KTBB News, Weather, Talk

ATHENS (Staff/AP) – The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office has received an official cause of death concerning Ben Gill Clements, the son of former Gov. Bill Clements. According to KETK, officials with the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas ruled Clements’s cause of death as a result of apparent gunshot wounds and the manner of death as homicide. Clements’s body was unearthed on Howard Granger’s property on County Road 4609 and later positively identified. Clements, a neighbor of Granger’s, was first reported missing last Thursday. When authorities on Friday went to search Granger’s ranch, officials say he began shooting at them and Granger was killed. Officials later found Clements’s body in a shallow grave on Granger’s property.

TYLER — Tyler Police search for a suspect involved in a reported aggravated assault. It happened Wednesday morning in the area of Palmer and Arnold street. Police say the victim claims he was in the area looking for rental property when a verbal argument broke out with another motorist, who reportedly threatened him with a semi automatic handgun. The suspect was described as a black male between 27 and 34 years of age, driving a dark colored 2 door passenger car. Anyone with information is asked to call Tyler Police.

LUFKIN — A Livingston man is on trial on charges of intoxication manslaughter in the deaths of his two passengers in a crash in Hudson early Halloween morning 2008. A jury will determine John Lee Wade’s fate this week. On Oct. 31, the 22-year-old was traveling west on FM 706 at Stephenson Brown Road just after midnight when his red sports car left the road, crashed into a tree and caught fire. According to KETK, passengers Arturo DeJesus, 19, of Diboll, and Tomas Martinez, 19, of Lufkin, died from their injuries. Wade survived the wreck with internal injuries and burns and was released from the hospital two weeks after the accident.

TYLER – A new group called “Why Relocate Rice” is joining the opposition against the Tyler School District bond issue. The group formed when it was learned Rice Elementary might be relocated. TISD officials say a decision has not been made on moving Rice Elementary and that can be done after the election. KETK-TV reports that’s the problem. School officials say after the election is over they plan meeting with residents on what should be done with the school.

TYLER — A Kilgore woman has been sentenced to federal prison for using the mail to embezzle funds from her employer. Deborah Ogden Williams, 47, pleaded guilty on April 12 to mail fraud. She was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison yesterday by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Williams was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $626,717.99.

Federal prosecutors say Williams began working as a bookkeeper for K-K Mobbs Construction in 1994. During this time, Williams devised a scheme to defraud her employer and steal $626,717.99 from the company by writing checks on a company account to pay off her personal student loan, purchase gift cards, make payments on unauthorised credit cards, and pay off other personal debts.

TYLER — A Rusk County man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine trafficking ring. Johnny Douglas Campbell, 28, of Henderson, pleaded guilty in June to possession with intent to distribute pseudoephedrine. He was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison yesterday by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

According to information presented in court, on January 13, Campbell took possession of three boxes of cold tablets, which contained a combined total of 288 tablets, knowing the cold pills would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. The cold pills contain pseudoephedrine, which is used to manufacture methamphetamine.

TYLER — For the past two years, work has been underway to create a veterans’ court in Smith County. It could soon become a reality. Last week a task force appointed for the veterans’ court presented plans for implementation of the court to the commissioner’s court. The project received unanimous approval.

KETK-TV reports the court is designed as an optional measure for judges to provide help to veterans suffering from substance abuse and mental health problems linked to their time in the service. Veterans facing misdemeanor or felony offense charges, who meet certain guidelines, will have the one-time opportunity to avoid jail time, enter treatment and a mentoring program.

Spearheading the project is social worker Choya Shanahan who has praise for Smith County’s leadership. She told KETK, “Their vision, their foresight, and their diligence in pushing this forward has really been appreciated by all 18,000 veterans in Smith County.”

TYLER – A 47-year-old Kilgore woman has been sentenced to federal prison for using the mail to embezzle funds from her employer. Deborah Ogden Williams pleaded guilty on Apr. 12 to mail fraud and was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison Tuesday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Williams was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $626,717.99. According to prosecutors, Williams began working as a bookkeeper for K-K Mobbs Construction in 1994. During this time, Williams devised a scheme to defraud her employer and steal $626,717.99 from the company by writing checks on a company account to pay off her personal student loan, purchase gift cards, make payments on unauthorized credit cards, and pay off other personal debts.

