KTBB News, Weather, Talk

RUSK — Our news partners at KETK report that a stolen ambulance that crashed into a gas station on Thursday, according to Angelina County Sheriff Tom Selman. The San Augustine EMS ambulance was reportedly stolen from CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Hospital in Lufkin and crashed at the Kim’s Convenience Store at 1580 Dickinson Drive in Rusk. According to Selman, the Lufkin Police Department started a pursuit and followed the ambulance into Rusk. Continue reading Stolen ambulance crashes into gas station

TYLER — Authorities have arrested two teenagers in connection with a Wednesday afternoon shooting at Southwest Pines Apartments. According to our news partner KETK, they’ve been identified as 19-year-old Dunruntre Hodge and 18-year-old Xavier Washington. Both have been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and evading arrest/detention in a vehicle. Both were booked into the Smith County Jail. Hodge’s bond was set at $400,000. Washington’s bond total was $320,000. Police say two vehicles were driving through the complex Wednesday afternoon shooting at each other. One person, a male, suffered a single gunshot wound and was taken to a Tyler hospital. He was treated and released. Continue reading Two suspects arrested following shooting at Tyler apartments

HARRISON COUNTY — The Texas Rangers are conducting an officer involved shooting investigation. According to officials, a DPS trooper was conducting a traffic stop on US Highway 259, in Gregg County, around 10:30 Monday evening. The driver fled, prompting a pursuit, which eventually ended on FM Road 450 in Harrison County. The suspect fled on foot into a wooded area, followed by an exchange of gunfire. The suspect, identified as John L. Stanford, 39, of Avinger, was pronounced dead at the scene.

TEXARKANA – According to our news partner KETK a man is dead Thursday morning after Texarkana police said a Western Waste Management truck did not see him while going to empty a dumpster. Officials said the incident happened around 5:45 a.m. near the intersection of Summerhill Road and New Boston Road, and the truck “pulled into the alley behind a business to empty the dumpster and did not see the homeless man who was lying asleep on the ground in front of the dumpster.” He was pronounced dead at the scene.

SMITH COUNTY — Jails in East Texas have been hurting for quite some time now due to staffing shortages. That’s why Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith is proposing another strategy to try and get the facility back up to full strength. “We’re 37 [employees] short in the jail right now,” said Smith. Smith went in front of the commissioner’s board earlier this week to present the current jail report. While filling open positions is still a problem, Smith told our news partner KETK that the biggest issue with the open jobs is that there is no relief factor. “That’s what got us in this situation,” added Smith. This means the jail doesn’t have enough staffing to cover every shift, especially when an employee calls out sick or goes on vacation. This also leads to more employees having to work overtime. Continue reading Smith County Jail aims to use mass hiring strategy

TYLER — One person was taken to a Tyler hospital with a gunshot wound, and several were detained following a shooting at Southwest Pines Apartments on Walton Road around 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday. According to our news partner KETK, occupants of two vehicles were shooting at each other while driving through the complex. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital in a private vehicle. A vehicle that was allegedly seen leaving the complex was pulled over near the intersection of Loop 323 and Copeland Road. The two people who were in the car were detained and police found what they believe may be evidence of the shooting. The vehicle was then towed, according to Andy Erbaugh, Public Information Officer with the Tyler Police Department. Two adults and two juveniles were also detained at the apartment complex.

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jason Charles, 25, of Tyler, who was arrested for Intoxication Manslaughter on January 15, 2022. A Smith County Grand Jury returned an indictment for Intoxication Manslaughter, a Second Degree Felony, alleging that the offense occurred on January 14, 2022. Charles posted bond on February 15, 2022. Court records allege that he violated his bond conditions, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. If anyone has any information that would lead to his arrest, please contact Crime Stoppers at 903-597-2833.

KILGORE — A student from Kilgore College and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society has been named a 2023 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar. According to our news partner KETK, Annabelle Phillips of Hallsville will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The scholarship program is built to help new members of Phi Theta Kappa pay for expenses while they pursue their associates degree and help students develop leadership skills.
Continue reading Kilgore College student gets scholarship from Coca-Cola

TYLER – ERCOT is asking its customers to conserve electricity use due to a high level of unexpected thermal generation outages and a low wind generation forecast. According to our news partner KETK, They are asking for conservation efforts between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday. ERCOT said they will continue to closely monitor conditions throughout the day.

