INSIDER
200-foot radio station tower stolen without a trace in Alabama, silencing small town's voice
Read full article: 200-foot radio station tower stolen without a trace in Alabama, silencing small town's voiceA radio station manager says the theft of its giant tower has silenced what used to be the voice of a small Alabama town and surrounding county.
Year after year, most Texas police departments report zero hate crimes. Here’s why.
Read full article: Year after year, most Texas police departments report zero hate crimes. Here’s why.A Texas Tribune analysis of hate crime data found that 82% of Texas law enforcement agencies that report to the FBI tracked no hate crimes last year. However, one suburban North Texas police agency is creating a new model of collecting hate crime data.
Seeking lower electricity rates, residents in two East Texas towns hope the state will intervene
Read full article: Seeking lower electricity rates, residents in two East Texas towns hope the state will interveneLivingston and Jasper residents hope a lawsuit will force their municipality-operated utility company to offer lower rates and create more transparency in setting rates. They’re among the 5 million Texans living outside the state’s deregulated market and cannot choose their energy provider.
In the shadow of James Byrd’s murder, city leaders can’t agree how to move this East Texas town forward
Read full article: In the shadow of James Byrd’s murder, city leaders can’t agree how to move this East Texas town forwardJasper’s second Black mayor wants to help residents pay their bills while a younger city council wants to invest in the city’s culture. Residents call their heated arguments at city council meetings “foolishness” and “embarrassing.”
Jasper County little league coach convicted for sexually assaulting several players
Read full article: Jasper County little league coach convicted for sexually assaulting several playersA little league coach has pleaded guilty to federal child exploitation charges in the Eastern District of Texas, the United States Department of Justice announced Wednesday.
Texas towns are starving for capital and lack the resources to apply for grants. This group hopes to help.
Read full article: Texas towns are starving for capital and lack the resources to apply for grants. This group hopes to help.Texas Rural Funders hopes a one-stop resource for grant applications and writers could help small towns win money to fund innovation and capital needs.
Watch: 25 years after James Byrd Jr. was killed for being Black, his loved ones question how much has changed in Texas
Read full article: Watch: 25 years after James Byrd Jr. was killed for being Black, his loved ones question how much has changed in TexasThe quiet East Texas town of Jasper came together immediately after the racist murder of James Byrd Jr. Now, Texas is leading the nation in incidents of white supremacist propaganda.
After a hospital stopped delivering babies, Deep East Texas faces a growing maternity care crisis
Read full article: After a hospital stopped delivering babies, Deep East Texas faces a growing maternity care crisisWomen in Deep East Texas drive over an hour to give birth after the last obstetrics unit in the area closed in 2019. But if closing the unit was hard, reopening it is proving nearly impossible.
Conspiracy theorists and 16-hour days: Inside the stress elections officials face ahead of the midterms
Read full article: Conspiracy theorists and 16-hour days: Inside the stress elections officials face ahead of the midtermsRunning elections in Texas has never been easy. But since 2020, the scrutiny elections administrators face has grown — even in small Republican-controlled counties that former President Donald Trump carried.
Jasper ISD joins growing list of districts that have switched to 4-day school week; Board approves incentives for teachers and staff
Read full article: Jasper ISD joins growing list of districts that have switched to 4-day school week; Board approves incentives for teachers and staffThe implementation of a four-day school week is gaining some traction across Texas.
Mother of Sam Olson speaks following new charge filed against Theresa Balboa
Read full article: Mother of Sam Olson speaks following new charge filed against Theresa BalboaTheresa Balboa, the former girlfriend of Samuel Olson’s father, was charged with capital murder Thursday in connection with the death of the 5-year-old after his body was found in a Jasper motel room in June.
Theresa Balboa charged with capital murder in death of 5-year-old Samuel Olson
Read full article: Theresa Balboa charged with capital murder in death of 5-year-old Samuel OlsonTheresa Raye Balboa, who was the girlfriend of Samuel Olson’s father, has been charged with capital murder in connection with the death of the 5-year-old after his body was found in a Jasper motel room in June.
