News

BREAKING: Details of masked kidnapping and ransom revealed in Shelander kidnapping

New details were revealed in court Tuesday, July 23, at the preliminary and detention hearing of 79-year-old Orange resident Putnam Richardson charged with kidnapping local attorney Mel Shelander last week.

Port of Beaumont issues $382M in revenue bonds

The Port of Beaumont and Jefferson Energy Companies, a subsidiary of FTAI Infrastructure, announced July 9 a strategic partnership to develop Jefferson Terminal South, a “state-of-the-art blue ammonia facility that will enhance the region’s ability to produce and transport clean energy.

Recovery group releases new app to help with disasters

Since 2017, Jefferson County has been impacted by its share of disasters — Hurricane Harvey (2017), Tropical Storm Imelda (2019) Hurricanes Laura and Delta (2020), Winter Storm (2021) and Hurricane Beryl (2024). — just to name a few.

TPWD deploys materials for new artificial reef

The addition of a fourth artificial reef site to the Sabine Pass area should attract more saltwater anglers, divers and tourists to Jefferson County.

Examiner earns 27 awards in 2024 NNA Better Newspaper Contest

Each week, The Examiner staff spends long, hard hours reporting, writing, pho- tographing, laying out pages, editing and proofing before going to press with what once again has been deemed the secondbest weekly newspaper in the United States among National Newspaper Association members garnering...

Council rejects police chief recommendation

The Beaumont City Council turned down City Manager Kenneth Williams' recommendation of Troy Price for chief of police of the Beaumont Police Department (BPD), signaling a preference for hiring from within the community.

Hurricane Beryl costs BISD $300K for school repairs

The Beaumont ISD Board of Trustees had an emergency meeting July 11 to authorize Superintendent Dr. Shannon Allen to approve disaster-related spending, bypassing traditional procurement methods, following severe damages at Vincent Middle School caused by Hurricane Beryl.

79-year-old Orange resident charged with kidnapping local attorney Mel Shelander

Orange resident Putnam Darwin Richardson has been arrested and charged with the kidnapping of longtime local attorney Mel Shelander on July 15.Richardson, 79, stood before Judge Zack Hawthorn on June 18 for his initial appearance.