KTBB News, Weather, Talk

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.”

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

LIVINGSTON — According to our news partner KETK, newly released documents obtained by Houston-area NBC affiliate KPRC sheds light on the death of an 11-year-old Livingston girl that went missing on Feb. 15. According to records from the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office, the examiner ruled that Cunningham’s cause of death was due to “homicidal violence with blunt head trauma.”

According to Polk County records, Don Steven McDougal, 42, was with the victim, Audrii Cunningham, on the morning of Feb. 15. Records show that McDougal and the child left Cunningham’s home in the suspect’s 2003 Chevrolet Suburban with the intent of dropping off the child at a school bus stop outside of the subdivision. Authorities said Cunningham never made it to Creekside Elementary school that day. McDougal was reportedly a friend of the Cunningham family, resided on their property in a camper and had access to the victim’s home. An Amber Alert was issued later that night and law enforcement began a search for the missing girl. Continue reading Cause of death of 11-year-old Livingston girl released

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday the names of two people employed by the county are being used in recent phone scams. According to our news partner KETK, the caller will say he is either Sgt. Tim Jones or Sgt. Justin Hall and will claim to be with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office civil processing division, needing to discuss an urgent matter. Authorities say the discussion always ends with the victim owning money.

Officials say in a release that, “The Smith County Sheriff’s Office employs both a Sgt. Tim Jones and Sgt. Justin Hall, but their names are just being used for the purpose of scamming individuals,” officials said. “If you receive a call from anyone advising that they are a law enforcement official and you owe money, please just hang up.”

If you want to verify a scam, your asked to call the sheriff’s office non-emergency number at 903-566-6600.

TYLER — Friday is the deadline to get your applications for mail-in ballots to the Smith County Elections Office. Applications for ballots by mail must be received, not just postmarked, by the Elections Office by 5 p.m. Friday, February 23. The applications can be found here. The ballots can be delivered in person to the Elections Office, located at 302 E. Feguson St., by the person applying for a mail-in ballot or by a mail delivery worker and no other person. An application can be faxed to 903-590-4778 or emailed to [email protected] by February 23, but the original must be mailed or delivered to the office within four days, before the ballot can be mailed to the voter. Continue reading Applications for mail-in ballots due Friday

TYLER – It has 30 days since Harley Morris of Tyler disappeared. The Tyler Police Department said there is no new information on the missing 29-year-old. According to our news partner KETK, Morris was last seen Jan. 21 leaving the 50 Grand Club in Tyler about 3 a.m.

Andy Erbaugh, Public Information Officer for Tyler PD, said “Unless we know where to look, or put the drones or send the dogs, then we don’t have a location and nowhere to send them. Game wardens have been assisting us with their drones looking at wooded areas and just last weekend the game wardens were out with their drones looking and certain areas.”
Continue reading Search for missing Tyler man continues

AUSTIN – Thursday Gov. Greg Abbott announced the reappointment of Gary Halbrooks as the presiding officer of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority. According to a release from the governors office, Halbrooks, whose a Tyler native, is president and CEO of Venue Properties Inc. He has served as a Smith County appointee on the NET RMA since 2012 and has been the presiding officer since 2021. The NET RMA serves to finance, acquire, design, construct, operate, maintain and expand transportation projects in 14 counties in North Texas.

DALLAS (AP) – A number of Americans are dealing with cellular outages on AT&T, Cricket Wireless, Verizon, T-Mobile and other service providers, according to data from Downdetector. AT&T had more than 64,000 outages this morning, in locations including Houston, Atlanta and Chicago. The outages began at approximately 3:30 a.m. ET. The carrier has more than 240 million subscribers, the country’s largest. Cricket Wireless had more than 13,000, the outage tracking website said Thursday. Verizon had more than 4,000 outages and T-Mobile had more than 1,900 outages. Boost Mobile had about 700 outages. So far, no reason has been given for the outages. Representatives for AT&T, Verizon and Cricket weren’t immediately available to comment.

LIVINGSTON (AP) — A family friend accused of killing 11-year-old Audrii Cunningham was supposed to take the Texas girl to her school bus stop when they left her home in his vehicle nearly a week before authorities found her body in a river, according to court documents released Wednesday. A large rock was tied to her body when search teams found it Tuesday in the Trinity River in a rural area north of Houston about 10 miles from her home, according to the capital murder criminal complaint filed Tuesday against Don Steven McDougal.

Audrii’s family reported her missing on Feb. 15 when she failed to return to her Livingston home after school. Investigators discovered that she never got on the bus to go to school that morning.
McDougal, 42, lived in a camper on the family’s property near the shore of Lake Livingston and had previously taken Audrii to the bus stop or to school when she missed the bus, according to Polk County Sheriff Byron Lyons.
Continue reading Murder charges in the death of Audrii Cunningham

CARTHAGE – Carthage Independent School District announced Tuesday they are welcoming a new director of safety and security. According to our news partner KETK, Darrin Peeples joins the district after being a Texas Game Warden for almost 14 years. Peeples has a bachelor’s in agriculture leadership and development from Texas A&M University.

Carthage ISD Superintendent Jarrod Bitter said, “We are thrilled to welcome Darrin Peeples to our team as the Director of Safety and Security. His extensive background in law enforcement and specialization in school safety makes him an incredibly valuable asset to our district. I look forward to working with Mr. Peeples to ensure the safety and security of our students, staff, and community.”

Peeples also obtained certificates from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, EMS training and as an ALICE active threat trainer.

MARSHALL — Marshall drivers were asked to avoid the intersection of Highways 59 and 80 due to an unusual road hazard Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Marshall police said a “chicken gut truck” left a “trail of blood and gore” on the roadway. Police asked drivers to steer clear of the bloody lane as a hazmat crew cleaned the scene. “Drive safe, watch out for feathers, and maybe… keep your windows rolled up for this stretch,” police said. “Thanks for your coop-eration!”

CROCKETT — The Crockett Police Department said a woman was arrested on Monday for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend and attempting to stab a police officer. According to our news partner KETK, the police department and a deputy with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 300 block of Rose Street in reference to an assault at around 2:08 a.m. The caller reportedly told dispatch his girlfriend, Jhaeneisha Deshay Anderson, 40 of Crockett, had assaulted and injured him. When authorities arrived at the scene, they reportedly saw the man had multiple injuries to several areas of his body and officers learned that Anderson was heavily intoxicated and aggressive. Police said Anderson was barricaded inside the residence with three of her children.

Officers obtained keys to the residence and unlocked the door after Anderson reportedly refused to leave the residence. Continue reading Woman arrested after attempting to stab officer