Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Articles from the July 18, 2012 edition


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  • Judge Hahn leads by example, responds to jury summons

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    When Judge Buddie Hahn of the 260th District Court in Orange County received his jury duty summons notification he did what every citizen ought to do- he served. He was in the jury pool on Monday morning in Judge Coutrney Arkeen’s 128th District Court for the start of a sexual assault case. Hahn, however, was excused from jury duty because he was too familiar with the case. “I’ve got a notice to appear just like everyone else. The county has been insistent on people appea...

  • Blanchard found not guilty of sexual assault

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    Jamie Blanchard Jr., 24, was found not guilty on charges of aggravated sexual assault Tuesday after a one day trial in the 128th District Court. If convicted of the felony charges he could have faced up to 99 years in prison. The case stems from an incident in September 2005 in which Blanchard, who was 17 years old at the time, was accused of sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl. First called to testify was a former Orange Police Department detective David Vaughn. He...

  • Rain alters fishing game plans

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    I spent the past week running the roads between Jasper and Houston and there wasn’t a ditch or low lying field that wasn’t under water. While no one is complaining after last year’s drought all but dried up the impoundments across the state, most of that runoff will have to exit though Sabine lake via the Sabine and Neches Rivers. Thus far, it hasn’t washed out the incredibly good bite that we have enjoyed for the better part of a month, but it is still raining today and the f...

  • From the Creaux's Nest

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    RODEO-A TEXAS TRADITION RESCHEDULED FOR AUGUST I can recall, going back many years, when the Orange County Rodeo was a big deal, when big country and movie stars performed. It was always an overflow crowd and for a couple of days everyone in town was a cowboy or cowgirl. Everyone went western, even the youngsters. Taking a child or grandchild to the rodeo is something they will never forget, it becomes part of their Texas heritage. I’m told this year the producer will bring plenty of good stock and professional cowboys will p...

  • Wright weds Broussard

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    Carly Michelle Wright and Michael Andrew Broussard were united in marriage May 19, 2012, in Canyon Lake Texas. The ceremony was officiated Pastor Keith Royal from Winfree Baptist Church. The bride is the daughter of David and Sharon Wright. The groom is the son of Ronnie and Phyllis Broussard. The couple enjoyed a honeymoon cruise to the Bahamas. They are currently residing in Port Neches....

  • Firefighter Smith to be honored at retirement reception

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    A retirement reception will be held 2-4 p.m., Thursday, July 19 honoring Firefighter Donnie Smith for his 31 years of service with the Orange Fire Department. The reception will be held at the Central Fire Station located at 501 N. Seventh St. in Orange in the Bush-Clinton Room....

  • American Red Cross recognizes volunteers

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    The Orange County Chapter for the American Red Cross recently held their annual banquet and saluted their volunteers. An Honoree Award was given to Drake Blanchard by Berti Lokin. In addition, other awards were given to exceptional volunteers in other categories such as Health and Safety Volunteer to Kathy Crawley, Disaster Services Volunteer to Tina Wise, the New Volunteer of the Year goes to Brenda Wilson, the J.R. Aaron Award was given to Rocky Wilson, Board Volunteer of...

  • Conwell: The Day the Lights Went Out in America

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    Most of you who are reading this are intelligent enough to realize just how severe the consequences for our country to be so deeply in debt. Unfortunately, you’re in the minority. Such a small percentage of knowledgeable readers sometimes makes me wonder what’s the use to constantly point out the draconian future that lies ahead of us if we maintain our present course. But that in itself, is the reason to keep trying. There are dreary times ahead unless you don’t mind paying seventy or eighty percent of your income as taxes...

  • Cooking with Katherine: Shrimp Scampi

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    Here is a really good, and easy recipe for you. I love Shrimp, and the shrimp are starting to roll in now. You should not have any problem finding someone to get fresh shrimp for you. I am very fortunate to have a friend that gets them fresh from Kemah. Well hope all is having a great summer! Happy eating! 3 shallots, peeled and chopped (about ½ cup) 7 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 pounds of extra-large or jumbo, shrimp peeled and deveined 4...

  • Family, friends gather to remember Bridgette Gearen

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    A press conference was held at the Galveston County Sheriff’s sub-station Sunday morning to mark five years since the day Bridgette Gearen, 28,of Orange, was murdered. To the packed room, family members spoke of the woman they loved dearly. In a show of support they each wore a small pink silk rose pinned to a small piece of paper which said, “Our Angel Bridgette.” As the meeting continued the roses were passed out to everyone. Tommy Hansen, lead investigator in the case, woul...

  • Fifth Annual His and Hers Weekend to be held at Ford Arena

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    Great Events, ONE Huge Weekend- This innovative event is the marriage of two popular, long-running, consumer shows: The Southeast Texas Great Outdoors Expo and The Peddler Show, for three days of family fun with over 150 vendors and entertainment that is sure to please both the avid shopper and outdoorsman in your household. One admission ticket gets you into both events so men and women will finally be able to shop together- and like it! Parking is FREE! The Peddler Show has been offering Texas shoppers a one-of-a-kind...

