KTBB News, Weather, Talk

CRYSTAL BEACH — A Longview man has drowned in the Gulf of Mexico. Jeffery Buttram, 42, was found Sunday afternoon in the water near the 1900 block of Avenue J in Crystal Beach. John Florence, a spokesman for the Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office, said CPR was performed on Buttram on the beach. He was flown by a medical helicopter to the University of Texas Medical Branch, where he died Monday afternoon. An autopsy has been ordered.

FRANKLIN, TENN. –– Livability.com, a national website that highlights more than 500 of America’s best places to live and visit, has released a list of the Top 10 Best BBQ Cities – Surprisingly Great Places for BBQ. Tyler made the top ten list.

Much has been written about the smoking, saucing and rubbing going on in places like Memphis, Austin, Chicago and Kansas City, those cities by which all other barbecue is measured. So for their list of the best places for BBQ, Livability.com editors purposely strayed from the herd, instead concentrating on those lesser known cities with a large and loyal local barbecue fan base. To narrow down the list, editors looked at the number of barbecue restaurants, joints and shacks in a city as well as the quality of those establishments based on customer reviews, and in some cases, a little messy hands-on research.

“Part of what we do at Livability.com is uncover those hidden gems in cities and help them shine. So when a list of the best BBQ cities was proposed, it was decided that we wouldn’t take the easy route of listing the usual suspects. Instead we’d go mining for those gems that the rest of the country might not yet have discovered,” said John Hood, spokesman for Livability.com.

Barbecue is taken very seriously in Texas. Cities like Austin, Lockhart and Houston are well known for having an assortment of tempting ‘cue. Picking the best barbecue restaurant in Texas is like asking someone to pick their favorite child. Easy for some, agonizing for others. One thing most Texans agree on is Texas barbecue is the best. Livability.com editors focused their attention on Tyler a city that hasn’t received much notoriety but has some darn good barbecue. ‘Cue snobs have tipped a hat to Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q. It has put Tyler’s barbecue scene on the map, and the scene is a good one. The city has five bona fide barbecue restaurants and a few more that offer barbecue on the menu.

The website’s Top 10 Best BBQ Cities – Surprisingly Great Places for BBQ:
1. Lexington, NC
2. Tuscaloosa, AL
3. Greenville, SC
4. Hattiesburg, MS
5. Tyler, TX
6. Springfield, MO
7. Bethesda, MD
8. Fayetteville, AR
9. Gainesville, FL
10. Cumming, GA

CADDO LAKE — Caddo Lake in Northeast Texas is known for its maze of bayous and bald cypress trees draped in Spanish Moss. the lake is popular today for its fishing, camping and boating. However, it is in danger of being overtaken by some non-native plant species that threaten its fragile ecosystem. Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples says there are two main threats. He says the plants reduce the oxygen levels in the water and clog the waterways — and that threatens the fish, waterfowl and other wildlife that depend on the lake for survival. Staples says crews are using chemical treatments and introducing weevils that eat the plants.

TYLER — A group called the Coalition of Retired Law Enforcement Officers and Second Amendment Defenders announces its support of Larry Smith for Smith County sheriff. According to KETK, the group includes former FBI and DPS officers, ex-game wardens, and some local gunsmiths. Members spoke highly of Smith’s character, experience, and integrity. As early voting continues, Smith is locked in a hotly contested race against former Game Warden Chris Green.

JACKSONVILLE — There are a lot of limbs, branches, and leaves to be hauled away following weekend storms, but some trees hold a little more meaning than that. A tree with history in Jacksonville didn’t survive the storms. Local resident Kathleen Stanfill spoke with KETK about what her family calls “the big tree.” Stanfill says, “It was just like a place that was familiar. It was just like a place that was home. It was like…it was almost like part of the family, I guess.” An old photo shows Stanfill and her sister Allison, who now owns the property once belonging to their grandparents, playing by the big tree as children. Now the tree’s been cut into pieces after falling over during Saturday night’s storm.

In the 1960s, the Texas Forest Service put the tree on its Big Tree Registry, a list of the biggest of each species. It lost the title for awhile in the 80s, but it quickly got it back, and until this past weekend, it was known as the biggest American elm in the state of Texas, exceeding 21 feet in circumference. After the storms, Stanfill drove to her sister’s house and saw the damage first hand. “I cried,” she says. “I cried like I’d lost a family member. I cried like the rest of the family did.” Stanfill says Jacksonville has lost a landmark. For years, she says, there was a plaque recognizing the designation on Myrtle Drive, and people would often stop to look, something her grandparents were very proud of.

