KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – A 2023 report said that recreational fishing created $117.9 million in business for Texas’ first congressional district. According to our news partner KETK, this includes Texarkana, Longview and Tyler. The American Sportfishing Association’s 2023 Economic Contributions of Recreational Fishing: U.S. Congressional Districts report shows 110,100 district one anglers made $117.9 million in purchases support over 1,310 jobs throughout the district. Across Texas, 4,313,700 anglers spent $4.6 billion on fishing, supporting 51,380 Texas fishing jobs, meaning that Texas has the second largest recreational fishing industry in the United States, according to the American Sportfishing Association. ASA said the report’s data is based upon angler participation and spending from 2021 data.

KARNACK – The Texas Department of Public Safety says a suspect died following an officer-involved shooting in Harrison County on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office says the Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting. The suspect’s name was not immediately released. Authorities said deputies were called Thursday due to a fight on Lotta Road in Karnack and that led to the officer-involved shooting. The sheriff asked the Texas Rangers to investigate, which is part of law enforcement protocol. Authorities said they will share more information when it becomes available.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department has re-scheduled a grand opening at Noble E. Young Park. The event, previously set for April 6, will now be held Saturday, April 15, at 1 p.m. According to a news release, the purpose is to bring the community together to celebrate updates to the park. Officials say the new and improved features include restrooms, an art mural, a parking lot with a new location, a mile-long and eight-foot-wide walking trail, picnic tables and benches, a pavilion, a children’s bike park, and an outdoor gym. The park is located on Towne Park Drive in southwestern Tyler. Funding for the project was provided through the Community Development Block Grant program. For more information about Tyler Parks and Rec improvement projects, visit this link or call (903) 531-1370.

TYLER — Two people are arrested and jailed in a double homicide in Tyler. Police say Aaron Johnson, 20, is charged with capital murder with a $2,000,000 bond. Nicholas Hudson, 18, faces two counts of murder, each with a $1,000,000 bond. Authorities say police responded to the Royal Crest Apartments on Sybil Lane Thursday night and found a vehicle in the parking lot with two people dead of multiple gunshot wounds. They were later identified as Donovan Dodd, 19, and Ladarius Jackson, 17, both from Athens. A short time later, police got a call from another victim on Park Place who had been shot at the apartment complex. Police now say that person was Aaron Johnson, who was taken to the hospital and released before police announced his capital murder charge. We’ll provide further details as they come in.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Road 188, east of the Emerald Bay Lake subdivision, is back open to drivers after a bridge was replaced. According to a news release, County Engineer Frank Davis said contractor Reynolds & Kay completed the bridge replacement and paving. Officials say work crews will remain in the area over the next two to three weeks to install the guard rail and stripe the pavement. The portion of the road that was closed since February 27 was located between FM 344 and FM 346. A narrow bridge was replaced with a concrete box culvert.

COFFEE CITY — The Coffee City Police Department is asking for the public’s help finding William Andrew Wilson, 31, who they said uses several different names. According to our news partner KETK, CCPD said he is wanted on several charges and uses the names Andrew William Wilson, Anthony George Bush, and “any other names he comes up with on the fly.” Police said they responded to a disturbance at the Lake Palestine Motor Inn on March 15 around 11:30 a.m. Wilson allegedly assaulted a woman at the motel and left the scene before officers arrived, CCPD said. A warrant was then issued for assault causing bodily injury-family violence. Continue reading Coffee City police searching for man accused of assault, evading arrest

TYLER — Keep Tyler Beautiful is unveiling three new restroom murals by local artists at two parks. Two murals were completed on the softball side of Lindsey Park on Spur 364. They were painted by local artist Dallas Rose. She is scheduled to complete two companion murals on the soccer side of the park later this year. The restroom at Pollard Park on Amherst Drive had a mural painted by Dace Kidd. The mural features a variety of colorful roses. All three murals were completed in February. “The Pollard Park mural is the ninth restroom mural completed since 2019, said Keep Tyler Beautiful Community Coordinator Erin Garner as quoted in a news release. “Keep Tyler Beautiful’s goal is to cover all Tyler park restrooms with murals in the next few years as part of our ongoing mission for beautification.” Continue reading Keep Tyler Beautiful unveils new restroom murals at two parks

