KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TITUS COUNTY — Two Naples residents died Saturday evening in a one-vehicle crash in Titus County. According to Department of Public Safety officials, Shawn Hamm, 39, was traveling eastbound on U.S. 67 around 8:00, when she left the roadway and struck a tree. DPS spokeswoman Sylvia Jennings said both Hamm and her passenger, Jordon Roosevelt, 56, were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said Hamm was wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred, but Roosevelt was not.

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD Superintendent, James Wilcox, announced his retirement to district principals and some area media Monday but had not officially given the news to his school board. That notification may have come in a closed session of the board that continued late Monday.

Board President Sam Satterwhite said Monday afternoon he was aware Wilcox had notified principals, but could not confirm when the retirement would take effect because Wilcox “has not officially told the board that.”

Longview ISD spokesman Adam Holland said in an email Wilcox planned to give his retirement notice to trustees at the meeting that began at 7:00 Monday night. If accepted, his retirement would take effect Dec. 31, Holland said. However, nothing was said about the matter during the portion of the meeting that was open to the public. About 9:00, the board went into executive session for its annual self-assessment and to discuss personnel and other matters.

“I’m pleased to have been a part of the best school district east of I-45,” Wilcox said in a news release issued Monday afternoon. “This is bittersweet, as I have loved every day in Longview ISD.”

Wilcox said in the news release he hasn’t made immediate full-time work plans, but intends to remain active in educational circles and Longview-area organizations. Meanwhile, district officials have remained mum on rumors that the board intends to rehire Wilcox about a month after his retirement takes effect.

Such an arrangement would be acceptable under the state’s Teacher Retirement System. The move would allow Wilcox to draw a salary from the district as well as partial benefits of the Teacher Retirement System. With an annual salary of $207,500, his contract with the school district expires June 30.

TYLER – A Smith County man will be going to prison for a shooting this spring in the Broadway Square Mall parking lot. Terrence Widemon, 25, of Flint, pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated assault. State District Judge Jack Skeen sentenced Widemon to 12 years in prison.

HENDERSON – The Gaston Water Supply is asking its customers to boil water for a 72 hour period. The company has experience a water line break and a loss of pressure. They are asking their Henderson customers on Main Street and Farm Road 13, and the customers south of these roads, to boil their water.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration says a Republican bill to fast-track approval of an oil pipeline from Canada could lead to the project’s demise. In a statement Monday, the State Department warned that congressional interference with the Keystone XL pipeline could backfire. The State Department has authority over the project because it crosses an international border.

The statement said that if Congress imposes an arbitrary deadline for a permit decision, it could prevent the administration from meeting environmental laws that govern the approval process. In that case, officials say the department would be unable to make a determination to issue a permit.’

GOP lawmakers back a bill to require approval of the pipeline within 60 days. They say the Canada-to-Texas pipeline will help create jobs without taxpayer money. The proposed route of the pipeline takes it through eastern Smith County.

TYLER — Effective today, the City of Tyler Water Utilities Department is implementing “Step Two” of the Drought Contingency Measures. The City implemented Stage One drought measures in early October of this year which called for voluntary restrictions of residential water use.

“Although the City has experienced some rain events in the last month, it has not been enough precipitation to refill our reservoirs,” said Water Utilities Managing Director Greg Morgan. “We feel that because of the dry weather conditions we have been experiencing in the last year and the predictions of a dry spring and summer in the upcoming year, it is in the best interest of Tyler’s long term planning efforts to take this action at this time.”

Step Two drought measures call for mandatory water conservation measures to prohibit water waste. Water waste is defined as washing house windows, sidings, eaves and roof with a hose (without the use of a bucket); washing driveways, streets, curbs and gutters, washing vehicles without a cut-off valve and bucket; unattended sprinkling of landscape shrubs and grass; and filling of swimming pools.

Outdoor water usage, such as irrigation of landscaped areas, is limited to Sundays and Thursdays for customers with a street address ending in an even number or Saturdays and Wednesdays for water customers with a street address ending in an odd number. Additionally, irrigation should be done between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Use of hand-held hoses, watering cans and drip systems for irrigation may be done at any time.

The goal of the Step Two drought measures is to reduce water consumption by 10%.

“The State of Texas as well as the entire country is taking a close look at water use and conservation,” added Morgan. “We need to make sure we are doing what we can to prepare for the future.”

