Sherlock Breaux in the Creaux's Nest

HUNTER BIDEN FOUND GUILTY

President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden was convicted by a jury on Tuesday of lying about his drug use to illegally buy a gun, a verdict Democrats may seize upon to counter Donald Trump’s claim of a justice system weaponized against him. A 12-member jury in Wilmington, Delaware, federal court found the defendant guilty on all three counts against him, making Hunter Biden the first child of a sitting U.S. president to be convicted of a crime. The trial followed the May 30 criminal conviction of Trump, the first former U.S. president to be found guilty of a felony and the Republican challenger to Joe Biden, a Democrat. Trump, convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal. Democrats have pointed to cases including the Hunter Biden prosecution as evidence that Joe Biden is not using the justice system for political or personal ends, having said last week he would not pardon his son if convicted. In a statement on Tuesday, Joe Biden said: “I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery. “As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that,” the statement said. The Hunter Biden case was brought by U.S. Department of Justice Special Counsel David Weiss, a Trump appointee. Weiss has also charged Hunter Biden with three felony and six misdemeanor tax offenses in California, alleging he failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to those charges. A trial is scheduled for Sept. 5 in Los Angeles.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2014

The American public has been worked up by opponents of President Obama against his swap of five Taliban prisoners for Afghanistan hostage U.S. soldier Bowe Bergdahl. The Taliban never has targeted U.S. interest. They are tribal and fight each other. They were Charlie Wilson’s friends and helped him defeat and run the Russians out of Afghanistan. Remember Charlie Wilson’s War? They are not al-Qaeda, which targets Americans.*****We are glad to report that Laverne McDonald, wife of Mayor Roy, is doing fine after undergoing heart surgery in Beaumont Monday. Best wishes for a complete recovery and a long life.*****I hated to watch Matt Hicks and his Ragin’ Cajuns go down in defeat the way they did Monday night in Lafayette. I think Matt was pulled too early. Ole Miss deserved to win. We still have two local boys going to the College World Series in Omaha, Jacob Felts, with Texas and Cameron Dishon, with Ole Miss.*****On June 14, 1954, President Ike signed an order adding the words “Under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance.*****Saturday at the South East Texas Press Club awards banquet The Record Newspapers won several awards. Roy won second and third place for two Life’s Highway columns. Second place was for “50 Years Have Gone by Since JFK’s Assassination;” Third was for “The Fireman--A Great Guy,” a column about the late fire Chief Jerry Wimberly. Awards were also taken home by Debby Schamber and Penny LeLeux.*****On June 16, Beverly Perry, a special lady, a cancer survivor, celebrates another year. Also celebrating are Jennifer Harrison, Ruby Bell and Alex Brent.***June 16, would have been the birthday of a special friend, Wilson “King” Dunn, who died April 29, 2012, at age 93. He’s gone but not forgotten. *****June 17 finds one of our “Bestest” friends, Mary Alice Cole Hartfield, celebrating another year. Day in and day out she’ll do to ride the range with.*****Sen. Hillary Clinton’s new book “Hard Choices” went on sale Tuesday. Diane Sawyer didn’t cut her any slack in a tough ABC Monday night interview.

20 Years Ago-2004

 Singer Ray Charles died this week. He was blind but played a mean piano and could sing any style of music. *****Congrats to Bridge City High ‘All Stater’ softball player Jessie Lemoine. She was also named to the 3-A Academic ‘All State’ honors. She will be playing for the Ragin‘ Cajuns at Lafayette. Named also to ‘All State’ was pitcher Meagan Godwin; Katie Frank was an ‘All Academic’ selection. Both are B.C. grads. *****Thad Angelle, formerly with Bridge City Bank, is now with Texas State Bank. (Editor‘s note: Thad went on to be president of Mid-County Teachers Credit Union.*****After a week of observing his death, President Ronald Reagan is finally laid to rest at the Reagan Library in California.*****On June 9, 1934, 70 years ago, Donald Duck was born.*****GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Marvin Howe, 79, a great American died June 11. He is survived by wife of 56 years, Marjorie, children Alex, Chris, Roberta and their families. (Sadly Marjorie also passed away March 12, 2013.) *****The 2004, 9-year old, Bridge City Little League All Stars are: Aaron Lilly, Revel Diabo, Preston Pittman, Hayden Guidry, Colin Smith, Bryce Sampere, Collin Gros, Eric Truncale, Hunter Stout, Reagan Ficken, Tyler and Trevor Gunn and manager Jimmy Smith. ***** Shon Landry, of LC-M, is named High School Baseball MVP. The senior led the Bears in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, runs batted in, home runs and triples. His 11 homeruns and 53 RBI’s were also the best in the area. He had four triples, one less than the entire team. Last year he was voted MVP as a pitcher.

