KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Jury selection for a Tyler woman charged with capital murder in her daughter’s death has been set for August. According to our news partner KETK, Courtnie Williams was arrested along with the victim’s father, Manuel Williams, in 2020 after officers were called to the home and found injuries that were consistent with “a history of abuse.” An arrest warrant at the time alleged that bruises were found all over the child’s body and were in different stages of healing. Courtnie Williams will have until July 7 to decide whether to accept a plea deal if one is offered. If not, jury selection is set to begin on Aug. 1. Manuel Williams pleaded guilty in February to a charge of injury to a child and was sentenced to 50 years in prison.

TYLER – The National Weather Service confirmed Thursday that it was 100 mph straight line winds that swept through Tyler Tuesday night, causing significant damage to the city’s historic Azalea District. According to our news partner KETK, the winds caused considerable damage, with many trees being uprooted or falling into homes. Charlie Woodrum, National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist, said there was initially a tornado warning because they had some initial indication of rotation in the air. “Based off what we saw on the radar, there was an area of rotation on the front edge of the line, which prompted the tornado warning,” Woodrum said. Continue reading Storm aftermath continues; NWS offers assessment

TYLER – With Title 42 set to end May 23rd, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke with KTBB about some of his concerns with the Biden administrations plans once the borders are open to the flood of immigrants. The Attorney General expressed concerns about the amount to crime, drugs and gang activity along the border. Among other things, he believes that the Cartels are being given a free pass to bring in people, drugs and weapons into the country. The Biden administration will look the other way with the understanding that these immigrants will vote Democrat. He worries this will have long term consequences economically and our way of life.

TYLER – A former Smith County deputy accused of illegally assisting a drug dealer from Mexico is now facing a federal charge of accepting a bribe. According to our news partner KETK, 28-year-old Luis A. Sandoval was arrested in August and charged with misuse of official information in state court. It came after a months-long investigation by the East Texas Anti-Gang Task Force. Sandoval was employed with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office from November 2017 to August 2021. A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Sandoval in March on a charge of receiving a bribe as an agent of an organization that receives federal funds. The federal court documents allege that the bribe had “a value of $5,000 or more” and was “rewarded in connection with taking official action to protect the person’s illegal enterprise from law enforcement activity.”

LONGVIEW – An Overton man who was one of six suspects arrested as part of a multi-agency investigation sent explicit messages to what he believed was a 16-year-old girl, according to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK. 40-year-old Jason Fertitta was arrested earlier this month by DPS troopers along with five other men on charges of soliciting minors online. All were booked into the Smith County Jail. According to the warrant, they were taken into custody as part of an investigation called “Operation Cookie Monster.” An investigator wrote that he began “chatting [with Fertitta]…during the conversation [Fertitta] was told the person he was chatting with was almost 17 years old.” The document states that Fertitta allegedly sent graphic photos of himself to whom he thought was the 16-year-old girl and asked if she liked it. Continue reading Warrant: Man sent explicit photos in solicitation investigation

TYLER – A Tyler man pleaded guilty Thursday morning to a manslaughter charge from a 2019 boat crash on Lake Palestine that killed 14-year-old Roberto Carlos Bermejo Hernandez, also of Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, 34-year-old Jeffrey Hampton admitted to hitting Hernandez, who was standing on a dock, with a boat. While Hampton admitted guilt, he requested a jury trial for the punishment phase, which is set to begin Monday morning. Assistant District Attorney Noah Coltman said he will add special instructions for the jury to determine whether Hampton used the boat as a deadly weapon. This would affect the sentencing the jury could give Hampton. Currently, he could get anywhere between 5 to 99 years in prison.

