KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY — A student who made a threatening post on social media has been arrested, according to Whitehouse ISD, and our news partner KETK. The district said they were notified by law enforcement on Tuesday that the student who made the threat is in police custody and will face legal consequences. Due to the threat, the district said that students may see an increase in officers on and around campus over the next week as a precaution.

Parents and students who hear of any further threats have been advised to report them directly to school staff or local law enforcement.

“WISD and our law enforcement partners take every report seriously, and the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority,” Whitehouse ISD said.

SMITH COUNTY – A 33-year-old man was arrested on Monday after reportedly being caught stealing from a Smith County golf course. According to our news partner KETK, Cody Kovarik was apprehended at a Lindale RV park for the Friday morning burglary at Garden Valley Golf Course. Smith County Sheriff’s Office said video surveillance from Friday captured Kovarik stealing several items from an outbuilding at the golf course.

Kovarik has a history of committing thefts in Smith County. He was listed by authorities as a suspect in an unrelated case from August. Kovarik been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and burglary of a building. He is in the Smith County Jail. His bond has been set at $125,000.

TYLER – Smith County Commissioners considered deducting the time Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips spent in jail from her salary on Tuesday. According to our news partner KETK, Phillips makes nearly $96,000 a year. Commissioners took no action on Tuesday, so Phillips pay will not be deducted. Instead they took a vote asking the Texas State Legislature for clarification.

In a public comment at the commissioner’s court on Tuesday, Phillips asked “why would you start a new precedent with my case?”

Phillips, was found guilty last year for interfering with public duties after a 2023 traffic stop involving her son. Continue reading Smith County Commissioners ask for clarity in County Clerk salary

MARSHALL – The Texas Rangers are currently investigating the case of a woman who died on Sunday while in the custody of the Harrison County Jail.

According to our news partner KETK and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, 35-year-old Alicia Stuebenbrach died after being transported to a hospital in Marshall. The cause of her death is currently unknown after she was pronounced dead at 4:21 p.m. on Sunday.

The Texas Rangers are investigating Stuebenbrach’s death in accordance with state law, which requires that an outside agency must investigate an in-custody death. The investigation remains ongoing at this time.

A press conference regarding the case will be held at the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office starting at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is asking East Texans for their input on local trolley service and high-speed rail along the Interstate 20 corridor.

The Tyler Rail and Regional Transit Study is entering it’s final stages and so the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is asking local residents to respond to a survey that will help them decide how rail service could be deployed in the area. Consultants are currently examining a limited trolley service on existing rail lines in the short-term future and they’re also looking at possible connections to high-speed rail service proposed for along Interstate 20.

“There is a proposed high speed rail line that would connect Dallas-Fort Worth with Atlanta Georgia,” Tyler MPO director Michael Howell said. “If this high speed rail line were to go in that would potentially give somebody the ability to get on a train in Tyler and go all the way to Dallas.” Continue reading Tyler officials seeking input on I-20 high-speed rail

HAWKINS – The City of Hawkins was unable to approve an annual budget on Monday night, as they met in a packed room filled with anxious residents.

The meeting followed the release of all Hawkins Police Department officers earlier this year and served as a way to review two proposed 2025-2026 annual budgets which reduce funding for the police and fire departments. According to our news partner KETK, Hawkins residents said in the meeting they don’t want to be left without local law enforcement and asked council members to postpone the vote and hold a community budget workshop.

“They have a police department that’s nonexistent that was budgeted for $89,000 and it’s nonexistent,” Hawkins fire chief Ty Musick said. “There’s there’s really no need to cut our budget at such a drastic mark.” Continue reading Hawkins City Council fails to pass annual budget

TYLER – The Smith County Commissioner’s Court is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, according to our news partner KETK, to consider whether they should deduct County Clerk Karen Phillips’ salary during her recent jail sentence. Karen Phillips, 67 of Smith County, was found guilty of interfering with public duties on May 9, 2024 but later relinquished her sentence of a year’s probation and was sentenced to 30 days in Smith County Jail.

Phillips was booked into the Smith County Jail on Aug. 29 and was later released after nine days in jail on Sept. 6, according to Smith County Jail records. She was originally arrested for interfering with public duties after a March 2023 traffic stop which also led to the arrest of her son.

Smith County commissioners will vote on Tuesday on whether or not Phillips will be paid for those days she was in jail. Phillips responded to the commissioners’ potential vote by filling a public information request with the county. Continue reading Smith County considering deducting pay for County Clerk

TYLER – A portion of U.S. Highway 69 in Smith County will be renamed Veterans Memorial Highway to honor and serve as a lasting tribute to those who served in the United States Armed Forces, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

A press conference will be held on Sept. 19 by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Veterans Committee to formally announce the designation of the Veterans Memorial Highway. The press conference will be held at First Christian Church starting at 12 p.m. Veterans and their families are encouraged to attend the press conference and participate in the dedicated photo opportunity following the event.

“This highway designation is a lasting tribute to the courage and sacrifice of our Veterans,” co-chair of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Veterans Committee Jackie Clay-Robertson said. “We are honored to see this vision become reality with the help of our local and state leaders.”