  • BCLL Sectional Champs headed to State

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    Bridge City Little League 10 year olds from District 32 captured the title of Texas East Section 2 Champions on Saturday night beating Orwall National 6-3 in Groves. BCLL went undefeated through the Section 2 Tournament beating Jasper and North Shore before claiming the victory. The team advances to the State Tournament to be held in Tyler. They will play the Section 3 winner on July 21st at 6 p.m. at Faulker Park in Tyler for their first game. Pictured: (L to R) Jordan...

  • BCLL softball allstars headed to State

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    The 9-10 year old girls softball allstars from Bridge City Little League recently won sectionals and will be attending the State tournament in Seguin starting this weekend. Pictured are: Rylee Oceguera, Aleah McClanahan, Shay Fredeck, Edyn Miller, Alexis Sturrock, Abby Anderson, Kyndall Harrison, Erin Ramsey, Faith Fregia, Jenna Hutto, Peyton Trapp, Courtney Ball. Coaches: Tony Ball, Jody Anderson, Rachel Oceguera, and Tim Trapp (not shown)....

  • Rain postpones OC Sheriff Posse Rodeo, new event added

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    A decision was made by the Orange County Sheriff Posse Tuesday evening to postpone the annual rodeo that was scheduled this weekend due to rain. The committee met at the arena to evaluate the situation. “The new date; Aug. 24 and 25 and that’s a Friday and Saturday night. That is the weekend prior to a lot of the area schools starting, so our goal is to promote this as kinda the last summer hoorah with families before starting school,” said Jamia Harris, spokesman for the p...

  • Volunteerism, more valuable than money

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    Glenda Lucia wants people to know there are more ways to donate to nonprofit organizations than just money. She wants to spotlight the two year anniversary of a group of volunteers at St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen that is held every Wednesday. “If it wasn’t for them, we would be having packaged cookies and cakes for dessert,” she said. Lucia is referring to a dedicated team of volunteers from Orange Savings Bank in Orange. Two years ago, Bank President Stephen Lee challenged his emp...

  • Rev. Evan Dolive: America’s Only Hope?

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    As the election season is about kick into high gear, the number of political attack ads will increase exponentially the closer we draw to November. The claims will begin small by showing voting records and then will grow into personal attacks. There is 141 days until the general election and it is only going to get worse. One of the claims that political figures like to postulate is that they are the only hope for the future of America, their ideals and the country. Each side of the isle will believe that they are the sure...

  • Chuck Uzzle: No wrong way to fish

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    For many of us the summer months mean different things when it comes to the sport of fishing. There are those who can only dream of clean blue prop wash, flat seas at dawn, and an endless expanse of gulf as far as the eye can see. For others the thought of rushing into the bay amid the sounds of working birds and fleeing bait gets their heart pumping in anticipation of hungry trout and redfish by the bunch. Still others look forward to the quiet solitude of anchoring up on...

  • OCP: The Next Generation

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    Sunday was the last performance for the Orange Community Players Young Peoples Workshop’s production of “Breaking the News 2.” It was a fun filled show premised as a news program with commercials; current and make believe. The cast was actually small compared to other years. Usually the workshop is filled with 50 or more eager theater students. This year there were only about 35 kids in the classes. Alaniz Vasquez, one of the directors said he thinks a church camp was in se...

  • Chief Lane Martin works to make Orange a safer place

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    Lane Martin, police chief for the Orange Police Department, wasn’t one of those little boys who always dreamed of becoming a police officer when he grew up. Instead, he attended college to study business. Martin, 45, grew up in Mauriceville and graduated from Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School. It was an elective class that drew him into law enforcement. “I found criminal justice to be very interesting,” Martin said. As a result, he took additional classes on law enfor...

  • Bianca Marie Rugani

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    Bianca Marie Rugani, 81, of Orange passed away July 17, at Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital in Orange. Funeral services will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Funeral Home in Bakersfield, CA. Born in Monroe, NY on Nov. 17, 1930, Bianca was the daughter of Paul and Anna (Marchetti) Rugani. She was a devoted daughter, loving sister and a blessed aunt. Bianca is survived by her sister, Anna Patrick of Bakersfield; caretaker and niece, Debbie Foster of Beaumont; and numerous other nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank...

  • Two arrested on drug charges

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    On Tuesday, July 17, at 7:50 pm, officers from the Orange Police Department Narcotics Division executed a search warrant at 2301 Monterrey. Officers recovered approximately two ounces of powder cocaine, approximately ¾ ounce of marijuana, 48 amphetamine pills, and 26 Adderall pills.Arrested in the incident was Tymeca Monique Cook, 38. She was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, both are second degree felonies, and one count class B possession of...

  • Orange Police Beat

    Updated Jul 18, 2012

    Officers from the Orange Police Department responded to the following calls between July 17 and the morning of July 18: Simple assault, 1010 S. Hwy. 87 Miscellaneous incidents, 201 8 th St./401 Camellia Traffic, 16th and Inwood Theft, other, 3913 Eddie Aggravated assault, non-family, strong-arm, 1307 14th St. Damaged property, private, 807 2nd St. Public service, other, 2205 Hwy. 62 Civil problem, 520 Bridal Wreath Public service, other, 1405 4th St. Burglary, unlawful entry, residence, 3322 Ridgemont Public intoxication,...