KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — A suspect has been arrested in a recent lewd behavior incident at Kohl’s Department Store in Tyler. Police say they received numerous tips after the news media released information about the incident. 25-year-old Jose Alberto Mejia of Longview turned himself into investigators Wednesday afternoon. He has been charged with class B misdemeanor indecent exposure and a state jail felony of improper photography. Judge Christi Kennedy issued a warrant and set bond at $50,000. Mejia is incarcerated at the Smith County Jail.

On Friday at 11:28 a.m., Tyler Police responded to Kohl’s at 7715 S. Broadway in reference to a suspicious person. Officers made contact with store security personnel who had witnessed a man taking pictures of two very young females. Police say the man used his cell phone to covertly take pictures under the girls’ skirts. After taking the pictures the suspect reportedly went to another aisle of the store and exposed himself. Store security attempted to make contact with the suspect, but they say he ran out of the store to a car and drove away. Officials say the two girls left the store not knowing that the man had taken the pictures.

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center has won several national marketing awards for materials produced by the marketing department under the direction of corporate director Carroll Roge and vice president Mike Thomas. ETMC was recognized with four Aster Awards. A gold Aster was awarded to Scott Berkley for a photo for ETMC EMS. A silver Aster was presented for the ETMC Athens fall newsletter and two bronze Asters were given for a brochure and television ad for the sleep center. The Aster Awards is an international medical marketing awards program.

The ETMC First Physicians Minute videos, produced by Rebecca and Scott Berkley, received the highest designation from the “Videographer Awards” with the “Award of Excellence.” A training video for surgery titled “Time Out” received the “Award of Distinction.” Only 14 percent of the over 1,800 entries received an award. The “Videographer Awards” recognize pieces produced, shot and edited in a high standard of excellence. The ETMC First Physicians Minute television spot also received an “Award of Distinction” from the Communicator Awards, an international marketing awards competition featuring over 9,000 entries.

ETMC won two bronze “Telly” awards for ETMC First Physicians Minute and “Time Out” training video for surgery. The Telly awards received over 13,000 entries from ad agencies, production companies, TV stations and corporations worldwide. A silver award is the highest an entry can receive followed by a bronze.

MARSHALL — Former Marshall High School teacher and coach Andy Townsend has been sentenced after entering a guilty plea to four charges of having an improper relationship with a student. Townsend was sentenced to serve six years probation and pay a $2,000 fine. He’ll also have to give up his teaching certificate, and he can never re-apply. Townsend was arrested in February 2009 after an investigation revealed he sent inappropriate text messages to three minor female students. The messages were sexually charged, and in one, Townsend even requested one of the girls meet him for sex.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches County commissioners on Wednesday reinstated the county-wide burn ban effective immediately for 90 days. According to KETK and the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel, an order restricting outside burning in the unincorporated areas of the county was enacted April 19 and then lifted May 24 after a few showers lessened the fire danger. With the exception of a few quick, sparse showers over the last weekend, little to no rain has fallen since the ban was lifted. At that time, commissioners warned that it would likely be re-enacted in the near future. “We do look at the report (Keetch-Byram Drought Index),” Nacogdoches County Judge Joe English has said. “When it reaches 575, we can call for a ban on fireworks. We’re at about 535 today (Monday).” The court has until June 14 to vote to enact a fireworks ban, according the Local Government Code.

HENDERSON COUNTY — The Henderson County Sheriff’s Department was notified of a deceased man. Sheriff Ray Nutt said a worker was found dead on a ranch on US Hwy 175 near Athens Monday. The Sheriff said property owners found the ranch hand next to a tractor with what appeared to be numerous injuries. The body has been sent to Dallas for autopsy. His identity has not been released.

ARP — A Monday night raid on a convenience store in Arp lead to several arrests. Arp police investigators arrested the owner of the Valero gas station on south Main for three gambling-related offenses. Saeb Kutob, 63, was charged with gambling promotion, keeping of a gambling place and possession of a gambling device. Brandi Warner, 38, was also arrested. Both have since been released on bond. Authorities say Kutob reportedly paid cash prizes to winners of the seven video-poker style gambling machines set up in his store. By law, the station is only allowed to award merchandise.

