Newton County authorities are looking for a 28-year-old man from Orange who did not appear Monday for his murder trial. Jury selection had been set to start Monday morning for Joshua Latham. Detectives from the Orange Police Department had been set to testify in the trial. Latham was indicted for murder and tampering with evidence in connection with the strangulation death of 41-year-old Tami Higginbotham of Vinton, Louisiana. Higginbotham was reported missing on February 8, 2013, after traveling to Orange the day before to sell her cell phone. She never returned home and relatives called … [Read more...] about Looking for Latham
EDC Giving Money For RV Park
The City of Orange Economic Development Corporation board and the City Council approved the first step of deal with businessman Mark Frey's new company to develop an RV park on Interstate 10. The deal includes an economic development grant of $250,000, with $50,000 to be repaid, plus some tax incentives. Hotel owners and managers, along with some managers of other RV parks objected to spending. Councilwoman Theresa Beauchamp, who also sits on the EDC board, said the park will not "have the kind of construction people that pull their (RVs) along and live in a park two or three months." She said … [Read more...] about EDC Giving Money For RV Park
Bickham sentenced
A 32-year-old Orange man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales. Jason Ryan Bickham pleaded guilty on Sep. 17, 2014 to possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield. According to information presented in court, law enforcement authorities were alerted by a citizen that Bickham had images containing child pornography on his cellular phone. Bickham provided officers consent to search the phone and a … [Read more...] about Bickham sentenced
Hightower New Personnel Director
Commissioners appointed Minnie Hightower as the Director of Personnel for Orange County at their meeting Monday. The Commissioners Court interviewed four candidates in the morning for the position before choosing Hightower during the court’s afternoon session. Commissioner David Dubose voted against the appointment preferring to hire from within the county. Dubose said there were two candidates from the county with at least 20 years experience in human resources, one in the sheriff’s office the other actually in personnel, and he wanted one of those to get promoted. Commissioner John Banken … [Read more...] about Hightower New Personnel Director
WOCCISD doesn’t name Supt.
The West Orange-Cove school board could have named a new superintendent Monday night. The action was on the board's meeting agenda for the first time. The board has spent a month of going through resumes and conducting interviews with applicants. No board member made a motion to hire an individual. Board president Pete Amy said the board will continue to meet to find someone to fill the position. Beginning January 26, the deadline for applications, the board has held five meetings on the search for a new superintendent. The board met Monday for two hours in closed-door executive session but no … [Read more...] about WOCCISD doesn’t name Supt.
WO opposes 343
The city council in West Orange approved Monday night a resolution opposing Senate Bill 343. Opponents of the bill believe it would threaten or diminish the authority of Home Rule Municipalities. West Orange Mayor Roy McDonald says there are two types of cities: Home Rule cities and General Law cities. McDonald explains the difference is General Law cities can only do what the Texas legislature allows them to do through law, while a Home Rule city can pass regulations and ordinances it deems necessary to help govern the premise of their city. Mayor McDonald believes Home Rule is the preferred … [Read more...] about WO opposes 343
Police reports from the weekend
A man died in his pickup truck Saturday morning after he drove into the front yard of a neighbor's house on Fairway Drive. Orange Police Detective Captain Cliff Hargrave said no foul play is suspected. He said the preliminary autopsy was conducted Monday morning but a justice of the peace ruling will not be made until toxicology reports are completed. That will take at least two weeks. Police were called about 8 Saturday morning to a house in the 2800 block of Fairway Drive. The deceased was identified as Richard Neal Westmoreland, who lived a block away. An Orange County sheriff’s deputy … [Read more...] about Police reports from the weekend
Janice M. Wilkinson
Janice M. Wilkinson, 78, of Orangefield, passed away on February 19, 2015, at Oakwood Manor in Vidor. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 22, 2015, at First Baptist Church in Orangefield with Bro. Cody Hogden, pastor, officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Born in Hermitage, Arkansas, on May 10, 1936, she was the daughter of Rufus Russell Wallace and Ona (St. John) Lyons. Janice was a small business owner. She owned a beauty salon and later in life owned Hunter Creek Grocery store on Hwy 1442 for overs 20 years. Janice was a … [Read more...] about Janice M. Wilkinson
Sheryl Lynn Rowe
Sheryl Lynn Rowe, 64, of Bridge City, passed away on February 18, 2015, at Christus St. Elizabeth in Beaumont. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 21, 2015, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Reverend Harry Davis will be officiating. Inurnment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange. Born in Nacogdoches, Texas, on October 8, 1950, she was the daughter of Glenn Eugene Hill, Sr. and Eloise (Yates) Hill. Sheryl loved to read, do puzzles, play games, cook, and to be in the water. But most of all she loved to spend time with her grandchildren. She was kind, … [Read more...] about Sheryl Lynn Rowe
Ralph Charles Hogan Jr.
Ralph Charles Hogan Jr., 68, of Orange passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2015 at Pinehurst Nursing Home in Orange. Ralph was born on January 13, 1947 in Lake Charles, Louisiana to mother, Burneat Eve (Taylor) Paul and father, Ralph Charles Hogan Sr. He had lived most of his life in Orange, was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and had graduated from St. Mary's School. Ralph served his country during the Vietnam War in the Navy. Ralph enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson and tinkering with his trucks and cars. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Ralph was … [Read more...] about Ralph Charles Hogan Jr.
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