TYLER – Stewart Funeral Home in Tyler has a way for you to pay your respects to Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist who was shot to death Wednesday, Sept 10. Stewart will have a register for you to sign, from 8 a.m. To 5 p.m. daily, until Friday, Sept 26. A spokesperson for Stewart Funeral Home told KTBB, that letters to the Charlie Kirk family can be dropped off as well. The register and the letters will be sent to Kirk’s Turning Point USA organization. The memorial service for Charlie Kirk will be Sunday, Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

UPSHUR COUNTY — The Texas Rangers have been called in to investigate an East Texas water supply company after more than $100,000 is suspected to have been embezzled, according to a report from our news partner KETK. The Upshur County District Attorney’s Office said this is not the first time they’ve heard of these complaints.

Union Grove Water Supply Corporation is reportedly missing more than $100,000, which the board believes may have been embezzled by an office employee. In 2013, they prosecuted and recovered more than $40,000 in restitution back to the water department. In 2023, $8,000 was stolen from a different employee and the person was prosecuted and the money was given back to the department. Continue reading East Texas water company investigated for embezzlement

AUSTIN — The Texas Education Agency (TEA) said it’s investigating educators’ social media posts related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk that it considers “inappropriate,” according to our news partner KETK.

“These educators’ comments do not reflect the vast majority of Texas teachers who are dedicated practitioners that work diligently to serve the more than 5.5 million impressionable young minds in our classrooms,” Morath said in the letter.

Winnsboro ISD is investigating comments made about Charlie Kirk’s assassination after parents alleged that students heard an assistant band director say that Kirk “had it coming.” Continue reading TEA investigating “inappropriate” content about Kirk

BULLARD — East Texans honored local veterans and Medal of Honor recipients on Saturday with a military vehicle show and parade. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Veteran’s Military Show started at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday when over 40 military vehicles, including helicopters, arrived at Steward Funeral Home. Then the vehicles were loaded up with veterans for a parade into Bullard, where a ceremony was held before lunch.

The days events included a World War II airplane flyover, a mock-shooting range, a military swap meet, drawings for prizes, a car and motorcycle show and plenty of opportunities to learn about military history. Continue reading Bullard honors veterans with military vehicle parade

TYLER — Starting Tuesday, Sept. 16, College Avenue will be closed between Ferguson Street and Erwin Street. According to a news release from the City of Tyler, traffic can still travel east and west on Ferguson Street and Erwin Street. Fencing along Erwin Street will be shifted to reopen the parking spaces. The Fair Plaza and Smith County Parking Garages are also available for free parking.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is currently investigating a fatal shooting at an apartment complex on Bostic Drive around 10:30 Friday night. According to our news partner KETK, responding officers found two male victims who had been shot. Jonathan Lee, of Lakeport, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other victim was taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

A suspect in the shooting left the apartment complex before officers arrived. Officials are investigating the shooting, which is thought to have been an isolated incident that started as a disturbance.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Longview PD at 903-237-1199.

UPDATE: The Longview Police Department said  Vanessa Daisy Neal has been found after she was reported missing this week.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is searching for a 63-year-old woman reported missing. According to our news partner KETK, Vanessa Daisy Neal, 63 of Longview, is around 6 feet tall, weighs around 215 pounds, has braided hair and brown eyes. Neal was was wearing grey sweatpants and a dark blue shirt with purple writing. Anyone with information about Neal’s location is asked to call Longview PD at 903-237-1199.

AUSTIN — In the wake of the assassination of conservative political speaker Charlie Kirk on Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced new committees that will study freedom of speech on college campuses. According to our news partner KETK, the new Texas House and Senate Select Committees on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education were announced by Patrick and Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows on Friday. The committees are tasked with studying and issuing reports on “bias, discourse, and freedom of speech across Texas college campuses.”

Patrick said those who’ve celebrated Kirk’s death at a college speaking event cannot be tolerated on college campuses. Continue reading Sen. Hughes named to freedom of speech committee following Kirk assassination

BIG SANDY – A $250,000 lottery ticket was sold at a gas station in Upshur County last week, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

The winning ticket was bought on Sept. 5 at the Bestmart #10 gas station, which is north of Big Sandy on FM 1002. The ticket was an All or Nothing Texas Lottery ticket, which gives out a $250,000 prize to whoever can guess all twelve lottery numbers or none of the 12 numbers.

East Texas’s winner guessed none of the numbers drawn in the evening of Sept. 5, which earned them the $250,00 prize. The winning numbers for that drawing were: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, 18, 21 and 23. Continue reading $250,000 Texas lottery ticket sold in Big Sandy

TYLER- The City of Tyler announced Friday, the Water Business Office payment system, will be unavailable from Friday 6 p.m. to early Monday morning. This is because of required maintenance. City officials apologize for this inconvenience. To accommodate customers, the city will extend the due date for late payment deadlines to Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m. During this period, the phone payment system, online payments and drive-thru kiosk will not be available.

