KTBB News, Weather, Talk

KILGORE — The Kilgore Fire Department is currently responding to a wildland brush fire on FM 2276 in Rusk County. According to our news partner KETK, the fire, which has spread across roughly one acre, originated from a burn pile ignited on Tuesday. Kilgore FD is urging residents to use extreme caution when conducting any outdoor burning, especially on windy days or when dry grass is present.

LONGVIEW — A Texas DPS trooper was involved in a crash in Longview on Wednesday during an emergency call. According to our news partner KETK, a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper, escaped injury Wednesday after another vehicle struck the side of his patrol unit.

The trooper was responding to an emergency call when the crash occurred at the intersection of Gilmer Road and Loop 281, authorities said.

Albritton said the trooper is unharmed, and the other driver was taken to a local hospital as a precaution.

LINDALE — Investigators with the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested a Lindale man Tuesday following an online tip from X Corp, formerly known as Twitter.

According to our news partner KETK, the tip indicated that an individual had posted and sent direct messages soliciting child pornography in exchange for pornographic pictures of a minor in his family, Smith County arrest papers revealed. Some messages also included a video depicting an adult assaulting a child believed to be 12 to 14 years old.

Investigators traced one of the X accounts’ IP addresses to Lindale and obtained a search warrant for the resident’s home. An email linked to the account identified the suspect as Joshua Zane Attaway. On Tuesday, Smith County officials arrived at Attaway’s residence, where he was sitting outside. Attaway was interviewed, where he admitted to owning the X account and allegedly sending the messages. Continue reading Tip leads to arrest for child porn

UPDATE: The 19-year-old cyclist involved in the crash has died, according to Tyler Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh. The identity of the cyclist has not been released.

TYLER – The Tyler Police Department is currently responding to the scene of a major crash that happened on E Fifth Street near Loop 323 on Sunday night. According to our news partner KETK and th Tyler PD, the crash happened in the 2600 block of E Fifth Street near the intersection of SSE Loop 323. Officials said that eastbound traffic is closed on E Fifth Street from west of SSE Loop 323.

The crash scene is still active and Tyler PD officers are in the road directing traffic. Tyler PD asked drivers to find alternative routes through the area.

HENDERSON –Two East Texas men were sentenced to federal prison on Wednesday after selling over 50 grams of narcotics in Henderson. According to our news partner KETK and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Texas, James Porter and Richard Sledge sold 25.49 grams of meth in Henderson for $350 in 2023. Additionally, Porter sold 51.2 grams of meth later that year in Henderson for $625.

Porter was arrested on July 10, 2024, and during his arrest, agents reportedly recovered 24.04 more grams of meth from his vehicle and inside his business.

After pleading guilty to possession of meth with intent to distribute, Porter was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison and Sledge was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.

GILMER – A Gilmer man was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison on Wednesday after being found guilty of firearms violations. According to our news partner KETK, Jimmy Duffey was pulled over on May 7, 2022, for a traffic check in Cherokee County. During the stop, an officer located a firearm in Duffy’s vehicle. They discovered that Duffy is a convicted felon, which prohibits him from owning or possessing firearms by federal law. Duffey later pleaded guilty to being in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Cherokee County has officially joined ICE’s 287(g) program under the Task Force Model. According to our news partner KETK, Sheriff Brent Dickson clarified that this decision is not aimed at conducting immigration sweeps. Dickson emphasized that his office did not choose to participate for “strictly immigration purposes,” saying that the agreement is intended as another tool to combat criminal enterprises operating in Cherokee County. The task force is expected to be implemented by the start of the new year, following Tuesday’s official signing

TYLER – A Tyler man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a human trafficking conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Michael Anthony Martinez, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on December 10, 2025. According to information presented in court, Martinez used a social media account to promise lucrative payment to people who were willing to drive illegal aliens to their destination. Bank records and text messages between Martinez and those he had recruited verified the criminal conduct.

