KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – Roadwork is nothing new to the Lone Star state, but the Texas Department of Transportation in East Texas has some local projects in the works.

“There’s a few that are going on, south towards Bullard…” says Jeff Wooliferd with TxDOT East Texas. “We’re still in works with the utility companies. Relocating utilities is always a big portion of some of these projects. On the portion where they’re expanding to four lanes, the contractor has also begun digging some ditch operations.”

Crews have already begun digging up some utility lines, and will begin working to expand Old Jacksonville road from two lanes to four near Bullard. In another project, they’re adding an overpass at 2493 and US Highway 69.

While the work presents a challenging undertaking, Jeff Wooliferd says, “We’re expecting that to start at full blast again pretty soon. Working with the utility companies has been tricky, but we’re still working with them to get it done.”

The projected completion for those projects is Spring of 2027.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said they’ve been made aware of a new civil probate scam. The scam involves an email sent to an individual who had actually hired a local law firm to assist in probating an estate. This individual called their law firm, who in turn contacted the Smith County Clerk’s Office. The law firm was able to determine, through the County Clerk’s Office, that this was actually a fraudulent email.

The sender fraudulently used the name of our County Clerk and used a similar email through a Gmail account. The information was most likely obtained through public records by utilizing the internet. This could have easily been mistaken as a legitimate email and the recipient could have been victimized. Fortunately, the recipient felt unsure about the email and her attorney’s office took a pro-active approach. Continue reading New scam making the rounds in Smith County

TYLER – Lake Tyler Marina owner, Brent Allen, is ready for summer visitors but he wants people to take the steps to make sure everyone has a fun and safe day at the lake.

“This has absolutely been the worst year on in recent memory for accidents on lakes in East Texas,” Allen said.

According to a report from our news partner KETK, in Henderson County, two young children drowned after getting trapped beneath their capsized boat. A 43-year-old man also drowned while swimming to his flotation device.

“We’ve answered to a number of different water-related incidents, all of them very tragic,” Smith County Emergency Services District 2 Assistant Chief Charles Clanton said.

Smith county emergency service district 2 said it’s important to always keep a life jacket on and have extras on hand. Continue reading East Texas officials encourage lake safety after recent drownings

JACKSONVILLE — A care unit team at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Jacksonville recently received a prestigious nursing award after their care for a traumatic brain injury patient. According to our news partner KETK, in February of 2024, 24-year-old Kaitlyn Dunn was the passenger in a motorcycle crash where the bike flipped and skidded more than 150 feet and crashed into an end-of-road barrier.

After being flower to a Houston-area hospital for care, she experienced several seizures. Her case was accepted by the Jacksonville team, but it would be a long and uncertain road to recovery ahead. In total, she spent about two months in the unit.

Her CHRISTUS team included nurses, nursing assistants, therapists, physicians, housekeepers, dietary staff and others. They all celebrated her small milestones – from first steps to sharing meals and creating art together. Continue reading CHRISTUS team honored with prestigious nursing award

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler Center for Opinion Research recently surveyed 1,154 Texas voters about their views on current state and national issues as well as hypothetical political primary match-ups in 2026. According to the poll conducted May 28 – June 7, respondents said the most important policy facing Texas today was the economy (inflation) at 21%, with securing the border being the second most cited policy at 19%. K-12 education was the distant third of the policy alternatives (10%) chosen by respondents.

“Although securing the border was a big issue that had an electoral impact in Texas in 2024, it appears that many voters are more worried about the economy now that the election is over, and the process of governing has started,” said Dr. Ken Wink, UT Tyler professor and interim center director.

Democrats, Independents and Republicans cited inflation as the first or second most important policy facing the state. Securing the border was the top choice of Republicans and the second most cited choice of Independents, but it was not in the top three choices of Democratic respondents, Wink noted. Continue reading New UT Tyler poll reflects views on current issues, political match-ups

CHEROKEE COUNTY – KTBB recieved this from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office…
“It is with great sadness we announce the death of retired Cherokee County Sheriff James Campbell. Sheriff Campbell began his career with Cherokee County in February of 1994. Sheriff Campbell devoted 26 years of service to the citizens of Cherokee county before retiring in September 2020. Prior to becoming Sheriff, he retired as a highway patrolman for the Texas Department of Public Safety. We thank Sheriff Campbell for his dedicated 54 years of service to this state and the citizens of Cherokee County. Sheriff Campbell was a true public servant and devoted his life to his community and family. Though he is no longer with us, Sheriff Campbell has left a permanent mark on both civilians and law enforcement officers that will continue to guide and inspire us. Sheriff Campbell will be deeply missed, and his memory will be cherished by all who knew him. During this difficult time our thoughts and prayers go out to Sheriff Campbell’s family.”

JACKSONVILLE – East Texas State Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville announced on Tuesday that he’s not running for re-election in Texas Senate District 3. Our news partner KETK reports that, following Nichols’ announcement, East Texas State Rep. Trent Ashby announced his bid for the seat.

Nichols has served in the Texas Legislature for 20 years and was outspoken on issues like school choice, which he openly opposed.

“It had always been my goal to make things better, to stop bad things, to do it in a way I thought was right, never forgetting who I represented and to work at it long enough, but not too long. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to have represented the people of East Texas in the Texas Senate.” said State Sen. Robert Nichols Continue reading East Texas Rep. announces campaign to replace State Sen. Nichols

WINNSBORO – Our news partner KETK reports that a Winnsboro ISD coach was arrested on Monday after court documents revealed he attempted to hide the sexual relationship between another coach and a student.

