Government - page 3

The City of Orange Police Department received information about individuals contacting residents in the Historic District in Orange claiming to be contracted with the City’s Water Department. They are leaving door hangers soliciting business and giving false information, as they are NOT associated with the City of Orange and have NOT been given a City permit.

It is believed this group is operating out of a white truck. If you encounter this group, please immediately contact the Orange Police Department at 409-883-1026, or in an emergency dial 911.

There is also an individual claiming to be with City Hall contacting residents and telling them they have won a sweepstake. This is NOT legitimate and NOT associated with City Hall.

The Lion’s Den Park parking lot will be renovated beginning May 15, 2023.

Work should be completed before the beginning of Memorial Day weekend, weather dependent. A smaller alternative parking area between the playground and Roberts Ford off Main Avenue will be available during construction.

The City of Orange encourages visitors to visit with care during this temporary inconvenience.

The City of West Orange is proud to announce that today, during a “regional meet & greet” with city, county, and regional leaders, the City of West Orange was awarded a $2 million grant from the Texas General Land Office.

The city applied for this grant in 2022 and will use these funds for street, flood, and drainage improvements in West Orange.

Judge Troy Johnson and Sheriff Jimmy Lane Mooney announce a warrant amnesty program beginning May 1 and running through the end of May 2023.

If a person with an outstanding warrant out of Orange County at Law No. 2 (Judge Troy Johnson) for a misdemeanor offense shows up in person and turns themselves in at the Orange County Jail during the amnesty period, he/she will save hundreds of dollars by getting a PR or personal bond from the Court and the bond will not require an interlock device to be installed on their vehicle. Those who turn themselves in during the month of May 2023 will get a quick release from jail after a short book-in process and will avoid paying for bail bonds and an expensive interlock device. Everyone who takes advantage of the amnesty program will have their cases heard in the County Court at Law No. 2 on June 8, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.

The Court feels that the time has come to implement the amnesty program because of the large number of misdemeanor cases in the Court. There are more than 300 pending DWI cases in the Court and more than half of the cases are “inactive” which means that the defendant in those cases has not been arrested for the DWI.

“DWI cases are some of the most important cases we handle. The large number of inactive DWI cases is unacceptable and this program is a way to finally get those people into the courtroom. The pandemic is to blame for many of these inactive cases,” explained Judge Johnson.

The County Court at Law No. 2 wants to thank Sheriff Mooney and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for their cooperation in this program.

It is important to note that the amnesty program only applies to those who are charged with a misdemeanor offense in Orange County, Texas, and who show up in person to take care of the warrant at the Orange County Jail.

This amnesty program does not apply if:

• you get arrested for the warrant before you turn yourself in
• you turn yourself in at another jail
• the charge is classified as a FELONY
• the warrant is from another county
• you have felony warrants
• you have outstanding warrants existing in other counties (you will probably be arrested if there are felony warrants or warrants in other counties)
• you have a warrant for a Motion to Revoke or Motion to Impose Guilt after having been placed on probation for a DWI offense.

If further assistance is needed, please call County Court at Law No. 2 at 409-670-4189.

To look up an outstanding warrant in Orange County, click here.

Mayor Larry Spears Jr. has proclaimed the week of April 10-14th as National Community Development Week.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development implemented the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program in 1974 for the purpose of providing local governments with the financial resources to assist low- and moderate-income persons.

The City of Orange has clearly demonstrated the capacity to administer the CDBG Program to identify, prioritize, and resolve pressing local problems. The CDBG Program has made a significant impact on our community through nonprofit organizations to address neighborhood and human needs, park and water improvements, and clearance and demolition of dilapidated buildings.