TYLER — Traffic heading northbound on Old Bullard Road by the Broadway Square Mall is shut down due to tree trimming. KETK reports you should avoid this area or you will be rerouted to Richmond Road, where traffic is heavily backed up. Officials did not say when the cutting would be done.

TYLER — A Smith County man was arrested early Monday morning after allegedly stabbing his neighbor. It happened on the 13000 block of County Road 220, just after midnight. That’s when Smith County Sheriff’s officials tell KETK Glenn Cooper, 47, walked up to his neighbor’s house and stabbed his neighbor, Gary Simmons, 42, in the stomach. Simmons told sheriff’s officials that he knew Cooper, but not well. According to authorities, Cooper admitted to deputies that he stabbed Simmons, but no motive has been determined. Simmons was sent to a local hospital, where he had surgery. He is expected to fully recover. Cooper was arrested, and booked into the Smith County Jail. He is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and is being held on a $100,000 bond.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday will consider calling a special election for November 6 on a pair of alcohol propositions. One would call for beer & wine sales for off-premises consumption; the other is for extension of the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants to current city limits. The City Council’s meeting got underway at 9:00 this morning. The Smith County Commissioners Court must give the nod to similar propositions for the county’s Justice Precinct 2. Commissioners are slated to consider that at their meeting next Tuesday morning at 9:30. A group called Buy Local First has been working to get the propositions on local ballots, largely by circulating petitions that both governing bodies must approve. A group called Stand Strong for Tyler opposes the effort.

SMITH COUNTY — One man has been taken in custody after leading deputies on a chase. William Andrew Wilson, 20, was booked into the Smith County Jail under bonds totaling $2.6 million. Smith County Deputies tell KETK they were chasing the man after he allegedly walked into a house without permission on Big Oak Drive. Wilson, who claims to be a college student, reportedly asked to use a phone but was denied by the people inside the home. He then ran from the scene. Authorities arrested Wilson after he jumped into the lake. Charges against Wilson include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief, possession of drupe paraphernalia, attempt to escape, burglary of habitation and resisting arrest.

COFFEE CITY — A suspected killer and kidnapper has been returned to Henderson County. Jackie Martez Guthrie, 22, was returned yesterday afternoon following his Friday night arrest in Galveston. He is accused of the Thursday night death of a 2012 John Tyler High school graduate and the abduction of another woman in Coffee City.

The shooting took place around 10:30 Thursday night in Briarwood Bay. Officials say Guthrie fatally shot Tyler resident Chantel Barret, 18, in the back. Police said he then forced his girlfriend, Tiffany Hurd, who is said to be 7 months pregnant with his child, into Chantel’s vehicle. A citizen’s tip led to his arrest Friday night in Galveston. Funeral services for Chantel were held Monday at First Baptist Church of Henderson, with interment at Shiloh Cemetery.

LUFKIN — An Angelina County woman has pleaded guilty to federal violations. Joneshia Cranford, 33, of Lufkin, pleaded guilty to wrongful disclosure of individually identifiable health information in an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn in Lufkin.

Federal prosecutors say, from 2005 to 2008, Cranford, an employee of a Lufkin-area health care provider, stole protected health information, including patient names, dates of birth, social security numbers, Medicare numbers, and Medicaid numbers and sold the information to Shavator Albro, 35, and Francis “Frank” Ibiok, 28, both of Houston. Cranford’s actions are a criminal violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Cranford faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set. Albro and Ibiok have pleaded guilty to health care fraud and identity theft offences and face up to 15 years in federal prison.

DALLAS (AP/Staff) — Celebrated car designer Carroll Shelby’s children and wife have resolved a dispute over how to bury him, two and a half months after his death. Shelby, a Camp County native, died in a Dallas hospital on May 10; his body is being held in a local morgue. His three children say their father signed a document giving them permission to have his body cremated, though his last wife, Cleo, said the document was a forgery.

Shelby’s son and Cleo Shelby’s attorney told The Associated Press on Monday that they’re close to finalizing a settlement. They say his remains will be cremated, then divided five ways among his children, his wife, and burial at a family plot in East Texas. The 89-year-old Shelby built powerful versions of the Cobra, Mustang, and Viper sports cars.

LONGVIEW — A Gilmer man has been arrested in Longview for stealing dog food and beer. Just before 9:45 Friday morning officers were dispatched to the Kroger store in the 700 block of East Marshall. Emplotees told officers a man had come into the store and taken 2 bags of dog food and 6 cases of beer. When store employees attempted to stop him, he is said to have shoved one of the employees to the ground and ran out the door and drove away. The employee was not seriously injured. Ronald O’Keith Beasley, 44, was found a short time later in the 200 block of Mitchell Street. He was charged with robbery and booked into the Gregg County Jail.

