KTBB News, Weather, Talk

JACKSONVILLE — Lon Morris College officials say employees should soon be receiving their delayed March 31 payments if they haven’t already gotten them. According to a statement issued to our news partner KETK, Lon Morris officials notified faculty and staff on Monday, April 16th, that funds were being processed to update the March 31st payroll. The Comptroller informed everyone that funds would be uploaded and sent out on Thursday, April 19th.

The college says live checks were printed and available for employees not using direct deposits on Thursday, April 19th. School officials add that direct deposits were available to employees in their accounts either Thursday, April 19th, or Friday, April 20th. Officials say they’re currently working on the April 15th payroll so employees will be up-to-date on payment.

Earlier this month, Jessica Chile, Director of Admissions and Media Relations for the school, said the college didn’t have the funds to issue the payments. Chile says the ends of the semesters tend to strain the school’s finances because its government funding has been depleted by that time.

TYLER – The American Rose Society Board of Directors will hold its annual spring session at the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden and Rose Garden Center on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. The daylong meeting will include regular business of the national plant society. That includes financial reports and committee reports on activities ranging from rose horticulture judging and rose arrangement judging, to educational publications, to long range planning for the organization, among other items. The American Rose Society board of directors meets twice annually as required by its national by-laws.

Executive Director Jeff Ware, based in Shreveport, Louisiana, at the national headquarters of the American Rose Society, states, “The American Rose Society is eager to meet in Tyler, Texas. It is a natural fit for America’s rose society to meet in America’s rose capital. The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is an amazing display of roses and I commend Craig Reiland and his staff for their hard work that is so clearly evident. The Rose Garden Center is a wonderful meeting space. We are extremely honored to be able to bring this important meeting to Tyler.” The American Rose Society is the largest and oldest national plant society, first organized in Washington, D.C., in 1892.

TYLER — The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has granted its Outstanding Achievement Award to East Texas Medical Center Cancer Institute along with a small select group of accredited cancer programs that were surveyed in 2011. “We are very pleased to have received this recognition for providing the highest level of quality cancer care,” said Todd Sigmon, vice president of the ETMC Cancer Institute. “The award is granted to facilities that demonstrate a high level of compliance with established standards in areas such as: leadership, cancer data management, clinical management, research, community outreach, and quality improvement.” Only around 20 percent of the cancer programs surveyed in 2011 received the award.

TYLER – A 38-year-old Fort Worth man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Ray Lee Ransom, Jr., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute hydrocodone, alprazolam, and promethazine with codeine Friday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

According to information presented in court, from May 2009 through May 2010, Ransom purchased hydrocodone, alprazolam, and promethazine with codeine from numerous pharmacies in the Eastern District of Texas and other areas using fraudulent prescriptions. He then sold the controlled substances to others. Ransom and five others were indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 2, 2011. Ransom faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

GREGG COUNTY — A Kilgore man was sentenced to 75 years in prison Wednesday on felony drug charges. Bryan Dion Williams, 27, was charged with a possession of a controlled substance, which was enhanced to a first-degree felony because he had two prior drug convictions. According to the Longview News-Journal, Williams was arrested May 17 at a Kilgore car wash, where he was found with a dozen crack rocks weighing nearly 6 grams, a roll of cash and a shotgun. His trial on the gun possession charge is set next week.

GREGG COUNTY — Police are searching for a suspect wanted after a Longview business is robbed. It happened early Wednesday around 2:15. Officers were responding to an alarm call at Bagley Power Equipment, 3709 South Eastman Road. Upon arrival, they found the glass door had been shattered. The owner of the business arrived a short time later and told police three Husqvarna chainsaws were missing.

Officers reviewed a security video and described the suspect as a white male, 35-40 years old, about -6 feet tall and weighing approximately 300 pounds. He has short brown hair and no facial hair. He was wearing a camouflage cap and a blue short sleeved t-shirt with a white spot near the right rear shoulder area. He is also wearing black shorts with red and white vertical stripes on the side, white socks, and brown
shoes.

Authorities said he might be driving a light colored four-door passenger car with spoke wheels, black door handles, and fog lamps. The car also has black door posts and a black plastic section between the taillights. It also has a large after market antenna on the left side of the trunk. Police think he’s the same suspect that burglarized the store at least twice over the last several months.Anyone with information is asked to contact Longview Police or CrimeStoppers.

ZAVALLA — A one-vehicle accident Thursday night in Angelina County has killed a Van Zandt County man. Stewart Hall, 47, of Ben Wheeler, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident near the intersection of State Highway 63 and County Road 255. The accident happened shortly after 9:45. The Department of Public Safety reports Hall’s 18-wheeler left the road and rolled over.

