~~February 4, 2025~~
Flu cases increase across the four states area
TEXARKANA, Texas – The flu virus is still spiking across the United States. On the CDC’s flu activity map, at least 41 states are shades of red which reflects high or very high activity, including Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. “The flu is still deadly, and so we want people to realize that. And when we say that it’s usually the elderly population and the very young. So, we want to make everybody aware that the quicker you get in to see your provider within that first 48 hours, the better we can hopefully treat you,” explained Dr. Matt Young, Texarkana Emergency Center & Hospital CEO. Young says they’re seeing a high volume of patients with flu-like symptoms, such as coughing, fever, sore throat, body aches or difficulty breathing. He says antiviral medications can’t take away the illness completely, but it can help keep the flu from becoming severe or leading to complications such as pneumonia that may require hospitalization. “Many times, if you’re confined in a small space and you’ve been exposed and you have the symptoms, sometimes the tests may not come back positive, but we can still also prescribe those antivirals if you have a high-risk exposure,” said Young. If you’re sick with the flu, doctors recommend staying home until you are symptom-free for at least 24 hours without medication. So far, the CDC estimates there have been at least 20 million illnesses, 250,000 hospitalizations and 11,000 deaths from the flu this season. This includes 47 pediatric deaths, 16 of which were reported last week.
Kirbyville Wildcat Cheerleaders Headed to Nationals
The Kirbyville Wildcat Cheerleaders are making history with their first-ever appearance at the National High School Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida. This prestigious competition is the top high school cheerleading championship in the country.
The team will fly out on Thursday and take the mat on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. They will compete in the Medium Game Day, Non-Tumble DII Preliminary. If they advance, they will move on to the semi-finals on Sunday, with the finals scheduled for Monday.
The competition follows the same format as the state championship, requiring teams to perform a Band Chant, Cheer, and Fight Song. The Wildcats have been building toward this moment for years, having competed at the state level for nine consecutive years. They have consistently refined their routines, increased the degree of difficulty, and analyzed every performance to perfect their skills.
The Kirbyville Wildcat Cheerleaders have created a legacy of excellence. demonstrated outstanding success at the state level, earning top placements over the years:
- 2017: 4th place
- 2018: 11th place
- 2019: 10th place
- 2020: 4th place
- 2021: 4th place
- 2022: 3rd place
- 2023: 5th place
- 2024: 2nd place
- 2025: 2nd place
Several years ago, the team set a goal to finish in the top five at state, a goal they have achieved multiple times. Last year, they set their sights on Nationals, and now they are ready to compete on the national stage.
In preparation for Nationals, the Wildcats have competed in multiple competitions this season:
- UCA Regional Competition (Houston, November 1, 2024): 1st Place finish, securing a bid to Nationals. This was an improvement from last year’s 3rd place finish.
- Marcus Hearts for the Holiday Championship (December 8, 2024): Overall Grand Champion, along with Best Crowd Leading and Best Fight Song awards.
- Hardin-Jefferson Cheer Showcase (Sour Lake, Texas, January 5, 2025): Participated in a showcase event to fine-tune their routine before Nationals.
Although the Wildcats earned a bid to Nationals last year, they were unable to attend due to funding constraints. Determined to make it this year, the team has worked tirelessly to raise the $30,000 needed for travel and competition expenses. Their dedication and perseverance have paid off, and now they are ready to represent Kirbyville on the national stage.
The entire community is cheering them on as they take this historic step forward. Best of luck to the Kirbyville Wildcat Cheerleaders as they compete for national glory!
https://www.kjas.com/news/local_news/article_c8db5e0e-e2a7-11ef-b3a6-7f6f1b4c6fb9.html
Missing woman found dead in Longview woods
LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – A missing 21-year-old woman has been found dead in a wooded area in Longview. According to the Longview Police Department, Nyah Newton’s body was found just before 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the woods near the 4700 block of Tanglewood Road. The police department announced Newton to the public as missing on Jan. 10. She was last seen previously around the 4800 block of Tanglewood Road. Longview PD said there are no signs of foul play, but the investigation is ongoing.
More bats discovered at Buna ISD, this time in the attic above the high school cafeteria
Buna ISD says more bats have been discovered. The latest is a colony of bats that had taken up residence in the attic above the high school cafeteria. The cafeteria has been closed until the bats can be removed. This comes after another colony was discovered living in the Buna ISD Activity Center in December. School district officials had those bats removed and they sealed any openings where the bats could get in. They say they will do the same following the latest discovery.
https://www.kjas.com/news/local_news/article_3c89d556-e27b-11ef-8979-57d3448948f2.html
Vernon Parish deputies found homemade bombs after a man fled from them
Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says a man fled from his deputies late Friday morning and he then fought them and bit one as they wrestled him into custody. Craft said deputies then found small homemade bombs and explosives on him, in his vehicle, and at his home. The sheriff said it started when a deputy tried to stop him for speeding, but instead he fled and they chased him until he turned onto a dead end road and they blocked him in. The man has been identified as 50-year-old William Anthony Bass, of Leesville. He was charged with Speeding, Flight from an Officer, two counts of Resisting an Officer, Battery of a Police Officer, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Manufacturing and Possession of a Bomb. Craft said officials from the ATF, the FBI, and Louisiana State Police were called in to investigate the bombs, and an Army bomb disposal team assisted in handling and disposing of the explosive devices.
