KTBB News, Weather, Talk

MARSHALL – According to our news partner KETK, U.S. Senator for Texas John Cornyn spoke to graduating students at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall on Saturday. He’s currently running to be reelected to the Senate in 2026 against fellow Republican Primary candidates Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Congressman Wesley Hunt.

Cornyn discussed several issues on Saturday like the economy, healthcare, education and Affordable Care Act healthcare premiums, which he said are going up by 18% for Texans. He also said that one solution could be to start hospital-based insurance coverage for operations and hospital stays. If Cornyn wins the 2026 Republican Primary in March, he’d face the winner of the Democratic Party Primary in the November election. Several Democratic candidates have already declared for their party’s primary, including Colin Allred and State Rep. James Talarico.

RUSK – UPDATE: The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said that a $25,000 reward is being offered for anyone who provides information leading to the location of James David Blount, a 57-year-old man who was last seen in Rusk on Dec. 2.
ORIGINAL STORY – The Rusk Police Department is currently searching for a missing man after his vehicle was found stopped on Highway 84 near the Neches River on Saturday. James David Blount is a 57-year-old white man who’s 5’09”, weighs around 200 pounds and has brown hair and blue eyes. Rusk PD said Blount was last seen on Tuesday.

Blount’s vehicle was found on Saturday on Highway 84 west at the Neches River near the Cherokee and Anderson County line. Anyone with information about his disappearance is asked to call 911 or Rusk PD at 903-683-2677.

JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (JCPAAA) will donate $42,000 to the Jacksonville Police Department during the Dec. 9 City Hall meeting. The contribution will help fund new pistols outfitted with red-dot optics, as well as expanded firearms training for officers. The JCPAAA raised the money through ongoing community events, including several raffles and its annual April BBQ festival.

“We are proud to support our police department and help provide tools and training that enhance officer safety and effectiveness,” said Dillon Rodriguez, JCPAAA president. “This donation reflects the dedication of our volunteers and the strong partnership between our community and law enforcement.”

“The generosity of the JCPAAA and our community makes a real impact. These upgraded pistols and additional training will ensure our officers are better equipped to serve and protect our city,” Police Chief Steven Markasky said.

TYLER – The Texas A&M Forest Service has awarded over $3.5 million in grants for equipment to more than 100 fire departments throughout East Texas, according to our news partner KETK.

For the second round of Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program grants for the next fiscal year, the Texas A&M Forest Service awarded around $17.6 million in funds to volunteer fire departments across the state.

“Texas fire departments are the front line of local response and their equipment capacity is vital to response time and effectiveness,” Texas A&M Forest Service Director Al Davis said after the first round of funding was awarded in October. “This historic funding reflects the strong support of the Texas Legislature and governor. Their investment allows us to continue supporting and equipping firefighters who protect Texas’s lives and property.” Continue reading ETX fire departments awarded $3.5M in grants

SMITH COUNTY — According to our news partner KETK, former Lindale police officer Michael Lazarine, 47, pleaded guilty Thursday to a charge of restriction and confinement of another officer.

The charge was filed for an incident that took place Sept. 27, shortly after Lazarine had been honored by the Smith County Commissioner Court for saving a choking toddler. On October 17, he was terminated. Lindale Police Capt. Brent Chambers stated that the termination was unrelated to the incident, but added that Lazarine is not eligible for rehire due to it. He appeared in a Smith County courtroom on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty and received a six-month deferred adjudication sentence.

EDOM — Two people have been arrested after an armed bank robbery was reported on Friday morning in Edom according to our news partners at KETK. The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office responded to the First State Bank of Ben Wheeler in Edom at around 9:30 a.m., where bank personnel described the suspects’ vehicle as a gray Nissan pickup with Texas plates. Inside the vehicle was a Black woman driving and a Black man as the passenger, both dressed in gray hoodies. After a bank teller memorized the vehicle’s license plate, the sheriff’s office, along with other local agencies were able to track down the vehicle at a registered address in Ben Wheeler. There, they found two individuals matching the description given by the bank personnel. The suspects were taken into custody and transported to the Van Zandt County Detention Center. The sheriff’s office assured the public that there is no immediate danger. The investigation remains ongoing.

