KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY — Several Smith County roads are closed after Wednesday night’s heavy rains. According to a Smith County news release, County Road 112, in the southeast part of Smith County near Antioch, has a culvert washed out and will remain closed until it can be repaired. County Roads 129, 2138 and 2147 are closed due to high water over the roads. Once the water recedes, Smith County Road and Bridge crews will check to make sure the roads are not damaged and if they are safe to be reopened. Drivers are urged use alternate routes and advised not to drive around barriers.

The City of Tyler Water Utilities is temporarily closing all public boat ramps on Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East.

“Ramps are being closed due to boating hazards resulting from debris washed into the lakes by the recent rains and to reduce damage from shoreline erosion caused by boat wakes,” City of Tyler said. “In addition, the lakes are closed to boat traffic from lake residents.”

TYLER — The Tyler City Council and Texas Department of Transportation agreed on Wednesday to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Old Jacksonville Highway and Capital Drive.

According to our news partner KETK, a signal warrant in 2023 determined the intersection experiences enough traffic volume, especially with the Brookshire Grocery Company’s distribution center expanding near Capital Drive, to warrant a signal. The estimated total construction cost to the city is $314,453, which will be funded through the City’s Half Cent Sales Tax Fund.

The City of Tyler, TxDot and Brookshire Grocery will work with each other to install this signal and TxDot has plans to widen Old Jacksonville Highway to six lanes, with construction starting 2028.

TROUP – After severe weather hit East Texas on Wednesday, two school districts have announced that they will be closing or delaying classes on Thursday to ensure students and staff remain safe. Our news partner, KETK, has compiled a list and will update it as changes occur. To view the full and updated list, click here.

TYLER — As the Tyler Police Department continues to mourn the loss of one of their own, several officers gathered at the place of his death to remember their fallen comrade. According to our news partner KETK, while off-duty on Friday afternoon, officer Sam Lively was killed after crashing his motorcycle on Troup Highway, just north of Loop 323. Lively had recently graduated from the police academy and completed his field training.

On Tuesday, officers who attended the police academy with Lively along with several members of the Tyler PD gathered at the location where the crash took place in order to pay respect to their fallen brother. The remembrance was also attended by Lively’s family and friends where they placed flowers and a cross at the location.

A funeral service has been scheduled for Lively at 10 a.m. this Saturday at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler. In lieu of flowers, Lively’s family has asked for contributions to be made to the Sam Lively Memorial Fund at Southside Bank, Lindale.

TYLER — Texas Game Wardens continue to investigate an accident on Lake Tyler East after a 19-year-old man fell off the boat and was found by divers Monday morning. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and our news partner KETK, game wardens are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident on the six-passenger boat that lead to the death of Eli Swinney on Sunday.

“The investigation could lead to possible criminal charges, but none have been filed at this time,” the department said. “One passenger was taken into custody that evening on unrelated charges.”

“As Texas Game Wardens, our mission is to help ensure Texans can enjoy the water safely and return home at the end of the day,” the department said. “While we actively patrol and enforce boating safety laws, we rely on boaters to practice safe boating when enjoying Texas’ waterways.” Continue reading Lake Tyler death may lead to criminal charges

CROCKETT – According to a report from our news partner, KETK, the Crockett Police Department has issued an arrest warrant for a man who is a suspect in an armed robbery that took place last week.

On April 22, the Crockett Police Department posted on their Facebook page that a 2020 Ram 3500 was stolen overnight from the 300 block of Cordell Street. During the investigation, detectives discovered that the stolen truck had been used in an armed robbery that occurred in the 1100 block of U.S. 287 in Grapeland, at the Ranch Express Convenience store.

Police then issued an arrest warrant for 18-year-old Jose Wilfredo Berrios. According to officials, the warrant is for criminal trespass and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Additionally, the Grapeland Police Department issued an arrest warrant for Berrios, charging him with aggravated robbery, according to officials.

ATHENS – Our news partner, KETK, reports that an Athens man was sentenced to prison after threatening to shoot three people, including a child with an AR-15 in September of 2024.

According to the Henderson County District Attorney, Freddie Castillo, 36 of Athens, was found guilty of two counts of aggravated assault on April 24 and sentenced to five years on one count and four years on the second count with both starting April 25.

