Hometown Heroes

Terrible Termites??

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Traveling show takes interest in Pecan Festival

By Monique Batson monique.batson@panews.com

GROVES — With less than four months left before the event, plans for the 2023 Groves Pecan Festival are well underway.

“It’ll be a little bigger this year,” said Letha Knaus, executive director of the Groves Chamber of Commerce. “It’s going to be off the chain, and we’re super excited.”

Knaus was hired into the position in April, making this her first festival to oversee. She’s found it to be a positive experience.

“There’s always challenges, but they’re welcome challenges,” she said. “We are always trying to raise the bar higher and have something to look for.”

This year patrons can expect entertainment by Bridge City band Running On Credit Friday and Catalina Wine Mixer on Saturday.

Also, organizers have added a gumbo cook-off on the weekend before the festival.

The Cooking with Pecans contest returns with a new category — beverages. There will be entries for professional and non-professional, allowing residents and business owners to enter.

Knaus said the carnival vendors would return, and all food vendors have rescheduled. Craft vendors have, as well, with a few new additions.

“So far everybody is coming back,” she said.

Perhaps the largest change could be the presence of YOLO TX, a show that travels to highlight entertainment and other things in the state, according to its website.

Knaus said the company approached Groves about featuring the Pecan Festival, and potentially meeting with the Economic Development Corporation to do a segment on Groves.

“I think it would be a great platform to get more exposure,” Knaus said.

Currently the Chamber, EDC and YOLO TX are in negotiations.

This year’s Pecan Festival is Oct. 12-15.

Firefighters fight more than flames

By Monique Batson monique.batson@panews.com

For some, the desire to help others overshadows the need for self-preservation.

That’s how Port Arthur Fire Department Capt. Ian Bryant described the May 20 fire in the 500 block of 19th Street, which included firefighters saving three lives.

“It’s something you can turn off or don’t think about,” he said. “The mentality of, ‘am I going to live or die.’ You put it to the side, and the mission at hand is important.”

The department re-

ceived the call at 11:49 p.m. and was advised there were victims in the residence.

“(Battalion Chief Jay Fountain) showed up first and gave a scene size-up,” Bryant said. “There was a lady in the driveway that told him there were two people left inside, and I think she said they were off to the right when you walk in. The fire was in the back side of the house, so the front part had smoke coming through, but there wasn’t any fire in the front of the building quite yet.” But even without flames, there was no visibility through the smoke.

The first victim to be pulled from the house was a woman who was in cardiac arrest. First responders began CPR in the front yard. But there was a second person in the home.

“I heard noise in front of me and I took a couple of steps,” said Capt. Michael Adaway. “I heard a very muffled ‘help.’ It kind of startled me and I took another couple of steps forward and basically fell on top of the victim. He was on a bed that was in the very next room past the front living room, when I

HOMETOWN HEROES

Port Arthur church feeds hundreds each month from donations, volunteers

By Sierra Kondos panews@panwews.com

Empowerment Church in Port Arthur feeds more than 300 families by food donations in their parking lot by way of a drivethrough distribution system on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.

All Southeast Texas residents are welcome to pick up food that range from fresh breads and fruits to meats and canned goods.

The church is seeking volunteers to assist on distribution days and stocking the pantry on food delivery days.

Janice Milo, pastor of Empowerment Church, said the first distribution normally has meats available as well as the non-perishable food items like canned goods. And in the second distribution, they will have things like the tuna fish, canned meats or packet meats like the beef stew or chicken.

“We have soups, vegetables and, sometimes, our partnership stores will call us, and they’ll have produce,” Milo said. “(On a recent

Non-profit in need of help to serve kids heading to school

By Monique Batson monique.batson@panews.com

Prior to the pandemic, New Beginnings Ministries would spend one day every week in July with the children of Port Arthur. The Christian-based nonprofit would host a type of Bible school where children would gather and eat. One day co-founder Beverly Holland was standing in the parking lot when a young girl came up to hug her.

Making conversation, Holland asked the child if she was excited for the upcoming school year. The child was not.

See ‘Church,’ page A12 See ‘Donations,’ page A13

City official is driven by her love for Port Arthur

By Mary Meaux mary.meaux@panews.com

It takes only a few minutes of talking with Cheryl Gibbs to know she’s a proud Port Arthuran.

This love for the city shows in her work as public information officer for the City of Port Arthur and is part of her being.

Memories of growing up in El Vista as one of 10 children and of life in a city that offers so much became a topic of conversation. She noted the joys of going to Pleasure Island, of how her father was one of the carpenters who built Fun Island Depot playground, of the tourist draws such as birding and how Port Arthur was recently declared the Cajun Capital of Texas by Gov. Greg Abbott.

Some background

A product of Port Arthur schools, Gibbs attended Lamar University, got a degree and was certified in French, history and English. She taught school for 12 years and retired in 2002, only to go to work for the city as administrative assistant in the Parks and Recreation Department. She spent five years there, then moved to the Human Resources Department in 2007, where she spent 11 years. Then in 2018 she was asked to serve as the city’s PIO and has been there ever since.

All of these jobs have been important to her, but she attaches a certain level of importance to

Monique Batson/The News

Pictured, from left, are Battalion Chief Jay Fountain and Capt. Ian Bryant.

Courtesy photo

A child receives socks from New Beginnings Ministries during the 2019 back-toschool event.

Mary Meaux/The News

Cheryl Gibbs is the public information officer for the City of Port Arthur. See ‘Gibbs,’ page A14

Sierra Kondos/Special to The News

Janice Milo, Empowerment Church pastor, assembles a food box at the church’s food pantry.

Veteran-led chamber starts outreach in Golden Triangle

By Chrissie Mouton panews@panews.com

A new Chamber of Commerce is actively building a network to connect veterans with local services.

1 - Creating a strong local veteran business ecosystem.

2 - Promoting the veteran business community and supplier diversity.

3 - Providing cooperative and business opportunities.

4 - Representing veteran entrepreneurs and chamber members to the greater Houston market, corporations and government supply chains. These are the four core competencies of the Houston Regional Veterans Chamber of Commerce (HRVCC), a nonprofit established in 2021 by Dave Weaver and John Cacolice, retired U.S. Army veterans, to encourage economic growth and development of the veteran business economy.

For Mary Williams, Golden Triangle Forward Operating Base Director, her job of being a conduit and catalyst of awareness is just beginning in Southeast Texas.

According to statistics the HRVCC has helped hundreds of military members in the Golden Triangle connect with various services in the last year. Williams retired from the U.S. Army in 2011 after serving 21 years, including four combat tours.

Williams said helping veterans is not a project or a job but a passion.

“I absolutely love our veterans and the community I’m from,” Williams said. “Had it not been for the veterans before me, I would never have had the chance to have served.”

Williams says when the HRVCC approached her with the opportunity to become the Forward Operating Base Director for this area, she jumped at the chance and has been on the go since.

“I ended up having an amazing career and now it’s my time to return the favor,” Williams said. “I advocate at the front lines for our veterans so that they can get the benefits and entitlements they deserve.”

The HRVCC offers a

host of member benefits including an eight-week business growth academy, designed to help business owners and leaders accelerate growth in their business.

“The Houston Regional Veterans Chamber of Commerce will benefit the community by being a premier leader of a thriving and robust ecosystem while inspiring economic impact and community empowerment,” Williams said. “When you join the chamber, you will have a chance to support the veteran/military community and create a positive impact. We will help you to design, develop and implement programs or projects that support veterans and military families.”

According to their site, they also offer special network and advertising opportunities, business skills education, as well as other opportunities.

“It lets veteran-owned businesses in the local community know that we are here and that we will advocate for their business,” Williams says. “We collaborate, advocate, be a business education resource connection, while fostering a positive impact on the community and growing the economy region wide.”

Chamber member Wendy Clifford with Clifford Distilling LLC of Port Arthur says they’ve been afforded multiple opportunities to interact with other veteran-owned businesses not just locally, but across the entire country.

“Being on the chamber creates an opportunity to showcase our business and inform our community leaders of what it’s like to own and operate a whiskey distillery in Texas, more importantly the greater Houston area,” Clifford says. “The chamber serves as a medium from us to potential investors and allows us to network and promote the business while staying true to our core values and ethics as a Veteran owned and operated company.”

