KTBB News, Weather, Talk

KILGORE — Authorities search for the suspect accused of passing bogus bills in Kilgore. Police tell KETK a bunch of counterfeit $20 bills surfaced over the past few weeks. Most of them turned up in local banks after businesses made their deposits.

ATHENS — Seven dogs have been found dead and another 106 allegedly cruelly treated dogs were seized by the SPCA near Athens. KETK reports that Monday at 9:00 a.m., authorities found 83 dogs and 22 puppies at a suspected Henderson County puppy mill, located at 2353 Rose Pointe. According to the SPCA, the animals were cruelly confined, not receiving sufficient care, and were forced to live in their own filth inside a feces-filled, urine-soaked home on the property. Most of the dogs were allegedly suffering from eye discharge, flea infestation, long nails, severely matted fur, and skin conditions. About 60 of the dogs were confined to crates, and some crates included up to seven dogs.

Sheriff’s officials began investigating the house back in October of 2011. Once law enforcement discovered the conditions of the animals, they contacted the SPCA for support. The SPCA says the stench of ammonia was so intense that detectives wore personal protective equipment, including breathing apparatuses, while inside the home. The SPCA of Texas measured the ammonia level in the residence to be 67 parts per million (ppm). As a point of reference, short term exposure to any ammonia level over 20 ppm or long term exposure to any level over 12 ppm can cause health problems in humans.

The dogs have been taken to the SPCA of Texas’ Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney, where they will be cared for until a custody hearing on Friday, December 21, at 10:30 a.m in Poynor. Deborah Eckeberger, 59, has been arrested for alleged cruelty to animals. She has been released on $15,000 bond.

The SPCA says that puppy mill owners breed dogs for the purpose of selling the puppies for a profit, and that the living conditions of the dogs come a distant second. If you suspect you’ve found a puppy mill, the SPCA of Texas encourages you to report inhumane conditions and animal neglect to your local law enforcement agency and to the SPCA of Texas. You can go to http://www.spca.org/knowpuppymills to do that.

TYLER — Tyler Pounds Regional Airport announces that a new food concession, Le Bistro, opened Tuesday in the airport terminal. Gabriel Nguessan, owner of Le Bistro, was approved to begin operation in the commercial terminal at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport in September. Since then, Nguessan has worked to prepare for the big opening. Le Bistro will offer gourmet foods and desserts including a number of appetizers, sandwiches, breakfast items, pies and cakes. Le Bistro will also have daily breakfast and lunch specials along with plans to launch a catering menu within the next few weeks.

“We are very pleased to have Le Bistro in the passenger terminal building. It is important to our customers to have fresh coffee in the morning, and having gourmet coffees is a real plus,” said Airport Manager Davis Dickson. “We urge everyone to come out. The airport is even offering 90 minutes of free parking for restaurant customers.” Le Bistro will open each morning at 5:00am for breakfast and remain open until 2:00pm for lunch menu items. Go to http://www.tylerairport.com to view the menu.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department has received a number of cases in which citizens have reported their mail stolen from their mailboxes to gain access to their personal items of value. Police ask that you take your bill payments or any item of value to a secure mailbox or post office, or place them in the postman’s hands. You may also pay your bill online using a secure online account with your provider. As a reminder, police ask that you review your bank statements to audit your account and report any fraud that may have occurred.

LONGVIEW — Former Longview police officer, Leigh Ann Snyder filed a request late Monday asking for a hearing before the City of Longview’s appeals committee seeking to reverse the decision to terminate her employment. According to KETK, Snyder was dismissed Dec. 11 after she failed to return to work full time within one year of suffering an on-the-job injury. Snyder was injured December 11, 2011 when her squad car was hit by an intoxicated driver. She returned to light duty, but had to undergo a subsequent surgery in November that kept her from being able to return to full-time duty.

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to reports of suspicious activity and arrested two men for auto burglary. It happened around 3:30 yesterday morning in the 3300 block of Omega. Officers said a vehicle was reportedly driving through the neighborhood with no headlights. Authorities stopped the vehicle and found items reported stolen from several vehicles in the area. Jonathan Meza, 19, and Austin Taylor, 21,(pictured) both from Tyler, were arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail on three counts of burglary of a vehicle. Additional property was also recovered during the investigation.