TYLER — Now through Friday, the City of Tyler Solid Waste Department will be providing free pick up of brush that was broken due to this past weekend’s storm. All limbs and brush must be placed at the curb and be less than eight feet in length. “Tyler Solid Waste typically provides free brush pick up if the debris is bundled and less than four feet in length,” said Dan Brotton, Solid Waste director. “However, because of the severe storm this weekend, we will temporarily pick up larger debris at no additional cost to our customers.” Additional crews have been scheduled to provide the added service this week.

If brush does not meet the guidelines listed above, please call the Tyler Solid Waste office at 903-531-1388. Any brush or limbs that are placed at the curb after Friday must be less than four feet in length and tied in bundles that do not exceed 50 pounds.

TYLER — Following any storm, phones at the Better Business Bureau Serving Central East Texas ring off the hook from consumers calling to verify the legitimacy of out-of-the-area contractors. Storm chasers and other door-to-door salespeople often peddle dubious deals that may cost homeowners thousands of dollars and create serious headaches, often requiring advance payment and making big promises on which they won’t be able to deliver. “Consumers are often so desperate to get repairs completed that they fail to do the proper research on the company they hire to do the work”, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “Failing to do so, however, could cause both your home and wallet to take a serious beating.”

BBB offers the following advice to homeowners before hiring a contractor:

• Check with your insurance company about policy coverage and specific filing requirements. Save all receipts if temporary repairs are necessary.
• Although you may be anxious to get things back to normal, avoid letting your emotions get the better of you. Don’t be pressured into making an immediate decision with a long-term impact. Be proactive in selecting a business and not re-active to sales solicitations.
• For major repairs, take time to shop around and get 3 -4 estimates based on the same specifications and materials. Check out references that are at least one year-old and verify licensing with local agencies.

• Be wary of door-to-door workers who claim to have left-over materials from a job “down the street” or who do not have a permanent place of business. If sales people go door-to-door, check to see if your community requires them to have solicitation permits.
• Be leery if a worker shows up on your doorstep to announce that your home is unsafe. If you are concerned about possible structural damage in your home, have an engineer, architect or building official inspect it. While most contractors abide by the law, be careful allowing someone you do not know inspect your home. An unethical contractor may actually create damage to get the work.

• Require a written contract agreement with anyone you hire. Be sure their name address, license number, if applicable, and phone number is included in the contract. Read and understand the contract in its entirety, and don’t sign a blank contract. A copy of the signed contract is to be given to you at the time of signature.
• Clearly written proposals that are detailed and broken down into separate line items are a good sign that the contractor is being thorough and has prepared an accurate estimate.

• If one estimate seems much lower than the others and it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Many fly-by-night contractors’ below-cost bids seem attractive, but these contracts often are uninsured and perform substantial cancellation fees or liquidation damages are required if the homeowner decides not to use the contractor after insurance approval of the claim.
• Never pay for work in full in advance. The Better Business Bureau recommends a consumer never pay more than half before the contractor starts repairs and don’t pay the remaining balance until you are satisfied with the work. A good guideline is to pay by the rule of thirds: pay one-third deposit, one-third when the job is 50% complete, and one-third once the job is completed.
• Hire locally whenever possible. Chances are, if the company is not from the area, they are less likely to come back and make a repair should you find something they missed.

Victims of severe storm damage should never feel forced to make a hasty decision or to choose an unknown contractor. Go to http://www.bbb.org to start with companies you can trust. To report a fraud or scam, call the BBB Hotline: 903-581-8373.

LONGVIEW — A woman who passed a stolen check early this month is sought by Longview police. On July 2, the Longview Police Department was contacted by a forgery victim. The victim stated he’d placed a check in his mailbox to be mailed around the end of May, 2012. On July 2, he realized the check had been altered and the suspect had passed the check at Ulta Cosmetics in Longview.

Police obtained several photos of the suspect. The suspect is described as a white female, with dark shoulder length hair pulled back in a ponytail. The suspect was wearing a light colored striped shirt with a dark bra and white capri pants. Police are asking anyone with information on the identity of this suspect to contact Longview Police Sgt. Chris Clark at 903-237-1199. If the tipster wishes to remain anonymous, he or she can also contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.org or 903-236-STOP (7867).

