KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Deanna Laney was back in court Monday morning for a hearing, according to Smith County Court records. It was a hearing to determine the status of her mental health. The Chapel Hill woman was found not guilty of stoning her sons in 2003, by reason of insanity. Two of the boys died, a third was permanently injured. The 43-year-old was ordered to the Kerrville State Hospital, which is a maximum-security inpatient treatment facility in Kerr County. She was released in May.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — One woman is dead after her vehicle rolled over on County Road 173 near the Nacogdoches County line. Officials say Allison Denise Barnhill, 34, of Nacogdoches, was driving a 2001 GMC Yukon with six other persons when she lost control of the vehicle around shortly before 6:15 Sunday evening. Officials tell KETK Barnhill was pronounced dead at the scene.

Five of the six passengers, Lucas Barnhill, 31, Easton Barnhill, 2, Trenton Channell, 9, Amber Smith, 13, and Hunter Smith, 16, are all reported to be in good or stable condition, and are being treated at a local Nacogdoches hospital. Triston Channell, 7, was taken to Shreveport in critical condition.

DPS still do not know why Barnhill lost control.

Everyone in the vehicle was wearing a seatbelt.

TYLER – Union employees with Trane met at Caldwell Auditorium Sunday afternoon to discuss a proposed new contract. One employee told KETK the vote ended in a tie. The proposal was for a four year contract. But, at the same time, the company was supposedly requiring more mandatory overtime, higher insurance cost, and dramatically reducing benefits for new employees that will be hired.

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

UNDATED — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin removing encroachments from the state rights of way, which includes anything placed on the rights of way without expressed TxDOT permission. Items swept up in this effort will be available for pick-up at the local TxDOT office for 10 days following the removal. After that time, the items will be disposed of. Before placing anything on the rights of way, citizens are encouraged to contact their local TxDOT office or call 903-510-9100 to determine the location of state property lines.

ANDERSON COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as “District-Wide Seal Coat” is scheduled to kick off as early as Tuesday in Anderson County, weather permitting. Crews are scheduled to apply a seal coat to Farm Road 2054 between Farm Road 321 and the end of state maintenance; Farm Road 2394 between Loop 256 in Palestine and U.S. Highway 79; Farm Road 315 between Farm Road 837 and State Highway 155 in Palestine; SB State Highway 155 between Farm Road 2267 in Pert and Farm Road 315 north of Palestine; and Farm Road 323 between U.S. Highway 84 and Farm Road 1817.

A second crew is scheduled to seal FM 2706 between US 287 and FM 321. 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.

GREGG COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews are scheduled to continue several days of pavement repairs on Interstate Highway 20, both eastbound and westbound, between State Highway 135 and the Smith County Line. Also this week, in Longview, crews are scheduled to continue several days of seal coat work on Farm Road 1845 between Farm Road 2605 and the Upshur County Line, and in various intersections on Spur 63 in Longview. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists should be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on State Highway 323 between State Highway 135 in Overton and State Highway 42 near New London. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

Also of note to motorists, construction work has begun to rebuild U.S. Highway 84 between Reklaw and Farm Road 2753. The project will call for US 84 to be closed to all traffic during the work, so marked detours will be in place.

Elsewhere in Rusk County, construction crews are reconstructing roadway between US 84 east of Mount Enterprise and Farm Road 1971 south of US 84. The approximate $1.5 million project let in August 2011, started in December, and is scheduled for completion at the end of June. A.L. Helmcamp, Inc., of Buffalo, Texas is the contractor.

MIXON — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to conclude resurfacing operations on Farm Road 3052 in Mixon. Also this week in Cherokee County, resurfacing operations are scheduled to continue on U.S. Highway 175 between Farm Road 855 and State Highway 155 in Frankston. The project is scheduled to continue through mid-June. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

Also of interest to motorists who use US 84, construction has begun to rebuild US 84 between Reklaw and Farm Road 2753 in Rusk County. The project calls for US 84 to be closed to all traffic during the work, so marked detours will be in place.

