KTBB News, Weather, Talk

MOUNT PLEASANT – A man was arrested on Tuesday in Mount Pleasant after police said he fled in a stolen car while an officer attempted to make a traffic stop. According to Mount Pleasant PD, officers attempted to stop a car around 11:30 a.m. that was displaying a false registration in the area of 100 S Lee Ave. when the driver, identified as Eduardo Flores, 40, fled from them. Officials said officers followed him into the east side of Titus County and were able to spike the car’s tires, “but the suspect still refused to yield.” Continue reading Man arrested after traffic stop leads to pursuit

TYLER – With strong winds making their way through East Texas, over 3,500 customers are without power as of 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Our news partner KETK, has a county by county list of those impacted on the ONCOR and SWEPCO service maps and other electric co-ops as well. You can find the list here.

TYLER – Douglas Elementary School has started plans to transform their outdoor space into an extension of the classroom following a $100,000 donation from former student Jack Benson. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler ISD announced last Wednesday that the funds will be used for new playground equipment as well as a covered learning space. The outdoor learning area is planned to incorporate scientific concepts with microscopes and other tools for experiments and hands-on learning. Benson hopes that through his donation others are encouraged to give back. “The vision for the outdoor learning area is to have an outdoor extension of the classroom, something I think children at any elementary grade level will benefit from,” Benson said.

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) has been named the recipient of a $125,000 grant through the annual Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards program, according to a news release. “This grant will help further ETFB’s efforts in the community of fighting hunger and feeding hope in the 26 counties we serve in East Texas,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “This will allow us to feed more East Texans through our mobile pantries, resource centers and programs for seniors and children.” ETFB is one of 51 True Inspiration Awards grant recipients in 2024 that are receiving a collective $5.48 million from Chick-fil-A, Inc. To be selected for a grant, organizations must work to address key issues that align with Chick-fil-A’s corporate social responsibility priorities: Caring for People, Caring for Others through Food, Caring for our Communities and Caring for our Planet. Continue reading East Texas Food Bank receives grant

PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department arrested three men after responding to a call of multiple people “waving around guns” at a Whataburger on Jan. 5 around 8:20 p.m. According to our news partner KETK, officers responded to a call of a witness claiming to observe people getting into and out of a white Chevrolet Traverse at the Whataburger on Loop 256. Officials said they have received multiple calls in recent months in the area and the Palestine Plaza, involving fights, drugs and weapons offenses. A detective with the Street Crimes Unit was the first to respond to the scene and located the vehicle in the parking lot that reportedly occupied several young males. The detective reportedly held them at gunpoint until back-up arrived. The detective allegedly noticed one of the passengers, Brenden Mathews, 17, was making “furtive movements” and was ordered multiple times to keep his hands up. Continue reading Teens arrested after ‘waving around guns’ in public

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County officials say that scam phone calls are starting back now that the holidays are complete. According to the Sheriff’s office, a caller will identify themselves as Lt. Robert Strickland or Sgt. Larry Christian, both employees of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. The caller is told for failure to appear in court, they have to pay a fine. The caller will stay on the line with the victim with instructions on how on how to deposit the money.
Continue reading Smith County Sheriff issues scam alert

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is seeking information in regards to a vehicle crash and man who was shot Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, officers answered a call on Everett Street. When they arrived they found that a man with a gunshot wound in the front yard shot and a vehicle that had crashed into a tree. The man had serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital. Longview Police is continuing their investigation. They ask if anyone has information to call them at 903-237-1110 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers 903-236-7876. Any tips received will stay anonymous.

SMITH COUNTY — A man was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Sunday morning after officials said he barricaded himself in a County Road 165 residence on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said they got a call on an open line where they could hear a distraught woman around 9:40 p.m. on Saturday night. Deputies responded to the 16500 block of County Road 165 and were able to get the woman out so she could be treated for her injuries. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the woman said a man in the house was armed. Trent Bright, 54, Tyler, was allegedly barricaded in the residence for hours. Officials said that Smith County Swat and negotiators arrived at the scene and by Sunday morning Bright had come out of the residence to turn himself in after hours of negotiation. Bright was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is being held in the Smith County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

COFFEE CITY – Chris L. Moore, who served as Chief of the Coffee City Fire Department,has died. According to our news partner KETK, Moore died Saturday Jan. 6. CCFD said that Chief Moore had been the Coffee City Fire Chief since 2008. He had previously served with the Southlake Fire Department and the Westlake Volunteer Fire Department. The Coffee City Fire Department also said, “Chief Moore mentored and inspired many firefighters in his career and will greatly be missed. Rest easy Chief we have the watch from here.”

COFFEE CITY — Former Coffee City police officer Lonnie Hicks was arrested on four counts of tampering with government records on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Hicks’s arrest comes after the former Coffee City Mayor, Police Chief and other officers were also recently arrested for tampering with government records. According to Henderson County Jail records, Hicks was released on Friday after posting a total $400,000 bond. Coffee City Police Department was deactivated back in September of 2023 and now the town is being covered by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. In December, following the arrest of former Mayor Frank Serrato, Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse explained that anyone with concerns can contact them. “We will continue to cover the city,” Hillhouse said. “If they have any concerns or anything the sheriff’s office is always here, and we will always be here. Just a phone call away.”

TYLER – Tyler Police say six people, a woman and five juveniles were hurt in a car accident Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, the crash occured at Broadway Avenue and Front Street. The adult woman and two juveniles were treated at a local hospital, while the other three minors were transported to Dallas for treatment. Authorities also say that 27-year-old Kylee Johns of Arp was charged with intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily harm. Johns is in the Smith County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

MARSHALL – A boil water notice is in effect for areas of Marshall near Loop 390. According to our news partner KETK, the notice was put into effect due to water pressure loss and the subsequent repair on Saturday. The parts of the city with the boil water notice are; Loop 390 and Highway 59 South to Carolann Street and west to Washington Avenue, Loop 390 Highway 80 East to Warren Drive and South from Warren Drive to Airport Road. Marshall city officials say the notice will be posted until further notice. Those in the affected areas will need to bring their water to a rolling boil for at least two minutes before using it. The city Sunday on its Facebook page that water samples will be taken to the lab, and results are expected Tuesday.