Tri-County Community Action Agency (TCCAA)  is gearing up for the new year by expanding its team, offering a wide range of employment opportunities in several East Texas communities. From teachers to food service workers, the agency is actively recruiting individuals who are passionate about serving local families through Early Head Start and Head Start programs. The openings span Newton, Jasper, San Augustine, Lufkin, and additional service areas — making this a strong oppor

Photo Courtesy of East End VFD JASPER, Texas — Multiple volunteer fire departments responded early Thursday morning after a structure fire broke out on Mays Street within the Jasper city limits. The call came in at 5:28 a.m., prompting the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department to request mutual aid from East End VFD and Beech Grove VFD for additional support. When crews arrived, firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions inside an older, single-story, wood-framed home. East E

SHERMAN, Texas — A Jasper man has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking, federal prosecutors said. David Anthony Piepenburg, 46, pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant handed down the sentence on Dec. 1, 2025. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Rattan.

JASPER, Texas - Superintendent John Seybold confirms that Jasper ISD received no complaints about bullying concerning the 13-year-old junior high school student who passed away on November 23 rd .   Questions about the student being bullied have been raised by those in the community.   “The school must follow a state law called David’s Law for any situation involving reports of bullying or even cyberbullying. There is a bully check list protocol that we follow to handle any c

Photo by Rita Shipp Jasper’s 14th Annual Christmas in the Park packed Sandy Creek Park on Saturday, drawing thousands of visitors from across Southeast Texas for one of the biggest holiday turnouts the city has ever seen. Families spent the day enjoying a huge variety of food trucks, craft vendors, shopping booths, kids’ activities, and holiday displays throughout the park. Santa and Mrs. Claus were crowd favorites, and train rides ran nonstop from morning until night. Live m

Who’s hungry for some fried fish and shrimp this December? Because Beech Grove VFD is more than ready. The Beech Grove Volunteer Fire Department has partnered with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office – TX, Sheriff Chuck Havard, and Beech Grove Baptist Church to help raise funds for the opening of The Kahla Memorial Humane Services Clinic, a new project by Loving Hearts Animal Society right in Beech Grove. The clinic is being established in loving memory of Dr. John W. Kahla, D

JASPER, Texas — Downtown Jasper was buzzing Saturday night as the annual Merry Market and Courthouse Lighting delivered one of the most festive turnouts the city has seen in years. Families, shoppers, and community supporters filled the streets from early afternoon well into the night, officially kicking off Jasper’s holiday season with big energy. Main Street Director Leanna Hopson said this year’s event surpassed expectations. Vendors reported record-breaking sales, with m

Photo Courtesy of Jasper County Sheriff's Office JASPER COUNTY — A massive, multi-agency search effort ended in relief Saturday morning after 96-year-old Mr. Federico Camacho was found safe in a wooded area near his Jasper home. Mr. Camacho was reported missing Thursday evening after leaving his residence on foot in an unknown direction. Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard said deputies immediately launched coordinated search operations with assistance from the Jasper County E

Walmart Supercenter #214 in Jasper, Texas has 10 open positions across multiple departments. If you're job-hunting or looking to pick up extra hours, this is a solid lineup with competitive hourly wages and flexible shifts. Current Open Positions at Walmart Jasper • Checkout Team Associate $14.00–$27.00/hr Multiple shifts available • Optician Level 1 $16.00–$24.00/hr Multiple shifts available Online Order Filling Team Associate $14.00–$27.00/hr Multiple shifts available • Au

There will always be impactful educators we can think back on. For me, there is one who has had an influence on me already. Coach Vaifanua wasn't just my 9th-grade biology teacher; he is someone who wants to make a difference in student’s lives. He teaches science, as well as coaches volleyball and softball at Jasper High School, but that is not all that makes him special. He has this remarkable way of making every student feel recognized, appreciated, and capable of doing mu

The Texas Department of Public Safety has released new information regarding the three-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 190, near the Cypress area of Jasper County, on Friday afternoon, November 14, 2025. According to the preliminary investigation, the crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. as a Jeep Gladiator and a Kia Niro were traveling westbound and had stopped for a school bus. DPS reports that the driver of a Buick Enclave failed to control her speed, striking the rear of the Kia