‘How is he not involved?:’ Mother of 5-year-old Samuel Olson speaks for first time since boy was found dead
Read full article: ‘How is he not involved?:’ Mother of 5-year-old Samuel Olson speaks for first time since boy was found deadTwo weeks after 5-year-old Samuel Olson’s body was found in a motel room in Jasper, Texas, the boy’s mother is set to speak out for the first time on Tuesday.
Body found in Jasper motel room positively identified as 5-year-old Samuel Olson, cause of death revealed
Read full article: Body found in Jasper motel room positively identified as 5-year-old Samuel Olson, cause of death revealedThe body of the child found in a motel room in Jasper, Texas has been positively identified as 6-year-old Samuel Olson, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences announced Tuesday afternoon.
Samuel Olson case: Bond set at $500K for Theresa Balboa, woman charged after child’s body found in motel room
Read full article: Samuel Olson case: Bond set at $500K for Theresa Balboa, woman charged after child’s body found in motel roomBond is now set at $500,000 for Theresa Balboa, the woman charged after a child’s body was found in a motel in Jasper, Texas, during the search for missing Houston boy, Samuel Olson.
Father of 6-year-old Samuel Olson denies being involved in child’s death, lawyer says
Read full article: Father of 6-year-old Samuel Olson denies being involved in child’s death, lawyer saysA mug shot has been released of Theresa Balboa, the woman jailed after a child's body was found in Jasper, Texas.
Jasper playing to strength of run game; defense
Read full article: Jasper playing to strength of run game; defenseThe Jasper Bulldogs went undefeated in district play in 2019 under the direction of Darrell Barbay, who has been pacing the sidelines since 2012. The 'Dogs went two rounds deep in the playoffs and return 10 starters in the fall. Jasper is going to win old school -- on the ground and with a stingy defense. On the ground is RB Carl Limbrick, who went off for nearly 1,400 yards and 28 TDs. The defense is led by an outstanding LB corps made up of LaKendrick Garrett, Sean Singleton and Kaleb Sells.
VYPE SETX 2020 Preseason Offensive Lineman of the Year Fan Poll
Read full article: VYPE SETX 2020 Preseason Offensive Lineman of the Year Fan PollThis week it's the Offensive Lineman! The VYPE SETX 2020 Preseason Offensive Lineman of the Year Fan Poll is now live! All athlete polls and their content are only associated and created by VYPE Media and its staff. Please contact VYPE Media directly if you have any questions, comments, or concerns around our Fan Polls. VYPE SETX 2020 Preseason Offensive Lineman of the Year Fan Poll (Poll Closes Mon 8/17 at 7pm)
Want to adopt a pet? Here are 6 delightful doggies to adopt now in Houston
Read full article: Want to adopt a pet? Here are 6 delightful doggies to adopt now in HoustonJasper, Chinese crested dogJasper is a male Chinese crested dog dog currently residing at Tender Loving Crested Rescue. Gamora, Australian cattle dogGamora is a lovable female Australian cattle dog dog being kept at PETronus Rescue. Gamora is a young Blue Heeler mix dog that was found roaming the streets as a stray. Milo, Catahoula leopard dog mixMilo is a lovable male Catahoula leopard dog mix staying at PETronus Rescue. Memo, American Staffordshire terrier mixMemo is a male American Staffordshire terrier mix in the care of Brave Bully Rescue.
VIDEO: ‘Batman’ seen stealing from church in Alabama
Read full article: VIDEO: ‘Batman’ seen stealing from church in AlabamaPolice in Jasper, Alabama are searching for a man who robbed at least two churches while wearing a Batman-style mask. King’s Way Church Pastor Jason Hooper says the Batman Bandit used a rock to break the front window. The man stole a keyboard and bass guitar, committing his crime in just one minute and 18 seconds. "Your frustrated, because looking at the gentleman walking through and the way he navigated the building reveals that he is someone we've helped somehow someway," Hooper says. Police believe the batman bandit is responsible for other break-ins in Jasper, Georgia, and Tennessee.