Texas

Jefferson County closes courthouse until Wednesday

Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick has issued a directive that the courthouse remain closed through Tuesday, Feb. 16, due to the winter weather affecting Southeast Texas. Currently, the courthouse is not scheduled to open to the public until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17. 

Southeast Texas credit union customers targeted on Facebook

Neches Federal Credit Union serving Southeast Texas is reporting an online attack targeting its members. According to an announcement from the credit union, “We are receiving reports that a fake Neches Facebook account is attempting to friend request our members.

Late trustee’s daughter appointed to Spindletop board

Jefferson County Commissioners Court has appointed Edreauanna Fowler to the Spindletop Center Board of Trustees, taking the seat left vacant after her mother, Gladdie Fowler, who passed away on Dec. 4, 2020.

Handyman arrested for beating elderly client

Vidor Police Chief Rod Carroll reported that, after being on the lam for only a matter of hours in the stolen auto he took from his victim, 40-year-old Jason Lee Brown was behind bars Jan. 25 for assaulting and robbing a 74-year-old woman who had hired him to do odd jobs around her home.

Beaumont man sentenced to 18 years for drunken accident

Jefferson County Criminal District Attorney Bob Wortham announced Jan. 25 that Orlando Morris, 34, was sentenced by Criminal District Court Judge John B. Stevens to serve 18 years in Texas prison following a guilty plea.

Orange reports double homicide

Jan. 23, just after 2:30 a.m., officers of the Orange Police Department were dispatched to the 2300 block of Coronado about a shooting victim. Officers arrived and located two persons with gunshot wounds. Thalamus Livings, 23, was deceased at the scene.

Second man sentenced for Beaumont carjacking

Thaddiaus Joseph Thomas, 34, of Beaumont, has been sentenced to serve 198 months in federal prison, according to a judgment handed down by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on Friday, Jan. 22. Thomas pleaded guilty on Aug.

100 pounds of fake weed seized in Port Arthur raid

The Port Arthur Police Department’s Narcotics and Guns Unit, accompanied by SWAT, executed a search warrant Jan. 21 in the 3200 block of 9th Street for the possession of synthetic marijuana. Approximately 100 pounds of the synthetic drug was seized, along with a firearm.

Campus closed due to COVID

“Due to a significant number of students and staff members that have either tested positive for COVID-19 or are in quarantine due to exposure, West Brook High School will close for on-campus learning for five school days,” an announcement from the Beaumont Independent School District (BISD) alerted...

Trio robs Hamshire store

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying three suspects involved in an aggravated robbery that occurred Monday night, Jan. 18, around 11:30 p.m. at the Cowboy Travel Plaza, 24790 IH 10 in Hamshire.