KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Our news partner KETK is reporting that the Caldwell Zoo board of directors has announced a new leader for Tyler’s biggest zoo.

Scott Maddox has served as the zoo’s chief operating officer for the past five years and will now serve as Caldwell Zoo’s president and CEO. Former mayor of Tyler and chairman of the zoo’s board, Kevin Eltife explained why Maddox is right for the job.

“Scott was the obvious choice to assume this position. His vast experience with Caldwell Zoo and his natural leadership are unmatched. The Maddox family has a history of caring and giving back to our community,” Eltife said in a press release. “In his new role, Scott will continue to give back to this community and make sure that Caldwell Zoo is positioned to provide an incredible experience for families to visit and enjoy for generations to come.”

According to Caldwell Zoo, Maddox served on their staff as an animal keeper, animal supervisor, area supervisor, curator and assistant director before he was named chief operating officer. Continue reading Caldwell Zoo announces new president, CEO

TRINITY– According to our news partner KETK, a woman was care flighted to a hospital Monday afternoon after a two vehicle crash in Trinity.

According to the Trinity Police Department, one driver was flown to the hospital for her injuries after there was a major two vehicle crash on State Highway 19 in front of Joes Restaurant and McDonald’s. Officials said a vehicle pulled out of the McDonald’s parking lot onto State Highway 19 in front of the other driver causing the crash.

The roadway is now back open and Trinity Police Department will be investigating the crash, the department said.

HAWKINS – In their regular city council meeting on Monday, the Hawkins City Council voted to terminate the employment of Hawkins Police Department Lieutenant Eric Tuma.

According to our news partner KETK, Tuma’s termination was based on the grounds of “Dereliction of Sworn Duties” and “Abandonment of Post.” The motion to terminate Tuma’s employment was passed in a 3-2 vote. Tuma became the only officer in Hawkins PD after Hawkins Mayor Debbie Rushing fired three other officers on Feb. 18. Tuma, a Hawkins native, formerly served as the interim chief of Hawkins PD after the resignation of former chief Guy McKee in 2024.

Hawkins is located in Wood County, so the Wood County Sheriff’s Office is still available to respond to the needs of residents. Continue reading Last remaining Hawkins Police officer fired

PALESTINE – Anderson County Judge Carey G. McKinney has declared a local state of disaster for the county after severe weather flooded parts of the county last week. According to our news partner KETK, Judge McKinney declared the state of disaster in order to activate Anderson County’s emergency management plan. The plan will help the county recover from property damage done by storms and flooding from June 10 to June 12.

Palestine Police Department Chief Mark Harcrow said the city got at least three inches of rain in an hour during the storms. The disaster declaration will last for seven days unless extended by the Anderson County Commissioner’s court.

Homeowners with flood damage can click the the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s survey link to scan the QR Code and find the survey that you need.

TYLER – All non-essential City offices will observe the following schedule on Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Continue reading City holiday schedule for Juneteenth

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, a man was arrested in Longview after police said he broke into a building on Monday.

The Longview Police Department was notified that a business alarm had gone off at around at 4:57 a.m. in the 2100 block of Judson Road. Once on the scene, officers reported that the building appeared to be forced into and that a man was seen leaving the scene, according to a press release.

The officers were able to locate the man near the business and he was arrested. Longview PD identified him as Glen Blaylock, 57 of Longview. Blaylock was charged with burglary of a building and was transported to the Gregg County Jail. Continue reading Longview man arrested for burglary

TYLER – Torrential downpours that have hit East Texas recently are causing foundation issues for homeowners, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

Trust Foundation and Repair in Tyler is getting more calls for problems underneath houses and mobile homes.

“Normally we’ll get a little bit of rain a few days dry. This year we’ve gotten drastic amounts of rain over and over and over again,” Trust Foundation and Repair project manager Timothy Wilson said. “It allows moisture to enter and start rotting out the beams in the sub-floor on the homes,” Wilson said.

The unchecked water can cause washouts underneath the home and exterior issues like cracks in bricks. Other signs of foundation issues are cracks above doors, windows and malfunctions in those areas. Wilson’s advice is to divert the water away from the home. Continue reading Heavy rains cause problems for East Texas homeowners

UPDATE: According to the Texarkana Police Department, someone in another city recognized 69-year-old Karen Gilmore from their Facebook post and she is now safe.

TEXARKANA – According to our news partner KETK, the Texarkana Police Department is currently searching for a 69-year-old woman who was last heard from when she sent her sister a “strange text” on Thursday.

