KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – As Christmas day approaches our news partner KETK has compiled a list of local restaurants, stores and entertainment open on Christmas 2024. Please visit the KETK website for the regularly updated list.

UPDATE: The City of Troup said on Tuesday that Optimum restored full internet service to Troup. City officials apologized to any residents who’ve gotten duplicate trash service rescheduling calls that were set out because of the loss in connection. Troup said their trash service will be on Thursday for this week and next week.

TROUP – The City of Troup said many of their residents are currently without VOIP phone service, internet and cellphone service after Optimum’s fiber optic line was cut on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, a third party contractor cut the Optimum fiber optic cable that supplies internet service to the town and two of the major cell phone companies that cover Troup.

Troup city manager Gene Cottle said that Optimum is working to repair the cut cable and to return cell service to the area. City of Troup employee’s are currently monitoring their water tower and the water wells which rely on cellular connections to communicate.

The city was only able to share this information because of a fallback cellular modem that uses three different cell phone service providers.

TYLER – In the midst of the usual uptick in recycling and waste during the holidays, their workload is only increasing, because everything’s now going to the landfill together. Every day, dozens of trucks sit in line at the Greenwood Farms Landfill in Tyler waiting to dump their trash. East Texas landfill and sanitation workers are still feeling the impact of a major recycling center catching fire in Kilgore six months ago and halting services for many local cities.

“About 300 trucks come through here every day and unload about a thousand tons per day,” said manager of municipal services at Greenwood Farms Landfill, Gene Keenon. Towards the end of the year, Keenon said that number doubles.

It’s not just the holiday rush they’re facing. Since River’s Recycling Center shut down in Kilgore, recyclables are also coming to the landfill. “It’s about 300 tons a week that we used to be diverting out of the landfill. It’s now coming back into the landfill,” Keenon explained. That’s an extra 300 tons per week his workers have to deal with. Continue reading Landfill workers feeling impact of Kilgore fire

MALAKOFF – According to our news partner KETK, a Monday morning house fire has left one person dead in Malakoff. Malakoff Police Department Chief Floyd Thomas said the deceased was identified as Gloria Aruizu and that the fire happened at 803 W. Mitcham St. in Malakoff. Tool Fire Rescue said they were called to the fully-involved structure fire at around 2 a.m. on Monday along with fire departments from Seven Points, Gun Barrel City, Trinidad and Malakoff.

The home was reportedly a total loss and now Tool Fire Rescue is asking the community for donations to help the residents affected. Continue reading One dead after Malakoff home destroyed in fire

TYLER – Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Gregory Kelly, the current Auxiliary Bishop of Dallas, as the new Bishop of Tyler on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Kelly will be the fifth bishop to ever be appointed to lead the Tyler Diocese since it was founded in 1986 by Pope St. John Paul II. Kelly’s appointment comes after Bishop Joseph Strickland was removed as Bishop of Tyler in November of 2023, following a months-long investigation by the Vatican.

Bishop Strickland’s removal by the pope sparked widespread criticism, and the question of politics in religion has become a hot topic. However, Kelly said there will also be a back-and-forth between the two.

“The church always has to stay out of partisan politics, endorsing candidates or doing anything like that,” Kelly said. Continue reading Pope Francis appoints new Bishop of Tyler

TYLER – Sign up for the Tyler Girls Softball League’s (TGSL) third season! Registration is open until Friday, Jan. 24, and costs $50 per player. TGSL is a community-focused softball program for girls ages five to 14 who want to learn fundamental skills in a competitive atmosphere. “Our mission is to inspire players and coaches, foster teamwork, enhance communication skills and boost the confidence of all participants,” said Athletic Coordinator Allan Piedra. League games begin in April. All home games will be played at Faulkner Park or Golden Road Softball Fields during the season. For more information, contact Athletic Coordinator Allan Piedra at (903) 595-7271 or email [email protected].