LUFKIN – Lufkin ISD (LISD) announced Wednesday the death of special education paraprofessional Rebecca Jacks. According to our news partner KETK, Jacks served the district as a bus driver and a paraprofessional in special education classrooms. LISD extended its condolences to Jacks’ family and friends. The district also released a statement highlighting Jacks’ dedication, kindness and the care for the community and students.

TYLER – Starting Wednesday, downtown Tyler wll be experiencing multiple road closures as well as major traffic changes. Major roadways such as Erwin Street and Broadway Avenue will be effected. Our news partners at KETK have put together a guide with everything you need to know which can be found here.

UPSHUR COUNTY — The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office announced on Tuesday that it has reached an agreement to join the 287(g) Task Force. According to our news partner KETK, with an agreement reached, deputies will undergo training from ICE officials to educate them on enforcing immigration laws, multicultural communication, and avoiding racial profiling.

Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb stated that he will use the resources available from joining the task force to ensure residents’ safety and well-being.

“In closing, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure the safety and well-being of every citizen in our community,” Webb said. “We will continue to use every resource available to identify criminal activity within our county and to bring those responsible before the proper courts to answer for their actions.”

BULLARD — Bullard’s City Council voted on Tuesday evening to join ICE’s 287(g) Task Force program according to our new partner KETK. This comes after they voted last month to table the motion as the city attorney was not present at the meeting. The 287(g) Task Force Model is a partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that allows local law enforcement to enforce U.S. immigration laws, including identifying and processing immigrants with pending or active criminal charges.

In November, Smith County Precinct 4 joined the Task Force Model Program while Precinct 1 declined to join the same program, as Constable Ralph Caraway said his office will continue to enforce the law and protect its community without expanding its responsibility for “targeting any person because of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, color or creed.”

Bullard has become the second city in Smith County to join the Task Force Model, following the Arp Police Department’s addition on Nov. 14.

Check here for all East Texas agencies currently signed on to ICE’s 287(g) program.

HOPKINS COUNTY — More than $370,000 worth of stolen equipment and trailers from several states have been recovered due to a multi-agency investigation in East Texas.
According to our news partner KETK, the case began when investigators from the Northeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force, in collaboration with the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and several other agencies, investigated reports of trailers and heavy equipment acquired using fraudulent documents. As the investigation expanded, investigators identified links to similar thefts in several Texas counties, including Cooke County.

Cooke County investigators then partnered with the task force, combining their resources and information, which led to the discovery of a key lead in the investigation.

On Monday, investigators executed a search warrant in Kaufman County, where they recovered 14 confirmed stolen items, including equipment and trailers. These items had been reported stolen across five states: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Missouri. Continue reading Task force discovers over $370K in stolen equipment

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Commissioners Court has announced the appointment of a new shelter coordinator. According to our news partner KETK, Holli Jones, who previously served as the executive director for Pets Fur People, will take on this role, which became vacant after the former supervisor was dismissed. Jones is expected to begin on Dec. 16. In a new structure, the animal control shelter will divide responsibilities between the shelter coordinator and a separate control coordinator. As of now, it has not been announced who will fill the control coordinator position.

SMITH COUNTY – Holli Jones has been named as the new Smith County Animal Shelter Coordinator and is excited for this new chapter in her life. Jones said she is looking forward to being a part of rebranding and rebuilding the department and she will work hard to push people to adopt dogs from the shelter.

Before becoming executive director for Pets Fur People, Ms. Jones was co-owner of the Green Acres Animal Clinic, where she also served as vice president, manager and veterinary assistant. She worked at the clinic from 2015 to 2023. From 2006 to 2016, she was the assistant to the athletic director at Grace Community School, primarily working in marketing, fundraising and coordinating volunteers. From 1992 to 2015, she was the cheerleading coach for Grace Community School. Smith County has not yet hired a Smith County Animal Control Supervisor.
 

GREGG COUNTY — After an overnight search for a man who fled during a chase with a Gregg County deputy, law enforcement apprehended him on Tuesday morning. According to our news partner KETK, 23-year-old Austin Richert, who had multiple felony warrants, fled from deputies on Monday evening. At around 6 p.m., law enforcement tracked Richert in a wooded area near Old Highway 135.

