2pm - Small funnel cloud has been spotted near Bridge City.  National Weather Service says conditions are right for tropical funnel clouds today.  Bridge City Supt. Mike King said students who were playing outside were brought into the hallways until the funnel cloud went away.

Benny Smith was still wearing his king's crown Thursday afternoon hours after it was placed on his head. The kids at West Orange-Stark Elementary School loved it. For 33 years he has been doing things for the kids in the West Orange-Cove school district. He’s been a teacher, assistant principal and principal in the same district ever since he graduated from Prairie View A&M in 1980. He’ll retire when the school year ends in early June. more

An 18-year-old male bled to death Wednesday night outside a house in the Old Orange Historic District. Orange Police Captain Cliff Hargrave said the teenager cut his legs while climbing out a broken window during a burglary. Two other men with him are suspects in the burglary. They were detained at the scene but have not been charged or arrested at this time. Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Derry Dunn said he will rule the death of Devon Walker as accidental. Dunn said the teen apparently cut the inside of both legs where arteries run. Walker left a trail of blood from the back of the house into the street. The incident was about 11 p.m. at Cherry and Sixth streets. Thursday morning, a neighbor said she and her husband were getting ready to go to bed when they 'heard a lot of loud talking. They were arguing.' She looked outside the window and saw three men. 'One of the guys fell all of a sudden in the middle of the road. They were trying to get him up,' she said. She heard the other two saying 'Oh, my God, he's not getting up. I think he's dead.' In addition, she could hear the two talking about how blood was everywhere. About that time, a police patrol car pulled up. Police said they got a 9-1-1 call to the location with a report of a possible stabbing. The neighbor said police handcuffed the two others but later let them go. Hargrave said Thursday morning that officers did not have enough evidence to hold the men. He said the two suspects with Walker have records of burglaries. The neighborhood has had several burglaries reported during the past few weeks with the thieves usually getting inside a house by breaking a window with a brick or rock. Some of the break-ins have been in the middle of the day. The house that was hit Wednesday night is a two-story house on a corner with a portico and semi-circular driveway on the side. An iron spiral stairway is on the outside of the house on the back patio. Hargrave said the burglars got inside to the second story by using that stairway. The inside of the house had been ransacked.

The last leg of Interstate 10 construction through Orange County will soon be moving to the heart of Orange and will be affecting Bob Hall Road first. Orange City Manager Shawn Oubre told KOGT's Glenn Earle that the Texas Department of Transportation will be awarding a construction contract in August. Then parts of Bob Hall Road will be closed to most traffic as TxDOT raises the grade of the road. The interstate project includes installing two railroad crossings on both sides of the feeder roads. The railroad crossings will be at Bob Hall Road. Oubre said Bob Hall will be closed to through traffic at Enner Road and by Barkins Street. People who live there will be able to use the road, along with emergency vehicles and garbage service. Oubre said he wants citizens to be aware of the changes which will likely be made by the end of August. Currently, an interstate overpass crosses 16th Street and the railroad tracks. The eastbound and westbound access roads do not cross the tracks and the roadways end. The plans include having the access roads go straight through, but to do so, the roads have to cross the railroad tracks. That is why the new crossings will be built. City leaders have been planning for years for straight-through access roads with the hope of developing new commercial projects along the interstate. Oubre told Earle he has already had inquiries about land along the interstate.

Tuesday, May 21st OHS had three students compete at the State UIL Meet in Austin. Casey Smith placed 7th in Current Events. Luke Johnson placed 3rd in Computer Applications. This was Luke's second trip to the State Meet. His third place score in the 3A conference was high enough to have won any of the other conferences. OHS is very proud of all three young men.

