KTBB News, Weather, Talk

OVERTON – No injuries were reported, but the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in downtown Overton has been classified as a complete loss after firefighters from across the region responded to a fire there Sunday night. According to our news partner KETK, officials said wind caused the fire to reignite throughout the night before it was finally contained at 9 a.m. Monday. The Rusk County Fire Marshal said authorities are still working to complete their full investigation, but there are no suspicions of foul play at this time.

TYLER – A Tyler man was indicted for murder and aggravated assault and is accused of shooting two men at a family gathering on Moore Street in Tyler June 25. According to our news partner KETK, court documents say the family had gathered to celebrate the birthday of a deceased family member who witnesses said shares twins with Larry Taylor. Taylor, 40, was initially arrested at the time of the incident after officials said he went to the gathering to try to get the twins to leave with him when a family member intervened. Documents state Taylor left with one child and returned to the gathering about 30 to 45 minutes later. Taylor told officials at the time he left the child at his girlfriend’s house and went to purchase a gun from a friend before returning. Continue reading Tyler man indicted for murder in shooting of two at family gathering

LONGVIEW — Gregg County cleared their jury docket for all trials the week of October 24. Our news partner KETK reports anyone with a jury summons for this week is no longer required to show up for their scheduled jury duty. District Clerk Trey Hattaway says he appreciates the county’s citizens and their willingness to serve.

TYLER — The Smith County Tax Office is mailing out 187,000 property tax statements. Payments can be made by scanning the QR code on your statement; it will take you directly to the payment page on your account. If you live in the Whitehouse Independent School District, your property tax statements will not be mailed until after the November 8 General Election, Tax Assessor-Collector Gary Barber said. Tuesday, January 31, 2023, is the deadline for paying property taxes. Taxpayers can make their payments online, in person, through the Tax Office’s drop-box outside of the Cotton Belt Building, or by mail. Click here for all the details.

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District. In Gregg County, Longview maintenance will be working to repair a drainage structure on SH 149. The work will be off pavement, but there will be a lane closure in that section. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a level up crew on SH 64 at the SH 135 overpass. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

COFFEE CITY – Coffee City Police Department pulled over Darren McKinley of Chandler Friday and make this discovery. According to our news partner KETK, McKinley had a “female juvenile” in the car and she had a protection order against him. Officials also found out that she was one of two females listed on a Smith County protection order against him. Coffee City police arrested McKinley for violating that protection order and he was taken to the Henderson County jail. Authorities also said that the “female juvenile” in question was returned to her mother.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred Saturday afternoon on North Broadway Avenue in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, investigators say the victim was shot multiple times and taken to a local hospital with their condition unknown at this time. Currently police are looking for two people they say allegedly fled the scene on foot after the shooting.

TYLER – The National Weather service has issued a grass fire danger statement for Van Zandt, Hopkins and Rains counties. The statement says there is a critical fire threat near and North of I-20 and near and West of U.S-281. According to our news partner KETK, this is because of a combination of unseasonably warm weather in the low to mid 90’s, low humidity and sustained windy conditions. The National Weather Service also asks for extreme care in outdoor activities. And to avoid outside burning of any kind due to the potential of a grass spreading quickly.

TYLER – Tyler High School administration said that one of their students was arrested after threatening the school in a social media post. According to our news partner KETK, school officials said they and the Tyler ISD Police Department began investigating the threat after they were alerted to the post by another student who found it on social media. After their investigation, officials said that the student was captured and faces disciplinary action and potential charges from the Smith County District Attorney’s Office. Continue reading Student arrested for allegedly threatening Tyler High School

TYLER — Several have been arrested and charged with online solicitation of a minor after the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division conducted an operation led by DPS Special Agents, with assistance from other agencies. According to a news release, the operation was an undercover effort to identify and apprehend sexual predators. Officials say the suspects are Peyton Brewer, 20, of Troup; Kevin Bokoutou, 21, of Dallas; Luis Lopez, 30, of Jacksonville; Christopher Terrell, 41, of Troup; Rayme Everett, 22, of Tyler; and Jeremy Martin, 42 of Dekalb. All were booked into the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — Smith County issues a fire danger advisory as the National Weather Service predicts 15-25 mph winds — with higher wind gusts possible — on Saturday and Sunday. Smith County Fire Marshal Chief Deputy Chad Hogue said high winds and low humidity will result in “elevated fire danger” this weekend. Although Smith County is not currently under a burn ban, the Fire Marshal’s Office is urging residents to refrain from burning.

TYLER — An auction of Smith County surplus vehicles, furniture, and other items is now open to bidders. The online auction can be found at this link and will end November 7. In-person viewing of the items is available from 1-5 p.m. Friday, October 28, and 8 a.m. to noon Monday, October 31, at 302 E. Line St. Continue reading Smith County online auction begins

OVERTON — Several firefighters and the fire chief have submitted their resignations from the Overton Volunteer Fire Department. According to our news partner KETK, they gathered at Thursday’s city council meeting and were allowed to speak on their concerns that stemmed from decisions and issues made by city management. Since the initial resignations, two have been rescinded. They said issues started in May when three Overton city council members attempted to resign, but were required to return to their positions through restraining orders. The now-former assistant fire chief, T.J. Lewis, stated that small-town politics were the reason for several volunteers to quit. As the first one to resign, Lewis believes communication is the biggest problem. Continue reading Concerns ongoing as Overton firefighters submit resignations

EAST TEXAS — Two East Texas school districts are reporting school bus crashes, but no one was rported hurt in either incident. According to our news partner KETK, officials say Tyler ISD bus 44 was involved in a crash on Loop 323 on Thursday afternoon. The bus was carrying students from Tyler Legacy High School and Three Lakes Middle School, the district said in a Facebook post. Longview ISD announced that bus number 23 was hit while carrying students from Judson Middle School Thursday evening. The bus was struck while crossing the intersection of Judson and George Richey Roads.