KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that 56-year-old Michael McKenney was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for driving while intoxicated third or more. McKenney is a convicted felon and registered sex offender. He was initially arrested in March 2021 for driving while intoxicated by Smith County deputies, and his charge was enhanced to felony DWI due to his prior convictions. McKenney entered a plea of not guilty in this case, and his trial by jury started on Tuesday.

SMITH COUNTY – Early voting for the Nov. 7th constitutional and joint elections started on Monday, Oct. 23rd in Smith County. According to a release, there will be 14 Constitutional Amendments on the ballot for everyone in Smith County. The Cities of Whitehouse and Overton, and the Whitehouse and Lindale Independent School Districts are each holding special elections. Early voting will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, October 23-27; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 28; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, October 30-November 1; and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, November 2-3. There will be extended hours at The Hub only on Sunday, October 29, from noon to 4 p.m.
Continue reading Early voting has started in Smith County

TYLER — On Thursday morning, the Tyler Rose Garden Center held its 90th Texas Rose Festival opening ceremony. According to our news partner KETK, Ronald Schoenbrun, the 2023 Texas Rose Festival Association President, welcomed attendees and spoke about the events coming over the next few days. This year’s queen, Laura Bryan said she is thrilled to have kicked off the weekend. “I cannot believe that it’s finally here and that we are able to celebrate the roses and celebrate the city,” said Bryan. Schoenbrun said that people come from all over to enjoy East Texas. “We get so many out-of-town people that want to participate, get to see Tyler and what Tyler is about,” said Schoenbrun. This year’s theme is the Story of Film, where duchesses will wear themed dresses based on different movies. “It will be like nothing anyone has ever seen if you’re coming from out of town, it’s going to be great so many amazing festivities throughout the week,” said Bryan. The 90th Texas Rose Festival runs through Sunday. Click here for a list of events.

SMITH COUNTY — A portion of Smith County Road 2162 remained closed as the Texas Railroad Commission continues to work to locate an old “Legacy Oil Well” head. Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue was called out Tuesday, October 17, to an unidentified gas leak in the right-of-way of Smith County Road 2162, near Troup. Since then, the Texas Railroad Commission has worked to locate and identify the possible gas leak. They have dug a “massive hole” but needed to bring in bigger equipment to dig deeper to find the casing and seal it with concrete. Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore said, adding that the issue is not a public health concern.
Continue reading Gas leak closes part of CR 2162

LONGVIEW — A former Longview ISD employee pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight years in prison on Thursday for multiple counts of injury to a child. According to our news partner KETK, Paula Dixon, 60 of Longview, was arrested in July 2022 along with five other women that year in connection to abuse allegations against special education students at J.L. Everhart Elementary. In her indictment, it said Dixon forced children against a wall, struck them with a stick and pushed a child “with the knee of Defendant and by sitting on [the child.]” Former Longview ISD employees Cecelia Gregg, Cynthia Talley and Dixon were “released from employment,” according to the district, in October 2021 after their discovery of the abuse allegations. Gregg has a trial date set for Dec. 11, and Talley has a hearing set for Dec. 6. Continue reading Former Longview ISD teacher sentenced to prison

HENDERSON — Our news partners at KETK report that the City Council of Henderson appointed David Hill as an interim City Attorney on Tuesday by unanimous vote at its monthly meeting.Hill is slated to take over the position after Joe Edward Shumate officially resigned before his arrest on Oct. 5 and was charged with two felony counts regarding a client’s finances and property. Hill is a former Henderson City Attorney and is currently running for 4th District Judge in Rusk County. Continue reading Henderson selects new City Attorney

WHITEHOUSE — On Tuesday, Whitehouse ISD showed off its new emergency response system, called Mutualink, that aims to give officers real-time security. Inside the Smith County Emergency Operations Center, a dispatcher is the first to receive the call that allows law enforcement a live look at everything inside the building, on every floor and every angle. According to our news partner KETK, Mutualink gives the district the ability to relay real time and accurate information to first responders during an emergency. “It puts our eyes immediately inside that building during an incident,“ said Smith County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jimmy Jackson. “We think that’s critical.” Once first responders arrive on the scene, using information provided by Mutualink, they can clear the building of any danger. Jackson said this real-time information officers now have is crucial. “As we all know, time saved [equals lives] saved a lot of times,” said Jackson. “Being able to get that real-time information in the hands of our first responders first-hand is a big deal.” Continue reading Whitehouse ISD tests new emergency response system

TYLER — The Texas Rose Festival Parade is scheduled for Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., broadcast exclusively on KETK News. On Saturday starting at 6 a.m., Front Street will be closed from Palace Avenue to Glenwood Boulevard and Glenwood will be closed from Houston Street to Front Street. At 7:45 a.m. Front Street will be closed from Palace Avenue to Lyons Avenue and Glenwood Boulevard will be closed from Houston Street to Erwin Street. Handicap parking for the event will be at Mike Carter Field on Fair Park Drive. The parade route will start at the Rose Garden Center, turning onto Fair Park Drive and ending at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium.

