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MARSHALL — Charges are pending in Harrison County against a driver who ran a stop and hit a car, killing the car’s driver. The crash around 8:15 Tuesday morning occurred at the intersection of State Highway 43 and Farm Road 2625. The victim, Pamela Stoker Greene, 44, of Marshall, died just over an hour after the accident at Good Shepherd Medical Center-Marshall.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – A man on trial in Sulphur Springs on charges of intoxication manslaughter has been found guilty of DWI, a misdemeanor, and accident involving injury or death failure to stop and render aid, a felony. James Blake Spinks, 25, of Yantis was charged with hitting Nathan Spataro, 21. He was found dead along side Interstate Highway 30 Service Road in June of last year. Spinks, who had spent the prior afternoon and evening drinking, thought he had hit a deer. Authorities were not called until several hours after the incident, and then by a man at a business who Spinks told he thought he had hit something and needed a place to hide out.

Becky Hicks, Nathan Spataro’s mother, gave a victim impact statement directed toward Spinks. “I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to my son. I think constantly about how you left my son in the ditch like he was nothing.” She went on to say that “drinking and driving had a whole new meaning to me. Part of me is so angry I could scream, while part of me is so numb from pain I can’t scream. You had a choice that night. No one made you get in your car and drive; no one made you leave him (Nathan) in the ditch. We can’t choose how we die, but we can choose how we live. Those who think that facing 10 years in prison for taking a life while driving under the influence is too severe have never faced a life sentence without their loved one. ”

TYLER — Tyler Police respond to a reported shooting Wednesday night. It happened around 8:30 in the 600 block of Lyons Street. Authorities say they went to the home and were then contacted by a local hospital reporting the two gunshot victims. Shamika Miller, 35, of Tyler, was transported to Trinity Mother Frances Hospital by private vehicle and was treated for one gunshot wound. She’s currently listed in stable condition. The second victim was identified as Jonathan Paul Hart, age 34, of Tyler. Hart was transported to East Texas Medical Center Hospital by private vehicle and was treated for four gunshot wounds. He’s currently listed in critical condition.

Officers on the scene of the incident stated that the suspect showed back up and told the officers he was involved in what had occurred. The suspect is identified as James Earl Miller Jr., 38, of Tyler. Investigators determined that Miller had followed Shamika Miller, his wife and Jonathan Hart from his residence and got into an altercation. Police say Miller pulled out a revolver and fired several shots at both subjects. He’s charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was transported to Smith County Jail.

TYLER — Tyler sales tax revenues deposited for the month of November have increased 3.17% as compared to the same period in 2009. According to the Texas Comptroller fiscal year-to-date revenue is up 6.59% over the same period in the prior year.

The reported revenue of $3,164,191.42 is comprised of $2,109,460.95 general sales tax revenue and $1,054,730.47 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from September 2010 collections, as there is a two-month period before revenue is reported.

“This is the third consecutive month that we have seen an increase in our sales tax collections over the prior fiscal year,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “We are remaining very cautious and holding the line on expenditures; however, we are certainly seeing a marked improvement in the local economy.”

TYLER — Want to buy a building in downtown Tyler? Smith County is preparing to take bids to sell the Smith County office building. The building, which dates back to the 1950s, was formerly the Carlton Hotel.

Adrienne Graham with Smith County tells KETK-TV, “As an ex-hotel, it’s never really suited our needs as a county facility, and now we are looking at finally putting this building up for sale and moving everyone into a new facility.” Graham says they’re hoping the building could be turned into a hotel again or even a retail facility.

TYLER — A Harrison County man has appeared in Tyler Federal Court to plead guilty to distributing cocaine. Rodney Kirk Jenkins, 41, of Karnack, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Everingham, IV. Jenkins faces up to 40 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

Federal prosecutors contend from 2007 through April of 2010, Jenkins maintained a place in Harrison County in order to produce large quantities of crack cocaine, which he conspired to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine throughout East Texas. Jenkins was indicted by a federal grand jury in August.

