“Your word is all you have in this life” ~ Billy G. Black Digging ditches and chopping trees is not a normal pathway into writing for a living. Blue collars are the only collars I knew growing up. Grandads and Uncles were all plant hands. Honest and working hard.  As a boy, I remember riding an Allis-Chalmers lawn mower with my granddad. We would drive around the yard picking up sticks and rake up piles of leaves and straw. It was hot and it was work for a five year old boy! Truth and hard...

Robert Earl Boyett, 60, passed away on January 16, 2026, in Victoria, Tx. He was a resident of Buna, Texas. Born on December 18, 1965, in Beaumont, Texas, Robert lived a life marked by hard work, a love for the outdoors, and deep connections with those around him.  Robert was a man of many talents - a true jack of all trades. Over the years, he applied his skills to everything from working on vehicles to building submersible pumps and constructing houses. His hands were rarely still and his...

This Deer Season came and went with a good turn out for our Deer Down Exclusives. We want to thank all of the individuals who submitted photos and details of your experiences. We are looking to grow our Sports and Outdoors Section coming with the New & Improved ETB site coming soon... We are looking for writing contributors that are East Texas Based and look to share some of the stories, knowledge, tactics and reviews with our readership. If you are an avid outdoorsmen and you love to share...

KIRBYVILLE, Texas - The Kirbyville Volunteer Fire Department recognized service, leadership and community support during its annual Officer’s Installation and Awards Banquet held Saturday night. The event featured guest speaker Greg Bostwick, chief meteorologist at KFDM, who delivered an informative presentation on weather patterns, hurricane preparedness and forecasting. Bostwick was also presented with an appreciation plaque for his years of service educating and informing Southeast Texas...

Newton County Courthouse Newton County Judge’s Administrative Assistant Courtney Lott has resigned and filed a complaint with the TWC and the Ethics Committee. Newton County Judge Ronnie Cochran said the resignation stems from an audit performed by the Newton County Auditor’s office surrounding the rentals of the Newton civic center. According to Judge Cochran, if money is brought into the office, it must be turned into the treasurer’s office by the end of the workday. Cochran does believe it...

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 residents a chance...

JASPER, Texas - Workforce Solutions officially opened its new Jasper office Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the former Rowe Elementary School building, marking a new chapter for workforce development services in the community. The facility is now home to Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas, which provides job placement assistance, training resources and employment support for residents across the region. The building also houses the Southeast Texas Food Bank, bringing multiple...

By Sal Baldovinos Content Warning : This report contains descriptions and images of animal neglect and abuse that may be disturbing to some readers. Animal abuse and neglect cases documented in Tyler County, including a recent situation in the Ivanhoe area, are prompting renewed concern among advocates who say the incidents reflect a growing regional problem rather than isolated events. The cases were detailed through the Concerned Citizens of Tyler County  Operation: Exposing Abuse...

JASPER, Texas - East End Volunteer Fire Department held its annual Officer Installation Banquet on Tuesday night at the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department station, recognizing service, welcoming new members and highlighting accomplishments from the past year. The event featured a meal prepared by Eddie Robinson of Rue’s BBQ and a keynote address by Joe Bill Adams of the Holly Springs community, a former East End firefighter with about 15 years of service. Adams, whose father and stepmother were...

SHELBY COUNTY, Texas - Firefighters on Friday completed planned burnout operations on the Madley Fire in the Sabine National Forest , officials said. As of 5:45 p.m., the wildfire was estimated at 435 acres and 40% contained. Dozer lines have been completed, crews are holding containment along a nearby creek, and burnout operations for the day have concluded. Fire resources will continue to monitor the area and hold containment lines to ensure firefighter and public safety. No additional...

Running back Dre Washington of Hemphill, Texas, will be part of college football’s biggest stage today as University of Alabama Crimson Tide faces Indiana Hoosiers in the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal. The Tide are coming off a dramatic first-round CFP victory over Oklahoma Sooners, rallying from a 17-point first-half deficit to win 34–24. The comeback marked the first road win in the new 12-team College Football Playoff format. The Hoosiers are making their second...

First of all, 2025 was a great year with the East Texas Banner. I want to inform all our readers and followers that ETB is about to go through another transition. Transitioning is not always a bad thing. Sometimes, you must regroup and then double down on the work set out in front of you and we are as well. We loved seeing all of you at the Christmas parades this year and we hope you enjoy the gifts we threw to the crowds in Jasper, Newton and Kirbyville. Your support helped us exceeded our...

Two new ambulances called into to start there service at 7pm Wednesday evening in Newton County. ESD 6 President Charles Duckworth said, "This will be a tremendous change..." Newton County passed a 2 cents sales tax that has paved the way for the new ambulance units in Newton. Both Duckworth and Newton County Judge Ronnie Cochran believe that this is a game changer for the citizens of Newton County. One unit will station in Burkeville while the other will station in Trout Creek.

BROOKELAND, Texas — Charly Sparks, 8, of Brookeland will compete in the Texas Elementary competition Jan. 23-25 in Houston, representing the Jasper-Brookeland Lakes area. Charly Sparks of Brookeland, Texas Sparks is a third-grade student at Brookeland Elementary School and is the daughter of Tristan and Misty Sparks of Brookeland. The event will give Sparks an opportunity to represent her community at the state level.

Local ESDs and Fire Department updates on the Control Burns going on throughout East Texas. Jasper County Emergency Services District # 4 500 acre control burn Hwy 96 and Hwy 255. Use caution while driving through the area. Dense smoke conditions!! Newton Volunteer Fire Department We are aware of 2 prescribed (control) burns currently being conducted in Newton Co. today 1) FM 1416 Jamestown area 165.9 acres to be burnt. 2) Hyw 87 North near Scrappin Valley 876 acres to be burnt. Tyler County...

KIRBYVILLE, Texas — Aubree Coleson of Kirbyville has earned All-American honors in youth softball after helping her team capture a championship in a two-day tournament. Coleson, 10, plays shortstop and pitcher. Her team won the championship game in decisive fashion, posting a 15–1 victory to secure first place in the All-American competition. Coleson has been playing softball since the age of 5 and was named a 10U All-American Champion  following the tournament. “I loved playing in the...

JASPER, Texas — Jasper County Judge Mark Allen administered the Oath of Office this week to five members appointed to the board of Jasper County Emergency Services District No. 1. Judge Mark Allen Swears In Appointees According to the ESDs social media, those sworn in were Dr. Steve Hayden, Billy Ted Smith, Mark Mueller, Tracy Shipley, and Todd Walters. The appointments include staggered terms running through 2027, a structure designed to promote continuity, experience and long-term planning...