KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LUFKIN — Lufkin Police are investigating an apparent double murder that happened on Davis Street Sunday morning. Officers responded to a call of a man and woman lying in the front yard bleeding around 7:27 a.m. at 319 Davis Street. They arrived to see 23-year-old Brianna Shaw, of Lufkin lying on the front porch with a gunshot wound to the back of the head and the tenant, Artha Griffin, 64, lying beside her with a gunshot wound to the face and head. They were pronounced dead at the scene by Judge Esther Barger. According to the Lufkin Daily News, the deaths are under investigation.

TYLER — Tyler police are looking for the lone gunman who robbed the Quality Inn at 2843 West Northwest Loop 323. It happened shortly before 8:45 Sunday night. The desk clerk told officers the suspect never spoke, but used a hand-written note to convey his intentions.

The suspect fled the business on foot. It is not known at this time, whether he used a vehicle to leave the area. A green colored “Astro”-type van was seen behind the business around the time of the robbery. It is unknown whether this vehicle was involved in the crime.

The suspect was described as a white male, in his late 20’s to early 30’s, about 5’5” to 5’7” in height, about 160 lbs in weight, with an athletic build. He was wearing all black, with black gloves and a black ski mask. He displayed a chrome colored revolver during the robbery.

Tyler police say suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash. There were no injuries.

TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation announced that it completed three projects in August and planned to break ground on another four in September. This brings the total number of projects under construction to 29 across the eight-county Tyler District.

“Without a doubt, the biggest project of the three we finished is the State Highway 198 bridge at Caney Creek,” said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. “And right as we’re wrapping that one up, we’re getting another one started at Twin Creek Lake near Gun Barrel City.”

The $21 million Twin Creek project, which is being built by the same contractor, Concho Construction Company, Inc., of Garland, will be nearly identical to the Caney Creek project. The Caney Creek project, which was the first of the three State Highway 198 bridges on Cedar Creek Reservoir to be rebuilt, called for building a new, two-lane bridge next to the old, existing bridge, then shifting traffic to the new bridge while the original bridge was replaced. The end result is four lanes of traffic on SH 198, with the northbound and southbound traffic running on separate bridges.

“We’ve been very fortunate with our funding when it comes to bridges,” Krantz said. “We’ve had these SH 198 bridge projects ready to go as soon as funding was available, and now we’re working on the second of the three bridges.” No funding has been identified for the third bridge, which is between Twin Creek and Caney Creek.

Also in August, TxDOT completed night-work resurfacing projects on U.S. Highway 80 (Marshall Avenue) in Longview, and on U.S. Highway 69 (South Broadway Avenue) in Tyler. Krantz said both projects went smoothly and were completed on time.

In addition to the SH 198 bridge work beginning in September, construction crews are scheduled to begin work on a combined project to widen and resurface Farm Road 59 and Farm Road 753 in Henderson County. Farm-to-Market 59 will be widened three feet on each side and resurfaced between South Loop 7 in Athens and Farm Road 753, and FM 753 will be similarly widened and resurfaced between FM 59 and State Highway 31. The $5.2 million project is scheduled to begin in mid-to-late September and take approximately one year to complete.

In Anderson County, an $800,000 resurfacing project on U.S. Highway 287 in and around Elkhart is scheduled to kick off this week, between Farm Road 1817 and State Highway 294. The project, awarded to Madden Contracting Company, Inc., of Minden, Louisiana, is scheduled to take approximately two months to complete.

Finally, in Tyler, a $1.5 million Green Ribbon landscaping project to add decorative traffic islands and shrubbery to various intersections along Spur 147 (Gentry Parkway) between West Loop 323 and Farm Road 14 is scheduled to begin by mid-September. The project, awarded to Tyler-based Reynolds & Kay, Ltd. is part of the state’s Green Ribbon Landscape Improvement Program, which allows the state to address new landscape development and establishment projects within districts that have non-attainment or near non-attainment counties. Green Ribbon projects call for planting trees and shrubs, which help clean the air and otherwise mitigate the effects of air pollution.

The Tyler District also awarded contracts for four construction projects in August, including a $75,000 Green Ribbon Project to Encino Landscape, Inc., of Cleveland, Texas, for the Henderson Star area.

The other projects include a $165,000 project to improve camp sites at Tyler State Park, a $2.3 million project to widen and resurface Farm Road 344 in Smith County between Teaselville and Bullard, and a $1.3 million project to repair and resurface a short segment of Interstate Highway 20 between State Highway 110 and the Smith-Van Zandt county line. Projects awarded in August should begin sometime this fall.

