KTBB News, Weather, Talk

WHITEHOUSE — Some Whitehouse citizens may have noticed a change involving a controversial stop sign near an abandoned railroad crossing. As our news partner KETK reported in March of 2011, Whitehouse drivers on Acker Tap Rd. complained about having to make an unnecessary stop because of a sign posted at an unused railroad. At the time, a citizen said that the “railroad ties are caved in, weeds are overgrown. The tracks haven’t been used in about 8-10 years.” Despite the lack of use, drivers were still getting tickets if they failed to make a stop.

At the time of the 2011 report, there had been more than 200 tickets written at the location. But in a release to KETK, Whitehouse Assistant City Manager Kevin Huckabee stated that there had been no tickets written there since Craig Shelton was appointed as Police Chief in March of 2012. Now Huckabee says the city has taken steps to handle the problem. He noted it presented other issues besides unnecessary tickets. According to Huckabee, the traffic would back up on Acker Tap Rd. from the stop sign and on FM 346 in front of the local fire station because buses would be required to stop at the railroad. “This was an issue for the Municipal Fire Department and EMS Services trying to respond to emergencies during certain times of the day,” Huckabee said.

Huckabee made contact with Union Pacific, the company that owns the railroad. They informed him that the tracks were indeed no longer in service, but they did not want to remove them. Since Union Pacific would not remove the railroad, the City of Whitehouse is hesitant to remove the stop sign completely. However, the city discovered a solution. Officials have installed “EXEMPT” signs on the stop signs, so that drivers know the railroad tracks are not in use. TxDOT officials have also been notified about the crossing on FM 346, since that part of the road is maintained by them. TXDOT has opted to install “EXEMPT” signs at that location as well. The signs in that location will be replaced in the near future.

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to a report of a robbery Thursday night. It happened around 11:40 at the Lone Star Motel, 3236 W. Gentry Parkway. The victim claims he he was robbed at gunpoint while sitting in his vehicle. He claims he was approached by a black male wearing a dark colored ski mask who asked him for a cigarette. The victim declined when the suspect pointed a gun at him and demanded all the money in his wallet. The victim gave the suspect an undermined amount of case before fleeing the scene. The victim was not injured during the incident and could not provide any further suspect description. Anyone with information about the suspect is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833).

COLLEGE STATION (AP) — Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel of Texas A and M says he’s learning every day about life as a celebrity. The Tyler native and first freshman to win college football’s top award says today he’s trying to avoid making “the same mistakes again” after a picture of him holding cash at a casino was posted to his Twitter account on Saturday. The picture was later removed.

GILMER — A dispute about ordering food for an East Texas jail has been resolved. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report the Upshur County auditor began reissuing purchase orders Wednesday — a day after the county sheriff said she refused to. Last month it was discovered the county was not in compliance with ordering food for the jail.

LONGVIEW – A former Longview 911 emergency supervisor pleaded guilty Thursday to fatally shooting his police officer wife and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Harry Chester Goodan, 42, must serve half the sentence before being eligible for parole under the plea agreement he reached with prosecutors. As part of the agreement, District Judge Alfonso Charles accepted the crime occurred in the heat of passion which placed 20 years at the top of the sentencing range. Goodan called Longview police on December 11, 2010, to the town home he and his wife, Jamie Ellyn Goodan, shared. Reports say Goodan met officers at the door and immediately told them he had killed his wife.

TYLER – A 23-year-old Whitehouse man has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for child enticement violations. Oscar Vela pleaded guilty on June 11, 2012, to online enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Vela was sentenced Wednesday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. According to information presented in court, Vela communicated with law enforcement agents who were acting in an undercover capacity. The law enforcement agents represented that they were a minor female who was available for sexual activity for a price. Vela agreed to pay for sex with the minor female and was apprehended by law enforcement. As a result of this conviction, Vela will be required to register as a sex offender following his imprisonment.

KILGORE — Two East Texans were arrested Tuesday for alleged prescription fraud at a Kilgore business. That’s according to KETK. Officers were first alerted to the situation when it was reported that a forged prescription had taken place at a local CVS. Police arrived at the scene and arrested two people who had allegedly just attempted to pass a fraudulent prescription. Pat Still, 35, of Overton, and Denise Dooley, 31, of Mt. Enterprise, were charged with failure to identify and fraud. Still was also wanted on two Rusk County Warrants for possession of a controlled substance and fraud. Both alleged criminals were booked into the Kilgore Jail.

