The City of Orange is getting a promise from International Paper to invest $80 million at the containerboard mill for improvements and upgrades. In addition, the company is pledging to keep at least 300 employees. Those are among the terms of an economic development agreement for the city to annex the paper mill on Highway 87 North. The company will give the city a yearly payment instead of full taxes and the city will not keep the 1.5 percent sales tax on items sold by the company. The city will provide police and fire protect but not water and sewer service. International Paper requested … [Read more...] about International Paper To Invest $80 Million
OFISD Asking For Tax Increase
The Orangefield school board is asking voters in the school district to approve a tax increase to make up for lost income from state financing. The district has set a special Tax Ratification Election (TRE) for Saturday, October 3, with early voting to start September 16. "The state is not making a commitment to fund public schools," Superintendent Dr. Stephen Patterson said. The board is proposing to keep the local 20 percent homestead exemption and increase the tax rate from $1.04 per $100 valuation to $1.17 per $100 valuation for the maintenance and operations part of the budget. That … [Read more...] about OFISD Asking For Tax Increase
Hood Presents Budget To Pinehurst
Pinehurst City Administrator Robbie Hood presented his first budget as administrator of the city to the City Council Tuesday morning. The $2.9 million budget is rather lean according to Hood. “We’ve had to go through and look at what was requested and what we could afford at this particular time. We are down from last year in sales tax revenue substantially. We were able to keep and maintain the current level of services that we offer to the citizens of Pinehurst and keep that going. This budget does not reflect a pay increase at all across the board, our insurance rates have gone up about 3 … [Read more...] about Hood Presents Budget To Pinehurst
Tuesday Volleyball Scores
Tarkington 3 Orangefield 0 PNG 3 BC 0 Dayton 3 BC 0 Ozen 3 WOS 2 … [Read more...] about Tuesday Volleyball Scores
Orange Council Looks At Outside Help
Some members of the Orange City Council spoke enthusiastically about GMJ & Associates consulting firm from Jefferson County and indicated they would like to hire the company to help with economic development. The company gave a presentation Monday morning to City Council and the city's Economic Development Corporation board of directors. The city has been looking at different ways to help attract new industries and commercial businesses since deciding to stop paying $25,000 to the Orange County Economic Development Corporation. Since Orange voted to stop payments to the county group, … [Read more...] about Orange Council Looks At Outside Help
OC Schools Meet State Standards
All Orange County school districts and campuses meet state standards All the public school districts and individual schools in Orange County and Deweyville met the state standards for accountability. The Texas Education Agency Friday released the results from the past school year from the STAAR testing. Last year, the West Orange-Stark Elementary School was the only one in Orange County that needed improvement. In the current ratings, the school earned two of a possible five distinctions. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness standardized testing started last year. … [Read more...] about OC Schools Meet State Standards
Strutters Are Winners
The Bridge City Strutters attended American Dance Drill Team Camp recently at Renaissance Richardson/Dallas Hotel in Richardson, Texas. They were awarded Diamond Sweepstakes, Outstanding Home Routine, Gussie Nell Davis Team of the Day, Most Admired Team of the Day, and All American Team of the Day and WEEK by the American Dance staff. All American Kick Company members are Sydney Billington and Grace Gaspard with Sydney Billington named as All American Miss High Kick. JV All American Kick Company members are Sydney Hanson, Jaelyn Nichols, Macie Moore, and Carlee Weeks. These ladies will have … [Read more...] about Strutters Are Winners
Pinehurst Remembers Johnson
The Pinehurst City Council met Tuesday morning in the Grady L. Johnson Council Chamber at the City Hall. The meeting held a more somber mood with the death of longtime Pinehurst businessman and former mayor Grady Johnson on Monday. Council member T. W. Permenter served with Johnson on the Pinehurst City Council, but Permenter also knew Johnson as a neighbor and friend. Permenter remembered his final moments with Johnson. “I worked with Grady for a number of years, most of all I was a neighbor of Grady I lived right beside him, and he was a wonderful person, he’s family. It so happened that … [Read more...] about Pinehurst Remembers Johnson
Leonard G. Hall
Leonard G. Hall, 93, of Orange, Texas passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2015 in Orange. Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Friday, August 14, 2015, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Randy Branch and Reverend J.B. Prouse. Visitation will be from 5:00pm-8:00pm, Thursday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Pallbearers will be Fred Collins, Glenn Campbell, Doug McDaniel, Bobby Chumley, Welman Richard, and Ronnie Miller. A graveside service will be held at 10:00am, Monday, August 17, at Fargo Cemetery in Vernon, Texas. Officiating will be Reverend … [Read more...] about Leonard G. Hall
Who Believe?
Bobcats got their new run-thru just in time for the start of the season. OF will host Vidor in a scrimmage Friday. Orangefield athletic booster club is having a public meeting Monday 8/17/15 at 5:30 in the new gym front lobby. … [Read more...] about Who Believe?
Social Media