BUNA, Texas -  The Buna Public Library and creator Braydon Evans marked the opening of the new “Mind Works STEM Lab” with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that drew more than 50 community members on Saturday. The hands-on learning space is designed to introduce students to science, technology, engineering and math through interactive activities and equipment. The lab includes multiple learning stations featuring 3D printers, iPads, a safe electrical experimentation area, microscopes

Alvis Edmonds, 47, of Buna BUNA, Texas — A Buna man was arrested Sunday afternoon after deputies responded to a reported trespass on Pine Street, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. On Sunday, January 25, 2026, at approximately 1 p.m., Deputy Harrell was dispatched to a residence on Pine Street in Buna in reference to a trespasser. Prior to arrival, Deputy Harrell confirmed the suspect had previously been issued a criminal trespass warning for the property. Upon

Several East Texas students earned degrees from Sam Houston State University during the Fall 2025 semester, according to the university’s Office of Marketing and Communications. The following graduates represent communities across Southeast Texas and completed undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of academic disciplines: Fall 2025 Graduates Buna Jordan Clark — Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology Evadale Justin Rogers — Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leade

JASPER COUNTY, Texas — A Buna woman was cited for illegal dumping after Jasper County Sheriff’s Office deputies investigated trash that had been dumped along a county roadway. According to Sheriff Chuck Havard, on January 12, 2026, Deputy Harrell was notified of a piece of mail found among numerous trash bags that had been illegally dumped on County Road 826. The mail led deputies to identify Kayla Mabee, 38, of Buna, as the individual responsible. Sheriff Havard stated that

JASPER COUNTY, Texas — DNA evidence has led to the resolution of two previously stagnant burglary cases in the Buna area, according to Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office initially took reports for two separate Burglary of a Habitation cases in February 2024. At the time, evidence was collected and submitted for forensic analysis, but no immediate leads were developed. In 2025, Investigator Karli Cherry revisited the cases and identified mu

BUNA, Texas — Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers have released additional information in connection with a fatal three-vehicle crash that occurred early Monday morning along State Highway 62 near County Road 784 in Jasper County. Troopers have identified the deceased driver as Dustin Spears, 43, of Many, Louisiana. Spears was pronounced dead at the scene by a justice of the peace. The crash occurred at approximately 4:45 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026. Accor

JASPER COUNTY, Texas — Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers are investigating a fatal three-vehicle crash that occurred early Monday morning along State Highway 62 near County Road 784 in Jasper County. According to DPS, the crash occurred at approximately 4:45 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026. The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2019 Ram pickup was traveling southbound on Highway 62, followed by a 2003 Chevrolet pickup, while a 2017 Nissan passenger

BUNA, Texas — A 43-year-old man from Louisiana was killed in a three-vehicle crash early Monday morning along Texas Highway 62 near County Road 784, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. DPS troopers say the crash occurred at approximately 4:45 a.m. on Monday, January 12, 2026, near the Highway 62 and County Road 784 intersection. According to investigators, a 2019 Ram pickup, driven by the 43-year-old Louisiana man, was traveling southbound on Highway 62 and w

The stolen truck was recovered in a wooded area of Jasper County following a tip from the community, according to Sheriff Chuck Havard. Photo Courtesy of Jasper County Sheriff's Office JASPER COUNTY, Texas — Jasper County deputies and investigators recovered a stolen truck Wednesday evening following a tip from the community, according to Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard. On the evening of January 7, 2026, deputies received information regarding a vehicle that may have be

Randal Jeans, 41, of Buna JASPER COUNTY, Texas — A follow-up investigation into a burglary that occurred several months ago in Cougar Country led to the arrest of a Buna man on a parole warrant Wednesday morning. According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, on January 7, 2026, at approximately 8:30 a.m., Criminal Investigation Division (CID) investigators were conducting follow-up interviews related to the burglary. While interviewing a potential suspect, Randal Jeans, 4

