KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – The district attorney’s office elected to seek the death penalty for one of three men charged with capital murder in the June 2021 death of a Tyler 17-year-old. According to our news partner KETK, Andres Urrutia, 21 of Tyler and his two co-defendants were indicted for capital murder by terroristic threat in September 2021 after Jesse McNeely, 17, was found shot at his home on Omega Drive. Two of the men charged in this case, Urrutia and his co-defendant Lorenzo Martinez, 22 of Tyler, were arrested days after the shooting in Galveston County before being transported back to Tyler and booked into the Smith County Jail. Continue reading Death penalty sought for capital murder of Tyler teen

TYLER– The East Texas Food Bank announced on Tuesday CEO Dennis Cullinane will retire at the end of their fiscal year on June 30. “It has been my honor and privilege to serve as the CEO of such an incredible organization since 2010,” Cullinane said. According to our news partner KETK, the food banks board of directors formed a search committee and hired a firm to help recruit candidates for the CEO position. Chair of the ETFB board, Jeff Johnson, said the new CEO will start in June in order to train with Cullinane before his depature. “The ETFB board is very thankful for the 13 years of service Dennis has provided,” Johnson said. “During his tenure, ETFB doubled its meal distribution where today we are providing 27 million meals to 117,300 households in 26 counties in East Texas. He led us through the pandemic where ETFB saw tremendous need with long lines of people seeking food assistance, some for the first time.”

NACOGDOCHES — Governor Abbott has signed a bill officially making Stephen F. Austin a member of the University of Texas System. The Nacogdoches University becomes the 14th affiliate of the UT System. State Representative Travis Clardy says SFA will receive about $125million in funding over the next four years as a result of becoming a UT System member. SFA will have access to the permanent university fund, the largest high-education endowment in the U.S SFA will retain its colors, culture, and name. Students and tenured faculty are guaranteed to retain their status in the university.

TYLER — Polling ahead of a major senate showdown seems to point to a big shakeup. A new UT Tyler poll, conducted between May 10th and 21st shows Senator Cruz with a single digit lead over Democrat Collin Allred, which looks eerily similar to early polling in his race against Beto O’Rourke in 2018. Cruz went on to win that race by less than three points, in spite of the seemingly photo finish results. Analysts say it might not be all that accurate. A separate poll for the same race released last week by Texas Hispanic Policy Foundation show Cruz with a more comfortable 7 point lead.

MOUNT PLEASANT – Our news partner KETK reports that a local bowling alley and activity center in Mount Pleasant caught fire early Monday morning. According to Mount Pleasant Deputy Fire Chief Brad Eubanks, the call came in around 5:56 a.m. and they responded to a fire at the MP bowling alley. State investigators are at the scene as of 10 a.m., looking into the fire and the cause of the fire is not known at this time. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

EAST TEXAS –Hundreds of East Texans gathered at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home to honor fallen members of the United States Armed Forces on Memorial Day. Several speakers and performers were there to pay tribute, including Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith and the Marine Corps League who gave a 21-gun salute. “We gather here today once again on this hallowed ground, to honor those men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving out country,” Sheriff Larry smith said. Musical performances included the National Anthem by the East Texas Men in Harmony and Taps by Tyler Police officer John Weaver. Continue reading East Texas honors fallen troops

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — One person is dead after a Sunday afternoon motorcycle crash on Highway 80 near Fruitvale. Our news partner KETK reports that according to a preliminary DPS report, a 2008 Harley Davidson was traveling west on the highway around 2:30 p.m. “at an unsafe speed to negotiate a curve,” and left the road striking a guardrail. The driver, identified as Tommy Stites, 55 of Baytown, was pronounced dead on the scene, and DPS reported he had not been wearing a helmet. The investigation is ongoing.

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD’s Summer Child Nutrition Program will start giving out free breakfast and lunch for students on June 6. According to our news partner KETK, the food will be available at J.L Everhart Elementary School, Hudson PEP Elementary School, Ware Elementary School, Forest Park Middle School and Longview High School. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and lunch is served from 12 p.m. to 12:30p.m., except for at the high school where lunch will be served until 2 p.m. There are no requirements students need to meet to be fed by the program. Continue reading Longview ISD starting up Summer food program

TYLER – A child was hit and injured by a vehicle driving on West Morris Street in Tyler around 6:46 p.m. on Sunday. Tyler Police Department confirmed that it appears as if the child step out into the road before being hit. They were then taken by EMS to be treated at a local hospital. Officials said that the child was awake and alert. According to our news partner KETK, the vehicle driver stayed on the scene after the child was hit and no criminal charges are being pursued at this time.

TYLER — The Cotton Patch Cafe in Tyler is closed for the rest of the day following a grease fire in their kitchen that happened around 3:45 p.m. on Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, an employee said the restaurant will be closed for Monday and they are awaiting approval from a health inspector to hopefully reopen by Tuesday. Tyler Police Department confirmed that the fire started in one of the restaurants deep fryers and was put out by Tyler Fire Department. Officials said that no one was injured in the fire.

