Local News
Sales tax revenue increases county-wide
Comptroller Susan Combs announced earlier this month that the state collected $1.86 billion in sales tax revenue in December, up 2 percent compared to December 2007.
December state sales tax collections and January allocations to local governments represent sales that occurred in November.
“State sales tax collections have grown 3.9 percent for the first four months of state fiscal year 2009,” Combs said. “Growth in overall collections has slowed compared to recent years, while remittances from key sectors such as construction and retail trade have declined.”
Combs sent cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts their first sales tax allocations of 2009 — $459.2 million, up 2.4 percent compared to January 2008.
Combs sent January sales tax allocations of $309.9 million to Texas cities, up 2.2 percent compared to January 2008. Texas counties received sales tax payments of $29 million, up 8.2 percent compared to last January.
Despite a sluggish economy, all seven incorporated cities in Orange County showed marked improvement compared to the same time period last year.
The largest gain was the city of Orange, which received a net payment of $412,686.36 this month, or $186,000 more than January 2008.
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Vidor also showed a significant gain with its payment of $213,424.98, which is an increase of nearly 54 percent over this time last year.
The communities of Bridge City, Rose City and West Orange also showed gains of between 28 percent to more than 33 percent over this time in 2008.
Bobby Fillyaw, director of the Orange County Economic Development Corporation, was out of the office Friday and unavailable for comment.
In addition to the other state allotments, $18.3 million went to 148 special purpose taxing districts around the state, up 23.5 percent compared to last January. Ten local transit systems received $101.9 million in sales tax allocations, down 1.4 percent compared to a year ago.
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Flood insurance makes good sense for residents
Most Americans ignore the risks of flooding, assuming they aren’t in a flood zone. The reality is, floods are America’s number one natural disaster and can happen anytime, anywhere. In fact, 90 percent of all natural disasters in the U.S. involve flooding. That’s why federal and state officials are urging residents to buy flood insurance before the next flood hits.
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Multi-vehicle collision halts I-10 traffic
A line of traffic stretched more than five miles through Orange County Monday afternoon following a wreck on Interstate 10. -
Garden Club Convention begins today in Orange
Dozens of people with a green thumb will travel to Orange today and Wednesday for the District IV Garden Club Convention.
- Westbound I-10 lanes now open near FM 1135
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OC grand jury returns indictments
Corey Eugene Thomas, 35, of Orange, was indicted this week by the Orange County grand jury on charges of felony assault.
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It’s all about attitude
Some people may think Terrilee Buzbee is handicapped because she is missing both legs and an arm, but she will quickly tell them she is not handicapped; she just does things in her own way.
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Man sentenced to life in prison on burglary charge
James Lueis Fontenot, 27, was sentenced to life in prison this week after a jury found him guilty of a burglary of a Mauriceville residence.
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Spring Thing headed to Claiborne West
Claiborne West Park will come alive March 20 at 10 a.m. and will stay going until dark.
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OC awarded federal funds
Orange County has been chosen to receive a $59,978 grant to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.
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Flood insurance makes good sense for residents
