KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The daughter of Rabbi Neal Katz, Rebecca, and Vera Banta flew from Israel to Rome to Boston and finally to Dallas. Early in the morning on October 6, the girls were awakened by bomb sirens, just a few hours after they danced and sang at Shabbat services the night before. That day, they sheltered seven times before noon, barefoot, confused and scared, not knowing when they would be able to come back to the US. While they were waiting, they made 1,500 bags of soap, food, towels and candy for hospitals … and visited soldiers and displaced families. Both say they hope to return to Israel someday.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department responded to a call of a pedestrian and auto crash around 8:20 Tuesday night. According to a news release, “a semi-truck was reportedly northbound on Loop 323, north of HWY 64, when it struck a pedestrian that was in the roadway.” The unidentified pedestrian was not at a crosswalk or intersection when hit. The pedestrian was said to be alert when transported to a local hospital.

UPSHUR COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK a 13-year-old male has been arrested on a charge of terroristic threat in Upshur County. Allegedly, the charges are “based on evidence of threats made toward students and a faculty member at Bruce Junior High School in Gilmer.” The Upshur County Sheriff’s office said the juvenile was transported and remains in the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center in Longview. The school officials provided the sheriff’s office witness statements and video evidence to support that the teen made threats to harm others when school resumed after the Yamboree school holiday.

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue was called out around 3 p.m. Tuesday due to an gas leak on CR 2162, near Troup. Hogue said the portion of CR 2162 closed is about one-half mile east of CR 135 between Arp and Troup. Smith County Road and Bridge crews put traffic barricades in place to divert traffic.
Continue reading Part of CR2162 still closed due to gas leak

NEW SUMMERFIELD – A 71-year-old woman is dead after a house fire in New Summerfield on Monday, according to our news partner KETK. Officials with the New Summerfield Police Department said the call came in around 5:30 p.m. and fire units responded to the scene at 311 Limbaugh Road where the woman was found. The State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called and officials said they are at the scene, as of Tuesday, to investigate the fire.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office has installed a Weather System Station at the Emergency Operations Center to provide emergency management officials and members of the public a chance to access real-time, detailed weather data. WeatherSTEM offers a public-facing view that allows access to a multitude of information for every resident, without signing up. “WeatherSTEM’s accessibility makes it a useful tool for the whole community and will enhance the abilities of emergency services,” Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue said. “Realtime weather information, such as wind direction and speed, is vital during fire and hazardous materials incident responses.” Continue reading Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office installs weather system station

WHITEHOUSE – Residents of the City of Whitehouse will have an extra choice to make on their ballot this November. In addition to the statewide Constitutional Amendment propositions, Whitehouse citizens will also be able to vote in a Special Election called by the City Council. The purpose of this measure, which will be listed as Proposition A on the ballot, is to change how the City’s taxes are reported to the State and how existing tax dollars are spent in the City of Whitehouse. If it passes, Whitehouse will offer greater transparency on the amount of property taxes collected, direct more existing funds to economic development, and reduce the impact of government regulations coming out of Austin. Continue reading Whitehouse calls for a special election

TYLER — Tyler police are searching for a teen reported missing. According to Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, Allison Morley, 13, was said to have left her residence on Hudnall Drive around 11:45 Monday night. She’s described as 5’4 and 130lbs with brown/red hair and brown eyes. Police say she has a scar on her left arm. No word on what she was wearing. Allison has been entered as a missing person/runaway. If you see Allison or know her location, please contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department has arrested a man in connection to the murder of a woman found dead on Victory Drive. According to our news partner KETK, officers conducting a welfare check found Camri Johnson, 26, of Marshall, dead around 11:40 p.m. on Monday. An investigation later resulted in the arrest of Windell Moris Jr., 23. Moris is being held at Harrison County Jail on charges of homicide and abandoning/endangering a child with intent to return. Marshall PD detectives, patrol officers and investigators are continuing to gather information about the incident.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff’s Office said they arrested three men after a pursuit that started in Minden, Louisiana ended in Smith County on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, a gray Chevrolet Camaro that was reportedly stolen in Dallas was able to evade pursuing law enforcement from Minden and was later spotted around 11:45 a.m. by Gregg County Sheriff’s Office deputies, officials said. Gregg County deputies pursued the vehicle to the Smith County line, when Smith County Sheriff’s Office deputies took over the chase continuing west on Interstate 20. A Smith County Precinct 5 Deputy Constable reportedly deployed a spike strip which the Camaro hit at the intersection of Interstate 20 and US 69 North. Continue reading Three suspects arrested following I-20 pursuit