LONGVIEW-The Longview area is experiencing widespread power outages Wednesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, SWEPCO reportsrestorations have been made for close to 5,000 customers, and work continues to get power back to another 1,000 customers. A traffic alert has been issued by the Longview Police Department in the area of WEST Marshall and Gilmer Road. Several lanes have been closed due to a power line that is down in the intersection.
Continue reading Longview officials report 1,000 without power

TYLER — A high-friction surface treatment was recently installed on the Grande Boulevard reverse curve. The treatment is one of two safety improvements recommended by the West Grande Boulevard Reverse Curve Study presented to the City Council in October 2022. According to a City of Tyler news release, an LED Curve Warning system is also being installed, with funding from the Highway Safety Improvement Program administered by the Texas Department of Transportation. New signage, striping, and illuminated chevrons that light up as a vehicle enters the curve are scheduled to be installed later this fall. “The combination of the high friction surface treatment and the LED Curve Warning system are safety enhancements identified to address past crash history in this area,” said Traffic Engineer Cameron Williams. Continue reading High friction surface installed on Tyler roadway

WINONA — The Smith County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved a new sheriff substation in Winona. The city said it is much needed in the area. “It’s not just for the city of Winona, it’s for the whole area,” said Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith. According to our news partner KETK, one of the main issues that local officials in Smith County want to solve with the new substation is people speeding through Winona. “I can tell you right now, the citizens and the ones driving through Winona in the morning through the school zones in the big trucks going 60-70 near downtown Winona, that’s going to come to a screeching halt,” said Smith. Continue reading Commissioners approve sheriff’s substation for Winona

COFFEE CITY — The number of police officers in Coffee City equals about 20% of the town’s population. The population is 249, according to the city limits sign. But Coffee City has more than 50 full-time and reserve police officers. Records show the officers wrote more than 5,100 citations last year, and the town collected more than $1 million in court fines. More than half of the 50 police have been discharged in some way from their previous jobs, as shown from open records requests. Those prior disciplinary actions range from excessive force, public drunkenness, untruthfulness and association with known criminals. Police Chief John Jay Portillo says many were victims of internal politics. According to KHOU, a spokesperson for the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement confirms the agency has an open investigation into the Coffee City Police Department but would not say if it concerns hiring practices or any other issues.

TYLER – ERCOT is asking Texans to conserve electricity use due to a high level of unexpected thermal generation outages and forecast low wind generation, according to our news partners at KETK.The issued appeal asks Texans to conserve between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., and said they expect similar conditions to persist through tomorrow and “ask Texans to stay tuned for additional communications.” ERCOT recently issued conservation appeals four days in a row due to “tight grid conditions” and forecasts that showed potential to enter emergency operations.ERCOT said they will continue to closely monitor conditions throughout the day.

PALESTINE — The Texas Association of School Boards announced their five public school superintendents selected as state finalists for the Superintendent of the Year award. According to our news partner KETK, Westwood ISD Superintendent Wade Stanford is one of the five finalists. Stanford and four other four others will go to the next stage of the competition for Superintendent of the Year. The winner is going to be announced Friday, Sept. 29. Stanford, who has more than 38 years of experience as an educator, joined Westwood ISD as Superintendent in 2016, after four years as the assistant superintendent of Marble Falls ISD.

TYLER – Tyler Police have issued a warrant for a third suspect in the Liberty Arms apartment complex shooting. According to our news partner KETK, Delon Williams is wanted on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and deadly conduct. Back in May, police received multiple reports of shots fired at those apartment buildings. Authorities were able to identify two of the suspected shooters, making one arrest. 21-year-old Marcus Gray was arrested in June. With the warrant issued for Delon Williams, TPD are still looking for Kerick Johnson for his involvement in the shootings. Tyler Police Department asks that anyone having knowledge of the location of Williams or Johnson to please contact them.

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK , Tyler Police Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh said, a body was found in the woods behind Aldi at Highway 31 East and Loop 323. There is no indication of foul play, Erbaugh said, and the body is being sent for autopsy.This is the second body found in Tyler this week– the first was in the woods near a Walmart at the 200 block of SSW Loop 323 on Monday.

SMITH COUNTY — A Tyler man pleads guilty to leaving his baby beside the road while drunk. Paul Hanna, 38, admitted to child abandonment and endangerment in the incident that happened on the night of January 10th. A motorcycle rider found Hanna’s 1-year-old daughter in her car seat on the side of a road. The biker went to a nearby home and called 911. The little girl was picked up by family members. Hanna was found in his car at a nearby convenience store. He told officers his daughter was at his home with a full-time nurse who was also watching his 4-year-old son. Officers found him to be “uncredible and intoxicated.” Hanna faces up to 20 years in prison.

LONGVIEW — A man was arrested in Longview after a shooting left someone with life-threatening injuries last Wednesday. According to the Longview Police Department and our news partner KETK, officials were told about a shooting victim who was being treated at a Tyler hospital for a gunshot wound. During the investigation, detectives determined the shooting happened within the city of Longview. They issued a warrant for 25-year-old John Lee Smith III for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Smith was reportedly out on a $125,000 bond for murder and felon in possession of a firearm at the time. Longview SWAT served the warrant at a local residence last Friday and Smith was taken into custody without incident. The investigation is ongoing.

