KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department said that one person was injured in a shooting Friday night. According to our news partner KETK, the incident happened in North Tyler, at Queen Street and West Gentry Parkway around 9:15 p.m. Tyler PD public information officer Andy Erbaugh said the injury wasn’t life-threatening, but it wasn’t random. The investigation is still running and no information is available on a suspect.

TYLER – The 22nd annual Tyler Turkey Trot 5K and Fun Run was Thanksgiving morning. According to our news partner KETK, the event started with the kids race at 8:30 a.m. And the 5K got it start at 9 a.m. The event started and finished at the Racquet & Jog on S. Broadway Avenue. The Kids’ race started at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K got started at 9 a.m.

Registration for the Turkey Trot included a medal and a commemorative t-shirt. Funds raised will be given to the Promise Academy private Christian school in Tyler.

“We just love being part of the community, we get to see the people come together, it’s fun just organizing it and seeing the fruits of your labor, so it’s just nice to see families come together in a tradition they can partake in,” said Michelle Pena, race organizer with the Tyler Turkey Trot.

KETK’s Chief Meteorologist Carson Vickroy, placed 5th out of 2250 runners in Thursday’s 5K race. To see the full race results click here.

SMITH COUNTY – The Texas Department of Public Safety said that 2 people died in a plane crash near Burleson Lake near Mineola on Wednesday night. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened at around 10:20 p.m. on Wednesday  at a private ranch on Live Oak Drive in northern Smith County. DPS said that the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.

The Smith County Sheriff’s office said deputies were first called out to look for the crashed small plane along with DPS and Smith County Emergency Services District 2.

SHELBY COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, more than 3,500 gallons of grease trap waste was illegally dumped into a creek bed and the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department said it was successfully collected but authorities will be after those responsible.

The SC fire department officials confirmed that thousands of gallons were dumped into a creek bed off Richardson Street and that the creek flows through the City of Joaquin. Much of the waste was collected and that crews will continue to work in the area to reclaim any additional material.

“This costly cleanup operation is being funded by the state, and the case has been turned over to state authorities for further investigation,” the Joaquin VFD said. “If you have seen anything suspicious in the area over the last few days, please contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to provide a tip.” Continue reading 3,500 gallons of grease dumped into Shelby County creek

ANGELINA COUNTY — The FBI is asking for the public’s help in identifying potential victims of an East Texas man accused of running a decadelong series of fraudulent investment schemes that targeted individuals across the country. According to our news partner KETK, Matthew Jess Thrash of Lufkin, has been indicted in the Eastern District of Texas for federal violations of wire fraud and money laundering. The FBI believes that Thrash targeted individuals between 2012 through 2024 using several false investment schemes including a fake sports management company, a fake sports memorabilia store and the fraudulent sale of stock in cannabis dispensaries. He reportedly targeted victims throughout Texas, Las Vegas, Shreveport and Tampa.
Continue reading FBI seeks your help with area con man

MARSHALL — A Marshall man has been arrested for the murder of a relative. According to our news partner KETK, Marshall Police answered a call of a reported stabbing incident Wednesday afternoon, during the lunch hour, near the intersection of Norwood and Randolph Streets. Upon arriving, investigators found out the caller allegedly stabbed a person that was also his relative. 36-year-old Brian Griffin was booked into the Harrison County Jail and charged with murder. MPD said the investigation is continuing.

LINDALE – Our news partners at KETK report that experts are predicting record-breaking travel numbers for Thanksgiving and QuikTrip clerk Adam Woodsom is no stranger to the holiday rush that brings an onslaught of travelers to the gas pumps. Woodsom, who works at the Lindale location just off Interstate 20, said this year he’s already seeing more people traveling for Thanksgiving than in year’s past. “Time goes by fast I like being busy,” Woodsom said. “We’ve had a lot more family travel, especially now that winter break has started.” Continue reading Local gas stations ready for the rush

