KTBB News, Weather, Talk

RUSK COUNTY – Two suspected tornadoes in Rusk County Thursday left homes without roofs and power, so residents had to look for shelter at the nearby convenience store. According to our news partner KETK, Whispering Pines RV Park, between Mount Enterprise and Minden, was especially hard hit. No life-threatening injuries have been reported. Authorities say one non-life-threatening injury was reported after a resident was hit by a tree. Rusk County officials are voicing concern for drivers who are out on the roadways. “Stay off the roads and stay home. This is not a time to go out and look or take videos,” cautioned Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez. Officials say they are continuing to assess damage and offer help as needed.

EAST TEXAS — Voters in East Texas went to the polls Saturday for a range of election activity. In Smith County, bond elections were on the ballot for Tyler, Bullard, and Chapel Hill Independent School Districts. Longview ISD is held a school bond election as well, and the city of Longview voted on a city council race along with a special bond election. Ballots around the area also included other races for cities and school districts, as well as proposed constitutional amendments. Continue reading East Texas election day voting results

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department says it needs your help locating a runaway by the name of Meryl Herring. Meryl is 16 years old, approximately 5’06”, and weighs approximately 122 lbs. She has blond hair and blue eyes. Meryl was last seen wearing a green tank top, black hoodie, denim shorts, and croc shoes. Anyone has information is asked to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1199.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department says several roads are closed due to flooding. According to our news partner KETK, those include South High Street between West Cotton and West Tyler Street; North Green Street, between West Cotton and West Tyler Street; And south South Green Street, between Mopac Road and East Nelson Street. All locations are underneath bridges. Also, minor flooding is reported on South Spur 63 at West Cotton Street and East Marshall Avenue between Green and Second Streets.

ATHENS — An Athens ISD school bus was involved in a wreck Thursday morning after the driver of a Mustang allegedly pulled out in front of the bus. According to our news partner KETK, Athens ISD reports the bus was driving west on Loop 7 when the Mustang apparently pulled out from Robbins Road in front of the bus. Neither driver required medical attention, but three students were taken to UT Health Athens for what were reported to be minor injuries. DPS was called to the scene and is investigating further. AISD officials were notifying and reaching out to parents and guardians of the students on the bus and have been continuing to monitor the situation.

TYLER — Early and absentee ballots in Smith County are up significantly from a year ago as voters and officials prepare for Saturday’s elections. The county says 7,746 people cast their ballots early and 1,127 absentee ballots were received by the elections office. In last May’s municipal elections, early votes totaled 1,650 and there were 64 absentee ballots cast. It should be noted that ballot items were considerably different a year ago. This spring, bond elections are on the ballot for Tyler, Bullard, and Chapel Hill Independent School Districts. Also on the ballot are several races for cities and school districts, as well as constitutional amendments. Continue reading Early, absentee ballots way up from last May in Smith County

TYLER — East Texans are advised of multiple disaster designations with the USDA Farm Service Agency. Those who wish to apply for emergency loans are asked to submit their applications as soon as possible. Application deadlines vary. The FSA office is located on Republic Drive in Tyler. The telephone number is (903) 405-5676 with office hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional information regarding Disaster Assistance Programs may be found online at this link. Continue reading Disaster designations for East Texas

EAST TEXAS — North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) is asking drivers to be aware of a ramp closure on Toll 49. According to NET RMA, the ramp closure at Toll 49 and Farm-to-Market Road 16 began May 2 and will continue through May 5, from 9 p.m. – 5 a.m., as crews install new tolling system equipment. Daily text messages will be sent updating road closure information while this work is in progress. In order to receive these messages, motorists will need to text Toll 49 to 444222 or visit this link.

TYLER — The City of Tyler is showing appreciation for outstanding public servants during Public Service Recognition Week from May 2 through May 6, according to a news release. City of Tyler non-emergency offices and facilities will be closed Friday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for an interdepartmental event. Essential and emergency functions will continue. The Glass Recreation Center will be closed to the public Friday, May 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Celebrated since 1985, PSRW is a nationwide public recognition campaign honoring the men and women who serve as federal, state, county and local government employees, according to the release.

TYLER — Tyler joins numerous other communities around East Texas and across the country in observing Thursday’s National Day of Prayer. A highlight was the 31st annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, held at Green Acres Baptist Church’s Crosswalk Conference Center. Speakers offered a prayer of thanksgiving along with prayers for world, community, and individual peace. Also, attendees were invited to pray together at their tables, and there were musical offerings, as well as other touches. Mayor Don Warren told KTBB the prayer choices were “really kind of a no-brainer,” citing “so much that we’ve gone through these last few years” — and adding, “it works.”

