Orange County Commissioners haven't officially voted on a new budget, but have agreed the county will adopt one with a $3 million deficit. The county will have only $300,000 left in its fund balance, a name for savings, at the end of the current budget year. That is not enough to cover the deficit created by the expenses running more than the projected income. Glenn Earle reports that County Judge Carl Thibodeaux recovered from the flu and attended Thursday's budget workshop meeting. He said commissioners will have to adopt the deficit budget and make adjustments through the year. The new … [Read more...] about Orange County Voted On A New Budget

Eight more people, including six from Vidor, have pleaded guilty to federal racketeering charges in connection with a white supremacist gang making and selling methamphetamine. Three pleaded guilty Wednesday in Beaumont federal court to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. The others pleaded guilty earlier this week. They all face up to 40 years in prison. Four other people pleaded guilty in August to racketeering and murder in connection with the gang. Three of those four were from Vidor or Bridge City. They pleaded guilty to killing a Bridge City man, who was also in the gang, back in … [Read more...] about Three Pleaded Guilty Wednesday In Beaumont Federal Court

Orange County commissioners got more bad financial news Wednesday morning. The commissioners are under a deadline to finish a 2013-14 budget and need to balance the expenses with the income. Expectations were that the current budget, which ends Sept. 30, would have $1.3  million left to carry over into the new budget. Figures now show only $300,000 will be left at the end of the year. The current budget is $43.7 million and the upcoming budget now stands at $45.2 million. KOGT's Glenn Earle reported that County Judge Carl Thibodeaux continued to be too ill to attend Wednesday's budget workshop … [Read more...] about More Bad Financial News Wednesday Morning for Orange County