The Golden Triangle area of the HRVCC includes Jefferson, Orange, Hardin and Chambers counties, including the cities of Cheek, Nome, Hampshire-Fannett, Winnie, China and Anahuac.

“It’s a broad territory to cover,” Williams says. “The chamber will bring together programs, projects, organizations, people and resources to the military/ veteran community.”

The chamber is open to all veteran and military spouse owned businesses as well as veterans, first responder owned businesses, veteran service organizations and non-profits, as well as passionate patriot-owned businesses, government agencies and corporate sponsors.

“Join us in the spirit of collaboration to do greater work together in the community to make an even greater impact for generations to come,” Williams says.

For more information, visit houveteranschamber. org or call 409-767-1797.

Courtesy photo

Mary Williams is the Golden Triangle forward operating base director for the Houston Regional Veterans Chamber of Commerce.

Courtesy photo

The chamber is open to all veteran and military spouse owned businesses as well as veterans, first responder owned businesses and others.

Courtesy photo

Mary Williams retired from the U.S. Army in 2011 after serving 21 years, including four combat tours.

Courtesy photo For

Port Arthur native and musical artist Audi-Yo now a member of the Recording Academy

By Mary Meaux mary.meaux@panews.com

with Port Arthur Newsmedia via phone call this week from Jamaica, where he is part of the Second Annual DJ Trucker Southern Soul Getaway.

“I was in shock,” Audi-Yo said. The singer had been trying to get into the recording Academy for a while, knowing it would progress his career.

To become a member one must be nominated by someone who has been nominated for a Grammy or won a Grammy, he said. Gospel singer Vick Allen and Zydeco musician Cecil Green reportedly are the ones who recommended Audi-Yo to the list.

“New member submissions are considered by the Recording Academy’s Peer Review Panel each spring,” according to information fro the Recording Academy.

Audi-Yo shared his invitation to become a member with Port Arthur Newsmedia:

“This invitation offers you an opportunity to serve your community, celebrate your craft, and advocate for creators’ rights in the name of music. We hope you join us in celebrating your accomplishments and fostering a better world for creators,” the letter read.

Background

Audi-Yo got his start in the church choir at Zion Hill Baptist Church and spent hours practicing vocal lessons. He sang in the middle school choir and was named to the All-Region Choir and again while at Memorial High School. He graduated in 2004 and in 2010 decided he would chase his dream.

By 2010 he started making money as a musician.

In 2020, Mayor Thurman Bartie declared June 19, 2020, Audrin “Audo-Yo” Windon Day in Port Arthur.

He’s racked up awards along the way, some of which include being named the Southern Soul Male Artist of the Year by Zydeco Blues and Trail Riders.

Last year Audi-Yo was named the 2022 Best Up and Coming Male Artist by the I Dream 4 All Foundation and the board of directors of the Hollywood & African Prestigious Awards. He was also named the entertainment honoree during the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. I Have A Dream Celebration in 2022.

Membership, career

But what does the membership mean for the musician?

“It’s like I’m part of history,” he said. “I’m in the class of 2023, which is for

RELIGION ANNOUNCEMENTS

• The Missionary Society of First Sixth Street Baptist Church is having a Women’s Conference from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church, 548 Ave Lincoln Ave. The theme is Women of God Accepting the Call, taken from Ephesians 4:4-6. Speakers include Tara Augustine Harris from Houston and Glinda McKinley from Doucette. For more info call 409-460-9648.

• Alpha and Omega Women of Faith of Port Arthur-Beaumont are holding a 27th Year Annual Round Up at 6 p.m. Saturday at Holiday Inn Express, 3115 Central Mall Drive. Speakers include Rev. JoAnn Patillo, House of Prayer, Beaumont and

a lifetime. Now I can brand

and help people from Port Arthur and the Port Arthur area get in and get knowledge.”

The Port Arthur native has traveled the world as a musician having performed in the Dominican Republic, Turkey, Asia and is now in Jamaica. He has hopes to perform in Dubai at the end of the year.

The DJ Trucker Southern Soul Getaway of which he is a part of shows the loyalty of the fans.

“They (fans) are the best,” he said. “Eighteen hundred people flew here to see us.”

The fans let the artist know he is appreciated.

“We have loyal fans. It’s different for southern soul versus R&B and Hip Hop. These people are die hard

Rev. Vickie Bushnell, Israel Temple Church Of God In Christ, Nome. For more information, call Cynthia Jackson, 409-736-2563.

• Groves First United Methodist Church, 6501 Washington St., Groves, is hosting a free community screening of the movie “Jesus Revolution” at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Fellowship Hall. The 2023 movie depicts the 1960s California Christian revival and stars Joel Courtney, Jonathan Roumie, and Kelsey Grammar. Groves FUMC Fellowship Hall is located at the corner of Capitol and Cleveland. Popcorn will be provided.

• Real Talk Kim Jones, “I was Not Built to Break” Breakthrough En-

fans and love you.” He offered some words of wisdom to others contemplating a musical career.

“There’s nothing you can’t do. You have to try,” he said. “God first and there’s no limits to where you go. If you can make it in the Golden Triangle you can make it anywhere.”

Audi-Yo gave a shout out to Port Arthur’s Hilton Kelley who, he said, was the first person to invest in him.

“I was already moving and when he saw I was from Port Arthur, he reached out,” he said of Kelley. “It was tough in the beginning and I didn’t know if I would have kept going.” You can find Audi-Yo on multiple platforms across social media.

counter will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at North Major Event Center, 3255 N. Major Drive, Suite D. The host is Rev. Terri Prescott, pastor of New Beginning World Outreach. For ticket information, go to terriprescottministry. com or Eventbrite I was Not Built To Break.

Early bird ticket sales end July30. Religion announcements must be submitted by 5 p.m. Thursday to appear in the Saturday publication. Announcements may be emailed to panews@panews.com or sent to Port Arthur News, 2349 Memorial Blvd. Please provide a contact number to The News in case questions arise.

Courtesy photo

Audrin Windon is known professionally as Audi-Yo.

OBITUARIES

Misty Nicole Womack

Misty Nicole Womack, 48, of Nederland, Texas passed away on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 in Nederland. Misty was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina on May 14, 1975 to Jimmy Womack, Jr. and Karen Willis Fontenot.

Those left to cherish Misty’s memory include her mother, Karen Fontenot and her step-father, Kevin of Port Acres, Texas; her daughter, Fianna Wright of Nederland, Texas; sister, Alana Lambert and her husband, James of Port Acres, Texas; brother, Jimmy Womack, III and his wife, Melinda of Vidor, Texas; grandmother, Vivian Birdwell of San Augustine, Texas; her fiancé, Kieth Hunter of Nederland, Texas; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

Misty is preceded in death by her father, Jimmy Womack, Jr.; her daughter, Alexandra Wright and her grandparents, Jimmy Womack, Sr., Jimmy Willis and Patsy Willis. A gathering to celebrate Misty’s life will be held at Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland, Texas on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

DEATHS

Patricia A. Woods, 84, of Nederland, Texas passed away June 22, 2023. Service arrangements are under the direction of Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland.

Robert E. “Biker Bob” Collins, 79, of Port Neches, Texas passed away June 17, 2023. Service arrangements are under the direction of Melancon’s Funeral Home.

Misty Nicole Womack, 48, of Nederland, Texas away on June 13, 2023. Services are under the direction of Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland.

Josephine “Josie” Tomplait, 74, of Port Neches, Texas passed away on June 9, 2023. Services are under the direction of Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland.

Christine M. Savant, 82, of Groves, Texas passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, Clayton Thompson Funeral Directors in Groves.

Semmie Reed Miles, 85, of Lake Charles, LA passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Ochsner Lake Area Hospital in Lake Charles, Clayton Thompson Funeral Directors in Groves.

Melba Ruth Ownby, 97, of Beaumont, formerly of Nederland, passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at Pelican Bay

Assisted Living, Clayton Thompson Funeral Directors in Groves. Michael John Rodrigue, 64, of Port Arthur passed away on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at Medical Center of Southeast Texas, Clayton Thompson Funeral Directors in Groves.

