KTBB News, Weather, Talk

PITTSBURG – A one vehicle accident in Camp County has left one person dead. Killed in the weekend wreck was Melissa McVay, 31, of Pittsburg. She was a passenger in a car driven by Shynese Rotrice Hamilton. The driver was not injured. The Department of Public Safety says the women’s car left the road, hit a culvert and overturned. The accident occurred Saturday morning on State Highway 11, about four miles west of Pittsburg.

MARSHALL — The federal trial in Marshall against Pilgrim’s Pride resumes today following a recess. Pilgrim’s is charged with violating the Packers and Stockers Act in order to manipulate the price of chicken. The court previously heard testimony from growers who claimed the company closed plants and ran them out of business. Pilgrim’s rebutted, saying they closed the plants due to bankruptcy.

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

TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program, known as District-Wide Seal Coat, is scheduled to resume work in Tyler on Tuesday on State Highway 110 (Van Highway) between NW Loop 323 and Farm Road 3271. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each seal coat location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays. Loose gravel may be present for several days following seal coat application.

Also in Smith County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 848 between Farm Road 346 in Whitehouse and Spur 248 (University Boulevard). Daytime lane closures will be in effect.

Finally this week in Smith County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to continue work to replace a culvert pipe and build a right-turn lane for eastbound State Highway 64 at its intersection with County Road 229 (Big Oak Bay Road), just east of Farm Road 3226. The work will require some lane closures on SH 64 and on SCR 229 while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation contractor Pinto Construction, Ltd., of Nacogdoches, is scheduled to close Farm Road 1251 to thru-traffic on Monday between Farm Road 2658 and Farm Road 3231 for approximately two months of repairs to the roadway there. The approximate $570,000 project let in May and calls for a full-depth repair of the roadbed followed by a complete resurfacing. Detours for the work will be posted and include using FM 2658 and FM 3231 to avoid the work zone.

Also this week in Rusk County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on Farm Road 839 between U.S. Highway 79 southeast of Henderson and Farm Road 1798 in McKnight. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

GREGG COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation contractor TNT’s Pipeline Corp., is scheduled to work tonight, Saturday and Sunday nights on State Highway 322 between Farm Road 349 in Lakeport and Farm Road 2011 at the Rusk County Line. Nighttime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress and flaggers will control traffic at intersections.

Also this week, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on State Highway 300 (Glimer Road) between Hawkins Parkway and Farm Road 1844, including work in the SH 300/Hawkins Parkway intersection on Tuesday and Wednesday. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid the work in the Hawkins Parkway intersection.

WOOD COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as “District-Wide Seal Coat” is scheduled to start work in Wood County as early as Friday, July 15, weather permitting. Crews are scheduled to apply a seal coat to Farm Road 49 between U.S. Highway 69 in Mineola and Farm Road 14, Farm Road 778 between Farm Road 49 and U.S. Highway 80, and on US 80 between Farm Road 778 and the Upshur County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.
Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform seal coat operations on in various locations on Farm Road 858 between Farm Road 279 in Ben Wheeler and State Highway 19 south of Canton, followed by the same work on Ranch Road 2909 between SH 19 south of Canton and Farm Road 858 just west of Martins Mill. A second crew is scheduled to perform pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 857 between U.S. Highway 80 in Grand Saline and Farm Road 1253.

Also this week, District-Wide Seal Coat operations are scheduled to resume in the county as early as Wednesday on State Highway 19 south of Canton between Farm Road 858 and the Henderson County line, followed by the same work on State Highway 198 just south of State Highway 243 in Canton.

Crews are also scheduled to seal Farm Road 47 between SH 243 and SH 198 and Farm Road 751 northwest of Wills Point between the Hunt County Line and Farm Road 47. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each seal coat location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays. Loose gravel may be present for several days following seal coat application.

