TRUMP DIDN’T WANT TO DO ANYTHING

ABOUT VIOLENCE AT CAPITOL

The House Committee investigating the Capitol attack Jan. 6, 2021, held an abruptly scheduled hearing Tuesday with testimony from former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson and ‘recently obtained evidence.’ Hutchinson witnessed White House strategy sessions to challenge the 2020 election results as a top aide to former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Meadows told White House lawyer Pat Cipollone on Jan. 6, 2021, that President Donald Trump didn’t want to do anything to stop the violence that was taking place at the Capitol. This is according to Cassidy Hutcinson’s testimony.

FINGER POINTING CONTINUES IN UVALDE

In the wake of the senseless tragedy, the people of Uvalde and Texas have demanded answers from their government. To date, they have been met with lies, misstatements, and shifts of blame. While the governor vows that results of Texas Rangers and FBI investigations will be released when completed, the chaos and infighting among law enforcement agencies continues. The governor, who promised the public clarity and accuracy after he was forced to retrace his early heroic depiction of Uvalde police response, has resisted records requests as well, unless they seemed to benefit him. Abbott, up for re-election in November against Democratic Beto O’Rourke, agreed to release to Houston’s KTRK-TV his handwritten notes from the day of the shooting that seem to support his claim that he was misled about the facts. The public’s right to know and the media’s watchdog role is holding officials accountable have never been more important. This back and forth, a disappointing tangle of self-interest, has obscured the truth and eroded trust. Senate Committee Chairman Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville, who represents Orange County said, “We don’t really know what all to believe because we’re learn so much stuff.” Nichols asked for clarifications about the classroom door lock. All this maneuvering to protect agencies, officials and colleagues stands in stark contrast to the protection that those 19 children and their teachers didn’t get. Grieving families and Uvalde residents deserve more. They deserve the truth. It’s the least officials can do after failing the shooting victims so tragically. In some of the most jolting revelations yet, Department of public Safety Director Steve McCraw testified last week to the Texas Senate that, within three minutes of a deranged gunman entering Robb Elementary, there were enough armed officers wearing body armor to “isolate, distract and neutralize the subject” in the classrooms where children lay bleeding, dying and begging a 911 operator for help. Yet no one would go for more than an hour. “The officers had weapons. The children had none,” McCraw told senators. “The officers had body armor, the children had none. The officers had training, the subject had none.” “One hour, 14 minutes and eight seconds is how long McCraw said the children waited for rescue.” During that time, Arredondo, the school district police chief who was recently placed on leave, waited as well, first for a radio he had neglected to bring in, then for rifles that were apparently already there. Then for shields that soon arrived but went unused. Then for SWAT officers, who arrived promptly as well but were made to wait. The, lastly, for a key that was never needed,” McCraw said.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

15 YEARS AGO-2007

I don’t understand the obsession with a Paris Hilton, Brittany, Anna Nicole Smith or others. This week the tube will be filled with Paris being released from jail. Larry King will do an hour with Hilton Wednesday night. Why? America has a fascination with the unusual, the rich and the renegades.*****Chemical Ali Saddam’s cousin will be hanged this week for crimes against his people. Meanwhile, the civil war continues. Besides killing each other, the Sunni and Shiite are destroying each others mosque, beautiful old buildings that can never be replaced.*****Best want ad of the week: For sale by owner; Complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica, 45 volumes, excellent condition, $1,000 or best offer. No longer needed, I married Mr. Wilson’s daughter last month, and she knows everything. *****Our Buddy A.J. Broussard spent 10 days in the hospital. The best help he received was the regulation of his medicine. He is very weak and hard to understand. Although he has no appetite, he did have a good day Saturday when his sister Vivian Dorman had the family over and prepared a great meal as only Vivian can fix. We spoke with A.J. Sunday morning and he was still excited about having spent time with family. He faces an increasingly tough deal every day. He expressed his gratitude for all the cards he has received.*****Our friend Joe Raburn had successful heart surgery and is doing quite well. Nurse Lou is caring for his every need.*****We were sorry to hear abut the passing of Dick Jackson, 83, who died in Coto DeCarza, California on June 16. Services were held in Orange Friday.*****British Prime Minister Tony Blair is leaving his post. He can thank his buddy George W. for his early departure. I always like Tony and I believe Bush is right, that he would be a useful messenger around the globe.*****We extend best wishes to Jackie Scales on her new job at Fort Bend, a 5-A school. Jackie is a Bridge City native, daughter of Donna and Jimmy Scales, and former B.C. High Girl’s basketball coach.*****We welcome Dr. James Harrison, selected to be the new BCISD Superintendent. The 33-year-old Harrison comes from the Hardin-Jefferson School District, where he has spent the last four years.***** We were sorry to hear about the death of Lee Ann Denmon, 51, who passed away Saturday. Services will be Wednesday, 10 a.m. at Dorman Funeral Home. *****Also, we were saddened to learn of the death of Dee Ann Janice in an auto accident on Hwy. 1442 and Cow Bayou. Services are pending.*****The big sport’s news was about Craig Biggio hitting number 3000. The best news about that is the career Astro is a clean-cut, family man, who is not just another good athlete with a bag full of hang-ups and issues. He’s the kind of guy you would hope your youngster would grow up to be like. It was great that Jeff Bagwell was there to celebrate this important moment in his longtime friend and teammate’s life. 

