KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler Police have identified the victim in a February 7 homicide. According to authorities, Nathan Charles Martin, 20, of Tyler was found in the roadway on CR CR 489 with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. One suspect, Joshua Renae Bryant (pictured), 24, was booked into the Smith County Jail on numerous charges, including capital murder by terror threat, with bond set at $1,000,000. Tyler Police are asking for help in locating the second suspect, Caleb Austin Ward, 16, of Whitehouse. He’s been known to frequent Tyler and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers at 903-597-2833.

TYLER – The Smith County Commissioners Court has approved the use of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to offer free spaying and neutering for pets of Smith County residents. According to our news partner KETK, county officials said Smith County received $45 million in funding from ARPA, to provide relief following the Covid-19 pandemic. The Smith County Commissioners Court approved the use of $100,000 of that funding to offer free spaying and neutering as a part of the No Strays Project.
Continue reading Smith County free spay, neuter funds approved

TATUM – A Tatum resident has won $1 million from a lottery scratch ticket. According to our news partner KETK, the winner, who wants to remain anonymous, bought the ticket at Eagle Mart at 240 W. Johnson St. in Tatum. This is third big lottery ticket sold in East Texas this year, with the other multi-million dollar tickets sold in Longview.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler President Kirk Calhoun announced on Tuesday he will retire May 31. According to our news partner KETK, Calhoun has been with UT Tyler 22 years as its president and president of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. University officials say that the committee to help advise UT System Chancellor J.B. Milliken on a new president will be led by former Tyler mayor and Texas state senator Kevin Eltife, UT System chairman of the Board of Regents.

“There are many important initiatives at our Tyler campuses, and my colleagues and I will work to name a successor to President Calhoun who will build upon the work underway,” Eltife said.
Continue reading Kirk Calhoun to retire as UT Tyler president

WINONA – According to our news partner KETK Winona Middle School is one of five campuses nationwide and the only campus in Texas receiving a $10,000 award for excellence in teaching. The principal spoke with KETK about why their school was selected, learning it took a shocking amount of change and improvement for this campus to be noticed nationally. The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching gives out the Founder’s Award to one of five finalists who get $10,000 each, win or lose.

“It means so much to us that our hard work is being recognized even at the national level,” said principal Johnny Walker. Continue reading Winona school wins excellence award

LONGVIEW — According to our news partner KETK, the Longview Police Department reports that the missing man, Christian Farmer, 28, was found safe on Saturday. Mr. Farmer had been reported as missing, having been last seen on Feb. 3rd in the Birdie Park area on 701 West Niblick St. No other details are available at this time.

LONGVIEW – The Longview ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved calling for a May 4 bond election for the five propositions that will help fund district projects. According to our news partner KETK, the school district, they have not received a major investment in 16 years. If approved by the board of trustees on Monday, registered voters will be asked to consider five propositions listed below. Board members are expected to meet at 6 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the LISD Education Support Center. The Assistant Superintendent of Finance Dr. Wayne Guidry said safety is the number one priority and driving force behind the bond proposal. Early voting will run from April 22-30 and election day is May 4. People who live in the area and want to check if they are registered to vote can check at GreggCountyVotes.com or VoteTexas.gov. Continue reading Longview ISD approves May bond election

LINDALE – A Lindale High School educator has been recognized as a national board certified teacher. According to our news partner KETK, Renee Ramsey, an English and American history teacher at Lindale High School, has completed the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards program. Now that Ramsey is recognized as a National Board certified teacher, she will receive the designation on her Texas educator certificate, as well as receive additional compensation through the Teacher Incentive Allotment by the state. According to the release, the National Board Certification was designed to develop and recognize accomplished teachers and drive forward school improvement. In completing the certification it is reported that candidates submit evidence that their practice meets the Five Core Propositions and the National Board standards.

“I am so thankful for all of the support from my family, colleagues and administration. They helped me in my journey to become a National Board Certified teacher,” said Ramsey.

MARSHALL – According to our news partner KETK a group of high school students are the recipients of $32,000 in scholarships because of an East Texas business. Eastman Chemical Co. in Longview awarded 16 high school seniors with technical scholarships to attend six Eastman partner technical colleges in East Texas. The scholarships are for $2000 per student and six of the students have elected to use the money at Texas State Technical College, where they will earn a degree in Process Operations. Scholarship recipients are also encouraged to apply for a paid internship with the company in between their first and second year of college.

