Your East Texas Weekend Report From Friday, August 15, 2025
Aug 15, 04:31 PM
Share
Subscribe
From the heart of Grand Saline to the farthest corners of the piney woods, East Texas enters this weekend grounded in its values, busy in its labors, and steadfast in its faith. We are a region defined not by the noise of the world but by the daily work of families, churches, businesses, and public servants who know that true strength comes from the Lord. This weekend report takes us across every major town and community in East Texas, bringing you up to date on the issues that matter most — safety, infrastructure, the economy, education, culture, and the life of the Church — all from a perspective that honors God’s Word and the biblical principles on which this nation was founded.
GRAND SALINE – THE CENTER OF OUR COVERAGE
Grand Saline, home to our station and the Salt Capital of Texas, is in motion on multiple fronts. City crews have finished a major resurfacing project along Main Street, not just filling potholes but laying a smoother, more durable surface meant to last through years of truck traffic from the Morton Salt plant. Businesses downtown report steady customer flow despite the work, thanks in part to coordinated detours and signage that kept visitors coming. The plant itself remains a vital employer, now fulfilling increased seasonal orders from Gulf Coast cities preparing for hurricane season — a reminder that our salt not only seasons food but keeps roads safe in emergencies.
Public safety is a community effort here. The Grand Saline Police Department, working alongside neighborhood watch groups, has made several quick arrests in the past week thanks to prompt citizen reporting. Officers have increased evening patrols near parks and school zones as the first day of classes approaches. Grand Saline ISD has completed new security installations: upgraded surveillance cameras, secure entry systems, and reinforced fencing. Local churches have joined forces to host back-to-school prayer gatherings, laying hands on teachers, administrators, and students while providing backpacks filled with supplies.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – COOPERATION AND COMMUNITY
Across Van Zandt County, road crews are grading rural routes damaged by last week’s rains, ensuring farmers and ranchers can move equipment without delay. In Canton, preparations are already underway for next month’s First Monday Trade Days, with vendors booking spots and city workers making infrastructure upgrades to handle the crowds. Volunteer fire departments in Ben Wheeler and Edom responded to small grass fires earlier this week, a reminder of how quickly conditions can change in August heat. The sheriff’s office has launched a weekend traffic safety campaign, placing extra units along FM 17 and Highway 19 to deter impaired and distracted driving.
Churches in Wills Point are organizing a Sunday evening prayer walk through downtown, specifically interceding for local government leaders, law enforcement officers, and families facing economic hardship. Pastors emphasize that public prayer is both a witness and a warning — a declaration that God’s people stand watch over their community.
TYLER – MEDICAL, BUSINESS, AND CULTURAL GROWTH
Tyler continues to solidify its role as the medical hub of East Texas. A new outpatient surgical center on South Broadway is nearing completion, promising reduced wait times for certain procedures and freeing hospital resources for more critical cases. The city council has passed a grant program for small businesses in aging commercial areas, funding façade improvements, energy-efficient lighting, and modernized signage. Tyler’s police department has reported success in a targeted operation against catalytic converter theft, with several suspects in custody and stolen parts recovered.
Culturally, the Cowan Center is finalizing its fall performance lineup, which will include patriotic concerts and family-friendly productions that align with community values. Local Christian radio stations are partnering to promote these events, ensuring that wholesome entertainment remains accessible.
LONGVIEW – INDUSTRY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
In Longview, industrial growth remains steady. A manufacturing firm producing oilfield equipment has added a second shift to meet growing demand, bringing dozens of new jobs to the area. City road crews have begun a resurfacing project along Loop 281, working in sections to minimize delays. Public safety officials highlight the success of a youth engagement program that paired teenagers with first responders over the summer, exposing them to careers in public service and building trust between law enforcement and the community.
Longview’s churches are organizing a weekend outreach to homeless residents, offering meals, clothing, and prayer. Pastors are coordinating to ensure every visitor receives not just material help but a clear presentation of the Gospel.
SMITH, GREGG, AND HARRISON COUNTIES – REGIONAL READINESS
Smith County has entered into agreements with neighboring counties to share heavy equipment in times of emergency, ensuring faster debris removal after storms. Gregg County deputies are partnering with Harrison County officers to dismantle theft rings targeting rural properties. Joint patrols have already led to several arrests and the recovery of stolen farm machinery. Public health departments are stepping up mosquito control after recent rains, a proactive measure to prevent West Nile and other mosquito-borne illnesses.
