KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, enough lawmakers showed up at the state capital on Monday to make a quorum for the start of the second special session called by Governor Greg Abbott.

Shofner said “It was a very dramatic day today here at the Capitol, House Bill 1, which covers flood relief for the Hill Country, has taken precedence in the second session, along with gaveling in bills that have been referred to committees.” “We can finally get that done and get that passed, so we are excited about doing that.” “Another one is property tax relief for our Texans.” Continue reading East Texans react to State House starting second session

JACKSONVILLE – UT Health Jacksonville and the Texas Department of Transportation partnered on Monday to hold free child car seat inspections for the public.

According to a report from our news partner KETK, the event is being held at UT Health Jacksonville’s front parking lot from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with no registration or appointment requirements. This safety check can help give parents piece of mind that they’re children are protected while riding in a vehicle. Certified child passenger safety technicians are on site to inspect appropriate harnessing, correct seat type and size, direction and placement, expiration dates, seat condition, and proper installation and positioning. Continue reading TxDOT and UT Health hold free child car seat inspections

PALESTINE — The Westwood ISD Athletic Director and head high school football coach was served an additional two years of probation on Monday, following an incident where an un-enrolled 7th grade student participated in workouts during the summer, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

On Oct. 24, 2024, Westwood High School football coach Robert Bishop met with the State Executive Committee of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) to discuss an incident involving Westwood staff allegedly filming an opposing team’s signals. The committee placed Bishop on probation for the 2025-2026 school year and decided that the Panthers football team did not have to forfeit their undefeated season. While still on probation, Bishop has just been served another two years of probation for violating another one of UIL’s rules. Continue reading Westwood HS football coach gets additional two years of probation

UPSHUR COUNTY – Several volunteer fire departments across Texas, including the New Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, received a $10,000 grant from State Farm and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), according to a report from our news partner KETK.

This was the second year in a row that the NVFC and State Farm partnered up to support local volunteer fire departments. The grants help departments secure the necessary equipment to keep first responders safe and protect their communities. Continue reading East Texas fire department receives $10K grant

TYLER – Indivisible Smith County, a local nonprofit political group, held a “Fight The Trump Takeover” protest on the S. Saunders Avenue overpass of Highway 31 in Tyler on Saturday, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

Fight The Trump Takeover protests were held all across the country on Saturday in response to the ongoing mid-decade redistricting effort being undertaken by Republicans in Texas. The East Texas organization Indivisible Smith County took part in the protests by hanging banners over Highway 31 in Tyler. Continue reading Smith County group protests Trump and redistricting

TYLER – Chapel Hill ISD held a ribbon cutting on Saturday for their new Academies of CHISD career and technology center and their new Multipurpose Activity Center. According to our news partner KETK, the two new buildings are located at the Chapel Hill High School campus and were funded as a part of Chapel Hill ISD’s 2023 bond. The career and technical education facility was designed to improve on the district’s Academies of Chapel Hill education model with new classrooms and technical workshops.

“It’s almost like Christmas morning when you get a chance to open up that present for the first time that you’ve been wishing for just about a whole year,” Chapel Hill ISD superintendent Lamond Dean said. “It’s been awe-inspiring to see our community, all the hard work and dedication our staff have come through and for our children to have such facilities that will give them so many great opportunities that they did not have before.” Continue reading Chapel Hill ISD unveils new technology center, multipurpose facility

WINONA – Winona ISD announced that their campuses will be closed on Monday due to a sewer line issue. They plan on being back open for their first day of school on Tuesday.

“We will be back Tuesday for our 1st day of school and can’t wait to see our students and staff back on campus. Go Cats!! It’s going to be a great year,” Winona ISD said on Sunday.

To stay up to date with the district, visit Winona ISD on Facebook.

LITTLE ROCK – The Little Rock FBI Field Office is asking for the public’s help in its search for a wanted Texarkana man. According to our news partner KETK, 31-year-old Brandon Lakeith Jenkins is wanted after allegedly shooting three people in an Aug. 29, 2023, home invasion robbery in Texarkana, Texas. They said they believe Jenkins has fled across Arkansas to avoid capture. The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest and conviction.