According to the department, Karen Gilmore has health issues and doesn’t regularly use her oxygen. Texarkana PD said her loved ones worry she may be in an altered mental state after she sent an unusual text message. She’s believed to be living in her silver 2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac with the Texas plate: GJF-4039. Texarkana PD said she’s known to park in places like the QuikTrip on North Kings Highway. They added that her Ford was last seen in Rockwall on Friday.

Anyone with information on Gilmore’s location is asked to call Texarkana PD at 903-798-3876 or any local law enforcement agency.

TYLER – The City of Tyler and Miracle League of Tyler held the grand opening of the new Miracle League Field at Faulkner Park, Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, Miracle League Field, is a new baseball field for children and adults with physical and mental challenges. The field is designed to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers and other similar devices while also preventing injuries.

Miracle League of Tyler President Casey Bryans said in a release,“It’s somewhere where their parents can sit back and watch them in a safe, fun environment. They’re out there with a buddy so they’re in a contained area and they can go out there and they can just be kids. The parents get to sit back in the stands and they get to see their kids be kids. And as a parent to see your child have fun in a fun, safe environment that is an amazing blessing in and of itself. So there’s so much more than just baseball. These kids are gonna make friends and build relationships. Build some interpersonal skills with being on a team that helps to carry over in other aspects of life. This field it gives dignity, it gives worth, self-esteem, value. There’s so much more than baseball and we’re gonna play a lot of good baseball on it but we hope for so much more to come out of this.” Continue reading Miracle League Field opens Saturday at Faulkner Park in Tyler

HUGHES SPRINGS – The Morris County Sheriff’s Office said a man wanted in connection to two Saturday night shootings has been arrested. According to our news partner KETK, arrested was 23-year-old Makhei N. Aguilar of Hughes Springs. Saturday night, the Morris County dispatcher received two calls on separate shootings. The first at about 6:50 p.m. Both shootings happened in rural Hughes Springs.

The victims at both shootings described the gunman as as slender black man, with black clothes. Also, in both incidents, the assailant demanded the vehicle of the victim. Officers stated that one woman was shot in the leg and was treated for a non-life threatening injury.

Morris County Sheriff’s Office deputies, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Game Wardens and the Hughes Springs Police Department searched for Aguilar until late Sunday morning, when he was arrested by the Richardson Police Department. The sheriff’s office said Aguilar will stay with Richardson PD on their local charges until he’s brought back to Morris County to be charged there. Richardson Police Jail records show that Aguilar was arrested for unauthorized use of a vehicle.

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – On Saturday, people across the United States and East Texas were out protesting against the policies of President Donald Trump. “No Kings” protests were held in Longview, Mineola and Lufkin on Saturday afternoon, ahead of Tyler’s “No Kings” protest later Saturday afternoon at Bergfeld Park. Our news partner KETK has a photo gallery from some of the Saturdays protests. Here is the link to it.

WOOD COUNTY – The owners of a mechanic shop in Wood County have been arrested for theft after failing to return customers’ cars after claiming to repair them. According to our news partner KETK, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office said they’ve gotten a number of complaints since Feb. 2025 from former customers of Vintage Iron Hot Rods LLC in Yantis. The customers claimed owners, Anthony Eric Gagnon and Lynn Anne Bess, would not return their vehicles after the shop had possession of them for several months.

The sheriff’s office heard from a total of 16 victims, who all agreed to let the owners of the shop work on their vehicle and would either pay upfront or make arraigned payments. Officials said once customers tried to get their vehicles back, they stated that Gagnon would not answer their calls and prohibited them from returning to the property. Victims were then forced to resort to legal action to obtain their vehicles. Officers also said that, victims said after retrieving their vehicles, some learned the shop had not performed did the repairs that they had paid for.

Further investigation revealed that Bess and Gagnon defrauded their victims of $91,000. Bess and Gagnon were arrested for theft and were booked into the Wood County Jail on Thursday. Both of their bonds have been set at $150,000.

TYLER – With a clear day Friday, the boat ramps on Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East reopened later that afternoon. Tyler Water Utilities remind all boaters, that with the current high water levels, to still use caution on the lakes. Boat operators are asked to be aware of possible navigation hazards and be mindful of their wake to ensure the safety of fellow boaters and protect property nearby.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report two people are dead after an 18-wheeler crashed into a pickup truck on U.S. Highway 69 early Friday morning. According to Texas Department of Public Safety, around 5:30 a.m. the 18-wheeler was traveling north near County Road 2745 at while the pick up truck was going southbound. Officials say the pickup truck was struck on the driver’s side and rolled over on its roof into a ditch. The driver and the passenger in the truck were pronounced dead at the scene. The identities of the people killed are unknown, and the driver of the 18-wheeler was taken to the hospital to treat his injuries. The investigation is still ongoing.