AUSTIN (AP) — A Wood County Republican has withdrawn his support for Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, saying that Straus allies have been threatening to use redistricting to punish his political adversaries. Representative Bryan Hughes of Mineola is one of 76 Republicans on a list of supporters Straus released last week, saying he had enough pledges of support to be elected to another term as speaker.

But in a statement Wednesday, Hughes said he wouldn’t support Straus for another term because of threats of retribution by “a member of Speaker Straus’s leadership team.” Hughes said the conversation “saddened and then disgusted” him. Straus is a moderate San Antonio Republican being challenged by Rep. Warren Chisum, a more conservative Republican from Pampa who has spearheaded a movement to pressure conservatives into opposing Straus.

TYLER – Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith confirms the 15-year-old brother of murdered Chapel Hill student Amanda Anderson has been arrested in the case. According to KETK, 19-year-old Amanda Anderson was found murdered in her house in September, shot four times in the head. The arrest affidavit says that inconsistencies in the younger Anderson’s story led authorities to believe he might be the killer. Ms. Anderson was shot 4 times in the head with a .22 caliber weapon, which authorities believe to have been a semi-automatic pistol belonging to her brother. KTBB will bring you more information as it becomes available.

TYLER — The debate team at The University of Texas at Tyler is now ranked fourth among the more than 350 collegiate teams across the nation, Dr. Dennis Cali, Department of Communication chair, announced. Much like national rankings for college sports, the debate rankings play a major role in the seeding of teams for the national tournament, according to Dr. Charles Walts, assistant professor of communication, who is in his second year as director of forensics.

“This is a major accomplishment for the program,” said Walts. “The higher your rank, the better chances you have of succeeding.” Previously, UT Tyler’s highest rank held was 60th during the 2009-10 season. “This kind of jump in the rankings is an indicator of how well we are debating this year and how we have transitioned from a regional program to a national contender,” Walts added.

HENDERSON — Rusk County authorities are reporting that a toddler has been killed by a pit bull. According to KETK, on Wednesday at about 11:03 a.m. the sheriff’s office received a call from the East Texas Medical Center-Henderson emergency room requesting an officer to respond to the hospital in regard to a two-year-old child being deceased as the result of the dog attack. Upon arrival deputies learned that 35-year-old Helen Muckleroy transported her son Kaden Muckleroy to the hospital from her residence in rural Henderson for treatment of dog bites from the attack.

Further investigation indicates that the dog’s owner, Kelvin Muckleroy, who is the victim’s grandfather, had the dog chained to a tree in the yard of the residence where the attack occurred. Muckleroy has consented to the release of the animal as well as about 29 additional kennel kept dogs to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office indicates it is currently conducting an investigation and will release information as is appropriate.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has authorized City staff to pursue the potential of refinancing or refunding $11,090,000 in bonds from the Water and Sewer System Series 2002 revenue bonds to receive more favorable rates. Due to lower anticipated rates and the City’s AAA bond rating, it is anticipated that the City of Tyler may be able to achieve savings of up to $421,000 for their utility system. City staff will meet with rating agencies later this month to negotiate pricing for early December and will request the City Council’s authorization to reissue the bonds at its Dec. 8 meeting.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for Tyler to leverage our strong bond rating and current economic conditions to save the City money in the long term,” said Tyler City Manager Mark McDaniel. “This is part of our ongoing effort to examine all facets of our financial situation to ensure we are taking of any advantage to keep our financial position strong.” The bonds that will be refinanced are revenue bonds which are not paid for with tax revenue. Rather, revenue bonds are repaid with income from the sale of water and sewer services. The City of Tyler paid off all tax supported debt in 2008 so all sales and property tax revenue collected is used for current operations.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has accepted a proposal from NDMJ, LLC to provide ADA-accessible paratransit service to senior and disabled Tyler residents, which will continue to complement the City’s fixed route bus system. NDMJ will provide ADA accessible paratransit services within the Tyler City limits during Tyler Transit’s regular operating hours, 6 a.m. – 8:15 p.m., Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturdays. NDMJ will collect a fare of $1.50 from riders.

