KTBB News, Weather, Talk

AUSTIN — Tyler state Representative Matt Schaefer is anything but pleased with the Democrats’ walkout from Austin over a controversial election bill. He says they bolted to Washington in the name of what he terms “a big lie.” Referencing their concerns about voter suppression, he says, “Read the bill — it’s not there.” Schaefer adds that there’s a lot at stake besides the election measure — like border security and retirement pay for teachers. He adds, “Democrats need to show up for work and fulfill their oath to faithfully execute their duties.”

LONGVIEW — As of Tuesday, July 13, the traffic signal at Loop 281 and Nealy Way in Longview has been set to flash. The signal will be fully operational beginning Tuesday, July 20. Drivers are encouraged to use caution at this intersection. This project consists of constructing a new 4-way traffic signal at the intersection. If you have any questions related to construction, call Zack Shaner, P.E., at 903-237-1321.

HENDERSON – Dozens of roosters that were seized by the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office last week in an illegal cockfighting ring were released Tuesday morning to organizations that will rehabilitate the injured birds. According to our news partner KETK, the organizations taking in the animals to nurse them back to health will be Rusk County Pets Alive and the Humane Society of the United States. Sheriff Johnwayne Valdez says some of the roosters will then be adopted by various residents to raise them. Most were malnourished or seriously injured when they were recovered. The ring was busted on the Fourth of July. It was the second cockfighting ring busted in Rusk County over the last several weeks. Deputies also seized nine vehicles and an undisclosed amount of money.

EAST TEXAS — Texas wants to allow social media users to sue if they get censored by a website. East Texas Senator Bryan Hughes compares Facebook and Twitter to a utility. Hughes says that access to social media sites has become as much needed as a television signal or a phone connection, because that’s how people get their news. Hughes says we are driven further apart when political views are muted. Florida passed a similar bill, but it was blocked last month by a federal judge who ruled that it was unconstitutional.

KILGORE — ETCOG’s Area Agency on Aging of East Texas announces the reopening of senior centers serving congregate meals in Camp, Marion, Harrison, Rains, and Wood counties starting July 12. The meal sites closed to the public in March 2020 to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, the AAA continued serving clients in the senior nutrition program by offering meals through delivery or pickup. Click here for all the details.

TYLER – A Tyler man has been indicted on a child injury charge after allegedly waiting six days to get his daughter medical treatment for frostbite during the winter storm. As a result, her legs had to be amputated, according to our news partner KETK. The 17-year-old has been diagnosed with mental disabilities. Glenn Caldwell Jr., 45, has been charged with injury to a child/disabled individual by omission and is being held in the Smith County Jail on a $250,000 bond. Authorities say when asked why he waited so long to get her help, Caldwell replied he kept “putting it off, and putting it off.”

AUSTIN — A privacy bill authored by an East Texas senator was signed into law, and soon Texans should see fewer robo-calls as a result. According to our news partner KETK, Sen. Robert Nichols, of Jacksonville, authored Senate Bill 15 “to defend consumer privacy”. The bill will limit state agencies abilities to sell or disclose personal information to third parties. “Not only will your personal information be protected, Texans won’t have as many ‘robo-calls’ bothering them because of SB15,” Nichols tweeted. As it stood before this law, The Department of Public Safety and the Department of Motor Vehicles were able to sell, disclose and allow the resale of personal information attached to vehicles. Continue reading Bill preventing government agencies from selling your information signed into law

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man accused of stabbing a man to death nearly two dozen times in 2019 has had his trial set for September. According to our news partner KETK, 41-year-old Humberto Leal is accused of stabbing Luis Rene Maruffo-Castaneda at his home north of the Tyler city limits on June 30, 2019. According to an arrest warrant obtained at the time, when a Smith County detective arrived on the scene, he found Castaneda dead in the driver seat of his car. He then interviewed Leal, who claimed Castaneda was trying to kill him and he stabbed him in self-defense. Continue reading Trial date set for Tyler man accused in fatal stabbing

GREGG COUNTY –Gregg County residents who received a jury duty summons for Monday are no longer required to appear. According to the Longview News-Journal, Gregg County District Clerk Trey Hattaway said the cases set for next week are resolved, and prospective jurors are no longer needed.

TYLER — Weather permitting, the eastbound lane of East Houston Street between South Broadway Avenue and South Spring Avenue in Tyler will be closed to through traffic beginning July 12 while contractors replace a storm drain. Drivers will not be able to turn onto East Houston Street from South Broadway Avenue. The closure began at 8 a.m. Monday and will continue through July 20. Motorists are encouraged to take alternate routes. They’re also reminded to obey all traffic signs and slow down in and around the construction zone.