A struggle allegedly occurred between the suspect and a deputy, causing the deputy to sustain minor injuries. Richert managed to escape, and the sheriff’s office, with the assistance of the Kilgore Police Department and Gregg County ESD 2, could not locate him overnight.

On Tuesday at around 9:30 a.m., Richert was located in Rusk County, where law enforcement arrested him. He was later taken to the Gregg County Jail. The sheriff’s office said Richert is expected to face additional felony charges. The case remains under investigation.

HENDERSON — Our news partners at KETK report that a 33-year-old man was arrested on Monday after authorities say he attempted to meet what he believed was a child during an undercover sting in Henderson County. The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said Oscar Campos, of Kerens, had been communicating online and by phone with an undercover official posing as a minor. Campos allegedly traveled to an Athens Walmart expecting to meet the child, but when he tried to get into a vehicle, he was confronted by a task force investigator. Campos attempted to flee but was apprehended. He was booked into the Henderson County Jail on charges of online solicitation of a minor for sexual conduct and evading arrest or detention. Henderson County officials said they remain committed to identifying and arresting individuals who pose a threat to children. The case remains under investigation and additional charges are possible.

SMITH COUNTY – A fatal crash involving two vehicles on Toll 49 is currently under investigation by Smith County authorities. According to Smith County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Andy Dunklin and our news partner KETK, the collision occurred around 12:30 a.m. about a quarter-mile east of Highway 155. Two people have been confirmed dead, and another remains in critical condition. Texas Department of Public Safety officials are continuing their investigation and working to notify affected families.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Deputies responded to a deadly conduct call on CR 2194 near Whitehouse around 1:00 Sunday afternoon. According to officials, Luis Arredondo-Villalobos was waving and pointing a firearm at his neighbors. Deputies were able to speak with several individuals who were able to confirm the behavior of Arredondo-Villalobos and his intoxicated state. Deputies also contacted the brother of Arredondo-Villalobos who confirmed the presence of firearms inside the residence.

Deputies attempted to coax Arredondo-Villalobos out of his residence by using the PA speakers but were unsuccessful. Smith County SWAT responded to the location and continued to try and coax the suspect out of his residence. Continue reading Smith County man arrested on aggravated assault charge

TYLER — The former bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tyler, Joseph E. Strickland, is set to appear Tuesday at a Grassroots America – We the People meeting, a prominent constitutional conservative organization based in East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, the event, titled “Closing Out 2025 with Conviction, Hope, and Perseverance,” will be held at the Holiday Inn in Tyler. A food-and-fellowship buffet is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 6:25 p.m., with the meeting set to run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Organizers say book signings and additional speakers may continue until 9 p.m.

Strickland’s appearance marks one of his most public returns to the East Texas community since his removal as head of the Diocese of Tyler on Nov. 11, 2023. Continue reading Former bishop to speak at Grassroots America

RAINS COUNTY — The criminal case against Rains County Judge Linda Wallace has been dismissed, according to newly released documents from the Rains County District Clerk’s Office and our news partner KETK.

The dismissal comes after months of developments connected to the investigation and prosecution of Rains County Justice of the Peace Jenkins Franklin. A full timeline of events is below:

MAY 1: Rains County Justice of the Peace Robert Jenkins Franklin was arrested and charged with official oppression and witness tampering. According to a federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Rains County Justice of the Peace Robert Jenkins Franklin allegedly threatened a defendant to plead guilty in a case over which Franklin had no jurisdiction. Continue reading Charges dropped against another Rains County judge

TYLER – Thanks to the Texas Resilient Landscapes Initiative, Texas landowners can now earn up to $80,000 by reforesting their land. Landowners with 10 to 150 acres of land are being invited by the initiative to reforest their land through a number of different methods including: shredding or mulching for tree planting at $168.75 per acre, prescribed fire burns at $37.50 per acre, direct seeding of trees at $337.50 per acre, planting live cuttings at $375 per acre, planting bareroot or containerized seedlings at $5.60 per seedling and providing temporary browsing protection for seedlings at $4.90 per seedling.