LUFKIN AND NACOGDOCHES – FORESTRY, EDUCATION, AND FAITH
In Lufkin, timber companies are cautiously optimistic about market stability as lumber prices level off. Forestry managers are continuing fire prevention campaigns, reminding landowners that even in a wet season, a single dry, windy day can spell trouble. Nacogdoches ISD has announced expanded vocational training programs, including welding, certified nursing assistant preparation, and agricultural mechanics — pathways that keep young people employable and rooted in the community. Churches in both cities are preparing for a joint worship gathering on the Nacogdoches town square, drawing believers from multiple denominations to worship in unity.
PALESTINE, JACKSONVILLE, AND RUSK – CONNECTIVITY AND CARE
Palestine’s city transit system is testing an expanded route to link residential neighborhoods with key shopping areas and medical centers. Jacksonville’s tomato harvest has been strong this year, with shipments heading statewide. Rusk State Hospital is continuing renovations to improve both patient care and security, with administrators noting the positive impact of chaplaincy programs in recovery efforts.
SULPHUR SPRINGS, MOUNT PLEASANT, AND PARIS – AGRICULTURE AND ENTERPRISE
Dairy farms near Sulphur Springs are balancing production levels with fluctuating feed costs, aided by cooperative purchasing agreements. Mount Pleasant’s poultry plants are running at full capacity, relying on a stable local workforce. Paris is hosting a small-business workshop this weekend, covering topics from tax compliance to digital marketing.
SPORTS – BUILDING TOWARD FALL
High school football teams across the region are in final scrimmages. Grand Saline’s squad is showing renewed discipline under new coaching strategies, while the band prepares a halftime program blending patriotic themes with contemporary arrangements. Longview’s volleyball team remains dominant in pre-season play, while cross-country teams in Tyler and Mount Pleasant are training hard in the early mornings.
FAITH AND COMMUNITY – THE FOUNDATION
From small chapels in the countryside to larger urban congregations, the Church remains active. Prayer for Israel is increasing, as pastors connect current global events to biblical prophecy. Ministries continue to address local needs: food banks restocked, addiction counseling expanded, and discipleship groups equipping believers to stand strong in the truth.
LOOKING AHEAD
The forecast calls for hot afternoons with possible evening storms. Farmers will watch the skies, construction crews will press on, and families will gather for fellowship, worship, and rest. In every town, the values that bind us — faith in God, love of neighbor, and commitment to freedom — will remain stronger than any challenge.
Stay tuned to KRRB Revelation Radio for the only unfiltered, uncensored, most comprehensive News reporting in all of East Texas.
GRAND SALINE – THE CENTER OF OUR COVERAGE
Grand Saline, home to our station and the Salt Capital of Texas, is in motion on multiple fronts. City crews have finished a major resurfacing project along Main Street, not just filling potholes but laying a smoother, more durable surface meant to last through years of truck traffic from the Morton Salt plant. Businesses downtown report steady customer flow despite the work, thanks in part to coordinated detours and signage that kept visitors coming. The plant itself remains a vital employer, now fulfilling increased seasonal orders from Gulf Coast cities preparing for hurricane season — a reminder that our salt not only seasons food but keeps roads safe in emergencies.
Public safety is a community effort here. The Grand Saline Police Department, working alongside neighborhood watch groups, has made several quick arrests in the past week thanks to prompt citizen reporting. Officers have increased evening patrols near parks and school zones as the first day of classes approaches. Grand Saline ISD has completed new security installations: upgraded surveillance cameras, secure entry systems, and reinforced fencing. Local churches have joined forces to host back-to-school prayer gatherings, laying hands on teachers, administrators, and students while providing backpacks filled with supplies.
VAN ZANDT COUNTY – COOPERATION AND COMMUNITY
Across Van Zandt County, road crews are grading rural routes damaged by last week’s rains, ensuring farmers and ranchers can move equipment without delay. In Canton, preparations are already underway for next month’s First Monday Trade Days, with vendors booking spots and city workers making infrastructure upgrades to handle the crowds. Volunteer fire departments in Ben Wheeler and Edom responded to small grass fires earlier this week, a reminder of how quickly conditions can change in August heat. The sheriff’s office has launched a weekend traffic safety campaign, placing extra units along FM 17 and Highway 19 to deter impaired and distracted driving.
Churches in Wills Point are organizing a Sunday evening prayer walk through downtown, specifically interceding for local government leaders, law enforcement officers, and families facing economic hardship. Pastors emphasize that public prayer is both a witness and a warning — a declaration that God’s people stand watch over their community.