HUNTINGTON – Our news partners at KETK report the Huntington ISD School Board has named Dr. Carolyn Fiaschetti as their lone finalist to be the district’s new superintendent. Fiaschetti was voted in as the lone finalist at the school board’s meeting on Monday. She currently serves as the regional assistant superintendent for the Region 6 Education Service Center. Continue reading Huntington ISD names lone finalist for superintendent

MINEOLA – Two East Texas women are working to make sure everyone has a meal and a place to be during the holiday season, according to our news partners at KETK. The ladies who make it all happen are co-founders, Wendi Warren and Brandi O’Shea. “If you took Tyler, Longview, Kilgore, Lindale, Mineola and Alba and combine them into one place, that’s how many people are facing food insecurity in East Texas,” Warren said. They said the holiday season is about trying their best to help all the people. To do that, Windy and Brandy put in action an idea they’ve wanted to try for years, a free event where anyone can find food entertainment and community. Continue reading Two women create a place everyone can feel at home for the holidays

TYLER – The Run Tyler 5K is back with a color run edition on Saturday, Jan. 11! The entry fee is $20 per runner, and the registration closes on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Check-in will be from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Tyler Rose Garden, 420 Rose Park Dr. Afterward, a post-race party will be held, where participants can receive their medals, enjoy refreshments and take photos. The 5K benefits the Tyler Parks and Recreation Department in its efforts to provide events and programming for the community. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/RunTyler5k, the Tyler Parks and Rec Facebook page, or call Parks Administration at (903) 531-1370.

TYLER — Our news partners at KETK report that a lifelong resident of Northwest Tyler has placed her bid for the Tyler City Council District 3 seat. Shonda Marsh, with 30 years of experience in healthcare and a deep commitment to community advocacy, claims to bring transformative leadership to the district. Marsh’s career included leadership roles during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This campaign is not about me; it’s about amplifying the voices of Northwest Tyler,” Marsh said. “We will honor our district’s rich history while building a future that ensures every family has the opportunity to thrive.” Continue reading New Democratic candidate for Tyler City Council District 3 seat

TYLER — Across the street from the Village at Cumberland in Tyler, the Genecov Group has purchased a 60-acre development site expected to bring a new form of entertainment for East Texans, according to our news partners at KETK. The company said they will bring sports, leisure and nightlife to Tyler in the ultimate recreation and cultural playground known as Parkside Development. It will include major retailer stores, restaurants, boutique hotel and pad sites. Continue reading Developers plan 60 acres for entertainment, retail stores

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department (MPD) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Thursday, December 19, 2024, in the 100 block of Interstate 20. The incident began around 1:20 p.m. when MPD officers responded to a 911 call reporting a disturbance.

Upon arrival, MPD officers encountered an individual armed with a handgun. Marshall Police officers, along with the MPD Special Response Team (SRT) and Crisis Negotiation Team, were assisted by the
Harrison County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) SRT and deputies. They attempted to de-escalate the situation through negotiations. Despite these efforts, the individual shot at officers with a handgun and an MPD officer returned fire, striking the individual. Continue reading Officer-involved shooting in Marshall

KILGORE— The road to becoming a champion is long and winding, and some of the hardest moments of that journey, happen when no one is watching.

The Kilgore Bulldogs have made those sacrifices, and find themselves just one win away from hoisting championship gold.“The reason we’re in this fight is because of the work that they put in there, their dedication and discipline to prepare the right way week in and week, week out as allowed our team one to be ready to go on Friday night, and also to improve every week,” said head coach Clint Fuller. “That’s the reason that we’re we’re playing for a state championship.” Continue reading Kilgore will play in first state championship since 2013

PALESTINE – A Texas House Committee was left without its key witness on Friday after Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a motion late Thursday barring death row inmate Robert Roberson from testifying at the Capitol.The bipartisan House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence had planned to hear directly from Roberson on Friday at noon about his failed efforts to overturn his capital murder conviction using the state’s junk science law, which grants new trials in cases that relied on scientific evidence that is later discredited.

But Paxton’s motion, which argued that the panel’s subpoena to Roberson was “procedurally deficient and overly burdensome,” excused the state prison system from complying with the committee’s subpoena and allowing Roberson to testify in person. That left the future of Roberson’s testimony unclear.

Lawmakers have tried for weeks to bring him to Austin after the Texas Supreme Court noted in November that state officials should be able to produce Roberson for testimony in compliance with a subpoena that does not interfere with a scheduled execution. After the committee’s first subpoena expired, it served him with another one this week.

Roberson was convicted of capital murder in 2003 for the death of his 2-year-old daughter Nikki, who was diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome. He has argued that new scientific evidence discredits Nikki’s diagnosis and shows she died of natural and accidental causes. Continue reading Texas House panel may never hear Robert Roberson’s testimony

TYLER– The Tyler Police Department arrested a 27-year-old man for online solicitation of a minor on Tuesday after a call from a YouTuber.

