🌱 Why is Orange County locking Blue Bird Park overnight?

Cheers Orange! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why is Orange County locking Blue Bird Park overnight?
• Orange County man faces sentencing after pleading guilty in child indecency case
• How West Orange-Stark powered its explosive run to state again

Also on today's calendar: The Grand Ol' Christmas Show and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: A thunderstorm in spots, with a high of 76 and low of 43 degrees.
• Friday: Sunny, cooler and less humid, temps: high: 64, low: 48.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny and warmer, with a high of 77 and low of 65 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. County to close Blue Bird Park at night (therecordlive.com) — Blue Bird Park off Simmons Drive in Orange will start closing nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Friday, December 19, with boaters still allowed to use the ramp. County leaders say the change protects new park upgrades while preserving access for anglers, duck hunters, and tour operators. Commissioners also reviewed new POD buildings, future voting sites, and highlighted local health and holiday efforts.
   

2. 81-year-old Orange County man pleads guilty to two counts of indecency with child (12newsnow.com) — An 81-year-old Orange County, Texas man has pleaded guilty to two counts of indecency with a child, with sentencing set for January 30, 2026. Prosecutors agreed to drop a third charge, and his punishment is capped at 10 years per count, to run concurrently. Authorities remind residents they can share anonymous crime tips with Southeast Texas Crime Stoppers.
   

3. West Orange-Stark Mustangs charge into State Championship (12newsnow.com) — West Orange fans have plenty to cheer about as West Orange-Stark’s Mustangs are headed back to the state championship after a dominant 28–3 semifinal win over Sinton in West Orange. Powered by explosive runs from Khelvy Jefferson and a stingy defense, the team avenged an early loss, claimed a district title, and now looks like a true title contender.
   

4. Labera 'Faye' Creel passed away November 8, 2025 (dailytrib.com) — Family and friends across Texas are mourning Labera “Faye” Creel, whose surviving sister lives in Orange. A longtime educator and librarian, she devoted her life to students, church, and family, including helping raise a grandson. A memorial service is planned for December 27 in Buchanan Dam, with donations requested for her church and the Kingsland library instead of flowers.
   

📸 Around Orange

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Orange

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Friday December 19

• Yuletide: A Christmas to Remember
  Orange Community Players, 3330 Bowling Ln, Orange
  7:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Saturday December 20

• Girls Soccer LCM Round Robin Scrimmages
  Lit Cypr-Mrceville H S Orange, TX 77632
• The Grand Ol' Christmas Show
  Lutcher Theater-Performing Arts , 707 Main Ave , Orange
  7:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• Men of Prayer
  673 FM1078 , Orange
  2:00 pm
• City Council Meeting
  Orange Public Library , 220 N 5th St , Orange
  5:30 pm

Tuesday December 30

• Men of Prayer
  673 FM1078 , Orange
  2:00 pm

📣 Orange Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 18

• Dungeons & Dragons
  Orange Public Library , 220 N 5th St , Orange
  4:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Girls Soccer LCM Round Robin Scrimmages
  Lit Cypr-Mrceville H S Orange, TX 77632

Monday December 22

• Hamshire-Fannett Girls Varsity Basketball @ LCMHS
  Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School , 7327 TX-87 , Orange
  12:30 pm
• Kountze Girls Varsity Basketball @ LCMHS
  Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School , 7327 TX-87 , Orange
  12:30 pm

Friday December 26

• Conflict Management Training Bootcamp in Vidor, TX
  The Oaks Event Center , 2110 S Main St , Vidor
  9:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Brookshire Grocery Company posted a job opening for Grocery Stocker in Orange. Apply here.
• Kroger posted a job opening for Courtesy Clerk/Grocery Bagger in Orange. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Orange here.

Ok Orange! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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