KTBB News, Weather, Talk

DIANA – On Monday, the New Diana ISD Board of Trustees announced that they have officially named Marshall Moore as the superintendent of the district.

In a release from the school district, Moore said this about his new job. “I have been in education for 16 years, out of which eight years have been in administration. As an administrator, I have served alongside fantastic staff and communities. I am delighted to bring my family back to East Texas. Growing up in this area and always hearing about New Diana’s long-standing record of tradition and excellence made this an opportunity that was too good to pass up. As I assume this new role, establishing relationships and trust with all stakeholders will be my top priority. I look forward to building upon New Diana’s already distinguished reputation.”

The board of trustees made the announcement of Moore’s hiring official after waiting the required 21 days to do so.

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, East Texas Congressman Nathaniel Moran stopped at Pine Tree ISD on Monday in hopes to inspire the younger generation to follow their calling. “We’re going to try to be at as many schools as possible,” Moran said. Moran spoke to middle and high school students at Pine Tree ISD in Longview about several topics including possible career paths and what it takes to be successful. Pine Tree ISD Superintendent Steve Clugston said Monday was the first time Moran got to sit down with students. Students had the opportunity to ask Moran questions on subjects like term limits for Congress and school choice. Recently, Moran has made similar visits to several East Texas schools.

“As we’re growing these young people up, what I want to remind them is they have a special and unique call in this life and so, I challenged them by giving them challenge coins to find and follow their call,” Moran said. “Today I got some of the hardest questions I’ve had in any form there is,” Moran said. “That’s because these kids were prepared, they were excited, they were engaged. I love to see that.” Moran said he hopes to inspire students during these visits in any way he can. Continue reading Representative Moran talks to future voters

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Fire Marshal is urging residents to avoid burning. Over the last few days, several wildfires fueled by current windy and dry conditions started across East Texas. The Texas A&M Forest Service reported dozens of East Texas fires since Friday. Between Saturday and Sunday, the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office had to respond to nearly 30 grass fires. Gregg County Sheriff’s Office is also raising awareness of the danger of burning, after battling a 10-acre contained fire that got out of control this past weekend.

“We Responded to 60 wildfires for a total of 5,136 acres with 58 of them in East Texas alone,” said Laura Stevens, Texas A&M Forest Service wildland urban interface coordinator. Continue reading Officials ask residents to avoid burning

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department have made an arrest after a pedestrian was killed by an alleged drunk driver Feb. 24. According to our news partner KETK, Lantz Darensbourg, 46, was arrested Saturday afternoon. Darensbourg was driving west on West Hope Drive, when he reportedly hit a pedestrian and another vehicle. The pedestrian was taken to a local hospital where they reportedly died. Darensbourg was arrested for intoxication manslaughter. He is currently in the Gregg County Jail on a $70,000 bond.

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, a Tyler lawyer was arrested on Friday and is accused of transferring more than $200,000 out of a trust account meant for his client. According to his arrest warrant, Bruce Bain, 56, was hired in September 2022 as a divorce attorney for a client and was paid a $5,000 retainer fee that same day. The client told police, according to the warrant, that $235,551.44 from the sale of her home was put into a trust account set up by Bain.

The warrant said that when Bain was contacted by police about the case, he told them he was unable to give her the money due to a hold on his account. According to the warrant, Bain allegedly told the officer we would call back at a later time when he had more information, but did not call back. Officials with Tyler PD received a grand jury subpoena return from the trust account, according to the warrant, and found that multiple transfers were made from the account to two others, which were shown to be a checking and savings accounts in the name of Law Offices of Bruce D. Bain. Continue reading Tyler lawyer arrested on theft charges

GILMER – A 40-year-old man was arrested early Monday morning in Gilmer for murder. According to our news partner KETK, Gilmer PD responded to the 800 block of North Street around 1:43 a.m. for a call about a suspicious person and made contact with Craig Smith, who officials said matched the description given of the suspicious person. A release said that through the course of officers investigation, Vennessa Smith, 41, was found dead at her home. Smith was arrested and booked into the Upshur County Jail for murder, failure to identify as a fugitive and an outstanding warrant for assault family violence.

