KTBB News, Weather, Talk

AUSTIN – Continuing the fight against Red Town Ranch holdings’ production permit for 21 high-capacity groundwater wells in Anderson County, Texas, lawmakers are gearing up to hear from experts at Tuesday’s natural resources committee meeting in Austin.

According to our news partner KETK, during the meeting, Harris said he and several Texas lawmakers will hear from over 30 expert witnesses, including industry leaders and local officials, about how this will impact East Texas and its main water supply. Other Texas lawmakers have already shown their support for Harris and his effort to protect the East Texas water supply. State Representative Jay Dean of Longview said in a statement he’s ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with Harris and the rest of East Texas. Meanwhile, state representative Daniel Alders of Tyler said he’s ready to dive deeper into protections that already exist.

Harris said after the committee meeting, he plans to speak to Governor Greg Abbott’s team about future legislation, and to ask if it can be added to the upcoming special session, all in the fight to protect the livelihood of East Texans now and in the future. Continue reading Rep.Harris looks to protect East Texas water rights

ATHENS — According to our news partner kETK, nine people were arrested in Athens on Sunday for suspected cockfighting after Henderson County authorities found several dead birds. Henderson County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) said they responded to a report of suspected cockfighting near County Road 3918 in Athens. Deputies witnessed around 200 people at the scene with several of them fleeing once they saw law enforcement.

According to HCSO officials, investigators discovered many dead roosters along with evidence that suggested cockfighting transpired at the location. Once a search warrant was obtained, investigators later found a suspected fighting arena and seized various types of evidence from the scene.

“On the premises, investigators uncovered a fighting arena and confiscated sharp metal gaffs (artificial spurs attached to the rooster’s leg) commonly used in illegal cockfighting matches,” HCSO said. “A total of 89 live roosters and two deceased birds were seized from the premises along with 26 vehicles and a large amount of U.S. Currency.” Continue reading Nine arrested for suspected cockfighting in Athens

TYLER – The man who was wanted for stealing hundreds of dollars from Zippy J’s in Tyler after shutting off the store’s power and claiming to have a gun was arrested on Friday.

According to a Smith County arrest warrant affidavit, 25-year-old Trayvonte Deshawn Gates was arrested for the robbery at Zippy J’s after a store employee received a tip on social media about him.

The arrest warrant affidavit said that around 1:05 a.m. Tyler police officers responded to a robbery at Zippy J’s on 1610 S. Vine Avenue. The 911 callers told dispatch that a black man wearing a white shirt, black pants and a black backpack had robbed Zippy J’s and was last seen leaving towards the Bingo Hall.

After officers searched the surrounding area and were unable to find the suspect, they returned to the gas station to talk to store employees. The workers explained to police that around 1 a.m. the lights went off in the store and a black man entered the store a short time later. Continue reading Suspect wanted for robbing Zippy J’s in Tyler arrested

TATUM — Our news partner KETK reports that two Florida suspects have been detained in connection with a string of burglaries at the Tatum Baseball Field parking lot in late June.

Around 7:40 p.m. on June 26, officers were notified that numerous vehicles had been burglarized at the Tatum baseball field parking lot on West Johnson Street. According to the Tatum Police Department by the time officers arrived, the suspects had fled, and attempts to locate them were unsuccessful.

On Saturday, Tatum PD was contacted by the DeSoto Police Department in Dallas County, who said they had initiated a traffic stop on a sedan. After a chase, two passengers were identified and detained. Continue reading Suspects detained following vehicle burglaries in Tatum

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton has requested death row inmate Robert Roberson of Palestine, whose execution date was delayed last year after his case became a political lightning rod, be executed on Oct. 16.

A hearing is set for 10 a.m. on Wednesday in the 3rd District Court in Palestine where Smith County District Judge Austin Reeve Jackson will decide whether to proceed with the Paxton’s request.

“There is no justification for the Attorney General’s relentless effort to kill an innocent human being — and no state law or moral law that authorizes seeking an execution date under these circumstances,” Gretchen Sween, Roberson’s attorney, said in a new release last week.

Roberson was convicted of capital murder in 2003 for the death of his 2-year-old daughter Nikki, who was diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome. Continue reading Attorney General requests Robert Robertson be executed

TYLER – A man was arrested over the weekend after striking a 10-year-old boy in the face multiple times with a closed fist near a Tyler church, our news partner KETK reports.

According to the Smith County arrest affidavit, around 4:37 p.m. on Saturday Tyler Police responded to 2726 Van Highway near Higher Heights Community Baptist Church where several people seemed to be upset and shouting very loudly at each other.

The document said once officers were able to separate the people arguing, they talked to a 10-year-old and his mother who explained Keyshawn Zakievan Jackson, 21, punched the child in the face multiple times.

“The mother of the victim, along with several other witnesses on scene, stated Jackson had struck the 10-year-old in the face with closed fist strikes multiple times,” the affidavit said. “Even Jackson’s sister, who was advocating for him (the child was allegedly being very pestering and shoving Jackson throughout the day), had stated Jackson punched the victim.” Continue reading Man arrested after punching 10-year-old in face

SMITH COUNTY – Our news partner KETK reports that a man was arrested early Friday morning after driving his pickup truck through the entrance of a vape shop in Smith County.

