KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Tyler City Council approved a $1,277,421 project contract on Wednesday aimed at improving six locations that are prone to flooding in Tyler according to our news partner KETK.

The city said they went into a contract with Reynolds & Kay LTD for the 2025 Structure Flooding Project funded by the Stormwater Capital Outlay Budget and Half Cent Sales Tax Fund. This project will tackle frequent flooding issues experienced by the following six areas: Persimmon Drive, Haverhill Drive and Old Henderson area, Golden Rd and Black Fork Creek, Kensington Drive, parts of Ninth Street and Princedale.

This part of the project is all about the stormwater system as hundreds of feet of new piping, new inlets, a concreate junction box and outfall protection will be placed to direct water away from homes. Sidewalks and fencing will also be replaced.

Construction is expected to begin later into 2025 and completed in phases to prevent disruption. According to project officials, the city will see many benefits from this project including safer streets, stronger peace of mind and fewer flood threats. Continue reading Tyler City Council allocates $1.27M to address flood issues

CHANDLER – According to our news partner KETK, a woman was stabbed nine times during an argument at a home near Chandler on Tuesday morning. Deputies were told that the suspect had escaped, and the victim was transported to a hospital in Tyler, where she was in stable condition. Once officials arrived at the scene, they spoke to the victim’s boyfriend, Christopher Alan Douzart, who said she had been stabbed nine times by the suspect at his house. Officials identified the suspect as Courtney Ann Coats.

A search warrant was obtained for Douzart’s home, where authorities discovered several baggies and scales, which are frequently used in drug distribution. Douzart was taken into custody for the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. Following Douzart’s arrest, investigators obtained a search warrant for Coats. At 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, authorities were able to arrest Courtney and charge her with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Both suspects are currently being held in Henderson County Jail awaiting arraignment.

TYLER – For the 16th consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation has named the City of Tyler a 2024 Tree City USA. A Tree City USA designation honors cities with their continued commitment to effective urban forest management. Tyler earned this national recognition by meeting the program’s four main requirements: maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, allocating at least $2 per capita toward community forestry and holding an official Arbor Day observance and proclamation. 

Tyler, for the ninth year, received the Tree City USA Growth Award. This award signifies Tyler’s higher standard of tree care and environmental improvement. Tyler is one of only 47 out of 99 current Texas Tree Cities to get this honor. 
Continue reading Tyler recognized as Tree City USA for 16th year-in-a-row

ATHENS – Our news partner KETK reports that the Henderson County Jail announced their launch of a groundbreaking educational initiative in early June to help inmates foster rehabilitation and skill development.

By partnering with NCIC Correctional Services, the jail has the ability to give inmates tablets “equipped with a comprehensive curriculum designed to enhance personal growth, career readiness, and life skills.” Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse explained that in even in just a few weeks they have seen glimpse into the future of the successes this program will bring to the inmates.

KETK news had the opportunity on Wednesday morning to talk to Hillhouse and two inmates about the program and the positive impact it has on their lives. Continue reading Henderson County Jail educational initiative helps foster rehabilitation

EAST TEXAS – More than 1,000 people were killed in DUI-alcohol related crashes on Texas roads in 2024. That means three lives were lost every day on our roads last year because a Texas driver ignored the risks and chose to drink and drive. In 2024, there were 5,144 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes in Texas during the July 4th holiday time period, resulting in 64 fatalities and 223 serious injuries.

With these alarming statistics in mind, and to highlight the real cost of impaired driving to the friends and family of those killed in crashes, TxDOT is launching its summer “Drive Sober. No Regrets” campaign this week across the Lone Star State. Timed with the official start of summer & the July 4th holiday weekend, TxDOT’s new campaign is aligned with an increased law enforcement effort to keep TX roads safe. Continue reading Enforcement period underway for TxDOT’s Drive Sober Campaign

TYLER – Roadwork is nothing new to the Lone Star state, but the Texas Department of Transportation in East Texas has some local projects in the works.

“There’s a few that are going on, south towards Bullard…” says Jeff Wooliferd with TxDOT East Texas. “We’re still in works with the utility companies. Relocating utilities is always a big portion of some of these projects. On the portion where they’re expanding to four lanes, the contractor has also begun digging some ditch operations.”

Crews have already begun digging up some utility lines, and will begin working to expand Old Jacksonville road from two lanes to four near Bullard. In another project, they’re adding an overpass at 2493 and US Highway 69.

While the work presents a challenging undertaking, Jeff Wooliferd says, “We’re expecting that to start at full blast again pretty soon. Working with the utility companies has been tricky, but we’re still working with them to get it done.”

The projected completion for those projects is Spring of 2027.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said they’ve been made aware of a new civil probate scam. The scam involves an email sent to an individual who had actually hired a local law firm to assist in probating an estate. This individual called their law firm, who in turn contacted the Smith County Clerk’s Office. The law firm was able to determine, through the County Clerk’s Office, that this was actually a fraudulent email.

The sender fraudulently used the name of our County Clerk and used a similar email through a Gmail account. The information was most likely obtained through public records by utilizing the internet. This could have easily been mistaken as a legitimate email and the recipient could have been victimized. Fortunately, the recipient felt unsure about the email and her attorney’s office took a pro-active approach. Continue reading New scam making the rounds in Smith County

TYLER – Lake Tyler Marina owner, Brent Allen, is ready for summer visitors but he wants people to take the steps to make sure everyone has a fun and safe day at the lake.