Successful internships may land students additional scholarship opportunities. Continue reading Eastman awards more than $30K in scholarships

ALTO – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that they arrested a man in Alto on Friday for an alleged improper relationship with a student. According to our news partner KETK, at around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, the sheriff’s office said they executed a search warrant on County Road 2610 in Alto. During the search, an arrest warrant was executed for Blake Attaway for the charge of improper relationship with a student, officials said. According to Alto ISD’s website, Attaway is a physics and chemistry teacher and a coach for Alto High School. The sheriff’s office said that Attaway is being held at the Cherokee County Jail waiting for his arraignment. They added that the case is still active for further investigation and further arrests.

LONGVIEW — Our news partner KETK is reporting that the Longview ISD Board of Trustees will consider calling a May 4 bond election for five propositions that would bring major updates to all their campuses, totaling about $456.2 million. According to the school district, they have not received a major investment in 16 years. If approved by the board of trustees on Monday, registered voters will be asked to consider the five propositions listed below.

Board members are expected to meet at 6 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the LISD Education Support Center. The Assistant Superintendent of Finance Dr. Wayne Guidry said safety is the number one priority and driving force behind the bond proposal. Early voting will run from April 22-30 and election day is May 4. People who live in the area and want to check if they are registered to vote can check at GreggCountyVotes.com or VoteTexas.gov. Continue reading Longview ISD announces $456.2M proposition

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department said they are looking for the whereabouts of a man last seen on Feb. 3. According to our news partner KETK, Christian Farmer, 28, was last seen in the Birdie Park area on 701 West Niblick St. Farmer is described as 6’1 and weighing about 135 lbs with black hair and brown eyes. He was reportedly wearing a burgundy hoodie, blue sweatpants, Nike shoes and a possible bag with him. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1170.

HARRISON COUNTY – The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said a man was arrested in connection to child pornography and aggravated sexual assault of a child. On Nov. 30, 2023, the sheriff’s office said they received a report of a video depicting Christopher Hunter Rosenthal allegedly sexually assaulting children ages three, five and seven. According to our news partner KETK and the sheriff’s office, a search warrant was executed for Rosenthal’s Snapchat. Officials reportedly found a video of Rosenthal sexually assaulting a 2-year-old along with explicit photos of four children. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said they are still investigating this case and waiting for Rosenthal to be extradited back to Harrison County.

HOPKINS COUNTY — The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office said they have arrested three suspects in connection to the death of a 21-year-old man. According to our news partner KETK, on Dec. 23, 2023 officers found Brayden Wooten, 21 of Sulphur Springs, dead at his residence. The cause of death was reportedly ruled as a fentanyl overdose by the American Forensics Medical Examiner in Mesquite.

Investigators said the pills taken by Wooten were delivered by two suspects, Bryson Lacy, 21 and Xavier Hill, 23, both from Sulphur Springs. The two men were arrested on Dec. 28, 2023. Lacy was charged with tampering with evidence, after he reportedly admitted to deleting text messages in connection to Wooten’s death. Lacy and Hill were charged with the murder of Wooten. Lacy’s total bond was set at $1,050,000. Hill’s total bond was set at $1,100,000. Continue reading Three arrested in fentanyl overdose

TYLER — CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances announced on Friday that they have successfully implanted the 1000th WATCHMAN device that helps reduce the risk of stroke. In a release from CHRISTUS, the WATCHMAN device “is a tiny implant that closes off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage to keep harmful blood clots from entering the blood stream and potentially causing a stroke.”
Continue reading CHRISTUS implants 1000th WATCHMAN

SULPHUR SPRINGS – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Sulphur Springs announced Friday afternoon that it is partnering with the Texas A&M School of Medicine as a part of its rural health program. According to our news partner KETK, this partnership is meant to address the lack of healthcare for those in rural areas by having medical students practice in these areas.

Officials at CHRISTUS say they will be hosting A&M medical students for one-week and two-week rotations throughout their hospital and clinics.
Continue reading CHRISTUS and Texas A&M to partner

LUFKIN – The Lufkin Police Department headed a multi-agency sting operation on Thursday at a massage parlor for suspected prostitution leading to the arrest of an unidentified woman. According to our news partner KETK the City of Lufkin detectives launched the investigation into the supposed illicit activities at two parlors following complaints from citizens. The unidentified woman was charged with prostitution. Assistant City Manager Gerald Williamson said that in addition to the illicit operations there were employees reportedly living at the establishment.

