Good morning, Beaumont.

In Beaumont, the community is honoring 19-year-old Jasmine Batiste with flowers, stuffed animals, and signs lining Washington Boulevard after she was fatally struck in a head-on crash on Sunday morning while driving to pick up her 3-year-old son—47-year-old Lajanara Stevenson, who was driving in the wrong lane and reportedly had a few drinks, has been charged with intoxication manslaughter—and her funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Cathedral of Faith Baptist Church.

Tokyo Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar on Dowlen Road will close on Oct 5 while its Port Arthur and south Beaumont spots remain open—owner Min Dai said the decision was hard and plans to introduce a new concept at the location.

Porky's convenience store and gas station is building a second location on College Street — at 4930 College St — and the 5,508-square-foot store will include a deli and sell daiquiris, as explained by city spokesperson Tracy Kennick.

The Symphony of Southeast Texas will launch its 73rd season this Saturday at the Julie Rogers Theatre with a Hispanic Heritage Month concert featuring Grammy Award-winning guitarist Jason Vo and works by Hispanic and Mexican composers, while Bob Hope School’s mariachi band will perform in the lobby at 6:55 p.m.—Maestro Chelsea Tipton II promised several surprises during the show.

On Saturday, visitors including Patricia Hill-Wilson and Antoinette Reed attended the Agatha Babino exhibit at the Blessed Sacrament auxiliary center, where panels showed her journey from enslavement on a Louisiana plantation to building a life in Beaumont—descendants from as far away as Lake Charles joined to learn her story. The exhibit, now in its second showing by the Beaumont Heritage Society, offered genealogical insights and a chance to reconnect with family history.

The McFaddin-Ward House Museum will launch its free Fall 2025 lecture series on Sept.

18 at 6:30 p.m. — museum executive director Jeffrey Richardson will discuss Howard Hughes’s impact on modern Hollywood at the Visitor Center Lecture Hall at 1906 Calder Avenue in Beaumont.

Residents on 23rd Street have faced sewer backups during rain that have caused water to back up in showers and toilets.

The city will install a new sewer line and close the section between Laurel Avenue and Bayou Road for a month while it works on fixing the system and later extends repairs to Fannett Road.

Mayor Roy West, City Manager Kenneth Williams and Assistant City Manager June Ellis attended invitation-only programs at Harvard in November and in New York City in July — learning about good city governance.

Bloomberg Philanthropies paid for most travel and hotel costs, while the city later covered about $784 in extra travel and meal expenses — demonstrating support from the billionaire benefactor.

Computer Basics Course

3:30-4:00 p.m. — Elmo Willard Library — Registration required — Learn the essentials of computer usage in a friendly library setting.

Beaumont Butterfly Release

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Doggett Ford Park — Free entry — Celebrate nature's beauty at the 13th Annual Butterfly Release event with family-friendly activities.

Crafting Club

10-11 a.m. — Elmo Willard Library — Free entry — A creative haven for crochet, knitting, sewing, and cross-stitch enthusiasts.

Art with Kassie

11 AM – 12 PM — Elmo Willard Library — Free entry — Explore the fundamentals of art focusing on shapes with Ms. Kassie.

3rd Annual Butterfly Release in Honor of Recovery Month

The 3rd Annual Butterfly Release is a heartfelt community event hosted by the Recovery Council of Southeast Texas, celebrating National Recovery Month. Guests will release live butterflies as powerful symbols of hope, healing, and new beginnings for individuals, families, and communities impacted by substance use and mental health challenges.

3rd Annual Butterfly Release in Honor of Recovery Month

The 3rd Annual Butterfly Release is a heartfelt community event hosted by the Recovery Council of Southeast Texas, celebrating National Recovery Month. Guests will release live butterflies as powerful symbols of hope, healing, and new beginnings for individuals, families, and communities impacted by substance use and mental health challenges.

MercyMe & TobyMac Concert

7-9 p.m. — Ford Arena — Last-minute tickets available — Experience an electrifying night of live music with two of the biggest names in Christian music.

Beaumont Oktoberfest 2025

3-8 p.m. — Jefferson Theatre — Free entry — Celebrate fall with food vendors, beer, and local culture at this bustling Oktoberfest event.

Porter Classic & Masters Pro Atlas Bodybuilding Show

9 a.m.-1 p.m. — Jefferson Theatre — Ticketed event — Watch incredible athletes compete in the art of bodybuilding at this prestigious local show.