KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department is working a traffic crash at Old Jacksonville Hwy and South College Ave. that has caused at least 2 power poles and guidelines to break and are in the roadway. There are live power lines in the roadway. There are some road closures to be aware of. Old Jacksonville Hwy is closed from South Broadway Ave. to South Chilton Ave.
South College is closed from West 8th St down to Hamvassy Ln. Avoid this area, officers are in the roadway working the crash and crews are clearing the area.

TYLER — This weekend, Tyler Junior College will host public viewing events for the first of two historic solar eclipses that will pass through East Texas in 2023 and 2024. On Saturday, Oct. 14, an annular — or partial — eclipse will cross North America from northwest to southeast. An annular eclipse occurs when the moon is farthest from Earth and blocks about 80 percent of the sun, creating a “ring of fire” effect around the moon. The eclipse will last from 10:25 a.m. until 1:32 p.m. local time, and the degree of darkness will resemble evening. The next such event in Tyler won’t occur until the year 2165. The TJC Earth and Space Science Center will host a free viewing party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the center, located at 1411 E. Lake St., on the TJC central campus. Solar telescopes and observation stations will be set up, and free solar eclipse glasses will be available while supplies last. Continue reading TJC to host solar eclipse viewing parties

HENDERSON COUNTY — A LaPoynor ISD coach was arrested after a phone was found recording in the girls locker room, according to court documents and our news partner KETK. Jammie Allen Maze, 44, of Brownsboro, was arrested for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence on Sept. 29. According to Maze’s arrest warrant, cheerleaders found a cell phone in the girl’s locker room on Sept. 26. The phone was reportedly underneath the bench inside a shoe with the camera pointed upward, recording at the time it was found. The cheerleaders took the device to another coach at LaPoynor ISD where Maze was present. According to documents, Maze took the phone and began to press buttons. When LaPoynor ISD Police Chief J. Daniels received the phone, it had reportedly been locked with no way of accessing the contents. Continue reading Coach arrested after recording device found in locker room

ANDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KETK) – The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said that a man died in Anderson County Jail on Saturday after being arrested on Oct. 5 in Frankston. Our news partners at KETK report that Rodney Lynn McKenzie, 47, was arrested by Frankston Police Department around 11:59 p.m. on Oct 5. for two outstanding traffic warrants that were issued by Anderson County Justice Court, Precinct 2. McKenzie was taken to Anderson County Jail and reportedly screened by medical staff before being booked. From 1:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Friday Oct. 6 he was held in the booking area before he was moved into a cell. Around 6 a.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning jail staff reportedly saw McKenzie moving in the cell. At 10:05 a.m. inmates notified the control operator by intercom that McKenzie was reportedly in “medical distress”, according to the sheriff’s office. Continue reading Man dies at Anderson County jail

NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches Police Department said that one man is dead after a crash happened in the 2200 block of Southeast Stallings Drive around 4:34 p.m. on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK the driver may have been having a medical emergency while heading eastbound when the crash happened. According to Nacogdoches Police Department, the man was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. A passenger in the vehicle only got minor injuries in the crash and officials are withholding the deceased until their family can be notified.

TYLER — A University of Texas at Tyler professor was awarded over $300,000 from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Santosh Aryal, an associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences and health outcomes, received a $307,859 subaward to improve models for future nanomedicine testing that will help reduce animal testing, our news partner KETK reports. According to a release from UT Tyler, Aryal specializes in nanotechnology and nanomedicine that focuses on using camouflaged nanoparticles to treat cancer. Receiving this award is truly a testament to the collaborative spirit of the Fisch College of Pharmacy faculty and the supportive environment at UT Tyler. It’s an honor to be part of a community that fosters innovation and pushes the boundaries of scientific discovery,” said Aryal. Continue reading UT Tyler professor awarded over $300,000

ANDERSON COUNTY — The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said that a man died in the Anderson County Jail on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, Rodney Lynn McKenzie, 47, was arrested by Frankston Police just before midnight on Thursday, October 5 on two outstanding traffic warrants issued by Anderson County Justice Court, Precinct 2. McKenzie was taken to Anderson County Jail and reportedly screened by medical staff before being booked. From 1:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Friday Oct. 6 he was held in the booking area before he was moved into a cell. Around 6 a.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning jail staff reportedly saw McKenzie moving in the cell. At 10:05 a.m. inmates notified the control operator by intercom that McKenzie was reportedly in “medical distress”, according to the sheriff’s office. Continue reading Anderson County Jail death under investigation

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department said on Friday they are investigating several incidents of a recent scam. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh said most of the victims were elderly. Officials said victims reported that in store aisles and parking lots, someone would drop cash and after they picked up the cash and put it in their wallet, the person would approach the victim and tell them it’s their money. “Then, when the victim exposes their wallet, they or another suspect will steal the wallet or items from it,” officials said. One resident who frequently goes into Hobby Lobby said he’s concerned. Police said it has also been reported that a suspect will drop cash by a register after they see someone has put their debit card in the machine. One suspect will then confront the victim about the money while another takes the debit card from the machine. Continue reading Tyler Police investigate in-person parking lot scam

BRAZORIA — A Tyler man is back in custody after allegedly walking away from a prison trusty camp. According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and our news partner KETK, Cadarion Avery, 22, was serving a 5-year sentence for a theft out of Smith County when he left the camp around 11:30 p.m. Friday night. The trusty camp, a housing location outside the main prison for inmates with nonviolent offenses, was located at the Clemens Unit in Brazoria. He was found on Saturday just before 8:00 a.m. near the Clemens Unit, according to TDCJ. Avery will now face felony escape charges.

LONGVIEW – On Saturday, Oct. 7, portions of downtown Longview will be closed for the Longview Great Pumpkin Roll, Ollie’s Skate Shop Downtown Takeover, and Longview Cruisers Cruise Night.

Road Closures for the Event
Friday, Oct. 6 beginning at 6 p.m. – Sunday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m.
Westbound lane of Tyler Street from Center to High St.

Saturday, Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Westbound and Eastbound of Tyler Street from Center to High Street, Center Street from 420 N. Center to Tyler Street, and Methvin Street from Center to Fredonia.

TYLER – A 22-year-old man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Friday for his role in the June 2021 shooting death of a Tyler teen. Jason Edward Rhodes, of Tyler, pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery. According to our news partner KETK, the shooting happened outside of a residence on Omega Drive and left Jesse McNeely, 17,  dead from a gunshot wound. In December of 2022, Rhodes was initially arrested for capital murder. He lead Tyler Police on a brief chase after being named as a suspect. Rhodes was indited for armed robbery on Sept. 9, 2021. Continue reading Tyler man sentenced to prison for 2021 murder