News

Each year, Americans adjust their clocks twice for Daylight Saving Time (DST), a long-standing practice designed to make better use of daylight during the warmer months. While the time change is familiar, many people still wonder when it happens, why it exists, and how it all began.

Sabine County voters decided several contested county races Tuesday while one race will advance to a runoff election later this spring. The election determined the outcome of races for County Judge, County Clerk, County Commissioner Precinct 4, and Justice of the Peace Precinct 1.

The Sabine County Commissioners Court met in regular session Monday morning, Feb. 23, 2026, at the Commissioners Courtroom in Hemphill, opening with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance before moving through a full agenda of county business.

As of February 2026, the long-anticipated Whataburger planned for Toledo Town remains under construction and has not yet opened. The restaurant is part of the larger Fish-N-Fuel Toledo Town development located at the intersection of Highway 6 and Highway 191.

During the afternoon hours of February 26, 2026, Sabine County Deputies were dispatched to an address on Rayburn Ridge in the far southwestern corner of Sabine County in regards to a male subject who appeared to be walking around houses in the area and checking for open doors. Several Deputies arrived and located a male subject identified as Robert Rodriguez Villarreal (45 of Denison, Texas, pictured above). One home owner who was not at home was able to provide Deputies with description of Villarreal’s activities from home security cameras and Villarreal was arrested for Criminal Trespass of a Residence. He was also found to have an outstanding Parole Warrant out of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division (TDCJID). He was also found to be a person in interest in some home invasions in the Shelby County Area. He remains in the Sabine County Jail without bond.

February 24 marked the 190th anniversary of Colonel William B. Travis’ famous “Victory or Death” letter from the Alamo. Though Travis and his fellow Texans made the ultimate sacrifice, their courage helped inspire Texas’ fight for independence. As we approach Texas Independence Day on March 2, I encourage everyone to reflect on the bravery and determination that helped shape our great state.

(March 2, 2026) The vast forests of East Texas recently took center stage during a statewide effort to showcase the breadth of Texas’ agricultural industry. Members of XIX cohort of the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership (TALL) have spent months traveling across the Lone Star State and beyond, studying and promoting practical solutions related to the issues, policies, theories, and economics that shape and strengthen agriculture in Texas. While cattle, poultry, and hay often come to mind first, the forest industry is a leading economic contributor in East Texas.

Dollar General is excited to announce its store at 9779 State Highway 87 S in Hemphill is now open to provide the community with convenient and affordable access to household essentials! To celebrate, the Company plans to host a grand opening event on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 8 a.m., which will include $10 complimentary gift cards to the first 50 adult customers and DG tote bags to the first 100 customers.