The DA said they heard testimony that on Sept. 28, 2024 deputies responded to CR 4613 in Athens after the caller reported that she, her husband and her 13-year-old son picked up her sister-in-law from Cleburne and were bringing her home she shared with her husband, Castillo when he began yelling at everyone. Continue reading Man sentenced for threatening to shoot three people

TYLER – With the possibility of severe storms, and tornado warnings in effect, many East Texas schools are releasing students early. Our news partner, KETK, has compiled an updated list of schools that will have early release. To view that list, click here.

PANOLA COUNTY – The Panola County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a wanted man out of Michigan in East Texas following an early Tuesday morning chase, according to our news partner KETK.

A Texas Highway Patrol Trooper conducted a traffic stop on State Highway 315 at FM 1971 in Clayton at around 7:42 a.m. Officials learned that the driver, identified as Sidney Hunter, Jr., 23 of South Holland, Ill., and was wanted out of Michigan. Upon discovery, he reportedly fled. Officials said that Hunter turned onto FM 1970 before heading onto U.S. Highway 79 S towards Carthage.

Other law enforcement agencies in the area responded to the chase, and the Panola County Sheriff’s Office units set up road spikes before the Loop. Hunter made a U-turn before reaching the road spikes and continued driving through a ditch. Continue reading Michigan fugitive arrested in Panola County following chase

AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas Senate approved changes Tuesday to the state’s strict abortion ban that both Republicans and Democrats say would clarify medical exceptions and has drawn support from women who were told they could not end their pregnancies despite life-threatening complications.

The unanimous passage of the bill in the GOP-controlled Senate — by a 31-0 vote — marked a rare moment of bipartisanship on an issue that for years has roiled the state Capitol as Texas Republicans have defended one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion bans and launched criminal investigations into alleged violations.

Under Senate-passed changes, Texas’ ban would specify that doctors are allowed to perform an abortion if a patient is experiencing a “life-threatening” condition capable of causing death, and “not necessarily one actively injuring the patient.” The bill would also require doctors to receive training on the revised law. Continue reading Texas Senate OKs effort to clarify medical exceptions under state’s abortion ban

PALESTINE – Our news partner KETK reports that the State Fire Marshal’s Office in Austin has confirmed they’re doing an origin and cause investigation into a trailer fire where human remains were found in Palestine.

According to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy responded to a a trailer fire on Fields Street in Palestine on Sunday. The Palestine Fire Department was at the trailer and told the deputy that human remains were found inside the home. Anderson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 Judge James W. Westley performed and inquest and has ordered an autopsy to be done on the remains.

The sheriff’s office requested that the State Fire Marshall’s Office come into remove the remains and to investigate the origin and the cause of the fire.

LONGVIEW – A man pleaded guilty on Monday to murder and aggravated assault from a 2022 Longview Waffle House shooting.

Our news partner KETK reports that Rayshon Weston LaGarde, 25, of Longview pleaded guilty to the murder of Kendall Marshall, 27, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that injured a woman in the December 23, 2022, Waffle House shooting, according to Gregg County Court Records.

LaGrande will be sentenced in the 188th District Court on May 9, 2025.

TYLER – Our news partner KETK reports that the Tyler Police Department is currently investigating the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old on Pegues Avenue on Monday.

According to Tyler Police, officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 1600 block of Pegues Avenue on Monday at around 9 p.m. When the officers arrived at the scene, they found a 16-year-old who had been shot. Tyler PD said the victim was then transported to a local hospital where he died. A witness at the scene told Tyler PD that they heard gunshots, and saw an older, white, 2-door truck leaving the scene on Pegues Avenue.

Anyone with information in connection to the incident is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000.

TYLER – According to a report from our news partner KETK, a Trinity Valley Community College alumnus is making his Alma Mater proud as he has become a vital member of the world-famous Savannah Bananas production team.

The Savannah Bananas, which pride themselves on putting on the greatest show in sports, perform across the country where they combine baseball and entertainment to create a unique experience for the entire family. The group even appeared on 60 Minutes last month to promote their unique brand of baseball.

Jesse Collins has become an instrumental part of the Savannah Bananas’ success and growing popularity, as he is now considered the production mastermind behind the team. Following his graduation from TVCC, Collins began working on the production side of things for well-known artists, including Thomas Rhett and Mariah Carey. Continue reading TVCC alum joins Savannah Bananas