NATCHITOCHES, La. (AP) — Northwestern State’s home game against Southeastern Louisiana has been moved to this Thursday night so that the contest won’t conflict with a wake and funeral services for recently slain Demons defensive back Ronnie Caldwell. Officials from both schools agreed to change the game time from Saturday after learning services for Caldwell were scheduled on Friday and Saturday in Austin, Texas. The new game time allows Northwestern State coaches and players to attend. Caldwell was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds by Natchitoches police officers who responded shortly after 1 a.m. last Thursday to a report of a shooting at an apartment complex near campus. The coroner’s office pronounced Caldwell dead at the scene. Police Cpl. John Greely has said no arrests have been made in connection with the case. Continue reading Game moved up for former TJC player’s funeral

HENDERSON COUNTY – A wreck involving an 18-wheeler and a motorcycle in Henderson County left a Mabank man dead on Friday according to our colleagues at KETK. According to a preliminary report from DPS, a 2008 Kenworth Truck Tractor towing a trailer was going east on FM 85 at 2:53 p.m., roughly three miles west of Seven Points. A 2004 Harley Davidson was going west on FM 85 when the truck tractor reportedly failed to yield the right of way and turned left on FM 2613 in front of the semi. Trapped driver freed after crashing into tree in Gun Barrel City. 50-year-old Ray Robert Stickinger from Mabank died at the scene. The driver of the truck tractor was not injured.

ANGELINA COUNTY – Two people were hospitalized in critical condition after a shooting at an Angelina County nightclub according to our news colleagues at KETK. According to Angelina County Sheriff Tom Selman, deputies responded to the Cabbage Patch club at 482 Charlton Road in the early morning hours Sunday. Deputies found 20-year-old Destini Dodd and 30-year-old Trevor Devon Parks at the scene with gunshot wounds. A Lufkin Fire Department ambulance took both victims to a Lufkin hospital before moving them to Houston area hospitals due to their life-threatening wounds. Continue reading 2 hospitalized after shooting at Angelina County nightclub

SMITH COUNTY — TxDOT is planning to conduct the following construction and maintenance work in the district during the week of Oct. 16, 2023. Work schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues. Please slow down and pay attention in work zones. This week, Tyler Maintenance crews will be repairing base failures on FM 724 at various locations from SH 64 to SH 110. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. A second crew will be repairing base failures at various locations throughout the county. For a full list of projects in the East Texas area, click here.

TYLER — Texas Rose Festival Queen Laura Bryan cut the ribbon for the SPCA of East Texas‘ new 16,000-square-foot building in Tyler on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, this new facility twice the size of their previous building and is located right next to their existing dog park. The new south Tyler location will help them expand their services for people living in Tyler and even further out in places like Jacksonville and Palestine. “This building is so much better for the dogs. For their state of mind. We’ve noticed the difference since we’ve moved over here and the cats too,” said Kat Cortelyou with the SPCA of East Texas. “But it’s also allowing us to help more people that are having dogs dumped on them or you know unwanted litters of puppies or kittens.” Continue reading SPCA of East Texas opens new 16k-sqft facility

GUN BARREL CITY – The Gun Barrel City Fire Department said that they freed a driver who was trapped in their vehicle after crashing into a tree on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, the crash happened around 9:25 p.m. in the 300 block of Legendary Lane when the vehicle left the roadway and hit a tree. According to Gun Barrel City Fire Department, the speed of the crash trapped the driver inside and they had to use Hurst Jaws of Life Rescue Tools to free the driver. The driver was transported to a hospital in Tyler by helicopter, officials said. Gun Barrel City Fire and Police Departments, the Seven Points Police Department and the Texas Highway Patrol responded to the scene.

TYLER– Tyler Junior College hosted a homecoming tailgate and solar eclipse watch party at the W.T Brookshire Conference Center in Tyler on Saturday according to our news partner KETK. Everyone wore their eclipse glasses and safely watched the spectacular astronomical event unfold. “With the annular eclipse, which is what we had today, the moon is further away from the sun and so, we wouldn’t see a total eclipse like we will in April,” said Jean Fuller, a TJC educator. “I’m more excited about it, although this one was cool.” During the eclipse in April, Fuller said it will be a total solar eclipse where you’ll have two minutes where you can look directly at the eclipse without hurting your eyes. Fuller added that East Texas won’t have another total eclipse in until the next millennium.

