KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY — Officials in Smith County are asking residents to refrain from burning due to increased fire danger. Smith County is not issuing a burn ban. According to the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office and our news partner KETK, the increased fire danger is due to unusually dry conditions this month, which was caused by the county experiencing an abnormally wet spring, early summer and robust grass crop.

“Due to this year’s robust grass crop that is now becoming drought-cured and dehydrated, fire behavior and resistance to control will likely increase,” the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office said.

COLLEGE STATION — On Tuesday, the Texas A&M University announced they are awarding approximately $164 million in grants to Texas volunteer fire departments. According to our news partner KETK, the grants are thanks to the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, which was established by Texas House in 2001. The program provides grants to rural volunteer fire departments for essential firefighting equipment and training.

“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. “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’ lives and property.”

The multimillion-dollar grants will benefit a total of 879 fire departments across Texas. Several East Texas fire departments will receive funding, you can the complete list from KETK, here.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County has seen a 25% increase in DWI charges from 2023 to 2024, largely due to enhanced enforcement efforts, according to a detective with the sheriff’s office. Ryan Edmonds, a DWI expert currently assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit at the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, explained to our news partner KETK that the rise in DWI arrests is attributed to increased training and the deployment of task forces during peak times for intoxicated driving.

“The biggest factor behind that increase is probably the enhanced enforcement that we’ve put into place,” Edmonds said. Continue reading DWI arrests rise amid stricter enforcement

UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas – Our news partners at KETK report that Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd announced on Tuesday that he will be retiring from his position at the end of October. Byrd sent a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday, stating that after serving as the Upshur County district attorney for the past 18 years and serving as a prosecutor in the state of Texas for the last 24 years, he will be retiring from his role on Oct. 31. Byrd’s first assistant, Barry Wallace, will assume duties as district attorney until Gov. Abbott makes an appointment or someone is elected next year.

TYLER – People in the Tyler area are being asked to continue to conserve water this week as city crews make repairs at the Lake Palestine water plant. Our news partner KETK is reporting that the Lake Palestine Water Plant has been offline since Thursday to fix equipment issues and flooding. Over the weekend, the City of Tyler’s water supply was limited to just the water from Golden Road.

Water Utilities Director Kate Dietz advises residents to continue to follow the water restrictions. Outdoor watering is limited to even-numbered addresses on Sunday and Thursday and odd-numbered addresses on Saturday and Wednesday. Watering only before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. As of now, four out of the eight filters at Lake Palestine are now up and running once again. Even so, Golden Road is still providing for the majority of the water demand right now.

Prohibited Non-Essential Uses: Washing sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, or buildings (except for fire protection) and using water for dust control.

Dietz is also asking everyone to limit car washing between 8 p.m. and midnight. For a full list of water conservation guidelines, visit the City of Tyler website.

CARTHAGE — The Carthage Police Department has officially relocated its operations to a new multi million-dollar facility. According to our news partner KETK, the new standalone police headquarters was completed Oct. 14, and is located at 453 West Sabine Street. The project, estimated at $3.7 million, was approved by the City Commission in June of 2024, according to the city.

City officials expect the new facility not only to alleviate current space constraints but also to help in recruiting officers, enhancing safety and security, improving evidence processing and offering more suitable work environments.

“All administrative functions, public services, and correspondence will now take place at this new location. The department looks forward to continuing to serve the citizens of Carthage with professionalism and dedication from its updated facility.” the Carthage Police Department said. For more information contact the department directly at 903-693-3866.

LONGVIEW — Our news partners at KETK report a woman has been arrested following the investigation of a Longview house fire in September, believed to be arson. According to Fire Marshal Marcus Delaney, 25-year-old Tasha Neal has been accused of arson after an investigation was conducted into a Longview house fire. Continue reading Longview woman accused of arson

TYLER – Our news partners at KETK report that Lee-Autrey Jodeci “Jody” Morgan, 33 of Tyler, has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison on Monday for the 2023 murder of his brother. Morgan was arrested for murder on July 15, 2023, after his brother, Jaraine Johnson, was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds in the backyard of a home. The district attorney’s office said a 9mm handgun found in Morgan’s truck was matched to bullet casings recovered from the crime scene where Johnson was killed. Two court-appointed mental health experts examined Morgan, and testified that he was competent to stand trial even though he suffers from paranoid personality disorder and schizophrenia. 241st District Court Judge Debby Gunter accepted Morgan’s guilty plea on Monday. He’ll be eligible for parole in 15 years.

TYLER – The world is breathing a sigh of relief this evening as 20 Israeli hostages are now back with their families. This comes as a result of President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, ending the bloody two-year conflict overseas that’s claimed nearly 70,000 lives. The first phase of this peace plan calls for Israel to pull back troops to an agreed line, with Israel still retaining control of over 53% of the land in Gaza.

President Trump said Gaza will now be governed by an international ‘Board of Peace’. The board will be focused on rebuilding Gaza, while a future permanent government is determined. Congressman Nathaniel Moran of East Texas agrees with this strategy, saying this “peace through strength plan” is critical to keeping peace in the Middle East.

“We’ve got to be with them across the sea,” Moran told our news partner KETK. “We can’t just wait for it to come to our borders.” Moran added that the top priority now is to provide the immediate resources needed, to help families impacted by this deadly conflict to get back up on their feet. Continue reading Rep. Moran reacts to return of Israeli hostages, ceasefire

ANGELINA COUNTY – The Angelina County Sheriff’s is mourning the loss of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department assistant commander Chad Gartman, who died of cancer on Sunday. Gartman, who was 52-years-old, had a lengthy 31-year career in law enforcement and became a Texas Peace Officer after he graduated from the Angelina College Police Academy in 1994. He served as a deputy constable in Nacogdoches County for almost six years before he joined the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and started patrolling in East Texas.

According to our news partner KETK and the sheriff’s office, Gartman became assistant commander of the TPWD in 2016. He managed vehicle acquisitions and fleet maintenance for the over 650 Texas Game Wardens vehicles across the state.

Gartman’s and his wife Ashley had two sons together. Ashley’s father is retired Angelina County Sheriff Kent Henson.

TYLER – The Republican Party of Texas met on Saturday to discuss potential penalties for several lawmakers, including two East Texas State Representatives.

According to our news partner KETK, a special meeting of the State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) was held on Saturday, where Texas GOP officials discussed whether or not they would concur with censure resolutions brought by county Republican Party officials. Resolutions were brought against ten State Representatives who are accused of making votes and taking actions against State Republican Party platform policies like having no Democratic Committee Chairs in the State House.

East Texas State Representatives Cody Harris of Palestine and Gary VanDeaver of New Boston were two of those ten State Representatives who faced potential penalties on Saturday.

Harris avoided a concurring vote and any penalties that the SREC could have levied against him but the SREC did concur with the resolution against VanDeaver. Continue reading State Rep VanDeaver responds to censure penalties

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — The SPCA of Texas rescued 16 neglected dogs from a Van Zandt County property last week after finding them living in extreme inhumane conditions. According to our news partner KETK, SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit responded to an anonymous request for a welfare check. They arrived at the property Oct. 6. Investigators found the dogs in severe neglect and worked to obtain a seizure warrant for the animals, which they executed the next day.

A press release from SPCA of Tyler said, “A thorough inspection found filthy raised kennels, many without adequate shelter; rough, uneven flooring beneath them; padlocks on every kennel; dirty water contaminated with feces; and live maggots swarming the area beneath the kennels.” Continue reading SPCA seizes abused dogs from Van Zandt County property