Non-federal, non-industrial and tribal or local government forest landowners can apply to the initiative by Jan. 23, 2026 and another application period will open in the summer or fall of 2026.

To apply or learn more, visit the Texas A&M Forest Service online.

ALBA — Alba-Golden ISD has announced its new regulations after Senate Bill 8, also known as “Bathroom Bill,” went into effect on Dec. 4. According to our news partner KETK, to meet these new regulations, the school district said locker rooms will be designated “NON-PRIVATE” during specific times: 15 minutes before the start of pregame activities, 8 minutes during halftime, 10 minutes after the conclusion of a game and 20 minutes after the conclusion of a practice.

The school district stated that this will enable coaches to manage their responsibilities with teams, such as during pregame, halftime and postgame meetings, while respecting students’ privacy.

Commonly referred to as the Texas Women’s Privacy Act or the “Bathroom Bill,” Senate Bill 8 seeks to limit transgender individuals’ access to specific restrooms in the state. Continue reading Alba-Golden ISD announces ‘non private’ lockers

BULLARD — The suspect in Monday’s hour long Cherokee County SWAT standoff is dead. According to our news partner KETK, the suspect is identified as 53-year-old Shawn Turner Sr. of Bullard, who was firing a gun from the front porch of his home. When deputies responded, Turner allegedly opened fire immediately, wounding one deputy with shrapnel. Deputies returned fire but did not strike Turner, the sheriff’s office confirmed. At around 11:10 a.m., authorities entered the home and found Turner dead from what officials determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The injured deputy was treated at the scene by EMS and is expected to make a full recovery. A second deputy experienced a medical issue during the incident and was assessed by medical personnel; that deputy is also anticipated to return to duty within the week.

Nearby law enforcement activity caused all Bullard ISD campuses to go into a brief secure status that was lifted at around 11:20 a.m.

KEMP – A 54-year-old Kemp man was arrested on Saturday after the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office said they found suspected methamphetamines during a search of his RV according to our news partners at KETK. At around 11:39 p.m. on Saturday, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office investigators and deputies executed a search warrant on a recreational vehicle parked in the 1300 block of Pritchett Lane in Kemp. Rodney Blake Bryant, 54 of Kemp, allegedly owned the RV and was wanted for violating his parole, according to the sheriff’s office. During the search of the RV, two large bags of suspected meth were found, along with other alleged drug paraphernalia like a digital scale. Bryant was arrested during the search for his parole warrant and he’s also been charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. He’s currently being held in the Henderson County Jail on $100,000 bond.

KEMP – Our news partners at KETK report that two people were arrested in Kemp on Sunday morning after bags of suspected methamphetamines, a firearm and a large amount of cash were found during a traffic stop. According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, two of their office’s narcotics investigators were in the 1300 block of Pritchett Lane in Kemp at around 1:19 a.m. when they conducted a traffic stop on a silver Kia sedan. During the stop, investigators spoke with the driver of the Kia, who was identified by the sheriff’s office as Krayton Lavelle Williams, 26 of Athens. The investigators then contacted a K9 unit to come sniff the vehicle and when the unit arrived the K9 alerted near the Kia. The sheriff’s office said investigators then searched the Kia and found a loaded firearm, a large amount of cash and prepackaged bags of suspected meth that were allegedly found in a concealed compartment of the Kia’s dashboard. Continue reading Suspected meth, gun, cash found in traffic stop

TYLER — David Stein announced his intention to run for re-election as Smith County Republican Party Chairman, seeking a fourth term. According to our news partner KETK, Since 2020, Stein and Smith County Republicans have worked diligently to keep the Party strong and relevant. During that time, Smith County has remained heavily Republican and a model for counties across the state. The Party has recruited more Precinct Chairs, kept finances in great shape, elevated its presence in the community by being visible at events in all areas of the county, and continued to elect strong conservative Republicans to local, state, and federal offices. Continue reading Stein announces re-election campaign