KTBB News, Weather, Talk

PALESTINE — Our news partner KETK is reporting that four people have been arrested in connection to an armed robbery that occurred on Monday in Palestine. Officers were dispatched to the Scorpion Smoke Shop at 4222 W. Oak at around 9 p.m. in reference to a robbery. A man and woman entered the store and the man reportedly displayed a handgun demanding money from the employee. Officials said the woman then sprayed mace/pepper spray into the business as they fled in a red Nissan SUV.

Following an investigation, authorities identified the man as Charles Blake DeFore, of Elkhart,and obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 400 block of Highway 287. Officials then located the red SUV located outside of the residence.

Officers made contact with Tammy DeFore, who confirmed that Charles was inside. Tammy refused to exit the residence and did not say anything else to officials. Officials also confirmed that a second person of interest in the robbery, Abril Espinosa, was inside the residence. Continue reading Four arrested in Palestine armed robbery

CENTER – Center police arrested a man and woman on Tuesday in connection to the death of the woman’s boyfriend, 36-year-old Cordero Wyatt, after police found his body in a field. According to our news partner KETK, the Center Police Department received a call regarding a welfare check on Wyatt. The caller stated that her son had been at his girlfriend’s home in Center and was no longer answering his phone or had returned back home. Officers then contacted the girlfriend, 40-year-old Alicia Petite.

“Petite informed officers that Wyatt had been at her residence earlier and friends had picked him up, but he was no longer at her house. Officers responded to Petites’ residence, and she allowed them to look in the home for Wyatt,” Center PD said.

According to officials, some of Wyatt’s belongings were located in the home including his cell phone. Responding officers contacted the Criminal Investigation Division, and detectives began investigating a possible missing person. Continue reading Four arrested after police find boyfriend’s body in field

RUSK — The Rusk Police Department is offering a reward for information leading to the identification of a person accused of robbing a pharmacy on Dec. 11. According to our news partner KETK, a person broke into Chapman Pharmacy’s drive-thru that Wednesday morning around 4 a.m. to reportedly steal narcotics. Officials said the store video shows a person appearingto used a black handled ax with white cloth wrapped around the handle and red tape.

Rusk Police ask if you know of anyone in connection to this incident, to call them at 903-683-2677. They said any information provided will be kept confidential.

LONGVIEW – A pedestrian was killed in a Thursday morning crash while attempting to cross the road, according to our news partners at KETK. Longview police officers responded to the 2000 block of North Eastman Road for a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. According to officials, the pickup truck was traveling southbound and hit the woman while she was attempting to cross Eastman Road. Longview PD said the woman reportedly failed to yield the right of way to the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Longview Police Department said the investigation is ongoing with no further information being released at this time.

TYLER – Recycle your real, unflocked and undecorated Christmas tree with Keep Tyler Beautiful and Tyler Solid Waste from Thursday, Dec. 26 through Wednesday, Jan. 15. Natural Christmas trees can be dropped off in designated areas at Golden Road Park, 2300 McDonald Rd, and Fun Forest Park, 2000 N. Forest Ave. There will be “Christmas Tree Recycling” signs at each location.

This eco-friendly initiative provides an opportunity to recycle live trees and support local wildlife. Local fishermen are encouraged to repurpose the trees and use them to create new fish habitats in nearby lakes and ponds, contributing to the preservation of local aquatic life. Keep Tyler Beautiful is also collecting unwanted or broken string lights regardless of the condition. The copper wire will be recycled, and the proceeds will go toward the conservation organization Lion Guardians. The collected lights can be dropped off at the Christmas Tree Recycling locations or the upper parking lot at Caldwell Zoo, 2203 Martin Luther King Blvd.

For more information, visit KeepTylerBeautiful.com or contact Casey Williams, Keep Tyler Beautiful Coordinator, at (903) 531-1335 or KTYB@TylerTexas.com.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, a home on Van Zandt County Road 1203 near Wentworth was burned in a Christmas morning fire, according to officials. Grand Saline Fire Department public information officer Caden Mosher said that several 911 calls came into the South Van Zandt Volunteer Fire Department at around 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday.