AUSTIN (AP/STAFF) — Nearly 80 Texas school districts either have failed to submit required safety audits or don’t meet full compliance. That’s according to the Texas School Safety Center, which was formed after the Columbine shootings in 1999. The attorney general’s office says districts “can’t let another second tick” without having a safety plan in place. School district on the list include:
Frankston ISD
Gary ISD
Hooks ISD
Laneville ISD
LaPoynor ISD
Leverett’s Chapel ISD
Martinsville ISD
Pewitt CISD
Timpson ISD
Union Hill ISD
Woden ISD

MARSHALL — Marshall police are continuing their investigation of a fatal accident. Killed as he was trying to cross the street was Elmer Flores, 28, of Marshall. The accident happened just before 7:30 Sunday night on U.S. Highway 59 at Johnson Street.

MOUNT PLEASANT — A former employee of Pilgrim’s Pride in Mount Pleasant is being charged with stealing mechanical and electronic equipment valued at $200,000 from the company. Arrested is Rickey Alton Wright.

The Longview News Journal reports over $225,000 worth of stolen property has been linked directly to Wright. Around $40,000 worth of property that may have been sold by the suspect has been recovered.

Wright is charged with theft of property valued between $100,000 and $200,000, a second-degree felony. His bond has been setg at $500.000.

EAST TEXAS — East Texans vary in their opinions about what causes such tragedies as the mass shooting in Connecticut. Among the responses gathered by KETK: “I think people have lost their way with the Lord.” One interviewee blamed TV and radio; another thinks “the issue is trying to limit gun control.” One online commenter joined the many who say teachers should be allowed to carry guns in school; another blamed A.D.D. drugs such as Adderall.

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott Monday revealed that the state is investigating an alleged fraudulent tax return scheme and warned East Texas residents to avoid recruiters from Syam Tax Services LLC. According to a news release, the Texas Attorney General’s Office does not typically acknowledge investigations but disclosed the investigation into Syam Tax Services in order to help prevent additional victims from being harmed by the tax fraud scheme.

Although the State’s investigation is still ongoing, Abbott says the preliminary results show that Syam Tax Services enlisted recruiters to canvass small East Texas churches and senior residences for elderly victims who receive Social Security or disability benefits. Officials say prospective victims are told that low-income Social Security recipients are eligible for a cash benefit under a federal stimulus funds program. Next, officials say, victims are told to complete a form – which includes providing their driver’s license, Social Security, and bank account numbers to Syam’s recruiters in order to receive their federal stimulus benefits. Without the victim’s knowledge, according to Abbott, Syam subsequently prepares and files a fraudulent tax return in the victim’s name.

In reality, says Abbott, there is not a federal stimulus benefit payment for low-income Social Security recipients. But the tax return prepared by Syam and submitted to the IRS not only requests the payment, but also directs the IRS to deposit more than half of the resulting tax refund into Syam’s own bank account, according to the news release.

When the IRS realizes that the tax return is fraudulent, the agency contacts the victim and demands that the taxpayer repay the entire tax refund, plus penalties and interest. According to Abbott, since Syam never informed victims that it would file a tax return or retain a portion of the refund, victims first learn they are liable for the full amount of the fraudulent tax refund when they receive the letter from the IRS. You can go to https://www.oag.state.tx.us/ to read more about this topic.

LONGVIEW — If bank deposit figures serve as an economic indicator, then Longview and East Texas are faring well. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Longview banks completed their second consecutive year of double-digit deposit growth as of June 30, according to figures provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Between June 30, 2011, and June of this year, deposits in Longview banks grew by nearly $250,000, posting a 12%. That increase comes on the heels of a 13% increase in deposits the year before.

AUSTIN — An East Texas soldier has been killed in Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Nelson D. Trent, a Round Rock resident, was killed Thursday in Afghanistan. A native of Whitehouse, Trent, 37, died in Kandahar after an improvised explosive device ignited, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Defense. The release said Trent was assigned to the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Infantry Division out of Fort Worth. Trent had been affiliated with the Texas Army National Guard, as the communications officer in charge for Joint Task Force 71, an emergency response unit made up of several guard units.

Trent graduated from Whitehouse High School in 1993. He was married with two children.

EAST TEXAS — Schools in Texas and across the country are examining safety measures and trying to cope with last week’s tragedy in Connecticut. East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert, Tyler, on Fox News Sunday, says mass shootings seem to occur most often in places where guns aren’t allowed. Congress is expected to have a heated debate on how such mass shootings can be prevented.

The gun control debate has been renewed since 20 students and six adults were killed Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Many lawmakers and politicians have called for the renewal of the federal assault weapons ban, a piece of legislation that expired in 2004 at the end of its 10-year term but has yet to be renewed.

