KTBB News, Weather, Talk

HENDERSON COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, a man was arrested in Henderson County on Thursday after over 455 files containing images of child pornography were found on his computer.

According to an arrest affidavit, a peace officer who had been assigned to investigate sex crimes and crimes against children in Henderson County received a Cybertip on June. 9, which is used to inform officials about suspected potential online sexual exploitation of children. The cybertip provided an IP address, along with a subpoena obtained from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, for T-Mobile regarding the IP Address. After officials received the subpoena, they discovered that the IP Address belonged to Nicholas Kent of Gun Barrel City. Continue reading Man arrested for possessing over 455 child porn files

NACOGDOCHES – A Nacogdoches man was arrested Friday Oct. 17 with 2.4 pounds of crystal meth in his vehicle. According to our news partner KETK, 50-year-old John Darren Taylor of Nacogdoches, was stopped by Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s deputies for speeding in a construction zone. Deputies found the crystal meth, along with 123 grams of Alprazolam pills and an unspecified amount of marijuana in the toolbox of Taylor’s pickup.

Investigators allege that Crawford had gotten the drugs from the Houston area with the intent of selling them in Nacogdoches County. He was charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. Crawford is being held at the Nacogdoches County Jail.

TYLER — Karen Phillips, the current Smith County Clerk, announced she will seek re-election in the Republican Primary on March 3, 2026. According to our news partner KETK, Phillips announced during a gathering with family and friends that she intends to run for another term and continue to serve the citizens with accountability and conservative leadership. A county clerk is responsible for maintaining public records, administering elections, issuing licenses and certificates, and serving as the primary contact point between the county and its citizens.

Phillips has served as the Smith County Clerk for the past 15 years and claims to consistently deliver on her promises while operating with fiscal responsibility. She also said that during her first two years in office, she helped reduce the department’s budget by $150,000.

“I have worked hard to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the County Clerk’s Office,” Phillips said. “It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Smith County, and I look forward to building on these successes in the years ahead.” Continue reading Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips seeks re-election

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Huntington man has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2022 murder of his wife on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, Christopher Marriott, 54, of Huntington, was first arrested for murder on May 24, 2022, after officials said he called 911 on May 19 and told law enforcement that he and his wife, Sandra Marriott, had both tried to commit suicide, but only she died.

Angelina County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators later found that he caused Sandra’s death. Christopher pleaded guilty to murder before 217th Judicial District Court judge Bob Inselmann on Monday and was sentenced to serve life in state prison.

His life sentence in state prison started on Monday.

LONGVIEW – Longview High School was sent into a “HOLD” on Wednesday after an altercation broke out between a small number of students, according to our news partner KETK.

Campus staff and administrators responded to the altercation immediately and de-escalated the situation with district safety personnel. Longview High School was sent into a “HOLD” during the altercation, as a part of the district’s Standard Response Protocol. The district did not offer any other information about the altercation on Wednesday.

“The situation was promptly resolved, and those involved are being addressed in accordance with district policy. At no point was there an ongoing threat to the campus. The HOLD followed our Standard Response Protocol. Longview ISD is committed to providing a safe, secure and supportive learning environment for all students, and we appreciate the continued cooperation of our families and staff.”
Longview ISD

BULLARD — Our news partner KETK is reporting that a former employee at Bullard Intermediate School has been arrested amidst an ongoing criminal investigation involving child sex crimes. On Oct. 15, the Bullard ISD Police Department interviewed the suspect, Bryan Taylor, who was relieved from his position on the same day after having only been working there for three months. The school district said all screenings and background checks were conducted as district procedures require.