BULLARD – The City of Bullard has issued a stage 3 water conservation notice in order to conduct emergency water well maintenance. The City decided to issue this notice and ration water following a declaration of emergency due to the needed “emergency water well maintenance. ”This notice puts the following water restrictions in place: Residents having even numbered addresses are permitted to water outside only on Sunday and Thursday. Residents having odd numbered addresses are permitted to water only on Saturday and Wednesday. Continue reading Bullard issues stage 3 water conservation notice

CHAPEL HILL — Chapel Hill ISD announced the distribution of nearly $40,000 to honor its long-serving staff members. $38,250 was given out to employees who have been with the district from five to 25 years during the district’s End-of-the-Year Ceremony on Friday. The district said it expresses deep appreciation for the staff’s exemplary service and lasting contributions to the district’s mission. “Chapel Hill ISD recognizes the unwavering commitment and valuable contributions of its staff. The loyalty stipends serve as a token of gratitude for their remarkable dedication in shaping the educational landscape of the district,” the district said in a release.

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith announced on Thursday that he will be seeking reelection in 2024 setting the stage for a second Republican Primary showdown with Chris Green in March. Smith, 59, told a crowd of more than 80 supporters, including elected officials, friends and family inside the Smith County Courthouse, he would run on his three-year performance as sheriff and 39-year record in law enforcement. He started his career in the Gregg County Sheriff’s Department and later worked for the Drug Enforcement Agency before serving 22 years in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. If elected, Smith will begin his fourth term as sheriff. He said in 2022 that he will try to be sheriff as long as his health allows and as long as the people of Smith County want him to be.

TYLER — The City of Tyler is accepting applications for City Boards and Commissions until Friday, Aug. 4. The City Council will make appointments at the Wednesday, Aug. 23 meeting. Those appointed will serve voluntarily and without pay for two-year terms. The boards and commissions include: Continue reading City of Tyler accepting applications for boards and commissions

LONGVIEW – The Longview Economic Development Corporation approved a $2.8 million expansion plan for the Dallas Plastics Jordan Valley Road facility on Thursday. Our news partner reports that the proposed expansion will invest $2.8 million into the facility by building material storage space and adding production equipment. On top of the new storage space and production equipment, the expansion will also create 19 full-time jobs, according to LEDCO.
Continue reading $2.8 million Dallas Plastics expansion approved in Longview

SMITH COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith announced on Thursday that he will be seeking reelection in 2024. Smith has served the county as sheriff since being sworn-in in 2013. If elected, Smith will begin his fourth term as sheriff. He said in 2022 that he will try to be sheriff as long as his health allows and as long as the people of Smith County want him to be.

SAN ANTONIO – A man authorities in Henderson County have been seeking for over a year has been added to Texas’ Most Wanted List. According to our news partner KETK, 44-year-old Steven Clay Leifeste has been wanted since March of 2022 for two counts sexual assault of child. He also by sought by Bexar County authorities for evading arrest and a probation violation. Leifeiste is 5’11”, weighs 215 pounds, has tattoos on his back and left shoulder and scar on his left cheek. Law officers consider him to be armed and dangerous. A reward of up to $5,000 has been offered if you have information that leads to his apprehension.

NASHVILLE — William Clark Green, who calls Flint home, made his first appearance at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry May 16. According to news our partner KETK, the invitation to perform at the legendary Nashville venue caught him off guard. Green said “It became something I never thought I was going to do… I didn’t think we were even on the radar,” Green’s latest album “Baker Hotel” has gotten good reviews from CMT, Wide Open Country and Blue Situation.

LONGVIEW — One person is dead after a shooting in Longview on Thursday morning. Around 11:25 a.m., police responded to a shooting in the 1300 block of Twelfth Street. Upon arrival, police found a victim identified as 45 year old Martin King lying on the side of the road with a gunshot wound. Police said the Martin was pronounced dead at the scene. According to Longview Police, 42-year-old Michael DaShaun Jackson was booked into the Gregg County Jail.

MARSHALL – A man has been arrested after abusing his dog, according to the Marshall Police Department. Jacob Edwards, 30, was observed kicking his dog and then hanging it from a leash on a door of a business on East End Boulevard. Edwards was arrested and booked into the Harrison County Jail on the charge of cruelty to non-livestock animals and the dog has been taken to a local adoption center to be examined by a veterinarian. The dog is expected to recover but is not available for adoption at this time. “The swift action of the witnesses and the responding officers saved this animal from further suffering. We encourage people to call police if they see something like this,” Marshall Police Chief Cliff Carruth said.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler’s latest poll shows a stark divide between Texans when it comes to the governor’s handling of the Texas-Mexico border.  Our news partners at KETK reports that when asked if they approve or disapprove of how Gov. Greg Abbott is handling immigration at the Texas-Mexico border, 47% of respondents said they approve and another 47% said they disapprove. 6% answered that they neither approve nor disapprove. Biden’s border policies seem less polarizing than Abbott’s, with only 27% of respondents saying they approve of how Biden is handling the border, and 65% saying they disapprove.
Continue reading UT Tyler poll: The border, guns and inflation highlighted

From our news partner KETK.Traffic is backed up about five miles eastbound on I-20 due to a fire to an 18-wheeler.The backup is from the 545 eastbound mile marker and extends back to the 540 mile marker. Currently one lane is open as clean up crews are at the accident site.

