KTBB News, Weather, Talk

RUSK COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a man has been arrested after allegedly sexually assaulting a child family member, multiple times a week for almost two years in Rusk County.

According to the arrest affidavit, on March 24 deputies took a report from a woman that her daughter had been sexually assaulted by a family member starting when she was eight and reportedly stopped in February 2023.

The document said during a forensic interview the child explained that the abuse started when she was eight but almost nine which would have been around the summer of 2021, and that the acts took place two or three times a week.The affidavit said February 2023 was the last time the child remembered it happening because it was at another family members home in Price. Continue reading Man accused of sexually assaulting child

RUSK – Our news partner, KETK, reports that two people were arrested after SPCA of East Texas discovered several dogs emaciated or dead at a property in Rusk.

According to SPCA of East Texas, in March they received a report of numerous dogs abandoned, left without food or water for more than 10 days with many of them chewing through the front door to escape to the yard.

Officials said the SPCA team arrived to find four small emaciated dogs begging for treats, a malnourished pit bull tied to an abandoned truck with no food or water, and three more small dogs trapped inside the home. On the other side of the yard, the SPCA team found a pen tucked into weeds where several dogs were found dead. Continue reading Two arrested in Rusk for animal cruelty

NACOGDOCHES – According to reports from our news partner, KETK, an East Texas man was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Friday after pleading guilty to the shooting of a Nacogdoches police officer.

According to the Nacogdoches Police Department, on Dec. 29, 2023 a officer attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 1700 block of S. Fredonia and South Street when a passenger shot multiple rounds at the officer before the vehicle fled the scene.

Officials said that the officer returned fire and at least one bullet from the passenger struck the officer’s patrol car. Continue reading Second man sentenced after Nacogdoches police officer shooting

TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the University of Texas at Tyler has earned the 2025-26 Silver Military Friendly School designation.

This places UT Tyler within the top 20% of participating schools nationwide in the Tier 2 Research Institutions category.

“This designation is a testament to our ongoing commitment to ensure the academic, professional, and personal success of our military-affiliated student population,” Coby Dillard, UT Tyler Director of Military and Veterans Affairs said.

A celebration hosted by the UT Tyler Military and Veterans Success Center will soon be announced. The center supports nearly 700 military-affiliated students. The Military Friendly Schools list is created each year based on research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools nationwide and from participating institutions.

Visit militaryfriendly.com to learn more.

TYLER – Senate Bill 16, which was filed by East Texas State Sen. Bryan Hughes on March 11, requires proof of citizenship when registered to vote. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs passed the bill and now it will head to the full Senate chamber for discussion.

“Senate Bill 16 says we’re going to require proof of citizenship when you register to vote,” Hughes, a Republican representing Mineola in the Texas State Senate, said.

The League of Women Voters stated that this proposal could hinder more than a million Texans by making it more challenging to vote. Continue reading Lawmaker files bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote

TYLER — A section of the Rose Rudman Trail in Tyler will be closed due to maintenance on Thursday and Friday. According to our news partner KETK, tree maintenance will be conducted on part of the trail that’s parallel to South Donnybrook Avenue next to Tyler Legacy High School. Until construction is completed, residents are advised to stay away from this part of the trail. Maintenance will begin starting on Thursday and will continue until midday Friday.

GILMER – According to our news partner KETK, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a former jailer for alleged improper sexual activity with a male inmate. The sheriff’s office said they started an investigation into 29-year-old Dallas Mosley on Sunday after a male inmate told jail staff that Mosley “performed improper sexual conduct” with him. Mosley was immediately suspended during the investigation before being fired and arrested on Monday, according to the sheriff’s office.

Upshur County Justice of the Peace Lyle Potter arraigned Mosley and he was then booked into the Upshur County Jail for improper sexual activity with a person in custody. Mosley’s bond was set at $100,000.

