The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

SUPREME COURT PERMITS TEXAS TO ARREST PEOPLE WHO ILLEGALLY CROSS THE BORDER AS LEGAL CLASH CONTINUES

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Texas to start enforcing Senate Bill 4, a new state law that allows Texas police to charge people with illegally entering the state from other countries. The federal government argued that the law is unconstitutional because enforcing immigration laws is a federal responsibility.  The legal case is far from over. The case will now go back to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. SB 4 seeks to make illegally crossing the border a Class B misdemeanor, carrying a punishment of up to six months in jail. Repeat offenders could face a second-degree felony with a punishment of two to 20 years in prison. Earlier this year, a bipartisan immigration bill failed in the U.S. Senate after Trump told Republicans not to vote for it, in part so that he could campaign on the issue. The bill proposed overhauling the nation's asylum system to provide quicker decisions on asylum requests and allow presidents to order immediate deportation of migrants at the border when immigration agents get overwhelmed. Trump has said that immigration enforcement will be among his priorities if he wins back the presidency in November. During his presidency he was heavily criticized for a “zero tolerance” policy that required Border Patrol agents to separate children from their parents and using racist language to describe migrants.

CRUZ FACES TOUGH FOE IN ALLRED

According to Jeremy Wallace, Texas political writer, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s campaign is warning donors that he’s already tied with Colin Allred and bracing for a tougher 2024 reelection campaign than GOP voters might expect. Cruz has been telling Republicans for weeks that they can’t take things for granted in Texas anymore. “I will say, my race here in Texas is a battleground race,” Cruz told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo last month. “My last race I won by less than three points because I’m the Democrats’ top target.” Allred has been telling supporters he has a real shot at toppling Cruz based on limited early public polling and fundraising data. The congressman acknowledged being the underdog but pointed to his history of knocking off veteran U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, a Republican, in 2018, but his upbringing as the child of a single mother and making the NFL as a linebacker despite being undrafted. The early polling is mixed. A University of Texas at Tyler survey released two weeks ago showed Allred and Cruz tied, but nearly 20 percent of voters were undecided. Allred’s already shown one big difference from O’Rouke’s campaign in 2018: he’s hitting Cruz early and often. When O’Rouke started his 2018 campaign, he intentionally refused to hit Cruz directly, insisting his campaign was rising above politics. Allred spent much of his victory speech in the March 5 Democratic primary blasting Cruz on several fronts, most notably his 2021 decision to vacation in Cancun while winter storms left hundreds of Texans dead and millions more without power. “When 30 million Texans were freezing in the dark, he decided to go to Cancun,” Allred said. Cruz apologized in several interviews after that trip.

SCARBOROUGH SERVICES TO BE HELD

Mary Frances Scarborough, 97, of Bridge City, Texas, passed away on March 14, 2024, at The Medical Center in Port Arthur. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Officiating will be Darrell Segura. Burial will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, March 22, 2024, at Claybar Funeral Home in Bridge City. Please see obituary.

LONGTIME POLICE OFFICER SAMMY MILLS REMEMBERED

We were sorry to hear about the death of Sammy Burnell Mills, age 64, who passed away February 18. Sammy was a retired deputy sheriff. I go back many years with his family, even before Sammy was born. I was a personal friend of his grandfather Burnell Luther, one of the most highly respected men I’ve ever known. For years they lived on Hwy. 62, in the Winfree Community. His mom Arlene, Burnell’s daughter, is a beautiful, kind lady who for several years helped us here at The Record where she ran a delivery route until her husband Lee got sick. She loved the job which she treated as a hobby and we always respected her loyalty. It is so sad that Sammy left us at such a young age. He and his wife Anissa were in the process of moving to a farm place in Florida and while moving furniture in their new home Sammy suffered a massive heart attack that took his life. This good man is sure to be in Heaven. A celebration of life for Sammy will be held at the Orange Train Depot Museum, Sunday, March 24, at 2 p.m. Please see obituary.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2014

