KTBB News, Weather, Talk

JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville’s West Side Elementary and Fred Douglass Elementary Schools were two of the twenty-five Texas schools that have been named 2010 Blue Ribbon Schools award winners by the U.S. Department of Education. JISD officials say the two schools are the only East Texas schools to be awarded the prestigious designation. According to the officials, with only 25 statewide qualifying, the award puts two of the top 1% of elementary campuses in the state in Jacksonville ISD. The award honors schools that achieved academic excellence or made significant progress in closing the achievement gap.

Schools that receive the award will be recognized at the Blue Ribbon Schools conference in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 15-16 — where each recipient will receive a plaque and a flag signifying its status as a Blue Ribbon School.

TYLER — Information from the Texas Comptroller indicates that City of Tyler sales tax revenues deposited for the month of September have increased 2.95 percent as compared to the same period in 2009. Officials say Tyler compares favorably to the statewide average improvement of 2.66 percent. This is the second consecutive month of improved collections versus those reported in the same month in the prior year.

The reported revenue of $2,613,396 comprises $1,742,264 general sales tax revenue and $871,132 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from July 2010 collections, as there is a two-month period before revenue is reported.

“In the proposed 2010/2011 budget, the City planned for a two percent increase in sales tax collections,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel (pictured). “It is gratifying to see that at the end of this fiscal year, the local economy is showing signs of recovery. The City currently has more than 100 positions frozen and these positions will not be refilled until we see several months of growth in our sales tax revenue. We will continue to take a conservative approach and ensure we are operating in a positive financial position; however, we remain cautiously optimistic about the coming year.”

TYLER — A big change on the way for one popular downtown Tyler road. According to KETK, the city’s approving a two-way stretch of road on East Erwin. Drivers making their way between North Spring Avenue and Center Street will now be able to go both ways. Traffic engineers say it’ll make for a safer drive down the congested road. Changes should come by the spring.

TYLER — A 43-year-old Longview man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations. Anthony Quinn Steward pleaded guilty on Mar. 30, 2010, to possession of child pornography. He was sentenced Thursday in Tyler to 78 months in federal prison. According to prosecutors, on Dec. 18, 2009, Steward had been living at the Contessa Inn in Longview with his sister and her two children for about 4 months when it was discovered he was in possession of computer equipment which contained visual depictions of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

TYLER — “Living Green: A Sustainability Symposium” will be held at Harvey Convention Center on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost for the second annual symposium is $5 at the door; entrance is free to children under 12 and any student with an I.D. card. The program is presented by the City of Tyler, Keep Tyler Beautiful, and the Texas Conservation Alliance. Organizers say it will include presentations from experts on recycling, conservation, and sustainability issues; “green” vendor displays and exhibits; and food vendors.

“This symposium is the perfect opportunity to learn more about ways that each and every one of us can make a contribution toward making our planet healthier,” said Cheryl Roy, Keep Tyler Beautiful board member and Symposium chair. “The symposium will cover a variety of subjects from recycling to green building to energy conservation.”

Presentations include:
· “What is Sustainability?” by Jim Bundscho, Ben Wheeler Development;
· “Recycling Concrete” by Hal Williams, Hal Williams Enterprises;
· “Clean Living with Natural Gas” by Claude Figueroa, CenterPoint Energy;
· “Does Your Home Make You Sick?” by John Vaselli, UT Tyler TxAire Project;
· “You CAN Afford to Build Green!” by Anwar Khalifa, Pyramid Homes;
· “Lower Your Energy Bill Without Spending a Penny” by John Stowe, StoneBridge Heating & Air;
· “Composting Made Easy” by Debbie Shafer, Keep Whitehouse Beautiful;
· “How EarthKind Landscaping Can Save you Money” by Mark Chamblee, Chamblee’s Rose Nursery;
· “Every Child Should” by Alan Byboth, Camp Tyler Foundation;
· “Where Does My Trash Go?” by Kristi Boyett, City of Tyler;
· “Tree City USA” by Stephanie Rollings, City of Tyler; and,
· “Trash to Treasure” by Jim Wooldridge, Habitat ReStore.