Blue Water Spa and Lufkin Massage in Lufkin have been closed following the arrest. The City of Lufkin said that Code Enforcement “shuttered the businesses” citing ordinance violations. Continue reading Two Lufkin massage parlors closed

MURCHISON – Murchison ISD announced Thursday afternoon that classes are canceled Friday due to a number of students and staff having a “variety of illnesses.” According to district officials, available staff will do a deep cleaning of the campus to try and minimize the spread of illness. The district said they plan to have everyone back at school on Monday.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine has received a $1.25 million dollar gift in support of Dr. Jennifer R. Honda’s lung disease research according to our colleagues at KETK. The university said the gift from the Padosi Foundation will help fund Honda’s research into nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), an infection that UT Tyler said is an emerging public health threat that damages and scars the airways making those infected more at risk to other infections. Continue reading UT Tyler Medical School gets large research grant

CORRIGAN – Our news partners at KETK report that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said a Corrigan ISD teacher has been arrested following an investigation that began on Jan. 30 in relation to an improper relationship with a student. DPS said that Anthony Jernigan, 35, a government and economics teacher, has been charged with multiple counts of online solicitation of a minor and improper relationship between educator and student. Officials said that Jernigan was placed in the Polk County Jail. Continue reading Teacher arrested for solicitation of minor

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating a Wednesday night homicide. Officers responded to a report of a person in the roadway off Highway 69 at CR 489 around 11:40. A male victim was found dead at the scene from what appeared to be a gunshot wound. An autopsy has been ordered. The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of family. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers at 903-597-2833.

BULLARD — Bullard ISD earned a $950,000 security grant from the Texas Education Agency to be put toward keeping students and staff safe. According to our news partner KETK, Bullard ISD said the funds will be used to add more fencing, replace old doors and to update surveillance cameras to be equipped with facial recognition software in all of their facilities. Due to the new school and safety law passed in Austin, districts now have to meet stiffer security requirements, including the mandate that requires all campuses to have at least one armed guard. “We’re here to keep the students and the staff safe, that’s our primary job here,” Chief of Police for Bullard ISD Pat Hendrix said. “We are a police department but our main job, we’re not here to police the students or the faculty, we are here to protect them.”

HENDERSON – Henderson ISD announced that all security lock downs and holds have been released after it was determined there was no immediate danger to students or staff. According to our news partner KETK and a release from the school district, the “information was relayed through a third-party agency that was in contact with the person making the threats.” Henderson ISD said the phone being used to send the threat was located in Europe and not near an HISD campus. Henderson ISD had announced on Wednesday that two of their campuses are under lock down as a precautionary measure due to “an unconfirmed report regarding a potential threat to our schools.”

“While this was very inconvenient for our staff, students and their families, our top priority remains the safety of the HISD family. We appreciate everyone’s efforts today which helped ensure the day went smoothly in spite of the many obstacles that arose. We also appreciate the Henderson Police Department and our campus SROs for their unwavering dedication to the safety and protection of our staff and students,” the school district said. Continue reading Henderson ISD lockdown: European threat source

GILMER — A man accused of killing his ex-partner and her sister has been indicted on capital murder. According to our news partner KETK and the Upshur County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, Alvin “Pookie” Charles McKnight, Jr., 41 of Gilmer, was indicted on capital murder after being arrested in November 2023 when investigators found two sisters dead on Nov. 4. The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said that the shooting happened at a house in the 2800 block of U.S Highway 271 South. When deputies arrived at the scene, they reportedly found Mandy Ray, 35 of Gilmer, and Dermetrica Dashaunda Waters, 37 of Gilmer, dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Officials said that McKnight and Waters lived with each other until recently. The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office revealed that the two victims were sisters and that McKnight has a child with Waters. Continue reading Double homicide suspect indicted

HENDERSON – Henderson ISD officials announced Wednesday afternoon that a security lockdown on their campuses had ended when it was determined there was no immediate danger to students or staff. According to our news partner KETK, a release from the district said about the threat, “information was relayed through a third-party agency that was in contact with the person making the threats.” They added the phone being used to send the threat was located in Europe and not near an HISD campus.
Continue reading Henderson ISD security lockdown ends safely

HOUSTON COUNTY — The Houston County Sheriff’s Office said a search warrant led to the arrest of a man in connection to child pornography. According to our news partners at KETK, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office helped the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to execute a residential search warrant in the Austonio area. The task force reportedly had been investigating an alleged offense related to the possession and distribution of child pornography from a residence on CR 3155. After the search warrant was executed, Jerry Wade Norsworthy was arrested and charged with two felony counts of possession of child pornography. Norsworthy currently resides in the Houston County Jail awaiting bail to be set by a justice of the peace.