According to the arrest affidavit from the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, on May 28 officers were alerted about an improper relationship between an educator and student that involved a Winnsboro High School coach during the 2024-2025 school season.

“During this separate case and its investigation, this WHS educator involved in this investigation has voluntarily confessed to the Felony 2 offense and its charge,” the document said. “This separate teacher/coach, identified as Coach Gabe, and has been subsequently charged and arrested.” Continue reading Coach arrested for hiding coworkers sexual relationship with student

WOOD COUNTY – According to a press release from the Acting U.S. Attorney of Eastern Texas, a Mineola man has been sentenced to 55 years in federal prison for child exploitation violations.

According to information presented in court statements , over the course of several months, Fransisco Gonzalez, also known as Kiko Gonzalez, 29, sexually exploited a minor female victim. Under the guise of taking her to church, he isolated her from her family, then used her to produce sexually explicit images and videos. He later distributed several of the images to others.

Gonzalez pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and was sentenced to 55 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on June 23, 2025.

“Fransisco Gonzalez is on his way to prison where he will serve a very long sentence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. “For his crimes, he deserves every day of that lengthy term. I commend the efforts of the team that brought this defendant to justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stands committed to seeking justice for victims and to defending the defenseless.”

TYLER – Our news partner KETK reports that two Mexican nationals received lengthy federal prison charges on Monday after trafficking methamphetamine in East Texas.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice Eastern District of Texas, 38-year-old Leopoldo Alonso-Palacios and 37-year-old Juan Luis Salinas-Leon, both Mexican nationals illegally living in Center, were sentenced to 168 months and 262 months, respectively, for drug trafficking violations.

Officials said Alonso-Palacios and Salinas-Leon were stopped while driving on Interstate-20 in Wills Point for speeding, and after the officers to searched the vehicle, the men were found with 937.7 grams of methamphetamine and Salinas-Leon with a firearm. Continue reading Two Mexican nationals sentenced for trafficking meth

HENDERSON COUNTY — A three-year-old and five-year-old girl both died when the boat the were in lost power and capsized on Cedar Creek Lake in Henderson County on Sunday night. According to our news partner KETK, the 21-foot-long boat capsized at around 10 p.m. on Sunday when they were heading back into shore. 10 adults were on board and made it to shore but the two children got stuck under the hull.

The boat reportedly began to take on water because it was over loaded and was then turned over by choppy water on the lake. First responders attempted to search for the girls but the tide was against them and they were pinned under the dock. The boat was eventually overturned a few hours later and the girls were found

 

TYLER – The two most powerful Republicans in the state were at odds on Monday after Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed the THC ban championed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, according to our news partner KETK.

Local shop owners who sell THC products said they breathed a sigh of relief with their customers after learning about the governor’s decision.

“I knew that doing the right thing, would be done,” Owner of CBD American Shaman, Morris Anderson said.” Governor Abbott is doing the right thing, and we definitely appreciate it.”

Anderson added that he’s encouraged by the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 3, and the decision is giving some comfort to customers worried about a potential ban.

“It’s a relief, a weight lifted because it’s customers that come through here, they’re dealing with a lot…I know my customers here appreciate them, and this world will appreciate it,” Anderson said. Continue reading East Texans react to the governor’s veto of the THC ban

WINNSBORO – The Winnsboro ISD school board considered firing Winnsboro ISD Police Chief Heath Guy on Monday after he was placed on administrative leave recently.

Our news partner KETK was at school board meeting on Monday where many Winnsboro residents showed up to voice their concerns. Earlier in June, former Winnsboro ISD assistant football coach Nicholas Gabriele was arrested arrested after allegedly admitting to having a sexual relationship with a student.

Chief Guy was reportedly put on leave because he didn’t notify the district about a Texas Rangers investigation into Gabriele. However, KETK spoke with Guy’s wife, Ashley Guy, on Monday and she said he was specifically told not to notify the district because that could be considered felony interference. Continue reading Winnsboro ISD police chief placed on administrative leave

MT. VERNON – According to our news partner KETK, oil giant Halliburton has been awarded a contract to plan and design a geothermally-powered lithium mining project in Mt. Vernon that planners said could help end America’s dependence on Chinese lithium.

GeoFrame Energy’s geothermal and direct lithium extraction (DLE) project is set to start work with Halliburton in late 2025 and will extract battery-grade lithium carbonate from the Smackover Formation, which lies beneath much of East Texas. Halliburton, a company with more than 100 years of expertise in drilling wells, will work with GeoFrame Energy during the drilling, construction, design and operation phases of their first demonstration wells before the companies expand to “full field development.”

“This major breakthrough in East Texas could be the key to solving the U.S. lithium supply challenge. GeoFrame Energy is expected to produce approximately 83,500 metric tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually—enough to meet 100% of domestic demand,” GeoFrame Energy said in a press release. “By establishing a reliable, homegrown supply, the project offers significant economic and strategic benefits. It could also mark a turning point in ending U.S. dependence on Chinese lithium imports—a win for both Texas and the Trump administration.” Continue reading Geothermal lithium drilling wells coming to East Texas