Gohmert argued that as the country takes on a conversation about gun rights, people must be “open-minded.” He said emotional reactions will naturally lead to a desire to “get rid of all guns,” but he said that “you (should) use your head and look at the facts.”

LONGVIEW — A Harrison County man has been charged with drug violations following his arrest. Samuel Clay Gideon, 34, of Harleton, was arrested around 9:30 Friday night in the 100 block of South Access Road. He has been charged with manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance, possession of a dangerous drug, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond is $56,500.

TYLER — One person is injured in a motorcycle accident east of Tyler. Listed in critical condition at East Texas Medical Center is John Bayless. The accident happened around 3:00 Sunday afternoon on Farm Road 850. The Department of Public Safety reports Bayless was westbound at a high speed when his motorcycle left the road and went into a ditch. The motorcycle then hit a driveway culvert and flipped. Bayless was not wearing a helmet.

TYLER — An East Texas law enforcement official felt it was important to contact our news partner KETK to speak up about the recent Connecticut tragedy. Although he chose to remain anonymous due to job legalities, he felt it was important to speak up as a person in law enforcement who works specifically with mentally insane criminals. He says gun control isn’t the issue here — that the real issue is America’s lack of education about the mentally ill. He says, “We are being reactive to try and control the gun control laws, as opposed to the true problem of the mental illness. All of these shootings that have taken place, none of them were done by any sane individuals; they’ve all had a mental condition.” He says training the public and educating them on signs and signals to identify mental illness is the answer.

TYLER — East Dawson Street will be closed Monday through Friday of this week for concrete pavement repairs. Drivers traveling south on Beckham Avenue who want to turn left onto East Dawson will be detoured to East Houston Street. Those drivers traveling north on Beckham wanting to turn right onto East Dawson Street will be detoured to Hospital Drive.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

LONGVIEW – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Monday are scheduled to close part of Callahan Road, or the South Interstate Highway 20 Access Road, between its intersection with State Highway 149 (Eastman Road) and the Eastbound IH 20 onramp while crews perform pavement repairs in that location. The closure and subsequent work will not begin until after 9:00am.

“It’s unusual that we’d completely close a roadway while we make repairs,” said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. “But in this case, it’s the best and safest option for everyone. We’re hoping we’re finished by Monday evening so the closure will only be for a day.”

Traffic wishing to access businesses in the work area will be allowed to do so, but thru-traffic will be directed to take a marked detour. The detour takes traffic west along the westbound frontage road, then to the Eastbound IH 20 onramp at State Highway 322 (Estes Parkway). Motorists attempting to access the Eastman Chemical complex from eastbound IH 20 should use Exit 599 (East Loop 281) and take the south frontage road to the main entrance. Once the work at Callahan Road is complete, crews will resume work on various entrance and exit ramps in the Longview area throughout the week.

HENDERSON COUNTY –Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement-repair operations on Farm Road 2636 south of Malakoff between Farm Road 3441 and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. TxDOT continues work in Cherokee County

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations in various locations on State Highway 204 between U.S. Highway 84 and the Nacogdoches County Line. A second crew is scheduled to continue shoulder work on Farm Road 855 between U.S.Highway 69 in Mount Selman and U.S. Highway 175 near Cuney. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Work continues in Wood County

WOOD COUNTY – TxDOT contract crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 2966 between State Highway 154 in Yantis and Loop 173 in Quitman. The work is being done in preparation for a seal coat application next summer. Also this week, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to continue base repairs and resurfacing work in various locations on Farm Road 1801 east of Mineola, and edge work on Farm Road 1643 southwest of Winnsboro between Farm Road 515 and State Highway 37. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

TYLER — The East Texas Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, have presented Dr. Paul Powell with the Distinguished Citizen Good Turn Award at a luncheon held Friday at Green Acres Baptist Church Crosswalk Conference Center. The Award is given annually to an individual or couple who have made a significant impact toward enriching the way of life in East Texas. Paul Powell is a former Texas Baptist pastor, retired president/CEO of the Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (now Guidestone) and Dean Emeritus of George W. Truett Seminary,Baylor University, Waco. Dr. Powell, now retired, lives in Tyler and attends Green Acres Baptist Church.