On Wednesday, Taylor was arrested at his residence and booked into the Anderson County Jail. He has been charged with unlawful restraint and attempted sexual performance by a child and is being held on a $1 million bond. Continue reading Former Bullard employee charged with attempted child sex

TYLER – Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) has lifted the Stage 2 mandatory water restrictions that went into effect earlier this month while the Lake Palestine Water Treatment Plant was offline after multiple critical equipment failures and flooding in the filter pipe gallery. To help protect the system and maintain reliable service citywide during that time, TWU activated Stage 2 of the City’s Drought Contingency and Emergency Demand Management Plan, which called for a 10% reduction in total daily water use. Repairs have progressed enough to allow the plant to resume operations safely. With both the Lake Palestine and Golden Road Water Treatment Plants now contributing to the water supply, system pressure and capacity have stabilized. Continue reading Tyler Water Utilities lifts stage two water restrictions

TYLER – Smith County officials said in a release, that one of Smith County’s polling places will be closed for the rest of Wednesday after the water was shut off because of a water main break. The Heritage Building, at 1900 Bellwood Road in Tyler, is the polling place affected. Smith County Elections Administrator Michelle Allcon said she is notified the Texas Secretary of State’s Office this morning. County officials feel the break will be fixed the end of Wednesday.

There are four other early voting locations open until 5 p.m. today:
• The Hub, 304 E. Ferguson St., Tyler
• Lindale Kinzie Community Center, 912 Mt. Sylvan St., Lindale
• Noonday Community Center, 16662 County Road 196, Tyler
• Whitehouse Methodist Church, 405 W. Main St., Whitehouse

Early voting continues through October 31, and Election Day is November 4. There are 17 Texas Constitutional Amendment Propositions on the ballot, as well as several city and school elections throughout Smith County. They can be found by visiting the Smith County website.

TYLER — After being notified this morning by the City of Tyler that the water would be shut off all day, the Cotton Belt Building is closed for the day, Wednesday, October 22.

The Smith County Tax Office, Record Services Department and Texas AgriLife Extension Agency are closed and will reopen for normal business hours on Thursday, October 23.

The Tax Office Substations in Noonday, Lindale and Troup remain open today and its online services are available.

HARRISON COUNTY, Texas – For the second time in a month, Ricky Hampton, whose stage name is Finess2tymes, has been arrested in East Texas on drug charges. According to Harrison County Jail records and our news partners at KETK, the rapper on Mondy was hit with eight different charges: possession of marijuana, tampering or fabricating physical evidence with the intent to impair, prohibited substance/item in correctional facility, four counts of possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a dangerous drug. He was released from the county jail on Tuesday after posting a bond, which was set at $119,000.

HAWKINS – Hawkins ISD is asking voters to approve a $0.03 increase to the district’s maintenance & operations tax rate in their proposed Voter-Approval Tax Ratification Election, also known as VATRE. Our news partners at KETK report that VATRE is a local school funding election that asks voters whether to authorize the school district to access the maintenance and operations tax rate. $0.03 tax increase would account for $100 of taxable property value. Any property owner who lives in Hawkins ISD would pay 3 cents more per $100 of property value. This change is projected to generate $600,000 in funding for Hawkins’ district operations.

RUSK — Rusk Rural Water Supply Company (RRWSC) has issued a boil water notice to several areas due to a main line leak, according to our news partner KETK.

Due to the leak, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the RRWSC to notify all customers in the following areas to boil their water prior to consumption: Continue reading Main line leak prompts boil water notice in Rusk

LINDALE — A man is currently being held at the Smith County Jail after assaulting the Lindale Police chief on Saturday evening. According to an arrest affidavit and our news partner KETK, the incident occurred on 114 Cannery Row at around 7 p.m. as Lindale Chief of Police Dan Somes was directing traffic. While Somes was directing traffic, Andrew Hist was trying to turn down a street that was blocked off and proceeded to get out of his vehicle, walked over, and allegedly punched Chief Somes in his face.

Following the assault, witnesses helped Somes detain Hist until officers arrived on the scene. While witnesses and Somes attempted to detain Hist according to authorities, he tried to resist and was taken to the ground.

Hist was eventually placed under arrest after additional officers arrived on the scene and he was taken to the Smith County Jail. Following his arrest, Hist was charged with assaulting a peace officer and resisting arrest.

SMITH COUNTY — On the first three days of early voting, just under 1,400 people voted at five polling locations in Smith County. That’s according Smith County Elections Administrator Michelle Allcon. She also added that in comparing running vote totals, “That is under the 2023 numbers. By the end of the third day in 2023, we were a little over 2,100.”

There are 17 Texas Constitutional Amendment Propositions on the ballot for the November 4 Election, as well as several city and school elections throughout Smith County.  For more information about the propositions, click here.