45 Years Ago-1977

Five leagues were represented in the sweetheart coronation held by Bridge City Little League. Crowned Pee Wee queen was Stacy Barclay; Rene’ Gulliot, princess; Jennifer Bernard, Patty Kelly and Terrie Moseley duchesses. In Minor League, Misty Bonin was crowned queen; Kimberly Rose, princess; Tammy Walker and Carilyn Smith, duchesses. Major League queen was Denise Barclay; Teresa Benoit, princess; Lisa Trahan, Christine Leblanc, Janice Stone and Christi Gunter duchesses. Lynn Griffin Pony League queen; Therese Gauthier, princess; Stephanie Metner, Christi Shugart and Denise Williamson duchesses. Representing the Colt League was Lori Bergeron, queen; chairpersons were Linda Nick and Penny Harris. *****Sandi Mobley, D.E. student and Opportunity Valley News employee for the past two years, has left the paper to attend a school of higher learning. *****Farmer Police Chief Wilson Roberts has bought wife Beverly a new Thunderbird. A payoff probably to get out of the doghouse. *****Necey Gauthier will be 17 on the seventh day of the seventh month of 1977. She is also one of seven children. *****John Lieby, Robert Mann and Dr. Rod Fisette celebrate birthdays July 5. *****Grover M. Lee, a member of Bridge City Lodge #1345 A.F. & A.M. Masonic Lodge, was elected Worship Master for 1977-1978. Lee has been employed at E.I. Dupont Sabine River Works for 29 years. Other officers elected are Charles (Jack) Angelle, H.D. Wright, Elliot Gunnee, Don Clayton, Jimmy Williams, Max Windham, Thomas Lucan and Charles Kilhnl. *****The Golden Triangle Savings and Loan announces its grand opening July 7. The new building is located at 150 E. Roundbunch in Bridge City. *****The Bridge City gumbo team, led by Roy Dunn, took first place in gumbo cooking awards at Doug Kershaw’s Louisiana weekend festivities. Kershaw was appearing at the Houston Astrodome. The B.C. team was named ‘Grand Champion.’ Other team members are Ethel and Lawrence Foux, Ann Lieby, Barbara Gillis and Phyllis Dunn. The big sign in the Astrodome flashed the team’s names and declared the Bridge City team ‘World Champions’. The team had previously been named the ‘Over-All Best’ at the International Gumbo Festival held in Orange. *****Wayne Jones opened Fisherman’s Reef Restaurant, located in the building formally occupied by Horde’s Restaurant on IH-10 (Editor’s note: *****Beautiful Sharon Gregory, of Bridge City, daughter of June and Fred Gregory, was named Miss Texas Teen Queen. The state pageant took place in Dallas. Sharon will represent Texas in the national competition in Memphis in September (Editor’s note: Sharon did go on to win the national contest, but gave up the Miss USA Teen title after a conflict with the national committee, which she found to be unethical.  The last we heard Sharon was in Florida. Her mother June still lives in Bridge City. Her father Fred passed away several years ago. Funny how time slips away. June was younger than her daughter is today, when Sharon was named the most beautiful teenager in the USA. To me it seems only yesterday). *****Bobby Smitherman was named Bridge City Rotarian of the Year.*****Baxter’s Brigade gathered at Harold Beeson’s home Wednesday for a big Italian supper. The Baxter troops will gather at the home of Don Jacobs on Friday. *****The Orange Dinner Club will be hosted by Janet and James Fontenot on July 4. ****** Barry Wiseman and Clay Dugas will both take brides in a few days. *****A time capsule dedication ceremony will be held Monday, July 4, on the Court House lawn. The time capsule contains memorabilia from the Bi-centennial year. Other artifacts include three issues of the Opportunity Valley Newspaper. The program will include William (Bill) Nugent, Hubert H. Meadows, Judge Pete Runnels, Mrs. Frances Reed, Mrs. H.R. (Bubba) Voss and Boy Scout troop #229 and leader T.C. Jacobs.*****Orange Rotary installs officers. Lew Malcolm president, David Claybar 1st vice-president, Jim Stelly, 2nd vice-president, Terry Childres, secretary and Jack Ramsey, treasurer. Judge Homer Stephenson, of the Ninth Court of Appeals, installed the officers. Rev. Walter “Doc.” Klingle is outgoing president. 

