KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — During this year’s legislative session, Texas lawmakers created several new laws to amplify the fight against financial crimes, including the expansion of the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center. According to our news partner KETK, the expansion is developing more opportunities for the center to combat financial crimes related to card skimmers, fuel theft and payment fraud.

“The more we delve into this, it’s kind of like a Pandora’s Box,” Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center Director Adam Colby said. “The more energy we put into the fight, the more we uncover, and it just seems to be nonstop.”

In Senate Bill One, Texas lawmakers quadrupled the center’s funding, allowing for major expansion across the state and taking their team from 15 people to 41. Continue reading Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center expanding

TYLER — There will be a 4^th of July celebration and fireworks show at Lindsey Park this Friday. The gates will open at 3pm. The fireworks show will start around 9:15pm. Tyler Police advise drivers that at 9pm, Spur 364 will be closed to all traffic between Loop 323 and Greenbriar Road.  After the fireworks show all eastbound traffic on Spur 364 will have to turn right onto Loop 323. Traffic on Loop 323 will not be allowed to turn west onto Spur 364 while the show is exiting which could take up to 1 hour. Officers will be stationed at Spur 364/Loop 323, Greenbriar/Hwy 64 W and DPS Troopers will be at Spur 364/Hwy 31 W.

TRINITY COUNTY — Trinity County animal control officer, Brandon Furman, was arrested on Tuesday for sexual assault of a child allegations, according to our news partner KETK.

The sheriff’s office arrested Furman on the same day allegations against him came to light. Wallace said he was immediately placed on administrative leave. Through an investigation from sheriff’s office officials and a constable, authorities found enough probable cause to gain and execute an arrest warrant for Furman all in the same day.

Furman was taken into custody pending further investigation and is currently sitting in the Trinity County Jail on charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

MABANK – Three people were arrested on Sunday after officials carried out a search warrant and found suspected methamphetamine along with paraphernalia, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

Jason Michael Marshall, Andrea Jennifer Rogers and Jonathon Cannon were taken into custody following a narcotics search warrant at the 100 block of Memorial Drive in Mabank.

Reports said investigators found Marshall, near a vehicle outside his residence, which held a shotgun in a passenger seat. He was then taken into custody and it was later revealed that Marshall is a convicted felon. Once Marshall was secured, investigators proceeded to search Marshall’s residence where they found suspected methamphetamine, several baggies and scales. The other two suspects, Rogers and Cannon were found inside the residence and arrested.

Officials said Rogers was in possession of suspected methamphetamine at the time of her arrest and Cannon was caught with an arrest warrant. Marshall was charged with the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. All three suspects are currently awaiting arraignment at a local jail and were booked on the following charges, according to Henderson County Jail records.

SULPHUR SPRINGS — The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office arrested a woman on Monday in connection with a minor’s fatal drug overdose that occurred in 2024, according to a report from our news partner KETK.

Officials said Diamon Leann Yates was arrested on a charge of possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance. The arrest comes after an investigation conducted by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office started on July 17, 2024 when a minor was found dead from an overdose. As part of the investigation, the American Forensics lab examined the minor’s body and a toxicology report disclosed the presence N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene, a new drug that was not recognized under Texas law at the time. Continue reading Woman arrested for minor’s 2024 fatal overdose

UPSHUR COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, an Upshur County man was sentenced to forty years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver as a habitual offender.

In August of 2022, Matthew Thomas was arrested after he was found slumped over and unresponsive in his vehicle on Silk Tree Road outside of a home. Once on the scene, officers reportedly saw a green glass pipe with burnt residue lying in the vehicle. Following his arrest, two large plastic bags containing meth were removed from his pocket, according to the press release.

On Monday, Thomas was sentenced to 40 years in prison by the 115th District Judge, Dean Fowler. Thomas’s sentence range was raised because of prior criminal history, including a conviction in 2007 for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. He was also convicted in 2018 for evading arrest with a vehicle. Thomas waived his right to appeal the case and was given a sentence to serve 40 years in state prison.

