KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – With summer here, it is the time of year where one little spark could potentially cause a devastating wildfire. According to our news partner KETK, experts at the Texas A&M Forest Service, say, although East Texas has experienced an excessive amount of spring rainfall, a stretch of hot and dry temperatures can call for a fire risk.

“We can go into elevated fire risk,” Sean Dugan, with the Texas A&M Forest Service, said.

Officials explained even with the saturated grounds, East Texans need to be mindful while burning. July and August are historically when the state sees the most fires.
Continue reading Hot, dry temperatures, equal wildfire risk

KILGORE – Authorities in Kilgore said that one man has died and another was injured during a shooting early Sunday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Kilgore Police received several 911 calls shortly after midnight in regards to a shooting. When officers arrived the corner of Thompson and Myrtle Streets, they found one man dead and wounded. She was taken to a local hospital.

The Northeast Texas Regional SWAT team was called to the location where the shooting suspect reportedly was. After some negotiations, the suspect was taken to the Kilgore Police Department.

At this time, the names of the shooting victim have not been released. The suspects name has not been released either. Kilgore PD said they are continuing the investigation into the shooting.

CANTON — FEMA opened a Disaster Recovery Centers in Van Zandt county June 21 to provide one-on-one help to Texans affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds April 26-June 5. The center is located at Canton Intermediate School on Highway 243 West. It will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. To find the center location nearest you go to fema.gov.

Residents affected by storm damage can visit the DRC and meet with representatives of FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. No appointment is needed.
Continue reading Disaster Recovery Center is open in Canton

HENDERSON COUNTY – The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday announced that a man who is a “wanted fugitive from multiple counties” and a woman were arrested after a narcotics search. According to our news partner KETK, HCSO narcotics investigators and Henderson County Crimes Against Children Task Force officers, searched a residence in Eustace, on County Road 2938.

Officers there arrested 49-year-old Richard Slay and 51-year-old Katie Wiggins, both of Eustace. They were arrested for possession of suspected methamphetamine’s. The sheriff’s office said that Slay is a wanted fugitive in multiple counties. Both were then taken to the Henderson County jail and charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance.

TYLER – The City of Tyler has announced that traffic signal cabinets at six intersections will be replaced starting on Tuesday, June 25, and running through Thursday, June 27. During this time crews will be out between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. replacing signal cabinets at the following intersections:

• Grande Boulevard and Hollytree Drive
• Loop 323 and South Broadway Avenue
• Loop 323 and Frankston Highway
• Loop 323 and Old Bullard Road
• Old Bullard Road and Rice Road
• Beckham Avenue and Hospital Drive
  Continue reading Six Tyler traffic signal cabinets being replaced starting Tuesday

HENDERSON COUNTY – Marijuana packaged in gallon size bags, rifles and large amounts of money were discovered on Thursday during a home search, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said. According to a release, a narcotic search warrant was executed at around 3:34 p.m. at an Athens home where 25-year-old Jordi Pereira was taken into custody.

According to our news partner KETK, Pereira was found to be in possession of “large amounts” of suspected cocaine and marijuana. Reportedly the marijuana was found in gallon size bags and a large amount of THC wax and THC vape cartridges were also located. Pereira was booked at the Henderson County Jail for two charges of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and delivery of marijuana. According to records, Pereira’s bond amounts totaled $450,000 and he was released on Friday after posting bail.

“Rifles with high-capacity magazines were recovered during the execution of the search warrant along with a large amount of United States currency,” a release said.

The sheriff’s office said Pereira is currently waiting arraignment.

TYLER — A Tyler man was arrested on Wednesday after reportedly assaulting and taking a weapon from an officer. According to our news partner KETK, a detective with the Tyler Police Department clocked a vehicle traveling 60 mph in a 40 mph zone in the 300 E Southeast Loop 323 area. The detective pulled over the driver, 20-year-old Cordrell Smith Radway, where he reportedly ran from the officer “while still being detained and not free to leave.”

After a short chase, the detective caught up to Radway and “ended up on the ground” where Radway reportedly actively resisted arrest and repeatedly tried to stand up. The affidavit said the detective then used his pepper spray. During the altercation, Radway reportedly grabbed the detective’s hand while pepper spraying him, took the can away and bit the detective’s left forearm, leaving a visible bite mark. Continue reading Man bites officer, takes weapon during traffic stop

TYLER – City of Tyler officials say a part of Rose Rudman Trail will be closed from Monday, June 24, through Wednesday, June 26. That portion is behind 5604 South Donnybrook Avenue, which is in back of Sleep Inn and Suites Tyler South. According to a release from the city, the closure is because of a sanitary sewer line replacement. Until repairs are completed, officials advise this portion of the trail should be avoided.

TYLER – FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Center at The Hub, located at 304 E. Ferguson St. in downtown Tyler. Smith County is supplying the facility while FEMA personnel will staff the DRC from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week through July 29. Smith County citizens who need help recovering from the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and straight-line winds, from April 26 through June 5, can go to the Hub for in-person assistance.

Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore said residents visiting the DRC will also be able to talk to people from the Small Business Administration, Lone Star Legal and the local nonprofit organization, Crisis Response Ministries. Moore added, “Recovery will take some time due to personnel constraints and the amount of debris accumulated. Citizens with damaged homes are encouraged to participate with FEMA personnel to apply for potential assistance.”

You can also apply for assistance by visiting http://www.disasterassistance.gov or calling FEMA’s helpline: 800-621-3362.

PALESTINE – A routine traffic stop in Palestine put a local man in jail. According to our news partner KETK, 34-year-old Charles Edward Hawkins of Palestine, was stopped by a PPD officer Tuesday morning on North Queen Street for a traffic violation.

The officer reportedly detected “a strong odor of marijuana” coming from the vehicle when they made contact with the driver, Charles Hawkins. After an examination, the officer said in their report finding 3.51 grams of suspected cocaine, 172.96 grams of ecstasy, and a small amount of marijuana.

Hawkins was charged with possession of marijuana and two counts of manufacture or deliver of a controlled substance. He was booked at the Anderson County Jail with a bond totaling $42,500.

MARSHALL – The Marshall City Council approved $2.68 million towards phase one of capital improvements to Airport Park. According to a release, the park will receive upgrades to all 11 of its baseball and softball fields, as well as sitework, subgrade, concrete, drainage systems, athletic equipment and synthetic turf upgrades, according to our colleagues at KETK. The City of Marshall said that the park will be closed when construction begins on Monday. Continue reading Marshall approves Airport Park improvements

KILGORE – Our news partners at KETK report Kilgore College has named its new science building the Torrence Health Science Education Center thanks to a substantial donation from the Torrence family. It is located at 1610 S. Henderson Blvd. in Kilgore, next to the CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health Center. The college held an unveiling ceremony Tuesday for the naming reveal, attended by community leaders and students alike. Continue reading Kilgore College names health science education center

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, 37 sections of road throughout Tyler will be closed either partially or fully for the 2024 ONYX road resealing project starting on Monday, June 24. The road sections affected will start to be resealed beginning on June 24 till July 12 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. if the weather permits it.

The closures come after a $362,975.35 contract with Innovative Roadway Solutions, LLC. was approved by the city of Tyler through the general fund to reseal city streets that have lost asphalt on their surface because of years of wear and tear. The ONYX surface treatment has reportedly been used by TxDOT to treat road shoulders for years. The Onyx Mastic Seal treatment consists of an “asphalt emulsion, catalysts, polymers and fine aggregates.” Continue reading 37 street sections to close in Tyler starting Monday