The West Orange – Cove CISD has announced Anya V. Miller as the next principal of West Orange – Stark Elementary School. Miller is currently an assistant principal at West Orange – Stark Middle School. WOCCISD Superintendent James Colbert said, “Ms. Miller is a strong administrator with a tremendous amount of potential. She has a very clear instructional vision for our elementary school. With her skill set and instructional plan, I am confident that she will ensure that our campus will achieve high standards.” Principal interview candidates were selected and interviewed by an Elementary Principal Interview Committee comprised of administrative staff, a community representative, a parent, and a WO-S Elementary teacher. Miller was recommended by Superintendent Colbert at the Monday night meeting of the Board of Trustees. Miller said, “As the principal of West Orange-Stark Elementary School, I am honored to lead the campus toward exemplary status by upholding the campus mission of setting standards of excellence. I am excited about being a part of the WO-S Elementary School family and look forward to enhancing the climate and culture that promotes success of all students.” She has a Master’s Degree in Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in French Education. Additionally, she is a certified principal and a reading specialist who is currently pursuing an educational doctorate in teaching and learning. Miller has been in education for 15 years, serving as a graduation coach, reading specialist, department chairperson, reading teacher, athletic coach, and English as a second language (ESL) instructor. She has been employed in school systems in Louisiana and Texas. She will begin duties at the end of the 2012-2013 school year. Current WO-S Elementary Principal Benny Smith is retiring.

Seven of the 29 food service businesses inspected during the first part of May received perfect 100 scores from Orange County Health Inspector James Scales. The businesses were the Star and Crescent Cafe in Shangri La, Little Cypress Baptist Church, Moz Grill in Crawdad's on FM 1442 along with the Crawdad's store, Suzie's Concessions at 985 N. Main St. in Vidor, Kids and Company at 4034 W. Park Ave. in Orange, and the Snack Shack at 13246 North Highway 87 in Orange. more

A man who thought he was doing someone a favor ended up in the local emergency room after he was beaten. Orange Police Officer Caleb Davis reports that the 47-year-old man said he had found a wallet in the Arthur Robinson area. The man returned the wallet to the owner. Then the owner demanded the money back. The victim said he didn't take the money. The wallet's owner hit the victim in the right eye, knocking him to the ground. Then the victim was hit with fists a number of times. The owner of the wallet said he was going to get a gun and force the man to give the wallet back. That's when the victim got a ride to the hospital about 12:27 a.m. Wednesday.

Tuesday night, a man causing a disturbance at Casa Ole restaurant on 16th Street was arrested for public intoxication. An off-duty police officer at the restaurant said the man could have smoked PCP. Officer J.D. Dempsey went to the restaurant at 9:26 p.m. after a 911 call. He found several citizens detaining the man inside the doorway. Dempsey said the man was screaming random words that did not make sense. He arrested 27-year-old Hassan Bell for misdemeanor public intoxication.

Orange County Engineer Clark Slacum said the new stickers and punch cards to use beginning June 1 at the county’s trash collection station are now on sale. The windshield stickers will cost $5 for Orange County residents only. Then a $20 punch card will be purchased to allow different costs for leaving trash based on sizes from a garbage bag for $1, pickup truck load for $10, to a truckload for $20. Senior citizens will pay half price. The stickers and cards will be on sale at the road and bridge department office on FM 1442, and the tax offices at the County Administration Building in Orange and the Vidor Subcourthouse. Commissioners Court decided to start charging for disposing of trash because of an increased volume. The county pays for dumpsters at the former landfill that is no longer in operation. The county also pays for a waste company to take the refuse to an approved landfill. In other business at Commissioners Court Monday, the court approved the nomination of the International Paper mill off Highway 87 North as a ‘Double Jumbo’ Enterprise Zone. County Judge Carl Thibodeaux said the term is used by the state’s Enterprise Fund. The designation means the county will sponsor the company to receive state enterprise money to retain jobs. The paper mill, formerly Temple-Inland, has 370 employees. The court also decided not to replace Molly Turvil, who is retiring as director of the child support office. The county will have the one employee left in the office do all the work with a pay raise. Part-time workers will be assigned to the office if needed.

