Sherlock Breaux in the Creaux's Nest

WITNESSING UNUSUAL DAY IN HISTORY

JANUARY 20, 2025

When I woke up Monday morning, like I do most mornings before opening my eyes, I think about what day and time it is. I realized it was Monday, January 20, 2025, and it was going to be a different day, different than all others. This day was a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King but it was much more, it was the day of the inauguration president of Donald J. Trump. After being defeated by Joe Biden, Trump was re-elected as the 47th president. Trump was sworn in as the first felon to become United States president. The celebration lasted all day. Trump and outgoing president Biden had tea together and rode together to Trump’s ceremony. Citizens expected Trump to be milder and more respectful in his prepared remarks about the former president. Instead he was brutal, very disrespectful to President Biden, who sat five feet away. As Trump spoke it got worse in his unscripted remarks. He turned into his old self. His sick ego kicked in. He spent nearly an hour bragging on himself. He told his usual lies, taking credit for what the Biden administration had accomplished. He lied about the economy, when in fact Biden left the country far better than when he got it from Trump. Biden added far more jobs than any first term president while maintain a low four percent unemployment. Trump laid out a very scary agenda that departs from our constitution. His run-away boosting and how he had been the best president ever disappointed some of his supporters who knew better.*****The weather folks had predicted that a winter blizzard was headed to Southeast Texas, and the next few days would not only be bitter cold but also unusual for this part of the country. A large accumulation of snow started to fall and by Tuesday morning it was really snowing. By afternoon it was nearly four inches at Bridge City. No other day and time in our history will ever repeat itself like the unusual happenings of January 20, 2025, MLK, Trump Inauguration, historical snow.

TURNING BACK THE HANDS OF TIME

10 Years Ago-2015

Obama addresses first Republican controlled House and Senate. Tuesday evening President Barack Obama addressed a joint session of congress with his State of the Union message. Obama, who is riding an upswing in popularity called on the congress to join him in putting aside the political games and finding areas where they agree so we can deliver for the American people. His message included proposals for tax hikes on the wealthy, tax breaks for the middle class, community college, housing, manufacturing cyber security and paid sick leave for government employees.*****Remembering Dr. Howard Williams. Throughout the 1970’s, almost every Monday evening while we were composing the Opportunity Valley News, we could count on Dr. Howard Williams coming in carrying his camera. Back then we received many old photos from the citizens. We had asked anyone who had pictures of old Orange to loan them to us. Dr. Williams would come in and shoot pictures of the photos before we returned them. Some we were fortunate enough to be allowed to keep. Dr. Williams built his own collection from those old photos, many ended up in his book of historical photographs titled “Orange, Gateway to Texas.” We had known this fine man, good doctor and his wife Elizabeth since the 1950’s. We were sorry to learn of his sudden death at age 89. He and his wife preserved much of Orange County history. They have left a legacy that will long benefit citizens and historians.