KTBB News, Weather, Talk

PANOLA COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, a Central Heights Middle School teacher has been put on leave following a sexual assault arrest. Landon Christopher Odom, 26 of Gary, was apprehended on Thursday and taken into custody following a sexual assault investigation involving a minor.

Central Heights ISD released a statement shortly after that the instructor was placed on leave and removed from all school-related responsibilities.

“It is the District’s understanding that the investigation does not relate to school-based conduct or students of CHISD,” the district said in a statement issued on Friday.

The district added that it is cooperating fully with law enforcement and remains committed to maintaining transparency with parents and the community. The investigation is ongoing as authorities continue gathering evidence and conducting interviews. Odom is being held on a $100,000 bond in the Panola County Jail.

RUSK COUNTY — A Rusk County man has been sentenced to five years in state prison after allegedly making more than 70 threatening phone calls to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office. According to our news partner KETK, Travis Andrew Halbert was arrested on July 1 after repeatedly calling the department over three days. He was charged with 4 counts of making terroristic threats against a peace officer and one charge of harassment.

Officials said Halbert threatened dispatchers and their families in several calls, and in one instance claimed he would “rain down hellfire” by firebombing the department. Halbert initially pleaded not guilty during his Nov. 17 jury trial but changed his plea to guilty, and received the five year prison term.

SMITH COUNTY — A Smith County officer is in the hospital after being severely assaulted by a juvenile inmate on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, deputies were sent to the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center after being informed that an inmate was assaulting an officer. Deputies arrived and were led to the officer, who was lying on the floor with significant head injury. The officer was taken a hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery for critical head injuries.

Officials reviewed surveillance footage, where they saw the suspect repeatedly striking the officer with a handicap shower rail that was detached from the shower wall. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said the officer is currently in stable condition following the surgery.

SMITH COUNTY – Non-emergency Smith County offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, for Thanksgiving. County offices will reopen on Monday, December 1, for normal business hours. Smith County Commissioners Court will be held at its regular time, 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 25.

AUSTIN — A Longview resident has the winning ticket worth $1 million dollars, by playing a Texas Lottery scratch ticket game. The ticket was purchased at Super 1 Foods on East Marshall Avenue near Alpine Village in Longview. The winner elected to remain anonymous.

SHREVEPORT (NOAA) – The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for portions of northeast Texas until 7 p.m. Monday. Counties in the watch area are: Cherokee County, Rusk County, Sabine County, Nacogdoches County, Shelby County, Angelina County, San Augustine County, Panola County, Houston County, Trinity County and Anderson County. To get regular weather updates from the KTBB website, go here.

HALLSVILLE – East Texas State Rep. Jay Dean is calling for the release of Caden Hawkins, a 22-year-old from Hallsville, that Dean said is being held as a cash asset in Mexico.
According to Dean, Hawkins was arrested as he was heading home from working on an oil field when his GPS led him across the border. Hawkins had a legally registered firearm in the vehicle when he was arrested. Dean told our news partners at KETK that he spoke with Hawkins’ family on Sunday. Hawkins has reportedly been held in Juarez, Mexico for the past 9 months. His family has been trying to secure his release for months and has had to pay thousands of dollars to try and help Caden. Continue reading State Rep. calls for release of East Texan

MARSHALL — A federal lawsuit claims an East Texas rehabilitation program built around manual labor instead functioned as an unpaid labor pipeline, one that seized participants’ tips, controlled their benefits and kept them working across several businesses. The lawsuit, filed in the Eastern District of Texas, details accusations against Timothy Wiseman, Wiseman Ministries Inc., Wiseman Transport LLC, ten unnamed defendants and the ministry’s recovery program, Isaiah 58 Farms.

According to our news partner KETK, Isaiah 58 Farms is a 150-acre income-producing commercial blackberry farm with housing for up to 40 men, allowing residents to “experience restoration and recovery.” Active since 2003, Wiseman Ministries says it helps individuals dealing with “life-controlling issues.” However, the lawsuit argues that Tim Wiseman and Wiseman Ministries failed to pay employees despite requiring them to work 40-hour weeks.

