KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY – Smith County Judge Neal Franklin issued an Amended Disaster Declaration on Thursday, June 6, to encompass damages from all severe weather during the last two weeks throughout all of Smith County. Beginning May 23, 2024, the entire county has been hit hard by several storms, including severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, excessive rainfall and/or tornadic activity. These storms resulted in widespread and severe damages, injuries and/or loss of life or property. Declaring a disaster allows officials and emergency management personnel to access additional resources to support operational needs, as well as allowing for additional resources to be made available to citizens. Officials asking anyone who suffered property damages from any of these storms to report them here.

SMITH COUNTY — The Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) released expected times for cities to have their power restored after severe weather caused thousands of East Texans to lose electricity.SWEPCO said Wednesday morning’s storms that caused more flooding and ground to be oversaturated that hampered their restorative efforts. Continue reading SWEPCO power restoration times

TYLER – The University of Texas at Tyler will offer a new Bachelor of Science in construction engineering for students at the Houston Engineering Center beginning this fall. Housed within the College of Engineering, the four-year program will be available in person at the HEC, located on the Houston Community College Alief-Hayes campus at 2811 Hayes Road in Houston. Continue reading UT Tyler Adds New Construction Engineering Degree

VAN ZANDT – Recent storms across East Texas flooded roads making some impassable, but now as water recedes there could be new problems for drivers. Most roads have dried up but left behind a bumpy ride. Heavy down pours across Van Zandt County caused the creek on FM 875 to rise to high level, endangering drivers. “A vehicle decided to go around the TxDOT barricades and floated into the dry creek area, there were luckily no injuries,” Caden Mosher, with the Grand Saline Fire Department, said. When there is standing water with no where to go, it seeps into the cracks, creating pot holes. Continue reading First the floods, now the potholes

LUFKIN – One person is dead after authorities in Lufkin said he attempted to steal a truck shortly after being released from jail according to our news partners at KETK. According to police, 25-year-old Marco Levya told officers that around 9 p.m. on Wednesday night he stopped at his business in the 1800 block of East Lufkin Avenue when “an unknown Black male” entered his running truck with his wife and baby inside.

Officials said that “despite Leyva’s warnings and offers of an alternative vehicle, a physical altercation ensued, resulting in the suspect being shot.” Continue reading Attempted truck theft leaves one dead

TYLER — During the first three days of early voting in the Tyler City Council District 2 Runoff Election, only 325 ballots were cast. If you live in the City of Tyler District 2 area, you can early vote 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Friday, June 6-7, or 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, June 10-11. Early voting polling locations include The Hub, 304 E. Ferguson St.; the Heritage Building, 1900 Bellwood St.; and Lanes Chapel Methodist Church, Family Center, 8720 Old Jacksonville Highway, all in Tyler.

To find out if you live in District 2, or where the nearest polling place is, visit Smith County’s interactive map here.

Election Day is 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 15. Polling places on Election Day will be The Hub, the Heritage Building, St. Louis Baptist Church, 4000 Frankston Highway; and Three Lakes Middle School, 2445 Three Lakes Parkway.

For more information, click here.

MARSHALL — A Marshall man has been listed on the newly released Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List. Oscar Oswaldo Madrid-Cartagena, 36 of Marshall, is wanted for sexual assault. He is described as being 5 foot 8 inches, 150 pounds and should be considered armed and dangerous. According to our news partner KETK, Madrid-Cartagena is a criminal illegal immigrant from Honduras with ties to North and Northeast Texas, including the cities of Dallas and Marshall. Officials said he was arrested in 2013 for alien inadmissibility and subsequently was removed from the U.S.

On Oct. 2023, Madrid-Cartagena was reportedly arrested by the Richardson Police Department and bonded out of jail. On March 5 a warrant was issued for his arrest. Continue reading East Texas man on state’s new 10 Most Wanted

LAKE PALESTINE – The first thing you may notice when visiting Lake Palestine is the awful smell from the dead decaying carp. The fish skeletons can even be found on the grass near the shoreline, but Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) assures residents there is nothing to concerned about. “Nasty and smelly,” BJ Schalck, a local fisherman, said. People who live off the lake have seen many dead carp floating in the water in recent weeks, and they are wondering what is going on. Continue reading TPWD explains the dead carp at Lake Palestine

TYLER- The Emergency Operation Center is fully activated, and nine City crews and nine Forestry Service crews are working to assess damage, clear roadways, and repair traffic signals affected by the recent severe thunderstorms that moved through the area. The city expects two more crews from the Forestry Service on Thursday. Residents should be cautious and aware of downed trees and power lines.

