KTBB News, Weather, Talk

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.”

EMORY – According to our news partner KETK, a person was found dead in a car in Emory Thursday afternoon where fire officials said a “hazardous container” was also inside. According to a release, local authorities were dispatched to a local park around 5:50 p.m. on a report of a deceased person in a car, and Emory PD had Alexander and North Street shut down while Emory VFD contacted Hazmat.

“Emory Fire then opened the car door that was locked and safely mixed absorbent and sand with the liquid mixture that was in the container,” fire officials said. Hazmat took possession of the container for disposal, according to authorities, and local officials asked for prayers for the family and first responders that worked the incident.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department said that they’ve arrested two people in connection to four robberies that happened at stores between Feb. 8 and 20. According to our news partner KETK, Phillip Redwine, 53 of Longview, allegedly entered the stores, displayed a handgun and then demanded cash from the store’s clerks. Aggravated robbery warrants for Redwine (pictured) and McKenzie Wilson, 21 of Longview, were issued and Longview PD arrested them. According to jail records, Redwine was charged with having an expired driver’s license, evading arrest/detention, aggravated robbery and a blue warrant. Wilson was charged with aggravated robbery and is being held on a $50,000 bond at the Gregg County Jail. Redwine is being held at the Gregg County Jail on a total $185,000 bond.

SMITH COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, Texas leaders met in Smith County to push the Jenna Quinn Law through the U.S. House of Representatives. Lawmakers met at the Smith County Advocacy Center in Tyler to discuss Jenna’s Law, a bill aimed at preventing sexual abuse of children on a national level. If passed, the bill will center around giving teachers, educators and care givers adequate training and identify, prevent and report child sexual abuse. The bill received its name from Jenna Quinn, a child sexual abuse survivor, and is now an outspoken advocate for survivors of child sexual abuse.

Quinn is spearheading the bill with Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Rep. Nathaniel Moran to empower young victims. The bill will give almost $170 million of funding from the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. The law has passed in 35 states so far and Quinn said it proves that the legislation works. Moran said more than 42 million children are abused in the nation and believes that statistic will bring both sides of the aisle together to help give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. Continue reading Leaders met to push Jenna Quinn Law through

TYLER – A UT Tyler employee was placed on leave after allegedly claiming the university is still doing DEI work, despite new state laws banning the office. DEI, or Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Offices, were banned from public higher education institutions in a law that took effect on Jan. 1. The law states that higher education workers can no longer sign any statements dedicated to upholding DEI or attend trainings that reference “race, color, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation.” Our news partner KETK reports that they have launched an investigation into the employee.

According to an article posted by the Texas Scorecard, and part of an investigation and video by Accuracy in Media, UT Tyler Director of Student Belonging, identified as Tarecka Payne, told an undercover investigator that the university had to change the name of its DEI department three times. The article states she said the university can still do DEI work, but they just have to be “creative.” Continue reading Employee accuses UT Tyler of skirting DEI laws