Tuesday night the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Banquet at the Sunset Grove Country Club.  It's an opportunity to thank those for their work with the chamber the past year, and welcome in the new group that will lead the chamber into 2016. There's also a few awards that are handed out.  Gisela Houseman introduced Steve Jones as the Citizen of the Year.  Jones, a retired Major from the Orange Police Department, was the site coordinator for the Bassmasters Elite Tournament in March after serving as the coordinator back in 2013.  A surprised Jones was emotional as he … [Read more...] about Jones Named Citizen of the Year

An armed robber wearing a pink ski mask hit the Get N Go convenience store at 2419 16th Street early this morning. Orange police Captain Robert Enmon reported the robber stole cash and cigarettes after using a black pistol to threaten the clerk at 3:45 a.m. Captain Enmon said the robber was a black man wearing the pink ski mask, a blue jacket and white shoes. He was seen running north on 16th Street. It was the second hold-up of a convenience store in three days. Anyone with information should contact the Orange Police Department at 883-1026. … [Read more...] about Armed Robber Wearing Pink

Dancing air-blown figures and inflatable animals will have limited engagements in front of businesses if the City of Orange goes through with proposals to rewrite the ordinances regulating signs. Tuesday afternoon, the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the new regulations recommended by Planning Director Kelvin Knauf. No vote was taken and any official change will have to go through a public hearing and a vote by the commission and then the City Council. "We're not here to create a problem for business, we're trying to create an environment where business wants to come," … [Read more...] about More Signage Rules in Orange?

The Orange County Convention and Expo Center will be getting a new employee to assist Event Coordinator Sabrina Gray. The Commissioners Court approved Tuesday Gray’s request to hire the new employee. Gray said the new employee would assist her in setting up for events in the center, janitorial duties in the ballroom, the center’s kitchens, and keeping up with landscaping at the center. The employee would work under Gray’s direction, and she would use the employee for 40 hours a week. Commissioner John Banken made the motion to approve the hiring of the new employee. Banken stated that he … [Read more...] about Commissioners Meet

To the Citizens of Orange County and Precinct #3 My name is John Gothia and I am running for Orange County Commissioner Pct. # 3 and would like your vote as the Republican choice. I graduated from Bridge City High School then attended Lamar University for Business before starting my career with Altria where I have worked for 30 years as a Manager. I am married to Glynis Wright Gothia, a Bridge City ISD teacher. Our sons Hunter and Forrest are also graduates of Bridge City High School. For over 25 years I have been involved as a dedicated volunteer and board member for several organizations … [Read more...] about Gothia Running For Office

Rain has slowed down progress on construction of the new police station in Bridge City.  With the weather clearing now City Manager Jerry Jones believes significant work can begin on the construction.  Jones indicated that the wet weather had prevented a road being made to allow trucks to bring material and other construction items to the site at the end of Rachal.  Rain has also postponed work on several other city projects, Jones added that with better weather those will start moving forward pretty quickly, too. The City Council approved Tuesday night cancelling the next scheduled meeting … [Read more...] about BC Begins New PD Office

Four juveniles were caught Saturday night with a stolen yard Santa in the back of the SUV belonging to one of their mothers. Orange Police Officer J.E. Roy linked the four to vandalism of Christmas decorations at three houses in the Dawnwood neighborhood off Highway 87. Also on Sunday morning, a resident in Oak Creek Village discovered damage to holiday yard decorations. The propeller off an inflatable helicopter with Santa was missing. Also, the head of a Mickey Mouse was gone from the mouse body riding a sleigh with Minnie. An inflatable mailbox with three penguins was also damaged. … [Read more...] about Teens Vandalize Christmas

One of two males breaking into trucks at the Orange Boat Ramp Sunday morning was caught after a police chase. Officer Logan Holland reported that another officer used a Taser stun to get the 16-year-old to comply with orders to put his hands behind his back. Officer Holland was called to the Boat Ramp off Simmons Drive at 7:13 Sunday morning after people saw two males break into a truck. The patrolman reported that he saw a black male and a white male holding a hatchet in a grassy area. When he ordered them to come to him, they ran off. Police caught the juvenile in the area around the … [Read more...] about Thief Apprehended