TYLER — Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White issues a call for unity and refers to his business background during his latest phone visit with KTBB. According to White, “Texas deserves a governor who can bring people together — Republicans, Democrats, Independents — and run this state like a well-run business. I’m a businessman; Rick Perry’s a career politician. I urge people to understand we have an alternative — and don’t be distracted by Mr. Perry’s attempt to cover up his failures by pointing at Washington. We need somebody who’s accountable for the government of Texas.” No comment yet from the Perry campaign. The governor has secured the backing of former President George H.W. Bush.

TYLER — The Greater Tyler Association of Realtors’ 1100-plus-member organization Tuesday endorsed the TISD Bond Proposal slated for vote in the November 2 election. President Bill Pillsbury announced the group’s support. Pillsbury said, “All schools – public, private and those in our surrounding areas – are crucial to home values. When businesses and individuals look at a move to our area, the two biggest factors they look at are the medical facilities and schools. Our medical is top notch and our schools need to be as well. TISD has demonstrated their ability to construct quality facilities, and investing in education is especially prudent during these economic times. Construction costs are low, and there has never been a better time to get bond money. We urge everyone to join our organization in voting YES to the TISD Bond Proposal.”

Andy Bergfeld, Vote Yes spokesperson and a member of GTAR, introduced Pillsbury. In addition, other members of the Vote Yes committee were in attendance including Senator Kevin Eltife and former Mayor Joey Seeber. GTAR is the fourth organized group to endorse the bond along with the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, “Educators for TISD,” and “Faith Based Leaders for TISD”. The $89.8 million TISD Bond Proposal includes the replacement of the final two current elementary schools and the construction of a new middle school relief campus for overcrowding and growth. The $89.8 million can be paid for with no tax rate increase.

The citizen activist group Grassroots America – We the People continues to lead the charge against the bond, saying too many unanswered questions remain. According to Executive Director JoAnn Fleming’s most recent statement, “GAWTP is asking Tyler ISD to take seriously the consulting report that tells them they need to redraw attendance lines so that we can get the population of Tyler ISD dispersed around so that we can maximize the use of the facilities we have, including the new ones.”

SMITH COUNTY — An wreck early Tuesday morning sends three to local hospitals. Smith County DPS report that around 2:15 two semi trailers reportedly crashed into one another on Interstate 20 near highway 155. According to KETK, both drivers of the two semi-drivers and a passenger are said to have minor injuries. They were taken to a local hospital. Both west bound lanes were later reopened.

LUFKIN — Lufkin police are investigating a series of nearly 30 vehicle burglaries that occurred between Friday and early Monday morning. The robberies spanned a large area of West Lufkin stretching from the Fox Run Apartments to Southwood Drive, according to Lufkin Police spokesman Det. JB Smith. Police are hoping for leads in the cases. KETK reports, Sunday morning seven vehicles were burglarized outside Fox Run Apartments.

TYLER — A Smith County youngster is being treated at a Dallas hospital after being run over by a hay dolly. The accident happened around 1:00 Sunday afternoon on Hobbs Road. The youngster, who is four, is said to have suffered a fractured pelvis and arm.

ALTO — A former sergeant for the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department has been killed in a one vehicle accident in Cherokee County. Dead at the scene of the Saturday night crash was Randy Bridges, 52, of Corrigan. The accident happened on U.S. Highway 69 about six miles south of Alto. The Department of Public Safety reports Bridges was heading south just before 10:00pm when he lost control of his pickup on a curve. Both the pickup and the trailer he was pulling overturned on the rain slick highway.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department will serve while wearing pink this week. Firefighters say it’s an effort to raise awareness and show support for all who have battled or who are currently battling breast cancer. Fire and medic crews will be wearing pink fire department T-Shirts on October 26th, 27th and 28th. The Fire Department will also have t-shirts available for individual purchase at the Fire Administration building with all proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.