KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The race to be the next governor of Texas appears to be tightening up, at least according to the latest poll out of the University of Texas at Tyler. Just a month ago, Governor Abbott held a 9-point lead, according to the UT Tyler September poll of registered voters. Now when polling likely voters, O’Rourke gains ground. Gov. Abbott now holds a 6-point lead 50-percent to 44. UT Tyler Political Science Professor Mark Owens says the top two issues for Texans are the border and the economy, which does favor Gov. Abbott. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has a 9-point lead over Democrat Mike Collier. Democrat Rochelle Garza is just 4 points back of Attorney General Ken Paxton.

TYLER — A pedestrian was killed Saturday morning after he was struck twice by two separate vehicles on State Highway 31, six miles east of Tyler, according to DPS and our news partner KETK. Officials said Haley C. O’Brien, 23, of Bullard, was driving her 2021 Toyota Prius west on State Highway 31 when she struck a pedestrian who DPS identified as James E. Young, 58, of Longview, who was walking in the westbound lane. After being hit by the Prius, the pedestrian was hit by a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze who officials said was driven by Justin M. Tracey, 28, of Flint. Young was declared dead at 7:50 a.m. by Dr. Louis Fernandez of UT Health Hospital in Tyler. The other two drivers were treated at the scene.

LONGVIEW — Longview police arrested a student accused of making a terroristic threat toward a junior high school on Monday. According to Longview police and our news partner KETK, officers were advised on Oct. 30 that a possible threatening text and picture message about a school campus was shared on social media. Authorities said they investigated the situation, interviewed witnesses and looked at several social media accounts. On Monday, police verified that a student made threats toward the Pine Tree Junior High School campus. The student was later detained on a charge of terroristic threat, said law enforcement. They were not on school property at the time. Continue reading Longview student arrested for allegedly making threat to junior high

TYLER – 37-year-old Sharena Seay of Jacksonville, Florida, has been indicted in a purported cryptocurrency money laundering scheme in the Eastern District of Texas. She appeared in Tyler federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to the indictment, Seay is alleged to have laundered the proceeds of her drug trafficking operations through cryptocurrency. Authorities claim she supplied alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP), which is often called “flakka,” and similar synthetic cathinones, such as Eutylone or alpha-PiHP. Seay allegedly distributed alpha-PVP and other controlled substances to various customers across the United States. Continue reading Officials: Florida woman indicted in cryptocurrency money laundering scheme

TYLER — Tyler Recycles Day is back in 2022 on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 8 a.m. to noon. Officials say the event is Keep Tyler Beautiful’s most popular community collection event, joining thousands of local organizers holding recycling events across the country to celebrate America Recycles Day. During Tyler Recycles Day, community members may bring acceptable recyclables to the Downtown Recycling Center on N. Bois D’Arc Ave. Ark-La-Tex Shredding Company and Interstate Batteries will be providing special services for the duration of the event. Ark-La-Tex Shredding will offer free personal document shredding for individuals and businesses. There will be a collection station for all types of batteries hosted by Interstate Batteries. Continue reading Tyler Recycles Day 2022

LONGVIEW — Curbside recycling in Longview will not be available Oct. 31 – Nov. 2. Officials say the change to regular service is due to necessary maintenance at Rivers Recycling, the materials recovery facility that processes the recyclables collected by the city. During this time, contents placed in curbside recycling carts will be taken to the landfill with regular trash. If customers prefer, they may choose to hold their recycling until the week of Nov. 7. Trash collection, yard waste collection, bulky item pickup, and the compost site will continue to operate as normal during this time. For more information, contact the City of Longview Sanitation Division at 903-237-1250.

CANTON — Funeral services are set for former state Representative Dan Flynn of Van, who died this past Friday at 79. Flynn was part of the Texas Legislature from 2003 through 2021. During his time there, he chaired the Defense and Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the Pensions Committee. Governor Greg Abbott says Flynn leaves behind a legacy of leadership and service to the people of Texas. the funeral for Flynn will be this coming Friday in Canton.

