Countyrecord issue030916

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FISHING ORANGE COUNTY

Capt. Dickie Colburn Page 1B

Sports

OUTDOORS

Kaz’s Korner

Capt. Chuck Uzzle

Hunting & Fishing

Commentary Page 1B

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HEALING POWER OF PRAYER Church Briefs Page 7B

County Record

TheRecordLive.com

Vol. 57 No. 46

The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas

Week of Wednesday, March 9, 2016

County approves proclamation for Gift of Life first held in 1996, is a national day of activism that empowers youth to stand out, speak up and seize control against Big Tobacco. As the next National

Tommy Mann Jr. For The Record

Commissioners approved a special proclamation on Tuesday afternoon on behalf of a well-known organization and its quest to help those in need battle cancer. Orange County Commissioners approved a special proclamation on Tuesday, March 8, for the Julie Rogers Gift of Life and its Youth Advisory Council in observance of National Kick Butts Day, which is scheduled for Wednesday, March 16, across the country to spread the word as anti-tobacco advocates. Connie Berry of the Julie Rogers Gift of Life attended Tuesday’s meeting in Orange County, along with seven members of the Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School Key Club, to present information to Commissioners and accept the proclamation from the court. “Tobacco imposes a terrible toll on everyone,” Berry said.

Kick Butts Day is scheduled for Wednesday, March 16, more than 1,000 events in schools and communities across the United States, and even around

the world, are being planned. Such events are designed to help youth leaders, teachers

COUNTY BUSINESS Page 3A

Pinewood Derby Rallies Winners

Orange County Commissioners Court proclaimed Wednesday, March 16, as “National Kick Butts Day” on behalf of the Julie Rogers Gift of Life program. Commissioners Barry Burton, Precinct 2; John Banken, Precinct 3; and Jody Crump, Precinct 4, are pictured in back. Front row features members of the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Key Club and Connie Berry, at right, of Julie Rogers Gift of Life. RECORD PHOTO: Tommy Mann Jr.

“Our organization works with groups across Southeast Texas, including high schools, and our future rests with students like those that are here today.” According to findings from the National Youth Tobacco Survey in 2014, e-cigarette use

increased among high school students from approximately 660,000 to more than 2 million. Also, 90 percent of all smokers begin smoking as teenagers or earlier. According to its official website, Kick Butts Day, which was

Turnout in Primary near record in OC St. Joseph Alter Feast March 19 Staff Report For The Record

St. Mary Parish Annual Altar honoring St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church will be held Saturday, March 19, at St. mary Catholic Church, 912 W. Cherry, Orange. This special event will include a luncheon of Pasta Milanese, baked fish, casseroles and vegetables along with desserts, prepared in the Sicilian tradition will be served (dine in only). St. Joseph Chaplet will be recited at 10:30 am, followed by the Blessing of our Altar at 11 am. Donations will be accepted by those participating, with proceeds being distributed to local charitable organizations. Donations are needed to provide fruit, other food items, flowers are also needed for flowers on the Alter, or one may volunteer to help with the program. Please contact Rosalie or Pat Clark 409-8862577.

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Tommy Mann Jr. For The Record

The March Primary elections of 2016 will be one to remember for years to come with a near record turnout and close races. A total of 18,327 registered voters submitted ballots in the March 1 Primary election in Orange County. Although this was not a record for a Primary election, it was a nearrecord. “The largest turnout we have had for a Primary election, since I’ve been in this office, was in the 2008 Primary elections when we had just over 19,000 people vote,” said Tina Barrow, Orange County Election Administrator. “This is definitely the second most.” Of the 18,327 ballots submitted during this election period, 8,567 ballots were submitted during the early voting period from Feb. 16 through Feb. 26, while 9.760 were submitted by voters on election day, March 1. Orange County has traditionally been known as a

