KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LUFKIN — According to our news partner KETK, Angelina College has reportedly agreed to a $315,000 settlement with a former employee in a race discrimination lawsuit. Dr. Monica Peters-Clark, a Black woman and a longtime staff member who helped establish the college’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness, claims she was unfairly passed over for the position of executive director in favor of an unqualified white candidate. Her legal representatives at Hightower, Franklin and James, PLLC, in Nacogdoches argue that the hiring decision was discriminatory.

Peters-Clark began her career at Angelina College in 2005 as the Learning Outcomes Coordinator and the Quality Enhancement Plan Coordinator. By 2007, she was made the college’s Coordinator of Institutional Effectiveness.

However, in 2017 she was laid off during a round of “administrative restructuring.” According to her lawsuit, after her position was eliminated, the college created a new position based on her old role. Continue reading Angelina College settles race discrimination lawsuit, pays $315k

LONGVIEW — Through April 30, 2025, the Longview Municipal Court will provide a warrant amnesty program to those with outstanding warrants. The amnesty program will cause all warrant fees to be removed when someone voluntarily contacts the court, pays at least half the total amount due, and begins a payment plan for the remaining balance.

“An additional 20% will be removed from the fine amount for those who pay their balance in full,” the City of Longview said. “The discount only applies to the fine amount and does not include court costs.” Continue reading Longview offers amnesty to residents with outstanding warrants

VAN– Van Independent School District is in mourning after one of their football coaches died from cancer on Sunday.

In a report from our news partner, KETK, Matt Young was a teacher and a coach for 27 years, including three years at Van ISD and 14 years at Sulphur Springs ISD.

“He was loved by our staff, students and athletes, and his positive attitude will be greatly missed in Vandal Land. We extend our deepest sympathies to Coach Young’s family, and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.” said a comment from Van ISD.

A Van ISD welcome post from when Young joined the district in 2022 said Young attended the University of Texas at Austin, and that he enjoyed reading, traveling, cooking and playing golf.

CROCKETT – The Crockett Police Department said that an 18-year-old was arrested on New Year’s Day after he allegedly crashed into two utility poles in an SUV that was reported stolen.

Crockett PD said some of their night patrol officers reported hearing a loud crash on E Clark Avenue at around 5:50 a.m. and then they reportedly saw a white SUV driving away from that area and hitting a trash can. According to Crockett PD, the officers started pursuing the SUV after the driver refused to pull over for a traffic stop. The SUV eventually lost control and reportedly crashed into a utility pole on E Bonham Avenue.

According to reports from our news partner, KETK, the driver then allegedly got out of the SUV and fled from the officers for about a block until officers were able to arrest him. Jonathan Zuckero, 18 of Crockett, was identified by Crockett PD as the driver of the SUV. During his arrest officers allegedly found Xanax not prescribed to Zuckero and a handgun inside the SUV. Later, Crockett PD said they learned that the SUV was reported as stolen from a local business earlier that night. Crockett PD said the initial loud noise heard on E Clark Avenue was also from the SUV hitting a utility pole.
Continue reading 18-year-old arrested after crash and pursuit in Crockett

ARP, Texas – Our news partners at KETK report that The City of Arp said they are currently without electrical power and that there’s no timeline for when power will be restored. The Kilgore Police Department also said that parts of northwest Kilgore are without power. You can find updates on both reported outages here.

LUFKIN – According to our news partner KETK, six people were injured on Saturday night in two crashes that happened on Highway 69 South. Huntington VFD said that Fuller Springs Volunteer Fire Department was was called out to a crash scene in the 6000 block of Highway 69 South at around 5 p.m. on Saturday. Huntington VFD had just finished training at a house they burned down and so they responded to the scene as well. Four riders who were on three motorcycles were injured in the crash and were taken to the hospital to be treated after Allegiance Mobile Health arrived on scene, according to Huntington VFD.

Officials had blocked off the southbound lanes of Highway 69 when another crash involving three vehicles happened just before where they had blocked off the road. Continue reading Six injured in Highway 69 crashes

LONGVIEW – Longview’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is currently running an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Survey and is looking for the public’s help in placing EV charging stations across the city. Our news partners at KETK report that the survey page allows participants to directly place a pin anywhere within the city. Those who want to make suggestions in-person can do so at the MPO’s public meeting on Wednesday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Maude Cobb Convention Center.

TYLER – Organizers are already hard at work for this year’s 92nd annual Texas Rose Festival Parade according to our news partner KETK. On Friday, they unveiled this year’s theme and introduced the world to the newest Rose Queen, Avery Armstrong of Tyler. This year’s princess of the Rose Festival is Mary Dial of Tyler. This year is a special for Mary as her sister was last year’s Rose Festival princess.