At 86, Gov. Edwards launches comeback. Edwin W. Edwards, the 86-year-old former four term governor of Louisiana, announced this week that he was running for congress of the Baton Rouge District as a Democrat. For many years the Feds tried to put Edwin in jail but each time they failed. Finally, he was charge with racketeering and extortion and sentenced to 10 years. He completed eight years of the term. His son also served time in the joint. While in prison, Edwin gave his beautiful wife a divorce. He said it was the right thing to do. She was much too young and pretty to just sit around waiting for him to get out of jail. Since his release, he has gotten married, fathered a child and starred on a reality television show. Edwards, known for his wit, listed potential obstacles to a race including his age, his criminal record and Louisiana moving so far to the right, Then he explained why that wouldn’t keep him from a new career in Washington. “I acknowledge there are good reasons why I should not run but there are better reasons why I should.” An old Cajun said to me, “Edwin him, he took his medicine and served his time like da man he is. Many of dem no good politicians have stole a lot more dan Edwin and got away wit it.” *****I understand that Dist. Judge Courtney Akkeen’s coordinator, Latouia Leverett, finally accepted longtime boyfriend Aaron DuBois’ marriage proposal with a July 18th wedding date set. Judge Courtney came back to work March 4 after giving birth to twins looking as great as ever.*****On March 23 Euel Norwood, who is a good guy, will soon catch up to the old guys. Also celebrating is one of the best female athletes to attend B.C. High, Natalie Sarvar, will be a year older, also gospel singer Helen Clark, Aiden Leverett and Renee Dillion.***** Time seems to fly. I‘m told that Christy Khoury has been at the County 12 years now.*****Matt Bryant, Bridge City native in the NFL, was honored last week with Atlanta’s Community Spirit Award for his charity work. If my memory serves me right, he received the same award when he was in Tampa Bay.

20 Years Ago-2004

Bridge City coach Troy Woodall retires. All but six weeks of his 40 years in coaching were spent at one school district, BCISD. Woodall said, “I graduated from East Texas Baptist College on a Friday and was coaching Monday morning. Glen Pearson had been my wife Brenda’s basketball coach at Bridge City and he knew of a temporary opening at Stark High in Orange. In the middle of a spring training session, Bridge City coach Chief Wilson, walked up, tapped me on the shoulder and announced that he was adding me to his expanded staff at Bridge City.” For the next 40 years, Woodall remained a Cardinal. He was there during the Steve Worster/Chief Wilson/Cardinal glory days and state championship. (Editor’s note: for all those years I’ve known Troy he’s been a prince of a guy. He has caught a million pounds of fish. I still think he’s a great guy and still active.*****Sherlock Breaux judges Rosalie Clark’s baked fish, stuffed with small shrimp, as the best eats at the St. Joseph Altar.

45 Years Ago-1979

For 68 years, Orange master tailor, Clayton L. Meredith, known professionally around the United States as “Meredith