Batson/

Monique

The News David

Adefeso,

Sootchy founder, speaks this week at Port Arthur City Hall. Behind him are business partner Cedric Ceballos, left, and Mayor

Thurman Bartie.

SERVICES

Josephine “Josie”

Tomplait, A service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023 at Little Flower Church in Port Arthur, Texas under the direction of Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland.

Aubrey Lee McKee, Immaculate Conception Church, 4100 Lincoln Avenue, Groves 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 24, 2023

Robert E. “Biker

Bob” Collins, Jr., A service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland.

Patricia A. Woods, A service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland.

Semmie Reed Miles , service will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 2:00 PM in Thomas Memorial Chapel at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves.

Bradford Dennis Duplantis, service will start at 4:00 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral home in Groves.

Company considering Port Arthur to launch new college prep program

By Monique Batson monique.batson@panews.com

David Adefeso said people often wonder why someone like him and his former NBA star business partner have started working on the student debt crisis for the underserved and underprivileged.

And it stems from his history.

The native of Nigeria came to the U.S. on his 21st birthday with $250 and no close family or friends.

“It was a very difficult time for me. We don’t call it homeless anymore. We say we are transitional. I was transitional for six months,” he said. “We don’t say we were poor. That’s not politically correct. We say we are underserved. I was underserved. And we don’t say we are hungry anymore. That’s too direct. We say we’re food deprived. I was food deprived most of the time. But I was lucky. I was blessed. And I realized I had an advantage … I had a college degree in analytics, no student debt and the grace of God.”

Adefeso went on to become an accountant and worked in corporate finance before starting his own wealth management company in 2005.

“Five years ago I had reason to turn around, and I realized people like me — black people, successful black people, people who had opportunity, who had relationships, who had knowledge, who could do research — a lot of people like me have left a lot of people like me behind,” he said. “I became more successful than I ever thought I could be, but I left so many people behind. So I started to reach back, and I hated what I saw.”

Adefeso and Cedric Ceballos spoke to key community members this week in Port Arthur regarding their new program,

Sootchy, which works to build a college fund for children while also teaching them about financial independence.

Sootchy is in the process of picking from eight cities to launch the pilot program in the fourth quarter of this year.

Adefeso was in Port Arthur after meeting Mayor Thurman Bartie in Washington D.C. approximately two years ago.

They reconnected again in January, and Bartie asked Adefeso to consider Port Arthur.

“In my travels moving about the country and networking with individuals here in the United States of America, I found out so many things that happen in other municipalities that don’t happen here,” Bartie said. “But they don’t happen here because we don’t reach out

to see if we can actually qualify or even be a recipient of what those benefits are in those type programs.”

Sootchy partners with businesses and other stakeholders to create college funds for students. In addition, they have built a financial literacy program to teach children the value of credit, avoiding impulse buys, the difference between assets and liabilities, etc.

“It doesn’t mean if we don’t pick Port Arthur that we will not work with Port Arthur. It just means it could be down the road,” Adefeso said. “We’re not just here for a year or two. We’re here forever if we pick you.”

For more information, visit Sotchy.com.

you have news tips, questions or complaints, call 729NEWS (6397) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or email us at panews.com Other inquiries For general questions, call 729-NEWS (6397)

Publisher Stephen Hemelt — 721-2445

Editor Monique Batson — 721-2435

Business manager Jeree Powell — 721-2543

Circulation supervisor Dee Jordan — 721-2452

The Port Arthur News (USPS 438600) is a Carpenter Newsmedia newspaper and is published Wednesday, Friday & Saturday. The contents of The Port Arthur News are protected under the Federal Copyright act. Reproduction of any portion of an issue will not be permitted without the written permission of the publisher.

Attention Postmaster: Periodical Postage paid at Port Arthur, Texas. Send address changes to: Port Arthur News, 2349 Memorial Boulevard, Port Arthur, Texas 77640 Vol. 123, Issue 142

art exhibit almost a year in the works will be unveiled

Monique Batson/The News Mayor Thurman Bartie addresses a crowd in Council Chambers Thursday.

Hope,”

Groves muralist Juan Esparza features eight paintings of local artists or those that inspired musicians in Southeast Texas.

meet and greet begins

Stephen Hemelt Monique Batson Publisher Editor

The News COLUMN

Bart Bragg excels in visually documenting Port Arthur history for decades

Bart Bragg was a few years short of graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in October of 1964 when he got word that Barry Goldwater was going to be in Beaumont on the Lamar campus.

A former American general and U.S. Senator at the time, Goldwater was stopping in Southeast Texas as part of his campaign for president.

“I was a sophomore in high school, and I wanted to photograph him. So I left school, went and photographed him, and then got in trouble the next day for cutting class,”

Bragg remembers. “The photos were great. I think we ran them in the school paper, I can’t remember exactly. I got to meet (Goldwater) and take some pictures of him.”

According to Bragg, Texas Senator John Tower and Hollywood actor Clint Walkermcame down and campaigned with Goldwater.

The young photojournalist got to be in the thick of it all.

“That was big stuff for a high school kid,” Bragg said.

Nearly 60 years later and Bragg is still in the thick of things, recently photographing Port Arthur City Council candidates ahead of this year’s election cycle.

He doesn’t want to stop anytime soon.

“It’s just something inside, a desire to be with people, photograph people and be a part of the action,” he said, adding times are exciting for Port Arthur with numerous LNG projects and Motiva helping lead the way for the revitalization of Downtown Port Arthur. “I think there is a bright future and a lot of hope for progress.”

Bragg was born at St. Mary’s Hospital and described his youth in Port Arthur as spending time with friendly, good people, who were very neighborly.

“It felt like a small town,” he said. “You know most of the people you associated with in school and church. Beyond that, a youngster didn’t have outside influences.”

Following high school, Bragg went to Lamar and then joined the Naval Reserve when Vietnam was a big scare to all of the young men.

“Nobody wanted to go, so I joined the Naval Reserve and the first duty station I got was in Saigon. I didn’t dodge anything. I got right in the middle of it,” Bragg remembers with a laugh.

“It definitely made me want to come home.”

He was in the Naval Reserve for a year and then on active duty for a year. The only active duty station he had was in Vietnam. Back then, he remembers, everyone who served in Vietnam got an automatic honorable discharge and didn’t have any more Reserve obligation. Even before then, while still in high school, Bragg started working with Frank Cricchio, a Port Arthur photographer who would become a titan in the field. They would take pictures for the school yearbook and newspaper. He worked with Cricchio off and on during the summers and during football season.

“We photographed all the Thomas Jefferson and Lincoln and Stephen F. Austin football games for the Port Arthur News. We would develop film after the games. We would shoot two or three ballgames, develop the film and rush it down to the sports editor at the time,” Bragg said.

According to Bragg, it was easy to see Cricchio’s sharp focus for photography and his hometown of Port Arthur.

“He had a passion to give back to the community,” Bragg said. “He traveled the world during his career, teaching and lecturing, but he always came back to Port Arthur. He was active with the chamber of commerce and the Rotary Club. He could have been anywhere but chose to stay at Port Arthur.”

Bragg says today he enjoys thinking back on his career and how it allowed him to pass by and photograph many local and international stars.

“I look at so many pictures on my wall in my house that it is hard to count them because there are hundreds,” he said. “And almost every one (of the people photographed) came to Port Arthur. Very few of them did I leave town to photograph. We’ve attracted a lot of celebrities through different events.”

He still has a letter from the 1970s from Claude Brown, a realtor, who wrote to Bob Hope, telling the iconic entertainer he had seen him in World War II and Port Arthur had a crippled children’s school. Brown and others wanted to name the high school after Hope. That was 1975, and Bob Hope came for the dedication. And, of course, Bragg took the photos. And he is still taking the photos today.

Stephen Hemelt is the president of Port Arthur Newsmedia, which publishes panews.com, The Port Arthur News and Greater Port Arthur The Magazine. He can be reached at stephen.hemelt@panews.com or 409- 7212445.

