KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — No injuries were reported when a man drives his car into a home on Tyler’s southeast side. It happened at the intersection of Tanglewood and Pinecrest around 8:00 Friday night. The home’s owner, Bob Corn tells KETK-TV when he went outside, the car’s driver was trying to back out. According to Corn, the young driver, who was arrested by Tyler police, had no driver’s license and no insurance.

LINDALE — The Lindale Independent School District and four of its campuses have been awarded Gold Performance Acknowledgments by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The Gold Performance Acknowledgments (GPA’s) were released in the TEA’s final 2010 Accountability report. GPA’s recognize districts and campuses for high academic performance on various indicators, such as commended performance on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), the Texas Success Initiative (TSI), and comparable improvement.

Commended means at least 30 percent of students in sub-groups (economically disadvantaged, minority, special education) scored a 90 or above on that portion of the TAKS test. The district also received GPA’s for meeting requirements in the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) in both English-Language Arts and math. TSI is a state law that requires all students entering college to be assessed for college readiness in mathematics, reading, and writing unless the student qualifies for an exemption. Comparable improvement recognizes gains in TAKS passing rates from year to year.

*Lindale ISD received GPA’s in three categories: college-ready, commended social studies, and TSI Mathematics.
*Lindale High School received GPA’s in four categories: college-ready, attendance, TSI Mathematics and commended social studies.
*Lindale Junior High School received GPA’s in four categories as well: commended reading/English-Language Arts, commended mathematics, commended writing and commended social studies.
*E.J. Moss Intermediate School also received four GPA’s: comparable improvement in reading, commended reading/English-Language Arts, commended mathematics and commended science.
*Velma Penny Elementary School received one GPA for comparable improvement in mathematics.

In July, the TEA first issued its accountability ratings, awarding an exemplary rating to the Lindale ISD. Lindale Junior High School, E.J. Moss Intermediate School, Velma Penny Elementary School and Lindale Primary School also received exemplary ratings at the campus level. Lindale High School was rated recognized.

“We are very excited about the 16 Gold Performance Acknowledgments that Lindale ISD earned,” Superintendent Stan Surratt said. The GPA’s are a reflection of our students’ academic successes. Much credit goes to our great teaching staff. They work tirelessly to prepare and motivate our students.”

MARSHALL — Marshall police have arrested a suspect in a series of robberies. They occurred early Friday morning at a couple of businesses. Taken into custody after a brief car chase was Carlyle Cooper III, 23. Investigators charged him with the two Friday robberies as well as three other holdups. He was booked into the Harrison County jail on five counts of aggravated robbery and evading arrest/detention in a vehicle. His bonds total $520,000.

WINNSBORO — The Winnsboro Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing man. He is Timothy Douglas Tate, 20, who was last seen around 11:30am on October 28th at the Winnsboro post office. Officers say they have been told Tate has a history of mental illness and is not taking his medication. It is also reported that he has expressed suicidal thoughts and is considered a danger to himself. KETK-TV reports Tate was last seen driving a 1999 red Dodge truck with a dent in the left front bumper. The truck’s Texas license plate is 49S-JN7.

LONGVIEW – Police say an elderly man drove his Suburban through the Skinner’s Grocery store in Longview shortly after 10 a.m. Friday. According to KETK, it happened when the driver was pulling out and hit a car in front of the store, then backed into a metal pole at a gas pump and pulled forward into one side of the store and out the other. The manager says the driver told him it began when his foot got stuck on the pedal. Witnesses say the man collapsed after getting out of his vehicle and was taken to the hospital. Nobody inside the store was injured. The supermarket closed for the day Friday, but should be open again Saturday.

TYLER — The Red Cross is doing its part as Veterans Day approaches. “On November 2, every adult citizen in the community had the right and privilege to go to the polls to elect our leaders. We had that liberty because over the years people have stood up and been willing to die to give us all the freedom to do so,” said Tammy Prater, executive director of the Smith County Chapter of the American Red Cross. “That is why we, the Red Cross, are participating in the Hometown Heroes Veteran Appreciation week to thank the over 18,000 veterans residing in the East Texas area,” continued Mrs. Prater.

As a kick-off to the Hometown Heroes Veteran Appreciation week the local Red Cross, hosted two Library of Congress Veterans History Project trainings November 4 at the Red Cross office in Tyler. Dr. Stephen Sloan, oral historian from Baylor University instructed 50 individuals on how to collect, preserve, and makes accessible the first-person accounts of American wartime veterans and civilian workers who supported the war efforts by preserving their stories of service to our country. Visit http://www.loc.gov/vets if you’re still interested in learning about or participating in the Veterans History Project.