Mosher said that Canton Fire Department was automatically sent out to the scene and that Grand Saline Fire Department was called in at around 9:20 a.m. for mutual aid.

According to Mosher, no one was at home or injured during the fire. Mosher added that the Van Zandt County Fire Marshall’s Office is investigating the fire’s cause.

TROUP – The East Texas Agriculture Foundation presented Cooper Reid of Troup a check for $75,000 this week to assist in his recovery from a head injury. According to our news partner KETK, the foundation raised the money through their “Birdies for Coop” golfing event in November.

Cooper suffered his head injury while playing in the Troup homecoming football game in 2022. The nonprofit raised the money through their “Birdies for Coop” golf outing in November. This event was to support Cooper who experienced a life-altering injury while playing in the Troup homecoming football game in 2022.

“Throughout the last few weeks it has been extremely hard to come up with the words to express our sincere thoughts to any and everyone that had a hand in this. This event was a heartfelt gathering that showcased the power of community and generosity,” The East Texas Agriculture Foundation said.

“Birdies for Coop”, featured live music, auctions, food trucks, a cornhole tournament and a 4-man golf scramble.

LONGVIEW – Just in time for the Christmas break, Longview ISD had a very special gift for their teachers. Cash! According to our news partner KETK, LISD Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard handed out $3.5 million in LISD incentive bonuses for Teachers (LIFT) to all 13 campuses. The district said in press a release, the bonuses are based on several performance criteria by the Texas Education Agency’s accountability standard and campus-specific performance distinctions.

“The eligible campuses received bonuses on the number of distinctions in various academic areas, with additional recognition for campuses contributing to the district’s overall postsecondary readiness rating, awarded by TEA,” Longview ISD said.

PALESTINE – The Palestine Police Department is seeking information in a robbery that occurred at a smoke shop last night. According to our news partner KETK, Palestine PD officers responded to an aggravated robbery around 9 p.m. that occurred at the Scorpion Smoke Shop in Palestine. A light complected female suspect allegedly stood watch at the door and then Palestine PD said they sprayed pepper spray or mace into the business as they fled with an undisclosed amount of money. The male who reportedly presented a handgun and demanded the money appeared to have a tattoo on his left wrist, officials said.

The suspects reportedly fled in a maroon Nissan Armanda or Pathfinder, believed to be older than a 2016 model, according to Palestine PD. Continue reading Palestine police search for suspects in armed robbery

TYLER – Although his season is over because of a knee injury, Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown was back in East Texas doing something special for the holidays. According to our news partner KETK, the Arp ISD graduate, gave out bicycles and accessories to children in need Monday afternoon.

“I want to inspire, whether that’s on or off the field and give back, whether that’s on or off the field and coming home, especially doing it at home, it feels even more and more special,” said Overshown. “Then around this year, just giving back whatever I can to help a family or to make a child smile, that’s what I’m all about.”

Arp ISD said in the release that Overshown gave away 20 new bikes. Each had a new helmet, tennis shoes and water bottle, for 10 boys and 10 girls in need.
Continue reading Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown gives back to ET kids

LONGVIEW – Longview ISD is grieving the loss of a student who was a junior at Longview High School. According to our news partner KETK, district official said that 17-year-old, Ulises Coreas died on Sunday following a sudden illness.

“Our hearts are broken for Ulises’s family, friends, and all who knew and loved him,” said Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard. “We hold them close in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Longview ISD said that when students and staff return from Christmas break, counseling and support services will be available. The viewing will be on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Wilson Royalty Funeral Services. The service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at Rosewood Memorial Park.

TYLER – As Christmas day approaches our news partner KETK has compiled a list of local restaurants, stores and entertainment open on Christmas 2024. Please visit the KETK website for the regularly updated list.