SMITH COUNTY – A Tyler man has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering his father in an argument over a dog.

According to a report from the Tyler Morning Telegraph, Christopher Tilley entered a guilty plea on Tuesday morning in the 241st District Court for the shooting death of his father, Dell Howard Tilley, 79, on March 25th 2024. The arrest documents report that the father and son were fighting over the care of an injured dog.

During an interview at the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Christopher Tilley told investigators that his father was upset over the way he was caring for a dog inside his father’s bedroom. During the argument, Dell Tilley allegedly came across the room, grabbed Christopher by the neck, and began choking him. The two men struggled on the ground before Christopher Tilley retrieved a firearm from his waistband, attesting that he thought he only fired once.

According to officers, Tilley’s recollection is inconsistent with their findings. Dell Tilley ultimately died from the gunshot wounds. Continue reading Tyler man sentenced to life in prison for murdering father

TYLER — Our news partner KETK reports that The Tyler City Council approved a resolution on Wednesday in support of a grant used to build a share use path that will connect Downtown Tyler, hospitals and Tyler Junior College.

The Midtown to Downtown Shared Use Path is aimed to be a two and a half mile, 10 foot-wide path that would connect popular Tyler destinations such as Downtown Tyler, the new Smith County Courthouse and UT Tyler School of Medicine.

This path would be an accessible way for Tylerites to travel on foot from East Fifth Street to South Broadway Avenue. Safety standards for the path include access ramps, lighting, wide concrete trails, signalized intersections and more.

Though the path has an estimated $4.8 million price tag, the city expects to qualify for Transportation Development Credits which would completely fund the project through grants instead of a local match. If funding is awarded, the Texas Department of Transportation will help design and develop the project.

UPDATE: According to the Tyler Police Department, Aiden has been found safe and returned to his family.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is currently searching for a missing 15-year-old boy who is reported to have autism. According to our news partner KETK and Tyler PD, Aiden was reported missing at 5:15 p.m. and was last seen walking away from a home in the 400th block of Sutherland Drive. According to officials, he was last seen wearing a black zip-up hoodie, jeans and black shoes.

“His name is Aiden, and he is 15 years old, 5’9 and 120lbs with blonde hair and blue eyes,” Tyler Police Department said.

Authorities are asking anyone who may have seen Aiden or know his location to please contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.

UPDATE: According to our news partner KETK, Nacogdoches Police Department, officers are still investigating the three family members that died in a home on Mystic Lane in Nacogdoches. Officials said the investigation is focusing on possible air pollutants in the home that might have caused the deaths. The family members have been identified as Amy Manning Kirk, 52, William Manning Kirk, 22, and John Standley Kirk, 17.

NACOGDOCHES– Carbon monoxide poisoning is being considered after three adults were found dead Thursday afternoon inside a home in Nacogdoches, according to our news partner KETK.

Nacogdoches Police Department, officers and firefighters were on scene at the 4300 block of Mystic Lane for a death investigation. Initially officers responded to perform a welfare check on a resident, but upon arrival they found three adults dead inside the home and no sign of foul play. The identities of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of their family.

“Although it is early in the investigation, carbon monoxide poisoning is being considered as a potential cause,” officials said. “CenterPoint Energy is also on scene to help determine the cause.”
Continue reading Police ID three found dead inside Nacogdoches home

UPSHUR COUNTY — According to our news parnter KETK, a jury found a 56-year-old man guilty of failure to register as sex offender and sentenced him to life in prison on Wednesday as a habitual offender on account of his prior convictions. In 2023, Ronald Wayne Stivers of Illinois was a registered sex offender in Mississippi before he fled the state and moved in with a woman in Gladewater, according to officials. Stivers reportedly met the woman through Facebook and alternated his identity by lying about his name and changing his license plate.

Once his true identity was uncovered, the woman forced Stivers out of her home and he was later arrested on June 17, 2024. Officials said Stivers was sentenced to life in prison on June 11, 2025 as a habitual offender. Continue reading Sex offender hiding in Gladewater gets life in prison

ANDERSON COUNTY – Thursday’s heavy rains in Anderson County caused several road closings and mother and her child were rescued in a high water situation. According to our news partner KETK, Christina Crockett, from the Anderson County Emergency Management Office, urged residents to use caution, especially in low-lying areas.

In Palestine, Slocum’s Swiftwater Rescue Team received a call in rural Palestine for Laura Foster and her 2-year-old daughter who were trapped on top of their vehicle. They were brought to safety by the rescue team, who responded to multiple people stranded because of high water.