TYLER — Tyler police responded around 10:00 Wednesday night to a major wreck on Grande Boulevard. Officers said the driver of Toyota RAV4 had been traveling eastbound when it struck the passenger side rear bumper of a Ford F150 that was making a left turn. The Toyota RAV4 lost control and flipped, ejecting the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. The driver, identified as Lamonte Martin, 24, of Tyler, was pronounced dead at the scene. The two occupants of the Ford F150 were uninjured. All lanes of traffic have since reopened.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler woman was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Tuesday for the 2020 murder of her husband. According to our news partner KETK, Debbie Bryant, 57, confessed to shooting her husband, 58-year-old Allen Ferguson in early 2020. Authorities said that they received a call early in the morning from a woman saying her husband had been shot. Officers went to the residence at 617 Maxwell and found Ferguson with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition and died several days later. Continue reading Smith County woman sentenced to prison for husband’s murder

EAST TEXAS — A few East Texas school districts decided to cancel or delay classes following yet another round of severe weather Tuesday night — and at least one church has canceled an event. According to our news partner KETK, most of the listed schools have canceled due to a lack of power on their campuses. Among school districts that called off classes Wednesday were Alto, Rusk, and Union Grove. Tyler’s Good Shepherd School also decided to close Wednesday, in this case due to downed trees. Schools that notified us of delays have since resumed activities. Meantime, Tyler’s Trinity Fellowship Church has canceled its Love Indeed food distribution for tonight due to the weather.

TYLER – Many Tyler residents were concerned Tuesday night when a tornado warning was issued for the area but outdoor sirens did not sound off. According to our news partner KETK, the city’s Adrianna Rodriguez says the sirens didn’t go off the first time they were activated Tuesday night. A company from out of state is looking at the sirens to investigate what happened and try to prevent it from happening again. The city posted on Facebook that the siren system is now back online. Rodriguez gave a reminder that tornado sirens are not meant to be heard inside your house. For the latest city-wide alerts, you can sign up here for Tyler Smart 911.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday unanimously authorized the city manager to execute a contract for construction of the 2022 Seal Coat Program project. Construction on the 35 lane miles of roadway is scheduled to begin in May and be completed by August. The roads at the West Side Wastewater Treatment Plant are also included. The project is mainly funded from the General Fund, with additional money from Tyler Water Utilities for the wastewater treatment plant work. Click here for details, including the full project list.

AUSTIN — Dr. David Lakey, the University of Texas System’s chief medical officer and vice chancellor for health affairs, has been appointed to a new non-partisan commission charged with reimagining a stronger health care system at every level of government. That’s according to a UT System news release. Lakey is also a professor of medicine at UT Health Science Center at Tyler. According to the release, the Commonwealth Fund – a private foundation that has been dedicated to improving the U.S. health infrastructure since 1918 – recently created the Commission on a National Public Health System in response to the challenges faced by the nation’s decentralized health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials say Lakey will work with others to streamline and improve U.S. health care. By early summer 2022, the commission is expected to recommend key strategies in the effort.

BULLARD — Bullard ISD has announced that Wednesday classes will start two hours later than usual due to power outages at the four campuses.

TYLER — Tyler police continue to seek a second suspect in a homicide that came to light last month. A warrant for murder was obtained on Christian Navon-Whitney Polk, 19, of Tyler, with a $2,000,000 bond. Police said his whereabouts remain unknown and he is considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information on his whereabouts, you’re asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833. Continue reading Suspect still sought in Tyler homicide

TYLER — Tuesday’s State of the County presentation from Smith County officials included a long-anticipated item. After years of planning — and waiting — officials are now optimistic that a ballot item on a new courthouse will finally reach voters in November. Overall, County Judge Nathaniel Moran terms the state of the county “very good.” He says officials also discussed election security efforts, law enforcement, and the day-in-day out efforts of county personnel. Moran says, “We’re grateful for the service of our elected officials and for our department heads.” The event was hosted by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce.

TYLER — NET Health’s George Roberts remains pleased with the low COVID numbers in the area, but his call for more vaccinations hasn’t let up. And it now includes word on a new recommendation. Roberts says second boosters are now available in the NET Health jurisdiction for people 50 and older, as well as those 12 and older with chronic medical conditions. And he reminds us that vaccinations will not prevent COVID-19, but they “will prevent a very difficult course of care” if you contract the virus. Roberts says the BA.2 variant now makes up 86 per cent of total covid cases nationwide, and local officials are continuing to monitor BA.2. For more information on COVID-19 in East Texas, click here.