*****Home Boy Dubose to coach at Bridge City.  Coach Dewayne Dubois was hired Monday as head football coach at Bridge City. He and his wife Cristal both graduated from Bridge City and sons Camden and Caleb are residents of the school district and have been despite Dwayne’s coaching elsewhere. It’s a great opportunity that few get to coach where they started, at the place they call home.***** Texans and Seahawks going to Super Bowl. What a wild, most unexpected finish to a playoff game. The Seattle Seahawks trailed the Green Bay Packers 19-7, with less than four minutes to play. The Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson had thrown four picks and it appeared to be doomsday for Earl Thomas and the team. Finally Russell Wilson came out of the funk he’d been in throughout the game to lead Seattle to score 15 points in 44 seconds. A quick score, two point conversion and a mishandled onside kick in overtime by Brandon Bostick, Packers tight end, and the Seahawks were back in business. Green Bay never touched the ball again. The Seahawks won the toss and Wilson put on a show that left Green Bay in shock and Wilson in tears of emotion. The Seahawks pulled a 28-22 miracle win. Feb. 1, 5:30, in Glendale Arizona. Now Wilson, Earl Thomas and the Seahawks have a chance to win two Super Bowls in consecutive seasons. Most of the country will be pulling for the Patriots and Tom Brady to win but not here in the Golden Triangle where home boy Earl Thomas III is a local hero.***** Former Houston Texan head coach Gary Kubiak returns to Denver as head coach. He was a backup quarterback to his now boss John Elway.*****A few folks we know celebrating their special day. First let me take a line to remember our friend Ray Trahan who died on Jan. 19, 2003. Ray touched a lot of lives.****On Jan. 22, Judge Janice Menard, former J.P. now retired, celebrates.*****On Jan. 23, a special happy birthday to Sandra Peveto, Wayne’s better half.*****On Jan. 26, Pat and attorney H.D. Pate celebrate their anniversary. (H.D. has since died and Pat has moved away.)*****Jan. 27 is a special day for a special little guy, Leland Clay Gros, who turns 6 years old. “The Scoot” is Ms. Phyl and Roy’s great grandson.***** There has never been as many county department heads heading out the door when a new judge came into office. Those who have left after many years of service are county clerk Karen Jo Vance, emergency management Jeff Kelly, personnel Jill Shores, operations and maintenance director Mark Wimberley, Donna Minter, transportation department director, Janine Denman, secretary for the county judge. Brandy Robertson, appointed county clerk, is the only job that has been filled. Judge Thibodeaux had a good team. Last week “Thib” was honored with a large farewell gathering at the Expo Center. Thanks Judge for 20 years of a job well done and also thanks for the memories. The best to you and Micaela during the coming years.*****Our friend Gerald Morris underwent triple bypass surgery this week in Houston.***** When it comes to open carry gun laws I see dark clouds ahead. For one, it could be a nightmare for law enforcement officers. Make no mistake about it, the extreme right Texas Legislature is hell bent on passing the open carry law and new Gov. Greg Abbott says as soon as it’s passed he will sign it. We could see open carry in Texas as soon as next September. Already in Texas we can openly carry rifles and shotguns and soon Texans will be able to display handguns as well. The proposal now is that anyone over the age of 18 will be able to carry without requiring a license.