According to the Community Outreach Coordinator for Smith County Emergency Services District 2, Nikki Simmons, Battalion 1, Engine 156, and Engine 161 arrived at Just Smoke in Gresham after hearing reports of a vehicle driving through the front of the shop.

Once on the scene, officials observed a Ford pickup inside the building and found the driver outside of the store with no apparent injuries. The driver refused to be transported to the hospital and was arrested by members of the Texas Department of Public Safety. Oncor crews were also on the scene to assess for any substantial electrical damage.

At this time, officials have not released the identity of the driver.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department has confirmed that a man died on Saturday after a vehicle fell on him according to our news partners at KETK. The Tyler Patrolman’s Association, the Fraternal Order of Police lodge for Tyler officers, said that officers responded to assist EMS at a property on South Palace Avenue on Saturday. According to Tyler PD, the man was under his car when a jack failed, causing the car to fall onto him. The man was freed by officers and EMS took him to a local hospital where Tyler PD confirmed that he died. The Tyler Patrolman’s Association said the Tyler PD Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the man’s death.

ANDERSON COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK, an arrest affidavit revealed the two East Texas parents that were arrested for child neglect claimed their infant wasn’t getting the proper care because the father is a “naturalist,” meanwhile, detectives discovered bottles filled with mold, maggots covering the trash can and traces of methamphetamine.

On Tuesday, a child abuse and neglect investigation was opened for a six-month-old infant. The report first came from Child Protective Services (CPS) after the infant was taken to an emergency room in Athens on July 3 for a rash by her parents, Devon Langley and Cheyanne McGinty.

“After further inspection by medical staff, they recommended the baby needed to get further medical advice from Children’s Medical Center located in Dallas due to the apparent signs of malnutrition, [the baby] was born at seven pounds, eight ounces on Dec. 24, 2024 and weighed eight pounds as of July 4,” the document said. “Both parents denied transporting the baby to Dallas via ambulance due to the cost of bills and gas.” Continue reading Parents cite ‘naturalist’ beliefs for infant neglect

Tyler – Discovery Science Place welcomes East Texas educators to its annual Educator Open House on Friday, July 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. This free event is designed exclusively for teachers and school staff, offering a preview of educational programming for the upcoming school year, along with hands-on STEM fun and networking.

The Open House, held inside the Discovery Science Place Museum at 308 N. Broadway Ave. in downtown Tyler, is for adults only and open to anyone working in education. Attendees will enjoy museum access, classroom activity ideas, free food from Jucy’s Tacos, and the chance to win door prizes. The evening is also an opportunity to learn about field trip offerings and in-school programs designed to bring science to life for students of all ages.

“This event is our way of saying thank you to educators and equipping them with tools to make science education even more engaging,” said Bradley Lindsey, Director of Education at Discovery Science Place. “We want teachers to leave inspired, connected, and excited about the resources we can offer them throughout the school year.”

Peltier Chevrolet serves as the Presenting Sponsor of this year’s Educator Open House. Additional support is provided by East Lake Medical, Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers, Cooperative Teachers Credit Union, VeraBank, Sinclair Law Office, and Cavender’s Boot City.

Admission to the event is free. Learn more at http://www.discoveryscienceplace.org/educator.

TYLER — Bishop of Tyler Gregory Kelly has announced a special collection at Masses this weekend to raise aid for those affected by the Central Texas flooding, according to our news partners at KETK. According to Kelly, the special collection will occur on July 12 through July13 and support efforts will be coordinated through the Catholic Charities of East Texas. Those who attend are encouraged to consider donating financial aid by participating in the special collection. Continue reading Bishop of Tyler calls special collection to support flood victims

TYLER — Our news partner KETK reports that after the Texas House and Senate approved House Bill 1481, which bans students from using cell phones during school hours, school districts across East Texas are now working to update their policies to comply with the new law. H.B. 1481 now requires public schools to develop a plan to implement these new regulations. The bill passed the House on April 24 with 128 votes in favor, and the Senate approved it a month later with a unanimous 31 votes. Electronics now banned include telephones, cell phones (such as smartphones or flip phones), tablets, smartwatches, radio devices, paging devices, and any other device capable of telecommunication and digital communication. Continue reading East Texas districts to enforce cell phone ban

CANTON– After serving for the past 15 years as the chief of the City of Canton Fire Rescue, Bud Sandford announced his retirement on Friday according to our news partner KETK.

Through his 15 years as chief, Sandford has been instrumental in growing the fire department from mostly a team of volunteers to a team of mostly career firefighters. “He will be greatly missed by all the men and women who’ve had the honor to serve alongside him,” City of Canton Fire Rescue said. “Thanks to the solid foundation he’s laid, we’re ready to keep growing and advancing into the future!”

WINONA – Smith County Emergency Services District 2 has confirmed that at least one person has been injured after 2 SUVs crashed into each other on Highway 271.

According to our news partner KETK, the Winona Volunteer Fire Department and Gladewater Fire Department were called out to a crash in the 23,000 block of Highway 271 at around 12:43 p.m. on Friday. At least one person was injured in the crash and had to be transported away by a UT Health EMS helicopter.

The crash reportedly happened when a black SUV and a white SUV collided head-on, injuring at least one person. Firefighters at the scene had to tie off the black SUV to keep it from falling into a ditch. The crash blocked Highway 271 on Friday but first responders are working to clear the roadway.