KTBB News, Weather, Talk

BULLARD — Bullard ISD released a statement announcing the death of Bullard Elementary School teacher Kathy Sleeper. Our news partner KETK reports that Sleeper spent 20 years as a part of Bullard ISD. For the last seven years she was a STEM teacher for the district’s elementary school. According to the district, Sleeper died Sunday after surgery complications. Throughout the day on Tuesday, the district said counselors and administrators will be on campus to support students and staff.

HARRISON COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK a 60-year-old man was arrested on Sunday night on charges of driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance. According to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy initiated a traffic stop on FM 134 for speeding. While speaking with the driver, identified as Lange Livingston, of Karnack, authorities said he “admitted that he had been drinking heavily.” Officials said a search of the car found that he was in possession of crack cocaine. Livingston was arrested and booked into the Harrison County Jail for driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance less than one gram.

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said a man is in the hospital after a shooting that happened in the 12500 block of Highway 31 near the Jungle Club on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK SCSO deputies responded to the scene around 3 a.m. on Sunday. The deputies were told that the victim had been shot and taken by private transportation to a local hospital. Officials said that the victim was unable to be interviewed by Smith County investigators because of his injuries which have left him in stable but serious condition. An investigation into the shooting is ongoing and according to the sheriff’s office more information will be released when it is available.

MARSHALL – Firefighters in Harrison County were battling for 6 hours on Saturday to contain a 15-acre fire burning near Union Missionary Baptist Church off of Highway 59 South. According to our news partner KETK, Harrison County ESD 3 Fire Rescue, HCESD4 and the Texas Forest Service responded to the fire located just north of FM 2625 on Saturday. Officials suspect the fire was started by a mechanical failure on a vehicle passing by. Pasture and timber were the only things damaged in the fire and fire crews planned on coming back on Sunday to ensure burning stumps and fallen trees don’t spread the fire. The Texas A&M Forest Service said the fire was 15 acres across and 70 percent contained as of 8:31 p.m. on Saturday.

JACKSONVILLE – According to our news partner KETK the City of Jacksonville has revealed several items in their proposed 2024 budget including a proposed decrease in their tax rate. According to the city, the tax rate would fall 4.266 cents from $0.68065 to $0.63799 if their proposed tax rate is put in place. The average Jacksonville homestead increased in value by almost $14,000 from last year and the city said the average tax bill will only be going up by $3.07 a month because of the proposed decrease in the tax rate. Jacksonville noted that residents can save $3 dollars by signing up for paperless billing and automatic bank draft for their water bill. There will be a public hearing at City Hall on the proposed tax rate on Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. To learn more visit the City of Jacksonville online. Continue reading Jacksonville reveals proposed 2024 tax rate, budget items

CADDO MILLS — A Friday night high school football game between Caddo Mills and Bullard was called early due to several injuries. Two medical helicopters were dispatched during the game. The injured players were said to be from the Caddo Mills team. In a Facebook post Saturday, Caddo Mills Superintendent of Schools, Luke Allison, posted an update: “I am happy to report that both boys were released early this morning. No internal injuries and no spinal damage. We all witnessed a miracle and the power of people coming together to pray. There is no other explanation! In addition, we had another student taken to the hospital, by parents, last night during the game. That young man has been released as well, and we are hearing great things. Continue reading Hospital releases football players after game-stopping injuries

LUFKIN — Authorities arrested a man after reports of shots fired near Coston Elementary in Lufkin. According to our news partner KETK, Lufkin Police arrested 20-year-old Cristian Salazar who admitted to shooting an AR-15 in his backyard on Avalon Drive. Avalon Drive is near the elementary school playground. During the investigation, the school was placed on a lockout as a precaution. Salazar was arrested and taken to the Angelina County Jail and charged with deadly conduct.

RUSK — Our news partners at KETK report that a stolen ambulance that crashed into a gas station on Thursday, according to Angelina County Sheriff Tom Selman. The San Augustine EMS ambulance was reportedly stolen from CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Hospital in Lufkin and crashed at the Kim’s Convenience Store at 1580 Dickinson Drive in Rusk. According to Selman, the Lufkin Police Department started a pursuit and followed the ambulance into Rusk. Continue reading Stolen ambulance crashes into gas station

TYLER — Authorities have arrested two teenagers in connection with a Wednesday afternoon shooting at Southwest Pines Apartments. According to our news partner KETK, they’ve been identified as 19-year-old Dunruntre Hodge and 18-year-old Xavier Washington. Both have been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and evading arrest/detention in a vehicle. Both were booked into the Smith County Jail. Hodge’s bond was set at $400,000. Washington’s bond total was $320,000. Police say two vehicles were driving through the complex Wednesday afternoon shooting at each other. One person, a male, suffered a single gunshot wound and was taken to a Tyler hospital. He was treated and released. Continue reading Two suspects arrested following shooting at Tyler apartments

HARRISON COUNTY — The Texas Rangers are conducting an officer involved shooting investigation. According to officials, a DPS trooper was conducting a traffic stop on US Highway 259, in Gregg County, around 10:30 Monday evening. The driver fled, prompting a pursuit, which eventually ended on FM Road 450 in Harrison County. The suspect fled on foot into a wooded area, followed by an exchange of gunfire. The suspect, identified as John L. Stanford, 39, of Avinger, was pronounced dead at the scene.

TEXARKANA – According to our news partner KETK a man is dead Thursday morning after Texarkana police said a Western Waste Management truck did not see him while going to empty a dumpster. Officials said the incident happened around 5:45 a.m. near the intersection of Summerhill Road and New Boston Road, and the truck “pulled into the alley behind a business to empty the dumpster and did not see the homeless man who was lying asleep on the ground in front of the dumpster.” He was pronounced dead at the scene.

SMITH COUNTY — Jails in East Texas have been hurting for quite some time now due to staffing shortages. That’s why Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith is proposing another strategy to try and get the facility back up to full strength. “We’re 37 [employees] short in the jail right now,” said Smith. Smith went in front of the commissioner’s board earlier this week to present the current jail report. While filling open positions is still a problem, Smith told our news partner KETK that the biggest issue with the open jobs is that there is no relief factor. “That’s what got us in this situation,” added Smith. This means the jail doesn’t have enough staffing to cover every shift, especially when an employee calls out sick or goes on vacation. This also leads to more employees having to work overtime. Continue reading Smith County Jail aims to use mass hiring strategy

TYLER — One person was taken to a Tyler hospital with a gunshot wound, and several were detained following a shooting at Southwest Pines Apartments on Walton Road around 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, occupants of two vehicles were shooting at each other while driving through the complex. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital in a private vehicle. A vehicle that was allegedly seen leaving the complex was pulled over near the intersection of Loop 323 and Copeland Road. The two people who were in the car were detained and police found what they believe may be evidence of the shooting. The vehicle was then towed, according to Andy Erbaugh, Public Information Officer with the Tyler Police Department. Two adults and two juveniles were also detained at the apartment complex.

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jason Charles, 25, of Tyler, who was arrested for Intoxication Manslaughter on January 15, 2022. A Smith County Grand Jury returned an indictment for Intoxication Manslaughter, a Second Degree Felony, alleging that the offense occurred on January 14, 2022. Charles posted bond on February 15, 2022. Court records allege that he violated his bond conditions, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. If anyone has any information that would lead to his arrest, please contact Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.