KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A former Smith County jailer was arrested last week and later indicted for allegedly having sex with a female inmate. According to KETK, on Friday, officials charged Lakerry Devonerich Bowie, 27, with violating civil rights of a person in custody. Investigators first learned of the accusations involving Bowie and the inmate last September. When authorities questioned him about the alleged incident, Bowie allegedly did not cooperate and was fired. He was employed by Smith County for two years. However, the inmate has confessed to consensual sex, but there is no such thing as consensual sex between law enforcement and an inmate, according to Sheriff J.B. Smith. The Texas Rangers are currently investigating the matter.

TYLER — The City of Tyler is rescinding Stage Two mandatory water restrictions that were put in place in December 2011 and reinstituting Stage One voluntary restrictions. According to Tyler Water Utilities Managing Director Greg Morgan, precipitation that the city’s received in recent weeks, and that which is forecast in the next week, has led the city to shift from mandatory restrictions back to voluntary restrictions. Morgan adds, “The long term forecast for rain in the upcoming summer is uncertain. Therefore, we will monitor lake levels closely and determine if we are able to remain at the Step One restrictions moving into the warmer months.” Lake Tyler is currently 2.5 feet below spillway levels and Lake Palestine is full.

Voluntary Step One modified drought measures call for residents to voluntarily conserve water and limit irrigation of landscaped areas to Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for customers with a street address ending in an even number (0,2,4,6,8) or Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays for water customers with a street address ending in an odd number (1,3,5,7,9). Additionally, irrigation should be done between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The City originally implemented Stage One drought measures in early October. Then on Dec. 13, Stage Two drought measures were implemented. “Although the restrictions are not mandatory at this time, we encourage our residents to be prudent in their use of this valuable natural resource,” added Morgan. “Residents are urged to check for leaking faucets and toilets, ensure sprinkler systems are adjusted to not be watering pavement, and to irrigate only when necessary.”

TYLER — A man shot by a Tyler homeowner has died. Jason Raychard Williams, 27, died shortly after 1:45 Tuesday afternoon. Williams, of Tyler, was shot by a homeowner during an incident last week. He had been in ICU at East Texas Medical Center.

The shooting happened just before 9:45 last Wednesday night. Police received a 911 call of shots fired at 1807 North Ross. According to officials, a neighbor living across the street from the home owner was taking out trash when he observed a suspicious person lurking around the outside of the residence. The homeowner, identified as Terry Traylor, 33, was contacted by telephone about the person his neighbor saw. Traylor reportedly walked outside armed with a handgun while on the telephone with the neighbor.

Police say he was confronted by Williams (pictured), who reportedly told Traylor not to move or he would kill him. Police say Williams was also armed with a handgun. Traylor allegedly shot Williams one time striking his handgun with the round ricocheting into the suspect’s head. No arrests have been made. Police say the case will now be turned over the district attorney and probably presented to a grand jury.

TYLER – A 21-year-old Zwolle, Louisiana, man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Camera Neal Holden, Jr., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine Tuesday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie. According to information presented in court, up until September 30, 2011, Holden conspired with others to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine in East Texas and elsewhere. Holden was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 5, 2011. Holden faces a minimum of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — Firefighters respond to a vehicle fire in Western Smith County Monday night. According to KETK, the blaze sparked around 9:30 on the 2500 block of Thompson Lane. The driver of a pickup noticed smoke coming from under the hood. He managed to pull the truck over before it was engulfed in flames.

HENDERSON — Rusk County officials say an alleged mother-daughter bank robbery team arrested in Gulfport, Mississippi, on Monday may be the two who robbed the Citizens National Bank in Henderson February 28. According to KETK, authorities say the mother and daughter have been involved in at least four robberies, all in similar fashion. They are identified by the Gulfport Police Department as Evie Mearlene Herrin, 57, pictured here, and Amelia Darci Crew, 30, both of Cleveland, Texas. They’re being held in a Mississippi jail, each on a $200,000 bond. Tyler FBI agents and local agencies are working with the Gulfport FBI office on the case.

TYLER — The grandparents of an injured child have been arrested after an investigation. Tyler Police arrested Kenneth Neal Walker, 54, and Shelley Walker, 60, both of Tyler, after their granddaughter, 2-year-old Bridget Walker, was treated for severe burns to her feet.

The incident happened February 28th at their home on Aberdeen. Investigators said the girl received the burns when she was placed in a bath tub with scalding hot water. Both grandparents were home at the time. Bridget was flown to Parkland Hospital in Dallas for treatment and is now in the custody of Child Protective Services.

The Walker’s were booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of injury to a child. Bond was set at $250,000 each.

