Traffic fatalities reported
A Groves couple was killed in a two-vehicle crash last week, reported the Port Arthur Police Department (PAPD). The accident happened about 6 p.m. in the 1800 block of South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on Dec. 5.
The preliminary investigation stated the driver of a Honda Accord failed to yield the right of way at a stop sign and was struck by a Ford F150.
Urfan Khan Khail, 30, the Honda’s driver died at the scene cand his wife, Kalsoom Khail, 27, died from her injuries on Dec. 7.
This case is currently under investigation by the Port Arthur Police Department Criminal Investigation Division, according to a PAPD statement.
Dec. 8, the Beaumont Police Department (BPD) reported a man was reported killed in a hit-and-run incident. They responded to the call concerning a pedestrian that had been struck in the 2300 block of Interstate 10 West. It’s unknown what vehicle(s) were involved in the incident and the investigation is ongoing.
The man was identified as Marquis Lequavior Marshall, 31, of Marshall.
Also on Dec. 8, the Silsbee Police Department (SPD) reported 48-year-old David Allen Hart was involved in a single-vehicle rollover crash on U.S. 96.
According to SPD, Hart’s vehicle was northbound when it left the roadway traveling onto the shoulder and crossed two lanes of traffic.
Hart was ejected from the vehicle near the intersection of U.S. 96 and Gentry Road. He was transported to a local hospital. He died Dec. 12.
Three injured in Bridge City accident
Three people were injured in a two-vehicle crash Dec. 10 on State Highway 62 in Bridge City, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) press release.
DPS reported a 2015 Toyota highlander was driving in the two-way left turn lane of SH 62 and West Hoo Hoo Road going north, and a nother vehicle was traveling southbound in the inside lane of SH 62.
The Toyota’s driver did not yield the right of way while turning left and DPS believes the other vehicle veered right to try and avoid a collision and hit the front of the Toyota with its front left.
The Toyota came to a stop, facing northwest in the southbound inside lane of Highway 62. The second vehicle came to stop in the southbound ditch facing south.
The Toyota’s driver and passenger were transported to Baptist Hospital in Beaumont and the driver of the second vehicle was taken to Christus St. Elizabeth in Beaumont.
DPS is still investigating the incident.
Gen Z is depressed, data details
Firearm deaths among Texas children ages 1-19 rose 86% between 2012-2014 and 2018-2020. Women’s mortality also rose 21% for women ages 20-44 between 2019 and 2020, according to Health Rankings’ Health of Women and Children Report.
Other AHR report major findings include: Anxiety increased 23% among children ages 3-17 between 2020-2021; depression increased 27% among children ages 3-17 between 2020-2021; and the teen suicide rate increased 29% at the national level between 2018-2020 among 15- to 19-year-olds. In 2020, suicide was the second-leading cause of death among those ages 10-24 and 25-34.
BART gifts books
The Beaumont Association of Retired Teachers (BART) distributed over 700 books to students at Fehl-Price and Pietzsch-MacArthur. The association has hosted the Children’s Book Project for seven years. The number of books given away depends on the campuses targeted and the grade levels selected. This year, BART selected kindergarten-third grade students at Fehl-Price (331) and Pietzsch-MacArthur (412).
BART representatives visited the campuses and displayed the books in the cafeteria. Each child chose a book and wrote their name in the front, giving them ownership. Additionally, BART donated audio/visual materials to the Pre-K teachers at Pietzsch-MacArthur. The mission of the Children’s Book Project is to put books in the hands of students who otherwise would not have their own.
“As retired public school employees, we understand that reading is the foundation for all learning,” explained Verna Azore, BART Second Vice-President and project coordinator. “In every class/subject, reading and comprehension of what is read is necessary for learning to take place. The book project gives BART the opportunity to partner with the school district to prepare our students for future success.”
Azore and Peggy Lee, district-level coordinator, thanked everyone who donated to this year’s Children’s Book Project. Donations were made not only by BART members, but active duty teachers, community/church organizations, classmates, family and friends.
“This was truly a community effort,” said Azore.
Two people injured in Jasper collision
Two people, including a Jasper County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputy, were injured when a patrol car and pick-up collided Dec. 11 at the intersection of U.S. 190 and U.S. 96 in Jasper, according to KJAS.com. The crash occurred about 10 a.m.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported the parol car was headed east on U.S. 190 when Hawthorne saw a vehicle that was traveling west on U.S. 190 run a red light and turned around to pursuit the violator. DPS said the patrol car was westbound on U.S. 190 with it’s emergency lights on when it was hit by a 2018 Ford F-350 headed south on U.S. 96.
Deputy Jason Hawthorne, 25 of Buna, was taken by ambulance to Christus Jasper Memorial Hospital, where he was treated and later released. The truck’s driver, Jerry Wall, of San Augustine was taken by ambulance to Woodland Heights Hospital where he was treated before being transferred to a hospital in Tyler for additional treatment.
The volunteers of the Jasper Fire Department were dispatched to the scene to stand by in case of fire and assist with traffic until the wreckage could be cleared from the roadway.
Sheriff Mitchel Newman stated the vehicle that allegedly ran the stoplight was never caught or identified.
Water well screening set
The Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, is hosting a “Well Informed” water well screening Dec. 19 in Mont Belvieu to give area residents the opportunity to have their well water screened free of cost.
Water samples will be screened for contaminants, including coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen and salinity.
Water samples can be dropped off from 8:30-10 a.m. Dec. 19 at Chamber County Commissioner Jimmy Gore’s office, 211 Broadway Ave. in Winnie and at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office for Chambers County, 295 White Memorial Park Rd. in Anahuac. There is no cost per sample for this screening event.
The follow-up meeting to explain the results of the screenings is 6 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Mount Belvieu Library, Sam and Carmena Goss Memorial Branch, 1 John Hall Dr. in Mont Belvieu.
Beaumont Hanukkah celebration
Jefferson County will host and take part in a Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Ceremony at the Ben J. Rogers Regional Visitors Center on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 5:15 p.m. The event will include a menorah-lighting ceremony, remarks from the mayor and Hanukkah menorahs and treats.
The event is sponsored by Chabad Texas Towns, with the participation of Jewish communities throughout Texas, including Beaumont. Rabbi Saadya Kaufmann will preside over the ceremony.
“The lighting of the public menorah in Beaumont is a wonderful symbol of the religious diversity that is the hallmark of Beaumont, Texas, and of this great country,” said Rabbi Saadya Kaufmann. Members of the Jewish communities across the state are expected to gather safely and participate in this celebration, and record numbers of participants are expected to join Chabad Texas Towns’ menorah lighting this year.
A Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold lights (candles or oil lamps) that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday; on each night, one more light is lit than the previous night, until on the final night all eight branches are ignited. The ninth branch holds a candle, called the shamash (“helper” or “servant”), which is used to light the other eight.