https://www.kjas.com/news/local_news/article_694da0d4-e255-11ef-b7ff-17939c925743.html
Wanted man captured in northwest Jasper County
A wanted man was captured on Monday at Jim Goode Lake in northwest Jasper County. Deputies arrested 38-year-old Justin Wayne Lewis who was named in a warrant for Motion to Revoke Probation on an original felony charge of Family Violence Assault-Impeding Breath or Circulation. Lewis was taken to and booked in the Jasper County Jail.
https://www.kjas.com/news/local_news/article_2a967e60-e273-11ef-9ce1-9b83b963cef4.html
~~February 3, 2025~~
Boil Advisory
The Town of Many has issued a boil advisory for Nabours to the railroad tracks on San Antonio, Sycamore Street, Shuteye Road, West Georgia from Church to Hwy. 171, all of Texas Highway, Airport Road and Botan Road.
Caddo Parish deputies investigate fatal single-vehicle crash
SHREVEPORT, La. – Caddo Parish patrol deputies are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred early Sunday, Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr. said. Deputies were responding to an unrelated call on Interstate 49 at 4:40 a.m. when they discovered a silver Honda Civic that had veered off the road just north of Louisiana Highway 71 and was fully engulfed in flames. Caddo Fire District 8 arrived on the scene, extinguished the fire, and found the driver dead inside the vehicle. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Jasper County deputies responded to report of shots fired from a vehicle
Jasper County deputies responded Friday night to a report of shots fired from a vehicle. Sheriff Chuck Havard said it happened on Highway 96 a few miles south of Jasper. Havard said no houses were struck by the gunfire and deputies were unable to locate the person who did the shooting.
https://www.kjas.com/news/local_news/article_43cdb7da-e0e9-11ef-8b47-cf54ce69db44.html
Man accused of scamming a resident of Vernon Parish
A man accused of scamming a resident of Vernon Parish has been arrested. According to Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Department Detective Rhonda Jordan, 46-year-old Pineville resident Douglas John Juneau was paid $3,000.00 to perform construction work at a house. However, Jordan says Juneau took the money and he started the job, but he never came back to complete the work. Juneau was arrested Thursday and charged with Residential Contractor Fraud. He has been released from the Vernon Parish Jail under a $2,500.00 bond.
https://www.kjas.com/news/local_news/article_0a012184-e014-11ef-b6fc-bb9a3e517f1a.html
Man charged with several crimes after walking down road with rifle
Newton County Sheriff Colton Havard said Saturday that a man had been arrested and was in custody after he was spotted walking down a road with a rifle and later found to be in possession of illegal drugs. Havard said the arrest was made on County Road 4101, just south of Trout Creek. Havard said Eddie Mays was charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of weapons with prior felony conviction. Drugs and a rifle were confiscated during the arrest.
https://www.kjas.com/news/local_news/article_1ddc7ebe-e119-11ef-b5d7-8b5a21737df3.html
Nacogdoches woman gets life sentence for death of infant son
NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) – A Nacogdoches woman will spend the rest of her life in jail for the death of her infant child. Hanna Rush Moses, 35, was indicted in 2023 for capital murder of a person under 10 years of age. According to the Nacogdoches County DA’s Office, Moses caused the death of her 19-month-old son in 2022. She was found guilty of the crime on Thursday, and was sentenced to life in prison. According to the DA’s release, Moses’s infant son, Thomas Blake Rogers, was born prematurely and was developmentally delayed. They say Moses called 911 on May 30, 2022, saying Rogers was not breathing and she had been attempting CPR for 30 minutes before calling. Responders found Rogers unresponsive, wet, and with his ankles bound, the release says. He was observed at a hospital to have bruises developing all over his body and was found to have significant brain bleeding. He died at a hospital on June 21, 2022. Moses’s case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Amy Wren. Her release thanked Assistant District Attorney Carrie Gilcrease, Nacogdoches Police Department, Nacogdoches Fire Department, Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office, and Cook Children’s Medical Center for their assistance in the trial. The trial was the result of nearly a year of investigation, the release says. Moses will not have the possibility of parole.
Sabine Parish man sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking
SHREVEPORT, La. – A Sabine Parish man has been sentenced to federal prison for selling drugs in Sabine Parish, acting U.S. Attorney Alex Van Hook said today in a news release. Huey P. Scott Jr., 63, of Many was sentenced to 12 years, 7 months. A federal jury convicted him of trafficking methamphetamine following a three-day trial in September. Scott was arrested after Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office Tactical Narcotics Team agents conducted controlled buys of methamphetamine at his Many home on three occasions in 2022. Agents learned that Scott was a frequent user and distributor of methamphetamine, and it was proven that he sold the drugs. Agents then searched his house and found a duffel bag containing a clear plastic bag which had approximately 139.31 grams of methamphetamine. In another bag, agents found what appeared to be smaller baggies containing smaller quantities of methamphetamine. The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office’s Tactical Narcotics Team and prosecuted by assistant U.S. attorneys Mike Shannon and Earl M. Campbell.
