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Port Arthur 17-year-old linked to crime spreeStaff Reportpanews@panews.com

A 17-year-old male from Port Arthur was indicted this week for an alleged crime spree that police say included armed robberies, a stolen car and fleeing from author-ities.

A Jeffer-son County grand jury i n d i c t e d J a q u a l i n Djuan Jou-bert for an aggravated robbery that o c c u r r e d Aug. 25 in Nederland, un-authorized use of a motor vehicle and evading arrest/detention use of a vehicle for Sept. 4 crimes in Port Arthur and two aggravated robber-ies and evading arrest from Sept. 11, also in Port Arthur.

The allegationsNederland police were

called to the 2000 block of Avenue L Aug. 25, where an armed homeowner confront-ed a male who was inside his truck.

The homeowner report-edly asked the male what he was doing, to which the male said he was not steal-ing anything, according to a probable cause affidavit for the arrest of Joubert.

By Mary Meauxmary.meaux@panews.com

Texans have reached for the stars for years and now a partner-ship between the Port Arthur Pub-

lic Library and NASA is bringing the stars closer.

Port Arthur Public Library has been selected through a competi-tive application process to be part of NASA@My Library, an educa-

tional initiative created to increase and enhance STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) learning opportunities.

Claudia Hairston, assistant li-brary director, said the exciting educational initiative offers oppor-tunities for students in the com-munity who may not already have them available.

STARGAZING

Port Arthur Public Library teams with NASA to increase STEAM opportunities

See ‘Library,’ page A8

Chief Benson outlines PA Fire Department progress By Monique Batsonmonique.batson@panews.com

PORT ARTHUR — Fire Chief Greg Benson up-dated City Council mem-bers on activity within the department, including the number of calls and a breakdown of training.

Benson, who began his role in mid-July, presented council with a slideshow of information from August through September.

“It’s one of the monthly reports that we are going to start to present to (City Manager Ron Burton) and we’ll also include an an-nual update to make sure

everyone knows what is going on as far as the fire department goes,” Benson said.

Looking at data from August alone, 71 percent of calls made to the fire de-partment were medical-re-lated.

“That’s very common within the entire Unit-ed States fire service,” he said. “Medicals now are the predominant type of incidents.”

However, Benson also made special note to one of the 2.7 percent of calls involving fires that month.

“A house fire in August very early in the morning

— the crew that arrived on scene found the house on fire and a patient, or I should say a victim, was inside” he said. “They were able to rescue that individ-ual from that house.”

In addition to service calls, Benson noted train-ing and professional devel-opment within the depart-ment.

The Port Arthur Fire Department has complet-ed more than 625 hours of class training and 2,468 conducted on shift. There was an 8-hour training class on emergency response

Local tanning salon celebrating 30-year anniversaryBy Monique Batsonmonique.batson@panews.com

One of Tiffany Pflieger’s first jobs as a young adult was cleaning beds at a tan-ning salon. Now, she and co-owner David Joel are celebrating the 30th an-niversary of their Boston Avenue location.

It’s a business she’s prac-tically grown up in. After cleaning beds, she became a manager. Ultimately, she managed seven locations. And now, she’s part owner of locations in Nederland, Beaumont and Lumberton.

Tiffany and David didn’t originally open the busi-nesses but bought them

four years ago from the previous owner.

And with October being such an active month in Southeast Texas, the two local business owners are using the season and the anniversary to kick off a month of events, promo-tions, education and other things.

The evolution of tanning

When salon tanning first became popular, there was a concern about the UV rays. But times have changed.

“We do UV free airbrush tanning,” Tiffany said. “I

know with tanning — not everybody knows what all there is too often.”

Tanning itself, she said, changed dramatically.

“It’s evolved so much in the last few years. The way that we spray tan, the girls hand spray you. You never have to have an appoint-ment, and it’s a good service for a great color. Not every-one knows you can get that so easily around here.”

In addition to in-salon spray tanning, Florida Tans sells bottles of the products used so custom-ers can maintain their col-or at home.

Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.

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*With approved credit. Member must be in good standing and receive a loan from Neches FCU in order to qualify. Valid on new loans only. Loans must be $10,000 or more to receive this offer, not including credit card, line of credit and share secure loans. Receive $100 for loans over $10,000, receive $200 for loans over $20,000, receive $300 for loans over $30,000 and receive $400 for loans over $40,000. While supplies last. Prize must be redeemed within 30 days of funding. May not be used in conjunction with other offers or giveaways. Valid September 13, 2021 to October 23, 2021. Must complete the application process for a home equity loan or mortgage loan by October 23, 2021 to qualify. Real Estate Loans are not eligible for 90 days no pay.

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JULIE ROGERSGIFT OF LIFE

S AT U R D AY– S U N D AY, O C T O B E R 2 -3 , 2 0 2 1

WEEKEND

E-MAIL USpanews@panews.com

Greater PA The Magazine

is here!!!Luis Guevara and his wife,

Giomar, emigrated to the U.S. from Venezuela 16 years ago.

Through hard work and business savvy, the power couple made their marks on Port Arthur, Mid County and beyond.

Their impacts are felt in the food service and vehicle service industries.

The bumpy road they’ve already traveled is never far from mind.

“It’s not easy at all,” Luis said of the move. “Everything changes. You lose all your commodities, everything that you feel comfortable with. You lose all of that.”

Their American Dream jour-ney is one of many spotlighted in Volume 5 of Greater Port Arthur The Magazine, avail-able now.

Feel free to pick up a com-plimentary copy by stopping at our office, 2349 Memorial Blvd. in Port Arthur.

If you are interested in receiving a 6-edition-per-year subscription delivered directly to your mailbox, call 409-721-2400 for details.

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Father, help me to open my mind and heart to the teachings of Jesus. Show me what I need to learn, and how I can draw near to you. Amen.

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Monique Batson/The News

Greg Benson speaks to the Port Arthur City Council this summer during the interview process.

Monique Batson/The News

Tiffany Pflieger, co-owner of Florida Tans on Boston Ave-nue, is celebrating the store’s 30th anniversary. See ‘Tans,’ page A8

See ‘Joubert,’ page A8

See ‘Benson,’ page A8

Mary Meaux/The News

Port Arthur Public Library’s Carolyn Thibodeaux, program director, left, and Claudia Hairston, assistant library director, are excited to be part of a special educational initiative.

Jaqualin Joubert