KTBB News, Weather, Talk – Page 2479 – KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TXDOT Completes, Begins Projects

TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation’s Tyler District announced it planned to break ground on one construction project in the month of July, but brought five others to a close in June, bringing the total number of projects under construction in the eight-county district to 26.

TxDOT’s Larry Krantz says TxDOT would be breaking ground in mid-to-late July on a repair-and-resurface project on State Highway 31 between State
Highway 42 and Business U.S. Highway 259 in Kilgore. The $981,000 project
let to contract in May to Knife River Corp., South, of Waco, and is
scheduled to take approximately two months to complete once begun.

With the addition of the State Highway 31 project, Knife River has eight
current Tyler District projects worth more than $82 million, including the Loop 281 project in Longview, the State Highway 155 project between
Frankston and Pert, and the U.S. Highway 69 overpass project at Farm Road
344 in Bullard. Contractor R.K. Hall, of Paris, has seven active projects in the Tyler District, including the night work on U.S. Highway 69 (South Broadway), for a combined $19.4 million, and while Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd. has only three ongoing projects locally, including both Loop 49 projects and the nearly completed US 69 expansion between Lindale and Mineola, those projects are worth a combined $97 million.

Meanwhile, TxDOT contractors also brought five construction projects to a
close in June, including the $737,000 resurfacing project on Farm Road 2493(Old Jacksonville Highway) in Tyler between South Loop 323 and State Highway57/Grande Boulevard. Contractors also finished a $1.5 million resurfacing project on U.S. Highway 69 in Lindale between Interstate Highway 20 and Farm Road 1804, and a $385,000 left-turn lane project on State Highway 110 at Farm Road 344 between Whitehouse and Troup.

Jury Selection to Begin in Mineola Club Trial

TYLER (AP) — A lawyer for a man charged in an alleged east Texas swingers club involving children has dropped a request to move the trial from Tyler. Jury selection is scheduled next week for the aggravated sexual assault trial of 47-year-old Dennis Boyd Pittman. Pittman was arrested in 2007 leaving his apartment in Sevierville, Tenn. Defense attorney Jason Cassel on Thursday withdrew his request for a change of venue. Further details were not released.

Prosecutors allege children as young as 5 were groomed to perform in sex shows in the Mineola area, a town of about 5,100 located 75 miles east of Dallas. The 14th Court of Appeals in Houston this month overturned the convictions of two others tried in the case. New trials were ordered for Patrick “Booger Red” Kelly and Jamie Pittman.

Murder Victim Identified

TYLER — Smith County authorities have identified the body of a woman found of County Road 2191 last weekend. She is Cherry Diane Walker of Tyler. Her body, which appeared to have been burned, hand been dumped along the side of the road. Investigators continue to search for clues that could lead them to a motive for the slaying and the woman’s killer.

Smith County Bar Association Awards

TYLER — The Smith County Bar Association has been honored by the State Bar of Texas Local Bar Services Committee as the Award of Merit winner for 2009-10. The award was presented to Smith County Bar representatives Kyna Adams and Jim Huggler at the Bar Leaders Recognition Luncheon held at the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting in Fort Worth. SCBA was presented the Award of Merit for Division II –local or district bar associations with 101 to 500 members. This is an overall award for all programs and events of the association.

The Smith County Bar was also presented a Star of Achievement Awards. Five Star of Achievement awards are given to recognize outstanding projects among bar associations of all sizes. The SCBA was honored for their publication commemorating the 75 year history of the Association. Copies of the book will be distributed to all school and public libraries in Smith County. Printing of the book was made possible by sponsors of the 75th Gala and grants from the Texas Bar Foundation and the Smith County Bar Foundation.

Jacksonville Robbery Suspect Arrested

JACKSONVILLE — A man accused of robbing the Jacksonville Payless Shoe Source has been arrested. KETK-TV reports John Robert Nichols was arrested just over an hour and 15 minutes following the robbery, which was reported shortly after 11:30 yesterday morning. He was taken into custody after authorities stopped him on Highway 79. Authorities feel he is the man who pointed a silver revolver at a clerk and took money from the register. He then fled on a black older model motorcycle with an American flag on the gas tank and red and white stripes on the fenders. No injuries were reported.

Firm Chosen for Toll 49 Segment

TYLER – The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) Board of Directors has selected Englewood, Colorado-based CH2MHill as the design/build firm for Toll 49 Segment 3B. “The selection of a firm to construct Segment 3B of the Toll 49 project demonstrates the project’s continued momentum. The next step is to prepare to sell bonds,” said NET RMA Project Director Everett Owen. “Our colleagues in the financial industry are still very bullish on the deal and believe that there is no better time to sell a transportation bond than right now.” Toll 49 Segment 3B is a 9.7 mile section of roadway that stretches between State Highway 31 and Interstate 20.

Big Grant for Tyler Airport

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) has announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport $2,500,000 to improve a runway safety area and acquire safety equipment. “Upgrades to Texas’ airports are critical for the regional economy and for the traveling public,” Senator Hutchison said. “These infrastructure and safety improvements to Tyler Pounds Regional Airport will help ensure the safe and smooth flow of goods, services, and people.”