Finally this week, TxDOT contractor Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview, is scheduled on Friday, July 15, to begin work to repair and resurface the roadways inside Lake Tawakoni State Park. The work is scheduled to be finished in mid-August.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs on Farm Road 1990 between State Highway 294 and U.S. Highway 79 in Palestine. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs on the recently resurfaced sections on Farm Road 2709 between State Highway 19 north of Athens and Farm Road 316 in Eustace, on Ranch Road 2970 between Farm Road 753 and the end of state maintenance, and on Ranch Road 2588 between U.S. Highway 175 in LaRue and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 84 between Reklaw and Farm Road 2753 in Rusk County. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

BEAUMONT (AP) — A Texas man has been charged with capital murder after police say he intentionally drove his fleeing sport utility vehicle into a patrol car, killing an officer. Bond was set at $250,000 for John Wesley Nero, 30, of Beaumont. He remained in a hospital in serious condition after the Friday night crash.

TYLER — July is Watch Your Car Awareness Month in Texas and the East Texas Auto Theft Task Force, Tyler Police Department and the Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority (ABTPA) warn Texans they need to actively protect themselves against vehicle theft. Pickups are not only popular among Texas Drivers; they are also the top targets for Texas vehicle thieves!

2010 TOP 5 STOLEN VEHICLES IN TEXAS
1. Ford Pickup 6,233
2. GM Pickup 5,229
3. Dodge Pickup 2,931
4. Honda Civic 1,629
5. Chevrolet Tahoe 1,587

2010 TOP 5 STOLEN VEHICLES IN CITY of TYLER
1. Chevrolet Pickup 20
2. Ford Pickup 10
3. Chevrolet Caprice 10
4. Ford Crown Victoria 8
5. Mercury Gr. Marquis 7
5. Chevrolet Impala 7

Vehicles are stolen for a variety of reasons, and contrary to popular belief, the most stolen vehicles are several years old. Some are stolen and stripped for parts. Others are stolen and resold by the thief to another party. Many vehicles are stolen for joyriding, robbery, for use in committing other crimes, to support drug habits, drug smuggling or to perpetrate insurance fraud.

Vehicle theft costs Texans more money than any other crime. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety Uniform Crime Report, there were 68,220 vehicles stolen in 2010 with an economic loss of over $635,570,078. There were 261,166 thefts from motor vehicles including motor vehicle parts with an economic loss of $219,274,501. It is important that we acknowledge this trend and educate the citizens of Texas in how to protect their car. In the City of Tyler 207 vehicles were reported stolen in 2010 and 367 were reported stolen in all of Smith County. Auto Burglaries reported for the City of Tyler were 1,054.

While there is no totally foolproof way to prevent theft, the ATBPA recommends a few
Common-sense steps to help protect your car.
1. Take Your Keys. One out of every five vehicles stolen had the keys in it.
2. Lock Your Car. Approximately half of all vehicles stolen were left unlocked.
3. Never Hide a Second Set of Keys in Your Car. Extra keys can easily be found if a thief takes time to look.
4. Park in Well-Lighted Areas.
5. Park in attended Lots. Auto thieves do not like witnesses and prefer unattended parking lots.
6. If You Park in an Attended Lot, Leave Only the Ignition/Door Key. If your trunk and glove box use the same key as the door, have one of them changed. Don’t give the attendant easy access to your glove box and trunk. Upon returning, check the tires, spare and battery to insure they are the same as those you had when you parked.
7. Never Leave Your Car Running, Even if You’ll Only Be Gone for a Minute. Vehicles are commonly stolen at convenience stores, gas stations, ATM’s, etc. Many vehicles are also stolen on cold mornings when the owner leaves the vehicle running to warm up or on hot days to keep the vehicle cool. Leaving your key in an unattended motor vehicle is a crime in Texas punishable by a fine of up to $200.
8. Completely Close Car Windows When Parking. Don’t make it any easier for the thief to enter your vehicle.
9. Don’t Leave Valuables in Plain View. Don’t make your car a more desirable target for thieves by leaving valuables in plain sight.

