KTBB News, Weather, Talk

WINNSBORO – Winnsboro ISD is investigating after parents reported that their students heard the assistant band director say that conservative activist, Charlie Kirk, who was killed Wednesday, “had it coming.”

According to our news partner KETK, the district said that allegations have been made regarding statements about Kirk by the high school assistant band director, Chace LeBlanc. Kirk was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.

Brother of Winnsboro ISD student, Kenny Crow, explained his outrage over these statements: “I am disgusted by his actions as a former student.” Continue reading Winnsboro ISD investigating band director comments on Kirk’s death

SMITH COUNTY – The man who allegedly vandalized the statue of Jesus at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Flint was arrested Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, Smith County Sheriff’s Officers and the county SWAT team apprehended 36-year-old Jordan Grey Clark at his home in Flint. On Sunday September 7, Clark is accused of damaging the face and both hands of the marble statue of Jesus located in front of the church. The statue faces Old Jacksonville Highway. Clark was taken to the Smith County Jail and has been charged with criminal mischief at a place of worship, and his bond has been set at $400,000.

LONGVIEW – A 23-year-old was sentenced to 40 years in prison for murder after a man was found dead inside a burning Longview home in 2023, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

At around 1:15 a.m. on June 7, 2023, the Longview Fire Department responded to a structure fire at the 100 block of East Avalon Avenue. After firefighters extinguished the fire, they found 66-year-old Ronnie Moody of Longview dead inside.

Donald Raymond Miller Jr. of Longview pleaded guilty to the incident on Thursday and was sentenced to 40 years for murder and 20 years for arson, to be served consecutively.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is investigating after a 9-year-old girl died from an overdose on Wednesday evening, according to our news partner KETK.

Around 6 p.m., Tyler Police Officers responded to UT Health on 1000 S. Beckham Avenue, where a 9-year-old girl had ingested and overdosed on her family member’s blood pressure medication at a home on Vicksburg Street.

Officials said the child died from the overdose at the hospital and that the case is still under investigation.

LONGVIEW –The Longview Fire Department held a retirement ceremony on Wednesday to celebrate the career of Kevin May, who recently retired after serving the department for 25 years. According to our news partner KETK, May officially retired from the force on Wednesday, having most recently served as the department’s fire marshal and public information officer. The ceremony was held at the Longview Fire training center, and during the event, May reflected on how he wants to be remembered by the Longview community.

“I just hope that I made a difference in their life, that’s all I really ever wanted to do is make a difference in someone’s life,” May said.

May also provide advice to those who will be joining the department following his departure. “Come in with an open mind, we want to make a difference, and that’s all we can do,” May said.

Following May’s retirement celebration, a flag ceremony was held in his honor at the Central Fire Station.

TITUS COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, two men were arrested on Tuesday after the Titus County Sheriff’s Office discovered methamphetamine, cocaine and firearms during a search.

Jose Antonio Jimenez and Jose Francisco Jimenez were arrested during a search of a residence in the 400 block of North Fifth Street, the sheriff’s office said. Agents from the Titus County Emergency Response Team, the Texas Department of Public Safety and Patrol Deputies discovered methamphetamine, cocaine and firearms during the search. The two men were booked on the following charges:
Juan Jimenez – Possession of a controlled substance
Jose Jimenez – Unlawful possession of a firearm by felon and possession of a controlled substance

TYLER – On Wednesday Sept. 10, the Tyler City Council recognized an Infants at Work participant, Olivia Alacorn. The council took time to salute Olivia’s six months of service with the City of Tyler.

TYLER – According to a press release from the City of Tyler, on Wednesday, Sept. 10, the City Council approved a contract with Applied Research Associates (ARA) for $245,000 to conduct a pavement condition survey and provide pavement management services for the City’s street system.

