KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LIVINGSTON — A routine traffic stop in Livingston led to a narcotics investigation where five people were arrested. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, during the night on Feb. 5, officers stopped a vehicle on Mill Gate Road for a traffic violation.

Officers identified the driver as Justin Martin, 36 of Cleveland, and passenger Holli Pederson, 27 of Livingston. They began to search the vehicle after allegedly smelling burnt marijuana. Officials then determined that Martin and Pederson were in possession of meth and marijuana. Martin was arrested for manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance with a $50,000 bond while Pederson was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with a $15,000 bond.
Continue reading Five arrested following narcotics investigation in Livingston

CHANDLER — A traffic issue in Chandler, caused by a blocked railroad crossing, is causing traffic delays. A train is reportedly parked on the tracks at FM 315 south. No word on when the train will be moved. Drivers are urged to use an alternate route.

EAST TEXAS — The Texas Education Agency has added the names of two East Texas educators to their growing list of people flagged in a certification fraud investigation. According to our news partner KETK, these teachers, coaches and educators are under investigation to see if they were involved with an alleged Houston-based scheme to falsify TEA certifications for hundreds of people, according to NBCDFW. As of now, there are 163 teachers on the list.

The educator certification is an official recognition indicating that an individual has met all the requirements to work as a certified teacher. With an educator certification, people can potentially receive higher pay and are permitted to work at public schools.

The two East Texas educators added on Tuesday are Reginald Hill with Carthage ISD and Taishia Holt with Lufkin ISD. Carthage ISD’s website lists Hill as a teacher and assistant football coach. Continue reading Two East Texas coaches named in TEA fraud investigation

TEXARKANA – Police are searching for a suspect after an argument at a Texarkana apartment complex led to a shooting that injured two people Saturday evening. According to our news partner KETK, investigators with the Texarkana Police Department say that a dispute between neighbors at the complex in the 1400 block of Richmond Road around 8:30 p.m. devolved into violence when a man pulled out a gun and fired it at the ground. The bullet ended up ricocheting and hitting two people. The alleged shooter and another suspect then assaulted one of the victims before running off, according to Texarkana PD.

Both victims were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police responded and found one suspect, Morgan Lanham, inside an apartment at the complex. He was arrested for assault. They are still looking for the suspected shooter, 27-year-old Dantray Copeland, on charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. They believe he may have gotten a ride out of the area.

Anyone with information on where Copeland should call TTPD at (903) 798-3876 or Texarkana Area Crime Stoppers at (903) 793-STOP.

TYLER – The East Texas Council of Governments(ETCOG) has awarded $81,429.64 to several local governments and agencies in order to reduce solid waste that ends up in landfills. According to our news partner KETK, the funds will help the awarded areas start or expand their projects which can divert waste from landfills by reducing waste at the source or on it’s way to the landfill.

ETCOG’s Solid Waste Advisory Committee is made up of local solid waste experts who rank and scores each area’s application for these grants before they send them to ETCOG’s Executive Committee which forwards their own recommendations to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for final approval.

“ETCOG appreciates the efforts of many of our jurisdictions to apply for these funds, as well as the Solid Waste Advisory Committee’s commitment to making East Texas a cleaner place to live,” ETCOG’s Economic Development Specialist, Bridget Booty said. “These essential projects led to the cleanup of hundreds of sites, over twenty tons of appliances, five tons of recyclable materials, almost 2,000 tires, and the collection of nearly 350 tons of solid waste last year. We are excited about the varied projects and look forward to seeing the results this year’s projects will bring to the region.”

ETCOG shared the list below which shows how much each area was awarded and what kind of project their funds will be spent on.

AVINGER – East Texas State Rep. Jay Dean hosted a town hall on Saturday in order to discuss water issues in his district and across East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, Dean represents Gregg, Harrison and Marion counties in the Texas House and he’s been an outspoken on local water rights for years. Also on hand for the discussion Saturday were East Texas State Representatives Cole Hefner of Pittsburg and Gary VanDeaver of New Boston.

Much of the town hall focused on the potential sale of water from the nearby Lake O’ The Pines to Dallas but the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir to the north was also discussed. Jefferson, Pittsburgh, Daingerfield, Avinger, Lone Star, Ore City and Hughes Springs all helped fund the Lake O’ The Pines when it was first created and those cities would have to vote to sell the lake’s water to Dallas.
Continue reading State Rep. Jay Dean hosts ‘Let’s Save Our Lakes’ town hall

TYLER – Congressman Nathaniel Moran of Tyler is looking to hire a veteran, a Gold Star family member or an active-duty spouse to serve as an aide in one of his offices. According to our news partner KETK, this opportunity comes via the Green and Gold Congressional Aide Program which was created to provide opportunities in Congress to veterans, Gold Star family members and spouses of those on active-duty in the military.

