The City of Orange Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire at 2:25AM Thursday morning located at #10 Circle R in the Roselawn addition. Fire Department crews reported heavy fire from the rear of the home. Crews initiated a quick attack which extinguished the bulk of the fire. A thorough search of the home was completed and no occupants were found. The occupant was out of town and has been notified about the fire. Crews remained at the scene for approximately three hours insuring the fire was completely extinguished and the cause investigated. The cause of the fire has not been determined and is currently under investigation.

On March 15 at 8:49 P.M., Officers were dispatched to 808 15th Street in reference to a burglary in progress. The owner of the residence advised dispatch that he had surveillance equipment set up at his residence and a subject was inside the residence. Officer Chris Arnold entered the residence and located a subject sweating profusely and moving about very quickly. Arnold tackled the subject to the floor and placed him in handcuffs. In the backyard several pieces of electronic equipment were located. The suspect, 31 year old Roberto Vasquez, who lives on Orange St., admitted to taking the property and was arrested for burglary.

The Lake Charles City Council has scheduled a vote on whether to give a permanent berth to the USS Orleck, a World War II-era destroyer. The Army Corps of Engineers and Lake Charles voters would have to approve a lakefront site. Supporters plan to bring the ship temporarily whether or not the city approves an agreement with the ship's supporters. It's to be towed on Friday from Orange, Texas, to a Calcasieu River spot where a Lake Charles businessman will let it stay free. After 37 years in the U.S. Navy, the Orleck was given to the Turkish Navy. In 2000, it was towed from Turkey to Orange to be refurbished as a war museum. Ron Williams of the Orleck's Louisiana chapter says it costs $10,000 a month to dock it in Orange.

Members of the Orange Lions Club attended a workday last weekend at the Texas Lions Camp for Handicapped and Diabetic Children in Kerrville.  Their work consisted of clearing land and cutting wood.  Lion Ralph Thon (holding plaque) received the Jack Weich Award for his service to the camp.

St. Mary Catholic School had 15 winners out of 147 participants from the area in the 2010 Catholic Daughters Education Contest. First Place winners in each category (Essay, Poetry and Art) will be sent on to the State level. The teacher sponsors from the school were Jo Ann Sparacino, Daphne McIntire and Nancy Rendall. Winners are as follows:

Little Cypress Elementary had a Science Fair recently and winners finished first to fifth. L to R: Renna Toomey, Pierce Rendall, Jaycee Reed, Brandon Garrison, and Rachel Belcher.

The Community Christian School Choir performs for Open House and at District. The choir recently attended District competition where they won first place in two categories: Contemporary Ensemble and Small Ensemble Students participating included, front: Lindsay Burns, Morgan LeBlanc, Marlaina Delarosa, Madison Inman, Amaris Berwick, Danielle Paul, Michaela Click, Reagan Hambrick, Macy LeBlanc. Back: India Alexander, Chloe Gotcher, Sabrina West, Cierra Cezar, Justine Sylestine, Danielle Gyasi, Tristen Anding, Devon Mires, Rylan Odom, Joshua Howard, and the choir director, Samantha Williams

With 750,000 records sold, Pianist John Nilsen is one of the most successful recording artists in the Northwest. A leader in instrumental music for twenty-five years, Nilsen performs his original jazz, classical, folk, rock and Christian songs throughout the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. This Friday, March 19 at 7 PM, Faith United Methodist Church will present John Nilsen in concert at the church's new location - 8608 MLK Jr., Orange. Nilsen will be performing some of the songs from his seventeenth recording and solo piano CD, Places I Go, released November 16, 2009. You are invited to come and enjoy this free concert sponsored by Faith UMC. For more information, call 886-1291.

Lakin Longoria was crowned the 2010 Mauriceville Crawfish Festival Queen on Saturday. Lakin is the daughter of Kenneth and Samantha Holloway and Michael Longoria. Lakin will reign over the 30th Annual Mauriceville Crawfish Festival which will be held April 16, 17 and 18 at the fairgrounds on Hwy. 62 in Mauriceville. The other winners include: (L to R) Young Miss Queen, Callie Dawson, daughter of Kathy Dawson; and Petite Miss Queen, Jayden Nicole Shay, daughter of Tammy and Mark Shay; Tiny Miss Queen, Shailee Watz, daughter of Stacy Watz; and Little Miss Queen, McKenzie Freeman, daughter of Greg and Misti Freeman; Dainty Miss Queen, Kenzie Hodges, daughter of Joshua and Krislyn Hodges and Toddler Miss Queen Lela Welch, daughter of Charles and Crystal Welch. Photos courtesy of Colette Marie.

On March 12 at 2:57am Orange Police responded to Red's Liquor on Green Ave. after someone broke the front glass door with a red brick. The security camera showed the suspect entered the building and took six one liter bottles of liquor valued at $37.25 each.