“The unique thing about this symposium is that you will find ideas, products and companies from right here in East Texas,” Ms. Roy continued. “We want to provide a one-stop shop for people to find out how to live green.”

RUSK — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department is going through records of Precinct 3 Commissioner Katherine Pinotti — and the results may be brought before a grand jury. According to KETK, the questions begin with Patterson Road. The commissioner says after much research, she discovered it’s mislabeled as private on county maps — that it’s actually County Road 3427. So at the request of residents, she had the road resurfaced.

But County Attorney Craig Caldwell is questioning the move, so an investigation is underway. And Sheriff’s Captain John Raffield, who’s leading the investigation, says, “The deeds have been pulled and all the documentation from the county. And the information we’ve gathered so far indicates that it is not a county road in Cherokee County.” A warranty deed for the developer of that subdivision says the road is private — and if residents want the county to maintain it, they must file for formal approval from the commissioners court. The investigation should reportedly take a couple more weeks and be ready for the DA in early October.

TYLER — Tyler’s Dr. Bryan C. Jack Elementary School is selected as one of the best academically performing schools in the state. Jack Elementary has made the 2010 Texas Business and Education Coalition (TBEC) Honor Roll for sustained, academic excellence. According to Tyler ISD officials, the honor roll recognizes less than 4% of the more than 8,000 Texas public schools across the state. “We are honored at Jack to be given this unexpected recognition,” said Jack Elementary Principal Shauna Hittle. “We are pleased to be recognized but we plan to keep working diligently each and every day to help every single student succeed at high levels because they each can and deserve to.”

TYLER – A 26-year-old Athens man has been sentenced to prison for federal firearms violations. Paul Ray Jackson pleaded guilty on Feb. 1, 2010, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced Thursday in Tyler to 100 months in federal prison.

According to information presented in court, on Nov. 28, 2008, an Athens police officer attempted to stop a vehicle being driven by Jackson for speeding. Jackson refused to stop and led the officer, and ultimately several additional patrol units, on a high speed chase before being stopped by a DPS spike strip in Kaufman. Jackson then fled the scene on foot. A search of the vehicle revealed a fully loaded .22 caliber pistol.

Not long after Jackson fled the scene, he was arrested by Kaufman County Sheriff’s deputies on marijuana charges. A review of police video footage of the car chase enabled officers to positively identify Jackson as the perpetrator in both incidents. On Dec. 2, 2008, Jackson voluntarily surrendered to authorities at the Athens Police Department and confessed to being the driver of the car in the Nov. 28, 2008 incident. Further investigation revealed Jackson was a convicted felon having been previously found guilty of possession of marijuana in 2007 in Parker County, Texas. As a convicted felon, Jackson is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

Authorities say, “This conviction is yet another important outcome from Project Safe Neighborhoods, a national priority of the United States Department of Justice. PSN is designed as a partnership between federal and local law enforcement to reduce violent crime and gun-related crime through the vigorous enforcement of the criminal provisions of the federal firearms laws.”

TYLER– After one Florida pastor said his church will burn copies of the Koran on Saturday, religious leaders in East Texas have been working even harder to build relationships with one another. Wednesday, we spoke with Christian pastors in our community who say burning the Koran isn’t showing the love of God.

Imam Faisal is a Muslim leader in Tyler, and he says burning the Koran is burning down bridges between Muslims and Christians. He says, “I wish he (the Florida pastor) could learn a little about what the Koran teaches about being kind to our neighbors and being friends with Christians and Jews.” According to KETK, Rabbi Neal Katz says the Muslim community should be offended. He says, “Burning the Koran is like burning the New Testament or Torah.” The religious leaders’ comments came before Pastor Terry Jones’s announcement that he has called off the Koran burning. We’ll have more details on that as the story develops.

LINDALE – A car crashed into a wall at a local business in Lindale on Wednesday. According to KETK, police officials say the driver accidentally pressed the wrong pedal and took out a portion of a wall at the Lindale Cleaners. The damage to the business is minimal. Nobody was hurt in the accident.