Congressman Moran said in a release, “I am proud to announce that my district office will participate in the Green and Gold Congressional Aide Program. This program provides employment opportunities for veterans, Gold Star families, and active-duty spouses within the House of Representatives. These individuals have sacrificed in service to our country, and it is a privilege to provide employment opportunities to those who have answered the call to serve.”
Continue reading Congressman Moran to hire congressional aide with this unique background

MARSHALL – A man was arrested for DWI after an injury-causing collision in Marshall on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, police grabbed a fleeing 22-year-old Pablo Villa after his involvement in a car accident on East End Blvd South near Highway 59. Officers charged Villa with driving while intoxicated and causing a collision with injury. After posting a bond of $12,000, he was released from the Harrison County Jail.

HARRISON COUNTY – Two people are behind bars after a search warrant was conducted in a Harrison County house on Friday as part of a drug trafficking investigation. According to our news partner KETK, the Joint Harrison County Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force arrested 59-year-old Bobby Treece of Karnack, for the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. Also arrested was 37-year-old Amber Watson, from Marshall. Watson was charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

During the search, officers found more evidence, leading to a second charge of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. MPD said both Treece and Watson are being held in the Harrison County Jail.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Trade Days is returning to its original location at the Longview Exhibit Center this weekend after renovating the building and installing new heating and air conditioners. According to our news partner KETK, Longview Trade Days Coordinator Billy Clay said that everyone is excited to be back in their original location.

“Everyone is proud to back supporting East Texas vendors while proving locals with some much needed finds,” said Clay.

Longview Trade Days will run Saturday from from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that officials have arrested a man wanted for murder after he fled from law enforcement on Thursday.

The U.S. Marshals’ Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force tried to serve a failure-to-appear warrant for a murder charge to 29-year-old Billy Maddox Jr. at the Liberty Arms Apartments in Tyler. However, Maddox allegedly fled the scene, heading north. Officials from multiple agencies, including the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and Tyler Police Department, immediately began a search for Maddox. He was then spotted crossing County Road 35 before he was arrested near County Road 14 at around 3:25 p.m., Tyler PD said.

A representative from the sheriff’s office said Maddox was arrested on a homicide warrant in connection to the 2022 death of a 17-year-old who overdosed on fentanyl. Maddox was originally indicted and arrested for manslaughter on May 26, 2023, before bonding out on June 2, 2023. Continue reading Man wanted for murder in fentanyl overdose case arrested in Tyler

TENAHA – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Tenaha ISD student was removed from campus after making a threat towards one of the district’s schools on Friday.

According to Tenaha ISD, campus administrators were made aware of an incident that may threaten the safety and security of their school. The student that made the threat was then reportedly removed from campus and no longer has access to TISD. School officials said that there is no further threat from this student and appropriate disciplinary and criminal procedures are taking place.

“The safety of our students, staff and community continues to be at the forefront of responsibilities at Tenaha ISD,” TISD said.

TYLER — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a former receptionist at a Tyler law firm was arrested on Wednesday for stealing more than $30,000 from clients by falsifying receipts and hiding payments, an affidavit stated.

Sandra Arroyo Yanez was arrested on theft of property of more than $30,000 but less than $150,000. This comes after a lengthy Smith County Sheriff’s Office investigation that began late last year when deputies were contacted by an associate attorney from Moran Law Firm. The associate attorney said Yanez was hired in April 2024 as a receptionist and was responsible for accepting client payments including cash payments. However, the associate attorney told detectives that Yanez was using her own, non-firm approved receipt book, and issued receipts to the firm’s clients “as a way of hiding the monies from business records.”

The law firm claims they did not know these clients existed and hence were unaware of their obligation to provide legal services. The associate attorney said they learned of this incident on Jan. 1, when clients began calling for a status update on their cases, but the firm was unable to locate any case information. Continue reading Former receptionist at Tyler law firm accused of stealing more than $30k

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler will co-host the 2025 East Texas Big Event, Saturday, Feb. 22, at Bergfeld Park in Tyler. Held in partnership with the city of Tyler and Tyler Junior College, the East Texas Big Event is a day of service for students and employees of UT Tyler and TJC. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. with service projects starting at 10 a.m. Continue reading UT Tyler announces 2025 East Texas Big Event Feb. 22

WINNSBORO — According to our news partner, KETK, a Winnsboro High School student was detained after a loaded gun was found Friday morning.

According to WISD, a firearm was recovered from a student’s backpack and the situation was handled immediately after staff was made aware. The Winnsboro Police Department said the student responsible was detained by the school’s police department and there is no ongoing threat to their campus.

“The safety of our students is always our top priority, and we appreciate the swift response of our staff and law enforcement,” WISD said. “Thank you for your support as we continue to ensure a safe learning environment for all.”