TROUP – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Texas Department of Public Safety is currently searching for the driver of a GMC pickup truck that was involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash on Saturday.

A DPS official said the crash happened when a GMC pickup truck heading west on CR 4701 veered onto the wrong side of the road and hit a motorcycle head-on in the eastbound lane.The crash happened at 11:09 p.m. on Saturday just west of FM 856 on County Road 4701, northeast of New Summerfield in Cherokee County.

Cherokee County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace, Judge Brenda Dominy, responded to the scene and pronounced the motorcyclist dead. Dominy identified the deceased victim as David Pate, 57 of Troup.

The GMC truck was abandoned nearby and DPS said law enforcement is currently searching for the driver.

SMITH COUNTY – Apparently, the scammers are out again in East Texas. Sgt. Larry Christian, Public Information Officer with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, says it’s the same, tired old grift.

“We are getting an abundance of calls about telephone scammers,” Christian said. “This is the same old jury duty scam where the callers are telling the person they missed jury duty and that there is a warrant for their arrest. They are requesting payment from these individuals in some form or fashion. These suspects are using names of current Smith County Sheriff’s Office employees and are spoofing legitimate Smith County Sheriff’s Office phone numbers. Please let the public know that these are all scam phone calls and that no law enforcement agency will ever call anyone asking for money concerning any legal matter. If any phone calls such as these are received, simply hang up on them.”

LINDALE – According to reports from our news partner, KETK, a woman was arrested after allegedly striking an elderly woman in the face.

According to the arrest affidavit, around 2:45 p.m. deputies responded to a reported assault in progress on Stewart Street in Lindale. There, they found 64-year-old Tina Davis with bruising and redness on her face.

The document said that 30-year-old Avery Martinez showed deputies a video of the incident that occurred prior to their arrival. The video showed Martinez step onto Davis’ property and threaten to harm Davis. The deputies observed Martinez putting her hands on Davis, and then the fight falls out of view in the video. Continue reading Woman arrested after allegedly punching an elderly woman

TYLER – Do you have questions about your water bill? If you live in District 6, there is a place to get your answers. Tyler Water Utilitie will hold a come-and-go community meeting in District 6 at the Pollard United Methodist Church, Gym, 3030 New Copeland Rd. This event will feature information stations staffed by Department Directors and offers you a chance to speak directly with Councilmember Brad Curtis. Water Customer Service Representatives will also be available to help with individual account questions. So, if you are a district 6 customer, come to the event and speak one-on-one with experts to learn more about TWU, utility billing, and improvement projects, ask questions and provide feedback on these topics. Remember to bring a copy of your water bill for specific billing questions.

CASS COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a woman has been arrested by the Cass County Sheriff’s office for capitol murder after an incident left a 9-year-old dead.

At around 6:31 a.m., the Atlanta Police Department received an emergency call from a residence in Bloomburg off of FM 74, a post from the sheriff’s office said.

A neighbor made the 911 call on behalf of an injured woman identified as Jacki Kubin, who ran to the neighbor asking for help. Officials reported that the neighbor was able to give law enforcement a description of a fleeing vehicle.

When officers arrived, an Atlanta Texas Police Department officer found a female child that had suffered severe trauma. The child was transported to a nearby hospital. Continue reading East Texas woman arrested for the murder of her daughter

HENDERSON — The Panola County Sheriff’s Office said that drugs, a firearm and a stolen vehicle were recovered after a chase ended in Henderson on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, the sheriff’s office said that one of their deputies found a vehicle in Carthage that was reported stolen by the Bossier City Police Department in Louisiana. The deputy conducted a traffic stop but the vehicle’s driver allegedly refused to leave the vehicle and then fled on Highway 59 North, according to the sheriff’s office.