HENDERSON COUNTY — An East Texas man has been sentenced after being found guilty for the murder of a missing person, whose body was found in 2022 in a hand-dug grave. More than two years after a missing person’s body was found, Steven Clowdus will now begin his prison sentence after a jury found him guilty of murder, tampering or fabricating physical evidence and intent to impair a human corpse. Our news partner, KETK, reports that on May 26, 2022, authorities were notified of a missing person’s body and truck that were found at a residence off Highway 85 just outside of Seven Points. When officials arrived to the scene they located a truck that was “cut into several pieces” and uncovered a hand-dug grave containing the missing person’s body. Shortly after, officials identified the missing person as Jimmy Dean Oldfield who went missing earlier that month on May 15.
Continue reading Suspect sentenced in missing man’s murder

MURCHISON — A third grade student at Murchison ISD has died while visiting family members for the Thanksgiving holiday, school officials said.

According to our news partner, KETK, the third grader died early Tuesday morning and at this time, district officials will not be releasing the student’s name out of respect for the family. Parents of current students will be notified through Remind and the school’s counselor, alongside additional staff will be available to offer support. “Our desire now is to provide support for the family, students and staff who are grieving by showing grace and the space to process this tragedy,” school officials said. “More information will be communicated to parents as necessary through the district messaging system. If you have any questions or need additional support, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.”

A candlelight vigil will be held at the school playground on Friday where attendees are asked to wear red in honor of the student’s favorite color.

EAST TEXAS – If you don’t want to roll the dice on your family’s cooking this Thanksgiving or need to pick up something last-minute, you’re in luck! Multiple local restaurants will be open for Thanksgiving Day, and our news partners at KETK have compiled a list of stores that’ll be open as well.
Continue reading Area restaurants and stores open for Thanksgiving Day

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department held a grand opening Tuesday afternoon for their new station that will serve a growing area of the city. According to our news partner KETK, Station 8, located on 5922 Lou Galosy Way, was funded by a 2018 legislation that approved $52 million for public safety. Longview leaders said they are excited to support an area that is rapidly growing. Longview Fire Chief J.P. Steelman said the new station is a night and day difference compared to the previous one.

Instead of a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony, the fire department held a hose uncoupling with members of the community present. People were able to see inside the new facility that is just off George Richey Road.

TYLER – The United Way of Smith County will host the fifth annual “Tyler Gives” on Giving Tuesday, December 3rd. Supplemented by a $75,000 matching grant, the online fundraiser addresses local needs by providing dozens of local nonprofits with essential year-end funding. Since its inception on Giving Tuesday in 2020, more than $1-million has been raised through Tyler Gives. The United Way of Smith County and event sponsor Express Employment Professionals provide the $75,000 matching grant and cover all credit card fees from donations during the fundraiser. Beginning at 8 a.m. on December 3rd, the first $50,000 in donations through TylerGives.org will be matched. Another $25,000 will be matched beginning at 2:00 p.m. Donors can select a specific agency to support or choose to support all equally with one gift. Continue reading United Way “Tyler Gives” is Tuesday

LINDALE — A Smith County daycare worker is accused of assaulting six young children. Catherine Guziejka, 44, Lindale, is being held in the Smith County Jail charged with injury to a child- after seen kicking kids in her care. A coworker at Punkin’ Doodles Day Care in Lindale saw on surveillance footage the suspect kicking a 2-year-old boy in the small of his back. The boy’s father contacted the Smith County Sheriff. When deputies reviewed video, they saw 134 incidents over months, all similar, her kicking young kids.

Guziejka was fired and reported to CPS. The owner says she was hired in September of last year and passed all background checks with the required training and qualifications. The daycare closed down, has been sold and is set to reopen in December.

HENDERSON COUNTY— According to our news partner, KETK, a Bullard man was arrested on Monday after allegedly confessing to selling drugs while his 2-year-old stepson was in the vehicle.

The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office reported that at around 8:10 p.m. narcotics investigators conducted a traffic stop inside the Sunrise Shores Subdivision. The gold Chevrolet SUV was driven by Brandon Torgerson, 30 of Bullard, who was accompanied by a two-year-old child. The vehicle was searched, and officials discovered marijuana, methamphetamine in two different bags packaged for sale and a digital scale.

“During the traffic stop Brandon informed investigators he had driven from Smith County with his two-year-old step-son in the vehicle to deliver the narcotics inside of Henderson County,” the sheriff’s office said.