Looking ahead, seal coat work is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks on U.S. Highway 69 in Cherokee County between Farm Road 1911 south of Alto and the Angelina County Line in Wells, and on US 84 between US 69 in Rusk and the Rusk County Line in Reklaw. Finally, construction work to install a right-turn lane on US 175 at Pineda Street in Jacksonville for the new school is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks. The approximate $420,000 project let to contract in April. Reynolds & Kay, Ltd., of Tyler, is the contractor.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs on Farm Road 312 between Farm Road 515 south of Winnsboro and Farm Road 49 in Pine Mills. Looking ahead, crews are scheduled to begin several days of pavement repairs on Farm Road 312 in Winnsboro between State Highway 11 and Farm Road 515 on Monday, June 18. 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.

Also in Wood County, work continues on Farm Road 778 where construction crews are adding shoulders and applying a seal coat State Highway 37 in Quitman and Farm Road 49 in Hainesville. The approximate $2.2 million project let to contract in March and began work in May. Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview is the contractor.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement-repair operations on Farm Road 1653 between State Highway 64 and Farm Road 858 in Martins Mill. As part of the work, crews are scheduled to close Farm Road 1653 on Thursday, weather permitting, to replace a culvert under the roadway. Marked detours will be posted.

Elsewhere, TxDOT crews are scheduled to perform edge work on Farm Road 2339 between Farm Road 773 and Farm Road 279 in the Edom area. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Also on FM 2339, work continues to repair and resurface between Farm Road 1861 and Farm Road 773. The approximate $1.7 million project let in March and began construction on April 23. A.K. Gillis & Sons, Inc., of Sulphur Springs is the contractor.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 753 southwest of Athens between Farm Road 59 and State Highway 19. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

Also in Henderson County, construction crews are at work adding shoulders to U.S. Highway 175 from 1.5 miles north of North Loop 60 in LaRue to 1.5 miles south of South Loop 60; adding shoulders to Farm Road 773 between Farm Road 1803 and Farm Road 1616 in Murchison and applying a seal coat to Farm Road 773 between the Van Zandt County Line to State Highway 31 in Murchison; and adding shoulders to Farm Road 47 in Van Zandt County between Farm Road 1651 and State Highway 198. The approximate $3.7 million project let to contract in December 2011 and began in March.A.L. Helmcamp, Inc., of Buffalo, Texas, is the contractor

SMITH COUNTY — One person has been killed and two injured, one critically, in a weekend Smith County accident. According to a DPS report, the crash happened Saturday morning at 11:15 on Farm Road 2767, 8.5 miles west of Kilgore. Authorities say a PT Cruiser driven by Sandra Griffin Reddock, 40, of Kilgore, drove off the roadway. According to the report, the vehicle over-corrected, entered the oncoming traffic lane, and struck a Toyota. The Toyota driver, Lloyd Leroy Webster, 54, of Minden, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Haley Carmen Moody, 18, of Kilgore, was a passenger in the Cruiser. She was last listed in critical condition with broken bones and head trauma at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler. Reddock was last reported in fair condition with cuts and bruises at ETMC. All three people were wearing seat belts.

TYLER — Experts say the problem of feral hogs in East Texas is just getting worse. According to KETK, there are a few concerns with officials. One is that even after the rain, some of the water sources are drying up. That’s forcing feral hogs to look for new water sources, pushing some of them from the forest into neighborhoods. Another big problem is the population boom. East Texas has one of the highest feral hog populations in the state. Authorities say despite loosened hunting regulations, trapping and hunting are not working as well as they’d like, and agricultural damage is in the multi-millions.

Additionally, feral hogs can carry such diseases as bubonic plague, foot and mouth disease, and anthrax. That’s a key reason officials warn you not to approach them. Some reports say they can even harm or kill your pets if they feel threatened. You can contact your local game warden for more information on how to deal with the animals.

TYLER — A private lab is re-testing frozen DNA evidence in the brutal 1977 slaying of Linda Jo Edwards. KETK reports that Kerry Max Cook, convicted in the Tyler slaying, has asked a court for the re-test. Cook believes results will clear him. He’s been free since 1998 after taking a deal that convicted him of the murder but did not require him to admit he was guilty.

CHAPEL HILL — A fire near Chapel Hill severely damages a house on Sunday. KETK reports the fire happened in the 10,000 block of County Road 233. Officials say the owner of the house wasn’t home at the time of the fire. Half of the house was severely damaged by the flames while the other half suffered extensive smoke damage. No injuries were reported in that fire.

