KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Republican U.S. Senate nominee Ted Cruz stopped in Tyler Friday to campaign at an event with Grassroots America – We the People. According to KETK, Cruz says this year’s election is unlike any other year and a choice between two very different paths. He said this year’s election is a choice between spending money America doesn’t have or fiscal responsibility and getting out of debt. He said, “We need to get our economy going, we need to get small business going, we need to get America back to work.” Cruz is challenged by Democrat Paul Sadler, Libertarian John Jay Myers, and the Green Party’s David B. Collins.

TYLER — A Smith County woman has been sentenced to 85 years in prison for possession of a controlled substance in a drug-free zone. KETK reports 32-year-old Daphne Dakeisha Ausborne was arrested on June 14th for the charge and was sentenced on Thursday. Ausborne has a history of theft and possession charges. According to Smith County Judicial, a motion to withdraw has been set for a hearing on Monday, October 29th.

TYLER — As cooler weather moves back into our community, now is the time to start preparing for the season, according to local officials. While freezing temperatures have not yet arrived, the Tyler Fire Department reminds residents of a few important safety tips as the area experiences colder temperatures. According to officials, preparation is of key importance, and now is the time to consider giving your home a check-up.

· Furnaces should be inspected and serviced by qualified professionals each year;
· Chimneys and vents should also be inspected and cleaned annually;
· Portable space heaters should never be left unattended and should never be used with extension cords;
· Heaters need adequate space. Keep all combustibles at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, stoves, and space heaters;
· Never leave candles unattended;
· Ensure that you have adequate protection provided by working smoke alarms. These life-saving devices should be located on every level of your home, in each bedroom, and outside of each sleeping area;
· Carbon monoxide detectors should be tested regularly;
· Make sure that you have practiced your home fire escape plan with your family.

Safety presentations are available upon request. Additionally, the Tyler Fire Department’s Smoke Alarm Installation Program will be ongoing for the rest of year. For more information about this program, contact the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office at 903-535-0007.

TYLER — The man accused of beating his wife to death last Thanksgiving in Smith County is now back in jail. Kelly Gage, 50, was arrested Thursday for allegedly violating his probation. Gage spent 90 days behind bars for allegedly beating his wife, Patti McHugh Gage. McHugh later died from her injuries, which her son Nicholas claimed were caused by Gage. However, authorities failed to gather enough evidence to charge Gage with the crime, and he was released on February 28, 2012, after his bond was reduced from $1 million for aggravated assault to a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.

Upon his release, Patti Gage’s son, Nicholas McHugh, and his younger brother, Caden, both took out protective orders against Gage. At the time, Nicholas told KETK, “I’m really scared of any type of retaliation. He’s really nuts and he’s threatened my life and my grandmother’s life particularly in the past.” The investigation into the case is ongoing. There is no word at this time exactly how Gage allegedly violated his probation. He is being held in the Smith County Jail on a $30,000 bond.

CANTON — Authorities in Van Zandt County seek an aggravated robbery suspect. On Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a call in the Callender Lake community. At approximately 9:30 p.m. an unknown male suspect entered the home of an elderly female. The suspect assaulted the female and drove away in her tan 2005, 4-door Camry with the license plate of BY8N961. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 903-567-4133.

TYLER — Tyler Police need your help in identifying two Hispanic suspects responsible for stealing approximately $6,600 dollars of merchandise from two CVS Pharmacy’s. On October 4, around 4:30, a male and female Hispanic couple entered the CVS Pharmacy at E. Fifth and Loop 323. They reportedly stole 69 boxes of Mucinex worth $1,600 and $900 worth of assorted cosmetics from the business.

On October 17, at 2:30, the same couple entered the CVS Pharmacy at Fifth and Broadway. They reportedly stole over $4,000 of Revlon cosmetics by concealing them in a large black bag and leaving the store without paying. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department or call Smith County Crime Stoppers.

TYLER – Tyler Police arrested the woman suspected of impersonating an officer on two occasions earlier this month. Jennifer Louise Cowser, 39, Tyler, was taken into custody Thursday morning. She was charged with two counts of impersonating a public servant, a 3rd degree felony. Cowser was transported to the Smith County Jail on a $150,000 bond for each charge. She has since posted bond and was released from jail Thursday. Tyler Police served a search warrant at her home and found clothing fitting the description of the suspect, but no badge was found.