NDMJ, a private taxi company in Tyler owned by Jamal Moharer, submitted what councilmembers considered the most favorable proposal, offering the services for $30 per trip and offering a $7.50 local match contribution. All services including vehicle maintenance, passenger scheduling and dispatching are included in the fee. “To receive paratransit services, you must first apply,” said Davis Dickson, Transit Manager. “Eligibility is most typically given to people that are 65 or older and/or are unable to board or disembark from an accessible fixed route bus or who are unable to go to and from a bus stop.” Dickson says the application is available at http://www.cityoftyler.org on the Transit web page.

TYLER — The Tyler Development Authority has unanimously approved a proposal from Walker Parking Associates to perform a parking study in downtown Tyler. The parking study is being conducted as a preliminary step in improving downtown parking and will be made up of three components: a parking supply and demand study, a parking alternative analysis, and a preliminary financial analysis. The $34,200 required to complete this study will be paid for from funds collected from the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Number Two (Downtown) and funds that were donated specifically for this study.

Mayor Barbara Bass says, “It’s all about trying to see how we can best get people into downtown and have adequate parking when they get there.” She adds, “It is exciting to see the first collections from the Downtown TIRZ put to use. This is exactly the type of project we envisioned when we it was conceptualized – a project that will help spur private reinvestment in the zone.”

The Tyler Development Authority was created by the Tyler City Council to provide services to the TIRZ Number Two Board on an as-needed basis. Board members include the Tyler Mayor, City Council, and representatives from other governmental entities participating in the Downtown TIRZ (Commissioner JoAnn Hampton from Smith County and Trustee Mike Coker from Tyler Junior College). Such services include hiring consultants to plan projects, hiring contractors to implement improvements and paying for such services from available TIRZ Number Two funds. Bass notes, “There are some other groups working on initiatives downtown, and we want to make sure everything’s coordinated for the betterment of Tyler.”

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County taxpayers say no to funding new schools through property taxes, many citing a tight budget. Tuesday night though, county leaders discussed a new plan that could raise property taxes — building a jail in Smith County. According to KETK, commissioners confirmed they have agreed on a $33 million project to add almost 400 beds to the existing jail. Overcrowding has been a big problem in the county for years and they say sending inmates to other counties is costing millions. Smith County leaders have put at least 3 jail proposals before voters; all of them have been rejected. No official word on when taxpayers will hear more about this plan or be able to vote on it.

NOONDAY — The Noonday fire department has a new Fire Chief. Earlier this month, a repo man said that Noonday firefighters bullied him regarding him towing a firefighters vehicle. Due to conflicting stories, the Fire Chief resigned and the department soon lost its assistant chief and one firefighter. Tuesday night, 20-year veteran Howard Harris, became the new Noonday chief. Harris said the issues the department has faced is just a bump in the road that the department is going to have to get over. Chief Harris will investigate the reported bullying and report his findings to the board.

TYLER — A job fair is on today at Workforce Solutions East Texas in Tyler. According to KETK, this job fair is a little bit different, because it will have a focus on Veterans. Workforce Solutions tells us that there will be a flag presentation and number of Veterans speakers. An award will also be given out to the winner of an essay contest held by local students. The winning essay on “what being a veteran means” will be read aloud at the event. The writers of the three best essays will receive $300. The event isn’t just for Veterans. Anyone looking for a job can come and meet representatives for over 65 businesses. The participating businesses range from those in the oil and gas industry to local hospitals. The event continues till noon at 4100 Troup Hwy in Tyler.

TYLER — All the votes have now been counted in the November 2 Smith County elections, including provisional and overseas military ballots, and the results are the same. That’s the word from Elections Administrator Karen Nelson. As most figured, it all means a Tyler school bond and a JP Precinct 4 alcohol proposition fail by narrow margins. The next step is to make it official through the canvassing process, which runs November 10 through 15.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University welcomed two returning and three new trustees to its Board of Trustees at the semiannual meeting. The new board members are:
*Joe Bickley of Montgomery, Texas, is a certified public accountant and co-owns an accounting firm.
* Timothy Morscheck of Portage, Mich., retired as a vice president of technology for Eaton Corporation: Truck Group. He is a former LeTourneau student.
* James Schreder of Yorba Linda, Calif., is the president and owner of Danjon Engineering. He is continuing the family tradition, since his father was on the LeTourneau University board during the 1990s.

