KTBB News, Weather, Talk

RUSK — The Cherokee County District Clerk’s Office reports a man who was on trial after being accused of capital murder was found not guilty Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Cody Roberts was charged in the death of 18-year-old Trevor Lawson, who was found dead due to a gunshot wound in a home on CR 2117 near Maydelle on November 7, 2018. In March of 2022, Roberts’s first trial resulted in a mistrial after an investigator allegedly failed to disclose a piece of digital evidence to everyone involved in the trial.

NACOGDOCHES – Stephen F. Austin State University is preparing to discuss affiliations with four interested systems according to a recent presentation. According to our news partner KETK, there are 37 public universities in the state and seven university systems. SFA is one of only two unaffiliated institutions. The presentation mentions representatives of the Texas A&M, Texas State University, Texas Tech, and University of Texas systems had made informal contact with the SFA Board of Regents over the past several months expressing a desire to take part in any formal discussion should the board choose to evaluate a potential system affiliation. Continue reading SFA to engage in talks with four systems for possible affiliation

FRANKSTON — The Frankston Police Department has released the name of a wanted fugitive. According to our news partner KETK, police say Donald Lee Meadows, Jr. is wanted on charges of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and evading arrest. Authorities said Meadows is also wanted in Smith County. Officials said Wednesday night there was a heavy police presence on Highway 155 near Lollipop Landing. According to our news partner KETK, the Coffee City Police Department says Meadows was wearing dark clothing. Authorities have advised those in the area to lock their doors and if they see or hear anything to call 911. CCPD said Meadows was last seen running in the woods northbound from the old rest area. CCPD and DPS are assisting with the search.

SMITH COUNTY — Over 9 grams of meth were seized in Smith County Thursday night, and one person is now in custody, according to officials. According to our news partner KETK, a Smith County Constable Precinct 4 deputy stopped to check a suspicious vehicle on Chapman Road when officials said the driver was found passed out in the front seat of the car. “After further investigation into the welfare of the driver, the driver was found to have been in possession of 9.69 grams of methamphetamine,” officials said. One person was arrested. The investigation is ongoing.

TYLER — Tyler residents could see an increase in their water bill starting in October. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler water utilities is proposing a new water rate plan to upgrade infrastructure. Currently, the city is on a declining rate structure, which means water and sewer services become cheaper the more you use them. The new plan calls for customers to pay the same rate, no matter the amount of water that is used. The first 2,000 gallons of water consumed will no longer be free. “With the system is just more fair and equitable to help our residents understand what the cost of water is and what it is to get that water produced.” If this plan is approved, Tyler water customers will see an increase of about $20 on their monthly bill. Continue reading Tyler water rates could increase due to new utility plan

MAYDELLE – Wednesday storms in Cherokee County wreaked havoc on the small town of Maydelle. According to our news partner KETK, the Maydelle Volunteer Fire Department is currently without a roof. Witness Shelly Knott says the roof was suspended in a tree for about five minutes due to extreme winds, then fell into the road. According to Fire Chief Jody Gray, no injuries were reported, a few other structures were damaged in the area, and several people were without power.

KILGORE – TxDOT has announced a detour for motorists on SH 135 in Gregg County beginning Wednesday, Aug. 24, as crews begin resurfacing operations on the roadway. The project limits are from the traffic circle in Kilgore, south to the Rusk County line. Southbound traffic will continue to use SH 135 utilizing a lane shift. Northbound traffic will be detoured onto SH 42 (W. Woodlawn St), then north on Henderson Blvd. to SH 31. The detour will be in place for the duration of the project. Travelers in this area are advised to watch for road crews, expect some delays, and be aware that a detour will be in place. This project and temporary detour are subject to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has recently been made aware of a new scam in our area. According to officials, the caller will tell you that you have missed a court summons and have a warrant out for your arrest. The caller will then request some sort of payment over the phone and give you specific instructions on how to pay. Authorities say all of these calls are a scam and you should simply hang up the telephone. Lately, these scammers have been using the name of Sgt. Kevin Mobley of the Tyler Police Department. Several other investigators and law enforcement officials have been named in the past. Continue reading Officials warn of phone scam