According to court documents, Tyler PD officers responded to a call about a suspicious person near the Residence Inn on Heritage Drive in Tyler at around 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
Our news partner, KETK, reports that the caller was later identified as the owner of a YouTube channel used to catch sexual predators called “Predator Poacher.” The owner told Tyler PD officers about a man that the channel had reportedly been in contact with since June 11, 2023.

Officers were shown messages that were reportedly between someone posing as 11 and 13-year-old girls and 27-year-old Jordan Lee Burk. According to the arrest affidavit, Burk had sexual conversations with someone posing as an 11-year-old named “Emily” and a 13-year-old named “Maddi” about dating and pregnancy.

On Tuesday, Tyler PD officers contacted Burk at his workplace, BioLife Plasma, to discuss the alleged messages. After Burk was read his Miranda right and questioned, he allegedly admitted to contacting the 11-year-old. According to Smith County records, Burk was arrested on two charges of online solicitation of a minor and sexual conduct, and booked into the Smith County Jail before being released on Wednesday.

TYLER– The Diocese of Tyler has announced that Pope Francis appointed Bishop Gregory Kelly, the current Auxiliary Bishop of Dallas, as the new Bishop of Tyler on Friday. According to our news partner KETK,  Kelly will be the fifth Bishop to ever be appointed to lead the Tyler Diocese since it was founded in 1986 by Pope St. John Paul II. Kelly’s appointment comes after Bishop Joseph Strickland was removed as Bishop of Tyler in November of 2023, following a months-long investigation by the Vatican.

Kelly was born in Le Mars, Iowa on Feb. 15 1956. He received his Bachelor’s of Arts in philosophy from the University of Dallas in 1978 while he was in the Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, according to the Diocese of Dallas.Later in 1982, he received his master’s degree in divinity from the University of Dallas and he was ordained as a priest in that same year. He was made Auxiliary Bishop for Dallas in 2016 and has served as a Vicar General and moderator for the Curia.

The Diocese of Tyler will have an announcement press conference at 10 a.m. on Friday in the St. Paul meeting room at the Diocesan Chancery, located at 1015 E. Southeast Loop 323.

AUSTIN (AP) — Texas’ attorney general sought again on Thursday to stop a man on death row from testifying to lawmakers who have raised doubts about his guilt and successfully paused his execution at the last minute in October. Robert Roberson was convicted in 2003 of killing his 2-year-old daughter. His execution had been set to be the first in the U.S. over a conviction tied to shaken baby syndrome, a diagnosis some medical experts have questioned. A Texas House panel had again subpoenaed Roberson to appear before lawmakers Friday, which would require a transport from his prison outside Houston.

Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said his office asked a court for an order blocking the subpoena, which he said automatically prevents Roberson from appearing while the legal challenge is pending. A spokesperson for Democratic Rep. Joe Moody, chair of the Texas House committee that subpoenaed Roberson, did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment Thursday. Continue reading Death row inmate’s testimony challenged again

TYLER – Our news partner KETK is reporting that a proposed child abuse prevention law is on its way to the White House for review by President Biden. The Jenna Quinn Bill has been in the works for the past six years, named after abuse survivor, Jenna Quinn, the proposed bill will allow federal grants to fund training educators on sexual abuse recognition and prevention. Rep. Nathaniel Moran said 90% of the time abusers are typically somebody within family or close friendship, relationship, making this bill vital to train educators and adults that work with children. Already making an impact, data shows educators are reporting abuse four times more after being trained than without.

The East Texas congressman spoke in support of the bill before it passed with full bipartisan support on Dec. 17.

“We need to provide more opportunities for grant moneys that already exists to be used in a space that can save these kids from further abuse, stop the abuse and get them help as quickly as possible,” Moran said. Continue reading Rep. Moran supports new child abuse prevention bill

TYLER — According to our news partner KETK, a second state representative from East Texas is under intense pressure to switch his support as Texas House Republicans fight over who will be the next speaker. Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, won the endorsement from the House GOP caucus, but Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, claims to have a bipartisan majority. This battle, as Burrows seeks democratic support, has led Republicans who support Burrows to walk a fine line.