45 Years Ago-1979

On June 11, John Wayne, age 72 died. He was a great American and movie legend. *****Janice Overman is in St. E. after having foot surgery. ***** Bill Lapeyrolerie is 17 years old on June 15.*****Ronna Illene Ramsey, wife of former Bridge City police officer Mike Ramsey, died Sunday morning after an auto accident.*****Gene and Flo Edgerly buy a home with a swimming pool. He promised to give pretty Ann Lieby swimming lessons, then teach her to ski. He hasn’t kept his word in either case. *****Two Bridge City spring grads at Texas A&M are Mark Hryhorchuck and Joseph Bell. *****Bryan Ward named Athlete of the Year in the Golden Triangle. He’s only a sophomore. Pat Meeks was named outstanding baseball player.*****Indiana State All American Larry Bird inked a contract with the Boston Celtics making him the highest paid rookie basketball player ever. A five year deal worth $3.2 million makes him the highest paid rookie in any sport. *****Sophomore Lynn Cooke is Lamar’s number one golfer. She could possibly be a national champion within two years. *****Michu is the smallest man in the world. He weighs 25 pounds and stands 33 inches tall, 7 inches shorter than P.T. Barnum’s famous Tom Thumb. Born Mihaly, in Hungary, his parents are both 6 inches taller than he is.

50 Years Ago-1974

Bridge City boys, Larry King and Neil Kelly leave next week to join Uncle Sam’s Marine Corps. *****Pretty Claudia Conway, daughter of Margaret and Preston Conway, will be competing in the Miss Texas World contest to be held in Houston.*****Bill Clark is pushing Sunbeam’s Olympic Meal Bread. He says it’s sure to improve your sex life. *****Don Jacobs is in New York. He says there are so many people in that city they have to live in shifts. He writes a good piece on his New York adventure.

CELTICS DEFEAT MAVERICKS 107-89

The Boston Celtics defeat Dallas Mavericks 107-89 for second win. Seventy percent of NBA finals have been won by teams that took game 1. Remaining games to be played are: Game 3: Celtics at Mavericks, Wednesday, June 12 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) Game 4: Celtics at Mavericks, Friday, June 14 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) Game 5: Mavericks at Celtics, Monday, June 17 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)* Game 6: Celtics at Mavericks, Thursday, June 20 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)* Game 7: Mavericks at Celtics, Sunday, June 23 (8 p.m. ET, ABC)*

A FEW HAPPENINGS

A big thunderstorm couldn’t keep the crowd away last week as local bigwigs gathered to celebrate the 90th birthday of Roy Dunn, the owner of The Record Newspapers, the last locally-owned newspapers in Orange County. Carl Thibodeaux even made Roy one of his cookie cakes for the party. Thibodeaux may hold the local record for public service titles. He spent 20 years as Orange County Judge, he’s been a West Orange mayor and councilor, and now, he’s serving as municipal judge for West Orange.*****The party was held in the big room at  Robert’s Meat Market with Record employees Janelle Sehon and Brenda Lund organizing and decorating. *****Roy told some stories of when he was back in his 30s and started the Opportunity Valley News, a weekly paper. To help drum up attention to the paper and get advertisers, he started writing a gossip column that included things like ‘a blue Oldsmobile was spotted late Tuesday night with a woman getting out of it and into a traveling Ford.” He threatened to name the people in a future edition of the paper if they didn’t bring him a cake. He said he got lots of cake. He threw away only one. It was chocolate and he was afraid it was full of laxative.*****The biggest ‘gossip’ Roy told at his party was about how many boudain balls Dr. Tom Johnson, president of LSCO, can eat. Six? Dr. Johnson is one of Roy’s newer admirers, but Roy says they grew up around Port Arthur and Mawmaw Judice’s cooking. Also, Dr. Johnson had worked for the colorful U.S. Representative Charlie Wilson, whose district included Orange.*****Roy choked up some when he talked about his longtime friendship with lawyer Sharon Bearden and how 50 years ago Bearden was district attorney and had to deal with major crimes. Eric Peveto, a law partner with Sharon, accompanied him. County Judge John Gothia sat up front with Roy. County commissioners Chris Sowell and Kirk Roccaforte were there, along with County Treasurer Christy Khoury Roccaforte. Justices of the peace Chad Jenkins and Hershel Stagner came as did retired JP Derry Dunn.*****Retired State Judge Pat Clark came by and even Ron Sigler, a former county commissioner, stopped for lunch to pay tribute. He’s always on Interstate 10 between Houston and Louisiana. Record Newspaper writers Chuck Uzzle, Dan Perrine, and Margaret Toal also attended.*****Roy received his first homegrown tomatoes this year from Judge Derry Dunn. You can’t beat red, ripe, off the vine tomatoes. We also enjoyed Windee’s homemade white bread and jelly and David Bailey’s delicious annual special-made strawberry pie. Capt. Chuck Uzzle took care of the upcoming Father’s Day celebration with fresh game and redfish. What great birthday gifts.*****We received a note from Attorney Paul Henderson. Glad to hear from him.*****Charlotte Chaison, Beverly Perry, Lou Raburn, Judy Domec LeBlanc, Shirley Vicknair were in the group on a day trip to Beaumont to see the city’s murals and enjoy a meal downtown.*****Brandi Griggs took her kids on a trip to the Hill Country that included river floats in San Marcus and hiking in Wimberley. She’ll take Bridge City’s alligators over those dry area scorpions.*****April and Scott Goodman were enjoying the sights and cool temperatures in Niagara Falls.*****Dixie and Gay Richardson had a short vacation. They had planned for a two-week cruise and land tour of Alaska, but a screw from Dixie’s previous foot surgery broke in half and she needed medical care.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

