KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SULPHUR SPRINGS — The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office arrested a woman on Monday in connection with a minor’s fatal drug overdose that occurred in 2024, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

Officials said Diamon Leann Yates was arrested on a charge of possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance. The arrest comes after an investigation conducted by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office started on July 17, 2024 when a minor was found dead from an overdose. As part of the investigation, the American Forensics lab examined the minor’s body and a toxicology report disclosed the presence N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene, a new drug that was not recognized under Texas law at the time. Continue reading Woman arrested for minor’s 2024 fatal overdose

UPSHUR COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, an Upshur County man was sentenced to forty years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver as a habitual offender.

In August of 2022, Matthew Thomas was arrested after he was found slumped over and unresponsive in his vehicle on Silk Tree Road outside of a home. Once on the scene, officers reportedly saw a green glass pipe with burnt residue lying in the vehicle. Following his arrest, two large plastic bags containing meth were removed from his pocket, according to the press release.

On Monday, Thomas was sentenced to 40 years in prison by the 115th District Judge, Dean Fowler. Thomas’s sentence range was raised because of prior criminal history, including a conviction in 2007 for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. He was also convicted in 2018 for evading arrest with a vehicle. Thomas waived his right to appeal the case and was given a sentence to serve 40 years in state prison.

TYLER – East Texas State Rep. Jay Dean of Longview said that BlueCross BlueShield of Texas and CHRISTUS Health have extended their current contract until Aug. 1, 2025. “CHRISTUS and BlueCross BlueShield of Texas have extended their current contract to August 1 while they continue negotiating,” Dean said. “I’ve been working with both parties to come to a reasonable conclusion to protect patients of East Texas!”

The Teacher Retirement System of Texas’ ActiveCare BlueCross BlueShield website confirmed that the contract has been extended until Aug. 1.

“We have a long and positive relationship with CHRISTUS Health, but you are our priority,” the website said. “We want to reach an agreement that will continue to give you access to CHRISTUS Health doctors, facilities and hospitals at fair prices.”

TYLER – The City of Tyler said in a press release, that construction crews will be working on roadway base repairs on East Rieck Road. The project started Monday June 30 and will run through Monday, July 7. City officials said the route of the construction is East Rieck Road between South Broadway Avenue and New Copeland Road. They add, there will be some lane closures, and drivers should expect 10 to 15 minute delays.

MOUNT PLEASANT – A Mexican national, illegally living in Mount Pleasant, has been charged with federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, according to a press release from the office of Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jose Solorio-Martinez, 38, was named in a federal indictment returned by a grand jury last week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported. The indictment alleges that on April 24, 2025, Solorio-Martinez was found illegally in Mount Pleasant, after having been previously deported to Mexico from the United States on August 8, 2017.

If convicted, Solorio-Martinez faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety, FBI, and Mount Pleasant Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Richards.

TYLER – According to a press release from Eastern District of Texas, a Mexican national, illegally living in Rains County, has been charged with federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas.

Rigoberto Herrera-Rodriguez, 59, was named in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury last week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

The indictment alleges that on June 4, 2025, Herrera-Rodriguez was found illegally in the United States and in possession of a firearm. Herrera-Rodriguez had been previously deported to Mexico from the United States in December 2024. Continue reading Armed Mexican national federally indicted in East Texas

KILGORE – Interstate 20 near Kilgore remains closed after an Amazon truck driver rolled over early Monday morning, causing packages to spill under a bridge, according to our news partner KETK.

The Texas Department of Public Safety reported that the crash occurred at around 1 a.m. on Monday on I-20 between FM 2807 and Highway 31. A preliminary investigation indicates that the driver was either fatigued or asleep at the time of the crash. DPS said the driver is okay and there are no known injuries at this time.

The area is expected to be shut down for several hours until it is cleaned up and all packages are picked up. TxDOT is helping traffic be rerouted on FM 2807 until the roadways reopen.

SMITH COUNTY – According to a press release from Christus Health, as the Fourth of July approaches, fireworks can carry serious risks when not handled with care.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) annual fireworks report found that there were 11 deaths and over 14,700 injuries related to fireworks in the U.S. in 2024, an increase of 38% in deaths and 52% in injuries compared to 2023.

“The reality is that fireworks are explosives, and they should be treated as such,” said Hailey Evans, RN, at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital. “No matter your age or experience, fireworks can be unpredictable. It’s important to remember that safety should always come first.” Continue reading Christus Health urges firework safety

TYLER – According to a press release from Cause Creative Group, PATH (People Attempting to Help) and Meals on Wheels East Texas are excited to announce their 4th Annual Beat the Heat Fan Distribution.

On Wednesday, July 2, 2024 at 9 am, distribution will begin from the Meals on Wheels office located at 3001 Robertson Rd. More than 20 fans will be distributed to area senior citizens on Wednesday through Meals on Wheels delivery drivers.