This maintenance may also affect cash payments made at local retailers, including Walmart, Dollar General, Walgreens, CVS, and Office Depot. The Water Business Office is located at 511 W. Locust St. and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

TYLER – Forensic DNA led to the arrest of a Tyler man on Monday for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old in July, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

On July 1, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a 10-year-old girl who had been sexually assaulted by Felix Ponce at a home in Tyler. Once deputies met with the victim and mother, the child was soon transported to a local hospital for examination. At the hospital, deputies spoke with the mother of the victim, who explained that while at work, she looked at surveillance footage from inside the residence, but could not locate Ponce or the victim. Another child at the house said the victim was “locked in the bedroom” with Ponce. Arrest documents revealed that the victim said that while in the room, Ponce had sexually assaulted her. Continue reading Tyler man accused of sexually assaulting child

ATHENS – An Athens man was arrested on Monday after he allegedly snorted cocaine and stuck his fingers in a two-year-old’s throat, attempting to get the child to test positive for drugs, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

A Henderson County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit tells that on Aug. 5 at a home on Arrowhead Drive, a woman reported to the Athens Police Department that she was sleeping when 26-year-old Kyle Javier Wing broke into the room, stuck his fingers up his nose, and then he “forcefully jammed” them down the throat of the toddler. Around 10:40 a.m. on Aug. 15, the witness explained to investigators that Wing had snorted cocaine and wanted the two-year-old to test positive for drugs because “he was going to call child protective services (CPS) and report her.” Continue reading Athens man arrested for reportedly trying to drug toddler

TYLER — Multiple U.S. Military veterans were greeted at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport on Thursday ahead of a big weekend where they will receive the Medal of Honor. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Veterans’ Military Show (TVMS) has made its way to Tyler once again and a new class of veterans are getting ready to receive the Medal of Honor. The veterans were greeted by Tyler Junior College Apache Belles, Rose City Young Marines and the Patriot Guard.

The TVMS’ is coordinated by Mike Balfay as a way to honor those that served our country. Once the veterans arrive at the airport, they are transported to a local hotel for the weekend which includes a hero dinner and a parade.

One Medal of Honor recipient, James Taylor, served 24 years in the U.S. Army and is being recognized for his actions while in Vietnam. Continue reading Medal of Honor recipients arrive at Tyler airport ahead of ceremony

GILMER — The Gilmer Police Department is warning residents about an increase in thieves targeting Kia vehicles. According to our news partner KETK, Gilmer police, along with surrounding agencies, have recently responded to multiple reports of vehicle thefts and break-ins specifically targeting Kia models.

“In the past week, Kia vehicles have been stolen or burglarized in several areas,” the Gilmer Police Department said.”These crimes remain under investigation, and we are working closely with other agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible.”

The department has provided tips to Kia owners to keep their vehicles protected. Some tips include: Continue reading Police warn of surge in Kia vehicle thefts, break-ins

TYLER – Governor Greg Abbott’s recently signed executive order GA 56 does not change their zero-tolerance policy regarding illegal substances. According to our news partner KETK, the new order makes it a crime in Texas to market or sell hemp-derived products to minors, restricts the placement of stores and gives police the ability to cancel a store’s license to sell if the rules are not followed.

“I don’t think it’s going to have a huge impact on law enforcement, especially local and county law enforcement, but, you know, it kind of remains to be seen.” Smith County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Larry Christian said.

Currently, the new executive order will have law enforcement follow similar procedures and guidelines for other banned products. Continue reading Law enforcement/stores prepare for new THC rules

WINNSBORO – Winnsboro ISD is investigating after parents reported that their students heard the assistant band director say that conservative activist, Charlie Kirk, who was killed Wednesday, “had it coming.”

According to our news partner KETK, the district said that allegations have been made regarding statements about Kirk by the high school assistant band director, Chace LeBlanc. Kirk was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.

Brother of Winnsboro ISD student, Kenny Crow, explained his outrage over these statements: “I am disgusted by his actions as a former student.” Continue reading Winnsboro ISD investigating band director comments on Kirk’s death

SMITH COUNTY – The man who allegedly vandalized the statue of Jesus at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Flint was arrested Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Sheriff’s Officers and the county SWAT team apprehended 36-year-old Jordan Grey Clark at his home in Flint. On Sunday September 7, Clark is accused of damaging the face and both hands of the marble statue of Jesus located in front of the church. The statue faces Old Jacksonville Highway. Clark was taken to the Smith County Jail and has been charged with criminal mischief at a place of worship, and his bond has been set at $400,000.

LONGVIEW – A 23-year-old was sentenced to 40 years in prison for murder after a man was found dead inside a burning Longview home in 2023, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

At around 1:15 a.m. on June 7, 2023, the Longview Fire Department responded to a structure fire at the 100 block of East Avalon Avenue. After firefighters extinguished the fire, they found 66-year-old Ronnie Moody of Longview dead inside.

Donald Raymond Miller Jr. of Longview pleaded guilty to the incident on Thursday and was sentenced to 40 years for murder and 20 years for arson, to be served consecutively.