Mold Remediation in Port Arthur, TX

Port Arthur could see up to 5 inches of snow and today city leaders held an emergency management meeting to make sure they're prepared.

PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The 12News meteorologists have declared a Weather Impact Alert for Southeast Texas from Monday night through Wednesday morning due to a winter storm that is bringing very cold temperatures and accumulating snow.

Port Arthur could see up to 5 inches of snow and today city leaders held an emergency management meeting to make sure they're prepared.

They talked about power outages, warming stations and plant closures in Sabine Pass.

Mayor Thurman Bartie says no one should be on the roads over the next few days, unless it is absolutely necessary.

"Wherever you are you, may want to make plans to stay there," said Bartie.

Bartie says the city is shutting down ahead of this winter storm.

"This is being predicted to be something that may be worse or more severe we experienced in 2021," Bartie said.

But while he's urging you to stay home. He says first responders will be ready to jump into action as part of the city's emergency management plan.

"We have fire personnel in Sabine Pass because trying to get to Sabine Pass would be real difficult," Bartie told 12News.

He says the plants are also working with the city to take precautions and lessen potential road hazards.

"Golden Pass is shutting down, Port Arthur Sempra LNG is shutting down. The exercise that every entity is using is what is employed during hurricanes," Bartie said.

Bartie says the city is covering all their bases including working with Entergy.

"They have some equipment here and employees that are ready and willing to go out and do what they can to restore the power," said Bartie.

The city has also partnered with several churches, Pastor Keith Richards is offering new world Harvest Church as a warming center.

"We're planning anywhere from 6-12 people but we can house 30 we plan to have hot food," said Pastor Richard.

He says everyone is welcome.

"I'm concerned with lives. So that's what the building is for is to be used for the community , and that's what I'm going to do," he said.

Bartie says in addition to New World Harvest Church, Port Arthur Church On the Rock and the Port Cities Rescue Mission are also warming stations starting Tuesday night, ready to help anyone.

The package is split into two propositions, with officials noting it would require no tax rate increase.

PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The Port Arthur Independent School District is asking voters to consider a $300 million bond package in the upcoming May 3 election, with proposals for a new middle school, stadium complex, and educational facility improvements.

The package is split into two propositions, with officials noting it would require no tax rate increase. School board members discussed the bond in a special meeting on Thursday night.

Proposition A, totaling $222 million, includes construction of a new middle school designed to accommodate 1,560 students, replacing Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln Middle Schools at a cost of $173.5 million, according to the district.

“One of our middle schools is over 100 years [old], the other middle school is over 60 years old. It would cost more to bring them up to code than it would be to build a new middle school that combines both campuses,” said Adrienne Lott, a district representative.

The proposition also allocates $44.5 million for expanding the district's career and technology education (CTE) facility and $4 million for an administration building expansion that includes a newcomers’ addition. Funds will also cover HVAC upgrades and new buses.

Proposition B seeks $78 million for the construction of a new stadium complex.

Despite ballot language required by state law stating "This is a Property Tax Increase," district officials emphasize that Port Arthur ISD's Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate will not increase if voters approve the bonds, unless property values go up.

“We have been pre-paying on outstanding bonds, which offsets the costs for taxpayers,” district officials stated.

The new middle school's location has yet to be determined, according to district plans. Once completed, it would consolidate two current middle schools into a single, larger facility capable of serving more than 1,500 students.

Lott also addressed concerns about the fate of the current middle school buildings.

“I know it's a lot of Thomas Jefferson Yellow Jackets and a lot of Lincoln Bumblebee fans. We don't have plans to demolish either building at this time,” she said.

District officials are considering having Lincoln Middle School established as a historical site and are exploring the possibility of renting out the auditoriums at both campuses for events.

Port Arthur resident Clarence Thomas, who graduated from Lincoln in 1969 when it was still a high school, expressed his support for preserving the building.

“I bleed purple and gold,” Thomas said. “I couldn't stand to see that building torn down. I'm all for betterment if it makes the community better.”

Lott posed a question to the community:

“Are we going to push the needle forward and make sure our kids have what they need to compete in a global society, or are we going to stand stagnant?”

Residents interested in participating in the election must register to vote by April 3, 2025. Early voting begins April 22, 2025, and runs through April 29, 2025, with Election Day scheduled for May 3, 2025.

Town hall meetings are planned ahead of the election to provide more details and answer questions from the community.

This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.

El Viejo Tony in Port Arthur, had to close for business today to repair their pipes. Before the plumbers could fix the restaurant's leak, they had to shut off water.

BEAUMONT, Texas — With all the fun that was had during Tuesdays snow day, it is some times easy to forget the headaches that a winter storm can bring. Businesses around Southeast Texas began to feel those headaches Wednesday morning.

One of those businesses, El Viejo Tony in Port Arthur, had to close for business today to repair their pipes. Before the plumbers could fix the restaurant's leak, they had to shut off the water too.

"We checked outside and we had one of our pipes busted," said Brenda Rendon, manager of El Viejo Tony.

The discovery was a rude awakening for the manager, who arrived to find water spewing from an outdoor pipe.

" I told all my employees to his drive safe and slowly just because of the weather. This morning whenever I came in, we opened the doors and we left the faucet running, and we checked the restroom and the water wasn't coming," said Rendon

Although the kitchen remained functional, the restroom facilities were out of commission, with toilets unable to flush and sinks unable to run water.

“So we decided to close until we fix that,” the Rendon said.

To address the issue, El Viejo Tony called Seth Sonnier, the owner of Eco Works Plumbing. However, the cold weather posed some additional challenges.

“Some of the pipes are still frozen just because it’s so cold. It’s gonna start melting, but I don’t know exactly how long it’s gonna take,” said Sonnier.

So what is the best thing to do for a busted pipe?

“As soon as you notice an issue, you should contact a plumber, at least make them aware, get put on their list,” said Sonnier.

Sonnier says to start thawing those pipes before you call, because the plumbers can't get to work until they're thawed.

"They're gonna be there several hours charging you several hours worth of labor, and later on tonight it's gonna freeze again," said Sonnier.

The restaurant is back open now, but was dealt a major economic impact because of the damage. The average price of hiring a plumber is a few hundred dollars and varies by severity.