KBest Media

READ THE STORY: Tumbleweed Smith Honored with Prestigious Kentucky Colonel Title at Big Spring Rotary Club Meeting

BIG SPRING, Texas — Longtime West Texas storyteller and radio personality Tumbleweed Smith received one of Kentucky's highest honors at Tuesday's Big Spring Rotary Club meeting, where he was presented with the honorary title of Kentucky Colonel.

The recognition, considered the highest civilian honor awarded by the governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, recognizes individuals for their contributions, accomplishments, and service to others.

Allen Morris, a retired Big Spring teacher and longtime friend of Smith, presented the award.

During the Rotary Club meeting, Morris shared that he first met Smith while attending college. Their friendship has continued over the years, and Morris has also appeared as a guest on Smith's radio program.

Morris explained the significance of the Kentucky Colonel designation, noting that the prestigious honor recognizes individuals who have made meaningful contributions through their professional accomplishments and service.

Smith has spent decades documenting the people, places, traditions, and colorful personalities of Texas, particularly those in smaller communities across West Texas.

Through his storytelling and radio broadcasts, Smith has helped preserve the region's history and culture, sharing stories about everyday Texans and the experiences that make their communities unique.

His work has introduced generations of listeners to Texas history, humor, and traditions, establishing him as one of the region's most recognizable storytelling voices.

The Kentucky Colonel designation is an honorary title, not a military rank. Kentucky's governor commissions recipients in recognition of their achievements and contributions to society.

For Morris, presenting the honor during Tuesday's Rotary Club meeting was especially meaningful because of his longstanding friendship with Smith and his appreciation for the storyteller's work.

The recognition adds another distinction to Smith's lengthy career dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Texas and its people.

READ ABOUT IT! Murder Suspect Zyon Gonzalez Has Prior Felony Conviction; No Court Date Set

BIG SPRING, Texas — A 49-year-old man arrested last month on a murder charge in Howard County has a prior felony conviction for kidnapping, according to court records obtained by KBEST Media.

Zyon Gonzalez was arrested October 12 by the Howard County Sheriff's Office and booked into the Howard County Jail on a murder charge. No court date has been set for the latest charge.

A review of Howard County's 118th District Court records reveals Gonzalez has a criminal history dating back more than a decade.

Court records show Gonzalez was charged with aggravated sexual assault, a first-degree felony, in connection with a September 17, 2015, offense. The court dismissed that charge on January 16, 2018.

However, in a separate case involving the same September 2015 offense date, Gonzalez was convicted of kidnapping, a third-degree felony, on January 16, 2018. Court records indicate the case was resolved through a guilty or no-contest plea.

Both cases were handled in the 118th District Court before Judge Timothy Yeats. Attorney Shane Seaton represented Gonzalez.

The available court records do not establish whether the two charges arose from the same incident or provide details about the sentence imposed in the kidnapping case.

Gonzalez now faces a murder charge stemming from his October 12 arrest. Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the latest allegation.

The murder charge remains pending, and Gonzalez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

KBEST Media will continue following the case as additional information and court proceedings become available.

READ THE STORY: Social Security Recipients in Howard County to Receive Benefit Increase in January

BIG SPRING, Texas — Thousands of Social Security recipients in Big Spring, Howard County, and across West Texas will see an increase in their monthly benefits beginning in January 2027, providing some additional financial relief as the cost of living continues to rise.

The Social Security Administration has announced a 3.6 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2027, which is expected to translate into an average increase of approximately $75 per month for retirees receiving Social Security benefits.

The annual adjustment is designed to help Social Security recipients maintain their purchasing power as inflation drives up the prices of everyday goods and services.

For retirees and individuals living on fixed incomes in Howard County, the increase could help offset rising expenses for groceries, utilities, prescription medications, housing, and other necessities.

However, the additional money may not go as far as some recipients hope. Continued increases in health care costs, insurance premiums, and household expenses could absorb much of the adjustment.

Social Security cost-of-living adjustments are determined annually using inflation data from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. The adjustments are intended to ensure that benefits keep pace with changes in consumer prices.

Nearly 72 million Americans receive Social Security benefits, including retired workers, people with disabilities, and eligible surviving family members.

Recipients will receive information from the Social Security Administration outlining their new monthly benefit amounts before the increase takes effect.

Most Social Security beneficiaries will begin receiving higher payments in January 2027, while Supplemental Security Income recipients generally receive adjusted payments beginning at the end of December.

Residents can review their benefit information and access official notices through their personal accounts at www.ssa.gov.

Scurry County Sheriff's Office Seeks Public's Help Locating Two Wanted Individuals

SNYDER, Texas — The Scurry County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's assistance in locating two individuals wanted on separate charges involving a controlled substance and assault causing bodily injury.

The first individual is 44-year-old Nicole Rene Highfield, who is wanted on a motion to revoke involving possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1 or 1-B. The Scurry County District Court issued a warrant for her arrest.

Highfield is described as a white female, 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing approximately 110 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Authorities are also searching for 35-year-old Joshua Jim Pesina, who is wanted on a charge of assault causing bodily injury. The Sheriff's Office confirms it has issued a warrant for his arrest.

Pesina is described as a white male, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing approximately 135 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

The Scurry County Sheriff's Office is urging anyone with information about either individual's whereabouts to contact authorities immediately.

Residents are warned not to approach or attempt to apprehend either individual and are asked not to post tips on Facebook.

Anyone with information should contact the Scurry County Sheriff's Office at 325-573-3551.

Both individuals are wanted on outstanding warrants, and the Sheriff's Office is continuing its efforts to locate them.

Seasonable to slightly below-normal temperatures are in store for much of west Texas and southeast New Mexico through this weekend!

KBest Sweetheart of the Day!
Today’s Sweetheart is Brandy Zeruth!
Brandy will receive a beautiful rose from Faye’s Flowers as we celebrate her!
If you see Brandy today, be sure to congratulate her on being named the KBest Sweetheart of the Day and thank her for everything she does to make our community a little brighter!
Know someone who deserves to be celebrated? Nominate them for the KBest Sweetheart of the Day! Visit KBST.com and click on “Sweetheart of the Day.” It’s FREE and easy to enter!
KBest Sweetheart of the Day — celebrating Brandy…one smile, one rose at a time!

KNOW SOMEONE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY?
Give them a little birthday love right here! Post their name and birthday in the comments, then listen to KBest 95.7 each weekday morning for our Birthday Shout-Outs!
Make their day extra special with a shout-out on the radio!
Birthday Shout-Outs are brought to you by The Folsom Law Firm in Big Spring!
Tag ’em, wish ’em, and let KBest help you celebrate ’em!

Celebrate the KBest Dude of the Day!
Today’s KBest Dude of the Day is Ruden Hiliario Jr.!
If you see Ruben out and about, be sure to give him a pat on the back and yell, “DUUUUUDE!” Then thank him for all he does!
Ruben will also receive some special goodies delivered from our friends at Faye’s Flowers!
Know an awesome dude who deserves some recognition? Nominate him for the KBest Dude of the Day! Head over to KBST.com and click on “Dude of the Day.”
It’s FREE, quick, and easy to nominate someone deserving!
Congratulations, Ruben! DUUUUUDE!