SMITH COUNTY — One person is dead after a family argument turned violent. According to Smith County authorities, it happened just before 2:45 Sunday afternoon in the 15,000 block of Dry Creek Road when Audy Douglas Murphy, 39, began arguing with his mother, Nanette Kirton, 62. Murphy’s stepfather, William Wesley Kirton, 67, found him standing over Mrs. Kirton, yelling at her. Mr. Kirton then retrieved his handgun and warned Murphy to stop the abuse or he would shoot. Authorities said Murphy turned toward Mr. Kirton and began coming at him aggressively, telling his stepdad to “shoot me”. Mr. Kirton fired one shot with his 9 millimeter into Murphy’s chest. He died at the scene.

Authorities tell our news partner KETK, they have responded to the residence 31 times to deal with the son. Officials say Murphy suffers from mental illness and was off his medications at the time of the shooting. He is also known to abuse illegal substances, and had a pending assault. Murphy also has a criminal history of assault, terroristic threat, criminal mischief, unlawful carrying weapon, DWI and vehicle theft. Deputies did not arrest Mr. Kirton. They believe he killed Murphy in protection for himself and his wife. The case will be presented to a grand jury for review.

JACKSONVILLE — A Jacksonville man was killed in a hit-and-run in Cherokee County. According to Texas Department of Public Safety reports, a vehicle struck and killed Adam Wade Stockton, 40, before 3:00 Saturday morning on County Road 3906, northeast of Jacksonville. The vehicle was driving around another vehicle that was stopped in the roadway when it hit Stockton. Stockton was pronounced dead at East Texas Medical Center Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Highway Patrol office is investigating.

LONGVIEW — Longview police say the motorist who struck an officer’s patrol car head-on Sunday morning will face charges of intoxication assault. Police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said officer Leigh Ann Snyder’s patrol car was struck at about 8:00 Sunday morning by Ramon Antonio Dominguez, 22, of Longview. The incident occurred in the 5200 block of Loop 281, between Sabine Street and Texas 31.

Brian said Dominguez was under the influence of alcohol when he lost control of his Toyota Scion, traveled across the median and struck Snyder’s patrol car. Following the crash, the Jaws of Life were called to extricate the officer and her passenger from the vehicle. They were transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center. Snyder underwent emergency surgery from injuries sustained in the crash, and her passenger was transported for less serious injuries.

Dominguez was also transported to the hospital for injuries sustained in the crash. He was listed in good condition Monday, and the officer was listed in fair condition. Brian said Dominguez faced charges of two counts of intoxication assault.

TYLER — A rollover accident in Tyler this morning is under investigation but authorities are saying speed appeared to be a factor. It happened on highway 110 north about half a mile outside loop 323. According to Department of Public Safety officials, the driver over-corrected, causing the vehicle to roll. The driver was taken to a local hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

DIBOLL — An East Texas woman has been arrested on charges of lighting a bottle on fire and throwing it through the window of a Diboll home. Krystal Cook, 20, was charged with first-degree felony arson in connection with the August 27 incident. Cook reportedly threw the bottle, while one other person acted as a lookout and getaway driver. The Diboll woman was jailed on a $75,000 bond. In the last year-and-a-half, Cook has been arrested six times on charges including theft of service, DUI, theft and possession of a dangerous drug.

JACKSONVILLE — Friends and neighbors are continuing to seek help for a Jacksonville couple and their eight children who lost their house and possessions in a fire. It happened on Corinth Road, just before nine o’clock on Thursday night. Jacksonville fire officials tell KETK no one was hurt. There was no immediate word on what caused the blaze. The Jacksonville High School Band parents have begun asking the community for donations of clothing, gift cards, etc. to help replace their belongings. Here are the children’s sizes of clothing/shoes:

Girl – 4 toddler clothes and 11 shoe
Girl – 8 clothes and 12-1 shoes
Boy – 10-12 clothes and 4 shoes teen-age
Girl – 6 clothes and 5-1/2 shoes teen-age
Girl – 10 clothes and 7-1/2 shoes ladies size six panties and 34b and 36c bras.
Boys 10-12 underwear
Girls size 8 underwear
All are in school except for the size 4 girl.

Marilyn Bolton is coordinating with the band parents and students for donations, and items can also be delivered to 1001 Bonner St. in Jacksonville. One of the JHS counselors, Mrs. Pierce, is also collecting donated items.

An account has been set up at Austin Bank for donations to the family.

LONGVIEW – We should be getting more information today about a shooting that occurred in the parking lot of a Longview club. It happened either late Friday night or early Saturday morning at Cloud Nine on West Marshall Avenue. A person who witnessed the robbery chased the suspect across the street where an altercation occurred and the witness is said to have shot the suspect. The suspect remains hospitalized this morning.

