Pedestrian killed in crash
A woman was killed in an auto-pedestrian collision March 30, reported Detective Sgt. Nick Medina of the Orange Police Department (OPD).
Medina stated that, at 5:39 a.m., OPD officers were dispatched to the 600 block of MLK Jr. Drive in reference to the collision. They found a black female, later identified as 52-year-old Nikki Danene Smith.
Acadian Ambulance arrived on scene and transported Smith to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, where she later died from her injuries.
Medina noted the case is being investigated by the OPD Detective Division and the driver of the vehicle that struck Smith is cooperating with the investigation.
He added criminal charges are not likely.
PA policeman rescues drowning man
A Port Arthur Police officer was praised for his heroic actions in saving a man’s life.
According to the Port Arthur Police Department (PAPD), on March 25, about 4:24 a.m., PAPD received a 911 call from a woman who had driven off the roadway in the 4400 block of Memorial Blvd. (southbound) at the State Highway 73 eastbound clover leaf exit.
Her vehicle had entered the canal and was sinking.
The woman freed herself from the vehicle and swam to safety. Her boyfriend was following behind her at the time of the accident and stopped to assist. The man entered the water, despite not knowing how to swim, to save his girlfriend. The man reached the car and realized the female had swum to safety.
The man climbed atop the vehicle but the vehicle was going under.
Several officers arrived on scene including first-year Officer Matthew Munselle, who is in training. Munselle saw the vehicle was sinking and heard the man and woman screaming he did not know how to swim.
Munselle removed his vest, duty belt and boots and jump into the water and swam to the man who was treading water because the vehicle was submerged. He calmed the man, letting him know that he would get him safely to shore and instructing the man to assist him by kicking while the officer swam with him back to shore.
Three other officers entered the water to assist; however, Munselle and the man safely exited the water on the opposite bank of where they had entered.
MOU anticipates clean energy production in SETX
Entergy Texas and Monarch Energy, a company known for its green hydrogen and electro-fuels projects, have signed a memorandum of understanding to help advance the energy infrastructure in Southeast Texas. As part of the agreement, Entergy Texas will work with Monarch Energy to leverage existing transmission infrastructure and/or construct new generation resources to supply long-term renewable power to Monarch’s 500-megawatt green hydrogen electrolyzer project near Beaumont.
“Southeast Texas is growing at a rapid pace, and it’s essential we make investments that help power that growth and support a resilient electric system,” said Eliecer Viamontes, president and CEO of Entergy Texas. “This partnership with Monarch Energy allows us to diversify our generation portfolio while also strengthening the region’s economic development.”
Monarch Energy’s hydrogen electrolyzer project reportedly represents a potential $500 million investment in the Beaumont region, creating over 500 temporary construction jobs and over 30 permanent operational jobs. Monarch Energy began development of the facility in 2021 and expects to commence commercial operations in 2026.
BPD warns of scams currently circulating
The Beaumont Police Department’s (BPD) Fraud/Financial Crimes Unit warns the public of two most prevalent scams currently circulating.
According to BPD social media post, the first is that a person gets a call from someone posing as a Homeland Security or other government agent advising that the potential victim has a warrant for arrest and request money through cash app and be very forceful in their conversation.
The second scam is a fake agent calling to say that a child or grandchild is in jail and needs money to be released. Then the victims are asked to FedEx the money to a location in another state, another scam.
Sometimes, instead of a phone call, you may receive a letter regarding a warrant and to call a specific number that belongs to their criminal organization. Do not call.
If you want to check if a warrant does exist, call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Division anytime at (409) 835-8411.
You can also check the status on municipal warrants by calling Beaumont Municipal Court at (409) 980-7200.
Law enforcement will never call and ask for money. These professional scammers are very persistent and will try their hardest to not let you hang up on them.
Share this information with others who may not see this post.
Coast Guard rescues four from sinking tugboat
The four-man crew of the Sea Cypress, a 75’ tugboat owned and operated by Garber Bros, Inc, hailed mayday at 5:38 a.m. on March 31, reporting they were capsizing while moored near the mouth of the Sabina Pass channel, according to the United States Coast Guard.
An on-scene Sabine Pilot boat operator reported that two of the Sea Cypress crew used a handheld torch to cut a hole in the bulkhead and free two crewmen trapped and partially submerged in the galley.
The Coast Guard boat crew arrived and took aboard the four tugboat crewmen, bringing them ashore to Station Sabine. Jefferson County EMS assessed the four mariners and transported them to Southeast Texas Medical Center in Port Arthur, in stable condition. “Everybody is fine, and we are bringing back the boat today,” said a Garber Bros., representative Tuesday morning, April 4.
“We are glad that the tugboat crew was able to think outside the box and that we were able to quickly get all four of them to safety,” said Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Ian Murray, search and rescue mission coordinator, Sector Houston-Galveston.