LYING FOR PROFIT—RATINGS OVER TRUTH

Rupert Murdoch, the chairman of Fox Corporation, acknowledged in a  deposition taken by Dominion Voting Systems that some Fox News hosts endorsed false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. Murdoch’s remarks were made public in a legal filing as part of Dominion’s $1.6 billion lawsuit against Fox News. In his deposition. Murdoch conceded that Sean Hannity, Jeanine Pirro, Maria Bartiromo, and former host Lou Dobbs promoted the falsehood about the presidential contest being stolen. The filing also revealed that Murdoch referred to some of Trump’s 2020 election lies as “bulls**t and damaging.” In another filing made public earlier this month, a trove of messages and emails from the most prominent stars and highest-ranking executives at Fox News showed they had privately ridiculed claims of election fraud in the 2020 election, despite the right-wing channel promoting lies about the presidential contest on its air. The messages showed that Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, and Laura Ingraham brutally mocked lies being pushed by former President Donald Trump’s camp asserting that the election was rigged. The court filings have offered the most vivid picture to date of the chaos that transpired behind the scenes at Fox News after Trump lost the election and viewers rebelled against the right-wing channel for accurately calling the contest in Biden’s favor. Fox ratings had fallen to third place. Murdoch testified it was “wrong for Tucker to host Mike Lindell to repeat those allegations against Dominion on January 26th, 2021,” the documents said. When asked why he continued to allow Lindell, the MyPillow CEO, to make election fraud claims on Fox News, Murdoch said it was a business decision. “It is not red or blue, it is green,” Murdoch replied, according to the court documents. “The man is on every night. Pays us a lot of money…” Murdoch also said he could have stopped Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell, former lawyers for President Trump and his campaign who alleged election fraud, from appearing on the network’s programs, the filing said. “I could have. But I didn’t,” Murdoch said.

OUR CONDOLENCES

Norris P. Brandon

In the past week we lost several of our citizens, friends and neighbors. Norris P. Brandon passed away February 26, 2023. This Friday, March 3, he would have been 90-years-old. He was born on a houseboat in Bayou Barataria. The Louisiana native moved to Bridge City with his wife Pat 62 years ago. She became Bridge City, City Secretary and he put in 43 years at Texaco. He was a great guy with a great personality. His mind was always very sharp till his last day. He outlived most of his old friends but they, like me, considered him a guy to ride the range with. I called him the Mayor of Warner Street he had lived there so long. He will be missed. Condolences to his daughter Evelyn and son Paul, family and friends. May he rest in peace. Please see obituary.

Billie Don Carter

In the past week we lost several of our citizens, friends and neighbors. We were sorry to hear of the passing of Billie Don Carter, age 90, on February 18. Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 25, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, in Bridge City. We had known this special lady many years and was impressed with her athletic ability and beauty, going back to her water skiing days. She had inherited her mother Myrtle Winfree Granger’s longevity and good genes. Her sister, Bobbie Jean Stakes, now deceased, was also a special friend of many years along with her son Calvin. Billie Don’s son, Mark, is a longtime friend. Condolences to Mark, his siblings and large family. Please see obituary.

Frank William Skeeler

Frank William Skeeler, age 72, passed away February 22. A Rosary will be recited Wednesday, March 1, at 9:45 a.m. at St Mary Catholic Church with a funeral mass to follow at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Orange. Please see obituary on our website therecordlive.com.

Michael Wayne Wiley

Michael Wayne Wiley, age 65, passed away February 22. Funeral service will be held Saturday, March 4. Visitation at 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Even though he left us at a young age, he made the most of the years he had. He leaves behind his wife of 46 years, Sherri Dee, children and grandchildren, who called him “Papa.” He never met a stranger and had man friends. Our condolences to the family. Please read obituary on our website, therecordlive.com.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2013