TYLER — It’s that time of year when many folks begin to move into new homes. So what happens if you choose the wrong movers? The Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas says a lot of people have in the past, and it can cost you more than you expect.

According to KETK, in one case, a family found out its bill was double or triple the amount of the original invoice. The bureau cites “horror stories” of furniture being held hostage. One accredited mover, Stanley Smith, says some movers “ride the clock…just mess around.” Smith says he’s heard stories of not only price gouging, but even theft. His advice: put all valuables away, and don’t tip anybody.

Another piece of advice: if you’re spending the money entrusting strangers to move your things, do your homework. Some moving companies are reportedly “fly-by-night” operations that charge much more than you expect to pay — and may even cost you your items.

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA (AP) – A 34-year-old man accused of kidnapping and killing an 18-year-old barista from an Anchorage coffee shack has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Israel Keyes, who was arrested in East Texas, entered his pleas through his lawyer in U.S. District Court on Thursday in Anchorage. A grand jury on Wednesday indicted Keyes in the death of Samantha Koenig. Keyes pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping resulting in death, receiving and possessing ransom money, and debit card fraud.

Prosecutors believe that Keyes abducted Koenig on the evening of Feb. 1 just as she was preparing to close the coffee shack for the day, and then killed her the next morning. Koenig’s body was pulled two months later from the bottom of a frozen lake north of the city in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Keyes was arraigned March 27 in federal court in Anchorage on a fraud charge, shortly after being returned from Lufkin, Texas, where he was arrested. If convicted, Keyes could be sentenced to life in prison or death.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview seek help catching a person who tried to steal some materials from a department store. Just before 5:30 Monday afternoon, officers responded to a theft at Sears at 3500 McCann Road. When officers arrived they were told by loss prevention that a white male had attempted to steal a router and some pliers and leave the store. When loss prevention personnel confronted the thief he threw the items down and attempted to leave the store. When the store’s loss prevention personnel attempted to stop him again he pushed the Sears employee and ran out of the store.

The suspect is described as a white male with dark hair and a goatee, and tattoos on both shoulders. If anyone has any information regarding this theft, you’re asked to contact Detective Gary Shirley at 903-237-2705. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact Gregg County Crimestoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.org or 903-237-7867.

LINCOLN, NEB. (AP/Staff) – Officials have unveiled a new preferred route for the Nebraska portion of the stalled Keystone XL oil pipeline that avoids the state’s groundwater-rich Sandhills region. Nebraska environmental officials released details Thursday about the proposal that would veer east around the Sandhills before looping back to the original route. Developer Transcanada says the reroute adds about 100 miles to the original 1,700-mile project that would carry oil from Canada to the Gulf Coast, running through much of East Texas. The proposed route takes it through eastern Smith County.

TransCanada submitted the proposal after Governor Dave Heineman allowed the state officials to proceed with an environmental review. The review had stalled in January after the Obama administration rejected a federal permit for the pipeline. Administration officials said they didn’t have time to review the project before a congressional deadline and cited uncertainty about the Nebraska route.

DALLAS — A Dallas police officer facing 10 counts of sexual assault has been fired. Officer Charles Walker was arrested in Rains County in February and charged with child indecency and two counts of sexual assault. He was placed on administrative leave while an internal affairs investigation was conducted. Walker is accused of sexually assaulting a family member while the alleged victim was both an adult and a teen. In addition to Walker, two other Dallas police officers were fired for lesser offenses.

HOUSTON (AP) – A federal appeals court has rejected an appeal from a death row inmate convicted of fatally beating an East Texas woman with a tire iron during a break-in of her home a decade ago. Lawyers for Mario Swain, 33, contended his confessions to the December 2002 slaying of Lola Nixon, 46, of Longview improperly were admitted at his capital murder trial. They also argued his trial lawyers were deficient and jury selection was improper. The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals late Wednesday refused the claims, moving Swain a step closer to execution. Nixon apparently came home while Swain was in her house and was attacked. Her body was thrown in the trunk of her car and dumped in a field. Swain does not have an execution date.

KILGORE — Kilgore Police are still searching for a man who led them on a chase through county roads after a routine traffic stop. It started around 11:30 Wednesday night when Kilgore officers pulled over a white male driving a Dodge Dakota truck at the EZ-Mart. Before the officers could get to the vehicle, the driver took off, leading officers down county roads before pulling into the driveway of a home on Farm Road 2276 near County Road 243. At that point, the man got out of his vehicle and ran away on foot. DPS had joined the pursuit along with helicopters. Rusk County deputies also aided in the search but the man was not found.

