KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Caldwell Zoo announced on Wednesday a big hatch of Texas Horned Lizards as a part of a dedicated conservation effort according to our news partners at KETK. According to the zoo, the Lone Star State’s official state reptile was almost threatened to extinction, which led to the Texas Parks and Wildlife department reaching out to Caldwell Zoo for conservation efforts. Caldwell Zoo said they established a Texas Horned Lizard Conservation which is now in it’s fifth year of operation, according to our news partners at KETK. Continue reading Caldwell Zoo: successful hatching of Texas state reptile

TYLER – On Wednesday, Tyler Animal Services was alerted by the Texas Department of State Health Services that one bat submitted for analysis tested positive for rabies. The bat was found near the 2200 block of Bateman Avenue and Troup Highway. The known individuals and animals with possible exposure have been identified and addressed.
 
Tyler Animal Services Director Shawn Markmann reminds people not to handle bats, skunks, raccoons or other wild animals. It is important for children to tell their parents of any contact with wild animals or any sick animals. If a person is bitten by an animal, it must be reported to the Local Rabies Control Authority to be investigated
 
Tyler Animal Services advises all pet owners to confirm their dogs and cats are currently vaccinated for rabies. Preventative immunization for rabies is the only effective defense against the fatal disease.
 
Anyone with questions on rabies control may contact Tyler Animal Services at (903) 535-0045.

WHITE OAK – The White Oak Independent School District board unanimously named one person for the superintendent position on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Jackson Parker, former White Oak High School principal and assistant superintendent, was named superintendent.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be named the lone finalist, and I will work each and every day to make it a place where all students thrive,” Parker said. “My job will be made much easier by the incredible staff at all campuses. The best is yet to come. Go Roughnecks!”

After a 21-day waiting period passes, per state law, Parker can be offered a contract. He is scheduled to sign the contract for the superintendent position on Sept. 5. Mr. Parker has been in education for a total of 33 years.

White Oak ISD students returned to class on Wednesday for the new school year.

SMITH COUNTY – Firefighters responded to a trash truck that caught on fire early Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, a call came in to Smith County Emergency Services District 2 around 10 a.m. Nikki Simmons, the Community Outreach Coordinator for Smith County ESD2, reported a trash truck caught fire in Overton on County Road 244. Fire officials stated that, the driver of the trash truck was able to get out and there were no injuries reported.

Simmons added, “Firefighters from Engine 141 and Engine 132 quickly arrived on scene to contain the fire and keep it from spreading to the woods. Smith County Fire Marshal’s office will handle the investigation. ”

HENDERSON COUNTY – With hot and dry conditions continuing throughout our region. Some counties in East Texas have enacted burn bans. Our news partner KETK has a list of those counties under a burn ban. You can find the list here.

AUSTIN — Smith County has earned a 2023 Excellence in Safety Award from the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool (TAC RMP) for its record of excellence in involvement and commitment to safety in the workplace, as well as for controlling workers’ compensation claims.

To qualify for the award, the county must participate in TAC RMP’s Workers’ Compensation Program, have a safety program or accident prevention plan and have an active safety committee. This is the highest honor a county can receive from TAC RMP for its commitment to safety. Continue reading Smith County receives excellence in safety award

TYLER – The Smith County Historical Society will need to find a new home after the City of Tyler decided not to renew their current lease. According to our news partner KETK, controversy has erupted on social media since the lease change as people ponder the fate of the historic building. Currently, the organization is housed at the Old Carnegie Library on 125 College Ave in Tyler. The historical society said they do not want to go anywhere.

Since 1984, the society had an auto renewal lease every five years with the city. However, the city has reportedly chosen not to renew the lease so restorations can be done to the building.

“At no cost to the society, they’ve been located there and at this point we were looking to let them know that we are not going to renew the lease,” Stephanie Franklin, Tyler deputy city manager, said. Continue reading Tyler’s lease to Smith County Historical Society not renewed

GUN BARREL CITY – According to our news partner KETK, a bicyclist is dead after a hit-and-run crash on Highway 175. The Gun Barrel City Police Department is seeking help to identify the driver. According to Gun Barrel City PD Captain Connie Peña, police were dispatched to a fatal hit-and-run on the overpass at around 4:10 p.m. on Monday. Peña said the driver is reportedly driving an 18-wheeler pulling two trailers rusty in color. At this time the police department is trying to identify the victim as well as the whereabouts of the driver.

The Gun Barrel City Fire Department said due to the crash, eastbound traffic on Highway 175 was rerouted but it is now back open.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police department at 903-887-7151

HENDERSON COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report a body has been recovered from the Henderson County reservoir by a game warden after a Sunday night crash that also left two others dead, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said. According to a release, officials in Henderson County responded to a vehicle crash on Sunday at around 9 p.m. on SH 198 bridge crossing Cedar Creek Reservoir near Payne Springs. The Texas Parks and Wildlife officials said the crash involved a vehicle and three motorcycles. Officials said two motorcyclists were pronounced dead at the scene and the third was believed to have gone over the rail and into the reservoir. After calling the search off late in the night, wardens resumed their search efforts Monday morning where they reportedly recovered the third victim at 11 a.m. “Our thoughts are with the victims’ families and loved ones during this difficult time,” officials with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said. At this time, officials did not release the names of the victims.

