Sports
FISHING ORANGE COUNTY
Commentary Kaz’s Korner
Capt. Dickie Colburn Page 1B
Page 1B
Caroline Brewton
Evy’s Cajun Kitchen
Feature Columnist For The Record Page 2A
See Page 6A
The Record TheRecordLive.com
Vol. 56 No. 40
Distributed FREE To The Citizens of Bridge City and Orangefield
Week of Wednesday, January 21, 2014
DuBois returns home to coach Cardinals David Ball
For The Record
There’s no place like home, and that goes for football coaches too. Bridge City ISD announced the hiring of Dwayne DuBois as head football coach for the Bridge City Cardinals at the regular meeting of the board of trustees on January 19. DuBois is a 1986 graduate of Bridge City High School and a former assistant coach there. He is currently the head football coach at Hardin-Jefferson High School.
DuBois was selected among a list of 52 applicants. He will replace former Bridge City head football coach Cris Stump. “It’s always a special thing to come home. You don’t get that opportunity very often,” DuBois said. “It’s something you want to do when you enter the coaching profession. All coaches want to do it. You never know if you’ll have that opportunity. The opportunity presented itself. After much prayer and thoughts we decided just recently to do this. It’s a dream
New Bridge City head football coach Dwayne DuBois is pictured with his wife Cristal and sons Camden and Caleb following the announcement by BCISD on Monday. RECORD PHOTO: Mark Dunn
Bree Newsom of Bridge City High School was named ‘Student of the Month’ by the Bridge City Chamber of Commerce.
CASA Gale features singer songwriter Jimmy Wayne Penny Leleux
For The Record
Kristen Blanke of Orangefield High School was named ‘Student of the Month’ by the Bridge City Chamber of Commerce.
BCCC recognizes local students with monthly awards BCCC Release For The Record
The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce announced the Students of the Month for January at their Monthly Networking Coffee recently at Orangefield Cormier Museum hosted by Orangefield ISD. Bree Newsom was chosen as the Bridge City High School Student of the Month and Kristen Blanke was chosen as the Orangefield High School Student of the Month. Bridge City High School Student of the Month, Bree Newsom is the daughter of Daniel and Renee Newsom. Bree is ranked 11 of 187 with a GPA of 4.37.
Bree’s clubs and organizations include: National Honor Society 2012 to present, Cardinal Singers Varsity Choir 2011 to present, Yearbook Editor 2013 to present, Newspaper UIL, Current Events UIL. Bree’s community service includes: serving at the Hospitality Center with her church youth group, tutoring fellow classmates and younger students, caroling to the elderly in nursing homes, and volunteering at the Humane Society. Cathy Riley, English Department Chair, said “Conscientious and studious, BREE NEWSOM, is an exemplary student who focuses on accuBCCC Page 3A
Nashville country singer and songwriter Jimmy Wayne will relay his story of living in the foster care system through word and song at the CASA Black Tie event, “Open Your Hearts Gala,” Friday, Feb. 13 at the Orange County Convention and Expo Center. “He was dropped off, when I think he was 13 to be exact, on the side of the road,” said Nikki Jones, executive director for Advocates for Children, Inc. Jones said his mother’s boyfriend did something bad and they were on the run. She said his mother didn’t want him to get caught up in the situation. “Dropped him off with a trash bag full of clothes, to fend for himself. He was homeless and he found his way. Whatever way it took for
A former foster child singer songwriter Jimmy Wayne will perform during the “Open Your Hearts Gala.
him to have food or anything like that,” said Jones. According to Jones, Wayne asked a man if he could cut the grass one day. “Go ask the boss,” the man told him. He spoke to the older woman and she gave him the job. “After cutting the grass for a few months, they developed a relationship and she allowed him to move in,” said Jones.
Wayne’s mother had emotional issues, causing he and his sister to be in and out of the foster care system most of their young lives. That has translated into his music. Jones is from Nashville and knew of his story, so she called him up and asked him to be their special guest CASA GALE Page 3A
come true.” He added it’s a special thing to come home. “I want to give Bridge City (ISD) the credit. We had some good meetings. This is a special place and a special time,” he said. DuBois said there’s much talent in District 4A-1 and he’s looking forward to get started. It will be both challenging and fun for the Cardinals. “Our goal is to play for a district championship. It will be fun and exciting. The kids will love it. Things will never be the same. Get ready,” DuBois said. DuBois is credited with turning around the Hardin-Jefferson football program. In his two seasons as head football coach the Hawks posted 20-7 record. Last season HJ went 122, the best season in school history. Prior to his stint at HJ, DuBois was offensive coordinator at Vidor for eight seasons under Jeff Mathews. He was an assistant coach at Bridge City in the late 1990s under then athletic director Les Johnson. Mike King, superintendent for Bridge City ISD, said a committee recommended DuBois to the board of trustees because he was a good solid coach who has the character, discipline, hard work, a proven track record and a heart for Bridge City. “They interviewed eight other applicants, four were sitting head football coaches. It was a good, solid list,” King said. “He (DuBois) fit the bill.” King said the school district is excited about the hiring of DuBois because he has the features they were searching for. “He will fit in with the rest of the athletic program. The kids are excited and they will be working hard,” King said. King added football season is the most student-involved extracurricular activity of the school year with football players, the band, cheerleaders and the Strutters all participating. “Friday night is very important. Students are involved in some level. It’s important part of the school year,” he said. King believes DuBois will bring the discipline, work ethic and team spirit essential to a successful athletics program. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm and excitement across the board. He will be a great fit and he will do great things,” King said.
County employees request travel fees David Ball
For The Record
There were several agenda items regarding employee travel at the regular meeting of the Orange County Commissioners Court on January 20. Mary Johnson, county auditor, requested her assistant county auditor to fly to Lubbock to attend educational training at the Tyler Technologies facility. Johnson said there is no cost
for the course, the county would have to cover travel and lodging fees. John Banken, Precinct 3 commissioner, asked if the training was mandatory. Johnson answered no but said it is advanced training in financial software systems and offered only once a year. The assistant county auditor would serve as a back-up to Johnson. Jody Crump, Precinct 4 commissioner, asked if there was still a travel ban for county em-
ployees. He was informed that there was. David Dubose, Precinct 1 commissioner, said Johnson did bring the matter before the court. Johnson added it is also an advanced report writing course. Banken asked if this would be new training and new knowledge would be brought back that the county doesn’t possess. Johnson said her office currently doesn’t have anyone who
has advanced report writing skills. Crump asked what the total cost to attend is. Johnson said $700, the cost to get there and the hotel would cost $75 a night. Crump and Banken voted no for the travel while Dubose and Barry Burton, Precinct 2 commissioner, voted yea. County Judge Brint Carlton was away on business. The motion failed COUNTY BUSINESS Page 3A