Freeze warning
Southeast Texas temperatures are expected to reach freezing temperatures over the holiday, with officials warning of possible treacherous roads with weather woes.
The city of Port Neches City Water Utilities Department further encourages the public to follow these simple tips during freezing weather: Insulate any exposed pipes to prevent freezing and damage,
If needed, drip faucets farthest from incoming water to the home or property. Do not run faucets at higher than a drip. Move sensitive vegetation inside and bring pets inside.
Beaumont segregates EMS from fire
The City of Beaumont has created a new standalone Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department that reports directly to the City Manager, according to a news release from the municipality.
The new EMS Department is licensed to field up to nine ambulances, increasing the current capacity of 5-7 trucks, the city shared, and will employ roughly 80 full-time employees once fully staffed. City correspondence indicates the department is slated to be operational by spring, “contingent upon the number of qualified applications received.” Applications for all positions are being accepted immediately and can be found at Governmentjobs.com/careers/Beaumont.
Beaumont Fire-Rescue will collaborate with the EMS Department to create a new “Mobile Integrated Healthcare” (MIH) program, billed as a tool to “expand the level of care EMS providers can offer.”
“The program will provide individualized non-emergency medical assessments and preventive health care education without the need for costly and potentially unnecessary transportation or hospital visits,” the city of Beaumont mailer read.
Vidor teens killed in single-car wreck
Dec. 18, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported two teens died when the SUV they were riding in left the road and crashed into a parked RV south of Vidor. DPS Lt. Chuck Havard reported the deceased were the driver, Blake Post, 15, and his passenger, John Castilaw III, 14, both of Vidor.
According to Havard, the teens were in a Dodge Journey at about 1:55 a.m. on Concord Street, one mile south of Vidor, when the SUV left the road and crashed into the RV. The SUV caught on fire and the teens died at the scene. The 57-year-old female RV occupant escaped without injury.
SETX health district failed STD/HIV prevention services
The OIG released the results of a recent audit of the City of Houston Health Department’s administration of a grant to reduce sexually transmitted diseases, determining the agency failed to meet 25 out of 28 tested program objectives over the prior three years. Auditors determined that, from Jan. 1, 2019, through Aug. 31, 2021, the health department did not meet 25 of the 28 program objectives designed to measure the effectiveness of the Sexually Transmitted Disease/Human Immunodeficiency Virus (STD/HIV) Prevention Services Grant Program.
Of the selected measures, only the goal for the treatment of syphilis was met each year, while testing goals for exposed partners were not. Goals for completing interviews, medical appointments and partner-testing for clients with HIV also did not meet performance measures outlined within the grant.
Auditors discovered that, in 2019 and 2020, more than 40% of the program’s annual grant was spent in the final quarter of the year, amounting to a lack of documentation on funding expenses worth more than $503,000 over the three-year grant period. Auditors also reviewed 40 employee records and discovered they were missing proof of required certifications for the program, resulting in $79,913 in improperly reported expenses.
For the full audit, visit https://oig.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/reports/std_hiv_prevention_services_grant_program_city_of_houston.pdf/.
Discovery Channel features Pleasure Island fishing
The Elite Fishing Series made its way back to Port Arthur in July of 2022 for the Elite Redfish Series Solo Tour Stop 3 on Pleasure Island, with the tourney featured on the Discovery Channel on Sunday, Dec. 18. Those who missed the live airing can catch the episode anytime on the DiscoveryGo app.
Pro fisher Gary Moreno of Baytown is showcased as anglers compete head-to-head, pro vs. pro, without a teammate or draw partner, for two days of competition and a $10,000 first-place check in Port Arthur.
The series fishing took place in Sabine Lake, 14 miles long and 7 miles wide, filled with Gulf Coast trout, redfish and flounder. Learn more at www.visitportarthurtx.com.
Walmart settles opioid claim with state
The Texas Attorney General Office announced a planned $3.1 billion settlement with Walmart, with over $168 million designated for Texas, for Walmart’s role in the nationwide opioid epidemic.
To date, opioid settlements have secured approximately $2.4 billion for Texas from defendants including Walmart, Allergan, Mallinckrodt, Teva, Endo, Johnson & Johnson, and McKinsey.