26 Years Ago-1999

Bill Nickum, owner of Nickum Insurance, is the recipient of the 1999 Sam Walton Business Leader award. In his honor the Bridge City Chamber received $500 from the Wal-Mart Foundation.*****Former Bridge City coach and trainer Moe Litton joined other local sports legends inducted into the South East Texas Hall of Honor. Other 1999 inductees are Bum Phillips, Joe Washington, Alex Durley, Pappy Drenman and Darrel Shaver.*****A full house attended the Bridge City football banquet to honor Coach Les Johnson’s players. Several players received All District and other honors. Jared Williams and Jeremy Stolfa received All-State honors. Coach Johnson says at least a dozen of his players will receive college scholarships. Coach Bruchhaus of McNeese was the guest speaker. Two of Johnson’s former players, John Hoffpauir and Nicolas Watson, now attending McNeese.

51 Years Ago-1974

The county races are all set. Let the race begin. Incumbent County Judge Grover Halliburton is challenged by James D. Stringer and James A Broussard. Dr. John Greco is the only Republican.***County Court-at-Law David Dunn; district clerk, Edna Enmon; county clerk, Sallie Frazier; county treasurer, Earline Hilliard; county school superintendent, James A. Peddy. County commissioners, Pct. 1, S.P. “Pete” Dickey, Claude J. Broussard, Glenn Seale, George W. Stevens, Morris Collier and Glen Peveto. (A bunch). ***Pct. 4, Raymond Gould, incumbent, C.O. “Goober” Williamson, L.B. “Timer” Williamson; Ray Willie, R.H. Harold Carter and Sam Humberson. (Another bunch).***Democratic chairman, J.L. “Pete” Runnels, incumbent, and Louis Dugas, Jr.***Constable Pct. 2, S.D. “Bill” Dickerson, J.R. “James” Aaron, Leon Frederick, H.D. Tucker, Jr., R.J. “Ronnie” Burns, Robert E. Smith, Donald A. Gunn, Joe D. Shibley. (A whole bunch).***J.P. Pct. 1, Viola Shibley, Claude Wimberly, S. E. Bellfield, C. Arnold Buxton and Allen D. Cary, Sr.***JP Pct. 3, Martin Ardoin.***JP Pct. 4, V.I. “Coon” Constance and incumbent Joe Bunn.*** State Rep. Wayne Peveto, incumbent and Thomas W. Porter. (Editor’s note: I knew and remember all of them.)*****A strange sight was seen this week. Tom Cockrell and Joe Blanda, two barbers, walking a picket line together in Orangefield. One was carrying a Bible, the other a deck of cards. *****Doug Harrington and Roy Dunn are supposed to play the big tennis match this Thursday. Five will get you 10 that Dunn backs out. *****Helen and Truman Hodge became great-grandparents. Daughter Beverly and son-in-law James Francis are the parents of Jamie Lynn.*****Cecil Scales says the only thing lit up in Orange after 10 p.m. is Ken Rainwater. *****Coach Andy Griffin, 37, head football coach and athletic director at White Oak, will assume those duties at Bridge City March 1. Griffin replaces H.W. “Chief” Wilson, who resigned to accept another position. *****The LCM Bearettes are zone basketball champs. They are Tanyia Strickland, DeDe Crawford, Linda Bean, Becky Dunn, Karen Kachtik, Angela Kanoy, Theresa Duncan, Debbie McClelland, Debbie Martinez, Molly Malone, Doris Flanagan, Sheryl Miller, Julia Knight, Dawana Wiggins, Donna Peveto and Brenda Burch. Coaches are Paul Baker and Linda Warner. (It’s hard to believe that was 51 years ago.)

TRUMP SIGNS FIRST EXECUTIVE ORDERS

After a celebratory rally in downtown Washington, Trump signed a number of orders relating to immigration at the White House including a directive to end birthright citizenship. A few Democrats and some legal groups have vowed to challenge in court any attempt by Trump to do away with birthright citizenship. Another order would change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, although it’s not clear whether the U.S. president has the authority to rename an area that is considered international waters.

A FEW HAPPENINGS

Jody Chesson got his snow, and a lot of it. He's lived his life in Southeast Texas and no matter how old you are, snow is always exciting here with a rare snowfall. Lady Whistlebreaux hasn't heard yet whether he made a snow angel. Orange Mayor Larry Spears Jr. quipped that he was saving money. He had been thinking about taking his kids to Colorado to see snow. They got to see it in their yard.*****The cold bad weather was predicted by the weekend and everyone seemed to be running to the hardware and grocery stores to prepare for 'snowmaggedon.' Grocery stores were running out of milk and bread. Convenience stores had empty beer shelves.*****Before the weather hit, the Lutcher Theater had two showings of 'Ain't Too Proud,' the big musical based on the classic group The Temptations. Roderick and Brandy Robertson were to a show. They should have asked him to sing with them. He's got the voice.*****The Vidor Chamber of Commerce had their annual banquet last Thursday. Cinderella Powell was named Citizen of the Year, with Texas Stage Member of the Year, Gubers of SETX Small Business of the Year, and Becky Parker Ambassador of the Year.*****Joe Bob and Bonny Lemley Edwards got to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange Friday as the couple from Orange took their company FlowCo public. Brooke Lemley was there with her sister and brother-in-law.***** Congratulations to Walker Smith for finishing the Louisiana Half Marathon this weekend before the snow.***** Happy Anniversary to Lawrence and Gerry Huckabay of Bridge City who celebrate 76 years of marriage on Jan. 28.

