At The East Texas Banner, we love celebrating the people and families who make our communities special — the moments that remind us what it means to call East Texas home. Our recent Community Spotlight: ETB Outdoors feature on 12-year-old Karvyn Day of Kirbyville, who harvested his first buck while hunting in Roganville with his dad, struck a chord with readers. The response from our followers was incredible — hundreds of reactions, shares, and comments congratulating Karvyn

The spooky season has officially arrived in East Texas! 🎃 From trunk-or-treats and fall festivals to Halloween night fun, our communities are packed with family-friendly events happening all week long. Check out our gallery of local flyers below to plan your stops for candy, costumes, and community fun across Jasper, Newton, and Tyler counties. To submit your event please email: bd@easttexasbanner.com Carnivorous Plants Halloween Hike Date and Time: October 25th 10:00 AM -

Source: U.S. National Weather Service Lake Charles, Louisiana Images courtesy of the U.S. National Weather Service – Lake Charles, Louisiana It’s shaping up to be a very wet weekend across the region as an area of low pressure moves through the south-central United States from Friday afternoon through Sunday, bringing widespread rain and thunderstorms. According to the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, most areas across Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana — includ

NEWTON, Texas — The Newton County Jail has once again passed its annual inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, earning a perfect score with zero deficiencies, according to Sheriff Colton Havard. The inspection took place on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, and included a full review of facility operations, records, policies, and staff procedures. Following the review, state inspectors announced that the jail met all compliance requirements under Texas law. “As She

The spooky season has officially arrived in East Texas! 🎃 From trunk-or-treats and fall festivals to Halloween night fun, our communities are packed with family-friendly events happening all week long. Check out our gallery of local flyers below to plan your stops for candy, costumes, and community fun across Jasper, Newton, and Tyler counties. To submit your event please email: bd@easttexasbanner.com Carnivorous Plants Halloween Hike Date and Time: October 25th 10:00 AM -

The East Texas Banner is inviting residents across Jasper, Newton, and Tyler Counties to help shine a light on the incredible teachers who make a difference in classrooms every day. The East Texas Teacher Spotlight Giveaway, sponsored by El Charrito Mexican Restaurant in Jasper, celebrates educators who go above and beyond for their students — from late-night grading to early-morning pep talks and everything in between. Community members can submit nominations now through 11:

Despite recent showers, conditions remain dangerously dry — and one illegal burn just scorched 12 acres. Photos Courtesy of Tyler County Emergency Management Office Tyler County officials are warning residents that the burn ban is still in full effect across Newton, Tyler, and Jasper counties. Emergency crews were called out Sunday after a fire in the Spurger area grew out of control when someone tried to burn trash during the ongoing dry spell. According to Tyler County Emer

Jail Activity Report for October 13, 2025 – October 19, 2025 Dhaye, Rhodie Earl — Newton, TX (Age 38) In Custody: Yes Charge: Hold for TDCJ (Theft Prop >$150K < $300K) Bond: — Gore, Chad Dustin — Starks, LA (Age 46) In Custody: No Charge: County Ordinance – Prohibited Use of Boat Ramp Bond: — Herry, Brian David — Orange, TX (Age 40) In Custody: No Charges: Sex Abuse Child/Disabled Person (Victim under 14) – Bond: $250,000 Sex Abuse Child/Disabled Person (Victim under 14) – Bo

October 20, 2025 NCSO & USMS Arrest Deweyville Fugitive: On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at approximately 6:30 a.m., deputies with the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, along with the United States Marshal’s Service, went to an address off County Road 4173 in an attempt to serve felony arrest warrants on Brian David Henry. Henry was wanted out of Jefferson County for two counts of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child victim under 14 (F1). Upon arrival at the residence, Henry was pl

Image courtesy of USA BioEnergy Concept rendering of the Bon Wier Industrial Park in Newton County, where USA BioEnergy and Applied Atomics plan to combine clean nuclear power, green hydrogen production, and renewable fuel manufacturing. BON WIER, Texas — In September 2025, the East Texas Banner reported on the long-anticipated $2.8 billion biofuel facility planned for Bon Wier — a project described as “years in the making.” Read our earlier coverage here. Now, that same pro