INVESTING IN VEHICLE PROTECTION

1. Ignition Kill Switch. Splice an inexpensive toggle switch into your ignition wire or to your starter. The trick is hiding the switch well. Keypads, pressure pads and more expensive “Immobilizers” and “Passkeys” can also be used.
2. Fuel Kill Switch. The valve that halts the fuel supply is closed.
3. Visible steering wheel lock. Prevents the steering wheel from being turned.
4. Floorboard Locks. Devices that disable the gas or brake pedal.
5. Gearshift Locks. Disables shifting of the transmission.
6. Tire/Wheel Locks. Prevents the vehicle from moving.
7. Hood Locks. Prevents the thief from gaining access to your security system and battery.
8. Armored collar around the steering column. Protects the column and ignition.
9. Alarms. Security systems which make loud warning sounds when door/hood/trunk are opened. Optional sensors detect glass breakage, motion, tampering, and towing. Panic buttons, back-up batteries, flashing parking lights or headlights, and automatic engine disable features are also popular.
10. Vehicle Tracking. Transmitter hidden in car enables police to track car (may not be available in all areas).

More information regarding auto theft can be obtained at the ABTPA Web Site:http://www.txwatchyourcar.com or by calling 1-800-carwatch.

LONGVIEW – A woman has been arrested for trying to steal $100 worth of cosmetics from a Longview Wal-Mart. Authorities say Jackquine Denise Bell, 46, tried to escape on an electric cart. During her escape, she is said to have used the cart to hit a store employee who tried to stop her. Her bond is set at $7,500. Plus she also has fines of $1,700 on a variety of other complaints. According to arrest sheet at the Gregg County Sheriff’s office, Bell has been convicted of five offenses ranging from marijuana possession to prostitution.

BRYAN – A Smith County teen has died in a one vehicle accident in Grimes County. The accident happened around 8:15 Friday night on State Highway 21 near Sandy Creek. Dead at the scene was the pickup’s driver, Kayla Wager, 17, of Whitehouse. The girl’s father, Milton Wager, Jr., suffered only minor injuries. According to the Department of Public Safety, the pickup left the road and rolled over several times.

MANGUM, OKLA. (AP) — It’s been almost 17 years since the wife of a former prison warden disappeared with a convicted killer from the southwestern Oklahoma prison her husband helped supervise. Time, however, hasn’t diminished interest in the case in Mangum, the Greer County town where Bobbi Parker is on trial for allegedly helping Randolph Dial escape from the Oklahoma State Reformatory.

Prosecutors say Parker fell in love with Dial and engaged in a “decade of deception” while living with him on a Shelby, County Texas chicken ranch. But defense attorney say she was kidnapped, beaten and raped by Dial, who was described as a manipulative sociopath. Mangum resident Ruby Capes says she believes Parker fell in love with Dial and ran away with him, but fellow resident Andrienne Sherwood thinks Dial brainwashed Parker. Parker has pleaded not guilty.

TYLER – A woman who appeared in state district court in Tyler for a pretrial hearing Friday learned the state will be seeking the death penalty against her. Kimberly Diane Cargill, 44, is accused of killing Cherry Diane Walker. Walker was a mentally challenged babysitter who was keeping Cargill’s four year old son. A passing motorist found her body off County Road 2010 in June of last year. Cargill’s next pre trial hearing on 241st State District Court will be next week. Her trial is scheduled for September 1st.

TYLER – A Tyler man has entered a not guilty plea to shooting a Smith County sheriff’s deputy in March. Christopher Martin Summerville, 26, entered the plea Friday in an appearance in 114th State District Court. He remains in the Smith County Jail under bonds totaling nearly $8 million. He has a tentative trial date set for next month.

The incident occurred on March 24, when he allegedly shot the deputy who was attempting to serve an arrest warrant on Summerville at the Arbors Apartments. Deputy Josh Caulkins, who was assigned to a U.S. Marshal’s fugitive task force, was wearing a vest and sustained only minor injuries. Summerville has also been charged with manufacture or delivery of controlled substance, engaging in organized criminal activity, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Summerville had earlier been released from East Texas Medical Center. Police say Summerville was hospitalized for an overdose of methamphetamine that he reportedly had injected into his body just prior to the arrest warrant being served. Two other suspects at the scene of the shooting, Kara Hanley, 29, and Jeffery Andrysiak, 31, have also been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity. They’d earlier been charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance.