Tyler police arrest former Mineola preacher accused of child sex assault
TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – On Saturday, a former preacher wanted on a second warrant related to child sex assault was booked into the Smith County Jail. The Wood County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday that they were seeking Timothy Daniel Nall, 70, of Holly Lake Ranch, in connection with a second child sex assault warrant. Nall was previously accused of inappropriately touching a different child while employed as a pastor at a Mineola church in 2023. The sheriff’s office said he would be held on a $100,00 bond upon his arrest. According to jail records, Tyler police arrested Nall on Saturday.
~~January 31, 2025~~
Brookshire Brothers Charitable Foundation donated $125k to 53 organizations
The Brookshire Brothers Charitable Foundation has announced the donation of $125,000.00 to fifty-three non-profit organizations across the region, and three of them are in our immediate area. The list included Kirbyville Christian Outreach, Newton Food Share, and Heavenly Blessings Food Pantry in Colmesneil. The Lufkin based company has been doing this for over one hundred years and the money is donated by vendor partners. Over the last twenty years, the company has donated more than $2 million to non-profit organizations.
https://www.kjas.com/news/local_news/article_d6667c22-df44-11ef-bc71-77653e863b91.html
Couple arrested on three charges in Newton County
A couple in Newton County went to jail late Wednesday night and have been charged with three crimes. It happened shortly before 11:00 on County Road 4101, just southeast of the Trout Creek Community. According to Sheriff Colton Havard, a deputy stopped to speak with James Ryan Smith who was walking on the road and he said Smith’s behavior led the deputy to think that he may have been involved in some type of criminal activity. Havard said the deputy discovered that Smith was in possession of methamphetamine, however, he had to wrestle Smith into custody. Shortly thereafter, the sheriff said Smith’s girlfriend, Angel Sutton, showed up and she was very drunk so she was also arrested. Smith was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Resisting Arrest, while Sutton was charged with Public Intoxication.
https://www.kjas.com/news/local_news/article_9cfcf572-df41-11ef-9521-4f1c7b1c9d77.html
Hemphill museum to mark 22nd anniversary of Shuttle Columbia tragedy
HEMPHILL, Texas (News release) – The Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum will honor the legacy of the Space Shuttle Columbia with two days of special events planned to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the tragedy that unfolded in the skies over East Texas.
On Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, the public is invited to the museum in Hemphill, Texas to take part in a solemn observance in memory of the seven-member crew of Columbia’s STS-107 mission.
The museum will open at 7:30 a.m., with the program beginning 15 minutes later. A moment of silence will be observed at the time NASA lost contact with the orbiter’s crew. The names of the astronauts, as well as two volunteers who lost their lives during the 2003 search and recovery effort will be read aloud.
Saturday’s program will also include a presentation by Herb Baker, a retired NASA business manager who worked nearly 50 years for the space agency. Baker spent most of his career at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) supporting the Space Shuttle, Space Station, and Orion programs but also worked at the Kennedy Space Center and NASA Headquarters. His last position was serving as the Manager of the Operations Support Office at JSC which provided support to the Flight Operations Office and included support to the Astronaut Office, Mission Control operations, NASA’s Aircraft Operations, and astronaut training.
Baker is currently an Officer on the Board of Directors of the NASA Alumni League and spends most of his time volunteering for organizations that promote STEM engagement, including the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and Space Center Houston.
Baker will also sign copies of his just-published memoir, ‘From Apollo to Artemis: Stories From My 50 Years With NASA.’ The book shares behind-the-scenes stories of the triumphs and tragedies that helped shape the course of space exploration. Baker’s personal anecdotes, combined with historical context, create a rich narrative that captures the excitement, dedication, and innovation that define NASA.
Free admission will be offered all day Saturday, as the museum is also marking its 14th anniversary of operation.
First-time and return visitors are invited to explore the museum’s 3,400-square-foot main gallery, which features displays documenting Space Shuttle Columbia’s 28 missions, STS-107 artifacts, scale models, a flown-in-space shuttle launch suit, and a visual account of Columbia’s final mission and the recovery effort that followed. A shuttle flight deck simulator constructed by former NASA engineers allows visitors to take the controls and experience a virtual landing of the Space Shuttle. Also part of the permanent collection — the accomplishments and personalities of the STS-107 crew members are illustrated through personal items and photos donated by their families.
A gift shop also features a wide variety of souvenirs, from apparel and astronaut food, to books, DVDs and NASA patches, including the ‘Hail & Farewell’ Columbia patch, which is available exclusively at the museum.
On Friday night from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., the museum will host ‘A Night at the Museum.’ The public is invited to this casual social gathering to network with neighbors, the Sabine County Chamber of Commerce, and members of VFW Post 10351. Light refreshments will be provided. Herb Baker will also participate in a Q&A about his book, career, and current NASA projects.
The Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum is located at 375 Sabine Street in Hemphill.
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