KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY — Several Smith County roads are closed after Wednesday night’s heavy rains. According to a Smith County news release, County Road 112, in the southeast part of Smith County near Antioch, has a culvert washed out and will remain closed until it can be repaired. County Roads 129, 2138 and 2147 are closed due to high water over the roads. Once the water recedes, Smith County Road and Bridge crews will check to make sure the roads are not damaged and if they are safe to be reopened. Drivers are urged use alternate routes and advised not to drive around barriers.

The City of Tyler Water Utilities is temporarily closing all public boat ramps on Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East.

“Ramps are being closed due to boating hazards resulting from debris washed into the lakes by the recent rains and to reduce damage from shoreline erosion caused by boat wakes,” City of Tyler said. “In addition, the lakes are closed to boat traffic from lake residents.”

TYLER — The Tyler City Council and Texas Department of Transportation agreed on Wednesday to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Old Jacksonville Highway and Capital Drive.

According to our news partner KETK, a signal warrant in 2023 determined the intersection experiences enough traffic volume, especially with the Brookshire Grocery Company’s distribution center expanding near Capital Drive, to warrant a signal. The estimated total construction cost to the city is $314,453, which will be funded through the City’s Half Cent Sales Tax Fund.

The City of Tyler, TxDot and Brookshire Grocery will work with each other to install this signal and TxDot has plans to widen Old Jacksonville Highway to six lanes, with construction starting 2028.

TROUP – After severe weather hit East Texas on Wednesday, two school districts have announced that they will be closing or delaying classes on Thursday to ensure students and staff remain safe. Our news partner, KETK, has compiled a list and will update it as changes occur. To view the full and updated list, click here.

TYLER — As the Tyler Police Department continues to mourn the loss of one of their own, several officers gathered at the place of his death to remember their fallen comrade. According to our news partner KETK, while off-duty on Friday afternoon, officer Sam Lively was killed after crashing his motorcycle on Troup Highway, just north of Loop 323. Lively had recently graduated from the police academy and completed his field training.

On Tuesday, officers who attended the police academy with Lively along with several members of the Tyler PD gathered at the location where the crash took place in order to pay respect to their fallen brother. The remembrance was also attended by Lively’s family and friends where they placed flowers and a cross at the location.

A funeral service has been scheduled for Lively at 10 a.m. this Saturday at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler. In lieu of flowers, Lively’s family has asked for contributions to be made to the Sam Lively Memorial Fund at Southside Bank, Lindale.

TYLER — Texas Game Wardens continue to investigate an accident on Lake Tyler East after a 19-year-old man fell off the boat and was found by divers Monday morning. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and our news partner KETK, game wardens are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident on the six-passenger boat that lead to the death of Eli Swinney on Sunday.

“The investigation could lead to possible criminal charges, but none have been filed at this time,” the department said. “One passenger was taken into custody that evening on unrelated charges.”

“As Texas Game Wardens, our mission is to help ensure Texans can enjoy the water safely and return home at the end of the day,” the department said. “While we actively patrol and enforce boating safety laws, we rely on boaters to practice safe boating when enjoying Texas’ waterways.” Continue reading Lake Tyler death may lead to criminal charges

CROCKETT – According to a report from our news partner, KETK, the Crockett Police Department has issued an arrest warrant for a man who is a suspect in an armed robbery that took place last week.

On April 22, the Crockett Police Department posted on their Facebook page that a 2020 Ram 3500 was stolen overnight from the 300 block of Cordell Street. During the investigation, detectives discovered that the stolen truck had been used in an armed robbery that occurred in the 1100 block of U.S. 287 in Grapeland, at the Ranch Express Convenience store.

Police then issued an arrest warrant for 18-year-old Jose Wilfredo Berrios. According to officials, the warrant is for criminal trespass and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Additionally, the Grapeland Police Department issued an arrest warrant for Berrios, charging him with aggravated robbery, according to officials.

ATHENS – Our news partner, KETK, reports that an Athens man was sentenced to prison after threatening to shoot three people, including a child with an AR-15 in September of 2024.

According to the Henderson County District Attorney, Freddie Castillo, 36 of Athens, was found guilty of two counts of aggravated assault on April 24 and sentenced to five years on one count and four years on the second count with both starting April 25.

The DA said they heard testimony that on Sept. 28, 2024 deputies responded to CR 4613 in Athens after the caller reported that she, her husband and her 13-year-old son picked up her sister-in-law from Cleburne and were bringing her home she shared with her husband, Castillo when he began yelling at everyone. Continue reading Man sentenced for threatening to shoot three people

TYLER – With the possibility of severe storms, and tornado warnings in effect, many East Texas schools are releasing students early. Our news partner, KETK, has compiled an updated list of schools that will have early release. To view that list, click here.