Torgerson was taken to the Henderson County Detention Center and booked for manufacture/ delivery of a controlled substance and abandoning or endangering a child.

TYLER — According to our news partner KETK, U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran, who serves much of northeast Texas, introduced the DETERRENCE Act, a bill that could protect Americans from violence by foreign powers. As foreign adversaries like Iran grow brazen, Moran said the U.S. must send a clear message, that “any attempt to harm Americans will be met with swift and decisive punishment.”

“Recent assassination attempts and threats against President Trump and other U.S. citizens by Iran underscore the urgent need for strong and practical deterrence against all foreign regimes who seek to harm Americans on our soil,” Moran said.

The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an alleged Iranian plot to kill President-elect Donald Trump earlier this month. In those documents, Farhad Shakeri allegedly told FBI agents he was tasked to assassinate Trump by Iranian officials in September, and is now charged with murder-for hire. Continue reading Moran introduces bill to combat foreign threats

MOUNT PLEASANT – Mount Pleasant council members reversed their decision made last week, to cut year-end bonuses in half for city employees according to our news partner KETK. In a special meeting on Monday night, council members apologized and admitted that they did not fully understand the full impact their vote would have.

Monday’s vote will restore the $10 per month of service year-end bonus, reversing the decision they approved just last week, that would have cut this bonus in half. For example, if an employee has worked for 12 months, they would receive a $120 bonus at the end of the year, if that was cut in half they’d only make $60. Before the vote was held, members of the council admitted what they had done was wrong.

“We appreciate them, glad they changed it,” said Jace Collins with the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department.
Continue reading Longevity pay restored for Mt. Pleasant employees

PALESTINE- According to our news partner, KETK, the Palestine Police Department has arrested a man after a shooting in the parking lot of a Dollar General left one man injured on Friday.

Palestine police officers responded to reports of a shooting near the Dollar General at 601 North Elm Street at around 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22. Officers said a witness reported that a suspect was seen firing a gun at a white truck leaving the store’s parking lot. The witness told officers that the truck and the suspect then left the scene. According to a press release by the Palestine Police department, while officers were first responding to the scene they reportedly saw the suspect, who they identified as Ernest Lott, walking away from the store with a gun in his waistband and detained him. Continue reading Man arrested after Palestine Dollar General parking lot shooting

TROUP – A “Buddy Bag” or a K9 Med Kit is now in the hands of the Troup Police Department to protect their four legged officer. According to our news partner KETK, the Troup Police Department applied for the kit donation through Protection4Paws, a non-profit that donates equipment specifically for K9 officers

Each “Buddy Bag” has an oxygen mask, specialized burn sheets, bandages, gauze and other items designed for a dogs needs. In this case, Troup K9 Officer Cooper.

Troup PD said in a press release, “Officer Jones, along with the Troup Police Department, is deeply committed to the safety and well being of his loyal partner, K9 Officer Cooper, and views the Buddy Bag as an essential tool in ensuring that Cooper is always ready and safe to perform his duties.”

SMITH COUNTY – On Tuesday, both the city of Tyler and Smith County announced their office hours for the Thanksgiving holiday. Tyler waste collection will be picking up as normal on November 25 and 26, while residents who’s pickup typically occurs on Thursday will be picked up on Wednesday. For the full solid waste holiday calendar, click here. All non-emergency City offices will close at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27. Non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29, for Thanksgiving. County offices will reopen on Monday, December 2, for normal business hours.
Continue reading City of Tyler and Smith County announce Thanksgiving office closures

TYLER — Our news partners at KETK report that injuries have been reported following a stairwell collapse at the University of Texas at Tyler. According to the UT Tyler department of marketing and communications, three people were injured at around 12:30 p.m. when the stairwell collapsed. Officials said construction workers were on the scene for a planned demolition, however something went wrong. University officials said the stairwell connects the Hudnall-Pirtle-Roosth Building and Stewart Hall. This is a developing story, KETK will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

TEXARKANA – Our news partner, KETK, reports that an overdose investigation led to the arrest of 31-year-old man and the seizure of firearms and drugs including methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine in Texarkana.