The driver took Highway 59 into Harrison County before heading westbound on Interstate 20 with deputies from Panola County and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office pursuing the vehicle along with a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper. Continue reading Drugs, gun, stolen vehicle recovered after chase ends in Henderson

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office reported that a 3.5 magnitude earthquake struck the county on Friday night, according to our news partner KETK. The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake happened at 10:05 p.m. on Friday night at a location 13 kilometers northeast of Wells near Lake Nacogdoches.

Deputies with the sheriff’s office and local volunteer firefighters checked on local residents as a precaution and luckily no injuries were reported. The sheriff’s office said that residents should be careful and turn off their gas if they suspect the earthquake has damaged their lines.

The earthquake was mostly felt near Nacogdoches but was also reportedly felt as far north as Henderson and as far south as Lufkin, according to the United States Geological Survey.

TYLER — Grandy’s at 1226 S Beckham Ave in Tyler has permanently closed down, according to a sign posted on their door and drive-thru window obtained by our news partner KETK. The sign states that the store was closed permanently on March 23. The Tyler Grandy’s was one of more than 45 Grandy’s locations across the country. The Grandy’s chain started in 1972 and currently has it’s headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee.

TYLER — One person is dead following a car crash on Friday afternoon on Highway 31 west, near Bellwood Lake Road. According to Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh and our news partner KETK, the crash happened around 3:00. Erbaugh said both drivers were taken to a hospital, where one of them died. Additional details were not available.

TYLER — According to our news partner KETK, a man reportedly called 911 on early Thursday morning after reportedly attempting to rob a Tyler dealership but was unable to leave after sustaining injuries. The Tyler Police Department received a call at around 3:45 a.m. from a man who had broken into the Patterson Dodge dealership.

Officials later identified the man as Jeremiah Megallon. Megallon was taken to a local hospital and later transported to the Smith County Jail, where he was arrested for burglary of a building.

“He said he had broken into the Patterson Dodge dealership in an attempt to steal a car but was unable to get out of the building,” Erbaugh said. “He had cuts from breaking a window at the dealership and crawling through it.”

TYLER – Tyler ISD has confirmed that three former district employees have been arrested for allegedly injuring a student with disabilities. In a statement issued to our news partner KETK, Tyler ISD said the three employees were arrested and fired after an investigation into allegations of injury to a child, elderly individual or disabled individual.

The district’s superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford called the actions of the former employees unacceptable.

“We believe in being transparent with our community while respecting the legal process and student privacy. This situation involved a student with disabilities, and while it did not include sexual acts or severe bodily harm, we take any breach of student safety with the utmost seriousness. As soon as these allegations were brought to our attention, the district took immediate action—launching an internal investigation, notifying Child Protective Services as required by state law, and fully cooperating with law enforcement. These individuals are no longer employed by the district.”
Tyler ISD

Continue reading Former Tyler ISD staff members arrested for injuring disabled student

HAWKINS – An individual has been placed under arrest after one person was found dead in Hawkins on Friday, according to our news partner KETK.

After receiving a call regarding gunshots on Friday, Hawkins PD responded to the 100 block of N. Beaulah Street where a body was discovered. A suspect is now in custody and officials believe there is no threat to the public. Hawkins PD is not providing any further details at this time. The Texas Rangers have been contacted for assistance with the investigation.

Currently, the Hawkins Police Department consists of one police officer. Back in February, the department’s other three officers were fired by the Mayor of Hawkins Debbie Rushing, after she claims they were not hired appropriately.

TYLER – Our news partner KETK is reporting that State Senator Bryan Hughes, from Mineola, is leading the anti-abortion charge by filing Senate Bill 31, the Life of the Mother Act.

“This bill is to look at our pro-life laws and make the language even clearer, so there’s no question, no excuse when a mom presents with a medical emergency, she gets treated,” State Senator Bryan Hughes said.

