KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank (ETFB) has been named the recipient of a $125,000 grant through the annual Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards program, according to a news release. “This grant will help further ETFB’s efforts in the community of fighting hunger and feeding hope in the 26 counties we serve in East Texas,” said David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank. “This will allow us to feed more East Texans through our mobile pantries, resource centers and programs for seniors and children.” ETFB is one of 51 True Inspiration Awards grant recipients in 2024 that are receiving a collective $5.48 million from Chick-fil-A, Inc. To be selected for a grant, organizations must work to address key issues that align with Chick-fil-A’s corporate social responsibility priorities: Caring for People, Caring for Others through Food, Caring for our Communities and Caring for our Planet. Continue reading East Texas Food Bank receives grant

PALESTINE — The Palestine Police Department arrested three men after responding to a call of multiple people “waving around guns” at a Whataburger on Jan. 5 around 8:20 p.m. According to our news partner KETK, officers responded to a call of a witness claiming to observe people getting into and out of a white Chevrolet Traverse at the Whataburger on Loop 256. Officials said they have received multiple calls in recent months in the area and the Palestine Plaza, involving fights, drugs and weapons offenses. A detective with the Street Crimes Unit was the first to respond to the scene and located the vehicle in the parking lot that reportedly occupied several young males. The detective reportedly held them at gunpoint until back-up arrived. The detective allegedly noticed one of the passengers, Brenden Mathews, 17, was making “furtive movements” and was ordered multiple times to keep his hands up. Continue reading Teens arrested after ‘waving around guns’ in public

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County officials say that scam phone calls are starting back now that the holidays are complete. According to the Sheriff’s office, a caller will identify themselves as Lt. Robert Strickland or Sgt. Larry Christian, both employees of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. The caller is told for failure to appear in court, they have to pay a fine. The caller will stay on the line with the victim with instructions on how on how to deposit the money.
Continue reading Smith County Sheriff issues scam alert

LONGVIEW – The Longview Police Department is seeking information in regards to a vehicle crash and man who was shot Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, officers answered a call on Everett Street. When they arrived they found that a man with a gunshot wound in the front yard shot and a vehicle that had crashed into a tree. The man had serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital. Longview Police is continuing their investigation. They ask if anyone has information to call them at 903-237-1110 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers 903-236-7876. Any tips received will stay anonymous.

SMITH COUNTY — A man was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Sunday morning after officials said he barricaded himself in a County Road 165 residence on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office said they got a call on an open line where they could hear a distraught woman around 9:40 p.m. on Saturday night. Deputies responded to the 16500 block of County Road 165 and were able to get the woman out so she could be treated for her injuries. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the woman said a man in the house was armed. Trent Bright, 54, Tyler, was allegedly barricaded in the residence for hours. Officials said that Smith County Swat and negotiators arrived at the scene and by Sunday morning Bright had come out of the residence to turn himself in after hours of negotiation. Bright was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is being held in the Smith County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

COFFEE CITY – Chris L. Moore, who served as Chief of the Coffee City Fire Department,has died. According to our news partner KETK, Moore died Saturday Jan. 6. CCFD said that Chief Moore had been the Coffee City Fire Chief since 2008. He had previously served with the Southlake Fire Department and the Westlake Volunteer Fire Department. The Coffee City Fire Department also said, “Chief Moore mentored and inspired many firefighters in his career and will greatly be missed. Rest easy Chief we have the watch from here.”

COFFEE CITY — Former Coffee City police officer Lonnie Hicks was arrested on four counts of tampering with government records on Friday. According to our news partner KETK, Hicks’s arrest comes after the former Coffee City Mayor, Police Chief and other officers were also recently arrested for tampering with government records. According to Henderson County Jail records, Hicks was released on Friday after posting a total $400,000 bond. Coffee City Police Department was deactivated back in September of 2023 and now the town is being covered by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. In December, following the arrest of former Mayor Frank Serrato, Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse explained that anyone with concerns can contact them. “We will continue to cover the city,” Hillhouse said. “If they have any concerns or anything the sheriff’s office is always here, and we will always be here. Just a phone call away.”

TYLER – Tyler Police say six people, a woman and five juveniles were hurt in a car accident Sunday. According to our news partner KETK, the crash occured at Broadway Avenue and Front Street. The adult woman and two juveniles were treated at a local hospital, while the other three minors were transported to Dallas for treatment. Authorities also say that 27-year-old Kylee Johns of Arp was charged with intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily harm. Johns is in the Smith County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

KILGORE – The City of Kilgore said the city’s water system is experiencing low pressure after an “extreme water loss” that happened on Saturday. According to our news partner KETK, city workers have found and isolated a large water main break under a creek near Highway 31. Officials say water pressure should be returning to normal levels and are asking residents to conserve water until that time.