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Cowboy Church welcomes new Cowboy Pastor Harland Strother. Come out and say ‘Howdy’ and welcome him on his first Sunday with us, July 3, 10:30 a.m., 673 FM 1078, Orange. Join in on the Sunday Worship, Children’s Church and rockin’ Country Gospel with the Cowboy Cross band.****Chad 'Cheese' Dallas, the youngest of Tony and Nancy Dallas, had his 22nd birthday last week. Cheese is pitching minor league baseball after being drafted last year by the Toronto Blue Jays.*****Congratulations to Benetris Edwards for being named 'Worthy Mother of the Year' by the Stars of Gate City 57. She's out in front leading a lot of civic improvement projects in Orange and has been working hard on the annual school supply give-away.*****On July 6, 1980, Bud and Tillie Mulholland lost their lives in an auto accident on Highway 87, coming from the beach. Every July 4th that rolls around, I think about that and those fine people. Tillie was A.J. Judice’s sister. ***** President Geo. W. Bush and Sylvester ‘Rocky’ Stallion, were both born on the same day. They were born July 6, They 1946, the year after World War II ended.*****On July 2, 1962, Sam Walton opened his first store in Rogers, Arkansas. He died in April, 1992. If he were alive today, he would be the world’s richest man, doubling the worth of Bill Gates. When Mr. Sam was in town for the opening of the area’s first Wal-Mart store in Bridge City, Roy Dunn was master of ceremonies. County Judge Pete Runnels and Roy spent time with Mr. Sam, who invited them to visit him in Bentonville. *****Dayle Foreman of Cow Bayou already has a second book coming out.  This time, it's a novel instead of a memoir. She'll be selling and signing copies of 'Tempest Fugit' Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur.*****June wedding anniversaries continue to be celebrated. Larry and