TYLER – Anderson, Henderson and Smith County Game Wardens responded to an anonymous call about alligator poaching along the Neches River and their investigations led to them discovering a suspect at the scene. According to our news partner KETK, they found an alligator shot with a compound bow behind the Lake Palestine spillway. The investigation also states that after the suspect allegedly injured the 4.5-foot alligator, he jumped into the river to retrieve the alligator. Two other accomplices assisted in dispatching the alligator with a knife before the trio began taking pictures and a video to post on social media. Continue reading East Texas Game Wardens catch alleged poacher

MOUNT PLEASANT – Our news partners at KETK report that two people have been charged with capital murder in connection to the death of a 23-month-old child. According to the Mount Pleasant Police Department, 25-year-old Jermaine Tyrelle Hooks and 25-year-old Chelsea Lashaun Davis were arrested and later indicted for capital murder, and a warrant was issued for Davis for interference with public duties. Police said they received information on July 2 regarding the death of Davis’ 23-month-old daughter. The child had been taken to Children’s Medical Center where she died from her injuries. “After receiving the information and based on the child’s injuries, an investigation into the death was started,” MPPD said in a statement. “The investigation ultimately led to probable cause for the arrest of Davis and Hooks.” Davis and Hooks were arrested on Oct. 12 and booked into the Titus County Jail.

TYLER – Our news colleagues at KETK report that three East Texas men were arrested Thursday and Friday by the Department of Public Safety after an undercover sting. According to officials with DPS, the investigation was led by their criminal investigations division and coordinated stings led to the arrests. Ian Bell, 20 of Tyler, was arrested on Thursday for online solicitation of a minor. Sergio Rubalcava, 28 of Kilgore, was arrested on Friday for soliciting someone under 18 and Tyler Sieber, 28 of Whitehouse, was arrested on Friday for online solicitation of a minor. They are each being held on a $100,000 bond.

TYLER – A man was sentenced to 45 years in prison for aggravated robbery in connection to the fatal shooting of a Tyler teen. Our news partners at KETK report that Lorenzo Martinez entered a guilty plea and subsequently received a sentence on Friday. The charge of robbery arises from an incident that occurred in 2021, involving a shooting outside a residence on Omega Drive in Tyler, resulting in the death of 17-year-old Jesse McNeely. Martinez and his co-defendant, Andres Urrutia, were arrested a few days following the shooting incident in Galveston County. They were subsequently transported to Tyler and booked into the Smith County Jail.

UPSHUR COUNTY — A 43-year-old man, Carlton Grant, was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday in Upshur County after being convicted of a 2018 capital murder. According to our news partner KETK, the body of Rachel Rhoads, 24, was discovered on April 1, 2018 off FM 726, near Highway 154, just one day after she was reported missing. At the time of the discovery, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said circumstances surrounding Rhoads’ death “were suspicious” and then ruled her death a homicide. In a press release from the district attorney’s office, Grant and an accomplice, Lindsey Jo McFadden, 35, walked to Rhoads’ home in the Flamingo Trailer Park to visit her roommate. Neither of them had a vehicle and when they met Rhoads, and asked her for a ride, which she agreed to do. When the group got into the vehicle, Grant choked her with a device made of wire. He then pulled her into the backseat of the car and began punching her and placed a zip tie around her neck.

NATCHITOCHES, LA — Former Tyler Junior College safety Ronnie Caldwell, 21, died Thursday morning after being shot several times, according to reports by ESPN and our news partner KETK. Caldwell was a junior safety for the Northwestern State football team after transferring from TJC following the 2021 season. “The Northwestern State family has suffered a tremendous loss,” head football coach Brad Laird said. “Ronnie Caldwell was a young man who had a bright future ahead of him on or off the football field. He was our voice in the locker room. When Ronnie spoke, others listened. The respect our football team had for Ronnie was evident. He did not play a snap this year because of an injury, but his voice resonated with every member of our team from the first player to the 115th on our roster. Our hearts are broken and ache for Ronnie’s family and friends.” Continue reading Former TJC football player fatally shot in Louisiana

HENDERSON – According to a Rusk County Sheriff’s Office release and our news partners at KETK, a Henderson man was charged with felony of possession of a controlled substance. Joel Gibbs Jr., 47, of Henderson, was arrested at the scene where a search warrant was being executed after deputies allegedly found meth, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a prohibited weapon. His bond was set at $80,000.

GILMER – A Gilmer ISD teacher was placed on administrative leave after allegations of inappropriate communication with a student according to our colleagues at KETK. In a letter sent to Gilmer ISD parents Wednesday night, Superintendent Rick Albritton assured parents that the district “is taking all responsive action necessary and appropriate, including removal of the educator pending investigation and reporting to the appropriate authorities.” Albritton told KETK News that police have been notified and an internal investigation is underway. Parents or students with information relevant to the investigation are asked to contact Albritton at 903-841-7400.

RUSK COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday an internal investigation led to the arrest of a former employee. Officials said that Kaitlyn Rhodes was arrested for two felony offenses related to bringing prohibited items into a correctional facility and having an inappropriate relationship with a person in custody. “Rhodes has been separated from her employment with Rusk County,” officials said. “Since criminal prosecution is pending, no additional information can be released by the sheriff’s office at this time.” Her bonds totaled $50,000.