KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LUFKIN – According to our news partner KETK a man was hospitalized Sunday night after officials said he was struck by a stay bullet from “what appears to be celebratory gunfire” at midnight. According to authorities, Lufkin PD is investigating the incident that happened in the 2200 block of North Raguet Street, and the man was taken to an out-of-town hospital where he remained, as of 11:45 a.m. on Monday. The investigation is ongoing, and officials said the man’s name is not being released at this time.

PALESTINE – Our news partner KETK is reporting that two people were arrested earlier this month after a minor was shot in Palestine. According to Palestine PD, officers responded a call of “shots fired” on Nov. 11 in the area of Tennessee Avenue and W. Carolina Street, and found a young male who had been shot. He was taken to a hospital for treatment, and officials said the minor is expected to recover. According to authorities, search warrants were issued and items seized by detectives at a residence on Tennessee Avenue include: Two firearms, drugs, drug paraphernalia and about $3,400 in cash. Officials said the items were indicative of narcotics trafficking, and after a continued investigation, two people were arrested. Continue reading 2 arrested in Palestine shooting investigation

PANOLA COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK a man was arrested in Panola County for alleged possession of marijuana in his vehicle. According to a release, a sergeant made a “traffic contact” on Highway 149 south of Beckville after observing a moving violation on Saturday at around 1 a.m. The sergeant reportedly noticed criminal activity and requested a K9 unit. Once the K9 unit arrived, a search of the vehicle reportedly revealed multiple large packages containing approximately 32 pounds of marijuana. Officials said the driver was arrested without incident and taken to the detention center. The driver was charged with possession of marijuana between 5-50 pounds, a third degree felony.

LUFKIN – In a report from our news partner KETK, the Lufkin Police Department has disclosed the identities of those involved in a shooting incident on Wednesday evening. A woman died after pointing a gun at an officer. The department received a call about two men causing a disturbance at the Great Oaks Apartments around 6 p.m. The caller mentioned that they were kicking at an apartment door but had disappeared by the time the officers arrived. Continue reading Names in Lufkin officer-involved shooting revealed

PALESTINE – Authorites in Palestine made an arrest Tuesday for the sexual assault of a minor. According to our news partner KETK, 50-year-old Joseph Lee Zeleny of Palestine is charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child. Palestine PD received the complaint of the sexual abuse that allegedly occurred over several years. In a search of Zeleny’s home on N. Mallard Street, investigators discovered “several evidentiary items” and they expect more charges to be filed. Zeleny was given a $600,000 bond when he was arrested.

HOPKINS COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report that two men have been arrested for delivery of fentanyl and charged with the murder of a man. According to a release from Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, on Dec. 26 Braden Wooten, 21, was reportedly found dead in his residence. During the initial response, pills were allegedly found and believed to contain fentanyl. An investigation conducted by deputies began to determine who had provided Wooten the contraband. Two suspects, Xavier Hill and Bryson Lacey, have been arrested for delivery of the substance and have been charged in the death of Wooten. Their bonds have been set at $1 million.

NACOGDOCHES — Our news partners at KETK report that a man has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murder in an August 1, 2021 shooting. According to the Nacogdoches County District Attorney’s Office, Elmer Williamson Jr. was found guilty of the murder of Javinsky “Mucci” Lampkin and three aggravated assaults for causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon to Ladarvis Nelson, Adam Shepherd and Dontavian Sterns. After the five-day trial, the jury assessed Williamson’s punishment and gave him a term of 20 years confinement for each of the three counts of aggravated assault, in addition to the life sentence for murder. He was also fined $10,000 for each of the four counts. These sentences are reportedly the maximum punishment that Williamson could receive.
Continue reading Lufkin man given maximum sentence for fatal shooting

TYLER – Our news colleagues at KETK report that the City of Tyler announced that the solid waste department alongside Keep Tyler Beautiful (KTyB) will provide two Christmas tree drop of locations for community members. According to a release, residents will be able to drop off their non-flocked, undecorated, natural Christmas trees to be recycled, starting the day after Christmas until Jan. 14. The City of Tyler said the drop off locations will be at Golden Road Park at the intersection of McDonald and Golden Road and Fun Forest Park in the 900 block of North Glenwood Boulevard. Continue reading Caldwell Zoo partners with Keep Tyler Beautiful

