Local Roundup - page 55

The Kiwanis Club is proud to announce the 72nd annual Orange Christmas Parade on Friday, December 4 at 6 pm. This year’s theme is “A Texas Christmas.”

Special guidelines have been established this year for the Christmas parade. They include:

• A longer route, allowing spectators and participants to maintain appropriate distancing.
• Spectator and participant masks are encouraged at all times.
• Floats in staging areas will be distanced by 20 feet.
• Absolutely no candy or merchandise may be distributed during the parade or along the parade route.
• Float riders will be limited to the County’s maximum allowable group size on December 4th. At this time the number is 10.
• Spectators will be encouraged to maintain social distancing standards along the parade route and together in groups of no more than the County’s maximum allowable group size on December 4th. At this time the group number is 10.

The entry form is available here.

For more info, visit the Kiwanis Club Facebook page.

Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state’s leading provider of workers’ compensation insurance, today announced a donation of $50,000 to the Orange County Disaster Rebuild, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families rebuild and recover after disasters. This donation is intended to support recovery throughout Orange County following hurricanes Laura and Delta.

“It is heartbreaking to see the Orange County Community having to rebuild from these natural disasters, in addition to challenges from COVID-19,” said Rich, Gergasko, president and CEO of Texas Mutual. “We’re proud to do our part to support their recovery.”

Founded in response to Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the Orange County Disaster Rebuild is a long-term recovery organization that aims to address the unmet needs of individuals and families following any natural or man-made disaster. Currently, the Orange County disaster rebuild is working with case managers to meet the needs of those affected by Hurricane Harvey, Tropical Storm Imelda, Hurricane Laura, and Hurricane Delta.

“We are especially grateful to Texas Mutual for their support and generous donation,” said Michelle Tubbleville, executive director of the Orange County Disaster Rebuild. Our ultimate goal is to provide necessary resources for individuals to recover from disasters and get into a safe, secure, and sanitary environment.”

The Orange Lions Club was awarded a grant as part of the Hancock Whitney Harvest of Giving. They were selected for the grant from the H.H. and Edna Houseman Charitable Trust. The funds will be utilized to support the community initiatives of the Orange Lions Club.

The annual event promotes the charitable efforts of six local private foundations presenting these grants and celebrates nonprofit organizations that champion arts, community services, education, health, and social welfare in Southeast Texas. Each year, area nonprofits are invited to participate in a grant application process for funds from one of the six participating foundations.

Hancock Whitney Trust and Asset Management is the trustee of the following six foundations providing grants that make “Harvest of Giving” possible:

• Helen G. Bell Charitable Trust
• H.E. & Kate Dishman Charitable Foundation Trust
• Eva Dujay Foundation-Mary Harold Medical Fund
• H.H. & Edna Houseman Charitable Trust
• Roy & M. Permenter Charitable Foundation
• B.A. & Elinor Steinhagen Benevolent Trust

The Orange County Courthouse, 801 W Division, will open back up to the public on Thursday, October 1, 2020. Orange County’s main priority is the health, safety and wellbeing of the citizens and employees. The accommodations for the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic will continue throughout the building.

To enter into the courthouse, the back door is the only open entry at this time.

Due to damages sustained by Hurricane Laura some offices may be relocated at this time and/or may have some construction continuing during the operating hours of 8 am to 5 pm. Citizens are urged to contact the offices by phone or email to verify the protocol of entry to the specific office. These numbers and email addresses can be found on their website, https://www.co.orange.tx.us/.

Sgt. Darrin Mooney of the Orange Couty Sheriff’s Office has been assigned to the U.S. Marshal Service Fugitive Apprehension Task Force.

The U.S. Marshal task forces combine the efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest the most dangerous fugitives.

Eight Congressionally-funded regional fugitive task forces are located in the New York/ New Jersey, Pacific Southwest, Great Lakes, Capital Area, Southeast, Gulf Coast, Florida Caribbean, and Carolinas regions.

Fifty-six local task forces are dedicated to reducing violent crime by locating and apprehending wanted criminals. They also serve as the central point for agencies to share information on fugitive matters.

Task force officers are state and local Police Officers who receive special deputations with the Marshals. While on a task force, these Officers can exercise U.S. Marshal authorities, such as crossing jurisdictional lines.

The agency also leads ad-hoc fugitive task forces in special cases, e.g., when an inmate escapes from prison.