KTBB News, Weather, Talk

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

SMITH COUNTY – Investigators are on the scene of an aggravated assault involving a gunshot in Smith County as of 8:35 p.m., according to Smith County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Larry Christian and our news partner KETK. Officials responded to a call on Red Bird Lane regarding an aggravated assault dispute between two adults. During their dispute, Christian said that someone in a pickup truck drove by and fired shots at the residence. This case is still under investigation.

MINEOLA – A three-part docuseries released on HBO Max on Tuesday is taking a look at a swingers club sex scandal that made headlines in Mineola in 2005. According to our news partner KETK, the documentary details the accusations, following trials and the aftermath the case left on the East Texas community. Six people were sentenced to life in prison after the children, who were under 7-years-old at the time, and others told a jury that they were made to attend a “kindergarten” where they learned to dance provocatively and were forced to perform at an alleged swingers club. Two of the men convicted in the scandal had their convictions overturned by a Texas appeals court, and the accusations became highly scrutinized over the years due to a lack of evidence beyond the children’s testimonies of what happened. Continue reading Docuseries on 2005 Mineola swingers club sex scandal debuts on HBO Max

TYLER – Two people were hospitalized after a crash on Sunnybrook Drive in Tyler on Tuesday morning. According to Tyler Police Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, an SUV and a pickup truck were racing from Sunnybrook going north. A jeep that pulled out onto Sunnybrook was hit by the pickup, causing it to spin across the median into the southbound lanes, Erbaugh said. The single occupants of the Jeep and pickup were each taken to a Tyler hospital. The case is still being investigated.

MARSHALL — An East Texas jail is coping with drug-laced mail coming to inmates. Some officers at the Harrison County Jail in Marshall have reportedly been overcome from their skin coming in contact with Fentanyl on the envelopes. Jail Administrator John Hain says inmates would tear the mail into strips to share them with other inmates. The Harrison County Jail started scanning the mail and providing it to inmates electronically. Now, the county has hired the phone service for jail inmates, City Tele Coin of Bossier City, Louisiana, to scan the mail, taking that risk away from sheriff’s personnel. Hain says other counties, including Tarrant and Denton Counties, have started similar systems.

ANDERSON COUNTY – A man was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after officials say he was trying to run over his father with his truck. Our news partner KETK reports that on May 15, Anderson County officials responded to a family disturbance call on FM 2054. A witness reported Rance Graham, 65, was using his truck to chase his father Billy Graham, 92, in an attempt to run him over.

Billy told police that Rance was trying to run him over and he had to run away to avoid getting injured. Rance was arrested and booked into the Anderson County Jail for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon/family violence.

ANDERSON COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK $32,000 worth of stolen hay and livestock feed was recovered by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. On May 18, the Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers Association (TSWCRA) and Anderson County officials located and recovered a large amount of hay and livestock feed that was reported stolen out of Hubbard. The stolen items included around 225 bales of alfalfa hay and 10 pallets of bag feed.

“This recovery was part of an ongoing criminal investigation by the TSWCRA in which fraudulent credit cards were used to purchase the items.” Anderson County Sheriff’s Office

TYLER — No injuries were reported after a car crashed into a Tyler dental office Monday morning on Old Grande Boulevard. According to our news partner KETK, the car struck and damaged the brick wall outside of East Texas Dental Group, but officials with Tyler police said the driver and people inside the office were not injured. Police cleared the scene and the car was towed.

TYLER – Authorities report a single vehicle accident early Sunday morning killed three persons and injured three others. According to our news partner KETK, Law enforcement said the accident happened on FM 2661 just north of CR 110. DPS Sgt. Adam Albritton confirmed that 19-year-old Raven Clewis of Dallas, Jumija Clewis, 17, of Elkhart and 17 year-old Sherie Butler of Palestine, were all pronounced dead at the scene. 17-year-old Jaylah Spurlock of Palestine, Brianna Price, 17, of Palestine and 16-year old Chimsi Okonkwo were taken to Tyler hospitals with injuries.

