KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Oil Palace in Tyler is up for sale with a listing price of $6.9 million, according to our news partners at KETK. Listed on Staples Commercial Group, the East Texas venue is described as one of the region’s most iconic entertainment venues with 44 acres, seating for 7,000 to 9,000 and comes with all original operating equipment, including audio equipment, lighting and kitchen equipment. Continue reading The Oil Palace hits the market for $6.9M

TYLER – The SPCA of East Texas is asking the community to help them stay open after a recent downturn in donations. The nonprofit animal shelter told KETK News that they’ve received about $100,000 less in donations than they expected to this year, and that they might have to close down if they can’t make up for this financial shortfall.

“Unfortunately, when we’re talking about a shortfall like that, it’s the animals that really suffer because we have to look at cutting back on services,” SPCA of East Texas executive director Emily Heglund said. “Tomorrow’s Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2 and we’re asking for the community to step up and help us out with donations if they can.”

To donate, visit the SPCA of East Texas online. The SPCA is also taking physical donations of supplies like pet food and cat litter in person at 3245 W. Grande Blvd in Tyler.

TYLER – Judge Derrick Choice announced on Monday that he is running to be reelected as Smith County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace in 2026. Choice was first elected to the position in 2022 after the resignation of former judge Quincy Beavers Jr. Choice is running for reelection as a part of the 2026 Democratic Primary, ahead of the local elections in November.

“Serving the people of Smith County has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Over the past term, I have worked diligently to ensure that justice is served with fairness, integrity, and compassion. I remain committed to being a voice for the people upholding the law while also understanding the needs of the community I proudly call home,” Choice said on Monday. “With your continued support, I look forward to building on the progress we’ve made and continuing to serve with dedication, transparency, and respect for all.”

SABINE COUNTY– According to our news partner KETK, four more people were arrested by the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office over the weekend in connection with “Operation Crystal Ball.” The sheriff’s office first initiated the operation in March in order to combat meth activity in the county. Since its start, the operation has resulted in more than a dozen charges involving nearly 20 individuals, as well as the seizure of approximately 495 grams of methamphetamine.

As the operation is in its completion phase, members of the sheriff’s office are arresting individuals who were found dealing meth or in possession of large amounts of drugs. Those arrested over the weekend include: Lori Nicole Williams: charged with the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, Kade Harley: charged with the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, Cody Rhodes: charged with the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance and Justin Tood Short: charged with possession of a controlled substance.

All four people arrested over the weekend remain in custody.

NEW BOSTON – East Texas State Rep. Gary VanDeaver of New Boston said on Monday that he won’t be running for reelection in Texas House District 1 in 2026. This announcement comes less than two months after the Republican Party of Texas officially penalized him for making votes and taking actions against party platform policies.

Our news partner KETK News spoke with VanDeaver on Monday. He said he’s been working up to this announcement for the past couple of months and those penalties had nothing to do with it.

“This is a decision I’ve been working on trying to make for at least two months. Really a little longer than that. I just believe the time is right,” VanDeaver said. “I believe that these representative positions were never intended to make careers and never intended to be full time jobs. Our forefathers they set up a system where we serve temporarily and then we go home and we live under the laws we make and so at the end of this term, I will have served for 12 years, and I just believe that’s really long enough.”
Photo courtesy of Gary VanDeaver.

VanDeaver’s last term will end in Jan. 2027 and several candidates have already announced campaigns to replace him as State Representative for House District 1. Sean Huffman is running unopposed so far in the Democratic Primary, while Josh Bray and Chris Spencer have both announced their running in the Republican Primary. Continue reading State Rep. Gary VanDeaver not seeking reelection

SMITH COUNTY — The City of Troup is alerting residents of a prominent fundraiser they may receive in the mail, calling it a scam. The fundraisers are sent by an organization known as the United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association (USDSA), which presents itself as a non-profit dedicated to supporting local law enforcement and the community. In recent mailings, the group requests donations for their Troup Area 2025 Fund Drive, claiming that they provide police agencies in Troup with bulletproof vests, helmets and other lifesaving equipment.
Continue reading Scam alert from the City of Troup

Update: KTBB received an email from from Sergent Pedro Maya of the Tyler PD, informing us the accident has been cleared up.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is currently working a Major Traffic Accident at East Front Street and South Porter Avenue. At this time, all west bound traffic on East Front Street is being re-routed onto Old Henderson Highway, all east bound traffic is being re-routed onto South Palmer Avenue. East and West bound lanes on East Front Street are currently closed between Old Henderson Hwy and South Palmer Avenue. Officials said the scene remains active and officers are on-site directing vehicles. Drivers are urged to find alternative routes and use extra caution due to poor weather conditions.