KLVU station manager retires after 45 years
After 45 years of service with KVLU radio at Lamar University, Station Manager Byron Balentine will be signing off for the final time at the end of 2022.
Balentine attended Lamar University and earned a degree in political science in 1979. After spending a year in pre-law studies at Oklahoma State University, Balentine realized his passion was in Beaumont. Starting out in a part-time role, Balentine continued to learn as much as he could and worked his way up through a number of positions over the next nearly 50 years.
“I think there will be remnants of me for some years to come,” Balentine said on his impending departure. “To be genuine you have to be everything you are and use everything you know. I have nothing but great love for the station and I hope that it continues to prosper.”
Fresh focus on pre-teens
The Junior League of Beaumont 2022-2023 Provisional Class is collecting donations for personal hygiene items to benefit BISD Vincent Middle School 6th graders. In January 2023, the Junior League Provisional Class will present these items to the students during a student assembly.
Lack of access to these products, event volunteers share, can have far-reaching effects in the lives of youth entering middle school for the first time, including a lack of self-confidence, becoming victims of bullying, anxiety, and depression, among other multi-faceted issues.
Donation items will be accepted through Jan. 15, 2023. Visit the group’s Amazon Wishlist to vie
w hygiene items that are still needed at www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/8ZCCFVFLGYR6?ref_=wl_share.
For more information, email [email protected].
Feds release economic outlook via YouTube
Dec. 14, the U.S. House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth released a 30-minute documentary-style film, “Grit & Grace: The Fight for the American Dream,” on YouTube, produced by the Committee and narrated by EMMY award-winner Sarah Jessica Parker.
Grit & Grace premiered in tandem with the National Archives’ final report, “Bridging the Divide: Building an Economy that Works for All,” which addresses the contributing factors and systemic barriers keeping Americans from finding economic security.
View the film at www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxmzWeyYVJE&t=2s.
The complete report can be read at https://fairgrowth.house.gov/report.
Man killed in crash
A Beaumont man was killed in a single-vehicle crash on the Dowlen Road Bridge near College Street on Dec. 16, reported the Beaumont Police Department (BPD).
Traffic was shut down in both directions while the crash was being investigated. The accident happened about 1:30 a.m. and the road was reopen about 4:30 a.m.
BPD announced that Ivan Castaneda, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene by Jefferson County Justice of the Peace Ben Collins, who also ordered on autopsy.
Fire destroys home
A late night fire on Dec. 18 destroyed a family’s home in west Jefferson County,
Chief Chris Gonzales of the Bevil Oaks Fire Department reported. A motorist saw the fire and called 911 to report the balze about 10:17 p.m.
The home on Old Sour Lake Road, east of Meeker Road, was heavily engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Bevil Oaks FD received assistance from the Jefferson County Emergency Services District 3 Fire Department.
Fire crews left the scene about 1:30 a.m., but were call back four hours later to extinguish hot spots.
LISD sets meeting for sub teachers
An “interest meeting” on becoming a substitute teacher for Lumberton ISD is set for 9 – 9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at the LISD Administration Office, 121 South Main.
The meeting will give people an opportunity to ask questions and get details about becoming a substitute teacher.
Family Services receives donation for new shelter
Family Services of Southeast Texas held a Dec. 6 groundbreaking ceremony on its property located at 6730 Concord St. in Beaumont and began a Capital Campaign to raise money to build a new shelter.
The Mildred Yount Manion Foundation (Manion Foundation) managed by Argent Trust Company helped kick off the campaign, according to Bonnie Spotts, director of Community Relations for Family Services. Family Services announced they received a $180,000 grant from the Manion Foundation in support of its Capital Campaign.
Spotts noted the Manion Foundation has been a benefactor of Family Services, frequently providing funds to assist programs for women and children who have been victimized by domestic violence.
Family Services of Southeast Texas (and its predecessor The Family Welfare Bureau) has provided 92 years of uninterrupted service in Southeast Texas. Since 1985, Family Services has assumed responsibility for providing shelter services to survivors of domestic violence from Jefferson, Orange, Hardin, Jasper, Newton, and Tyler counties. Flooded by Hurricane Harvey in 2018, and by Tropical Storm Imelda in 2020, the agency has been trying to move the shelter out of the flood zone.
Discovered on: 2022-12-22 16:44:59
Source: NEWS SHORTS | Beaumont Examiner
