KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Texas currently holds the lowest gas prices in the nation and Tyler holds the lowest in the state, however these prices are expected to increase due to the holiday demand. Texas gas prices are the lowest of the nation at $2.82 for a gallon of regular unleaded fuel, according to the AAA Texas Weekend Gas Watch. It is a 26-cent decrease from the state’s average this time last year, $3.08. Tyler holds the lowest gas price average at $2.68 per a gallon of regular unleaded fuel, 66 cents less than the national average of $3.34. Continue reading Tyler gas prices lowest in the state

ANGELINA COUNTY – An Angelina County jailer was arrested on Thursday for distributing tobacco, a prohibited substance, to jail inmates. DPS said in a statement that Blane Wilson, 24 of Huntington, was arrested after the Texas Rangers were requested in October to investigate the allegations. Officials said Texas Rangers found during the investigation that Wilson had “transported prohibited substances into the facility and reportedly sold the substances to inmates in the jail facility.” Wilson was booked into the Angelina County Jail for felony prohibited substances and items in a correctional facility, and was released the same day after posting a $5,000 bond.

RUSK COUNTY – A Kilgore man was arrested for possession of marijuana after a traffic stop in Rusk County on Tuesday. Our news partners at KETK report that 20-year-old Christopher Marshall was reportedly stopped for speeding on Highway 259 South. During the traffic stop, authorities said “evidence was discovered which led to a probable cause search of the vehicle.” A search of the vehicle resulted in deputies seizing roughly one quarter pound of suspected marijuana. Marshall was arrested and charged with a state jail felony for possession of the substance. His bond was set at $6,500.

TEXARKANA – Our news colleagues at KETK report that an East Texas man was arrested after allegedly bringing meth to a local emergency room “to make sure it was safe.” 65-year-old Timothy Smith reportedly visited an emergency room on Nov. 9 in Texarkana. “While he wasn’t sick, he did want them to do him a favor – to test his meth to make sure it was safe,” Texarkana PD said. Continue reading Man arrested after allegedly asking ER to test his meth

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Officials announced on Friday they have received confirmation of a case of chronic wasting disease in Cherokee County according to our news partners at KETK. This marks the first detection in a deer breeding facility in the county, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD.) Officials said a 4-year-old buck tested positive after annual chronic wasting disease surveillance at the facility using postmortem testing. Continue reading Chronic wasting disease case confirmed in Cherokee County

TYLER — Jacob Ledbetter of Rockwall is the pioneer graduate of the state’s first of its kind master’s degree at UT Tyler. UT Tyler’s Masters of Science – Cybersecurity and Data Analytics program was fully established last year as an effort to aid the shortage of cybersecurity professionals. This program is the first of its kind in the state of Texas to combine both cybersecurity and data analytics, according to UT Tyler and our news partner KETK. Ledbetter had always had an interest in computer forensics, deciding to change his career path after receiving his bachelor’s in criminal justice. “I made some sacrifices this past year to get to this point, and it has been a rewarding experience. Having no prior knowledge, I am thankful my professors and adviser were understanding and patient while providing me guidance.” Ledbetter said. Continue reading New program at UT Tyler names first graduate

TYLER — Tyler ISD held their annual “State of the District” where school officials discussed safety measures on their campuses. According to our news partner KETK, the event was held during the monthly Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon, where the superintendent of Tyler ISD, Marty Crawford, recognized the importance of school safety and said that a student cannot perform well if they don’t feel safe. “You know, our school system employs a police officer to put in every campus, and that’s unheard of across the state almost. That’s one thing that’s a challenge every day, but we think we’re seeing some success there because we have a solid safety and security department to keep our kids and our teachers safe,” said Crawford. The event honored first responders with the 2023 Community Partner of the Year Award where they presented plaques to 10 different agencies from the local, county and federal level in recognition of their commitment to creating a secure environment. Continue reading Tyler ISD’s State of the District focuses on school safety

CHEROKEE COUNTY — A Cherokee County constable was indicted by a grand jury on an assault charge. According to our news partner KETK, the indictment stated James “Jamie” Beene is accused of hitting another man with his vehicle, causing serious bodily injury. Beene is the Precinct 4 Constable for Cherokee County. The indictment states that the incident happened on Oct. 26, 2021. Beene is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony. Records show that Beene was booked into the Rusk County Jail on the charge from Cherokee County on Nov. 9 and has since been released on a $25,000 bond.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — Our news colleagues at KETK report a traffic stop led to the arrest of two wanted individuals and the seizure of drugs in Nacogdoches County. According to the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy patrolling the intersection of FM 225 and CR 703 noticed a silver 2006 Honda traveling south on FM 225 with an expired vehicle registration and a faulty tail light. The driver reportedly failed to stop, leading to a pursuit that reached speeds of more than 100 mph. Deputies pursued the driver west onto SH 7 before turning into a dead end road, CR 615. The driver, later identified by as Christopher Dewayne Harvey, 48, of Lufkin, allegedly exited the vehicle and ran into nearby woods. Continue reading Two arrested after high speed chase in Nacogdoches County

TYLER — With Thanksgiving approaching, many families will find it challenging to purchase food for their holiday gathering. Our news partner KETK has a list of food drives in our area. To find the list, click here.

UPSHUR COUNTY – Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb Thursday morning had details on the arrest of double-homicide suspect 41-year-old Alvin McKnight Jr. Webb said the sheriff’s office received information Tuesday night about McKnight’s location that lead them to pinpoint a bus traveling from Abilene to San Bernardino, Calif.
Continue reading Suspect in Upshur County double murder arrested in California

SMITH COUNTY — On Wednesday, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office announced they are searching for a 17-year-old female last seen a week ago. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement on missing person, Raelyn “Ollie” Smith, 17, who went missing on Nov. 7. Officials said she was last seen wearing a black shirt, shorts, black rim glasses and a black beanie. She has two tattoos, a moth and flowers on her left wrist and a seeing eyeball on her left forearm. Smith reportedly suffers from anxiety and depression but does not take medication at this time. She was last seen in the company of a 16-year-old. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at 903-566-6600.

TYLER — A Tyler man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty to injury to a child. According to our news partner KETK, Lasabien Ford, 26, was arrested in January after an 8-month long search in the case where he was accused of hitting his infant son. According to his arrest warrant, Ford had held down the infant’s mother while she was holding the child and “continued to swing at her” resulting in the child being struck in the head with his fist. The warrant said the child went to the ER where a skull fracture was discovered.