SMITH COUNTY — One woman was arrested and a man is on the loose following a police chase Wednesday night in Tyler, according to our news partner KETK. Sgt. Larry Christian, with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, said the chase started in the Hill Creek boat area near Lake Tyler. Officials said that a deputy recognized the 1999 4-door Mercury and noticed that there were active arrest warrants for the driver, Kelsey Ann Sanders, 20. Deputies attempted to pull over the vehicle but she allegedly did not stop and started on FM 346 around Lake Tyler. Continue reading Police chase lands one in jail, one suspect at large

LONGVIEW – A female inmate in the Gregg County Jail died after having a “medical emergency” in her cell, officials said. According to our news partner KETK, a press release says members of the sheriff’s office and jailers responded to the emergency. Longview Fire/EMS was immediately contacted and responded to the North Jail Facility, according to the release. The woman was taken to a Longview hospital, where she later died. Officials were withholding her name pending notification of next-of-kin, but they did say she was being held on a murder charge and had been in the jail for 1,122 days. The Texas Rangers have been notified and are conducting an investigation with the help of members of the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division.

TYLER — As voters and officials prepare for Saturday’s elections, Smith County releases its final early and absentee voting numbers. The county says 7,746 people cast their ballots early and 1,127 absentee ballots were received by the elections office. That’s substantially up from last May, when early votes totaled 1,650 and there were 64 absentee ballots cast. It should be noted that ballot items were considerably different a year ago. This spring, bond elections are on the ballot for Tyler, Bullard, and Chapel Hill Independent School Districts. Also on the ballot are several races for cities and school districts, as well as constitutional amendments. Continue reading Smith County early, absentee votes tallied in Saturday’s election

TYLER — A Tyler man has died after being ejected from his SUV in an early Wednesday Tyler crash. He has been identified as Daron Ellis, 22. Police responded to the scene on University Boulevard around 8:15 a.m. The investigation showed Ellis was following a fuel truck and tried to make a lane change but hit the back of the truck. Police say that caused the SUV to go out of control and caused Ellis to be ejected. Police say he was the only occupant of his vehicle. The driver of the fuel truck was not injured.

CANTON (AP/Staff) — Van Zandt County commissioners made it official Wednesday, unanimously voting to accept the resignation of Sheriff Steve Hendrix. That’s according to our news partner KETK. Hendrix earlier announced he will step down May 14. That follows his arrest and indictment on allegations he lied to investigators about witnessing one of his deputies punch a handcuffed inmate in the face. Prosecutors say Hendrix, Chief Deputy Jerry Wood, and Sgt. Blake Snell were indicted in March for giving a false statement to a peace officer about the actions of former Chief Deputy Craig Shelton. In January, Shelton admitted to the Texas Rangers that he hit Nicholas Crouch in September without justification. Hendrix faces up to six months in jail if convicted.

TYLER – A Larue man faces multiple charges following a chase in Smith County. DPS says around 11:04 Tuesday morning, a trooper tried to stop a Ford F-250 traveling south on US-271 in Tyler for a traffic violation. They say the driver, 39-year-old John A. Williams, refused to stop and tried to evade officers. Williams reportedly later abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Troopers arrested Williams near CR-3187 just east of Timber Creek Rd. According to officials, a 14-year-old passenger, determined to be a runaway, was released to DFPS. The vehicle was reported stolen in Van Zandt County. Continue reading Man faces multiple charges following chase

DALLAS — The former dress designer for the Texas Rose Festival for almost 40 years has died. According to our news partner KETK, Winn Morton died at his home on April 22 at the age of 93. Born in Lancaster in December of 1928, Winn worked with every top costume workroom in New York, designing for Broadway and off-Broadway Productions. In 1975, Winn became the art director for Six Flags Show Productions. Continue reading Former Texas Rose Festival dress designer has died

SMITH COUNTY — An Arlington man who was charged with murdering his boyfriend near Tyler State Park after finding child porn on his phone died of natural causes before his trial. According to our news partner KETK, 52-year-old Robert Price died March 20, a few months after his case was halted due to his deteriorating health. In November, Price’s attorney filed the motion after he had been quarantined twice due to COVID-19, which led to further complications involving his kidneys and liver. Continue reading Man charged with killing boyfriend at Tyler State Park dies before trial

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND, Md. (AP/Staff) – National Park Service officials say a wild horse who has become “extremely aggressive” with staff and visitors at Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland has been relocated to an Texas wildlife sanctuary. The Daily Times reports that park service officials said the harem stallion Delegate’s Pride, also known as Chip, has become aggressive with people in pursuit of human food or with staff redirecting him or his band away from crowds. He is being moved to Cleveland Armory Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison. Since 2017, officials say the horse has been involved in more than half of the incidents that resulted in injuries for visitors and he resists efforts to move horses away from potentially dangerous situations.

KILGORE — Pentecost Rd. in Kilgore will be closed to through traffic from U.S. 259 Business to Stone Rd. beginning Wednesday, May 4, due to a bridge replacement project at Big Head Creek. The duration of the bridge structure replacement is expected to last approximately four months, according to a TxDOT news release. The road will be open to local traffic only. All other traffic will need to use an alternate route.