GILMER (AP) – Some East Texas leaders already accused of abuse of power have been charged over alleged free legal service. Upshur County Sheriff Anthony Betterton and County Commissioner Lloyd Crabtree were charged Tuesday with gift to a public servant by someone in his jurisdiction. The two on Dec. 31 allegedly accepted free legal help after being indicted on official oppression charges. County Judge Dean Fowler was charged with conflict of interest/failure to file an affidavit. The Longview News-Journal reports Fowler had done legal work for a bank that also had county business. The official oppression charges came after a man was removed from a meeting for wearing duct tape over his mouth to protest a public comment ban. The ban was later lifted.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was arrested Monday morning after he was found hiding in the closet of a Foster Middle School classroom on the last day of class. Willie Earl Hill, 49, was arrested around 8:15 a.m. after a school staff member notified school resource officers that a man was hiding in the closet of her classroom.The officer said when police arrived, Hill was running out of the doors of the school, and he was arrested in the 300 block of East College Street. Investigators determined Hill had broken a window to a downstairs classroom to enter the school. He was released from the Gregg County Jail on Monday on $500 bond, charged with criminal trespassing.

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court appointed Chad Gulley of Nacogdoches as Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s County Extension Agent-Agriculture/Natural Resources for Smith County effective July 1, 2011. Gulley is transferring from Nacogdoches County, where he served as County Extension Agent-Agriculture/ Natural Resources for five years. Before transferring to Nacogdoches County, Gulley served as County Extension Agent-4H and Youth Development in Polk County for five years. Prior to joining Extension, he worked as a ranch manager in Tyler County.

TYLER — A structure at 406 West Bow Street sustains an estimated $20,000 in fire damage. The Tyler Fire Department responded to the two-alarm blaze around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. Five engines and one Ladder Company, along with a district chief and an investigator, responded to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters reported heavy fire involvement in the two-story structure. The fire was brought under control and all units had cleared the scene by 3:30 a.m. Investigators believe the fire’s cause was electrical in nature. No injuries were reported. Fire officials say the structure appeared to be an unoccupied garage apartment.

WASHINGTON (AP/Staff) – The Environmental Protection Agency has raised new concerns about a proposed pipeline that would carry oil from western Canada to the Texas Gulf Coast. In a letter to the State Department, the EPA says it is concerned about the risk of oil spills that could affect drinking water and sensitive ecosystems, as well as the effect of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. The EPA said that despite two lengthy reports, the State Department still has not done sufficient analysis of the project’s impact on the environment. The letter urged State to conduct a more thorough analysis of oil spill risks and alternative pipeline routes.

The $7 billion pipeline planned by Calgary-based TransCanada would carry crude oil extracted from tar sands in Alberta, Canada, to refineries in Texas. It would run through a significant portion of East Texas and has raised concerns among a number of area residents.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County officials confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the county has had its second jail death in less than six months. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. During a specially called press conference, Sheriff Maxey Cerliano said 30-year-old Micah Aaron Garner of Longview was pronounced dead Monday evening at the jail. Inmate Amy Lynn Cowling died in December. Garner was in a medical holding cell at the time. He didn’t respond during a 7:30 p.m. medical check. Longview Fire Department officials said emergency medical services were dispatched to the north jail at around 10 p.m. Monday, but no one was transported from the jail.

Garner was arrested at around 5:15 p.m. Friday by sheriff’s deputies on charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle and forgery of a financial instrument. He also had two outstanding Lakeport warrants for traffic violations. Garner was being held on bonds totaling $5,000 when he died. Adan Munoz, director of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, said the commission was notified about the death Tuesday morning, but he was unsure if representatives would be coming to Gregg County to perform an inspection.

On Dec. 29, 33-year-old Cowling was pronounced dead at an area hospital after being found unresponsive in a Gregg County Jail separation cell. Her death was ruled “probable” seizure due to methadone and Xanax withdrawals. Cowling’s manner of death was ruled undetermined despite a medical examiner’s request to call it “suspicious.” Officials have said she was denied needed medication because they were on the jail’s unapproved medication list. Texas Rangers Jason Dudley and Brent Davis are investigating the most recent death.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Department tells our news partner KETK it’s looking into a robbery that happened Monday night around 9:30 at the Brookshire’s gas station inside the grocery store’s parking lot off Highway 155. Police say a female Sonic employee walked across Highway 155 and entered the gas station where she saw an acquaintance inside a white passenger vehicle. Police say the woman approached the car while counting her tips. That’s when she says the driver sped off and the passenger, whom she did not know, grabbed her cash. The woman suffered minor injuries consisting of scrapes and bruises. Police say she then called 911 after jumping into another vehicle trying to pursue the men. But later lost sight of their vehicle.