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

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Monday are scheduled to conclude pavement repairs on State Highway 110 in Troup by Tuesday, then move to perform similar operations on State Highway 31 west of Tyler at the intersections of Farm Road 2661 and Farm Road 315 in Chandler. A second crew is scheduled to perform edge work on Farm Road 2868 between State Highway 155 and Farm Road 346 in Flint. Finally this week, a crew scheduled to perform pavement-texturing operations on Farm Road 756 (Paluxy Drive) on Monday and Tuesday at the intersections of Shiloh, Grande, Jeff Davis and Cumberland Road. 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.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on State Highway 300 (Gilmer Road) between U.S. Highway 80 (Marshall Avenue) north to the Gregg County line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect 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 on State Highway 64 between Farm Road 859 and Interstate Highway 20, and on Farm Road 1995 between Farm Road 773 and State Highway 110.

A second crew is scheduled to begin several days of fog seal operations on Farm Road 857 between U.S. Highway 80 in Grand Saline and Farm Road 1253 north of Jamestown. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on State Highway 110 between New Summerfield and Troup. 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 on State Highway 294 between Elkhart and Farm Road 323. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

TYLER — With more deer on the roads this time of year, Texas Parks and Wildlife urges you to use caution when driving on the roads. Captain Game Warden Quint Balkcom tells KETK deer-related accidents pick up during the colder months. He says deer are out hunting for food and the males are chasing does. He suggests paying extra attention, looking ahead of where you’re traveling, and reducing your speed during the early morning and late night hours.

“The deer offer you the benefit of having a reflective eye structure so they are easily seen if you do have your headlights on,” Balkcom says. “Always drive at a slower speed in a rural-type setting.” Balkcom adds that if you do hit a deer and the meat is still edible, you can report the accident to law enforcement and submit a request to use the animal for food.

TYLER — Officials say it’s part of the City of Tyler’s ongoing effort to promote citizen involvement and transparency in local government. Mayor Barbara Bass has initiated the Mayor’s Citizens Academy as a way for citizens to learn about each department within their local government.

According to a news release, the Mayor’s Citizens Academy is tailored to individuals who are interested in learning more about municipal government and how the City of Tyler operates. Officials say ideal candidates are those looking to get involved with the City of Tyler by serving on a board or commission, volunteering with one of the City’s departments, or running for City Council or Mayor. The optimum class size is 20 people. “Citizens Academy is a great way for those who want to become involved in local government to learn about the organization,” said Mayor Bass. “I am excited to be rolling out this program to encourage citizen involvement.”

During the 11-week program, presentations, tours and interactive sessions will be led by in-house experts from each City department as well as the Mayor and City Manager. Opportunities for questions and answers as well as discussion will be available during each class. Applicants for the Academy must be at least 18 years old. Classes start March 1, 2012 and will meet each Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. for 11 weeks at various facilities around the city. Dinner will be provided each week and the program will conclude with a graduation ceremony on May 23, 2012 at the Mayor’s State of the City Luncheon.

To apply for the Mayor’s Citizens Academy go to http”//www.cityoftyler.org (direct link at http://www.cityoftyler.org/CommunicationsMediaRelations/MayorsCitizenAcademy/tabid/983/Default.aspx). Applications are due Jan. 20, 2012.

TYLER — The holidays are a favorite time to travel, but they can also be a time for battling traffic and bad weather on the road. Staying safe should be a top priority for all travelers, so the Better Business Bureau recommends taking a few precautions when hitting the road this holiday season. “Before hitting the roads, give your car the attention that it needs,” said Mechele Agbayani Mills, president and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “By maintaining your vehicle’s physical condition and planning ahead, you’ll have more time to focus on creating great memories for your family.”

BBB recommends taking the following steps for safe driving this holiday season:

Create a car safety kit. Holiday driving often includes the threat of dangerous winter weather. Snow and ice can lead to accidents, car troubles, long delays and road closures. You can prepare for bad weather by creating your own safety kit. Basics for the kit include blankets, flashlight with extra batteries, radio, first aid kit, jumper cables, non-perishable foods like granola bars and nuts, bottled water, an ice scraper and warm gloves.

Take the car in for a checkup. Breaking down on the side of the road can definitely put a damper on the holiday spirit. If your car is due for a check up, take it in before making that long haul. At the very least, check the car’s fluid levels, wipers and tire pressure. Check the condition of your tires and, if you plan on driving through serious winter weather, consider getting snow tires.

Take BBB with you. When you’re away from home or in the midst of an emergency, it’s hard to know which businesses—such as tow trucks and locksmiths—you can trust. The good news is you can now rely on BBB’s mobilized website or the BBB iPhone App. for finding businesses you can trust when you’re away from your computer.

