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More Ignitable Devices Reported in Mail
Posted: Saturday, 13th March 2010 6:48AM
DALLAS (AP/Staff) - Authorities now say at least four incendiary devices have been found in the mail in East Texas in recent weeks. Rusk County Sheriff Danny Pirtle says two devices were found recently in his jurisdiction. Kilgore police Lt. Roman Roberson says one device was found there. Roberson says the device didn't pose a threat and was passed along to postal inspectors and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.Federal authorities continue their investigation of a suspicious item found at the United States Post Office East Texas Processing Facility in Owentown. KETK-TV reports the item was a beer bottle filled with gasoline and with a wick sticking out of it. Employees came across the bottle while sorting the mail Tuesday night. The Smith County Sheriff's Department says the bottle was probably put in a collection box where it went unnoticed until it was found at the plant.
Postal inspector Amanda McMurrey said finding suspicious and potentially dangerous items in the mail happens pretty often. "We've found firearms, we've found narcotics, we've found rolled money, we've found all kinds of stuff in the mailbox. We've even found cats and other animals stuffed into mailboxes, so it’s not that unusual."
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Send To FriendDecomposed Body Found in Creek
Posted: Saturday, 13th March 2010 6:32AM
LONGVIEW - Police officials in Longview are investigating after a decomposed body was found in a creek. Police say the body was found Friday at around 10:30 a.m., in the 200 block of Henderson Street. Officers were informed that a resident in the area had been out walking and discovered the body. Due to the state of decomposition, detectives are not able to determine the gender, age, identity or cause of death of the deceased. It is unknown how long the body had been in the creek, but the body was fully clothed and appeared to be an adult. Gregg County Justice of the Peace Sam Lawson responded to the scene and ordered an autopsy to be performed. The body was then taken to the Southeast Texas Forensics Center in Tyler.Troup Man Killed in Palestine Accident
Posted: Saturday, 13th March 2010 6:32AM
PALESTINE -- An accident at Palestine High School has killed a Smith County man. Zachary Eggens, 26, of Troup, was working under a portable building when the building shifted and fell on him. An official school district statement said no students or employees of the school district were involved or injured. The accident happened around 11:00 yesterday morning. According to Superintendent Dr. Thomas Wallis, preliminary investigations have concluded that the ground was wet and saturated due to the recent rains. Wallis says the weight of the portable building and the saturated ground caused the building to shift and fall off the jacks supporting the building, killing the man working under the structure. Wallis adds, "This is a tragic and unfortunate accident and the entire PISD staff and family send their prayers to the family, friends, and co-workers of the deceased."
Gohmert Renews Attack on Health Care Legislation
Posted: Saturday, 13th March 2010 6:49AM
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A familiar voice is raised again as the health care reform debate continues. In remarks on Capitol Hill, Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert pointed to the political ramifications of Democrats pushing a bill Gohmert says most Americans don't want. The congressman remarks, "It puts in place so much government that once it's in place, it won't matter which party is in the majority." Gohmert again beat the drum for his idea of addressing the issue through health savings accounts.Copper Theft Arrests
Posted: Saturday, 13th March 2010 6:33AM
CANTON -- Two people have been arrested in a Van Zandt County copper theft case. On Thursday, sheriff's deputies responded to 2752 FM 3227, which is a vacant residence, on a call of a possible theft in progress. Authorities say upon arrival, a man identified as 34-year-old Darrell Cranfill and a woman identified as 37-year-old Clisty Pratt were located on the property. Deputies say they observed a large roll of copper wire inside the suspects' vehicle along with several tools commonly used to steal copper wire. Deputies also say the breakers on the outside power pole of the residence had been turned off and the copper wire at the pole had been cut and removed. Deputies report that through further investigation, they discovered several other items that led them to believe the two suspects may be involved in several other thefts involving copper wire.
Both Cranfill and Pratt were arrested on the scene, transported to the Van Zandt County Jail, and charged with theft of copper wire under $20,000. Bond has been set at $10,000 for each suspect.
Bond is $250,000 in Traffic Death
Posted: Saturday, 13th March 2010 6:33AM
KILGORE -- Bond is $250,000 for a driver charged in the traffic death of a five-year-old in Kilgore. The child was struck by a vehicle while walking to a school bus stop around 6:20 Thursday morning. The driver, Jesus Martinez Soto, 28, Kilgore, pictured here, was charged with criminally negligent homicide and taken to the Gregg County Jail.According to KETK, the Kilgore Police Department responded to a report of a traffic accident involving a small child on Gulf Hercules Road in Kilgore. When police arrived, they found Jae McNaughton of Kilgore had been struck by a vehicle and was seriously injured. McNaughton was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview by Champion EMS. After arrival at the hospital, he was pronounced dead.
