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ORANGE KAZ’S Outdoors Get Your COUNTY KORNER HUNTING & Hometown SPORTS News FISHING FISHING Anytime, Capt. Dickie Colburn COMMENTARY Capt. Chuck Uzzle Anywhere! Page 1 Section B Page 1 Section B Page 2 Section B TheRecordLive.com County Record Vol. 61 No. 35 The Community Newspaper of Orange, Texas Week of Wednesday, January 27, 2021 Jury trials return to county courts “We’ve been going about it and conduct the case. a lot of jail inmates who have “We don’t want people [ju- pretty much like business as “We’ve been having several requested trials. rors] sitting up there for usual.” Zoom hearings a day,” “Now we’re trying to get to hours a day. So far, it’s worked Over a video call. Parkhurst said. those cases first, the people out extremely well, I thought. “Most of our hearings have “But the absence of jury in jail that want jury cases,” Nobody complained.” been conducted by Zoom, trials has slowed things he said. “And what we’re try- Of the 100-plus who criminal cases and civil cas- down.” ing to do, especially at the showed up for Monday’s 9 es as well. You turn on the The judge said it’s been a start, is do the cases that JURY TRIALS Page 3A computers and get on Zoom good thing there hasn’t been aren’t so complicated. Orange’s first ‘Yardi Gras’ is Feb. 1-16 PENNY LELEUX For The Record Judge Steve Parkhurst of the 360th District Court of Orange Coun- ty, center back, explains the process of jury selection to prospec- When Beth Wheeler saw tive jurors Monday morning at the Orange County Convention and Expo Center. RECORD PHOTO: Dave Rogers pictures on Instagram of “house floats” in New Or- DAVE ROGERS other Monday schedule with leans, La., she realized it For The Record more than 100 citizens this would be a great COVID week, is taking place in the friendly alternative in Or- Jury trials are on the dock- ballroom of the Orange ange, in place of the can- et again in Orange County. County Convention & Expo celled parades. It is also an They restarted at the first Center, to allow plenty of so- opportunity to showcase of the year locally after a cial-distancing room. some of the beautiful homes nine-month halt because of “We’ve been having every- in the historic district. the coronavirus pandemic. thing but jury trials,” Steve Her husband, Kenneth Still, judges are taking Parkhurst, 260th District Wheeler, presented the idea plenty of precautions. Judge, said when asked what at a committee meeting for The county’s jury selec- he’d been doing since April. the Old Orange Historical tion, which began its every District and became the or- ganizer for the event. They are constantly up- Pastors seek to lead dating a map as homes join Orange’s first “Yardi Gras.” Instead of standing on the area city councils side of the road watching parade floats go by, partici- DAVE ROGERS the race, too. pants will get in their car For The Record The deadline for register- and drive along a route to ing to run in the local elec- see homes decorated as Randy Branch, pastor of tions for city council and floats; sort of a parade in re- the Wesley United Method- most area school districts is verse. “Everybody can drive ist Church of Orange, wants Friday, Feb. 12. through, like looking at to become West Orange’s Kenneth and Beth Wheeler decorate their “house float” in the Old Orange Historical District in Roy McDonald, West Or- Christmas lights. Nobody is preparation of Orange’s first Yardi Gras Feb. 1-16. RECORD PHOTO: Penny LeLeux first new mayor since 1995. ange mayor since 1995, re- going to be harassing you. Johnny Asevedo, pastor of cently announced he will not Nobody is going to be in the likely be more homes deco- “So, those in New Orleans which is still held in some non-denominational Destiny run for reelection. streets throwing things at rated than are on the map, are going to be fantastic be- smaller communities of Church, is running for Pine- “I was kind of hoping Roy you, its COVID safe,” Ken- because they will have to cut cause of that.” She said lo- Louisiana. It was a tradition hurst City Council with would take another turn,” neth said. “There are seven it off this week to get the fly- cally it might not be as im- the Wheelers travelled to plans to sell the town as a go- Branch said, “but he’s got to just here on Pine Street.” ers printed and distributed. pressive, but they are having Iota, La every year to wit- to location. do what’s best for him and