TYLER — The City of Tyler is currently accepting applications from community members to serve on City boards and commissions. The deadline to apply is Aug. 3, and appointments will be made by the City Council at their Aug. 22 meeting. Persons who are appointed to serve on a City of Tyler board or commission will serve voluntarily, without pay, for a two-year term. The boards and commissions include:

Regular Boards (Boards that meet monthly or bi-monthly)

Airport Advisory Board
Historical Preservation Board
Keep Tyler Beautiful Board
Library Board
Neighborhood Revitalization Board
One-Half Cent Sales Tax Board
Parks Board
Planning and Zoning Commission
North East Texas Public Health District Board
Traffic Safety Board

Periodic Boards (Boards that meet only as needed)

Board of Adjustment (Zoning)
Civil Service Commission
Construction Board of Adjustments
Disabilities Issue Review Board
Health Facilities Development Corp.
Industrial Development Corp.

To serve on a board or commission, applicants must reside inside the City limits and should not have any delinquent City taxes, City utilities or other City assessments. In addition, they must not have any pending claims or claim against the City. There may be additional requirements for some board positions.

“This is a perfect way for citizens to plug in and get involved in shaping our community,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. “The City’s boards and commissions play a vital role in making recommendations to City Council.” City manager Mark McDaniel added, “Boards and Commissions fulfill an important role in City government by evaluating issues which affect our community and making recommendations to the Council for needed action. It is important that we get vacancies on the boards filled.”

Anyone interested in serving can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org to download an application online. Applications can also be picked up at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall, or you can call the City Clerk at (903) 531-1106 and have an application faxed or mailed to you.

TYLER – Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler was honored with an “A” Hospital Safety Score by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other larger purchasers of health benefits. The Hospital Safety Score was calculated under the guidance of The Leapfrog Group’s Blue Ribbon Expert Panel using publicly available data on patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections. U.S. hospitals were assigned an A, B, C, D or F for their Safety.

“Being given an ‘A’ by The Leapfrog Group so soon after being ranked as one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Thomson Reuters is a great honor and a testament to the commitment, focus and dedication that our administration, physicians and employees have given to help ensure that Mother Frances Hospital is delivering some of the best care in the nation, right here in Tyler, Texas,” said Laura Owen, FACHE, CEO, Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler.

TYLER — Citizens can now pick up their vouchers for the annual Smith County Wide Clean-up Event. The County Clean-up event is an opportunity for residents of Smith County to bring trash and bulky items to the Greenwood Farms Landfill for free. Smith County Environmental Crimes Unit, Precinct Constables and Smith County Commissioners Court are working together to host the event June 11 – 23. The County will provide vouchers to the public that are good for up to three cubic yards per person; about a full-sized truck bed. Vouchers are available to pick up at all Justice of the Peace and Constable Precinct offices or the Smith County Courthouse Annex, Commissioners Court Office.

There is a limit of one voucher per household, and businesses may not participate in the voucher program. The vouchers will be good Monday-Friday, 6:30am to 4:30pm and on Saturday 6:30am to noon. The vouchers come with a list of items that the Greenwood Farms Landfill, an Allied Waste Company, will not take. Items not accepted during the County Wide Clean-up include: hazardous waste, pesticides, herbicides, solvents, gasoline, oils, paint, acid, batteries, asbestos, Freon, whole tires, refrigerators, freezers, televisions and computers. Directions and a map to the Greenwood Farms Landfill are provided with the vouchers.

For more information or to pick up your voucher, please call: Pct. 1 (Tyler) Constable Henry Jackson, 903-590-2609; Pct. 2 (Noonday) Constable Andy Dunklin, 903-590-4840; Pct. 3 (Troup) Constable Dustin Rust, 903-590-4744; Pct. 4 (Winona) Constable John Smith 903-590-4879; or Pct. 5 (Lindale) Constable Dennis Taylor, 903-590-4901.

WINNSBORO — The FBI is investigating two Winnsboro police officers for allegedly planting drug evidence in cars. The case involves a bust in 2008. According to KETK, the city was sued in civil court two years ago over the incident but settled out of court. The two officers, a man and a woman, are still on the force. Police Chief J.L. Miller says he’s convinced they’re innocent.

