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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...
Water line break triggers boil water notice for parts of north Jasper County
JASPER, Texas — A boil water notice for a portion of northern Jasper County has been issued due to a water line break Wednesday night. The Upper Jasper County Water Authority issued the notice for water customers from County Road 108 (Campbell Hill) up to, but not including County Road 082 (River Ridge Road).
Beaumont ISD STAAR results show growth in some areas, decline in others after controversial statewide AI grading system
BEAUMONT, Texas — The Beaumont Independent School District is weighing in on this year's controversial STAAR test results, where the Texas Education Agency (TEA) used artificial intelligence to help grade. Along with using AI to grade the tests, they were completely redesigned to use more open-ended questions instead of...
Proposed Venture Global LNG pipeline that would start in Jasper County has been approved
JASPER COUNTY, Texas — The fate of the proposed CP2 liquified natural gas (LNG) project in southwest Louisiana has been decided. Venture Global received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for its third export facility. The approval comes despite protests from environmentalists and even some lawmakers. Although...
Lamar University hurdler Chloe Rodriguez competes Thursday night for spot on U.S. Olympic team
BEAUMONT, Texas — A Lamar University hurdler will be giving her all in Oregon on Thursday night as she competes to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team. Chloe Rodriguez, a junior from Richardson, Tx, will compete in the first round of the women’s 400-meter hurdles, Thursday night at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
Owner of Gilbert Building meets deadline to install fence around burned structure
BEAUMONT, Texas — The owner of the Gilbert Building has met his deadline to install a fence around the burned structure today. During last week's council meeting, the city gave Tom Flanagan five business days to install a fence to secure the site. The owner had until today to...
Family of mother killed by accused drunk driver shares precious memories
BEAUMONT, Texas — A family is devastated after an accused drunk driver took the life of a mother in the parking lot of a Beaumont motel. LaQuanta Pikes' three children witnessed the tragic crash that took her life. They say she always put their needs above her own and her final actions saved their lives.
Court denies appeal of Beaumont man who claimed there was 'not sufficient evidence' to support jury's decision
BEAUMONT, Texas — A Texas appeals court has denied the appeal of a Beaumont man sentenced in 2023 to 38 years for continuously trafficking a teenage girl to perform sex acts at an area motel. Shun Eric Simon was found guilty in 2023 by a Jefferson County jury on...
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