The lawsuit claims that instead of lawful wages, participants received “points” or credits. Continue reading Lawsuit claims ministry ran unpaid labor scheme

TYLER – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has reappointed three East Texans to serve on the board of directors of the Sabine River Authority of Texas. According to our news partner KETK, Richard “Blair” Abney of Marshall, Joshua A. “Josh” McAdams of Center and Cliff Todd of Long Branch were all reappointed to the board on Thursday, along with Kevin M. Williams of Orange.

As members of the Sabine River Authority’s board of directors, the East Texans will help to conserve, store, control, preserve, utilize and distribute the Sabine River’s waters.

Todd is a farmer and rancher in Panola County and serves as an Executive Vice President for Topcat Companies in Longview. Todd’s also a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, a board member of UT Health Carthage and a commissioner with the Panola County Emergency Services District. He received his bachelor’s of science degree in agriculture from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches. Continue reading East Texans reappointed to Sabine River Authority board

SMITH COUNTY — A man who broke into a residence, and assaulted a woman, was sentenced to 50 years in prison by a Smith County jury on Wednesday. According to our news partner, Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman, during the trial, prosecutors presented evidence showing that the defendant, Fred Douglas Moore, arrived at a home where he confronted a resident outside of the house. When the victim attempted to get inside the house, Moore forced his way in and assaulted her, Putman’s office said. After the victim called for help from a family member inside the house, Moore left the residence.

In court, jurors heard recorded jail calls where Moore allegedly attempted to manipulate the victim’s testimony and pressured her not to appear in court. Moore also reportedly tried to contact the victim over 3,000 times while he was incarcerated. Due to all the evidence heard in the trial, including that Moore had two prior felony convictions, the jury assessed a sentence of 50 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Moore was sentenced after being convicted of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit assault.

CHEROKEE COUNTY, – The National Weather Service in Shreveport has confirmed that an EF-1 tornado struck near Jacksonville in Cherokee County on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the tornado touched down east of State Highway 135 at around 9 p.m. three miles southwest of Jacksonville.

NWS said the tornado was strong enough to produce 100 mile per hour winds and destroyed a large barn near a home, threw metal roofing several hundred yards of way, snapped trees and downed power lines. It was also reported the tornado blew a carport on top of a garage and a mobile home had it’s back porch blown off. The tornado then left the ground .72 miles from where it started, in a field near train tracks that run toward State Highway 135.

RAINS COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK charges have been dropped in a case where a Rains County judge was accused of tampering with a witness.

Rains County Justice of the Peace Robert Jenkins Franklin was arrested on two counts of official oppression and two counts of tampering with a witness in May, after he was accused of telling a defendant, “I heard you have a problem with me, boy. You take that deal, boy — or dead men can’t testify.”

Van Zandt County District Attorney Tonda Curry was assigned to serve in the case and she told KETK News that the charges against Franklin in this case were dropped because the evidence against him was enough for an indictment but later investigation called witnesses into question and she couldn’t prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

According to Curry, the indictment against Franklin will officially be dropped once he completes a year of deferred adjudication that he recently received in a disorderly conduct/display of a firearm case. Continue reading Charges dropped against Rains County judge

LONGVIEW – A Longview Fire Department’s special operations team successfully rescued a man who fell 40 feet from an elevated section of Interstate 20 on Thursday night. When they arrived, first responders rappelled to the person’s location, provided emergency medical care and hoisting the individual back up to the roadway via rope system. The victim was taken to a hospital for further medical treatment.

“The coordinated efforts and technical skill demonstrated by these personnel ensured the successful outcome of this complex operation,” the Longview Fire Department said. “Their professionalism and rapid response exemplify the department’s readiness to respond to high-risk rescue situations.”

SMITH COUNTY — A large industrial fire that broke out Thursday night near the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport is now being investigated by the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office.