TYLER – Lighthouse Graphics, a division of East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind, has formed a legally blind team to compete in the Brookshire’s Firefighter Combat Challenge held at the Broadway Square Mall parking lot Sept. 24 and 25. The six team members all have a visual impairment caused by an eye disease “We are hopeful that our participation in the challenge will provide the community another opportunity to appreciate the abilities of people with visual impairments,” Lee Tillson, combat team captain, said. Lighthouse Graphics is one of five local businesses taking part in the corporate challenge portion of the event. These teams are required to complete the same course as the fire department teams. In preparation for the challenge the Graphics team has practiced on a simulated course designed by local fire fighters.

“Visual impairments won’t slow us down. We might have to work a little harder than the rest, but I’m confident we will be a strong force in the competition. We have good athletes on the team and we all want to win,” Tillson said. The Firefighter Combat Challenge visits approximately 25 cities across the U.S., and this and be the fifth year the competition has come to Tyler. The challenge is an energetic and friendly competition between local and out of state fire department teams — and, for the first time, local corporate teams. The obstacle course is made up of five tasks that simulate real life scenarios that fire fighters face in the line of duty; they include: high rise hose carry, hose hoist, forcible entry, hose advance and victim rescue.

Serving 46 counties in East Texas, The Lighthouse is a 501©3 non-profit organization located in Tyler. The three operating divisions — Horizon Industries, Lighthouse Graphics and East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind Rehabilitative Services — collectively employ 69 blind and visually impaired people. To learn more about the programs and services at The Lighthouse visit http://www.etlb.org or call 903.593.3111.

TYLER — The Tyler-based Lake Country Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is busy developing the region’s health workforce. Director Helen Miner talked about it on KTBB “Staff Meeting.” According to Miner, “We jokingly said it’s ‘catch ’em, train’ em, keep ’em.’ We try to get kids interested — and adults who are interested in second careers.” Miner says rural areas are a key focus — and that keeping sufficient health care in such communities has far-reaching implications. “It has a tremendous impact on business development in the community,” Miner remarks. “If they lose their doctor or their hospital, they’re not going to recruit new businesses.”

Presentations in schools, and partnerships with health care providers and community coalitions, help keep Miner’s five-member staff busy. She’s also available to speak to civic groups and the like. You can log on to http://www.lcahec.net for more information. You can also go to http://www.ktbb.com/audio to listen to the “Staff Meeting” show online beginning early Monday.

EAST TEXAS — Thanks to the strong support of the community, the school supplies fund raising effort was a success. As a result, Goodwill Industries of East Texas will be able to give each school or school district the maximum award possible; $500. They will be donating a total of $7,500 dollars to the following schools or school districts:

Athens ISD, Canton ISD, Carthage Primary School, Kemp High School, Gladewater ISD, Henderson, Jacksonville ISD, Ware Elementary, Kilgore Height Elementary, Pine Tree Elementary, Carver Elementary, Mineola ISD, AM Story Intermediate, Tyler ISD Foundation, and Stewart Middle School. Goodwill Industries says, the supplies purchased with the award will enable disadvantaged students achieve greater success with their schoolwork.

TYLER — This Friday, downtown Tyler will turn into an art exhibit. Tyler’s fourth Artwalk event will feature thirteen artists. According to KETK, those who attend are allowed to walk to various locations around downtown Tyler to check out the art, which uses various media. It all takes place from five to nine in the evening.

Find more information at: http://www.cityoftyler.org/Home/tabid/36/ctl/NewsArticle/mid/865/CategoryID/11/NewsID/1128/Default.aspx

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — A double homicide-suicide in Nacogdoches County Friday was prompted by an ongoing property dispute and numerous past civil disputes, Nacogdoches County Sheriff Thomas Kerss said. Two women, Connie Moses, 58, and Helen Meeler, 59, were discovered fatally shot in the front yard of their Appleby home on CR 262 after a property dispute with their neighbor, 73-year-old Preston Skelton. Skelton was found hours later in the woods near his home, dead from a self-infliced gunshot wound, Kerss has said.

“There had been an ongoing dispute over a property line,” Kerss said. “The ladies that were shot had hired an individual to help them construct a fence along the boundary line, which would have passed into the driveway of the actor.” When the individual the women hired began to put the fence up, the actor exited his residence armed with a rifle, Kerss said.

