Listen Up Football Fans

TEXANS FIRE “BIG SANDY’S” LOVIE SMITH

Coach Lovie Smith was fired by the Houston Texans Sunday night after just one season. It was the second straight season the Texans have fired a coach after only one season. Houston won their second and last game Sunday, beating the Colts 32-31. That win knocked the Texans out of the number one pick which probably would have been Georgia’s quarterback Stetson Bennett. The first pick now goes to the Bears. Both fired coaches, over two seasons, were working with roster devoid of any stars or established talent. Hall of Fame Tony Dungy, the first Black coach to win a Super Bowl, questioned who would want to take Houston’s head coaching position moving forward if you only get one year to implement your plan. Lovie, a native of ‘Big Sandy,’ is the second Black coach in a row fired by the Texans after giving them only one year to prove themselves.

GEORGIA OVERPOWERS TCU 65-7

The Horned Frogs were no match for the Bulldogs. No other college team in the nation would have been either. The Bulldogs were hitting on all cylinders in Monday night’s college championship game. The Bulldogs were head hunters on defense, the offense led by Bennett, set several school records on the big win. Georgia’s Bulldogs played at a level that might have seen them hold their own against the Houston Texans, well maybe not, but no doubt they are the greatest college football team in the nation.

HOLD YOUR BREATH—COWBOYS IN PLAYOFF

The Dallas Cowboy are in their first playoff opener on the road in 16 years. Sunday they will take on Tom Brady who is hunting for an unprecedented eight Super Bowl title when his Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Cowboys next Monday night. Brady suffered through his first losing season in his 23 year career but even at 8-9 the Buccaneers won the NFL South. It’s been 27 years since Dallas last made it as far as a NFC championship game. It’s been a long, dry spell for Texas pro-football fans. The reality is that quarterback, Dak Prescott, is in a career, seven-game interception streak that’s the longest for a Dallas quarterback in 18 years. He threw pick 6’s in the last four games. Prescott’s numbers are worse in seven seasons, with a career low 37.8 completion percentage (14 of 37) and a season worse passer rating of 45.8. Dallas has an eight-game losing streak in the playoffs. Prescott has a lot to prove. This area of Texas has a lot of Prescott fans and locally he has several relatives. A win for Dallas would be a great big win for Dak. Tom Brady is out to prove at age 46 he can still bring a team to the Super Bowl. Tune in next Monday night on ESPN.*****I have to move on. I felt like talking football. Hop on board and come along, I promise it won’t do you no harm.

McCARTHY-SHAKY NEW HOUSE SPEAKER

Republican Kevin McCarthy is the new House Speaker, but as bruising as it was for him to seize the gavel in a history making election, it may be even more difficult for the embattled leader to do much with the powerful position, or to even keep it. The chaos that erupted in four days of House voting, halting start of the new Congress, is a prelude to the highly uncertain path ahead as McCarthy tries to lead an unruly Republican majority to achieve its priorities and confront President Joe Biden’s agenda. McCarthy endured a grueling weeklong fight to get here, a speaker’s election like no other since the eve of the Civil War. A coalition of 20 holdouts refused to support his speakership unless he yielded to their demands to give away some power. In the end, McCarthy emerges as a weakened speaker, one with less authority. A key concession was restoring a rule that allows any single lawmaker to make a “motion to vacate the chair” a vote to oust the speaker from the leadership post. Now it’s showtime. The base that controls McCarthy wants plenty of theatrics in the next two years, like holding hearings on the border, not in Washington, reopening the Hunter Biden, 12 year old investigation, which the FBI, IRS and four years of Trump’s Justice Department were unable to fine any criminal violation. It’s the cult-like group’s way of dragging the Biden name through the mud. Oh yeah, by the way, President Biden and Dr. Fauci will be investigated for saving thousands of lives. One of former president George W. Bush’s officials said, “It will be a two-year clown show.” McCarthy wanted the speakership at any cost.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2013