BREAUX BIRTHDAYS

A few folks celebrating birthdays in the next few days. Jan. 22: Cris Anderson, Meloney Delano, Gary Baker, Janice Westfall, Myra Sherwood, Nancy Sieck, Suzanne Pittard, Betty Stephenson.*****Jan. 23: Sandra Peveto, Caitlyn Lindner, Erin Leroux, Jennifer Grizzaffi, Logan Mitchell, Lyndell Hodgkinson, Sue Harris, Karen Anthony. Mayor Essie Bellfield passed away on this date in 2022.*****Jan. 24: Larry Gray, Randy Franklin, Toni Robertson, Eric Shuford.*****Jan. 25: Amy Kidder, Jessica Hobbs, Judy Rogers, Melanie Thevis, Tayler Thompson, Taylor Fraccastoro, Chelsea Anderson.*****Jan. 26: Nancy Vincent, Noreen Cook, Haley Parish, Hayden Anderson, Mike Faulk, Ginny Pelpier, Ron Huebel.*****Jan. 27: A special Happy Birthday to 16 year old Leland Gros, Garrett’s son, Karen’s first grandson and Roy and Phyl’s great-grandson. Also Tommy Wolfford, Jonathan Arnold, Kimberly Barclay, Melanie Prosperie Mick Weidner, Tori Lummus, Virginia Pelletier.*****Jan. 28: Mary Stanton, Judge David Dunn, Sidney Longrun, Cheryl Gonzales, Hollie Fregia, Justin Gearhart, Chase Rendall, Jim Snider, Cheryl Richard, Kerstin Jewel, Colin Briggs.*****Don Futch had his 98th birthday this week with family helping him party. Jack Smith also made it another trip around the sun. Lady Whistlebreaux calculates he is 84.*** Others with birthdays included Miles Hall, Rita Monson, Janois Grizzaffi, Cecelia Pillsbury, Maya Manning, Roderick Robertson, Gloria Moore, Tyler Reves, Mechille Stinnett, Maggie Jackson,  Keith Cloessner, Laurie Hall Leister, Curtis Sonnier, Barbara Feathers, Lori Gonalez, Myra Trahan, and Jude Yeaman.

CAPITAL POLICE OFFICERS RESPOND TO Jan. 6 PARDONS

President Trump has issued roughly 1,500 pardons and commuted the sentences of 14 individuals in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack. Trump declared the pardons “full, complete and unconditional” expressing hope for immediate releases. Former police officer Michael Fanone, who was attacked by now-pardoned defendants, stated the Trump’s pardon has left him feeling betrayed by his country as do other police officers. On January 6, 2021, we were fulfilling our oath to defend this country. We protected all elected officials, regardless of what party they belonged to.

CAJUN STORY OF THE WEEK

  Alex Boudreaux and Marie were speeding along on da I-10 high rise bridge over Whisky Bay when Boudreaux saw da red-light flashing in da rearview window.

Boudreaux pull over as good as he could to da side of da bridge.

Da state trooper Landry walk up to da window wit his clipboard in his hand. He axed, “Did you know dat you was going 80 miles an hour and da speed limit on dis bridge is 60?”

Boudreaux look at da carpet of da truck for dat cigarette he dropped. He say, “Nope, I was going 60, me.”

Da trooper sounded fed up as he look at his clipboard and said, “Nope, I clocked you at 80. Den da trooper look over at Marie sitting dere looking out of da passenger window at da cypress trees in da water.

Da trooper say, “Maam, I clocked dat man at 80. He said he was going 60. Now you tell me, was he going 60 or 80, hanh?”

Marie say, “Me, I never argue wit Boudreaux when he’s been drinking him.”

DEPORTATION OF 1950s HAS BRUTAL HISTORY

TRUMP LOOKS TO DEPORT MILLIONS

While pledging to carry out the largest mass deportation effort in history, President Donald Trump has pointed to one example from history that he wants to outdo President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s often brutal effort to send as many as 1.3 million migrant workers back to Mexico. Under the operation that began in 1954, the Border Patrol military and state and local police rounded up hundreds of thousands of people nationwide. They were sent across the border by bus, train and boat, in conditions that a congressional investigation later compared to an “18-century slave ship.” The military-like “Operation Wetback” after a racial slur used to describe migrants who had crossed the Rio Grande, would eventually expand to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago, where many undocumented immigrants had long been settled. INS, which ran the operation, claimed to have removed 1.3 million immigrants during the operation, though historians say that is likely an inflated figure. Eventually, boats became a more preferred method for deportation. A riot broke out on one ship, which a congressional investigation later compared to a “penal hell ship.” Trump has said he will focus on deporting violent criminals first, while also vowing to go further than Eisenhower. South Texas, meanwhile, is likely to be a major staging ground for the operation. Trump has been clear that he is prepared to challenge longstanding constitutional right such as birthright citizenship by deporting even American citizen children.*****I best be going. Come along, it won’t do you no harm. Wednesday’s temperature will be in the teens all day, with icy roads. This will delay the delivery of the paper until Thursday. Take care and God bless.