TYLER — Local hospitals are still seeing a lot of patients with the flu, but it’s recommended to call your doctor before heading to the emergency room. Dr. William Moore, director of ETMC’S EMS, tells KETK if you are otherwise healthy and you feel like you’re coming down with the flu, stay at home. He says the flu test is only accurate 54 percent of the time, so you could have the flu and the test wouldn’t even pick it up, and you will most likely end up waiting hours at the ER. He says patients who have chronic illnesses are the ones that should seek medical attention immediately.

Moore advises, “Stay at home for 24 hours after the fever is gone, unaffected by Tylenol or aspirin. Don’t take anything for fever, and if you then don’t have a fever give it 24 hours. That’s when you know it’s OK to go back to work.” Moore added not to go out and run your errands if you’re sick, because you’re only infecting other people. He says if you have to go somewhere, he highly suggests wearing a mask so the nasty virus stops spreading.

KILGORE — Kilgore Police are warning residents about a scam that is circulating in the area. According to KETK, phone calls have been made to houses that come from a private number or 1-876-897-2570. The caller has a heavy foreign accent and tells you that you have won a large amount of money. They then ask the person to buy a gift card from Walmart or CVS and make your ID available for the prize team to deliver the check.

Kilgore Police say the caller tells the victim that the team will come to their home at a specified time and personally deliver the prize money to them and pick up the gift card. They often return the call later to ask for the gift card number, the type of card, and the color of the gift card. Police say that the victim has not won any money and the scam artist is just wanting the numbers on the card so they can copy it and use the card somewhere else.
Kilgore authorities have provided the following resources for the public to learn more about these scams:

https://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/scams.shtml

http://www.ftc.gov

LONGVIEW — One of Longview’s most iconic figures, businessman, civic leader and former Mayor, Lou Galosy died late Tuesday. According to KETK, the 89-year-old was one of the city’s most influential civic leaders through the last half of the 20th century, known for his dapper dress, gentlemanly demeanor and business acumen. He served as mayor from 1985-91 and was instrumental in the founding of Good Shepherd Hospital, later Good Shepherd Medical Center. Galosy was the city’s last two-term mayor before current Mayor Jay Dean.

LONGVIEW — With the help of compassionate pet owners in Gregg County, the Longview Fire Department now has pet oxygen mask kits on every front line engine and truck. Volunteer Fire Departments Judson Metro, Clarksville-Warren City, Sabine, Gladewater, and Easton also have been equipped with kits. This means that every fire department in Gregg County now is equipped to help pets in an emergency situation.

Robert Miller, Kelly Heitkamp and Jacqui Lynch (in the memory of Grace Hope) made a financial donation to have these kits placed in Gregg County. “Hopefully it will be a long time before they are actually used.” said James Crittenden from Gregg Coounty District Attorney’s office. Crittendon was also instrumental in this project. In response to the overwhelming support, Longview Animal Control Officers were able to coordinate the purchase a total of 16 kits purchased at $75.00 each.

PALESTINE — The Texas State Railroad has tested a new section of track that was completed in November. The test run was made Tuesday. The new 2.8 mile section connects the TSRR rail line once again to a Class 1 main line national railroad – the Union Pacific rail line in Palestine. The last time the rail was used commercially was by the Texas South Eastern Railroad in December 1969.

The purpose of the test run was to familiarize TSRR engineers with the Union Pacific rail line and yard, as well as with the dispatching protocols for the TSRR train when it is operating on UP track.

This new connectivity means two things for the TSRR. First, it means pursuit of short haul freight contracts can now commence. Such contracts will help stabilize the railroad and enhance its growth.

Secondly, extension of the line allows the TSRR to bring in additional rail cars for special events.

TYLER — The state is reporting that dozens of day cares in Smith and Gregg Counties have been issued citations for various violations. And according to KETK, you can go to go to http://www.txchildcaresearch.org to track these violations. The state inspected 103 child care facilities in Smith County; 80 of them had violations in 2012. In Gregg County, 11 day cares were completely shut down due to repeated high risk violations. Shari Pulliam from Child Protective Services urges parents to always research your child care provider’s background. Pulliam says the aforementioned website has a wealth of information, and everything is public. According to Pulliam, parents can put in what they are looking for to meet the needs of their child, the area they are in, and what type of daycare they are looking for. She says all that information is right there at their fingertips.

