KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – After Tuesday’s historic vote that removed Rep. Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of The House, the search for his replacement begins. Our news partner KETK spoke with local Rep. Nathaniel Moran, (R) Texas. In their conversation he said, “Right now, everything in the house comes to a halt.” Eight Republicans voted for McCarthy to step down, and four East Texas congressmen chose to keep McCarthy as Speaker. Moran also gave his thoughts on who the front-runners are for the position. “The two primary candidates right now are Steve Scalise, who’s the majority leader, and chairman, Jim Jordan, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, both of those men would be fantastic Speakers of The House,” said Moran. He concluded by saying that no matter who gets chosen, it will be a hard road ahead.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man has been arrested after he reportedly hit and killed a bicyclist while driving intoxicated. According to our news partner KETK, Longview Police Public Information Officer Brandon Thornton said that Sergio Retana-Garcia, 28, was driving westbound on East Marshall Avenue when he collided with an individual who was riding their bike while traveling in the same direction. Retana-Garcia reportedly drove away from the scene and the individual was pronounced dead by authorities. Retana-Garcia was later found and booked into the Gregg County Jail for driving while intoxicated 3rd or more and collision involving death.

TYLER – Pets Fur People is having Pets in the Park this Saturday at Bergfeld Park in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, this is their free annual event. Pets in the Park hours Saturday are 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. rain or shine. Whether you have a four-legged family member or not, the fundraiser will be a great way for dog owners meet other dog owners. Pets in the Park will feature food trucks, face painting, raffle prizes and the always popular weenie dog races.

TYLER – A Tyler man was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to second-degree felony child endangerment after his January arrest. Our colleagues at KETK report that Paul Hanna, 38 of Tyler, was arrested in January after his 1-year-old daughter was found, strapped into her car seat, on the side of Rhones Quarter Road. He was booked into the Smith County Jail that night for child endangerment and driving while intoxicated second offense. Police reported at the time of the incident that Hanna was located shortly after the child was found after receiving reports of a drunk driver at a gas station on Troup Highway. Continue reading Man sentenced to 15 years in prison for child endangerment

RUSK COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report the City Attorney for both Henderson and Tatum, Joe Edward Shumate, was booked at the Rusk County Jail Wednesday on two felony charges. According to the records on the Rusk County Sheriff Office’s website, Shumate was arrested and charged with a first degree felony of misapplication of fiduciary property or property of financial institution, greater than or equal to $300,000 and first degree felony theft of property, greater than or equal to $300,000. The attorney has since been released on bond.

TYLER – Whitehouse native and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes with his foundation, 15 and the Mahomies, announced a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of America. Our news partners at KETK report that the Super Bowl champion has donated up to 300 scholarships for students to attend the Tyler and Whitehouse-based Mentorship Alliance. The $1.625 million donation will serve as a contribution and a multi-year commitment to support the Boys and Girls Club of America.

TYLER – With severe weather moving through East Texas early Thursday morning, nearly 14 hundred customers are said to be without power as of 3:30 p.m. Thursday according to our news partner KETK. To find a list of counties with power outages from ONCOR and SWEPCO as well as several electric co-ops, click here.

SMITH COUNTY — A portion of Smith County Road 463, just south of Lindale, has been reopened after water over the road, caused by a dam failure, closed the road. Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore said those traveling in the area are asked to be careful on CR 463, at the intersections of CR 462 and CR 472, as well as under the overpass of Interstate 20.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue was one of 30  professionals nationwide to be selected to participate in a Wildland Fire Investigator Course in Redding, California. “The class exceeded my expectations. It was a privilege to have instructors with so much knowledge and experience in the wildland fire investigation field,” Hogue said. “The U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE personnel are topnotch and I’m excited to bring back what I’ve learned and share it with local fire investigators.” The training was offered September 25-29, 2023, by the U.S. Fire Administration/National Fire Academy, U.S. Forest Service and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Continue reading Smith County Fire Marshal attends national training

LUFKIN – According to our news partner KETK a Lufkin High School student was detained on Wednesday morning after a gun was found in their backpack. According to the school district, a gun was reported to be in a student’s possession while on campus. An investigation of the report led to the weapon being confiscated from their backpack and the district said the student was detained. “Thank you to our students, staff and Lufkin ISD PD for responding in a timely and efficient manner,” the district said.

TYLER – UT Tyler hosted it’s fifth annual top 25 percent celebration Wednesday morning at Patriot Plaza. According to our news partner KETK the event recongnizes the top high school students from each graduating class who are accepted into UT Tyler automatically. About 1,600 students from 66 high schools in East Texas, Dallas and Houston assembled for the celebration.
Continue reading UT Tyler hosted it’s 5th annual Top 25% celebration

PANOLA COUNTY – Two men were arrested on Tuesday afternoon after being pursued by authorities through East Texas and captured in Panola County. According to our news colleagues at KETK, the Panola County Sheriff’s Office were notified around 4:07 p.m. that Shelby County units were pursuing the car on FM 699 towards Carthage. Panola County units and a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper responded.
Officials said a Panola County deputy set up spike strips at CR 405 and FM 2517 while other units stopped traffic on FM 2517. The fleeing car struck the spikes around 4:17 p.m., according to Panola County, and continued to flee with three deflated tires before running into a ditch near CR 4053. Continue reading 2 arrested after car spiked during pursuit through East Texas

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – Four residents of Louisiana were arrested in deep East Texas for possession of a controlled substance after a traffic stop Tuesday morning. According to the Nacogdoches County sheriff’s office, and our news partners at KETK, deputies were patrolling on South Street and performed a traffic stop on a SUV traveling 62 miles per hour in a 45 MPH construction zone.During the stop, deputies detected the odor of what they believed to be marijuana. While questioning the driver, identified as 34-year-old Nikita Webber of Shreveport, and three other passengers officers received conflicting details of the group’s trip from Houston to Shreveport, according to a release. Continue reading Louisiana residents arrested for meth possession in Nacogdoches

TEXAS – The largest Powerball jackpot of 2023 is now up for grabs, as the grand prize for tonight stands at an estimated $1.2 billion. According to a release from Powerball, it’s the third largest jackpot in game history and the seventh largest in U.S. lottery history. Tonight’s drawing offers a cash value worth an estimated $551.7 million. If no winner claims the record-setting prize after Wednesday’s drawing, Saturday’s drawing is set to be an estimated $1.4 billion.

TYLER – Tyler police are searching for a man whose last contact with his family was Aug 19. According to our news partner KETK, 40-year-old Justin Jeremy Miller may have been riding a black bicycle when he disappeared. Authorities say Miller is 5’11”, 160 pounds with blue hair. Tyler PD asks if you have any information on Justin Jeremy Miller to please contact them at 903-531-1000.