the Tailor” has been practicing his trade. He and wife Grace are the parents of two daughters, Mrs. Laverne Parish and Mrs. Feagin Windham. Meredith the Tailor provides everything expected of a modern tailor. Fabric for custom-made suits cost as much as $58 per yard and a suit requires from three and a half to three and five eights yards of material plus 32 to 36 hours of labor. His customers have included Gov. Huey Long, Pres. Harry Truman and Gov. Jim Ferguson. His most notable client was Madame Ernestine Schumann-Heink, famed operatic contralto. (Editor’s note: When Mr. Meredith passed away he was Orange’s last master tailor that made everything from scratch to custom fit. He used imported fabric from around the world. Betty Jo Spence recorded his life in a story written for the Opportunity Valley News in 1979.)*****Eight Bridge City guys compete for the title of Miss Community Center. Contestants who displayed their “feminine” talents were Miss La- Donna (Don Breaux), Miss Latrina La Munch (Terry Bourdier), Miss Little Egypt (Troy Broussard), Miss Geraldine (Curtis Lee), Miss Tootsie (Donald Cole), Miss Fannie Barr (Tim Libby), Miss Charming Charmaine (Charles Johnson) and Miss Trixie Delight (Steve Baker). Miss La- Donna won the competition and swimsuit. Richard “Deanna” Solomon was usherette. W.T. Oliver was master of ceremonies.*****BC High School names David Dutshman, valedictorian; Ted Spurlock, salutatorian and Carlette Bevil highest ranking girl.*****Angela Laperolerie will be two years old March 25.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Nothing says American community like Orange's Lions Club Carnival. The great local tradition now has grandparents with grandkids, and when they were kids, their grandparents were there, too. Families travel from out of town to bring their own kids. Longtime Lion Debbie Hughes had all four grandchildren of her grandchildren, her daughter, Dr. Kayla Cheek, helped Debbie on the carousel. Former local Lions members Ron Sigler and Jay Hall, who have moved away for jobs, came back to volunteer. Ron's usually hanging around the pork-a-bobs on the grill. Steve Maddox is cooking the famous Uncle Larry hamburgers, named for the legendary Larry David. Gina and Skipper Yeaman, along with Denisha and Matthew LaFleur were at their now traditional spot selling lighted novelty items. Donna Scales was with granddaughter Indie and daughter-in-law Jackie while granddaughter Stella went to the daddy-daughter dance. Gary and Allisha Bonneaux took in the fun and social scene, but we haven't heard how many food booths he hit. Elvis and Melissa Rushing were seen laughing with their granddaughter.*****The Lutcher Theater scored another hit with the Broadway musical Come From Away. It was based on the true story of how a Newfoundland town with a population of 9,000 took care of 7,000 airline passengers grounded outside the U.S. on 9-11. Three women members of the 99s Lake Charles Chapter of women licensed pilots came. A female pilot captain is one of the featured characters. Because the Salvation Army in Canada helped feed the stranded travelers, the Lutcher asked patrons to bring food donations to the Orange County Salvation Army. Captains Tiffany and Dante Salgado attended to personally thank everyone. Adam Conrad was with Jody Chesson and Dana McMillan. The crowd included Marla and John Blanke, Sue Harris, Karen and Jack McKinney, Bridge Trahan, Angie Smith, Jennifer Smith, Linda Kay Mazzola, Lisa Taylor, Emily Mazzola, Ben Wernig, Lisa Taylor, and Emily Mellon.*****A group of friends from Orange went to spring break at Crystal Beach and were joined by more for a St. Patrick's Day celebration. They included Trudy Polk, Erica Beasley, Russell Bottley, Preshawn Henson, Andre and Lanier Robertson, Ashley Charlot, and Janice and Shawn Semien.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS

A few folks we know celebrating birthdays in the next few days. March 20: Dana Portacci, Ashley Ashworth, Abby Ludwig, Ben Walles, Jamie Preston, Jan Savage, Diane Sims, Keely Benefield, Kamela Latiolais, Brittany Backer, Erma Gross.*****March 21: Alayna Jacobs, Ester Brown, Barbara Mosier, Terry McFarlane, Ronelle Irvine, Kyle Anderson, Otto Whisenant, Ramona Huff, Ruth Mason, Stephen McKenzie, Tanya Simon, Lisa Roberts. (Hard to believe Johnny Dishon turns 35. today.)*****March 22: Sharon Boling, Robert Thomas, Kyle Leyendecker, Carroll Kile, Carsen Carpenter.*****March 23: Abigail Gauthier, Mary West, Kenneth Kemp, Lance Eads, Corbin McLellan, Kurt Haggard, Chad Gearheart, Margaret Boehme, Natalie Sarvar, Renee Dillon, Tiffany Smith, Cambree Williams, Grady Rawls.*****March 24: Attorney Michael Catt, Forrest Wood, Hannah Drane, James Stone, Joseph Blanda, Matt Hanson, Mary Ann Smith, Zara Killman, Brenda Edwards, Grant Kimbrough.*****March 25: Kim Faulkner, Warren Claybar, Katie Birdwell, Mary Grimes, Matt Thompson, Scott Mangham, B.J. Walker, Mike Vincent.*****March 26: Karen Bozman, Kevin “Radar” Kelly, Sherry Stevens, Christy Day.*****Gene Broussard had a big family get-together for his 90th. Other birthdays included Karen Ratcliff, who turned 86, plus retired longtime courthouse employees Ruth Corder and Betty James. More trip around the sun celebrators were Amy Peevey, Marla Blanke, Cody Carr, Brittney Chandler, Thelma Woodrow, Becky Burch, Debbie Savoy, Robin Thomas, Victoria Perry, Katie Caillavet, Kenedie Beadle, Rose Thayer, Kyle DuBose, Teshayla Brown, Tammy Young Stak, and Patsy Duncan.*****Tony and Glenda Perry marked their 33rd anniversary and got a new granddaughter. Joey and Melanie Claybar had their 23rd.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Clovis Badeaux wat is flying for da first time in his life, taking a plane trip to visit his very ill sister, Agnes, in California. Clovis is really nervous about da trip, him. Not too long after dey take off dem, da pilot is making da usual welcome announcements over da PA system.

