KTBB News, Weather, Talk

CHEROKEE COUNTY — An East Texas man has been arrested following an hours-long standoff in Cherokee County. According to KETK, Cherokee County Sheriff’s deputies were called to County Road 1418 in Gallatin around midnight. The property owner is said to have gotten upset a family living in a travel trailer on his property. Cherokee County Sheriff Jim Campbell says the family was given permission to be on the property by the property owner, but they had gotten into an argument. The property owner began making threats to harm and kill the family in the travel trailer. The family left the property. Continue reading Property Owner Arrested following Stand-Off

MILLBROOK, Ala. (AP) — Authorities in Alabama have identified the suspect and the victim in a child porn video being shared around the world. News outlets report that the victim has been located and is safe. Central Alabama CrimeStoppers announced warrants Monday against 44-year-old Germaine Moore of Millbrook, just outside Montgomery. The Marshall Police Department had been warning the public about the disturbing video being shared on social media nationwide, including here in East Texas. Continue reading Suspect, Victim in Widely Shared Child Porn Video Identified

LONGVIEW – The special election for Longview city council precinct 3 has been won by Wray Wade. Saturday night’s unofficial tally was Wade 188 and his brother-in-law Lonnie Murphy 164. But, there were 47 mail in ballots that had not been returned to the city secretary’s office. If mailed and postmarked by the Friday deadline, they could have made a difference in the election. Late Monday afternoon, city spokesman Shawn Hara told KTBB that no additional ballots were received in the mail Monday, so Saturday’s count stands as reported. The outcome of the election will become official after the city council canvasses the results at 11:45am next Monday. The election is to fill the unexpired term of Councilwoman Kasha Williams. She is stepping down to run for the Democratic nomination for Gregg County Pct. 4 county commissioner

HENDERSON – A burn ban is now in effect in Rusk County. The ban, issued by Rusk County commissioners, went into effect on Monday. It is to be in effect for a period not to exceed 90 days or unless terminated earlier.

MARSHALL – The Marshall Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying some vehicle burglars. On the morning of January 28th, shortly after 4:15, the trio committed vehicle burglaries in southwest Marshall. Their actions were caught on a home surveillance video system and show the three entering vehicles and taking various items. Continue reading Marshall Auto Burglars Sought

LONGVIEW – A fire that killed an elderly Gregg County woman is said to have been accidental. At a Monday afternoon news conference, Gregg County Fire Marshal, Mark Moore, identified the victim as 95 year old Syble Alexander. The fire was reported shortly after 4:15 Friday afternoon on Maxey Road north of Longview. Moore said the woman was outdoor burning when the fire spread to the grass and then her residence. Her son, who lives with her, was not a home when the fire started. Alexander was the secretary to former Gregg County Judge Henry Atkinson.

TYLER – Grassroots America says it is not changing its endorsement in the Smith County District Attorney’s race. At a Monday morning news conference, the group’s executive director, JoAnn Fleming, said they are still backing Assistant Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman. Fleming said they made the decision after reviewing Putman’s cases and an internal audit released by District Attorney Matt Bingham that was critical of the candidate. She said Putman’s work was also reviewed by outside, independent groups. Fleming said, after all of this, they dismissed the entire internal audit and will continue to endorse Putman. Continue reading Grassroots America Still Backing Putman

MARSHALL – The man said to be responsible for an incident at a Marshall Whataburger, that left two law enforcement officers injured, is in jail. James Rashard Singleton, 25, of Marshall, surrendered to detectives at the Marshall Police Department shortly before noon on Monday. He was booked into the Harrison County Jail where he is charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and evading arrest. Continue reading Man Arrested For Marshall Restaurant Incident

HENDERSON – An additional reward is being issued in connection with a Henderson robbery. Crime Stoppers had already issued a reward in the January 13th robbery of the The Henderson East Texas Professional Credit Union on East Main Street. The credit union is now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to arrests in the case. A man and a woman, both armed with handguns, took an undisclosed amount of money in the robbery. No injuries were reported.

Continue reading Reward Increased in Henderson Robbery

LONGVIEW – Because of citizen involvement, a Longview burglary suspect is in custody. Charged with burglary of a vehicle is Frederick Eugene Williams, 39, of Longview. The victim is said to have seen the man take a cell phone from his car. The victim, and numerous other persons, began following Williams. Longview police arrived to arrest him and to recover the cell phone. Williams remains in the Gregg County Jail.

TYLER – The president and CEO of the East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System, Elmer Ellis, says he is looking forward to his retirement later this month. Ellis plans to step down February 28th. The native of Paris, Texas, moved to Tyler in 1968. He assumed the role of assistant administrator of Medical Center Hospital, now East Texas Medical Center-Tyler. He was named the hospital President and CEO in 1985. Several special events – including a service awards dinner, honoring his 50 years of service to ETMC, community leadership reception and ETMC team member reception – will take place during the month.