Authorities said, on two occasions, she propositioned the victims for sex, presented a badge and robbed them. The first incident occurred at D&N Grocery on W. Bow Street October 7. The suspect asked for $10, and when she was told no, she allegedly took the victim’s wallet out of his pants and then left in a small gray Nissan car. According to an earlier police report, a man said a woman claiming to be a police officer stole some items from his car. It happened at a car wash at 5030 Highway 31 West. The Hispanic male told Tyler officers he was parked near the car vacuums when the woman approached him and presented a badge. She told him she was going to search his car or he was going to be arrested. After searching his car, she stole a few unknown items from him and then left in a dark colored compact vehicle.

Cowser was arrested October 12th in Smith County for possession of dangerous drugs, and in Whitehouse June 1 for possession.

TYLER — A minor wreck involving a school bus has been cleared on Greenbriar Road just south of Spur 364 in Smith County Friday morning, according to DPS. The wreck happened at around 6:30. 13 children were on board the bus at the time of the wreck. No one was injured and no word on the cause of the wreck.

SMITH COUNTY — Three people, including a State Trooper, were hurt in a Thursday night crash. It happened along highway 64 just after 10:00 near Greenbriar road. According to authorities on the scene, the driver of a pickup crashed into the trooper’s vehicle. All three of the injured were taken to a local hospital. According to KETK, their injuries were not serious.

LONGVIEW – A woman arrested in Longview has been returned to Mississippi where she is accused of embezzling funds from her employer and then faking her kidnapping. Arrested Thursday morning was Linda Gale Reed, 66. She was picked up during a traffic stop.

Mississippi authorities at first thought she had been kidnapped. Her bloodied SUV was found in a wooded area on a logging road off Interstate Highway 55. She was last seen April 29th at a Wal-Mart about 20 miles South of Jackson. She was reported missing after she didn’t show up for work April 30.

As investigators looked into her disappearance, $20,000 was found missing from a petty cash fund to which she had access. She had been working as a bookkeeper for Moore Fabrications in Gallman, Mississippi. At the time of her arrest, she had been working in Longview as a bookkeeper. In Mississippi, Copiah County Sheriff Harold Jones says Reed was using her real name and Social Security number as she worked in Longview.

TYLER – The firms that will head up the construction of the new nursing and health science center at Tyler Junior College have been selected by school trustees. Named Thursday for the $1.8 million project were HGR Contractors of Tyler and Turner Construction of Dallas. The school hopes to open the new facility in the spring of 2015.

TYLER — Authorities have captured a man said to have been leading them on a three-county chase. The chase started as a motorcycle pursuit in Wood, Smith, and Van Zandt Counties. But it turned into a foot chase at Wood County Road 2220 in the Mineola area, according to the Mineola Police Department. KETK reports Michael Paul Koch, 32, of Grand Saline is behind bars in Smith County. He faces numerous charges, including evading arrest. Bail is set at $40,000. No injuries have been reported.

LINDALE — An alleged East Texas bank robber has been brought back to America after he was caught in the Philippines. The Lindale Police Department and FBI went to DFW International Airport Thursday, and with the assistance of U.S. Customs agents. Anthony Rios, 43, of Lindale, was arrested as he exited an airplane after arriving from the Philippines. KETK reports the accused criminal was transported to the Smith County Jail after he was processed in Grapevine. Rios was booked in for the aggravated robbery committed on September 12 at the Capital One Bank on South Main Street in Lindale.

Rios, who was wearing a towel wrapped around his face, allegedly entered the bank armed with a handgun and robbed it. He had last been seen making off with what officials term an unknown sum of money in his car, headed south on Highway 69 toward Tyler. The alleged thief’s car, which authorities say was covered in red from a dye pack explosion, was found afterward at the airport parking garage in Dallas. According to officials, law enforcement authorities suspected he was en route to the Philippines and were able to pinpoint the flight he had boarded.

TYLER — Smith County is now accepting applications for two positions on the Emergency Services District #2 Board, set to expire on December 31, 2012. Emergency Services Districts are political subdivisions of Texas that are entrusted with providing fire services to many unincorporated areas of the state. Applications will be accepted through November 15. An ESD is governed by a board of commissioners who are appointed for two year staggered terms. All members must own real property or be registered voters in the district where they serve.

You’re asked to visit the Smith County Website at http://www.smith-county.com if you’re interested in submitting an application. Applications can be found by selecting the “Government” tab on the home page, selecting the “Commissioners Court” page, then clicking on the tab labeled “Boards and Commissions.” You may direct any questions to the Smith County Public Relations Office at 903-590-4607.

