KTBB News, Weather, Talk

ATHENS — The Athens Animal Services said on Monday that their shelter had been broken into and vandalized. According to our news partner KETK, the shelter said all three buildings were broken into, causing several thousands of dollars in damages. Officials from the shelter provided a link for those wanting to help. Those who wish to make a monetary donation can do so at Athens City Hall. For donation items such as newspapers, towels, blankets, toys and food, people can drop them off at animal services.

EAST TEXAS — The deadline for applying for FEMA assistance has been extended to Aug. 15. This means disaster survivors in Texas now have a little more time to apply for FEMA assistance. However, disaster survivors are encouraged to not wait. The sooner they apply, the sooner they may be eligible for assistance to help with their recovery from the recent storms.

Homeowners and renters in Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Navarro, Newton, Polk, San Jacinto, Smith, Terrell, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker and Waller counties with uninsured losses from the storms and flooding that occurred April 26-June 5 may be eligible for FEMA assistance.

Visit any Disaster Recovery Center. For locations and hours, click here.

Texans do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for FEMA assistance. Homeowners and renters can go online here.

CUSHING – Our news partner KETK is reporting that one driver was injured after being ejected in a rollover crash on FM 225 near Cushing on Sunday. The crash happened on Sunday afternoon at around 2:19 p.m. in the 7900 block of FM 225. The Lilbert-Looneyville Volunteer Fire Department said that the rollover happened when the truck’s front left tire blew out and the driver lost control before being ejected from the vehicle. The driver was then taken by Nacogdoches County EMS to be treated at a local hospital. The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office and Texas DPS also responded to the scene.

KILGORE – Kilgore officials have said that a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 20 shutdown east bound traffic on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened near the 589 A exit and involved multiple vehicles and reported livestock. Law enforcement will continue to be on the scene for a while as they clear vehicles and livestock from the roadway.

The Kilgore Police Department reported that Interstate 20 was shutdown at Highway 42 and diverted on to FM 1252.

NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches Police Department said that a man drowned at Lake Nacogdoches on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, officers responded to the west side park at the lake at around 7:11 p.m. after getting reports of a man who possibly drowned. Nacogdoches PD, Nacogdoches Fire Department, Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Game Wardens all searched the area for the man. The Nacogdoches Police and Fire Rescue Dive Team were then called in to help and they found the man hours later, reportedly near where he last went under the water.

Preliminary Information gathered from the area showed that Caleb Arthurs, 37 of Nacogdoches, was swimming at the lake with friends and family when he was last seen, a Nacogdoches PD press release shows. Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 has requested that an autopsy be done and Nacogdoches PD said more information will be released when available.

The City of Nacogdoches Parks and Recreation Department announced that the swimming area at Lake Nacogdoches West will be closed until further notice.

LAKE LIVINGSTON – The Trinity River Authority declared a “potential failure watch” for the Lake Livingston Dam spillway on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the dam’s spillway was reportedly “adversely impacted” by the heavy rainfall that recently hit the area and caused flooding across Trinity and Polk counties. Officials said that while there is no immediate danger of the dam failing, there is a potential remote chance that the dam could fail. The dam will continue to operate as necessary but the dam’s spillway will be monitored, evaluated and repaired as needed.

To learn more about the declaration, call 877-352-3247 or visit the Trinity River Authority online. Continue reading Potential failure watch condition for Lake Livingston Dam

SHELBY COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, the Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative has announced that there will be a planned power outage near Huxley on Wednesday. The outage will last from around 1:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. while crews perform substation maintenance. The following areas will reportedly be affected by the power outage: FM 417 to around the 4000 block, north on FM 3172 to the FM 139 bridge, Huxley, Huxley Bay, Ragtown, Rolling Hills and Doyle English.

The cooperative said that affected customers will get a call on Tuesday. To learn more call 866-392-2547 or visit Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative online.

HENDERSON COUNTY – The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said that a man was arrested after suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl were found during a traffic stop on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, at around 3 p.m. on Thursday a Henderson County Sheriff’s Office deputy reportedly did a traffic stop on a white 2019 Dodge Challenger for an alleged traffic violation. A Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office K9 deputy also assisted in the stop, according to officials. K9 Vinnie did a “free air sniff” and reportedly alerted the deputies for narcotics. The Challenger was searched and suspected methamphetamines and suspected fentanyl were found.

Aaron Chase Calvert, 28 of Mabank, was then arrested for two counts of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance between four and 200 grams. He’s being held in the Henderson County Jail on a total $200,000 bond.

TRINITY COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, a woman accused of hitting a motorcyclist and evading arrest is wanted in Trinity County, the sheriff’s office said. According to a release, the Texas Department of Public Safety responded to an accident in front of the Riverside Exxon on Thursday where a truck reportedly hit a motorcycle. Angela Fannin, identified as the truck driver, reportedly didn’t stop to give the motorcyclist aid.