TYLER – On Monday, the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce announced its strong support for the Tyler ISD school bond, which would rebuild Hubbard Middle School and provide a new location for Early College High School. Chamber President Henry Bell cited the need to equip future leaders along with community and economic development as the main reasons for the Chamber’s overwhelming support of the bond. David Freeman, Chairman of Tyler Proud, agreed the bond will benefit the entire community and thanked the Chamber for its backing. Tyler Proud is a local group that supports the bond proposal. Early voting is April 25–May 3, and voting day for Tyler ISD residents is Saturday, May 7, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

MARSHALL — A statement was issued Tuesday by Marshall Chief of Police Cliff Carruth in response to recent violent crimes in the city. Among other things, police are currently investigating a shooting that caused minor injuries to a woman and two children who were not believed to have been targets. Carruth says, “The men and women of the Marshall Police Department are aware that our community is very concerned with the recent increase in violent crime in Marshall. We share that concern with you. We want everyone to know that we take these incidents seriously and are utilizing every tool at our disposal to identify and arrest those involved and bring an end to these violent crimes.” Continue reading Marshall police chief speaks out on local violence

MOUNT ENTERPRISE – A forest fire in Rusk County burned roughly 49 acres Monday. According to our news partner KETK, Officials called it the Hollow Rock Branch Fire, and it was contained around 7:30 p.m. Fire officials say a large plume of smoke was reported near Mount Enterprise around 2 p.m., and the fire was so far back in the woods they were not able to find it immediately. To find the fire, they used a drone. This is just one of dozens of fires that first responders have been battling in recent days. Nacogdoches and Rains counties are both under burn bans at this time. Despite rain in the forecast, officials urge people to be responsible and not burn until the risk decreases. The Rusk County fire marshal reminds residents that if they’re going to burn, to do it after there has been rain and look for moisture on the ground.

TYLER — Presidents and provosts of Tyler Junior College and The University of Texas at Tyler signed an articulation agreement that allows TJC students to transfer to UT Tyler to complete baccalaureate degrees in multiple fields of study. According to a news release, those signing the agreement included TJC President Juan E. Mejia, UT Tyler President Kirk A. Calhoun, TJC Provost Deana Sheppard and UT Tyler Provost Amir Mirmiran. The ceremony took place Monday at TJC’s main campus. The new partnership also establishes priority deadlines for admissions and scholarship notification by UT Tyler to TJC transferring students, and will help facilitate student services, scholarships and honors programs. Continue reading TJC, UT Tyler sign articulation agreement for multiple fields of study

UPSHUR COUNTY — A Gilmer man was sentenced to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to burglary of a habitation and criminal mischief for disrupting power at an Upshur Rural substation by stealing copper wire. According to our news partner KETK, Christopher Robertson, 35, was sentenced to 50 years with an additional 10 years due to his prior criminal history. In September of 2021, Robertson was arrested for damage done to an Upshur Rural Electric Cooperative substation. Deputies responded to a reported fire at the Upshur Rural Electric substation on Bluebird Road. When authorities arrived, they found copper ground wire cut and two regulators burned with smoke still coming from them. The release stated that cigarettes and other items left behind aided officers in identifying Robertson as a suspect. Continue reading Gilmer man sentenced to prison for copper wire theft

RUSK — More information is released in a two-day kidnapping-and hostage case in Cherokee County. Officials say it began Thursday night when authorities got a call about a possible kidnapping. Cherokee County SWAT responded to an address near CR 2108 in the Oakland community. Officials say 44-year-old Scott Coe of Whitehouse refused to leave the residence. He also refused to allow his victim, 27-year-old Christin Robertson of Jacksonville, to leave. Authorities say they determined Coe had kidnapped his victim by force and made numerous threats to kill her and law enforcement while barricaded in the home. Continue reading Probe of hostage situation continues

LONGVIEW — The Longview Parks and Recreation Department office at 130 E. Timpson St. reopened Monday on regular schedule. The facility had closed this past Friday due to a power outage. Recreation centers have remained on regular schedule, and Parks and Recreation programming has continued as previously scheduled.