Jenkins was charged on Sept. 11, 2023, with engaging in organized criminal activity and aggravated assault by the Bowie County Magistrate in Texas. Officials say Jenkins has ties to Texarkana, Texas, and Hope, Arkansas.

Jenkins is described as a 5-foot-5-inch Black man weighing 153 pounds. He should be considered armed and dangerous and is an escape risk, FBI officials said. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Texarkana, Texas, Police Department at 903-798-3165.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – The Lilbert-Looneyville Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene of a major rollover crash on State Highway 204 near Trawick on Saturday.

According to our news partner KETK the crash occurred in the 4500 block of SH 204 at 11:49 p.m. on Saturday. Nacogdoches County EMS and the Texas Department of Public Safety were part of the rescue and recovery team.

Lilbert-Looneyville VFD said a car was heading east towards Trawick, north of Nacogdoches, when it left the roadway and rolled over multiple times, flattening several road signs in the process. Luckily, the driver of the car was able to escape the wreckage before any first responders arrived at the crash scene. EMS then transported the driver to a local hospital to be treated and evaluated for any injuries.

TYLER – U.S. Congressman for Tyler Rep. Nathaniel Moran visited our news partner KETK on Friday to discuss several topics including the quorum break in the Texas State Legislature and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Moran applauded Trump for meeting with Putin in person.

“I appreciate the fact that President Trump is going to sit down with him face to face,” Moran said. “Because I think that’s going to help to communicate how serious President Trump is about achieving peace in the region there in Europe and how, Putin needs to back off of what he’s doing presently and to put a pause on all that he intends to do even in the future, because, frankly, I don’t think he intended to stop with Ukraine.”

Moran also commented on the Republican effort to redistrict Texas to have more Republican seats in the U.S. Congress and how Texas Democrats have broke quorum, halting work in the State Legislature. He suggested that Texas Democrats will have to come back to the state in order to continue the work of the Texas Legislature. Continue reading Rep. Moran discusses war in Ukraine, quorum break

UPDATE: The Texarkana Police Department said that Seth Harrel was found safe at around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

TEXARKANA – Our news partner KETK is reporting that the Texarkana Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating an autistic boy who went missing on Saturday. 12-year-old Seth Harrel is an autistic child who was reported missing at around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday from his home, which is to the south of Texarkana College.

He was last seen on foot heading in an unknown direction and could be wearing a black shirt and jeans. Anyone who sees Seth is asked to call 911 immediately.

LIVINGSTON – According to our news partner KETK, a Livingston man was arrested for impersonating a police officer in Montgomery County on Aug. 1.

William Caruthers, 38 of Livingston, was originally wanted on a warrant filed by the Livingston Police Department after an incident in July where he was seen chasing a motorcycle with police lights flashing on his gray 2007 Ford Crown Victoria, according to Livingston PD. Then on Aug. 1, Livingston PD said that Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Caruthers because they believed he was impersonating an officer at the scene of a crash he was in. He was then booked into the Montgomery County Jail on two counts of impersonating a public servant.

According to Livingston PD, Caruthers’ Ford had a black push bar on the front fender and several flashing emergency lights and that Caruthers had body armor and handheld radios in his possession when he was arrested. Continue reading Man arrested for impersonating police officer

TYLER – According to our new partner KETK, a member of the Tyler City Council has announced his intention to run for mayor of Tyler in the upcoming 2026 election.

James Wynne has spent the past six years as a councilmember of District 4, and he’s now looking to transition into the role of mayor. Wynne posted a video on YouTube on Friday announcing his intentions to run for mayor.

“No race is run alone,” Wynne said. “I humbly ask for the support of our community in this race for the future of Tyler. Together, we can ensure our city continues to thrive for generations to come.”

More information about Wynee and his experience in local government can be found on his website.

SMITH COUNTY – Two people have been injured after their vehicle crashed into trees on Highway 31 in Smith County according to our news partner KETK. First responders from UT Health, Smith County Emergency Services and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of the crash and had to use chainsaws to clear the brush around the vehicle.

The two people injured in the crash were extracted from the vehicle put into an ambulance to be transported to a local hospital. Traffic heading westbound on Highway 31 is currently blocked by first responders.