ATHENS – A one vehicle accident in Henderson County has killed a teenager. Micky Lee Ellis, a senior at Brownsboro High School, was dead at the scene Monday morning. The crash occurred on County Road 4802, southeast of Athens. The Department of Public Safety reports Ellis’ car left the road on a curve and hit a tree.

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches Police Department has opened an investigation into the injury of a one-year-old girl. The girl was taken to a Houston hospital from a Nacogdoches hospital March 22. A hospital worker initially thought the injury was caused by a seizure which led to the head injury. According to KETK, the child was unresponsive when she was initially taken to the Nacogdoches hospital.

GREGG COUNTY — A Kilgore man was killed Saturday when the four-wheeler he was driving rolled off an embankment in Gregg County. Charles Payne, 50, had been riding with a friend when the wreck occurred about 9:00 Saturday night, Gregg County Sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Kirk Haddix said. According to the Longview News-Journal, the wreck happened outside Rabbit Creek Offroad Park between Kilgore and Longview. Haddix said Payne “went over a small embankment, went off the four-wheeler and it rolled on top of him.”

JACKSONVILLE – A joint city and federal investigation has resulted in the arrest of some members of a Jacksonville gang. Five members of the South Side street gang have been taken into custody for selling guns and drugs. Authorities say there could be other arrests down the road. The five, who are currently in custody of U.S. Marshals, will be prosecuted on the federal level.

LUFKIN — An early Saturday morning fire at a south Lufkin apartment complex sent one person to a local hospital. According to KETK and the Lufkin Daily News, firefighters received the call around 5 a.m. Saturday of a fully involved apartment building fire at the Silvercreek Apartment complex on South First Street. You can go to http://lufkindailynews.com to read more.

TYLER — Tyler ISD officials say John Tyler High School basketball coach Tony Pinson has resigned for personal reasons. According to a news release, “There is no longer an ongoing investigation. Tyler ISD will immediately begin the process of filling John Tyler High School’s head basketball coach position.” Word of an investigation involving Pinson surfaced in February, when it was reported by KETK. The TV station said Pinson had been placed on administrative leave. When the story was first reported, Pinson told KTBB, “Whatever rumors are out there aren’t true.” He did confirm that he was hospitalized for 5 days with congestive heart failure and was recovering at home under strict doctor care and guidelines.

Tyler ISD released this statement in February: “During the course of the investigation, the district cannot discuss details; however, we do want to ensure parents and the community that the investigation does not involve Tyler ISD students.” Assistant coach Cedeno Clark took over for Pinson while the school district conducted its investigation.

PALESTINE — Union Pacific officials are clarifying an incident involving a train that left a Palestine rail yard Sunday evening. They say a crew and trained engineer were on board the train when it malfunctioned. The officials tell KETK that the crew and engineer were at the yard on Spring Street moving railcars around the station. Just before 9:00 p.m., according to UP, the brakes malfunctioned, and the train began to roll northbound, parallel to Hwy. 79. The officials say the train continued to roll until it reached an uphill stretch of track about 5-7 miles from the station. That’s where the officials say the train came to a rest.

A spokesperson for Union Pacific says there was a lot of misinformation from various departments. She confirms that all crossing guards did go down, and traffic was alerted to the approaching train by an engineer on board blowing the horn. According to UP, local officials were notified immediately to put the safety measures in place, and nobody was injured.

LUFKIN — The capital murder trial of former nurse Kimberly Saenz has resumed in Lufkin. In testimony Friday, former DaVita Dialysis regional manager Amy Clinton denied making a threatening statement during an April 2008 meeting. According to the Lufkin Daily News, Clinton claimed she did not say, “I will not go down for this. I will take someone with me” in the 2008 staff meeting, as a former DaVita nurse testified Thursday. Clinton was alleged to have made the statement a week after the first two of five patient deaths. Saenz is now charged with their murders, accused of injecting them with bleach. You can go to http://lufkindailynews.com for more on this story.

SMITH COUNTY — A two vehicle wreck near Interstate Highway 20 and Smith County Road 426 causes one vehicle to be flipped onto its side. The incident happened Sunday evening off County Road 426, also known as Willow Branch Road, near the Van Zandt County line. DPS officials tell KETK that three people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries as a result of the crash.

TYLER — An East Texas church shows its support Sunday for Florida teen Trayvon Martin, who was shot and killed in February by a neighborhood watch captain. The congregation at Kingdom Family Church in Tyler wore hooded sweatshirts during its Sunday service. Senior Pastor Reginald Shankle told KETK the message was about unconditional love for all genders and races.