“Ladies and gentlemens, dis is the captain. I would like to welcome you aboard Cajun Airlines. We are flying non-stop from New Orleans to Los Angeles. Me, I expect a smooth and uneventful flight. Jus sit back and enjoy da----Oh My God!”

Den dere is nuttin but silence. A minute later, da pilot comes over da PA again and say, “Ladies and gentlements, I’m sorry me if I scared you but da stewardess accidentally spilled a big cup of hot coffee in my lap. Boy, you should see da front of my pants.”

Badeaux him, breath a big sigh of relief. He say “KeeYaw,” to da passenger sitting next to him, “Da front of his pants ain’t nutten, you should see da back of mines.”

C’EST TOUT

COMMENTARY

Last week Lamar Orange’s president Dr. Tom Johnson spent time in Washington hustling funds for his college. What I had not realized is that all four Lamar campuses are in one congressional district. Randy Weber is our U.S. Congressman. It’s easier for the schools to work with one representative rather than two or three.*****Speaking of Lamar, I got a call from Sen. Carl Parker, the grand-daddy of Port Arthur and Orange campuses being in the Texas State systems and not junior colleges with a tax base. Anyway, Parker’s heart valve replacement has been delayed but not for long. I enjoyed talking about the old political times. Not many of us old political grinders left. We got a lot done in our time. Think how much we could have accomplished if the speaker of the house would have been in our district. With Dade Phelan as speaker and Robert Nichols as our state senator our district is no longer being treated like an unwanted stepchild.*****We had a nice visit with Charlie Warner Saturday. We have known him since he was in short pants. He has an interesting life story. By the way, he and his wife Karen will be eclipse watching April 8 in Wimberley, Texas with her sister and brother-in-law, Matt and Dana Portacci. The former Bridge City folks have a beautiful place in the Hill Country perfect to see the upcoming eclipse. Their son, Nick, former BCHS athlete, is now a banker, married and living in Arizona. By the way, Dana will be celebrating a birthday today. Happy birthday Dana.*****Our friends at Brown Hearing Center will be celebrating their 62nd anniversary April 1 thru 12. We have known Dorothy and the late Lee Brown since the day they arrived in Orange County. Dot still hangs around the hearing center which is run by son-in-law Eddie Toohey and his boys. Great people to do business with. They have cared for my hearing for nearly 20 years. With hearing aids it’s the service that really counts. You don’t get that with over the counter cheapies.*****I finally heard from our friend Van Choate. They are doing fine and have the last child in college at Sam Houston. Van’s not doing much, Josette is making the living. (That what he says anyway.) She always was an active partner, teaching school and raising kids. Van was always the biggest kid of all but thankfully she’s finally got him off of his motorcycle.*****I’ve got to end this column for one more week. Thanks for your time and loyalty. Read us cover to cover and check out  therecordlive.com. Take care and God bless.