KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview and Longview Metropolitan Planning Organization are seeking feedback on the East Loop 281 Corridor Study, which proposes traffic alternatives for Loop 281 between Tryon Road and Delia Drive/Page Road. Officials say this corridor study is intended to develop roadway and intersection alternatives to support enhanced connectivity, safety, and travel efficiency along E. Loop 281 for the benefit of all users of the roadway network. A community meeting to discuss the corridor study was held Tuesday, Sept. 27, at the East Texas Builders Association and Event Center. A copy of the presentation from that meeting as well as an online form to submit feedback are available at this link.

LONGVIEW — Longview Parks and Recreation is seeking feedback on proposed enhancements for Spring Hill Park. Officials say the proposed changes, which would cost about $968,000, include the installation of a larger pavilion, a new trail, and splash pad improvements as well as site work, electrical improvement, and erosion control. The improvements are funded through the $24.7 million parks bond package approved by voters in 2018. A community meeting to discuss the proposed changes was held Tuesday, Oct. 11, at Spring Hill High School. A copy of the presentation from that meeting as well as an online form to submit feedback are available at this link.

ATHENS – Officials with Henderson County said on Thursday they are searching for a missing man who was last seen on Sept. 8. According to our news partner KETK, Cody Eugene Gates, 45, is 5’10” tall and weighs about 200 pounds. Officials said he is normally seen wearing a baseball cap but is known to shave his head. “Cody has a teenage son who is very concerned about his dad,” officials said. “Cody was last seen with an unknown female by the name of Sam.” Officials said Gates is reported to have at one time been driving a 2004 White Dodge Avenger with a possible Texas license plate of PLN 2426. Anyone with information on his whereabouts or how to reach him is asked to contact Henderson County Sheriff’s Office’s Investigator Sherry Powers.

GILMER — A body found by a Gilmer ISD bus driver has been identified as Louise Grant Jr., 51, of Pittsburg, and officials said foul play is not suspected. According to our news partner KETK, Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb says an autopsy has been ordered. The Gilmer superintendent said Wednesday that the driver found the body on the side of Lavender Road, north of Gilmer, while dropping off students at home.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday approved the construction of a new parking lot and entrance for the newly renovated Noble E. Young Park. The current entrance to the park is off Seaton Street, which cuts through a neighborhood, and the parking lot sits behind a row of houses. The new entrance and parking lot will be off Towne Park Drive on the east side of the Park. The new entrance will be off a major arterial road, giving visitors and Emergency Services easier access, according to a news release. Continue reading Noble E. Young Park to have new entrance and parking lot

TYLER — Smith County authorities say three people have been arrested in a purported scheme to smuggle contraband into the county jail. They’re all accused of engaging in organized criminal activity. The plot was reportedly organized by 42-year-old inmate Micah Deron Davis (pictured). Officials say his wife, 33-year-old Lindsay Nichole Davis, and another man, 41-year-old Kristofer Boyd Rouse, were also involved. According to a news release, the contraband included tobacco, marijuana, and pills. Bonds are $250,000 each.

LONGVIEW — Longview police say a member of their ranks has been arrested. According to a news release, on Tuesday, the FBI contacted the Longview Police Department regarding a criminal investigation involving one of the Department’s sworn peace officers. Police say the FBI arrested the employee Wednesday at the police department with assistance from LPD. After being made aware of the investigation, the employee submitted his resignation, according to the release. According to our news partner KETK, the now-former officer is identified as Lieutenant Seth Vanover, and court documents show he is accused of attempting to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Authorities say LPD is not involved in the criminal case but is cooperating with the special agents conducting the investigation. Continue reading Longview peace officer arrested

TYLER — The 89th annual Texas Rose Festival got underway Thursday, with a wealth of activities on the docket following a 10 a.m. ribbon cutting by Rose Festival Queen Molly Louise Berry. Just before the official kickoff, Queen Molly visited with KTBB, voicing her excitement that the festival has finally arrived. “It feels so unbelievable and amazing,” she said. We’ve been preparing for this for a year, and I can’t believe it’s finally here.” You can take your pick from the big event’s many offerings, but Molly told us about a couple of her favorites, saying, “I’m really looking forward to the parade and the (Queen’s) Tea because they’re public events and everyone in the community can come and join in and be a part of the Rose Festival.” Continue reading Texas Rose Festival gets underway

