Four Arrested on Felony Warrants Following Buna Incident
BUNA, Texas — Four men have been arrested on felony warrants stemming from an August incident in Buna, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. Jasper County investigators executed the warrants Oct. 7 with assistance from the Newton Police Department, Pineland Police Department and Sabine County Sheriff’s Office. Those arrested were Phillip Dickerson, 18, of Pineland; Brayden Mahathay, 20, of Evadale; Braden Terry, 18, of Kirbyville; and Garret Warner, 18, of Buna. According to the sheriff’s office, the warrants include charges of engaging in organized criminal activity involving the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon, a first-degree felony, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony. The arrests stem from an incident that occurred Aug. 21 in Buna. The sheriff’s office did not release additional details about the incident or specify the alleged involvement of each person arrested. Authorities said the investigation remains active and additional arrests could be made as investigators continue gathering information and evidence. Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard credited investigators for their work on the case and recognized the law enforcement agencies that assisted with the arrests. Havard said cooperation among local and regional law enforcement agencies is important to ongoing efforts to protect residents and address criminal activity throughout Jasper County and surrounding communities. The sheriff’s office has not announced when additional information about the case could be released. Dickerson, Mahathay, Terry and Warner are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Kirbyville Couple Arrested in Alleged $57,700 Church Theft
KIRBYVILLE, Texas — A Kirbyville couple has been arrested on felony charges after an investigation determined more than $57,700 was allegedly taken from a local church through unauthorized debit card transactions, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation began Sept. 21 after Sheriff Chuck Havard notified Investigator Noel of a possible theft involving church funds. Investigators determined that a person serving as the church treasurer had allegedly used the church’s debit card for numerous transactions without authorization. Bank statements covering the previous two years were reviewed by church members and Noel. Authorities said the review uncovered numerous invoices and receipts linking the suspects to fraudulent transactions totaling more than $57,700. Investigators later interviewed the suspects, and authorities said both admitted using the debit card without the church’s consent. Sharon Conn, 52, and Daniel Conn, 49, both of Kirbyville, were arrested Oct. 7. Sharon Conn was charged with misapplication of fiduciary property or property of a financial institution, a third-degree felony. Daniel Conn was charged with debit card abuse, a state jail felony. The sheriff’s office did not identify the church or provide additional information about the transactions. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Jasper National Night Out Brings Community, First Responders Together
JASPER, Texas — First responders, community organizations and residents gathered Tuesday evening for Jasper’s National Night Out, an annual event designed to strengthen relationships between public safety agencies and the communities they serve.East End Volunteer Fire Department joined Jasper Volunteer Fire Department, Beech Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Jasper Police Department and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office for the community event. Other participating agencies included Jasper County Precinct 2 Constable Niles Nichols, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, Texas Game Wardens, Allegiance EMS, PHI Air Rescue and Jasper Independent School District Police Department. Local businesses and nonprofit organizations also participated, helping provide residents with an opportunity to meet emergency personnel and community leaders in a relaxed setting. National Night Out is held in communities across the country to promote public safety, neighborhood involvement and cooperation between residents and law enforcement agencies. Families attending the Jasper event were able to interact with first responders, learn more about local emergency services and become familiar with those who serve the community. East End VFD said events such as National Night Out provide volunteers with another opportunity to connect with residents outside emergency situations while helping build stronger community partnerships throughout Jasper.
Hilton Shines at Texas Shows
Makenzie Hilton poses with her heifer after earning first place in her class at the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Premium Heifer Show.
Submitted Photo | Jasper County News
Dylan Busby
publisher@jasperconews.com
Jasper County News
BUNA — Buna FFA is making its presence known across Texas, with Makenzie Hilton bringing home top finishes after successful showings with her heifer. Hilton recently competed at the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo, where she and her heifer earned first place in their class during the Premium Heifer Show. The victory followed another strong performance for Hilton, who placed third in her class during the Scholarship Heifer Show. Both finishes showcased the work Hilton has put into her livestock project and continued a successful stretch for Buna FFA members competing around the state. Showing livestock requires considerably more than what happens inside the show ring. Students spend months working with their animals, learning proper feeding and care while training them to be comfortable being handled and shown. For Hilton, that preparation resulted in an opportunity to compete against other young exhibitors and walk away with a first-place ribbon. Buna FFA celebrated Hilton’s performances and praised the dedication and commitment she has shown to her project. The success is also another example of the opportunities agricultural education and FFA programs provide students beyond the classroom. Livestock projects challenge students to take responsibility for the daily care of an animal while developing skills in agriculture, communication and competition. Those lessons are put to the test on show day, when exhibitors enter the ring alongside their animals and are evaluated against other entries in their respective classes. Hilton has proven she can compete. Her first-place finish in the Premium Heifer Show and third-place showing in the Scholarship Heifer Show gave Buna another reason to celebrate as its FFA students continue traveling and competing across Texas. Buna FFA has had plenty to celebrate recently, with its students representing the Cougars throughout the state.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