West Orange- Stark Senior, Miranda Miller, placed fourth in Headline Writing at the UIL State Academic meet in Austin on May 21, 2013.

Community Christian School’s 8th Grade class held its first annual Fine Arts Dinner Theater as a fundraiser for CCS’ Fine Arts Department. The 8th graders performed 7 human videos which had been written and choreographed during class throughout the school year. During the performance, proud parents, family and friends enjoyed a delicious spaghetti dinner served by the 7th grade class. The Dinner Theater was concluded with the group’s powerful “Do you Hear the Nails” skit. Pictured: Jeremy Jacobs – Fine Arts Teacher/Director, Justine Sylestine, India Alexander, Nathan Rose, Ricky Foster, Blake Dupre, Christion Rivas, Josh Howard, Valerie LeBlue, Sabrina West, Marcus Delarosa, Justin Meaux, Tyler Bevlaqua, Devon Mires, Patrick Riley. Not shown: Melody Tate, Austin Manucy.

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center announces its upcoming summer camps, called Eco-Rangers, for students entering grades 3 through 9. Eco-Rangers sessions will take place on select dates in June, July and August and are scheduled for different dates based on different age groups. Eco-Rangers introduces students to different concepts of nature, art and science, and it gives students the opportunity to explore different ecosystems, study a variety of animals, complete art projects and engage in many hands-on activities and active games. Several of the camps are presented in partnership with the Stark Museum of Art. All camps have a low student-to-teacher ratio, which enhances hands-on learning in the classroom-style environment. Advanced application is required, and all applications must be fully completed and signed with payment made in full in order to be processed. Each session will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are currently available for download under the Education, Summer Camps tabs on the Shangri La website at www.shangrilagardens.org. Applications may also be picked up in person at Shangri La's Admission Window during open hours. Completed applications are due no later than June 1, 2013, by 4:00 p.m. The fee for each class is $25.00 per participant for STARK Cultural Venues members at the Family level and above, and $50.00 per participant for non-members and for SCV members at the Individual, Dual and Couple SCV membership levels.

Newton County Precinct 4, which includes Deweyville, has a new constable with a familiar face. Former Jasper County sheriff Billy Rowles has been appointed to constable after David Kaufman resigned. KJAS in Jasper said Rowles took the oath of office on Friday. Rowles served 26 years as a trooper with the Texas Department of Public Safety and was assigned for several years to Orange County. His wife, Jamie, is retired as an employee with the Orange County Sheriff's Office. The couple recently moved into a house they built in the Newton County precinct. Rowles made international news in Jasper County as he investigated the infamous 1998 dragging death of James Byrd Jr.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2775 and The Ladies Auxiliary held a Joint Installation of Officers for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, beginning June 15th, 2013. Left to right post officers: Judge Advocate Jim Brewer, Adjutant & 3-Year Trustee Bob Johnson, Sr. Vice Commander John Bagley, Commander Jim Seales, Jr. Vice Commander, Andrew Riedel, Quartermaster Wilbert Duhon, Chaplain Robert Hebert. Left to right auxiliary officers: Secretary Jeanette Clark, Sr. Vice President Ramona Henson, Treasurer Patricia Kemp, President Cathie Duhon, Jr. Vice President Teressa Williams, Conductress & 2-Year Trustee Lesley Suppes.

State Sen. Dan Patrick announced Monday the end of lesson plans on the CSCOPE curriculum management system that is used by 70 percent of the school districts in Texas, including the ones in Orange County. The system coordinates studies in core subjects like math, social studies and language arts, so that if students move from one area to another, their studies will not suffer. In recent months, the provided lesson plans on CSCOPE came under criticism from various groups. Sen. Patrick, a Republican from Houston, is chair of the Senate Education Committee. The Region 5 Education Center uses the CSCOPE system. The region includes Orange, Newton, Jefferson, Jasper, Hardin, and Tyler counties, plus the High Island ISD.

