KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that a 22-year-old was charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle after a head-on wreck in Smith County left another man dead. The wreck happened on State Highway 155, half a mile south of Winona on Sept. 8 at 11:09 p.m. William Chaplinski of Big Sandy was reportedly driving a 2006 Nissan Titan south on 155 when he crossed the center line in an attempt to pass another vehicle. A preliminary crash report from DPS indicates that the Nissan collided head-on with a 2012 Kia Sportage driven by 42-year-old Harry Collins, III of Tyler. Collins was pronounced dead at the scene and Chaplinski was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Continue reading Big Sandy man charged with intoxication manslaughter

UPSHUR COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, District Judge Jerald Dean Fowler II has received a public warning by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct for his DWI charge from 2022. Back on Sept. 9, 2022, Fowler was involved in a crash and was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Fowler pleaded guilty to the charge in February 2023 and was sentenced to one year of deferred adjudication probation. According to documents, Fowler admitted that he “drank a great deal” of alcohol along with taking two prescription sleep medications before operating his vehicle the night of the crash. The documents later state that Fowler also said he does “not recall” the accident taking place and only has “vague recollections” of the events that occurred after it. Continue reading Public warning for District judge’s DWI charge

TYLER — Tyler Water Utilities has been putting together a plan for the future of the city’s water system and what needs to be done to keep water flowing with an outside engineering consultant Halff Associates, according to our news partner KETK. “Here we’ve evaluated this, we’ve put this information into a water model, we’ve predicted what it looks like in the future, where we’re going to need projects to be done,” said Kate Dietz, Director of Utilities, City of Tyler. On Wednesday, Dietz presented the findings from the study to city council members. The big topic of discussion being population growth, and how the master plan would help. “We would be able to use to look at future growth potential issues in the future as far as population demands and water demands,” said Dietz. Continue reading Tyler Water Utilities looks to future of water system

TYLER – The Religion News Service reports that as rumors swirl that Pope Francis may ask for the resignation of Catholic Bishop Joseph Strickland, the firebrand conservative who oversees the Diocese of Tyler in Texas said he has heard nothing from the Vatican but signaled he would not give up his post voluntarily. According to public Vatican records, Pope Francis met on Saturday with Archbishop Robert Prevost, prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops, and Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio, or ambassador, to the United States, among others. What the three discussed in the meeting was not made public, but a conservative-leaning website, The Pillar, has claimed the meeting touched on whether to ask for the resignation of Strickland, who has stoked controversy in recent years for everything from resistance to COVID-19 vaccines to criticizing the pope. The Vatican did not immediately respond to requests to confirm The Pillar’s account of the confab. Continue reading No forced retirement from Bishop Strickland

TYLER – The city of Tyler Wednesday approved contracts the for installing safety improvements on Shiloh Road. According to our news partner KETK, there is going to be an LED warning system on Shiloh Road at Sweetbriar Lane, going through the reverse curve between New Copeland Road and Donnybrooks Avenue. This area has had number of traffic accidents. Construction cost estimates are $61,035 with federal funds covering 90% of the cost and the city covering the other 10% through the Half-Cent Sales Tax program. The project is scheduled to be let for construction in August 2024.
Continue reading Tyler approves contracts for Shiloh Road safety improvements

JACKSONVILLE — Former Smith County Fire Marshal Paul Findley was announced on Wednesday as the incoming Jacksonville Fire Chief and Director of Emergency Management. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Commissioners Court accepted Findley’s resignation on Tuesday, about two months after his appointment as fire marshal. Findley got his start in the fire service in Jacksonville, and the city said in a release that he is expected to start in mid-October. “I am incredibly honored to serve my beloved hometown as fire chief. Leading the men and women of the department forward in service to this community is a humbling assignment,” Findley said. A public welcome reception for Findley will be held on Oct. 24 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Complex. Continue reading Newly resigned fire marshal announces new position

