Michelle Heath
Beaumont Enterprise
Houston, TX, United States
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Past articles by Manuella:
Vietnamese refugees made Jefferson County their home in '70s
A task force created to manage the resettlement of Vietnamese people fleeing their government's oppression struggled to find sponsors. "Southeast Texas responded to the initial calls for sponsorship about like the rest of us - with general indifference, forgetfulness or simply the feeling that it was the government's problem to solve," according to the Texas Monthly article. Three men were… → Read More
Beaumont man hopes to start gun buy, sell, swap event
Arguing that private gun buyers and sellers are at risk of being duped, or worse, putting firearms in the hands of criminals, a Beaumont resident and Army veteran is circulating an online petition to start a buy and sell group that would make gun and other weapon transactions in the presence of authorities. Locals have at least one remaining avenue - SoutheastTexas.com, which is owned by The… → Read More
Vidor High School nurse, 'Band-Aid' retires after 54 years
Havens, with a corsage of carnations pinned to her blazer, sat in the band hall on Thursday morning, visiting with dozens of well-wishers who dropped by to say farewell. Susan Touchstone, the school's former librarian and now a part-time secretary, said Havens showed her co-workers what "hard work looks like." When she arrived in England, Havens said she was delayed getting to her post because… → Read More
Tip line set up for Port Arthur forensic investigation
The CPA firm hired to conduct a forensic investigation into the City of Port Arthur has set up an anonymous tip line. BKD Forensics & Valuation Services is seeking information about the city's "administration and activities" related to the finance, public works, human resources and parks and recreation departments, according to a BKD press release. → Read More
Watermelon-smashing comic to visit Beaumont
Gallagher, a comedian famous for smashing watermelons on stage, will stop in Beaumont next month for a comedy tour. → Read More
Vehicle strikes woman in electric wheelchair near Central Mall
A woman was hospitalized after being hit by a vehicle while crossing the street in her electric wheelchair in Port Arthur this morning. → Read More
Teens speed from traffic stop, crash, flee on foot
Two teens were arrested on drug charges Sunday evening after speeding off from a traffic stop and wrecking in a ditch while driving through a neighborhood near Jack Brooks Regional Airport. Robert Isaiah Paredes, 17, and Daniel Estrada, 18, were driving in a silver Acura when they were stopped by a Jefferson County Sheriff's deputy at the intersection of Spur 93 and South Garden Road in Beaumont… → Read More
Photos: West Brook students transform rusty lockers into works of art
Art teacher Laura Scully got permission this past fall for her students to paint a hallway of unused lockers in the school's J wing. Scully said the students used an enamel oil-based paint to cover the faded and, in places, rusted lockers, which haven't been used in years for safety concerns. → Read More
Motorcyclist hospitalized after rear-ending horse trailer
A motorcyclist was hospitalized after rear-ending a pick-up truck towing a horse trailer on FM 365 Saturday evening. → Read More
Authorities investigating fiancée of former PA officer found dead
Authorities investigating fiancée of former PA officer found dead The fiancée of a former Port Arthur police officer who was found dead Sunday in the home they shared is being questioned in his death, investigators said Tuesday. → Read More
Buna woman busted with 41 grams of meth
A 21-year-old Buna woman was arrested during a traffic stop Monday after admitting and handing over more than 40 grams of methamphetamine and a scale, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department. → Read More
Freedom From Religion targets Christian student group in latest letter
The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to Hardin-Jefferson ISD Superintendent Shannon Holmes on Friday asking him to address ongoing meetings of the Christian club, Hawks for Christ, at China Elementary School. The Equal Access Act allows for a limited open forum for public secondary school students to host meetings based on religious, political or philosophical… → Read More
Escape room phenomenon expands to Beaumont
An old-fashioned tube TV on a locked cabinet shows people awkwardly standing around, waiting for something to happen. Escape rooms connect with a new, generally younger audience segment bored by virtual activity and increasingly willing to spend money on experiences as entertainment. Locking paying customers in rooms and forcing them to effect brain-powered escapes started in Asia and Eastern… → Read More
Group voices concern over promoting religion in H-JISD
A separation of church and state group has asked Hardin-Jefferson ISD to address concerns about a Christian-based club and a teacher promoting religious beliefs. The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to Superintendent Shannon Holmes on Friday with "new information and renewed concerns" about teacher promotion of religion at China Elementary and the continual… → Read More
Woman could face charges in fatal collision
A Port Arthur woman could face criminal charges following a fatal crash on Sunday that killed a 16-year-old Mid-County teen. Antonio Moretti and and another teen were riding a mini-motorcycle around 3:30 a.m. Sunday when they were hit by a car leaving Jack-in-the-Box on U.S. 69 near Jimmy Johnson Blvd., according to Enterprise media partner 12News. → Read More
Police investigate former officer's death
Police today are continuing to investigate the death of a 47-year-old former Port Arthur police officer found dead inside his Griffing Park home on Sunday afternoon. The deceased has been identified as Chris Jeffries. Jeffries' body was found inside his home in the 2200 block of Glenwood, according to Enterprise media partner 12News. Police are investigating the death as a homicide. → Read More
Athetist group leader, pastor debate religious divide in Southeast Texas
The best way to bridge the divide between local Christians and atheists is to make city parks and city halls neutral ground, according to an Orange County secular leader and a Port Neches pastor. Joshua Hammers, a spokesperson for the Orange County Atheists group, and David Birdsong, pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Port Neches, debated the separation of church and state at a Press Club of… → Read More
On-campus residence hall at LSC-PA announced
With multiple housing proposals floating about for Port Arthur's downtown, Lamar State College-Port Arthur officials this week announced plans for a multi-million dollar residence hall to be built on campus. Akbari said the EDC's help and the tax abatements were essential in making the project happen. Since LSC-PA is a two-year school, it's more difficult to find lenders than a four-year… → Read More
Southeast Texas cities fight low-income housing
Dozens of Bridge City residents poured out of council chambers Tuesday night and into the hallway as they cheered City Council's decision to vote against a proposal that called for low-income housing to be constructed near the city's intermediate school. Tax-supported, low-income housing like Canal Place has drawn vocal opposition in the past couple of years, with development talks in cities… → Read More
In warm winter of 1895, 30 inches of snow fell
The high for Presidents Day is a projected 75 degrees with a 40 percent chance of showers - a forecast probably more fitting for spring. Cattle herds drifted toward the Gulf to try to escape the storm, but the snow didn't melt for 10 days, causing some of the cattle to die "in piles," according to the Beaumont Journal. The 1895 storm might be the area's most "epic," but several other winter… → Read More