KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TATUM – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agreed on Monday to settle a lawsuit with the Sierra Club after health concerns were raised in 2019 over possible exposure from a local power plant. According to our news partner KETK the Sierra Club, as part of their proposed settlement, the EPA must either approve a Texas plan to reduce sulfur dioxide pollution or reject it and issue a federal plan as required by the Clean Air Act no later than Dec. 31, 2024. The Sierra Club said they sued in February after the EPA failed to act by the statutory deadline after they were required to reject or approve a plan submitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Equality (TCEQ).

Continue reading EPA agrees to settle lawsuit over East Texas pollution plan

GREGG COUNTY – A Gregg County grand jury cleared local officers of any criminal wrongdoing in three separate shootings, and declined to return any charges against the officers, according to our news partners at KETK. According to the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office, the grand jury’s decisions earlier this month on the March 12, May 7 and May 17 incidents mean that “under Texas law no criminal charges will be filed against the officers.” Each investigation was conducted by the Texas Rangers who testified in front of the grand jury. Continue reading Gregg County grand jury clears officers of criminal wrongdoing in 3 shootings

LONGVIEW – Longview ISD board members unanimously approved salary increases for district teachers and staff, in addition to setting a time to discuss the proposed 2023-24 tax rate, during Monday night’s regular meeting.
Recommended to the board by Ms. Shalona McCray, LISD Chief Human Resources Officer, the measure includes a 5 percent increase for teachers and pay grade midpoint for all remaining employees.

“In addition to the 5 percent increase of midpoint, the district will implement pay structures that adjust staff salaries that improve internal equity and market competitiveness,” she said. “In addition, we will be adjusting pay for employees below or above proposed pay grade maximums.” Continue reading Longview ISD approves pay raise for teachers and staff

SMITH COUNTY — A teacher at Chapel Hill ISD was charged with five counts of promotion of child pornography by the Houston Metro ICAC Task Force in Montgomery County, the district announced. According to our news partner KETK, the teacher was placed on administrative leave and the district said it is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of students and is fully cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation. “Our highest priority is the safety and welfare of our students,” said Martin Ibarra, CHISD’s Board of Trustees president. “We take these allegations very seriously, and we’re fully cooperating with authorities.” The district said they have no reason to believe the accusations occurred while on school property.

PALESTINE – A woman was arrested after a traffic stop led to a seizure of more than 116 grams of ecstasy. According to our news partner KETK around midnight on July 13, police conducted a traffic stop on the 100 block of East Palestine Avenue on a vehicle with a “defective brake lamp.” The driver was identified as 32-year-old Leslie Hawkins and officials said they conducted a probable cause search on the vehicle due to the smell of marijuana coming from the Hawkins’ car. During the search, authorities said they found two small bags of marijuana along with a plastic bag containing “seven multicolored tablets identified as MDMA (Ecstasy) in the console.” Police also reportedly found a larger plastic bag in the back seat containing even more ecstasy tablets. Hawkins was arrested and taken to the Anderson County Jail on the felony charge of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance. Continue reading 116 grams of ecstasy seized during traffic stop in East Texas

TEXARKANA – According to our news partner KETK two teenagers were arrested for allegedly burglarizing several vape shops and stealing a vehicle from a driveway in the Texarkana area. Around 3 a.m. on June 10, police responded to an alarm call at the Vapor Stop on North Stateline in Texarkana. Upon arrival, officials said they saw the front door glass shattered and several items missing from inside the shop. Just a few minutes later, they received reports that someone had tried to do the same thing at another vape shop on College Drive but wasn’t able to get in. The suspects reportedly were able to get into two more vape shops that night, one on West 7th Street and another on Stateline. According to authorities, surveillance footage from the different stores showed the suspects using a large rock to break into each shop and stealing “whatever the could get their hands on.” The footage reportedly made it apparent that it was the same two suspects at each burglary, TTPD said. Continue reading East Texas vape shop burglars arrested

