KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler has been awarded a $1.5 million grant to help train local behavioral health interns who work throughout East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, the grant was awarded to the university’s program to train behavioral health interns. Currently, the program is lead by Dr. Stephanie Simmons, an associate professor at the School of Medicine.

Thanks to $1.5 million in funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the program will be able to expand from training six interns to 30. The 24 new interns will focus on training child and adolescent psychology while rotating throughout clinics across East Texas.

“This funding will enhance how we can serve the community, making behavioral health care more accessible—especially in rural regions,” UT Tyler School of Medicine dean Dr. Sue Cox said.
“Investments in behavioral health are needed everywhere—and nowhere is that more evident than right here in East Texas.” Continue reading UT Tyler gets grant for behavioral health training

SMITH COUNTY — Pets Fur People has turned away animals for more than a month because they are at max capacity. According to our news partner KETK, Pets Fur People in Smith County has more than 100 animals in their care, all of them needing “furever” homes.

“That does not even include the ones that are abandoned, found on the road, dropped off at our fence, tied to the fence, left in boxes,” Pets Fur People executive director Holli Jones said.

They are just one of many shelters facing overcrowding and no longer taking in furry friends. Jones said that the summer is when they see an uptick in abandonment. Continue reading Local animal shelters at capacity

WILLS POINT, Texas – A 25-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an ongoing child pornography investigation, according to our news partner KETK.

The Wills Point Police Department said Eli Joshua Steele was taken into custody on Friday and is facing six counts of producing, directing or promoting a sexual performance by a child, along with nine counts of possession with intent to promote child pornography.

Steele’s arrest is part of what authorities described as “an extensive and lengthy ongoing investigation” by the department’s criminal investigations division. The case has been referred to the Van Zandt County District Attorney’s Office for formal charges and prosecution.

According to Van Zandt County Jail records, Steele is being held on a total bond of $600,000.

LUFKIN – A Lufkin man is behind bars after an hours-long standoff Friday morning that ended with SWAT deploying CS gas canisters, according to our news partner KETK.

The standoff began after a series of incidents involving 42-year-old Charles Roman Taylor over the past several days, according to the Lufkin Police Department. Officers say Taylor called 911 more than 10 times starting around 4 a.m. Friday, speaking incoherently and eventually threatening to kill officers who responded to his home.

“When he stepped out the front door, officers tried to calm him and take him into custody on outstanding warrants,” Lufkin PD said. “Officers deployed a taser, but that did not immobilize Taylor, and he went back inside.”
Continue reading Lufkin man arrested after morning standoff with SWAT

LONGVIEW — Jose Daniel Rodriguez Jr., a Longview man, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2023 murders of Alexander and Aleksei Gamez, according to our news partner KETK. A Gregg County jury found Rodriguez guilty of capital murder on Thursday, and 188th District Court Judge David Brabham handed down the life sentence the same day.

According to authorities, Rodriguez and three of his relatives went to a Harrison Street residence around 2:25 a.m. on June 10, 2023, searching for the Gamez brothers in connection with an earlier incident. Rodriguez waited at the home for nearly 20 minutes before Alexander and Aleksei returned in a black vehicle.

Surveillance video from the home shows Rodriguez approaching the vehicle with a firearm in his right hand. He shot Alexander once in the head before firing seven shots at Aleksei, striking him in the head and body. Rodriguez fled the scene but later claimed he acted in self-defense or in defense of another person.

The jury reviewed security footage and other evidence, ultimately rejecting Rodriguez’s claims. After four hours of deliberation, they returned a guilty verdict. Gregg County judicial records confirm that Rodriguez’s life sentence began Thursday.

BULLARD – The Bullard ISD Board of Trustees has appointed Jan Hill as the district’s interim superintendent, according to our news partner KETK. Hill, who dedicated twelve years of service to Bullard ISD, will guide the district through this transition period.

Hill first joined Bullard ISD in 2008 as director of curriculum, where she managed state and federal programs. In 2014, she was promoted to deputy superintendent, taking on a key leadership role in overseeing the district’s instructional programs.