LONGVIEW — Two suspects have been arrested in a May homicide in Longview. On Friday at approximately 1:15 p.m., Longview police officers, along with the SWAT team, served a capital murder arrest warrant and a search warrant at 104 Vesta Drive. The warrants came as a result of the investigation of the shooting death of De’Aundreay Lamanze Rossum, 23, of Kilgore, on May 15. Police arrested Torry Jamal Reed, 17, of Longview. A 16-year-old juvenile suspect was also taken into custody on a directive to apprehend for capital murder in connection with the killing. Police say Reed was transported to Gregg County Jail without incident, and the juvenile was transported to the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center.

RED SPRINGS — One person is dead at the scene and one person, a child, suffered serious injuries after a one-vehicle wreck Friday on FM 14 at CR 325 in Red Springs. According to KETK, the driver of a red Chevrolet Corvette lost control of the vehicle and went off FM 14 just before 11:00 a.m. The driver died. A family member has identified him as Dresdan Thomas. The child is his son, Kiyondrez Thomas, 7. A helicopter transported the child to Children’s Hospital in Dallas.

HENDERSON — A 21-year-old woman is sentenced in Henderson to a year in prison for copper theft. April Ann Morris, of Caddo Mills, and her then-boyfriend, Jacob Earl Donahue, were seen by witnesses cutting down wires in September 2011. Morris sold 179 pounds of copper to a Panola County scrap dealer.

SMITH COUNTY — The Whitehouse mother convicted and sentenced to die for the capital murder of her mentally challenged babysitter was in the Smith County 241st District Court Wednesday morning for a hearing. According to KETK, Judge Jack Skeen appointed attorneys who will handle her appeal.

Cargill was charged with the June 2010 death of Cherry Walker. Walker was killed one day after she was subpoenaed to testify in a custody hearing over Cargill’s 4-year-old son. Cargill testified Wednesday that walker died of a seizure. Cargill said she tried CPR on her, but was unsuccessful. She then testified that she burned the body.

TYLER (AP) – A businessman who lied about having almost $4 million in property and cash has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison for fraud in East Texas. Federal prosecutors in Tyler on Friday announced the punishment for Danny Wood, 61, Idabel, OK. Wood in February pleaded guilty to wire fraud and was sentenced Thursday to 20 months in prison. Wood also was ordered to pay nearly $2.1 million in restitution to Lone Star Production Credit PCA in New Boston. Prosecutors say Wood in 2009 faxed a fake report from Arkansas to the financial institution saying he had $3.7 million in lumber inventory and about $93,000. Investigators say Wood’s intent was to defraud Lone Star. Further details on the financial fraud were not immediately released.

GREGG COUNTY — Longview Police arrest two women on a charge of aggravated assault after separate stabbings. The first incident was investigated by police just before 7:00 Tuesday evening. It led to the arrest of Donneka Jones, 30 (pictured), at an apartment complex on Hawkins Parkway. The investigating officer found Jones’ live-in boyfriend, who had reportedly locked himself in a bathroom after Jones allegedly struck and threatened him with a steak knife, according to the arrest affidavit. According to the Longview News-Journal, Jones’ three children told police at the scene they restrained her after she attempted to attack the victim with the steak knife.

The second woman charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon was Jessica Ballard, 30. Ballard was arrested at 12:52 Wednesday morning at an apartment complex on High Street. According to her arrest affidavit, Ballard is charged with threatening and attacking her sister with a kitchen knife.

TYLER — Workers at the Trane plant in Tyler continue to wait as union representatives negotiate their contract with the company. Some new information has been passed along since Trane employees held a moment of silence Thursday morning.

A Trane employee told KETK that the contract the company is offering its employees details no raises for three years, with a 25 cent raise for the fourth year. An anonymous Trane employee said officials are having trouble making an agreement with Ingersoll Rand, the company that owns Trane. Rand reportedly wants to switch insurance plans from the current 90/10 Blue Cross Blue Shield program to the 80/20 Ingersoll Rand company insurance. Workers are unhappy with a change in the contract that will cut off medical, dental and life for anyone who retires after the new contract is signed. Also, any new employees hired after the contract is signed will have no retirement benefits. Trane representatives declined to comment on the contract negotiations. A vote on the new contract is set for Sunday.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — An East Texan had his say Thursday as the House Judiciary Committee grilled Attorney General Eric Holder on Operation Fast and Furious. That was the sting operation that allowed firearms to be purchased illegally in order to track them down through Mexican drug cartel members. But agents lost track of hundreds of firearms in the process. According to KETK, Congressman Louie Gohmert of Tyler put Holder’s feet to the fire. Gohmert asked, “Did you not ever go back to your office and say, when you found out about Fast and Furious, ‘I demand to know who authorized this?’ Are things so fast and loose in your office that somebody can authorize the sale to international criminals of American guns that are bringing about the death of even American agents — and nobody has to do that in writing?”

