Credit union issues fraud alert
The DuGood Federal Credit Union reported they have been made aware that some members have received fraudulent calls appearing to be from the credit union.
“Fraudsters are then attempting to convince members that their debit cards have been compromised by asking them to verify phony transactions,” DuGood advised members. “Members are then asked for their card numbers, PIN numbers, and the three-digit security code on the back of their card. The calls may appear to be a legitimate number from DuGood, but are not.”
DuGood FCU noted institution staff will never ask for a person’s card number, PIN, or three-digit security code over the phone.
“We will also never ask for your Online Banking username, password or security code. If you suspect fraud, hang up immediately and contact the credit union,” DuGood added.
Customers receiving a call like this, who have given out any information, should contact DuGood immediately at (409) 899-3430.
Three people killed on SETX highways
Three people were killed on Southeast Texas highways during a five-day period.
April 6, a Hardin County woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Orange County, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
DPS Sgt. Shana Clark reported the fatal crash occurred on State Highway 12, one mile east of State Highway 62 near Mauriceville.
The preliminary investigation indicates that, at 5:15 p.m., a 2021 Dodge passenger car on the east shoulder made a U-turn in front of a 1998 Ford pickup traveling east, causing the pickup to strike the Dodge on its driver’s side.
The Dodge’s driver, 47-year-old June Jones, of Silsbee, was pronounced deceased on scene by a Justice of the Peace. Her passenger, identified as Calvin McClleland, 27, was transported to a hospital via personal vehicle.
Sgt. Clark said the investigation is ongoing and no additional information is available.
April 9, a Louisiana woman was killed in a collision on Interstate 10, according to the Beaumont Police Department (BPD). BPD reported that, at 2:13 a.m., a 2014 Toyota Corolla was traveling east in the 1000 block of I-10 and struck a 2015 Dodge Dart from behind.
The Toyota driver, Skylah Grimshaw, 23, of Vinton, lost control and left the roadway, striking a tree. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt and was killed on impact, according to BPD.
April 10, one person died in a single-vehicle fiery crash. According to BPD, the wreck occurred in the 6100 block of Cardinal Drive southbound at before 11 p.m.
Beaumont Police Information Officer Carol Riley reported they believe a person was driving northbound in a Chevrolet Traverse when at some point they left the roadway and hit a tree in the grassy center median.
The vehicle struck a tree in a grassy median and caught fire.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, BPD reported. The victim has not be identified as of press time.
BPD reported Cardinal Drive northbound from FM 3514 to Martin Luther King including the Highway 347 northbound on-ramp was closed while investigators worked the crash.
Region 5 names new ED
After an extensive search and interview process, the Region 5 Education Service Center Board of Directors has recommended and the Commissioner of Education has approved Dr. Byron Terrier as the lone finalist for the executive director’s position.
Terrier has extensive teaching and school district administration experience, including the position of school district superintendent. The past five years he has served as Region 5 ESC Deputy Executive Director.
Region 5 ESC serves 34 school districts and six charter schools, and “supports school efficiency, effectiveness, and successful implementation of state programs and initiatives.”
Terrier officially began his new duties April 7.
Vidor teen injured in single-car crash
A Vidor teenage male was transported to a local hospital after he was involved in a single-vehicle crash April 7 on FM 1131, at the 438-mile marker near Pine Forest, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
DPS reported the preliminary investigation indicates that, at approximately 1:30 p.m., a Ford pickup was heading southeast at an unsafe speed, due to the inclement weather, and traveled off the road to the left, where it struck a tree and a vent line belonging to the Trecora pipeline.
The driver, Patrick Wright, 17, was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.
Explosion injures three employees
Three people were injured in a small explosion at a local company near the Jack Brooks Regional Airport.
At 5:05 p.m. on April 8, the Nederland Fire Department responded to a 911 call in reference to an explosion at AmSpec, LLC, wherein a flash fire was noted while employees were conducting testing in the lab.
According to Nederland Fire Chief Terry Morton, three AmSpec employees were injured, treated at the scene by Acadian Ambulance and airlifted to University of Texas Medical Branch and Hermann Memorial hospitals.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Acadian Ambulance and the Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management also responded to the scene.
AmSpec, located at 4665 Jerry Ware Dr. in Nederland, offers full-slate testing of gasoline, diesel, crude, fuel oil and LPG including full propane, butane, and ethane certification.
Morton advised that there was no danger to the public and no additional information was available at press time.