PAYNE SPRINGS – Payne Springs Fire Rescue said that a man had to be flown out to a trauma center on Saturday night after diving into Cedar Creek Lake, according to our news partners at KETK. PSFR said that they were dispatched to a boating accident at 5:32 p.m. in the Southwood Shores subdivision. When they arrived on the scene it was determined that there was no boating accident and that a man was injured after diving into the lake. “Every year we respond to calls where someone has suffered serious or fatal injures from diving off of boat docks into Cedar Creek Lake. We strongly recommend getting into the water feet first at all times,” Payne Springs Fire Rescue said. EMS reportedly transported the man to Gun Barrel City where he was then flown out to be treated at a trauma center.

TYLER – Tyler has been ranked as the eleventh best place to live in the Southwest by Livability.com. Their rankings are created by taking into account economic variables, quality of life indicators and affordability data taken from more than 2,000 cities from across the country.

“In today’s landscape, where affordability is increasingly challenging, people are prioritizing locations where their money stretches further,” says Amanda Ellis, editor in chief of Livability.com. “Our rankings spotlight exceptional small and mid-sized communities that excel in providing residents with both affordability and a high quality of life.” Continue reading Tyler named one of top 25 places to live

WHITE OAK – The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said that a man was arrested on Saturday following a pursuit that started in Louisiana. A white Dodge Charger was originally being pursued by the Louisiana State Police before it crossed into Texas. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office was called to assist Waskom PD with pursuing the vehicle, according to our news partner KETK.

The Texas Highway Patrol joined in the pursuit which then headed into Marshall where the Charger eventually began to lose parts of one of it’s tires. The pursuit passed through Longview and ended when the Charger crashed into a White Oak oil change business.

The alleged driver, Salefu Amadou Sangaray, 38 of Lancaster, Texas, was then reportedly arrested after a short foot chase. According to the sheriff’s office, marijuana was found on Sangaray and a reportedly stolen Glock pistol, an AK-47 rifle and oxycodone were found in the Charger. Sangaray is being held in the Harrison County Jail for charges of evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, theft of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance between one and four grams, evading arrest or detention, unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession of marijuana.

LONGVIEW – The City of Longview Police Department said they’ll be increasing patrols of the city’s trails after a man was arrested for attempted kidnapping on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, a woman reported that she was attacked on Friday at around 5:33 p.m. while on the Paul Boorman Trail. The woman told Longview PD that a black man had reportedly grabbed her from behind and tried to cover her mouth before she escaped. Longview PD said that the woman’s description was similar to another incident that happened minutes earlier that day after 5 p.m. Officers from Longview PD searched the area and bystanders reported a man matching the woman’s description and he was arrested just before 7 p.m.

Jelan DeAaron Armond Williams, 27 of Kilgore, was determined to be the alleged suspect and has been charged with kidnapping and three Gregg County warrants. Williams is being held in the Gregg County Jail on a total bond of $30,500.

In response to the incidents on Friday, the Longview Police Department said they’ll have increased patrols throughout all the city’s trail systems.

UPDATE: The Tyler Police Department said that a woman injured in a Lake Tyler boat crash on Saturday has died. According to Tyler PD, Staci Sexton, 38 of Whitehouse, was taken to the hospital where she was in critical condition but later that same day she died. Sexton’s family has been notified.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department has confirmed one person has died and two others were injured after two boats crash at Lake Tyler on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler PD was contacted by the Texas Game Wardens at around 6 a.m. on Saturday morning to assist with responding to a boat crash. Their investigation found that a fishing boat with a man in it reportedly hit a flat bottom boat with two women and a man in it. One woman was reportedly unresponsive and has been taken to a local hospital, the other woman had non-life-threatening injuries and is being treated.

Jacob Ray, 38 of Troup, was in the flat bottom boat and was originally reported as missing but was later found dead, according to Tyler PD. Ray’s family has been notified.

The Texas Game Wardens are currently investigating the crash with the cooperation of the fishing boat driver. Smith County Emergency Services District #2 and Longview Fire Department Water Rescue also assisted in responding to the crash.

JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Police Department said that a 29-year-old woman was found shot and killed on Gillespie Avenue on Saturday morning. According to our news partner KETK, Jacksonville PD, Jacksonville Fire Department and EMS responded to the 400 block of Gillespie Avenue at around 2:52 a.m. on Saturday morning after a report about a shooting. When Jacksonville PD officers arrived on scene they found Clara Deane Wilson dead from an apparent gunshot wound. The shooting is being investigated by Jacksonville PD and the Texas Rangers.

