KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – A Marshall ISD school bus in Tyler was involved in an accident late Friday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, the accident happened around 5:30 p.m. at the Pilot Travel Center on FM 14. Officials from the district said a car ran into the side of the bus. The elementary school students on board the bus were on a field trip. Another bus was sent to Tyler to pick up the students and staff involved in the accident. They returned to Marshall around 8:15 p.m. No injuries were reporting

TYLER – The city of Tyler in a release said that the Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East boat ramps have reopened. Officials say because of the current high water levels, Tyler Water Utilities urges all boaters to use caution. Boat operators are reminded to stay alert for potential navigation hazards in the area and be aware of their wake to ensure the safety of other boaters and protect nearby properties.

NACOGDOCHES – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Nacogdoches man was arrested on Thursday night after a person was found dead lying in the street with stab wounds.

According to the Nacogdoches Police Department, around 10:45 p.m., police and fire responded to the 2220 block of Maybell St. between Sweetgum St. and Fourth St., and found Sirveorge Deron Jones, 40, of Nacogdoches lying dead in the street with several stab wounds.

Officials said that officers found a large amount of blood and the location of the incident at a nearby home. Officers then spoke with Emar’ian Nikhy Trezmin Jones, 23, of Nacogdoches, who told them that he had stabbed Sirveorge during a family argument.

Emar’ian was arrested for murder, and booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail on Friday. The department said that this incident is not related to the murder that occured at Eastwood Terrance Monday evening, and more information will be released as it becomes available.

HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Henderson County man was sentenced to 13 years in prison after his 18-month-old child was found dead in December 2021.

According to court records, Daniel David Dennis, 28, plead guilty to injury to a child with intent to cause serious bodily injury, and was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Thursday. While, two original charges of abandoning or endangering a child were dismissed.

Daniel was arrested with his wife, Erin Michelle Dennis, 27, on Dec. 15, 2021 after their toddler was found dead, the Henderson County Sherriff’s Office said. Inside their home authorities found two other children, human feces on the wall, and dirty diapers on the floor. Continue reading East Texan sentenced to 13 years in toddler death

LONGVIEW – Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas man has been sentenced to 48 years after pleading guilty to shooting a transgender victim in 2023.

Investigators said the victim met with John Lee Smith on the day prior in 2023 at 7 a.m. Initially, Smith denied meeting the victim and did not disclose a reason for shooting him. Smith shot the victim while they were both sitting in a car, officers said. Smith admitted afterwards to shooting the victim because the victim did not disclose that he was transgender. Officers found evidence that Smith was aware of the victim being biologically male, and had previously been involved in a relationship with the victim. Continue reading East Texas man sentenced after shooting transgender person

HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas man received a 25 year prison sentence in Henderson County for possession of controlled substance.

James Russell Shephard II was arrested on April 25, 2023 after a Henderson County Sheriff’s Office investigator found digital scales, syringes, a backpack with narcotics and three pistols in Shephard’s vehicle, according to a Facebook post from the Henderson County District Attorney. A person called authorities claiming Shephard was high on fentanyl and making threats inside a vehicle.

According to the post, the Department of Public Safety tested the narcotics Shephard possessed and confirmed them as fentanyl, methamphetamine and phenazepam. Shepard also served a previous prison sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

“Fentanyl is not only incredibly dangerous to those who use it, but also to everyone around them,” Henderson County District Attorney Jenny Palmer said. “We’ve seen how quickly it can turn a situation violent or deadly. Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who traffic in these poisons and endanger our community.”

LONGVIEW – The Longview Fire Department congratulated one of their own on Thursday has he decided to make the selfless decision to reenlist in the U.S. Navy, according to our news partner KETK.

Firefighter and paramedic Blaine Cardinale, who originally joined the Longview Fire Department after his first stint in the Navy, has decided to continue his commitment to serving his country by deciding to reenlist. Cardinale’s oath of office was held at the firehouse and administered by fellow Longview firefighter and paramedic Joe Dembowski, who currently serves in the U.S. Army Reserves.

“Commander Cardinale is a dedicated member of our department. “Whether responding to emergencies in an ambulance or fire engine, he upholds the highest standards and demonstrates a strong commitment to helping others,” Longview Fire Department said.