CHANDLER — After a long and heated city council meeting, the City of Chandler has made their decision to not become a sanctuary city for the unborn. According to our news partner KETK, the goal of this measure was to ultimately pass an ordinance outlawing abortion within their city limits. Tuesday night’s meeting was packed with more than 20 residents taking the microphone during the public comment session. After hearing from everyone in this three-hour meeting, Chandler City Council members took up the resolution and it didn’t pass. A second and amended version of the ordinance was also introduced by one council member, but it failed to receive a second motion to be put it up for a vote. Continue reading Chandler votes against sanctuary for the unborn

LONGVIEW – The Texas Medical Board announced on Monday they had disciplined 27 physicians at their August meeting, including two Longview doctors. According to our news partners at KETK, Dr. Jorge Eduardo Massare-Rodriguez entered an agreed order on Aug. 18 that requires him to have a chaperone anytime he performs a physical examination on a female patient. He must also pass the Medical Jurisprudence Exam within one year and three attempts. “The Board found Dr. Massare-Rodriguez admitted that he examined two patient/employees outside of the clinic, did not create a medical record and failed to establish a formal physician-patient relationship,” the medical board said in a release. Continue reading 2 Longview physicians disciplined by Texas Medical Board

TYLER — An inmate in the Smith County Jail was accidentally freed instead of being taken to prison for a seven-year sentence. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said inmate Mark Tyrone Johnson was released by mistake on Jan. 5, 2022. He was supposed to have been returned to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division to complete his previous seven-year sentence for assault family/household member with a previous conviction.  After his release, a warrant was subsequently issued for Johnson for escape from custody in June 2022. Continue reading Mistakenly released inmate involved in stand-off

COFFEE CITY — The City Council of Coffee City voted to deactivate the Coffee City Police Department and terminate Chief of Police JohnJay Portillo at their meeting on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, the council’s meeting agenda said these were matters to be considered during their executive session of their Monday night meeting. During that executive session they have reportedly gone through with the decision to deactivate their police department and terminate the employment of Chief Portillo. “We voted to fire and terminate him as the chief of police here at coffee city, effective immediately,” said councilman, Keith Skender. This decision came after an investigation by a Houston television station detailing Portillo’s past record. Continue reading Coffee City Police Department deactivated, police chief terminated

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department said that three juveniles were reportedly shot in a vehicle near Lake Lamond and West Marshall Avenue on Saturday. According to Longview PD, and our news partner KETK, officers responded to the 200 block of West Cheryl Street at 11:55 p.m. to talk to three juvenile shooting victims who were shot at another location. Longview Fire EMS took the victims to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Longview PD said this is an ongoing investigation and detectives are collecting information. Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact Longview PD at 903-237-1110.

TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that one person was injured in a shooting Sunday night at the Marabella Apartments in Tyler. According to police, they responded to the scene after receiving a call about gunshots and found that one person had been taken to a local emergency room with a gunshot wound. The person was later taken to a hospital for surgery, and police said there is evidence to suggest the shooting was not random. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work the case.

HARRISON COUNTY – our news partners at KETK report that a two-vehicle crash just southeast of Marshall last week left one man dead. According to a preliminary crash report from DPS, 66-year-old Larry Richardson of Elysian Fields had his 2017 Ford F-150 stopped on FM 2625 facing west at the intersection of FM 31. The Ford reportedly failed to yield the right of way at a stop intersection and hit a 2009 International Box Truck that was going north on FM 31. Richardson was pronounced dead the next morning at a Longview hospital. The driver of the box truck was not injured, authorities said.

TYLER – TxDOT road projects are continuing Wednesday, Sept. 13 and Thursday, Sept. 14, as crews will be working on FM 848 from SH 64 to FM 248/University Blvd. The roadway will be closed each day from 8a to 5p. It will reopen each evening. You may want to seek an alternate route during the times noted. Click here for more East Texas area roadwork information.

