KTBB News, Weather, Talk

PALESTINE — Many lawmakers are raising urgent questions about how the state will sustain this growth, particularly regarding critical resources like water.

According to our news partner KETK, the Texas House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing in Austin on Tuesday to examine the impact of high-capacity groundwater extraction in the Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation Districts. This discussion comes as Redtown Ranch Holdings LLC, based in Anderson County, seeks a permit for 21 high-capacity wells that Crockett City Administrator John Angerstein warns could extract up to 10 billion gallons annually from the Carrizo and Wilcox aquifers. An additional 11 wells proposed in Houston County could drain another 5 billion gallons each year.

To put that in perspective, Angerstein notes that the 21 wells alone would withdraw 52 times the volume of water used annually by the entire City of Crockett, enough to supply a population of 338,000. “Yet none of this water is designated for our communities,” Angerstein said. “It is likely intended to support unchecked development and sprawl in other parts of Texas, presumably in the DFW metroplex or Hill Country, areas that have failed to plan responsibly for their own water needs.” Continue reading Lawmakers hear debate over massive groundwater extraction

LUFKIN — According to our news partner KETK, an East Texas man was arrested in Lufkin on Saturday after officers received reports of gunshots coming from a house. Officers were called to a house in the 400 block of Laurel Avenue after receiving a call from a woman who claimed she and her son had been threatened with being shot by their female neighbor. Once on scene, officers were met by two men at the front door who claimed there were no weapons inside the home.

Subsequently, investigators heard gunshots coming from inside and requested that the men allow them to enter the location. That’s officials they say 32-year-old Courtney Howard of Lufkin, prevented them from entering the house. Officers began to forcibly move Howard out of the way and entered the house to discover a female having a seizure.

They were able to move the female outside, allowing paramedics to attend to her. After the house was cleared, Howard was arrested and charged with interfering with public duties and was taken to Angelina County Jail and is being held on a $2,000 bond.

MARSHALL – As the City of Marshall continues to repair its damaged water transmission line, the city has extended its Stage 1 water shortage.

According to a report from our news partner KETK, the damage to the line was reported on June 25 and was caused after a contractor accidentally struck the line while boring a fiber optic line off State Highway 134. The damaged line was initially installed in 1949 and serves one of two transmission lines that deliver raw water from the pump station to the Caddo Jr. Reservoir.

Permanent repairs to the line are expected to begin on Thursday and are believed to take one to two days. During the repairs, comprehensive testing will be done to ensure there are no leaks in the system. Continue reading Marshall residents urged to persevere water as shortage persists

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is looking for information regarding a shooting on Monday night that led to a teenager being transported to a local hospital, according to our news partner KETK.

The Longview Police Department said officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Debra Drive in Longview around 10:03 p.m. in response to a shooting. Once officers arrived, they found a teenage victim at the scene. The Longview Fire Department took the teenager to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Longview Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 903-237-1199 or the Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP.

Callers have the option to remain anonymous during the phone call.

UPSHUR COUNTY – An Upshur County drug dealer was sentenced to 35 years in prison after investigators found nearly 50 grams of methamphetamine hidden inside his vehicle in 2024.

According to the Upshur County District Attorney’s Office, on Sept. 25, 2024, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on 38-year-old Randy Ray Price, who has several previous narcotic-related stops. While searching Price’s vehicle, deputies found a large plastic bag with nearly 50 grams of methamphetamine hidden inside the glove box of the vehicle.

Price pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver, and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports that a Henderson County man was arrested on July 9 after a cyber-tip confirmed he posted videos of child pornography back in March.

According to a Henderson County arrest affidavit, around 8:20 a.m. on March 25, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) submitted a cyber-tip that said user ‘rustywinchester’ had uploaded two videos of minors engaging in sexual conduct.

After a Henderson County Crimes Against Children Investigator viewed the videos, he believed the girl was under the age of 14, but the boy did not reveal his face at any time during the video.

In the document, the user labeled the description of the production as, “rustywinchester is a five feet, 10 inches at 180 to 190 pounds country boy, redneck biker. I’ll try and get a picture in a few minutes.”

The investigator soon found an image that identified the suspect as George Richard Madis Jr., 58 of Murchison, and matched the description. Madis was arrested for possession with intent to promote child pornography on July 9, but posted his $75,000 bond the following day.

Tyler – The City of Tyler said in release Tuesday, that crews will be replacing the traffic signal pole at the intersection of Highway 271 and East Northeast Loop 323, Wednesday, June 16. Drivers can expect lane closures and delays all day. Officials ask that you use other routes and caution while traveling in this area, because workers will be present.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – A Rusk man has been sentenced to federal prison for a firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas, according to a press release from the office of Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs

According to information presented in court, on December 4, 2023, Justin Jones, 37, was seen driving on County Road 2120 in Cherokee County. The Sheriff recognized Jones and attempted to stop him for an outstanding arrest warrant. Jones abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene on foot. A search of the abandoned vehicle revealed Jones was in possession of a cell phone, two rifles, and a pistol. The phone also contained a photo of Jones holding one of the rifles. Jones has several prior felony convictions, including four prior convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm. As a convicted felon, Jones is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms.