LAKE O’ THE PINES — A big, bad plant has made an unwelcome appearance in Lake O’ The Pines. It’s giant salvinia, an invasive species from Brazil. Clay Church with the Army Corps of Engineers says the plant can take over a body of water if it’s not controlled. According to Church, “It will actually make a mat so thick that it’ll choke out the native vegetation, plus it makes it hard for aquatic wildlife then to be there.” He says the stuff doubles in size in some areas every week. The Corps closed a boat ramp and hopes it has the salvinia cleaned up, but it’s easily spread. Church says any people who use the lake must inspect their boats and gear anytime they leave one body of water and go to another.

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville Police investigate three aggravated robberies. KETK reports the robberies took place at CJ’s Quick Stop on Rusk Street and twice at the J&J Food Mart on South Jackson this month. Police say the men got away with cash in all three robberies. If you know anything, you’re asked to call police or Crimestoppers.

LONGVIEW — A third sexually-oriented business, Venus, has been licensed in Longview. According to KETK, the owner hopes to have the adult novelty sex shop open in time for Valentine’s Day sales.

“Our busiest season is Valentine’s Day, when love is in the air. An end-of-the year opening also coincides with winter, the time of the year when people will be indoors,” said Robert Duggan, president of Gregg County Video.

Duggan’s September 13 application to open a sex store on FRJ Drive was approved October 17, after city staff determined it met requirements of Longview’s sexually oriented business ordinance. The application was delayed while surveyors determined whether the building site was far enough removed from a neighboring residence.

SMITH COUNTY — Lindale and Noonday firefighters battled a house fire Thursday morning in Smith County. According to KETK, it happened shortly before 3:45 in the 13000 block of County Road 46. No reports of any injuries.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council held a meeting Wednesday to hear a presentation by Heather Nick, Tyler City Planner, detailing the proposals on ordinance amendments, and variances, regarding zoning, signage and specific drive-through facilities. According to KETK, the proposals are in anticipation for the upcoming election, if the legalization of beer and wine sales passes for off premise consumption on November 6 in parts of Smith County.

The main topics addressed at the meeting were, where potential businesses are allowed to be, in proximity of schools, and churches. Another topic raised was the issue of signage. Specifically how many signs, how large, and where they are placed could be affected. The city says they have a uniformity code, so they are discussing signage for all businesses, not just potential alcohol stores that may come into Tyler if the law is voted in. Lastly, “beer barns” or drive-through packaged food and beverage facilities were discussed. The city of Tyler wants to restrict these types of businesses from being too close to city limits. They want to place them in “M2″ zones or more industrial areas, if the law is passed.

JACKSONVILLE – The Texas Attorney General’s office is investigating missing funds from Lon Morris College in Jacksonville. The $1.3 million comes from an endowment that should have gone to Sam Houston State University after the Jacksonville school declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July. At the center of the investigation is former school president Dr. Miles McCall. He headed the college from 2005 until his resignation this past May. Dr. McCall was questioned this week about the missing funds. Hal Morris with the State Attorney General’s Office says, at this time, they do not consider the money stolen.

RUSK COUNTY – A Rusk County woman is hospitalized in ICU at Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center after being attacked by a pack of dogs. The woman, said to be in her 80s, was attacked just before 9:00 Wednesday morning at her home on County Road 1113, between Kilgore and Overton. A neighbor, who saw the woman attacked when she went to get her newspaper, helped get the dogs off her and called 911. KETK reports the dogs have been captured and put down, and the investigation of the incident is continuing.

LONGVIEW – Longview police have arrested a man who threatened to use a metal pipe to kill his wife and her mother. Arrested early Wednesday morning was Patrick Wayne McCullough, 31. Police reports say witnesses stopped McCullough before he could hurt anyone. He is currently in the Gregg County Jail under bonds totaling $10,000 on charges of aggravated assault family violence with a weapon.

LONGVIEW — Sheriff Maxey Cerliano and the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office request your assistance in identifying a burglary suspect. At around 2:30Sunday morning, October 21st, a white male entered the Glass Dragon Superstore at 4701 Estes Parkway by cutting a hole in the roof. The suspect took over $1500 in merchandise from the business. The suspect was wearing a light colored hoodie with netting covering his face. Call the sheriff’s office if you have any information.

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to several early Wednesday morning break-ins reported at various Tyler businesses. The first happened just after 2:00 at the Laundry Room, 1811 ESE Loop 323. Officers located a broken window and as the investigation was underway, two subjects were stopped nearby and later arrested. Lucarus Butler, 20 (pictured) and Matthew Taylor, 17, both of Tyler, were charged with possession of criminal instrument and attempted burglary. Then, around 3:30, officers responded to a burglary call at the XLN club, 2109 East 5th and Mama’s Restaurant, 2105 East 5th. Officers found broken windows at both businesses. Officers searched the area but did not locate any suspects in the area.

