Orange City Manager Dr. Shawn Oubre was interviewed recently in the Walden Alumni Magazine. This is the interview, as told to Liz Welch DEGREE EARNED: PhD in Public Policy and Administration MY BIGGEST SUPPORTER: I met my wife in high school and knew she was a keeper—she has always supported my desire to further my education. I was working in law enforcement and going to night school when we had our first child. Between full workdays and night classes, my wife gave me the time I needed to study—and typed all my papers. We had two children by the time I pursued my master’s; I was … [Read more...] about City Supported Oubre’s PHD Pursuit

  Beginning Monday, August 3, the speed limit on Texas Highway 12 between Mauriceville and Vidor will be reduced from 75 miles per hour to 65 miles per hour. Sarah Dupre with the Texas Department of Transportation says the reduction in speed on Highway 12 is the result of a study that was conducted using a radar gun to monitor the speed used by drivers on the road. Dupre adds that TxDOT took the median of what people were driving to determine what people felt was a safe driving speed. … [Read more...] about Highway 12 reduced speed

Orange County Sheriff's Calls July 21-27   Recovery of stolen vehicle, 12:13 a.m. July 21, 16900 block FM 1442 in Mauriceville. Burglary of a habitation, 8:33 a.m. July 21, 2000 block Killian Road in Little Cypress. Simple assault, 8:49 a.m. July 21, 16600 South Highway 62 in Orange. Injured dog, 11:41 a.m. July 21, 3000 block FM 1131 in Vidor. Burglary of habitation, 3:12 p.m. July 21, 16900 block FM 1442 in Mauriceville. Dog bite, 11:39 p.m. July 21, 100 block Real Road in Vidor. Theft of a motorcycle, 3:37 p.m. July 22, 18000 block South Highway 62 in … [Read more...] about Orange County Sheriff’s Calls July 21-27

Three weeks ago several Orange County officials with representatives from the Texas Department of Emergency Management inspected the damage from flooding in northwest Orange County. At the time it appeared the damage to the public infrastructure was below the required amount to be eligible for federal relief from FEMA. Orange County Emergency Management Director Ryan Peabody has compiled the damage figures and submitted it to the state emergency management department. Peabody reported that subsequently FEMA has determined the monetary damage to the Orange County infrastructure has met the … [Read more...] about Lakeview Flooding

Republic Services will continue to be the garbage collector in the city of Pinehurst for another three years. The Pinehurst City Council approved the three year contract Tuesday evening with Republic at no increase in price for residential and commercial customers. Bill Voigtman with Republic said the company will pick up the garbage once a week and each residence will be given a 93-gallon container on wheels to put their garbage. Voigtman pointed out his 5-year old son pushes his family’s garbage container to the street, but added that if there are Pinehurst citizens who need assistance … [Read more...] about Pinehurst Brings In Big Containers

Orange Fire fighters responded to a house fire at 708 Burton Tuesday night.  No one was inside when the fire started according to Fire Marshal John Bilbo and Deputy Fire Chief Lee Anne Brown said it may have started at an electrical outlet where appliances were plugged. The American Red Cross was called in to help the family. … [Read more...] about House fire on Burton St

Officers with the Pinehurst Police Department qualified in weapons training this month at the Chief John Tarver Training Center on FM 1442 in Orange County. Pinehurst Police Chief Fred Hanauer said he and seven of his officers all qualified in the use of their primary weapons which are .40-caliber Glock 22 or 23 semi-automatic pistols as well as with their secondary weapons which are 12-gauge pump shotguns and AR-15 rifles. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement requires peace officers to qualify once a year, but Pinehurst has its police qualify twice a year. … [Read more...] about Pinehurst Police Qualify