TYLER – Smith County commissioners recently created the post of fleet administrator. They have now hired a person for that post. They hired Brian J. Reynolds to fill the position. Reynolds, of Hutto, was hired after a nation-wide search for candidates. Reynolds was most recently director of fleet operations for the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin, where he had been since 2014. The new fleet administrator will work to establish county-wide policies and practices concerning vehicle use, repair and replacement of vehicles. He will also work to reduce the age of the county fleet while bringing financial savings in the areas of maintenance and replacement costs.

TROUP – Smith County Road 2180, off of Mixon Road near Troup, will be closed for the next few days so Road and Bridge crews can replace a culvert. The section of the road that is closed is between County Road 2181 and Farm Road 344. Smith County Engineer Frank Davis said removing the old pipe and replacing it should take about three days, depending on the weather. County crews will also be doing some tree removal while in the area.

TYLER — Tyler Police are continuing to investigate a fatal accident involving a pedestrian. Killed was Dammon Spencer, 18, of Tyler. The accident happened shortly after 7:15 Sunday night on WNW Loop 323 near the Stafford Inn. Police say Spencer was crossing the Loop from south to north when he was struck by a vehicle. He was hit by an eastbound vehicle in the center lane and was hit again by a second vehicle. Spencer was pronounced dead at a Tyler hospital.

SMITH COUNTY — Tyler Police said they responded to a report of an aggravated assault around 11:50 at the American Legion building on Gaston. A man had been stabbed several times in the abdomen and was taken to a local hospital. The suspect, Richard Lamont Evaige, Tyler, 67, was arrested a short time later at his residence. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The victim and witnesses said an argument broke out over how things should run at the establishment. The victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

SMITH COUNTY – A multi vehicle wreck north of Tyler had traffic at a stand still for several hours today. The Department of Public Safety reports the 8 vehicle accident occurred Sunday afternoon in the west bound lanes of the interstate near Lavender Road at the 556 mile marker. The west bound lanes were reopened around 6:00pm.

TYLER – Monday is the last day to register to be eligible to vote in the March 6 Primary Election. The registration is for new voters or those who have moved. There is no need for people to re-register. The election will include contested races for U.S. and state representatives, judges, district attorney, district clerk, commissioner and justices of the peace. Most of the contested races will be decided in the primary election. You can register at the Smith County elections office on East Ferguson, or online, at Votetexas.gov. If registering online, the application must be printed out, signed and postmarked by Monday. Early voting starts February 20th.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week of February 5th. Weather conditions or other unforeseen issues could change these work schedules.

In Smith County, another nighttime closure will move Interstate Highway 20 traffic to the ramps for work on the Farm Road 849 Bridge Replacement Project at Hideaway. To avoid delays, motorists are encouraged to take alternate routes beginning at 7:00pm, Wednesday, February 7, when both eastbound and westbound traffic are diverted to the ramps as work is conducted on the new bridge. The roadway will be returned to normal traffic flow at 6:00am, Thursday, February 8. Additional project information is available in the Smith County projects section of this release. Continue reading TxDOT Road Projects Update

MARSHALL – Marshall police are asking for the public’s help in finding a stabbing victim. He is Jermaine Robinson, 37, who police say was stabbed multiple times by his girlfriend, Kirstin Lindsey, 27. The happened around 3:30 Sunday morning at the Manor Apartments. Robinson fled on foot and has not been located. Lindsey was taken into custody at the scene and booked into the Harrison County Jail where she is charged with aggravated assault. The extent of Robinson’s injuries is unknown and the police are concerned for his welfare. If you know where Robinson can be found, you are asked to call the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call Marshall/Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 904-935-9969. Continue reading Marshall Stabbing Victim Sought

LONGVIEW – Gregg County authorities continue to sort through the evidence in a structure and grass fire that left one person dead. It was reported shortly after 4:15 Friday afternoon on Maxey Road north of Longview. Investigators are trying to determine which started first, the grass fire or the structure fire. Gregg County sheriff’s spokesman Cpl. Josh Tubb told the Longview News Journal they not releasing the identification of the person killed in the fire until the person’s next of kin have been notified.

MARSHALL – Marshall police are asking the public’s help in identifying a man who caused minor injuries to two law officers. It happened just before 4:00 Saturday morning at the Whataburger on Victory Drive. The suspect tried to start a fight with someone in the restaurant. A Marshall Police Officer, who was working security at the restaurant, attempted to arrest the man. A Harrison County Sheriff’s Deputy was also at the restaurant during the incident and assisted the officer. During the scuffle with the officers, the man broke a window and ran away from the restaurant. The man faces charges of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and evading arrest. Anyone with information regarding the identity and/or location of the subject involved in this incident is urged to contact the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575 or Marshall/Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.