Officials said the car was traveling north on the road when it left the roadway and struck a tree. Texas DPS said the investigation is still continuing.

TYLER – One person is in custody after several reports of gunshots near a local apartment complex. According to Tyler PD Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, police received several calls of gunshot sounds near the Liberty Arms apartment complex located in the 2600 block of North Broadway Avenue in Tyler. There are no injuries to report at this time but several shell casings were found at the scene. Several cars and apartments were struck by bullets. The investigation is an ongoing.

HARRISON COUNTY – A Harrison County man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a 2022 murder. According to our news partner KETK, Christopher Cisco, 30 of Marshall, pleaded guilty to murder in a Harrison County court. He was accused of killing David Yale Allen, 64 of Marshall, on June 4, 2022. Allen was found dead in a Marshall home by a family member. The investigation started and Cisco was named as a suspect and booked into the Harrison County Jail the following day.

TYLER – A former Tyler ISD substitute teacher was arrested on Friday and is accused of inappropriately touching a 10-year-old student in a classroom, according to our news partner KETK. Tyler ISD Police were called to Ramey Elementary School on May 16 after the fourth grade child reported that her ISS substitute teacher Karen Dunn, 48 of Tyler, had “touched her inappropriately” with three other students in the classroom. After the alleged incident, the warrant said the child went to her classroom teacher and said she was there to grab her phone charger. “The student came up to her desk and said the ‘real reason I came here is to tell you what the ISS sub said to me. She was telling me about stuff I did not need to hear about,’” the warrant said. Continue reading Former Tyler ISD substitute teacher arrested, accused of inappropriately touching 4th grade student

TYLER – Authorities report a single vehicle accident early Sunday morning killed three persons and injured three others. According to our news partner KETK, Law enforcement said the accident happened on FM 2661 just north of CR 110. At the crash site, three people died, while three others were hospitalized with injuries. The names of the decreased and injured have not been released. The DPS is conducting an investigation.

RAINS COUNTY – The Rains County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation into the death of their K9 officer, Kumo. According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff Michael Hopkins stated that Kumo was found by his handler early Thursday evening May 11th dead. Sheriff Hopkins also said no other details about the case will be forthcoming until the investigation is concluded. He added that his office will hold a memorial to honor Kumo at a later time.

LUFKIN – Lufkin ISD announced that Lance Modisette was killed in a car accident. According to our news partner KETK, Mondisette, a senior baseball player with the Lufkin Panthers was on an outing with teammates Friday afternoon when the accident happened near Nacogdoches. Lance was scheduled to graduate next Friday. Sunday May 21st at 8 p.m., a vigil will be held at the Lufkin Panther Baseball field on honor him. Grief counselors will be available Monday morning at Lufkin ISD.

LUFKIN — The Lufkin ISD Board of Trustees voted Thursday night to authorize filing a lawsuit against a playground company. According to our news partner KETK the school claims that the company, PTI Sports & Recreation, used payment from the school that was supposed to go towards the construction of two new playgrounds at Anderson Elementary and Herty Primary but never held up their end of the deal. In spring 2022, LISD received approval for a substantial federal grant for two new special needs playgrounds. Standard procedure for that grant was to give the initial approval, give them a timeline and the funds come when the job is completed on time and in budget.
Whitehouse ISD to use translation earbuds to bridge language barriers. Continue reading Lufkin ISD to file lawsuit against playground contractors they say took school funds

LONGVIEW — The Longview officers assigned to the traffic unit are safer at night thanks to a family-owned business from Cincinnati, Ohio. The department received a donation of 10 new illuminated LED safety vests for night duty. Police Chief Anthony Boone discovered the new LED safety vest at a National Police Chief’s Convention and wanted them for Longview and got his wish, according to our news partner KETK.

