NEWTON, Texas  — Downtown Newton came alive Saturday afternoon as food booths, local vendors, and Eagle fans of all ages filled the streets for the annual Newton Eagle Homecoming Parade. The celebration followed the Eagles’ commanding 72–0 victory over Kountze Friday night. Newly crowned kings, queens, princes, and princesses waved from decorated vehicles, tossing candy to cheering spectators as alumni reunions added a nostalgic touch to the festivities. Though rain caused a

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

New emergency alert buttons have been installed in every Chester ISD classroom as part of the district’s recent safety upgrades. Photo Courtesy of Chester ISD. CHESTER, Texas — Chester ISD is making big strides in campus security this fall, rolling out new technology and infrastructure upgrades aimed at keeping students and staff safer than ever. During the district’s fall break, every classroom was outfitted with a new Safety Panic Alert Button system — giving teachers the

Photo Courtesy of Beechgrove VFD Beech Grove Volunteer Fire Department crews and local residents work together Saturday afternoon clearing fallen trees along County Road 149 after a fast-moving storm downed trees and damaged a barn in the area. BEECH GROVE, Texas — What started as a string of scattered weather calls turned into hours of road-clearing and damage response for Beech Grove Volunteer Fire Department (BGVFD) on Saturday afternoon. At 2:57 p.m., BGVFD was dispatched

Joshua Champaign, 38, of Silsbee, was arrested by Jasper County deputies on Oct. 17 in the Buna area. BUNA, Texas — Jasper County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a Silsbee man Friday night after responding to a trespassing call in the Buna area that led to multiple criminal charges. According to Sheriff Chuck Havard, Deputies Harrell and Hoke were dispatched to a county road near Buna on October 17 in reference to a trespasser. When they arrived, they located the subject

December 4, 1944 - October 17, 2025 U.S. Veteran James Kenneth Stringer, 80, of Woodville, went peacefully home to be with his Lord and Savior surrounded by his loving family on Friday, October 17, 2025. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. service time on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at Dogwood Hills Baptist Church in Woodville. Military honors burial will be 3 p.m. at Self Cemetery in Hornbeck, LA. Officiating will be Brother Les Steubing and Brother Larry Tres