GREGG COUNTY — One man is dead one woman injured after a motorcycle wreck in Gregg County. It happened around 10:15 Saturday night on Highway 135 near County Road 3585. According to the DPS report, Rickey Haskell Loftis, 58, Gladewater, was pronounced dead at the scene. Shelley Henderson, 44, Gladewater, is in critical condition with broken bones and lacerations. Officials said the motorcycle failed to negotiate a curve, lost control and wrecked.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A Texas Atheist who threatened a lawsuit if the county didn’t remove a nativity scene from the courthouse lawn is reportedly “flabbergasted” that Christians have offered to help him pay his bills. Christians in Henderson County have raised around $400 to help Patrick Greene, an Atheist who is at risk of going blind in one eye due to a detached retina. The Nativity Scene had been a source of controversy since it was erected last December. Greene ended up dropping his lawsuit when doctors told him about his eye condition. He had to retire from his job driving a taxi and was facing mounting medical bills. When they gave Greene the check, they told him they wanted to do what real Christians are supposed to do – love you – and they wanted to help. Greene plans on writing a book titled “The Real Christians of Henderson County.”

GARRISON – A powered parachute, which is a small personal aircraft has crashed in Nacogdoches County, killing the pilot. He is identified as Roby Spencer Jernigan, 66, of Garrison. The sheriff’s department reports shortly after takeoff, the aircraft was forced into some trees off Farm Road 95. The pilot fell to the ground. He was rushed to a Nacogdoches hospital where he later died.

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

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement-repair operations on US 175 between LaRue and Poynor, followed the same work on State Highway 31 near West Loop 7 in Athens. Also this week in Henderson County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to begin approximately two weeks of resurfacing work on Farm Road 3079 between Farm Road 314 south of Brownsboro and Farm Road 315 south of Chandler. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to complete pavement-repair operations on Farm Road 95 between Farm Road 315 and U.S. Highway 84 east of Mount Enterprise, then move to begin approximately two weeks of the same work on Farm Road 1716 between State Highway 43 near Tatum and Farm Road 782. The work on Farm Road 1716 is being done in advance of a seal coat application later this summer. 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.

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

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

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

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 859 in Edgewood between U.S. Highway 80 and Farm Road 1395, on Farm Road 1395 north of Edgewood, and on Farm Road 47 south of Interstate Highway 20. Also this week in Van Zandt County, TxDOT laboratory technicians are scheduled to perform pavement-coring operations on State Highway 64 between Farm Road 314 north of Edom and Farm Road 858 in Ben Wheeler. 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.

TYLER — Tyler’s Firefighter of the Year is Deputy Fire Marshal James Suggs. That honor and numerous others were handed out as the Tyler Fire Department held its 21st Annual Awards Banquet Saturday at the Rose Garden center. Among the other awards:

Outstanding District Award- District 1 C-Shift, led by District Chief Ray Hukill

Leadership Awards:
o District Chief Ray Hukill
o Captain George Fletcher
o Captain David Admire, Jr.

Life Saving Awards:
o Driver/Engineer Greg Allen
o Captain Dexter Cook
o Driver/Engineer John Rains
o Firefighter Jason Williams
o Firefighter Heath Aaron
o Captain Mike Nipp
o Driver/Engineer Casey Cabaniss
o Firefighter Matt Ford
o Aaron Dickson
o Ren Kuykendall

TYLER — Dr. Alisa White has been named provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at The University of Texas at Tyler, effective June 1, President Rodney H. Mabry announced. She follows Dr. Donna Dickerson, who has served as interim provost and vice president. One of four finalists, White will come to UT Tyler after serving two years as the provost of Midwestern State University. White holds a master of science in library and information science as well as a Ph.D. in mass communication, both from the University of Tennessee. Her professional experience includes part ownership of a medium-market radio station in Tennessee and conducting market research for public relations and advertising firms in Louisiana and Georgia. She also has authored and co-authored many refereed publications.

TYLER – Tyler ISD officials say they’ve announced changes to the current leadership team “in light of the new accountability system and the desire to meet the needs of 21st century learning.” Kim Tunnell, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction, will move to a new position, Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Continuous Improvement, in July. Officials say this change will be budget neutral for the district. According to TISD press materials, in this new position, Tunnell will lead the district as it moves forward with long range planning, implementation, and accountability. The district is accepting applications for the Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction position.

TYLER — Beautiful weather greeted locals and visitors as Tyler’s 53rd annual Azalea and Spring Flower Trail moved through its first weekend. Tourists can tour the trails for two more weekends and attend annual events scheduled all over Tyler. The Azalea and Spring Flower Trail features a ten mile tract of azaleas, dogwoods, and other spring flowers. The ambassadors of the Trail, the Azalea Belles, will be on hand to greet guests and pose for pictures.