COFFEE CITY — A man has been arrested and charged with reckless driving after a chase with Coffee City Police. According to our news partner KETK on Wednesday night the Coffee City Police Department said that an officer attempted to catch up to a reckless driver that was reportedly traveling at high speeds up to 96 mph on SH 155. The officer lost sight of the vehicle but another motorist alerted the officer saying that the vehicle had turned down County Road 4120. Continue reading Alleged reckless driver confronted by armed homeowner while fleeing from police

LINDALE – According to our news partner KETK, Lindale ISD on Friday announced they have hired Taylor Jarman as the new assistant principal for Velma Penny Elementary. Jarmen, a fifth grade social studies and science instructor at E.J Moss Intermediate School, has taught at Lindale ISD for ten years. He has also been the theatre director at Lindale High School.

HENDERSON COUNTY — A second person was arrested for murder on Wednesday in connection to a shooting death on April 21 near Gun Barrel City. According to an arrest warrant obtained by our news partner KETK, Chelsey White, 31 of Mabank, gave her husband Chaz White a bulletproof vest and firearm he used in a shooting near Gun Barrel City on April 21. The warrant said Chelsey told investigators in an interview that while at home she heard her husband Chaz talk to other people about how a man they knew was passed out in his truck. Chelsey said Chaz was excited about robbing him, according to the warrant, and witnesses told authorities Chaz and the man had problems with each other. Continue reading Second person arrested for murder in shooting near Gun Barrel City

TYLER — One of the animal ambassadors from the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler is set to be featured in a new set of Forever stamps by the USPS. The collection was released May 19th and will feature an image of an Attwater’s prairie chicken from the Caldwell Zoo, according to our news partner KETK. The rest of the collection will display photos of endangered animals selected from Joel Sartore’s National Geographic Photo Ark project, which has documented over 13,000 different species. Attwater’s prairie chickens are native to the southern parts of both Texas and Louisiana, but they are so endangered, they can only be found in two places within our state: the national refuge and the Goliad private reserve. Continue reading Caldwell Zoo’s prairie chicken to be featured on endangered species stamps

TYLER — The City of Tyler is growing and the growth isn’t limited to just one area. “We’re seeing growth in residential and industrial and retail growth,” said Scott Martinez, CEO, Tyler Economic Development Council. According to our news partner KETK, Mayor Don Warren says keeping up with the growth means tackling several major initiatives at the same time.“There’s a lot of rabbits in the hat, and we just got to figure out which one we’re going to pull out next, but there’s going to be something that comes out of that,” said Mayor Don Warren, City of Tyler. Continue reading Mayor Warren talks growth, Tyler’s future

LONGVIEW – Longview High School moved up their graduation date an hour due to the possibility of severe weather Friday night. On May 19, doors will open at 5 p.m. and commencement will begin at 6 p.m. Doors were previously supposed to open at 6 p.m. with graduation to start at 7:30 p.m. Students are recommended to arrive early and be in the Coliseum no later than 5 p.m. Graduates should park in student parking lots or have parents drop them off in the breezeway before they park. Seating is first-come, first-served. Individual seats or sections of seats cannot be reserved.

MARSHALL — Logging crews discovered human skeletal remains while working in Marshall, according to Harrison County officials and our news partner KETK. On Tuesday morning, deputies responded to a call from workers reporting they had found skeletal remains in the area of Harris Lake Road and Stagecoach Road in Marshall. Officials searched the area and confirmed that the bones were those of a human. The remains were sent to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification’s Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology in Fort Worth. The investigation is ongoing. “I am very proud of our Patrol Deputies, Criminal Investigators, and Crime Scene Investigators for their long hours and commitment to recovering the skeletal remains,” Sheriff BJ Fletcher said.

EAST TEXAS – On Wednesday, several law enforcement organizations worked together in serving search warrants related to a year long investigation involving federal financial crimes. According to our news partner KETK and the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, they have been working with the Department of Homeland Security Dallas Investigations Office for the past year on an investigation throughout East Texas involving crimes that include illegal gambling, conspiracy and money laundering. The targets of this investigation have been several individuals and illegal game rooms being run in Upshur County as well as other locations throughout East Texas. The release stated that this is an “ongoing and fluid case.”