Port Arthur breaks ground on new recycling center
Port Arthur city leaders met near the Bob Bowers Civic Center to conduct the groundbreaking ceremony for the city’s first-ever recycling center on Sept. 22, according to media reports.
The new recycling center, made possible by a grant from grocery store H-E-B, will provide residents with access to a new drop-off facility and other recycling services — something the community has never had before.
“Today we have broken ground on the first phase of the first-ever recycling drop-off center here in Port Arthur,” said Anahi Villarruel, project manager of environmental affairs at H-E-B.
“We’re actually very fortunate to award the city of Port Arthur $109,000 for the first phase of this project,” said Lou Serna, senior program manager for the nonprofit.
He stated the project also aims to benefit the city financially.
The grant money is from H-E-B to Keep Texas Beautiful, a statewide nonprofit that promotes environmental stewardship. Villarruel reported the facility will accept common household items and provide residents with long-awaited access to recycling opportunities.
The facility is expected to open in spring 2026, and Beaumont residents will also be able to use the drop-off site.
‘Ignite the Vision’ competition winners announced
Motiva Enterprises LLC partnered with Lamar State College Port Arthur’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for an “Ignite the Vision” competition, where 20 small businesses applied for a chance to win up to $10,000 in grants.
Applicants developed a business plan, attended business education and training courses, and created a pitch on how they would use the grant money to grow their business. Participants then presented their plans to a panel of judges on Sept. 18 at the SBDC Symposium.
The first-place winner was Finessed Beauty Bar, a salon in Port Arthur looking to expand into a larger space.
The second-place winner was The Orc, a family recreational facility with activities such as roller skating and bowling. The third-place winner was SETX College Counseling, which helps families navigate college applications and scholarships.
The top three were awarded a total of $22,500 to fuel their future business aspirations, according to Claire Jackson, social responsibility and community affairs manager for Motiva.
Insane Chicken holds grand opening
The owners of Insane Sausages have expanded into Orange with a new restaurant, Insane Chicken, bringing fan favorites from their Vinton, La., location along with exciting new creations.
A grand opening was held Sept. 29 at its location at 1602 West Hart Ave.
Insane Chicken will feature a convenient drive-thru for fast favorites, plus cooler offerings of signature sausages from Insane Sausages.
Indorama Ventures donates glycol to fuel campus unit
The Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) Process Operating Technology program received a donation of 14 totes of propylene glycol to refill the campus glycol unit from industry partner Indorama Ventures on Aug. 11.
“We are always looking for opportunities to provide students with the tools and equipment needed to be successful once they enter the industry full-time,” said Mark Hays, receiving and shipping operations coordinator at Indorama Ventures. “Indorama recognizes that this partnership not only provides students with a better learning experience but also generates future employees with a higher set of skills and knowledge, which directly benefits the company.”
Indorama Ventures has been a partner of LIT for more than 10 years, continuing to provide the necessary process materials that enable LIT students to gain hands-on experience for their future employers.
“The process training unit at LIT separates a mixture of water and propylene glycol to provide direct industry experience to aspiring students,” said Ty Sheppard, EO and glycols production engineer. “The training unit contains several pieces of operating equipment you would see at any industrial facility such as pumps, tanks, exchangers, instrumentation, etc. There is no better form of hands-on experience.”
Funeral home gets a new name
Claybar Funeral Home announced last month that their Beaumont location, 1155 North 11th St., has a new name — LeBrie Claybar Funeral Services.
According to the company’s social media, they will provide “compassionate, faith-centered care for Beaumont families.”
“LaBrie Claybar Funeral Services blends Claybar’s trusted legacy with Pastor Michael LaBrie’s ministry of hope,” the company posted.
For more information, visit LaBrieClaybar.com.
Tokyo Steakhouse and Sushi Bar closing Dowlen location
On Sept. 15, the owners of the Tokyo Steakhouse and Sushi Bar announced they are closing the Dowlen Road location, according to a social media post.
According to the owners, Sept. 6 marked 30 years for the Dowlen Road location. The closure will take effect Oct. 5.
“After 30 unforgettable years of serving everyone around this area, we have made the difficult decision to close our original location on Dowlen,” the owners posted. “Our Interstate 10 and Port Arthur locations will continue regular operations.”
“This restaurant has been more than just a place to eat and drink. It was a gathering spot for friends and family to celebrate countless memories and make countless more. We are so deeply grateful for every patron that has entered our doors over the last 30 years and gave us the chance to bring sushi and hibachi to this great community. We would like to thank every staff member that spent their time and poured their hearts into this place to make it what it was. You will always be family.”
The owners added they will be partnering to bring a new and fresh concept to the Dowlen Road location.
Safety awards breakfast is Oct. 30
The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) Safety Awards Member Breakfast is scheduled for 8–9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at the ABC Southeast Texas Office, 2700 North Twin City Highway in Nederland.
The event will recognize members committed to building a stronger, safer construction industry.
Tickets are $30 for members only.
ExxonMobil Beaumont recognized by TCC, TCA
ExxonMobil Beaumont sites have been recognized by the Texas Chemistry Council (TCC) and Texas Chemistry Alliance (TCA) for excellence in safety, community engagement, and industry leadership, according to company officials.
The awards earned were:
• Caring for Texas: Highlights member facilities that demonstrate leadership in community awareness, emergency response, sustainability, and pollution prevention. Awarded to the Beaumont Chemical Plant and Beaumont Polyethylene Plant.
• Zero Incident Rate: Recognizes facilities with zero OSHA-recordable injuries or illnesses in 2024. Awarded to the Beaumont Chemical Plant.
