Lifestyle

   Matagorda County officials focused on the continuing problems of people swimming in unsafe, riptide areas of Matagorda Beach at Commissioners Court regular meeting Monday, June 7.
   Sunday evening’s drowning of a 30-year-old Angleton and the related incident where a 10-year-old boy also was swept into the surf were tied to remarks from Sheriff Skipper Osborne and commissioners during the court meeting.
   Osborne gave an overview of Sunday’s drowning that was near the jetty at Matagorda Beach – the boy was found late Monday night.
   Precinct 2 Commissioner Kent Pollard focused on the impact a swollen Colorado River has at its mouth near the jetty pier.
   Noting all of the recent rainfall, Pollard said upstream flooding makes the rip tides worse at Matagorda Beach – especially at the jetty.
   “I had two deputies on the beaches all weekend. My deputies aren’t going in the water to save someone,” the sheriff said.

The Bay City Public Library kicked off its summer reading program with an all-ages petting zoo experience in Bay City and Sargent Monday, June 7.
   “Our reading program will once again be held using the Wandoo Reader digital platform,” said Library Director Samantha Denbow.
   “This is where you will log the minutes you read and complete challenges such as scavenger hunts. There will be a challenge for each program we host that can be completed by attending our in-person event or the at-home alternative.”
   The overall community goal of the reading program is to read 50,000 minutes collectively.
   “Print reading logs are available at the circulation desk and youth services desk,” reads the Wandoo Reader website.

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   The search ended late Monday night, July 7, for a 10-year-old boy missing off Matagorda Beach since Sunday evening, June 6, Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office reported.
   The boy and a 30-year-old man were taken out by the surf about a quarter-mile east of Jetty Park about 6:50 p.m. Sunday, and the boy’s body was found about a third of a mile west of the beach vehicle entrance, deputies said. 
   A deputy confirmed that the body found was 10-year-old Nicholas.
   Precinct 6 Justice of the Peace James Powell was notified and performed an inquest.   
   The search for the boy by boat, air and by vehicle Monday included the Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Game Wardens, and the Coast Guard.
    Sheriff Skipper Osborne said deputies were initially told three people were in the water at Matagorda Beach “in distress.”

   New confirmed COVID-19 cases are following statewide trends and keep dropping.
   In its report Tuesday, June 8, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported that Matagorda County had 30 confirmed cases over the past 14 days.
   That’s a per-capita average of 0.8 cases per 1,000 residents – way below previous week’s DSHS averages.
   Overall, the county has 3,507 confirmed cases, 725 probable cases and 114 deaths.

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   All of the packages of suspected cocaine found on Matagorda County beaches since May 17 were taken by the Drug Enforcement Administration for testing and proper disposal, the sheriff’s office is reporting.
   The most recent two kilos of the drug were reported found Sunday, May 30, bringing the total amount to 62 kilos, Sheriff Skipper Osborne said May 31.
   Lt. Philip Hester, who heads the sheriff’s office Narcotics Division, has been working these cases. 
   Hester set up a meeting with Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Coast Guard Investigative Service, and U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration on Wednesday, June 2.

   The Bay City Historic Commission approved two certificates of appropriateness for two downtown business buildings – Three Chicks Soap and Hawes Dickerson’s office - during its monthly meeting Monday, June 7.
   The Three Chicks Soap building, owned by Becky and Bubba Cook, will be the host of a new mural paid for by the Bay City Community Development Corporation.
   That mural will highlight the key role agriculture played in Matagorda County’s history and present and feature rice farming as its main focus.
   “It’s a subject near and dear to them as part of their heritage of farming and their way of life,” explained Bay City Tourism Director Heidi Martinez to the commission board.

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   When the first film, “The Conjuring” came out in 2013, Ed and Lorraine Warren became mainstream again and it seemed to pave the way for a slew of paranormal investigation films by Hollywood. 
   Or, maybe, it was just jumping on the wagon for a revival. 
   Regardless, the Conjuring series rounded the trilogy bend with “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” over the weekend. 
   Since I’ve been a fan of most of the series until now, it was only natural to check this movie out. 
   The Devil Made Me Do It is a supernatural horror film directed by Michael Chaves, with a screenplay by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick from a story by Johnson-McGoldrick and James Wan. 
   The film serves as a sequel to The Conjuring (2013) and The Conjuring 2 (2016), and as the eighth installment in the Conjuring Universe. 

   Bay City will celebrate Independence Day on beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 4, with Matagorda County’s largest fireworks display and lots of music at Le Tulle Park. 
   “This year we are back at Le Tulle Park, 1135 S Texas 35, with a concert and a grand fireworks display,” said Kelly Penewitt, CPRE Parks and Recreation Department superviser. 
   Two Tons Of Steel is back to perform this year, she said.  
   Before there was Americana, before there was Texas Country, Two Tons of Steel rock a sound that blends the best of musical worlds and pushed the envelope of Texas sound with a signature brand of country meets punk, Penewitt said.  
   The San Antonio-based group packed the small bars and local hangouts and quickly became the Alamo City’s most-loved band, earning them a spot on the cover of Billboard Magazine in 1996.  
   It was the beginning of a 20-year journey the 4-piece ensemble. 

   Boling won Tidehaven’s 1st Annual Hog Challenge June 3.
   Tidehaven claimed second place, followed by Van Vleck in third and Rice in fourth.   
   The challenge featured 10 teams, seven schools, including: Bay City, Boling (2 teams), Tidehaven (2 teams), Van Vleck (2 teams), Ganado. Bloomington and Rice Consolidated.
   “It gives us a good look at which kids are putting in work,” Tidehaven Head Coach David Lucio said.
   “Most of all, it’s fun for the kids and it helps to keep them involved with the program.”
   The 10 events included: farmer walk, stone carry, medicine ball throw, tire flip, bench press (185) sled push (level 3), pile driver (five people), team tug of war (five from each team) and 1 on 1 tire tug (five rounds for each team).