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  • President's signature pushes drainage study funds

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Dec 29, 2020

    While Congress and the White House go back and forth on whether to increase individual stimulus payments from $600 to $2,000, Texas Sen. John Cornyn is taking a well-timed victory lap. The $1.4 trillion bill to fund government agencies that President Trump signed Sunday night along with the $900 billion pandemic relief package included the Water Resources Development Act of 2020. That will fund a feasibility study for the Port Arthur and Orange County flood risk management...

  • Covid a physical, mental toll on schools

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Dec 29, 2020

    Mid-year retirements increased for teachers in the Little Cypress-Mauriceville school district and its superintendent says Covid-19 is to blame. "I think I have seven or eight that are leaving Dec. 31 and I've never had that," Stacey Brister, third-year superintendent and 20-year administrator in the district, said. "I think Covid has played a major, major role in that. Not only Covid itself, but how it affects people as far as a teaching standpoint. Our teachers are teaching...

  • Tools store nears opening in West Orange

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Dec 29, 2020

    West Orange Mayor Roy McDonald says that while a big box store already exists to sell lumber or housewares, Harbor Freight Tools will be the place to buy the tools once it opens in early 2021. "We're looking forward to that," he said. The California-based, family-owned company already has stores in Port Arthur, Beaumont and Lake Charles but its new location at 3109 Edgar Brown Drive (Texas 87), between Wendy's and Walmart, will be its first in Orange County. It is expected to...

  • Stimulus bill offers small business aid

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Dec 22, 2020

    Orange County small businesses could be eligible for a second round of federal Paycheck Protection Program loans if legislation passed by Congress Monday is OK’d by the White House. Under the legislation, loans are eligible for forgiveness and the money from PPP loans is not taxable. This changes the old law, making the tax deduction retroactive. President Trump threatened Tuesday not to sign a stimulus bill based on $600 checks to American taxpayers, calling it “ridiculously...

  • New OC Sheriff dodges bullets, disasters

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Dec 22, 2020

    To say Sheriff Lane Mooney's first six months on the job have been full of surprises might be putting it mildly. There was: -- a day-long August SWAT standoff that included a two-hour gun battle; -- a train derailment and chemical spill that forced evacuation of a neighborhood of 600 people; -- a hurricane that destroyed the jail roof and forced the movement of 100 prisoners nearly 200 miles. And all this came during the worst health disaster in U.S. history, the ongoing...

  • Bars shutter, eateries roll back for Covid

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Dec 22, 2020

    The County Judge is asking for a way out, but said Tuesday afternoon that he has passed along the state’s order rolling back relaxed Covid-19 restrictions: Until further notice, Orange County bars without food service must shut down and restaurants and businesses can operate with only 50% capacity. Elective surgeries must be postponed. Orange County is part of a nine-county Trauma Service Area that stretches from Newton County to Galveston County but does not include H...

  • Practice fire safety this holiday season

    Staff Report|Updated Dec 22, 2020

    Increased wildfire potential is expected across much of the state early this week due to approaching dry cold fronts and high temperatures. Dry fuel conditions will expand north from the southern Hill Country into the Rolling Plains, southern High Plains, eastern Hill Country and Cross Timbers regions this week, aligning with the pre- and post-frontal winds to create an increase in potential wildfire activity. “Most wildland fires this time of year occur just before or just after a frontal passage,” said Brad Smith, Texas A&M...

  • LSCPA receives $300,000 grant to pay student tuition, fees

    Staff Report|Updated Dec 22, 2020

    Lamar State College Port Arthur has been chosen to receive $300,000 under the Texas Reskilling Support Fund Grant Program which will go to support students directly in their efforts to return to college amid the COVID-19 pandemic. LSCPA is among just 49 institutions selected from across the state by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to receive this money designated to help existing college students who were unable to return this past fall semester due to financial impacts from coronavirus. “Attending c...