The Red Cross also announced the start of the local “Holiday Mail for Heroes” program. The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is a joint effort between the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes to enable all Americans to send a touch of home this holiday season to members of our U. S. Armed Forces, veterans and their families, many of whom will be far away from home and serving in harms way this holiday season. You can visit http://www.redcross.org/holidaymail for up-to-date information about the program including the mailing address to where cards should be sent, the deadline for sending cards, and additional guidelines.

There a number of other activities too, arranged in conjunction with the Military Officers Association of America. You can visit http://www.help4soldiers.com to find a complete listing of all of the Hometown Heroes Veteran Appreciation Week activities.

ATHENS — Several East Texas alcohol options failed in Tuesday’s election. Now another city may give it a shot this May. According to KETK, a group in Athens submitted petitions requesting two alcohol propositions to be added to the ballot. One asks for the sale of mixed beverages by restaurants, and the other would allow for beer and wine to be sold in convenience or grocery stores. Over a thousand signatures are on each petition, well over the number needed to get it on the ballot, if each signature qualifies.

COFFEE CITY — Right outside the Smith County line, Coffee City makes its money with beer, wine, and liquor. In fact, Coffee City’s Mayor Tony Moore says 90% of the city’s revenue comes from alcohol sales. However, this year’s election had three alcohol-options in smith county, which could have taken Coffee City’s lifeline. One liquor store owner says if Justice of the Peace Precinct Four would have gone wet, it would hurt the most. He says, “If you can get around driving the thirteen miles to get out here, certainly you would do just that.” According to KETK, Mayor Moore says he wants to bring hotels and restaurants to the city so they don’t have to be as dependent on alcohol sales.

LINDALE — Smith County Fire Marshals confirm a gas line was hit Friday morning at Petty’s Cafe in Lindale. It happened at 309 North Main Street just before 8:30. According to KETK, there’s no word yet what kind of gas line it is, or how it was hit, but officials say the restaurant was evacuated.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man was arrested for allegedly burning down his mother’s home with a meth lab last week. Angelina County Sheriff’s Office investigators got a warrant for James Durham’s arrest after a state fire marshal ruled the Thursday blaze arson. Durham was arrested Tuesday afternoon at the motel room Red Cross provided his family following the fire. His mother says she had no knowledge of the meth lab. Last Thursday,investigators discovered components of a portable “shake and bake” meth lab in Durham’s bedroom, where the fire began on FM 1475. Durham was being held in the Angelina County Jail on a $25,000 bond for arson.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A 79-year-old Lufkin man was arrested for allegedly fondling an 8-year-old girl. James Watson was reportedly with the girl at a hunting lease in Nogalus Prairie Oct. 29 when the girl told her mom of the abuse. The girl told her mother Watson touched her inappropriately through her clothes while at the hunting lease. According to KETK, Watson was being held in the Angelina County Jail on a $75,000 bond.

FRUITVALE — The pilot of a private plane has been injured in a Van Zandt County crash. The extent of his injuries is not yet known. The plane went down Thursday night near Fruitvale off County Road 1915.

DALLAS (AP) – A 114-year-old East Texas woman is now considered to be the oldest person in the world. Eunice G. Sanborn of Jacksonville gained that distinction after 114-year-old Eugenie Blanchard, a nun who was considered the world’s oldest person, died Thursday on the French Caribbean island of St. Barts. The Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group listed Sanborn as being born on July 20,1896. Blanchard’s birth date was Feb. 16, 1896. Dr. L. Stephen Coles told The Associated Press that, with the death of Blanchard, the group considers Sanborn the oldest person in the world. Coles also says he spoke to Sanborn’s family Thursday and “she’s doing well. There’s no doubt.” Sanborn told the Tyler Morning Telegraph, in an April interview, that she loves everything about her life and has “no complaints.”

AUSTIN (Staff/AP) — State Legislators for Legal Immigration (SLLI) coalition members Leo Berman, Betty Brown and Dan Flynn announced the formation Thursday of a nationwide task force that will develop model state legislation to eliminate what’s termed “the misapplication of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.” That’s the amendment granting citizenship to anyone born or naturalized in the U.S. The three East Texas state representatives say the amendment “has been utilized to secure citizenship for the children of illegal aliens and their families.” Currently, the three say, “illegal aliens are incentivized to cross our border to give birth and use their child to secure illegal benefits, residency and American jobs for themselves and for their families.”