GREGG COUNTY — A medical technician is in the Gregg County Jail after investigators found discrepancies in documents of an inmate’s death. According to our news partner KETK, Sonja Sheree Jones was arrested for tampering with government records. This is in regards to the death of 64-year-old John Edward Anderson, an inmate at the Gregg County Jail. Anderson was found unconscious Dec. 12 of last year. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died. Officials initial autopsy report “showed Anderson to have hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, pulmonary emphysema with no evidence of significant acute mortem trauma.” The exact cause of death of is still to be determined.
Continue reading Gregg County med tech arrested for record tampering

CANTON – During a visit Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz made to East Texas on Friday morning, the senator shed light on big issues facing our state and the nation. He said the biggest concern once again this year is the southern border. The stop by Senator Ted Cruz comes just two days after House Republicans took a trip to Eagle Pass and witnessed the overwhelming situation at checkpoints, processing centers for migrants, and for small Texas border towns. Cruz told those assembled, “We are so badly off track nationally. I’ll tell you in Washington the Democrats have lost their minds. This is modern day human slavery, this is leg irons. You look at the southern border, what is happening there. I promise you as bad as you may think it is, it’s worse. Every day Texas farmers and ranchers are finding dead bodies on their properties.”
Continue reading Ted Cruz talks with East Texans on border crisis

LONGVIEW – The World Series Champion Texas Rangers winter caravan will be stopping in Longview on Friday Jan. 12 . According to our news partner KETK, Reliever Josh Sborz, who pitched the World Series final outs and Rangers radio voice Matt Hicks will appear at the Kroger grocery store on West Marshall Avenue in Longview from 3:30 to 5 p.m. On display will be the Commissioner’s Trophy. The Commissioner’s Trophy is presented to the World Series winner. To see the full schedule of the Texas Rangers winter caravan, click here.

WHITEHOUSE – One person is dead after an officer-involved shooting Friday afternoon in Whitehouse. According to our news partner KETK, the shooting happened at the Pecan Woods Apartments on W. Main Street in Whitehouse around 12:15 p.m. as police answered a call about a disturbance. Officials say the shooting involved a Whitehouse Police Officer and a suspect in that disturbance.
Continue reading Officer-involved shooting in Whitehouse claims one life

TYLER — The Texas Rose Festival held an event on Thursday where they announced the 2024 theme, queen and royal court for the annual event, according to our news partner KETK. The theme for the 2024 Texas Rose Festival is Fanfare of Festivals. “We decided to celebrate a fanfare of festivals and so that’s going to be all over the world, the state of Texas and most of all the rich history of the Texas Rose Festival,” said coronation co-chair Chelsea Cooper. Inspiration will come from festivals all around the world, some coming from East Texas including the Tomato Fest and Syrup Festival. They also announced Frances Olivia Faulconer as the 91st annual queen, daughter of Galen and Renee Faulconer. “Being chosen as the Queen of the Texas Rose Festival is not just a distinction for me, it’s a testament to the pride and joy it brings to my entire family,” said Faulconer. Continue reading 91st Rose Festival Queen named

TYLER — The TxDOT Tyler district encompasses eight East Texas counties and had a total of 24 pedestrian fatalities in 2022 alone, according to our news partner KETK. “Some of the leading causes of pedestrian fatality is driver inattention, unsafe speed, and pedestrians failing to yield the right of way to vehicles,” said Jeff Williford, TxDOT Tyler District Public Information Officer. TxDOT encourages pedestrians to use sidewalks, crosswalks, and be cautious of their surroundings. “We’ve seen over the past few years throughout the state that fatalities throughout the state have risen,” said Williford. Suggesting whenever people are out and about, whether that’s in neighborhoods or along busy highways, make sure they’re visible to drivers. “Make sure again, that you’re staying on sidewalks, if there is not a sidewalk available to walk on, we encourage to walk on the left side of the road,” said Williford. Continue reading Pedestrian fatalities is rising concern

VAN – The City of Van has removed mandatory restrictions on the use of non-essential water Thursday. This according to a city official talking to KTBB. The stage five water restrictions had been in place since January 4. Stage five meant that except for health, sanitary and safety needs, water use was not allowed.

