KTBB News, Weather, Talk

RAINS COUNTY — Remains that were found in Rains County in November 2022 were identified as a retired Dallas firefighter who was missing since 2017. According to the Rains County Justice of the Peace, DNA confirmed that the remains were identified as Michael Glenn Chambers who was reported missing on March 10, 2017. Our news partner KETK reports that Chambers’ remains were found in a wooded area near Highway 276 east of the City of East Tawakoni. The Texas Rangers and Hunt County Sheriff’s Office assisted RCSO with the recovery and investigation. The remains were then sent to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification in Fort Worth.

“I ask for the continued prayers for the Chambers family. Mr. Chambers’ family has waited for answers for a long time, and I hope this brings some closure to the Chambers family. This remains an open investigation and my office will continue to diligently investigate this case,” Hunt County Sheriff Terry Jones said in a statement.

Officials said the investigation remains open and no further information will be released as of this writing.

RUSK COUNTY — Two people were arrested on Thursday for being in possession of a reported stolen truck out of Rusk County. Our news partner KETK reports that on May 4, patrol officers received a call regarding a suspicious vehicle on Highway 323. The caller reportedly saw the truck pull in behind a house and when deputies got to the location, they ran the plates and discovered it was a vehicle that had recently been reported as stolen out of Rusk County.

Officials said deputies arrested Brandon Matthews and Alyssa Williams for being in possession of the stolen vehicle and charged them with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle adding that the vehicle is to be returned to the owner.

FRANKSTON – Two people are dead after a tree fell on a house during Thursday night storms in Frankston. According to Anderson County Sheriff Rudy Flores, a 29-year-old woman and 33-year-old man were killed during the storms. “He was pinned down in the house by a big oak tree this morning, it’s devastating on his family and his kids and stuff,” said Derrick Fields owner of Fields and Sons Logging and Tree Service. The tree was removed from the home on CR 3000 Friday morning and their bodies have been taken to a funeral home.

According to our news partner KETK Frankston was hit hard in the overnight storms. Roma’s Italian Restaurant lost their roof during the storm, and managers say it may take a month before they can reopen their doors. They added that they are grateful for everyone that has stopped by and offered to help clean up.

BULLARD – According to the district, a man arrived at the Bullard Primary School at about 11:15 a.m. with a gun holstered on his hip. To that point, all Bullard ISD schools were placed on lockdown.

Superintendent Dr. Jack Lee said that the person insisted that he had the right to take the pistol anywhere they pleased according to our news partner KETK. Officials stated the person refused to identify himself and an officer could smell alcohol. According to the district, the lockdown was put in place as a precaution while the officer detained the individual and secured the scene. It was lifted and the individual is in custody, law enforcement said.

The district is pursuing the maximum criminal charges in this case.

EAST TEXAS — Election Day for the City/School Election is Saturday, May 6, 2023. Elections are on the ballot for the Independent School Districts of Bullard, Chapel Hill, Lindale, and Tyler District 4; as well as for the City of Winona and Emergency Services District No. 1. There will be nine polling locations open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Continue reading Election Day is Saturday

TYLER — Tyler Junior College has earned Military Friendly Silver status. This means offering vets and their families opportunities to succeed, our news partner KETK reports. More than 1,800 schools across America participated in the 2023-24 survey performed by VIQTORY. Schools that earned the Military Friendly School Designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Continue reading TJC earns Military Friendly silver status

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to multiple reports of a male walking around waving a firearm in the air and yelling outside of Super 1 Foods and Academy on South Broadway Avenue around 7:20 p.m. Thursday. According to our news partner KETK and Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh, when officers arrived and approached the man, he turned the gun on himself. Tyler Fire and UT EMS were then dispatched to the scene. The unidentified man was pronounced dead at the scene.

TYLER — Select Tyler Transit downtown stops closed on Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6, 2023. Normal operations will resume on Monday, May 8. Due to the Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival this Saturday, May 6, Tyler Transit will deviate Route 10 and Route 14 starting Friday, May 5. Affected bus stops will remain closed until the start of service on Monday, May 8. Continue reading Tyler Transit downtown bus stops rerouted for music festival

TYLER – Around East Texas, numerous communities celebrated the National Day of Prayer. It gave places like Tyler, Longview, Lufkin and Gladewater a chance to show how passionate they are about their faith. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler held its 32nd annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast early Thursday morning. The mayor of Tyler Don Warren said they prayed for everyone. “We prayed for first responders, we prayed for young people, we prayed for hope and love,” said Warren. He added the whole point of these events is to bring people with different backgrounds together. In Gladewater, an outside prayer service was held at the Veterans War Memorial. The mayor of Gladewater Scott E. Owens said there’s no better time than now to get together and pray. The National Day of Prayer is held the first Thursday in May and has been observed across the country since 1952.