“When the 82nd Texas Legislature convenes, taking proactive steps against illegal immigration will be a top priority for me. My colleagues and I are working diligently to formulate public policy proposals to protect taxpayers,” commented Berman (pictured). Rep. Flynn stated, “The people of Texas have made it clear that they want action on this important challenge. While the federal government continues to shirk its duty, the fiscal and social costs of illegal immigration weigh heavily on Texans.” Rep. Brown said, “We must join together to overturn the misapplication of the 14th Amendment and reinstate the intent of the 14th Amendment to ban automatic citizenship for children of non-citizens.” Including Texas, lawmakers from 41 state legislatures have now signed on as members of SLLI. You can visit http://www.StateLegislatorsforLegalImmigration.com for the latest updates.

Support for the 14th Amendment is widespread, while others simply aren’t sure the issue needs to be addressed on a Constitutional level. Last summer, Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona told The Associated Press he remained unconvinced that a change in the Constitution is needed. Instead, he argued that fully securing the border would help to solve the problem.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is warning the public of a possible door-to-door scam in the area. Lt. Tony Dana says they’ve been getting reports of aggressive salesmen for Advanage Wonder Cleaner. The product has been flagged on the internet as a “bait and switch” scam which says the product used in demonstration works very well, but the product that is sold does not work well, or sometimes not at all.

Lt. Dana says if you choose to purchase the product, use cash, not credit, debit cards or checks. There have been reports of identity theft linked to the company. Dana says at least one of the salesmen has a felony record in Smith County. No charges have been filed against the company in Smith County at this time. Lt. Dana says don’t let strangers into your home and report any suspicious activity.

NOONDAY — Noonday Firefighters were on the scene Wednesday night battling a small structure fire behind a home off County Road 159 near Highway 155. According to KETK, it was a shop or wood shed behind the residence. Firefighters were able to contain the flames before it spread to the woods. Fire officials say even though it is wet, there are still dry areas that may catch fire, so use precautions.

TYLER — American hero and Fox News correspondent, Oliver North, will make his way to Tyler this month. Colonel North will be at the Barnes and Noble with his new book November 14. The book is called American Heroes in Special Operations. According to KETK, North is a New York Times best selling author and was at the center of national attention during the Iran-Contra Affair scandal during the 1980’s.

TYLER — Two East Texas men have pleaded guilty in federal court in Tyler to firearms violations. Michael Shane Donald, 42, of Kilgore, and Scott Randall Terry, 39, of Gilmer, Texas, both pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Everingham, IV. Both face up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. Sentencing dates have not been set.

According to federal prosecutors, in May, Donald and Terry were in Upshur County when both were discovered to be in possession of a sawed-off shotgun with an obliterated serial number. Further investigation revealed that both men were convicted felons, Donald having been found guilty of assault, family violence in 2004 in Upshur County, and Terry having been convicted of possession of a controlled substance in 2007 in Upshur County. Convicted felons are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. The men were indicted by a federal grand jury in July and charged with federal firearms violations.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University has won nine awards in the 2010 MarCom Awards competition that recognizes outstanding creative achievement by marketing and communication professionals. LETU won two platinum awards, three gold awards and four bronze awards.

The university’s NOW magazine Winter/Spring 2010 Floor Lore issue and the Authentic fall travel admissions brochure took top honors, winning platinum awards which are presented to those entries judged to be among the most outstanding entries in the competition.

Gold awards are presented to those entries judged to exceed the high standards of the industry norm. The university’s NOW magazine Summer 2010 Faculty Focus issue, New Logo Banners and Bell Tower in Seasons video all won gold awards.

Winning four bronze awards were the university’s NOW magazine Fall 2009 Welcome Home Aviation issue, Realities admissions magazine, the LEGS highlight video and Pilot Summer Camp highlight video.

MarCom entries come from corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, PR firms, design shops, production companies and freelancers. The competition has grown to perhaps the largest of its kind in the world. A look at the winners shows a range in size from individual communicators to media conglomerates and Fortune 500 companies.

TYLER — Some changes have been made to a local food establishment order. Officials say a public hearing was held October 28 by the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NETPHD) Board to consider revisions to the Food Establishment Order 2007-1. Officials say the board considered revisions that would enhance the education and enforcement of regulations governing the retail food establishments in Smith County. The Board approved revisions amending District Order 2007-1 to be superseded by District Order 2010-1.

According to health officials, partnering with the food industry is essential to safeguard public health from foodborne illness and provide to consumers food that is safe and honestly presented. Robert Westbrook, President of the Texas Restaurant Association and owner of CiCi’s Pizza, attended the public hearing and supported the proposed changes. Officials say NETPHD provides education as well as code enforcement to work with the food industry on keeping food establishments safe. The revised District Order is effective as of November 1.