AUSTIN — A victory in federal court Wednesday for Twitter, Facebook and other large social media sites hoping to retain the right to censor offensive content. A three judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court siding with the social media giants, temporarily blocking a Texas law from being enforced until the US Supreme Court can take it up. Republican State Senator Bryan Hughes, of Mineola, authored the law. Tech industry representative NetChoice filed suit to stop it.

MARSHALL — A 16-year-old in East Texas is injured after they were reportedly shot in the chest on Wednesday night, according to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. According to our news partner KETK, deputies responded to the scene on Tom Woodley Road around 9:20 regarding a reported accidental shooting of a 16-year-old. Officials said the teen had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest, was transported to a Longview hospital by Marshall Fire EMS and is “reported to be in stable condition.” “This incident is an ongoing investigation by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, and no further details are available at this time,” officials said. “Sheriff Fletcher would like to remind the public to practice safe firearm safety and storage, especially around children.”

MARSHALL — The city of Marshall is following up after a tragic mistake. According to a news release, on September 30, around 9 a.m., Marshall Animal Control (MPAC) received a call about a dog trapped on a fence. Animal Control officers say they arrived and found the dog hanging by the leg, injured and extremely agitated. The dog was rescued and transported to the Marshall Pet Adoption Center, where officials say she was assessed and treated. Texas law mandates a three-day hold for stray animals. In this case, the dog was held for seven days, according to a news release. However, officials say, with no claim of ownership and no inquiries about the dog, along with the dog’s continued aggressive behavior and a deteriorating condition, staff followed current protocols and humanely euthanized the animal. Continue reading City of Marshall: Dog euthanized despite claim of adoption

TYLER — Wednesday’s Tyler City Council meeting was another busy one. The city engineering department presented a study of a reverse curve between Gleneagles Drive and Shady Oaks Drive on West Grande Boulevard, where there have been several fatal and multiple non-fatal crashes over the past 10 years. The traffic engineer recommends work including new signage and striping, a new asphalt surface, and more. Officials say the city will implement the signage and striping immediately, then move forward with the rest of the project. Continue reading Another busy day for Tyler’s City Council

AUSTIN — October is another strong month for sales tax allocations in Tyler and Longview as the two cities continue to reflect a statewide trend. Tyler gets $5,063,802 from the state comptroller’s office, compared to $4,290,319.71 last October. Tyler’s year-to-date figure is $48,193,329.90; a year ago at this time it was $43,824,616.59. Longview is receiving $3,476,324.17 this month, a jump from the $3,051,313.34 it was handed in October 2021. For the year to date, Longview has collected $36,258,278.47, up from $31,539,533.18 last October.

LONGVIEW — Longview officials announced shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday that Hawkins Parkway had reopened from Fourth Street to Eastman Road after crews worked to address a diesel spill following an early morning crash. The wreck involving a passenger vehicle and tractor-trailer at Hawkins and Eastman resulted in the release of diesel fuel onto the roadway, which appears to have run off into a neighboring creek. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has been notified.

ATHENS – Officials say the remains of an Athens native killed in World War II will be interred Oct. 21 at Fort Smith National Cemetery in Arkansas. According to our news partner KETK, U.S. Army Pvt. John P. Cooper went missing during a battle in Germany in 1945. The War Department issued a presumptive finding of death for him in 1946. Cooper was accounted for this past June after his remains were identified through circumstantial evidence and dental, anthropological, and DNA analysis.