TYLER — Two bills are being considered in the 89th legislative session dealing with medical marijuana, which could lower cost and wait times. According to our news partner KETK, House Bill 46 and Senate Bill 1505 will allow licensed companies like Texas Original, a medical cannabis provider in Austin, to store prescriptions at satellite locations.

The bills could lower cost and wait times for patients and allow people under the Compassionate Use Act to use vapor products instead of just consuming their prescriptions. The Compassionate Use Act regulates the use of medical marijuana. Senate Bill 3 is also a top priority that calls for a complete ban of all forms of THC in the state. This creates a sense of confusion for lawmakers.

In a statement, the office of the Lieutenant Governor says the outcome of the bill will not change the Compassionate Use Program. State Representative Gary Vandeaver of New Boston says he hopes it’s true, but he still wouldn’t support SB3. Continue reading Legislation considers medical marijuana

HENDERSON COUNTY — An East Texas man received a 25 year prison sentence in Henderson County for possession of controlled substance, according to our news partner KETK.

James Russell Shephard II was arrested on April 25, 2023 after a Henderson County Sheriff’s Office investigator found digital scales, syringes, a backpack with narcotics and three pistols in Shephard’s vehicle, according to a Facebook post from the Henderson County District Attorney. A person called authorities claiming Shephard was high on fentanyl and making threats inside a vehicle. According to the post, the Department of Public Safety tested the narcotics Shephard possessed and confirmed them as fentanyl, methamphetamine, and phenazepam. Shepard also served a previous prison sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

TYLER — An elementary-aged child was hit by a vehicle on Thursday near Douglas Elementary School. According to our news partner KETK and Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, the child received minor injuries after being hit by a red SUV around 3 p.m. near Douglas Elementary School. Erbaugh said the driver left the scene initially, but came back and talked to Tyler police officers.

Despite minor injuries, the child was transported to a local hospital for a checkup, according to Erbaugh.

The incident is still being investigated, and the child’s identity and age have not been released at this time.

CROCKETT – According to our news partner KETK, a Crockett man was arrested after a large quantity of crack cocaine was found inside his car following a police chase, according to officials.

The incident began at around 8:30 p.m. after a patrol officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Rickie Lane Gilmore, who was driving his car on East Goliad Avenue near the downtown square. Gilmore ignored the officers’ request for him to pull over and continued to drive through residential streets, driving at high speeds and nearly losing control of his vehicle several times. As officers continued to pursue Gilmore, he was seen throwing items out of his car, including bags of what were suspected to be crack cocaine.

Eventually, officers were able to take Gilmore into custody after his car became disabled due to overheating. Gilmore was arrested without further incident. Continue reading Crockett man arrested in drug bust

WASHINGTON — East Texas Rep. Nathaniel Moran honored the life of a 25-year-old Tyler police officer on Wednesday after the officer died from an off-duty motorcycle accident.

Moran delivered remarks on the House floor on Wednesday honoring the life of Officer Sam Lively, 25, who had recently graduated from the police academy and completed his field training.

According to the Tyler Police Department, on the evening of April 25, officers responded to a crash on Troup Highway in Tyler. Officer Lively, who was riding a motorcycle, was traveling south on Troup Highway in the outside lane while another vehicle, also heading south in the inside lane, attempted to change lanes and struck Lively, officials said. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Moran spoke about Lively’s unwavering leadership and how much he was loved by his family, friends and local community. Continue reading Rep. Moran honors fallen police officer

HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that on Tuesday, Henderson County Commissioners Court approved the proposal of Henderson County Sheriff’s Office adding an explosives detection dog to the team.

HCSO’s newest furry officer, Attkus, was donated through AKC Reunite along with $7,500 to fund Attkus and Deputy Jarod Mills’ certification training and travel this summer. Attkus is currently in North Carolina training for explosive detection, patrol duties and crime scene evidence recovery. Mills will join Attkus from May 17 to June 13 to learn his specific detection responses.

Officials said the department has faced multiple bomb threats in recent years and they currently rely on federal ATF dogs that can take hours to reach the scene. Adding Attkus to the force can help expand the department’s K-9 presence, which was formed when Sheriff Botie Hillhouse’s first term began.

“I’m looking forward to adding this capability to our existing K-9 program,” Hillhouse said. “An explosives detection dog will be a real asset to Henderson County, both in terms of public safety and our ability to respond quickly when threats arise.”