TYLER – A Tyler man was sentenced to five years in prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty to manslaughter in a 2021 fatal wreck on Loop 323. Jose Esparza, 25, was initially arrested in November 2021 after a high-speed, three-car crash in front of Mercado’s. According to our news partner KETK, Esparza was driving in a black Corvette westbound on the road when he struck the back of a truck “at a high rate of speed.” The Corvette’s computer showed he was driving at 113 mph when the brakes were slammed. Esparza had minor injuries, but his passenger was taken to hospital in critical condition and died two days later. The warrant said Esparza was not intoxicated at the time of the wreck, and the Corvette “was almost unrecognizable due to the severity of the damage.” Esparza was indicted for manslaughter in April 2022, and pleaded guilty to the manslaughter charge on Wednesday.

EDGEWOOD – Authorities arrested an Edgewood woman Monday for allegedly pointing a knife at clerk in a grocery store. According to our news partner KETK, Edgewood police say the woman, identified as Brandy Ackerman told the cashier at Brookshire Brothers grocery store in Edgewood to open the cash register and give her all the money. She did this while pointing a knife at the cashier. When the cashier would not hand over the cash. It was said Ackerman put the knife away and said “I was just kidding”. Continue reading Supermarket aggravated robbery arrest

TYLER — Early voting ends with low turnouts in parts of East Texas. Tuesday marked the last day to vote early in East Texas as local races are once again expected to be close come election night. “It affects your life,” said Smith County Elections Administrator Michelle Allcon. According to our news partner KETK, an important race in Smith County with a lot of money at stake is the Chapel Hill ISD bond that is worth $125 million dollars. It’s the third time the proposal will be up for election and exactly a year ago, it failed by less than 50 votes. If the bond gets enough votes, it would give the school a chance to renovate aging buildings. Continue reading Early voting in East Texas ends with low turnouts

TYLER — A Tyler roadway is partially blocked off Wednesday morning due to a sinkhole in the area of Commerce Street at Oakwood Drive, our news partner KETK reports. Officials at the scene said the sinkhole was caused by a water main break and estimate about four hours for repair.

LONGVIEW — A former Longview ISD employee was sentenced to nine years deferred adjudication on Monday after pleading guilty to sexual assault of a child. According to our news partner KETK, Richard Williams, 30, of Longview, was arrested and accused of having an improper relationship with a student in 2018. According to an affidavit, Williams, who was employed as an aid by Longview ISD, began a sexual relationship with a then 16-year-old that lasted nearly nine months before the girl told her parents. The two also knew each other from church and Williams was reported to be the child’s pastor at the time of his arrest. He was indicted for sexual assault of a child in August 2019, and pleaded guilty on Monday. Officials with Longview ISD at the time said this was an isolated incident.

TYLER — The son of Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips and County Precinct 3 Commissioner Terry Phillips, attempted to speak at the Commissioner’s Court meeting on Tuesday to “correct the slander” surrounding his family after his mother and brother’s arrest. According to our news partner KETK during the public comment portion of the meeting, Judge Neal Franklin announced that Lance Phillips requested to comment on a specific agenda item and would be given three minutes to do so. “This is what can happen to you when you’re driving down the Smith County roads. I just wanted to correct the slander about my family on and for the record,” Lance Phillips said. Continue reading Son of arrested Smith County Clerk attempts to ‘correct the slander’ at commissioner’s court meeting

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview recently celebrated the opening of their new Fire Station No. 5. A ribbon cutting made the new location official, which is at 102 W. Niblick Street, our news partner KETK reports. The renovation/addition to the existing station built in 1985 was projected to cost roughly $5.34 million, but the final cost came out to $4.85 million. It will serve as an administrative wing for meetings and physical training. “We couldn’t be more excited,” said Longview Fire Chief J.P. Steelman. “This fire station is such an upgrade from the 38-year-old station we were in prior to this.” Continue reading New $4.85 million fire station opens in Longview

TYLER — East Texas cities are once again asking for lifeguard help ahead of summer. According to our news partner KETK, over the last couple of years, public pools across the area have experienced major lifeguard shortages. There were several reasons for the shortages: the pandemic, people moving onto different jobs and not enough potential candidates getting qualified. This year could be the same if pools around the area don’t attract enough lifeguards. The recreation manager for Tyler Parks and Recreation Kandice Johnson said last summer was tough for everyone. “Last summer I was on the phone every day with another city asking, ‘what are y’all doing to get lifeguards?’,” said Johnson. “There’s like a shortage. It’s hard to find people. We’re trying to start earlier than last year.” Continue reading Shortage of lifeguards in East Texas

TYLER — A bill to help funding for public school educators is making its way through the Texas Legislature, but school officials said the bill in it’s current state just isn’t enough. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford was joined by representatives from Alba-Golden, Bullard, Carthage, Cushing, Brownsboro, Lindale, Longview, Mineola, Palestine, Pine Tree, Troup, Tyler, Union Grove and Whitehouse on Monday to call on the legislature to increase public school funding. Sounding what they called a “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!” alarm on May 1, the districts urged supporters to contact state lawmakers to support increased school funding. With a month left in the Texas legislative session, public education advocates are asking lawmakers to allocate more of the state’s $32.7 billion surplus to schools. Continue reading Schools ask Texas lawmakers for help as inflation rises