Every street maintained by the City will be driven, scanned, and digitally photographed as part of the survey. The data collected, including pavement distress and ride quality, will be uploaded to the City’s new pavement management system, DOT. Pavement Condition Index (PCI) data will be used to identify which streets need rehabilitation and determine the most appropriate type of repair. Continue reading Tyler City Council approves pavement survey to improve roads

LONGVIEW — According to a press release from the Longview Police Department, a 27-year-old cold case involving the discovery of a newborn found dead in a field has been solved using genetics testing.

In June of 1998, officers responded to the area of West Harrison Road and Jordan Valley Road, where they discovered the dead newborn in a field. “Despite extensive investigation and public assistance, detectives were unable to identify the child or the parents at that time,” officials said. “The infant was given the name Baby Jane Doe.”

In 2025, while reviewing cold cases, officers utilized advanced genetic profile technology to identify a potential parent of the child. The investigation led detectives to 47-year-old Misty Marie Mitchell of Longview, who admitted to being the child’s mother during an interview. Continue reading Mother arrested after genetics solve cold case murder of newborn

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler is celebrating yet another record-breaking enrollment year, reaching its highest total enrollment to date. UT Tyler’s fall 2025 preliminary enrollment as of the Sept. 8 census date is 11,602 students, which is a 10.07% increase over last fall, according to a news release from UT.

“This milestone reflects the dedication and hard work of so many across our campus community,” said UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD. “Our focus continues to be on meeting the needs of our students and our region. We are committed to giving them our best so that they can reach their full potential.”

First-time-in-college freshman enrollment made up 1,561 of the total preliminary enrollment, which is a 9.47% increase over the previous fall. UT Tyler continued enhancing retention rates among graduate/professional students. Graduate enrollment saw its largest enrollment ever, with a preliminary enrollment of 3,264. Continue reading UT Tyler celebrates largest enrollment growth in institutional history

SMITH COUNTY — A 25-year-old Tyler man was sentenced to 34 years in prison on Tuesday for the 2024 fatal stabbing of Noe Luna. According to our news partner KETK, Letierus Drew, 25, of Tyler, was arrested for murder on Jan. 21, 2024 after Smith County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported stabbing at a home in the 400 block of County Road 34.

Deputies learned that 43-year-old Noe Luna of Tyler had been stabbed and taken to a local hospital before they arrived at the scene. Luna died at the hospital a few hours later.

Authorities said that Drew was identified as a suspect in the stabbing after witnesses at the scene said he had forced his way inside the home and got into a physical fight with Luna. Continue reading Tyler man sentenced to prison for deadly stabbing

TYLER — East Texas Food Bank employees volunteered to pack up boxes full of food on Tuesday as a part of National Hunger Action Day. According to our news partner KETK, the day of action was done as part of Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign held every September that encourages people to help end hunger in their community. On Tuesday, volunteers helped pack boxes that will be delivered to elderly East Texans in need.

“What we’re packing today is our senior box, our CSFP distribution program. So this is for our elderly population that is food insecure and that needs a little extra resources to be able to put food on the table,” Kim Morris with the East Texas Food Bank said. “So the boxes that they’re packing today are nutritionally balanced, and they should last about a month to supplement their food, to be able to get them through and make sure that they have not just to eat, but nutritious, healthy, other types. “ Continue reading Food Bank volunteers pack boxes for National Hunger Action Day

TYLER – A 54-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after he was found guilty of killing a man at a taqueria in Tyler in 2024.

Scotty Lee Goble, 54 of Frost, was arrested for murder on Oct. 11, 2024 after witnesses told Tyler Police Department officers that he fatally shot Heriberto Ramirez, 38 of Tyler, at a taqueria on SSW Loop 323. Witnesses told officers that the shooting happened after Goble and Ramirez got into a verbal argument that turned into a physical altercation.

Officials said that Goble had been a repeat customer of the taqueria and that there were disagreements that had happened prior to the shooting.

Goble was found guilty after a jury trial in the 241st Judicial District Court and sentenced to 18 years in state prison on Tuesday. Goble will also have to pay a $10,000 fine as a part of his sentence.