This is not Hill’s first time serving as interim superintendent; she previously held the role in 2020 before Jack Lee was named superintendent. Hill is stepping into the position again following Lee’s departure to accept a role with Seguin ISD.
Continue reading Bullard ISD appoints interim superintendent

MOUNT PLEASANT – Three people were arrested in Mount Pleasant on July 12 after it was discovered that they robbed six different stores across the state, according to police.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department said officers arrived at a Walgreens in Mount Pleasant on July 12 after receiving reports of a shoplifting incident at the store. Officers found the three suspects involved in theft a few blocks away from the store and arrested them. The suspects were identified as 20-year-old Aaniya Thompson, 19-year-old Omarion Ricks and 20-year-old Destiny Cummings.

Following the arrest, it was discovered that the suspects had stolen over $1,500 worth of products from Walgreens, and it was also revealed that the three suspects had conducted large-scale thefts in Commerce, Greenville, and Sulphur Springs.

“Kudos to our officers for stopping these traveling thieves, and solving crimes that occurred in four different cities and at six different stores,” the Mount Pleasant Police Department said.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – A man was sentenced to life in prison for the shooting and murder of two brothers in Jacksonville in 2023, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

On April 22, 2023, Coray McCuin and Tony McCuin were leaving a home on Clemons Drive in Jacksonville when Dexter Lynn Davis fatally shot them and ran from the scene.

Officials from the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office said Jacksonville police officers responded to the scene, and began working the investigation, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. Officers later found Davis in a hotel room at the Truckers Inn in Jacksonville. While Davis was being questioned, he made statements corroborating his role in the murders. Continue reading Man sentenced to life in prison for double homicide

TYLER – Two suspects who reportedly robbed two people at gunpoint in Downtown Tyler Friday morning have been arrested, according to our news partner KETK.

According to the Tyler Police Department, two people were held at gunpoint and robbed at around 10:20 a.m. on Kennedy. Neither of the victims were injured at the time of the incident. Following the incident, one suspect was arrested on West Philips, and the other was arrested on West Rusk Street.

Both have been charged with aggravated robbery. Their identities have not been released.

OVERTON – Our news partner KETK reports that Overton Fire Chief Mickey Hamilton announced his retirement on Thursday, effective immediately, citing drama and ongoing internal conflict, including alleged micromanagement from the city manager, as his main reasons for the sudden departure.

In a letter, Hamilton stated that the disrespect displayed by the city manager had rendered the role untenable. He said this was not how he expected to close the chapter, which had lasted 46 years, during which he had protected and served the community.

Hamilton said he wishes he had finished his career with ‘dignity and peace,’ helping mentor future leaders and building a stronger department. Continue reading Overton fire chief retires, citing internal conflict and drama

TEXARKANA — According to our news partner KETK a driver died in a crash on Jarvis Parkway in Texarkana on Thursday afternoon. The Texarkana Police Department said two vehicles were traveling southbound on Jarvis near Leapard Drive at around 3 p.m. on Thursday when they collided into each other. During the crash, one of the vehicles was flipped on its side, causing the driver to be ejected from the car.

The person ejected from the vehicle was transported to a hospital, where he later died, while the driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

“We’re not releasing the victim’s name until his family has been notified. In the meantime, please keep everyone involved in your thoughts during this very difficult period,” the Texarkana Police Department said.

Update: The City of Longview spoke with KTBB late Friday afternoon. Center, Fredonia, Horaney and the 500 block of Center Street are still blocked by the derailment.

LONGVIEW – A train derailment late Thursday afternoon in downtown Longview has cut access to multiple streets. According to our news partner KETK, Fredonia, Center, Horaney and the 500 block of East Cotton Street are closed to traffic. Longview PD reports that no injuries have been reported, and no hazardous materials were involved. Workers are at the derailment scene, working to remove the train. Authorities ask that drivers avoid downtown Longview while crews continue their work.

Update: Smith County officials said that one person has died in a motorcycle and two car crash, late Thursday afternoon.

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Emergency Services District 2 confirmed that three people have been hospitalized after a crash on Highway 155 near Coffee City on Thursday, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

The district said the crash occurred after a motorcycle and two cars collided near Cherokee Trail and County Road 189 on Highway 155 South near Lake Palestine. One person who was injured had to be transported to a local hospital by a helicopter, while two others were transported by ambulance.

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office and local firefighters responded to the crash, which left traffic blocked on Highway 155 for more than half an hour.