At their annual Winter Gala at the Willow Brook County Club, the Texas Rose Festival Association said that “A Tapestry of Tales” is the theme for this year’s festivities. At the black tie optional gala on Friday, they also revealed this year’s queen’s court which includes the princess, ladies-in-waiting and attendants.

KETK is the official home of the Texas Rose Festival Parade so be sure to follow us for everything you need to know leading up to this year’s festivities in October.

TYLER – As East Texas prepares for the first cold weather of 2025 coming in on Monday, several East Texas locations are opening their doors as warming centers and shelters.

Our news partner KETK has compiled the following list of locations opening to the public – please visit this link for a regularly updated list of warming shelters.

BULLARD, Texas – The Bullard Independent School District is in mourning after a high school student died in a motor vehicle crash on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, Madison Nelson, a 9th grader, passed away in the crash, according to a statement released by the district. She represented the 2024 freshman class as a homecoming duchess in this past fall semester.
Continue reading Bullard ISD mourns loss of high schooler killed in crash

TYLER- Attorney General Ken Paxton’s visit to the Rose City will be part of a state-wide tour on January 6th and 7th.

His tour is in conjunction with Republican Party of Texas Chairman Abraham George, which will include stops in key districts across the state. Paxton said in a press release that the tour aims to draw attention to representatives he believes have “fallen short of upholding conservative principles in the past and are reportedly working for a speaker not elected by a Republican majority.” Continue reading Attorney General Ken Paxton to stop in Tyler

BULLARD– The Bullard Independent School District is in mourning after a high school student died in a motor vehicle crash on Wednesday.

Madison Nelson, a 9th grader, passed away in the crash, according to a statement released by the district. She represented the 2024 freshman class as a homecoming duchess in this past fall semester.

Dr. Jack Lee, Bullard ISD Superintendent released a statement, saying, “I am deeply saddened to inform you that Madison Nelson, a 9th-grade student at Bullard High School, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in a motor vehicle accident. Madi was a shining star who consistently excelled in the classroom. She was regularly looked up to by other students and represented the Freshman Class as one of our homecoming duchesses earlier this fall semester. Please keep Madi’s family, friends, and teachers in your thoughts and prayers.”
Continue reading Bullard ISD mourning 9th grader who died in crash

PAYNE SPRINGS – Payne Springs Fire Rescue firefighters saved a dog that was found lifeless at a fire in the Cherokee Shores area last night.

According to Payne Springs Fire Rescue (PSFR), they were alerted to the fire at around 7:53 p.m. on Thursday. when firefighters arrived at the scene they found a double wide mobile home with a heavy fire spreading into the home from the porch.

PSFR Engine 1 was reportedly able to make a quick knock down before they did a primary search of the home. PSFR said one dog was found lifeless under a bed. The dog was removed and they started to treat it with oxygen. According to a report from KETK, the dog was able to recover after a couple of minutes on oxygen. The home sustained significant damage during the fire and the American Red Cross has been called to help the resisdents.

PSFR said that Gun Barrel City Fire Department, Eustace Fire Department, Payne Springs Police Department, Eustace Police Department, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and UT Health EMS all responded to the scene.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches man, accused of stabbing his girlfriend to death, was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Dec. 20. According to our news partner KETK, on Oct. 3, 2022, officers were called to a residence in the 2300 block of Elizabeth Street “in reference to callers advising a family member was found deceased in the residence.” Upon arrival, officers found Rose Catherine Garner, 60 of Nacogdoches, dead from injuries caused by a a stab wound.

Investigators obtained a homicide warrant for Garner’s boyfriend, James Edward Harris. He was arrested in Longview the following day and was taken to the Nacogdoches Law Enforcement Center. According to the Nacogdoches District Attorney’s Office, Harris plead guilty to murdering Garner on Dec. 20 at the 420th District Court in Nacogdoches County.

TYLER — Texas ranked second in the nation for the most growth in 2024 in one-way customer transactions during the past year, U-Haul Growth Index found. According to our news partner KETK, this marks the ninth consecutive year Texas has been among the top two leading U-Haul growth states with two East Texas cities helping lead that growth.

“People continue to move to Texas from across the country seeking a better, more affordable life with fewer government regulations,” U-Haul Area District Vice President Matt Merrill said.

Despite a larger-than-usual increase in departures that impacted its ranking, Texas still had the second-largest net gain of U-Haul movers in the country. According to U-Haul, Texas accounted for 50.3% of all one-way traffic in and out of the state last year. Continue reading Tyler among top cities driving Texas growth, U-Haul study finds

TYLER – TxDOT crews are getting ahead of possible winter weather conditions for East Texas by preparing roadways around the eight-county district. The pre-treatment of bridges and other roadway areas susceptible to wind and ice has begun and will continue through Friday, Jan. 3.