WOOD COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report a man was arrested in Quitman on Wednesday after allegedly attacking a family member with chemicals, temporarily impairing her vision. According to a Wood County affidavit, the incident occurred on Sept. 16 in Quitman. A family member told officials she awoke to the sound of another relative calling for help on the front porch. When she went outside, she saw Brandon Nichols coming into her yard and running toward her. Nichols then poured an unknown chemical substance onto her face, hair and clothing, the affidavit alleges. The victim described the substance as sticky and painful, causing her eyelashes to stick together and impairing her vision. Continue reading Man arrested for chemical attack

NACOGDOCHES — Our news partners at KETK report one person is in custody following an investigation launched due to a threat against Nacogdoches ISD. The school district’s police department stated on Friday morning that there is no ongoing danger to any campus. The school district partnered with several agencies, including the Texas Department of Public Safety and the FBI, to ensure the proper steps were taken. “That collaboration allowed us to move swiftly, verify the credibility of the threat, and secure the situation before it could escalate,” the Nacogdoches ISD Police Department said. The department did not disclose the specific nature of the threat but stated that if further relevant information becomes available, they will update the public on their Facebook page. Continue reading One in custody after Nacogdoches ISD threat

TEXARKANA — A second suspect has been arrested for the 2014 murder of Xavier Rollins thanks to a recent DNA analysis according to our news partner KETK. Rollins was found dead from gunshot wounds outside an apartment on College Drive on June 17, 2014.

Texarkana Police Department officials said every lead brought investigators to dead ends when the case first begun. After decades, however, detectives didn’t stop looking for answers. In 2023, advancements in DNA technology led detectives to the arrest of Cameron Cheatham for capital murder in October 2024. Continuing their search, a tip led detectives to Demontre Collins, 30. Through updated DNA analysis, it was confirmed a match to evidence from the scene.

Police secured a warrant and arrested Collins on Nov. 11 during a traffic stop. Collins, along with Cheatham, is currently being held in the Bi-State Jail on $1 million bonds for capital murder charges.

TYLER – U.S. President Donald Trump endorsed East Texas Congressman Nathaniel Moran in his bid for reelection on Thursday. Moran, a Republican and former Smith County Judge, was first elected as congressman for Texas’ U.S. House District 1 in 2022 and is currently running to be reelected for a second term in 2026.

“Congressman Nathaniel Moran is doing a fantastic job representing the Great People of Texas’ 1st Congressional District! Nathaniel has an incredible Record of Success, and strong support from his Community,” Trump said on Truth Social.

Moran is currently running unopposed in the March 2026 Republican Party Primary for his seat ahead of the general election in November. Several Democratic candidates, including Dax Alexander, Tracy Andrus, Yolanda Prince and Masika Akilah Ray, are running to be their party’s candidate for the November election.

TYLER – Tyler Parks and Recreation will host the 40th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the lawn of the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center following The Rotary Club of Tyler’s Rose City Christmas Parade Friday evening. The tree will be lit by Lilli Halifax, the 2026 local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Miracle Child representing CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. 

The event will also feature performances by the Caldwell Singers, and food and drinks will be available for purchase on site. Beginning at 5 p.m., Friday Dec. 5th, Front Street will be closed from Palace Avenue to Lyons Avenue, and Glenwood Boulevard will be closed from Erwin Street to Houston Street. 

CROCKETT — A man was arrested by Crockett Police Department on Wednesday on a charge of alleged indecency with a child. According to our news partner KETK, Crocket Police Department received a tip from a child on Nov. 28 and began investigating 59-year-old Terry Kenneth Taylor, of Crockett. After an investigation, a warrant for Taylor’s arrest was issued for indecency with a child by contact. Taylor was arrested and taken into custody on Wednesday with his bond set at $80,000.