KTBB News, Weather, Talk

COOKE COUNTY – According to our new partner KETK, a man was sentenced to 10 life sentences, one 10-year sentence and two 20-year sentences on Monday for charges related to events that happened in Cooke County and East Texas. A release from the Cooke County District Attorney’s Office states that David Michael Calhou was found guilty of five counts of sexual assault of a child, seven counts of aggravated assault and one count of assault strangulation. The jury took less than one hour before returning a guilty verdict, and another hour before returning with the punishment verdict.

Evidence presented at court said Calhoun was caring for the children, who were his nephews and stepchildren, around 2017 when he began abusing them. A release said the abuse continued in Harleton, Jefferson and Athens. Two other defendants have been indicted due to their connection to the case and are set for pretrial in April 2024. Five of Calhoun’s life sentences were ordered to run consecutively by the presiding judge. Continue reading 10 life sentences for child sex abuser

EAST TEXAS — Thousands of people will travel to East Texas for the total solar eclipse on April 8 as some parts will be in totality. According to our news partner KETK, officials expect the City of Tyler to triple in size with thousands of people using major roads to come into East Texas.

“Just keep in mind that we’re expecting traffic to increase. Obviously, this is going to be one of the hot spots to be in, so just keep that in mind plan for more time to travel where you’re going,” Jeff Williford, with the Texas Department of Transportation, said. Continue reading Thousands set to travel to East Texas for total solar eclipse

TYLER — The University of Texas Board of Regents announced on Monday that Julie Philley, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Vice Provost at UT Tyler, is a finalist to be considered for the position of UT Tyler’s president, according to our news partner KETK. According to a release, following a special called meeting of the UT board of regents, they unanimously voted for Philley to be a finalist in their search for a president following current president Kirk Calhoun’s retirement in May. Continue reading Finalist for UT Tyler presidency

NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office said that two men were arrested on Thursday for possession of marijuana and a stolen firearm. Our news partner KETK is reporting that deputies were sent to reports of shots fired at a vehicle near a residence in the 300 block of County Road 6103 at around 4:16 p.m. on Thursday. No one was reportedly hurt from the shooting but the vehicle was damaged and deputies determined that Evaristo Sanchez Jr., 24, and Jose Gerardo Sanchez, 25, were persons of interest.

The two were reportedly found by deputies at a home in 800 block of third street in Nacogdoches. They were detained by deputies and the home was searched after a search warrant was secured. Officials said the deputies found two handguns, a rifle, paraphernalia and more than 8 ounces of marijuana. A sheriff’s office press release claimed that one of the guns was reported stolen in Lufkin. Continue reading Two arrested for stolen gun, marijuana

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a Sunday night fire that resulted in the deaths of a mother and daughter in Lindale. Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said the call came in at 10:18 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2024, that a brick home on north College Street was on fire. The Lindale Fire Department responded and requested that the Smith County Fire Marshal assist in the investigation. Hogue identified the women who died as Ruby Martinez, who would have turned 84 on March 20, and her daughter, Gloria Clark, 67. Autopsies have been ordered on both women.

Two engines and a battalion chief from Emergency Services District 2 also responded to help put out the fire, which resulted in a total loss of the home. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office.

LONGVIEW – A 50 year prison sentence was given to a man after a guilty plea in the 2022 murder of a Longview teenager. According to our news partner KETK, 30-year-old Laderrion Johnson pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and murder. Johnson was arrested in November 2022 due to multiple incidents at the Preserve Apartments. At this time, Johnson shot and killed 14-year-old Rahsaan Jefferson. After a standoff with Longview Police, Johnson surrendered, was indicted, before eventually pleading guilty.

TYLER – An accident involving a car and a pedestrian Monday morning has killed one person. According to our news partner KETK,  Evencio Arellano, 79, was struck by a car on Front Street, near the Rose Garden. Tyler Police said Arellano was taken to local hospital, where he later died. Authorities said the accident did not occur at a crosswalk or intersection.