Almost one hour later, officers responded to a burglary call at Midway Food Mart, 533 South Broadway. Authorities said there were signs that business had been broken into. Damarian Amie, 18, Tyler, was located nearby and arrested for attempted burglary. Later, police discovered another business, Taqueria El Lugar at 2121 East Fifth Street, was burglarized Wednesday morning. Investigators are following up on evidence recovered on Damarian Amie that reportedly links him to this burglary. All three suspects were booked into the Smith County Jail.

MT. PLEASANT — A Louisiana woman and mother of six chained herself to the front gate of a Keystone XL Pipeline yard Wednesday morning in Titus County. The action prevented workers building the southern leg of the TransCanada pipeline from getting in. While chained to the fence, Cherri Foytlin explained what brought her to Texas to join in the protest. Foytlin said, “It all started with the BP oil spill, and I was just awakened to the fact that these companies, in this case a foreign company just like BP, are not being responsible to our earth and to our people.” About an hour later, Foytlin was arrested and taken into custody.

TYLER — A U.S. magistrate judge found a Tyler man mentally competent to stand trial. KETK reports Todd Edward Jacobs, 44, will stand trial for allegedly conspiring to burn down a drug recovery center in Tyler. Jacobs is also accused of attempting to hire someone to kill his co-conspirator so he could not testify against him. Jacobs was indicted in June. He’s charged with solicitation of arson, witness tampering and “murder for hire.” Jacobs is facing up to 30 years in prison.

LUFKIN — A 49-year-old Lufkin man has been sentenced for disposing of hazardous wastes without a permit. David Overdorf pleaded guilty on March 18, 2011 and was fined $50,000. Overdorf was also sentenced to five years probation with six months of home confinement.

Overdorf was the former owner and president of H.O.T. Transport, Inc., a Lufkin-based chemical transportation business which offered commercial transportation of industrial liquids such as caustics, ethanol, methanol, hot wax, cresol, and formaldehyde. During the normal course of business, Overdorf directed HOT employees to wash out the interiors of trailer mounted tanks at HOT’s place of business knowing that the tanks contained hazardous wastes.

On March 10, 2006, Overdorf directed a HOT employee to transport approximately 45,000 tons of tank wash wastewater containing hazardous wastes in a trailer mounted tank from the business to Quala Wash in Houston for disposal and authorized payment of $450 to Clinton Promise for the disposal.

As part of his plea agreement with the government, Overdorf has agreed to pay a $50,000 fine. He must also hire an independent environmental engineering firm within four weeks to determine the full extent of soil contamination at HOT’s former business site. Overdorf must also spend up to $250,000 towards the costs of cleaning up any contamination left at the site. HOT is no longer in business.

TYLER – A man wanted in connection with a recent incident at Tyler’s Varsity Place Apartments has been arrested. Sirbrycelon Shelton, 19, of Kilgore, was arrested Monday after his release from the hospital and charged with burglary.

Tyler Police were called to the scene of a shooting that occurred around 9:30 a.m. Friday at Varsity Place Apartments, at 3400 Varsity Drive. Officers contacted Bradley Jackson, 19, of Dallas, who attends Tyler Junior College and lives in apartment 804. Jackson told officers that he believed he was being robbed by another suspect who was armed with a handgun standing at the doorway of his apartment. That suspect has been named as Shelton.

Police say Jackson produced a handgun and shot Shelton in his doorway. According to authorities, Shelton fled on foot, leaving a blood trail that ended up in building 21 of the complex. Officers searched the apartment and failed to locate anyone inside. Investigators discovered narcotics at the scene of the incident and believe they played a role in the motive of the shooting.

ATHENS – Funeral services will be held this weekend for long-time Henderson County Justice of the Peace Henry Ashford. The 65 year old Ashford died this past Saturday in Waco where he had gone to visit family members. It appears he died of a heart attack.

Ashford was first elected the Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace in 2002. It will now be up to Henderson County commissioners to appoint Ashford’s successor. That person would serve out the remainder of Ashford’s term, which ends December 31, 2013.

Funeral services for Ashford will be held on Saturday at 11:00am at First Baptist Church in Athens.

ANGELINA COUNTY — In a strange occurrence, a Diboll man has died after being struck with an arrow Tuesday morning. Angelina County deputies were dispatched to the scene located in the 100 block of Tidwell around 8:30. According to KETK, Sheriff’s officials are currently investigating the death, but could not give a detailed account of what happened at this time. The Lufkin Daily News – http://lufkindailynews.com – reports the man apparently shot himself in the chest with a crossbow. The name of the victim has not been released, pending notification next of kin.