Past recipients of the Distinguished Citizen Good Turn Award include Bruce Brookshire, Lonnie “Bo” Pilgrim, Jeff Austin, Sr., Eugene Brookshire, C.C. Baker, Jr., Herbert Buie, Congressman Ralph Hall, Douglas V. Smith, Bill Hartley, Lindsey Bradley, Dr. Peggy and Howard Coghlan, Governor Rick and Anita Perry, Linda Ryan Thomas, Betsy and Elmer Ellis, Carolyn and Michael Northcutt, Sheriff J. B. Smith, Judge Bill Stoudt, Harold Beaird, Sandi and Dr. Bill Taylor, Congressman Louie Gohmert, Ruben Martin James I. Perkins, and Rogers Pope, Sr. and Rogers Pope, Jr.

TYLER –Tyler police are looking for the lone gunman who robbed a man at a Bank of America ATM. It happened just before 10:15 Friday night in the 3300 block of Golden Road. The victim said he was approached by a black male who pulled a handgun and took an undisclosed amount of money. He then fled the area on foot. A search turned up no trace of the suspect. He is described as about six feet tall, weighing around 160 pounds and was wearing dark clothing and a mask. No injuries were reported.

TYLER — This year, as you are preparing your home for the holiday season, make sure that you implement a few simple fire prevention practices. That’s the word from the Tyler Fire Department.

* Space Heaters:
o Maintain a clear space of three feet around the device;
o Ensure that portable heaters have a safety switch that will turn off the device if it gets tipped over.
* Fireplaces:
o Similar to space heaters, maintain a clear space of three feet around the fireplace opening;
o Have the fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned;
o Ensure that a screen or some other protective barrier is in place to keep embers from getting out.
* Christmas Lights and Decorations:
o Inspect cords and discontinue use if damaged;
o Do not run cords under rugs, carpet, or along areas of high traffic where they may be stepped on;
o Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
* Christmas Trees:
o Do not set trees near heat sources;
o If using a live tree, make sure to keep it watered;
o Turn off all decorations at bedtime.
Finally, make sure that you give your home the proper “Check-Up”:
* Check up above you for one of the most important devices in your home…the smoke alarm.
These life-saving devices should be located in each sleeping area of your home, in addition to areas directly outside of the sleeping areas. For multi-story homes, a working smoke alarm should be located on all levels of the residence, including any basements.

The Tyler Fire Department recommends that you change the batteries in your smoke alarms two times each year and test them often. A great reminder…”Change your clocks, change your batteries”. If you haven’t already done so, now would be a great time to perform this simple maintenance procedure that could save your life, and the lives of your family. Statistics show that having a working smoke alarm in your home increases the chance of survival by almost 50%in the event of a fire.

A news release says, “The Tyler Fire Department would like to wish all citizens a safe and happy holiday season. With your help, we can prevent unnecessary fires and the injuries associated with them.”

LONGVIEW — Longview police have arrested a man in connection with the death of a mother and daughter who were killed at their home in October. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report Joshual O’Steven Reese, 31, of Longview, has been charged with capital murder of multiple persons. His bond is set at $1.5 million. On October 10 at 3:00am, police responding to a welfare check asked for by family members made the gruesome discovery at a house on the 100 block of Jester Circle. LaToya Reese, 28, and her daughter, Mya Rosetta Nichol Sebron, 11, were found shot dead in their duplex.

TYLER — Police have arrested five of the seven suspects who are allegedly responsible for a crime spree that occurred early Wednesday morning. Around 4:00am Wednesday a Van Zandt County sheriff’s deputy drove up on a burglary in progress of a rental storage facility near interstate 20. Five suspects were taken into custody by the sheriff’s department after a foot chase. Police say further investigation revealed that these individuals were also responsible for a string of criminal acts that were committed in the Tyler and Smith County area hours before their arrest.

Shortly after 1:15 Wednesday morning, the suspects allegedly stole a van from Dickey’s BBQ on WSW Loop 323. About an hour later, the suspects allegedly tried to steal an ATM from the Texas Bank and Trust on W. Grande. According to police, the suspects ditched the stolen vehicle behind the Brookshire’s Fresh Store and got back into their personal vehicles. They then reportedly went to a Kidd Jones convenience store on Highway 155 South and burglarized the business at a little after 2:30. At 4:00 they were allegedly caught in the act of burglarizing the storage facility in Van Zandt County.

Tyler Police Investigators have obtained arrest warrants for Labradford Lamont Hunter, 20, of Mesquite; Earl Wayne Few Jr., 23, of Dallas; Marque Kaleb Hart, 21, of Terrell; James Darron Miller Jr., 25, of Dallas; and Johnathan Christopher Adams, 29, of Terrell. All have been charged with theft of property, Criminal Attempt, and engaging in organized criminal activity. The total bond on each suspect was set at $350,000 by Judge Kerry Russell. These charges are for offenses committed in Tyler only. Investigators are still working on identifying two suspects who got away when the arrest was made in Van Zandt County. This case remains under investigation.