The fire, engulfed a 26,000-square-foot metal building storing plastic and oil products off Highway 64 West, near Toll 49 and Tyler Pounds Airport. At its height, firefighters from Tyler, Lindale and Smith County Emergency Services District 2 responded to the fire. Authorities evacuated nearby residents around 8 p.m., relocating them to a local church, with the evacuation order lifted at 11:30 p.m.

Firefighters continued to battle the fire overnight, and the building’s roof partially collapsed. No injuries were reported and Tyler Pounds airport operations were unaffected. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said that air quality was unaffected. The Smith County Fire Marshall’s Office said hazmat crews would remain on-site for several days while the investigation continues.

Update: The Smith County Sheriff’s office has identified the woman killed by the pit bull dogs as Madison Riley Hull of Tyler. Officials also said she was dog sitting for the owners who were out of town. Their investigation continues.

TYLER – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said a 23-year-old woman was killed by three pit bull dogs that attacked her in Tyler on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, deputies responded to a call at a residence near Northwood Drive and Shadywood Drives in Tyler at around 4:15 p.m. The first deputy on scene saw a woman lying in the backyard of a home as three pit bulls attacked her. The officer was reportedly able to shoot and kill one of the pit bulls, which caused the other two dogs to run away. They were able to remove the woman’s body from the backyard, but she died because of her injuries from the dog attack.

A sheriff’s office release said the other two dogs were handled by Smith County Animal Control. Investigators said the woman was dog-sitting the pit bulls that attacked her, since the home’s owners were out of town. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the attack and an autopsy has been ordered. The deputy attacked also received minor injuries was treated.

RUSK COUNTY — Investigators on Friday identified a third suspect in the 1983 Kilgore KFC killings, marking a major development in a case that has spanned more than four decades. According to our news partner KETK, Rusk County officials revealed Devan Riggs being the third suspect. The lead prosecutor in the case, said that Riggs, died on Oct. 9, 2010, at 57 from natural causes.

The killings occurred on Sept. 23, 1983, when five people, Mary Tyler, Opie Hughes, Joey Johnson, David Maxwell and Monty Landers were abducted from the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Kilgore. The victims were taken several miles away to a remote oilfield in Rusk County and fatally shot. For years, only two men, Romeo Pinkerton and Darnell Hartsfield, were charged in the case. Both were indicted in 2005 and later given life sentences. Pinkerton continues to serve five life sentences after being denied parole in 2019, while Hartsfield died in prison in 2022.
Continue reading Third suspect is named in Kilgore KFC murders

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County firefighters are continuing to battle a large industrial fire at Four Seasons Containers LLC, west of Tyler. Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said his office has three deputy fire marshals on the scene to investigate how the fire started.

The emergency call came in at 6:22 p.m. Thursday, that the 26,000 square-foot metal building, filled with plastic and oil products, was on fire. Firefighters from Tyler and Lindale Fire Departments, as well as Smith County Emergency Services District 2, responded to the fire located on Highway 64 West, near Toll 49.
Continue reading Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office investigating industrial fire

HENDERSON COUNTY — A murder mystery that lingered for nearly four decades has finally been solved, thanks to cutting-edge forensic testing funded by a Texas-based non-profit dedicated to cracking cold cases. According to our news partner KETK, Seasons of Justice, founded in 2020, specializes in financing advanced DNA analysis for long-stalled investigations. Its work proved crucial in identifying the person responsible for the 1987 killing of 29-year-old Rickey Herriage — a brutal crime that had haunted Henderson County investigators for 38 years.

Herriage was murdered in the late hours of March 7, 1987, after he was shot multiple times and thrown from a bridge. His body wasn’t recovered until 1 p.m. on March 8 by a man picking up beer cans on a bank on County Road 1500. His case remained dormant until 2019, when Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse revived the investigation and sent clothing from the original crime scene to Pure Gold Forensics in Redlands, California. Technicians there extracted a usable DNA profile and entered it into the national CODIS database, but no immediate match surfaced.