PANOLA COUNTY – The Panola County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a wanted man out of Michigan in East Texas following an early Tuesday morning chase, according to our news partner KETK.

A Texas Highway Patrol Trooper conducted a traffic stop on State Highway 315 at FM 1971 in Clayton at around 7:42 a.m. Officials learned that the driver, identified as Sidney Hunter, Jr., 23 of South Holland, Ill., and was wanted out of Michigan. Upon discovery, he reportedly fled. Officials said that Hunter turned onto FM 1970 before heading onto U.S. Highway 79 S towards Carthage.

Other law enforcement agencies in the area responded to the chase, and the Panola County Sheriff’s Office units set up road spikes before the Loop. Hunter made a U-turn before reaching the road spikes and continued driving through a ditch. Continue reading Michigan fugitive arrested in Panola County following chase

AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas Senate approved changes Tuesday to the state’s strict abortion ban that both Republicans and Democrats say would clarify medical exceptions and has drawn support from women who were told they could not end their pregnancies despite life-threatening complications.

The unanimous passage of the bill in the GOP-controlled Senate — by a 31-0 vote — marked a rare moment of bipartisanship on an issue that for years has roiled the state Capitol as Texas Republicans have defended one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion bans and launched criminal investigations into alleged violations.

Under Senate-passed changes, Texas’ ban would specify that doctors are allowed to perform an abortion if a patient is experiencing a “life-threatening” condition capable of causing death, and “not necessarily one actively injuring the patient.” The bill would also require doctors to receive training on the revised law. Continue reading Texas Senate OKs effort to clarify medical exceptions under state’s abortion ban

PALESTINE – Our news partner KETK reports that the State Fire Marshal’s Office in Austin has confirmed they’re doing an origin and cause investigation into a trailer fire where human remains were found in Palestine.

According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy responded to a a trailer fire on Fields Street in Palestine on Sunday. The Palestine Fire Department was at the trailer and told the deputy that human remains were found inside the home. Anderson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Judge James W. Westley performed and inquest and has ordered an autopsy to be done on the remains.

The sheriff’s office requested that the State Fire Marshall’s Office come into remove the remains and to investigate the origin and the cause of the fire.

LONGVIEW – A man pleaded guilty on Monday to murder and aggravated assault from a 2022 Longview Waffle House shooting.

Our news partner KETK reports that Rayshon Weston LaGarde, 25, of Longview pleaded guilty to the murder of Kendall Marshall, 27, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that injured a woman in the December 23, 2022, Waffle House shooting, according to Gregg County Court Records.

LaGrande will be sentenced in the 188th District Court on May 9, 2025.

TYLER – Our news partner KETK reports that the Tyler Police Department is currently investigating the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old on Pegues Avenue on Monday.

According to Tyler Police, officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 1600 block of Pegues Avenue on Monday at around 9 p.m. When the officers arrived at the scene, they found a 16-year-old who had been shot. Tyler PD said the victim was then transported to a local hospital where he died. A witness at the scene told Tyler PD that they heard gunshots, and saw an older, white, 2-door truck leaving the scene on Pegues Avenue.

Anyone with information in connection to the incident is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.

TYLER – According to a report from our news partner KETK, a Trinity Valley Community College alumnus is making his Alma Mater proud as he has become a vital member of the world-famous Savannah Bananas production team.

The Savannah Bananas, which pride themselves on putting on the greatest show in sports, perform across the country where they combine baseball and entertainment to create a unique experience for the entire family. The group even appeared on 60 Minutes last month to promote their unique brand of baseball.

Jesse Collins has become an instrumental part of the Savannah Bananas’ success and growing popularity, as he is now considered the production mastermind behind the team. Following his graduation from TVCC, Collins began working on the production side of things for well-known artists, including Thomas Rhett and Mariah Carey. Continue reading TVCC alum joins Savannah Bananas

LUFKIN — Texas farmers and ranchers may get a new lifeline from state lawmakers. The Texas House has approved a bill that expands one of the state’s most successful loan programs for the agriculture industry. That legislation, House Bill 43, is now up for debate in the Senate.

The relief can’t come quickly enough, said state Rep. Stan Kitzman, a Pattison Republican and the bill’s author.

“What House Bill 43 does is it makes funds available to help these producers hang on,” Kitzman said. “It’s not subsidies like the federal program. It takes an existing program that’s already at the Texas Department of Agriculture — the Young Farmer program — and expands that.” Continue reading Texas farmers could have greater access to low-interest loans under a bill the Senate is considering

TITUS COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Titus County man was arrested for child grooming on Thursday after admitting to sexually touching a minor.