CITY/SCHOOL ELECTIONS

The City of Whitehouse and the East Texas Municipal Utility District, as well as the Arp, Troup and Whitehouse Independent School Districts will all be holding special elections on November 4.

Early voting is being held October 20-31, at five polling locations in Tyler, Lindale, Noonday and Whitehouse. Continue reading Nearly 1,400 ballots cast in Smith County early voting

WHITEHOUSE — With early voting underway, Whitehouse ISD is proposing a voter-approval tax rate that will “enhance teachers’ salaries,” and maintain small class sizes, allowing for more one-on-one attention between students and teachers.

According to our news partner KETK, if approved, tax rates will remain one of the lowest in Smith County, the school district said, and will focus on providing a better learning environment for teachers and students. It aims to “provide the teacher salaries needed to keep & attract experienced educators,” while also focusing on maintaining small class sizes.

Additionally, if passed, it will aim to help grow the district’s college preparation programs, as well as expand academic and fine arts programs, extracurricular activities, and the special education program. It will also allow the district to maintain its current safety programs and provide additional security measures. Continue reading Whitehouse ISD proposes voter-approval tax rate

KILGORE – The Kilgore College Board of Trustees voted on Monday to name Dr. Staci Pollan Martin as the school’s interim president, since their current president Dr. Brenda Kays is retiring in February of 2026. Martin currently serves as Kilgore College’s vice president of organizational effectiveness and excellence, and she’ll officially become the college’s interim president on Nov. 1 according to our news partner KETK.

As a Kilgore College staff member since 2001, Martin has worn many hats including serving as vice president of student life and college affairs, vice president of student services, vice president of institutional planning, registrar and director of admissions.

Martin has a doctor of education degree in higher education from Texas Tech University, a masters of science degree in interdisciplinary studies from Texas A&M University–Texarkana and her bachelor’s of science degree in interdisciplinary studies from Texas A&M University. Continue reading Kilgore College names interim president

TYLER – Our news partner KETK is reporting that a Tyler man has pleaded guilty to two drug-related charges on Monday and accepted a 40 year prison sentence in connection with a 2024 fentanyl death.

Calvin Thomas Spencer, 28, was intially charged with first-degree murder, after Michael Crone, a Tyler-native, died after taking fentanyl pills. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said Spencer was a barber at a truck stop in the 400 block of East-Northeast Loop 323 in Tyler where he was known to give Crone haircuts.

An arrest affidavit also revealed that Spencer sold Crone M-30 fentanyl pills and later died on Oct. 5, 2024. Continue reading Tyler man receives 40-year sentence in fentanyl death

JACKSONVILLE – The Neches and Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation District (NTVGCD) has voted to suspend 40 controversial permit applications for high-capacity water wells in Anderson County according to our news partner KETK.

A member of the district’s board confirmed to KETK News that the NTVGCD board met in Jacksonville on Thursday and unanimously voted to suspend their consideration of 40 permit applications that were filed with their board by Pine Bliss LLC and Red Town Ranch Holdings LLC. The applications sparked controversy earlier this year when numerous East Texas public officials began to speak out against the proposed wells and their potential impact on the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer, which supplies water for much of Anderson and Houston counties.

The applications are suspended until studies can be done to determine what impact these wells could have on the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer.

East Texas State Senator Robert Nichols and State Representative Cody Harris attended the meeting on Thursday. According to Harris, the board also voted to accept a settlement offer from Sanderson Farms, a poultry company, who’s suing the district to invalidate their April vote for the permit applications. Continue reading Controversial high-capacity well applications suspended

TYLER — Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of East Texas school bonds for the 2025 election cycle. Texas school districts do not receive state funding for renovations or buildings, which leads them to seek their funding through school bond elections. Early voting on the proposition begins Oct. 20 and ends on Oct. 31, while Election Day is set for Nov. 4. Click here to view the list.

PALESTINE — According to our news partner KETK, a registered sex offender in Palestine was arrested on Saturday after being made to believe he was meeting a 13-year-old girl.