Police are still investigating the robbery and need your help in solving the crime. If you have any information you’re asked to call the Smith County Sheriff’s Department or Crimestoppers.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council will hold a public hearing Wednesday at 9 a.m. to receive public input on options for redistricting Tyler’s single member Council districts. “At their April 6 meeting, the Council adopted redistricting criteria for the consultants to use as the framework for developing options,” said City Attorney Gary Landers. “At the May 25 meeting they heard two options for proposed new boundaries to achieve proportionate representation in our Council districts and choose to hold another meeting to receive public input.”

The current proposal involves fewer geographical shifts that result in changes in voting precinct boundaries and takes into account the need to ensure that in the majority-minority districts the new districting plan does not result in a reduction of the minority group’s ability to elect a candidate of their choice. “Less change in voter precinct boundaries should result in less voter confusion during the next election,” added Landers. The Council asked the public for comments in preparation for the June 8 hearing. You can go to http://www.CityofTyler.org to submit your comments.

The City of Tyler last redistricted in 2000; since that time, there has been a sizable increase in the total population of the city, requiring the City to again redistrict. The United States Constitution requires that each district within a city have approximately equal population. Preliminary results from the 2010 Census indicate that the population of Tyler is 96,900, an increase of 15.84 percent from the 2000 Census. The distribution of that growth has not been evenly dispersed resulting in an uneven number of residents in some of the City’s single member districts. Given Tyler’s current population, each district should have 16,150 residents or be within 10 percent of that figure. To achieve this equity, district boundary lines must be adjusted to rebalance the populations in the districts.

In addition to the one voter – one vote rule, cities in Texas must be aware of the federal Voting Rights Act requirements that govern the redistricting process. To ensure redistricting obligations are met, the City of Tyler along with Smith County and Tyler Independent School District, has contracted with the law firm of Bickerstaff and Health to assist with the redistricting process to increase coordination and cooperation. It is anticipated that this coordination will assist voters in the future.

Once adopting a final plan, the City must gain approval from the U.S. Department of Justice for the new district boundaries before they are implemented in an election. After the June 8 public hearing, the City Council may vote to approve a redistricting plan. The plan will then be submitted to the Department of Justice after adoption and be implemented prior to the 2012 City Council elections.

TYLER (AP/Staff) – Preparations are underway after Judge Floyd Getz ruled Monday that Mark Nathaniel “Nate” Anderson will stand trial as an adult. The 15-year-old, of New Chapel Hill, is accused of killing his sister by shooting her in the head. He’s charged with murder and remains in the Smith County Jail on bond of $1 million. The body of 19-year-old Amanda Anderson was found Sept. 15 in the family’s home. Mental health expert Jim Brown had recommended Anderson remain in the juvenile system. Prosecutor Matt Bingham says pornographic sites were found on Anderson’s computer and crime scene photos show the seriousness of the attack.

TYLER — The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees has approved the Service Agreement between Camp Tyler Foundation and Tyler Independent School District for one year for the 2011-2012 school year. This year, the camp raised its prices $25 per student. Camp officials say the camp’s charging price was not enough to keep it running for TISD, especially since the camp is a non-profit. Now, because of state budget cuts, TISD looked at cheaper camp options. However, many say it’s not about the price, it’s about tradition.

In other action, the Board of Trustees authorized and approved Dr. Alfreddie Coleman Felder as Principal of Ramey Elementary School. Felder has 30 years of education experience. She is joining Tyler ISD from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, as an adjunct professor in Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership. Trustees also authorized and approved Crystal Forrest as Director of Career and Technology Education (CTE). Forrest has 8 years of education experience in Palestine ISD. Both new employees will begin their duties July 1.

UPSHUR COUNTY — Upshur County’s longest-serving county judge, former Gilmer mayor, and local business owner Charles Everett Dean died Monday after a long illness, county officials said. Dean, 92, served as Upshur County Judge from 1974 to 1994 and as mayor of Gilmer from 1996 to 2003. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church of Gilmer. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches man was arrested Sunday evening after a person reported the vehicle he was driving nearly hit another vehicle head-on, according to a Nacogdoches Police Department Public Information Officer Greg Sowell. Officers found the Nissan pickup at about 7:30 p.m. in the 100 block of Old Tyler Road and discovered through field sobriety tests that the driver was intoxicated and had eight children between the ages of 1 and 12 in the vehicle, Sowell said.

