News

West Nile case confirmed in West End

The mosquito that carries it is the Culex. (Photo by Muhammad Mahdi Karim)

Public Health Director Sherry Ulmer confirmed a case of West Nile virus Tuesday, Aug. 30, in Beaumont. The potential case was discovered Aug. 15 by the patient’s primary care physician, but Ulmer said his blood work was sent to the Texas Department of State Health to confirm that he actually had the West Nile virus. Once it was confirmed, the Health Department was notified, she said. 

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Sheriff presents Meritorious Service Award

Sheriff Mitch Woods presents Deputy Ryan Warhola with a Meritorious Action Award

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office celebrated the heroic efforts of a deputy who recently attempted to save a kayaker by presenting the officer with a Meritorious Action Award on Aug. 31.

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Man falls to death from Sabine Pass rig

Sovereign Explorer (www.oilrig-photos.com)

An oil worker died after he fell from the Sovereign Explorer rig in Sabine Pass on Tuesday, Aug. 30.

According to Assistant Fire Marshal Paul Washburn of the Port Arthur Fire Department, firefighters were dispatched at 9 a.m. after information was received that an individual may have fallen off the oil rig into the water.

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Beaumont man arrested for felony theft from Hotel Beaumont

Derrick Jones Sr.

Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, at 1:39 p.m., BPD officers responded to Hotel Beaumont at 625 Orleans in reference to a suspicious person, possibly stealing metal. When officers, arrived they located the suspect, who was in possession of a large amount of copper tubing. The suspect is identified as Derrick Jones Sr., a 49-year-old Beaumont man. Jones was transported to the police station to speak with detectives before being transported to the Jefferson County Jail, where he was booked in for felony theft.

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NOAA grants to aid marine mammal rescue and stranding programs

Hawaiian monk seals Pearl and Hermes undergo rehabilitation.

NOAA Fisheries awarded nearly $3 million in grants Sept. 1, 2016, to support the conservation and recovery of protected marine species through stranding response and marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation.

Through the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program, NOAA awarded 32 grants to nonprofit organizations, aquariums, universities, and coastal state, local and tribal governments that are members of the National Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

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Missing woman found

Krista Parma

A Southeast Texan woman reported missing Aug. 23 was found by Beaumont police after an exhaustive week-long search, the department reported Tuesday, Aug. 30. Krista Ireland Parma, wife and mother of five, was reported last seen at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont in the early hours of Tuesday morning, Aug. 23, leaving medical care against the advice of physicians. Her family, concerned for her well-being, enlisted social media, mainstream media, police support and a private investigator to search for their loved one, who they said was battling alcoholism.

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Police find man in ditch holding baby

Police arrested an apparently intoxicated man found lying in a ditch filled with water while holding a 1-year-old child in his arms Aug. 29, reports Orange Police Department Officer Michael Roush.

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City of Vidor accepting applications for Hotel Occupancy Tax grants

The City of Vidor is accepting applications for Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) grants for fiscal year 2016-17, and the Sept. 7 deadline for eligible businesses to apply is fast approaching.

According to Vidor City Manager Mike Kunst, HOT grants are basically meant to put “heads into beds” at local hotels.

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Hardin County jail inmate dies after being found unresponsive in cell

The Texas Rangers are investigating the death of an inmate at the Hardin County Jail who was found unresponsive in his cell following a public intoxication arrest on Aug. 27, Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Stephanie Davis reported in a news release. 

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Donations provide protective gear for local police department

Donations from a group of local families provided tactical body armor kits to the Beaumont Police Department, BPD announced in a press release Aug. 29.

Judge Cory Crenshaw reportedly spearheaded the effort he calls “Protect Our Peacemakers.”

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