News

Fire reported at plant, tower collapses

No injuries were reported from a Sept. 5 fire at the pyrolysis gasoline unit at the BASF TotalEnergies Petrochemicals site in Port Arthur. According to the company’s Community and Government Affairs Manager Shelly Vitanza, the fire happened about 10:45 a.m. More than an hour later, at 11:55 a.m.

9/11 remembered on 9/9

Beaumont Botanical Gardens and the Colonel George Moffett Chapter of the DAR will host its annual 9/11 anniversary memorial on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. The memorial will be conducted inside the gardens at Tyrrell Park, in front of the 9/11 Memorial Garden.

WOCCISD unveils classroom ‘on-the-go’

West Orange-Cove CISD (WOCCISD) announced the launch of its innovative and fully equipped mobile learning lab, a solution funded by the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) grant. Pioneered by Dr.

Athletic trainers offer insight to student-athlete recovery

Joseph Martin, athletic training supervisor at Beaumont Bone and Joint Institute, said at the beginning stages of any sport, kids will be sore for several days because of using muscles in a way they have not used in a while. But athletes can take steps to rejuvenate their body quicker.

Beaumont conman robs elderly investors, faces fine, no prison time – yet

A default judgment was ordered against Beaumont resident Bradley Morgan Holts following a civil suit by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) claiming the Southeast Texas broker defrauded elderly Southeast Texas residents to the sum of $186,382. Holts did not answer the claim by the SEC.

TDCJ announces lockdown in response to rising violence

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) announced Sept. 6 it is taking immediate action to address a rise in dangerous contraband and drugrelated inmate homicides, according to Director of Communications Amanda Hernandez.

Local lawman returns home; makes bid for sheriff

Major Bobby Smith is turning the page on a new chapter as he returns home to Southeast Texas after announcing his Aug. 31 retirement. Following a remarkable 20-year career with the Tex- as Rangers and a law enforcement career spanning 29 years, Smith is looking forward to the next season of life.

Ramping up ROAR

The Beaumont ISD ROAR reading initiative, launched as a partnership between the Beaumont community and BISD with a goal to have all BISD second graders reading at or above grade level by the end of the year, worked by pairing students with volunteers to assist in improving reading skills.

IRS files to tax $55M port bond

Aug.

Court adopts proposed budget, tax rate

After a public hearing on the proposed budget and tax rate for Fiscal Year 2024, the Hardin County Commissioners Court voted to approve both during their Aug. 22 regular meeting.