TYLER — PATH officials today are putting a special emphasis on the PATH Week Prayer Luncheon. Executive Director Christina Fulsom is encouraging everyone to make a reservation for the free event. It’s to be held on Tuesday, September 14th, at noon, at Tyler’s all-new Green Acres CrossWalk Conference Center. A number of speakers are on the docket, and the event will also feature presentation of PATH’s Faith in Action Award and Community in Action Award. For a reservation, or more information, you can call Mitzie at 903-597-4044, ext. 125. You can also log onto to http://www.pathhelps.org for more information on the luncheon, other PATH Week activities, and PATH in general.

EAST TEXAS– The recent rain isn’t enough to lift burn bans across some East Texas counties. Even though temperatures have dropped, officials say it’s still too dry. They also say the threat of wildfires is still in existence. According to KETK, Burn bans remain in effect in Cass, Harrison, Marion, Morris, and Panola counties.

TYLER — An agency that helps Tyler-area families receives a check for $2,500 from Bank of America. The money, given Wednesday to Tyler Rescue Ministries, follows a $2,500 donation last week from Cavender’s Boot City in Tyler. Founder/CEO Maurice Barnes says the funds are for the agency’s Catch the Vision…Save a Family expansion campaign. According to Barnes, “This expansion when complete will allow us to provide assistance to intact families. This is an area of great need as there were 453 homes lost to foreclosure in Tyler and Smith County in 2009. That is potentially 1600 – 1800 people facing homelessness.”

Barnes adds, “We will be the only agency that will allow the intact family remain together in northeast Texas. Currently we are only providing assistance to single women and women with children at our Kathryn’s House facility. Everyone is invited to help.” You can log on to http://www.tylerrescueministries.org for more information about Tyler Rescue Ministries.

TYLER — The Mineola child sex ring case is back in a Smith County courtroom. Patrick Kelly’s attorney filed another motion saying Judge Jack Skeen is not fit to hear the case. It was a bail hearing for Kelly, who’s on trial for his alleged involvement in the 2007 “Mineola Swingers Club”. The allegation is Kelly forced children to perform sex acts in front of an audience. His original conviction was thrown out. According to KETK, Kelly’s attorney is challenging a regional attorney’s decision to keep Skeen on the case.

JACKSONVILLE — Authorities credit Jacksonville Middle School students and local police with quick response in an incident that caused some concern following football practice Tuesday afternoon. School officials say several students witnessed a student in possession of what was perceived to be a gun and was later determined to be a cigarette lighter that was shaped like a gun. According to a school district news release, students reacted promptly and alerted the coaching staff of the incident. Officials say coaches took immediate action by contacting the Jacksonville Police Department. The cigarette lighter was immediately secured.

The news release says, “JISD administration appreciates the quick action and dedication of the Jacksonville Police Department in doing their part to keep our students safe. For the safety and security of the Jacksonville ISD students and staff, we take any perceived threats seriously. JISD prides itself in creating a safe learning environment and any incident that threatens that environment is handled firmly and promptly.”

LONGVIEW — Longview Firefighters answer the call for help at structure fire at the Parkway Garden Apartments on McCann Road. According to KETK, the fire was caused by a skillet left on the cook top which resulted in fire spreading to the cabinets and ceiling of the apartment. The apartment had smoke damage throughout; the smoke entered 3 other adjoining apartments. The fire caused approximately $5,000.00 in damages. There were no injuries.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department has arrested 50-year-old Jerdene Boyd of Tyler for intoxication manslaughter in a fatal September 2 crash. Bond was set at $250,000 by Judge Jack Skeen. Police say investigators received lab results back from East Texas Medical Center that indicated Boyd tested positive for the presence of cocaine, cannabinoids, and opiates in her system.

Officials say a Nissan driven by Boyd crashed into the rear of a White Toyota Camry that was sitting in the outside traffic lane, waiting for the light to change at South Broadway and Heritage. The driver of the Toyota was deceased in the overturned vehicle when emergency personnel arrived on the scene. The driver was a 55 year old man from Plano.