TYLER — The daughter of Rabbi Neal Katz, Rebecca, and Vera Banta flew from Israel to Rome to Boston and finally to Dallas. Early in the morning on October 6, the girls were awakened by bomb sirens, just a few hours after they danced and sang at Shabbat services the night before. That day, they sheltered seven times before noon, barefoot, confused and scared, not knowing when they would be able to come back to the US. While they were waiting, they made 1,500 bags of soap, food, towels and candy for hospitals … and visited soldiers and displaced families. Both say they hope to return to Israel someday.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department responded to a call of a pedestrian and auto crash around 8:20 Tuesday night. According to a news release, “a semi-truck was reportedly northbound on Loop 323, north of HWY 64, when it struck a pedestrian that was in the roadway.” The unidentified pedestrian was not at a crosswalk or intersection when hit. The pedestrian was said to be alert when transported to a local hospital.

UPSHUR COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK a 13-year-old male has been arrested on a charge of terroristic threat in Upshur County. Allegedly, the charges are “based on evidence of threats made toward students and a faculty member at Bruce Junior High School in Gilmer.” The Upshur County Sheriff’s office said the juvenile was transported and remains in the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center in Longview. The school officials provided the sheriff’s office witness statements and video evidence to support that the teen made threats to harm others when school resumed after the Yamboree school holiday.

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue was called out around 3 p.m. Tuesday due to an gas leak on CR 2162, near Troup. Hogue said the portion of CR 2162 closed is about one-half mile east of CR 135 between Arp and Troup. Smith County Road and Bridge crews put traffic barricades in place to divert traffic.
Continue reading Part of CR2162 still closed due to gas leak

NEW SUMMERFIELD – A 71-year-old woman is dead after a house fire in New Summerfield on Monday, according to our news partner KETK. Officials with the New Summerfield Police Department said the call came in around 5:30 p.m. and fire units responded to the scene at 311 Limbaugh Road where the woman was found. The State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called and officials said they are at the scene, as of Tuesday, to investigate the fire.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office has installed a Weather System Station at the Emergency Operations Center to provide emergency management officials and members of the public a chance to access real-time, detailed weather data. WeatherSTEM offers a public-facing view that allows access to a multitude of information for every resident, without signing up. “WeatherSTEM’s accessibility makes it a useful tool for the whole community and will enhance the abilities of emergency services,” Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said. “Realtime weather information, such as wind direction and speed, is vital during fire and hazardous materials incident responses.” Continue reading Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office installs weather system station

WHITEHOUSE – Residents of the City of Whitehouse will have an extra choice to make on their ballot this November. In addition to the statewide Constitutional Amendment propositions, Whitehouse citizens will also be able to vote in a Special Election called by the City Council. The purpose of this measure, which will be listed as Proposition A on the ballot, is to change how the City’s taxes are reported to the State and how existing tax dollars are spent in the City of Whitehouse. If it passes, Whitehouse will offer greater transparency on the amount of property taxes collected, direct more existing funds to economic development, and reduce the impact of government regulations coming out of Austin. Continue reading Whitehouse calls for a special election

TYLER — Tyler police are searching for a teen reported missing. According to Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, Allison Morley, 13, was said to have left her residence on Hudnall Drive around 11:45 Monday night. She’s described as 5’4 and 130lbs with brown/red hair and brown eyes. Police say she has a scar on her left arm. No word on what she was wearing. Allison has been entered as a missing person/runaway. If you see Allison or know her location, please contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department has arrested a man in connection to the murder of a woman found dead on Victory Drive. According to our news partner KETK, officers conducting a welfare check found Camri Johnson, 26, of Marshall, dead around 11:40 p.m. on Monday. An investigation later resulted in the arrest of Windell Moris Jr., 23. Moris is being held at Harrison County Jail on charges of homicide and abandoning/endangering a child with intent to return. Marshall PD detectives, patrol officers and investigators are continuing to gather information about the incident.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff’s Office said they arrested three men after a pursuit that started in Minden, Louisiana ended in Smith County on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, a gray Chevrolet Camaro that was reportedly stolen in Dallas was able to evade pursuing law enforcement from Minden and was later spotted around 11:45 a.m. by Gregg County Sheriff’s Office deputies, officials said. Gregg County deputies pursued the vehicle to the Smith County line, when Smith County Sheriff’s Office deputies took over the chase continuing west on Interstate 20. A Smith County Precinct 5 Deputy Constable reportedly deployed a spike strip which the Camaro hit at the intersection of Interstate 20 and US 69 North. Continue reading Three suspects arrested following I-20 pursuit

