KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – On Wednesday at 1:20 p.m. central time, the nation will receive a practice emergency alert. Once every three years, FEMA partners with the FCC to test the efficiency of their system. According to our news partner KETK the message will be in English or Spanish and it will say the following on your devices: “This is a test of the national wireless emergency alert system. No action is needed.” Even if your phone is on silent or you’ve turned the settings off, you will receive the alert. The sound is alarming to most but it is to keep you and your family as safe as possible.

SMITH COUNTY – Authorities say a Frankston woman was killed Sunday night when her car collided with a semi-trailer truck. According to our news partner KETK, 36-year-old Danica L. Maclin was driving south on Highway 155 south of FM 2661 when she lost control of her vehicle and crossed over into the northbound lane. DPS reported that Maclin was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver was not injured.

SMITH COUNTY — Two juveniles are back in custody following their escape Tuesday. Officials said they were apprehended around 9:30 Wednesday morning by Smith County Sheriff’s Office deputies and taken to the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. Law enforcement officials had been  searching for two 16-year-old males that escaped the custody of a juvenile detention center after authorities said they scaled a fence. According to our news partner KETK, on Tuesday around 2:30 p.m., the two juveniles were in the welding shop of the H.O.P.E. Academy Vocational Residential Program when authorities said they ran away after scaling a fence while using welding gloves and jackets to help them “defeat the security wire on the fence.” The juveniles are on probation for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

WASKOM — According to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, detectives have arrested a Texas woman for firing a weapon at a couple in Greenwood over the weekend. Our news partner KETK reports that Alicia Whitfield, 40 of Waskom, was arrested after an investigation revealed she fired a weapon at her ex-boyfriend and a woman at the Tobacco Country Bar on Highway 80 in Greenwood, Louisiana. CPSO detectives stated that Whitfield fired several shots from her vehicle after she spotted the couple in the bar’s parking lot on Saturday night. The shots that were fired then struck the victim’s car four times, leaving two bullet holes in the passenger side door, one in a rear tire and one in the back window that exited through the front windshield. No one was injured in this incident. Continue reading Waskom woman arrested for domestic shooting

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK the Smith County Precinct 1 Commissioner Pam Frederick announced on Monday that she is running to be re-elected in 2024. Frederick, who is running as a Republican, was elected to the position in 2022 to fill the term of Neal Franklin, who replaced Rep. Nathaniel Moran as Smith County Judge. Previously she served Bullard for 20 years as member of city council and then as mayor. Frederick said her work as commissioner on the mental health crisis has brought tangible results. Specifically, Frederick said she was proud of creating a mental health diversion officer position at the Smith County Jail. Frederick concluded her announcement by saying that it’s been an honor to serve the community as commissioner. Continue reading Frederick announces Commissioner re-election bid

MARSHALL — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will hold a two-day wild horse and burro event Oct. 13-14 at the Marshall City Arena in Marshall, Texas. The event begins Friday, Oct. 13, at 10 a.m., and will feature 120 animals for adoption. Adoptions take place Oct. 13, noon-6 p.m. and Saturday, Oct 14, 8 a.m.-noon. As part of the program’s efforts to find every horse and burro a good home, BLM now offers up to $1,000 to adopt an untrained animal. This incentive is offered for every animal in Marshall. On July 26, 2021, BLM announced additional steps to secure the health and safety of animals through the Adoption Incentive Program, including conducting inspections of wild horses and burros within six months of the adoption date. Continue reading Wild horse and burro event in Marshall

TYLER – A Bullard man was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Monday after pleading guilty to leading authorities on a pursuit in a U-Haul van. Steven Shelton-Groves, 30 of Bullard, was arrested in February after officials at the time said they were alerted to him for driving a U-Haul van with stolen property. He also reportedly had a warrant for a parole violation as well. Officials attempted a traffic stop on the van, but said Shelton-Groves drove off and later crashed into two cars going south on Loop 323, injuring several people including himself and his passenger. Shelton-Groves pleaded guilty to evading arrest with a vehicle and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