SMITH COUNTY – A woman in the Smith County Jail is dead after reportedly losing consciousness on Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. According to a release, a medical emergency was called to the Smith County Jail. Susan Taylor, 58, an inmate, reportedly lost consciousness in the day room and was non-responsive. Authorities said Smith County medical personnel responded and immediately began lifesaving measures, and UT Health EMS arrived shortly after and took Taylor to the ER. Taylor died at the hospital. Precinct One Justice of the Peace Derrick Choice arrived at the hospital and ordered an autopsy. Taylor was then transported to Forensic Medical in Tyler. Texas Rangers will investigate Taylor’s death per Smith County Sheriff’s Office’s protocol.

SMITH COUNTY — An 11-year-old boy is dead after crashing into a tree early Wednesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, a DPS preliminary report says the boy was six miles west of Tyler on CR 220 when he lost control of his vehicle and hit a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Officials also say an investigation is ongoing.

TYLER – One person has died after a crash Tuesday afternoon on Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler Police said an occupant in that vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident at Old Jacksonville Highway and Fairmont Drive. Tyler PD is continuing to investigate the cause of the accident.

HENDERSON – Our news partners at KETK report that a pedestrian is dead after being struck on US 79 in Henderson on Friday. According to Henderson PD, officers responded to the scene in the 400 block of U.S. Highway 79 South around 7:45 p.m. where they found the man and began life saving measures until police arrived. “The pedestrian was then transported to a nearby hospital, where the pedestrian succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased,” officials said. Officials said the driver of the car remained on the scene and cooperated with authorities. The crash is still under investigation, and police said they will continue to evaluate any potential leads

LONGVIEW – Advance registration for Longview Transit’s “Safe Ride Home” service will open soon. According to our news partner KETK, starting on Wednesday anyone within Longview’s city limits can pre-register to get a free ride home on New Year’s Eve between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. the following morning. Rides can be scheduled by calling Longview Transit at 903-753-2287 ext. 10 and riders are encouraged to schedule trips in advance. The curb-to-curb service is available to any destination within Longview’s city limits. The service is open to people who have had a few drinks and to those that simply don’t want to drive that evening. “Longview Transit has been providing Safe Ride Home transportation on New Year’s Eve for several years now, and it continues to be a great service for the community,” said Longview Transit Director of Operations Tequita Dudley. The service is made possible through financial help from R&K Distributors.

TYLER – A local educator and pastor announced his bid for a seat on the Tyler City Council. Dexter Floyd, Principal of Tyler ISD’s RISE Academy and pastor for Designed for Worship Church of God in Christ, is running for Tyler City Council District 2. Election Day is May 4. Floyd said his campaign will focus on the key issues of his district, which include fostering affordable housing, bridging healthcare gaps, facilitating more community policing strategies and revitalizing neighborhoods. District 2 covers West Tyler and has been represented by Broderick McGee since 2018. Floyd’s campaign will start with a series of listening tours and community events for residents in his district. “I want to hear from you, understand your concerns, and work together to find solutions that will benefit our community,” Floyd said.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – One person is dead after a small plane crashed in a Van Zandt County neighborhood on Tuesday night. According to our news partner KETK and Sgt. Adam Albritton with the Texas Department of Public Safety, a small plane crashed into the side of a house off CR 3119 around 6 p.m. near the Tailwind Airpark. The home is on Private Road 7005 and was unoccupied at the time of the crash. Sgt. Albritton identified the pilot who died at 60-year-old Roger D. Turner of Edgewood. Federal Investigators are at the crash to find the cause of it.

NACOGDOCHES – With the retirement Chief Sandra Murray, Nacogdoches ISD named their new police chief last week. According to our news partner KETK, the district has named Joel Barton Jr. as its police chief. Barton is a former officer with the Nacogdoches Police Department with nearly 20 years experience in law enforcement.
Continue reading New police chief for Nacogdoches ISD