LONGVIEW — Public hearings on a rate hike request by AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company, or SWEPCO, are scheduled to begin in February. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report cities across SWEPCO’s service area, including Longview, plan to continue fighting to have the 34% base rate increase denied. When combined with fuel charges and other factors, the average residential bill is expected to jump by about 16%.

LONGVIEW — In a letter Wednesday, Longview City Manager David Willard upheld the decision to terminate Officer Leigh Ann Snyder. According to KETK, Officer Snyder was critically injured after her vehicle was hit on the job in December 2011, allegedly by an uninsured drunk driver.

Authorities say since the crash, Snyder has undergone multiple surgeries and has been unable to return to duty, due to her injuries. She spent four weeks in a local hospital before she was released. Snyder appealed the termination in December and took her case before a committee on January 3. It was denied Wednesday afternoon. “This is the end of the process on our end,” said city Spokesperson Shawn Hara on what will happen next.

In 2007, the city changed its policy to allow employees to remain off duty for 12 months before being terminated. Prior to that time, workers would be terminated after six months. Snyder is the fifth city employee and first police officer to be terminated under this policy.

TYLER — A Tyler building contractor has pleaded guilty to federal arson charges. Daniel Kubisty, 54, (pictured) pleaded guilty yesterday to attempted arson before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith Guthrie. Kubisty faces from five to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

Federal prosecutors say on March 19, Kubisty accepted $3,000 from Edward Jacobs to burn down a building located at 3322 East Fifth Street in Tyler that was being used by the “Add-Life Recovery Center” methadone clinic. Kubisty and Jacobs conspired to burn down the building in order to gain a competitive advantage for the “Methadone Clinic of East Texas” which was owned by Jacobs and also had an office in Tyler, Texas. On March 19, 2012 Kubisty was arrested in Tyler by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and was found to have a gasoline can, with a wick saturated in gasoline protruding from its neck, in the back of his pickup.

After Kubisty’s arrest, Jacobs feared Kubisty would testify against him and on June 1, he arranged a meeting with a man he believed he could hire to murder Kubisty in order to prevent Kubisty’s testimony. During the meeting, Jacobs offered to pay the hit-man $12,000.00 for Kubisty’s murder. ATF was monitoring the meeting and arrested Jacobs at the scene. On December 18, 2012 Jacobs pleaded guilty to attempted arson and solicitation of murder for hire. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each charge. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — Two Smith County, Texas residents have pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking.

Clinton Daniel McCaa, 32, of Whitehouse, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie. Tara Annette McDonald, 40, of Tyler, pleaded guilty to maintaining a place for the distribution and use of methamphetamine today before Judge Guthrie.

According to information presented in court, during 2011, McCaa acquired methamphetamine from Clinton Squires of Terrell, Texas, which McCaa then distributed to multiple persons in Tyler. During this time, McCaa lived with McDonald at her residence on Meadow Creek Drive in Tyler. McDonald admitted that she knew McCaa was involved in the distribution and use of methamphetamine. Furthermore, McDonald allowed McCaa to store methamphetamine and other substances at her residence.

McCaa faces up to 40 years in federal prison. McDonald faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing dates have not been set.

TYLER — A Tyler man has been sentenced to federal prison for stealing money from investors. James Henry Hardee, 42, pleaded guilty last October to wire fraud. He was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. A restitution hearing will be held at a later date.

According to court documents, in 2005, Hardee approached various people to invest in the Tyler-based ETRG investments for the purpose of opening and operating a group of Zaxby’s fast food chicken restaurants in Arkansas. A group of nine people invested the $465,000.

Hardee pleaded guilty to taking the money to spend on personal mortgage and vehicle payments, court documents stated. He invested no money but contributed his labor to the company and agreed to act as managing member of ETRG. Hardee received 25 percent interest in the company, the court documents stated.

It was part of the scheme that Hardee used ETRG funds in place of his scheduled compensation amount and in excess of the compensation amount he was supposed to receive for his salary, according to the court documents.

Hardee then sent falsified financial statements through email to ETRG investors “to conceal his unlawful taking of ETRG funds in lieu of his scheduled compensation in lieu of his scheduled compensation, but in excess of his scheduled compensation amount,” court documents stated.

The fraud occurred between December 2005 and December 2008.