According to an arrest affidavit from Titus County, Juan Pablo Malpica Hernandez was arrested for child grooming. On April 23, an officer talked to the minor’s mother, who claimed that Hernandez touched her daughter’s private parts. The minor told her mother that Hernandez made inappropriate comments towards her, showed her naked pictures of himself, and touched her at a church in March.

During an interview with officials, Hernandez allegedly said the minor touched him with her feet and hands under a table two separate times. Hernandez also said the minor made an unknown comment towards him, which made him feel the need to show the minor a picture of himself, officials said.

Hernandez is currently in custody and placed on a $500,000 bond, according to jail records.

TYLER – According to our news partner, KETK, a UT Tyler School of Nursing professor and a Tyler fitness center have collaborated for more than five years to host weekly rock-steady boxing classes to improve the physical and mental health of people with Parkinson’s.

In honor of April being Parkinson’s Awareness Month, KETK News visited with UT Tyler Nursing School Professor, Dr. Melinda Hermanns and Owner of Tyler Kung Fu & Fitness, Brandon Jones, who created a rock-steady boxing class for people with Parkinson’s to help them find a community and improve their quality of life.

The rock-steady boxing class is offered multiple times of week for people to connect with others with Parkinson’s or similar diseases, and complete a wide range of interactive workouts with Coach Jones. Two different levels of classes are offered, and each meets with people where they’re at, regardless of their mental and physical abilities. Continue reading A workout program to help East Texans with Parkinson’s disease

NACOGDOCHES – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Nacogdoches Police Department is investigating a murder that occurred on Monday afternoon.

According to police, at around 4 p.m., officials received 911 calls of gunshots in the Eastwood Terrace off Woden Road. Once officers arrived, they were directed by residents to where they believed gunshots had been heard. In a wooded area, officials located a body later identified as Jermiah Jarmma Warren, 19 of Nacogdoches.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 936-560-4636 (INFO) or the NPD Investigations Division at 936-559-2624.

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, friends of fallen officer, Sam Lively and Dakota Hunter are pleading to drivers to be aware of bikers on the road.

Tyler Police Department officer, Sam Lively died from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle crash on April 26. Officials said a vehicle attempted to change lanes on Loop 323, and struck the motorcycle. Lively died later at the hospital from his injuries.

“He always lit up the room when he walked in,” Savannah Ihrer, friend of Lively said. “Any time you saw him, whether he was in uniform or not in uniform, if he walked around the corner, it was like the light in the room got brighter.”

In two months, Ihrer lost Lively and Dakota Hunter who also died in a motorcycle crash in March. Continue reading Tyler raises awareness on motorcycle safety after fatal crashes

TYLER – East Texas Representative Nathaniel Moran of Tyler spoke in Washington on Monday to give his thoughts on President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office. According to our new partner KETK, Moran started his comments at the House GOP media event by discussing Trump’s actions on the border.

“President Trump has shown strength from day one, not just domestically but internationally to enforce the rule of law, to remind other countries and other people groups that we have a sovereign and secure border,” said Moran. “We’re going to enforce the rules here. We want to encourage legal immigration but illegal immigration is no longer going to be stood for.”

Next, Moran commented on the economy’s reaction to the tariff’s that Trump announced earlier this year by saying that the United States would see positive effects with in the next six months to a year.

“Right now we may see the polls dip a little bit because there’s a little uncertainty in the market, but that’s just a short term reaction to a little uncertainty about not understanding, how to catch up. And frankly, I think it’s because the speed at which President Trump is moving, the things that he is doing so quickly with such effect,” Moran said. “We’re going to see some positive effects next in the next six months and in the next year, for sure, with the economy, with what’s going on the world stage. We’re seeing countries flood to America, willing to renegotiate those tariff deals simply because President Trump said ‘enough is enough’ and so 75-plus countries are here to do that, to make sure that we have reciprocity, to make sure the American business owner and the American business, the American taxpayer is first not international businesses.” Continue reading Rep. Nathaniel Moran reacts to Trump’s first 100 days in office

LAKE TYLER – Searches came to a tragic end as the body of 19-year-old Eli Swinney being recovered by a team of divers Monday morning according to our news partner KETK. Recovery efforts started Sunday evening after a 911 call for a water rescue during sunset. Smith County Emergency Services District Two believes Swinney fell over the front of a pontoon boat and did not come back up.