WASHINGTON – A Carthage man last week waived his right to a jury trial and instead will have a bench trial for this participation in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. According to our news partner KETK, 36-year-old Alex Harkrider is facing multiple federal charges including civil disorder. He was arrested in January 2021, when he posted photos and videos to social media bragging about being at the Jan. 6 riots in Washington, D.C. A bench trial means a judge decides the outcome of his case instead of a jury. The bench trial for Alex Harkrider is set to begin Jan. 2 in Washington.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Mary Parker, 69 of Nacogdoches, after she went missing around 9:30 a.m. on Monday. According to our news partner KETK Parker suffers from memory issues and may not know where she is or why she’s travelling. Officials said she left her home in the 500 block of County Road 534 on Monday morning. Parker is around 5 feet, 6 inches tall with green eyes and was last seen wearing a pullover sweatshirt and pajama pants. She is reportedly driving a dark grey 2016 Jeep Wrangler Sahara with the license plate number JyY-4397. The Jeep was seen going south on U.S Highway 59 south around 10 a.m. and was last seen near Interstate 45 and FM 646 north near Dickinson around 3 p.m. Anyone with information about where Parker is is asked to call Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office at 936-559-2607.

TYLER – After all the holiday fun, getting rid of the empty packages of your new gifts can be a chore but Tyler Police Department said that boxes out on the curb can make you a target for a potential break in. “That tells anybody who wants to come and take advantage of people not being home for Christmas or leaving after Christmas or anything like that or just being gone during the day that they can go in there and they know what’s in your house,” said Andy Erbaugh, the Public information officer for Tyler PD. According to our news aprtner KETK, taking your trash to recycling centers can keep thieves from knowing what you got for Christmas, and fitting everything into your garbage will help. “Break it down as much as possible and get it in that trash can,” said Erbaugh. Erbaugh also said to not leave new Christmas gifts out in your car or in your front yard. Continue reading Use caution when you throw out Christmas trash

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public of a scam where a caller pretending to be a deputy will ask you to pay a fine through Bitcoin machines at Tyler Vape shops. According to our news partner KETK the caller reportedly claims to be “Deputy Smith”. He allegedly tells people that they have a warrant and have to immediately pay a fine by depositing money into Bitcoin machines that can be found at local vape shops. Officials said they’ve also had reports that a caller will identify himself as Captain Craig Halbrooks, the SCSO patrol commander. The caller will reportedly ask for $10,000 to $20,000 dollars at a time and has allegedly obtained around $50,000 doing this alleged scam. Continue reading Smith County officials warn of Bitcoin phone scam

LONGVIEW – The City of Longview is asking the community to help various non-profits collaborating with the city for Homeless Resource Day on Jan. 25. According to our news partner KETK. Mayor Andy Mack’s Task Force on Homelessness is asking residents to help with Homeless Resource Day by giving directly to a local organization, giving to the Mayor’s Go Giver Fund or by donating items for Homeless Outreach Bags. The city is also asking for volunteers to work directly with local homeless service organizations and on Homeless Resource Day. The city also suggested that people could help by get others involved in volunteering and by encouraging local businesses to take part in the Homeless Work Program.Visit the of Longview online to see a full list of organizations to support, information about the Go Giver Fund and a list of items needed for Homeless outreach bags.

ANDERSON COUNTY – TOur news partners at KETK report that two people are dead after a crash Wednesday morning on US 287 north of Elkhart. According to a preliminary DPS report, a 2022 Toyota Tacoma towing a trailer was traveling south on the highway when it approached a curve and the trailer began to sway. Officials said this caused the truck to lose control and cross into the northbound lane, striking a 2018 Nissan Armada that was traveling north. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Tacoma was identified as Alfred Velma, 62 of Seagoville, and the driver of the Armada was identified as 32-year-old Celsey Lively, of Elkhart. Lively was reported by officials to not have been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

COFFEE CITY – Frank Serrato was booked into the Henderson County Jail Friday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, the 53-year-old Serrato was charged with six counts of tampering with with government records with intent to seal, defraud or cause harm. He was held on a $900,000 bond. Serrato posted bond this afternoon. This comes after the recent arrest of former Coffee City Police Chief JohnJay Portillo and the deactivation of the Coffee City Police Department in September. Serrato resigned from his position of mayor in August of 2022 after the resignation of three Coffee City Council members and the city secretary.

Christmas can get hectic, so to save East Texans time KETK put together a list of local restaurants, grocery stores and movie theaters open on Christmas Day 2023. Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of places to eat and and shop that will be open for Christmas this year. Please click here to view the list.