News - KETKnbc.com

East Texas Soldier in Ft. Hood shares experience

Abby Eden / KETK News — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:34:25 -0600

TYLER - East Texans were among those involved in what's being called chaos at Fort Hood Thursday.

"It's rough because you think whenever you get back from Iraq, you think something like this would never happen," Trey Rutherford explains.

Staff Sergeant Trey Rutherford says he was about three blocks away from where the shooting happened on Thursday.

He went to run an errand and saw all the buildings were locked.

He found out why like the rest of us.

"Once I did get inside and started watching the news, I finally found out what was going on," Mr. Rutherford says.

KIA Soul

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:54:25 -0600

The KIA Soul is a fun, funky, red, Korean kind of a deal, and I really like this thing.

That said, the big question that the folks at KIA are asking with the Soul is, will the kids like it. After all, that is the bet that all the Asian automakers are making with their little boxy people mobiles. They are aimed at the young, which makes me wonder why they’re using a variation of Sam and Dave’s “Soul Man” in the commercials thus aiming straight for the heart of old fogeydom…you know…where I live.

Orlando shooter sought revenge

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:46:02 -0600

ORLANDO — The suspect in the Orlando Gateway Center Shooting has commented on his actions.

Asked by a reporter outside the police station why he did it, Rodriguez replied: “Because they left me to rot.”

All of the victims worked for Reynolds, Smith and Hills, an architecture firm. One was dead and five others were in stable condition at Orlando Regional Medical Center with gunshot wounds, police said.

About 50 employees work in the offices of the company on the eighth floor of the Gateway Center, an 18-story office building that was built in 1999.

Lady officer praised for heroics

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:19:35 -0600

KILLEEN, Texas - A civilian police officer is being praised
for taking down a man suspected of opening fire on fellow soldiers
at Fort Hood when she shot him in the torso.

Police officials say after arriving at the scene of Thursday's
gunfire, Sgt. Kimberly Munley saw the suspect and started firing at
him.

Munley's boss, Chuck Medley, told The Associated Press on Friday
that Hasan then spun around and charged at her with a gun in each
hand.

Medley says Munley shot the alleged gunman, Maj. Nidal Malik

Suspect in Fort Hood shooting moved to San Antonio

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:38:10 -0600

SAN ANTONIO - An Army medical official says the man suspected of opening fire on fellow soldiers at Fort Hood has been transferred to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.

Hospital spokeswoman Maria Gallegos says Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan
is in stable condition in the intensive care unit at the hospital
on Fort Sam Houston outside San Antonio, about 150 miles southwest
of Fort Hood.

Gallegos said Friday that the "shooter is here." She would not
provide more details.

Hasan is accused of opening fire at the Soldier Readiness Center

Point of View: alleged Fort Hood shooter

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:29:36 -0600

TYLER — Neal Barton offers his "Point of View" about the alleged shooter at Fort Hood.

You've been secretly recorded... Now fight back

Lacy Beavers / KETK News — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:02:59 -0600

TYLER - Imagine being exposed in the most humiliating way... when a private moment is caught on camera and shared with the world.

Case in point-- Boyles v. Kerr in the early 90s. A girl has sex with her boyfriend in the privacy of her home. What she doesn't know is the guy's buddies taped the whole thing... and passed it around.

That case actually sets precedent for Video Voyeurism-- secretly taping someone for sexual gratification. The Texas Supreme Court decided you can't get civil damages for negligent infliction of emotional distress. So what about intentional?

Islamics denounce shooting at Fort Hood

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:55:33 -0600

FORT HOOD, TEXAS - The alleged Fort Hood gunman is an American soldier of Palestinian descent who is a lifelong Muslim.

As a result the council on American Islamic relations is speaking out, denouncing the shooting.

Many in the Islamic community say they are outraged.

Police are trying to confirm witness accounts which said the gunman shouted "Allah Akbar" before he fired. The Arabic phrase stands for "God is great".

Gunman fires on officer

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:47:37 -0600

*****************
UPDATE

Tyler police investigators continue to follow up on all information related to the shooting incident that occurred at 1919 W. Gentry Parkway around 2:00 a.m. on Friday, November 06, 2009.

Longtime Democrat switching parties

Michael Wesp/ KETK News — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:38:12 -0600

JACKSONVILLE — A longtime East Texas Democrat is switching sides.