Big Names Top Cowan Center Season

TYLER — “It’s All Here.” That’s the theme of UT Tyler’s 2010-2011 Cowan Center season, with an October 19 appearance by former President George W. Bush among the highlights. That and other presentations are co-sponsored by KTBB. Cowan Center Executive Director Susan Thomae-Morphew is very pleased with the variety. Gladys Knight, Howie Mandel, and touring companies of “Mamma Mia” and “The Color Purple” are just a few of the others on the schedule. Thomae-Morphew thanks all the supporters, saying, “We are not getting any state funding to do the Cowan Center’s work, and it’s important to note that the community makes this happen.” Subscriptions are available starting at 9 a.m. Monday. You can go to http://www.cowancenter.org for lots more.

Possible Homicide Investigation Continues

LONGVIEW — Longview investigators say two deaths appear to be suspicious. On Friday, authorities released the identities of two bodies found Thursday morning. Laura Beth Sullivan, 28 and Zocorius Lamonte Gray, 19, both from Longview were located around 9:10 after officers responded to a welfare call at 128 Myrle Street. The caller told dispatchers that two people at the location appeared to be dead. Authorities found Sullivan and Gray inside an upstairs garage apartment behind a duplex on Myrle Street. Authorities say the deaths appear to be suspicious and foul play is suspected.

Detectives are pursuing numerous leads, but an arrest has not been made and a motive for the shooting has not been announced. Detectives do feel certain the shooting was not a random act. “I believe the individuals were targeted,” said Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP or online at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com. A reward of up to $1000.00 may be paid for information leading to the arrest of any suspects.

New Curfew for Some Local Teens

KILGORE — Kilgore has a new ordinance aimed at teens 16 and younger. According to KETK, those 16 and younger must remain off the streets and out of the parking lots too from 10:30 in the evening until 6:00 in the morning Sundays thru Thursdays. On weekends, they can stay out a little longer with a curfew from midnight to 6:00 in the morning. Exceptions include coming home from work, sporting events, public assemblies or an emergency errand. If you’re caught out past curfew, first offenders will get a warning and a letter to parents.

Tyler Ammonia Leak

Hazmat Workers TYLER — Roads in a small portion of Tyler were closed for a while Wednesday night following an ammonia leak. The leak near Oakwood and Palace Streets was reported just before 6:15pm. The leak was at Tyler Public Warehouse which uses ammonia for their refrigerator system. The leak was repaired and just over an hour later the area was reopened to traffic.

Man Sentenced for Dealing Meth

Meth Lab TYLER — A Tyler man is heading to federal prison for drug violations. Juan Prieto Retano, 20, pleaded guilty last November to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced Wednesday to 87 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. Retano also agreed to a forfeiture judgment of $50,000.

According to information presented in court, since July 2004, Retano was part of a drug conspiracy ring distributing methamphetamine to others in the Longview area. A federal grand jury returned a 17-count indictment in February 2009, charging 19 individuals, including Retano, with federal drug trafficking crimes.

July 4 Fan Drive

TYLER — Here’s a way to enjoy the 4th of July — and help your neighbors in need at the same time. This July 4th the Tyler Jaycees will be organizing a day of festivities and night of fireworks for the 47th time. This year, you can can bring a box fan to donate to The Salvation Army on location at Lindsey Park (12557 Spur 364 W). Admission is $10 a carload, gates open at 4:00pm, and fireworks will begin at dark. Entertainment will include games, music, and special performances from The Salvation Army Texas Youth Music Conservatory. Last summer, The Salvation Army in Tyler gave out over 800 fans and this summer is expecting to give out at least 1,500.

Smith County Issues Disaster Declaration

TYLER — Smith County Judge Joel Baker has issued a “Declaration of Disaster” due to excessive amounts of rainfall that occurred June 9-10. “The recent storms and flooding have taken a toll on Smith County residents. The road situations in Smith County have been affected to the extent that some homes have limited access due to impassable roads,” Baker said. Officials say County Roads 1113, 1130, 1131 and 1141 will remain closed for a prolonged period of time.

“Declaring a local disaster allows Smith County to begin the process of applying for reimbursement funds for damaged roads and bridges from the Texas Department of Rural Affairs,” Smith County Emergency Services Coordinator Jim Seaton said. The Smith County Fire Marshall’s Office is reporting $174,350 of damage to county roadways. Officials say the Smith County Road and Bridge department is working to repair water damaged roads as quickly as possible. You’re asked to continue to seek alternate routes around flood damaged roads and notify the Road and Bridge department of any hazardous conditions at 903-590-4801.

Men Guilty of Child Porn

TYLER – Two east Texas men have pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. The pleas came Wednesday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judith Guthrie. According to information presented in court, Sterling William Blade, 36, of Longview, was arrested Feb. 26 for failing to register as a sex offender. Blade had been previously convicted of carnal knowledge of a juvenile in 1995 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, and was required to register with local authorities as a sex offender.

During the arrest, officers located Blade’s cell phone and received consent to search the phone. An analysis of the phone revealed that Blade had received several text messages with photo attachments containing child pornography. The search ultimately revealed that Blade had received 34 pictures of child pornography, and likely distributed those images via text messaging. Officers later located two DVDs in Blade’s home, which contained videos of child pornography. Some of the material depicted children less than 12 years of age engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct. Blade was indicted by a federal grand jury on Apr. 7.

Authorities also say Ronnie Ben Chappell, 55, of Kilgore, consented last Dec. 12 to a search of his laptop computer after being identified as having used his credit card to purchase child pornography over the Internet. An analysis of the computer revealed approximately 75 images of child pornography, some of which depicted children less than 12 years of age engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct. Chappell was indicted by a federal grand jury on Mar. 3.

The cases are being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Blade and Chappell each face up to 10 years in federal prison. Sentencing dates have not been set.