Articles written by Margaret Toal
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 179
Chevron Phillips donates to help local small businesses
The largesse of Chevron Phillips and the new Golden Triangle Polymers plant was on display again as the company donated $200,000 to Orange County Commissioners Court for a new... — Updated 3/14/2023
Sheriff's drone helps community with a variety of needs
A brush fire burns in a rural area away from roads and easy access. Is it in danger of going near houses? A tornado travels across the county on a late afternoon. Where did it go... — Updated 3/14/2023
Shangri La sets Community Fun Walk in April
Families will be able to have a special stroll through Shangri La Botanical Gardens and have a picnic breakfast as the nature center, along with the Salvation Army's Boys and Girls... — Updated 3/14/2023
Public invited to St. Joseph Altar on Sunday
For the past few weeks, women across Orange have been making cookies. They are careful about the spices in the jammy fig filling r or the citrus flavorings that have been handed... — Updated 3/14/2023
Subdivision residents find themselves having to pay for roads
The roads are so bad in the Battlin' Bear subdivision, that the residents are ready to pay $3,500 per lot to fix them. And their problem raises some issues that could face Orange... — Updated 3/14/2023
Commissioners support cities to control heavy industrial traffic
Orange County Commissioners Court voted to support the cities of Orange and West Orange in getting special state legislation approved so the cities can enforce heavy commercial... — Updated 3/7/2023
New chemical plant bringing construction boom to Greater Orange
New construction is in full swing around the Greater Orange area with much of it tied into the construction of the $8.5 billion ChevronPhillips chemical plant. However, HEB has not... — Updated 2/28/2023
Orange had woman doctor a century ago
An immigrant woman who moved to Orange in 1901 became one of the most respected citizens in town and set an example as a medical doctor in a world dominated by White men. Dr. Karen... — Updated 2/28/2023
Instincts lead OC deputy to arrest murder suspect Monday
An Orange County patrol deputy checking on an SUV pulled off the side of the road late Monday morning ended up arresting a man who is accused of stabbing a man to death a few hours... — Updated 2/28/2023
Millionaire's famous stables drew attention to Orange
On a late summer evening in 1938, state dignitaries along with local officials gathered in a stable off the Old Spanish Trail outside of Orange. But this was no ordinary stable, It... — Updated 2/21/2023
Orange prepares for heavy construction traffic
The Orange City Council last week took steps to regulate the use of heavy commercial trucks traveling for the construction of the $8.5 billion ChevronPhillips Golden Triangle... — Updated 2/21/2023
December sales taxes don't keep up with inflation
December Christmas season sales were mostly stagnant across Orange County as sales tax collections were down from the year before. The Texas Comptroller's Office has sent sales tax... — Updated 2/21/2023
Some cities, schools get to cancel May elections
Filing ended this past Friday for city council and school board elections in May. The cities of West Orange and Pinehurst, along with the Bridge City and Little Cypress-Mauriceville... — Updated 2/21/2023
Chevron Phillips Chemical pays county $2.4 million for permit
Orange County is already getting money from the Chevron Phillips Chemical plant under construction. County Judge John Gothia said the company has paid nearly $2.4 million for a buil... — Updated 2/16/2023
Funeral will be Friday for former leader Pete Runnels
Pete Runnels, one of the most colorful local politicians in modern Orange County history, died Saturday at the age of 79. Offices he served in were Orange County judge and Pinehurst... — Updated 2/14/2023
Orange County had 'civil war' in 1856
What is now Orange County had an unusual start in that some of its original settlers were members of a free Black family, the Ashworths. Records show they first moved across the... — Updated 2/14/2023
Bead season arrives this week with Orange Mardi Gras
The streets of downtown Orange will be crowded on Saturday, February 11, as kids and adults watch colorful lighted floats and catch shiny beads during the annual Mardi Gras parade.... — Updated 2/7/2023
County's first elected Black official made history across Texas
As 1965 civil rights protests led to the "Bloody Sunday" beatings in Alabama, Orange citizens elected their first Black public official. Elzie Odom was elected to become a trustee... — Updated 2/7/2023
J.B. Arrington grabs attention in Commissioners Court
J.B. Arrington turned a routine meeting of Orange County Commissioners Court into a memorable event as the 98-year-old local legend sought support for preserving breast milk.... — Updated 2/7/2023
Bridge City Council once again searches for city manager
It's deja vu all over again for the Bridge City City Council. Once again, the council is looking for a new city manager. Mayor David Rutledge said Brent Walker resigned from the job... — Updated 2/7/2023
LSCO meeting demand for high-paying industry jobs
Cheryl January at LSCO has people of all ages and backgrounds coming to her office to learn about getting a new career. Some have even been teachers with four-year college degrees.... — Updated 1/31/2023
EF-2 tornado went miles across Orange County last week
Orange County had two tornadoes, with one determined to be an EF-2 that traveled 25.6 miles from Orangefield northeastward through Little Cypress and into Niblett's Bluff in... — Updated 1/31/2023
Sales taxes show November spending mostly stagnant
Sales during November were stagnant compared to the same month in 2021, according to statistics from the Texas Comptroller's Office. The office in January sent payments covering... — Updated 1/31/2023
Tornado, thunderstorms cause widespread damage, injuries
A tornado went through Orange County and touched down in three areas, with Orangefield having the most damage, Orange County Emergency Management Director Joel Ardoin said Tuesday... — Updated 1/24/2023
Orange's 1921 hospital offered modern equipment with first-class accommodations
The description of Orange's new hospital in 1921 sounds like a peaceful retreat for anyone, not just those needing medical care. "This delightful hotel for the sick is situated in o... — Updated 1/17/2023