For the first time since Rep. Kinard was our first state representative; Orange County will not have a local state representative. Louis Dugas was elected the youngest in Texas and served four terms. Dugas, while a student at Texas, worked in the Austin office of state senator Jep Fuller. The liberal wing of the Democratic Party, defeated Dugas with Clyde Haynes and D. Roy Harrington then defeated Fuller. Wayne Peveto, a conservative defeated Haynes. Ron Lewis, of Newton, ran against Peveto unsuccessfully. He moved to Orange and when Peveto didn’t run for reelection, Lewis teamed up with Haynes’ liberal forces and was elected. He served long and well as a Democrat. When Gov. Rick Perry and Tom DeLay gerrymandered the state, Orange County was split in two parts. Ron Lewis was ready to move on to bigger and better financial security. My information is that he recruited Mike Hamilton to run as a Republican. It was a safe district for Hamilton. Perry then supported redistricting that removed Hamilton from Orange County and took the entire county and put it in with Allen Ritter’s Jefferson County district. We haven’t had a local state senator since Carl Parker. Perry and DeLay’s redistricting moved all Southeast Texas power to the Houston area. We now have a new state senator Robert Nichols from East Texas. That is a big improvement for us. The first senator, Tommy Williams, was another Houston politician. Orange County’s vote figured little in his reelection. He wasn’t even visible here but Sen. Nichols will be. Back to the original topic, Orange County, for the first time in our history, will not have a state representative who lives right here among us. Orange County once had a lot of stroke in Austin and Washington. We once had several citizens who served on state boards. Citizens need to take off their blinders, look back and see just how badly we have been screwed.*****Services for Terry “Dusty” Glenn Kirkland, 62, will be held Thursday, Jan. 10, at 2 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor. Visitation begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9. “Dusty” was a longtime member of Boilermaker Union 587. He gave the man a days work for a days pay as he traveled the country following his trade. *****We were sorry to hear about the death of Joy Young Parish, 90, who died Jan. 3, in Tyler. She had been a lifelong resident of West Orange until recently.*****Services for longtime friend Don Mosier, 80, were held Jan. 5 at McDonald Memorial Baptist Church. We first met Don when he returned from the service during the Korean conflict. We got to know Don well when he served as a deputy sheriff under Sheriff Chester Holts. Don was one of the great guys. You could go to the bank with whatever he told you. Our deepest sympathies to Barbara, his wife of 59 years. ***** Looking back, on January 2, 1948, 75 years ago, Chester Holts, 38, was appointed sheriff to fill the unexpired term of the late Sheriff Dick Stanfield. He and his wife Iva have a 19 years old son, Morgan Ray, a 14 years old daughter Nova Dee and a 16 month old baby girl Wanda Beth. Holts went on to serve 21 years, the longest serving sheriff in county history. Chester, Iva, Morgan and Nova are all deceased. Wanda lives in Mauriceville.

20 Years Ago-2003

Ronnie Anderson, longtime baseball coach at West Orange-Stark, where the baseball park bares his name, gets another honor. This past week, Coach Anderson, along with former Snyder baseball coach Albert Lewis, were inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame at Waco. After coaching two years at Orangefield, Anderson coached seven years at West Orange and then 14 years at West Orange-Stark. His resume includes 444 wins with 14 playoff appearances, 11 in a row, and two state championship appearances. Sixty-two of his former players got baseball scholarships. At the ceremony a great talk was given by former major leaguer Tug McGraw. (Editor’s note: Tug was the father of singer Tim McGraw.) Anderson was introduced by Bridge City coach Chuck Young. Anderson spoke about his 28 years career. His stories kept the crowd laughing. A few of his former players make the trip to Waco. Catcher Dan Green, with son Slade were in attendance. Green’s son Tony also played at West Orange-Stark. Other players were Wade Phillips, who pitched at Texas, no kin to coach Wade Phillips; Jimmy Skeeler, Tony Dallas, David Fregia, Jay Hall, Sam Moore, Corey Gafford and J.E. Lancaster. Jay Cantizaro and Bruce Aven, pro ball players, sent email congratulations. *****Home invasion turns deadly. Orange County couple. Joan Leleux, 65, was murdered and her husband Emerson left in a coma by Walter Rice Jr. Chief deputy sheriff John Tarver is in charge of the investigation.***** The Kroger Koffee Klub (KKK) meets every weekday, 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Murphy King, the old pawn shop king, is president of the KKK group. Wynne Hunt is his secretary. (Editor’s note: The Klub still gathers but Murphy and Wynne are no longer with us. Norman Berry and the guys invite any old timers to join them for a Kup of Koffee.)*****Mary Elizabeth Rost becomes bride of Mark Alan Goodwin Saturday, Jan. 4.