TYLER — To help restock the Community Pet Food Bank, Tyler Animal Services will waive adoption fees for dogs and cats with the donation of at least three bags of dog or cat food of any size during the month of May. The Pet Food Bank was established in 2015 so families in need or those who could not afford to feed their pets would have a safety net to keep them in their homes. Many times, people who want to surrender a pet to Tyler Animal Control and Shelter only need time to get over a short-term financial hurdle. The Pet Food Bank provides assistance through donated food and cat litter, and so far, 30,000 pounds of food and litter have been distributed over the years. Continue reading Tyler Animal Services offers free adoptions with donations

TYLER – The Glass Recreation Center in Tyler is offering free life skills classes for teens from age 13 to 17 starting on June 6. These classes which are being offered for subjects like resume writing and car maintenance are limited to 15 participants per subject and will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursdays. According to the center, parents can choose the classes their teen will participate in but class spots are limited. To learn more about the Teen Life Skills program, call the Glass Recreation center at 903-595-7271 visit Tyler Parks and Rec online.

TYLER – Tyler is home to the largest municipal rose garden, and on Rose Sunday, the community came together to honor our city of roses. Tyler’s rose garden blooms with more than 15,000 rose bushes, seeing 100,000 visitors every year according to our news partner KETK. On Rose Sunday, people gathered to celebrate these beautiful blooms. “We are here to promote our rose garden, our beautiful 14 acres that are blooming out there and promote our city,” said Executive Director for the Texas Rose Festival Association Liz Ballard. There to honor Tyler’s roses was the Texas Rose Festival court, and the 2023 Rose Queen Laura Bryan. Today, more than one-third of the nation’s rose bushes are processed, packaged and shipped from this area. It’s building up excitement for the 90th Texas Rose Festival in just a few months.

TYLER — The Bed Bath and Beyond stores in Tyler and Longview are both closing and offering store-wide sales, according to employees. Local store employees confirmed to our news partner KETK that they are closing and that everything in the store is between 10% and 30% off. Bed Bath and Beyond’s website said similar sales are happening across the country. The stores in East Texas are closing along with every Bed Bath & Beyond store nationwide after the chain filled for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier in April, according to the Associated Press. It is unknown when the stores will officially close but the last day to use any gift cards or store credit is May 8, 2023, according to the company’s website.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Beginning Monday, May 8, the Texas Department of Transportation will begin widening operations on FM 768 in Jacksonville. The work will widen the roadway from 18 feet to 23 feet, from Loop 456 in Jacksonville to FM 22. Motorists should expect lane closures while work is in progress with flaggers and a pilot car controlling traffic. Delays are expected.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department said Saturday 63-year-old Mark Horner was discovered dead in Marion County. According to our news partner KETK, Horner, a teacher for Trinity School Of Texas, had been missing since April 19th. It was reported that Chase County Kansas Sheriff’s Department said they may have seen Horner in their area. That proved to be false. The Marion County Sheriff’s department, who are conducting the investigation, said there are no signs of foul play in the death of Horner.

TYLER — On Friday night, DeMarvion Overshown alongside family and friends in Tyler, got to hear his name called, getting drafted by the Cowboys in the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL draft. According to our news partner KETK, after playing safety in Arp, Overshown signed with the Texas Longhorns, where he moved over to linebacker and led the Horns in tackles. Now he will get the chance to showcase the skills he learned in Arp and in Austin and take them to his new football home in Dallas.

BULLARD – The Brookshire’s grocery was evacuated Saturday afternoon. According to our news partner KETK, store management received an anonymous phone call that a “device” had been placed inside the store. Bullard police conducted a search and issued an all clear after no device had been found. The Bullard Police Department is continuing an investigation in the case.

HENDERSON COUNTY – The Henderson County Sheriff’s office report a shooting in rural Henderson county that left one person dead late Friday night. According to our news partner KETK, officials say they found 27-year-old Justin Jordan at that location with multiple gunshot wounds. Jordan later died of those wounds. Also at the scene, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Cody Alan Jones, age 30. He admitted shooting the decedent. Jones was then arrested and charged with murder and taken to the Henderson County jail. Jail records show that Jones has not yet received bond.

ATHENS – Athens Police Chief John Densmore’s last day with the department was Friday, the city announced. According to our news partner KETK, Densmore announced his resignation in order to go into the private sector. “During his tenure, Chief Densmore has worked tirelessly to keep our city safe and enhance the quality of life for all of our citizens,” according to a release from the city. “On behalf of the city, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for his dedicated service to our community. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors and are confident that he will continue to make a positive impact in his new role.” Previously, Densmore worked at the Cedar Hill Police Department as a Lieutenant before moving to Athens and becoming chief in February 2021. The search for a new police chief will begin immediately.