In the wee hours of March 13 two teenage girls ended up in a ditch after they avoided hitting someone standing in the road. The two 17 year olds were in a vehicle traveling on Hwy .87 north near N. Teal Rd. when they swerved to miss a 59 year old man standing in front of them. Their vehicle crossed into the other lane, avoiding a head-on collision, but landing in a ditch. They did not receive any life threatening injuries. The man, Michael Ray, was arrested for public intoxication.

The Port of Orange held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate their newly acquired property located at 905 Pier Road in Orange, Texas which was the former Naval Reserve Center property. The Port acquired the site after it was placed on the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) listing in May 2005. Port Director Gene Bouillion thanked the U. S. Navy, U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration, Congressman Kevin Brady, Representative Mike Hamilton, Orange County, City of Orange and Orange County Economic Development Corporation for their support and cooperation that enabled the Port to submit an acceptable Redevelopment Plan to the U.S. Navy. The process required this joint effort to successfully clear the way for the conveyance of the property to the Port of Orange. The Property consists of 13.73 acres and includes approximately 23,000 sq.ft. of office space that is currently being leased by the Port to Signal International, LLC, Texas Division; a 500ft pier that is being used by the Port to accommodate the Navy of Mexico vessel as well as civilian barges and ships; and seven (7) warehouses that the Port plans to renovate making them suitable for future industrial and educational use. The ceremony was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 15th at 1095 Pier Road in Orange. Guests include Congressman Kevin Brady, State Representative Mike Hamilton as well as representatives from the U. S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration and the U.S. Navy.

Lisa Huynh of BC High School and Derrick Evans of OF High School stand with new BC Chamber Executive Director Angela Beck after being honored as the Students of the Month.  Other winners included "Peggy's on the Bayou" as Business of the Month and Shelley Wheatley of John Dubose, CPA as the Employee of the month.

The Orange County Grand Jury met on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 and returned the following true bills of indictment. The allegations are as follows:

Joel Ardoin, who was a candidate for JP Prec. 1, was defeated Mar. 2 by David Peck who garnered 50.6% of the vote, barely avoiding a runoff.  Ardoin said election night that he would ask for a recount but on Thursday he told KOGT after looking at the numbers he would not pursue a recount.

	The students from Hatton Elementary were able to experience a little bit of nature & outdoors to help them "BLOOM" into Spring on a fieldtrip to Shangri La Botanical Gardens in Orange.

Mike Sanchez, DuPont Sabine River Works Site Manager, will be leaving the Orange plant after being named Global Program Director, Process Safety Management. Sanchez will work with the Operations Regional Leaders to provide overall leadership for the improvement of Process Safety Management systems across Operations. He will work from the DuPont Cypress Station offices located just north of Houston. Sanchez succeeded Jerry Ehrman as plant manager just over three years ago. He will be replaced by Bobby Laughlin who has been the plant manager at the DuPont site in LaPorte.

Orange County Building Permits for Feb. 2010.

Starting Feb 15th thru April 1st, the Pinehurst Municipal Court will offer an Amnesty Program. This program will allow any person with outstanding warrants through the City of Pinehurst, come in to make arrangements with the court. At this time all warrant fees will be dismissed, as long as the defendant completes the arrangement made by the court. Each case will be handled on its on merits, so this is a second chance to clear up the warrants. This will save you time, money, and the embarrassment of being arrested at your job or simply on a traffic stop. This will also help those with a hold on the renewal of their license. The Judge will be in court on Mondays at 3 pm or Thursdays at 8:30 am. If you are not sure if you have a warrant, simply call 409-886-3873.

Does the state of Texas have unclaimed property that belongs to you?  click here

	The Orange print is available in 4 different sizes at the KOGT Studios on Meeks Dr. Prints already framed are for sale at Pinehurst Gallery.

Hurricane Ike and Rita books are currently available at the KOGT Studios on Meeks Drive for a limited time.  Office hours are Mon-Fri from 9-noon and 1-5p.

CHECK OUT the KOGT Photo Gallery where you can purchase photos on-line. Click on Photo Gallery Button on the left. New galleries will be added regularly, so check it often.

If you have a news story or see news happening, email us or call the station and let us know about it.
 

Do you have an outstanding warrant in Orange County?  Might want to check the list.  

KOGT.com only carries summations of news stories.  For the full story including interviews, tune in to KOGT Vocal News at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, and 11:50am, as well as 4:30 and 5:30pm weekdays.

You can find out if you, your friends, or your relatives have outstanding warrants in the City of Orange by clicking on the orangetexas.net website. The City of Orange Municipal Court is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. Court is held at 8:30 am on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. If you have any questions about an outstanding ticket you may talk to the Municipal Court staff at 883-1063.