In this issue:
✅ Orange County Gives Full-Time Constables Their First County Vehicles
✅ Bridge City ISD Hands Out $35,000+ in Classroom Mini-Grants
✅ United Way Hosting Full-Day Nonprofit Conference Oct. 28 in Orange
Orange County Local Events
Monday, October 5
Orange Fire Department Open House — 5:00–7:00 PM at Central Fire Station. More info →
Tuesday, October 6
Scarecrow Festival — 9:00 AM–5:00 PM at Shangri La Botanical Gardens. Runs daily through Oct. 24. More info →
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting — 5:30–6:30 PM, City Council Chambers (Public Library Auditorium). More info →
Wednesday, October 7
Colton Horner — 6:00 PM at Tia Juanita's Fish Camp, Orange. Live music. Event page →
Open Mic Wednesday at Rikenjaks Vidor — 7:00 PM. Event page →
W.H. Stark House Guided Tours — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM. More info →
Thursday, October 8
Faith Pumpkin Patch — Opens 10:30 AM at 8608 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Orange. Open Mon–Sat 10:30 AM–6:30 PM and Sundays 12–5 PM through Oct. 31. Event page →
Thursday Night Karaoke w/ DJ Lisa — 9:00 PM at Brick & Barley, Orange. All-request music and karaoke (21+). Event page →
Friday, October 9
The Bogarts — 6:30 PM at 2900 W. Sunset Dr., Orange. Live music. Event page →
War Wagon Anniversary Pre-Party — 1:00 PM at War Wagon Cigars. Event page →
W.H. Stark House Guided Tours — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM. More info →
Foreigner: Celebrating Fifty Years (21+ Event) — Doors 7:30 PM, show 8:30 PM at Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, Lake Charles. Tickets →
Saturday, October 10
Mid-County Farmers & Crafters Market — Inside Central Mall, between TJ Maxx and Target. Twice-a-month indoor vendor market, rain or shine. More info →
War Wagon Anniversary Party — 6:00 PM at War Wagon Cigars, Orange. Event page →
Vana — 6:30 PM at 2900 W. Sunset Dr., Orange. Live music. Event page →
Sunday, October 11
Slow Down Sundays (every Sunday) — 7:00 AM at Lynnwood Pine Forest. Event page →
Orange County Gives Full-Time Constables Their First County Vehicles
In a move decades in the making, Orange County's full-time Constables will now have dedicated county-owned vehicles for the first time. The Orange County Commissioners Court approved the purchase as part of the 2026–2027 budget, putting an end to the long-standing practice of requiring Constables to use their personal vehicles for official county duties. County Judge John Gothia called it an important step forward: "Our full-time Constables perform essential duties on behalf of the County, and providing them with county vehicles ensures they have the appropriate resources to carry out those responsibilities." The change also addresses liability concerns from using privately-owned vehicles for official business, giving the County greater control over insurance, maintenance, and use. Read More
Bridge City ISD Hands Out $35,000+ in Classroom Mini-Grants
Local teachers got a big boost last week when Bridge City ISD and the BCISD Education Foundation celebrated 16 mini-grant awards totaling $35,431.76 to help educators bring creative classroom projects to life. The combined investment — $13,166 from the district and $22,265 from the Foundation — will fund everything from dinosaur exhibits and STEM tools to a CNC router, engineering prototyping materials, marching band instruction technology, and art exhibitions. The mini-grant program is designed to turn teachers' best ideas into real learning opportunities for BCISD students, and this year's recipients are already ready to put the funding to work. Read More
United Way Hosting Full-Day Nonprofit Conference Oct. 28 in Orange
Nonprofit leaders, board members, and volunteers across Orange County have a can't-miss opportunity coming up: United Way of Orange County's Orange United Conference is set for Wednesday, October 28 at the J. Michael and Bridget Shahan Events Center at Lamar State College Orange. The full-day event (7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) will feature sessions on nonprofit leadership, board governance, grant writing, marketing, and even how small nonprofits can use artificial intelligence to work smarter. Keynote sessions include "The Power of Purpose" with United Ways of Texas' Roxanne Jones and a practical AI tools session with Chris Cheetham-West. Registration is $25 per person (includes breakfast, lunch, and all sessions) and closes October 14 — so sign up soon. Read More
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