Volunteers of all ages turned out Friday morning to help break ground on the new Buzz & Bloom Sensory Garden at Harvest Church in Jasper. Photo courtesy of Laura Clark JASPER, Texas  — The Buzz & Bloom Sensory Garden officially broke ground Friday morning, November 14, on the campus of Harvest Church and Kingdom Roots Academy in Jasper. Led by the Longleaf Ridge Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, the project will feature native plants designed to attract butterflies, moths,

Harvest Church, home to Kingdom Roots Academy, will soon host the new Buzz & Bloom Sensory Garden in Jasper. Groundbreaking is set for Friday at 9 a.m. behind the church fountain. Photo by Rita Shipp JASPER, Texas — What started as a simple pollinator garden has turned into a community movement. The Longleaf Ridge Master Naturalists, along with Jasper Master Gardeners, are officially breaking ground on the Buzz & Bloom Sensory Garden this Friday, November 14 at 9:00 AM on th

🍽️ Join Us for ETMA’s Annual “Family Night”! 📅 Date:  Thursday, November 20, 2025 🕖 Time:  7:00 p.m. 📍 Location:  Jasper County Annex Building271 East Lamar Street, Jasper, Texas Dear ETMA Members, The next East Texas Mutual Aid Association meeting will be our annual "Family Night". We hope you can attend and bring your family to enjoy an evening of food, prizes, and fellowship. ETMA is proudly nearing 30 years of service, representing partnerships among local, state,fede

Photo Courtesy of Jasper County Sheriff's Office JASPER, Texas — Jasper County showed up in full force Saturday as the Sheriff’s Office hosted its annual Blue Santa “Fill the Boat” toy drive at Wal-Mart, and the community didn’t just fill the boat— they overflowed it. Throughout the day, families, shoppers, and local employees stopped by to drop off toys of every shape and size. Stuffed animals, action figures, dolls, sports equipment, police-themed toys—if a kid could dream

JASPER, Texas —  Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is expanding its reach into Deep East and Southeast Texas, forming a new territory that stretches from Lufkin to Lumberton, according to FCA representative Kenny Rawls. The organization is hosting a community prayer and vision meeting on: Thursday, November 6 6:00 PM First Methodist Church – Jasper, Texas Rawls says the goal is to connect local churches, schools, coaches, and students with FCA’s mission — strengthening s

JASPER — A group of dedicated volunteers rolled up their sleeves Saturday, November 1, proving that community pride isn’t just a slogan — it’s action. The Jasper Master Gardeners, who coordinate the Keep Jasper Beautiful program under the statewide Keep Texas Beautiful initiative, partnered with local Master Naturalists for their Fall Sweep cleanup. The group worked several roadways, including Marvin Hancock Drive, Prospect Road, Premier Drive, and a section of Highway 777.

By Wyatt Winters JASPER, TEXAS- Halloween 2025 marked the day that all of Jasper came downtown to celebrate the spookiest day of the year by roping off Main Street and Lamar Street so families had a safe place to trick or treat! Several volunteers set up games and gave out candy to kids. The old jail by the Jasper court house was converted into a haunted jail offering a frightening experience for those brave enough to venture inside. Others had themed booths such as Mario Bro

The Jasper–Lake Sam Rayburn area may be small, but we make a big impact! Our local businesses, organizations, and churches are always coming up with creative ways to bring our community together and celebrate life in our towns. Welcome New Chamber Members The Jasper–Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome our newest Chamber members: Yellow Rose Medicare Shop, PATV Powersports Jasper, M&M Roofing Texas, and For All The Reasons . Member Spotlights Shine

Photo by Beech Grove VFD A Jasper County driver is lucky to be walking away unharmed after his truck collided with a fallen tree blocking FM 777 Tuesday evening. At 7:08 p.m., Beech Grove Volunteer Fire Department (BGVFD) was dispatched to the 13,000 block of FM 777 for reports of a single-vehicle accident involving a tree across the roadway. When firefighters arrived, they found a newer model Ford truck that had struck a large hardwood tree laying across a curve in the roadw