A 47-man received a wound to his left elbow Sunday night after he was shot with a pellet gun in the Cove area. Orange police are investigating the incident as an aggravated assault. Police went to the 1600 block of Georgia Street at 10:30 p.m. Six other people were listed as witnesses or ‘involved’ in the incident, according to the police report. Craig Eugene Lurty was taken to the Baptist Hospital Orange emergency room for treatment. Other Orange police reports during the weekend were:
Disorderly conduct, 9:07 p.m. Friday, 3100 block 16th Street. Two women yelling in a store parking lot. One arrested when she continued to curse.
Theft, 9:15 p.m. Friday, 2900 block Interstate 10. A man at the Econo Lodge reported the theft of an iPad, iPhone and designer watch. A suspect was arrested on outstanding warrants.
Misdemeanor possession of marijuana, 10:58 p.m. Friday, 500 block Decatur. Woman stopped for traffic violations. Officer found half-ounce of marijuana and arrested 50-year-old Rose Thomas.
Assault, 1:13 a.m. Saturday, Lindenwood. Teenage girl reported she was assaulted by two other girls at a house party. She had minor injuries.
Fraud, 9:02 a.m. Saturday, 1415 16th Street. Store clerk called police when a man became angry because he was asked to show identification when he tried to use a debit card. The man tried to use the car to get gas for three vehicles.
Shots fired, 5:44 p.m. Saturday, area around Sunset Park.
Damaged property, 9:39 p.m. Saturday, 600 block Cherry Avenue. Resident reported a dented front fender on a parked Tacoma pickup truck.
Public intoxication, 11:46 p.m. Saturday, 5500 block Tulane Road. Police called to investigate a vehicle in a ditch. The driver said he had been drinking and taking pills. He was arrested.
Theft of a vehicle, 8:35 a.m. Sunday, 3700 block of Hemlock Street. Resident discovered his black, 2000 Nissan Frontier was stolen.
Burglary of a vehicle, 9:39 a.m. Sunday, 7200 block Highway 62. Woman at Whataburger had her vehicle window broken and purse stolen.
Criminal mischief, 4:49 p.m. Sunday, 4700 block Meeks Drive, International Apartments. Man reported his red Ford Mustang had been intentionally scratched.

The Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Leah Harrington as Student of the Month. Leah is a senior at Community Christian School where she is co-captain of the cheerleading squad, involved in volleyball and softball. She is described as being a focused, hardworking young lady who strives for excellence. Leah plans to attend Louisiana State University to pursue a degree in social work.

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce announced the Students of the Month for May at their monthly networking coffee held at Karen Collier’s Edward Jones Investments Office located at 675 West Roundbunch Road. Lindsay Caswell was chosen as the Orangefield Student of the Month while Bridge City’s student was Zach Cole. Caswell is ranked 23rd out of her class of 121 students with a 4.0 GPA on the College 4.00 scale and is the daughter of Cecil and Pam Caswell. She is involved with FCCLA, INTERACT, National Honor Society, Varsity and Junior Varsity Cheerleader, Varsity Track and Cross Country. Caswell is an Honor Graduate on the all A Honor Roll, a Cheer Hawaii participant and received the Character Award at UCA Cheer Camp in 2012. Her community service includes Relay for Life, Soup Kitchen volunteer, Holy Cross Lutheran Church Mission Trips &Youth Activities, the Challenge League Baseball and Special Olympics. Caswell plans to attend Stephen F. Austin University majoring in Elementary Education. Cole is ranked 5th out of his class of 158 students with a 4.62 GPA and is the son of Kelly and Stephanie Cole. He is the National Honor Society President, former NHS Junior Representative, Student Council Class President (2009-2013), a Varsity Powerlifting State Qualifier, Varsity Football Team Captain, received All District Defense awards, and on Varsity Track. Cole also was Scholastic All-District (4 years) and Academic All-State, had perfect attendance (3 years), was Counselor for Rotary Youth Leadership Award Camp, was nominated for People to People Award and the Willie Ray Smith Award, attended Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference at Rice University, Rotary Youth Leadership Award Camp, Lock-in Leadership Conference at Hardin Jefferson High School and received the Rotary Club Award (4 years). His community involvement includes the Santa in Blue with the Beaumont Police Department. Cole plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, play football at Southwestern University in Georgetown then pursue a career in physical therapy after graduate school. Both Caswell and Cole received a certificate honoring them for their accomplishments along with gift certificates from The Classy Peacock, Wal-Mart, Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Bridge City, Sabine Federal Credit Union, Central Office Supply, David Self Ford and Geaux Mail.