GUN BARREL CITY — A man was arrested after a large amount of methamphetamine was found in his vehicle during a traffic stop in Gun Barrel City. According to our news partner KETK, on Friday, Christopher Morgan drove his dark colored SUV out of a gas station parking lot and was traveling eastbound on Main Street when he was stopped by Deputy Meagan Hogan. While conducting the traffic stop, a vehicle search was conducted and law enforcement found a ‘large amount’ of methamphetamine in Morgan’s vehicle. Morgan was arrested and taken to the Henderson County Jail.

TYLER — On the second Saturday of every month, Downtown Tyler celebrates Hit the Bricks. There’s lots going on this Saturday — The Market Place, a Gallery Main Street exhibit opening, the Rose City Farmers Market, and much more. Click here for complete details. “Hit the Bricks” second Saturday is a collaborative initiative of Visit Tyler, the City of Tyler, and downtown business and property owners, with a variety of activities on and off the downtown square.

TYLER – A Tyler man accused of driving to Alabama and kidnapping a 13-year-old girl he met online has been indicted on several charges, including human trafficking and child sexual assault. According to our news partner KETK, 19-year-old Daniel Skipworth is being held in the Smith County Jail on a $550,000 bond. A grand jury in June returned indictments on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child, kidnapping, trafficking a child, and engaging in forced sexual conduct. The case began in mid-April, and the investigation began after the girl’s parents filed a missing persons report.

WASHINGTON – Government lawyers have filed a motion opposing an East Texas man’s plea to have his electronic monitoring removed while he is awaiting trial for his role in the January Capitol riot. According to our news partner KETK, Alex Harkrider (left), a 34-year-old Carthage native, was released on bond in April until his trial. He is charged along with 30-year-old Ryan Nichols (right), a Longview resident, with several crimes stemming from the riot ranging from civil disorder to assaulting federal officers. The removal request was based heavily on the recommendation of Harkrider’s pre-trial officer. Among other things, DOJ officials wrote that “the facts of this case are very concerning and the defendant has been indicted on very serious charges.”

SMITH COUNTY — The plea deadline for two Smith County parents charged in the death of their three-year-old daughter has been set for August 12. According to our news partner KETK, 40-year-old Manuel Williams and 31-year-old Courtnie Williams both could face the death penalty. 241st District Court Judge Jack Skeen gave the couple a little more than a month to decide whether they will go to trial. On July 15, 2020, first responders found Kodie Williams, 3, unresponsive in her Tyler home. Police found that she “had numerous bruises to the face,” according to a warrant obtained by KETK. She was rushed to a local hospital where she later died. Continue reading Plea deadline for Tyler parents charged with capital murder

LONGVIEW — Longview Police filed multiple charges with the DA’s office in connection to a shooting incident that happened Wednesday at a Motel 6. According to our news partner KETK, a domestic disturbance turned into a shooting, police said. Witnesses told officers that a male was assaulting a female by attempting to strangle her in one of the motel rooms. Police say a third person went to the victim’s defense and shot the male subject. The injured male remains in a local hospital. Because of the circumstances around the case, LPD will file two criminal offense charges with the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office for review and presentation to the Gregg County Grand Jury. Identities have not been released.

AUSTIN — East Texas state Senator Bryan Hughes Thursday filed Senate Bill 1, addressing the security, accountability, and accessibility of Texas elections, as the special legislative session got underway in Austin. It’s a followup to his SB 7, which fell short during the regular session. In a prepared statement, Hughes said, “In Texas elections, we want to make sure it is easy to vote and hard to cheat. Senate Bill 1 does just that by making sure Texans can cast their votes with confidence that they’ll be counted and the results will be reported accurately.” A public hearing on the bill is set for Saturday. Governor Abbott has made such legislation a priority for the special session.

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank is holding another mega drive-thru produce distribution Friday in Longview from 8-10 a.m. at the Gregg County Fairgrounds, and several more are scheduled later in East Texas. As with past distributions, the events are open to anyone and there are no eligibility or paperwork requirements. These are drive-thru distributions and walk-ups will not be accepted. Multiple households can carpool. To pick up items for another household not present, a note must be provided. Food bank officials reiterate that even as the pandemic is ending, they are still seeing an increased need for food assistance. Continue reading Another produce distribution in Longview

TYLER – A Whitehouse man charged with murder will have his trial in September after a hearing on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, Lars Theorine, 53, is accused of stabbing 43-year-old Michael Reed to death in January 2020. Responding officers say Theorine muttered, “He tried to kill me.” Theorine was the owner of Paradise Skating Rink and Big Kahuna Indoor Parties in Whitehouse.

WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse ISD recently experienced a disruption to certain computer systems due to a cybersecurity incident, according a WISD news release. Officials say, “We responded immediately to contain this incident. We are working diligently with third-party forensic specialists to investigate this matter, confirm its impact on our systems, and restore full and secure functionality to our systems as soon as possible. Whitehouse ISD’s primary concern remains its students and community. Although our investigation is ongoing, unfortunately it appears that limited information relating to certain student and employee records was compromised.” You can click here to get all the details.

TYLER — Vexus Fiber says it will spend $50 million to bring its ‘fiber-to-the-home’ network to Tyler and Whitehouse. According to our news partner KETK, Vexus Fiber plans to have full-network completion within two years, said a statement from the company. Some neighborhoods and businesses in Tyler will see network availability as soon as the first quarter of next year. “We are thrilled to announce our expansion into Tyler,” Jim Gleason, CEO of Vexus, said in news release. Continue reading Vexus Fiber to build $50M optic broadband

SMITH COUNTY — On Thursday morning, Smith County Criminal District Attorney Jacob Putman announced his run for re-election. He took office January 1, 2018. In a press release, Putman said his office has made significant strides in improving the office while continuing tough punishments for serious offenders. He went on to list a few of those improvements: Continue reading Smith County DA announces run for re-election

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department is investigating a robbery that occurred Thursday, July 1, around 7:45 p.m. Officials say a light-skinned either Hispanic or white male entered the Kroger on E. End Blvd. North, wearing a facemask, blue and black jacket, and a cap. Officers were informed that the suspect approached the customer service desk and slid a handwritten note to the clerk which said to give him all the money because he had a gun. Cash was given to the suspect and the suspect exited the store. If you recognize the suspect or have any additional information, contact the Marshall Police Department at (903) 935-4575.

TYLER – The Tyler Municipal Court has partnered with the Tyler Public Library to solidify alternative community service options as a way to pay for Municipal Court fines. According to a news release, qualifying people may now be referred to the library to complete their community service hours through spending time reading to their children, participating in educational programming, or studying for betterment of self in efforts of obtaining their GED. Continue reading Court, library team up on community service options

TYLER — Smith County Officials Tuesday held their first of five citizen input meetings to discuss the second phase of the six-year Road and Bridge Capital Improvement Project with community members in every precinct. Commissioner Precinct 2 Cary Nix, County Judge Nathaniel Moran, and County Engineer Frank Davis met with a group at the First Baptist Church in Whitehouse Tuesday evening. They informed the citizens of the projects that have been done so far in Phase 1 of the road bond, as well as projects planned for Phase 2. “I thought it went great,” Commissioner Nix said of the meeting in a news release. “It was very informative and they asked some really good questions.” Additional meetings are set for July 8, 15, 20, and 29. Click here for additional information and background on this item.

LONGVIEW — Longview state Representative Jay Dean is ready to join other lawmakers as the Legislature kicks off a special session Thursday. In a recent conversation with KTBB, Dean said he’s hoping lawmakers “will get our business finished up because we know we’ve gotta come back” to deal with redistricting later this year. He adds, “We’ll do everything we can to…make sure we get the job finished.” A key item: election legislation rooted in Senate Bill 7, initially introduced by Mineola state Senator Bryan Hughes. That measure fell short in the regular session when Democrats walked out, preventing a quorum.

SMITH COUNTY — A Bullard man who federal prosecutors say is a member of the white supremacist Aryan Circle gang pleaded guilty Tuesday to being among those who attacked a man in 2016 and other crimes. According to our news partner KETK, Anthony Levi Cochran, 39, admitted in court that as a member of the gang he beat someone, was involved in a conspiracy to sell firearms to a convicted felon and participated in racketeering. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison and will be sentenced later. Continue reading Bullard man pleads guilty to crimes as member of white supremacist gang

TYLER — Smith County is continuing to buy properties east of the downtown Tyler square as part of its plans to one day build a new courthouse there. According to our news partner KETK, on Tuesday, the commissioners court unanimously approved buying the property at 219 E. Ferguson St. from ALDCO LLC for $218,000. Earlier this year, an architectural group presented a detailed plan for a seven-story courthouse that spanned more than 230,000 square feet. If a parking garage is added, the cost would be about $140 million. Continue reading Smith County buys property east of square in area of proposed new courthouse

LONGVIEW — A  Hallsville woman is behind bars Wednesday morning after allegedly kidnapping a four-year-old child. According to our news partner KETK, 23-year-old Lindsey Kelley allegedly took the child from a home near Hallsville around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night. As the department was set to issue an Amber Alert, the sheriff’s office received a tip that she may have gone to Longview. The tipster also said that Kelley had made past threats “implying that she might sell her children for unknown reasons.” Continue reading East Texas woman arrested for kidnapping 4-year-old child