  • AHCA/NCAL Urges All Americans To Remain Vigilant Around Holiday Gatherings To Protect Vulnerable Populations

    Staff Report|Updated Dec 22, 2020

    AHCA/NCAL Urges All Americans To Remain Vigilant Around Holiday Gatherings To Protect Vulnerable Populations With the holiday season kicking into high gear, it is important remember that COVID-19 still remains a deadly threat, especially to our most vulnerable citizens – long term care residents. The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) released an updated report today showing how nursing homes are experiencing the worst outbreak of new cases and deaths since the spring due t...

  • FEMA OKs Laura payments

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Dec 15, 2020

    Nothing makes an Orange County Commissioner's day like a call from a constituent complaining about potholes. Clark Slacum wants to help – and says he can, thanks to FEMA. The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced last week that federal assistance will be made available for those affected by Hurricane Laura, which raked this area with winds as high as 100 mph on Aug. 27. President Trump signed the authorization needed last week so a five-county area including J...

  • Local Covid shots coming soon

    Dave Rogers|Updated Dec 15, 2020

    Vaccinations for COVID-19 should be available to the general public in Orange County by the end of the year, officials say. That's little more than two weeks away, so the three-staged rollout will have to hurry. No vaccines had been given out in the county as of Tuesday afternoon, a day after Beaumont and Houston hospitals took delivery of their first vax kits. But both County Judge John Gothia or Joel Ardoin, the county's Emergency Management Coordinator, said they were in...

  • BC band ends big year at state

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Dec 15, 2020

    “Over the moon,” was the way Bridge City’s high school band director described the mood on the bus ride home from San Antonio Tuesday morning. “It was a great time. A little bit of stress wrapped up with excitement,” Tami Goss said after the band finished seventh out of 20 teams at the University Interscholastic League’s Class 4A Marching Band State Championships. The competition was held in the Alamodome in San Antonio. It was the first time Bridge City had qualified f...

  • County GOP chair accepts Biden's election

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Dec 15, 2020

    Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's doing it. So is Russian President Vladimir Putin. And so does the Orange County Republican Party chairman. David Covey joined McConnell and Putin on Tuesday in recognizing Democratic Sen. Joe Biden as the president-elect, one day after the Electoral College certified Biden's 306-232 win over Donald Trump in November's election. It was the exact vote count Trump bragged was a landslide when he won office four years ago. "He is the...

  • Port Arthur Industry Group donates $60,000 for LSCPA scholarships

    Gerry Dickert, For the Record|Updated Dec 15, 2020

    If you’ve got the drive, Lamar State College Port Arthur has the money to help you, thanks to a substantial scholarship donation by the Port Arthur Industry Group. The PAIG recently donated $60,000 to fund a scholarship that will enable students to earn a commercial driver’s license, something that in Southeast Texas almost immediately presents career opportunities. “Local industry leaders are looking for people with CDL certification. The jobs are there for the taking,” Dr. B...

  • Bassmaster Elite set for Orange April 8-11

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Dec 8, 2020

    The 2021 Bassmaster season will be here soon and Orange is scheduled to host its fourth Bassmaster Elite tournament the weekend of April 8-11. The tournament on the Sabine River is scheduled to make a three-stop swing through Texas in 2021. First stop will be Lake Ray Roberts, north of Dallas, March 19-21. Then Orange and finally at Lake Fork, near Tyler, April 22-25. “Fishing is such a huge sport. You just don’t realize it,” Ida Schossow, president of the Greater Orang...

  • LSCO's Crockett: make learning relevant, fun

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Dec 8, 2020

    The new Dean of Academic Studies at Lamar State College Orange said there was never a doubt in her mind she would be a teacher someday. "I knew in the third grade I wanted to be a teacher," Dr. Suzonne Crockett said Tuesday morning. "I love teaching, and I miss teaching. But now I'm able to teach the teachers. "And I keep my hand in. I usually teach a math or education course almost every semester." Waiting until age 30 to begin her own college education was never a negative i...