I-20 and other major roadways will be pre-treated with a brine solution consisting of salt and water designed to prevent ice and snow from sticking to surfaces. The process is a fast-moving mobile operation with minimal impacts to traffic. Drivers should allow a safe traveling distance between their vehicles and the mobile convoys distributing the pre-treatment materials. Continue reading TxDOT preparing roads for possible winter weather conditions

TYLER — As East Texas prepares for winter weather, TxDOT crews are getting ahead by pre-treating roadways in Tyler and Lufkin. According to our news partner KETK, TxDOT will be completing a pre-treatment of bridges and other roadway areas susceptible to wind and ice to ensure East Texans feel safer when driving through winter weather.

KETK’s meteorologists are advising East Texans to be prepared for a strong cold front to move into the area late Sunday, bringing showers and thunderstorms some of which may be strong, particularly in Deep East Texas. By Monday morning, temperatures will be in the 20s while next week highs will struggle to get above the 40s with lows in 20s, meaning a hard freeze likely. There is also some potential for some wintery mix. Continue reading East Texas cities are preparing roadways for winter weather

UPDATE: The mother and child were located and are safely back home, according to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith.

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Offices says that on December 2, 2025, at approximately 9:00 am, Deputies responded to a missing person’s call at 56541 County Road 1185 near Tyler. Upon their arrival they discovered that Lily Elizabeth Grimes – 15 and her daughter, Elizabeth May Johnson – 6 months of age, were missing from this residence. The reporting person is the mother of Lily Grimes and the grandmother of Elizabeth Johnson.

She reported waking up at 7:00 am Thursday morning to find the back door open with both her daughter and granddaughter missing. She said that a diaper bag and one bottle were taken, but the car seat was still in the house. Deputies searched the residence and the surrounding area with no positive results. Continue reading Teen and daughter reported missing found safe

EUSTACE — Our news partner, KETK, reports that an East Texas officer has been arrested on charges of child pornography. MediaLab Inc., which owns the platform Kik, alerted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about three videos depicting minors engaging in sexual conduct that had been uploaded to their platform by an account on June 13th, along with the account’s IP address and email associated email address.

The affidavit stated that on Nov. 14, the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office subpoenaed Optimum for information about the IP address, revealing it belonged to the Eustace Police Department. A search warrant was obtained for MediaLab that same day. On December 25, investigators examined the items collected during the search, and found several screenshots of videos showing infant and young child pornography. Continue reading Police officer arrested for possession of child pornography

MARSHALL – As the struggle to nominate a new speaker for the Texas House of Representatives continues, one East Texas State Representative has come under scrutiny.

The Republican Party of Harrison County passed a resolution on Dec. 20 that lays out how the Republican Party of Texas (RPT) has made it a “Legislative Priority” to have “No Democrat Chairs” in the 89th Legislative Session (2024-2025). The resolution continues by saying that they could censure their elected representative for violating that priority.

“The Harrison County Republican Party may censure their elected representative should he deliberately violate the RPT priorities and the will of the voters, by voting to elect a Speaker of the House who appoints Democrats to chair committees in the Texas House,” according to the Dec. 20 Harrison County Republican Party resolution.
Continue reading Harrison County Republican Party threatens to censure State Rep. Jay Dean

TYLER — The Tyler Animal Shelter is offering free microchips and registration for any cat or dog this new year.  The shelter says inserting a microchip is a quick process in which a tiny chip is inserted under a pet’s skin. The chip is a permanent, helpful tool that ensures a pet can be easily identified if lost.

According to a news release,  Tyler Animal Services will insert and register pets’ microchips or confirm that an existing microchip is registered correctly, at no cost. Pet owners do not have to be residents of the City of Tyler to obtain this service, and vaccinations are not required.

Interested pet owners can bring their furry friends to the Tyler Animal Shelter located at 4218 Chandler Hwy.  For more information, call (903) 535-0045.

SMITH COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Commissioners Court approved the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) on Dec. 31 that could bring many upgrades including a new location for the Smith County Animal & Control center.

The commissioners court approved CIP on Dec. 31 that supports the community and the county’s mission. The CIP is a strategic management tool first created in 2011 that is evaluated and updated in its five-year plan each year.

“This plan, like the prior ones, is intended to establish guidelines and procedures for planning purposes as well as to identify projects, outline costs associated with the projects and formalize the process of adopting and planning for the short-term and long-term capital needs of Smith County,” County Judge Neal Franklin said. Continue reading Smith County commissioners approve capital improvement plan

VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas (KETK) — According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff Kevin Bridger was sworn in as the newly elected sheriff of Van Zandt County on New Year’s Day.