MARSHALL – A Harrison County attempted capital murder case has come to an end with the death of the defendant. The case against Merrill Harley Wickware, 80, was dismissed when he died of metastatic brain cancer. He had been accused of the January 26 shooting of Harrison County sheriff’s deputy Sgt. Duana “D.J.” Couch.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s department, Lt. Duana Couch was conducting an investigation regarding a court-ordered seizure of an RV on the property when she was shot. Her head was grazed by a shot from a 22-caliber pistol. She was treated and released from Good Shepherd Medical Center in Marshall. Authorities say the suspect barricaded himself in his mobile home but surrendered when other officers arrived.

TYLER – The chair and Chandler professor of computer science at The University of Texas at Tyler, Dr. Stephen B. Rainwater, has been recognized as a recipient of the 2010 – 11 President’s Volunteer Service Award, Dr. James Nelson, College of Engineering and Computer Science dean, announced. He was granted the silver medal for his work of more than 250 voluntary services hours on behalf of educational technology.

A UT Tyler faculty member since 1982, Rainwater currently serves on the International Society for Technology in Education Board of Directors as the computer science representative. In this role, he contributes towards the society’s focus on providing leadership and service to improve teaching, learning and school leadership by advancing the effective use of technology in the K-16 environment. As a subcommittee co-chair, he provided leadership in the revision of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education standards for secondary computer science teaching certification.

LONGVIEW – Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center has delivered a baby that has set the hospital’s weight record. The picture from the Longview News-Journal shows JaMichael Brown Johnson shortly after he was delivered by Cesarean section. Doctors had predicted he would weigh around 12 pounds. But, when he arrived at 9:05 Friday morning he tipped the scales at 16 pounds and one ounce. Mother and son are doing well.

TYLER — At least for now, Tyler police are treating a burned body case as a possible homicide. Shortly after 4:30 Friday morning, Tyler Fire, Police, and EMS responded to a reported house fire at 1005 West Lollar Street. Authorities say the residence was fully engulfed in fire upon arrival of fire units. Observers at the scene told officials that the house had just been leased and that no one was living in it. The owner of the residence confirmed that the house had been rented and that the tenant had not fully moved in yet. Fire-fighters fought the fire for one hour and 24 minutes and advised that the fire was under control at 6:02 a.m.

At 7:35 a.m. the Tyler Police Department was notified by a family member of the owner of the residence that they had located a body inside a storage closet inside the residence. The family member was searching the residence for salvageable items when they discovered the body. Investigators from the Tyler Fire and Police Departments, and the Smith County DA’s Office responded to the scene and are currently conducting an investigation. The body has been identified as Leon Kentrelle Heard, 26. Heard was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Quincy Beavers. Judge Beavers has ordered an autopsy, and the body is being transported to Southwest Forensics in Dallas.

The Tyler Police Department is taking the lead in this investigation and treating it as a possible homicide until evidence indicates otherwise. Anyone with information about the suspects involved in this crime is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to arrests and charges filed against the suspects in this, or any, felony case.

MARSHALL – A federal jury in Marshall has convicted a Big Sandy couple of federal income tax violations. Timothy J. Patton, 61, and his wife, Dawn G. Patton, 54, were found guilty on July 7 of conspiracy to attempt to evade federal income tax and five counts of attempting to evade federal income tax following a 3-day trial before U.S. District Judge T. John Ward.

According to information presented in court, beginning in 2000, the defendants stopped filing federal income tax returns and began insisting that their employers not withhold any federal income tax. Each provided false W-2s to their employer, claiming that each was single and exempt from income tax. They also had their employers begin issuing paychecks to the Office of the Patriarch of the Gathering of the House of Israel, an entity created by Timothy Patton using an invalid Employer Identification Number. The Pattons would regularly refuse to provide a Social Security number to their employers. The defendants, who insisted on being referred to as Brother T and Mimi, claimed that they were not the individuals named in the indictment. The guilty verdict on all counts was reached after approximately 3 ½ hours of deliberation.