Police say before the crash occurred, a Tyler Patrol Officer was conducting radar enforcement on Highway 69 South and checked Boyd’s speed at 71 mph on radar. According to police, Boyd was observed driving in a reckless manner through heavy traffic and wet road conditions prior to the crash. Police say the officer was unable to catch up to Boyd to conduct a traffic stop due to speed, distance, traffic and weather conditions.

Investigators tested the vehicle driven by Boyd for any mechanical malfunctions in the brake system. The inspector found no indication of any brake failure. According to authorities, investigators also determined that Boyd has never been issued a Texas Drivers License and had no insurance. Boyd was arrested Tuesday at 4:30 p.m., transported to the Smith County Jail, and processed.

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – With Tyler’s Leo Berman already in the running, a second conservative legislator is mulling a challenge to moderate Texas House Speaker Joe Straus. That raises the specter of a Republican leadership battle as lawmakers grapple with a huge budget shortfall early next year. State Rep. Warren Chisum told The Associated Press Tuesday that he would decide before the November elections whether to mount a challenge to the top House leader. Chisum is a Republican from Pampa. Berman earlier announced his decision to run against Straus when lawmakers return to Austin in January.

TYLER — September is Firefighter Appreciation Month, and throughout the period, Carter BloodCare offers the community an opportunity to say thank you to firefighters through blood donation. Donors will be given the opportunity in September to donate the Life Plan credit they receive for donating blood to the fire department of their choice. Those Life Plan credits can then be used, within the year, by that fire department to assist should anyone from their department need blood or blood product. Blood drives will be hosted at the Tyler Donor Center as well as at several Smith County fire stations throughout the month.

A press conference was held Tuesday at Carter BloodCare’s Tyler Donor Center to kick off the month-long campaign. In attendance were Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass, Tyler Fire Chief Neil Franklin, Carter BloodCare staff, and Fire Chiefs from surrounding fire departments.

According to press information, the Carter BloodCare Life Plan assures blood donors that they will receive financial assistance toward uninsured blood product fees if they or their immediate family members require blood transfusions within 12 months of their donation. The Individual and Family Life Plan offers up to $1000 credit toward uninsured blood product fees for the donor and the donor’s tax dependents. The Group Life Plan allows donors to donate an individual credit to a group of their choosing, while still maintaining their Individual Plan. That donor group receives a $10 credit, valid for one year for every registered donor. The donor group can then assign those credits as necessary to those within the group who need them to assist with the cost of used uninsured blood product. You can visit http://www.carterbloodcare.org for more information about Carter BloodCare.

TYLER – The 20th annual Pantry Raid competition between Robert E. Lee and John Tyler High School students is underway. For two decades, the students at each school have had a friendly competition to feed hungry East Texans. The students collect food during Pantry Raid for the East Texas Food Bank. The school that collects the most food will earn bragging rights and proudly display the traveling trophy at their school.

In the past 19 years, the students have collected over 862,000 pounds of food. The Pantry Raid results will be announced at the Robert E. Lee and John Tyler football game on Friday at the beginning of halftime. “We are so thankful to the students who have continued the tradition of taking action against hunger in our community,” said Dennis Cullinane, executive director of the East Texas Food Bank. “The food collected by the students will be given to children, families and seniors who are struggling to put food on their tables.”

TYLER — Police in Tyler are encouraging residents to sign up for the annual Texans Against Crime (T.A.C.) night out. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 12th , 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. T.A.C. celebrations are held throughout East Texas on the second Tuesday in October. Last year the City of Tyler had approximately 90 block parties throughout the City to promote the program, and they’re hoping for a similar number, or more, this year. Community Response Officer James McCraw says he hopes you’ll sign up as soon as possible so police can start establishing their list of parties. You can register online at http://www.tylerpolice.com or call the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1096.