Holder testified that Fast and Furious was flawed, both in concept and execution. He said he asked the department’s inspector general to conduct an investigation, and he’s put in new leadership at the ATF.

JACKSONVILLE — A lightning strike damages a house in Jacksonville, around 4 a.m. Thursday on Bainbridge Street. According to KETK, firefighters say the ringing of the doorbell woke up everybody in the house. They were able to get outside safely and call for help. The fire also destroyed two cars.

TROUP — A woman was taken to a local hospital after a one-vehicle rollover on Highway 110. It happened during the 1 p.m. hour Thursday several miles south of Troup. When Troup firefighters arrived on scene, they found a woman pinned inside her vehicle after it had rolled off the roadway, hit a fence and then a tree. KETK reports the woman was taken to a local hospital with unknown injuries. The cause of the wreck is unknown.

LONGVIEW — Two people are sent to the hospital after a late Thursday morning wreck in Longview. KETK reports it happened around 11 at H.G. Mosley and Gilmer Road. One car flipped, and firefighters had to free the driver. No word on injuries at last report.

LONGVIEW — Reel Road in Longview is now temporarily closed between Rodden Drive and Deer Park Court. Drivers wishing to travel between Gilmer Road and Pine Tree Road should use alternate routes. The purpose of the project is to replace the deteriorated metal culvert at Reel Road and Harris Creek with concrete culverts. The closure will be effective through mid-August. This project is being constructed by East Texas Bridge of Longview. If you have any questions related to construction, you may call the city’s project manager, Alton Bradley, at 903-237-1067.

HENDERSON — Two South Dakota residents are arrested in Rusk County. According to KETK, 45-year old James Boyter and 17-year old Winter Garneaux were arrested in Henderson after the stolen vehicle they were driving was located at a business there. Police say they discovered a zip gun in their possession; they say that’s a prohibited weapon. Boyter is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle. Garneaux is charged with third degree possession of a prohibited weapon and first degree escape charges out of South Dakota.

TYLER — The United Way of Smith County is holding its annual Day of Caring today. Each year, volunteers donate time and skills for various projects that can be “done in a day” to help local nonprofits. This year 47 projects are scheduled. You can call (903) 581-6376 for more information.

TYLER — Smith County offices, located in the Courthouse, Courthouse Annex and Sheriff’s Administrative Building Downtown, shut down for the day Thursday due to a power outage. Regular office hours resumed today.

ANGELINA COUNTY — The Angelina County Democratic party disqualified two candidates from the general election. This means Republican candidate Greg Sanches is the new sheriff-elect of Angelina County. Angelina County Democratic Party chairman Jim Wark tells KETK that he’s looking into the legality of putting a replacement candidate on the Democratic ticket for both the Precinct 3 constable and sheriff. This comes after Angelina County Democratic candidate for sheriff Jim Hodges and Precinct 3 constable candidate William Wade were disqualified for voting in the GOP primary.

Wark says he does not have anyone in mind for either position at this time, but that he has several weeks to make a decision once he finds out if it’s legal for him to put new candidates on the ticket after the primary election. Democratic Party candidates are checking into the legality of that move.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches authorities are searching for two suspects who robbed the Best Western on South Street. According to KETK, it happened around 10:00 Tuesday night. Police say the robbers entered the lobby and one of the men forced the clerk into a corner while the other went through the cash drawer, taking an undisclosed amount of money. Both men ran out the door in an unknown direction. The robbers are described as black males, early 20’s, wearing blue jeans and cloths over their face. No weapon was seen.

TYLER — An elderly man is reported missing Wednesday afternoon. Tyler Police were called to Garden Estates at 2055 W. Grande on a missing person report. Officers said Conrad Lingren, 81, was last seen about 4:00 at Garden Estates by staff members. Lingren is a white male, approximately 6’2 and weighing approximately 175 pounds. He’s was believed to be wearing a light brown plaid shirt and Khaki pants. If you have any information that can help in locating Mr. Lingren please contact the Tyler Police Department at 903 531-1000.