Determined to push further, the sheriff’s office partnered with Seasons of Justice to pursue more exhaustive DNA testing. The expanded analysis finally produced a breakthrough: a match linking the DNA on Herriage’s clothing to Dallas Reynolds Casanova. Continue reading Nonprofit aids in solving 39-year-old murder case

TYLER — Smith County Sheriff”s Office arrested a man in connection to an alleged assault on a pregnant woman. According to our news partner KETK, deputies went to the home of 33-year-old William Garret Bragg of Tyler, on Highway 31 East Near Tyler. They were there to serve an arrest warrant to Bragg for assaulting a pregnant woman.

The sheriff’s office said when they arrived, deputies tried to make contact, but Bragg refused to answer the door. They were able to reach him by phone, but he still refused to come outside and sent a text message stating he did not intend to cooperate. After this, Smith County Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant to remove Bragg from his home.

At this point, William Bragg surrendered and was arrested without incident. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a $100,000 bond for assault of a pregnant woman.

UPDATE: As of Friday morning, Smith County ESD2 said the evacuation order has been lifted. The affected areas included FM 724 between County Road 1147 to 1151. ..

TYLER — Firefighters worked to extinguish a large industrial fire near the Tyler Pounds Airport, Thursday night. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County ESD 2, the fire is at the intersection of Highway 64 and Toll 49. Drivers are asked to avoid that area.

Residents on County Road 1151, County Road 1147 and FM 724 are asked to evacuate their homes as firefighters continue to work to extinguish the fire. A shelter for residents has been set up at Pleasant Retreat UMC at 417 County Rd 1143 in Tyler.

According to Nikki Simmons with ESD 2, no injuries have been reported. Members of the Lindale Fire Department, the Tyler Fire Department, ESD 2 and a hazmat team are currently working to put out the fire and contain any chemicals at the site that could be carried away by rain.

JACKSONVILLE — Governor Greg Abbott has announced that Cancoil USA will build a new manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, a project expected to create hundreds of jobs and bring millions of dollars in capital investment to East Texas . According to our news partner KETK, Cancoil USA, a producer of heat transfer products says the new facility will serve as a cornerstone for the company’s U.S. operations.

According to Abbott, the project is expected to generate 120 new jobs and more than $28 million in capital investment. To support the expansion, the state has awarded Cancoil USA a $648,000 Texas Enterprise Fund grant, along with a $10,000 Veteran Created Job Bonus.

“Our decision to invest in Jacksonville reflects our confidence in the region’s skilled workforce and strong business climate,” Monika Datta, a Cancoil USA spokesperson said. “We look forward to building lasting relationships with the community and contributing to its economic vitality.”

TYLER – Have you ever looked at a City of Tyler utility bill and wondered what “SW Automated Res” was? Many people did. That feedback prompted Tyler officials to evaluate the structure and wording of the monthly utility bills. The new design will launch in early 2026 and uses simplified wording, removes jargon, and makes it clear what each fee goes toward. “What Tyler residents commonly call a water bill actually encompasses four utilities: water, wastewater, stormwater (drainage) and trash service,” said Chris Cambra, Water Business Office manager. “So, it’s not surprising that members of our community were confused at seeing ‘SW Automated Res’ as a line item on their bills. It stood for ‘Solid Waste Automated Residential,’ which is your biweekly trash service. Now, it’s simply labeled as trash service.” Continue reading New, simpler Tyler utilities bill

SMITH COUNTY – Precinct 1 stated that it will not pursue participation in the 287(g) Task Force Model Program. According to Constable Ralph Caraway, his office will keep enforcing the law and is dedicated to serving and safeguarding the community while respecting everyone’s rights. Constable Caraway urged any locals with questions or worries to come to his office and said he wants to be open about his choice not to join the task force.

A motion allowing the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office to participate in the program was approved at the Smith County Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday morning. Constable Josh Joplin backed the motion and defended the ruling, saying it helps lower crime throughout the county and improves resident protection.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — A post on former Gilmer and New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd’s Instagram account on Wednesday said he has started to breathe on his own after being shot in midtown Manhattan early Sunday morning. Boyd’s Instagram Stories feature a picture of the special teams standout lying down and smiling in what appears to be his hospital bed, with the words “God is real, God is powerful” at the top of the image.