“This has absolutely been the worst year on in recent memory for accidents on lakes in East Texas,” Allen said.

According to a report from our news partner KETK, in Henderson County, two young children drowned after getting trapped beneath their capsized boat. A 43-year-old man also drowned while swimming to his flotation device.

“We’ve answered to a number of different water-related incidents, all of them very tragic,” Smith County Emergency Services District 2 Assistant Chief Charles Clanton said.

Smith county emergency service district 2 said it’s important to always keep a life jacket on and have extras on hand. Continue reading East Texas officials encourage lake safety after recent drownings

JACKSONVILLE — A care unit team at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Jacksonville recently received a prestigious nursing award after their care for a traumatic brain injury patient. According to our news partner KETK, in February of 2024, 24-year-old Kaitlyn Dunn was the passenger in a motorcycle crash where the bike flipped and skidded more than 150 feet and crashed into an end-of-road barrier.

After being flower to a Houston-area hospital for care, she experienced several seizures. Her case was accepted by the Jacksonville team, but it would be a long and uncertain road to recovery ahead. In total, she spent about two months in the unit.

Her CHRISTUS team included nurses, nursing assistants, therapists, physicians, housekeepers, dietary staff and others. They all celebrated her small milestones – from first steps to sharing meals and creating art together. Continue reading CHRISTUS team honored with prestigious nursing award

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler Center for Opinion Research recently surveyed 1,154 Texas voters about their views on current state and national issues as well as hypothetical political primary match-ups in 2026. According to the poll conducted May 28 – June 7, respondents said the most important policy facing Texas today was the economy (inflation) at 21%, with securing the border being the second most cited policy at 19%. K-12 education was the distant third of the policy alternatives (10%) chosen by respondents.

“Although securing the border was a big issue that had an electoral impact in Texas in 2024, it appears that many voters are more worried about the economy now that the election is over, and the process of governing has started,” said Dr. Ken Wink, UT Tyler professor and interim center director.

Democrats, Independents and Republicans cited inflation as the first or second most important policy facing the state. Securing the border was the top choice of Republicans and the second most cited choice of Independents, but it was not in the top three choices of Democratic respondents, Wink noted. Continue reading New UT Tyler poll reflects views on current issues, political match-ups

CHEROKEE COUNTY – KTBB recieved this from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office…
“It is with great sadness we announce the death of retired Cherokee County Sheriff James Campbell. Sheriff Campbell began his career with Cherokee County in February of 1994. Sheriff Campbell devoted 26 years of service to the citizens of Cherokee county before retiring in September 2020. Prior to becoming Sheriff, he retired as a highway patrolman for the Texas Department of Public Safety. We thank Sheriff Campbell for his dedicated 54 years of service to this state and the citizens of Cherokee County. Sheriff Campbell was a true public servant and devoted his life to his community and family. Though he is no longer with us, Sheriff Campbell has left a permanent mark on both civilians and law enforcement officers that will continue to guide and inspire us. Sheriff Campbell will be deeply missed, and his memory will be cherished by all who knew him. During this difficult time our thoughts and prayers go out to Sheriff Campbell’s family.”

JACKSONVILLE – East Texas State Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville announced on Tuesday that he’s not running for re-election in Texas Senate District 3. Our news partner KETK reports that, following Nichols’ announcement, East Texas State Rep. Trent Ashby announced his bid for the seat.

Nichols has served in the Texas Legislature for 20 years and was outspoken on issues like school choice, which he openly opposed.

“It had always been my goal to make things better, to stop bad things, to do it in a way I thought was right, never forgetting who I represented and to work at it long enough, but not too long. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to have represented the people of East Texas in the Texas Senate.” said State Sen. Robert Nichols Continue reading East Texas Rep. announces campaign to replace State Sen. Nichols

WINNSBORO – Our news partner KETK reports that a Winnsboro ISD coach was arrested on Monday after court documents revealed he attempted to hide the sexual relationship between another coach and a student.

According to the arrest affidavit from the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, on May 28 officers were alerted about an improper relationship between an educator and student that involved a Winnsboro High School coach during the 2024-2025 school season.

“During this separate case and its investigation, this WHS educator involved in this investigation has voluntarily confessed to the Felony 2 offense and its charge,” the document said. “This separate teacher/coach, identified as Coach Gabe, and has been subsequently charged and arrested.” Continue reading Coach arrested for hiding coworkers sexual relationship with student

WOOD COUNTY – According to a press release from the Acting U.S. Attorney of Eastern Texas, a Mineola man has been sentenced to 55 years in federal prison for child exploitation violations.

According to information presented in court statements , over the course of several months, Fransisco Gonzalez, also known as Kiko Gonzalez, 29, sexually exploited a minor female victim. Under the guise of taking her to church, he isolated her from her family, then used her to produce sexually explicit images and videos. He later distributed several of the images to others.

Gonzalez pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and was sentenced to 55 years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on June 23, 2025.

“Fransisco Gonzalez is on his way to prison where he will serve a very long sentence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. “For his crimes, he deserves every day of that lengthy term. I commend the efforts of the team that brought this defendant to justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stands committed to seeking justice for victims and to defending the defenseless.”