According to KETK, authorities say there were also four adults in the pickup. Lionso Rodarte Torres, 27, is charged with one count of driving while intoxicated with a child passenger. His bond was set at $15,000. None of the children were restrained and the other four adults were not intoxicated, Sowell said. The vehicle was released to one of the occupants, who took the other occupants to their homes.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A weekend incident in Henderson County results in one death and one injury. On Sunday, sheriff’s officials responded to a disturbance in the 31000 block of CR 2100 in Henderson County. KETK reports they found Jeff Whitworth, 33, with gunshot wounds to his chest, arms, and face. They also found Wilburn “Murl” Stanfield, Jr., 43, dead in the driveway.

Henderson County investigators say Whitworth and his family were driving ATVs near their home when they were approached by Stanfield about allegedly driving recklessly in the area. Authorities say after an argument, Stanfield left briefly and returned a short time later with his cousin, Patrick Russey (pictured), and a shotgun. Stanfield allegedly shot Whitworth once, reportedly sending Whitworth and his family running for their vehicles. Once in his truck, Whitworth allegedly ran over Stanfield. According to authorities, Russey then began shooting at the truck, striking the driver’s side door several times. Stanfield was pronounced dead at the scene.

Russey was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and is being held in the Henderson County Detention Center. Whitworth is reportedly in stable condition at a nearby hospital. He is not being charged with any crime at this time. Authorities say the incident is still under investigation.

EAST TEXAS — Two East Texas soliders died this past weekend in Afghanistan. According to KETK, family members have confirmed that U.S. Army Sergeant Joshua David Powell, 28, of Quitman, was killed Saturday. Powell was killed in a Humvee along with three other soldiers, according to a statement released by the family. Powell was the son of Quitman residents Ray and Brenda Powell. He was a 2001 graduate of Quitman High School.

Gladewater High School graduate and U.S. Army Warrant Officer Bradley Justin Gaudet (pictured) was also killed Saturday, during an unrelated helicopter crash. Family members confirmed his death Monday morning. Gaudet is the son of Scott and Rhonda Owens. Scott Owens is a Gladewater city councilman. Gaudet, who has two daughters, was on his third tour of duty and was a member of the the Sixth U.S. Calvary Regiment. He was a helicopter pilot.

TYLER — Tyler fire officials say Delek Refining is currently conducting storage tank maintenance at its Tyler facility, which has created an unpleasant odor noticed by area residents. The company released the following statement Monday:

“As a result of storage tank maintenance currently underway at Delek Refining’s Tyler refinery, a harmless yet unpleasant odor has been detected in the general vicinity. Delek Refining apologizes for the inconvenience caused by this odor and is currently taking aggressive actions to eliminate the issue. At present, the company believes these actions should eliminate the odor by later this week.”

You’re asked to contact the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office at (903) 535-0005 for more information.

CANTON — Authorities in Van Zandt County have arrested two people in a series of burglaries. On Friday, 2011 sheriff’s deputies went to a residence at 539 Holly Glenn in the Calendar Lake Addition. Upon arrival deputies made contact with two men identified as Jessie Wayne Petrea and Steven Michael Coursey. Deputies say they were able to obtain permission to search the house for possible stolen items. Authorities say during the search, several items that had been reported stolen from several different houses were located and seized. Upon finding the items, according to authorities, the sheriff’s office was able to clear seven different burglary cases. A sheriff’s office news release reports that approximately $3,000 worth of stolen items were recovered. Items included several firearms, fishing equipment, and an assortment of alcohol.

Both suspects are being held at the Van Zandt County Justice Center on the charge of burglary of a building with a bond amount of $10,000 apiece. Officials say the investigation is still ongoing and both suspects could have several other charges added at a later date.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating a weekend incident in which two people were shot. On Saturday at 1:44 a.m., police responded to a shooting victim call at Good Shepherd Medical Center. Officers learned that there were two victims who had been shot in the area of Timpson and Electra Streets. Both victims were in a car when an unknown gunman pulled up beside them. The suspect then shot several times into the victims’ vehicle before speeding away. The victims stated they did not see who shot them but were able to give officers a description of the vehicle. They described the vehicle as a white, four-door, smaller car, possibly a Honda or Toyota. The car was also missing the right side mirror. The suspect was described as a black male. Both victims sustained non-life threatening injuries.

If you have any information regarding this crime or any other crime, you are encouraged to contact the Longview Police Department at http://www.Longviewpolice.com or (903) 237-1199. Information may also be reported anonymously by contacting Gregg County Crime Stoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com or (903) 236-STOP.

