Columbus
12NewsNow
Bocca Felice officially opens for dine-in after driver crashes into restaurant
BEAUMONT, Texas — Bocca Felice Italian Cuisine is now open for dine-in after a reportedly intoxicated driver crashed into the restaurant and caused major damage on June 16. Some repairs have been made to the establishment, but they still have things to fix. "Everything is slowly but surely coming...
81-year-old man killed after vehicle backs into McDonald's restaurant
LEWISVILLE, Texas — A man has died after being struck by a red truck while walking out of a Lewisville McDonald's, city officials told WFAA. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner has identified the victim as 81-year-old George Edward Stepp. The city of Lewisville said a 911 call came in...
Beaumont female officers serve an important role, bring a 'unique perspective' to police force
BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont police officials say female officers are making a big difference in Beaumont as they bring a "unique perspective" to cases, especially those involving domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse. One Beaumont police officer was able to find her calling while attending Texas State University.
NTSB begins its investigation into McKinney plane crash, victims identified
MCKINNEY, Texas — The National Transportation Safety Board spent Friday combing through the plane wreckage in McKinney hoping to find answers to what caused the crash. The Cessna carrying three people crashed into a natural materials site Thursday late morning a mile south of the McKinney National Airport and just seconds from takeoff. The NTSB and witness reports indicate the plane crashed while inverted.
DPS investigates rollover crash on South Major Friday afternoon
BEAUMONT, Texas — Department of Public Safety State Troopers are investigating a rollover crash that happened Friday afternoon on South Major Dr. near Brooks Rd. DPS, along with Beaumont Police Department, Beaumont Fire-Rescue and Hazmat responded to reports of a rollover crash involving a truck and another vehicle just before 4 p.m.
Jefferson County Interstate 10 traffic stop leads to fentanyl, meth seizure
BEAUMONT, Texas — Jefferson County deputies seized meth and fentanyl following a traffic stop that was initiated after they witnessed several traffic violations on Thursday. Detectives with the Narcotics Interdiction Division pulled over a tan Chevrolet Malibu along Interstate 10 near Major Dr., after seeing the driver make several traffic violations, according to the sheriff's office.
46-year-old inmate at Federal Correctional Institution Beaumont found unresponsive, pronounced dead at hospital
BEAUMONT, Texas — A 46-year-old inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Beaumont was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at a hospital. Jose Guadalup Martinez-Alfaro was found unresponsive at FCI Beaumont around 10 p.m. on Thursday. Employees initiated life-saving measures on Martinez-Alfaro. EMS were requested while life-saving efforts continued....
City releases names of five finalists for Beaumont Police Chief
BEAUMONT, Texas — The City of Beaumont has released the names of five finalists for Beaumont Police Chief. On Wednesday the City of Beaumont released its timeline for filling the top cop job saying they would have a list of finalists by Friday. The city received more than 50...
Southeast Texas Veterans 4 Veterans receives $5K grant from TEGNA, 12News
BEAUMONT, Texas — On Thursday Southeast Texas Veterans 4 Veterans was awarded a $5,000 grant from TEGNA Broadcasting and 12News. The nonprofit's mission is to be a reference point to all veterans in the community and assist them in achieving their goals reminding them they have a purpose and are not alone.
Beaumont Police are ready to use their new real-time cameras to solve crime, giving them access to cameras around the city
BEAUMONT, Texas — In less than a month, the Beaumont Police Department's real-time crime center will being fully operational. This will give police real-time access to cameras all across the city. It includes city cameras, ring doorbell cameras and even traffic light cameras. Police believe it will be a...
Man sentenced to over seven years in federal prison for firearms violation following traffic stop in Vidor
VIDOR, Texas — A Richmond, Texas man will spend over seven years in federal prison for a firearms violation. Aaron Martinez, 33, was sentenced Thursday to 87 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone after pleading guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
New artificial reef begins construction off coast by Sea Rim State Park
SABINE PASS, Texas — On Thursday morning, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) dumped a concrete block into the Gulf of Mexico as part of the new artificial reef that is being built. The reef, named HI-54 Shallow, is being built about two miles off the coast by...
Shorkey Center hosts summer games, helps build kids' cognitive skills
BEAUMONT, Texas — The Shorkey Center hosted their summer games Thursday and organizers say the games are a perfect way to inspire kids with different abilities to get active. The summer games were hosted at Christ Central Camp located at 10703 North Major Dr. in Beaumont. 12News went out...
Appeals court not holding investors liable for the 2019 Port Neches TPC explosion
PORT NECHES, Texas — An appeals court has dealt a serious setback to families whose homes were damaged in the 2019 TPC explosion that caused damage to homes in Port Neches. Nearly 10,000 people sued TPC and their investors. Attorneys said the investors should be held liable for the millions of dollars in damages. They argued that investors held "abnormal control" over TPC's operations and claimed that they were directly liable for the damages.
Port Neches K9, Sergeant receive special award
GROVES, Texas — A Port Neches police officer and his K9 were recognized for their work by receiving a special award. Sergeant Heilman and K9 Ruger recently received a Quarterly Award from the National Police Canine Association. They were given the award for their work in assisting the Groves Police Department with a person who ran away from police when stopped while walking on the street.
U.S. Hwy 69 south onramp near Delaware to close for next 5 years starting July 1
BEAUMONT, Texas — Southeast Texas drivers looking to get on southbound U.S. Highway 69 just before Delaware will need to use a different route starting next week. The onramp to U.S. Highway 69 south just before Delaware will be closing on Monday, July 1, 2024, throughout the "IH-10/US 69 Eastex Interchange Project," according to a news release from the Texas Department of Transportation's Beaumont District.
Beaumont man indicted for hindering apprehension, taking weapon from an officer
BEAUMONT, Texas — A Beaumont man has been indicted for hindering apprehension and taking a weapon from an officer. Derrick Antonio Johnson, 27, of Beaumont, forcefully took an officer's Taser and threw it over the third story balcony of an apartment. On May 29 just after 3 a.m., Beaumont...
Port Neches man indicted for hit-and-run, accused of striking man taking out trash
PORT NECHES, Texas — A 35-year-old Port Neches man has been indicted on charges related to an April 2024 hit-and-run that left a pedestrian with serious injuries. Andrew Christopher Barnett, 35, of Port Neches, was indicted this week by a Jefferson County grand jury on a charge of "collision causing serious bodily injury" in connection to an incident on April 14, 2024. The charge is a third degree felony.
Kinky Friedman, provocative Texas satirist and one-time gubernatorial candidate, dies at 79
AUSTIN, Texas — This story was originally published by our partners at the Texas Tribune. Richard “Kinky” Friedman — the provocative and flamboyant Texas satirist who mounted a spirited campaign for governor in 2006 — has died. He was 79. Friedman died at his longtime...
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.