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man is jailed after police said he threatened his girlfriend and held her at gunpoint. Harold Bernard Johnson, 32, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is in the Gregg County Jail on $100,000 bond. According to the Longview News-Journal, Johnson met his girlfriend at a home in Lakeport. Police said he was intoxicated and possibly under the influence of narcotics. After an argument Johnson with another man at the residence, Johnson reportedly hit the woman. He then retrieved a gun. The victim was able to call police from a neighbor’s house.

TYLER — Smith County Constable Dustin Rust is free on bond and says he will fight the charges that have been filed against him. The Precinct 3 Constable turned himself in Tuesday following his grand jury indictment. His bond was set at $22,500. Rust was released a short time later. The special grand jury indictment stems from charges that Rust and his deputies had been running an unlicensed private security business.

PALESTINE – Authorities are still trying to find the cause of a fire that destroyed a house and mobile home just north of Palestine. It was reported shortly after 10:15 Monday morning off State Highway 155 near the intersection of County Roads 363 and 359. Investigators say both structures were a total loss. No injuries were reported.

RUSK — Officials say lawn equipment thefts are up in Cherokee County — and the problem seems to be getting worse. According to KETK, one issue is that some of the property is being taken outside the county, where authorities say it’s harder to track. One example: equipment reportedly taken for sale at Canton Trades Days. Another problem, according to authorities, is that most people don’t keep track of the serial number on their lawn equipment. Some, officials say, don’t even know the brand of their missing equipment. Authorities recommend that you take both of these precautions.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College today will conduct the first of two town hall meetings to discuss its upcoming $25 million bond election for the purpose of constructing a new nursing and health sciences building. Today’s meeting will be held at the TJC West Campus Skills Training Center, 1530 SSW Loop 323, Room 124. There’s also a meeting next Tuesday in the Family Learning Center at Douglas Elementary School, 1508 North Haynie. Both meetings are set for 6:00pm. College officials say the meetings will provide the public the opportunity to learn about the proposed project and ask questions.

The TJC Board of Trustees has called for the election within the TJC district for Saturday, May 12. Early voting begins April 30 and concludes May 8. The TJC tax district comprises properties within the Tyler, Chapel Hill, Lindale, Winona, Grand Saline and Van independent school districts. Portions of the Tyler and Chapel Hill districts are not within the TJC district. You can visit http://www.tjc.edu/bondproposal for more information.

TYLER — The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) is announcing a traffic switch. Officials say the Design/Build Contractor for Segment 3B of Toll 49, CH2M Hill, is putting the last touches on the State Highway 110 detour and is moving traffic onto the newly constructed detour. As traffic switches onto the detour, CH2M Hill is increasing activity in this area of the project during the week, therefore increasing congestion in the area. Drivers are asked to allow for potential delays in the area during this adjustment period.

TYLER — The Board of Directors of PATH (People Attempting to Help) met Wednesday in a called meeting and received the news that Executive Director Christina Fulsom has decided to leave PATH. Her resignation will be effective April 30, but according to a PATH news release, “she has graciously agreed to remain as a consultant through July 31 in order to help PATH through the transition period.”

Board President Stuart Baskin said, “Christina’s departure obviously leaves a big hole at PATH, but she is leaving the organization in excellent shape organizationally and financially. Her tenure has been marked by growth in the number, scope, and quality of its programs, as well as in its vision. She has been an effective voice for the poor in Tyler and Smith County, and I look forward to seeing what else she will do in the future to relieve the suffering of those who are caught in poverty.”

According to the news release, “Fulsom leaves PATH in a strong position financially and in terms of its programs to combat poverty. With total assets (including buildings and homes) of $4.8 million and programs to address everything from emergency food to low-cost rental housing, PATH is one of the key players in helping people in need in Smith County.”

LUFKIN (AP) – Two former East Texas dental workers have been accused of selling stolen gold including a piece attached to a bloody tooth. Heather Ricks Terry and Mary Dorsey are charged with theft. Investigators say the Huntington women last year allegedly sold about $5,000 worth of gold pieces taken from a dental office. An official with Palmer and Ross Dental Group in Lufkin said Wednesday that both women were fired in December. Dorsey and Terry were booked Tuesday. Each is free on $3,500 bond. KTRE-TV reports a buyer told police that some items were clean, but one batch had gold still in a bloody tooth. Terry in January was charged with fraud after some dental prescriptions allegedly were forged. Angelina County Jail records did not list attorneys for the women.

