News

Beaumont man gets automatic life sentence as repeat sex offender

Leon Phillips

Leon Phillips, 41, last known to reside at 2435 Beech St. in Beaumont, was sentenced Wednesday, Aug. 8, to life in the state penitentiary in connection with a 2010 aggravated sexual assault of a child. The sentence was automatic upon conviction because of the fact that Phillips been previously convicted of aggravated sexual assault in 1990 and sexual assault in 2000.

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Todd Wayne Edgerly dies at 48

Todd Wayne Edgerly

Todd Wayne Edgerly, 48, of Bridge City passed away Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, at his parent’s home. Todd was born on Sept. 2, 1963, in Port Arthur to Gene and Flo Edgerly.

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Lamar University to confer 577 degrees Aug. 18

State Senator Robert Nichols

Keynote speaker will be state Sen. Robert Nichols 

Lamar University is scheduled to confer 577 degrees at summer commencement Saturday, Aug. 18, in the Montagne Center. District 3 State Senator Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, will be the keynote speaker. Nichols is a 1968 graduate of LU.

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Lamar president retiring in 2013

Dr. James M. Simmons

“I’m just here to confirm a rumor,” Lamar University President James M. “Jimmy” Simmons told LU faculty, staff and members of the media in a meeting held at the Gray Library on Friday, Aug. 3, at 10 a.m.

The “rumor” in question was his retirement. Simmons announced that, after a 14-year tenure as president of the university, he will officially step down on Jan. 31, 2013.

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‘Steel Curtain’ sting yields six arrests

Six Beaumont scrap yards were busted by Beaumont Police after a six-month long undercover investigation discovered the businesses were buying illegal scrap metal, the Beaumont Police said in a statement released Aug. 1.

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Local parish celebrates 75 years of service and fellowship with banquet

Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church commemorated its 75th anniversary Saturday, July 28, with a celebration banquet at the Beaumont Civic Center. “It was an opportunity to both celebrate the church’s achievements over the last 75 years, as well as to honor some of our parishioners for good stewardship,” said Coquese Williams, banquet chair.

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Carrol Thomas retirement party venue is changing

The retirement “Extravaganza” for Dr. Carrol Thomas wasn’t supposed to cost taxpayers a dime when the Beaumont Council of PTAs was sponsoring the event. Yet, less than two months later, the PTA’s been dropped, BAABSE is now headlining the event and taxpayers are on the hook for $1,600 after BISD put down a deposit for the event — and canceled.

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Hate finds new home

President Barack Obama

BU study shows racism alive, well among new media users

 

In the days before the civil rights movement, blacks were stereotyped as “animalist, evil or shiftless.” A recent Baylor University study showed that these labels are not a thing of the past; nor does a person’s political or societal status make them immune. There has been a resurgence of these images on social networking sites such as Facebook.

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News of the Weird

Urinal Technology

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Keystone pipeline coming

Construction of Gulf Coast Project underway in Jefferson County

Those big tractor-trailer rigs transporting large quantities of pipe across Jefferson County represent the advance guard of a huge construction project that will bring crude oil to the thirsty refineries along the Texas Gulf coast – and jobs to Southeast Texas.

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