Start early and slow down. The best way to fight holiday traffic is to give yourself some extra time to make the trip, and don’t speed. Speeding leads to accidents, which slow traffic and cause bottlenecks. Also, if you’re caught speeding by law enforcement, that adds travel time and puts a dent in your holiday spending.

Drop the distractions. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. When you’re behind the wheel, don’t text and drive, use a hands free headset when talking on the phone, and get someone else to fumble with the GPS.

Plan time for unexpected stops. The best road trips are just as much about the journey as the destination. Allow yourself extra time for unexpected detours when you’re planning your trip. Some of the most memorable places may end up being those that were not planned.

Go to http://www.bbb.org for more tips on how to be a savvy consumer this holiday season. To report a fraud or scam, call the BBB Hotline: (903) 581-8373.

ALTO — For police officers in the city of Alto, it has been a real roller coaster. The force was disbanded last summer when the city ran out of money, but according to KETK, the City Council has now reinstated the department, and chosen a new chief. Former Alto patrolman Jeremy Jackson is now the chief, and when a reporter first went to talk to him, he was out and for good reason. The entire force is Jackson — and one other officer. Will two officers be enough? Not according to former Chief Charles Barron. But Jackson says they’ll make do. Jackson said when he and his officer began the day watching school zones Friday, they were met with applause, honks and thumbs up. It seems the city is pretty happy to have its police back.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches Police arrest a man for allegedly having 14 pounds of cocaine his SUV. Police tell KETK they arrested Andre Henderson of Detroit, Michigan, on West Loop 224 Thursday night. Police say they pulled the 27-year-old over for a routine traffic stop and that’s when the officer spotted cocaine in the front seat.

SMITH COUNTY — Five people have been rescued after being trapped in a truck following a Smith County accident. Witnesses tell KETK it happened just after 7 Friday night at the intersection of FM 2767 and FM 2908. Two trucks rolled over, a red one and black one. Witnesses say everyone inside the black truck climbed out unharmed through the sun roof. The people who were trapped were inside the red truck. It took emergency crews using the jaws of life over an hour to get them out. All were taken to a Tyler hospital. Further information wasn’t immediately available.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s deputies looking for stolen property have uncovered a methamphetamine lab and other materials. Five persons have been arrested. Three, arrested Wednesday, are identified as Anna Marie Craig, 39, Kevin Michael Sanders, 31, and Karen Stevenson Waters, 44. The other two, apprehended Thursday, are referred to by authorities as Nacogdoches County drug dealers. Steven Michael Kelly of Cushing and Ricky Eugene Sowell of Woden were arrested at two separate locations. According to a news release from the sheriff’s department, “This was a significant blow to the local drug trade in our county.”

Authorities say it was the odor that gave the meth lab away. As deputies approached the house they smelled what they thought were methamphetamine-producing chemicals. After obtaining a search warrant, deputies found in the house substances believed to be methamphetamine, as well as some of the commonly used items to produce methamphetamine.

According to KETK, the search Thursday was in Cushing. Authorities say during that search, numerous bags of methamphetamine packaged for selling and several thousand dollars in cash were seized, as well as property that is believed to have been reported stolen.

TYLER — Authorities say residents of a Tyler retirement community caught thieves in the act. According to KETK, it happened at the Meadow Lake Retirement Center on Shoreline Drive. Residents noticed the culprits stealing from them, so they dialed 911. Smith County authorities were called to the scene, where they reportedly shut down all exits until they found the suspects.

LONGVIEW — Longview fire officials tell KETK they are looking for two men in connection with a fire at 110 East Edgefield that has now been ruled arson. The suspects are described as a black man, 6’2″-6’3″, wearing all red, and a Hispanic man, 5’3″, wearing white and red clothing. The two were seen leaving the scene with a red plastic gas container, heading toward Green Street. Officials say $10,000 worth of damage was done. The contents of the house were not insured.

A couple and two dogs escaped the early Friday morning house fire. Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said the fire started at about 6:00. Zackary said firefighters responded and found flames coming from the front room of the residence. Resident Valerie Grubb said she and her husband Siroland Tatum were asleep in the living room when she started to smell gas. Grubb said her husband got up to check on the smell and saw two people running from the residence. Then, he noticed flames, Grubb said. When he went back inside, he told her the house was on fire. Grubb, Tatum and two dogs escaped the fire without injury.

LONGVIEW — Longview police on Friday morning arrested a man on a manslaughter charge in connection with a Dec. 1 wreck that killed a Kilgore man. Officials arrested Steven D. Cole, 54, of Louisiana in connection with the wreck that killed Joe D. Hightower, 49. Hightower died in the wreck shortly after 10:00 near the intersection of South and High streets in Longview. Police said Steven D. Cole, 54, was driving a 2005 Ford truck eastbound on South Street when he ran the red light at the intersection with High Street.

