KTBB News, Weather, Talk

MARSHALL – The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said that a man was arrested on Saturday after allegedly kicking, biting and fighting deputies following a traffic stop. According to our news partner KETK, Deputy Anderson and K9 Pato stopped a dark Cadillac that was speeding on Highway 80 in Marshall. The Cadillac stopped on Yaney Street after attempting to evade Anderson and Pato. Jessica Parker, 29, who was driving the Cadillac, was arrested for unrestrained children, speeding and warrants, jail records show. A passenger, Adam Foster, 22, allegedly kicked, bit and fought with Anderson and additional responding deputies, officials said. Foster was arrested for assaulting a peace officer, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance between 4 and 400 grams and warrants. Both Foster and Parker are being held at the Harrison County jail.

GLADEWATER – Several East Texas Fire departments responded to a structure fire in the 2000 block of Highway 80 near Gladewater on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK. around 3:30 p.m. Gladewater Fire Department requested mutual aid from Clarksville City-Warren City Volunteer Fire Department and White Oak Volunteer Fire Department. When crews arrived officials said they found fire on the front of the house that was spreading into the attic and living area. Crews were able to contain the fire to the attic and one room before extinguishing the blaze. According to Gladewater Fire Department no injuries were reported. A member of West Mountain Volunteer Fire Department also assisted, according to White Oak VFD. They added that Gregg County Fire Marshals were on the scene investigating the cause of the fire.

HARRISON COUNTY – 2 men were arrested after officials said they found 14 grams of psilocybin mushrooms during a traffic stop in Harrison County. According to our news partner KETK on Friday morning, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a vehicle that was brake checking vehicles while traveling westbound on I-20. A deputy reportedly saw the vehicle in question around mile marker 603 and initiated a traffic stop for a moving violation. When the deputy approached the vehicle, there was reportedly an odor of marijuana coming from it which led to a probable cause search. During the search, the deputy reported that they found 14 grams of psilocybin mushrooms in the vehicle. Continue reading 14 grams of psychedelic mushrooms seized during traffic stop

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Breakers Seafood in Tyler will close at the end of August, the restaurant announced on social media.

A locally-owned and operated seafood joint that, in its own words, aimed to “bring a piece of California to Texas,” will close its doors after 14 years in business. Continue reading Breakers Seafood in Tyler to close

PALESTINE – Three people were arrested in Palestine and charged in connection to organized retail crime.

On Wednesday, Palestine police officers received a call about a suspicious person at the Walmart at 2223 S. Loop 256. Walmart asset protection reported that a man suspected in recent thefts at Walmarts in Tyler, Jacksonville and other local stores had entered the businesses.

The man was suspected to have taken part in “cash cash” scams. Continue reading 3 arrested in Palestine for organized crime, suspected of Walmart cash scams

TYLER – Thursday, the Tyler Area Builders Association held their annual luncheon. According to our news partner KETK, special guests at this years luncheon were U.S. Congressman Nathaniel Moran and State Senator Bryan Hughes. The focus of the luncheon is to have builders in East Texas meet with local, state and national leaders to talk about issues that affect the building industry. John McKinney from the TABA builder directors said, “That’s probably our number one priority is trying to keep housing affordable especially for us here in East Texas. Continue reading U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran joins annual TABA luncheon

EAST TEXAS — Shopping centers will be busy this weekend with no sales tax on back to school essentials. The sales tax holiday runs through Sunday. The Comptroller encourages all taxpayers to support Texas businesses while saving money on tax-free purchases of most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks (sold for less than $100) during the annual Tax-Free weekend. Qualifying items can be purchased tax free from a Texas store or from an online or catalog seller doing business in Texas. In most cases, you do not need to give the seller an exemption certificate to buy qualifying items tax free. This year’s sales tax holiday begins Friday, Aug. 11, and goes through midnight Sunday, Aug. 13. Continue reading Tax free weekend

CHAPEL HILL — Chapel Hill Independent School District (CHISD) has announced announced a salary increase and enhanced incentives for student-centered bus drivers. According to a news released from the school district, the changes were approved during a recent school board meeting. Effective immediately, the pay scale for bus drivers has been raised to $20.00 per hour. In addition to the increased salary, bus drivers will be eligible for a sign-on bonus of $500 after they have worked at least 60 days with the district. Continue reading Chapel Hill ISD announced pay increase for bus drivers

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy celebrated its partnership with local artists and a new art exhibition through Art Connection via Valerosa, LLC. This collection was curated by Neita Fran Ward (pictured) and professionally installed by Tyler Museum of Art. The exhibit will be displayed in the W.T. Brookshire Hall, home of the Fisch College of Pharmacy, for the next year, marking the sixth art installation at the college. Art Connection via Valerosa, LLC will feature 53 pieces of artwork throughout the hallways of W.T. Brookshire Hall. Continue reading UT Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy celebrates partnership with Art Connection

NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches Police Department said that officers with their K9 unit found 25.8 pounds of cocaine in a vehicle during a traffic stop on Thursday. Brandon Lee White, 39 of Trotwood, Ohio was initially stopped around 9:40 a.m. for a traffic violation in the 7000 block of Northwest Stallings Drive, according to Nacogdoches PD. Officials said officers got consent to search the vehicle White was driving and NPD’s newest K9 Hamer alerted on the vehicle. Officers then discovered 25.8 pounds of cocaine in an after market compartment inside the vehicle, Nacogdoches PD said in a press release. According to our news partner KETK White was arrested for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and is being held in the Nacogdoches County Jail, according to jail records.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police answered a call early Thursday morning on Alta Street. According to our news partner KETK, officers found two shooting victims, one adult female and a teenager. At this point Longview Police says, “It appears the shooting happened outside of the home, and there is a connection between all involved parties.” The woman and the teenager were taken to a hospital and their injuries are being called life-threatening. Longview PD asks if you have information on this incident to call them or go on online at greggcountycrimestoppers.org.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – One person is dead after a single-car crash on Monday night on Highway 175 near Cuney. According to a preliminary DPS report, and our news partners at KETK, a 2015 Dodge Journey was traveling south on the highway and failed to drive in a single lane. DPS said the driver overcorrected and left the roadway, “rolling over several times, ejecting the driver.” The driver, identified as Dashad Baker, 29 of Frankston, was pronounced dead at the scene by a justice of the peace and was reported to not have been wearing a seatbelt. The investigation is ongoing.

BEN WHEELER — New laws in Texas will go into effect on Sept. 1 that will bring stricter rules if students get caught using the devices, according to our news partner KETK. “There’s really no choice. If we find it, it’s automatic that a student’s going to be removed from the basic regular school setting and will be in alternative school for a period of time,” said Superintendent of Martin’s Mill ISD, Scott Tyner. According to the CDC, in 2022, 2.5 million middle and high school students across the country used vapes. Students that are caught will be put in a “Disciplinary Alternative Education Program.” “We might see a decrease of the use at school,” said Tyner. This action is expected to be a step higher than detention but not as bad as getting a suspension. Tyner adds it will depend on what the student is caught with that will determine the punishment. Continue reading New laws set to impact students caught vaping

LONGVIEW — A 22-year-old is dead after the Longview Police found him shot on Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, around 11 a.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting on Houston Street. Arriving officers found that Keilan Jones had been shot during a reported “domestic disturbance.” Officers immediately began to perform CPR on Jones while waiting on EMS. Jones was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Officials said the suspect has been identified but the case is still under investigation.

TYLER — UT Health East Texas reached an agreement with United Healthcare that will protect patients’ in-network access to UTHET facilities and providers. According to our news partner KETK, The agreement with United Healthcare will maintain in-network access for everyone with commercial insurance and Medicare Advantage health plans. UT Health said in a press release, “With a strong commitment to the region, UT Health East Texas is pleased to continue our partnership with United Healthcare to deliver high-quality and affordable care to the community for years to come. The agreement ensures patients will not experience any disruption in care.”

TYLER – An inmate accused of escaping a transport van in January was found guilty and sentenced in a Smith County court on Wednesday according to our news partners at KETK. According to court records, 42-year-old Timothy Chappelle of Killeen was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of escaping while arrested. A widely-circulated video showed a handcuffed man in orange running down Tyler’s Gentry Parkway in early January. Authorities said an inmate kicked out a back window and barricade while a transport van was stopped on Gentry Parkway and Parkdale Drive, then proceeded to run north where he allegedly broke into two houses near Wisteria Drive. Continue reading Smith County inmate accused of escaping van sentenced to 20 years

TYLER – The son of a Smith County commissioner and the elected Smith County Clerk was arrested again on Monday for legal process simulating after he issued subpoenas without authorization, according to an arrest warrant and our news partner KETK. The warrant said on July 31, a detective with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office was asked to investigate into three legal processes that were served to County Judge Neal Franklin, Sheriff Larry Smith and Court Security Lieutenant Matthew Lazarine.  According to the warrant, the subpoena stated a case number which came back to a criminal case against Lance Phillips, 40, for disruption of a meeting. In a subpoena sent to Lazarine, the warrant said he was commanded to appear to testify before the judge in this case. Continue reading Son of Smith County officials arrested for issuing subpoenas

LONGVIEW – A Longview ISD bus was involved in a minor crash Wednesday morning according to our news partner KETK. LISD officials reported no students or staff sustained any injury. They said the accident happened before school on Highway 259 and Eastman Road. The district also said the accident “was caused by another vehicle.” And, after a safety check, the bus was able to continue on its route.

HARRISON COUNTY — A woman was arrested after authorities said that she ran over her ex-boyfriend with a vehicle. According to our news partner KETK, on Sunday, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from a man who said his ex-girlfriend arrived at the residence while he was trying to move out. The ex-girlfriend, who was identified as Elizabeth Reyes, 23, reportedly believed another woman had brought him to the residence he was trying to move out of. Authorities said that Reyes then “proceeded to run him over with the vehicle.” Reyes was arrested and booked into the Harrison County Jail for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon family violence on a $75,000 bond.