HOUSTON COUNTY – One person was arrested and a 16-year-old reported missing from Dallas was released to her family after drugs, firearms and drug paraphernalia were found in an East Texas home, according to our colleagues at KETK. According to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrived to the home at 745 SH 21E on Sunday for a disturbance call and observed items that led them to believe drugs were being sold there. Continue reading Missing 16-year-old found during drug bust

TYLER – A mother accused of providing meth to her daughter was sentenced to 10 months in county jail on Monday according to our news partners at KETK. 35-year-old Lajuana Glass was accused alongside Johnny Michael Moore in May 2022 after a girl informed police she had run away and that she was scared of her mother and stepdad. The girl allegedly told police they live inside of a mechanic shop and Glass and Moore allegedly “provided meth to [the victim] before.” Court documents state that the victim tested positive for meth at the hospital and accused Glass and Moore of physically abusing her. Glass will serve 10 months in the Smith County Jail for the charge of abandoning/endangering a child criminal negligence. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Monday. Moore has a status hearing for the same charge on Oct. 6.

TYLER — Nicholas Pet Haven in Tyler said on Saturday that they’ll have to close their animal rescue at the end of this year if they can’t gather enough money to pay their bills. According to our news partner KETK, the nonprofit organization said that they had raised $4,750 towards their $16215 veterinarian bill at the time of their post but that vet bill doesn’t even include other bills like their ER bill. They added that they think many people might not be seeing their posts if they’ve been shadow banned by Facebook. To learn more about adopting a pet or about how to donate, click here to visit Nicholas Pet Haven online or call them at 903-312-7585.

TYLER — The East Texas Fair’s last day of the year was Sunday and that was likely their last day ever at the location next to the Rose Bowl. According to our news partner KETK, the fair has been held there next the Rose Bowl since 1912 but now there are reportedly plans in the works for a new location as their current contract comes to an end, according to East Texas State Fair president and CEO, John Sykes. Sykes said they’re still working on the plans and that he hopes to have an announcement soon. “We’re going to build a new fairgrounds. We’ve been trying to do that for many, many years. It’s expensive to do, especially infrastructure,” Sykes said. “If we had the infrastructure already established, it would be relatively easy to get the rest of it done. But don’t give up. I mean, we have some plans in our bucket right now that we’re going to really hopefully surprise some people of Tyler.”

LUFKIN — Pineywoods Community Academy will be closed today as the water Department repairs a major water leak that will shut down a portion of South Raguet Street for the next several hours. South Raguet from West Kerr Avenue to Pershing Avenue will be closed for the next 4-5 hours as the repair is made. Water service will be out in the area from Angelina Street to Timberland Drive. Kurth Memorial Library will also be closed today due to the water leak repair. Additional nearby areas may be affected. If students have in-person classes at Angelina College today they will still need to go, complete assignments, or check in with their instructors. Transportation will not be provided by PCA.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council picked a Tyler construction company to complete the Lindsey Park entrance enhancement project. The Lindsey Park project was won by Paragon Constructions and Associates. According to the city, the project will create a grander gateway with the addition of two archways over each of the park’s entrances off of Spur 364, which is a condition of this particular funding. Continue reading Lindsey Park’s new gateway is in the works

UPSHUR COUNTY – The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said that a 16-year-old juvenile has been arrested in connection to the burning of Mt. Lebanon CME Church on Friday. Upshur County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the fire at Mt. Lebanon CME Church, located on Squirrel Road off of FM 2088, around 7:41 p.m. on Friday. The fire burned the church so badly that it was a near complete loss, according to the sheriff’s office and our colleagues at KETK. Continue reading Minor arrested, allegedly burned Upshur County church

MALAKOFF – The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said that one of their patrol units was hit by a passing car while conducting a traffic stop near Malakoff on Saturday according to our news partners at KETK. “When you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road please slow down and move over! It’s not only State law but it’s the right thing to do! We were extremely lucky this morning.” The patrol unit was hit from behind and officials said it was hit so hard it became airborne. According to HCSO, all of the vehicles involved were damaged but all the occupants were able to walk away uninjured.