Jones pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on July 15, 2025.

SMITH COUNTY – A Bullard man was sentenced to 25 years in prison Monday after two young girls told their dad they had been sexually abused in July 2024, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

On Dec. 12, 2024, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office received a transfer case of physical and sexual abuse involving three children from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Smith County officials learned that two sisters, under the age of 10, had been placed with their biological father. The two girls told their father they had been sexually abused in July, and he reported the allegations to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Officials also learned that Child Protective Services ordered a Child Safety Check Alert List (CSCAL) for their 3-year-old sibling. Continue reading Two charged with child sexual abuse

TYLER — Our news partner KETK reports that an East Texas man is facing additional charges after he allegedly abandoned nine puppies throughout Smith County. The charges come just days after he was arrested for abusing the puppies’ mother.

Bryson Joe Jeffery was first arrested in Tyler on the Fourth of July after he admitted to kicking and hitting his dog with a surge protector power strip. The next day, officers became aware that Jeffrey had abandoned nine recently born puppies across Smith County.

According to the arrest affidavit, the puppies were found in three different locations, including New Copeland Road and Wilma Street. One woman discovered two puppies at her front door and several others around the neighborhood. She took them to a local rescue called Angel Paws, where an employee stated the puppies were newborns and not able to open their eyes yet. Continue reading Man faces new charges after dumping 9 puppies

MARSHALL — According to our news partner KETK, the Marshall City Council recently made changes to traffic patterns near schools to improve student safety and clear up traffic congestion. The council is looking to prevent traffic conflicts in these areas and to enhance safety for all pedestrians. All appropriate signage and roadway markings are now in place at the affected locations, which include: Sanford Street and West Emory Street – intersections is now a four way stop; St. Francis Street and Meadow Street – intersection is now a four way stop and Hollis Taylor Street – street is now one way westbound from Meadow Street to Washington Avenue.

“We want drivers to be aware of these changes before school starts,” Marshall Police Chief Cliff Carruth said. “These updates are designed with community safety in mind, especially for our students and school zones. We appreciate everyone’s attention and cooperation.”

For more information about these road changes, contact the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575.

AUSTIN – Continuing the fight against Red Town Ranch holdings’ production permit for 21 high-capacity groundwater wells in Anderson County, Texas, lawmakers are gearing up to hear from experts at Tuesday’s natural resources committee meeting in Austin.

According to our news partner KETK, during the meeting, Harris said he and several Texas lawmakers will hear from over 30 expert witnesses, including industry leaders and local officials, about how this will impact East Texas and its main water supply. Other Texas lawmakers have already shown their support for Harris and his effort to protect the East Texas water supply. State Representative Jay Dean of Longview said in a statement he’s ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with Harris and the rest of East Texas. Meanwhile, state representative Daniel Alders of Tyler said he’s ready to dive deeper into protections that already exist.

Harris said after the committee meeting, he plans to speak to Governor Greg Abbott’s team about future legislation, and to ask if it can be added to the upcoming special session, all in the fight to protect the livelihood of East Texans now and in the future. Continue reading Rep.Harris looks to protect East Texas water rights

ATHENS — According to our news partner kETK, nine people were arrested in Athens on Sunday for suspected cockfighting after Henderson County authorities found several dead birds. Henderson County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) said they responded to a report of suspected cockfighting near County Road 3918 in Athens. Deputies witnessed around 200 people at the scene with several of them fleeing once they saw law enforcement.

According to HCSO officials, investigators discovered many dead roosters along with evidence that suggested cockfighting transpired at the location. Once a search warrant was obtained, investigators later found a suspected fighting arena and seized various types of evidence from the scene.

“On the premises, investigators uncovered a fighting arena and confiscated sharp metal gaffs (artificial spurs attached to the rooster’s leg) commonly used in illegal cockfighting matches,” HCSO said. “A total of 89 live roosters and two deceased birds were seized from the premises along with 26 vehicles and a large amount of U.S. Currency.” Continue reading Nine arrested for suspected cockfighting in Athens

TYLER – The man who was wanted for stealing hundreds of dollars from Zippy J’s in Tyler after shutting off the store’s power and claiming to have a gun was arrested on Friday.

According to a Smith County arrest warrant affidavit, 25-year-old Trayvonte Deshawn Gates was arrested for the robbery at Zippy J’s after a store employee received a tip on social media about him.

The arrest warrant affidavit said that around 1:05 a.m. Tyler police officers responded to a robbery at Zippy J’s on 1610 S. Vine Avenue. The 911 callers told dispatch that a black man wearing a white shirt, black pants and a black backpack had robbed Zippy J’s and was last seen leaving towards the Bingo Hall.

After officers searched the surrounding area and were unable to find the suspect, they returned to the gas station to talk to store employees. The workers explained to police that around 1 a.m. the lights went off in the store and a black man entered the store a short time later. Continue reading Suspect wanted for robbing Zippy J’s in Tyler arrested