Maureen Campbell had their 50th party on the weekend at the restored Southern Pacific Train Depot. Friends and family had a barbecue dinner and reminisced.***** Randy and Paula Ragsdale marked 35 years of marriage. They officially became grandparents earlier this year with baby Janie. Heard she's already training for softball.*****Kellie and Damon Vacek have a few more years to go before reaching Ragsdale and Campbell status, but they are well on the way with No. 15 this month.***Hammond and Glenda Thompson marked their 43rd anniversary at the lake with lots of boating.*****I followed the men’s college world series. Ole Miss was the last team to get into the NCAA Baseball Tournament and they were the last team standing. I was pulling for the Rebels. Sunday they won their first ever national baseball title, sweeping Oklahoma in the finals 4-2. The player that was most impressive was Sooner pitcher, Cade Horton, who set a new record with 13 strikeouts and no walks. Look for a half-dozen players from the two teams to go high in the baseball draft. It was an improbable journey for Ole Miss and 22-year coach Mike Blanco.*****College football surprise….Quarterback Arch Manning, the #1 overall recruit in 2023, chose Texas over Alabama, Georgia and family ties Ole Miss and Tennessee. Arch, a five star quarterback from New Orleans high school, is the nephew of NFL greats Eli and Payton and grandson of All American Archie Manning.***** Betty Garrison surprised husband, Mike, with a 70th birthday party. The biggest surprise was younger brother Gary Garrison, who came from the East Coast to help celebrate.***** Baby showers were on tap during the weekend. In Austin, former Orange residents Ann and Henry Seals hosted a shower for longtime friend and fellow Longhorn Emily Mellen McKee. Also, Leigh Anne Dallas and Sarah Ragsdale Nash helped put on a baby shower for childhood friend Alayna Jacobs. More new Orange County residents are on the way. Wonder if we'll ever have a hospital here so children can say they were 'born in Orange' again.***** Summer travels continue for locals. Beth Wheeler took some boys with her, along with Judge Jerry and Susan Pennington, for an Alpine tour through Switzerland and the mountains. They were wearing jackets instead of sweating in 100 degree Southeast Texas.*****With the price of gas being at record highs, Jim and Sandra Cash decided to take their RV to Crystal Beach and Galveston, closer to home than some of their other travels.*****Parrish Bird, Amy Worsham, and Cindy Kindle took a girls trip to Waco for the sights and food. Did they come back channeling Chip and Joanne?*****Michael and Angelique Catt were vacationing on the beaches of Dauphin Island, Alabama.*****John and Marla Blanke joined former residents David and Patty Mouton for a trip around Vancouver and then to cruise Alaska, where they enjoyed the clam chowder. Ask Marla what she now has in common with the President.***** When you reach 90-plus years, your family comes to you. Alma Thibodeaux was surrounded by great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren at her home.*****We had a nice visit last week with longtime friend Clint Landry, 1974 West Orange grad. I could say a lot of wonderful things about him but everyone who knows him, knows baseball is his passion. Today Clint is wearing a black patch over his left eye because of a detached retina, his second one. I learned when that happens you just have 30 hours to get to a doctor or the eye will die. Besides that Clint also fought a bad case of COVID. Our prayers are with Clint.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS

A few folks we know celebrating birthdays in the new few days. June 29: Longtime friend Ann Lieby celebrates today. Also sharing birthdays are Jana Fisette, Dwayne Rice, Rebecca Griffin and Katie Keneson. Our late friend Barbara Mulhollan would have celebrated today.*****June 30: Happy Birthday to longtime West Orange Mayor Roy McDonald, also to our feature writer Dave Rogers, Chris Huebel and Sonya Jarreau.*****July 1: Celebrating today are Charlie Learned, Shirley Dougher, Marcy Strahan, Reilly Shaw, Renee Degeyter, Dian Arnold and Jeff Eby.*****July 2: Celebrating today are a special lady Nancy Dupuis, Lisa Wilson, Brennon Mitchell, Marla Lemoine, Kristy Davis and Maria Garcia.*****July 3: Former county judge and Pinehurst mayor Pete Runnels celebrates today, also former county judge Dean Crooks, Ellen Ray, Kathy Simmons, Cyndee Fleetwood, Ashley Baker and Jeanne Donahey.*****July 4: Today is Independence Day. Celebrating birthdays are Kellie Derouen, Katy Maloney and Kathie Wilson.*****July 5: Happy Birthday to Dr. Rod Fisette, Shane Hanks, Charlotte Pruter, Billy Boehme and Debbie Moreau.

C’EST TOUT

AUDREY BLOWS IN 65- YEARS-AGO 

On June 26, 1957, Hurricane Audrey came ashore at Cameron, Louisiana. She was packing 150 mile-an-hour winds. The category four storm put a 12-foot wall of water on the entire coastal area. It wasn’t until the next day, June 27, that word got out about the total destruction of the area. Nearly 600 people were killed and almost all of the wildlife. Even though the eye of the storm skirted Orange County, very little wind damage was done. A reunion will be held in Cameron Wednesday, June 27, by survivors and those who lost relatives. Today, with the advance warning systems and technology a killer storm like Audrey is not likely to happen again. She is one for the record books and still lives in the memory of everyone old enough to recall.******Have a safe 4th of July Holiday. Thank God for our independence and our many blessings. Take care and God bless.