Jasper Christmas Tour of Homes samples many decorating styles
      Halls are decked with boughs of holly, homes scented with cinnamon and pine, every nook and cranny filled with seasonal delights. Seven homes and the Woman's Civic Club will be open tomorrow, Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., for the first Christmas Tour of Homes that Jasper has seen in several year...
More ...

Family honors soldiers in Iraq at Christmas around the world
      Brittany Holmes didn't know that theme for the annual Parade of Lights in Jasper would be "Christmas Around the World;" she already had her heart set on naming her float, "Christmas in Baghdad" in honor of her brother, Specialist Aaren Jolet.
More ...

Gingerbread builders wanted at Dies Park
      Martin Dies Jr. State Park's annual Gingerbread Building Marathon and concert is Dec. 15 beginning at 2 p.m. Rangers will provide all the materials needed to build a gingerbread house out of graham crackers, with white icing and candy to decorate, followed by a sing-a-long concert of Christmas car...
More ...

Enjoy Christmas lights in Hunterwood contest
      Judges will drive through the Hunter's Creek Addition in Jasper Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. to select the winners of the second annual Christmas lights contest. Four decorating categories will be judged on most elegant, most festive, most creative, and best of show. Prizes were donated by Lowe's.
More ...

BBB issues gift card advisory
      More than $25 billion in gift cards were purchased in 2006. Where there is big money, crooks, criminals, thieves and scammers are soon to follow.
More ...

McBride to seek re-election
      Jasper County Sheriff Ronnie McBride announced Dec. 10 that he will seek re-election for a second term as sheriff. "My primary goal was, and continues to be, providing Jasper County citizens with law enforcement services in the most effective and efficient means possible with the personnel and b...
More ...

Newman to challenge for election to county sheriff's post
      Mitchel Newman announced Dec. 4 he will run for the office of Jasper County Sheriff in the March election. A 1971 graduate of Jasper High School, Newman is a U.S. Army veteran, past member of Local 450, operating engineers. Newman worked 12 years for Temple- Inland as a survey-party chief.
More ...

Smith to seek Pct. 3 commissioner's post
      Weldon Smith has announced his candidacy for Jasper County Precinct 3 Commissioner. "During my 15 years of service I have worked for two commissioners," said Smith, who recently retired from his position with Jasper County. "I am proud that I was a part of the improvements made on our roads and b...
More ...

Christmas in Jasper
      THE HOLIDAY SEASON WAS ushered in in style last Friday with the Jasper Lake Sam Rayburn Chamber of Commerce Christmas Around the World parade.The parade featured queens, little elves, cheerleaders and a visit from Santa himself.
More ...

Lamb Foundation to sponsor Winter Wonderland Saturday
      The Monica Lamb Wellness Foundation will host Winter Wonderland at Sandy Creek Park, Saturday, December 15 from 10 am to 7 pm. Children through age 13 and their families are invited to join in the festivities which feature food, fun, games and competition.
More ...

Relay for Life gets a jump on plans for all-night event on courthouse square
      Last year, the American Cancer's Society's Relay for Life came in more than 180 percent above goal, but for the fifth annual event in Jasper, April 25-26, they aspire to even greater heights. "Leading the fight against cancer," the Relay has had more than three million participants and raised m...
More ...

ORCA hands out paper checks
      ORCA staged a media event at the Alabama- Coushatta Indian Reservation special events center in Livingston Nov. 29 to present oversized paper checks to 51 grant recipients for more than $15.8 million. Jasper County by far had the lion's share with the biggest check for $2,270,188, and Tyler Count...
More ...

Clerk's office gearing up for March election
      Candidates for the March election have until Jan. 2 to file for a place on the ballot, according to Jasper County Clerk Debbie Newman. All the constables, the sheriff, tax assessor, Precincts 1 and 3 commissioners, and District 1A judge are up for election this time.
More ...

Food banks report critical food shortage
      Recently there was an article in the New York Times concerning food banks around the country that are reporting critical shortages of food. Some food banks have resorted to rationing food, distributing staples that usually reserved for disaster relief, or even shutting down operations.
More ...