LONGVIEW — An arrest has been made in connection to a shooting at Electric Cowboy in Longview. According to our news partner KETK, 25-year-old DaQwaylon Rashad Nelson of Longview was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and booked into the Gregg County Jail. At approximately 1:42 a.m. this past Friday, officers were dispatched to the location in reference to multiple shots being fired. As they arrived, officers were directed toward a nearby convenience store. They found a vehicle that had been involved in a collision with the storefront sign and discovered a shooting victim outside the vehicle. Police say officers immediately began performing lifesaving aid on the victim, who was transported to a local hospital with what were termed life-threatening injuries.

TYLER — A late Monday night convenience store robbery is under investigation by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. Officials say they got word at 11:30 p.m. about the incident on Hwy. 64 West near the Thompson Lane intersection. Responding deputies say the clerk reported she had just been  robbed at gunpoint. The male suspect took an undetermined amount of cash from the register, fled on foot, was seen running toward Thompson Lane, and then entered what was described as an SUV, possibly red in color. No further details were given about the suspect’s departure from the area. He is described as a young black male, 5’09” to 6’0”, slender build, wearing a hoodie pulled over his head. The investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call the Smith County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 566-6600.

TYLER — Tyler state Representative Matt Schaefer weighs in on a leaked Supreme court opinion suggesting the court will overturn Roe v. Wade. Schaefer says we must wait for an official ruling from the court — and that until then, as he puts it, “we should mourn the millions of innocent babies that have been lost.” Meantime, Schaefer says he prays that the Supreme Court does, in his words, “allow Texas to become a sanctuary state for unborn babies made in God’s image.”

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man charged with capital murder from a shooting that killed a teenager last year will await the results of DNA testing before his case can continue. According to our news partner KETK, 20-year-old Andres Urrutia is one of two men charged with killing 17-year-old Jesse McNeely. He was shot at a home on Omega Drive, a neighborhood near downtown Tyler last June. Urrutia was arrested days later along with 21-year-old Lorenzo Martinez in Galveston. They are being held on bonds of more than $1 million. Continue reading Prosecutors await DNA testing in Tyler capital murder case

RUSK — Two East Texans charged in the 2020 disappearance of 18-year-old Tyress Gipson appeared in a Rusk courtroom Monday afternoon for brief pre-trial hearings, with a trial currently set for July. According to our news partner KETK, Breonna M. Jimenez and Cameron D. Shead, both Palestine natives, were arrested two years ago, roughly two weeks after Gipson was last seen. They were charged with aggravated kidnapping. Nearly 21 months since his disappearance, Gipson has still not been found. The defendants will both be due back in court on June 6. Also charged in the case was Derrick D. Hicks, a Palestine native as well. He was not scheduled for court Monday afternoon. A fourth person, who was 16 years old at the time, was also arrested. That person’s name was not released. Continue reading Trial set for summer in case of missing Jacksonville teen

CANTON – A man was arrested outside the Van Zandt County Courthouse Sunday evening after allegedly making a threat to the courthouse on social media. According to our news partner KETK, authorities say David Anthony Damate-Graves was making threats of violence with a firearm on a Facebook post. Canton police and the county sheriff’s office worked together to get warrants and attempted to locate Damate-Graves. When they didn’t initially find him, the sheriff’s office, Canton PD, and the Precinct 2 Constable’s Office took positions in the Canton Square. Authorities say at approximately 7:50 p.m., Damate-Graves was seen in front of the courthouse and immediately arrested without incident. He was charged with terroristic threat. “He did have a plastic toy firearm in his possession modified to resemble a real firearm,” said a sheriff’s office post.

TYLER — TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. In Gregg County, the Spur 63/McCann Road Bridge Project continues. The traffic will be reduced to two lanes to allow the contractor to build half of the bridge. In Smith County, work has been scheduled on SH 135 in Arp at the four-way stop, on SH 64 east of Chapel Hill, and on US 271 near FM 2908. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Solid Waste Department and Keep Tyler Beautiful are sponsoring a free bulky item collection for residential customers (excluding multi-family home communities and businesses) from Monday, May 2, through Friday, May 6. Participants should place bulky items on the curb by 7 a.m. May 2 and no sooner than 5 p.m. April 29. After crews have collected on your street, officials ask that you not place more bulky items on the curb. These items will be charged a special pickup fee. Click here to learn more.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is investigating a shooting in the parking lot of the Electric Cowboy on McCann Rd. At approximately 1:42 a.m. on Friday, officers were dispatched to the location in reference to multiple shots being fired. As they arrived, officers were directed toward a nearby convenience store. They found a vehicle that had been involved in a collision with the storefront sign and discovered a shooting victim outside the vehicle. Police say officers immediately began performing lifesaving aid on the victim, who was transported to a local hospital with what were termed life-threatening injuries. If you have any information on this matter, you are encouraged to contact Longview Police at 903-237-1110 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP(7867) or online at this link.