The Pattons each face up to 5 years in federal prison for each of the six counts. A sentencing date has not been set.

WASHINGTON – Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert is targeting President Obama in the wake of the unemployment report issued by the U.S. Department of Labor Friday. Gohmert says, “In order to create jobs for the American people, Washington must stop spending money it does not have. A meager 18,000 American jobs were created in June, but if you look hard at the adjustments, we actually lost 26,000 jobs. This number is staggering and significantly below market expectations. Unemployment continues to climb and is at 9.2% and Senate Democrats have now failed to pass a budget for 800 days. This is truly unacceptable.

“Sadly, this June jobs report does not come as a surprise. However, it proves one thing – President Obama’s big spending habits have by no means aided job growth in the United States. His massive spending spree has only made this job crisis worse. It’s time to implement policies that work. It’s time to find a way to employ the 14.1 million Americans looking for work. With 28 straight months of national unemployment at or above 8 percent, we cannot just be satisfied with the status quo. In order to get America back to work and grow this economy, we must ease the debt that creates uncertainty among job creators.”

QUITMAN — Wood County Sheriff’s Officials say that Benjamin “Bennie” Edward George turned himself in to authorities just before 3:45 Friday morning. George was wanted for the reported rape of a 62-year-old Mineola woman. The assault occurred early Wednesday morning at a home on County Road 2270.

HUDSON — Two people are behind bars after an undercover drug sting just west of Lufkin. An Angelina County sheriff’s investigator went undercover in a FedEx truck Wednesday to a Hudson home along the 100 block of Stone Drive. After searching the house, authorities say they found 37 grams of mushrooms and some marijuana, along with two children who authorities say had easy access to the drugs. That’s where they arrested Torrence Haley, 33 and Jessica Simone Jamison, 24. Both are charged with possession of marijuana and a controlled substance.

TYLER — Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham Friday presented the Tyler Police Department a check for $22,242. The funds will be used to purchase 16 tasers, two pieces of tactical body armor, two tactical shields and crime scene lights.“We are very fortunate to have such a great working relationship with the Smith County District Attorney’s office,” said Tyler Police Chief Gary Swindle. “The cooperation between our organizations allows us to equip our officers with the most up-to-date law enforcement equipment and provide our community with the highest level of policing.”

“I am happy to present this check to the Tyler Police Department, to help them purchase the necessary equipment to keep their officer’s safe as they continue to do an outstanding job protecting us, Bingham said. This is money seized by the District Attorney’s Office from criminal offender’s, not taxpayer money. “It is very satisfying to seize money from criminals and turn it over law enforcement to be utilized in protecting them and our community, from those who commit crimes in Smith County,” Bingham said.

TYLER — One person has been arrested and another is being sought in connection with a vehicle burglary. It happened around 4:00 Friday morning in the 500 block of Eisenhower Drive. While checking the area, officers located two individuals matching the description of the suspects and carrying a black bag. The suspects fled on foot when they noticed the police but officers were able to apprehend a juvenile. Stolen property was found in the bag and the juvenile was charged with one count of burglary of a vehicle. He was released to his grandparents. Officers managed to identify the suspect that fled and warrants for evading arrest and burglary of a vehicle have been issued for him.

KILGORE — A Kilgore woman was jailed Thursday morning after police said she threatened her common-law husband with a kitchen knife. According to arrest reports, Juanita Ann Strong, 36, remained jailed Thursday on bonds totaling $2,000, charged with assault causing bodily injury and terroristic threat. Police were dispatched to the home in the 3300 block of FM 1252 about 2:15. He told authorities that Strong hit him in the face with her fist repeatedly and threatened to cut his throat with a kitchen knife after a verbal argument. Police said witnesses at the scene confirmed the victim’s testimony.