LONGVIEW — Shots were fired Saturday night after a Longview homeowner pulled a shotgun on a suspected burglar. According to Longview Police, around 11:00 a resident saw a man attempting to enter the home in the 100 block of Queens Court. Officials identified the suspect as Michael Hill, 37, Longview. The homeowner reportedly pulled a shot gun on him and a shot was fired while the two wrestled over the gun. Hill attempted to escape to the house next door and was taken into custody. Hill was booked into the Gregg County Jail charged with burglary of a habitation. Bond was set at $15,000.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County is asking for redistricting input from the public at two upcoming public hearings and through the County’s redistricting web page. You can go to http://www.smith-county.com to view the web page.

According to the Census Bureau the Smith County population grew to 209,714 in 2010, making the ideal population for the four commissioner precincts 52,429. According to the initial data presented to the court, only County precincts 1 and 4 will be affected by the proposed new boundaries. Initial information showed Precinct 1 experienced significant growth and is more than 10 percent above its ideal population, while Precinct 4 needs about 9.5 percent more population. Each commissioner precinct must be within 10 percent deviation from the ideal population.

The new population numbers create a 19.5 percent imbalance. The proposed plan will
address the imbalance and bring Precinct 4 under the 10 percent threshold. Morning and evening public hearings will be held on June 21 at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. inside the Smith County Courthouse Annex, 200 E. Ferguson St. The public is also encouraged to send questions, concerns and input to County Commissioners via the “comments” tab on the Smith County redistricting page.

WHITEHOUSE (AP) – An expectant East Texas couple thought creating a Facebook page for their unborn child would be a fun and convenient way to announce their coming addition to their family to their friends. Ellie Greene says she thought it would be the most efficient way to keep her family back in Scotland updated on her pregnancy. But as will happen with Internet creations, Matt and Ellie Greene’s page took off and became a viral hit, with 800 people asking to be her Facebook friend. Then, Facebook shut the page down, since it had been created in the name of someone who had not yet moved from the realm of the fictitious to the factual. The Greenes created a new group page for updates.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Two East Texas sex offenders are sentenced to jail. Visitacion Flores, 50, Jacksonville, was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault of a child. Officials say, while working at an apartment complex, Flores assaulted a 13-year-old girl. James Schlater, 53, Rusk, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after violating his probation last year. Authorities say he failed to report to his probation officer and was found in California. He was on probation for assaulting a 6-year-old relative.

JACKSONVILLE — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of East Texas seized animals from a property on CR 3304 in Jacksonville on Thursday and Friday because the animals were “cruelly confined, severely neglected and improperly fed,” according to a warrant. One horse was seized Thursday and seven horses, one bull, two cows, and one donkey were seized Friday and taken to a veterinarian in Tyler.

The SPCA of East Texas president said a tip on the organization’s hotline spurred the investigation. The owner of the animals, William Earl Franklin, is ordered to appear at a civil hearing June 13. Officials say, the animals could be awarded to the SPCA of East Texas and placed with a new owner.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was taken to a local hospital for smoke inhalation Sunday afternoon after a fire destroyed a portion of his home. According to the Longview Fire Department, fire crews were dispatched at around 1:00 to the 300 block of Millie Street in connection with a fire that started in a bedroom of the residence. Officials said the fire spread from the bedroom of the home into other parts of the residence. The fire also damaged a car parked near the home and caused some damage to a neighboring residence. Officials say it took crews about three hours to clear the scene. Extra crews were sent to assist with the fire due to the triple digit temps. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

KILGORE — Kilgore College is mourning the loss of former Lady Ranger basketball coach Evelyn Blalock who died Saturday in Longview after a lengthy battle with cancer. According to Kilgore College President Dr. Bill Holda, Blalock is best described as a pioneer, a trailblazer in the history of KC women’s athletics. “As the first person to coach women’s basketball at KC, she set a standard for the program by winning three national championships,” Holda said. Evelyn was passionate, committed and loved to win. She inspired her players to reach goals which were at or above their own ability levels.”

Blalock taught at KC from 1965-1997, beginning the basketball program in 1979. In addition to the three national championships, Blalock’s teams accrued numerous other awards including six conference titles, 14-straight playoff appearances and six NJCAA National Tournament appearances. Her overall record at KC was 390-156, winning 71% of games played.

“As one of her many long-time colleagues, I join the entire KC family in mourning her passing. While we will miss her, I am happy for her that her trials and sufferings are no more,” Holda said. “She will forever be in our memory.” Funeral services for Blalock are set for 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, at at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. Visitation is also scheduled for Tuesday, from 11:00am to 1:00pm.