Democratic county, but it has gradually shifted to become more and more Republican in the past few elections. According to final results from the March 1 election, a total of 15,545 ballots were submitted in the Orange County Primary Election or 84.82 percent of the total ballots received. A total of 15,380 votes were submitted in the Republican Primary for U.S. President. Ted Cruz won the state of Texas, as well as Orange County with 48.62 percent or 7,478 votes. Trump finished second with 33.39 percent, or 5,135 votes. The race for Orange County Sheriff generated the most interest in local races on the ballot with 14,240 votes being received, as incumbent Sheriff Keith Merritt defeated opponent David W. Smith. Merritt received 11,173 votes, or 78.46 percent, to Smith’s 3,067 votes. The Orange County Tax Assessor-Collector’s race was

Reece Smith of Cub Scout Pack 1, at center, stands proudly with his trophy after being declared the Grand Champion of the Three River Council’s Sabine District Pinewood Derby, which was held Saturday, March 5, at Granger Chevrolet in West Orange. Pictured with Reece are Doug Moore, at left, District Director; and, at right, Keith Brice of Granger Chevrolet. Scouts from across the Sabine District converged at Granger Chevrolet in West Orange this past Saturday, March 5, for the Pinewood Derby. More than 50 vehicles competed in the event with the four fastest overall vehicles competing for the championship trophy. Derby cars, from left to right, were made by Tanner Somers, Pack 290; Louis McClellan, Pack 402; Louis McIntire, Pack 1; and Reece Smith, Pack 1. RECORD PHOTOS: Tommy Mann Jr.

PRIMARY Page 3A

New board installed at United Way of Orange County Tommy Mann Jr. For The Record

The United Way held its yearly banquet this past Thursday to set the stage for the rest of the year. The United Way of Orange County held its Annual Banquet on Thursday, March 3 inside the Gillespie Building of First Presbyterian Church in downtown Orange as dozens of guests and representatives of the various agencies supported by the United Way were in attendance. Elizabeth Nash, the outgoing president of the organization’s officers, stated how successful 2015 was and that the momentum will continue in 2016. “Everyone has worked very hard and been very dedicated,” Nash said to the audience. “The Board of Directors are very

dedicated in what they do and are hard working volunteers.” She also offered a recap on the United Way of Orange

County’s 2015 campaign fundraising goal for 2016. The goal is $875,000, which is an increase from the previous year’s

The United Way of Orange County held its Annual Banquet this past Thursday, March 3, inside the Gillespie Building of First Presbyterian Church in Orange. Along with its annual report, the organization installed its Board of Directors for the year. RECORD PHOTO: Tommy Mann Jr.

goal of $850,000. “We are at 92 percent of our goal for the year,” Nash added. “We’re not at 100 percent yet, but it’s not for lack of trying.” Pledges continue to come in on a steady basis as the United Way has reportedly received $798,878 this campaign year, which has been led by campaign chairperson David Jones. Also, as part of the annual banquet, the United Way of Orange County installed its new officers and its new Board of Directors. The officers for 2016 through February 2017 are Leslie Uzzle, President; Brian Beach, 1st Vice-President; Mike Cedars, 2nd Vice-President; and Shane Johns, Treasurer. The Board of Directors consists of Michael Bearden, Andrew Culpepper, Demetrius Moffitt, Manuel Ramon, Chris

Riedel, Stacy Brister, Stephen Lee, Bill Powers, Royd Richardson, Gina Simar, Mike Cedars, Dayna Smith, Leslie Uzzle, Betty Morgan, Nancy Vincent and Shane Johns. Through the generous contributions of individuals and business, the United Way of Orange County was able to assist its 22 agencies in 2015. Those agencies include Anayat House, Boy Scouts of America Three Rivers Council, Boys Haven, Camp Fire USA, Family Services/Women and Children Shelter, Friends Helping Friends and Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. Other agencies include Greater Orange Area Literacy Service (GOALS), Habitat for Humanity, Orange County Action Association (Meals on

UNITED WAY Page 3A

• Published For Orange Countians By Orange Countians


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