Palestine Police Department officers were dispatched to a residence on Sugar Lane on Saturday, after a representative from a civilian group that investigated suspected online child predators advised them that they were at the location with a male individual who believed he was meeting with a 13-year-old child. The male suspect West Holmes, 52, of Palestine was identified by officers and placed under arrest after admitting during on-scene investigation to communicating online with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl and that he came to meet her in person. Holmes further admitted he sent sexually explicit messages in these communications. He was also found to be a registered sex offender, with a history of sex crimes against children.

Holmes was transported to Anderson County Jail, where he was booked for online solicitation with a minor, with his bond set at $150,000.

 
TYLER – The Tyler Transit app is currently unavailable due to a nationwide outage affecting Amazon Web Services (AWS). Officials say while app functions such as scheduling and ride tracking are temporarily down, all MicroTransit services are continuing to operate as normal. The City said in release, at this time riders should call (903) 533-8057 to schedule their rides, check pickup times or get route information. Tyler Transit staff is monitoring the situation and will notify customers when the app is back online.  

TYLER – Starting on Monday, East Texans will have the opportunity to vote early for the upcoming Nov. 4 Texas constitutional amendment election. Our news partner KETK News has put together the following list of early voting locations and hours when East Texans can vote early this year.

TYLER – The City of Tyler has announced that East Elm Street will be closed between Spring Avenue and Broadway Avenue which started on Monday, Oct. 20. According to our news partner KETK, the part of East Elm Street that’s closing this week will be shut down until Friday so Tyler Water Utilities can improve sewer capacity in the area as a part of Consent Decree Group 2 Segment 13a2, which is expanding 18,141 linear feet of sanitary sewer lines in Tyler.

The city added that after Friday the road will be open until their work resumes in late November or in early December. Tyler officials are asking drivers to plan ahead for this closure and any future closures they announce.

Broadway Avenue, Spring Avenue, Ferguson Street and Locust Street will also be closed from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Nov. 8 while a business uses a helicopter in the area.

LONGVIEW – Our news partner KETK is reporting that at least one person was killed in a crash involving a pedestrian on Saturday. According to Longview PD, the crash happened on Saturday night on U.S. Highway 80 near McCann Road around 8 p.m. The initial investigation revealed the vehicle was going westbound when it hit a man who was attempting to cross the road.

“Currently, the investigation indicates the pedestrian failed to yield the right of way to the vehicle while crossing the roadway,” the Longview Police Department said. “The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.”

HENDERSON COUNTY — Three people have died, and the suspect in the East Texas murders has been hospitalized after shooting himself in the head following a vehicle crash at a Buc-ee’s according to our news partner KETK.

The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said the homicides occurred at 2:30 a.m. at the Cedar Creek Cove Subdivision in Mabank. Earlier this morning, the sheriff’s office was looking for the suspect, now identified as Christopher Kyle Reid Jr, in connection with the ongoing investigation, who was believed to be driving a 2003 maroon Dodge Caravan or a 2019 grey Subaru. When deputies arrived at the shooting scene on Taos Drive in Creek Cove Subdivision, they found an adult woman and an adult man dead from gunshot wounds. Another woman shot at the scene was transported to a hospital in Gun Barrel City where she died.

The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office identified the three deceased victims as Kimberly Simpson, 51, Connie Patrick, 72, and Ronny Hammonds, 57. The sheriff’s office said that Simpson and Connie were both shot multiple times along with Hammonds who also had injuries from blunt force trauma and multiple stab wounds. Continue reading Triple homicide remains under investigation

LUFKIN – Our news partners at KETK report that the Lufkin Police Department are investigating a Saturday shooting at a dance club. Authorities say two adults are currently at large after they reportedly shot a teenager. Responding officers found a teenager laying in the parking lot near the entrance of the club. The shooting allegedly began after an altercation near a truck in the parking lot. The shooter was then reportedly seen getting back into his truck and leaving. Anyone with information is being urged to contact Lufkin PD.

SMITH COUNTY, Texas – Smith County election officials want to remind residents that Monday, October 20, is the first day to early vote in the November 4 Constitutional Amendment and Joint Election, as well as several city and school elections throughout the county.

The county has plenty of resources for voters. This includes an interactive map to find your nearest voting location, a list of ID’s you can use, as well as a full list of locations and their hours for both early voting and November election day. All of which can be found on the county’s website.