TYLER – The Tyler Public Library (TPL) celebrates the freedom to read during Banned Books Week with a book giveaway! TPL will be giving out paperback copies of two famous banned pieces of literature from Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 6. The Library will be giving away 20 copies of Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White, 20 copies of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, and 50 copies of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the publication. Books will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to limited supply, the Library will limit one book per family, with each of the titles’ inventory spread throughout the week. This giveaway is possible thanks to monetary donations made by the public. Continue reading Tyler Library celebrates Banned Books Week

CROCKETT, Texas (KETK) – A man was arrested in Crockett on Sept. 23 for allegedly using stolen credit cards to buy gasoline on more than one occasion. Our news partners at KETK report a business on Loop 304 in Crockett reported a fuel theft worth about $1,111 on Aug. 28, according to the Crockett Police Department. “The investigation showed an unidentified individual pumping fuel at the business on several occasions, usually late at night or in the early morning hours when the business was closed,” according to Crockett PD. “Each time, the individual drove different vehicles and paid for the fuel using fraudulent credit cards.” Continue reading Man arrested for allegedly using stolen credit cards

TYLER – According to a release, the Tyler Public Library will be celebrating Banned Books Week by giving away pieces of literature beginning on Monday, Oct 2. through Friday, Oct. 6. There is limited supply and will be on a first come, first served basis. Some of the books being given away include Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, which is celebrating its 70th year in publication. Banned Books Week was first celebrated nationwide in 1982.

COFFEE CITY – On Thursday, the Mayor of Coffee City Jeff Blackstone gave an update in regards to citizens concerns over paying citations given by what they think were untrustworthy cops after the department was deactivated earlier this month. Blackstone told our news partner KETK that people still need to pay their citations and that many people haven’t had an issue getting that done as they can use a payment plan or take defensive driving. When it comes to tickets for going 10 or more mph over the speed limit, Blackstone said “people should do the right thing and pay.” Coffee City will be holding a city council meeting on Monday where Blackstone said they will clarify this information to all residents who are concerned about paying their citations. Continue reading Coffee City tickets are still valid

TYLER – The lobby of the Tyler Police Department on West Ferguson Street will be closed Friday. According to a press release from Tyler PD Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, the lobby closure is because of electrical work. Detectives and staff will work from the Faulkner Park Station at West Cumberland Road. Property release and other functions attached to the lobby with be closed. Dispatch, 911 and patrol services will not interrupted. The lobby will be open again Monday at 8 a.m.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that one man was indicted by a federal grand jury and two more people were arrested after a search warrant found 145 grams of meth, marijuana and firearms. Malon McCaslin was indicted by a federal grand jury for being a felon in possession of firearms on Sept. 20. A search warrant was executed at McCaslin’s house on County Road 4106 and 145 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana and firearms were reportedly found there, according to Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Continue reading Arrests in Cherokee County, meth, firearms seized

TYLER — The Tyler City Council approved the appointment of a new fire marshal Wednesday morning. Our news partners at KETK report that the council unanimously voted to approve Joey Hooton for the job, a man with nearly 20 years of experience. He has served on the Command Staff for the last six years and recently earned a master’s degree from UT Tyler in public administration, Tyler Fire Chief David Coble said. Continue reading Hooton named new Tyler Fire Marshal

LONGVIEW — One person was arrested for arson early Wednesday morning in Longview after their home caught fire. According to Longview Fire Department and our colleagues at KETK, they responded to the scene at 404 East Shofner around 3 a.m. for a reported structure fire. Crews reportedly found heavy fire and smoke conditions coming from two windows on the rear corner of the house. “The room of origin was determined to be in a back bedroom and the fire had spread into the attic,” officials said. “There were no reported injuries.” Officials said that crews were able to bring the fire under control in about 10 minutes, and the lone occupant of the home was questioned and later arrested for arson. Longview fire responded with three fire engines, two ladder trucks, an ambulance and four support vehicles for a total of 21 personnel.

TYLER – An arrest warrant affidavit provides new details in the death of a missing 18-year-old woman who was found Tuesday afternoon in a ravine behind the Hollytree Apartments in Tyler. Jamaurea Britton, 19, of Tyler, was arrested on Tuesday for murder, according to his arrest affidavit, after a body was recovered near his apartment and later confirmed to be Deja Hood. Hood was reported missing by her mother earlier that day after she had been out with friends and disappeared. Her mother told police she recalled her friend to be Britton, according to our news partners at KETK. Continue reading Tyler man admits to killing missing woman