According to the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinal, deputies had been sent out to the area numerous times over the past few months and weeks to respond to civil complaints, Kerss said.

The Tyler Junior College Apaches fell in their season opener Saturday night losing to Coffeyville,KS 27-10 on the road in Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Apaches trailed 20-3 at halftime before cuttingt the lead to 20-10 in the 3rd but could never get any closer.

The Apaches lone touchdown came on a five yard grab from Lufkin’s Quin Trimble in 3rd. Trimble lead all receivers in the contest with six grabs for 107 yards.

Up next for TJC will be a home date with rival Kilgore at TMF Rose Stadium next Saturday. The Ravens stay home to face Dodge City.

BULLARD — Police investigate a fatal shooting in Cherokee County. It happened in the Shadybrook subdivision in Bullard around 7:00 Friday night. The home is located at the intersection of Elizabeth Drive and Jackie. According to KETK, Sheriff James Campbell says a 52-year-old man is dead from a gun shot wound. Foul play is suspected. The victim’s name has not been released.

TYLER — The Tyler Junior College Board of Trustees voted unanimously Thursday to adopt a property tax rate increase of 31.62%. The tax increase is less than the hike originally proposed — 33.57%. The board also adopted its budget for the coming fiscal year. According to KETK, the college is working to pay back $28 million taken out last year for maintenance tax notes. Reaction to the proposed tax hike was sharply divided during recent public hearings.

SMITH COUNTY — Bigger isn’t always better — but in the case of Azleway’s new David L. Haberle Distribution Center, it certainly is, say Azleway officials. The ribbon-cutting celebration was held Thursday at the Azleway Boys’ Ranch near Tyler. Azleway has been operating four food and clothing pantries throughout its system with each location limited in its storage capabilities. The 7,200 square foot, centrally located Haberle Distribution Center will enable Azleway to purchase and store food and clothing at bulk rates and receive donations of large pallets of food and merchandise.

Officials say Azleway’s new, stronger infrastructure has benefits throughout the community. In addition to feeding the boys on the Ranch and providing groceries to the more than 500 children in sponsored foster care, the Haberle Distribution Center will also provide food assistance to more than 8,700 people who live near the Boys’ Ranch per year, through a partnership with the East Texas Food Bank. Azleway officials say these families live outside of the city limits and are unable to access food assistance from other sources within the city limits due to a lack of transportation.

The clothing pantry provides clothes for Azleway’s more than 1,000 residential and foster care children. Officials say clothing this many growing children each year can only be achieved purchasing in bulk. According to Azleway officials, like all children, the resident and foster clients served by Azleway deserve clothes that fit and look good — and the expanded clothing storage at the Haberle Distribution Center allows more variety in clothing styles and sizes.

Support for the Haberle Distribution Center was provided by David L. Haberle and the David L. Haberle estate, Mabee Foundation, Louis and Peaches Owen Family Foundation, Southside Bank, Plunkett Fund, Tyler Oilmen’s Benefit Association, Bob Herd Foundation, Anonymous, and countless individual donors. The new distribution center is named in recognition of David L. Haberle’s support of Azleway, not only during his lifetime, but with a generous bequest upon his death. You can go to http://www.azleway.com to learn more about Azleway and its programs for at-risk kids.

TYLER – The deadline is at hand for postal questionnaires to help save Tyler’s downtown post office. According to KETK, the questionnaires must be mailed in by today. The petitions across Tyler are also due today. The U.S. Postal Service says it’s lost $3.5 billion, but several downtown Tyler business owners say they rely on that post office. And Mayor Barbara Bass is among those pushing to keep the office open.

WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse is next to consider a ban on K2, a controversial substance that mimics the effects of marijuana. Whitehouse Police Chief Rick Waller says he hasn’t found anyone selling K2 in the city, but one or two places sell paraphernalia. Whitehouse Mayor Danny Hodgen says that he’s not willing to wait on the state legislature to pass a ban. The Whitehouse City Council will vote on the ordinance in September.

EAST TEXAS — Kids and their parents are still in line to get their school shots. Officials with the Northeast Texas Public Health District say they’ve been busy since Monday and in fact, treated 148 patients on Monday alone. On Tuesday, staffers say there were 93 patients. According to KETK, officials say no one will be turned away and there is an adequate number of vaccines for children. Authorities want to remind parents that kids can not go to school until they have their proper shots.