Originally 10 homeown- In New Orleans, the idea a lot of fun with it. Mardi ness, until COVID-19 hit. Branch, a member of the Laverne, so …” ers agreed to decorate their originally came about as a Gras decorations have been “It’s something to see,” West Orange city council the Branch said he’s “kind of homes, then, it jumped to way to keep the multitude of in short supply locally since said Beth. past three years, will face Jim excited and kind of anxious,” 20. Mardi Gras artists em- things were cancelled. Most Beth is also painting a Whittington, a former Loui- about taking the top spot. “There may be 30 when ployed. Mardi Gras is their homeowners are making pair of large alligators that siana Justice of the Peace, in “The people who really run it’s all said and done,” said main source of income and large decorations and have will be perched over the the Saturday, May 1 election. Beth. The goal is to have all There could be others in LOCAL ELECTIONS Page 3A this would be the second had to rely heavily of pur- porch. the houses decorated by Feb. year of cancellations. chasing materials online. The Wheelers are also 1. “People are already start- “We don’t have a lot of For the Wheeler’s home, decorating the old one room ing to drive by. We’re defi- float artists in Orange,” said they created large cutouts school house on 7th street. Districts seek priority nitely not finished.” Beth, as she laughed. She representing the age old tra- They purchased the home They will print flyers with said items from past floats dition of the chicken chase ORANGE YARDI Page 3A a map of homes soon said can also be rented over there or Courir de Mardi Gras, for teachers’ vaccines Mr. Wheeler. There will DAVE ROGERS it. I think Bridge City already For The Record has sent a resolution and that Vidor and West Orange are Birthday parade lifts spirits of WO man Orangefield Independent planning to.” School District may or may Currently, school nurses unteer coordinator for Com- not be the first in the county are the only educational per- DAVE ROGERS For The Record passion Hospice. “It was to do it but it sure won’t be sonnel identified by the state sweet how many people the last. of Texas for vaccination un- You’d have thought Or- turned out.” School board members der Phase 1A or Phase 1B of ange County law enforce- More than a dozen police voted 6-0 Monday night to the Texas COVID-19 Vacci- ment had surrounded Public vehicles from throughout approve a resolution request- nation Plan. Enemy No. 1 Friday morn- Orange County took part in ing the state designate all The state hasn’t released a ing. the 10-minute car parade as public school district per- list of who might qualify for But all the police cars and Holston watched from his sonnel as “essential frontline Phase 1C, but in explaining their blaring sirens were in driveway, festive balloons workers” and be given appro- why it put people 65 and over West Orange to celebrate a tied to his wheelchair. priate priority for receiving and those with higher risks very special 66th birthday There was even a Highway the COVID-19 vaccine as it in ahead of teachers, the Ex- for Randy Holston. Patrol car driven by a state becomes available. pert Vaccine Allocation Pan- “Randy’s nurse requested “We mailed it today to el said this: it,” said Twyla George, vol- BIRTHDAY PARADE Page 3A Austin,” Shaun McAlpin, “Because Phase 1B pro- Orangefield’s schools super- vides vaccine to higher-risk Orange Mayor Larry Spears Jr., center, presents West Orange intendent, said Tuesday af- people regardless of their resident Randy Holston with a proclamation celebrating his 66th ternoon. birthday. Friends and caregivers organized a car parade of law “A lot of districts are doing TEACHER’S Page 3A enforcement officers and others for the occasion. Shop Our Great Selection of New and Preowned Cars and Trucks SabineRiverFord.com Keep Your Tax Dollars At Home - Shop Orange County! See Our Ad Page 6B. CMYK 2A • The Record • Week of Wednesday, January 27, 2021 My 5-Cents . By State Senator Robert Nichols On January 25, 1839 the ment rights, I’m awarded in May. Applications must be Lone Star flag was adopted by happy to welcome received by 5pm on March 31st to be the Third Congress of the Re- the NRA to Texas. considered. Sponsors for this years con- public of Texas as the national test are Buc-ee’s and iHeart Media. To flag since Texas was an inde- 3. Palestine Eco- enter the contest, visit https://www.