FRANKSTON — Three people are taken to the hospital after a car wreck on Hwy. 155 near Frankston over the weekend. Officers say two cars were involved in that wreck, which backed up traffic for a mile. A DPS trooper tells KETK there was a large amount of alcohol at the scene, but they don’t suspect the driver in question had been drinking.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – An East Texas congressman clashes with the head of homeland security over Muslim influence in the Obama administration. In a Congressional hearing, Rep. Louie Gohmert of Tyler questioned Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano over an appointee to the National Secruity Advisory Council, Mohammed Elibiary — who Gohmert says downloaded classified information and made it available to a reporter. Napolitano said, “What bothers me, quite frankly, are the allegations that are made against anyone who happens to be Muslim.” Gohmert countered, “The allegations are not because he is Muslim. You follow me around the world, you see me hugging Muslims around the world because the ones I hug are our friends.” Gohmert says the documents were released to make Governor Rick Perry appear “Islamophobic.”

Gohmert also alleges members of an Egyptian terrorist group obtained visas and visited the White House. He added, “And this administration seems to have a hard time recognizing members of terrorist groups who are allowed into the White House; you’re aware of that happening, aren’t you?” Napolitano responded, “Absolutely not.” Gohmert replied, “The evidence speaks for itself.”

LUFKIN (AP) – A former East Texas bank president faces up to 30 years in prison for using customer funds to pay his home contractor. Prosecutors in Lufkin on Monday announced the guilty plea from 33-year-old Willard T. Scott of Nacogdoches. The ex-president of Huntington State Bank in Nacogdoches pleaded guilty Friday to making false entries to bank records. Investigators say Scott in April 2010 falsified records to indicate nearly $7,400 withdrawn from a customer’s account was for a loan payment. Prosecutors say Scott instead used the customer’s money to pay his own home contractor. No sentencing date has been set. Prosecutors add Scott remains free pending sentencing.

COFFEE CITY — A suspected killer and kidnapper is expected to be returned to Henderson County this week for arraignment. Jackie Martez Guthrie, 22, was arrested Friday in Galveston and held without bond in the Galveston County Jail. He is seen here in his booking photo from Galveston.

It all started Thursday night with the death of a 2012 John Tyler High school graduate and the abduction of another woman in Coffee City. According to KETK, the shooting took place at approximately 10:35 in Briarwood Bay. Officials say Guthrie fatally shot Tyler resident Chantel Barret, 18, in the back. Police said he then forced his girlfriend, Tiffany Hurd, who is said to be 7 months pregnant with his child, into Chantel’s vehicle. A citizen’s tip led to his arrest in Galveston. Funeral services for Chantel were held Monday at First Baptist Church of Henderson, with interment at Shiloh Cemetery.

LONGVIEW — Crews work to repair water line breaks in Longview. They were reported Sunday on Fisher Road and in the 13,000 block of H.G. Mosley Parkway. The breaks are not affecting the city’s water pressure.

EAST TEXAS — Crews continued working Monday to restore power in some areas of East Texas in the wake of isolated thunderstorms Saturday. The problem appears to have been caused by trees, killed by last year’s drought, falling into power lines. Oncor has even brought extra resources to help restore power.

McALLEN (AP) — One of the victims of the Colorado shooting spent part of her childhood in Texas and is remembered by friends as a hard-working single mother who could light up a room with her smile and carefree spirit. Rebecca Wingo of Aurora, Colorado, graduated from high school in Quinlan, in Hunt County.

Cody Shafer was helping organize a gathering of friends Sunday in Aurora to remember the 32-year-old Wingo. He says Wingo performed his and his partner Marq’s marriage ceremony in Iowa two years ago and remained a close friend. Shafer says Wingo worked for a medical company and attended school, while raising her two daughters. She was an Air Force veteran.

She was among 12 people killed in a shooting rampage early Friday at a movie theater in Aurora.

TYLER — In the wake of Friday’s shocking movie theater massacre in Aurora, Colorado, the host of KTBB’S “Gun Talk” shares his thoughts on the importance of self-defense in an exclusive interview with KTBB. Tom Gresham says all of us must make a commitment to our families — “and that commitment must include getting training, which is an investment of time and money, and keeping it up.” Gresham compares it to buying insurance. He says it will increase the likelihood “that you get to see your kids graduate from high school, you get to give away your daughter at her wedding, you get to have your 50th anniversary with your wife or your husband. That’s the kind of insurance I’m interested in.” He calls the mass shooting tragic but says an armed and trained individual might have reduced the toll.

TYLER — Today is the first day of early voting in the July 31 primary runoffs. One high-profile race is the GOP contest for U.S. Senate between David Dewhurst and Ted Cruz. The winner will face either Paul Sadler of Henderson or Smith County native Grady Yarbrough of San Antonio in November; Sadler and Yarbrough are vying for the Democratic nomination. And Larry Smith takes on Chris Green in the Republican runoff for Smith County sheriff; there are no Democrats going after that position. Early voting continues through July 27.