OVERTON — A substitute teacher at Overton ISD said she was watching over the in-school suspension students on Tuesday when she said the unthinkable happened on a trip out of the classroom. “I look over and the other student was directly behind the resource officer,” said Candy Russell, substitute teacher and parent at Overton ISD. According to our news partner KETK, Russel claims at that moment the 11-year-old reached for the school police officer’s gun. Without thinking, she said she yelled his name and ran towards him. Immediately, she said a report was made to the administration. “I said, ‘I need you to go in the office and rewind the video a minute or two and see what just happened.’ I couldn’t even spit the words out of my mouth,” said Russell. Continue reading Overton substitute teacher says 5th grader reached for school officer’s gun

TYLER — Tyler Police are searching for two suspects believed to be involved in a shooting Monday. Officers responding to a shots fired report at an apartment complex on north Broadway Ave. found that several vehicles and at least one apartment had been hit. A potential suspect, Kerick Johnson, 18, was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to his torso. He was treated and released. Detectives later determined that Johnson, along with Marqus Gray, 21, were the shooters. Arrests warrants have been issued for the two. Johnson and Gray  are wanted on charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, with a $400,000 bond, and deadly conduct, with a $100,000 bond. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact Tyler Police at 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

TYLER – A Chandler man is dead after a hit-and-run crash with a truck as he was riding his motorcycle. According to our news partner KETK, on Tuesday, around 3:45 p.m., Tyler Police responded to a traffic crash involving a pickup truck and a motorcycle on Highway 31 W and Patton Lane. Charles Main, 55, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck, later identified as Jeremy Cisneros, 20, reportedly drove away from the scene. Cisneros was located by officials and was interviewed and released. Detectives obtained a warrant on Cisneros for accident causing serious bodily injury or death, with a $75,000 bond. He turned himself in and was booked into the Smith County Jail.

 

TYLER – Authorities will be out in full swing this Memorial Day weekend. According to our news partner KETK, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), the Texas Department of Public Safety and Tyler Police Department have announced that they are ramping up public safety efforts for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. The TABC said in a release that they will be conducting operations throughout the state during Memorial Day weekend that include open and undercover inspections to deter violence and over service of alcoholic beverages and “will also include underage compliance operations (UCOs) to identify businesses selling alcohol to persons under 21.” The release also stated that businesses caught violating the state’s alcohol laws could face a fine or temporary suspension of their license to sell alcohol. Continue reading Law enforcement ramping up patrols for Memorial Day weekend

TYLER – Keep Tyler Beautiful received a Gold Star Affiliate Award from Keep Texas Beautiful for the 17th year. According to our news partner KETK, that award along with their Sustained Excellence award, highlights their efforts on beautification, litter reduction, maintaining public and private partnerships and educating the community. Out of 300 affiliates, 82 were honored with a Gold Star status. “Our affiliates are the backbone of our organization,” said Suzanne Kho, Executive Director of Keep Texas Beautiful. “We are proud to honor those going above and beyond to keep their communities clean and beautiful. Our Gold Star Affiliates are educating and engaging community members, actively recruiting and managing volunteers, hosting cleanup and beautification events throughout their community, and so much more.” Keep Tyler Beautiful attributed their success to support from city leaders and dedication of board members and volunteers.

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating an early morning shooting that left one man dead and one man injured. Officers responded to West Oakwood following a report of a shooting around 12:30 Wednesday morning. Officers located a white sedan, and found a man, later identified as Kenneth Ray Dorsey, 34, Tyler, dead from a gunshot wound. A second man was found inside the vehicle with a gunshot wound, but was said to be awake and alert. He indicated that the suspects, who were unknown to them, shot at them from another vehicle and left the area. The unnamed victim was taken to a local hospital and is reportedly in critical condition. Contact Tyler Police 903-531-1000 or Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833 with any information.

SMITH COUNTY — A Whitehouse woman was sentenced to six years of probation with 600 hours of community service after being found guilty by a jury of felony bodily injury to a child. According to our news partner KETK, Cheryl Layne, 46, and her husband Mark Layne, were initially arrested on multiple child abuse charges in 2019 after two of their children told a school resource officer they had been abused. According to arrest documents, the children told authorities one of them had his head slammed against a wall by Cheryl who then hit the other boy with an archery arrow on his back. Continue reading Whitehouse woman sentenced to probation following child abuse conviction

TYLER — With the school year coming to a close for Chapel Hill ISD, before they head out for summer break, seven teachers were surprised with grants for next year’s innovative projects. Our news partner KETK reports that the Chapel Hill ISD Education Foundation gave out nearly $9,000 in grants Thursday. The money is going to teachers throughout the district. Continue reading Chapel Hill ISD teachers receive surprise grants