Another child identified as James Lane White, 16, Kilgore, was also struck by the same vehicle. White suffered minor injuries but was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center as a precautionary measure.
A Preliminary investigation revealed Soto reportedly made a left turn from Burns Street onto Gulf-Hercules Road and hit the two when they were crossing the intersection of Burns Street and Gulf Hercules Road. A third child was also walking with the two other children, but was not hit. It is believed the children were walking to the school bus stop when the accident happened.
Berman and the Education Debate
Posted: Saturday, 13th March 2010 6:33AM
AUSTIN -- As the Texas State Board of Education met Thursday in Austin to consider revisions to public school curriculum standards, state Representative Leo Berman of Tyler joined with other conservative state legislators in submitting written testimony from the Texas Conservative Coalition, the conservative caucus of the Texas Legislature. According to Berman, "I am fighting to ensure that the Judeo-Christian heritage of the United States and Texas is taught to Texas public school students without being censored for political correctness." He continued: "These revised curriculum standards will impact the education of the next generation of Texans, and they must be accurate."
The TCC letter reads, in part:
We value a strong system of public education that prepares students to be productive citizens of Texas with a full and accurate understanding of the history that created present-day Texas and the United States. We urge that the TEKS continue to reflect the Judeo-Christian underpinnings of our nation and society; that America's greatness not be undermined; and that history and historical figures continue to be taught to Texas public school students.
Berman concluded: "Our curriculum standards must remain strong, reflecting the historical roots of our nation and state, as well as the individuals whose intellect and efforts made America and Texas exceptional and unique."
Tyler Police Involved in DWI Mobilization
Posted: Saturday, 13th March 2010 6:49AM
TYLER -- The Tyler Police Department is out in force during a period many take as Spring Break, looking for intoxicated drivers and underage drinking and driving. Officers are participating in a state-wide Impaired Driving Mobilization effort to crack down on violators. The effort began Friday, March 12, and continues through March 20. It allows the department to put extra personnel on the streets to enforce DWI laws. The police department reminds the public that any person under 21 years of age is not allowed to have any detectable amount of alcohol in his or her system when behind the wheel. TxDOT reports that 11% of all intoxicated drivers are under the age of 21. Police say this program has proven to be an effective tool to combat drunken drivers. Police urge everyone who is considering drinking to have a designated driver or to hire a cab to get home safely. Simply put: "Please don't drink and drive!"
State Headlines
Perry Says State Looking Into Border Incursion
Posted: Saturday, 13th March 2010 6:42AM
McALLEN (AP) — Gov. Rick Perry says state and federal authorities are trying to get answers regarding a Mexican military helicopter that crossed the Texas-Mexico border late Wednesday afternoon. U.S. Customs and Border Protection had confirmed that a Mexican military helicopter crossed the border near Falcon Dam in Zapata County before returning to Mexico without landing. In a prepared statement Friday, Perry called for better communication between U.S. and Mexican authorities along the border.
Search for Missing Baby Called Off
Posted: Saturday, 13th March 2010 6:40AM
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - San Antonio police have called off their search of a landfill after finding no signs of a baby missing since December. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus says police searched through 4,600 tons of debris but found nothing related to 8-month-old Gabriel Johnson's disappearance. The child's mother has refused to disclose his whereabouts.
New Social Studies Standards Approved
Posted: Saturday, 13th March 2010 6:40AM
AUSTIN (AP) - The Texas State Board of Education has approved new social studies standards with a 10-5 vote after days of charged debate marked by race and politics. The new standards reflect the values of the ultra-conservatives who dominate the board. In dozens of smaller votes passed over the three days, the ultra-conservatives nixed all but a few efforts to recognize the diversity of race and religion in Texas.
Police: Driver in Fatal Accident Was Unlicensed
Posted: Saturday, 13th March 2010 6:40AM
ARLINGTON (AP) - Arlington police say a 6-year-old boy has died after falling from a car when his unlicensed teenage sister was driving away after arguing with her parents. Police say it's unclear whether the 14-year-old girl knew her brother was trying to get into the car.
Two Auxiliary Bishops Named for Dallas Diocese
Posted: Saturday, 13th March 2010 6:40AM
DALLAS (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI has named two priests to serve as auxiliary bishops in the growing Dallas diocese. The diocese that now serves 1.2 million Catholics hasn't had an auxiliary bishop since 1969. It's never before had two serving at the same time.
More Penalties Proposed against AA
Posted: Saturday, 13th March 2010 6:39AM
DALLAS (AP) - Federal regulators are proposing more maintenance-related penalties against Fort Worth-based American Airlines. The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday it would fine American more than $787,000 for three cases of alleged maintenance problems, including operating a plane without replacing its central computer. The airline has 30 days to respond.