50 Years Ago-1973

District Judge Graham Bruce, Tax Assessor-Collector Louvenia Hryhorchuk and District Attorney Jim Sharon Bearden are all sworn into office. Also sworn into office New Year’s Day were David Dunn, county court at law, Sheriff “Buck” Patillo, Commissioners Casey Peveto, Gordon Dunn, and Asa Mansfield, constables Morris Collier, John Ford, Forrest Hudson and Carl Ward. Also sworn in was District Judge Fred Trimble.*****Immediately following the oath District Attorney Bearden announced that Bill Joyce, former sheriff’s captain and Newton police chief, had been hired as criminal investigator for the county attorney’s office. Bearden also hired Steve Williams as assistant in charge of misdemeanor cases. Hard to believe that was 50 years ago.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Times are changing for Orange County in many ways, including losing a couple of institutions. J.B. Arrington is closing and selling his barbecue restaurant after half a century and Van Wade is retiring from the Orange Leader. Van has worked in the media for 30 years, with most of those years covering sports. J.B.'s Barbecue and Van will be missed.*****At least one local is already running for the 2024 Republican primary. Lawyer Rodney Townsend announced that County Court-at-Law Judge Troy Johnson plans to retire at the end of his term in 2024 and Townsend will be running. It will be interesting to see if any other lawyers decide to run. Unlike the justice of the peace position, county court-at-law judge requires a law degree.***** The Orange Mardi Gras festivities and parade are set for Saturday, February 11 and the ball is two weeks earlier. The ball is where the float krewes and their friends deck out in sequins and feathers for a festive kick-off to the season.***** Friends of student Brooklyn Rasberry, who is fighting cancer, are holding a fundraiser on Sunday to help her family with expenses. Links, drinks, and chips will be sold in front of the Bridge City Walgreens, corner of Texas Avenue and Roundbunch Road, on Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. until the food runs out. Cash donations are also welcomed.***** Bridge City certainly has a lot of heart. Another fundraiser has been set up on Go Fund Me to help a popular worker at the Valero store on FM 1442. Kimberly Lamoureau organized the campaign for "a new heart for the man with the biggest heart."  A.J., the worker, had a massive heart attack and now needs a heart transplant. *****Once a year, the county's Claiborne West Park has rainbow trout put in its big lake off Cow Bayou. This year, the trout drop will be on Friday, January 20th. Get kids ready to go drop a line because the trout will be hungry. Often, they are caught within a day or two.*****Birthdays this past week had T'Era Garrett turning 18. The West Orange-Stark star athlete and cheerleader had a big party at Spanky's, thanks to her proud parents, Bianca and Charles Garrett.***Others who celebrated birthdays included Trystan Chapman, who turned 17, and Erin Beard, 20. People who might not publicize their ages were Wendy Falgout Durham, Woody Cox, Elaine Reeh now up in the Hill Country,  Marlene Campbell, Hammon Thompson, Ted Arnold, Darragh Castillo, Mindy Currie, and Jose Hernandez.*****Mike and Kitty Mazzola marked their 51st wedding anniversary this past week. Other anniversaries were Lamar and Pam Hughes, with 30 years, and Marty and Kenedie Beadle with three years. Elvis and Melissa Rushing were married six years ago, but have been together for a total of 19 years. Congrats to all those celebrating their relationships.*****County Judge John Gothia was on the road Tuesday morning at 4:00 a.m. headed for Austin to attend the opening session of the Texas Legislature. New commissioner Chris Sowell was attending required classes at Texas A&M. Other county commissioners were also out of town so no Commissioner’s meeting was held Tuesday.*****I have been looking around to see if anyone had an extra deer backstrap. Fried backstrap with seasoned white gravy makes for a great breakfast. Keith Wallace says, “We don’t shoot deer any more. We still sit in the blind but Logan goes to sleep, he snores so loud it scares the deer off and when he’s awake he rattles his Frito or chips bag. The buck looks around and gets out of dodge. Haven’t had a shot in years.”