NATCHITOCHES, La. (AP) — Northwestern State’s home game against Southeastern Louisiana has been moved to this Thursday night so that the contest won’t conflict with a wake and funeral services for recently slain Demons defensive back Ronnie Caldwell. Officials from both schools agreed to change the game time from Saturday after learning services for Caldwell were scheduled on Friday and Saturday in Austin, Texas. The new game time allows Northwestern State coaches and players to attend. Caldwell was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds by Natchitoches police officers who responded shortly after 1 a.m. last Thursday to a report of a shooting at an apartment complex near campus. The coroner’s office pronounced Caldwell dead at the scene. Police Cpl. John Greely has said no arrests have been made in connection with the case. Continue reading Game moved up for former TJC player’s funeral

HENDERSON COUNTY – A wreck involving an 18-wheeler and a motorcycle in Henderson County left a Mabank man dead on Friday according to our colleagues at KETK. According to a preliminary report from DPS, a 2008 Kenworth Truck Tractor towing a trailer was going east on FM 85 at 2:53 p.m., roughly three miles west of Seven Points. A 2004 Harley Davidson was going west on FM 85 when the truck tractor reportedly failed to yield the right of way and turned left on FM 2613 in front of the semi. Trapped driver freed after crashing into tree in Gun Barrel City. 50-year-old Ray Robert Stickinger from Mabank died at the scene. The driver of the truck tractor was not injured.

ANGELINA COUNTY – Two people were hospitalized in critical condition after a shooting at an Angelina County nightclub according to our news colleagues at KETK. According to Angelina County Sheriff Tom Selman, deputies responded to the Cabbage Patch club at 482 Charlton Road in the early morning hours Sunday. Deputies found 20-year-old Destini Dodd and 30-year-old Trevor Devon Parks at the scene with gunshot wounds. A Lufkin Fire Department ambulance took both victims to a Lufkin hospital before moving them to Houston area hospitals due to their life-threatening wounds. Continue reading 2 hospitalized after shooting at Angelina County nightclub

SMITH COUNTY — TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work in the district during the week of Oct. 16, 2023. Work schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues. Please slow down and pay attention in work zones. This week, Tyler Maintenance crews will be repairing base failures on FM 724 at various locations from SH 64 to SH 110. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. A second crew will be repairing base failures at various locations throughout the county. For a full list of projects in the East Texas area, click here.

TYLER — Texas Rose Festival Queen Laura Bryan cut the ribbon for the SPCA of East Texas‘ new 16,000-square-foot building in Tyler on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, this new facility twice the size of their previous building and is located right next to their existing dog park. The new south Tyler location will help them expand their services for people living in Tyler and even further out in places like Jacksonville and Palestine. “This building is so much better for the dogs. For their state of mind. We’ve noticed the difference since we’ve moved over here and the cats too,” said Kat Cortelyou with the SPCA of East Texas. “But it’s also allowing us to help more people that are having dogs dumped on them or you know unwanted litters of puppies or kittens.” Continue reading SPCA of East Texas opens new 16k-sqft facility

GUN BARREL CITY – The Gun Barrel City Fire Department said that they freed a driver who was trapped in their vehicle after crashing into a tree on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened around 9:25 p.m. in the 300 block of Legendary Lane when the vehicle left the roadway and hit a tree. According to Gun Barrel City Fire Department, the speed of the crash trapped the driver inside and they had to use Hurst Jaws of Life Rescue Tools to free the driver. The driver was transported to a hospital in Tyler by helicopter, officials said. Gun Barrel City Fire and Police Departments, the Seven Points Police Department and the Texas Highway Patrol responded to the scene.

TYLER– Tyler Junior College hosted a homecoming tailgate and solar eclipse watch party at the W.T Brookshire Conference Center in Tyler on Saturday according to our news partner KETK. Everyone wore their eclipse glasses and safely watched the spectacular astronomical event unfold. “With the annular eclipse, which is what we had today, the moon is further away from the sun and so, we wouldn’t see a total eclipse like we will in April,” said Jean Fuller, a TJC educator. “I’m more excited about it, although this one was cool.” During the eclipse in April, Fuller said it will be a total solar eclipse where you’ll have two minutes where you can look directly at the eclipse without hurting your eyes. Fuller added that East Texas won’t have another total eclipse in until the next millennium.