“The Trinity Police Department responded to Fannin’s residence attempting to apprehend her. Fannin fled on foot to an unknown location at this time,” a release said.

Anyone with information on Fannin’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office at 936-642-1424.

TYLER – Smith County Emergency Services District #2 (ESD2) said one person died after a two-vehicle crash occurred on Old Jacksonville Highway near Toll 49 on Friday. Nikki Simmons with Smith County ESD2 said the crash occurred when a Jeep and an SUV collided. The driver of the Jeep reportedly died after being ejected during the crash. Smith County ESD2 responded to the scene along with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, DPS, the Smith County Fire Marshall’s Office and UT Health EMS.

According to our news partner KETK, the driver of the SUV was taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. The roadway was cleared as of 7:56 p.m.

HARRISON COUNTY – Officials in Harrison County said they are looking for a wanted fugitive. According to our news partner KETK, Kyler McBride, 28, is wanted for the following charges: engaging in organized criminal activity, two charges of burglary of a building, criminal mischief, theft of material alum./copper/brass (less than $20,000), theft of property between $2,500 and $30,000 and criminal trespass. McBride is described by authorities as a white male, 5’7″, about 190 pounds with brown hair and eyes.

Anyone with information on McBride’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Harrison County Criminal Investigation Division at 903-923-4000. Continue reading 28-year-old wanted for engaging in organized crime

TYLER – The Tyler City Council authorized the filing of applications to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for grants to develop a new park and renovate another on the Legacy Trails. According to our news partner KETK, the city plans to build Stewart Park, which would be the city’s 29th park and the first time a new park has been added since 2004.

City officials added that their parks and recreation department applied for a $500,000 grant for the development of the park. If granted, the funds will be awarded through a grant matching program. The release also said, “T.B. and Gladys Stewart donated the nine acres alongside Frankston Highway, where the future park will be developed, to the City of Tyler in 2012. The donation included the Stewart home, which Mr. Stewart built from scratch. Parts of the home will be salvaged to create a pavilion, and a historical marker will be added.”

The City said that the master plan of the property also includes becoming a trail head for the second phase of Legacy Trail, which was funded through a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation.

Tyler – Tyler ISD announceS that Layne Fumo, a 5th-grade math teacher at Caldwell Arts Academy, was named one of six Texas finalists for the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Mrs. Fumo is one of three math educators chosen for this honor. This recognition marks Mrs. Fumo’s exceptional contributions to K-12 STEM education and underscores her commitment to inspiring students in the field of mathematics. Continue reading Caldwell teacher finalist for presidential award

LONGVIEW – Our news partners at KETK report a Gilmer man was charged with capital murder in connection to Wednesday’s Longview shooting that led to the death of a Taco Bell employee. The Longview Police Department said they arrested Brent Leslie DeLuca, 31 of Gilmer, on Thursday, and also charged him with unlawful possession of metal or body armor by a felon. The police department said DeLuca was taken into custody without incident and is being held on a $75,000 bond for a separate warrant. He is awaiting arraignment on the capital murder charge.

HARRISON COUNTY – Our colleagues at KETK report officials in Harrison County said they are looking for a wanted fugitive. According to the sheriff’s office, Kyler McBride, 28, is wanted for the following charges:
Engaging in organized criminal activity
Burglary of a building, two charges
Criminal mischief
Theft of material alum./copper/brass, less than $20,000
Theft of property between $2,500 and $30,000
Criminal Trespass Continue reading 28-year-old wanted for engaging in organized crime

LONGVIEW – According to our news partner KETK, East Texas schools are urgently searching for applicants ahead of the new school year. Longview Independent School District is currently hiring more than 20 positions. LISD and Chapel Hill ISD are hiring transportation, child nutritionists and groundskeeper positions. Tyler ISD is also looking to add people to their team: principals, coaches, teachers and several other roles.

They want to bring in great people before the first bell rings in August so schools are ready to lead students into a new successful school year. All districts are looking for people who are passionate about shaping young minds.

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department have arrested a Gilmer man in connection to an early Wednesday morning shooting. According to our news partner KETK, 31-year-old Leslie DeLuca of Gilmer was charged Thursday with capital murder of an unnamed person, during an attempted robbery in the parking lot of a Judson Road Taco Bell. DeLuca was also charged with unlawful possession of metal or body armor by a felon. He is being held on a $75,000 bond. The victim has not been identified.

TYLER – What: Starting on Monday, July 8, Hoar Construction will be closing multiple streets in Downtown Tyler to begin construction on the Smith County Courthouse.