A few folks having birthdays in the next few days. June 12: Lindsay Hallman, Rhonda Dishon, Candice Steele, Frances Ragsdale, Jesse Walles, Kaaren Kline.*****June 13: John Banken, Sidney White, Ryan Kelly Shawna Gauthier, Desia Davis.*****June 14: Zoe Ann Hinds, Bobbie Burgess, Selita Ernest, Carley Swenson, Ben Perry. Donald Trump turns 78 on this day.*****June 15: Our own Janelle Sehon celebrates today also our friend Adam Dupuis, Ryan Richard, Alex Eby, Denise Vickers, Sharon Fisher. Waylon Jennings was born 80 years ago in 1944 in Littlefield, Texas.*****June 16: Best wishes to Beverly Perry, Charlotte Potter, Christian Louvier, Jennifer Hamson.*****June 17: We wish our sweet friend Alice Cole-Hartsfield a big happy birthday hug. Also celebrating are Demi Roy Justin Johnson, Andrew Riedel, Belinda Welch.*****June 18: Celebrating today are Brandy Slaughter, Janice Babin, Nancy Haworth,. Krystal Leonard, Selby Tuberville, Amber King.*****Other birthday greetings this past week to Vivian McMillan, who turned 91. Also celebrating were local legend Dan Harris, Cody Campbell, Matt Huston, Pauline Farris, Enette Howard, Donna Benefield, M.J. Simar, Anna Bonnin, Kate Ernst, Dana McMillan Strokos, Bob Stalnaker, Becky Wilson May, Charlotte Henning, Michele Borel, LaNiya Marks, Tommy Ferguson, Larry Bornholdt, and Captain Tiffany Salgado with the Salvation Army.*****Anniversaries celebrated included Johnny and Becky Trahan with 42 years and Wayne and Elaine Reeh with 44 years.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

Norris Dartez was traveling da back road and jus out of Abbeville he sees a little boy chillun dragging a big bird wit a wing span bout six feets. Dartez stop his car and he axe, “Son, wats you name?”

Da little boy answer, “I’m Teneg Boudreaux, me.”

“Well, wat you dot dere Teneg?”

Da boy answer, “Me, I got a hawk.”

Dartez said, “A wat:”

“A chicken hawk, dats wat I got me.” answer the boy.

“Wat in da hell you gonna do wit dat hawk, hanh?” Dartez

axe.

Teneg look at Dartez and say, “Make gumbo, wat you tink?”

Dartez axe. “Does hawk make pretty good gumbo?”

Teneg answer, “Bout like owl.”

C’EST TOUT

RUNOFF NUMBERS

According to the Enterprise, now that all ballots are counted, 24.5% of eligible voters, 25,319 out of 103,117, participated in the runoff, including blank ballots. Jefferson County saw the highest turnout with 39% of eligible voters, 9,964 out of 54,096, participating, according to numbers from the country. Jasper and Orange counties saw nearly half the turnout as Jefferson County. Orange County saw a 20% turnout, 4,498 out of 23,547 eligible voters. The makeup of the electorate has changed significantly in recent decades, and independents are now the largest and fastest-growing group of voters in the country. The Legislature would need to change the state election code and set procedure for a closed primary; current state law allows any registered voter to affiliate with a party by voting in its primary.*****Well, I’ve got to get out of here. My time is up; thanks for yours. Please read us cover to cover. Happy Father’s Day to all you dads. Take care and God bless.