Ribbon cutting celebrates Lil

KATHIE’S KORNER

Learning to wait is important

I’m a great sports enthusiast and a loyal fan.

My husband, Mike, and I do a certain amount of “couch coaching.” We zealously try to help the coaches on TV with football, basketball, baseball and tennis, only to notice that they’re not listening to us or even trying some of our suggestions. How rude ...

We think we’re good at it since, as children, we played and watched sports, me with my older brothers, neighborhood kids and family members. We competed all through our school years in big schools in California, while our children continued in Washington state. We enjoyed, as adults, cheering on and coaching our children’s teams as they practiced and played in junior high and high schools, including football, basketball, baseball and volleyball.

Mike coached his Little League baseball team to a championship, so exciting!

We notice some of the athletes on these college and professional teams today stand still and wait for the ball to come to them. If they would, “go get it” or at least run to the area of the court or field where the action is, they’d be ready to take a positive, active part in scoring or helping score or defend a goal.

Timing is crucial. If they hesitate, they’ll be too late.

I always encouraged my children and grandchildren to “dive” for the ball when we played on our grass, and they did. There was lots of screaming and laughing.

I think this concept is a viable, visual, lesson for every area of our lives. It’s very different playing or working

with a team. We have to draw a line not to be selfishly pushing our way through (ball hog), but being aware of our strengths and the strengths of the team to gel for more positive, winning results.

When working in Hollywood recording studios, concerts and churches, we had the ability to “listen” to band members and singers around us, making an incredible difference in blending, to accomplish or win in more ways than one.

Sometimes it’s important to wait, which is part of being patient or being a patient.

Examples: in line at the post office, doctor’s office, and supermarket.

It’s mental.

Waiting can be an action word. While we wait for things, results or people, keep busy and productive, be a good waiter.

A good waiter in a restaurant is attentive to his or her assigned tables but not annoying or wanting to be your “new buddy.”

They keep track of everyone’s order, water and needs, moving about the room smoothly and happy to serve.

As a Christian woman, teacher and psalmist, I lean on His Scripture that reminds me to “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart.

“Teach me Your way and lead me in a smooth path …” Psalm 27: 11 & 14 (NKJ).

A powerful Word just for us, thank You, God.

Kathie Deasy writes about religion for Port Arthur Newsmedia. She can be reached at kathiedeasy@hotmail.com.

KATHIE DEASY Columnist

Natalie Picazo/The News

Mommy’s Boutique

The Groves Chamber & Tourist Center celebrated a new member Thursday with a ribbon cutting celebration. Lil Mommy’s Boutique is located inside The Courtyard on Lincoln Avenue in Groves. The Boutique specializes in women’s and children’s clothing and gifts. Owner Juanita Dixon is pictured with Chamber members, family and friends.

Natalie Picazo/The News

Those pictured at the event include, in front, from left, Lindsay Wyble and Crystal Castillo. Also pictures, are, back row, from left, chamber board member Libby LeJeune, chamber board member Betty Legnon, Sheena Menard, Karen Theis, Groves Councilwoman Rhonda Dugas and Chamber Director Letha Knaus.

Natalie Picazo/The News The Courtyard Ladies (all have businesses inside) include, from left, Lindsay Wyble (Centerstage Dancewear), Sheena Menard (Menard’s Market & Cafe), Karen Theis (Courtyard Cafe); Juanita Dixon and Crystal Castillo (Lil Mommy’s).

STEPHEN HEMELT Publisher

PAISD remains busy even in summer

By Mary Meaux mary.meaux@panews.com

Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean things have slowed down in Port Arthur Independent School District.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Porterie summed up some of the activities recently beginning with the two-week Brilliance Academy. The outcome was 77 students and teachers came away licensed to operate drones in the STEM-led action.

Two individuals, he said, were certified as commercial drone operators.

“It was great to see, 77 of them, and I mean they were in their element,” Porterie said.

Chevron Phillips sponsored the learning.

There are other events going on in the district.

Memorial High School’s new principal Dr. Jeremy Small is in the midst of meet and greets across the district as parents register their children for the upcoming school year.

The district is working on the new direction for Abraham Lincoln Middle School, turning it into a Fine Arts Academy.

The new focus on the arts was unveiled last month.

The 2023-24 school year is marked as a pilot year for the shift to a neighborhood-zoned magnet school. In addition to returning students, it includes students coming in from DeQueen Elementary, Port Acres Elementary and some from Sam Houston and Adams elementaries.

There will be continued focus on STEAM, or science, technology, engineering and math along with the arts.

The reason for the new focus was two-fold, Porterie said.

“The first reason, we understand that data shows that students that are involved in fine arts do better academically,” he said.

But there have been questions by some parents and students.

“We’re trying to find ways in which students will want to come to school and parents will want them to go to school at Abraham Lincoln,” he said, noting some are reluctant to send their children to that neighborhood.

Board members recently approved the purchase of band instruments in order to help the students, he said, and the district is working toward finding a person to teach dance.

In a previous interview with Mollyn Cole, fine arts supervisor, the district is working to make certain students have every opportunity to be expressive, creative and successful.

There will be the same courses as before but courses will be elevated. Instead of just band, there will be multiple disciplines such as marching, jazz, mariachi and orchestra.

The same thought goes into dance; ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and musical theater. And theater will encompass musical theater, technical theater and One Act Play.

This will be the first year for Lincoln to be a fine arts academy, and leaders are working to fill the teaching roles needed.

Trent Johnson will serve as principal of fine arts academy, which is for sixth through eighth grades.

Mary Meaux/The News

Port Arthur Independent School District remains active during the summer while preparing for the future.

Mary Meaux/The News

Johnny Brown, left, and Kenneth Lofton, Sr. are sworn into office last month.

Alleged gunman awaits extradition hearing; bond set at $1M for fatal shooting of woman

By Mary Meaux mary.meaux@panews.com

A man who allegedly shot a woman in Port Arthur and was apprehended in Louisiana with the victim’s body in the passenger seat is awaiting an extradition hearing.

Eric Martin, 38, was arrested Monday in Lafayette on a Port Arthur warrant. He is a suspect in the fatal shooting of Shekira Simpson, 31.

It was originally reported Martin and Simpson are from Port Arthur but both are from Houston with ties to Port Arthur, authorities said on Thursday.

Port Arthur Police Chief Tim Duriso confirmed Simpson’s body was in the

passenger seat when he was apprehended. It is not known if she was already deceased when he first fled the area, Duriso said. Martin remains in the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center, according to the jail roster there.

Duriso said Martin is expected to go before an extradition judge in Louisiana Friday (June 23) and afterward he would be returned to Texas.

If Martin challenges extradition he would remain in Louisiana for a week, possibly two.

Investigators are working to sort out the timeline for the violence that occurred Monday. What is known is that at approximately noon police re-

NEDERLAND POLICE BLOTTER

Nederland Police Department officers made the following arrests from June 12 to June 18:

• Taylor Rutherford, 28, public intoxication

• Zechariah Atterberry, 32, warrant other agency

• Aaron Stanfield, 34, warrant other agency

• Samuel Zamarripa, 20, driving while intoxicated

• Chancey McCurry, 32, Nederland warrants

• Donna Keeney, 63, driving while intoxicated with open container

• Richard Heaslet,45, warrant other agency

• Dwayne Butler, 62, criminal trespass

Nederland Police Department officers responded to the following calls from June 12 to June 15:

June 12

• Theft of a firearm was reported in the 500 block of Avenue D.

sponded to the shooting of a female in the 2800 block of 15th Street and to the 1600 block of Vicksburg, where a man identified as Leon Davis of Port Arthur was found shot in the back. He was last listed in stable condition.

Justice of the Peace Ben Collins Sr. set Martin’s bond at $1 million for the fatal shooting of Simpson. He said when the warrant is issued for the aggravated shooting of Davis then another bond would be set for that charge.

Police put out a notification looking for Martin saying he was driving a black Hyundai SUV. Duriso said the notification was distributed in Texas and surrounding states.

• A runaway was reported in the 2700 block of Avenue M.

• A person was taken into custody on a mental commitment in the 1100 block of South 12th Street.

