KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department said a Taco Bell employee was shot and killed Wednesday morning after a unknown suspect attempted to rob them. According to our news partner KETK, police responded to a shooting at the Judson Road Taco Bell parking lot around 12:40 a.m. The restaurant employees were said to be outside while power was out in the area when an unknown suspect walked up and attempted to rob them. The suspect reportedly shot an employee and stole a car, Longview PD said. The employee was later pronounced dead at the scene. The car was recovered nearby.

The police department said they are actively investigating with the help of the Texas Department of Public Safety Rangers. A person of interest has been identified. Officials said more information will be released as the investigation develops.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1110 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP.

TYLER – City of Tyler said in a release that there will be repairs Thursday and Friday, June 27 and June 28, to a portion of Cumberland Road. That part is between Old Jacksonville Highway and Blue Mountain Boulevard. Repair crews will be out both days from from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers can expect delays in the area and should follow the road crews directions. There will be lane closures with one lane of traffic. City officials ask motorists to detour to Blue Mountain Blvd and use caution while traveling on this road, as workers will be present.

TYLER – Ahead of a televised debate this week, former President Donald Trump holds an 8% advantage with a sample of registered Texas voters when voters consider candidates on the ballot, according to the latest survey by The University of Texas at Tyler Center for Opinion Research. The advantage is 6%, with likely voters on the assumption this is a high turnout election like four years ago. Continue reading UT Tyler pre-debate poll

CARTHAGE – Officials in Carthage approved a maximum price of $3.7 million to construct a standalone police headquarters according to our colleagues at KETK. Carthage police and fire currently share an address at 321 W. Panola St. The fire department will stay in their current building, but police will move to the new headquarters when it is finished. According to City Manager Steve Williams, the city will pay for the new headquarters out of the city budget. They plan to start moving dirt in early July, and the project is expected to take about a year to finish. Williams said that both their fire and police departments have outgrown their old space, and this move will also afford the fire department more room.

TRINITY COUNTY – UPDATE: The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office announced that they have arrested one of the two men.

ORIGINAL STORY: Our news partners at KETK report that a manhunt was initiated for two men in Trinity County on Wednesday after officials said they received a report about a theft. According to Sheriff Woody Wallace, two men were seen on a man’s property on US 287 near the county line and when units responded to the scene they reported seeing one man on a tractor and another on a side-by-side that attempted to leave the property. Both of the men initially fled on the vehicles before running into the woods where tracking dogs have responded to assist in the search. Continue reading UPDATE: One of two Trinity County men arrested

TYLER — Managers of the SPCA of East Texas Facebook account noticed several posts on their page on Saturday, that they did not publish. According to our news partner KETK, the posts, that are still up, include pictures of dogs ready for adoption, but with a catch. The post alleged applicants had to pay a deposit, something the shelter does not require.

“Our main page had been hacked, all of the administrators were taken off the page and nobody was able to access,” Karen Kilgore, with the SPCA of East Texas, said. Those who hacked the account posted several dogs, including French bulldogs and yorkies, and asked for a $400 deposit. “We do not take deposits. We go with best fit, so a lot of people realized something was up, it must not be us, but some people did not. They fell victim and lost several hundred [dollars], one lady I know at least $600,” Kilgore said.

The shelter still does not have access to their Facebook account, a platform they used to promote animals that needed forever homes. Continue reading SPCA East Texas says their Facebook was hacked

UPDATE: The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office said Spykes is in custody.

TRINITY COUNTY – The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a manhunt for a person that was reportedly involved in a shooting on Tuesday. Spykes was allegedly involved in a shooting, in which the victim’s condition is currently unknown. Spykes is described as 6 foot 1 inch, with brown hair and blue eyes. The sheriff’s office said he was wearing a blue shirt, blue jeans and white shoes.

According to our news partner KETK, officials are searching for Shyan Spykes who was last seen at around 12:30 p.m. at the Pine Crest subdivision. Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace said they have dealt with Spykes in the past. Continue reading Manhunt ends in Trinity County, suspect in custody

KILGORE – The suspect of a weekend shooting that left one juvenile dead in Kilgore was identified and charged with murder. According to our news partner KETK, Kilgore Police say he is 17-year-old Danyael Munoz of Kilgore, as the person who shot a killed another juvenile early Sunday morning in Kilgore.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found one dead and one wounded. Munoz reportedly fled to a house nearby. A Northeast Texas Regional SWAT negotiator spoke to him until he turned himself in. Munoz was arrested and booked into the Gregg County Jail. He’s charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The teenager’s bonds total $250,000.

TRINITY COUNTY – UPDATE: The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office said Spykes is in custody. The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a manhunt for a person that was reportedly involved in a shooting on Tuesday according to our colleagues at KETK. According to a release, officials are searching for Shyan Spykes who was last seen at around 12:30 p.m. at the Pine Crest subdivision. Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace said they have dealt with Spykes in the past. “Occasionally he gets high on meth and he does something stupid,” Wallace said. “Today he decided to shoot somebody.” Continue reading Manhunt ends for Trinity County shooting suspect

TRINITY COUNTY – A man was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to solicitation of a minor, Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace announced on Tuesday. Steven Myers, 47, was arrested after officials said he made inappropriate advances towards a minor while she was at work. The minor told her parents, who contacted the sheriff’s office, prompting an undercover investigation lasting several weeks. Continue reading Man gets six years in prison for solicitation of minor

Tyler – Tyler ISD is thrilled to announce that four of its schools have been recognized on the prestigious Educational Results Partnership’s (ERP) 2023 Honor Roll list of top-performing schools in Texas. The honored schools are Birdwell Dual Language Immersion School, Caldwell Arts Academy, Early College High School, and Andy Woods Elementary School.
This recognition marks the ninth year ERP has published its Honor Roll, highlighting schools that excel in student achievement. Sponsored by the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence (CBEE) and presented in collaboration with the Texas Business Leadership Council, the ERP Honor Roll is part of a national initiative to identify and commend schools and districts that are advancing student outcomes and equipping students with essential skills valued by employers. Continue reading Four TISD campuses make ERP Honor Roll

TYLER — Our news partners at KETK report that insurance rates are rising in Texas and experts said inflation, supply chain issues, lack of labor and cost repairs are contributing factors. The rise in insurance is hurting Texans’ wallets, especially this summer. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, in 2012 the average auto insurance rate increased by 4.6% but in 2023 Texans saw an increase by a staggering 25.5%.

“Insurance rates in Texas are 67% higher than the national average,” Mechele Mills, CEO of the BBB Serving Central East Texas, said. “Since last year, homeowners in our state have seen an increase of about 16% to 22% and car owners 26%.”

Director of communications of the Insurance Council of Texas said destructive weather is also a large factor to higher prices.
Federal appeals court says some employers can exclude HIV prep from insurance coverage

“If we look at Texas as a market, we have so many hazards and perils that we deal with when it comes to hail, wind, tornados hurricanes flooding,” Johnson said.

Johnson also recommends people to do their homework and compare different options available.

JEFFERSON – Our news colleagues at KETK report the Jefferson Police Department is looking for a missing man that was reportedly last seen on Thursday morning. Authorities said they are searching for 41-year-old Donovan Byrd, and anyone with information on his location is asked to call police at 903-665-2432.