KTBB News, Weather, Talk

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

UPDATE: A sixth person has died from Saturday’s multi-vehicle crash on I-20 near Kaufman County that occurred when an 18-wheeler driver fell asleep at the wheel, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Texas DPS said all passengers of a Ford F-150 and the driver of a Jeep Compass were pronounced dead following the incident. Officials are still investigating and no additional information is available at this time.

KAUFMAN COUNTY – At least five people are dead and others are hurt after a crash on I-20 near Terrell on Saturday afternoon after the driver of an 18-wheeler fell asleep behind the wheel, according to Texas DPS. KDFW reports, the crash happened around 2:40 p.m. in the westbound lanes of I-20, just east of Hiram Road.

A total of three 18-wheelers and four passenger cars were involved in the crash. Texas DPS says the driver of one of the 18-wheelers fell asleep behind the wheel and slammed into multiple other vehicles. The 18-wheeler first hit an F-150 carrying five people, before crashing into two other 18-wheelers. One of the semis jack-knifed and struck a Jeep Compass, Ford Mustang and a Honda passenger vehicle.

Six people were killed in the crash and several others were injured. At least one is said to be in critical condition. Four of the people killed in the crash were in the F-150. The other was in the Jeep Compass. I-20 was closed for several hours on Saturday. Continue reading Six killed in I-20 crash after 18-wheeler driver falls asleep

TYLER – The City of Tyler announced on Saturday that a section of South Vine Avenue in Tyler will be closed for a month to repair the brick street.

According to the City of Tyler and a report from our news partner KETK, the section of South Vine Avenue between West Houston Street and West Bryan Street will be closed from June 30 to July 30. Detour signs will be provided to direct drivers.

UPDATE:  KAUFMAN COUNTY — According to the Terrell Volunteer Fire Department, four people are dead, two are critically injured and several others have sustained injuries following the seven vehicle crash on I-20 westbound near Kaufman County. The injured passengers were taken to Dallas area hospitals for treatment.

According to our news partner KETK, three 18-wheelers and four passenger vehicles were involved and the cause of this crash is unknown at this time. The fire department said that I-20 westbound is still closed and is expected to remain closed for several hours.

A multi-vehicle crash in the Kaufman County Saturday caused lane closures and traffic to back up on I-20. According to the Elmo Fire Department, injuries were sustained during a five vehicle crash including two 18-wheelers near Mile Marker 505 on I-20, between Terrell and Myrtle Springs. Eastbound lanes are closed

Elmo Fire Department is encouraging drivers to exit 512 westbound and find a different route. Texas Department of Transportation live cameras show that all westbound lanes are closed at Kaufman County Road 126. DriveTexas with TXDOT says estimated cleanup time on Saturday is 9 p.m.

Details about the injuries are unknown and updates will be made as more information is gathered.

LONGVIEW – Current East Texas State Rep. Jay Dean announced on Friday that he will be seeking reelection to the Texas House of Representatives, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

Dean currently represents Gregg, Harrison, and Marion counties and is in his fifth term as a state representative. He is also the current Chairman of the House Insurance Committee. U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Gov. Greg Abbott have both endorsed Dean for his upcoming reelection campaign.

During his reelection announcement, Dean emphasized how East Texas needs somebody in Austin who understands their values and way of life.

“We achieved real results this legislative session, and I look forward to building on our success.” Dean said. “East Texas deserves a strong voice in Austin, someone who understands our values, listens to our communities, and gets things done.” Continue reading State Rep. Jay Dean announces plan for re-election campaign

MARSHALL – After a water transmission line was damaged in Marshall, the city has implemented a Stage 1 water shortage.

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

Following the accident, the city immediately assessed the damage and began repair operations. The city has authorized RBIS, LLC to proceed with manufacturing and install temporary clamp on the damaged line to restore pumping capacity through both transmission lines.

Although repairs have begun, a permanent repair cannot be implemented until the water pressure is fully relieved and the reservoir returns to full capacity. The city stated that the process to repair the line will take six to eight days to ensure there are no leaks in the system. Continue reading Stage One water shortage in the City of Marshall after line break

TYLER – According to a report from our news partner KETK, the Rural Weather Monitoring Systems Act, which was created to strengthen weather radar coverage in rural and underserved areas, was reintroduced on Friday by congressmen Nathaniel Moran ( R-TX-01) and Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17)

The act was originally introduced in 2023 and was included in the Weather Act Reauthorization of 2023, which was passed as H.R. 6093. Moran is now reintroducing the act as a standalone bill to emphasize its importance and ensure rural communities are not left behind.

East Texas is nestled between two weather radars in Fort Worth and Shreveport, with neither quite reaching our entire area. In 2023, Moran emphasized the need for a radar system in East Texas.

“For those that did not know this problem existed, we’ve got this radar system in Fort Worth [and] we’ve got one in Shreveport. Because they’re so far away, we can only see those higher-level features; we can’t see the low-level features,” Moran explained. Continue reading Congressman Moran introduces bill to improve rural radar gaps

SMITH COUNTY – An undocumented immigrant was taken into ICE custody just minutes before accepting a plea deal at the Smith County courthouse, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

In response, a Hispanic association is urging immigrants to be aware of their rights and search for options to stay in the country legally.

According to the immigrant’s attorney, two individuals dressed as civilians were seated in the courthouse when the client accepted the plea deal. Shortly after these two individuals approached them, they detained the defendant and took him into ICE custody before transporting him to the Dallas area, the attorney said. Continue reading ICE detains undocumented immigrant at Smith County courthouse

HAWKINS – Friday night, the Hawkins City Council met in a special session, with the agenda only holding one item to discuss and vote on hiring the law firm ‘Flowers Davis’ in Tyler to represent the city in a termination appeal.

According to a report from our news partner KETK, former Hawkins officer, Eric Tuma, was removed from his position by the city council earlier this month. A highly debated move and amid ongoing department drama. Mayor Debbie Rushing said the special session decision will be helpful and could lead to hiring a city attorney.

“Having that mediator will be nice,” Rushing said.

According to former councilwoman, Eleta Taylor, the council has tried to get legal representation for the city several times.

“We did try when I was on the council several times to get one, and it didn’t go right,” Taylor said. “…Three, at least three or four times, I’m thinking we tried to get it.”

During the meeting, some residents said using this specific firm could be a conflict of interest, but Mayor Debbie Rushing said it would not. Continue reading Hawkins council hires law firm for officer termination appeal