Members of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce will soon hear some updates and important information from Jefferson County District Attorney Bob Wortham.

The updates will be presented during the Chamber’s membership luncheon Oct. 22 at the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center.

Wortham said he is planning to address the high murder rate in the county and what is needed to combat the issue.

Another topic is about the operation of illegal game rooms.

“It is a charade they are putting on. Gambling is not legal in the State of Texas,” Wortham said. “There is no commission to regulate this in Texas; therefore, the payouts are gong to be very, very low and the people supporting it are the ones suffering the most, the ones who can’t afford to.”

Wortham is working on a resolution aimed at strengthening the rules and regulations of the game rooms and putting them out of business.

Wortham has had a long legal career as a private attorney, district judge and prosecutor.

Pat Avery, president of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber, said she is interested in the Second Chance Program, which is organized by the Jefferson County Bar Association working alongside the DA’s office, district clerk’s office, sheriff’s office and others. The program helps Jefferson County residents have certain crimes taken off their record or non-disclosure of arrests at a reduced cost or for free. This, in turn, will help make able to get better paying jobs.

For ticket information to this month’s luncheon, call Raquel Ochoa at the Chamber at 409-963-1107, extension 100, by Oct. 18.