TYLER — UT Health Tyler has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke GoldPlus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability. Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times. Continue reading UT Health Tyler is nationally recognized for high-quality stroke care

CHEROKEE COUNTY – UPDATE: Robert Bacot, who was wanted out of Cherokee County is in custody as of 5:35 p.m. Monday evening. “Thank you to the many citizens and agencies who assisted today,” the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office said. Authorities called off the search for Robert Bacot around 3 p.m. Monday afternoon. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Jacksonville Police Department, Bullard Police Department, Jacksonville Fire Department, Texas Game Wardens, TDCJ Pack Dog Unit, TDCJ Investigators and Texas DPS for their help.

Bacot has two warrants for aggravated assault, one warrant for aggravated kidnapping and a parole warrant for his arrest. Authorities said they will continue to monitor the area, but officially called the search off.

HENDERSON COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK Henderson County officials are reaching out to the community for help in solving a cold case that is over a decade old. In 2012, human remains were found outside of the Seven Points area off of CR 2448 near Flag Lake Road. Deputies found human skeletal remains on the property and started working with the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Rangers.

The remains were analyzed by the University of North Texas Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, who determined that the remains belonged to a white or Hispanic male between the ages of 21 and 60. After checking through missing person records, the sheriff’s office was still unable to identify the remains. Anyone with information about a missing man fitting that description within that time frame is asked to contact the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.

TYLER — An emergency sideline training course was held at UT Health East Texas Saturday to help prepare EMS, doctors and nurses for middle and high school sports events, according to our news partner KETK. “To reach out to a number of different health care professionals and make this a multi-disciplinary conference because we recognize we’re on the sidelines dealing with emergencies,” said Michael Galbraith, associate program director of sports medicine for UT Health Science Center. The conference is a way to bridge the gap between all the first responders involved during a game emergency, especially when it comes to communication. With football season less than a month away knowing how to care for a patient covered in safety equipment is key to a quick response. Continue reading East Texas first responders prepare for football season

TYLER – This year marks the 90th annual Texas Rose Festival. The kickoff celebration was held at the Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler on Friday, July 12th. It comes at the end of a long week of practices and walk-throughs. 2023’s Rose Princess, Conley Cavender, took the time to welcome out-of-town guests, the committee and sponsors. 2023’s Rose Queen, Laura Bryan, taking the moment to thank all of the volunteers after a long week of coronation practices. Tickets go on sale to the public starting September 1st at the UT Tyler Cowan Center.

TYLER – Smith County law enforcement are investigating a shooting that left two people injured early Saturday morning. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, and our new partner KETK, deputies responded to a deadly conduct call in the 13300 block of Highway 64 West and found two people with gunshot wounds around 5:15 a.m. They started first aid at the scene until paramedics arrived.

While investigating, deputies reportedly talked with witnesses at the scene who said both of the gunshot victims were in an argument with each other. They were taken to different Tyler-area hospitals. One was in surgery for life-threatening injuries and the other is in stable condition. The identity of both people is being withheld pending notification of family.

DALLAS – The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued an Amber Alert for a 11-year-old girl who may have been abducted Friday night. Tanya Jackson was last seen at 8 p.m. in the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, according to the Waxahachie Police Department. She is 5’7″ tall, weighs 170 lbs., and has brown eyes and black hair. She was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with red lettering.

If you know where she is or if you have seen her, please call the Waxahachie Police Department at (469) 309-4400.

TYLER – Our news partner KETK reports that a man was arrested after a standoff with law enforcement on Friday night. Deputies with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance call in the 9800 block of CR 4136 just northwest of Tyler around 10:45 p.m. When they arrived, they said 29-year-old Victor Morales ran into the residence and barricaded himself in a bedroom.