TYLER — The followup continues after a Saturday evening fire caused what officials term “significant damage” at a historic structure at Broadway and Houston in Tyler. Our news partner KETK went inside the Ramey House and saw just how extensive the damage was. Jacob Law is co-owner of Stonewater Roofing, the business operating out of the Ramey House. He says, “Tyler Fire Department was able to minimize damage past the third floor with regards to fire. But with tens of thousands of gallons of water going through the building, there’s a big mess in there we’ve got to get started cleaning up, and being a historic building, it’s going to take some challenges.” Continue reading Work continues after fire at historic structure

TYLER — TxDOT schedules another week’s worth of roadwork in the Tyler District. In Smith County, Tyler maintenance will have a base failure crew on SH 31 West near Loop 323, towards Greenbriar Rd. Expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic. A second crew will be performing bridge maintenance on FM 1804 near the county line. Flaggers will be controlling traffic there as well. In Gregg County, Longview maintenance is scheduled to begin bridge repair work on South Loop 281 at Birdsong St. Motorists should expect lane closures eastbound and westbound. Crews will also continue herbicide operations throughout the county. Click here for a complete look at roadwork around the district.

TYLER — The Tyler Parks and Recreation Department is beginning renovations to P.T. Cole Park on S. Vine Ave. The park will be closed starting Monday, Oct. 31, and will remain closed until construction is completed, according to a news release. Officials say the park will be receiving renovated restrooms, a new pavilion, playground equipment, basketball courts, and a splash pad. These renovations will be paid for by the Community Development Block Grant and should be completed by February, according to the release. For more information about this and other Tyler Parks and Rec improvement projects, visit this link or call (903) 531-1370.

ELKHART — Officials announced Saturday that an infant, 12 students, and two faculty members were injured and transported to Palestine Regional Hospital after an Elkhart school bus rollover on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Elkhart ISD officials say the bus was three miles west of Elkhart on Highway 294 when it entered a curve in the road that had standing water on it and rolled over into a ditch. The school district announced Friday evening that the bus was carrying cheerleaders to a game in Clifton. The district says the injuries were minor. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said Friday’s weather and road conditions were causing dangerous road conditions at the scene. DPS and school officials were also on the scene, according to ACSO.

TYLER – A requiem mass is set for 1 p.m. Monday at Tyler’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for Bobby Joe Manziel Jr., who died Thursday at age 83. Manziel’s online obituary says he oversaw the long-delayed completion of the Tyler area’s Oil Palace, which he operated for 39 years. During that time, “it has been the home of shows, exhibits, concerts, conventions, sporting events, graduations, and Tyler’s own Junior League Mistletoe and Magic and Texas Rose Festival,” according to the obituary. Manziel was also involved in the oil industry, the cattle business, commercial real estate, and heavy equipment construction, according to the obituary. Click here for more information and updates.

TROUP – An auction and fish fry were organized to support the family of Troup High School footballer Cooper Reid. Reid was seriously injured after a football game in September. According to our news partner KETK, the event is set for Nov. 12 from 4-7 p.m. at the FBC Troup Family Life Center. The auction is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. Each fish fry plate will be $10 and will include fish, fries, beans, dessert, and a drink. All of the proceeds will benefit the Reid family.

TYLER — Some good news if you still want to register early for Tyler’s Rotary Christmas Parade. Early registration for entries was originally due to close October 28. The deadline has now been extended till November 4 to accommodate more entries, according to information from organizers. Late registration runs from November 5 till November 11. Businesses, bands, civic and service clubs, and nonprofits are encouraged to join the fun. The parade will be held in downtown Tyler and begin at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 1. For more information, contact Tiffany Damskov at [email protected] or 903-266-0376, or click here.

