KTBB News, Weather, Talk

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect who was caught on video breaking into a house in the Ben Wheeler area on Friday morning, according to our news partner KETK.

Video footage shows the suspect, who appears to be a man walking around the home at around 7 a.m. Friday morning. In the video, posted on Facebook, the suspect’s face remains partially covered by what appears to be a rag.

The Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone who may be able to identify the suspect through the video to contact the Van Zandt County Criminal Investigation Division at 903-567-4133.

TEXARKANA – Texarkana Area Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,500 reward for any information that can lead to the arrest of the man wanted for shooting and injuring a mother and her 10-year-old daughter while they were sleeping in March.

According to our news partner KETK, 20-year-old Omarion Owens is wanted for multiple violent felonies in Texarkana Texas and Arkansas, including a shooting that left a mom and daughter wounded.

Officials said on March 15 around 12:30 a.m. in the 3000 block of Mason Street a mother and her 10-year-old daughter were shot while sleeping in bed leaving the mom wounded and her daughter in critical condition. “More than 60 bullets were fired into their home in the middle of the night in just 11 seconds,” the department said. Continue reading Police search for shooting suspect that injured 10-year-old

HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that a Larue man was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon after the court heard his extensive criminal history since the 1990’s.

According to the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office, Jeremy Wayne Costlow, 47 of Larue was sentenced to life in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and 20 years for possession of a controlled substance after the jury found him guilty in March.

“During punishment, the court heard that Costlow’s punishment was enhanced due to his extensive criminal history and was on parole at the time of this offense,” the DA’s office said. Continue reading Henderson County man gets life in prison

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank released their 2025 Map the Meal Gap numbers showing that one in five adults in the East Texas area do not have enough food to eat. According to our news partner KETK, this amounts to nearly 44.6 million meals, an increase from last year’s close to 41 million meals. Many families who depend on the food bank yearly also rely on their SNAP benefits to fill their pantries.

“Snap benefits stretch much, much further than the meals that you get,” East Texas Food Bank Chief Impact Officer Kim Morris said.

Recently, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee voted on its portion of a bill that includes $230 billion in spending cuts. One of those proposals would make cuts to SNAP benefits, and changes to qualification requirements. Something U.S. Congressman Nathaniel Moran from East Texas supports. Continue reading East Texas Food Bank responds to possible SNAP cuts

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, the Calendars Committee did not advance House Bill 2109 to be heard on the House floor. The 57-year-old bill would have ended the Marvin Nichols project to flood tens of thousands of East Texas land to supply water to the DFW metroplex.

East Texans have strong emotions about HB- 2109 being one hurdle away from a House floor hearing. Many East Texans said they called all 11 Calendars Committee members and went to the capitol to please their case even as the clock was running out. They all agree after nearly six decades on the front lines that they will not stop fighting. In the next legislative session, they are hoping another bill will be introduced to finally put a stop to the reservoir, once and for all.

The Texas Water Board is still allowing anyone to submit their comments regarding the Reservoir. The deadline is June 9.

AUSTIN – Gov. Greg Abbott has increased the reward offered for information leading to Trevor McEuen’s arrest, after a manhunt ensued earlier this month, hours before he was due in court on a murder charge.

According to our news partner KETK, the reward is up to $30,000 after Abbott, the Kaufman County Crime Stoppers and the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office each offered $10,000 for any information that leads to McEuen’s arrest.

“I urge all Texans with information on McEuen to call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline or submit an anonymous tip online to help law enforcement apprehend this heinous criminal. Working together, we will bring fugitives like Trevor McEuen to justice,” Abbot said.

To be eligible for the reward, people must submit their tips to Texas Crime Stoppers at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477) or online. Anyone with information will remain anonymous and should avoid apprehending McEuen as he is considered armed and dangerous. Continue reading Reward increased to $30K for East Texas fugitive

POLK COUNTY — In Texas, each county jail requires a minimum ratio of one guard for every 48 inmates. According to our news partner KETK, that’s not enough for Polk County.

Sheriff Byron Lyons says, like many other jails across Texas, his jail is facing staffing shortages and overcrowding, and has now looked into exploring alternative housing options for inmates.

“The only viable in-state option was in Eagle Pass, which could accommodate 60 to 100 inmates. However, it is located approximately six hours away, one way,” Lyons said. “In contrast, the facility in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana, though out of state, is only a two-hour drive and can also house between 60 and 100 inmates. This proximity allows us to keep our inmate population centralized, rather than spread out across multiple locations.” Continue reading Jail moving inmates to Louisiana amid overcrowding issues

WHITEHOUSE – According to our news partner KETK, a motorcyclist died in Whitehouse following a crash with a vehicle, according to officials.

The crash occurred around 7:42 p.m. at the intersection of State Highway 110 and Acker Tap on Thursday evening, according to Nikki Simmons, the Community Outreach Coordinator for Smith County ESD2. Simmons also stated the motorcyclist died on the scene while the driver involved in the crash was transported to the hospital and their condition remains unknown.

UPSHUR COUNTY – Our news partner, KETK, reports that the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office is seeking help in finding a missing woman who has not been seen since last week.

According to the sheriff’s office, 31-year-old Maria ‘Mary’ De La Cruz was last seen on May 8. Her family has not had any contact with her since her disappearance, but has located her car and belongings.

Anyone with any information about De La Cruz’s potential whereabouts is asked to contact investigator Rob Bowen at 903-680-8223.

TYLER – According to our news partner, KETK, a missing persons investigation is underway for a 28-year-old man last seen on Friday.

The Tyler Police Department said Donte Matlock-Landon, of Tyler, was last seen at around 6:30 p.m. at a residence in the 700 block of Bennett Avenue. He is described as 6 feet, 3 inches tall, with a slim build, brown eyes and short, black dreadlock hair.

Officials said he was last seen wearing black/white shorts and a black hoodie.

Anyone who has seen or knows his whereabouts is asked to contact the police department at 903-531-1000.

LONGVIEW – UPDATE: According to the Longview Police Department, Frank Eliseo Barrientos, who was wanted for aggravated robbery, is now in custody.

ORIGINAL STORY: According to the department, they are looking for 32-year-old Frank Eliseo Barrientos who is five feet and 10 inches tall and weighs around 170 pounds. Barrientos has short black hair, brown eyes, has a scar around his right eye and multiple tattoos.

Officials said Barrientos has an outstanding warrant for aggravated robbery, is considered armed and dangerous and shouldn’t be approached.

TYLER – The Tyler NAACP President Lisa Williams spoke with KETK on Tuesday about videos of the recent arrest of Brianna Erwin, which have been making rounds on social media.

In 10 seconds of body camera footage released by Tyler PD, an officer can be heard saying, “Let go of my gun” just before the officer’s gun went off in it’s holster. Tyler PD said Erwin was then struck with a closed-hand by an officer in an attempt to avoid further escalation. Erwin was transported to the Smith County Jail where Williams met with her on Monday.

Body cam footage video below:

“I visited her May the 12th, once I saw the video on social media,” Williams said. “I reposted the video because I didn’t know who it was and that was my main concern. Who was she?”

During her visit with Erwin, Williams said she learned that Erwin wasn’t pregnant as she was heard stating in videos of her arrest. Continue reading Tyler NAACP reacts to woman’s arrest, firing of officer’s gun