Several minutes after failed attempts at contact, Morales allegedly called his wife and told her that he was locked in the bathroom with a gun and the baby was on the bed. The SWAT Team entered the residence and retreived the baby from the bedroom. The baby was unharmed and was safely returned to the mother. Morales was taken to the Smith County Jail and booked for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, endangering a child, assault family violence and evading arrest/detention.

TYLER – Police are investigating a homicide after a man was found dead in Tyler Saturday morning. According to our news partner KETK, around 7:40 a.m., the Tyler Police Department and EMS responded to a shooting on McKenzie Drive. The victim,  identified as Jaraine Tyrone Johnson, 38, of Tyler, was taken to a local hospital by EMS but reportedly died. A first-degree murder warrant was obtained for Leeautrey Morgan, 31, of Tyler, who was identified as the victim’s brother. He was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $1 million.

LONGVIEW – CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview has been named one of 262 hospitals in the nation who have met high-level standards for cardiac patient care. According to our news partner KETK, the hospital was awarded the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR (National Cardiovascular Data Registry) Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2023.

This is the hospital’s first time winning the award and the first time any hospital in Longview has won the Platinum Performance Award, according to CHRISTUS Health. Only 262 hospitals have won the award across the entire United States.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine and School of Health
Professions have partnered with the East Texas Human Needs Network to present survey results on the
health status of Smith County. The presentation will be at the Power of Partnership Symposium noon – 2
p.m., July 18, at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center. Continue reading The UT Tyler: Smith County Health Status Results

MABANK – A juvenile is in custody after allegedly fatally shooting a Canton man in the head, officials said.

According to Mabank police, they were dispatched to the 1400 block of Pharm Hills Road in Mabank on Thursday where they found an adult man who had a gunshot wound to his head inside a residence. Officers started life-saving measures on the victim who was taken to UT Health in Gun Barrel City where he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

The victim was identified as 24-year-old Peter Parker from Canton, officials said.

After reportedly speaking with three other men at the location, investigators took a juvenile male into custody. He was taken to the Van Zandt County Juvenile Detention Center after being booked in for manslaughter, a second degree felony.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that one person is dead and four are injured after a tanker truck hauling diesel crashed Thursday afternoon near the Motor Vehicle Weigh Station on US 59 between Lufkin and Nacogdoches. According to DPS, a preliminary investigation found that around 12:30 p.m. the truck was traveling south on the road when a 2014 Hyundai Sonata traveling north reportedly made a U-turn in front of the truck and was struck on its passenger side. The truck then overturned. Continue reading 1 dead, 4 injured after tanker truck crash on US 59

LUFKIN – Our News partner KETK reports that a Lufkin man was arrested around 5:45 p.m. on Thursday after allegedly fleeing the scene of a crash at the intersection of Frank Avenue and Hill Street. Chester Ray Jones, 38 of San Augustine, who was driving a Ford Expedition, rear-ended a Chevrolet Cruze after disregarding a traffic light and veering into the turn lane to avoid a stopped vehicle, according to a press release. Officials said the Ford continued through the intersection and left the road. Once stopped in the tree line, Jones reportedly ran from the vehicle before he was arrested moments later on Ellis Avenue, the press release stated.

The driver of the Chevrolet was taken to a local hospital by ambulance because she was complaining of a laceration to her leg, officials said. According to the city of Lufkin, Jones was arrested and taken to have his blood drawn.

ANDERSON COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK a man was found to be in possession of a “white crystalline substance” while being arrested for three previous warrants out of Anderson County, according to authorities. On July 11, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office served a warrant on CR 3704 and arrested Cedric Dupree on three warrants that involved two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count of evading arrest with previous conviction. During the arrest, authorities said Dupree was found to be in possession of a “white crystalline substance.” Dupree received an additional possession of a controlled substance charge and was booked into the Anderson County Jail with a total bond of $60,000.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – According to our news partner KETK a man was arrested on Tuesday after a multi-agency narcotics search warrant operation in Cherokee County. According to the sheriff’s office, 25,000 pills, five pill presses, five ounces of meth, about 40 pounds of powder prepared to be turned into pills and multiple firearms were located in rural Cherokee County on CR 2510 during the search. Robert Martin, 44 of Alto, was arrested at the scene and officials said he is facing anticipated charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. “He’s passing these pills out or selling them. They can get into the hands of children, they can get into the hands of an adult who thinks they are taking something else. It can be detrimental to our community and the communities around us,” said Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson. Continue reading 25,000 pills seized in narcotics operation in Cherokee County