TYLER — Through December 31, the Tyler Police Department is providing more officers to look for suspected drunk drivers during this Christmas Season. This enforcement program is funded by a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation.

During the New Year’s Holiday, the Tyler Police Department along with Smith County Law Enforcement agencies will be out in force, on the lookout for drunken drivers, and they won’t be taking “no” for an answer. Starting Friday, December 28, 2012 through Tuesday January 1, 2013, a multi-joint effort between the Smith County District Attorney’s Office and police agencies from all over Smith County will participate in the “No-Refusal” DWI Campaign once again.

Upon the arrest of a suspected drunk driver, he or she will be asked if to submit to blow into a breath-test machine or take a blood test. If the driver refuses, officers will obtain an immediate search warrant signed by a judge on call to have blood drawn by a nurse on staff at the Smith County Jail. The blood is then analyzed to determine whether the driver’s blood-alcohol concentration is 0.08 or higher, the legal limit for driving in Texas.

Police say this program has proven to be an effective tool to combat drunken drivers. They say it is the intent of all law enforcement agencies that this effort will act as a deterrent, persuading people to avoid driving while intoxicated because they know that police officers will be conducting sobriety testing with or without driver’s consent. In short, police caution: “Please Don’t Drink and Drive!”

TROUP — A pre-dawn grass fire kept Troup firefighters busy Friday morning. The fire was called in a little after 3:00 near the intersection of Georgia Street and Colle Street next to the railroad tracks. Firefighters tell KETK the fire was put out between 5:00 and 6:00. No word on any injuries.

TYLER — Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is getting in on the city’s half-cent sales tax funds. Airport Manager Davis Dickson tells KETK a majority of the funds are being used to replace the airport’s 20-year-old runway. Right now, the airport has an instrument landing system that allows precision guidance to aircraft during bad weather or low visibility. They are considering moving it to their longer runway once the renovations are complete.

Dickson says airport traffic is growing in popularity, and new pavement would permit an up-to-standard weight capacity. According to Dickson, “It’s a proactive measure to address future growth of the airport and to make sure the airport can serve future needs, more operation with larger aircraft.” Dickson added that moving the landing system over to the newly renovated runway is a costly project, for which officials would also consider using the half-cent sales tax funds.

TYLER — Reverend Mike Daniels, Chair of “Stand Strong for Tyler,” requested signatures for the “Local Option Election to Legalize” petition. According to KETK, he believes the November election was not fair. Daniels says the signatures on the petition which brought the measure before the voters are not valid. “We requested on the freedom of information act request, the information to be able to do our own analysis of who voted. who was in Tyler to vote, and whether they were legit to vote of not,” says Daniels.

Daniels says their potential lawsuit is still in effect against JP Precinct Two. “And the reason that it hadn’t changed is because I know that the petition is an illegal petition and is a fraudulent petition and I know the election is rigged with fraud,” says Daniels. He says there’s valid proof that will be carried out in court. Daniels tells KETK Tyler is a community that has family standards, and Tyler is noted to being unique and beautiful and says that is now going to change.

KILGORE — A Kilgore woman was arrested around 5:00 Wednesday afternoon after police say she punched a Kilgore College Police officer. The Kilgore College officer was assisting Kilgore police with a disturbance call at the home of Jacey Hendershott, 41, in the 1000 block of South Danville Road about one mile from campus. According to arrest reports, Hendershott became aggressive when the officer told her to turn her music down. Police say Henderschott then punched the officer in the chest. Hendershott was charged with assault on a public servant. She was held Thursday in the Gregg County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

DALLAS (AP) — Family and friends are mourning the death of a 30-year-old Dallas-area man who won the chance to fly in a plane that crashed in North Texas. A family friend of Fisher Floyd tells The Dallas Morning News that Floyd won at an auction the chance to fly in a single-engine L-29 Delfin plane with 77-year-old Noell Rather, an experienced former commercial pilot. Neither Floyd nor Rather survived the crash Thursday morning in Kaufman County near Scurry, about 30 miles southeast of Dallas. The newspaper reports Floyd attended high school in Highland Park, an enclave within Dallas’ city limits. He has two young sons, ages 1 and 2. A friend of Rather’s says he spent years restoring the Soviet-era plane he was flying Thursday. According to KETK, Rather, the pilot, was a lifetime member of the Historical Aviation Museum near Tyler Pounds Regional Regional Airport.