HARRISON COUNTY – A woman was arrested for multiple felony charges in Harrison County on Sunday after a traffic stop. According to our news partner KETK, a sheriff’s deputy made a stop on Highway 80 for a license plate violation. After the stop, officials said the driver, identified as Hope Dickerson, 29 of Marshall, was arrested and was booked into the Harrison County Jail where her bond has not yet been set.

She was charged with the following: Possession of a controlled substance between four and 400 grams, acid tabs, possession of marijuana, over a pound, possession of a controlled substance, THC wax and the fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, social security cards for five different people.

EASTON – The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office said that law enforcement and several area fire departments responded to a 10-acre grass and woods fire burning in the Easton area on Saturday. Our news partner KETK reports that the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, Airport Public Safety Division, Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Office, Easton VFD, Tatum VFD, Longview Fire Department, Elderville/Lakeport VFD, Kilgore Rescue and the Texas Forest Service all responded to the scene.

“What started as a small controlled burn turned into a large fire due to the drop in humidity and wind. Please using caution when burning. Tomorrow (Sunday) is predicted to be a high fire danger day. Please do not burn.” Gregg County Sheriff’s Office

LONGVIEW — According to our news partner KETK, Democratic state senator Roland Gutierrez was in Gregg County on Friday campaigning for the March 5 primary election. Running up against seven other opponents including U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, who currently leads in the polls, Gutierrez has made his rounds around Texas to meet voters. As Gutierrez’s district includes the city of Uvalde, he laid out the issues that matter the most to him and the people who he represents. The winner of the primary will face Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, who is running for his third term. Gutierrez said his goals are for new leadership and a fresh start for the state. Gutierrez said a runoff election could happen due to how many people are running.

“We were in Tyler last week. Longview this week,” said Gutierrez. “Good group of Democrats here that want to talk about the issues that are affecting them most.” Continue reading State Senator visits Longview ahead of primary

ATHENS – According to our news partner KETK, an Athens man has been sentenced to 35 years in state prison after he was arrested on May 15, 2023 for grabbing an officer’s gun, evading arrest causing serious bodily injury and manufacture/delivery of cocaine, judicial records show. Jonathan Dewayne Cumby, 42 of Athens, was arrested after Athens Police Department officer Matthew Halbert and corporal Melissa Goss pulled him over in the 300 block of Jonathan Street, according to Henderson County District Attorney Jenny Palmer.

Several clear baggies were seen in a fanny pack that Cumby was wearing and then he was asked to get out of the vehicle. According to Palmer, he took off the fanny pack and held it in his hand, was ignoring the officer’s commands and then started running. As Cumby ran, Goss reportedly tried to grab him and she fell and broke her femur, and then Halbert sprained his knee at some point in the altercation. A press release from the DA said that, Cumby then reportedly grabbed Halbert’s gun and was arrested at some point after that. Continue reading Man sentenced for grabbing cop’s gun

TYLER – With warm weather on its way to East Texas, people may be firing up their grills and noticing high propane prices. According to our news partner KETK, most can hardly believe the current costs, and are frustrated every time they have to pick up a new tank or refill.

“It’ll take your breath away because the price has almost doubled,” said Jason Blakeney, owner of Blakeney Hardware. Blakeney tells KETK that propane prices increased about a year and a half ago due to a major tank shortage. “But now, everything has kind of settled down there’s not really a shortage of tanks anymore,” said Blakeney. Blakeney wants people to know, these rates are set by the suppliers. His providers say they don’t foresee the rates lowering anytime soon. Continue reading Increased propane costs shock East Texans

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department has announced that Captain Russel Washburn is retiring after over 30 years with the department. According to our news partner KETK, Washburn worked as the supervisor of the Operations Support Bureau. They handle support services, criminal investigations, public safety communication, fleet services and crime analysis.

City officials said that Captain Washburn began his career with the Longview PD in 1993 as a detention officer. In his 30-year career, he has been in numerous positions in the department.

In a Facebook post, the Longview PD said, “We want to wish Captain Russell Washburn a very happy retirement! Captain Washburn has been with the Longview Police Department for 30 plus years. We appreciate his many years of hard work and dedication to the City of Longview.”