LINDALE — A man is dead near Lindale after he’s crushed by a vehicle. According to KETK, the man was changing the oil in his truck when it rolled and crushed him. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said the accident happened in the 13000 block of County Road 442. The victim has been identified as James York, Jr., 83. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say he died of blunt force trauma. York’s wife was working in the front yard when the accident happened.

KILGORE — Authorities say a routine traffic stop led deputies to an illegal stash of prescription pills. According to KETK, around 12:45 Wednesday morning, Rusk County deputies made a traffic stop on County Road 172 in Kilgore. The driver, Gerald Hosea Gibson, 35, of Kilgore, was pulled over for alleged failure to signal a turn. According to authorities, during the stop, officials discovered Gibson was driving with an invalid license and no insurance. Dispatchers also informed the deputy on scene that Gibson had an outstanding warrant. Gibson was arrested for the active warrant.

While searching Gibson’s vehicle, authorities say they found a prescription bottle with no label, containing 29 hydrocodone pills. Gibson’s vehicle was impounded to a local wrecking yard, and he was taken to the Rusk County Justice Center. He’s charged with possession of controlled substance, and his bond is set at $10,000.

QUITMAN — After a 16 month poaching investigation, four men have been arrested for allegedly killing more than 30 deer illegally in Wood and Rains Counties. According to KETK, Wood County game wardens found several deer dead in the area with only the backstrap removed. The suspects are charged with more than 500 offenses, 40 of which are state jail felonies.

RUSK COUNTY — Two women have been arrested in Rusk County for theft. According to KETK, sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Farm Road 782 in reference to a theft in progress. While deputies were in route to the scene, a witness contacted the land owner advising him two suspects were loading his scrap metal into a truck. The suspects had an old refrigerator along with other scrap metal in the bed of their truck which belonged to the land owner. The land owner was able to arrive on scene before the suspects were able to flee.

Once on scene Deputy Medford arrested suspects Aimee Rachele Burdeshaw, 27, and Danielle Marie Burdeshaw, 25, both of Tatum, on charges of theft. While processing the scene Deputy Medford also discovered marijuana. Both suspects were charged with theft.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches man was jailed early Tuesday morning after falsely reporting an armed robbery to get a ride. According to KETK, Larry Joe Smith Jr., 32, reportedly went to his neighbor’s home on CR 555 in Nacogdoches County about midnight Monday, telling the neighbor that he needed a ride because someone had entered his home and was attempting to rob him at gunpoint.

The neighbor called 911, and when deputies arrived Smith confessed he was not being robbed. He told deputies he was out of gas and just wanted a ride. Smith was arrested and charged with false report of an emergency.

TYLER — Smith County Constable Dustin Rust is free on bond and says he will fight the charges that have been filed against him. The Precinct 3 Constable turned himself in Tuesday following his grand jury indictment. His bond was set at $22,500. Rust was released a short time later. The special grand jury indictment stems from charges that Rust and his deputies had been running an unlicensed private security business.

Last month, Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham confirmed that he had asked Longview attorney Lance Larison to take over the investigation of the case. Bingham says he wanted to avoid any hint of favoritism in the case.

The case revolves around private security patrols that were provided by the Precinct 3 office for the Woods subdivision. Peace officers are allowed to do private security work, within certain limits. Rust says it ties to County Commissioner Cary Nix and his investigation into wrongdoing in Whitehouse. Rust claims the whole situation is politically motivated. Bingham says three of the deputies have cooperated with the probe and admitted their guilt. Rust is seeking reelection, and his father, Donn Rust, is running for sheriff.

HENDERSON — Beer and wine became available February 1 in Henderson, and the move is translating into a big uptick in sales tax receipts. According to KETK, the Texas Comptroller’s Office says February sales tax revenues were up over 25 per cent from February of last year. Weldon Gray was treasurer for the action committee that proposed alcohol sales. He says it’s not just alcohol that’s responsible for the revenue surge. He says alcohol customers buy more fuel and groceries in the city, and “it’s just a big boost to the local economy.” But some continue to oppose the move. One man says he’s noticed an increase in beer bottles and cans on the side of the road.

DALLAS (AP) – The federal government is offering low-interest disaster loans to residents and business owners in 13 East and North Texas counties damaged by April 3 tornadoes and other storms. Small business Administration Administrator Karen Mills announced the disaster designation Tuesday. An SBA statement says the move came in response to an April 13 request from Gov. Rick Perry.

The disaster declaration makes the assistance available in Van Zandt, Henderson, Kaufman, Hunt, Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Parker, Rockwall, and Wise counties. The filing deadline for property damage is June 18, while the deadline to return economic injury applications is Jan. 17. Information is available from http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or 800-659-2955. You can also contact [email protected] via e-mail. The deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800-877-8339.