TYLER — With the Christmas season here, so are the parades! But incoming weather has caused multiple parades to be postponed. Our news partners at KETK, have provided a list of Christmas parades in east Texas. Continue reading East Texas Christmas parades

TYLER — A tanker truck stalled on Troup Highway, causing temporary traffic delays on Monday morning. According to our news partner KETK, officials with Smith County ESD2, the truck stalled along Troup Highway near Toll 49, blocking traffic. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the tanker’s stoppage was not immediately released

TYLER — The Christmas season is here. And so are the Christmas parades. Our news partners at KETK, have a running list for you. You can see it here.

SMITH COUNTY— An 18-wheeler rolled over on Highway 110 North, south of Swan, Monday morning in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, crews were out clearing the scene as boxes from inside the 18-wheeler were also thrown alongside the road. Traffic delays have also happened.

ZAVALLA – The Huntington Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene of a house fire that was started by lightning on Saturday night. According to our news partner KETK, Huntington VFD were called out at around 11:37 p.m. on Saturday to assist Zavalla Volunteer Fire Department with a fire burning a home on Massey Road near FM 1270. The fire reportedly started when lightning struck the home’s roof, burned a hole in the side of the attic, allowing winds to spread the flames faster than the firefighters could stop it. After fighting the fire for 4 hours, the roof collapsed and most of the items inside the home were destroyed.

Angelina River Fire Rescue and the Colmesneil Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the scene on Saturday.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department said that a sinkhole caused part of East Grand Avenue to collapse on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, Marshall Police are asking drivers to avoid the area where the roadway collapsed in the 900 block of East Grand Avenue. Officials said that Marshall Public Works Crews are working with the Texas Department of Public Transportation to asses the damage to the road.

TYLER — A pedestrian was struck by a train in downtown Tyler Thursday. According to the Tyler Police Department and our news partner KETK,  the individual was hit on the tracks near Goodwill and the intersection of Bonner Avenue and Locust Street. The person has transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Authorities have not released details about what led to the crash or provided an update on the victim’s condition.

HENDERSON COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, recent federal funding cuts have put Henderson County’s plans to expand high-speed internet access into jeopardy. The county, Texas was originally slated to receive $3.3 billion from the federal government’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program but that amount was recently cut down to $1.3 billion.

“This reduction directly jeopardizes the county’s plan because Phase III relies on the federal BEAD money,” Henderson County said on Friday. “The county’s plan was designed to connect every resident to high-speed internet. Officials chose to split the work into three phases because the overall project is large and costly.”

County officials explained that the project’s second phase is currently in the process of connecting nearly 5,000 locations in rural Henderson County, thanks to $2.3 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and other state funds. Continue reading Henderson County internet expansion threatened by cuts

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — A Thursday afternoon fire in Van Zandt County resulted in the loss of one of the Whitton Volunteer Fire Department’s brush trucks. According to our news partner KETK, the fire reportedly broke out between FM 316 and FM 3080 in Mabank as multiple departments worked to protect a nearby structure. Whitton VFD confirmed that one of their brush trucks was destroyed in the response, the largest equipment loss the department has experienced.

Equipment losses can significantly affect how small volunteer departments operate. Whitton VFD is funded through county stipends, community fundraisers and donations, which help support daily operations and future emergency responses.For more information about the department or how to donate, you can visit the Whitton Volunteer Fire Department online or call them at 903-848-0260.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Curtis Wulf has announced his intention to run for re-election in 2026. According to our news partner KETK, Judge Wulf leads one of the county’s busiest justice courts, handling a caseload that includes traffic violations, civil matters, evictions and Class C criminal offenses. His duties also require him to remain available around the clock for inquests and support for law-enforcement agencies.

“With more than two decades of experience in the justice system—including my earlier service as a peace officer—I recognize the importance of a court that is both fair and firm,” Wulf said. “My goal has always been to apply the law impartially, treat everyone with respect and help keep our community safe.”

During his first term Wulf said his court built a strong reputation for professionalism and dependability, providing officers with timely judicial decisions, clear communication and consistent application of the law. He also said he’s become known for setting appropriate bond amounts, particularly in cases involving violence or threats to public safety.

TYLER – In honor of Rosa Parks, a seat on each Tyler Transit bus will be reserved in her memory on Monday, Dec. 1. This day marks the anniversary of a milestone in the Civil Rights movement. In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in the “colored” section of the bus for a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama. After refusing the bus driver’s order to move, she was arrested for civil disobedience. 

Rosa Parks’ action sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which lasted 381 days until the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation on public transit systems was unconstitutional. The boycott helped end segregation of public facilities in the United States, and Rosa Parks became known as the “mother of the freedom movement.”

To more get information from the City of Tyler website, click here.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – The principal of Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center in Sulphur Springs, Sherry Sinclair has passed away, according to Sulphur Springs ISD. The district said that Sinclair died on Thanksgiving morning. As principal, Sinclair led the district’s Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center, a campus which focuses on head start and pre-kindergarten classes.