Returning as a board member are two former board members. Returning to the board:
* John Solheim of Phoenix, Ariz., is chairman and president/CEO of Karsten Manufacturing Company and President/CEO of PING, Inc. which designs and manufactures golf clubs and equipment. He has served on the LETU board since 1992, previously chairing the facilities committee. The Solheim Center on campus is named for his family.
* Patrick A. Bertsche of St. Charles, Ill., is superintendent of the Westminster Christian School where he formerly served as president of its board. He has served on the LETU board since 1996. He is a 1989 graduate of LETU His wife, Melanie, is also a 1989 graduate. He was recently elected vice chair of the LETU board of trustees.
* The new chair for 2010-2011 is Nancy Mendez, assistant city manager of Whittier, California. She has served as a board member at LETU since 1990, most recently as vice chair. She follows in the footsteps of her father, Justin Longenecker, Ph.D., Chavanne Professor of Christian Ethics in Business at Baylor University, who was a trustee and officer on the LeTourneau College board for more than a decade in the 1970s-1980s.
* Kenneth Moore of Longview was elected secretary. Moore is an airline
pilot and captain, having prior experience as a naval carrier pilot and
petroleum engineer for an oil field service company. He earned his
bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (aerospace option) from
LeTourneau and his master’s degree in aeronautical systems from the
University of West Florida. He has served on the LETU board since 2006.
* Merle Stoltzfus of Elverson, Penn., was elected treasurer. He is a general partner for Stoltzfus Enterprises, Ltd., a custom home builder and real estate developer. He graduated from LETU in 1971 with a degree in electrical engineering technology and has served on the LETU board since 1997, serving previously as chair and as treasurer. One of his daughters is a 2008 graduate and another is currently enrolled at LETU.

SULPHUR SPRINGS — Testimony continues in the intoxication manslaughter trial of James Blake Spinks, 25, of Yantis in Sulphur Springs. He is charged with hitting Nathan Spataro, 21, who was found dead along side Interstate Highway 30 Service Road in June of last year. Spinks, who had spent the prior afternoon and evening drinking, thought he had hit a deer. Authorities were not called until several hours after the incident, and then by a man at a business who Spinks told he thought he had hit something and needed a place to hide out.

NACOGDOCHES – A Nacogdoches man, initially charged with DWI, is now being charged with intoxication assault. Free on bond today is Mitchael Shane Starling, 44. His blood/alcohol level was said to have been twice the legal limit when involved in a wreck on October 29th. The Department of Public Safety report says he rolled his truck on U.S. Highway 59 in Angelina County. A passenger, Melanie Leatherman, 38, was flown to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. Since Leatherman has not regained consciousness the intoxication assault charge has been filed against Starling.

TYLER — All the votes have now been counted in the Nov. 2 Smith County elections — including provisional and overseas military ballots — and the results are the same. That’s the word from Elections Administrator Karen Nelson. As most figured, it all means a Tyler school bond and a JP Precinct 4 alcohol proposition fail by narrow margins. The next step is to make it official through the canvassing process, which runs November 10 through 15.

AUSTIN (Staff/AP) – District 7 State Representative-Elect David Simpson is urging a Republican Caucus meeting to choose the next speaker of the House. According to Simpson, “Voters in the election on Nov. 2 clearly showed they are not interested in politics as usual in the Texas House. With the election of a near super majority of Republicans to the Texas House, the candidate for Speaker of the House is an issue that the Republican Caucus should meet to consider.”

Simpson goes on to say that Speaker Joe Straus “came into office through the political power of the Democrat Caucus due to his commitment to a leadership style of ‘umpiring’ in the Texas House. The House does not need an umpire — they need a team captain. Such a captain should have experience dealing with budget shortfalls, re-districting, and contentious politics, with the ability to work across the aisle without sacrificing principles to do so.” Simpson adds, “I will choose a Speaker based on moral integrity, commitment to returning civil government to its proper limited role of protecting life, liberty and property, and defending state sovereignty. He or she must be someone who is fiscally conservative, and able to navigate the process of re-districting, and who is trusted and respected by members from both sides of the aisle.”