June 13

• A theft was reported in the 400 block of South Memorial.

• A theft was reported in the 2800 block of FM 365.

• A death was reported in the 1300 block of Avenue H.

June 14

• A theft was reported in the 2600 block of Avenue H.

• A person was arrested for public intoxication in the 800 block of South 8th Street.

• Assault family violence was reported in the 800 block of South 8th Street.

• Criminal mischief was reported in the 1500 block

Police are not saying if the vehicle is registered to Martin or Simpson, as the case is under investigation. Duriso said Martin and Simpson were acquaintances and may have been dating. Police also said Martin and the male victim were friends. The motive for the shootings is under investigation. Justice of the Peace Tom Gillam III said Simpon’s body has been in Jefferson County since Monday. He said he does not have an autopsy report as of Thursday morning. Duriso spoke on the death of Simpson saying she was a mother and a daughter who died over something senseless — “there is nothing to excuse it.”

of Gary.

• Burglary of a vehicle was reported in the 3600 block of FM 365.

• A theft was reported in the 2500 block of Nederland Avenue.

• A theft was reported in the 2700 block of FM 365.

• A person was arrested on another agency’s warrant in the 1900 block of Elgin.

• Assault family violence was reported in the 1900 block of Elgin.

June 15

• A person was arrested on another agency’s warrant in the 200 block of North 21st Street.

• A person was arrested for driving while intoxicated in the 1600 block of South U.S. 69.

• A person was arrested on Nederland warrants in the 1400 block of Boston Avenue.

MEALS ON WHEELS

Team of workers, volunteers provides way more than lunch

By Chrissie Mouton panews@panews.com

One organization helping to fight malnourishment among adults is Meals on Wheels of Orange County. That knock on the door might not seem important, but for some seniors, it may be the only friendly face they see the entire day.

“We are a critical need here in the county. Several of our seniors only have interaction on a daily basis with the delivery driver,” said Kristin Burman, executive director of Meals on Wheels in Orange County.

“Not only do we deliver nutritious meals Monday-Friday, we treat them with dignity and concern.”

Sometimes that simple knock on the door can be lifesaving. Burman says a few months ago one of her drivers went to deliver a meal to a regular client, but on that day, the client did not answer the door.

“Dawn (Burleigh) knocked and waited. She thought she heard a faint cry for help. She called 911 and, thank goodness, she did. Once the emergency services arrived, they discovered the elderly woman had fallen through her floor the day before on Monday after her food was delivered. She spent the night hanging on to the beams,” Burman said.

That client was rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment. Later that night, a damaging thunderstorm blew through the city.

“Because Dawn pays attention to our ‘eye on’ approach, we saved this

woman’s life,” Burman said. “There is no telling what would have come of our client had Dawn not called 9-1-1.” As the Meals on Wheels of America website says, it brings hope. It brings health. It brings the nutrition and care that will completely make their day, but a knock on the door can even save lives.

Meals on Wheels started in Philadelphia in 1954 and, according to the national website, is guided by a single goal to support senior neighbors to extend their independence and health as they age.

Meals on Wheels has grown into one of the largest and most effective social movements in America, currently helping 2.4 million seniors annually in virtually every community in the country. “We serve close to 500 meals a day in Orange County,” Burman says.

Those meals are prepared by hand with a kitchen staff of four to five employees with the assistance

of a dietician who provides a menu for clients. Those meals are then delivered by ten drivers.

Besides delivering meals, there are several locations, where seniors who are able, can go to socialize and enjoy one of those same meals.

“[There is] one in Orange at 103 North 5th Street, downtown on the

river front. The other two locations are in Bridge City at the Bridge City Senior Center. And then we also have one located at Optimist Village in the community room located there,” Burman said.

Burman says there is a common misconception that the program is based off income.

“While many of our cli-

ents are lower income, the only requirement is that you must be 60 years of age or more,” Burman says.

“There is a sliding grading scale to determine if the client qualifies for the home delivery portion of the program.”

Burman says if the client does not meet the score set by the state, they are still able to go to one of the congregate locations to eat lunch and visit with their friends.

Since Meals on Wheels is the nutrition portion of the Orange Community Action Association, also a nonprofit, that means, all their funding is through government grants and private donations.

To help raise money to offset the rising cost of consumables, the organization is planning a fundraiser in September.

Friday Night Game Night, Battle of the Businesses, is scheduled Sept. 15.

“These businesses will face off in Family Feud!

We will have Old Orange Café Cater dinner, silent auction, door prizes, bottle pull, designer purse raf-

fle and open bar,” Burman said. There is a huge overhead to run a program of this size. We are hoping to raise $25,000 or more for Meals on Wheels.”

Not only does Meals on Wheels in Orange County need additional funds to keep operating, but organizers also need more drivers. “I desperately need reliable back-up drivers,” Burman says. “You must be 18 and have a clean driving record. We provide the vehicle and the fuel.”

Burman says it is a blessing to serve the senior citizens of Orange and is excited about growing the program in years to come.

“The majority of the seniors we serve daily have to share the meals with their animals, so it’s vital that we raise funds to continue this program,” Burman said. “Not everyone has family that takes care of them. Our clients truly rely on us.” For more information on the fundraiser, or to apply for the program for yourself or your loved one, call Meals on Wheels at 409886-2186.

Stephen Hemelt/The News

Pictured at Meals on Wheels of Orange County are Aeronita “Rose” Smith, from left, client tracker Vanessa Bufford, accountant/bookkeeper Ethel Marie Dantzler, executive director Kristin Burman and transportation coordinator and dispatcher Gabrielle Crumley.

Stephen Hemelt/The News

Daily delivery driver James Haybeck loads up milk for clients this week in Orange County.

Stephen Hemelt/The News

Pictured preparing meals are Huerla Galendo, Randi Henson, Nikki Anderson, Sally Burman and Alitha Taleferro.

Clark Smith and his parents were born in Port Arthur. His father, Clark James Smith graduated from Thomas Jefferson High and his mother from Bishop Byrne High. His daughter, Kendall graduated from Port Neches Groves High School and his son, Chris, from Nederland High School. Clark's paternal great grandfather, George Elmus Clark, and his wife Della moved to Port Arthur around 1925. George was the owner of George E. Clark Distributing where he sold 17 different brands of beer from 1941 until 1979 all over Southeast Texas. His paternal grandfather, Walter Raymond Smith, arrived in Port Arthur when he was 13 and attended area schools. After graduating high school, he attended college and became an Engineer where he worked on the Rainbow Bridge. Clark's maternal great grandfather William Andrew Totten, moved to Port Arthur in 1931 from Ontario, Canada and his grandfather Henry Arthur Totten moved here when he was 9 years old. Henry owned Totten's Cleaner's and Totten's Cabinet Shop in Port Arthur. In 1944, he built a house in Port Arthur where Clark currently resides with his family. Clark started his industrial construction career at Texaco Refinery (now Motiva) working on a FCCU Turnaround in 1980. Then, he worked for numerous contractors in the Pasadena, LaPorte, and Baytown areas before joining Bechtel on the MR3 Project at Bayer in Baytown as Project Superintendent in 1997. While working for Bechtel, he has worked in California, Oklahoma, Louisiana, St. Croix Virgin Islands, Pennsylvania, and Texas. In 2012, he went to work on the Sabine Pass LNG Project at Cheniere in Cameron, Louisiana living in Port Arthur and in 2020 he joined the PALNG Project.

Colin Garrett, G&G creating SETX legacy

By Stephen Hemelt Stephen.hemelt@panews.com

ORANGE — Colin Gar-

rett attended West Orange schools from kindergarten through high school, and was lucky when quite a few of his close school friends joined him at Texas A&M.

He said they brought the small-town feel to College Station, which made the transition easier to handle.

After a pit stop in biomedical science, he switched his study to construction science. It was a natural progression, as Garrett’s father and best friend at the time started G&G in 1986.

Coming up through high school, he would work summers for his dad with the demolition crew or concrete crew.

“It was an immediate attraction once I settled into the construction science program at A&M; it felt like the place where I needed to be,” Garrett said.