LUFKIN – Angelina College officials Thursday accepted a nearly $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education on behalf of the college. According to our news partner KETK, the Title V grant has two main parts. Establishing new tech programs for in-demand occupations and making better support services. Marcy Anthony, Title V project director said. “We’re now going to offer a networking administration degree, which is actually starting this fall in year two of the grant. Then, in year three, we’ll be able to offer a software development program as a new degree.” In addition to the new degree programs, the college will also provide more services designed to ensure student retention and success. In 2022, Angelina College was one of 78 higher education institutions selected to receive the Title V grant.

TYLER – Jaime W. Burke-Hicks, a teacher and student council adviser at The University of Texas at Tyler University Academy Longview campus, has been named the National Student Council Middle-Level Adviser of the Year at the 2023 Vision National Leadership Conference. She was named the Texas Association of Student Councils’ Middle-Level Adviser of the Year in May.
“This national recognition speaks volumes about Mrs. Hicks and her contributions to the district. I congratulate her, and we are extremely proud,” said Dr. Jo Ann Simmons, UA superintendent. Continue reading UT Tyler teacher named national adviser of the year

HENDERSON COUNTY – Three people were arrested on Monday in Henderson County after officials said a large amount of suspected meth was found during a traffic stop. According to our news partner KETK the Henderson County sheriff’s office stopped the car on FM 315, south of Chandler, where suspected meth was found during a search of the car. Timothy Haley, 54 of Chandler, Alec Graham, 27 of North Richland and Lauren Carpenter, 34 of Chandler, were all arrested for first-degree felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver over 4 grams. They were all booked into the Henderson County Jail.

TENNESSEE COLONY – According to our news partner KETK an officer at an East Texas prison was arrested after a random vehicle search produced a suspicious substance. The staff at the H. H. Coffield Unit found three vacuum-sealed bags of a “green leafy substance” while doing random searches of employee vehicles entering the unit on June 30. Officer Diana Ngyangau was arrested by investigators from the Office of the Inspector General for introduction of K2 and was drug tested.

TDCJ officials said she worked at that unit for 29 months prior to the incident. The Coffield Unit has 518 employees and can house around 4,000 inmates. It is located five miles southwest of Tennessee Colony on FM 2054.

HALLSVILLE – Harrison County Sheriff’s are investigating the shooting of a Hallsville man. According to our news partner KETK, authorities were called to Walker’s Mill Road in Hallsville where they found 44-year-old Kevin Rogers shot. Rogers died at the scene. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office is running an inquiry on the case.

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler was awarded $211,000 by the National Institutes of Health to help improve blood-clotting medications for treatments in lung disorders and diseases. The project is designed to identify dosing of fibrinolytic, or clot-busting, agents that can be safely and effectively administered to the compartment surrounding the lung to dissolve clots large enough to impair lung function. Dr. Steven Idell, UT Tyler professor of medicine and senior vice president for research, serves as principal investigator for the one-year NIH project. Continue reading UT Tyler Awarded $211,000 NIH Grant to Help Improve Pulmonary Medications

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, the city council announced on Wednesday that they approved a new ordinance that will reduce the school zone speed limit to 20 mph at 12 schools throughout the city. To see a full list of changes click here.
In addition to those changes, a stretch of Old Bullard Road will have a decreased speed limit. The portion of the road between Amherst Street and Old Jacksonville Highway will now have a speed limit of 30 mph, down from its previous speed limit of 45 mph.