TYLER — After being put on hold because of the pandemic, plans to build a new Smith County courthouse are being discussed again. According to our news partner KETK, community members met at a town hall meeting to learn more about the bond proposal. The bond will be up to the community to vote for or against in the November election. “There’s no room in the courthouse for what we are doing, and we are putting the public in jeopardy,” said Precinct 4 commissioner, JoAnn Hampton. The proposal will build a new courthouse and closer parking garage. A closer parking area will allow jurors to not have to walk two blocks from the juror parking lot. Community questions and concerns were heard at the town hall meeting. Continue reading Smith County residents voice opinions on new courthouse bond proposal at town hall

GILMER — A Gilmer resident claimed a winning ticket worth $5 million in one Texas Lottery scratch-off game. According to our news partner KETK, the ticket was a part of the scratch game “$200,000,000 Cash Blowout!” and the ticket was purchased at Tiger Express on Highway 271 in Gilmer. The winner elected to remain anonymous. The lottery said this was the second of four top prizes worth $5 million to be claimed in this game. The first was claimed in Corpus Christi in March. “$200,000,000 Cash Blowout! offers more than $225 million in total prizes,” the lottery said. “Overall odds of winning any prize in the game are one in 3.38, including break-even prizes.”

TYLER — To help reduce fatalities in East Texas, TxDOT launched a program called “Be Safe, Drive Smart.” According to our news partner KETK, “Walking billboards” were on the UT Tyler and Tyler Junior College campuses to spread the word about driver and pedestrian safety. The walking billboards wore human-sized signs on their backs with reminders of road safety. Road fatalities are not just a big city issue, small and medium size markets are not immune. Jaywalking is illegal and dangerous, a ticket can be issued if someone is caught. According to TxDOT, the winter and fall months are the most dangerous time of the year on the roads because of low visibility. “Use reflective clothing, carry a flashlight, something like that so motorists are aware that you are out there,” said TxDOT Public Information Officer, Jeff Williford.

SMITH COUNTY — People in one Smith County neighborhood say car burglars are keeping them awake at night. According to our news partner KETK, the rash of burglaries happened on Oct. 4. People in the Flint neighborhood near County Road 148 FM 2493 say they are frustrated with the recent crimes, urging others to make sure your vehicles are properly locked at night. Sergeant Larry Christian with the Smith County Sheriff’s office says the four burglaries were within a 1/4-mile radius early that Tuesday morning all in the same neighborhood. Because of this, investigators said they believe the burglars could potentially live in the area. He says the suspects have been going up to cars just to see if they are locked to see which ones are unlocked making for easy pickings. Continue reading 4 car burglaries reported in single day in Smith County, officials say to take precautions

LONGVIEW — A Gilmer man has been arrested in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a Longview motorcyclist last week. According to our news partner KETK, Victor Frausto-Lopez, 37 of Gilmer, was identified as the driver of the car that caused the crash and fled the scene. Frausto-Lopez was arrested by Longview police officers and an Upshur County sheriff’s deputy without indicent after officials said a warrant was obtained for his arrest. He was arrested for accident involving injury or death. The Oct. 5 crash on West Marshall and Bill Owens Parkway killed 25-year-old motorcyclist, Tristen Gore, of Longview.

SMITH COUNTY — Former President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Congressional Candidate and Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran. According to our news partner KETK, in a statement posted Monday to Trump’s Truth Social account, he said Moran would make an “outstanding” representative for the district. “As the Judge of Smith County, Nathaniel is a Proven Conservative who knows how to Lower Taxes, Grow the Economy, and Create Jobs. He Strongly Supports our Brave Law Enforcement and Veterans, Election Integrity, Secure Borders, and our under siege Second Amendment,” Trump’s statement continued. Moran tweeted on Monday to say he received a call from Trump endorsing him. Continue reading Former President Trump endorses Smith County Judge Nathaniel Moran for Congress

TYLER — Bengali, the oldest living tiger in the world, has allegedly been dead since May 9, according to document’s released Thursday in a lawsuit against Tiger Creek Sanctuary. According to our news partner KETK, Bengali’s death was announced by Tiger Creek in response to an emergency motion for preservation of evidence that the Animal Legal Defense Fund made in its on going lawsuit against Tiger Creek. The ALDF is suing Tiger Creek for allegedly violating the Endangered Species Act, claiming they harmed, harassed and killed several animals including nine lions and tigers between 2018 and the initial filling of the lawsuit in March of 2022. Continue reading Lawsuit against East Texas animal sanctuary