City officials are asking residents to report personal property damages to the Texas Division of Emergency Management through the iSTAT Damage Surveys. iSTAT reports could release funding from the Federal Emergency Management System (FEMA) directly to residents. The find the survey, click here.
Continue reading City of Tyler severe weather follow-up

SMITH COUNTY- The Smith County Emergency Operations Center has opened two Point of Distribution Centers Wednesday. Smith County residents who are suffering from power outages and property damage can go to Chapel Hill High School and the second distribution center is in Lindale, at the First Baptist Church. Both centers are open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Currently, they are distributing water, ice and tarps at both locations. The Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Military Department are running the sites.

The Forest Service also sent saw crews from its Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System to help the City of Tyler and Smith County clear trees from roadways.

The saw crews arrived early Tuesday morning and have been helping the Smith County Road and Bridge Department crews, and Smith County Emergency Services Districts 1 and 2 in clearing roads for emergency vehicles and residents. Both Smith County and the City of Tyler requested, and received, saw crews. These crews were instrumental Tuesday in expediting emergency response and are continuing to work in Smith County on Wednesday, he said.

Monday night’s storms caused damages throughout Smith County, causing more than 300 trees to fall on at least 100 county roads. That does not include roads belonging to cities in Smith County, or highways or farm-to-market roads owned by the Texas Department of Transportation.

On Wednesday, June 5, Smith County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace and Constables Offices in Lindale reopened to the public after their power was restored. Precinct 4 JP/Constables Office in Winona remains closed because of no power but the constable and deputy constables are still out working. Precinct 3 JP/ Constables Office in Troup do not have internet or phone service. They are in the office but cannot take payments at this time.

Updates will be made as they become available

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County emergency personnel responded to 27 weather-related calls over night after the latest storms blew in in to the area during the early morning hours of June 5. About 29,076 people are without power this morning in Smith County and several roads are closed due to high water, Smith County Fire Marshal Chad Hogue reported from the Smith County Emergency Operations Center. Flooded roads include County Roads 448, 336 at Wiggins Creek, 381, 471 at Prairie Creek and 498, as well as Farm-to-Market Road 1253 at CR 455. To see Smith County’s interactive map of current road closures, click here.

A shelter remains open in Bullard for people who have suffered property damage and/or power outages. Bullard Intermediate School, located at 218 School House Road, is open for those who need a place to go.

For anyone in the community seeking shelter or needing assistance please refer them to call 1-800-REDCROSS and choose Option 4 for assistance. Continue reading Smith County storm update

TYLER — Multiple traffic signals throughout Tyler are without power. According to a City of Tyler news release, some intersections are coming online and then going offline due to the unstable power grid. Drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution when traveling and treat a “dark” traffic signal like a four-way stop – each vehicle comes to a complete stop and takes its turn going through the intersection. The City is asking residents to avoid all non-essential driving. If you must drive, slow down. If you see water over the roadways, turn around.

SMITH COUNTY — Flint man was arrested on May 21 after documents said he threatened to kill multiple county officials on his podcast. According to our news partner KETK, Gary Treadwell, 64 of Flint, was arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail on May 21 and charged with “obstruction or retaliation” with a bond set at a combined $750,000.

According to an arrest affidavit, Treadwell made threatening statements on his podcast that aired on May 19. The court document reports that Treadwell threatened to kill Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, Smith County District Attorney Jacob Putman and Henderson District Attorney Jenny Palmer. Continue reading Flint man arrested for allegedly threatening to kill county officials

TYLER – Volunteers with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Disaster Relief have set up a mobile kitchen in response to Monday’s severe storm activity in East Texas.

“With so many residents still without power we want to help by providing meals for the community and first responders,” said SBTC DR Director Scottie Stice. “We also have assessors in the community to see how else we can help.”

The mobile kitchen has set up at Sylvania Church, 2801 S SE Loop 323 in Tyler.

SMITH COUNTY — With East Texans feeling the effects of the recent severe weather, some shelters have opened up to those who have lost power. Our news partner KETK has a list available, and you can find it here.

SMITH COUNTY – Our news partners at KETK report that one person is dead after a crash Tuesday morning in Smith County involving a motorcycle and 18-wheeler.The crash happened on Highway 155 South near Toll 49, south of Tyler, and traffic was significantly impacted due to the crash.