Orange celebrated this weekend with dancing music though the hymn 'Shall We Gather at the River' would have been appropriate. The city dedicated the new boardwalk and riverfront park along the Sabine. Friday evening's ceremony drew about 400 people. The event included four mayors together. Current Mayor Jimmy Sims and former mayors Jim Dunaway, Essie Bellfield and Brown Claybar. Saturday morning started out with the Orange County Historical Commission dedicating a wall of state historical markers for the area around the river. Orange historian, Dr. Howard Williams, gave a short talk on the history and importance of the river to the city. The river brought the Atakapan Indians to the area and the first Anglo settlers. The river also drew the sawmills and shipyards to provide jobs. Williams looked out over the Sabine and said 'It's not a pretty river. It's a muddy river, but it's our river.' Saturday's day-long entertainment started with the West Orange-Stark Jazz Band. The group opened with a song that was appropriate--'Proud Mary' with the chorus 'rollin' on the river.'

Show Off Your Senior! KOGT is now accepting photos from the Class of 2013 to be feature in our Photo Gallery. Email jpeg photos to KOGT.  Only one photo per senior please. Lindsey Adrio-OF

There was much celebrating at the Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School when their UIL Literary and Academic teams took First Place Sweepstakes at the District Meet this year. A number of LCM High School’s students competing in the District Meet also advanced to the Regional level. more

Class of 2013 Valedictorians and Salutatorians

The Deweyville Independent School District is accepting bids for a 2013 lowboy utility trailer constructed the high school students in welding class.  The lowboy trailer is located at Deweyville ISD Administration Building.  Minimum Opening Bid - $1,200. In the event of a tie bid, the trailer would be awarded to the bidder whose bid was received first by date and time received. Deadline:  Wednesday, June 12, 2013, 3:00 p.m.  More info 409-746-2731

Two people from Orange are hospitalized in Beaumont in stable condition after a wreck on FM 365 in Jefferson County Friday that involved five vehicles. A 47-year-old Beaumont man, Robert Edward Dewees, died in the accident. The two people from Orange, Sharon Milligan and Donald Nolan, are at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital. Two of Milligan's grandchildren, a 2-year-old and a 3-year-old, were not injured because they were in child protective seats, reports Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Stephanie Davis. The accident was at 11:20 a.m. at Hillebrandt Bayou. Davis said no vehicles ended up in the water. She said Dewees was driving his Ford pickup truck eastbound on FM 365 when it veered into traffic. Milligan was driving a Kia SUV and swerved to avoid the pickup. An SUV behind her collided with Dewees' truck. Dewees was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected. Then a Toyota truck hit Dewees. A fifth vehicle came and hit Milligan's SUV. The drivers of the three other vehicles were also taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital in stable condition. Those vehicles didn't have passengers. The wreck closed traffic on the road for more than two hours.

