Government - page 6

The City of Orange has rescinded Drought Contingency Plan Water Restrictions Stage 1 to normal operating conditions.

The public water system has taken the necessary corrective actions to make full water capacity available for five (5) consecutive days to restore the water availability by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes and reduce restrictions to normal operating conditions as of February 1, 2024.

To read the Drought Contingency Plan in its entirety, visit their website here.

Orange County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Sergeant Jody Miller and Deputy Taylor Sullivan were voted Officers of the Year by their Patrol Division.

Thanks go to all the men and women working for the Sheriff’s Office.

The City of Orange and the Orange Fire Department would like to congratulate our dedicated firefighters on reaching the one-year milestone in their firefighting careers.

Mayor Spears and Chief Bilbo recently honored these firefighters at a city council meeting, recognizing their hard work and commitment throughout their rookie year. They endured extensive training tailored to the Orange Fire Department and the City of Orange, covering everything from rules and regulations and standard operating procedures to mastering the locations of streets and addresses and over 800 fire hydrants across the city. These individuals underwent extensive physical and technical training, ensuring they have the skills and abilities to handle even the most demanding fire and EMS incidents effectively. After successfully completing their one-year probationary period, Chief Bilbo presented them with badges for their helmets, signifying their official position as firefighters for the City of Orange Fire Department.

Pictured L to R: Mayor Larry Spears Jr., Ricardo Martinez, Samantha Murphy, Sean Gray, and Chief Bilbo

Governor Greg Abbott has appointed James W. “Bill” Bruce and reappointed Thomas Beall and Cliff Todd to the Sabine River Authority Board of Directors for terms set to expire July 6, 2029. The purpose of the Sabine River Authority is to conserve, store, control, preserve, utilize, and distribute the storm and flood waters and the waters of the Sabine River and its tributaries.

James W. “Bill” Bruce of Orange is the general manager for the Moore Odom Wildlife Foundation, Inc. and the FR Ranches of Texas and Louisiana. He is on the board of directors of Duphill, Inc. and Bridge City State Bank and is a member of Ducks Unlimited, Cutting Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association.

Thomas Beall of Milam is the president of Beall’s Furniture, Inc. and the owner of Cimarron Equipment. Additionally, he is owner of Red Hill Ranch Cattle and the former owner and manager of several Ashley Furniture Home Stores. He has served on the Hemphill Independent School District Board for 15 years and is a current board member for First State Bank in Hemphill. Beall received an associate degree in management from Tyler Junior College.

Cliff Todd of Long Branch manages the assets of his farm and ranch operations in Panola County and is executive vice president for Topcat Oilfield Services. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the UT Health Hospital of Carthage Governing Board. He is a commissioner with the Emergency Services District for Panola County, president of the East Texas Gas Producers Association, and a director for the Panola County Chamber of Commerce. He is a former member of the Austin and Carthage Rotary Clubs and a member and deacon of Central Baptist Church of Carthage, where he is a longtime adult Sunday school teacher. Todd received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Stephen F. Austin State University.