MORRIS COUNTY – An East Texas man was arrested on Monday after authorities said they uncovered a plot to abduct and murder another person according to our news partners at KETK. Officials with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office said the plot was discovered last week, and during investigations, developed “solid probable cause” to obtain an arrest warrant and search warrant. Mark Anthony Johnson, 49 of Naples, was arrested on Monday and officials said a search of his property resulted in the recovery of supplies and materials collected for: se in the kidnapping, torture and murder, including deadly weapons, and a large quantity of chemicals and other materials “for the destruction of evidence of the crime.” Continue reading Man arrested over alleged plot to kidnap, murder

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating a fatal shooting. It happened around 11:40 Saturday, August 10, on Lorance Street. Arriving officers found a 17-year-old victim suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. The suspect was identified as a 16-year-old male from Tyler. He was charged with manslaughter and manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance. He was arrested August, 15 and booked into the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center in Tyler.

MOUNT PLEASANT –Our news partners at KETK report that five people were arrested on Wednesday as well as cocaine, heroin and firearms seized, the Mount Pleasant Police Department said.
Texarkana bookkeeper arrested for alleged $700k embezzlement

According to the police department, at around 7:15 a.m. on Wednesday officers and detectives responded to a call about shots fired in the area of Private Road 3015. The police department reportedly obtained a search warrant of a residence involved.

“During the execution of that search warrant, detectives seized over half a pound of cocaine, 2 ounces of heroin and 8 firearms,” Mount Pleasant PD said. Continue reading 5 arrested after cocaine, firearms seized

HENDERSON COUNTY — A former Payne Springs police officer has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to meth distribution, according to our news partners at KETK. Jonathan Hutchison, a former police officer, pleaded guilty in April to manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance as part of an open plea. Hutchison was sentenced to two years for tampering with an electronic monitoring device, two years for possession of a controlled substance and 20 years for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. The sentences will run concurrently. Continue reading Former East Texas officer sentenced for meth distribution

UPSHUR COUNTY – An Upshur County man was sentenced to nearly 100 years in prison on Wednesday for drug and gun violations. According to our news partner KETK, 51-year-old Jimmy Wayne Skinner received the sentence for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Upshur County District Attorney in a release said in February 2024, a search warrant was executed at a shop building on Bob-O-Link Road in Gladewater. A yearlong investigation revealed a room in the building with methamphetamine, marijuana, cutting agents, loaded syringes and multiple firearms.

The district attorney’s office said six other people were arrested at the location and they are currently awaiting trial.

MARSHALL – Eric Doung, of Alexandria, La., was arrested after nearly 100 pounds of marijuana and other drugs were found in his vehicle on Monday, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) said. Our news partners at KETK report that in a statement made by the HCSO, officials conducted a traffic stop on Highway 59 in Marshall and a probable cause search revealed 93 pounds of marijuana, 10 grams of cocaine and One pill of Lortab in the vehicle. Doung was arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance between four and 200 grams and possession of a controlled substance less than 28 grams.

LINDALE — A Smith County Emergency Services District 2 firefighter was injured while responding to a fire on Wednesday night. According to Smith County ESD2 officials and our news partner KETK, the firefighter responded to call at around 7:48 p.m. of a shed on fire that was reportedly endangering nearby structures on CR 468. “Lindale Engine 1 and Command 1 along with SCESD2 responded to the 13000 block of County Road 468 for a report of a structure fire. Units checked on scene and stated that a shed was fully engulfed. The fire was quickly brought under control,” the Lindale Fire Department said. The firefighter reportedly sustained minor burns after the fire went under the bottom of his bunker gear while fighting the blaze. Smith County ESD2 officials said the burns were limited to his leg. He was then taken to a local hospital where he was later released and is expected to make a full recovery.

TYLER – Smith County officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Smith County Courthouse on Thursday. The current Commissioners Court, as well as past members, posed for pictures after breaking ground on the future site of the new courthouse. The new courthouse is expected to be completed in the fall of 2026.

Congressman Nathaniel Moran, who served as Smith County judge when the courthouse bond was passed by voters, spoke to the crowd of more than 100 people, as well as current County Judge Neal Franklin.
 

TYLER — An investigation into a Tyler man for child pornography reopened a 2020 “suspended” sexual assault of child case. According to our news partner KETK, Austin Wayne Odell, 38, was arrested on possession of child pornography and sexual assault of a child on Aug. 3. According to an affidavit, a peace officer with the Texas Department of Public Safety obtained 99 videos and four images of child porn that were downloaded in 2023 from devices connected to an IP address that traced back to Odell’s address.

On Aug. 31, 2023, the officer executed a search warrant at Odell’s residence where he seized multiple devices but reportedly did not find any child porn. Later, the officer reportedly learned that Odell went out of town and took his computer with him. Continue reading Tyler man confesses to sexual assault of minor