TYLER — The Art Alley in Tyler unveiled more than 40 brand new murals at it’s grand opening on Saturday. 48 local artists attended the free event where they got to show off their art which was also shown in photo books for sale, our news partner KETK reports. “So Tyler actually has a really beautiful budding culture of local art. People are starting to come downtown and enjoy that,” said Lindsey Froneberger, downtown specialist. “You’ll see that with our vendor markets we have throughout Tyler and downtown and also the Tyler Arts Festival each year and we’ve got a ton of art galleries in the downtown area too. So having just a walkable free outside place to come to a condensed group of murals really just helps people to come downtown and enjoy themselves.” The Art Alley’s next phase starts in 2025 and new murals will be revealed in 2026.

RAINS COUNTY – The Rains County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of a Dallas man for crimes against children. According to our news partner KETK, authorities say that Christian Paul Castillo was arrested Friday and charged with online solicitation of a minor. Besides the Rain County SO, the Caddo Mills Police Department, Texas DPS and the State Office of Inspector General and Office of Attorney General all were involved in this investigation. The Sheriff’s Office also said the investigation is continuing and no more information will be available.

WOOD COUNTY – The Wood County Sheriff’s Office reported Saturday a 12-year-old boy was shot and killed in rural Alba-Golden. According to our news partner KETK, Investigators said the boys mother called and said her son had been shot in the head. When WCSO and EMS arrived they found the boy had died. The sheriff’s office conducted one interview on the scene of the shooting. Officials stated because the person interviewed and the deceased are both minors no further information will be released.

MARSHALL – Authorities in Maine have arrested a Gilmer man in connection to a murder in Ore City. According to our news partner KETK, 36-year-old Kristopher Dylan Ratcliff was booked into the Harrison County Jail Saturday, charged with murder, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said they issued an arrest warrant in July 4 shooting death of 35-year-old Jeremy Vick of Ore City. Vick was shot in Ore City/Lazy Lakes, transported to a local hospital, where he died. The U.S. Marshal Service arrested Ratcliff in Bangor, Maine. He was transported back to Texas and is currently in the Harrison County Jail.

LONGVIEW — The 74th Gregg County fair kicked off on Friday Sept. 8 and runs until Saturday Sept. 16 at the Gregg County fair grounds. As always, there’s the carnival, petting zoo and live music daily. Emerson Farm has their pig races to delight everyone! And your favorite fair foods with be available, including turkey legs and funnel cakes. General admission is $6 per person. Kids 3 and under, Senior Citizens and Military plus family members get FREE admission. Ride coupons and armbands are available. According to our news partner KETK, for more information on the Gregg County Fair, you can click here.

TYLER — UT Health East Texas announced the date they will break ground on a new facility designed for orthopedics and sports medicine services. According to our news partner KETK, a groundbreaking ceremony is planned for 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 15. The new building location will be on Old Jacksonville Highway, next to the existing UT Health East Texas Physicians clinic on Three Lakes Parkway.
Continue reading UT Health to break ground on new $12 million facility

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department said Anna Allison has been reunited with her family after they found her safe and uninjured. Her family said they had last seen her Monday night at her residence. Tyler Police thanks everyone who helped in this matter which was resolved Friday evening.
.

TYLER — After more than 60 years in business, Tyler’s Put-Putt Golf & Games will be closing their doors soon. According to our news partner KETK, in November of 2022, owners Katherine and Tom Adair were informed by Genecov that their land was going to be sold. The couple was given the option to purchase the property, but declined the offer. Katherine’s parents bought the business in 1959, when she was just 2 years old. Both her parents passed in the 1990’s, and Katherine officially took over operations. “It’s been really sad,” Katherine said. “I think it’s going to be really sad for Tyler. It’s sad for our family, but it’s worse for Tyler, because they’re losing an entertainment facility that I know a lot of people love.” Putt-Putt Golf & Games will celebrating 64 years in business on November 12. Continue reading Tyler’s Putt-Putt to close their doors after 64 years

SMITH COUNTY – The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said that Thursday a 14-year-old boy allegedly stole a school bus from Monroe, Louisiana. Accordingly to our news partner KETK, law enforcement stopped the bus after it almost collided with an 18-wheeler on Interstate 20 near Lindale. They say “allegedly driving”, because when sheriff’s deputies entered the bus, no one was at the wheel, the boy was hiding in back of the bus. Initially, the boy told investigators he had fallen asleep on the bus and someone else had drove it. He later admitted to deputies he stole the bus from a business near the Monroe, Louisiana airport. Smith County Sheriff’s found out from the Monroe PD, this is second time the 14-year-old had stolen a bus in Monroe.

