Area Top Stories

Around 1:30 p.m. the Newton County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about a man that had passed out on FM 1414. The accident took place halfway between Hwy. 87 N and  Hwy. 63 East.  Deputies, first responders, and an ambulance were immediately dispatched to the call. Upon arrival, Burkeville First Responders were performing CPR on…

Story by Jon Meek; Photo by Heather Foster The week began with a scheduled game against the Kirbyville Wildcats, that by Tuesday was canceled due to complications from the COVID-19 virus, which has plagued many high school football teams this season.  This left yet another vacancy in Newton’s schedule, after missing two games already due…

If you’ve ever heard the saying, “If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.”  Well, this is just that – in the form of an $8,996.19 check that came in the mail to Sheriff Billy Rowles.  (Wrong guy to try to fool.)  He knew it was fishy instantly. Recently he received a…

Some very kind neighbors from League City remember the devastation of Hurricane Harvey all too well and wanted to do something to help Newton County as it recovers from the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. They came bringing gifts, a trailer load of supplies for all those looking to recover.  Rakes, shovels, food, wheel barrows, and…

Newton County Judge, Kenneth Weeks signed an order to lift the curfew in Newton County following the hurricane that caused such destruction. According to the assessments of the Newton County Emergency Management he felt it necessary and reasonable to  lift the order for Newton County. The curfew began on August 27, 2020 at 10 p.m.…

County Making Progress after Laura The conditions in Newton County after Hurricane Laura were devastating. The damages were likened to Hurricane Rita of 2005. Many trees were down and all power was wiped out for Newton County residents. Judge Weeks is encouraged by the comeback in the county. He shared that Jasper Newton Electric Co-Op…

100% POWER RESTORED TO CITY OF NEWTON   After the devastation of Category 4 Hurricane Laura, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Literally… light. Administrator Donald Meek reports to us that as of Saturday evening power is restored to the city of Newton. He did say that there are a few folks…

Good News…The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Team is here in Newton County to help you clean up your property. They are asking you to call them at 972-639-7164 for assistance. The service is FREE. They are here to help! May God bless them for their willingness to help us!

Update from DEEP EAST TEXAS ELECTRIC As of 5 PM Thursday, September 3rd, DETEC has 1,123 outages remaining. Jasper County: 0 Nacogdoches County: 0 Newton County: 758 Panola County: 0 Sabine County: 365 San Augustine County: 0 Shelby County: 0 If you are still without power, please let us know by calling 1-800-392-5986.  For prompt…

  Update from Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 8 p.m. JNEC Restoration Team – Day Seven Progress Hurricane Laura made landfall at 1 am near Cameron, Louisiana, Thursday morning, August 27, 2020, about 35 miles east of the Texas border as a Category 4 hurricane with 150 mph winds. The damage from Laura caused major…