The last picture show closed without ceremony. The Twin Cinema stayed dry from the rains of Tropical Storm Harvey, but it never reopened. But in a time past, movies were an important part of entertainment for Orange. In 1950, the city had six theaters, including a drive-in. Downtown had the Strand, the Gem, the Royal and the Bengal. During those days of racial segregation, the Dragon on Second Street, the business district for the African-American community, also showed movies. The MacArthur Drive-In was near the traffic circle on MacArthur Drive, but was on Strickland Drive where … [Read more...] about Orange Once Had Six Theaters
Archives for 2018
Ardoin Assesses Tuesday’s Rain
The western and south central part of Orange County Wednesday was recovering from rainfall that brought 10 inches of rain in less than six hours to some places. Orange County Emergency Management Coordinator Joel Ardoin is asking people with houses that flooded to contact him so his office can get an accurate count. Wednesday afternoon he had reports of 12 to 14 houses with water. Nine were in Bridge City and others in the Vidor area. "Bridge City seemed to be hit the worst," he said. Ardoin said a couple of rescues had to be made. One was for an elderly couple living in the Parkview … [Read more...] about Ardoin Assesses Tuesday’s Rain
OC Sheriff’s Office Calls June 11-17
Orange County Sheriff's Office Calls June 11-17 Burglary of a building, 7:57 a.m. June 11, 10200 block of FM 1130 in Little Cypress. Disturbance occurred, 7:04 p.m. June 11, Lakeview Cutoff Road at FM 105 in Vidor. Theft, 8:19 a.m. June 12, 3300 block of Womack Road in Orange. Theft, 1:40 p.m. June 12, Central Drive in Vidor. Theft, 7:42 p.m. June 12, Real Road in Vidor. Burglary of a habitation, 4:49 p.m. June 13, 5000 block of Alabama Street in Vidor. Disturbance, 7:08 p.m. June 13, FM 1131 in Vidor. Burglary of a habitation, 8:31 p.m. June 13, Waterford Way in … [Read more...] about OC Sheriff’s Office Calls June 11-17
Charles “Chuck” Allen James
Charles "Chuck" Allen James, age 58 of Orange, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 in Beaumont, Texas. Services to honor Chuck's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Dorman Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David Wagner officiating. Interment will follow at Autumn Oaks Memorial Park in Orange, Texas. Family and friends will gather for a visitation on Friday, June 22, 2018 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Dorman Funeral Home. Chuck was born in Orange, Texas on December 29, 1959 to Peggy Henderson James and Chester Alfonso James III. He worked as an operations maintenance … [Read more...] about Charles “Chuck” Allen James
Laura Lucille Bowler
Laura Lucille Bowler, 97, of Orange, Texas, passed away on June 19, 2018, in Orange. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 23, 2018, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Pastor Barry Bradley. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 22, 2018, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Born in Orange, Texas, on May 9, 1921, she was the daughter of Ben E. Smith, Sr. and Lucille Forque Smith. Laura was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Orange … [Read more...] about Laura Lucille Bowler
Ella Pearl “Puggy” Secrist
Ella Pearl "Puggy" Secrist, age 81 of Orange, Texas, passed away on Monday, June 18, 2018 in Katy, Texas. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Magnolia Cemetery in Woodville, Texas. Ella was born in Port Arthur, Texas on January 24, 1937 to Mary Kate Miller Mahon and Robert D. Mahon. She worked for many years in the manufactured home industry. Puggy enjoyed spending time with her family and friends eating out, especially the gumbo from Roberts. Ella was preceded in death by her parents and nine siblings. Survivors include her children; Edwin Secrist … [Read more...] about Ella Pearl “Puggy” Secrist
Corbin David Erway
Corbin David Erway, 60, of Orange, Texas, passed away on June 19, 2018, in Vidor, Texas. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 23, 2018, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Burial will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday, June 22, 2018, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 28, 1957, he was the son of David Lee Erway and Norma Carol Braymer. Corbin had a big heart and the kindest soul. He volunteered his time at the Red Cross, always willing to … [Read more...] about Corbin David Erway
BC Studying Drainage In Some Areas
Residents in the Bridge City neighborhood of Elsie Street and Arthur Street will get a study done of the drainage there. The City Council approved on Tuesday the request for an engineering firm to conduct the study at the recommendation of City Manager Jerry Jones. Two engineering firms have been used by Bridge City, and Jones planned to call both on Wednesday to get their estimates on how long it would take them to complete the study of the drainage on Arthur and Elsie Streets. “I will contact both to get a time schedule on it and we’ll hire the one that can get it done the quickest,” … [Read more...] about BC Studying Drainage In Some Areas
Local Author Receives Award
Elizabeth Ludwig was honored to receive the HOLT Medallion Award this month from the Virginia Romance Writers (VRW) for her book, A Tempting Taste of Mystery, part of the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries series from Guideposts. Named for VRW’s first president Cynthia Holt, the HOLT has been awarded annually since 1995 and strives to identify books and authors that appeal to readers. Because of this, no editors, agents or authors are eligible to judge the contest. Though she did not have this in mind when she wrote the book, Ludwig said she is thrilled to know that the story has been so well … [Read more...] about Local Author Receives Award
Hooks New Softball Coach
BEAUMONT, Texas – Amy Hooks has been named as Lamar University head softball coach announced Director of Athletics Marco Born Wednesday afternoon. Hooks comes to Beaumont after spending the previous six seasons as an assistant at Northwestern State. “I’m very pleased to announce Amy as our new head softball coach,” said Born. “She comes to us highly recommended. Amy is known for her ability to develop young talent, but she really separated herself during the interview process. She already has a strong understanding of the Southland Conference after spending the previous six seasons at … [Read more...] about Hooks New Softball Coach
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