KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Jon Johnson has announced his retirement after a 35-year criminal justice career. He was first elected as justice of the peace in November 2018, and was sworn in to office on January 1, 2019. Before becoming a justice of the peace, Johnson worked for 25 years for the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the U.S. District Court in Tyler until his federal retirement in 2014. During those years he served as a federal prison case manager, federal probation officer and chief federal probation officer.

Johnson has taught criminal justice courses for Tyler Junior College and Lindale Independent School District.

“Although I have held different job titles and responsibilities over the years, I have enjoyed nothing more than serving the community as justice of the peace,” Judge Johnson said in his retirement letter submitted Friday, August 23.

Johnson said he plans to retire September 30, 2024, and intends to spend more time with his wife and family.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report two men were arrested on Thursday after the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office conducted search warrants at Athens residences where they located a large stash of drugs and a stolen firearm. According to the sheriff’s office, at around 4:45 p.m. investigators conducted two narcotic search warrants and a manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance arrest warrant at 419 Stoneleigh Street and 421 Stoneleigh Street in Athens. Continue reading Two men arrested after officials find drugs, stolen firearm

YANTIS – According to our news partner KETK, a former Yantis ISD assistant baseball and basketball coach was sentenced to 10 years of probation and to register as a sex offender on Aug. 15. Christopher McIntosh, was arrested on Sept. 25, 2022 for online solicitation of a minor, jail records show. The arrest came after Yantis ISD received allegations and conducted their own internal investigation before turning the case over to the Yantis ISD police chief. His sentence of 10 years probation and 240 hours of community service was announced after he pleaded guilty to the charge of improper relationship between an educator and student.

McIntosh resigned from Yantis ISD on Sept. 30 of 2022.

LONGVIEW – Millions around the world are mourning the death of East Texan Joe Mack Roy, known to his fans as “Pop Watch.” According to our news partner KETK, the family of the social media sensation from Longview announced on Thursday that he passed away, at 90-years-old, to his more than 3.4 million Facebook followers.

In 2017, Roy went viral and that’s when he told KETK News it was the best thing that had happened to him. He quickly became an East Texas legend, bringing joy and laughter while supporting the people in Longview. Each video with Pop and his grandson, that now have more than seven billion views worldwide, showed his authentic self in his everyday life in East Texas.

TYLER – Senator Ted Cruz is bringing his ‘Keep Texas, Texas’ tour to Tyler on Saturday August 24 from 9:00 a.m to 10:15 a.m. He will be appearing at the Republic Icehouse, 3807 University Blvd in Tyler. Senator Cruz will speak to voters about his record in the Senate of jobs, freedom, and security. Senator Cruz will discuss his vision for the future of our state and what needs to be done to Keep Texas, Texas.

You can find free tickets for this event by clicking here.

UPDATE: A second juvenile was arrested on late Thursday evening in connection to the murder of 29-year-old Clara Deane Wilson, the Jacksonville Police Department said.

JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville PD Thursday said that a juvenile was arrested in connection to the murder of Clara Deane Wilson. According to our news partner KETK, the person was arrested after an operation involving the Jacksonville Police, the Texas Rangers, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Marshalls office.

Officials said that the 29-year-old Wilson of Jacksonville, was found shot to death early Saturday morning near Gillespie and Georgia Avenues. The juvenile arrested was left unnamed and law enforcement said more arrests are expected in this case.

UPDATE: The Nacogdoches Police Department said that Roselyn Navaeh Smith has been found safe after she was reported missing on Thursday. Officials said they are currently in the process of bringing her back together with her family.

NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches Police Department said they’re currently searching for a 12-year-old girl named Roselyn Navaeh Smith. According to our news partner KETK, Roselyn is described as a black girl wearing a black shirt with gold letters spelling “QUEEN”, blue jean shorts, black shoes, diamond stud earrings, a backpack, crossbody bag and a clarinet.

Officials said they were searching in the area of Tangleberry and Tanglewood Streets.

They ask anyone who has seen Roselyn Smith to call 911 immediately.

BOWIE COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that a woman was sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison for her part in distributing a lethal amount of fentanyl disguised as oxycontin pills. Nikkie Jo Mattison, also known as Nikkie Hall, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 204 months, or 17 years, in prison in federal court on Thursday. Prosecutors said Mattison conspired with three other people to distribute fentanyl, ultimately resulting in three deaths. Continue reading Woman sentenced for distributing pills laced with fentanyl