EAST TEXAS — Week 8 of high school football brought drama, grit, and plenty of hometown pride across the Pineywoods — including three homecoming celebrations and one rivalry showdown that stretched into double overtime. Evadale 44, Deweyville 36 (2OT) It doesn’t get more East Texas than this. The 10th River Bowl between Evadale and Deweyville was one for the record books — a slugfest that went not one, but two overtimes before the Rebels came out on top. Deweyville’s powerfu

L.C. Gosey Jr. (left) and Betty Jean Richards (right) were sentenced Friday, October 17, 2025, for their roles in the 2023 shooting of Newton Police Chief Will Jackson. NEWTON, Texas — Two defendants have been sentenced to prison for their roles in the 2023 shooting of Newton Police Chief Will Jackson, who was struck by gunfire while assisting with an eviction notice south of Newton. On Friday, October 17, 2025, Visiting Judge Mark Morefield of Liberty County, presiding in

Here’s a brief roundup of the top stories you may have missed this week.

NEWTON COUNTY, Texas — A fugitive wanted out of Newton County for aggravated sexual assault of a child was captured Thursday, October 16, 2025, aboard a tugboat following a coordinated effort between local and federal law enforcement agencies. According to Newton County Sheriff Colton Havard, deputies began investigating the case on September 25, 2025, after receiving a report of an aggravated sexual assault involving a child. During the investigation, NCSO deputies gathered

Official emergency burn ban order issued by Newton County Judge Ronald J. Cochran, effective October 12–19, 2025. Newton County Sheriff Colton Havard reminded residents Thursday that the countywide emergency burn ban remains in effect through October 19 unless extended by Commissioners Court. The order, originally issued by County Judge Ronald J. Cochran on October 12, prohibits all outdoor burning — including brush piles, campfires, and activities that could cause sparks or

East Texas Banner File Photo Volunteer fire departments across East Texas are set to receive new trucks and equipment through record Texas A&M Forest Service funding. Twelve departments across Jasper, Tyler, and Newton counties were included in the $3.2 million allocation. EAST TEXAS — Volunteer firefighters across three East Texas counties are getting a major boost, as more than $3.2 million in new state funding will deliver modern trucks and firefighting equipment to 12 rur

Newton County Judge Ronnie Cochran joined U.S. Senator John Cornyn and East Texas educational leaders at Stephen F. Austin State University for a roundtable discussion focused on strengthening rural education and workforce development opportunities across the region. The event spotlighted federal and state partnerships designed to expand Pell Grant eligibility, enhance funding for agricultural research facilities, and support ongoing progress at SFA’s Arthur Temple College of

Booking photo courtesy of the Newton County Sheriff’s Office. NEWTON COUNTY, Texas — A Deweyville man wanted on two first-degree felony warrants for the continuous sexual abuse of a child was arrested Tuesday morning after a joint operation by the Newton County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service. Sheriff Colton Havard said that around 6:30 a.m., deputies and U.S. Marshals went to a residence off County Road 4173 to serve felony arrest warrants on Brian David Henr

Jail Activity Report for October 6, 2025 – October 12, 2025 Dana Lynn Digby-Lavergne, 52, Rockland, TX — In custody. Charge: Parole violation (burglary). Bond: not listed. Gregory K. Durbin, 56, Pitkin, LA — Released/not in custody. Charges: Illegal dumping; defective vehicle equipment. Bond: not listed. Frankie Rashad Ransom, 37, Wiergate, TX — Released/not in custody. Charges: Unlawful carrying weapon (bond $5,000); Driving while license invalid w/previous conviction/suspen

October 13, 2025 Possession of Identifying Information Arrest: On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at approximately 6:56 a.m., Deputy B. Sonnier conducted a traffic stop on a U-Haul van in the 43000 block of State Highway 87 South for a traffic violation. Deputy Sonnier made contact with the driver, identified as Charles Kristopher Smith, who did not possess a valid driver’s license and was subsequently placed under arrest for No Driver’s License. During a vehicle inventory, Deputy