Pope Benedict resigns Feb. 28, the first Pope to resign in over 600 years. Blunders, scandals and claims of mismanagement said to plague the Vatican. The next Pope will meet many challenges. Pope Benedict’s intellect and successful role as a spiritual leader for the world’s 1.1 billion Catholics is not in doubt. On Thursday at twilight, Pope Benedict XVI will board a helicopter and fly off into retirement, renouncing the throne. Pope Benedict will live nearby at Castel Gandolfo for the remainder of his life.*****Billboard says Kree Harrison surged to the top in last week’s competition. Billboard writer Kevin Rutherford said about Kree, who sang ‘Up to the Mountain,’ “Finally, someone I can talk about with growing admiration. Harrison really jumped out for the first time as a real contender. Vocally, she’s one of the best, with a voice that tends toward country but could go many ways. Kree was chosen to be in the top 10 when she was one of the first five picked. Five more will be picked this week. Ten boys and ten girls will compete to be American Idol.***** We were sad to learn about the death of Ryan Michael Winfree, age 13, who passed away Sunday, Feb. 24, at his home. Service was held Tuesday, Feb. 26. Ryan was proceeded in death by grandfathers Lester “Buckshot” Winfree and Wade Reese.*****We were also sorry to learn that Charles Lee Pratt, 77 died Monday, Feb. 25. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Edith (Edee), son Charles Pratt Jr., grandsons Phillip Wayne and Chris Pratt and great grandson Aiden Rossettie. ***** Coach Chad Landry’s Bridge City Cardinals have been logging many highway miles. Last weekend was spent at a tournament at Rockdale. The Cardinals recorded four strong wins but dropped two. Monday they were on the road again, a special trip for the youngsters against College Station High, played at Texas A&M’s Blue Bell Stadium. Bridge City hammered out a 9-6 win, returning late Monday night. Starting Thursday, Bridge City will play in the LCM ‘Don Gibbon’ tournament through Saturday. All other Orange high school baseballers will be playing in tournaments.*****To my knowledge this is a first but it may not be. David Rainey, an Orangefield Bobcat, will be signing a soccer scholarship at 2:45 p.m. Friday, March 1, in the lobby of the new gym. *****Over at West Orange-Stark, sophomore Deionte Thompson has been recruited by Coach Nick Saban to play football with national champions Alabama. Thompson must first complete two more years of high school. Alabama is picking players young. They also recruited a 14 year old, eighth grader. He is 6 ft. 2 in. and weighs 220 pounds. Next year he goes into high school.

20 Years Ago-2003

The headline in the Houston Chronicle reads, “Millions worldwide protest U.S. war with Iraq.”*****Gas at the pump expected to hit $2 by the end of the year. *****The first Mardi Gras parade comes to Orange Feb. 28. Stephen Lee and Randy Jarrell are co-chairmen. ***** The 28th annual Gumbo Cook-off will be held May 2 and May 3. Monte Morphew is this year’s chairman. ***** The Home Builders Association of South East Texas named Mike Johnson “Home Builder of the Year.” Johnson, 44, a native of Bridge City, owner of a home building company, has been framing houses since he graduated from high school in 1976. “My dad is a carpenter and his dad was too,” Johnson said, “I’ve been exposed to carpenter work at all levels growing up.

45 Years Ago-1978

A drive to raise funds to pay for the 24,000 square foot Bridge City Community Center has been launched with a number of events slated. Residents will seek to raise $200,000 for the structure *****Jeanne Wood, Bridge City High speech and drama teacher has been chosen Woman of the Year by BP&W Club. ***** Attention, Buddie Hahn is running for Vidor school board. He is taking on incumbent Joe B. Foster. *****Vidor Mayor Robert Watts publicly endorses Judge Grover Halliburton for the job of 260th District Court. Halliburton is facing Judge Don Burgess.*****Harold Beeson and Bill Maddox have received word from Follett Publishing Co. that their book, “Rags and Patches,” will be released Sept. 4. A Hollywood production company has taken an option of the screen play Beeson has written from the book. ***** Pat Clark and Sharon Bearden dressed as angels in the Follies. Bearden insisted on wearing his boots. What a sight.*****J.R. Harrington Sr. died Sunday. He had lived in Bridge City since 1949. He is survived by his wife, daughter Virginia, sons J.R. and John, and brother Sen. D. Roy Harrington.***** Sheila Beeson and Roy Dunn interviewed Kris Kristofferson and Muhammad Ali from Ali’s suite at the Las Vegas Hilton. Dunn also received a call from Leon Spinks from the Ail-Spinks fight. Dunn’s partner in Triangle Press, Gene Wright, is attorney for Ali and arranged the interviews. Larry Messier, president of Olympic Inc. and a Canadian friend of Wright’s arranged the Red Foxx and Spink interview. (Editor’s note: Sheila was O.V.N. editor. I think she is still living in Vidor I wonder if she recalls these events.)