RUSK COUNTY — The scene of a major fatal wreck in Rusk County has finally been cleared after hours of work. One person was reported dead after the crash on U.S. Highway 259 and FM 850 between Henderson and Kilgore Thursday morning involving a tractor trailer tanker truck that officials said was “leaking large amounts of what appears to be some type of oil product.” According to our news partner KETK, officials said another car struck debris from the initial crash, and they urged drivers to avoid the area and find alternate routes. According to the Crims Chapel VFD, multiple fire and rescue agencies responded to the crash around 6:50 a.m. where it was reported that an 18-wheeler was on top of another vehicle with entrapment. DPS reported the tanker truck to be leaking an “oil product” around 6:55 a.m., according to Crims Chapel VFD, and TxDOT was requested to the area. Continue reading Major fatal wreck cleared in Rusk County

EMORY — Officials in Rains County said the body of a missing autistic child was recovered in a pond on the property from which he disappeared. The search ended around 9 p.m. Thursday. The child’s name was Miguel, and he was non-verbal. Our news partner KETK first reported the search earlier Thursday evening, and officials said tracking dogs were brought in.

TYLER – The East Texas Food Bank is having its say as the Feeding Texas network, made up of 21 food banks across the state, calls on state legislators to address hunger on college campuses in a virtual day of advocacy. According to a news release, the inability to afford basic needs is the number one reason cited by community college students for not completing their education. Even with tuition aid, 38% of students at two-year colleges and 29% of students at four-year universities experience hunger, according to a recent #RealCollege survey. “We know that some college students in our area are skipping meals and only eating once a day because it’s difficult for them to afford food and pay for school,” said Dennis Cullinane, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank, as quoted in the release. “It’s difficult to pay attention in class when you are hungry.” Continue reading Food banks urge legislators to fight college hunger, improve graduation rates

TYLER — The 64th Annual Azalea & Spring Flower Trail runs through April 9 following a 10 a.m. kickoff Friday at the home of Joan Pyron on West Dobbs Street in Tyler. According to a news release from Visit Tyler, “residents and visitors alike are encouraged to take time to stroll through these picturesque gardens, join in on one of the many community events, and bask in the beauty that is Tyler in the spring.” As quoted in the release, Visit Tyler Vice President of Tourism & Servicing Susan Travis said, “This is the time of year where Tyler comes alive with colors. Everyone loves getting out in the spring in Tyler.” Along with the azaleas and spring flowers, the Trail will include a variety of activities for the whole family including art shows, festivals, historic home tours, live entertainment, plays, and more. For more information and a full list of events, visit this link.

SHERMAN – An ophthalmology provider group with offices in East Texas has agreed to pay $2,902,505 to resolve False Claims Act allegations. Federal officials name Arlington Ophthalmology Association, PLLC, d/b/a Kleiman Evangelista Eye Centers (“K&E”). According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Texas, officials say the company offered and paid kickbacks to optometrists to induce referrals of patients who were candidates for cataract surgery in violation of the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute. K&E has offices in Arlington, Dallas, Plano, Southlake, Mount Pleasant, and Gun Barrel City.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a grand opening at Noble E. Young Park to bring the community together to celebrate updates to the park, according to a news release. The event will be Thursday, April 6, at 5:30 p.m. Officials say the new and improved features include restrooms, an art mural, a parking lot with a new location, a mile-long and eight-foot-wide walking trail, picnic tables and benches, a pavilion, a children’s bike park, and an outdoor gym. The park is located on Towne Park Drive in southwestern Tyler. Funding for the project was provided through the Community Development Block Grant program. For more information about Tyler Parks and Rec improvement projects, visit this link or call (903) 531-1370.