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man has been charged with arson after reportedly setting his wife’s car on fire while intoxicated, according to our news partners at KETK. Smith County officials said the county’s fire marshal Chad Hogue was called to an RV park on Aug. 16 in the 8500 block of FM 14 to a vehicle on fire. When Smith County ESD2 officials arrived, they noted Justin Kennedy Hillard, 36 of Tyler, was spraying water from a garden hose on the vehicle that was on fire. The owner of the vehicle said her husband, Hillard, was intoxicated and had poured gas onto her vehicle but she was able to get out of the car before he set it on fire. “Hogue reported that damages to the car were consistent with the vehicle being set on fire after gasoline was poured onto it,” Smith County officials said. Hillard reportedly fled the scene and an arrest warrant was issued on Tuesday and he turned himself on Wednesday.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department would like to remind citizens to remain vigilant with regards to both online scams and phone scams. We have taken numerous reports of many types of frauds originating both online and through wireless communication devices. Continue reading Tyler Police warn of multiple scams

RUSK COUNTY – Two East Texans were arrested in connection to oilfield equipment theft and the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office said their investigation also led to the seizure of drugs and firearms. According to our news partner KETK, deputies followed a lead on Tuesday in reference to an oilfield theft and they located the stolen equipment. Officials said the estimated value of the equipment they recovered is $5,000. A search warrant was then served for a residence on the same road where the equipment was found, the sheriff’s office said.

“Seized during the search warrant was suspected methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, and firearms,” the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office said.

The resident of the home, identified as 38-year-old Skkylar Sanchez, was arrested as well as 45-year-old Hector Arellano, both of Henderson. Both men were charged with tampering with gas and oil operations. Sanchez was also charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is being held at the Rusk County Jail on bonds totaling $49,500. Arellano is also being held at the Rusk County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

“This is currently an active investigation, and we anticipate additional arrests as the investigation continues,” the sheriff’s office said.

UPDATE: Tyler PD said that the suspect left the premises before police arrived and was arrested after being found in Downtown Tyler.

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Tyler police are working a standoff situation at a south Tyler residence. According to the Tyler Police Department’s Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, police are currently at a standoff in the 900 block of Derrick Court. Erbaugh said that police have been at the home since 1 p.m. and have attempted to make contact with the occupant that is believed to armed. Tyler PD said that they have robots on the premises and Tyler PD and SWAT are making a tactical assessment.

According to our news partner KETK, a man entered a Tyler police station and was “bloodied and injured,” the man alleged that he had been assaulted by a relative. The man was taken to the hospital and police were dispatched to a home in the 900 block of Derrick Court in the Woodbridge subdivision.

SMITH COUNTY — A Mesquite man who was a part of an organized criminal ring accused of stealing 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. According to our news partner KETK, Ramon Perez-Torres was convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity on Tuesday. The criminal group is accused of using fraudulent credit card information and using pulser tampering devices on motor fuel dispensers.

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation said in a release, “A pulser is part of the motor fuel metering system that counts fuel flow and determines the amount of fuel flow per penny. The criminal tampering device slows down the pulser, allowing suspects to pump hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel for pennies on the dollar.”

The group is accused of stealing more than 10,000 gallons of fuel from gas stations in nine different counties across Texas. Authorities suspect a large number of people to be a part of the group and eight have been indicted.

SMITH COUNTY, Texas – A Mesquite man who was a part of a “sophisticated” organized criminal group accused of stealing 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Our news partners at KETK report that Ramon Perez-Torres was convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity on Tuesday. Duniesky Gonzalez, the suspected ringleader, was sentenced to 50 years for engaging in organized criminal activity. His confinement began in June. Two others were also convicted with multiple also believed to be at-large. 12 departments, including nine from the East Texas area assisted the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center.

TYLER — The Caldwell Zoo announced on Wednesday a big hatch of Texas Horned Lizards as a part of a dedicated conservation effort according to our news partners at KETK. According to the zoo, the Lone Star State’s official state reptile was almost threatened to extinction, which led to the Texas Parks and Wildlife department reaching out to Caldwell Zoo for conservation efforts. Caldwell Zoo said they established a Texas Horned Lizard Conservation which is now in it’s fifth year of operation, according to our news partners at KETK. Continue reading Caldwell Zoo: successful hatching of Texas state reptile

TYLER – On Wednesday, Tyler Animal Services was alerted by the Texas Department of State Health Services that one bat submitted for analysis tested positive for rabies. The bat was found near the 2200 block of Bateman Avenue and Troup Highway. The known individuals and animals with possible exposure have been identified and addressed.
 
Tyler Animal Services Director Shawn Markmann reminds people not to handle bats, skunks, raccoons or other wild animals. It is important for children to tell their parents of any contact with wild animals or any sick animals. If a person is bitten by an animal, it must be reported to the Local Rabies Control Authority to be investigated
 
Tyler Animal Services advises all pet owners to confirm their dogs and cats are currently vaccinated for rabies. Preventative immunization for rabies is the only effective defense against the fatal disease.
 
Anyone with questions on rabies control may contact Tyler Animal Services at (903) 535-0045.

WHITE OAK – The White Oak Independent School District board unanimously named one person for the superintendent position on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Jackson Parker, former White Oak High School principal and assistant superintendent, was named superintendent.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be named the lone finalist, and I will work each and every day to make it a place where all students thrive,” Parker said. “My job will be made much easier by the incredible staff at all campuses. The best is yet to come. Go Roughnecks!”

