JASPER, Texas - Voters across East Texas will have the opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking to represent Senate District 3 during a public debate scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the VFW Hall in Jasper. The debate will feature Trent Ashby  and Rhonda Ward , who are competing for the District 3 seat held by Senator Robert Nichols in the Texas Senate. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the debate set to begin promptly at 7 p.m. The debate is designed to give r

The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Danger Statement for Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Newton, Orange, and Tyler counties due to elevated wildfire risk. The statement is in effect Saturday morning through Saturday evening, as dry conditions combine with weather factors that could allow fires to ignite easily and spread rapidly. What Residents Should Know According to the National Weather Service: Winds:  North around 10 mph Relative Humidity:  As low as 20–30% Fuel Co

Kimberly McDonald Davis, of Jasper, TX – Age 64 Driving While Intoxicated / Open Alcohol Container Arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety at 12:54 a.m. on January 15, 2026. Conner Haltom, of Kirbyville, TX – Age 19 Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – Count 1 Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – Count 2 Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity – Count 3 Arrested by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 8:30 a.m. on January 15, 2026. Tamon Jardai Leach, of

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce that Kenny Widner, Jail Administrator, has been selected as Employee of the Month for December 2025. Widner is a 40-plus-year law enforcement veteran and has served as the Jasper County Jail Administrator since January 2025. Under his leadership, the jail has undergone significant improvements in multiple areas. He has overseen a complete transformation of the facility, implemented constructive programs aimed at reducing

Photo Courtesy of Kirbyville CISD Kirbyville High School has selected Sophomore Ashlynn Moore as the Student of the Week for January 12-16. Ashlynn is highly involved around campus and represents KHS with pride in many areas. She is a member of the Spanish Club, Theatre Club, and Wildcat Band, and she also competes in several UIL events. In addition, Ashlynn plays Tennis for the Wildcats and is ranked in the top 25% of her class academically. Beyond her achievements, Ashlynn

Photos released by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office show Jacob Hunter James, left, and his grandfather, William Bret McCollister. James was taken into custody in North Carolina following a tip, and McCollister was charged with harboring a fugitive. (Courtesy Jasper County Sheriff’s Office) A Jasper County fugitive was taken into custody in North Carolina early Thursday morning after a tip led law enforcement to his location, according to Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard.

Conroy Graffagnino Jr., of Buna, TX – Age 42 Assault Causing Bodily Injury – Family Member Arresting Agency: Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 2:15 AM Curtis Lyndon Cotton III, of Port Arthur, TX – Age 41 Assault Causing Bodily Injury Arresting Agency: Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 8:28 AM Tracina Chestanette Fobbs, of Jasper, TX – Age 43 Theft of Property Less Than $2,500 with Two or More Prior Convictions (Enhanced) Arresting Agency: Jasper Police Department at 9:56 AM

Conner Haltom, 19, of Kirbyville. Photo Courtesy of Jasper County Sheriff's Office A 19-year-old student was taken into custody Thursday morning at Kirbyville High School following the execution of multiple outstanding felony warrants, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard confirmed that Conner Haltom, 19, of Kirbyville, was arrested on January 15, 2026, after authorities located him on campus. Haltom had three outstanding felony

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed John E. Burt as the Jasper County Criminal District Attorney, according to an announcement released Wednesday. Burt’s term will run through December 31, 2026. Burt, of Buna, currently serves as the First Assistant Criminal District Attorney for Jasper County. His appointment places him at the helm of the county’s chief prosecutorial office, overseeing felony prosecutions and representing the state in criminal matters. Before joining the Jasp

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 — Jasper County taxpayers are being given a short but important extension on the 2025 property tax payment deadline due to a weekend office closure, according to an official notice from Jasper County Tax Assessor-Collector Joe Hawthorn. Under newly enacted state law, property tax payments will not be considered delinquent on January 31 this year because that date falls on a Saturday and county tax offices will be closed. As a result, payments will be considered

Several East Texas students were recognized for their academic achievements at McNeese State University for the Fall 2025 semester, earning placement on either the Honor Roll or the President’s Honor List, according to the university’s Office of Marketing and Communications. Fall 2025 Honor Roll To qualify for the Honor Roll, undergraduate students must earn a 3.0 GPA or higher while completing at least 12 semester hours. Students from East Texas recognized on the Honor Roll

Anna Mae Kelly, of Buna, TX – Age 45 Bench Warrant – District Court Arrested by Jasper County Sheriff’s Office on January 13, 2026, at 2:39 PM Chiquita Warren, of Jasper, TX – Age 46 Bench Warrant – District Court Arrested by Jasper County Sheriff’s Office on January 13, 2026, at 2:50 PM All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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 — The Jasper County Commissioners Court met in a special session Tuesday, January 13, 2026, marking its first meeting of the year and addressing a wide range of county business, including law enforcement matters, infrastructure improvements, and courthouse repairs. The Court began by welcoming Maegan Pope, who was officially introduced as Jasper County’s new County Auditor. County officials thanked Pope for her willingness to serve and welcomed her to th

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

Donald R. Lewis, of Kirbyville, TX – Age 82 Cruelty to Livestock Animal (Neglect/Overwork) Arresting Agency: Jasper County Sheriff’s Office at 4:40 PM Jeramy Wayne Nickens, of Jasper, TX – Age 39 Public Intoxication Criminal Mischief ($100–$750) Arresting Agency: Jasper Police Department at 9:06 PM Bethany Jones, of Jasper, TX – Age 24 Resisting Arrest, Search, or Transport Public Intoxication Arresting Agency: Jasper Police Department at 9:49 PM All subjects are presumed inn

This past week, we celebrated National Law-Enforcement Appreciation Day. We are very thankful for the sacrifices and dedication of our own employees who are making Jasper County safe. We would like to thank Rayburn Realty and Jasper Java for their generosity. Rayburn Realty provided our employees with their own personalized cups for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and Jasper Java provided our deputies with a coupon to fill em’ up. We are appreciative of their continued suppo

Texas students, including those in Newton, Jasper, and surrounding East Texas counties, have an opportunity to receive financial support for college through the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (RodeoHouston) scholarship program, with the application deadline quickly approaching. RodeoHouston officials say scholarship applications are currently open and must be submitted by February 2. The program helps Texas students pursue higher education by providing financial assistance