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My brother Joe and I have talked many times about the memories of our childhood Christmases. After cutting a pine tree (one year a holly), we made our ornaments from Crayola-colored rings stuck together with water and flour glue. None of us ever saw or ate an apple, an orange or an English walnut until Christmas every year. On Christmas Eve, we lay whispering in bed till daylight. When Mother and Daddy called us, we ran to the fireplace, warmed and opened our presents. A cap pistol with several rolls of caps was for many years our Christmas toy and we each got an apple and an orange. I was so proud of my English walnuts one year that I hid one on a window ledge and enjoyed it several weeks later.

The Sabine County Chamber of Commerce met Tuesday, Dec. 12 for their monthly meeting and on the agenda this month was an honoring of our local Firefighters. Sabine County has nine areas represented. Pictured left to right: Keith Hill -Hemphill, Joe Tiner -Pendleton Harbor and Low’s Creek, Sherri Thibodeaux- Fairmount, Joseph Lane-Pineland, Penny Ridley- Rosevine, Robert Byley -Bronson, Deborah and Mike Pennington - Shamrock Shores and Christine and Lonnie Johnston- Six Mile. Each department spokesman addressed the crowd and shared information on their coverage areas. We are very honored to have this group of servicemen and women. Donations may be made to each department and are greatly appreciated and needed.

Santa Letters Special Edition is here! We hope you enjoy this year’s Holiday Memories compiled in the words of tomorrow’s brightest leaders. Thank you to all of our local buinesses and sponsors for making this special edition possible. The Reporter will be closed Dec. 22- Dec. 26 and will not publish next week. We will see you back here in January to celebrate the New Year.

On December 14, 2023, District Attorney Paul A. Robbin tried Robert Paul Stewart, 57, on the charge of Attempted Murder for his 1986 assault on Reba Jean Barnett, before Judge James Payne. Stewart pled Guilty to the offense and a trial on punishment commenced, the charge of Attempted Murder is a Second Degree Felony in Texas, and has a sentence range of 2 to 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and/or up to a $10,000 Fine. District Attorney Robbins asked the court to take Judicial Notice of the 1986 indictment, the Defendant's plea of guilt, and the evidence presented at the original trial of the victim, Lisa Barnett, tried by then District Attorney Charles Mitchell. Robbins went on to present evidence through Reba Jean Barnett's son, Richard Barnett, who was 12 years old at the time of the assault. District Attorney Paul A. Robbins then rested the State's case. The Defense did not respond with any testimony. Judge James Payne sentenced Robert Paul Stewart to the maximum sentence of 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and remanded Stewart into the custody of Sheriff Tom Maddox to carry out the sentence.

Hunting in Today’s Wild West... Left to right: Jason Knight, David Knight, Mike Knight and Jared Knight.

The Hemphill Chamber of Commerce held their Christmas Party at the VFW on Friday evening. There was a huge turnout and lots of raffle and gift items, as well as lots of food! Pictured above is VFW Commander Curtis Buckner presenting a donation check, raised largely from donations from the local bingo attendees, to Game Warden Ryan Svehla to help offset expenses of having his daughter airlifted to Houston for medical treatment. The Chamber of Commerce is growing rapidly and works hard in helping the community grow. The Christmas party was a huge success!

BOM is a title sponsor of the West Sabine Bass Club. Pictured left to right: CJ Ford and BOM’s Kelcie McCroskey.

Horse ownership offers many joys, but as owners navigate the needs of their equine companions, they may find that each breed has its own unique requirements. What owners may not know is specific coat colors can signal distinct health challenges that they should attentively watch for and address.