TYLER — The City of Tyler proposes $9.48 million in street and traffic improvements funded in the fiscal year 2023 budget and Half-Cent Sales Tax fund. According to a news release, this includes $2,060,000 in projects to be paid for by the Quality Street Commitment Fund and $7,428,000 in improvements to be funded by the Half-Cent Sales Tax Fund in fiscal year 2023. The $2,060,000 includes $585,000 for repairs and upkeep of 14 miles of historic brick streets and $1.3 million for seal coat and crack seal work on 25 lane miles of city streets. “Modernizing our traffic system and keeping pedestrians safe are at the top of our list when it comes to streets and traffic,” said City Manager Edward Broussard as quoted in the release. You can click here to learn more about the proposed budget.

PALESTINE – Officials say three dogs have died after Palestine police removed a dozen dogs from a residence and a father and son were arrested. According to our news partner KETK, the rest of the animals were taken to a local humane society. Authorities say an investigation began after an officer observed the animals living in “awful conditions at the residence.” The two suspects face multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. “This is not a puppy mill,” said Palestine police Sgt. Tinsley. “This is some people that were trying to take care of these dogs, and they were struggling to take care of themselves, and the dogs were suffering greatly.” Continue reading Three dogs die after 12 were removed from Palestine residence, two arrested

ATHENS — Time has been granted by a Henderson County judge to appoint an investigator in the case of a fatal bus crash that occurred in Athens in 2019. According to our news partner KETK, during a hearing on Wednesday, defense attorneys motioned for the appointment of an investigator to the case. The presiding judge granted permission to the motion, giving 60 days to hire an investigator for the case. The discovery status hearing has been set for Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. 81-year-old John Stevens was charged in 2019 with criminally negligent homicide and injury to a child after a bus he was driving was hit by a train, killing 13-year-old Christopher Bonilla and injuring 9-year-old Joselyn Torres. The bus reportedly was pushed one-quarter of a mile before coming to a stop.

GILMER — 22-year-old Cody Wayne Crutcher has been sentenced in Upshur County to six years in prison for two counts of sexual assault of a minor — a girl who was Crutcher’s biological sister and was 14 at the time of the assaults. Officials say the case, out of the Kilgore area, dates to July 2020. They say the Gregg County DA’s office recused itself from the case due to threats the victim’s father made against multiple people involved in the prosecution and investigation of the case.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Housing Authority is accepting applications for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Applications will be accepted online at this link from 8 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Aug. 18. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in LHA’s affordable housing program(s) or services, contact the Longview Housing Authority at lha@longviewtexas.gov.

TROUP — A boil water notice issued this week for the city of Troup has been rescinded, and local water has now been deemed safe for consumption without boiling. The notice, the city’s second in recent days, had been issued due to a line break. If you have questions concerning this matter, you may contact Gene Cottle, City Manager, at 903.842.3128, extension 15. If a customer, individual, or employee wishes to contact the TCEQ executive director, call (512) 239-4691.

TYLER — Residents and motorists in the Cambridge Road area in Tyler are urged to obey all detours and road closures while contractors continue with the construction on the extensive improvement project. Contractors are working in the area preparing to install water lines drainage infrastructure and begin laying the base layer of asphalt. Currently, Cambridge Road is closed from South Broadway Avenue to Bishops Gate Lane. Cambridge Road from Bishops Gate to Yale Drive is two-way traffic while from Yale Drive to Harvard Drive is a one-way road for eastbound traffic only. Detour signs, no left turn signs, road closure signs, and a message board are in place to warn motorists which direction to safely travel. Continue reading Cambridge Road construction continues; residents asked to obey detours, signs