baby’s mother had left the child with the grandmother while she went to work. No charges will be filed, and everyone involved is okay.

LUFKIN — A Nacogdoches man is dead after a Monday night wreck on U.S. Highway 59 North. According to KETK, it happened about a half mile north of Winston 8 Ranch Rd, just before 10:00. According to Angelina County DPS officials, two vehicles were involved in the crash. Jamond Rashad Curl, 36, and Stephanie Dionne Chunn, 37, both of Nacogodoches, were driving northbound on Hwy 59 in separate vehicles. Curl was reportedly speeding in a 2003 Cadillac, and hit Chunn’s 2010 Ford SUV. Curl then crossed into the southbound lanes, ran off the roadway and hit a tree. He was not wearing his seat belt at the time. Curl was pronounced dead at the scene around 10:45. Chunn was uninjured.

EAST TEXAS – Alcohol propositions are in the spotlight as East Texans await results of today’s elections. In Smith County, there are four propositions on local ballots. Residents of the city of Tyler and Justice Precinct 2 have each been deciding on sales of mixed drinks in restaurants where it’s not already permitted, along with sales of beer and wine in local stores. Voters were given until 7:00 this evening to cast their ballots. You will hear election returns starting tonight at 6:00 on KTBB.

KILGORE – A motorcycle accident near the Smith/Gregg county line has killed one person. The wreck happened around 6:00 Monday morning on Farm Road 2767. Killed was Kenneth Lee Pendergraft, 49, of Tyler. The Department of Public Safety reports Pendergraft was west bound when he lost control of his motorcycle on a curve and hit some road paving equipment that was on the side of the road.

LONGVIEW – The Gregg County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying suspects involved in a robbery. Three men held up the Glass Dragon, 4701 Estes Parkway, on Saturday, November 3rd. They robbed the business at gunpoint just after 9:00pm. The photo is from a video surveillance camera at the business. It shows one of the suspects. They are thought to have escaped in a black Pontiac. You are asked to contact Investigator Doug Morgan at 903-236-8438 or Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP with any information.

TYLER (Staff/AP) — Accused murderer and kidnapper James W. Calvert has been booked into the Smith County Jail after being brought back to Tyler Monday afternoon. He’s held on a $25 million bond after being indicted Monday. According to KETK, he had been held at the Ouachita Correction Center in Louisiana since West Monroe officers caught him in a high speed chase on November 1. Officials believe the 41-year-old Calvert murdered his ex-wife at her Tyler home last week and kidnapped their four-year-old son. The boy was found safe when authorities caught up with Calvert.