LUFKIN — A woman is arrested Monday night for driving off in a car belonging to a 76-year-old man. According to KETK, Carrie Mastellas, 41, was staying at the man’s house. Police say she slapped him and kicked him in the groin before stealing his Chevy. She was booked into the Angelina County Jail on a charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. The victim refused to file charges. Lufkin Police it’s the fourth time she’s stolen his car.

TYLER — Governor Rick Perry was in Tyler, talking education with students at John Tyler and Robert E Lee High Schools. In the John Tyler auditorium Wednesday the governor discussed a new teaching tool available to Texas students. It’s education on iTunes U, which offers a modern approach to keeping teachers and students engaged and informed by providing free, supplementary educational content that can be accessed anywhere.

Texas Education on iTunes U will allow teachers to access professional development and support materials, while giving students access to information to help with understanding concepts or conducting additional research on a subject area. Additionally, iTunes U will serve as a venue for state agencies and non-profit organizations to post their educational content.

“iTunes U will easily and efficiently distribute Texas-based educational materials to teachers, parents and students statewide, and will help improve Texas education and secure our position as the best place to live and work in the years to come,” Governor Perry said. “The quality of education in Texas is steadily improving as we continue to combine tried and true teaching methods with new technology to achieve educational success.”

TYLER — A junior journalism major at The University of Texas at Tyler, Kamren Thompson of Lindale, has been named the Patriot Talon student newspaper editor in chief. Student Media Advisory Board members appointed Thompson to the position earlier this month.

“I look forward to being a part of the Patriot Talon and hope to continue the record of success my predecessors achieved,” Thompson said. The Talon earned the honor of best non-daily student newspaper by the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors in 2007 and 2008. “Our staff is so blessed to have a new leader with such talent and enthusiasm,” Vanessa Curry, Patriot Talon adviser said. “We are all truly looking forward to a challenging new semester.”

Thompson holds an associate’s degree from Tyler Junior College, where she served in various leading positions at the Apache Pow Wow student newspaper. She served as that paper’s editor in chief in 2008. Thompson also served as a page design and copy editor intern for the Tyler Morning Telegraph and as a special news correspondent for the Lindale News and Times. She also won writing, design and photography awards from the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

TYLER — The Tyler ISD Foundation is wasting no time in preparations for its 20th anniversary this academic year, with an additional five community leaders recently trained as Directors. They join an additional 25 experienced board directors. The foundation was founded in January 1991.

The newly elected directors are Brenda Thomas, Bonnie Ryan Rayford, Joey Seeber, Lori Sirman and Justin Holt.

“We are pleased of course that our new directors are willing to serve our more than 600 donors and support our school district’s leaders, teachers, staff and students,” said Larry Goddard, who conducted the orientation last week.

TYLER – A Smith County Jail inmate was discovered dead in his cell Wednesday. According to KETK, Sheriff J.B. Smith says Duantes Harrison of Mineola committed suicide Wednesday afternoon. He claimed to be sick and stayed in his cell when the other prisoners went to the roof for recreation. When they returned, they found him hanging from the shower by his bed linens. Sheriff Smith says Harrison had just been sentenced to 25 years for aggravated robbery. Six other charges were pending against him, including possession of drug paraphernalia, credit card abuse, theft, aggravated robbery and forgery. As protocol requires, the sheriff notified both the Texas Rangers and the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. An autopsy has been ordered.

TYLER — The City of Tyler will hold a public meeting to present the preliminary outcomes of the Texas College Area Development Plan. The gathering is set for Thursday at 6 p.m. at Austin Elementary School, 1105 W. Franklin Street. Participants will have the opportunity to hear conclusions on the Area Development Plan including the planning team’s findings and recommendations. The City of Tyler initiated the Texas College Area Development Plan study in October, 2009, to build upon recommendations set forth in the Tyler 21 Comprehensive Plan. City officials say the purpose of the Area Development Plan is to further develop Texas College, neighborhoods, and surrounding areas as a vibrant district. Officials say the plans cover long term growth, pedestrian-friendly corridors, and ideas to enhance the Texas College area.

CHAPEL HILL – Jackson Heights fire officials confirm a Chapel Hill elementary school was briefly evacuated Wednesday morning. The fire department says the evacuation was due to a gas leak about one mile from campus. According to KETK, officials say the students’ safety is not at risk, and they returned to class. No injuries were reported.

