A truck was totaled because of a fire Wednesday afternoon about 2:00 at a business on FM 1442 and Interstate 10. Shane Funderburke with ROTAP said the driver was returning a large container to them and was inside doing paperwork when the fire started. The driver Dante Herman with Specialized Waste System had driven from Channelview with the container. Herman indicated his truck was running fine on the approximately 100-mile trip. He stepped back outside and the cab of the truck was on fire. Three fire fighters in two fire trucks from Emergency Services District #4 arrived at the scene to … [Read more...] about Truck Catches Fire Wednesday

The Sabine River Authority Tuesday morning decreased the water releases from Toledo Bend reservoir dam. It was the first decrease in eight days. The decrease led to the National Weather Service adjusting flood predictions for Deweyville. Wednesday morning the river in Deweyville was at 25.4 feet. The river is out of its banks at 24 feet. The weather service says the river will rise to 25.5 feet by Friday and remain for a few days before going down. The previous predictions had the river rising to 26 feet, a level that would put water in houses in some neighborhoods. The river … [Read more...] about Sabine River Update

The five candidates for Orange County commissioner of Precinct 1 agree economic development is a top priority for the county. The candidates, Shirley Zimmerman, Johnny Trahan, Bobby Manshack, Ryan Peabody and Gary Hinote answered questions Tuesday night before a Republican Party-sponsored get-together at the VFW Hall in Orange. No Democrats have filed for local races; so the Republican nominee will be unopposed in November unless an independent or write-in candidate runs. Party primary elections are March 1. Hinote is an Orange County native who has owned a plumbing business. He said … [Read more...] about Candidates Want Economic Development

Orange County Sheriff's Calls December 29-January 4 Recovery of stolen vehicle, 2:09 a.m. December 29, Market Basket, 11916 North Highway 62 in Mauriceville. Burglary of a building, 8:23 a.m. December 29, 5700 block Orchard Street in McLewis. Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, 9:18 a.m. December 29, 5700 block Hidden Meadows Drive in Little Cypress. Possession of a controlled substance, 1:17 p.m. December 29, Fifth at North streets in Orange. Vehicle stopped for failure to signal a turn and driver was arrested after the traffic stop. Cruelty to animals, 1:44 p.m. December 29, … [Read more...] about OC Sheriffs Calls Dec. 29-Jan. 4

Open Carry is now law in Texas. Tuesday evening the City Council in Bridge City discussed the new gun law and its effect on municipal buildings. City Attorney Paul Fukuda informed the council about the effects of the law on the City Hall in Bridge City which serves as the city court, council chamber, and houses city offices. Fukuda said the legislature is not perfect and may not have taken into account all the circumstances that are impacted by the law. He added that the law does prohibit the carrying of hand guns in courts and offices connected to the courts or in areas where posted … [Read more...] about Bridge City Council Meets

The Commissioners Court discussed Tuesday where to put signs on county property concerning the new Open Carry Law in Texas.  Assistant County Attorney Doug Manning said the new gun carrying law is still being interpreted by the courts.  Manning recommended the Commissioners Court post signs where needed, but that they be judicious because the new law is still being interpreted by judicial courts and Orange County does not want to be the first to go to court because of posting an area that does not qualify.  He added the Commissioners could always add them later. After more than twenty … [Read more...] about Commissioners Discuss Open Carry

Orange police early Monday morning found a Peterbilt truck that was reported stolen. However, they did not arrest the man inside the truck, which was parked at a truck stop on North Highway 62. The 50-year-old man said he had bought the rig on Craigslist. Officer Nicholas Medina reported police found the truck about 6 a.m. at the Pilot Travel Center. The man said he had left the trailer to the rig in Missouri City, Texas.  Officer Medina said the owner of the truck wanted it towed for safe keeping until it was picked up.     A man who left his house for Christmas vacation … [Read more...] about Orange Police Briefs