Straus, a moderate Republican from San Antonio, says he has enough support from legislators to secure another term as the chamber’s presiding officer. On Nov. 3, Straus released the names of 122 lawmakers who he says have pledged him their vote for speaker. Straus says he is “proud that Republicans have gained a record number of seats in the Texas House, reversing the losing trend for the past three election cycles.” Straus said his pledges of support include 76 Republicans and 46 Democrats.

Meanwhile, State Rep. Leo Berman, of Tyler, released an open letter Monday claiming Straus made promises to Democrats, who ensured his election as speaker.

LONGVIEW — Dr. Bill Taylor, radiation oncologist at Texas Oncology–Longview Cancer Center, and his wife, Mrs. Sandi Taylor, will be presented with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) East Texas Area Council’s Distinguished Citizen Good Turn Award this month. Considered the highest honor presented by the BSA, the Distinguished Citizen Good Turn Award is given to individuals who exemplify exceptional leadership and service within the community, according to Scouting officials. Dr. Taylor, an Eagle Scout himself and son of a scoutmaster, has served as a member of the board of directors for Longview Regional Hospital, the American Cancer Society, Heart’sWay Hospice, Margaret’s House, and Because I Care, in addition to several hospital committees. Dr. Taylor, who has been practicing at Texas Oncology–Longview Cancer Center for more than 15 years, is currently chairman of the public policy committee for US Oncology.

Mrs. Taylor spent most of her childhood in Houston but moved to Longview in 1993 with her husband and two children and has since become a devoted member of the community, according to Scouting officials. She created a volunteer program at Texas Oncology–Longview Cancer Center that became nationally recognized and is currently a prototype for volunteer programs across the country at various US Oncology locations. Mrs. Taylor has also served on many non-profit boards of directors and has been greatly involved with Junior League Longview, where she has performed in numerous children’s productions. The Distinguished Citizen Good Turn Award Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 18, at Longview’s Pinecrest Country Club.

LUFKIN — A suspected drunk driver believed to be an illegal immigrant led authorities on a vehicle chase Friday night, damaging three squad cars and injuring a deputy, according to authorities. The man authorities believe to be Mario Lopez, 36, aka Miguel Angel Jaime, 46, was caught speeding along U.S. Highway 59 around 10:23 Friday night, DPS officials said. When the trooper initiated a traffic stop, Lopez sped away in his Dodge truck toward Lufkin. Sheriff’s office deputies and Lufkin Police joined the pursuit minutes later as Lopez got onto Loop 287. An Angelina County Sheriff’s Deputy was laying down road spikes when Lopez nearly ran over the deputy.

Lopez later wrecked into several police cars. Lopez, charged with DWI, evading arrest and assaulting a public servant, is being held in the Angelina County Jail on a collective $27,000 bond, including a $500 bond forfeiture out of Polk County for DWI, according to jail records. He also has a hold from immigration, jail records stated.

The deputy was was treated and released at Memorial Medical Center-Lufkin for an injured leg.

TYLER — Tyler Police respond to a burglary alarm and make an arrest. It happened Tuesday morning around 2:45 at Pitt-Stop Exxon, 900 W. Front. Authorities say as they arrived on scene, they noticed a suspect leaving the area carrying electronic equipment. He reportedly fled the scene when he saw the police. Officers located him and the stolen equipment a short time later at a residence near Herndon and Glenwood. Cedric Stewart, 51, Tyler, was arrested for burglary of a building and evading arrest.

TYLER — Assistant Smith County District Attorney Joe Murphy has stepped down. Sources close to the Smith County DA’s office tell KETK-TV that Murphy has left on his own accord. They report that Murphy was asked to either resign from his position or be fired by head Smith County District Attorney, Matt Bingham last week. Bingham says he’s not commenting on personnel issues at this time.

Murphy has been with the office nearly ten years. He was the lead prosecutor in the Mineola Swingers Club cases. Two of those cases were reversed last Summer by the 14th Court of Appeals in Houston.