TYLER — The Tyler Junior College Board of Trustees today is set to adopt its 2010-2011 budget and tax rate during an 11:00am meeting. Trustees propose to increase total tax revenues from properties on the tax roll in the preceding tax year by 33.57%. College officials point out that your individual taxes may increase at a greater or lesser rate, or even decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property and the tax rate that is adopted. As KETK explains, if the tax increase passes, it will go toward paying back $28 million taken out by the board last year for maintenance tax notes. The public’s reaction to the tax hike proposal has been sharply mixed.

LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University (LETU) has received a $5 million gift to establish an endowed scholarship fund for home-schooled students. The gift, from an anonymous donor, was announced Wednesday at the university convocation by LETU President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford. It’s believed to be the single largest endowment for home-school scholarships ever established. “The generous donor sees the critical need to endow scholarships for future generations and believes deeply in the value of the kind of quality Christian education that LeTourneau University offers,” Lunsford said.

According to LETU press materials, the endowment places LETU on the leading edge of a rising trend seen across campuses, as more students are graduating from a home-schooled environment. Officials say LETU’s mission over the past year has been to increase endowments for scholarships across the board. This $5 million gift, added to the nearly $1.5 million for other new scholarships endowed this year, brings the school to nearly $6.5 million in new endowed scholarships this year alone.

The annual award of LETU’s Home-school Scholarship Fund is set at $3,000 and is renewable over four academic years. For the 2010-2011 academic year, 15 students have been selected for the LETU Home-school Scholarship. “Students and their families who are interested in applying for these home-school scholarships can contact us at [email protected] to request information,” said Vice President for Enrollment Services Linda Fitzhugh.

TYLER — A scam is underway in Smith County. Sheriff’s Lt. Tony Dana says some Lindale-area residents have been getting calls soliciting funds for the East Texas Peace Officers’ Association. Dana warns that neither the East Texas Peace Officers’ Association nor the Smith County Peace Officers’ association solicits money over the telephone. Dana says if you get such a call, don’t give out any information — and certainly don’t send the caller any money. He says just hang up your phone and don’t respond to the caller.

TYLER — Repair workers get busy quickly after a car drives into Tyler’s Fish City Grill in the Macy’s shopping center. The accident caused the restaurant to close for the day Wednesday. According to KETK, no one was injured. There was some damage to the front of the restaurant, but crews were able to repair the storefront within several hours. Officers say the driver either got his foot stuck on the pedal or accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake.

TYLER – The Tyler City Council adopted an ordinance Wednesday morning to prohibit the use, purchase, possession, and sale of illegal smoking products that mimic the effects produced by smoking marijuana. Such substances are commonly known as “K2” and “Spice.” According to KETK, fines for violating are now $2,000. Whitehouse is next to consider a K2 ban. Whitehouse Police Chief Rick Waller says he hasn’t found anyone selling K2 in the city, but one or two places sell paraphernalia. Whitehouse Mayor Danny Hodgen says that he’s not willing to wait on the state legislature to pass a ban. The Whitehouse City Council will vote on the ordinance in September.

LUFKIN (AP/STAFF) — Authorities continue to await autopsy results on a 3-month-old girl found dead in a hot SUV in downtown Lufkin. Detective J.B. Smith says the girl apparently was left in the vehicle for “a good part of the day.”

Lufkin police say Christopher W. Stanaland, 27, of Huntington dropped off his son at school and went to work around 8:30. Shortly before 3:15 he returned to his SUV to find Isabella Marie Stanaland still strapped in her car seat. He had forgotten to drop her off at a day care center. The National Weather Service says temperatures topped 100 degrees Tuesday afternoon in Lufkin

TYLER — There will not be a Smith County Jail bond issue on the November ballot. County officials had considered putting a $33 million bond proposal before voters. The measure called for construction of a 384 bed jail. The county decided not to put the proposal on the ballot because of a school bond issue that will also go before voters. The Tyler School Board on Monday approved a nearly $90 million bond issue. County officials feel the jail proposal is valid, only the timing is wrong.

LONGVIEW – A big announcement is anticipated when LeTourneau University holds its fall convocation today. It will begin at this morning at 10:50 in the S. E. Belcher Jr. Chapel and Performance Center. A school news release says President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford will make a major announcement with national implications during his welcome of incoming students. He will also share his annual State of the University report with students, faculty and staff, expanding on the university’s new initiatives and programs for this coming year.