After a 21-day waiting period passes, per state law, Parker can be offered a contract. He is scheduled to sign the contract for the superintendent position on Sept. 5. Mr. Parker has been in education for a total of 33 years.

White Oak ISD students returned to class on Wednesday for the new school year.

SMITH COUNTY – Firefighters responded to a trash truck that caught on fire early Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, a call came in to Smith County Emergency Services District 2 around 10 a.m. Nikki Simmons, the Community Outreach Coordinator for Smith County ESD2, reported a trash truck caught fire in Overton on County Road 244. Fire officials stated that, the driver of the trash truck was able to get out and there were no injuries reported.

Simmons added, “Firefighters from Engine 141 and Engine 132 quickly arrived on scene to contain the fire and keep it from spreading to the woods. Smith County Fire Marshal’s office will handle the investigation. ”

HENDERSON COUNTY – With hot and dry conditions continuing throughout our region. Some counties in East Texas have enacted burn bans. Our news partner KETK has a list of those counties under a burn ban. You can find the list here.

AUSTIN — Smith County has earned a 2023 Excellence in Safety Award from the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool (TAC RMP) for its record of excellence in involvement and commitment to safety in the workplace, as well as for controlling workers’ compensation claims.

To qualify for the award, the county must participate in TAC RMP’s Workers’ Compensation Program, have a safety program or accident prevention plan and have an active safety committee. This is the highest honor a county can receive from TAC RMP for its commitment to safety. Continue reading Smith County receives excellence in safety award

TYLER – The Smith County Historical Society will need to find a new home after the City of Tyler decided not to renew their current lease. According to our news partner KETK, controversy has erupted on social media since the lease change as people ponder the fate of the historic building. Currently, the organization is housed at the Old Carnegie Library on 125 College Ave in Tyler. The historical society said they do not want to go anywhere.

Since 1984, the society had an auto renewal lease every five years with the city. However, the city has reportedly chosen not to renew the lease so restorations can be done to the building.

“At no cost to the society, they’ve been located there and at this point we were looking to let them know that we are not going to renew the lease,” Stephanie Franklin, Tyler deputy city manager, said. Continue reading Tyler’s lease to Smith County Historical Society not renewed

GUN BARREL CITY – According to our news partner KETK, a bicyclist is dead after a hit-and-run crash on Highway 175. The Gun Barrel City Police Department is seeking help to identify the driver. According to Gun Barrel City PD Captain Connie Peña, police were dispatched to a fatal hit-and-run on the overpass at around 4:10 p.m. on Monday. Peña said the driver is reportedly driving an 18-wheeler pulling two trailers rusty in color. At this time the police department is trying to identify the victim as well as the whereabouts of the driver.

The Gun Barrel City Fire Department said due to the crash, eastbound traffic on Highway 175 was rerouted but it is now back open.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police department at 903-887-7151

HENDERSON COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report a body has been recovered from the Henderson County reservoir by a game warden after a Sunday night crash that also left two others dead, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said. According to a release, officials in Henderson County responded to a vehicle crash on Sunday at around 9 p.m. on SH 198 bridge crossing Cedar Creek Reservoir near Payne Springs. The Texas Parks and Wildlife officials said the crash involved a vehicle and three motorcycles. Officials said two motorcyclists were pronounced dead at the scene and the third was believed to have gone over the rail and into the reservoir. After calling the search off late in the night, wardens resumed their search efforts Monday morning where they reportedly recovered the third victim at 11 a.m. “Our thoughts are with the victims’ families and loved ones during this difficult time,” officials with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said. At this time, officials did not release the names of the victims.

PAYNE SPRINGS – Payne Springs Fire Rescue said that a man had to be flown out to a trauma center on Saturday night after diving into Cedar Creek Lake, according to our news partners at KETK. PSFR said that they were dispatched to a boating accident at 5:32 p.m. in the Southwood Shores subdivision. When they arrived on the scene it was determined that there was no boating accident and that a man was injured after diving into the lake. “Every year we respond to calls where someone has suffered serious or fatal injures from diving off of boat docks into Cedar Creek Lake. We strongly recommend getting into the water feet first at all times,” Payne Springs Fire Rescue said. EMS reportedly transported the man to Gun Barrel City where he was then flown out to be treated at a trauma center.

TYLER – Tyler has been ranked as the eleventh best place to live in the Southwest by Livability.com. Their rankings are created by taking into account economic variables, quality of life indicators and affordability data taken from more than 2,000 cities from across the country.

“In today’s landscape, where affordability is increasingly challenging, people are prioritizing locations where their money stretches further,” says Amanda Ellis, editor in chief of Livability.com. “Our rankings spotlight exceptional small and mid-sized communities that excel in providing residents with both affordability and a high quality of life.” Continue reading Tyler named one of top 25 places to live