FLINT — DPS says the driver of a truck that crashed into a house in Flint on Tuesday may have suffered a medical episode. According to our news partner KETK, Sgt. Adam Albritton said the driver submitted a blood sample to confirm a medical episode, but results are pending at this time. Officials say six people were injured after the truck crashed into a home on Walnut Hill and Oak Trail Drive after a two-vehicle collision. Officials said among the injured was a seven-month-old infant who was life-flighted to a Shreveport hospital. The mother and a 10-year-old child were also in the house and transported to a Tyler hospital for their injuries. Continue reading Officials: Driver may have suffered medical episode in Flint crash

EAST TEXAS — Local law enforcement agencies and prevention advocates are taking part in the semi-annual DEA Take Back event to be held Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at various locations around East Texas. The Tyler Police Department event will be held in the parking lot at Brookshire’s on Rice Road, while the UT Tyler Police will host another at the UT Health Science Center on Highway 271. Other events will be held at Walmart in Kilgore, Walgreens in Marshall, First National Bank in Jefferson, and Brookshire’s in Pittsburg, with still others promoting their prescription drug disposal boxes that are available year-round. Continue reading DEA Take Back events set for Saturday

TYLER — A 14-year-old juvenile turned himself in to law enforcement Thursday on a charge of capital murder following a recent homicide. He was booked into the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. On October 22nd at around 2:47 p.m., officers responded to N. Broadway Ave. between 24th and 26th Streets. A victim was located on the sidewalk and transported to UT Health, where he died as a result of gunshot wounds. Witnesses said two suspects were seen running after the shooting. The victim has been identified as Cornelius Tims, 43, of Tyler. The other suspect is still sought. If you have any information on this case, contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or call Tyler-Smith County Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

EDGEWOOD – Authorities say a man was arrested Wednesday in East Texas and charged with murder, endangering a child, and evading arrest. According to our news partner KETK, Edgewood police say Braylon Diamente Hicks was booked into the Van Zandt County Jail. Hicks was accused of leading East Texas law enforcement on a pursuit from Edgewood to Forney in August. The chase went onto Interstate 20 and reached speeds of up to 120 mph. The Wills Point Police Department said the chase was related to a fatal shooting and kidnapping out of Edgewood. Law enforcement said they found Alyssa Beth Flores in Edgewood with several gunshot wounds, and she succumbed to her injuries. Continue reading Man arrested in murder of woman, kidnapping of baby

HENDERSON COUNTY – Officials with Henderson County said they are still searching for a missing man who was last seen on Sept. 8. According to our news partner KETK, Cody Eugene Gates, 45, is 5’10” tall and weighs about 200 pounds. Officials said he is normally seen wearing a baseball cap but is known to shave his head. Law enforcement said Gates would usually travel to the Van Zandt or Smith County areas. “Still, as of today, we haven’t been able to locate him, his family hasn’t been able to locate him,” Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said on Wednesday. “This isn’t normal behavior for him.” Continue reading Officials still seek man missing since Sept. 8

SHREVEPORT, La. – A Harrison County man awaits extradition from Texas to Louisiana after Shreveport police investigated a tip that said he attempted to orchestrate a murder-for-hire-plot. That’s according to our news partner KETK and its sister stations KTAL and KMSS. Police say a citizen contacted them on Oct. 12 claiming that 41-year-old Jarred Johnson offered money in exchange for his estranged wife’s murder. Investigators determined there was enough credible evidence to pursue an arrest and a warrant was secured. On Oct. 21, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office arrested Johnson on outstanding warrants at his home without incident. Johnson is in the Harrison County Jail awaiting extradition to Caddo Parish, where he will be charged with one count of solicitation for murder. Officials say this is an ongoing investigation.

TYLER — Gantry maintenance is postponed on Toll 49 for the rest of this week and most of next week. The work from SH 64 to I-20, originally set for Thursday and Friday of this week, is now set to get underway Thursday, November 3, at 7 p.m., and wrap up at 5 a.m. Friday, November 4. Toll 49 will be closed in the affected area during the maintenance times.

TYLER — Tyler was among the stops Governor Abbott made Wednesday on the campaign trail, along with Addison and Denison. During his tour, Abbott urged supporters to text their friends, saying, “I know that all of you on average have at least 100 contacts in your phone.” He also took a swipe at Democratic opponent Beto O’Rourke, telling onlookers, “When Beto was on city council, he raised property taxes three different times. We cannot trust him in the governor’s office.” Abbott says Texas has a $27 billion surplus and he would use half that to cut property taxes. O’Rourke made stops in Waco and Round Rock Wednesday. He says Abbott has refused to close loopholes that let corporations manipulate the process and shift the tax burden on the rest of us.