KILGORE – Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said that they and Kilgore Police Department arrested Luis Sanchez of Henderson on Friday, after he was found to be in possession of a $10,000 stolen Kubota lawnmower. According to our news partner KETK, authorities said that they received a complaint on Oct. 1 from the owner of a lawncare business stating that his Kubota zero-turn mower, 16-foot trailer and weed eaters had all been stolen. During their investigation, officials said they obtained a video of a Toyota Tacoma in the area where the equipment was stolen from without a trailer attached. Then they said, the truck left the area with a trailer and equipment in tow. They added that they believe the truck and trailer used were also stolen. The owner of the equipment then contacted the authorities again when he found his mower for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Continue reading East Texas man ‘buys’ back his own stolen $10000 mower on Facebook Marketplace, seller arrested

JACKSONVILLE – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that they have arrested Eric Lowe, who allegedly forced himself into a Jacksonville home and hit one of the residents with a crowbar on Saturday morning. According to our news partner KETK, after the break-in a warrant was issued for Lowe’s arrest. Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Tyler Police Department then located and arrested the suspect in Smith County. Authorities say that they found what they suspect to be methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia on Lowe when he was arrested and they expect additional charges to be filed.

TYLER – The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming November elections is Tuesday Oct. 11, according to the Texas Secretary of State. This November’s elections will have many important races like the Governor’s race, several state and U.S Congress seats and many local elections as well. The Texas Secretary of State’s Important Election Dates website lays out all the important dates and deadlines for all of Texas’s elections. KTBB will keep you updated on the latest election news.

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is looking for people accused of committing mail theft in the Chapel Hill area. The mail is delivered to this neighborhood between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. According to our news partner KETK, officials shared a photo of a Chrysler 300 that residents have seen near their mailboxes. Law enforcement are asking people to call them if they see the vehicle and not try to approach the car. The sheriff’s office also asked people to let them know if they see a license plate number. The Chrysler has damage to the passenger side front fender and the roof paint of the car was also damaged, said officials. Call the sheriff’s office at (903) 566-6600 with any information.

TYLER — A Smith County jury has sentenced 43-year-old Philip Shane Young of Athens to 60 years in prison for evading with a vehicle. According to a news release from the Smith County DA’s Office, a Texas Parks and Wildlife officer saw Young at the State Park Exxon on FM 14 at approximately 10:00 p.m. on March 6, 2021. According to authorities, Young appeared to be intoxicated, and when officers approached his vehicle, he sped off. Young then led officers on a high-speed chase from 95 to 100 mph down FM 16 for approximately 20 miles. During the course of the evading, officials say Young ran a red light at the intersection of FM 16 and Highway 69 with other cars present and subsequently caused a vehicle in front of him to run off the road. Continue reading Athens felon sentenced to 60 years for evading with vehicle

TYLER – 27-year-old John Khuu of San Francisco, California, has been indicted in Tyler federal court for alleged money laundering conspiracy. According to the indictment, Khuu is alleged to have conspired with others to launder the proceeds of his drug trafficking organization through cryptocurrency. The defendant allegedly distributed counterfeit pharmaceutical pills and other controlled substances on dark web markets to customers across the United States. During the course of the conspiracy, Khuu and his co-conspirators allegedly laundered more than $5,350,000. Khuu was arrested in California in August. Click this link for more details.

SMITH COUNTY — Jackson community residents’ concerns continue to grow after more than a decade of dealing with unclean water. According to our news partner KETK, the community held a meeting Thursday and said enough is enough.
“Well, we don’t really know how good the water is because we have so much raw sewage all over the place,” said Jackson resident Nola Chandler (pictured). Chandler has had her water tested by Jackson Water Supply because she has one of the oldest houses in the community. She said that previous tests have come back with excessive amounts of magnesium. Many residents use filtered water and bottled water. After her recent test earlier this year, the water supply company has not gotten back to her with the results. Continue reading Jackson community voices water concerns