State Representative Chuck Hopson says President Obama does not reflect his views so he is leaving the Democratic party.

Hopson, a Jacksonville native, says he will be running as a Republican in 2010.

The pharmacist in Cherokee County has represented Cherokee, Houston, Panola and Rusk counties for eight years.

Representative Merritt released a statement on Chairman Chuck Hopson's party switch:

Unemployment reaches 26-year high

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:50:51 -0600

WASHINGTON — The unemployment rate has surpassed 10 percent for the first time since 1983 and is likely to go higher.

Nearly 16 million people can't find jobs even though the worst recession since the Great Depression has apparently ended. The Labor Department says the economy shed a net total of 190,000 jobs in October, less than the downwardly revised 219,000 lost in September.

But the loss of jobs exceeded economists' estimates. It's the 22nd straight month the U.S. economy has shed jobs, the longest on records dating back 70 years.

Hood victims at risk of death

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:41:58 -0600

TEMPLE, Texas - A doctor at a hospital where several of the
wounded from the shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas were taken
says some patients are still at risk of dying.

W. Roy Smythe is the chairman of surgery at Scott &
White Memorial Hospital in Temple. He said Friday that "everyone
is not out of the woods."

He says some of the wounded have "extremely serious injuries"
and several patients are still at "significant risk" of losing
their lives.

Authorities accuse an Army psychiatrist of opening fire at Fort

Fort Hood shooter's family releases statement

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:44:28 -0600

Here is a statement by Nader Hasan, cousin of Nidal Hasan, e-mailed from a spokeswoman for the family:

"As Nidal Hasan's first cousin, and because his parents are no longer alive, I wanted to issue a statement on behalf of my family. We are shocked and saddened by the terrible events at Fort Hood today. We send the families of the victims our most heartfelt sympathies.

SWAT arrests office gunman in Orlando, 6 victims in all

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:27:17 -0600

*************
UPDATE

ORLANDO — The Orlando Police Chief Val Demings has confirmed a S.W.A.T. team has arrested the gunman. Officials have also confirmed 1 dead and 5 injured.

Demings says 40-year-old Jason Rodriguez surrendered to police at his mother's home after officers saw him through a window and asked him to come out.

*************

Peeping Toms raise the stakes... with cameras

Lacy Beavers / KETK News — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:19 -0600

TYLER - Video voyeurism...

Fancy word, but it boils down to this— when someone secretly records another person... to get their sexual kicks. Think of it as a "Peeping Tom" with a camera.

The most recent example... ESPN reporter Erin Andrews. She was videotaped nude in a hotel, without her knowledge. She's on the national stage, but don't think for a second this can't happen to you. It can and has happened right here in East Texas.

Authorities continue investigation into Fort Hood shooting

Charlotte Huffman / KETK News — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:29:46 -0600

FORT HOOD, TX--Authorities continue their investigation Friday morning into the tragic shooting at Fort Hood, the nation's largest military post.

The death toll continues to rise from the most violent attack in history on a U.S. military base.

"There was a single shooter that was shot multiple times at the scene, however, he was not killed as previously reported. He is currently in custody and in stable condition," said Fort Hood General Bob Cone.

KETK Viewers voice outrage, sympathy and question military over yesterday's shootings.

Bob Brackeen / KETK News — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:41:55 -0600

Tyler—

East Texans sound-off on yesterday's killings at Fort Hood and the suspected killer.

Doctor-Owned Hospitals get Life Support from Texas Lawmakers

Abby Eden / KETK News — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:15:27 -0600

TYLER - Some Texas lawmakers are standing up to part of the healthcare reform plan, by trying to keep physician-owned hospitals prosperous in the country, especially in Texas.

Some lawmakers in the U.S. House say doctor-owned hospitals are driving up healthcare costs, and they hurt non-profit hospitals as well, so they're trying to pass legislation as part of healthcare reform to limit physician-owned hospital's abilities and eventually stop them from continuing to operate.

Lindale grandmother sentenced to federal prison for fraud

Tamara Jolee / KETK News — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:50:19 -0600

TYLER - A 62-year-old Lindale woman will spend the next 21 months in federal prison for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from her employer.

The employer, HealthFirst TPA of Tyler, says the woman, Brenda Bays, appeared to be a model employee and law-abiding citizen.

"She was well-liked," said Tom Slack, CEO and owner of HealthFirst since 1980. "She was like anyone's grandmother."