LONGVIEW – We won’t know until Monday who won a special election for the Longview city council. Voters in southeast Longview on Saturday voted for two candidates for city council district 3. Wray Wade and Lonnie Murphy are seeking to fill the unexpired term of Councilwoman Kasha Williams. She is running for the Democratic nomination for Gregg County Pct. 4 county commissioner. She will be stepping down from the city council following Saturday’s election. The early-voting and election-day totals had Murphy leading Wade 188-164. There are also 47 mail in ballots that have yet to be counted. The city is required, by state law, to wait until Monday for those mail-in ballots to return to City Hall. The city council will hold a called meeting late Monday morning to canvass the election returns.

TYLER – A man has been arrested for robbing a person at Tyler ATM. Arrested, sitting at a picnic table at a playground south of Shiloh Road, was Skyler River Driessen, 18, of Tyler. The robbery occurred just before 7:15 this morning in the Capital One Bank parking lot on Copeland Road. The suspect then ran away on a running trail at Rose Rudman Park. Police were advised that a possible suspect matching the robber’s description was observed sitting at the picnic table and they arrested Driessen within 13 minutes of the robbery. He is now in the Smith County Jail, charged with aggravated robbery.

PALESTINE – Palestine police have made four arrests after executing two separate search warrants. The first was served at a home on West Oak Street on Tuesday. Officers found nearly 4 grams of suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, digital scales and other drug paraphernalia. They also located one stolen rifle, one illegal shortened rifle and a handgun. Arrested were Glenn Brantley, 55, Amber Davis, 30, and Jesus Trevino, 22, all of Palestine. All were booked into the Anderson County Jail. Continue reading Four Arrested in Palestine on Drug Charges

NACOGDOCHES – Two persons have been arrested in connection with a Nacogdoches County murder. Murder warrants were issued Friday afternoon for Jason Harvey Lee 37, of Mt. Enterprise and Cassidy Jewel Fuqua, 20, of Nacogdoches. Both have been booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail. They are accused of the January 8th slaying of Thomas Vaiden Sluterbeck, 43, of Nacogdoches. His body was found early at Gravel Ridge Cemetery on Farm Road 225, west of Nacogdoches. Continue reading Two Charged in Nacogdoches County Slaying

BROWNSBORO – One person has been killed in a Henderson County accident. Killed in the the Two vehicle accident in Brownsboro was Bryan Paul Isbell, 44, of Brownsboro. The accident happened around 7:00 Friday morning at the intersection of State highway 31 and Farm Road 3204. Isbell was killed when his motorcycle collided with an SUV. Police Chief Thomas Robertson says the investigation of the accident is ongoing. The Department of Public Safety is assisting in the investigation.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler submitted a formal application to the National Collegiate Athletic Association for Division II membership. The decision to seek Division II membership was made after a nearly year-long study. If the application is accepted for review, the NCAA is expected to make a decision on UT Tyler’s application in July. If accepted into the Division II membership process, the school will enter a three-year provisional period during which the university will comply with Division II rules and regulations and implement Division II policies and procedures. At the end of the period, the school’s progress will be reviewed, and UTT may be invited to be a Division II member. If invited, UT Tyler would begin its full Division II membership on September 1, 2021.

TYLER – A capacity crowd was on hand for a public hearing at Tyler Junior College of the Texas House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety. The discussions covered a wide rage of topics, from East Texas gang and cartel activity to a panel discussion on improving relations between law enforcement and citizens. This includes two new bills passed by the state legislature last year. On of them requires driver education students to receive training on how to interact with law officers. And, just around the corner is de-escalation training for law officers. This will teach officers how to handle a dangerous situation through communication and not force.

TYLER — The war of words continues between the two candidates for Smith County district attorney. KETK reports that Alicia Barkley responded Thursday to comments Jacob Putman has made against her. Putman has claimed, among other things, that Barkley “has been attacking my character non-stop.” On Thursday, Barkley called Putman’s actions “irresponsible” and “an embarrassment” to the DA’s office. But she added, “Voting should not be about fingerpointing — it should be about the issues, and it should be about the leadership and experience of the candidates. I’m not going to engage — I’m not going to involve myself in that behavior.” Putman says Barkley’s latest words come as “no surprise,” and he points to positive remarks in his personnel file. The issue emerged when an internal audit showed Putman leading the DA’s office in improper reductions and dismissals over a five-year period.