News

Eviction ends in shooting of Newton police chief

A bulletproof vest prevented any serious or fatal injuries to an area police chief on Jan. 14. According to media reports, Newton Police Chief Will Jackson was shot twice in the back but his ballistic vest absorbed the impact of both bullets, and two people were taken into custody.

Taco Bell’s drive-thru dancer charged with DWI

A 57-year-old Port Arthur man’s dancing and “punching the air” in a Taco Bell drive thru last October ended with an arrest and DWI charge. Groves police received a call at about 11:40 p.m. on Oct.

Stolen car spray-painter charged

A Jefferson County grand jury charged a transient 34-year-old man with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle after officers noticed a spray-painted Honda Civic traveling the wrong way on 4th Avenue in Port Arthur. According to a probable cause affidavit released Jan.

West Orange man charged for murderous rhetoric

Calling his former probation officer and offering threats to kill in December 2022 earned a 21-year-old West Orange man a third-degree felony retaliation charge. At about 3:10 p.m. on Dec.

PAPD apprehends PCP-puffing passenger

After stopping to help a motorist driving a slowly-moving car with its hazard lights on, two Port Arthur Police Department (PAPD) officers arrested an alleged PCP-puffing passenger, according to a probable cause affidavit released Jan. 11.

JCSO nabs Louisiana teen for GTA

After leading Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies on a car chase from Fannet to Beaumont, where the suspect and an officer crashed, authorities arrested a 15-year-old boy for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. On Jan. 15,  at about 3:25 a.m.

Feds sentence felon for firearm

Edward Lee Simien, 43, pleaded guilty on Sep. 9, 2022, to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and was sentenced to 41 months (three years and five months) in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone.

Fleeting job opportunity for judge’s office

Applications are due no later than 4:30 p.m. Jan. 20 to fill the Senior Court Clerk position open in the new judicial office of incoming Jefferson County Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Joseph L. Guillory II.

Groves offers $130K severance to city manager

Nixing plans to investigate the city manager in the same meeting, councilors agreed on a separation plan to remove the longtime employee, city officials paid the man $130,000 in severance.

Miss Universe, daughter of Beaumont mother

R’Bonney Gabriel, of Houston, made history as the first Filipina American to be named Miss Universe during the 71st pageant held Jan. 14 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her parents are Remigio Bonzon “R. Bon” Gabriel, a Filipino, and mother, Dana Walker, who is from Beaumont.