Deana Steeber Ed.D. Sulphur Springs ISD Superintendent said in a press release, “It is with a heavy heart that I share that Mrs. Sherry Sinclair, Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center Principal, passed away this morning. She never missed an opportunity to share the incredible work being done at Douglass. She was so proud of her staff and students. Mrs. Sinclair dearly loved her Douglass ECLC family, and she loved being a Wildcat. She demonstrated everything it means to be a Wildcat. Today, we are so very thankful for Mrs. Sinclair and the many lives she touched.”

Steeber asked the community to pray for Sinclair’s family and the students and staff of Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center.

TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that one pedestrian has been hospitalized after being struck by a train in downtown Tyler Thursday. The individual was hit on the tracks near Goodwill and transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. No further information was provided by authorities.

TYLER — AAA has projected an unprecedented number of travelers this weekend. According to KETK up to 5.8 million drivers in Texas and 81.8 million drivers nationwide from Wednesday to Monday. Consequently, it’s essential to be prepared for any potential road mishaps. AAA advises travelers to hit the road early, ideally before 11 A.M., or any time after 8 p.m. to avoid commuter traffic.

Daniel Armbruster from AAA emphasizes, “Tired driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. It’s crucial to take naps and rest during holiday travel.” He recommends setting a designated rest stop every 100 miles to maintain alertness while driving. As you prepare for your travels, reports indicate that Smith County is averaging $2.53 per gallon for fuel, which is 10 cents lower than the current state average. To find the lowest gas prices before heading out on your trip, visit KETK’s East Texas Gas Prices.

TYLER — The Salvation Army of Tyler will serve a Thanksgiving meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, anyone is welcome to show up and receive a home cooked meal at the Salvation Army building on North Broadway. The drive-thru opens at 10:15 a.m. for first responders and 11:30 a.m. for the general public.

“It shows a community that is bound together through trials and adversity, lifting each other up,” said Robert Coriston, Commanding Officer of the Salvation Army of Tyler. “To me, this is the whole spirit of Thanksgiving.”

The organization has prepared about 70 turkeys and expects to serve between 600 and 1,000 meals.

TYLER — East Texas officials said new diplomatic pressure may finally accelerate the release of Hallsville native Caden Hawkins, who has spent nine months in a Juarez prison after accidentally crossing into Mexico with a firearm. According to our news partner KETK, for nine months, the family of 22-year-old Hallsville native Caden Hawkins has pleaded for help after he was allegedly jailed in Mexico for accidentally crossing the border with a firearm. Hawkins was returning from work in Arizona last March when GPS detours routed him toward a border checkpoint. According to his family, Mexican guards instructed him to pass through and then turn back toward the United States. When officers inspected his truck, Hawkins voluntarily disclosed that he had a pistol inside, leading to his immediate arrest.
Continue reading U.S. Ambassador intervenes in Caden Hawkins case

TYLER — Houston’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, one of the oldest in the country, will celebrate its 76th year with a special performance by the Tyler Junior College Apache Belles.The Apache Belles, known for their high-energy routines, have been practicing a high-kick performance all season, which they will showcase as they march through downtown Houston. The Apache Belles will march along a parade route that spans more than 20 city blocks, culminating in a performance area in front of the grandstands.

TYLER — With Thanksgiving, here’s a look at the stores and restaurants that will be open for last-minute shoppers, travelers and anyone planning to dine out. Our news partner KETK has shared a list with us.

Stores Open on Thanksgiving
Brookshire’s: Open until 2 p.m.
Super 1 Foods: Open until 2 p.m.
Sprouts Farmers Market: Open until 2 p.m.
Fresh: Open until 2 p.m.
CVS: Hours vary by location; some stores open with pharmacies closing at 2 p.m.
Walgreens: 24-hour stores will remain open.
Kroger: Open until 5 p.m.; pharmacies closed.
Dollar General: Open until 10 p.m.
Dollar Tree: Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Continue reading Restaurants and grocery stores open Thanksgiving

TYLER — On Tuesday morning, just one week after Smith County Precinct 4 decided to join the 287(g) Task Force Program — which permits local agents to enforce immigration protocols — concerns from employees and business owners are surfacing. According to our news partner KETK, a meeting, hosted by the Tyler Area Builders Association, brought together restaurant owners, hospitality and construction workers, along with other industry leaders. Among the attendees was Bob Westbrook, a member of the Texas Restaurant Association, who expressed his worries about how employee absenteeism could impact the economy.

Westbrook stated, “It’s important that our employees feel safe going to the grocery store, that they feel safe going to school, that they feel safe coming to work because we desperately need them. If not, businesses lose essential workers; service slows, projects stall, and the economic ripple affects every resident.”

This issue is hitting the construction industry and housing market particularly hard. Kerry Hamblett from the Tyler Area Builders Association noted that the already minimally staffed construction sector could face even greater shortages. Continue reading New immigration program sparks concerns