SMITH COUNTY — A Henderson man was indicted on one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and one count of sexual assault of a child by a grand jury in Smith County. According to our news partner KETK, Russell Lewis Evans, 22, was arrested on April 6 and booked into the Smith County Jail on a $1 million bond. He was indicted on both counts on June 29. According to Evans’ arrest warrants, the abuse started when the victim was under 10-years-old. The warrants detail several instances of abuse over the years as told by the child. The warrants also stated that after each instance, Evans would threaten the victim, warning them about ever telling anyone of the abuse. One time even saying he would shoot the child in the head if they told anyone, according to the warrant. Continue reading Man indicted for continuous sexual abuse of a child

TYLER — A Tyler man has been indicted by a Smith County grand jury in connection to a 2022 aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon. According to our news partner KETK, Adan Orozco, 41, was arrested in April in connection with a kidnapping that took place in September of 2022. According to an arrest warrant, Orozco opened a woman’s car door and pointed a pistol at her. Orozco allegedly “pushed the barrel of the pistol into the left side of her head with the pistol and walked to the passenger side of her vehicle,” and then said “you aren’t leaving until I say you’re going to leave,” according to an arrest warrant. Continue reading Tyler kidnapping suspect indicted

TYLER – During the summer recess, United States Republican Congressman Nathaniel Moran recently announced he was running for re-election. He also took this opportunity to visit voters in his district. Monday afternoon the congressman talked to KTBB’ Chuck McKinley about the response he was getting from constituents on his re-election announcement. Moran said from the road, “The response has been great. As we traveled around our 17 counties last week, we did 9 official stops. As we talked to folks, what we focused on was the accountability for the promises we made. And what had taken place the first 8 months. And to make sure they knew we were going to be accountable to the promises we made and that we were going to keep those promises and fulfill the obligations they sent us to Washington, D.C. to do. So, transparency in those conversations, a lot of positive response from the folks who came out.”
Continue reading No recess for Congressman Nathaniel Moran

TYLER – A Smith County grand jury hands up an indictment for aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon. According to our news partner KETK, 42-year-old Adan Orozco was indicted for the September 2022 kidnapping of a women. The warrant said Orozco pointed a gun at the women and physically assaulted during the kidnapping. He was booked into the Smith County jail and his bond was set at $300,000.

SMITH COUNTY – The third and final indictment was handed up by a Smith County grand jury in regards to a diesel theft ring. According to our news partner KETK, 29-year-old Ramon Perez-Torres was indicted for reportedly stealing over 93-hundred gallons of diesel from June to Sept. of 2022. He indictment follows those of Duniesky Ondarza Gonzalez and Camila Cruz Concepcion, in their connection to the illegal enterprise. Perez-Torres’ pre-trial date is Sept 18.

TYLER — Tyler Police continue to investigate a shootout at Rose Rudman Park on Copeland Road. It happened around 3:00 Monday afternoon between two groups of people, one at the park and one in a vehicle. According to Tyler PD and our news partner KETK, the suspects in the vehicle reportedly shot at the group in the park and then the park group returned fire. Wille Ogilvie,18, was shot in the lower back area. He was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The preliminary investigation determined that just prior to the shooting, several individuals had been involved in a physical altercation at the park with an unidentified person or persons. Evidence from the investigation led detectives to a residence in the area. A search warrant was obtained and officials seized multiple weapons, including pistols and long guns. Officers arrested Jace Ogilvie, 17, for deadly conduct. He was booked into the Smith County Jail. Further arrests and charges are pending as the Tyler Police Department continues the investigation.

HENDERSON — A 16-year-old is dead after a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 19, according to our news partner KETK. On Sunday around 7:40 p.m., DPS responded to a crash that took place on SH 19 .3 miles east of Athens. The investigation indicated the teenager was driving a 2008 Chrysler Sebring eastbound when they lost control of the vehicle and traveled into the westbound lanes. While in the westbound lanes, DPS said the teenager was struck by a 2021 Lincoln Corsair and was pronounced dead on the scene by Justice of the Peace Milton Adams. There is no further information available at this time.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department have confirmed that a dead body was found in the 200 block of SSW Loop 323 on Monday, According to our news partner KETK. The body was found in the woods near a Walmart in the area. Tyler PD is responding to the scene and this story will be updated when more information is available.

WINONA — Winona Elementary will be closed on Monday due to flooding in some areas from overnight rain. According to our news partner KETK, the district said all other campuses will remain open, and elementary staff will report to work at their normal time. Classes at Winona Elementary are expected to resume Tuesday.

MARSHALL – The Harrison County Sheriff’s office said one person is dead after a shooting on Frances Street in Marshall on Saturday. According to the sheriff’s office, and our news partners at KETK, deputies first broke up an aggressive crowd before being called to a local emergency room to break up a fight involving over 50 people. The fight reportedly involved family members of the victim and suspect in the shooting. Deputies and K9 Pato arrived at the emergency room and dispersed the crowd, officials said.
The city of Marshall is investigating the shooting, according to the sheriff’s office.

TYLER – One person is undergoing surgery at a local hospital after a shooting took place at an apartment at 5621 Old Bullard Road, according to the Tyler Police Department and our news partners at KETK. A Tyler PD press release said a female with multiple gunshot wounds was found in an apartment by officers who were responding to reports of a shooting around 12:40 p.m. on Saturday. Continue reading 1 injured after apartment shooting in Tyler