Amanda Renee Wilson, 43, of Buna, was arrested on a felony theft warrant involving a stolen Ford Bronco. A Buna woman was arrested Monday night after authorities confirmed she was wanted on a felony theft warrant involving a stolen Ford Bronco that had already been recovered in Jasper County. According to the Jasper County Sheriff's Office, deputies were notified at approximately 8:30 p.m. on January 5, 2026, by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office that a wanted individual was

Photo Courtesy of Jasper County Sheriff's Office BUNA, Texas — A Buna man was arrested Monday night after Jasper County deputies located a handgun concealed inside a residence during a disturbance call, according to the Jasper County Sheriff's Office. On January 5, 2026, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Deputy Harrell was dispatched to County Road 740 in Buna in reference to a verbal disturbance. Upon arrival, the deputy observed Richard Johnson, 58, standing next to a vehicle on

Photo Courtesy of Jasper County Sheriff's Office BUNA, Texas — Jasper County deputies recovered a stolen vehicle Friday afternoon while responding to a call in the Buna area, according to Chuck Havard. On Friday, January 2, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a residence in Buna’s Cougar Country in reference to a possible emotionally disturbed person. When deputies arrived, no individuals were located at the residence. However, deputies observed a 2

Photo by Buna High School BUNA — Several students from Buna High School recently demonstrated their technical skill and dedication by earning welding certifications and placing in a competitive welding contest, earning recognition for both certification achievements and top finishes. Students competed across multiple levels, with several bringing home podium placements: Level 1 Certifications Olivia Johnson – Level 1 Certification, 8th Place Jace Dillion – Level 1 Certificat

Photo by Jasper County Sheriff's Office The Texas Department of Public Safety has released details regarding a crash on U.S. Highway 96 near County Road 639 that occurred Saturday, December 13, 2025, at approximately 5:40 p.m. According to DPS, a Chevrolet Impala was traveling northbound on U.S. 96 when a Chevrolet Silverado pulled from a private drive and failed to yield, resulting in a collision. The driver of the Impala, 32-year-old Redrick Adams of Kirbyville, and his pas

JASPER COUNTY, Texas — A day-long manhunt involving multiple law-enforcement agencies came to an end Wednesday afternoon after all three suspects connected to a stolen vehicle out of Beaumont were taken into custody in south Jasper County. The incident began early Wednesday morning when three young Black males fled from a traffic stop and ran into a wooded area near County Road 803 and County Road 797, just east of Highway 62 in Buna. Their vehicle was later confirmed to be

Dillan Calloway, 32, of Silsbee. Photo by Jasper County Sheriff's Office Buna, Texas — A Silsbee man is facing a felony drug charge after deputies responded to a disturbance call Tuesday afternoon. On December 9, 2025, around 2 p.m., Jasper County deputies were dispatched to County Road 758 in Buna for a reported Family Violence incident. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Dillan Calloway, 32, of Silsbee, was at the residence causing a verbal disturbance. Calloway was detaine

John Allen Wilcox, 54. Photo by Jasper County Sheriff's Office BUNA, Texas — The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, working in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, arrested a Buna man Tuesday who was wanted on a federal probation violation warrant. According to JCSO, deputies and Marshals responded to the 11000 block of Highway 62 in Buna on December 2, 2025, in an attempt to locate John Allen Wilcox, 54, who was the subject of an active Federal Probation Vi

Christopher Hand, 35, of Buna. Photo by Jasper County Sheriff’s Office JASPER COUNTY — Jasper County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a burglary in progress Monday morning after responding to a call at a Buna business on Business 96. According to the Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 10:00 a.m. on December 1, 2025, a deputy was dispatched to Stimit’s Feed Store located at 181 Business 96 in reference to a possible break-in. When the deputy arrived, the property owner report

BUNA, Texas — A Buna man was arrested Sunday after deputies responding to a disturbance call discovered he was wanted on a sexual assault warrant, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies Morgan and Harrell were dispatched Nov. 30 to a residence on County Road 910 for a reported verbal disturbance. During their investigation, deputies made contact with Zachary Johnson, 22, of Buna. Authorities determined Johnson had an active warrant out of the Red River Coun