Previously each food service establishment that prepared food for the public was required to have at least one Certified Food Manager employed. The revision will now require a Certified Food Manager on duty during the food service establishment operations. A six-month period will be given to allow owners and operators time to obtain additional certified staff. Certification is achieved by successfully passing an accredited food safety test available through accredited Internet providers or the continuing education program at Tyler Junior College. A registry system was also approved requiring food service establishments register each Certified Food Manager with NETPHD as proof of compliance.

An annual fee for service was approved to provide services to school cafeterias necessary to the inspection requirements of the Texas Department of Agriculture. Other revisions included adjustments to certain food service establishment permit fees, clarification on the frequency of and location of temporary food establishment operations, risk based assessments for inspection frequency, and minimum food establishment permit suspension of 24 hours in the case of imminent health hazards.

Copies of the District Order 2010-1 will be posted on the website http://www.healthyeasttx.org and will also be available at the Northeast Texas Public Health District, 815 North Broadway in Tyler. You contact the Environmental Health Department at 903-535-0037 for more information.

TYLER — The citizen action group Grassroots America – We the People will sponsor Governor Perry’s “Fed Up!” book tour stop in Tyler. The governor is fresh off a resounding victory in the midterm elections. The book tour stop is Friday, Nov. 12, at 11:30 a.m., at Lone Star Event Center, 4036 FM 2767. The tour is being arranged by the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The book’s full title is “Fed Up — Our Fight to Save America from Washington.”

According to materials from the foundation, “Governor Perry has asked that all proceeds from ‘Fed Up!’ book sales benefit the research and outreach activities of the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Center for Tenth Amendment Studies so that the Foundation can continue to ensure that Texas is a national leader in the cause of liberty and respect for a limited government.” Grassroots America Executive Director JoAnn Fleming says, “Grassroots America – We the People is happy to sponsor the Governor’s book tour stop in Tyler. We welcome his limited government Tenth Amendment message because it’s high time ‘We the People’ put the federal government back into a Constitution-sized box.” You can go to http://www.texaspolicy.com for more details.

WHITE OAK — The city of White Oak will stay dry following Tuesday’s election. According to KETK, voters defeated two propositions. One would have allowed the sale of mixed drinks in restaurants. The other would have permitted beer and wine sales in stores for off-premise consumption.

TYLER — Tyler Police Department will be participating in a DWI enforcement program that will include every weekend in the month of November. The enforcement detail of officers will be on the look-out for intoxicated drivers in the City of Tyler. This enforcement program is funded by a state grant that was awarded to the department for DWI patrol. Officers urge everyone who is drinking and considering driving to have a designated driver, or to hire a cab to get home safely.

Also, during the Thanksgiving Holiday the police department will participate in a seat belt enforcement program also funded by a state grant that will run from November 22nd through November 27th. This effort is to promote safety for drivers and passengers traveling on very busy streets and highways during this holiday season.

LONGVIEW – A man killed in a Longview accident has been identified. He is Trent Ruchti Hepler, 32, of Longview. He was killed in an accident in the 4000 block of Estes Parkway shortly before 10:45 Tuesday morning.

Investigators say a state trooper had been traveling southbound on Estes Parkway in route to an accident scene when he lost control of his Chevrolet Tahoe and left the roadway, crossing the northbound lanes of traffic. The Trooper’s vehicle went through a chain link fence and struck a natural gas meter before coming to a stop. The trooper was not injured.

Two motorists, who had witnessed the accident, stopped to check on him, parking on the southbound shoulder of the roadway. As they were checking on the trooper, a large truck pulling a trailer attempted to avoid slowing traffic and lost control of his vehicle. The truck and trailer hit three pickup trucks and one of the two motorists, who was out of his vehicle. The motorist was pronounced dead at the scene by Gregg County Justice of the Peace Sam Lawson. A driver of one of the pickup trucks was transported to a Longview hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

TYLER — Two elections in Smith County may hinge on as-yet uncounted ballots. Elections Administrator Karen Nelson says these fall into two categories. One is provisional ballots — ones that were cast even though an individual’s eligibility to vote was in question. Nelson says there are 77 such ballots in the county. The other category is overseas military ballots; Nelson says about 100 of those are still out. One of the elections involves the Tyler ISD bond proposal; the other will determine whether beer and wine can be purchased for off-premise consumption in J.P. Precinct 4. Both measures were behind when all regular ballots had been counted — but by razor-thin margins, with the votes split virtually down the middle.