Marriage Licenses Issued by The Office of Karen Jo Vance, Orange County Clerk For the Week of May 13, 2013 through May 17, 2013. Presley L. Williams and Darah D. Steele, Ethan E. Sonnier and Jauqulyn M. Richard, Michael L. Romano and Luella R. Brevell, Kyle N. Thompson and Whitney L. Freese, Juston W. Walker and Anna C. Culyer, Milton J. Kirby and Christina A. Ketchum, Joshua R. Telles and Courtney L. Duhon, Ronald C. Collier and Alma N. Wilson, Joshua S. Garza and Heather N. Battise, Joshua A. Coulter and Jennifer R. Dolley, John E. Brown and Susan K. Brown, Raymond D. Menard and Eva M. Fuller, Randall J. Richard and Ericka M. Thibodeaux, Donald R. Robins and Shirley J. Colvin.

The two city parks in West Orange now have a night-time curfew and other new rules. The West Orange City Council Tuesday night agreed to the rules because of recent problems in the parks. Council members Shirley Bonnin and Mike Trahan served on the committee that set the rules, along with Public Works Director Mike Stelly and City Secretary Theresa Van Meter. The rules apply to Seale-Alford Plaza next to City Hall on Western Avenue and Caffey Park on Burnett and Lansing streets by Wesco Field. The park hours will be 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Other rules are: No powered inflatable devices unless at a city-sponsored event, No generators, No skates, rollerblades, skateboards, bicycles or motorized vehicles; No glass battles, No alcohol, No weapons or firearms, No loud music or excessive noise, Animals must be on a leash, All trash must be placed in trash receptacles, No tobacco products. In other business Tuesday, council members Mike Trahan and Chuck Winter, plus Mayor Roy McDonald, took their oaths of office for new terms. Councilwoman Shirley Bonnin, who has been on the council since 1998, was chosen once again to serve as mayor pro tem. The council also approved a new plan for a fund-raising 5-K run sponsored by the West Orange-Stark High Alumni organization. Last month the council rejected the request because of concerns that it would block traffic in the city. An adjusted plan got approval. A date has not been set for the benefit run.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION DATES Community - Thurs. May 30 at 7pm at the School Bridge City - Fri. May 31 at 8pm at Larry Ward Stadium Orangefield - Fri. May 31 at 7:30pm at FL McClain Stadium Deweyville - Fri. May 31 at 7:30pm at the HS Gym LCM - Sat. June 1 at 2pm at LU Montagne Center Vidor - Sat June 1 at 2pm at Beaumont Civic Center West Orange-Stark - Fri. June 7 at 6pm at DRH Stadium

Lamar State College-Orange is pleased to announce its 17th year to host College For Kids-Orange (CFKO) managed by the Continuing and Workforce Education office. With a bold look towards our future and the future of our alumni after high school, LSC-O has set a new vision for the CFKO program: "By the end of this decade, 75 percent of the alumni will continue their education beyond high school; 10 percent of the incoming class at LSCO will be alumni of the program; and the majority of alumni will stay in the Golden Triangle region to work and raise families" To accomplish this vision, at least 25 percent of the classes will represent STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators. STEM education fosters the first two pieces of our vision statement, the continuation of learning. We include an emphasis on local culture and history, with classes like Cajun Language and the Contributions of the Community of Color and the Perspective of Native Americans. By introducing diversity in our underlying regional values we hope to increase personal affinity to the Golden Triangle. Classes such as Hunting, Fishing, Martial Arts and Yoga, and the Stark Cultural Venues add insight into what is available in the region when not in school or working. Practical Math and introductions to vocational opportunities help the kids to better understand how school learning is put into practical use when they finish high school, and the need for further education to be successful. "The more our kids know about the region, the more they will appreciate all of the opportunities present here." "We are proud to have hosted these summer programs," said Lisa Cowart, director of Continuing and Workforce Education, "and proud to see how the program's alumni have done so well as they continued into high school." Afternoon classes will take place Monday-Thursday, June 17- June 20, and Monday-Thursday, June 24-27.For more information or to register for the 2013 College for Kids - Orange, go to www.CFKO.OrangeTX.info.

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