Government

In a unanimous decision on December 10, 2024, the Orange City Council approved a proposed bargaining agreement for the city’s firefighters, marking a significant milestone after months of intense negotiations. The agreement, now awaiting review and final approval by the Firefighters’ Union, reflects the collaborative efforts of city leaders and first responders to reach a mutually beneficial resolution.

Mayor Larry Spears, Jr. announced the development following Tuesday’s council meeting, highlighting the dedication and teamwork that brought about the breakthrough.

“Through negotiations and discussions, including over the recent holiday week, we were able to finalize this updated agreement,” said Mayor Spears.

The mayor commended the City Manager, staff, legal counsel, and the firefighters for their tireless efforts in achieving the proposed contract. He expressed gratitude for the firefighters’ invaluable service and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to its first responders.

“Our firefighters are a vital and valued part of our team and family here in the City of Orange,” Mayor Spears stated.

In addition to celebrating the progress of the agreement, Mayor Spears extended a heartfelt invitation to prospective firefighters, positioning Orange as a supportive and growth-oriented environment for fire service professionals.

“We hope this sends a message to others in the fire service or those considering joining the profession,” he said. “If you’re looking for a place to grow, to make a difference, and to feel supported, come to Orange, Texas.”

While the specific details of the proposed agreement remain undisclosed, Mayor Spears expressed optimism that the contract would soon be finalized, strengthening the partnership between the city and its fire department.

This agreement is a testament to the city’s commitment to collaborative negotiations and its recognition of the critical role firefighters play in ensuring community safety and well-being.

The proposed agreement is now in the hands of the Firefighters’ Association for review, with city officials hopeful for swift approval and implementation.

The City of Orange is pleased to announce the appointment of Kimberly Manning to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Board of Directors. The unanimous vote by Mayor Larry Spears Jr. and the Orange City Council highlights the city’s commitment to fostering community improvement and economic growth through experienced and dedicated leadership.

Kimberly Manning, owner of Kimberly Manning Images, brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted passion for serving the Orange community. As an ambassador for the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce and a Board of Directors member for the Heritage House Museum of Orange County, Manning has consistently demonstrated her dedication to promoting local businesses, preserving the city’s rich history, and supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Orange.

The EDC Board, organized exclusively on behalf of the City of Orange, plays a pivotal role in advancing economic development efforts, attracting new investments, and supporting the growth of local businesses. Manning’s appointment reinforces the city’s commitment to leveraging talent and expertise to drive positive change and sustainable development.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kimberly Manning to the EDC Board,” said Mayor Larry Spears Jr. “Her deep ties to the community, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit and advocacy for local business, make her a valuable addition to our team working to shape Orange’s bright future.”

For more information on the City of Orange’s Economic Development Corporation and its initiatives, visit their website.

overnor Greg Abbott today announced 60 career training grants totaling over $15 million have been awarded to Texas higher education institutions and independent school districts (ISD) to train students for high-demand, good-paying jobs after graduation. These Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grants awarded through the the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will help public junior, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools buy equipment for career and technical education (CTE) programs that help students across the state go into high-demand industries.

“As Texas’ economy continues to grow, it is critical that we invest in our future workforce,” said Governor Abbott. “This $15 million in career training grants will support career and technical training programs for thousands of Texas students across our great state. I thank the Texas Workforce Commission for its continued partnership with Texas’ high schools, colleges, and universities to help students achieve high-demand, good-paying jobs after graduation. The work being done at the Texas Workforce Commission and in our educational institutions across Texas ensures Texans have opportunities that lead to a better job and a bigger paycheck.”

This $15 million in career training grants will give Texas students the chance to earn licenses, certificates, or college degrees that lead to good-paying jobs in high-demand industries. In the first year alone, the new equipment will help train more than 6,900 students.

“As the Texas economy grows, so does the demand for a skilled workforce,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “The JET grant program helps meet that demand by providing opportunities for Texans to gain valuable, hands-on experience that will prepare them to step into those high-demand careers.”

TWC is now accepting applications for the 2025 JET grant program. Texas public junior, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools may apply.

The complete JET application packet can be downloaded from the TWC Procurement Portal website. For questions or more information about this opportunity, e-mail RFAGrants@twc.texas.gov.

The 2024 JET grants will be used to purchase and install equipment at the following public junior, technical, and state colleges, including Lamar State College-Orange: a $98,799 grant to train 94 students as licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.

JET grants awarded in 2024 will be used to purchase and install equipment at the following Texas ISDs and open-enrollment charter schools, including Vidor ISD: a $254,777 grant to train 100 students as welders.

The full list of funded institutions can be seen here.

Through funding provided by the Texas Legislature each biennium, TWC uses JET grants to defray start-up costs to develop career and technical education programs for public community, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools. Equipment funded through JET grants must be used to train students for jobs in high-demand occupations.

he City of West Orange is thrilled to announce the tremendous success of its Fall Clean-Up event! Thanks to the collaborative efforts of volunteers, local organizations, and city staff, the community came together to make a significant impact on our environment.

Highlights from the event include:

• 133 pounds of litter collected in 19 bags through dedicated litter cleanup efforts.
• 21 hauls of unwanted household items removed to the City dumpster, helping residents declutter responsibly.

A special thank-you goes to Keep Orange County Beautiful (KOCB) for their outstanding coordination of the litter cleanup efforts. The City also extends its gratitude to:

• HEB for their generous donation of two $50 gift cards.
• Team Granger for providing food and refreshments to keep our volunteers energized.
• The many volunteers, city staff, and KOCB chair and board members who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this event.

Winners of the HEB gift cards will be announced soon.

The City of West Orange deeply appreciates the support and participation that made this clean-up effort such a success. Together, we have taken meaningful steps toward preserving and enhancing the beauty of our community.