In this issue:
✅ OC Commissioners Take Up Bulletproof Vests, K-9, and 4-Day Workweek
✅ 16th Annual Scarecrow Festival Underway at Shangri La Gardens
✅Orange's Conrad Shipbuilding Wins U.S. Navy Contract
Orange County Local Events
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 →
OC Commissioners Take Up Bulletproof Vests, K-9, and 4-Day Workweek
The Orange County Commissioners Court met Tuesday and considered several items affecting public safety and county operations. Sheriff Bobby Smith asked commissioners to authorize a grant application for the 2026 Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program, a federal program that would reimburse the county 50% of the cost of new vests for Sheriff's Office personnel. Commissioners also took up a proposed Police Canine Handler Agreement and the formal acceptance of a donated K-9. On the roads side, Road Administrator Tracy Leach sought approval for new Mechanic Shop software, and commissioners weighed a proposed four-day, 10-hour workweek for the Road and Bridge Department.
16th Annual Scarecrow Festival Underway at Shangri La Gardens
Fall has arrived at Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, where the 16th Annual Scarecrow Festival is open now through October 24. Visitors can stroll through fall flowering displays, thousands of pumpkins, and more than 60 unique scarecrow exhibits — all created by community members using recycled and repurposed materials. Admission is free, and the Gardens are open Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Two special events round out the season: Sip and Stroll on October 15 (5–8 p.m.) featuring live music by Pendulum Hearts and wine from Free State Cellars, and Autumn Fair on October 24 (10:30 a.m.–3 p.m.) with hayrides, pumpkin decorating, a scavenger hunt, and the announcement of scarecrow winners. Shangri La is located at 2111 W. Park Ave., Orange.
Orange's Conrad Shipbuilding Wins U.S. Navy Contract
Orange is reclaiming its shipbuilding legacy. Conrad Shipbuilding, located at 710 Market Street along the Sabine River, has been awarded a U.S. Navy contract to build a prototype LCU 1700 landing craft — the long-awaited replacement for vessels that have been in service for more than 50 years. Conrad was one of only three shipyards selected nationally under the $280 million program, with the contract covering two craft and options for two more. The deal could bring $50 million or more to Conrad's Orange yard and signals a major vote of confidence in Southeast Texas's maritime workforce.
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