At the Van Zandt County Courthouse Wednesday morning, Sheriff Bridger was sworn in continuing on a tradition of dedicated service to the citizens of Van Zandt County.

“I am proud to represent the law enforcement professionals of Van Zandt County and to be your sheriff,” Bridger said. “Van Zandt County is my home, and I pledge to protect that which we all hold dearest, our homes, businesses and families.”

Bridger has served the citizens of Van Zandt County throughout his 20 years in law enforcement and is also a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. Continue reading New Van Zandt County sheriff sworn in New Years Day

HENDERSON COUNTY — Henderson County Sheriff’s arrested a man wanted in South Central Oklahoma on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, Clovis Reeves was wanted by the Hughes County Oklahoma Sheriff’ Office was for possession of a controlled substance and attempting to elude a peace officer with a dangerous weapon.

Officials said Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Patrick Johnson received information that Reeves was hiding in the Wagon Tree subdivision in Athens. Johnson found Reeves white Ford F350 flatbed pickup in a ditch near a house on Buggy Hub Trail. Reeves was at this house and was arrested for an outstanding Oklahoma arrest warrant. He was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine. Reeves is currently awaiting arraignment at the Henderson County Jail.

ETOILE – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office said that a homemade bomb was found during a traffic stop near the former Etoile Independent School District campus on Monday night.

According to our news partner, deputies conducted a traffic stop near County Road 560 and FM 226 at around 10:15 p.m. on Monday because of an alleged motor vehicle violation. When the deputies approached the vehicle they allegedly smelled the odor of marijuana and saw multiple firearms in plain view, a sheriff’s office press release said. The deputies and Texas Department of Public Safety state troopers searched the vehicle and reportedly found the following items: Two rifles, one of which was reported stolen, two handguns, marijuana and drug paraphernalia, suspected MDMA and a homemade explosive device.

Deputies found the explosive device under the driver’s seat and took it to a nearby home that they advised the residents to leave as a precaution, the press release revealed. Continue reading Three arrested after bomb, guns, drugs found near school

TYLER – The city of Tyler says in a release that in preparation for the Downtown Improvement Plan’s construction, paid parking meters in Downtown Tyler are being removed. Until construction begins in areas that affect these parking spots, patrons may park for free for up to two hours. Downtown Ambassadors will be on a routine patrol to enforce the two-hour parking limit. The Main Street department encourages businesses to communicate this change to their employees. Ideally, employees of businesses should utilize off-square parking?and parking garages to allow customers and visitors to park in spots closest to retail and business. Continue reading Downtown Tyler paid meters transition to free two-hour parking

TYLER — The passing of former President Jimmy Carter has stirred up some memories for the TJC Apache Belles according to our news partner KETK.

In the spring of 1980, they marched in the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington D.C. and were invited to tour the White House. Alumnae of the drill team remember standing in the Rose Garden and Carter appeared with a big smile on his face, ready to greet them.

“It was so exciting. Who gets a chance to meet a president? It’s not very often and once in a lifetime experience,” Dyann Kemp, 32nd line of the Apache Belles, said.

The sixty Apache Belles didn’t think that they were going to have the opportunity to meet Carter.

“He came out and he was larger than life, you know, is everything that you would ever read about him. He was all smiles and happy and joking with us and just being very genuine and personable with us,” Janis Johns, 33rd line of the Apache Belles, said. Continue reading TJC Apache Belles remember Jimmy Carter

TYLER – As 2025 approaches, our news partner KETK has compiled a list of festivities in East Texas to ring in the new year. Please see below for New Years Eve activities in our area.

Tyler

True Vine Brewing Company: From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., True Vine will have live music all night, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight and a breakfast food truck from Juicy J Wings.
Texas Music City Grill & Smokehouse: The NYE party starting at 8 p.m. until 12 a.m. will have a $10 cover fee and live performance with Rick Dudley.
Javis: Join them at 8 p.m. for great food, drinks, mariachi band and a fireworks show over the pond.
Tyler Bingo: Say goodbye to 2024 with some bingo. The doors open at 5 p.m. with only one session. There will be a $700 game payouts and a $1,000 grand payout for one lucky winner. Continue reading What’s happening in East Texas this New Years Eve?

ATHENS — Records reveal an Athens man has been arrested after authorities said they found numerous photos and videos of child pornography on his laptop.
Kevin Eugene Jones, 61 of Athens, was arrested following a search warrant conducted at his residence on Parsons Parkway in Athens on Dec. 19. According to an affidavit, authorities found 35 images and graphic videos of child pornography of children under the age of 10. Jones admitted he lived in the residence alone and has looked at child pornography for several years, the affidavit said. He has since been arrested on three counts of possession of child pornography and is being held at the Henderson County Jail on a $450,000 bond.