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS

A few folks celebrating birthdays in the coming week. Jan. 11: Olivia Trahan, Ann Olliff, Ashley Rion, Davie Thompson, Grant Gilson and Teresa Franklin all celebrate.*****Jan. 12: Happy Birthday today to Jill Sherrod, Beth Linder, Donald Edgerton, Charles Pou, Dana Sandlin, David Pendergast, Jimmie Allen.*****Jan. 13: Commissioner Robert Viator, Lyndia Permenter, Ashton Simmons, Rodney Townsend, Jerry Pennington, Kent Hannegan, LoLynn Sholmire, Mandy Jaarah and Patricia Coppage all celebrate.*****Jan. 14: Happy Birthday to Janelle’s pretty daughter Stephanie Hurst, Mel Campbell, Robert Simonton, Chris Williams, Brittany Trantham, Rob Fisher, Tommy Thompson.*****Jan. 15: A year older today are Paige Prejean, Bill Pryor, Don Thompson, Carson Peet, Joy Hughes, Tyler Reves and Dee Culpepper.*****Jan. 16: Today is Martin Luther King Day. Celebrating birthdays are Kaitlyn Potter, Jon Mott, Gary Dearing, Clayton Gearhart, Joel Meyers, Jerry Ashby, Matthew Lee.*****Happy Birthday wishes to our friend Attorney John Cash “Jack” Smith, also to Loretta Stevens, Jeff Overman, Gail Meadows, Tanner Wilson

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Boudreaux-Boudreaux and Comeaux Construction Company were preparing a site for a new rice mill in Abbeville.

Da company hired several new workers for da project. One was a young Texas worker who bragged and made fun of da Cajun mens.

“Tex” him, made it a special point to make fun of one of the older Cajun workers. He bragged dat he was stronger dan any one else, especially da older man.

Finally Clovis Fontenot him, couldn’t take it no mo. He had had enough of dat smart mout. Fontenot say to him, “Me, I bet you a days pay dat if I can haul someting in da wheelbarrow over to dat tool shack, dat you won’t be able to wheel it back, you.”

Paul him, he laughed at old man Clovis and said, “You’re on, old man, let’s see wat you got.”

Fontenot him grabbed da wheelbarrow and put boat his hands around da handles. He nodded to da young Texas bragger and said, “Get in you.”

C’EST TOUT

CAPITOL RIOT SECOND ANNIVERSARY INVESTIGATION GROWING

The largest investigation in the Justice Department’s history keeps growing two years after a violent mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 and challenged the foundations of American democracy. More than 930 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the siege on Jan. 6, and the tally increases by the week. Hundreds more people remain at large on the second anniversary of the unprecedented assault that was fueled by lies that the 2020 election was stolen. Federal prosecutors have a near-perfect trial record, securing a conviction in all but one case. At least 538 cases, half brought so far, have been resolved through guilty pleas, trials, dismissals or the defendant’s death. The number of defendants charged with Jan. 6-related federal crimes is approaching 1,000. They range from misdemeanor charges against people who entered the Capitol but did not engage in any violence to seditious conspiracy charges against members of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, extremist groups accused of violently plotting to stop the transfer of presidential power. Nearly 500 people have pleaded guilty to riot-related charges, typically hoping that cooperating could lead to a lighter punishment. More than 100 of them have pleaded guilty to felony charges punishable by longer prison terms. The Justice Department notched a high-stakes victory in November when a jury convicted Stewart Rhodes, the Oath Keepers’ founder. Federal juries have convicted at least 22 people of Jan. 6 charges. Judges have convicted an additional 24 riot defendants. At least 362 riot defendants were sentenced by the end of 2022. Roughly 200 have received terms of imprisonment ranging from seven days to 10 years.***** Take care and God bless.