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It took crews roughly six hours to remove the 18-wheeler, which hit and damaged the concrete barrier near the downtown exit. (Photo by Dannie Oliveaux) -
Henderson Middle School in Hardin-Jefferson ISD -
Ian Chandler was seriously injured in a motorcycle-vehicle crash
SETX residents battle blood pressure
According to the American Heart Association, 36.7% of Orange County residents, 43.8% of Newton County residents, 41.9% of Jasper County residents, and 47.8% of Sabine County residents face a diagnosis of high blood pressure – many times left untreated, adding to the U.S. morbidity attributed to the disease.
TAN Healthcare in Beaumont, working with the American Heart Association since 2020 to improve blood pressure control in its patients, is now enlisted in Self-Monitoring Blood Pressure (SMBP) programmatic education and training. The goal of the collaboration, the heart association shared, “aims to provide accurate training and enable physicians and clinical staff at the TAN Healthcare clinics to improve the diagnosis of hypertension, implement care processes to manage blood pressure, and help patients take an active role in their health journey.”
Hypertension continues to be a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity in the United States despite its treatability, the heart association further advises, with communities that fall below the nation’s average federal poverty guidelines subjected to an increased risk of mortality due to high blood pressure.
Vaccines available
This is a reminder from the City of Port Arthur COVID Vaccination clinic. Updated Boosters Are Recommended.
Even if you or your child have had COVID-19, you should still get yourself or your child vaccinated at the Texas Artist’s Museum, 3501 Cultural Center Drive, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Several crashes shut down Interstate 10
Three times in one week, Interstate 10 in Beaumont was shut down due to a jackknifed 18-wheeler.
Feb. 8, it took crews roughly six hours to remove the 18-wheeler, which hit and damaged the concrete barrier near the downtown exit.
According to the Beaumont Police Department (BPD), eastbound traffic was diverted onto the service road and westbound traffic was down to one lane while the center barrier was being repaired. At 5:10 p.m., all lanes of I-10 eastbound were closed, along with the frontage road, and traffic was diverted down MLK, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Crews pumped the diesel tanks from the 18-wheeler before they could move it, resulting in further delay. Westbound lanes were opened at 7:45 p.m., but eastbound lanes remained closed and traffic was diverted onto the service road.
At 9 p.m., towing vehicles started removing the 18-wheeler and the car, while TxDOT erected temporary barriers to cover the damaged concrete barrier.
Feb. 7, I-10 eastbound was shutdown at the MLK Blvd. exit due to an overturned 18-wheeler with a HAZMAT spill. The highway was closed for several hours then, as well. Traffic was diverted off of I-10 onto the service road at MLK.
Feb. 9 at 1:30 a.m., the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported an 18-wheeler accident at I-10 West at Smith Road, with the rig turned on its side and laying in water.
The road was closed as crews worked to remove the 18-wheeler. The interstate was reopened at 8:30 a.m.
No injuries were reported in any of the three incidents.
GoFundMe page set for injured motorcyclist
A GoFundMe page has been set up for a Mauriceville man who was severely injured in a motorcycle-two-vehicle crash on Feb. 10.
Ian Chandler, 20, was the motorcyclist involved in the wreck on State Highway 62 and FM 2802. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the preliminary investigation indicates that, at 6:30 p.m., Chandler was headed south on Highway 62, approaching the intersection. A northbound 2009 Nissan Altima on Highway 62 failed to yield the right of way and turned in front of the motorcycle.
The motorcycle struck the Altima, causing the vehicle to hit a 2013 Toyota Tacoma also at the intersection.
The occupants of the Altima were transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, reported DPS. The car’s driver was not injured in the crash and the crash remains under investigation.
According to the GoFundMe page, Chandler was life-flighted to St. Elizabeth in Beaumont due to being unconscious and bleeding internally. Doctors discovered an aortic dissection, collapsed lung, shattered pelvis, and a brain bleed, along with multiple other internal injuries. He was transferred to the Red Duke Memorial Hermann Trauma Center in Houston for emergency surgery.
Quick action eliminates school threat
Feb. 10, a threat to Hardin-Jefferson ISD’s Henderson Middle School was quickly investigated and the accused student never made it to a bus or on campus, reported district officials.
“This morning, as many of our students were already en route to school, our administration was made aware of a possible threat made by a student toward Henderson Middle School,” H-JISD announced, adding that local law enforcement, the H-J ISD Transportation Department, the H-J ISD safety coordinator and administration worked during early morning hours to ensure the students’ safety. “Law enforcement was notified immediately. The student was quickly identified, intercepted from school transportation, and kept off campus. The safety of our students is our top priority. All threats made towards our school or students are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.”
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