WHITEHOUSE – City of Whitehouse Mayor James Wansley announced that a disaster declaration has been issued after June 3rd storms ravaged the area. According to a release, the declaration allows “[…] staff to access additional resources as needed to address the challenges associated with the storms and allows staff to take necessary measures to protect public safety while coordinating emergency response efforts.” The city urges citizens to follow their social media platforms for any updates and to contact electric service providers to report any power outages. The city also announced that residents can also utilize the Greenwood Farms Landfill for free once a month by showing a copy of their most recent City of Whitehouse water bill to dispose of limbs and other brush.

TYLER – The City of Tyler urges all residents to report personal property damages to the Texas Division of Emergency Management through the iSTAT Damage Surveys (texas.gov). Listen to the iSTAT How-To Video Guide on the page for instructions on correctly reporting damages. 
 
The Emergency Operation Center is fully activated, and nine City crews and two Forestry Service crews are working to assess damage, clear roadways, and repair traffic signals affected by the recent severe thunderstorms that moved through the area. Residents are advised to be cautious and aware of downed trees and power lines. 
 
About 1,000 911 calls have been recorded since 7:30 p.m. on June 3. No storm-related fatalities have been reported, and emergency services are running at full strength. 
  Continue reading Smith County storm damage report

SMITH COUNTY – Due to heavy rain, the City of Tyler Water Utilities is temporarily closing all public boat ramps on Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East. The ramps are being closed because of boating hazards due to debris that has washed into the lakes by recent rains and to reduce shoreline erosion. The ramps will be closed until further notice. County officials say the ramps will reopen once the lake levels recede.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Longtime Van Zandt County Precinct 2 Commissioner Virgil Melton Jr. is dead after a tree fell onto his car while he was driving Monday night. According to our news partner KETK, a initial DPS reports the 76-year-old Melton Jr. was driving on FM 279 near Edom around 8 p.m., when a tree fell onto the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Melton’s wife Janice, was taken to a Tyler hospital for treatment. Officials say the investigation into the incident is continuing.

LONGVIEW — As a result of severe weather passing through the evening of June 3, parts of Longview are dealing with power loss, downed trees, and other sporadic storm damage. The Longview Public Library, 222 W. Cotton St., is available as a cooling and charging station on Tuesday, June 4, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Businesses or residents may self-report storm damage utilizing the iStat form on the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) website: click here.

Sign up for Emergency Weather Alerts with the City of Longview’s Smart 9-1-1 Alert system to be informed about any watches or warnings during this storm season. You can sign up here.

TYLER — The National Weather Service Office in Shreveport has issued a flood watch for Tyler until 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 5.  The City of Tyler Streets and Stormwater crews are responding to down trees across the city, according to a news release. Crews will also intervene during a severe weather event where roads have washed out, and other public facilities may be compromised.

If you have an emergency, call 911, stay on the line and DO NOT HANG UP until your call is answered. Answer all questions and follow instructions.

The Tyler Police Department’s non-emergency line (903) 531-1000 should be used for all other calls and notifications, including traffic signal issues and down power lines. Continue reading Flood watch issued through Wednesday night

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County first responders responded to over 1,000 911 calls since 7:30 p.m. on June 3. No storm-related fatalities have been reported, and emergency services are running at full strength according to a county news release. Smith County Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Moore reported 71,000 residents and businesses were without power in the county. Emergency calls included nine homes with trapped residents, one water rescue, multiple people trapped in vehicles due to power lines and/or downed trees, as well as multiple traffic lights out, he said.

The Smith County Road and Bridge Department is working on a list of Smith County roads that could have wash outs or downed trees. Continue reading Smith County Storms Update

SMITH COUNTY — Following Monday night’s storms, multiple traffic signals, trees and power lines are down throughout the area. Drivers are asked to drive slow and turn around if they see water over the roadway and residents are asked to avoid driving if not essential. Tyler police are asking residents to report down power lines to the Tyler Street Department at 903-531-1393.

EAST TEXAS — After continued severe weather hit East Texas earlier this week, about 19,786 customers are reportedly without power as 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. Click here for the full list.

RUSK COUNTY – The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office said a man has been arrested for intent to promote child pornography and additional charges are expected as the investigation continues. According to our news colleagues at KETK, over the course of the investigation probable cause for an arrest and search warrant was issued for a residence in Rusk County. The sheriff’s office arrested James Eugene Garner, 29, who was charged with possession of child pornography with the intent to promote.