In recent days, the GOP has threatened to campaign against anyone who supports Burrows, such as Rep. Cole Hefner, R-Mount Pleasant, who has already faced backlash over his choice. Yet Hefner remains adamant in backing Burrows for the seat.

The Texas GOP has also threatened to censure any Republican who does not vote for Cook and has sent text messages to lawmakers like East Texas Rep. Cody Harris threatening to campaign against them. Continue reading East Texas representative faces backlash over speaker support

KAUFMAN COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, Kaufman County officials serving a warrant at a property discovered animals in wire cages, living without shelter and limited access to clean water. The SPCA team said the dogs and roosters were found in individual pens throughout the property with the area thick in mud and standing water. Officials also found evidence that the animals may have been used for fighting leading to the start of an investigation. Their owner relinquished custody of the animals at the scene, and the SPCA has since taken ownership, who are now working with the animals for possible rehabilitation.

“That resulted in the SPCA of Texas taking custody of 50 roosters, 43 hens, 34 adult dogs, and 10 puppies,” SPCA of Texas Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Maura Davies said.

According to officials, the owner of the animals could also face felony charges once the investigation is over. Continue reading SPCA assists in the removal of neglected animals

HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas – Nichalos Allen Hunt was sentenced to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for possession of a controlled substance and four years for bail jumping and failure to appear in court. Our news partners at KETK report that Hunt allegedly admitted the baggie and a glass pipe were his and it was later determined the baggie contained 2.22 grams of methamphetamine. A Henderson County deputy received information on an individual with an outstanding parole warrant located in a hotel room in Gun Barrel City. Deputies on the scene reported seeing plastic baggie containing a crystal like substance was reportedly sitting in plain sight on the nightstand next to Hunt.

TYLER – This holiday season, Hormel Food and Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC)are joining in on the East Texas Food Bank’s mission is to fight hunger and feeding hope to donate $100,000 worth of hams to nonprofits for the East Texans that might not know where their next meal is coming from.

On Dec. 19, the two companies donated nearly 8,000 hams to the East Texas Food Bank and other food banks throughout the communities where Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods, Spring Market and FRESH by Brookshire’s stores operate. Our news partner, KETK, reported that Hormel Foods and BGC hosted the ceremony at Super 1 foods in Tyler to present the donation of hams to the East Texas Food Bank.

To finds ways to join the fight to end hunger in East Texas, visit the East Texas Food Bank website by clicking here.

UPDATE:A second earthquake registering 2.6 magnitude hit on the shore of Caddo Lake near the Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant. This was just south of the first event shortly after lunchtime Thursday.

HARRISON COUNTY – The U.S. Geological Survey has reported that a 3.3 magnitude earthquake happened near Uncertain in Harrison County on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the earthquake reportedly struck at 6:15 a.m. on Thursday 5 kilometers beneath Caddo Lake near Uncertain, on the Texas side of the Texas-Louisiana border. According to the USGS, the quake was reportedly felt in Shreveport and Longview.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Van Zandt County residents have filed a lawsuit against stakeholders in the Amador Energy Storage Project that would bring a 100 MW lithium battery energy storage facility to the area. According to our news partner KETK, the Finnish-based wind, solar and battery energy storage developer, Taaleri Energia and the Amador Project has drawn criticism from local citizens who argue it threatens their safety, livestock and rural lifestyle. Some of the concerns include fire risks, fire risks, environmental contamination, lack of firefighting resources and proximity to homes.

The storage facility would be located near FM 47 and FM 1651 on approximately 48 acres with construction already in motion and set to be fully functional by the end of next year. The 100 MW lithium battery storage facility could provide electricity at a rate of 100 million watts, which is used for grids to stabilize electricity supply. Continue reading Van Zandt residents file lawsuit over lithium storage facility

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is increasing traffic enforcement during the New Year’s holiday which will continue through Wednesday, Jan. 1. Motorists will see an increased presence of law enforcement in high traffic crash areas throughout the City. Officers will be focusing their targeted enforcement efforts to deter speeding, seatbelt violations, running red lights, texting, and driving while intoxicated throughout the City. “We will have additional officers on the road during the holidays specifically to enforce traffic laws,” said Chief Jimmy Toler. “The safety of everyone remains a priority as they enjoy holiday events and festivities. We will work to deter drinking and driving, speeding, and distracted driving.” Continue reading Tyler PD increasing traffic enforcement during New Years celebrations