TYLER — In the first half of the year, Texans have lost more than $4 million to scams, our news partner KETK reports. The team in charge of preventing and investigating many of these fraud cases is the state agency, Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, which is based in Downtown Tyler. Director Adam Colby (pictured) said criminals move from city to city and they come into connect the crimes. After opening in January of 2022, FCIC has worked around 1,800 cases and some of them are linked. “We saw the need, because one agency may be working a case while another agency may be working the same case completely parallel of the other investigation, so that’s what we do. We are connecting all of this up,” said Colby. Continue reading Tyler based FCIC helps in preventing $131 million in financial fraud

GREGG COUNTY — A portion of Interstate 20 is shut down near Liberty City following an 18-wheeler fire on Tuesday afternoon that’s from news partner KETK. According to DPS, a preliminary investigation showed that an 18-wheeler that was traveling eastbound on I-20 had a blowout and lost control. The driver reportedly struck a guardrail and the truck caught fire. The person driving was able to exit the 18-wheeler safely with no injuries. Traffic is being diverted onto CR 3111/Joy Wright Mt Road, DPS said. Officials expect I-20 to be open with one lane. Officials said the cleanup process could be lengthy and drivers are asked to avoid the area.

FRANKLIN COUNTY – Franklin County law enforcement Tuesday rescued two children reported to be abducted two weeks earlier. According to our news partner KETK, investigators say the mother of the children, ages 2 and 6, told authorities the two had been kidnapped. After locating the children at a home in Southern Franklin County, a Franklin County Special Response Team and Mount Vernon police officers found the kids at the residence. The person at that location, Cody Cunningham, was arrested on a kidnapping charge.

NACOGDOCHES – Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Tuesday that Eaton Corporation will be expanding their manufacturing facility for voltage regulators, Cooper Power Systems LLC, an Eaton Corporation PLC subsidiary, in Nacogdoches, according to our news partners at KETK.

“Eaton is making a $100 million investment to expand our Nacogdoches, Texas operations and respond to the unprecedented need for critical power distribution infrastructure to support electrification, grid modernization, and resilience,” Eaton Senior Vice President Guillaume Laur said. “The investment doubles Eaton’s production capacity of voltage regulators and three-phase transformers. The strong labor market and partnership with the Nacogdoches community helped guide our decision to invest here and continue our decades-long commitment to manufacturing in East Texas.” Continue reading Eaton facility expansion hopes to create over 200 new jobs in Nacogdoches

HARRISON COUNTY – Authorities have arrested a woman who they say ran over her ex-boyfriend. According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department received a call Sunday from a man moving out from his residence. He stated his ex-girlfriend had come to that location and ran over him with her vehicle. Officers say that 23-year-old Elizabeth Reyes believed that there was another woman with her ex-partner. Reyes was booked into the Harrison County Jail for aggravated assault with deadly weapon and remains there on $75,000 bond.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College said on Tuesday that they are mourning the death of their athletic director. According to our news partner KETK, officials with the college said Athletic Director Kevin Vest had lost a lengthy battle with melanoma. “Our prayers are with his family and all of the lives he touched during his illustrious career,” officials said. Vest was the fifth athletic director in TJC’s 92-year history, and came from Waubonsee Community College in Illinois in 2019.

TYLER — Tyler Parks and Recreation will host, for the second time, Pawchella at Fun Forest Pool, located at 900 N. Glenwood Blvd. The event is B.Y.O.D. (Bring Your Own Dog) and will take place on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The facility will be available for pups to use to play and cool off. Admission is free. Click here to register. Recreation Manager, Kandice Johnson, says, “Last year went better than expected, and we received so many thank-yous for providing a safe place for pups to play and socialize. We are excited to watch it grow and become an annual tradition.” Continue reading Tyler Parks hosting Pawchella 2023

SMITH COUNTY — The body of a Smith County man, who had been reported missing around midnight, has been found in a field early Tuesday morning. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Gilbert Lay, 60, was found about 100 yards from his residence on CR 3140, near Tyler State Park. Officials said they were contacted by family members around midnight Monday to report Lay had been missing for an extended period of time. Lay had a Corgi dog with him. They described him as legally blind, suffers from PTSD and high blood pressure. Lay was considered to be in grave danger. His body was found around 3:15 Tuesday morning. Lay’s Corgi dog was located alive near his owner. An investigation is underway.

ATHENS – According to our news partner KETK The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens will be undergoing major renovations and updates and will be closed to the public starting Aug. 28. The tentative date for completion and reopening to the public is spring 2025. According to TFFC, “the 300,000 gallons of aquariums will be updated, new larger aquariums will be added, the dive theater and other existing indoor exhibits will be updated, and new exhibits will be developed.” In addition to upgrading the facilities, the closure will also give an opportunity for staff to develop new educational programming and volunteer opportunities. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) has raised more than $4.5 million in private donations to fund the massive project, said TFFC.

Until Aug. 28, TFFC operates from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. According to TFFC, hatchery production, the Toyota ShareLunker Program, Angler Recognition Program, Fish Art Contest and Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame selection and induction will all continue normal operations during the renovation. For additional information about TFFC, visit the TFFC website and Facebook page.