TYLER — Tyler Police are working an auto/pedestrian crash in the 1800 blk of W. Front Street. All eastbound traffic is closed from Lyons Ave to Peach Ave. Police and emergency personnel are in the roadway and ask that drivers avoid this area if possible. The pedestrian was transported to UT Main with life threatening injuries. The vehicle that struck the pedestrian remained on scene. The accident did not occur at a crosswalk or intersection. This case remains under investigation.

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith Sheriff’s Office said that a Hispanic male who was reportedly kidnapped by two other Hispanic males on FM 2015 Sunday has been found safe. According to our news partner KETK, the deputies responded to the 11700 block of FM 2015 around 4 p.m. on Sunday for reports of a kidnapping. One Hispanic male was reportedly taken from his home at gunpoint by two other Hispanic males who demanded money before fleeing the area. Smith County investigators responded to the scene and figured out that the two were allegedly heading to the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex area in a red Honda.

The investigators told information to the Arlington and Fort Worth Police Departments that led to the kidnapping victim being found unharmed along with the suspects and their vehicle. The Smith County officials are responding to Fort Worth to take custody of the suspects and transport the victim back to Tyler. The sheriff’s office said this investigation is ongoing.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said that a high-speed vehicle pursuit that started in Van Zandt County ended in a crash at State Highway 64 and Loop 323 in Tyler on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, the pursuit started on Interstate 20 where the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office was pursuing a white Ford F-150 at 100 miles per hour. Around 6:55 p.m., the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said a SCSO deputy on Interstate 20 then tried to conduct a traffic stop on the Ford. The vehicle then exited onto State Highway 110 coming into Tyler.

The Ford passed spike strips at Loop 323 and SH 110 and turned on Loop 323. The pursuit continued to State Highway 64 where the Ford reportedly crashed. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the driver was taken into custody and has been transported to a local hospital. The Texas Department of Public Safety is reportedly working the crash and Tyler PD was called out to conduct traffic.

CHAPEL HILL – Chapel Hill Independent School District in Smith County said that they’re holding a job fair for anyone interested in working with them on Tuesday according to our news partner KETK. “We are seeking individuals who are deeply passionate about student success and are dedicated to fostering a positive community impact. Our aim is to attract top talent to our district and provide them with the necessary support for success in their roles,” said Deidra Sutton, Chapel Hill ISD’s director of human resources. The job fair will be held on Tuesday, March 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Chapel Hill High School Varsity Gym. Several Chapel Hill ISD staff will be at the event to discuss what working in the district is like from day to day and to conduct on-site interviews. Along with staff there will be several students from the Academies of Chapel Hill, including aspiring engineers and entrepreneurs.

PALESTINE – The Palestine Police Department said that a third person was arrested on Saturday after officers responded to reports of shots fired on Wednesday night near Spring Street and West Oak Street. According to our news Partner KETK, Detective J. Waldon and Officer L. Medina spoke with a witness who said he heard around eight or nine shots from two guns coming from a residence on West Debard Street. Waldon and Medina arrived at the residence and reportedly found several people “who appeared to be intoxicated” with two vehicles playing loud music. They spoke with a man near one of the vehicles who was allegedly to identify himself and asked the officers to leave. Officers said they decided to arrest him when he continued to not identify himself.

The man reportedly resisted arrest and began “using force” against Medina. The man’s spouse then reportedly got between Medina and her husband to prevent his arrest. Continue reading 3 arrested after gunshots reported in Palestine

PANOLA COUNTY – Our news partner KETK is reporting that one person has died after a two-vehicle rollover crash happened on US Highway 59 South in Panola County on Friday. Details about the rollover crash are limited but the sheriff’s office said that the highway had to be shutdown for a medical helicopter to land. According to the sheriff’s office, one person received fatal injuries in the crash and the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace has been contacted for an inquest. Troopers, sheriff’s office deputies, the Precinct 2 constable, Gary Volunteer Fire Department and UT Health EMS all responded to the crash.