Police say the T.A.C. program is an annual event designed to unite neighbors and communities to encourage neighborhood communication, community involvement and crime prevention to create safer neighborhoods. T.A.C. encourages neighborhoods to host block parties as an opportunity to get to know your neighbor and fight crime. McCraw says he knows things like buying food for a block party can pose a financial burden. He says one answer is just to keep your party simple — perhaps nothing more than a small gathering on the street.

Police say T.A.C. promotes neighborhood alliances to strengthen communities and preserve the quality of life in East Texas. According to police, the program helps to educate families, friends and neighbors about crime prevention and inform residents that communities are safer when neighbors work together. Police add that getting to know your neighbors is an important step in keeping your community safe.

JACKSONVILLE — A Jacksonville couple are riding their horses — all the way to El Paso. Bob and Sharon Slayden will stay in the saddle though the end of the month as they trek 764 miles on their quarter horses to raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society. Sharon says this is personal, noting, “My mom died of pancreatic cancer; I have a sister-in-law right now who’s going through brain cancer; and my husband’s mother and daddy died of cancer.” According to Sharon, research is so fantastic today “that a lot of people are getting healed and they’re ‘getting more birthdays,’ as we call it. You know, we’re susceptible to it, because genetically, it moves forward in the family. So we have to know this, and we have to let people know about it — that they can be helped.”

Sharon says she and Bob are covering 25 to 30 miles a day. This is their second such ride; last year they raised a little more than $3,000, and Sharon thinks they’ll do better this year.

TYLER — A man dies in a fall from a tree in Tyler. Police say on Monday at about 12:30 p.m., an accidental injury was reported to Tyler Police Department Dispatchers. According to authorities, a man had been trimming a tree in the 1300 block of South Kennedy Ave. and had fallen from the tree — a distance of approximately fifty feet to the ground.

A witness had observed the accident and called the Tyler Police Department. An ambulance and a Tyler Fire Department first responder unit were dispatched to aid the victim. They prepared the victim for transport to East Texas Medical Center, and he was immediately transported. Shortly after his arrival at the hospital he was pronounced dead from his injuries. An investigation and inquest were conducted, and the case was closed as an accidental injury. Next of kin were notified at the hospital. The victim is identified as 48-year-old Gabino Torrescano of Tyler.

DALLAS – Seven Tyler stores were awarded top honors this month as ShopAcrossTexas.com released its annual Best Stores in Town list. The complete list will be released to the public throughout the coming weeks via ShopAcrossTexas.com. The Tyler stores that made the list are Spinout, Bridgette’s, Haute Totz, Mary V’s, Harley’s Suit Club, Ye Olde Flea Market & Antique Mall and London Shoppe Antiques. The list was determined through a six-week survey conducted on ShopAcrossTexas.com, in which readers voted for their favorite retail across the Lone Star state. You can log onto http://www.ShopAcrossTexas.com to read comments about the stores.

TYLER — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White drops by the Smith County Central Labor Council’s Labor Day Picnic at Tyler’s Lindsey Park. White says Labor Day’s a time to “give thanks” that there are “people who work long hard hours that have moved our country forward in so many ways.” White also said there’s been great response to his border security plan — a thousand new police officers and deputy sheriffs all along the border. White says that presence will send a clear signal to gang members and narco traffickers that things won’t be safe for them if they cross that river.”

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department arrested five people during the beginning of a Labor Day weekend crackdown on drunken driving. The department is one of the law enforcement agencies across North Texas that are participating in the “no refusal” initiative that began at 6 p.m. Friday and ends Tuesday. If a DWI suspect refuses to provide a breath or blood sample, officials will get a warrant for a blood sample.

A first-offense DWI can result in a maximum of six months in jail, a $2,000 fine and driver’s license suspension for a year, police said. Arrested Friday night or early Saturday morning were:

Luis Corona, 17, of Longview, who remained jailed Saturday on $1,000 bond, charged with driving while intoxicated.

Terese Hembrough, 47, of Longview, who remained jailed Saturday on $2,500 bond, charged with driving while intoxicated, second offense.