50 Years Ago-1973

John McDonald elected chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Livingston Shipbuilding. *****Connie Jarell, a beautiful Bridge City High senior, received a four-year twirling scholarship to McNeese State.***** Bridge City banker Fred Gregory raised hell with Hubert Marshel for depositing horse droppings on the new carpet in his newly remodeled office. *****Helen Dunlap was named Woman of the Year at Wayside Inn banquet. BP&W members who arranged the program are president Helen Moore, Mrs. Albert Gore, Mrs. Gene Rutledge, Mrs. Joe VanBreeman, Mrs. Jack Pulliam, Mrs. Carl Mozingo and Ms. Jesse Evans. Mrs. Dunlap is currently in charge of teaching and training vocational nurses at Stillwell Technical Center.*****Orange beauty Claudia Conway, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Conway, was selected with 47 other Apache Belles to go to Mexico City. They will perform for the University of the Americas at the National Basketball games.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Another barbecue benefit is being held to help Lou Moore with his battle against cancer. The Orange Boating Club along Adams Bayou at 2206 DuPont Drive, will be selling pulled pork and links for $10 a plate on Thursday, March 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or when sold out). The benefit a couple of weeks ago raised more than $7,000, including help from Orange's celebrity priest, Jim Sichko, who is based in Kentucky. He never forgets his hometown and friends here.*****Phillip Welch and his sidekick, six-year-old Sterling, took themselves a cruise. They had a great time but all on board. The only rule Mom placed on them was they couldn’t get off the ship and roam the island. While they were away a tornado hit their home on Tulane Rd. No one was hurt and Johnny Montagne’s construction took care of the repairs.*****Coach Wade Phillips and his Houston Roughnecks of the XLF League won their second game, defeating Arlington 23-14, coached by Bob Stoops. Wade’s football team is now undefeated.***** Meetings were canceled and offices were empty as Orange County elected officials, chamber leaders, and others traveled to Austin early this week for the Golden Triangle Days at the Texas Legislature. It's a time for them to meet legislators, tell them about the region's needs, and lobby for support. Orange County started the lobbying tradition back in the 1970s and was known for throwing a great gumbo party. Orange County Days in Austin became the biannual event, but a few years ago, the region leaders turned the lobbying event into Golden Triangle Days. The Covid pandemic led to the gathering being canceled in 2021 and it came back. Lawyer Rodney Townsend, who is running for county-court-at-law judge, was one of those gathering at the downtown Austin historic Driskill Hotel. Also seen there were Orange City Councilor Brad Childs and wife, Terri, along with Port Commissioner Keith Wallace. County Judge John Gothia, who has even been known in the past to smoke a cigar with the bigwigs, was there hoping for financial support on local drainage issues. Others in Austin included West Orange Mayor Randy Branch,  Leah Guillotte-Stark, plus Orange City Manager Mike Kunst with wife, Jill.  County Commissioners Court and Orange City Council canceled their regular meetings so members could go to the Austin lobbying effort.*****Ralf and Cindy Mims, along with Gary and Angie Stelly, took a trip to Memphis to take in the sights and sounds,*****Precinct 1 Constable Lannie Claybar, who is an Eagle Scout, was the guest speaker at the Cub Scout Pack 311 Blue and Gold Banquet.*****Janois Strause Grizzaffi and Mark Grizzaffi traveled to Fort Benning, Georgia, to see son Cody Strause jump out of a plane during a show for relatives for the graduating paratrooper class. Needless to say, they are proud parents.*****Neches Federal Credit Union in Bridge City hosted the Better Business Bureau coffee and breakfast reception with catering by the Toasted Yolk.*****The West Orange-Stark High 1400HP Drum Line won honors this weekend at Huntington High's drum competition in Shreveport.  The drum line came in second place overall with the quintet section placing first in its competition. Drumline captains are Ashley Schwartz and Junaiya Winston. Jeran King is band director.*****Over at Bridge City High, senior drama student Ava Gassen was accepted into the theater program at the University of Texas Austin.*****Birthdays this past week included two local legends, Alexine Adams and Wanda Simar. Alexine turned 97 with a trip to Shangri La to see the blooms and friends. She was one of the old-time Bengal Guards when Lutcher Stark sponsored the famous girls drum and bugle corps. Wanda, who now lives in assisted living, celebrated turning 90 with lots of friends and family.***Bet blue icing stained some tongues of people eating cake for two legendary Mustang coaches. Coach T, Cornell Thompson, was 75. Randy Ragsdale is younger, but he's not saying by how much.***Melissa and Elvis Rushing helped granddaughter Olivia celebrate her fourth birthday by taking her on a trip to Houston's Galleria.***Doris Parks turned 78 and was treated to dinner at Spanky's by daughter Sheila Parks Faske. Of course Dave Parks and Keith Faske were also there.***Other recent birthdays included sheriff's office retiree Jean Parker, Scott Clark, Rachel Bryan, James Wickham, and Elizabeth Mathews. Charlsi Garrett turned 11 and Allisha Bonneaux hit the double-nickel, 55.***Anniversary celebrators included Michael and Toy Moses with 26 years of marriage, along with Tommy and Trobie Thompson with 17 years.*****We checked in with our friends, 101-year-old, Pearl Harbor survivor, Cedric Stout and his lovely wife Cherry. They report that they are doing good. Neither drives now so that has ended much of their visiting. They are hoping someday to make it back to the Wednesday Lunch Bunch which meets each week, 12 noon, at Robert’s Restaurant in Orange. Everyone is welcome.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS

A few folks we know celebrating their special day. March 1: Jill Culp, Jennifer Thomas, John Gooch, and Robert Foster celebrate.*****March 2: Happy Birthday to Amy Taylor, Kay Butler, Craig Nugent, Tommy Andrus, Brittany Waguespack.*****March 3: Celebrating today are Lori Bonds, Joan Broussard, Andy Pryor, Donna Sullivan and Carolyn Miller.*****March 4: Cassie Bearden, Coby Richard, Vickie Parish, Darrell Evans, Travis Reeves and Carolyn Sheppard have birthdays today.*****March 5: Happy Birthday to Jennifer Byrd, Chris Slaughter, Cathy Kimbrow, Carolyn Hillsten and Don Bayless.*****March 6: Sam Moore, John Philps, Kristen Ruker are a year older today.*****March 7: Rick Trahan, Misty Thurman, Libby Mitchell, Tracy Howard Allison, Sharon Crumpler, Dana Bourque, Mike White.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Da mob in New Orleans wat controls da video poker games in Louisiana, found out dat dere bookkeeper in Lafayette had cheated dem out of millions. Da bookkeeper, Clarence Guilbeaux, is a deaf-mute, dats why dey hired him in da first place. He would not be able to testify against dem for wat he heard.

Da mob sent Bruno, dere best hench man to confront Clarence. He brought Lafayette lawyer, Joe Landry, wit him because he knew sign language, him.

Da mobster tells da lawyer, “Axe him where da money is?” Lawyer Landry, using sign language axe Clarence, “Where’s da money?”

He signs back, “I don’t know watt you talking bout me.”

Da Mobster pulls out his pistol and puts it to Guillbeaux’s head and says, “Axe him again or I’ll kill him?”

Lawyer Landry signs da message to Clarence. He started trembling and signs back, “Okay, you win, da money is in a brown briefcase, buried behind da shed at my cousin Sostan’s house.”

Da mob man axe, “Wat did he say?”

Lawyer Landry replied, “He says you don’t got da balls to pull da trigger you.”

C’EST TOUT

The DalSasso Brothers—Ray’s passing

You can’t tell the Orange Texas story without telling the DalSasso story and the family’s contribution to the development of the city after WWII. Two Italian brothers, children of immigrants from Italy, were born in Clinton, Indiana. Both boys, Tony and Ray, had served in the F.B.I. Ray joined Tony in the homebuilding business, building thousands of homes, including Roselawn, apartment buildings and commercial properties for 50 years. They were the major developers in the Orange area, providing more homes than any other developer. Tony, a good friend of mine, passed away in 2009 at age 86. I have just learned, at the end of completing column, of the death of Ray, who passed away February 23. Gravesite service will be held March 3, at 1:00 p.m., at Hillcrest Memorial cemetery, one day before his 99th birthday. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Please read Ray’s obituary in this issue. He and Tony are forever in the history of Orange and surrounding area. It is a fascinating story. ***** My time is up, thanks for yours. Happy trails to you till we meet again. Take care and God bless.