In 2022, Texas passed an abortion law authored by an East Texas lawmaker. Over the last few years, doctors and women have expressed concerns and confusion on what’s actually included in the ban, and what the exceptions are. On Thursday, three pro-life bills were heard by the State Affairs Committee, which Hughes chairs. Lawmakers are hearing testimony from people for and against the bills. Hughes also filed Senate Bill 2880, the Women and Child Protection Act, which would try to hold people who send abortion pills to women in Texas accountable. He added that Texas is the first state to take the senders of these pills on through legislation. Continue reading East Texas Senator files bills to clarify abortion law

GREGG COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a county jailer was arrested on Friday after Gregg County Officials said she committed credit card abuse while on duty.

According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, officials found evidence of Shalisha Mungia committing credit card abuse. She has worked as a jailer since July 2021, and was let go following the arrest and several policy and code-of-conduct violations.

Mungia was taken to the Gregg County Jail and has since been released after posting a $1,500 bond.

TYLER – Rain, thunderstorms, and lightning are forecast throughout East Texas for most of the next few days, putting several counties on high alert for possible tornadoes.

Our news partner, KETK, has compiled a list of counties placed on tornado watches and warnings. To view the full list of counties, and the forecast for the coming days, click here.

MARSHALL – Two East Texas men have died following a Thursday morning crash in Harrison County, the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed.

According to a preliminary investigation, the crash occurred in Harrison County at around 5:05 a.m. at the intersection of State Highway 43 and Fyffe Cutoff. The crash involved a GMC Yukon, driven by Andrew Allison, 44 of Carthage, and a Chevrolet Silverado driven by Terry Ledbetter, 69 of Marshall.

DPS Sgt. Adam Albritton said Allison was driving westbound on Fyffe Cutoff when he disregarded the stop sign and entered the intersection of State Highway 43, where Ledbetter was driving and collided with him.

According to reports from our news partner, KETK, both men were pronounced dead and no passengers were reported to be in the vehicles.

TYLER – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Tyler man was sentenced to 17 years in prison after swerving into oncoming traffic and striking another vehicle head-on, killing the driver.

According to the arrest affidavit, on the morning of August 14, 2024, Cesar Efrain Viramontes-Cocolan of Tyler was driving a pickup truck traveling westbound on State Highway 32 near FM 2908, when he swerved into oncoming traffic, killing Maria Hernandez of Tyler.

DPS stated that an 18-wheeler followed Hernandez’s SUV; the 18-wheeler attempted to avoid crashing into other vehicles, but was unable to do so. Officials concluded that there were no “obstacles or anything that would necessitate that Viramontes veer onto the wrong side of the road.” Continue reading Tyler man sentenced to 17 years for fatal head-on crash

KILGORE – In a historic moment, Tyler Junior College’s Sign Language and Interpretation classes give the deaf and hard of hearing community a guided tour of the iconic East Texas Oil Museum in Kilgore for the first time.

According to our news partner, KETK, TJC students set to graduate in May brought the history of the East Texas Oil Museum on Kilgore College’s campus to life, through sign language. As a part of an end-of-year project, the students gave full tours of the iconic museum, and interpreted a nearly 20-minute movie to people who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.

“Without the interpreters here, we would just look through the museum,” said Todd Lindstrom, a museum guest who’s deaf. Continue reading TJC gives tours for the deaf at East Texas Oil Museum

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A 43-acre battery energy storage facility started construction in December, but soon, that work could be brought to a halt. According to our news partner KETK, the Van Zandt County Fire Marshal has issued an order to Taaleri Energia, the company behind the Amador Energy Storage project, to follow all state fire codes or face the consequences.

Shane Lane’s ranch borders the land the battery facility is being built on, and he is currently suing the Finnish-owned company over safety concerns.

“We run a cow calf operation and they don’t have any type of evacuation, they don’t have any plans for anything, there’s no safety protocol whatsoever for this facility,” Lane said.

Before construction started at the end of December, the county sent Taaleri Energia a letter requesting the documents required for the facility to be built, but they didn’t receive a response until February. Continue reading Van Zandt County Fire Marshal orders battery facility to meet fire codes