KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY — Sections of Smith County Road 463, also known as Wood Springs Road under Interstate 20, and CR 370 have water over the roadways, according to county officials. Smith County Road and Bridge crews are out clearing downed trees, but none have been reported blocking the entire road to cause a closure. Drivers are reminded to not drive through high water crossings.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said a man was arrested for an active warrant and drugs like methamphetamine, marijuana and Xanax were found after a search. According to our news partner KETK, Derek Elam, 49, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals in conjunction with the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit, Longview Police Special Investigation Apprehension and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms. Longview PD said a search of the motel room at Knights Inn uncovered 422 grams of counterfeit Adderall, 108 grams of methamphetamines, 43 grams of Xanax, 8 grams of cocaine, 7 grams of ecstasy, 7 grams of marijuana and 2 grams of hydrocodone.

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said a female inmate died Sunday morning. In a release from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the inmate, Tanya Williams experienced a medical emergency that morning around 6 a.m. Williams was taken to a local hospital where she later died. The sheriff’s office said Texas Rangers were notified, and will conduct an investigation, which is standard procedure. An autopsy was also ordered. The release also stated Williams was arrested Thursday on drug charges.

SHELBY COUNTY – A Shelby County man is pending trial after being charged with livestock theft and exploiting an elderly man according to our news partner KETK. According to the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA), Danny Matthew Wright was arrested after he reportedly stole cattle from his employer, an elderly Shelby County resident. “With assistance from Shelby County Constables, Josh Tipton and Taylor Fanguy, the team discovered the identification of a stolen cow through a brand registered to the victim,” TSCRA said. Wright was indicted by a grand jury on the charges, and was arrested on Jan. 5 before he was released a few days later. Wright is currently pending trial.

MOUNT PLEASANT – The Mount Pleasant Fire Department said in a post that crews were working a fire at the Pleasant Oaks landfill early on Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, crews from Mount Pleasant and Titus County Fire Departments worked the fire and eventually cleared the scene. Mount Pleasant FD said that landfill workers are still at the scene digging the fire out to extinguish it further and monitoring the landfill as the day goes on.

TYLER – Tyler man has been indicted with capital murder for the death of an 18-year-old woman who was found in a ravine behind a Tyler apartment. According to our news partner KETK, 19-year-old Jamaurea Britton was charged with capital murder in the death of Dejah hood. After speaking to authorities for over an hour, Britton confessed to the murder. Continue reading Tyler man charged with capital murder

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) arrested a woman following the investigation of a dog that was abandoned near Lake Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Animal Control responded to a report on March 13 of an abandoned dog in the 17600 block of Southpoint Road near Lake Tyler. Upon their arrival they contacted the caller who said they found the puppy abandoned at Hill Creek Park on Lake Tyler.

Officials said the dog, a black and white Pit Bull mix, was taken to the Smith County Animal Shelter and listed for adoption. The sheriff’s office said that a Facebook comment had tagged an individual identified as Megan Baldree, 36 of Tyler, as being the owner of the puppy. Continue reading Woman arrested after abandoning dog near Lake Tyler

TYLER – On April 8, the sun and moon will align and parts of East Texas will experience totality during the 2024 solar eclipse. Following are events in Tyler. Check our news partner KETK’s site for more locations and events.

Texas African American Museum: The Empowerment Community Development Corporation will hold a Total Solar Eclipse Black Out Festival. They are expecting one minute and 49 seconds of totality.
Caldwell Zoo: The zoo will be holding A Wild Solar Eclipse event with commemorative treats and gifts available. Eclipse viewing glasses will be given out until the supply runs out.
Discovery Science Place: They will hold special activities and act as a viewing location.
Tyler Parks and Recreation: Lindsey Park and Faulkner Park will be viewing locations and the Goodman-LeGrand Museum will have a lunch on the lawn event.
Broadway Square Mall: From 12:30 – 2:30 p.m., families are invited to a solar eclipse watch party at the JCPenney parking lot.

TYLER – A once-in-a-lifetime Total Solar Eclipse will hit the skies Monday and our news partner KETK is reporting that the TJC Earth and Space Science Center has been working to educate East Texans on what to expect. With the chance of severe weather in the forecast, backup plans are being put in place, but if it does rain on the day of the eclipse TJC will be canceling events. Hartweg added that if it’s just cloudy, don’t worry, because you still have a chance to view the spectacular sight. East Texans will also get the chance for an extra surprise in the sky during totality. “There is a comet that may be potentially visible and for people to kind of be on the lookout for it will be near Jupiter,” said Hartweg.

“We’re doing our best to make sure people understand that to get the full experience, you need to be in what we call the path of totality, that’s a spot that’s 100% total eclipse,” said Beau Hartweg, the director of the Tyler Junior College Earth and Space Science Center. “We’ll have some solar telescopes out and different ways for people to view the eclipse,” said Hartweg. Continue reading Tyler Junior College gears up for Monday’s Eclipse

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office said that three people were arrested for numerous felonies on Tuesday in connection to a “suspected human trafficking incident.” According to our news partner KETK, the incident started as a traffic stop by Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office deputies who pulled over a black 2009 BMW X5 SUV on Tuesday night at the intersection Durst Street and Stallings Drive in Nacogdoches. Deputies reportedly noticed an 8-year-old asleep in the backseat of the car and an empty alcoholic beverage in the floor board. Deputies then asked to search the vehicle and found a black duffle bag in the backseat floor board, according to a press release.

Officials estimated that the drugs are worth over $150,000. Luis Emmanuel Quevedo-Vasquez, 29, Carmen Guadalupe Diaz, 24, both of Green Bay, Wisconsin, were all taken into custody when the drugs were discovered. Diaz and Quevedo-Vasquez were asked about the child and they reportedly couldn’t give deputies the child’s last name or it’s mother’s name. Officials said this is an ongoing investigation. Continue reading Suspected human trafficking leads to drug seizure

TYLER – Smith County Jury Duty has been cancelled for Monday. According to Smith County public information officer Casey Murphy, if you received a jury summons for April 8, 2024, you do not have to report to the Courthouse. This is due to total solar eclipse occurring Monday April 8.

LINDALE – The city of Lindale is giving you a chance to be part of history after the solar eclipse Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the city is creating a time capsule for future generations. Officials say the capsule will be buried in Darden Harvest Park and anyone can leave one object. That object can be no larger that four by six inches and not liquid.

The capsule will be opened for anyone who wants their item to be stored inside after a ceremony on Saturday at Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square. After Monday’s eclipse, the capsule will be sealed and buried for future Lindale residents to find.

BIG SANDY, Texas – Our news partners at KETK report that Big Sandy City Hall has moved to a new location. First announced on Friday, the new location is on 119 E. Gilmer St., across from the Big Sandy Fire Department. Even though phone and internet services are down, the city is working to get everything re-connected. Citizens can either visit in-person or call 903-714-0917.