News

Chick-fil-A reopens two Beaumont locations

The Dowlen Road and College Street Chick-fil-A restaurants reopened May 5. The locations were shut down prior to an April 20 announcement that 114 employees had been tested for COVID-19 that day after cases were confirmed among staff.

Petroleum powerhouse displays 'perpetual philanthropy'

A local titan of industry opened up its coffers over this past week to help essential workers combat the COVID-19 pandemic. From April 30 through May 5, ExxonMobil’s “Days of Giving” helped fuel the fight on various fronts.

COVID testing available

The City of Port Arthur Emergency Management Team and the Port Arthur and Jefferson County Health Departments have organized an additional test site for one day, Wednesday, May 6, at the Bob Bowers Civic Center for those citizens seeking to be tested. Call 409-550-2536. 

Gov. Abbott to allow Texas hair salons to reopen Friday and gyms to open May 18

By Patrick Svitek - May 5, 2020 The businesses will be required to follow certain rules as the state continues to grapple with the coronavirus. Hairstylists will be able to work with only one customer at a time. People waiting in barber shops will have to maintain 6-foot separation or wait outside.

Beaumont restaurants allowed to use parking areas for outdoor seating

With a measure aimed to open more Beaumont businesses, the city council unanimously approved a motion April 5 to allow restaurants to use their parking lots as outdoor seating areas, pending permit approval.

Driver dies as result of Buna crash

May 1, at approximately 1 p.m., Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers responded to a multiple vehicle crash at the intersection of US 96 and CR 784 in Jasper County. The crash occurred approximately four miles south of Buna.

LIT plans to bring students back on campus this fall

Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) will resume face-to-face lecture instruction starting the fall 2020 semester. LIT President Lonnie L. Howard said, "it is going to be exciting to have everyone back on campus again, but we are going to do this in a very safe and responsible way.

LSCO reports loss of faculty member due to COVID-19

Lamar State College Orange reported the death of a faculty member due to complications of COVD-19. “Lamar State College Orange is mourning the death of a beloved faculty member related to complications from COVID-19.

SETX to honor deceased WWII veteran

Southeast Texas WWII veteran Artie Green, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, passed away on May 1. A community procession to celebrate his life and service to country will be held May 6.

National study predicts Jefferson County as impending COVID-19 hotspot

The study discovers that in the eight states planning to ease social distancing measures in the coming weeks, almost two dozen small cities and rural counties have infection rates poised to skyrocket, despite their currently not having large numbers of confirmed cases.