There are dozens of roads across Anderson County are flooded over or completely washed out.
Continue reading Anderson County flooding causes closed roads and water rescues

UPSHUR COUNTY – A jury found a 56-year-old man guilty of failure to register as sex offender, and sentenced him to life in prison on Wednesday as a habitual offender on account of his prior convictions.

On May 16, 1986, the Defendant was sentenced for Theft in the State of Illinois. On July 5, 1989, the Defendant pled guilty to Criminal Trespass of Habitation in the State of Illinois.

On June 11, 1998, he was sentenced for Aggravated Sexual Assault (Adult Woman), Felony Escape, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault with Deadly Weapon (Knife),and Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child nine years of age in the State of Illinois. Continue reading Man who failed to register as sex offender found in Gladewater

LONGVIEW – A 22-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday after robbing local dollar stores in Longview, according to our news partner KETK.

The Longview Police Department received multiple reports of thefts that occurred at local dollar stores over the weekend, and after investigating they determined that only one of the incidents qualified as a robbery.

Further investigation led the suspect to be identified as Daqalyn Charles, 22 of Longview. Officers were able to locate and arrest him in the act of another theft. Officials said during the arrest Charles was found to be in possession of illegal drugs and was additionally charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Charles was booked into the Gregg County Jail and is being held on a bond totaling $310,000.

NACOGDOCHES – Carbon monoxide poisoning is being considered after three adults were found dead Thursday afternoon inside a home in Nacogdoches, According to the Nacogdoches Police Department an our news partner KETK.

Officers and firefighters responded to the scene at 4300 block of Mystic Lane for a death investigation. Initially officers responded to perform a welfare check on a resident, but upon arrival found three adults dead inside the home and no sign of foul play.

“Although it is early in the investigation, carbon monoxide poisoning is being considered as a potential cause,” officials said. “CenterPoint Energy is also on scene to help determine the cause. The identities of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of their family.”

The department said further information will be released as it becomes available.

KILGORE– Over the past two weeks, five men have been arrested for online solicitation of a minor after a sting operation in Kilgore. According to the Kilgore Police Department and our news partner KETK, multiple departments have been working together in an online solicitation of a minor investigation.

All but one man drove into Kilgore to meet up for sex with a minor and were arrested by detectives. Marshall Anthony Knapik, 27 of Longview, is being held on a $25,000 bond. Dale Edward Shelton, 34 of Tyler, is being held on a $25,000 bond. Alvaro Andres Rosas-Delgado, 23 of Longview, is being held on a $50,000 bond. Ryan Hampsten Jacks, 34 of Troup, is being held on a $40,000 bond.

Casey Stinson of Bowie had planned to make a trip after his girlfriend went to work, but couldn’t change his flat tire, so he was arrested by the Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office after Kilgore PD learned he would not be making the trip.

PALESTINE — Many roads across East Texas have been closed due to heavy rains and flooding.

Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of roads and highways currently closed or flooded to keep residents safe and informed. To view the full and updated list, click here.

BULLARD – Our news partner KETK reports that one person is dead after an alleged drunk driver’s vehicle flipped over onto a fence on Wednesday night in Bullard.

According to the court documents, around 8 p.m. a trooper responded to an one vehicle roll-over on County Road 3601 where a man was by the road saying “his passenger was missing.”

The trooper said the man, identified as 30-year-old Cordale Rayshon Graham, smelled of alcohol and kept saying “he was the passenger because he was drunk.”

Bullard Fire Department located the other person who was dead on the passenger side of the vehicle. Continue reading Drunk driver arrested after truck flips, leaving passenger dead

SMITH COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that several wrecks involving 18-wheelers are causing delays on Interstate 20 for drivers. Officials say that traffic delays could last into early Friday morning.

According to a crew on the scene, at least two crashes involving tractor trailers have caused traffic to be backed up near Mile Marker 560 which is near Farm-to-Market Road 14 and Lavender Road.

TxDOT cameras show heavy traffic in the westbound lanes. Updates will be given as they become available.

To check for wrecks, and traffic conditions on TxDOT’s “Drive Texas”, click here.

RUSK – Our news partner KETK reports that the execution date has been set for an East Texas man who helped murder his girlfriend’s baby with a hammer in 2008.

According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), 35-year-old Blaine Milam of Gregg County is set to be executed on September 25 for his involvement in the murder of his girlfriend’s 13-month-daughter during what they described as an “exorcism.”

On Dec. 2, 2008 in Rusk County, Milam and his girlfriend, Jessica Carson murdered the infant by using a hammer to beat her. They also attest to biting her on the chest, arms, throat, feet and lower back. In confession, the couple told authorities that they were trying to “beat the demons out” of the baby. Continue reading Execution set for Rusk man who murdered infant in an ‘exorcism’