The search was called off around 1:45 pm and resumed Monday morning giving divers time to regroup and re-interview witnesses. Rescue crews were in the water by 11 am and by 11:15 am had located and recovered Swinney body.

“We made multiple passes, and we pinged an area that we felt was pretty promising to be the victim,” Division Chief of Training and EMS Charles Clanton said. “And then once that was marked, we put divers in the water, and within 2 to 3 minutes of them entering the water, we had made a location.”

As family and loved ones waited by the marina for answers, the mood changed as every minute went by. Continue reading Divers find body of missing 19-year-old in Lake Tyler

SMITH COUNTY – A man was arrested by the Tyler Police Department last week after evading arrest and committing aggravated assault against a public servant, according to an arrest affidavit and our news partner KETK.

The incident started on April 23 when two officers from the Tyler Police Department began to pursue a 2016 Nissan Rogue driven by Ougist Williams. The driver was traveling down Jacksonville Highway when officers who believed the Nissan had been previously used in an aggravated assault case began to pursue the vehicle, according to an affidavit. During the pursuit the affidavit stated Williams struck a Tyler PD patrol truck with his car before his vehicle came to a stop. After stopping the Nissan, Williams fled from the scene and was later found in a creek where he was placed under arrest.

Following his arrest, Williams was charged with two counts of evading arrest and one count of committing aggravated assault against a public servant.

TYLER – Officials have recovered a body from Lake Tyler believed to be the 19-year-old missing man. Family has been notified, Smith County ESDS2 officials said, and the body has been taken to the funeral director. The man has ben identified as Eli Swinney, according to Smith County ESD2. Nikki Simmons, the Smith County Community Outreach Coordinator, confirmed that Swinney was found on Monday morning at around 11:15 a.m. Simmons also provided a reason why the search was paused early Monday morning. “We had to take into consideration getting some clear minds out there, and we had such a large grid and really weren’t getting close to anything,” Simmons said. “In addition, because it was such late hours, we really weren’t getting a clear picture of where we needed to look.”
Simmons also confirmed no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

QUITMAN – Our news partner KETK reports that a memorial tree was planted on Monday morning in honor of Wood County Deputy Sheriff Melissa Pollard, who died in an 18 wheeler crash while on duty earlier this month.

During a ceremony at the Wood County Justice Center, the ladies of the District Clerk’s Office dedicated a memorial tree that aims to honor Pollard’s sacrifice and cement her legacy.

The DCO hopes the tree stands as a living tribute to Pollard’s commitment, courage and selfless service to Wood County citizens. Pollard’s memory speaks integrity, dedication and service to others and the DCO extends its deepest sympathy to her family, friends and colleagues.

“Deputy Pollard was a true public servant whose bravery will never be forgotten,” District Clerk of Wood County Suzy Wright said. “This tree symbolizes life and strength — values that Deputy Pollard embodied every day. It is a humble but heartfelt tribute from the ladies of our office.”

JACKSONVILLE – A military veteran was provided with a free new roof by an East Texas roofing company in honor of his service.

Shelley Cleaver, who has lived in his home in Jacksonville since 1968, was looking for affordable ways to fix his damaged roof when he came in contact with Yosemite Roofing. After coming out of his home and inspecting the condition of Cleaver’s roof, the company agreed to provide him with a brand-new roof for no charge.

Josiah Rosebury, the owner of Yosemite Roofing, claimed that after inspecting Cleaver’s roof, he felt obligated to provide him with a new roof and spoke about the gratitude he felt after helping him. This was the first time that Rosebury has provided a client with a free roof, and said it is something his company will do more of in the future. Continue reading East Texas company gives veteran a free roof

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 24-year-old man that was reported missing on Sunday.

According to the sheriff’s office, Cameron Calvin Weaver, 24, was last seen near the intersection of U.S. Highway 259 and FM 2664 wearing a light colored shirt and shorts and is likely carrying a backpack. He is around five feet and 6 inches tall, weighs about 140 pounds and has a full beard.

Officials said Weaver could possibly be walking northbound, and if anyone has any information about his whereabouts to contact dispatch at 936-559-2607.

LUFKIN – The Lufkin Police Department said they’re currently investigating a shooting that left two people injured at a park in Lufkin on Friday.

According to our news partner, KETK, officers responded to a local hospital at around 11 p.m. on Friday night and spoke with two victims who had non-life-threatening injuries. The victims told the officers they ere meeting two other people at a local park to sell a cell phone when one of the people they met showed them a gun.

One victim was shot in the right hand and the other victim was shot in the stomach. The two men have been transferred to hospitals outside of Lufkin to be treated.

Lufkin PD said they are investigating the shooting and they don’t believe there is any threat to the public.