Professional start

He and his father planned for Garrett to

work for a large company in Dallas for a few years post graduation to see how they did things and bring that knowledge back home to expand G&G.

That added to his perspective, which comes naturally for someone with a self-admitted “lofty vision.”

Thinking outside-the-box about growth is a must.

He and his wife, Natasha, bought the company when there were three employees.

Still, they never foresaw the size and scale of what the company has become.

“It has exceeded every expectation, every dream, every hope that we ever

had for this company,” Garrett said. “Now, we have offices in Orange, Beaumont and Port Arthur. Orange is our executive hub. That is where our corporate headquarters are. We were founded in Orange, we have remained in Orange so we wanted to stay an integral part of Orange.”

G&G Enterprises expanded operations to Beaumont approximately seven years ago for greater exposure.

When the move was made, there were 11 employees. Today, there are 58 employees.

Garret attributes the growth to:

• Being in the right place at right time;

• Doing what they say they are going to do;

• Delivering quality work for the right price safely; and

• Giving the owners the best of all the worlds they deal with.

G&G Enterprises expanded its superintendent and project manager base, support staff through a dedicated quality management position and created a dedicated safety division.

Company leaders have also grown human resources, business development and marketing within the operation.

“It takes a lot to grow a company to this size,” Garrett said. “It takes even more to keep it going. Our goal doesn't stop here. We have larger plans for G&G Enterprises. We look to our 15-, 20- and 25-year plans. My wife and I are continuing to expand our vision to incorporate our children to eventually turn this over to them.”

Giving back

Garrett said G&G leaders have always known the company’s success comes from the community it serves.

Garrett,’ page A11

Reading education is chief focus of GOALS

By Chrissie Mouton panews@panews.com

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” — Frederick Douglass

One local non-profit is working hard to give that freedom to people in the area. Greater Orange Area Literacy Services, or GOALS, provides a variety of free services to enable those 16 and over to achieve their personal goals through improved literacy.

“We believe the ability to

read is critical to personal freedom,” Executive Director Rhonda Powell said.

GOALS is an affiliate of ProLiteracy America and, according to its site, more than 43 million adults in the United States cannot read, write or do basic math above a third-grade level.

So, what about locally?

According to The State of Literacy in America, 23 percent of adults in Texas and 30 percent of adults in the city of Orange function at Level 1 (the lowest lev-

el).

“Many students did not receive the individual help they needed at school,” Powell said. “Others left school to earn a living. Some have come to America to earn a living. These are just some of the ones who need our help.”

The U.S. has the world’s largest immigrant population and according to statistics from ProLiteracy America, among those immigrants, only half are proficient English speakers. In Texas, that’s approximate-

ly 2 million people.

“We offer English as a Second Language (ESL), for those whose first language is not English; Adult Basic Education (ABE) for adults wanting to learn to read and write; and General Equivalency Diploma (GED) for adults who never received a high-school diploma,” Powell said.

Bonnie Hopperton, Debra Mitchell and Wanda Clifton of Orange had a dream of eradicating illiteracy in the city and founded GOALS in July 1993.

“They not only loved the residents of Orange but recognized a need for increased literacy help in our area,” Powell said.

Almost 3 million adults of working age in Texas are without a high school credential; 121,000 of those are unemployed. 43 percent of adults with the lowest level of literacy live in poverty, compared to only 4 percent with the highest literacy skills.

“Sometimes, those of us who can read, take it for granted, but those who

can’t struggle with reading the newspaper or a prescription bottle, or filling out an application,” Powell said.

Powell said one of the students who made an impression on her was a 93-year-old woman who enrolled in the reading program.

“Don’t ever think that you are too old!” Powell said.

Powell has been involved with GOALS since

See Education,’ page A11

Colin Garret

See

Courtesy photo

Pictured, from left, are Adriana M., Karen G. and Carol A. are seen during Tuesday’s Greater Orange Area Literacy Services class.

Courtesy photo Jennifer V. and Diana E. get serious about work in Tuesday’s Greater Orange Area Literacy Services class.

That means they become advocates for their clients and identify numerous area charities to support through the donation of time, resources and money.

One of the most recent moves made headlines across Orange County and beyond when the West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District announced a G&G Enterprises donation of $1 million. The move, celebrated in late May, led to the board of trustees granting G&G Enterprises exclusive naming rights to the newly constructed West Orange-Cove Event Center.

Education

Continued from A10

2015, when it was all very new to her.

“Very quickly, I began to love our cause and the clients we serve,” she said. “It makes me feel really good to help someone learn.”

Students who complete the program also feel a sense of accomplishment.

“Thanks to GOALS, I was able to get my GED, and now I can join the Armed Forces,” Peyton G said.

Daniela B said, “I’m learning English not just for me, but for everyone in my family.”

GOALS relies on grants, including the United Way

and Community Development Block grant, as well as fundraisers to keep the program running. Their biggest fundraiser is the annual adult spelling bee, which usually happens in April.

“Teams are made up of three people and they usually bring cheerleaders,” Powell said. “Spectators and participants are served a lunch and have a great time at the bee. Participants are usually businessmen, educators and college students, as well as church groups.”

GOALS also functions thanks to several tutors, who start working after a course from the ProLiteracy site.

“Anyone can tutor. If you can read, you can teach another to read,” Powell said.

Powell says students feel a sense of accomplishment when they meet their literacy goals.

“Some are able to go to college, some get a job and others are able to help their children with their homework. Whatever the reason, GOALS is here for you,” she said. If anyone needs literacy services, call 409-886-4311 or go by the office, located at 520 W. Decatur Avenue in Orange.

PROGRAMS

GOALS offers individual and small class setting in four programs:

Adult Basic Education: for adults reading below sixth grade level.

English as a Second Language and Citizenship: for adults whose first lan-

guage was not English.

Family Literacy: for parents who want to learn what and how to read to their children.

GED, General Equivalency Diploma: for adults reading at the eighth-grade level who have not received a high school diploma.

“Being able to speak English is not a luxury but is a necessity for all of us,” Sandra C said.

According to ProLiteracy America, a mother’s reading skill is the greatest determinant of her children’s future academic success, outweighing other factors, such as neighborhood and family income.

The center's state-ofthe-art facilities and versatile spaces provide a platform for sports competitions, performances, community gatherings and educational programs. It was unveiled for the community with the high school graduation this year.

Superintendent Dr. Rickie Harris said West Orange-Cove is grateful for G&G's commitment to investing in education and fostering community development.

Garrett calls Harris a visionary, adding it is exciting to watch him work

methodically to grow the district with facilities that meet the needs of current students and those coming decades from now.

“He really cares and loves that district,” Garrett said. “It is infectious.”

Garrett said it was a blessing to graduate from West Orange, go off to college and come back home to grow a local company.

“Being able to give back to the place where this all began is a huge honor and a humbling experience,” he said. “Even in my wildest dreams, I never imagined being able to have that much financial impact on any organization, let alone being able to do that for the school that I graduated from.”

The name

A committee inside G&G Enterprises was developed to go over ideas, and that committee has selected a name for the West Orange-Cove Event Center.

Company officials and school district officials still must meet to discuss where signs will be placed. There are some subtle nuances to go through regarding the size of the signs and where they will be located.

“I would anticipate having some type of a ceremony that is somewhere in the first part of this next school year,” Garrett said when explaining when it would all be unveiled for the community.

Courtesy photo

Greater Orange Area Literacy offers all forms of literacy services. Call 409-886-4311 for more information.

2 men, dog rescued from boat capsized near Sabine Pass

Special to The News panews@panews.com

SABINE PASS — The Coast Guard assisted two men and one dog Wednesday after their boat capsized near Sabine Pass, authorities said.

Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a report from 911 dispatchers at approximately 3 p.m. of two men and a dog distressed and stranded near the Cheniere LNG plant on the bank of Sabine Pass.

The boaters’ 16-foot skiff had reportedly capsized due to the wake from passing vessels.

Coast Guard Station Sabine Pass launched a 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew to assist.

The boat crew arrived on scene at 3:17 p.m., took aboard the two men and their dog, and transported them to a nearby boat launch.