LONGVIEW — A Longview teenager was arrested for allegedly making a threat toward a school campus. According to our news partner KETK, on Monday, Michael Crosby, 17, was arrested around 3:10 p.m. and charged with exhibition, use or threat of exhibition or use of firearms regarding the LEAD Academy High School Campus. Longview police learned about the threat from the FBI and said a threatening text message toward the campus was sent through a social media platform. Crosby was arrested at the school and booked into the Gregg County Jail. Continue reading Teen arrested for allegedly making threat against high school

LONGVIEW — An employee with the City of Longview was terminated after self-reporting misuse of a city credit card for personal reasons, city officials confirmed. According to our news partner KETK, Public Information Officer Richard Yeakley says the employee was terminated on Oct. 17. The city said that the employee reported misusing the city credit card for about 18 months. The person was employed by the City of Longview in Dec. 2019, Yeakley said. The Longview Police Department has initiated a criminal investigation, and the city will work with a third-party independent auditor to review all financial dealings that the employee was involved with.

TYLER – Bond has been reduced from $750,000 to $500,000 for a Grand Prairie man indicted for intoxicated manslaughter in the death of a Smith County deputy. According to our news partner KETK, the parents of 21-year-old Daniel Nyabuto said their son has no money to post bond. Despite disagreements, the prosecution and defense agreed the bond should be reasonable and non-oppressive. Deputy Lorenzo Bustos, 29, was killed in July after the back of his patrol unit was rear-ended on Highway 155 near CR 1237 at a moderate speed while he was standing at the back of the car. Nyabuto, initially arrested for intoxication assault, has remained in jail since the day of the crash. The charge was upgraded to intoxicated manslaughter causing death of a peace officer after Bustos died in the hospital.

TYLER – Due to possible inclement weather on Friday, October 28, and agreed upon by all schools involved, the following Tyler ISD varsity football games have been moved to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 27: Longview vs. Tyler High at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium and Tyler Legacy vs. North Forney at Forney City Bank Stadium. Tyler ISD sub-varsity games were rescheduled for Wednesday, October 26. Meantime, the Athens at Chapel Hill, Brownsboro at Rusk, and Bullard at Center varsity games are now set for Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

 

MARSHALL — Marshall police have arrested a shooting suspect but continue to investigate the case. Demon Bray, 38, of Marshall is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. On Oct. 25 at 2:23 p.m., offficers were called to a location on East End Blvd. North. According to a news release, witnesses reported that a man in a white pickup truck had fired shots at a gold Buick LaSabre. The gunshot victim was able to drive himself to Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center, where he was interviewed by Marshall police. Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Bray, who police say was captured without incident. Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to contact the Marshall Police Department at 903-935-4575 or the Marshall/Harrison County Crime Stoppers at 903-935-9969.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council was presented Wednesday with national and statewide awards recognizing various city programs. The city earned two 2022 Municipal Excellence Awards from the Texas Municipal League recognizing the city’s management innovation and public safety programs for cities with populations over 25,000, according to a news release. One award recognized the city for its Infants at Work pilot program, which allows parents to bring their babies to work until they are six months old. The city was also honored for the addition of a Homeless Coordinator position for the Tyler Police Department. And Smith County Champions for Children gave the city its 2022 Corporate Champion Award for the city’s effort in supporting employees with newborn children through the Infants at Work program. Continue reading City of Tyler wins national and statewide excellence awards

GRAND SALINE — A teenager was arrested in East Texas on Tuesday for a capital murder charge, according to our news partner KETK. Julio David Falcon, 17, was located on North Waldrip Street in Grand Saline around 5:30 p.m. He was wanted by the Dallas Police Department. The Grand Saline Police Department and the United States Marshals Service arrested the teenager. Falcon was booked into the Van Zandt County Justice Center. Officials said they are still investigating the incident. “This was a great example of law enforcement agencies working together to keep our communities safe,” said the Grand Saline Police Department.