According to the Texarkana Police Department, an investigation began in September due to a drug-related death that led them to a house in the 2400 block of Laurel Street in Arkansas where narcotics were being sold.

The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department reached out to the Miller County Sheriff’s Office, who assisted them in serving a search warrant. Officials said in the home on Laurel Street, 60.1 grams of methamphetamine and 138 grams of marijuana were found.
Continue reading Police seize 83 pounds of drugs at a home after overdose investigation

CASS COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report the Cass County Sheriff’s Department issued a missing person alert for a 30-year-old man last seen on Friday. According to a release, Omar Daniel Zambrana Flores was last seen at around 4 a.m. on Friday leaving his residence without a vehicle on CR 2913 in Hughes Springs. Flores is a Hispanic man and is 5 foot 9 inches. Anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 903-756-7511.

POLK COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that felony warrants have been issued for two people in connection to the attempted delivery of synthetic marijuana to a Polk County Jail inmate.The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency said synthetic marijuana, K2, or Spice, is intended to mimic THC and are abused for their psychoactive properties.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation into the weed trafficking scheme began on Nov. 7 and it was discovered that the substance was smuggled through the United States Postal Service. The recipient as identified as 29-year-old inmate, Kenneth Lamar Lynch, and the sheriff’s office said the jail division and narcotics detectives were able to intercept the package before it reached him. Lynch was originally arrested on Aug. 16 for non-drug related charges. Officials said the operation involved tracking the envelope’s shipment, and it was discovered that Lynch conspired with Michelle Rae Johnston and others. Johnston’s active felony warrants include prohibited substance in a correctional facility, manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and engaging in organized criminal activity. Continue reading Synthetic marijuana smuggled into Polk County Jail

TYLER – Michael Jones, 31, has had his bond reduction request denied by a Smith County Judge after he and Kerry Jones, 34, were arrested on charges concerning dogfighting after 60 dogs and two cats were seized from a Tyler property on Sept. 9. Michael’s mother, Brenda, took the stand during the Tuesday hearing. She testified the dogs belonged to Michael’s brother, Kerry. He is also facing charges. Brenda called Michael a “nurturer” and says he cared for his puppies. At one point, she tried pleading the fifth when asked about dogfighting. Michael’s bond will remain at $700,000. Kerry’s is set for $560,000.

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Darius Jubarn’e Davis was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Nov. 15 after he was arrested in connection to a Tyler shooting that injured a 3-year-old in March.

Darius Jubarn’e Davis, 31 of Tyler, pleaded guilty to unlawful possesion of a firearm by a felon and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance between four and 200 grams, according to our news partner KETK. Initially, Davis was also charged and indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon but that charge was dropped. Judicial records show that he was sentenced to 45 years in state prison for the firearm charge and 20 years for the controlled substance charge.

Davis was arrested in March after a 3-year-old was hit in the buttocks by a bullet and had to be taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The 45-year sentence and the 20-year sentence both started on Nov. 15. Davis was given a 248-day jail credit, according to Smith County Jail records.

SMITH COUNTY – A Smith County man was given a 20 year prison sentence on Friday after pleading not guilty to a 2023 charge of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle. According to our news partner KETK, 23-year-old William Chaplinski of Big Sandy, was found guilty in Sept. 2023 fatal head-on crash.

Crash reports from the DPS said Chaplinski crossed the center line in a Nissan Titan in attempts to pass another vehicle when he collided into a Kia Sportage head-on. The driver of the Kia, 42-year-old Harry Collins, III of Tyler, was pronounced dead at the scene. Chaplinski was booked into the Smith County Jail on Sept. 9, 2023 after authorities said he was “determined to be intoxicated at the time of the crash.”

A year later,Chaplinski entered a not guilty plea with the court, for the intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle charge and was found guilty. He will now serve a 20-year sentence in state prison.

TROUP – The Troup Police Department said that the city has reached an agreement with the family of a juvenile who reportedly drew graffiti on a public restroom on Nov. 20. According to our news partner KETK, officials said they identified the juvenile while investigating the vandalized restroom at the city splash pad. Police said the youth was cooperative and remorseful. The city said the family agreed to pay for the cost of cleaning the graffiti.