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Published for Orange Countians by Orange Countians
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County Record
TheRecordLive.com
Vol. 57 No. 19
The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas
Week of Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Commissioners discuss employee benefits David Ball
For The Record
Ladies at the Thrift and Gift Shop work on another quilt masterpiece on September 4 at the store. The shop will celebrate their 43rd anniversary on September 12. Some of the volunteers have been there for more than 30 years. Pictured are Mary Guillot, Bobbie Linscomb, Barbara Miles, Janice Simmons, and Marie Bonnin. RECORD PHOTO: David Ball
Quilting makes others sew happy Thrift and Gift Shop celebrates 43rd year David Ball
For The Record
K
ay Nuss, a staff member with Thrift and Gift, said volunteers come in everyday and everyone gets along well with others. “We’ve had really nice new people come in here. They say ‘we didn’t know you’re here,’” she said. This month marks 43 years for the Thrift and Gift Shop in Orange, according to a prior Record article. It started downtown off Green Avenue as a place senior citizens could sell crafts and such to make a little extra money. They also sold lunches for $3, which was very popular with the people that worked downtown. Ladies gathered to make quilts and still gather for quilting a couple of days a week now. Twelve years ago, the shop moved to the old Salk Elementary School located at 350 37th Street thanks to the efforts of
magazines, collectibles and vendor heirlooms, antiques of all kinds and quality used clothing. These various activities provided seniors getting together at least weekly, or even more often at “their shop” which led to many new friendships. A few of the early organizers were Pat and Glen Putnam, Velma Jeter, Iris Allen, and Inez Hubbard. Some of the volunteers, Mary Guillot, Velma Couture and Evelyn Adams, have been active for more than 30 years. This shop was successful and was supported by an apThe patriotic quilt that will be raffled for the Thrift and Gift Shop for preciative community, it read. the Christmas in Orangefield celebration. The Thrift and Gift Shop in RECORD PHOTOS: David Bal turn gave their support to the organizations of the Heritage volunteer Wynona Nance. selling their handmade items, Center and Putnam Place. Some remodeling had to be and preserving crafts that had “Our shop is still best known completed before they could long been a part of American for the beautiful quilts prohouseholds such as quilting, duced,” according to the press open for business. The nonprofit shop was or- knitting, crocheting, and sew- release. “The quilters make ganized in 1973 by a group of ing, read a press release from two anniversary quilts each community leaders who want- the organization. They also offer handmade ed to give senior citizens a way THRIFT & GIFT Page 3A to supplement their income by crafts and gifts, books and
Employee benefits topped the list of agenda items when the Orange County Commissioners Court met on the afternoon of September 8. One item addressed consisted of four parts: a. Implementation of sick time policy for exempt employees b. Sick time buy back program c. Longevity pay d. Vacation County Judge Brint Carlton said there was a lengthy discussion at a public workshop on these matters earlier in the day. Minnie Hightower, Human Resource director, said salaried employees may accrue 96 hours and carry those over with no buy back. Carlton said he wants something in writing for the policy before approval. No action was taken on the sick time policy for exempt employees. Barry Burton, Precinct 2 commissioner, said he favored
no action on a sick time buy back program and keep things as they are now. He said the court can grandfather Burton where they are now in a last in, first out system. Employees have a maximum of 1,440 hours to bank. “We can lock in the hours now. They can’t be banked for the buy back. They’re locked in at today’s rate. We can lock in the rate,” he said. The policy doesn’t affect collective bargaining employees such as with the sheriff’s office. Douglas Manning, assistant county attorney, said the court could announce their intent that day and draft a written policy. The motion passed was to breeze all buy back employees who are eligible at the hours they have accumulated at today’s rate. The vote was four to one
COUNTY Page 3A
Local women to name ‘Men of Valor’ David Ball
For The Record
One organization is taking the time to recognize men in the community who go about making Orange County a better place to live. The first-ever Men of Valor Recognition will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, September 12 at the First Church of God in Orange, 1911 16th St. The Men of Valor Awards is a black-tie affair that will support the Oran-Je Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. community Thrust including Top Teen (scholarship), Status of Women, Community Beautification and Community Partnership, Community Easter Egg Hunt, and other community service activities. The selection is
based on community service, leadership and other contributions expressed in the community, organizations as a volunteers. Mitchell said this is the first event of the Men of Valor in hopes it will become an annual event. “It’s based on referrals in the community. We have a good representation from the entire community from all ages and backgrounds,” she said. “We will recognize those in the community or contributions and service. We hope the community will support it.” Those being recognized include: Xavier King, Thomas Conway, Walter Riedle III, Eric
MEN OF VALOR Page 3A
Twenty years have passed since Foskey murder Debby Schamber For The Record
It has been 20 years ago this week since the brutal murder of 28-year-old Theresa Foskey. Laura Badeaux, Foskey’s mother, sheds tears for her daughter and thinks about her daily. Holidays, birthdays and anniversaries are a nightmare and will remain so for the rest of her life. Badeaux says she is angry nobody has had to answer for the crime. At times the pain of losing her daughter is too much to bear. Badeaux feels it would been easier if Theresa had died from natural causes, but since she was suddenly murdered in one of the most gruesome crimes in Orange County history there is not a sense of clo-
A picture of Theresa before she was brutally murdered Sept. 8th, 1995. This week marks 20 years since her death.
sure she desperately seeks. “They (the person(s) responsible for the murder) are still walking free and it’s not fair they are getting away with murder,” Badeaux said. The nightmare began in Sept. 1995. Badeaux was at her beauty salon when she told a neighbor of Foskey’s to give her daughter a message to call her later. It was the neighbor who called her back. Badeaux was told there something was terribly wrong since there were several police cars at the Bayou Shadows trailer park where Foskey lived. The park was located near the intersection of Highways 62 and 87 but is no longer there. Investigators reported making a gruesome discovery inside Foskey’s home, as blood
covered numerous surfaces inside the residence. Although no body was found in the trailer, it was evident to investigators someone had been murdered inside the small residence. Investigators worked to piece together what had happened. A dive team was initially sent out in search of Foskey’s body in the nearby waters of Cow Bayou. Officers did not have any leads indicating her body was there, only the fact that it was near the blood-spattered trailer. A few days later, a fisherman would find parts of what was left of Foskey’s 5 feet 6 inch body in the murky waters of the Sabine River in Deweyville. “I miss her every minute of the day,” Badeaux said. “I can only hope no other parent will
have to endure this type of pain. As a mother, I regret I wasn’t able to be there for her on the night she was murdered.” In July 2009, James Edward Holden, of Deweyville, was arrested on capital murder charges in connection with the murder. The arrest was only a small part of the journey to seek justice. “My family prayed, wished and hoped the case would move forward for so long,” Badeaux said. But, they were sadly disappointed when the verdict was read. At one time she had confidence in the system, but doesn’t understand why some witnesses were never questioned and not all the facts were investigated more closely.
A year later, after Holden’s arrest, in July 2010, the case went to trial. Badeaux was sitting in a front row of seat of the courtroom when Holden was brought in for a pre-trial hearing. As Holden was leaving and being lead away by deputies, he looked at Badeaux while slightly leaning in towards her and quietly said, “I didn’t do it.” Badeaux was shaken, but was determined to see the case through to the end. . As the day of the trial inched closer, each day was filled with anticipation and dread. She bravely walked up the steps of the courthouse and with everything she could muster entered the courtroom.
THERESA FOSKE Page 3A