TYLER — The countdown is underway to the Texas Rose Festival, set for October 18-21. At the festival’s kickoff over the weekend at Willow Brook Country Club, Rose Queen Haley Anderson thanked the event’s numerous volunteers. She remarked, “Obviously, they have to love what they do, because they work really hard for us, and we can’t do it without them.” The kickoff also served to welcome out-of-town guests, thank the festival’s 2012 corporate sponsors, and more. By the way, Haley hopes to see you at the festival. She says, “Everyone should come join us in October. It’s gonna be a great year!” General public ticket sales begin September 4. You can go to http://www.texasrosefestival.net for more information.

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

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin several days of pavement repairs throughout the county including various locations in Interstate Highway 20, followed upon completion by the same work on State Hoghway 19 south of Canton and on U.S. Highway 80 between Farm Road 859 in Edgewood and State Highway 19. 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, work associated with TxDOT’s annual preventative maintenance program known as District Wide Seal Coat, is scheduled to begin in Van Zandt County. Crews are scheduled to seal the following roadways:
● State Highway 64 between Interstate Highway 20 west of Canton and State Highway 19 in Canton;
● Farm Road 859 between U.S. Highway 80 in Edgewood and Interstate Highway 20 north of Canton;
● Farm Road 1395 between Farm Road 47 and Farm Road 859 north of Edgewood;
● Farm Road 47 between the Rains County Line and Farm Road 2475
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. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

LONGVIEW — Construction crews this week are scheduled to resume nighttime resurfacing work on South Loop 281 in Longview between Farm Road 2205 (Jaycee Drive) and Estes Parkway. The work is being conducted Sunday-Thursday between 7:00pm to 6:00am, weather permitting. Once the work on Loop 281 is complete, crews are scheduled to move to perform the same work on Spur 63 between U.S. Highway 80 (Marshall Ave.) and North Loop 281. Overnight lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to use caution and be on the lookout for workers and heavy equipment in and around the work zone.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 79 east of Henderson between the city limits and the Panola County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

Also affecting motorists in Rusk County, TxDOT maintenance forces from Nacogdoches County are scheduled on Monday to close Farm Road 225 between U.S. Highway 84 in Rusk County and Cushing to replace a culvert. The roadway is scheduled to re-open on Thursday, July 26th. Local traffic will be allowed access to driveways, but thru traffic must seek an alternate route.

SMITH COUNTY — Construction crews are scheduled to continue several weeks of nighttime work on Tyler’s WSW Loop 323 between State Highway 155 (Frankston Highway) and Bellwood Drive, which is just south of the railroad overpass near West Front Street. Crews are scheduled to work from 7:00pm to 5:00am, Sunday-Thursday repairing and then resurfacing the roadway. Temporary lane-closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists should be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — TxDOT maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue edge work on Farm Road 855 between U.S. Highway 69 in Mount Selman and Farm Road 2137. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 2022 between State Highway 294 in Slocum and the Houston County Line.

WOOD COUNTY — Work associated with TxDOT’s annual preventative maintenance program known as District Wide Seal Coat, is scheduled to begin in Wood County as early as Wednesday, July 25th, weather permitting. Crews are scheduled to seal the following roadways:
● Farm Road 17 between U.S. Highway 69 in Alba and Farm Road 515;
● Farm Road 2088 between State Highway 37 in Quitman and the Upshur County Line;
● Farm Road 2869 between Farm Road 852 south of Winnsboro and Farm Road 14 north of Hawkins 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. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

LONGVIEW — A two story home in norther Gregg County has been destroyed by fire. The fire was reported yesterday afternoon in the 1100 block of Hunter Road. No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.

CHANDLER — A car/pedestrian accident in Hendeson County has killed a teenager. Killed was Seth Austin Bullock, 17, of Chandler. The Department of Public Safety reports he had jumped on the trunk of a moving car. The driver accelerated and he fell from the vehicle, fatally injuring himself. The accident happened shortly after 11:30 Friday night in the Wild Woods Subdivision south of Chandler.

TYLER — A motorcyclist has been injured in a two vehicle accident in Tyler. The wreck occurred around 12:15 Saturday afternoon on University Boulevard just south of Loop 323. According to Sgt. Robert Phillips, a car turned south onto the 3600 block of University Boulevard from a private drive. The motorcycle was accelerating from the Loop on University and hit the car. The motorcyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, was seriously injured and transported to East Texas Medical Center. The car’s driver was not injured. No names have been released at this time and the accident remains under investigation.