MARSHALL — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a traffic stop on Wednesday led to the arrest of a 17-year-old wanted for aggravated robbery and a man for drug possession.

According to Marshall Police Department, officers conducted a traffic stop on Woodland Road when they discovered a firearm and drugs inside the vehicle, resulting in the arrest of Zamaria Parker, 17, and Jakavion Adkins, 19, both of Marshall. Officials said Parker had outstanding warrants including aggravated robbery, traffic and weapon violations and was also arrested with possession of marijuana and additional weapon violations. Adkins was arrested for possession of marijuana. Parker and Adkins were booked and taken into the Harrison County Jail, where Parker is being held on a bond totaling $115,000, and Adkins has since been released.

NACOGDOCHES — Child Protective Services officials have removed Nacogdoches children from a residence after authorities located illegal drugs easily accessible in the house according to our news partner KETK.

The Nacogdoches Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant in the 300 block of Ellington Street on Wednesday where they reportedly found methamphetamines, marijuana, crack cocaine and ecstasy. Authorities said some of the drugs were easily accessible to children in the apartment. This, officials said, caused the Texas Department of Family and Protection Services to be contacted and the children were removed from the home.

Terrence Demon Jones, 42, was arrested on manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance, abandoning or endangering a child, possession of marijuana and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Alisha Denette Jones, 33, was arrested on abandoning or endangering a child, possession of marijuana and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, two East Texans were arrested on Tuesday following a drug bust at a Nacogdoches home. Deputies served a search warrant at a home in the 1500 block of Cleaver Street on Feb. 4 after an investigation led them to believe drugs were being sold from the residence. Inside the house, deputies found a loaded handgun, cocaine, ecstasy, suspected fentanyl pills, prescription medication and drug paraphernalia used for the use and sale of illegal drugs.

40-year-old George Ray Fields, Jr. and 30-year-old Ambria Nicole Curl were taken into custody. Fields was charged with a first-degree felony for the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, a second-degree felony for possession of a controlled substance and a state jail felony for possession of a controlled substance.

A first degree felony warrant for the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance from Shelby County was also served when Fields was arrested.

Curl was charged with a state jail felony for possession of a controlled substance and posted a $6,000 bond. She was released from jail on Feb. 5.

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, many people at a Smith County Immigration Q&A session in Tyler on Thursday were confused about the role of local sheriff’s offices as ICE raids have been reported across the country and in Texas. The Smith County Sheriff, Larry Smith, reiterated that his deputies are not going into communities to look for people who are in the county illegally.

“We don’t go in Super 1 or Brookshire’s or any other Albertsons or Walmart looking for people to detain. If I’m in there, I’m looking for a dozen eggs or something else or something to eat. We don’t, we don’t profile people,” Smith said.

Sheriff Smith said Smith county is a part of the program but will only abide by the program if the level of offense is a class ” B” and above.

“A DWI or another class B misdemeanor is what I picked to through our ICE detention process,” Smith said. “Anything that are above, we will run their fingerprints once they’re incarcerated and determine whether or not they’re here illegally.”

You can watch the full Immigration Q&A Session here.

PITTSBURG — According to our news partner KETK, a surveillance video reportedly caught a young sex worker entering Naasson Hazzard’s semi-truck in Dallas on Aug. 15, 2024, at around 9:27 p.m. Eight days later, her decomposing body was found in a wooded area off Texas Highway 11 in Pittsburg with a black plastic bag tied around her head. The victim’s body was recovered on Aug. 23 where officials found her phone shattered on the side of the road.

Hazzard, 28 of Austin, traveled from the pickup location to a nearby parking lot where he remained for around 17 minutes, cell phone records showed. He then drove three hours into Pittsburg. Hazzard proceeded to text his boss that he would be out sick the following day and remained for almost an hour before finishing a load for work. The next day, Hazzard and his wife returned to the scene before getting dinner in Tyler.

Authorities said Hazzard then switched phones and deleted his Google and Life360 location-sharing accounts. He then reportedly cleaned the truck with bleach and searched “how many years for first, second and third-degree murders.” His wife also searched for “Pittsburg Texas news.”

Hazzard has been convicted of the murder of that sex worker. Continue reading Driver convicted after dumping woman’s body in woods

ATHENS — According to our news partner, KETK, an Athens man was sentenced to eight years in prison after threatening to shoot at officers and his wife.

In reports from the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office, the Athens Police Department responded to West College Street in Athens on April 24, 2024, after a man called 911 saying he was going to kill his wife and himself. The DA said that after officers approached the home, 35-year-old convicted felon on parole, Celso Seabo Garza II threatened to get a gun from inside to shoot at officers and his wife so she could watch him get shot.