MINEOLA — Union Pacific officials are estimating cleanup to take up to a week after a Wednesday morning derailment near Mineola. According to Union Pacific spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza, crews from Fort Worth are bringing special equipment to the westbound track running along CR 2790 west of Mineola. She said it would take about a week for the site to be cleared. Once the site has been cleaned up, UP officials said they would be able to investigate what caused the 23 cars to derail. Authorities said there were no injuries reported and no hazardous materials spilled in the incident. Espinoza said she was checking with authorities to find out whether the rail had been opened.

TYLER – The race for District 6 in the Texas House has become contested. Tylerite Matt Schaefer announced yesterday he will run in the Republican primary for the post now held by Leo Berman of Tyler. Schaefer said his campaign will be aimed at the core functions of Texas government. He says, “We have to get better at the basics.” Schaefer went on to say, “Like Washington, there is always a strong tendency in Austin to do more and take more, as in more regulations and more taxes. I believe Austin should do less and take less.”

Schaefer made his announcement at Stewart’s Donnybrook Automotive. “When I think about whether or not to pass a new law, I’m going to think about the Stewart family business. Will the Stewarts have less freedom under this law? Will their jobs be harder? Will they have to pay more taxes? The answers to these questions will be very important to me,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer is a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve and recently returned from a tour in western Afghanistan. He is currently the East Texas Regional Director for U.S. Senator John Cornyn, but will resign from that position to focus on the election and to pursue private business interests. Schaefer has a law degree and has prior legislative experience working as a policy advisor to the chairman of the Sunset Commission during the 81st Legislative Session. He is married to Jasilyn Schaefer, who directs the Tyler Jr. College Apache Belles.

TYLER – The City of Tyler’s sales tax revenues deposited for the month of July have increased 2.66% as compared to July 2010, resulting in a 3.4% cumulative year-to-date increase. According to figures from the state comptroller’s office, the reported revenue of $2,601,235 is comprised of $1,734,157 general sales tax revenue and $867,078 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from May 2011 collections as there is a two-month lag before taxes are reported and remitted back to the City from the State.

“We are monitoring sales tax revenues closely to see how they are trending in preparation for the 2011-2012 budget proposal,” explained City Manager Mark McDaniel. A proposed budget will be presented to the city council August 10th. “Thus far we have seen slow and steady growth in our revenues; which is a promising sign. However, we will remain cautious in our budgeting to ensure we are able to balance our budget moving into the next fiscal year.”

The city took aggressive steps in 2009 and 2010 in response to the economic downturn, freezing as many as 140 vacancies and curtailing spending to ensure expenditures did not exceed revenues. “The steps we took in the last two years have positioned us well as the economy slowly recovers,” added McDaniel. “Had we not tightened our belts and made tough decisions then, we would still be struggling in the next fiscal year.”

TYLER — A 63-year-old Christianburg, Virginia man has pleaded guilty to child pornography violations in East Texas. Charles Abner Richey, Jr. pleaded guilty Thursday to coercion and enticement of minors before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie. Richey faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

According to information presented in court, from April 19, 2011 to May 5, 2011, Richey used a computer to communicate with a minor in an attempt to engage in sexual activity. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on June 2, 2011, charging Richey with federal child pornography violations.

TYLER — The intersection of West Ferguson and Bois D’Arc has temporarily been converted to a three-way stop. The existing signals will be replaced with new pole foundations, poles, electronics and wiring as part of the Downtown Signal Modernization Project.

Stop signs for all three approaches have been erected on poles and these conditions are expected to continue for up to two or more weeks. Drivers are encouraged to drive safely and use caution while workers are present.

MANGUM, OKLA. (AP) — An Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agent continued his testimony in the trial of a former warden’s wife accused of helping a prisoner she allegedly fell in love with escape. Agent Richard Williams testified Thursday about evidence collected from a mobile home where Bobbi Parker and Randolph Dial were found in 2005. KFOR-TV reports that the evidence consisted of letters and cards that were exchanged between the two, including a letter in which Parker wrote that the Dial may be in the last chapter of his life. Greer County prosecutors allege Parker helped Dial escape from the Oklahoma State Reformatory in 1994. Parker’s attorneys say Dial held her hostage until she was rescued at a Campti, Texas, chicken ranch, in Shelby County. Defense attorneys say the letters Parker wrote were a survival tactic.