TYLER – East Texas State Rep. Jay Dean of Longview said that BlueCross BlueShield of Texas and CHRISTUS Health have extended their current contract until Aug. 1, 2025. “CHRISTUS and BlueCross BlueShield of Texas have extended their current contract to August 1 while they continue negotiating,” Dean said. “I’ve been working with both parties to come to a reasonable conclusion to protect patients of East Texas!”

The Teacher Retirement System of Texas’ ActiveCare BlueCross BlueShield website confirmed that the contract has been extended until Aug. 1.

“We have a long and positive relationship with CHRISTUS Health, but you are our priority,” the website said. “We want to reach an agreement that will continue to give you access to CHRISTUS Health doctors, facilities and hospitals at fair prices.”

TYLER – The City of Tyler said in a press release, that construction crews will be working on roadway base repairs on East Rieck Road. The project started Monday June 30 and will run through Monday, July 7. City officials said the route of the construction is East Rieck Road between South Broadway Avenue and New Copeland Road. They add, there will be some lane closures, and drivers should expect 10 to 15 minute delays.

MOUNT PLEASANT – A Mexican national, illegally living in Mount Pleasant, has been charged with federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, according to a press release from the office of Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Jose Solorio-Martinez, 38, was named in a federal indictment returned by a grand jury last week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported. The indictment alleges that on April 24, 2025, Solorio-Martinez was found illegally in Mount Pleasant, after having been previously deported to Mexico from the United States on August 8, 2017.

If convicted, Solorio-Martinez faces up to 2 years in federal prison and deportation.

This case is being investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety, FBI, and Mount Pleasant Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Richards.

TYLER – According to a press release from Eastern District of Texas, a Mexican national, illegally living in Rains County, has been charged with federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas.

Rigoberto Herrera-Rodriguez, 59, was named in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury last week in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with illegally reentering the United States after previously being deported and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

The indictment alleges that on June 4, 2025, Herrera-Rodriguez was found illegally in the United States and in possession of a firearm. Herrera-Rodriguez had been previously deported to Mexico from the United States in December 2024. Continue reading Armed Mexican national federally indicted in East Texas

KILGORE – Interstate 20 near Kilgore remains closed after an Amazon truck driver rolled over early Monday morning, causing packages to spill under a bridge, according to our news partner KETK.

The Texas Department of Public Safety reported that the crash occurred at around 1 a.m. on Monday on I-20 between FM 2807 and Highway 31. A preliminary investigation indicates that the driver was either fatigued or asleep at the time of the crash. DPS said the driver is okay and there are no known injuries at this time.

The area is expected to be shut down for several hours until it is cleaned up and all packages are picked up. TxDOT is helping traffic be rerouted on FM 2807 until the roadways reopen.

SMITH COUNTY – According to a press release from Christus Health, as the Fourth of July approaches, fireworks can carry serious risks when not handled with care.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) annual fireworks report found that there were 11 deaths and over 14,700 injuries related to fireworks in the U.S. in 2024, an increase of 38% in deaths and 52% in injuries compared to 2023.

“The reality is that fireworks are explosives, and they should be treated as such,” said Hailey Evans, RN, at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital. “No matter your age or experience, fireworks can be unpredictable. It’s important to remember that safety should always come first.” Continue reading Christus Health urges firework safety

TYLER – According to a press release from Cause Creative Group, PATH (People Attempting to Help) and Meals on Wheels East Texas are excited to announce their 4th Annual Beat the Heat Fan Distribution.

On Wednesday, July 2, 2024 at 9 am, distribution will begin from the Meals on Wheels office located at 3001 Robertson Rd. More than 20 fans will be distributed to area senior citizens on Wednesday through Meals on Wheels delivery drivers.

Each year, beginning May 1st, PATH organizes an annual fan drive, with fan distribution commencing on July 1. This is a fantastic opportunity for two local nonprofits to partner, utilizing both of their resources to serve our East Texas neighbors in need. Each household is eligible to receive one fan and can obtain a fan from PATH once every two years. Continue reading PATH and Meals on Wheels partner to distribute fans