Austin – Due to continued high temperatures, high demand, low wind, and declining solar power generation this afternoon, operating reserves are expected to be low into the afternoon and evening hours. As a result, ERCOT is asking Texans to conserve electricity use, if safe to do so, today, from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. CT. ERCOT is expecting similar conditions tomorrow and will keep the public informed through our communications channels. Continue reading ERCOT requests energy conservation again tonight

NACOGDOCHES – A man wanted in connection to a burglary in East Texas and other crimes in the state was reportedly killed by a train in Nacogdoches. Newton County Sheriff Robert Burby said Andrew Lee Ancell had active warrants from four counties before coming to Newton County. Among those warrants was one out of Sabine County for burglary. The sheriff’s office at the time said the search for Ancell included several agencies, including TDCJ tracking dogs, sheriff’s office canines and several helicopters with heat-seeking units.  He was reportedly charged with “numerous offenses” for breaking into a deer camp in Newton County near Highway 255 and CR 1090 on July 28.

TYLER – Tyler police report a man has died as result of a pedestrian accident in Tyler. According to our news partner KETK, 27-year-old David McKeethan of Tyler was killed in the accident that happened late Wednesday night on Highway 31 West. Officers found McKeethan dead at the accident site. The driver of the car involved stayed at the scene. Tyler PD is continuing to investigate.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Inmates in part of the Henderson County Jail have started a hunger strike, citing excessive bonds as their reason. According to our news partner KETK, Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said the hunger strike started Wednesday in a dorm that houses eight inmates. “I was informed that we do have a dorm in the jail here where they actually removed the TV from the wall and set it on the floor… Once they did that, we took the TV out of the dorm,” Hillhouse said. “And then they have been putting in paperwork saying that their bonds are excessive, and so they are basically right now saying they are on a hunger strike.” A bond is the amount of money set by a judge or magistrate for releasing a defendant from jail before the date of their trial. Hillhouse explained that a Justice of the Peace comes in every day to help set bonds in Henderson County. Continue reading Inmates start hunger strike in Henderson County Jail

ATHENS — The former mayor of Athens has been sentenced to federal prison for child obscenity violations. According to our news partner KETK, James Monte Montgomery, 65, pleaded guilty to sending obscene materials to a minor on August 25, 2022, and was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison Wednesday. According to public information, on June 3, 2021, Montgomery was arrested after arriving at an undisclosed location after soliciting sex online with investigators posing as minors. In June of 2020, Montgomery, then the mayor of Athens, began communicating by text messaging with a person he believed to be a 15-year-old female. Montgomery sent messages to the child describing sexually explicit acts that he wanted to perform on the child and offering to pay the child if she would meet him and have sex with him. Continue reading Former Athens mayor sentenced to federal prison

COFFEE CITY – Coffee City Police Chief JohnJay Portillo has been placed on a 30-day suspension while the mayor and city council conduct their investigation. According to our news partner KETK, Coffee City Mayor Jeff Blackstone said, “After being informed of the recent allegations against our Chief of Police and the city’s reserve officer programs, the city council and myself felt it necessary for us to place Chief Portillo on a thirty-day suspension. During this time, we will be investigating this matter internally as well as seeking counsel from an independent investigation firm to validate our findings. Thank you for your patience while we work to resolve this issue.” The allegations have come from an investigation by Houston television station KHOU into several officers working remotely in the Houston area.