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County Record The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas
Vol. 52 No. 33
Week of Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Convention, Expo Center completion on target County to fill vacancy created by White-Rogers election Penny Leleux
For The Record
Driving down Farm Road 1442, you will see notable changes taking place to the building being constructed for dual purpose to the county. Exterior paint is going on the building and this week the side spandrel panels are being installed by wielding them to the structural steel of the building portals. Director of Emergency Management Jeff Kelley gave commissioners an update Tuesday on the Orange County Convention and Expo Center. “A lot of ceramic tile is going on inside and a second coat of paint in some areas. It’s coming down to trim work in a lot of areas,” said Kelley. “Sub-
No solid leads in 20 year cold case Debby Schamber For The Record
It has been more than 20 years since the death of Jackie McClelland and the cold case still baffles investigators with few clues to solve the case. McClelland was 32 years old and a resident of Orange at the time of her death. Her lifeless body was discovered laying in the street near the corner of Second and Park Street. Officers from the Orange Police Department were called to the scene about 8:10 p.m. on February 4, 1992 after someone called to report a shooting in the area. She died at the scene. An autopsy report would reveal she was shot with a gun in the upper chest. There were no other signs of assault. Witnesses reported to police she was last seen getting into a gray or silver four- door car. There were NO CLUES PAGE 2A
H • SHERLOCK BREAUX Page..................... 4A • Obituaries Page......................7A •Dicky Colburn Fishing..................5B •Outdoors Weekly Chuck Uzzle..........6B • CHURCH NEWS Page......................8B • CLASSIFIED ADS Page......................9B
stantial completion has to be reached about 30 days from now. It looks like they are gonna make White-Rogers it. The main issue is getting gas to the building. That is a supplier issue, not the contractor. It’s going to happen, but it’s going to be tight. You’re going to see drastic changes on the outside.” Commissioners gave the Orange County district attorney’s office permission to fill two positions that will be vacated by Mandy WhiteRogers’ election as judge to the county court at law. Unlike most newly elected officials who will be sworn in to office in January, White-Rogers was elected to fill an unfinished term and will be sworn in as soon as she is qualified. The legal secretary in the district attorney’s office has turned in her notice as she plans to follow the newly elected judge. “We’re a little early on the agenda item as they are not vacated yet, but they will be soon,” said Assistant County Attorney Douglas Manning said, “If it wasn’t this urgent, we would gladly wait” until the first of the year to fill the positions, but most of the work White-Rogers did for the county involved Child Protection Service cases and protection orders. Manning said CPS cases have certain deadlines that have to be met and delays are not allowed in most instances. He said there is a CPS trial coming in early December and can’t be put off. Commissioner Precinct 4 Jody Crump said under the circumstances he moved to allow the replacement. It passed unanimously. COUNTY PAGE 2A
Judge Pat Clark wonders if this is “really retirement?” along with his wife Rosalie Clark while working at the soup kitchen at St. Mary’s church. RECORD PHOTO: Debby Schamber
After 42 years, Pat Clark is retiring Debby Schamber For The Record
After more than 42 years of service to the government, Judge Pat Clark is retiring. He started in the Army, went to the District Attorney’s Office, the County Court at Law, then District Judge and finally back to the County Court at Law. But, before his lengthy career began, while in college, he was sitting in his dorm at the University of Texas and with his impending marriage he knew he needed to get a job. So, he said to himself, “Who would you contact in Austin?” It dawned on him to call the governor’s office for an appointment. Amazingly enough, they gave him one. He didn’t tell anybody, except for his father when he called
home. On the day of the appointment, his friends wanted him to go watch a baseball game with them. But, he refused and after they left, he got dressed and headed off to his appointment. Once inside
the governor’s office, he introduced himself. Clark explained how he needed a job. Governor Preston Smith then spun around in his large chair and made a phone call. He had called the transportation of-
fice and Clark was hired to work as a night watchman. He kept his job until he left to get married. When he returned they had hired someone else JUDGE CLARK PAGE 3A
SEASON ENDS FOR LCM BEARS
Are you tough enough
to Wear
Pink?
Debby Schamber For The Record
The Cowboy Church in Orange is hosting a”Pink Out” on Saturday and would like to invite everyone to come out and join the fun. This is the third and final playday of the Buckle Series and is at the church arena located at 673 FM 1078. There will be buckles and prizes awarded at the end of the day of the event. Registration is from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. with events starting at 10 a.m. It is open to anybody, but participants won’t be able to qualify for a buckle unless
they have participated in at least one previous play day. The events include cloverleaf barrels, poles, straight barrels and a speed race. For the six years old and under category, there are events such as the lead line, stick horse race and mutton bustin. There is not a buckle for the lead line or stick horse race, but there will be a buckle awarded for the mutton bustin competition. The Cowboy Church of Orange has teamed up with “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” to join the fight against breast WEAR PINK PAGE 3A
LCM Bear Senior Casey Viator is consoled by his brother Lamar Football Player Joseph Viator after the Vidor Pirates beat the Bears 63-42 and end the their chance to go to the playoffs. Viator finished the game with 10 receptions for 233 yards receiving. RECORD PHOTO: Ty Manuel
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