TYLER — TxDOT will be busy with another round of construction and maintenance work in the Tyler District this week. In Smith County, Tyler Maintenance will have an overlay crew on FM 2089 with traffic controlled by flaggers and a pilot vehicle. Herbicide and ditch maintenance crews will also be in various locations throughout the county. In Gregg County, Longview Maintenance will be on FM 2751 for leveling work. FM 2751 will be closed to traffic. Click here for a complete rundown of roadwork around the district.

MARSHALL — Police in Marshall are seeking clues in a Sunday night shooting incident. According to a news release, off-duty officers working security at Marshall Convention Center shortly after 8 p.m. heard shots that had been reported to emergency communications. The shots reportedly were fired in the area of South Garrett and Woodland Rd. The officers went out to Bell St. and saw a fast-moving red Dodge Charger approaching, riddled with bullet holes. A woman and two small children in he car were shepherded to safety in the convention center, and the three suffered only minor injuries from broken glass. The victims are not believed to have been the intended targets. Continue reading Marshall police seek leads in shooting

TYLER — One week into early giving, East Texas Giving Day has generated over $50,000 in donations for participating nonprofits through its website. Officially slated for Tuesday, April 26, from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, East Texas Giving Day is on target to be another record-breaking event, according to a news release. The purpose of an area-wide Giving Day is to bring the region together on one day and as one community, raising money and awareness for East Texas nonprofits, according to the release. The initiative, organized by East Texas Communities Foundation (ETCF), provides citizens across ETCF’s 32-county service area what’s termed an easy platform to support the mission of local nonprofits. To learn more or make your own donation, visit this link.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s office announced late Saturday evening that a day-long standoff with a man and a hostage came to an end. According to our new partner KETK, authorities confirmed that the victim is safe and the captor is dead. Cherokee Country Sheriff’s officers and the Texas Rangers are continuing their investigation in the case.

TYLER — Contractors are doing cured-in-place pipe work on a sewer line located on Donnybrook Avenue in Rose Rudman Park between Loop 323 and Shiloh Road in Tyler. Portions of the sewer line are being cleaned and lined with a plastic liner preventing future cracks or breaks, according to officials. The work is due to continue through April 22. Motorists and parkgoers can expect to see contractors digging up and working on pipes, trucks, and pumps in the area. All are reminded to use caution in the area. Officials say no sewage is being released into the creek or park. The wastewater is pumped past the portion of the pipe that is being lined and curing.

TYLER — Mayor Don Warren, Tyler Sister Cities organization Treasurer Indre Pemberton, and President Brent Pemberton presented a $29,000 check to Jelenia Góra, Poland on Friday. The Polish city is assisting Ukrainians by providing essential needs and housing to the people who have fled Ukraine and are now living in Jelenia Góra, according to a news release. The funds will be wired to Jelenia Góra next week. Jelenia Góra is assisting their sister cities in Ukraine, as well as providing aid and sheltering about 2,400 refugees. 600 refugees are hosted by the city, while another 1,800 refugees are hosted by Jelenia Góra residents in their homes, according to the release. Continue reading Community raises $29,000 for Jelenia Góra, Poland to aid Ukrainian refugees

TYLER — Smith County Friday offered an update on its road projects. Officials say reconstruction of County Road 442, northwest of Lindale, has been completed. Paid for with Smith County Bond funding, the Commissioners Court this week accepted the completion of the contract, which came in under budget by $27,926. The project included widening, stabilizing and asphalt overlay to 5.4 miles of road. The $1.089 million Project began in December 2021. For more information on county road projects, Click here.