  • LCM Teacher Morris receives UIL award

    Staff Report|Updated Dec 8, 2020

    Terry Morris, Computer Science teacher with Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School, was notified this week that he was awarded the 2020 University Interscholastic League Sponsor Excellence Award. The recognition comes with a $1,000.00 check for personal use. According to Stacey Smith, Student Activities and UIL Coordinator for LCMHS, "Terry Morris is super deserving of this honor. He gives graciously of his time and talents to coach LCM teams to success. He also shares his...

  • Former OF school boss joins OCAD board

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Dec 8, 2020

    After nearly three decades for the Orangefield school district and nearly another decade working as troubleshooter for other school systems, Philip Welch has picked up work back in Orange County. "It's great to kind of help the community anyway I can," he said, "especially since I still live in Orange County." Welch worked as at Orangefield as math teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and finally, superintendent before retiring in 2013. His newest job since begins...

  • Jail repairs keep OC inmates away

    Dave Rogers For The Record, For the Record|Updated Dec 1, 2020

    While all four branches of government – Congress, the Supreme Court and both incoming and outgoing Presidencies – should have plenty to do at year-end in Washington, Orange County, Texas waits for somebody along the Potomac River to OK federal assistance after Hurricane Laura. While D.C. dithers, the clock keeps ticking on what figures to be more than a $1.5 million total cost to the county to fix a leaky jail roof. The "dry side" of Hurricane Laura swirled winds as high as...

  • Pandemic no foil for community's giving

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Dec 1, 2020

    On Tuesday, the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce became the latest local organization postponing, canceling or seriously tweaking its end-of-the-year plans because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But while the Chamber is hoping to reschedule its Dec. 8 annual banquet early in 2021, other Orange institutions have announced their alternate plans. The Service League of Orange will hold a Drive Thru Toy Coffee on Thursday, Dec. 3. The Heritage House Museum will host Santa's...

  • Orange County's Blue Santa rides again

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Dec 1, 2020

    The Orange County Sheriff's Office has been putting on the event for decades to make sure the county's underprivileged children don't go without Christmas gifts. Deputy John Badeaux has been organizing the event for 14 years. "It's very rewarding," he explained. "We have a lot of needy people. That's what law enforcement is all about – helping our community." Parents in need apply from Oct. 1 through Nov. 2 to put their children, aged 13 and under, on the list. "If somebody c...

  • Permenter replaces retiring PH mayor, Mohon

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Nov 24, 2020

    T.W. Permenter says it won't be the same without seeing Dan Mohon out and about. Pinehurst City Council reluctantly accepted Mohon's resignation as mayor Tuesday night and voted to replace him in that office by promoting the Mayor Pro-Tem, Permenter. "At this time, it is with a heavy heart that I, a great friend of Dan, ask for a motion to accept his resignation." Mohon is known to has been undergoing cancer treatments for some time. He said he in his letter of resignation...

  • Davis jumped from Triangle to the stars

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Nov 24, 2020

    Entertainer Tex Ritter got a park in downtown Nederland. Football coach Bum Phillips got a statue. And Nederland native Walter "Buddy Davis" probably had the best record of them all. "I think he deserves a statue in downtown Nederland, but Bum Phillips took that spot," Shaun Davis said of his dad, who died at 89 years of age on Nov. 17. "But my dad was not the kind that he'd worry about something like that." Buddy Davis won an Olympic gold medal as a high jumper in 1952 and...

  • County plans for COVID vaccine arrival

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Nov 24, 2020

    Orange County officials are making preparation for the arrival of vaccine kits for the COVID-19 virus, County Judge John Gothia said after Tuesday's Commissioners' Court meeting. But don't expect to have vaccines available in the county until late December or early 2021. And they won't be available to the general public until after first responders, the elderly and others with underlying health issues have received the vaccinations. The final plan for the first distribution...

  • New OC abatement policy aims local

    Dave Rogers, For the Record|Updated Nov 24, 2020

    Orange County approved a new property tax abatement policy that should make local workers and suppliers smile. Under the policy, a company that is granted a tax abatement by the county for a new or expanded operation is expected to hire more local laborers and give preference and priority to local manufacturers, suppliers vendors and contractors – except where it’s not reasonably possible. “This gives our local suppliers and vendors a better opportunity to compete for the w...

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