Nelson says officials have begun processing the provisional ballots to determine, first, how many will be ruled valid. Then officials will count the valid votes, if there are any. Nelson hopes to have the provisional ballots processed and counted by early Thursday afternoon. The deadline for receiving overseas military ballots is Monday, November 8, at 5 p.m. Nelson says officials have until November 10 to count those ballots, and she hopes to have it done by late afternoon on November 9. The canvassing period is November 10-15. Nothing becomes official at least until the canvassing is done — and challenges or recounts could always come into play. KTBB will keep you posted on how things turn out.

TISD board president Ron Vickery said regardless of the outcome, he’s pleased with the heavy voter turnout. If the bond issue passes, Vickery said the school district will move forward with plans for three new schools. In recent days, some opposition has emerged to the proposal for a new Rice Elementary School based on concerns about possibly moving the campus. Vickery says a key piece of any plans for Rice will be setting up public forums in order to get questions about the school’s future answered as quickly as possible. If the proposal loses, Vickery says school district officials will try to “put together a proposal and do it at a time and in a manner that we hopefully will have some wide community input on and support on.” According to Vickery, bond opponents seem to agree that TISD has facility needs, but there’s been disagreement about “what the plan should look like.”

Other local races were decided early. Both Bullard and Whitehouse will allow mixed beverages in restaurants, but neither will allow beer and wine to be bought in stores for off-premise consumption. Also, State Representative Leo Berman and District Attorney Matt Bingham cruised to easy victories; other area Republican hopefuls appeared on the way to similar wins.

TYLER – A 47-year-old Carthage man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Tuesday. Bradley Thomas Boren pleaded guilty in Tyler to possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to information presented in court, on Dec. 13, 2008, Boren purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine from a Wal-Mart store in Longview, as well as on numerous other occasions at other stores in the area, all in furtherance of his methamphetamine manufacturing activities. Boren was indicted by a federal grand jury on Apr. 8, 2010. Boren faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the violation. A sentencing date has not been set.

LONGVIEW — Much-welcome rains mean Gregg County is no longer under an outdoor burning ban. County Judge Bill Stoudt lifted the ban Tuesday afternoon. Persistent dry weather in the area has caused a number of East Texas counties to prohibit outdoor burning.

TYLER — For the past two years, work has been underway to create a veterans’ court in Smith County. That work paid off Tuesday when Smith County Commissioners approved the project. Recently a task force appointed for the veterans’ court presented plans for implementation of the court to the commissioners.

The court is designed as an optional measure for judges to provide help to veterans suffering from substance abuse and mental health problems linked to their time in the service. It is not for serious crimes. Veterans facing misdemeanor or some felony offense charges, who meet certain guidelines, will have the one-time opportunity to avoid jail time, enter treatment and a mentoring program.

Spearheading the project has been social worker Choya Shanahan who has praise for Smith County’s leadership. She recently told KETK, “Their vision, their foresight, and their diligence in pushing this forward has really been appreciated by all 18,000 veterans in Smith County.”

TYLER — North Chase Development officials Tuesday broke ground on the Lake View Apartment Homes, planned as a 140-unit gated senior living community. The project is being developed and constructed, and will be managed, by Lankford Interests of Houston. The one-story complex will contain 44 one-bedroom, one-bath units and 96 two-bedroom, two-bath units. Amenities include a swimming pool and community center that houses a game/recreation room, library, computer/learning center and fitness room. The project benefits low- to moderate-income seniors age 55 or older through Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs tax credits. It is anticipated the first units will be ready for occupancy in Spring 2011.

North Chase, under the direction of Ed Thompson and North Chase Development, is a master-planned, mixed-use development of low-, medium-, and high-density residential areas, along with dedicated greenspaces and mixed-use retail, commercial and office spaces. According to a North Chase news release, eight distinct areas offer residents and visitors the best of modern convenience — all in a natural setting.

Thompson says he wants to revitalize Tyler’s north side through his projects — and he says he’s “ecstatic” that his newest effort has gotten off the ground. On a recent KTBB “Staff Meeting,” Thompson said he’s had success with other northside efforts that initially met with skepticism. Now he’s inviting the public to support his current project, at North Broadway and the Loop. The North Chase package has drawn lots of support from the city. You can go to http://www.northchasetyler.com for more information.

TYLER — A Gregg County man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations. James Michael Fortin, 45, of Longview, pleaded guilty in March to possession of child pornography. He was sentenced to 69 months in federal prison Yesterday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider.

Federal prosecutors say, on July 28, 2009, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Fortin’s home for suspected child pornography. During the search, Fortin’s personal computer was seized and a forensic analysis revealed 5 videos and around 100 digital images of child pornography. Officials say some of the material depicted children less than 12 years of age engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.