Garza was sentenced to 8 years in state prison on Jan. 23 after he pleaded guilty to third-degree felony, obstruction or retaliation.

TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that Bass Pro Shop will host a two-day hiring event in Tyler as they prepare to open their new location.

The event will take place on Feb. 19 and Feb. 20 at the Tyler Holiday Inn Conference Center from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The company is looking to hire over 130 full-time and part-time employees for all departments. The new store is set to include fishing and hunting equipment as well as hiking gear and will offer free seasonal experiences for the whole family. Construction for the new store remains ongoing, and a grand opening date is expected to be announced soon.

During the event, on-site interviews will be conducted and individuals who want to share their passion for the outdoors are encouraged to apply. Continue reading Bass Pro Shop to host two-day hiring event in Tyler

LINDALE – Lindale High School Speech and Debate teacher, JP Fugler, was selected by the National Federation of High Schools as a recipient of the Outstanding Speech and Debate Educator Award. Fugler was one of only eight section award winners across the country out of the pool of nominees. “An award like this is never expected,” said Fugler. “When the Director of Speech and Debate at UIL called me in November to say that I was the Texas nominee, that alone was surprising. It still feels so early in my career to receive this kind of national attention for my teaching.”
The UIL selected Fugler as the Texas nominee for the award. NFHS will select a section winner for the eight sections across the country. Section six includes Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado. Continue reading Lindale High School teacher wins national award

LONGVIEW — A beloved East Texas hot dog restaurant is closed until further notice after a vehicle crashed into their building on Thursday morning.

Longview Hot Dog Express, on 106 E Marshall Avenue in Longview, experienced damage to their building at around 6:30 a.m. after a vehicle crashed on the right side of the building. According to the restaurant, the driver fell asleep at the wheel when they crashed into the building, but was not injured.

The restaurant is expected to reopen on Friday after the owners realized the damage wasn’t as bad as they thought.

EAST TEXAS — Texas has carried out its first execution since the state tried to put a Palestine man to death, a battle that is still raging. Robert Roberson was to have been put to death three and a half months ago. He was convicted in the 2002 death of his daughter. The courts have upheld the conviction, but after hearing new evidence, a Texas House Committee became convinced Roberson was wrongly convicted based on shaken baby syndrome, and that the girl actually died from an acute illness.

The committee managed to derail the execution in October by issuing a subpoena for Roberson to testify. A stay was issued, then lifted it with the Texas Attorney General’s Office insisting that Roberson will not appear. Now with new members added to the court of criminal appeals, Roberson’s lawyers say they are close to filing a new appeal.

LONGVIEW — On Wednesday afternoon, Longview residents took to the streets to protest President Trump’s recent immigration policies, as well as those he is planning to implement in the coming week. According to our news partner KETK, more than a dozen Longview residents, ranging from children to the elderly, gathered near the Longview Mall to peacefully protest Trump’s actions. Passing drivers honked in support, adding to the demonstration’s momentum.

“It’s time we speak up, with the current president and all of the outrageous changes, we need to be loud! Everyone deserves their rights,” the protest flyer said. “Immigrants, LGBTQ members, women and anyone of color! It’s time for change and we cannot go back.”

However, a small group of counter-protesters assembled across from the main demonstration, expressing support for Trump’s policies.

Similar protests are occurring statewide, including one in Nacogdoches on Saturday at 3 p.m. on 1717 North Street.

TYLER – East Texas Baptist University continues to see strong enrollment for the Spring 2025 semester, marking the second-highest Spring enrollment in the University’s history. The Spring 2025 enrollment stands at 1,612 students, following last year’s record-setting Spring enrollment of 1,657 students. This marks the first time in ETBU’s history that Spring enrollment has exceeded 1,600 students in consecutive years. “We are grateful for the continued strength of our enrollment and the confidence students and families place in ETBU,” said President J. Blair Blackburn. “These numbers reflect the dedication of our faculty and staff and the unwavering mission of our University to provide a transformative Christ-centered educational experience. We celebrate how God is working in the lives of our students as they grow academically, spiritually, and professionally.” Continue reading ETBU celebrates continued strong enrollment for Spring

KILGORE — Our news partner, KETK, reports that a high school student was detained after a weapon was found on a Kilgore ISD bus Tuesday night.

According to KISD, during an off-campus basketball game versus Henderson, school staff and police officers learned that a student may have a weapon on a Kilgore ISD bus. During a search of the bus, officials reportedly found a weapon and later detained a KHS student. Henderson ISD said investigators believe the student left the weapon on the bus before entering the school. Now, the Henderson Police Department with the cooperation of Henderson ISD and Kilgore ISD, will continue the investigation.

“The safety and security of our students and staff both during the school day and at all school-related events remains our top priority and we appreciate all those who provided information during this incident,” Henderson ISD said.