AUSTIN – With the start of pre-legislation filing for the upcoming legislative session in Austin, Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville has file bills to protect homeowners from escalating property taxes and abuses of eminent domain.

The first bill Nichols filed is to slow rapidly rising taxable values on Texas homes. “Escalating tax appraisals make homeownership less and less affordable,” Nichols said. “We need to keep citizens from being taxed out their homes and significantly limit increasing tax appraisals, which result in larger tax bills.”

Currently, an appraisal district may raise the taxable value of a home by 10% a year, or up to 30 percent if there was no increase in the previous two years. This results in homeowners paying 10 to 30 percent more in property taxes from one year to the next, even if the tax rate stays the same.

Senate Bill 175 cuts the maximum rate of increase in half, from 10% to 5%. Nichols pointed out how important it is to limit the resulting increase in people’s property taxes, even when the value of their home increases.

Nichols’ other bill, Senate Bill 174, would prohibit state or local government from taking private land for the purpose of recreational projects such as city parks and trails. “No homeowner should lose the roof over their heads so others can have a place to play,” said Nichols. “Eminent domain should never be used for recreation projects, period.”

Ending eminent domain abuse continues to be a priority for Nichols. In his first session as senator he co-authored legislation creating a Landowners’ Bill of Rights and he has consistently voted for landowner protections.

TYLER — With deer hunting season underway, “Hunters for the Hungry” is working with Lynch’s Food Store on East 5th Street and the Salvation Army to provide venison for the hungry. Hunters donate their deer to participating meat processors and pay a reduced processing fee, the processors distribute the meat to area food assistance providers, and those agencies serve it to people in need.

The Salvation Army says the extra meat is a God-send. They serve over 900 meals a day at The Salvation Army Center of Hope, so donations like those from “Hunters for the Hungry” are indispensable. Last year in Smith County alone, hunters donated 1,200 pounds of venison through the program. That equals 4,800 servings for people in need.

Hunters who would like to learn more about the program can go to http://www.tacaa.org/hunters.htom or contact Lynch’s Food Store or the Salvation Army.

LINDEN — Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has reached an agreement with a Cass County horse seller that misrepresented the nature and health of its animals. Under the agreed final judgment, the defendant must pay restitution to customers who purchased sick or unhealthy animals. The agreement also prohibits the defendant from continuing to engage in the horse business.

Monday’s resolution stems from the State’s 2009 investigation and enforcement action against E-Tex Equine Co. and its owner, Patricia Wilson. State investigators found the defendant unlawfully sold horses that were blind, injured, sick and lacked up-to-date documentation proving that individual animals had been tested for infectious disease. Wilson conducted business with customers in several states without disclosing the animals true health conditions.

The agreed final judgment and permanent injunction requires Wilson to restore $65,300 to customers who were misled about the animals and her services. Wilson must also pay $10,000 in civil penalties and $15,000 in state attorney’s fees under the judgment.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Neighborhood Services Department and representatives from several other City departments will hold a neighborhood meeting tonight with residents of the Fall 2010 Neighborhood Empowerment Works (NEW) focus area. Departments that will be represented include Police, Fire, Code Enforcement, Engineering, Traffic, Animal Control, Water Utilities, Streets and Parks. Officials say the meeting is an opportunity for neighbors to share their concerns and help identify projects that the City can address during the focus period. The gathering is scheduled for 6:00 at North Tenneha Church of Christ, 1701 N. Tenneha Ave. Refreshments will be provided.

The NEW neighborhood’s boundaries are from West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between Moore and Border Avenues to Franklin Street between Moore and Palace Avenues to West Vance Avenue between Palace and Border Avenue. “Resident input is critical to this program,” said Neighborhood Services Director Brenda Johnson. “The residents know their neighborhood better than anyone and are in the best position to identify opportunities for improvement.”

According to press materials, the NEW program enhances the quality of life for Tyler residents – one neighborhood at a time – by intensely concentrating City services in a specific area for three weeks. Various City departments use information gathered from the neighborhood meeting as well as an examination of the area to identify services that could make an immediate impact on the neighborhood. This will be the 10th NEW neighborhood since the City started the program in 2006.