Each year, beginning May 1st, PATH organizes an annual fan drive, with fan distribution commencing on July 1. This is a fantastic opportunity for two local nonprofits to partner, utilizing both of their resources to serve our East Texas neighbors in need. Each household is eligible to receive one fan and can obtain a fan from PATH once every two years. Continue reading PATH and Meals on Wheels partner to distribute fans

SMITH COUNTY – The driver of a Mustang is safe after the car went off a Smith County road and landed in water early Monday morning, according to a press release from The Smith County Sheriff’s Office.

Smith County Emergency Services District No. 2 reported that the crash occurred around 7:45 a.m. A deputy saw a Mustang leave the road and hit a ditch before it became submerged in water. The driver, who was the only one in the car, got out of the vehicle safely.

Through the initial investigation by The Smith County Sheriff’s Office, it was determined that the Ford Mustang was northbound in the 5000 block of FM 2908. He was driving behind a Chevy pickup pulling a trailer. The Chevy driver began brake-checking the driver of the Ford Mustang. As the Mustang driver attempted to pass in a legal passing zone, the driver of the truck veered over into his lane. The truck struck the Mustang on the right side, forcing him off the road and into the creek.

The driver of the Chevy truck was identified as 20-year-old Samuel Stone of Tyler. He was taken into custody for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. The driver of the Ford Mustang, 25-year-old Ryan Lee Huffman of Eustace, was also taken into custody on a warrant out of Van Zandt County for Escape from Custody.

Both individuals were transported to Christus ER in Tyler for precautionary measures prior to being booked into the Smith County Jail.

TYLER – As Summer heats up, Tyler Animal Services is partnering with PATH (People Attempting to Help) to make a meaningful difference for local families and animals in need of loving homes.

According to a press release from the City of Tyler, this July adoption fees for dogs and cats will be waived with the donation of two, new box fans. These fans will be donated to PATH (People Attempting to Help), a local nonprofit that supports East Texans facing hardship. PATH offers various essential services, including rent and utility assistance, emergency prescriptions, food, dental and vision care, and affordable housing. Each year, PATH serves more than 25,000 individuals across the region. The donated fans will help PATH clients stay cool and safe during the extreme summer heat, as many of them lack adequate air conditioning.

Typically, adoption fees are $120 for dogs and $80 for cats. With this month’s promotion, your donation of two box fans replaces the adoption fee, making it easier than ever to welcome a new pet into your home.

All adopted animals are spayed or neutered, micro-chipped, and up-to-date on vaccinations.

QUITMAN – Retired firefighter and local cattle man, Bobby Cole, is running for Texas governor in the 2026 election, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

Cole has announced his run against current Gov. Greg Abbott for Texas governor in the upcoming election. According to Cole’s campaign website, he is an ordinary Texan Democrat looking to lower prices on essentials and boost an economy that helps working Texans. Hard work is nothing new to Cole, as he spent several years working two jobs as a firefighter and farmer while driving several miles back and fourth.

“His commute to work in Texarkana, and later in Plano where he retired from the fire department as a Lieutenant, were over 100 miles each way,” Cole’s campaign website said. “Despite the journey, getting home to Quitman after a 24-hour shift, he would work his dairy farm, making sure cows were milked twice a day, every day of the year.”

According to ballotpedia.org, Cole has declared for the general election of the gubernatorial race that is set to take place on Nov. 3, 2026

TYLER — Our news partner KETK is reporting that the University of Texas at Tyler was awarded a $219,000 grant to help fund a professor’s pulmonary fibrosis treatment project. UT Tyler School of Medicine professor, Dr. Sreerama Shetty, will conduct a study aimed at finding potential treatments for pulmonary fibrosis, a disease that causes scarring and thickening to the lungs.

This study involves radiation treatment with a special peptide that was developed in Shetty’s lab, according to the university.

Shetty’s first peptide was developed in his lab and is known as CSP7. The peptide is currently receiving phase two clinical trials as a potential treatment for people with various forms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

The university said that smaller levels of radiation are used to treat breast and lung cancer to help minimize lung damage. One downside of using these smaller radiation levels is they can sometimes cause pulmonary fibrosis and the radiation can miss resistant tumors that spread quickly. Continue reading $219K grant awarded to UT Tyler’s lung scarring project

TYLER — Hundreds of East Texans attended a town hall meeting hosted by former congressman, Beto O’Rourke, on Sunday to voice their concerns about several topics including water issues and hospital shortages.

According to our news partner KETK, around 887 people attended O’Rourke’s town hall meeting at the Holiday Inn Ballroom in Tyler where he tackled many issues that upset East Texans. O’Rourke acknowledged the developing concern of East Texans possibly losing their water to a growing Dallas-Fort Worth area. After a proposed sale of water from the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District’s (NETMWD) was announced, some East Texans criticized the possible distribution to the North Texas area.

Residents are worried about losing a large water supply which could have an effect on local habitats and residential use water. O’Rourke explained why the water sale is important and what it could mean for East Texans. Continue reading Beto O’Rourke addresses ETX water, hospital issues