• Occupational Safety Distinguished Service: Presented to facilities with active committee participation and measurable improvements in safety performance compared to the previous three years. Awarded to the Beaumont Chemical Plant.
• Best in Texas: Awarded to the top-performing facility in each group based on safety performance and contractor safety program excellence. Awarded to the Beaumont Chemical Plant.
Indorama, BCM hosting Doktor Kaboom on Oct. 18
Indorama Ventures–Port Neches Operations, in partnership with the Beaumont Children’s Museum (BCM), announced that Doktor Kaboom is coming Saturday, Oct. 18, for three free live shows of nonstop science fun at Museum Madness 2025.
Doktor Kaboom is a one-of-a-kind performer who blends science with top-tier comedy, keeping audiences of all ages laughing and learning. It isn’t a magic show — it’s smart, engaging entertainment from a seasoned pro who knows how to make science explode with excitement.
Created by actor/comedian David Epley, Doktor Kaboom was born from a childhood love of science and a knack for performance. From building a lab in his parents’ basement to studying at the prestigious North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Epley’s journey is as inspiring as it is entertaining.
With more than 2,000 shows and more than 2 million audience members worldwide, Doktor Kaboom has become a global sensation.
Epley is also a U.S. Army veteran, a former firefighter, EMT, and an advocate for hands-on learning. He resides in Seattle with his wife, Annie, and their two daughters.
Ross has new role with Orange CVB
On Sept. 9, Kristen Ross was introduced as the new Visitor Services and Events manager for the Explore Orange Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) during the Orange City Council meeting.
Ross is an Orange native and graduated from West Orange–Stark High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in health care administration from Texas Southern University and a master’s degree in business administration from Texas Woman’s University.
During her time with the Houston Health Department, Ross gained valuable experience planning and executing events from concept to completion, including Houston’s Sunday Streets, working alongside the Mayor’s Office of Special Events to coordinate the Mayor’s Back to School Drive, and serving as the deputy director for the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER).
Ross also served as the executive director of the Orange County Agency on Aging OCAA Meals on Wheels and is an active member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, and the Order of the Eastern Star–Stars of Gate City No. 57.
Christus opens state-of-the-art, $1.2M simulation center
Last month, Christus Southeast Texas Health System announced it had opened a state-of-the-art, $1.2 million simulation center to deliver high-tech clinical training in emergency, critical care, and labor and delivery settings at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.
Featuring high-fidelity mannequins that simulate real medical conditions, the center allows healthcare professionals to practice essential skills such as IV insertion, CPR, and emergency procedures in a realistic environment.
The milestone began with a $50,000 gift from the Children’s Miracle Network Making Miracles Happen Fund.
Building on that momentum, the Christus Southeast Texas Foundation raised nearly $1.3 million with support from an anonymous donor, The Valero Benefit for Children, The DuJay Charitable Foundation, and proceeds from the 42nd Annual Gala at the Beaumont Civic Center in April.
To learn more about the foundation, visit christussoutheasttexasfoundation.org.
Restaurant to soon open under new name, ownership
If all goes as planned, a Jasper business that closed almost a year ago will soon reopen under a new name and ownership.
KJAS News reported Lalomar Investments, LLC of Conroe — which owns and operates several other restaurants — has purchased the former Casa Olé Restaurant, 2120 North Wheeler St., with plans to reopen the business, which closed in late October 2024.
The date of the reopening and other details have not been disclosed.
Golf tournament Oct. 24 in Port Arthur
The Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce and Golden Triangle Industrial Group are sponsoring a golf tournament Friday, Oct. 24, at Babe Zaharias Golf Course, 3500 Jimmy Johnson Blvd. in Port Arthur. Tee times are 7 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. All proceeds from the event help fund student scholarships.
For more information, email Joe Tant at Acct@PortArthurTexas.com or Latisha Poledore at LPoledore@PortArthurTexas.com.
LSIG meeting set for next three months
The Lone Star Industrial Group (LSIG), which meets the first Tuesday of each month, will gather at two locations for October and November.
The October meeting is at 9 a.m. at the Mercy Gate Church Conference Room, 9627 Eagle Dr. in Mont Belvieu. Parking is in the back of the building. In November, the meeting is at 9 a.m. at the Lee College/Rundell Hall Conference Room, 200 Lee Dr. in Baytown. Breakfast and coffee will be provided.
The December meeting will return to Mont Belvieu. For more information, call Jaquetta Allerman at (409) 550-3100 or Stephen Hemelt at (252) 529-8115.
DPS suspends issuance of certain CDLs
Sept. 29, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) suspended the issuance of certain commercial driver licenses (CDLs) in compliance with an emergency rule change by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
The department is now suspending the issuance of non-domicile CDLs and all CDLs to non-citizens who are refugees, asylees, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.
This suspension also impacts the issuance of non-domicile commercial learner permits (CLPs) and CLPs for non-citizen refugees, asylees, and DACA recipients. The department has never issued any type of license to asylum seekers not been approved for lawful presence.
Effective immediately, CDL/CLPs will not be issued, renewed, or reissued if a customer falls under the non-domicile, refugee, asylee, or DACA categories. Customers with a pending issuance will not be allowed to continue any written or skills testing until services for non-domicile CDL/CLPs are reinstated.
The department will continue to update license holders and Texans as it works with FMCSA to comply with the new rules. More information will be posted on the DPS website.
This action is part of the department’s ongoing commitment to keeping Texas roads safe. Last month, Gov. Greg Abbott directed DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) troopers and inspectors to begin conducting English language proficiency reviews for commercial vehicle drivers on Texas roads.B2