TYLER – MEDICAL, BUSINESS, AND CULTURAL GROWTH
Tyler continues to solidify its role as the medical hub of East Texas. A new outpatient surgical center on South Broadway is nearing completion, promising reduced wait times for certain procedures and freeing hospital resources for more critical cases. The city council has passed a grant program for small businesses in aging commercial areas, funding façade improvements, energy-efficient lighting, and modernized signage. Tyler’s police department has reported success in a targeted operation against catalytic converter theft, with several suspects in custody and stolen parts recovered.
Culturally, the Cowan Center is finalizing its fall performance lineup, which will include patriotic concerts and family-friendly productions that align with community values. Local Christian radio stations are partnering to promote these events, ensuring that wholesome entertainment remains accessible.
LONGVIEW – INDUSTRY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
In Longview, industrial growth remains steady. A manufacturing firm producing oilfield equipment has added a second shift to meet growing demand, bringing dozens of new jobs to the area. City road crews have begun a resurfacing project along Loop 281, working in sections to minimize delays. Public safety officials highlight the success of a youth engagement program that paired teenagers with first responders over the summer, exposing them to careers in public service and building trust between law enforcement and the community.
Longview’s churches are organizing a weekend outreach to homeless residents, offering meals, clothing, and prayer. Pastors are coordinating to ensure every visitor receives not just material help but a clear presentation of the Gospel.
SMITH, GREGG, AND HARRISON COUNTIES – REGIONAL READINESS
Smith County has entered into agreements with neighboring counties to share heavy equipment in times of emergency, ensuring faster debris removal after storms. Gregg County deputies are partnering with Harrison County officers to dismantle theft rings targeting rural properties. Joint patrols have already led to several arrests and the recovery of stolen farm machinery. Public health departments are stepping up mosquito control after recent rains, a proactive measure to prevent West Nile and other mosquito-borne illnesses.
LUFKIN AND NACOGDOCHES – FORESTRY, EDUCATION, AND FAITH
In Lufkin, timber companies are cautiously optimistic about market stability as lumber prices level off. Forestry managers are continuing fire prevention campaigns, reminding landowners that even in a wet season, a single dry, windy day can spell trouble. Nacogdoches ISD has announced expanded vocational training programs, including welding, certified nursing assistant preparation, and agricultural mechanics — pathways that keep young people employable and rooted in the community. Churches in both cities are preparing for a joint worship gathering on the Nacogdoches town square, drawing believers from multiple denominations to worship in unity.
PALESTINE, JACKSONVILLE, AND RUSK – CONNECTIVITY AND CARE
Palestine’s city transit system is testing an expanded route to link residential neighborhoods with key shopping areas and medical centers. Jacksonville’s tomato harvest has been strong this year, with shipments heading statewide. Rusk State Hospital is continuing renovations to improve both patient care and security, with administrators noting the positive impact of chaplaincy programs in recovery efforts.
SULPHUR SPRINGS, MOUNT PLEASANT, AND PARIS – AGRICULTURE AND ENTERPRISE
Dairy farms near Sulphur Springs are balancing production levels with fluctuating feed costs, aided by cooperative purchasing agreements. Mount Pleasant’s poultry plants are running at full capacity, relying on a stable local workforce. Paris is hosting a small-business workshop this weekend, covering topics from tax compliance to digital marketing.
SPORTS – BUILDING TOWARD FALL
High school football teams across the region are in final scrimmages. Grand Saline’s squad is showing renewed discipline under new coaching strategies, while the band prepares a halftime program blending patriotic themes with contemporary arrangements. Longview’s volleyball team remains dominant in pre-season play, while cross-country teams in Tyler and Mount Pleasant are training hard in the early mornings.
FAITH AND COMMUNITY – THE FOUNDATION
From small chapels in the countryside to larger urban congregations, the Church remains active. Prayer for Israel is increasing, as pastors connect current global events to biblical prophecy. Ministries continue to address local needs: food banks restocked, addiction counseling expanded, and discipleship groups equipping believers to stand strong in the truth.
LOOKING AHEAD
The forecast calls for hot afternoons with possible evening storms. Farmers will watch the skies, construction crews will press on, and families will gather for fellowship, worship, and rest. In every town, the values that bind us — faith in God, love of neighbor, and commitment to freedom — will remain stronger than any challenge.
Stay tuned to KRRB Revelation Radio for the only unfiltered, uncensored, most comprehensive News reporting in all of East Texas.