“I’m sorry I have no words at the moment,” Boyd wrote. “Just grateful! I’m coming along, starting to breathe on my own now. Sincerely appreciate everyone!” The post came a few hours after Jets coach Aaron Glenn said he had spoken to Boyd and is confident Boyd will be OK. He added that Boyd was “upbeat” in their recent conversation.

“That’s what eases my mind, is that he’s in good spirits,” Glenn said. “His wife and his kid, they’re in good spirits and he will walk away from this just fine.”

Glenn was unsure when Boyd might be released from the hospital, where he has been listed in critical but stable condition. Continue reading Boyd’s Instagram says breathing on his own

CORSICANA – A Corsicana ISD police officer has been injured after an accidental discharge of a firearm on school property. Our news partners at KETK report that the district released a statement wendesday. The statement noted the officer at Bowie Elementary experienced an accidental discharge of a firearm at approximately 9:20 a.m. Wednesday. No students or campus staff have been injured. However, the district police officer did sustain an injury. Emergency medical personnel responded promptly to provide care. The district is actively cooperating with local law enforcement as they continue their investigation.

SMTIH COUNTY — Smith County Democratic Party Chairman Hector Garza has stepped down to pursue the House District 5 candidacy and looks to replace Rep. Cole Hefner, who was first elected into the position in 2016. According to our news partner KETK, Garza announced that he will remain in the East Texas area and has officially submitted his bid for District 5, emphasizing health care and immigration policies.

After serving Smith County for two years, Garza explained why he decided to step away from his position to pursue the House District 5 candidacy. As he looks to run for House District 5 in the 2026 election, Garza said part of his motivation is to bring both parties together to resolve several state issues, including immigration.

“In today’s politics, it seems that Democrats and Republicans can’t meet anywhere to reach mutual ground that will help our communities,” Garza said. “Whether you’re left or right, it’s time that we sit down and we pass laws that will benefit the people in this state.” Continue reading Smith County Democratic Party chairman steps down

JACKSONVILLE – According to our news partner KETK, a Jacksonville man who was arrested earlier this month for shooting a Jacksonville police officer has been charged with federal firearms violations. Bobby Michael Dennis was arrested on Nov. 5 following a four-day manhunt after shooting a police officer and a K-9 with an AR-15 style rifle. After Dennis was arrested, an additional firearm was recovered.

Due to having previous felony convictions, Dennis is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law, according to the Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney’s Office. If Dennis is convicted of federal firearm charges, he faces up to life in prison. He was also charged with the following offenses following his arrest: attempted capital murder of a peace officer, interference with a police service animal and two counts of obstruction or retaliation.

The case is currently being investigated by several law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Jacksonville Police Department.

TYLER – More than 150 people attended Smith County’s Topping Out Ceremony for the Courthouse Construction Project on Wednesday, November 19. The ceremony was a celebration marking the placement of the final beam being placed at the highest point of the eight-story construction project. Stephen Flournoy, the project executive for Hoar Construction, explained the significance of the Topping Out Ceremony, which comes from an ancient Scandinavian practice of placing the highest leafy branch of a tree on top of a new structure. It is a symbol of where the building began and a marker of its completion.

“Today, we place our highest beam and celebrate structural completion; we align ourselves with those of Seventh Century Scandinavia and raise a tree as a symbol for good luck, prosperity and continued growth for this building and its future architects,” he said.
Continue reading Smith County Courthouse Topping Out ceremony

TYLER – The City of Tyler is advising drivers of new street closures and traffic pattern changes as construction continues across the Downtown area. City officials say these updates reflect work associated with both the ongoing Downtown Improvement Project and the Consent Decree Group 2 Capacity Improvements. 
 
Closures and traffic changes beginning Wednesday, Nov. 19. 
Bois D’Arc Avenue will be closed between Woldert Street and Elm Street from Wednesday, Nov. 19 through Friday, Nov. 21 for brick street removal.

The intersection of Elm Street and Spring Street will be closed beginning Wednesday, Nov. 19 for an estimated six weeks.
Continue reading Downtown Tyler construction update