One of the boaters reportedly sustained minor injuries but did not require medical assistance. According to the Coast Guard, the vessel’s owner will arrange for its salvage.

week), we had watermelons, honeydew melons, cabbage, carrots and potatoes. And so, you know, it’s been a blessing. And we’ve been able to serve so many families here in the community.

“We began the food distribution service three years ago at Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont with Pastor Adolph.

When that began, we distributed food boxes.”

The COVID-19 Pandemic was a catalyst for Milo to begin a food pantry at Empowerment Church to feed the Port Arthur community. A year later, that endeavor flourished with local partnerships.

“We partnered with Southeast Texas Food Bank, Walmart and Big Lots,” she said. “It was always a goal when I planted the ministry in 2010. So, a food pantry was always part of the plan. I guess we just had to wait for the right timing. We started out in a storefront location at the old bank building on Capri Drive in 2010.

When we started the ministry in 2013, we moved to this location. And I believe that’s when we got closer to the vision because the location is very strategic.”

The location has an easy access point whether coming or going from the city on Memorial Drive.

A drive through that begins on the feeder road going back to 39th Street. People have been coming long enough, they don’t block the intersections. They’re very patient, according to Milo.

“Once on base, we take their information. If they’re already on our list, we check them off,” she said. “If it’s their first time, they show their identification card. They come through, we take their information, check them off, we have a process. If it’s a family, one to five, we give them one ticket. They get a bag of grocer-

ies and a meat. If it’s six or more, they’ll get two tickets, they’ll get two bags of groceries, and they’ll get two meats for their family.

Let’s say for instance if someone who doesn’t have any identification, or someone who’s walking, right, they walk up, we take their information. You let them go through and get their food, so we don’t turn anyone down.”

As the reputation of the distribution days spreads, the church relies on volunteers to assist with the two- hour time constraint.

“We need volunteers,” she said.

“And normally during the summer we try to have some of the youth come out to help us because they’re out of school. So as teenagers, they’ll come out and help. People who are needing community service hours can come out and help with the distribution and stock our food pantry. We get our food delivered once a month, and we have to stock our shelves and you have a food pantry here on site.”

Personal information is confidential and acquired by trained volunteers.

“We do not want anyone to feel insecure about filling out the documents,” Milo said. “We take their names, addresses, phone numbers and the number of people who live in their household and their ages. We ask if they have school aged children, if they are on social security, food stamps, welfare and if their children get free lunch at school.”

The church does not ask for proof of income.

“There is generational poverty, there is temporary poverty because of the loss of a job, someone got sick, or someone was laid off,” she said. “And so that is a situation that’s temporary. They need help, sometimes it’s for three months, sometimes it’s for six months, and we’re here for those individuals.”

The church is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and located at 3600 Memorial Blvd. in Port Arthur. Call 409-983-1771 for more information.

Sierra Kondos/Special to The News

JoEll Milo, Empowerment Church secretary, aides Janice Milo, pastor of Empowerment Church in the church food pantry.

Donations

Continued from A1

“She got really embarrassed and said, ‘I don’t have any underwear so when I go to school the kids make fun of me.’” Holland said. “It broke my heart. Here’s a child that lives probably six blocks from where I live. And we need to do something about that. Yes, they need supplies, but they also need the necessities to go back to school.”

Since then, New Beginnings has handed out new socks and underwear each year during the Willie Carter Outreach Center’s back-to-school event.

But this year, some of the 1,500 children served during the July 29 event may not have the socks or underwear they need as New Beginnings is suffering a shortage of donations.

“I don’t know what it is,” Holland said. “This year we don’t have the support we normally do. Previous years we’ve had people, churches and other organizations help support us. Not that we don’t still have some, just not as many.”

Johnny Hulin, executive director of the Carter Center, is also trying to drum up support for New Beginnings. “That’s been one of my major partners, and this year they’re really struggling to meet their quota,” he said.

New Beginnings

Formed in 2008, New Beginnings works yearround to help the residents of Port Arthur. “We work mainly with those in need,” Holland said. “And not just people living on the streets…we work with people in homes that aren’t quite making it.”

In addition to joining the annual back-to-school event, New Beginnings provides food and clothing giveaways, Christmas giveaways and hosts a children’s program.

July 10-14 from 5:307 p.m., they will host a Vacation Bible School for children ages 4-11 with bilingual volunteers in order to serve everyone in the community. That takes place at the headquarters on the corner of 7th Street and Liberty Avenue. And in October, they

Courtesy photo

New Beginnings Ministries is in need of donations of socks and underwear to provide to children during this year’s back-toschool event.

host Handbags of Hope. The group collects new and gently used handbags that they fill with toiletries and pass out to women in need.

How To Help

New Beginnings is mostly in need of girls’ underwear from size six to 16 and all sizes of socks for girls and women as teenagers are also

served during the event. They are also in need of all sizes of boys’ underwear and socks. While the nonprofit is home based, they operate in coordination with Ecclesia

church at 5900 9th Avenue. Donations can be brought there Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, email newbeginningstx@hotmail.com.

basically tripped over him.

“My hand light was on, and it was right in his face. I realized I had the second victim and called out to everyone else, telling everybody that I had the second victim.”

Adaway had the man grab his shoulders as he began to feel his way out of the house.

“I started walking backwards, and there was a very low living room table that I stumbled over,” Adaway said. “Me and the victim fell on the couch. As soon as I landed on the couch, I knew exactly where I was. Three feet to my right was the front door. I grabbed the man again and was just getting across the threshold of the front door when Capt. Bryant picked up his legs and helped me carry him out.”

on television. “If you want an accurate depiction, search for firefighter helmet cam videos,” he said. “You’ll see what we actually see.”

entation of where we’re at because we can’t see, and we have another hand out searching as we go.”

synthetic materials instead of pure wood furniture that was once more commonly used has changed the way firefighters respond.

man from also going into cardiac arrest.

“He was at a lower level than she was,” he said.

“And as bad as it sounds that they fell backwards in the fire, dropping down lower even for a few seconds probably did help the rest of the way out.” But a fire doesn’t end when the flames go out.

First responders still carry what they see along with them.

fortunate for that. I can just turn off the stress of what we see. Not everyone is like that. Everybody has their own hobbies, their own way of processing their stress, their traumas. It’s going to be different for everybody.”

Benson said there is a peer support system in place to help firefighters.

“If something does bother somebody, they can reach out to one of the guys here that’s gone though some training or they have a peer support group in Beaumont that they can reach out to, as well,” he said.

But they also keep an eye on each other.

Fountain said the conditions inside a burning home are nothing compared to what people see

Gibbs

Continued from A1

“You’re giving out information so people will know when there’s a water outage or its evacuation time,” Gibbs said, noting it is hurricane season.

One of the most important parts of disseminating information came with the pandemic, such as the importance of getting vaccinated. She said it was such a jolt to America and the world and she put special emphasis on making sure the public knew how to get in touch with the health department.

Bryant said on arrival, the smoke was already approximately 24 inches from the ground.

“So even crawling there would be no visibility at all,” he said. “We have to feel our way through. When we do a search, we go around the right hand wall and we have our hand on the wall so we have ori-

People were afraid and there were many unknowns, so getting the correct information out was paramount.

“Communication was key to me,” she said. “And being involved in some of the outreach, physically as well as a written outreach, we would go places and say ‘come here, let’s line up’ to get vaccinated. That, to me, was a big part of where I was able to stretch beyond what I would ordinarily do.”

Judith Smith, director of the Port Arthur City Health Department, said Gibbs was helpful with all the news and COVID reports she submitted daily.

“Sometimes the reports would be submitted late, well after hours but she

The entire back of the house was in flames.

“That’s why we went in first to look for the victims immediately instead of stretching a line,” Bryant said. “That’s 30-40 seconds that they don’t have. And because there was no fire in the front of the building, it was grab if we could and do the rest from there.”

Fire Chief Greg Benson said the rapid addition of

was always available and very helpful getting the reports out to the public,” Smith said. “We were all under pressure but we worked very well together to make sure the public received accurate information.”