BEAUMONT — An Alto, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Kerry Wayne Griffin, 44, pleaded guilty on August 29, 2012, to conspiracy to posses with intent to distribute over 15 kilograms or more of cocaine and He was sentenced yesterday to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.

Prosecutors contend from 2008 to June 20, 2012, Donald Dixon, a.k.a. “Black”, Cedrick Fowler, a.k.a. “C” and “C-Murder”, Kerry Wayne Griffin, a.k.a. “Big Boy”, Omar Paunetto, Jose Angel Bustillos, Michael John Pereira, Rodney Stevenson, a.k.a. “Arod”, Darius Thorn, a.k.a. “Bs” and “Beez”, Tremaine Smith and Anthony Fowler conspired to traffic cocaine and crack cocaine throughout East Texas.

Griffin’s role in the organization was to acquire powder cocaine from Dixon, and then redistribute the cocaine and cocaine base through others. Griffin and Thacker first began obtaining cocaine from Dixon in 2008, and in 2009 Griffin became the source of supply for C. Fowler. C. Fowler utilized the assistance of Stevenson, Thorn, A. Fowler, and Smith in the subsequent distribution of cocaine and cocaine base. Federal agents learned of the drug trafficking activity and conducted an extensive investigation of Griffin and his associates. On May 25, 2012, investigators executed an arrest and search warrant at Griffin’s residence and seized approximately $18,450 in cash as well as three firearms.

On June 20, 2012, a federal grand jury returned a 10-count indictment charging 10 defendants, including Griffin, with drug trafficking violations.

TYLER — A Carthage man has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations. Kevie Lenn Johnson, 45, pleaded guilty on June 14, 2012 to possession of a stolen firearm. Yesterday, he was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis.

According to information presented in court, on January 26, 2012, Johnson took a .22 caliber rifle from a Carthage residence without consent of the owner. Further investigation revealed Johnson was a convicted felon, having previously been found guilty of multiple felony crimes including possession of crack cocaine, burglary of a habitation, and robbery. Federal law prohibits the possession of stolen firearms and further prohibits convicted felons from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Johnson was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 1, 2012 and charged with federal firearms violations.

LONGVIEW — A Longview restaurant has been destroyed by a fire. Unc’s BBQ, located on the 2300 block of Highway 80, was reported ablaze shortly after 1:00 Wednesday morning. When firefighters made it to the scene, flames were shooting from the roof area. The Longview and White Oak Fire Departments began an “interior attack” on the fire, but were eventually pushed outside after the roof caved, according to White Oak fire officials. The fire marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze. A preliminary investigation shows the fire originating from the attic. Some of the eatery’s equipment was able to be salvaged.

TYLER — 200 exhibitors display their wares and mingle with visitors at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Expo. It’s going on today till 5:00pm at Harvey Convention Center. The event is free to the public and draws large crowds every year. Organizers say it raises awareness of local businesses while also offering visitors an opportunity to network with one another.

NACOGDOCHES — Two guilty pleas in a Nacogdoches murder case on Tuesday. KETK reports 31-year-old Randy Lee Ellinwood (pictured) has pleaded guilty to the murder of Joseph Thibodeaux in April of last year. 27-year-old Erin Belz also pleaded guilty to the murder. Authorities say the two allegedly beat Thibodeaux outside of Belz’s house in Nacogdoches and left him to die in the back seat of his own truck. Thibodeaux was later found dead, parked in front of a drug store.

TYLER — A Mesquite man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Harold Dickens, 43, pleaded guilty on March 19, 2012, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was was sentenced yesterday to 210 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis.

Prosecutors say up until May of 2011, Dickens conspired with others to acquire methamphetamine for distribution in East Texas. Dickens admitted that he was responsible for the distribution of more than 150 grams of pure methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas. Dickens and six others were indicted on November 2, 2011 and charged with drug trafficking offenses. Matthew Dean Willis was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison on June 12, 2012. David Christopher Wheeler and Raelene Dawn Ferguson were each sentenced to 46 months in federal prison on July 16, 2012. Terri Rhea Young was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison on July 23, 2012. One additional co-defendant is awaiting sentencing.

TYLER — Smith County was awarded a certificate of compliance for receiving high marks in cleanliness and safety during its annual inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. Officials say the inspection was held on December 18. According to a county news release, Smith County passed its surprise inspection without any deficiencies in the more than 650 compliance areas checked. Those included cell cleanliness, secure lock systems, proper medical screening of prisoners, proper staff training, adequate shower and toilet facilities, and sanitary food preparation within the jail system.