Cole hit a Toyota truck, driven by Hightower, that was turning left on to South from High Street, police said. The Toyota caught fire during the wreck. Fort pronounced Hightower dead at the scene. Officials had to extract Cole from his vehicle. He was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center with non-incapacitating injuries and remains hospitalized.

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Child Welfare Board is reaching out to the community for donations to replace almost $20,000 worth of gifts, intended for area foster children, that were stolen from a Longview storage facility this week. Longview Police were dispatched to Home Climate Storage on Jahan Trail about 10:00 Wednesday morning after the board’s Christmas coordinator found the unit had been burglarized. So far, no arrests have been made in connection with the theft.

The Stragent Foundation issued a $4,000 grant, and Longview Diagnostic Clinic matched the grant with a $5,000 donation. Michael Clark, director of business development for the clinic, said it will match donations up to $10,000 for the organizations. Child Protective Services Community Initiatives Specialist Nancy Eldridge said from those donations the group has raised about $10,000. She added somedonations hadn’t been tallied.

To donate, make checks out to the Gregg County Child Welfare Board, P.O. Box 151175, Longview TX, 75615. Donations can also be dropped off at Racquet and Jog, 1419 W. Loop 281. For information, call (903) 233-5228.

GILMER — An Upshur County jury sentenced a Gilmer man to life in prison Thursday for delivery of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a Gilmer school. Kirk Douglas Bolton, 56,had been convicted of five felony offenses, along with multiple misdemeanors. An undercover informant was wired with a hidden video camera and sent to buy cocaine from Bolton at his Gilmer apartment on March 23, Byrd said. Narcotics investigators maintained surveillance during the transaction and after money was exchanged, Bolton delivered the cocaine.

Because Bolton’s home at the Hidden Bend Apartments was within 1,000 feet of a public school, the offense was enhanced to a third-degree felony. In two of Bolton’s other delivery cases, he sold drugs to undercover informants and was well-known by law enforcement as being a drug dealer.

LONGVIEW –- Longview police say a 40-year-old Longview man was stabbed to death Thursday morning by his wife after officers had been called to the residence multiple times for domestic violence calls. Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson said he pronounced Ray Dorphus Jacobs dead at about 2:15 a.m. at Good Shepherd Medical Center. Jameson said he had a stab wound on the left side of his chest.

Prior to the fatal stabbing, Longview Police had been dispatched to the residence two other times, once at 9:15 and again at 11:30 Wednesday, in connection with domestic violence calls between Jacobs and his wife. Police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said the first time they were dispatched Jacobs wasn’t there, and the second time the couple agreed to separate. Brian said officers were called back to the residence in the 1600 block of Oden Street at about 1:15 a.m. by Jacobs’ wife, whose name is being withheld, who said her husband had hit her and was now lying on the ground with a stab wound.

Brian said the woman was taken in for questioning, but had not been arrested. She said the investigation will be turned over to a Gregg County grand jury to decide the woman’s fate.

ATHENS (AP) – A national atheist foundation says it will seek permission to hoist its own banner to join secular and religious Christmas displays on an East Texas courthouse square. Attorney Stephanie Schmitt of the Freedom From Religious Foundation revealed the plan after Henderson County Attorney Clint Davis wrote a letter defending the legality of the displays on the Athens square. Since the county allows a nonprofit civic group to erect the displays on the town square, they amount to a “public forum.” Henderson County officials received a letter from the foundation Monday, arguing that the seasonal display on courthouse grounds amount to an unconstitutional endorsement of the Christian faith. County Judge Richard Sanders says the displays aren’t only Christian in nature and therefore legal.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – Investigators in Sulphur Springs continue trying to piece together the chain of events that led to a knife fight that left one person dead and two injured. It happened Tuesday night in the 200 block of Bill Bradford Road. Killed was Justin Daniel Pawlik, 27, of Sulphur Springs. He was found in the roadway with stab wounds to his throat and chest and his hands were injured.

Injured were his ex-girlfriend Dionne Penny, 36 and her current boyfriend, Clinton Weldon Wilson, 30. Penny had a cut on a leg and Wilson had a cut on his chest. The wounds were not life threatening.

SMITH COUNTY – All lanes in a portion of Interstate Highway 20 have reopened following an 18-wheeler accident. The truck overturned in the eastbound lane of the interstate, near the 577 Mile Marker, around 11:00 Thursday night. The location is a couple of miles east on U.S. Highway 271. For a while both east and westbound lanes were closed because the truck was leaking Methyl alcohol.