Where:
Erwin Street, from Spring Avenue to Fannin Avenue, will be completely closed.
Fannin Street, from Erwin Street to Ferguson Street, will be completely closed.
Ferguson Street, in front of the Smith County Annex Building, will remain open to drivers, but the parking spaces will be inside the construction fencing. No parking will be available in front of the Annex on Ferguson Street.
Most of Spring Avenue, between Erwin and Ferguson, will be blocked off and closed, but one lane will remain open for people driving around the courthouse.
Spring Avenue, next to the Smith County Jail, from Erwin Street to Elm Street, will reverse southbound only for driving and parking.

When: Monday, July 8 until July 31, 2025. Please note this is a year-long closure.

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County officials awarded volunteers with Texans on Mission Disaster Relief Team with a Smith County Community Hero Award on Thursday, after the group helped more than 100 residents clean up their properties damaged by the severe weather in late May and early June. Texans on Mission Disaster Relief Team, historically called Texas Baptist Men, has worked all over Smith County for the past three weeks. Continue reading Texas Baptist Men volunteers honored

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road 2110 has been reopened this week after Road and Bridge crews repaired the washed-out road and replaced the culvert damaged from the severe weather earlier this month. According to a news release, several Smith County roads suffered wash outs and undermined culverts or bridges caused by storms in late May and early June throughout the county.

CR 3203 and 381 remained closed while the Road and Bridge Department is waiting on new pipes to replace the culverts that were undermined by severe weather. Continue reading Smith County roads update

ANGELINA COUNTY — An appeals court has refused to take up the criminal case of former Angelina County Judge Meydon Lymbery. According to our news partner KETK, Lymbery was indicted for violating the Open Meetings Act, which sets the regulations that government entities must follow for holding meetings and when they are allowed to take action. He was found guilty on one count of violating TOMA last December after pleading not guilty. In February, the Twelfth District Court of Appeals issued an opinion affirming the judgement of the trial court.

Back in April, Lymbery filed for discretionary review from a higher court stating that the charge stemmed from a “spontaneous social gathering” of him and several county commissioners, and that the state had not sufficiently proved he violated the act.

On Wednesday, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals refused to review his petition.

PALESTINE — A man was arrested in Palestine after witnesses said he was shooting a handgun in the area of Larry Street Park. According to our news partner KETK, officers responded to a shots fired call on June 22 at 4:21 p.m., and found 48-year-old Floyd Conley Jr. Officers described Conley as appearing “heavily intoxicated” and had ammunition on him. Witnesses at the scene told officers that Conley fired the weapon, reloaded and continued to fire. They said when officers arrived, he threw the gun in the woods. Officers found empty shell casings in the area that matched the ammunition Conley had on his person. Conley was booked into the Angelina County Jail.

“I commend the Officers for their quick response and arrest of this suspect.” PPD Chief Mark Harcrow said. “Its a miracle that no one in the area was injured.”

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department said a Taco Bell employee was shot and killed Wednesday morning after a unknown suspect attempted to rob them. According to our news partner KETK, police responded to a shooting at the Judson Road Taco Bell parking lot around 12:40 a.m. The restaurant employees were said to be outside while power was out in the area when an unknown suspect walked up and attempted to rob them. The suspect reportedly shot an employee and stole a car, Longview PD said. The employee was later pronounced dead at the scene. The car was recovered nearby.

The police department said they are actively investigating with the help of the Texas Department of Public Safety Rangers. A person of interest has been identified. Officials said more information will be released as the investigation develops.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1110 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP.

TYLER – City of Tyler said in a release that there will be repairs Thursday and Friday, June 27 and June 28, to a portion of Cumberland Road. That part is between Old Jacksonville Highway and Blue Mountain Boulevard. Repair crews will be out both days from from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers can expect delays in the area and should follow the road crews directions. There will be lane closures with one lane of traffic. City officials ask motorists to detour to Blue Mountain Blvd and use caution while traveling on this road, as workers will be present.

TYLER – Ahead of a televised debate this week, former President Donald Trump holds an 8% advantage with a sample of registered Texas voters when voters consider candidates on the ballot, according to the latest survey by The University of Texas at Tyler Center for Opinion Research. The advantage is 6%, with likely voters on the assumption this is a high turnout election like four years ago. Continue reading UT Tyler pre-debate poll

CARTHAGE – Officials in Carthage approved a maximum price of $3.7 million to construct a standalone police headquarters according to our colleagues at KETK. Carthage police and fire currently share an address at 321 W. Panola St. The fire department will stay in their current building, but police will move to the new headquarters when it is finished. According to City Manager Steve Williams, the city will pay for the new headquarters out of the city budget. They plan to start moving dirt in early July, and the project is expected to take about a year to finish. Williams said that both their fire and police departments have outgrown their old space, and this move will also afford the fire department more room.