November is Prostate Awareness Month with free men's health screenings

Orange County Commissioners Court Tuesday declared November as Gift of Life Prostate Awareness Month and learned about a free men's health screening clinic to be held in Orange.

Quintella Smith of the Gift of Life foundation based in Beaumont talked about prostate cancer being the number two cancer in men, with skin cancer being the most prevalent. She said early detection is the key to surviving.

She said the Gift of Life helps men without insurance, or those who cannot afford their insurance deductibles.

This year, the men's health screenings will be Tuesday, November 15, from 9 a.m. to noon in the lobby of the Orange Baptist Outpatient center, 608 Strickland Drive. Smith said the tests are non-invasive and will include a blood test for prostate screening, plus tests will be made for cholesterol panel, HIV, Hepatitis C, and blood glucose. In addition, blood pressure will be checked. A physician will be on site to give a consultation, if needed.

Reservations are recommended for the testing. People may call 409-833-3663, or go to the website giftoflifebmt.org to see if they qualify for the free testing and to make a reservation.

In other business Tuesday, the court conducted routine business including paying bills and approving property plats.

The court unanimously approved the Orange County Sheriff's Office spending $174,951 for three 2023 Ford Explorer SUVs to be used by the department. The money is coming from the sheriff's equipment budget. Chief Deputy Mark Dubois said he does not know when the new vehicles will be delivered. The county in recent months has had a difficult time finding new vehicles available for immediate delivery.

Three minor plat changes were approved. County Engineer Corey Oldbury said the plats have been approved by the Orange County Drainage District. One was for Shores Subdivision in Precinct 2 off North Bobcat Circle. The 20.363-acre tract is being divided into three tracks, one 2.363 acres, another 12 acres, and the third is 6 acres. Another was for Mello Acres in Precinct 2 off the Interstate 10 access road near FM 1136. The 20-acre track was divided into two, ten-acre tracts. Oldbury said those two plat changes had also been approved by the City of Orange.

The third plat change is for Tranquility Road, also in Precinct 2. A 2.09-acre tract was divided into two, one is 1.113 acres, and the other is 0.978 acre.

The court also agreed to have the purchasing department advertise for bids for road materials. Precinct 4 Commissioner Robert Viator asked if the county could have a back-up supplier because some materials have been unavailable at times during the year, especially because of the fluctuations in price and availability of petroleum products like asphalt. Assistant County Attorney Denise Gremillion said the road material purchase contracts are not exclusive and the county is allowed to look for different sources.

The court also approved some changes in the county's contract with the Gulf Coast Protection District and the Orange County Drainage District for the Sabine Pass to Galveston levee-seawall project. The original contract was signed in December last year. Gremillion said the changes were "legalese" wording and that Don Corona, director of the drainage district, also approved the changes.