Prosecutors says, as with most white-collared crimes, greediness finally caught up with her.

Bays pleaded guilty to stealing over $175,000 during a period that spanned over two years.

ARMY OFFICIALS: Suspect in shooting is not dead, but in stable condition.

Kristy Griffith / KETK News — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:28:38 -0600

KILLEEN — In a shocking announcement at a news conference, Fort Hood officials announced Nidal Malik Hasan was not killed. He is in stable condition at a local hospital. There are 12 people killed and 31 wounded. Lt. Gen. Robet Cone says Hasan was the only shooter in the incident. Earlier, two people were arrested and released. Now, officials say those two were trying to stop the shooting. Hasan is not currently speaking to investigators.

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) - A U.S. Army spokesman says the Fort Hood
shootings suspect is alive and was not killed by authorities

Policeman spanks woman

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:09:41 -0600

UNDATED — A woman who said she had her pants pulled down before being spanked more than one dozen times by an Ocoee Police Department sergeant plans to attend an upcoming court hearing and hopes to speak to a judge.

The 29-year-old victim said she is outraged that her accused attacker, former Ocoee police Sgt. Tom Maroney, is seeking leniency in court.

Maroney made a deal in court nine months ago that reduced the charge to battery, gave up his police license and was sentenced to one year of probation.

Maroney is now asking a judge to remove him from probation.

Halloween morning temps

Gloria Gallardo / KETK News — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:02:46 -0600

Cool morning on Halloween

Halloween weather forecast: Sunny

Gloria Gallardo / KETK News — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:42:49 -0600

Forecast for Halloween: Clear, Sunny

Caught on tape: man tased for nothing?

Michael Wesp/ KETK News — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:30:02 -0600

MINNEAPOLIS --- A man Tasered by a Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer says he was stunned for no reason and that dashcam video of the incident will prove it.

The video shows Rolando Demetrio Ruiz with his hands on the hood of the police a car last april when the officer uses a Taser on his neck.

Minneapolis Police Chief Tim Dolan calls the video "disturbing" and has asked the FBI and the city attorney to investigate.

An attorney for Ruiz released the video and has filed a notice of claim alleging civil rights and other violations.

Mystery over missing Obama voters

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:17:42 -0600

RICHMOND, Va. – Last year, 23-year-old Rashida Hill watched the presidential debates, visited the college political party meetings and put a Barack Obama bumper sticker on her townhouse door. She voted for Obama because she felt like the election was about "being a part of something."

But on Tuesday, the Virginia Commonwealth University student didn't bother voting in the governor's race because, she said, the candidates didn't give her anything to get excited about.

"The simple fact is, unless you put it in front of somebody, they're really not going to seek it out," Hill said.

Police looking for almost burglars

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:05:51 -0600

***Press Release***

Burglary Of A Business

Man attempts to kidnap Hogg Middle School student twice

Charlotte Huffman / KETK News — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:06:45 -0600

TYLER--Tyler police are looking for a suspicious man they say attempted to kidnap a Hogg Middle School student.

Police say the attempted kidnapping happened first on Friday and again on Tuesday while an 11-year-old boy was walking home from school.

The man is described as a white male, in his forties, with curly gray hair, driving a silver, compact, 4-door car with an Obama election sticker on the back window.

If you have any information, you are urged to call the Tyler Police Department.

Do you support "Civil Unions" but not "same-sex marriage"?

Bob Brackeen / KETK News — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:27:10 -0600

Tyler—

Do you support "civil unions" but not "same-sex marriage"?

Youth worker arrested

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:06:33 -0600

San Antonio---A woman juvenile worker is behind bars accused of having sex with a boy who escaped from a juvenile prison facility last week.

San Antonio Police Arrested Thelma Nicole Miles Tuesday night.

They say miles picked up the boy after he escaped from a juvenile prison run by a TYC contractor.

An arrest warrant says the pair were sexually intimate until November first.

Miles admitted to the relationship.

She remains at the Bexar County Jail under $10,000 dollars bond.

Texas Secession

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:42:55 -0600

Governor Rick Perry mentioned it last summer and began a heated discussion in the press.

Secession…what are the facts and is it really possible?

“We’ve got a great union,” Perry said. “There’s absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, who knows what may happen.”

It was the bloodiest American conflict…because all the soldiers on both sides were American. But did the civil war really settle the issue of secession?