HENDERSON — A Henderson meat processing plant has until August 15 to correct violations of city health codes or face additional fines, City Manager Mike Barrow said. Sadler’s Smokehouse on Frisco Street was cited and fined $14,000 this past week for two health code violations. One had to do with a nauseous odor emitting from the business, and the other was the unauthorized discharge of wastewater, Barrow said. “We’ll have another day in court if these problems aren’t remedied by the middle of next month,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of complaints from residents and business owners near the property about how bad the smell is.”

James Reed, president and CEO of Sadler’s, said the company is working with the city to resolve the problem and expects to meet the deadline. “We had an engineering study commissioned as soon as we became aware of the problem and will begin construction this week on rebuilding the retaining wall of the lagoon that needs to be fixed,” Reed said. Sadler’s has hired 7-H Construction of Tyler to supervise the renovations, Reed said. Total cost of bringing the plant into compliance with the city codes will be about $100,000. “We’re trying to do it better this time around than the original construction, so that we won’t have a repeat of this problem,” Reed said.

Some of the violations were discovered as the result of routine inspections by city health inspectors, while others were investigated as the result of specific complaints called into city offices, Barrow said. “This is a long-established business, and we understand its importance to the local economy, but we have environmental laws in place and they must comply the same as any other individual or business,” Barrow said. Sadler’s has been in business in Henderson since 1948. The company expanded and relocated in 1984, and opened the 300,000-square-foot processing plant on a 40-acre business site.

HENDERSON — Residents of Henderson will have a chance to vote on two alcohol-related referendums in November. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. A petition drive by the Henderson 1st Committee collected more than enough valid signatures to place the measures on the ballot, Rusk County Elections Administrator Kathie Wittner said Wednesday.

One initiative would allow the sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption, which would allow grocery and convenience stores to sell beer and wine but would not permit packaged liquor sales. The second would allow for the sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders, which would permit restaurants to serve mixed drinks without a private club license. Wittner plans on bringing the matter before the Rusk County Commissioners Court at its Aug. 8 meeting. The court must call the election.

Claudia Morgan-Gray, one of the proponents of the proposition, said she’s excited about the response the petitions generated. “We haven’t encountered any kind of strong or organized opposition to our proposals,” Morgan-Gray said. Mayor J.W. “Buzz” Fullen said he is remaining neutral on allowing alcohol sales in the city.

TYLER – A two-alarm fire has extensively damaged a home 2103 Glass Avenue. It was reported shortly before 5:00 Wednesday afternoon. The homeowner arrived at the house to find it on fire. Tyler fire investigators believe the fire started in the living room near an air conditioning unit. One person was transported from the scene to an area hospital for an unrelated medical issue.

TYLER — One person has been arrested following a report of a woman being assaulted on the campus of U.T Tyler. Shortly before 9:15 Tuesday night, she was jogging on Varsity Drive at Old Omen Road when the assault occurred. The woman told officers a man grabbed her and attempted to drag her toward the tree line between Old Omen Road and parking lot 7. The man began groping the victim’s vaginal area and breasts. The victim screamed several times. A passing motorist noticed the incident taking place and slowed down. At that time, the offender released the victim and ran from the scene toward parking lot 7.

The University of Texas at Tyler police have arrested in the case Dearion Deshon Dews, 19. He was booked into the Smith County Jail last night on the charge of attempted sexual assault. His bond was set at $100,000 by Judge Randall Rogers. Neither the victim nor the suspect are U.T. Tyler Students.

According to U.T. Tyler Police Chief Mike Medders, “A University of Texas at Tyler police officer located an individual near the scene of the crime matching the description given by the victim. Evidence was obtained in relation to the offense, and the suspect subsequently confessed.”