Anthony Ponce, 23, of Longview, who remained jailed Saturday on $2,500 bond, charged with driving while intoxicated, second offense.

Michael Taylor, 51, of Longview, who remained jailed Saturday, charged with driving while intoxicated and with eight outstanding warrants. Bond has not been set.

Teresa Worthington, 40, of Longview, who remained jailed Saturday on $1,000 bond, charged with driving while intoxicated.

According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Longview police said 208 wrecks since January were caused by drunken drivers.

KEMAH (AP) — A Lufkin motorcyclist died after a brief chase with police. The Houston Chronicle reports that Joshuah Cavins, 27, was thrown from his bike early Saturday in Kemah.

A news release says that Kemah officers saw two motorcycle riders run a red light just after midnight. When officers initiated a traffic stop on both bikes, one motorcyclist complied, but Cavins fled.

After a pursuit, officers lost sight of him. A short time later, his wrecked cycle was found in a ditch. Cavins was found unconscious about 75 feet from the mangled bike and later died from his injuries. The investigation continues.

AUSTIN — Smith County is one of 10 in Texas to be honored by the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) Leadership Foundation during TAC’s annual conference in Austin.

The programs were selected to receive high honors for innovation, achievement and delivery of service in the 2010 County Best Practice Awards, which recognize county initiatives that serve as a model to others and save taxpayer monies.

“These tough economic times necessitate that counties be pro-active and creative in providing services that improve their communities while, at the same time, saving taxpayer money,” said Kaufman County Judge Wayne Gent, chair of the foundation. “These county programs are doing just that, and we are proud to honor them for their achievements.”

Smith County was honored for Achievement for its Compensatory Time Management Program, which was organized to reduce the ever-increasing and costly payout and accrual of employee-earned compensatory time. The program has helped the sheriff’s department reduce its compensatory time by more than 48%.

“We are very proud of the leadership in our Sheriff’s Office and Auditor’s Department. They stepped up and thought outside the box to reduce our accumulated comp time and ultimately save hundreds of thousands of dollars for the County,” said Comp Time Committee Member and Smith County Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton.

The photo shows the Smith County contingent accepting the Texas Association of Counties Best Practice Award. Shown in the photo, left to right, Smith County Chief Deputy Bobby Garmon, Commissioner JoAnn Hampton, Sheriff J.B. Smith, Auditor Ann Wilson, County Judge Joel Baker and Assistant Auditor Kalisha Boyd.

GILMER – A young Hopkins County second grader has been released from a Dallas hospital after he was hit by a pickup as he had left a school bus. The accident happened shortly after 3:15 Friday afternoon on Highway 11 east at County Road 2331 east of Como-Pickton.

State Trooper Jean Dark says the initial investigation shows the 7 year old boy had exited the bus and was standing on the shoulder of the road. The bus was unloading at the time of the incident with several vehicles stopped behind it. A pickup truck driven by a lone sixteen-year-old male driver came upon the group of stopped vehicles and had to take evasive action to the right to avoid colliding with one of the vehicles. The teen drove the pickup on the shoulder of the road and hit the child. There were no other injuries reported and the school bus was not struck by the pickup.

GILMER -– Upshur County’s chief juvenile probation officer and two former officers were arrested and released Friday on forgery of government documents charges, Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd said. Juvenile Chief Milton Wylie, 59, and former officers Sandra Edwards, 48, and Lorie Davidson, 43, were indicted by a grand jury after a March investigation in response to allegations made by employees, Byrd said.

The county’s juvenile board asked Byrd to contact Texas Rangers about the allegations, and the investigation began, he said. The juvenile board consists of County Judge Dean Fowler and District Judge Lauren Parrish, with Fowler serving as chairman. The Texas Rangers submitted findings to Byrd that lad to the forgery charges, Byrd said. “The charges against all three involve different documents and different time periods,” Byrd said.

“Chief Wylie has served our county and juvenile probation department for many years,” Byrd said. “He is liked and respected by many, including myself. This is a difficult situation. However, we will see that justice is accomplished and that the requirements of our duties are met.”