News

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reports a fisherman, Richard Edward Whatley (age-71) of Haughton, was found deceased this morning around 9:30AM, February 25, 2026.

Whatley was located in the water near the bank at the end of Ed Callie Road in San Patricio Bay of Toledo Bend Lake. His boat was still running nearby.

It is unclear at this time how Whatley drowned, but investigators believe he fell out of his boat.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is the investigating agency of this incident.

Public Service Announcement - Burn Ban
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED by the Commissioners Court of Sabine County that all outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated area of the county for 7 days from the date of this Order February 25, 2026 unless the restrictions are terminated earlier based on a determination made by: (1) the Texas Forest Service that fire conditions no longer exist; or (2) the Commissioner Court or the County Judge based on a determination that the circumstances that required the Order no longer exist.

The Sabine County Reporter has stood as a pillar of local journalism for generations, but today we face a challenge that is shaking the foundation of the newspaper industry across the country. We want to be transparent with you—our loyal subscribers—about the hurdles we are currently navigating regarding the physical production of our newspaper.

Todd Lawrence Stevens, 36, of Bronson, Texas, was arrested Monday evening, February 23, 2026, in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, following an intensive multi-agency search connected to an aggravated assault that occurred February 22 in Bronson, according to the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office.