Communicating Gibbs receives information from multiple sources that she posts to the city’s website. The city also has Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages. Some of the recent notices are of construction along U.S. 69 and Texas 73 for the upcoming turbine interchange. There have also been the updates on the construction of the boat ramps in Sabine Pass, plus the on-

“Things have changed now where the fire growth is way faster,” he said. “As far as timing, all of that stuff is in the air takes you out.”

While the female victim suffered severe burns to her airway, all three that were taken from the residence lived.

“There are a lot of guys here who cope in different ways from the stuff that we see,” Adaway said. “Some of those might be negative ways; some of those are positive ways. For me, there’s very little that bothers me. There’s only two calls in my entire career that I needed downtime after. And both of those, it was our own guys that were in danger. Citizens, yes, it’s our job to save them. But it really bothered me that, in the practice of trying to save them, our own guys were in very real danger.

And Bryant said falling may have prevented the

going summer activities in the city. Her voice picks up a notch as she tells of the many activities this summer at the Port Arthur Public Library and through the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. Her work hasn’t gone unnoticed. She was one of 12 women from Texas recognized in 2022 for work in public services, particularly for the 2020 Census at the PoliChic Engagement Fund Bravery Brunch. City Manager Ron Burton commended her in an article last year for the recognition, saying she has done a very good job with public relations and her recognition is fact that she’s made a significant impact.

“We could go make a terrible call and as soon as I get back to the station, I’m fine. I’d call myself very

Inspiration

“I joke about things here but I see these guys more than I see my wife at home,” Bryant said. “We live with each other for a third of our lives. For better or worse, we’re always together. You know each other intimately. We know when someone’s off.” And it’s about more than just work. “We’re not just friends,” Fountain said. “We’re family.” public information because it involves so much.

When not making sure the residents of the city are informed of goings on Gibbs enjoys reading and watching HGTV. And with that the story goes back to her memories of growing up in Port Arthur. The family home was built by her father and was small, a two-bedroom for a family with 10 children. Through the years they added on to have three bedrooms and later, six bedrooms. She remembers working with her father on the house and said that’s where she learned carpentry skills. Gibbs is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta, which is celebrating 75 years in Port Arthur. She is also a member of Thom-

as Boulevard Church of Christ and is part of the finance ministry. As a former teacher Gibbs understands the importance of encouragement. But, she said, she’d go beyond that and give an extra push. It’s the building up of people that drives her. She makes sure to offer encouragement to family, especially the younger nieces and nephews and carries that to her job, where she wants to encourage co-workers, she said. “A big part of me is encouragement, encouraging people to get involved with your city,” she said. She encourages participating in the city’s various activities as well as just going out and enjoying the city.

Courtesy photo

Three victims were rescued from a May 20 house fire on 19th Street.

NEW LEADER AT 5 UNDER

Former Port Neches-Groves athlete named company president

Special to The News panews@panews.com

BEAUMONT — 5 Under Golf

Center has named Lance LaRue as company president effective June 24, 2023.

With the recently announced departure of 5 Under president Austin Williams, the indoor/ outdoor golf and entertainment venue promoted from within the company, turning to LaRue, current vice president of marketing.

LaRue, an award-winning marketing and creative advertising professional of nearly twenty years, joined 5 Under earlier this spring to head up the marketing department which serves the five lines of business of the company: golf and game play, retail, restaurant, events and e-Commerce.

Upon joining, LaRue and his team navigated through six weeks of the outdoor facility being down for net replacement and upgrades. He led efforts for branding, social media content and digital marketing strategies as well as workflow efficiencies.

5 Under Golf Center Owner Don Shaver said LaRue is a team player whose versatility, ability to communicate and marketing experience with corporate and small business make him a unique fit for the leadership role.

"Lance has the professionalism, personality, and service-first approach that all fit with the vision of 5 Under,” Shaver said. “He has quickly made a positive impact with all of our team, and he will make for a smooth transition with Austin [Williams] leaving.”

Outgoing president Austin Williams has been with 5 Under since its 2019 opening. Williams and Shaver brought the idea of a Topgolf Swing Suite and Toptracer Range golf venue to life in Beaumont — complete with retail, restaurant and more under one roof.

“We thank Austin for his work and we wish him the very best,” Shaver said.

Williams has worked closely with LaRue on marketing and events, and says the company is in good hands with the 5U team as he leaves for a new opportunity with First Security Bank in Beaumont.

"Lance is talented, he’s a leader and a listener, and he really cares,” says Williams. “He works well with our VPs, and gets everyone involved. I’m proud of what we’ve

done, I’m excited to see great things to come for both 5 Under and in my new opportunity at First Security.”

LaRue is a product of Port Neches-Groves, where he played golf and soccer.

The Lamar University alum has an extensive background in advertising, branding, and design. His previous role was chief marketing officer with the Neches Restaurant Group, and prior

to that he served as creative director for Beaumont ad agency Americom Marketing.

"5 Under is a special place, and I really like the multiple lines of business and the different ways

we can serve people,” LaRue said. “Our team is loaded with talent and expertise at every corner. They have a great thing going, and I’m grateful, eager, and excited to be on board.”

Valero’s REEL UNITED supports the United Way

Special to The News panews@panews.com

Celebrating the sixth year of the big tournament that benefits the United Way of Mid & South Jefferson County, the tournament committee made several changes to increase participation, add to the family friendly environment and raise more funds to impact the community.

One of the first notable changes was inviting partners at Diamond Green Diesel to share the title sponsorship with Valero and assist with event planning.

The two industrial partners made quick work of the planning details and

tournament improvements. “This event is one that people look forward to and plan for. Having worked with the team throughout the planning, I can promise you that every detail is examined to bring improvement year after year, and that is why we have anglers travel from across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana to fish this event,” Janie Johnson, CEO of United Way of MSJC. This year’s event transitioned from a stringer tournament to Big Bass to protect the fish from the stress of the heat and return fish hourly after a trip to the live tank for a health boost.

The tournament began on a Friday evening with the angler reception and welcome party.

The atmosphere was that of a small-town festival, with each gold and platinum sponsor offering the best of our Tex-Mex, Cajun, and Texan BBQ heritage via street tacos, pasta-laya, fried fish & shrimp, to bacon jalapeno-wrapped rib eyes, and so much more.

Sponsors at Gopher Industrial provided a children’s zone, allowing parents to enjoy the live music and good company while children played.

Friday gave one last opportunity for nearly a hun-

dred anglers to register onsite and pre-registered anglers checked in before the angler reception.

Registration & angler check-in was also the site for more than 100 door prizes to be awarded. At the end of the evening, 781 anglers were registered and ready for the first hint of daylight to begin fishing for the seven hourly payouts.

Shortly after 7 a.m. the first boats began to line the shore, and anglers carried fish in to be weighed. Each hour ten anglers would divide a total of $4,250 in winnings.

In the seventh hour, in addition to the hourly

payouts, the Big Bass was awarded an additional check of $5,000.

Some of the biggest smiles at the weigh-in trailer and the loudest cheers came from the junior anglers, those under 15 years of age.

“This is a special event that promotes a family friendly environment with the needs of our neighbors in the community at heart.

It is a fundraiser that will provide $182,000.00 to support programs that impact daily lives here locally in Mid & South Jefferson County. No one expects to need the help of United Way programs. Still, because of this event and

the community working together with United Way, there will be help when needed,” said Josh Nehlig, United Way of Mid & South Jefferson County board president Mark Skobel, VP and general manager of Valero Port Arthur Refinery, thanked all the industry partners who sponsored this year’s event and the individual anglers who registered.

“It is exciting to see support for the event grow annually and I am thrilled we have raised so much money to benefit the United Way of Mid & South Jefferson County and its partner agencies,” he said.

Courtesy photo

Lance LaRue, a product of Port Neches-Groves High School, has been named 5 Under Golf Center company president.

Courtesy photo

Big Bass Valero Port Arthur Plant Manager Mark Skobel, left, BIG BASS Winner Dennis Marks and United Way of Mid & South Jefferson County Board President Josh Nehlig are pictured.

Courtesy photo

Pictured, from left, are Valero Port Arthur Plant Manager Mark Skobel, a youth angler and tournament director Dustin Loden.