LONGVIEW — Three people have been arrested after the Longview Police Department found multiple drugs and weapons during search. According to a release, the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit and  SWAT team executed a narcotics search warrant on Texas Street. During the search, they reportedly seized methamphetamine, ecstasy, Xanax, crack cocaine, and marijuana. They also recovered a pistol, magazine and ammunition. Three people were arrested and taken into the Gregg County Jail without incident. The identified suspects are Delaina Pruitt, 50 of Longview, Austin Young, 56 of Mount Pleasant and Kristina Kelly, 32 of Longview. Pruitt was charged with four counts of manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Young was arrested for possession of a controlled substance less than one gram and possession of marijuana less than two ounces. Kelly was arrested for four outstanding city warrants.

TYLER — A pedestrian crossing Loop 323 was hit by a car on Wednesday night. According to our news partner KETK, Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh said a pedestrian was crossing Loop 323, from First Christian Church to the French Quarter Shopping Center parking lot, around 6:45 when they were struck by a vehicle traveling eastbound. The pedestrian was not using a crosswalk. The vehicle reportedly remained at the scene to wait for authorities. Tyler PD said the pedestrian was awake and alert and was transferred to a local hospital but was in serious condition.

LIVINGSTON – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced that one person is dead and two were life-flighted after a shooting on Tuesday night according to our news partners at KETK. Officials said they are investigating a shooting at a residence in the Kickapoo Marina subdivision around 11:25 p.m., and on the scene they found one man dead and two others with multiple gunshot wounds. The sheriff’s office said that the two men were life-flighted to receive care for their injuries. Authorities said there is no immediate danger to the public or residents of the area. Continue reading One dead, Two injured after shooting in Polk County

POLK COUNTY – Our colleagues at KETK report that a second person was arrested for murder after a body was found in a Polk County driveway in early December. Officials said Polk County detectives, with assistance from the Texas Rangers, obtained an arrest warrant for Shawn Anthony Thor, 24, of Livingston, on Dec. 28. The arrest was part of an extensive investigation into the murder of Jacob Timothy Neal, 29, according to authorities, who was found in a private driveway on Duff Road. 24-year-old Toby Wayne Ford was arrested soon after Neal was found, and the death was determined to be a murder. Thor was booked into the Polk County Jail with a bond of $250,000.

LONGVIEW – A shooting early Wednesday morning in Longview has hospitalized a man with life-threatening injuries. According to our news partner KETK, the unnamed man was found in the backyard of a home on East Lynnwood Lane around 5:45 a.m. Wednesday. Emergency personnel transported the individual to a local hospital for treatment. Detectives continue their investigation in the case. Longview Police ask if you have information to call them at 903-237-1110. Or contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP or online to give anonymous tips.

ANDERSON COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK woman is dead after a wreck on New Year’s Day on U.S. Highway 175 in Frankston. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, 35-year-old Kristen Dehart of Pine Bluff was driving east on Highway 175 at 11:43 p.m. DPS said her 2023 Chevrolet Blazer crossed into the westbound lane and hit an oncoming 2018 Dodge Ram 3500 pickup. hild taken to hospital after wreck in Gun Barrel City A preliminary crash report indicates that Dehart was not wearing her seatbelt and died at the scene. The other driver was treated on site and released. DPS is still investigating the crash.

LONGVIEW — A Mega Millions ticket sold in Longview has won a $2 million prize after Tuesday night’s drawing. According to the Texas Lottery and our news partner KETK, the ticket was sold at the Murphy Express on E. Loop 281. The winning numbers drawn were 3, 18, 27, 29, 64 and the Mega Ball was 1. The ticket sold in Longview matched the five winning numbers, winning a $1 million prize, that was doubled with the Megaplier.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Municipal Court’s warrant amnesty program will be available from Jan. 1 through April 30, 2024, offering those with outstanding warrants an opportunity to resolve cases and save on their court fines. During the amnesty program, all warrant fees will be removed when someone voluntarily contacts the court to pay at least half the total amount due and start a payment plan for the remaining balance. An additional 20 percent will be removed from the fine amount for those who pay their balance in full. The discount only applies to the fine amount and does not include court costs. 239 people took advantage of the warrant amnesty program in 2023, resolving 381 warrants and saving thousands of dollars. The Longview Municipal Court encourages anyone with an active, outstanding warrant to seize this chance to save some money and get a fresh start. Continue reading Municipal Court offers warrant amnesty program