“We are very proud to receive such a positive report. These results are a clear indication of how former Sheriff J.B. Smith left the department,” County Judge Joel Baker said. Judge Baker added that Smith County’s record of positive inspections is notable because it has been done with the added burden of transporting inmates in and out of the county due to overcrowding. The executive director of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, Brandon Wood, said the certificate represents the outstanding leadership of the staff in complying with minimal jail standards.

According to the news release, newly elected Sheriff Larry Smith praised the hard work of the previous administration and said he looked forward to carrying on the tradition of excellence that has been established. “I look forward to working with the Commissioners Court and County officials to continue the superb work they have done to keep the Smith County jail running smooth and in compliance,” said Sheriff Smith.

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – Former Associated Press fashion editor and foreign correspondent Nadeane Walker Anderson has died. Anderson, a native of East Texas, was 91. Anderson’s daughter said Tuesday her mother, who used her maiden name Nadeane Walker as her byline, died Monday in Austin. Anderson became AP’s European fashion editor in 1947, shortly after marrying AP correspondent Godfrey Anderson in Paris. She interviewed some of the biggest names in fashion at the time, including Coco Chanel and Christian Dior. Yves Lanvin even named a dress after her. Born in Canton, Anderson worked for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram after graduating from North Texas Teacher’s College in 1942. She enlisted in the Women’s Army Corp and joined The Stars and Stripes newspaper in Paris in 1945. She also worked for the International Herald Tribune and the Dallas Times Herald.

DALLAS (AP/Staff) – Dallas police have charged a Longview man with murder in the fatal shooting of a University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center employee in a campus parking garage. Police on Wednesday arrested 41-year-old Ferdinand Glen Smith. The case involves Tuesday night’s attack on 40-year-old Karen Smith, who was an executive assistant at UT Southwestern. Online jail records also indicate Ferdinand Smith faces a charge of assault-family violence. Police did not immediately confirm any possible relationship between the Smiths. A UT Southwestern official described the slaying as an apparent isolated domestic incident. No bond was immediately set for Smith. Online jail records did not list an attorney for him.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council approved several items on the agenda at Liberty Hall Wednesday morning, including moving forward with a planned convention center. According to KETK, members approved changing the name of their comprehensive plan from Tyler 21 to Tyler 1st. They also launched a new city website, which is said to be more user friendly and interactive. The council unanimously passed a contract with Garfield Traub Development LLC to bring a new convention center to Tyler. They will now move into a pre-development phase, including document negotiations and construction.

Other items passed were: new traffic signals on Front St. and Broadway as part of the “Revitalize downtown” initiative. Speed limit change on Earl Campbell parkway from 30 MPH to 45 MPH. And reduce speed limit to 25 mph and add a new school zone on Shiloh Road near Cumberland Academy.

Also, City Manager Mark McDaniel announced several organizational changes. Keidric Trimble has been appointed chief financial officer (CFO). The position was vacant after the retirement of Daniel Crawford in May 2012; Trimble has been serving as acting CFO since Crawford’s retirement. Susan Guthrie has been appointed assistant city manager. Guthrie has worked for the City of Tyler for five years, most recently as the managing director of external relations. And Russ Jackson has been appointed manager of the Solid Waste and Vehicle Services Departments due to the impending retirement of Dan Brotton. Jackson has been with the City of Tyler since 1986.

MOUNT PLEASANT — A Mount Pleasant woman accused of stealing hundreds of identities while working at the Texas Department of Health and Human Services has been arrested. According to the Longview News-Journal, Selena Patino, 38, was arrested at her home and charged with fraudulent use or possession of identifying information and credit card abuse.

Patino worked at the state agency in Mount Pleasant, where authorities said she stole the identity of clients who came to get vaccinations. Authorities said Patino used the client information and stolen or copied credit cards to apply for new credit cards — which she then maxed out. Titus County sheriff’s deputies said they began looking for Patino after they received multiple complaints from county residents during the first week of 2013.

TYLER — A woman has been hospitalized after her house caught on fire. It happened Tuesday night just after 10:00 along the 1600 block of Chilton Avenue. According to KETK, flames are said to have started in a bedroom. The first floor of the two story home was destroyed. One woman was burned and taken to a local hospital.