The event kicked off with a ribbon cutting and opening ceremony Friday morning at the Pyron Home located at 212 W. Dobbs. Every year the Azalea and Spring Flower Trail brings a substantial economic impact to Tyler. In 2011, the estimated economic impact for Tyler was over $2 million. For more information about the trail, download a brochure of events at http://www.visittyler.com or contact Kim Morris at 903-592-1661. Visitors may also obtain trail information at The Chamber of Commerce, located at 315 N. Broadway, Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. from March 23-April 7. Complimentary visitor packets are available at or at http://www.visittyler.com or by calling 800-235-5712.

LUFKIN (Staff/AP) — It used to be the Post Office in downtown Lufkin. But in the 80s it became the Ward R. Burke Federal Courthouse, a transformation that officials say the famous Texas politician Charlie Wilson helped make possible. But now, because the courthouse doesn’t have a resident judge, it’s on a list of 60 Federal Courthouses across the United States that also don’t have resident judges — and may close. David Maland, the U.S. District clerk for the Federal courts in East Texas, tells KETK it’s a ranking based on how much use the court is getting, number 1 being the least used. “When it all shook out, our Lufkin facility was 45th on a list of 60. Which really is a better place to be,” Maland said.

A local attorney definitely doesn’t think closing the Federal Courthouse is the answer. “I think it’s a shame…because it’s gonna create more problems for people to do things they need to in federal court,” said John Tatum. Tatum says East Texans should be able to have access to the justice system in Lufkin. “The couple of Federal cases I had…at least you can go over there and have a hearing here with the judge on a teleconference. So it’s just easier. Now we’re gonna have to drive to Beaumont with $4.00 in gas,” Tatum said.

Maland says he and his colleagues have until the 13th of April to give feedback to the 5th Circuit in New Orleans. He says they will make the case that the courthouse should remain open. “We’ve got a pretty active case pattern and we’re a growing district. Otherwise, we’ll have to build some new place for a judge to stay in the future and that will cost more money than keeping Lufkin open for a while,” Maland said. Maland also says there are 4 other courthouses in the 5th circuit that are ahead of Lufkin on the list, so he says that looks pretty good for Lufkin.

MT. ENTERPRISE — Three persons have been arrested following a big drug bust in Rusk County. Thursday afternoon, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division, with the assistance of Rusk County and Henderson Police Department Tactical Units, executed a search warrant at 107 Gatlin Cemetery Road in Mt. Enterprise. According to KETK, officers found over 27 grams of methamphetamine, over 77 grams of marijuana, and approximately $880 during the search.

Stacy Lynn Ammons, 37, and Harold Edwin Duke, 54, both of Mt. Enterprise, were arrested. Ammons was charged with Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, 1st degree felony and Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor. Duke was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance, a State Jail Felony. The investigation continues and more arrests are expected. Both suspects were arraigned Friday. Ammons’s bond was set $15,000, while Duke’s bond was placed at $10,000. Ammons posted bail and was later released, while Duke remains in the Rusk County Jail.

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant Thursday evening that netted a large amount of crack cocaine packaged in bulk form, as well as several ecstasy pills and a firearm. According to KETK, the warrant was executed at a location known to be frequented by street gang members. One confirmed member of the Crips gang was arrested during the raid. Sheriff’s deputies say other arrests may follow.

TYLER – After deliberating around two hours, a jury has convicted a Tyler man of attempted sexual assault. The punishment phase for Dearion D’Shon Dews, 19, began Friday. He had been accused of attempting to assault a woman last summer. The woman told investigators she was jogging on Varsity Drive at Old Omen Road when the assault occurred. The woman said a man grabbed her and attempted to drag her toward the tree line between Old Omen Road and parking lot 7. The man began groping the victim. She screamed several times. A passing motorist noticed the incident taking place and slowed down. At that time, the suspect released the victim and ran from the scene toward parking lot 7. Dews was later arrested by University of Texas at Tyler police. He faces up to 10 years in prison for the third-degree felony.

LUFKIN (AP) — A former co-worker of an East Texas dialysis nurse on trial for allegedly killing five patients says she believes the clinic the two women worked for wanted to blame someone for the deaths. Prosecutors say Kimberly Saenz killed five patients in Lufkin by injecting bleach into their dialysis lines. Saenz’s attorney, Ryan Deaton, says officials at the facility, the DaVita Dialysis clinic, have fabricated evidence against his client. The Lufkin Daily News reports that during testimony Thursday, former DaVita employee Connie Baker told jurors about what she felt was a threatening comment made after the first two deaths in 2008 by a regional manager, who allegedly said, “I will not go down for this. I will take someone with me.” Saenz could get the death penalty if convicted.