ATHENS – A Waxahachie man was sentenced to consecutive life sentences for multiple charges involving the abuse of four East Texas children. According to our news partner KETK, the case began in Ellis County on a child porn tip and found its way to Henderson County, where the sentences were assessed. Jacob Tyler Weatherholtz, 34, drew two consecutive life sentences after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child, an additional life sentence for a separate offense of aggravated assault of a child, and 20 years in prison for indecency with a child. Officials say two girls had been sexually abused by Weatherholtz starting when they were around five years of age, and a young male had been sexually abused as well. A fourth victim was also identified, who officials said was under the age of one at the time of the sexual abuse. Continue reading Man gets consecutive life sentences for sexual assault of East Texas children

WHITEHOUSE — Three men were arrested in East Texas for allegedly forging stolen checks adding up to thousands of dollars, the Whitehouse Police Department said. According to our news partner KETK, on Tuesday, Whitehouse police said officers stopped a vehicle leaving the scene of a disturbance that had just been reported. After talking to the individuals who called in, it was confirmed that the people in the vehicle they had stopped were involved in the disturbance. During the search of the vehicle, officers said they found several forged checks from a multitude of businesses. The stolen checks totaled up to thousands of dollars and lead to the arrests of Charles Clark, Cornelius Brooks and Emanuel Akpom, officials said. All three men were booked into the Smith County Jail and charged with forgery of a financial instrument.

TYLER — Several key items were addressed by the Tyler City Council at its Wednesday meeting. The Council approved a $1,745,800 contract for the design of the Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant Aeration Basin and Final Clarifier Improvements project. Officials point out that the plant was built in 1955, and they say it has an aging system that needs rehabilitation. Continue reading Busy day for Tyler City Council

TYLER — Smith County received the 2022 Safety Achievement Award from the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool. According to a news release, the award was earned for the county’s record of maintaining a strong commitment to safety in the workplace, as well as for controlling workers’ compensation claims. Smith County employees will be formally presented with the award at an upcoming County Management and Risk Conference. Smith County received a banner this week to announce the award, and several departments took turns taking pictures with it. Road and Bridge employees are pictured at left. Continue reading Smith County receives Safety Achievement Award

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler University Academy Longview campus has made the national CHILDREN AT RISK School List as an A/A+ school for 2022. According to a news release, UA Longview is ranked No. 20 out of 3,967 elementary schools. “We are pleased that the University Academy at Longview campus has been recognized with this designation,” said Dr. Jo Ann Simmons, University Academy superintendent as quoted in a news release. “This recognition celebrates the work of our teachers, administrators, staff and students.” CHILDREN AT RISK is a nonprofit organization that aims to help parents, educators and community members understand how their schools are performing and spark dialogue on the quality of public education across Texas, according to the release.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KRLD) — The trial of two East Texas men on charges related to the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol has been delayed. A federal judge has granted the delay in the trial of Longview resident Ryan Nichols and Carthage resident Alex Harkrider, set for March 27, because of a surgery taking place in the family of one of Nichols’s attorneys. But that was not the original reason Nichols’s lawyers requested the delay. They asked for more time to go through additional hours of video taken at the Capitol that were recently released. Also, they say that nichols’s physical and mental health badly declined during the time he was incarcerated in federal prison, to the point that he is “a shell of his former self.” He was released for home confinement last November.

PALESTINE – The City of Palestine announced Wednesday they are mourning the death of District 3 Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Vicky Chivers. According to our news partner KETK, the city said Chivers died Tuesday and had served as council member for District 3 since 2002. “Ms. Chivers been a constant in our city government for more than 20 years and a pillar in the community,” Mayor Justin Florence said in a prepared statement. “Not only have we lost a great city and community leader, but we have lost a sister, mother, cousin, mentor and friend.” Continue reading Palestine City Council Member Vicky Chivers dies

LINDALE — Miranda Lambert has begun selling tickets to book signings for her new cookbook “Y’all Eat Yet?” with the final stop of the book tour being held in Lindale, according to our news partner KETK. “At each event, you’ll get a chance to meet Miranda Lambert and have your copy of her new book signed,” the book’s website said. The book tour is set to begin in New York City, before heading to Los Angeles and making it’s final stop in Lindale on May 9 at The Pink Pistol. Tickets are $38.11 plus fees, and only two tickets are allowed per order. “My first book tour,” Lambert said in an announcement. “Let’s go y’all!”

LONGVIEW — The Longview Public Library is forced to cancel a teen lock-in event after too many kids became rowdy. Library Youth Service Supervisor Terri Nalls says most of the teens behaved themselves normally at the event on Friday night, but she said some kids were running the library’s electric scooter into the wall, throwing books, and breaking things. Some of the library staff said they could smell alcohol and probably drugs. Nalls says they normally have about 80 teens 13 to 18 for the lock-in events, but they had 187 registered last Friday night. She said a lot of them were kids they had not seen before. The kids were asked to call their parents to pick them up. The Longview library is now considering what to do about future teen lock-ins.

TYLER – A woman arrested for abuse of a corpse after a baby was found dead in a bucket had given birth to the child in a toilet moments before, according to her arrest warrant. The warrant said deputies with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home in the Lindale area March 15, where the baby was found, and spoke with the homeowner, who showed them a red mop bucket that had been placed outside. According to our news partner KETK, the homeowner reportedly told officials she lived at the home with her roommate, Jazzlyn Cooper-Holmes, 23, of Longview, who later told detectives during an interview that the baby found was hers. The warrant says Cooper-Holmes told detectives she gave birth to the child in a toilet around 4 a.m. on March 12 and “only looked at it once.” Continue reading Warrant: Mother gave birth to baby in toilet before placing it in bucket

TYLER — The Smith County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to approve new hours of operation for the Animal Shelter. The Commissioners Court voted in October to extend the hours the shelter was open to the public, including opening during lunch and staying open until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and opening on Saturday. Animal Control and Shelter Supervisor Amber Greene said they did not see an increase in people coming in to the shelter to adopt dogs during the extended hours and it resulted in compensatory time being worked by the employees. Continue reading Smith County Animal Shelter changes hours of operation

LONGVIEW — The High Street Bridge between Nelson Street and Marion Drive in Longview will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, March 22 and 23, as part of TxDOT’s bridge reconstruction project. During this closure, traffic will detour on Nelson and Fredonia Streets and Marion Drive, according to a city news release.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Nathaniel Moran gives KTBB an update on the battle in the House over President Biden’s proposed budget. Moran says, “I can tell you there’s so many things inside of this budget that’s been proposed that are troubling to me. When you talk about… 40-plus billion dollars new for the IRS, above the 80 billion dollars that they were granted last year — and then things like climate change and ESG — so much money being presented in this budget to support those administrative policies down the road, things like 178 million dollars for civil right enforcement at the Department of education; we have to cut this nonsense out of the budget.” Continue reading Moran weighs in on budget, gun rights

LONGVIEW — The Gregg County Sheriff’s office is warning the public of a scam call that people reportedly received about having a warrant out for missing jury duty. According to our news partner KETK, GCSO says the scammers have used Lt. David Falco’s name when making calls. The Sheriff’s Office says it does not call people about warrants. In a prepared statement, GCSO says, “Please do not pay warrants over the phone and always contact the law enforcement agency to verify the information.”

TYLER — The Smith County Sheriff’s Office seeks your help solving some burglary and theft cases. According to a news release, the Sheriff’s Office has recently been receiving several reports of such incidents in the western areas of the county. Officials say they have also found out that similar cases are being reported near Chandler. A person and vehicle of interest have been established through continuing investigations as well as information received by the Sheriff’s Office, according to the release. Continue reading Help sought identifying burglary suspect

TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation is hosting a virtual public meeting with an in-person option regarding the six-lane widening project on FM 2493, more commonly known as Old Jacksonville Highway. Officials encourage you to participate and share your comments on improving safety and mobility along the highway from Loop 323 to FM 2813. The virtual public meeting is available from 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 21, through Wednesday, April 12. The in-person public meeting will be held in a come-and-go format March 28 from 5-7 p.m. at the Regional Training and Development Complex on the Tyler Junior College West Campus. Click this link for all the details.

KILGORE – The Kilgore Police Department said they found a substance which tested positive for fentanyl during a recent traffic stop. According to our news partner KETK, officials said the owner told them she had to spike her meth with fentanyl because “meth just wasn’t doing the trick anymore.” KPD said in a Facebook post, “We hear about fentanyl on TV, but it is here in ETX.” They added that Kilgore youth haven’t gotten into fentanyl yet but that the community has to be vigilant. “It is not something we are yet seeing with our youth, but we can’t say it will not happen in ETX. Let’s be very vigilant and stop it before it affects us,” Kilgore PD said. Continue reading Kilgore Police find fentanyl during traffic stop