Lifestyle

If you were looking for something to do this Saturday, Oct. 24 - Matagorda County has events from sunrise to sundown.

Matagorda County Trade Days kicks off the weekend from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, around the courthouse square.

A variety of artisans, crafters, and more from across the state arrive in Bay City bringing beautiful handcrafted items for your shopping pleasure.

Vendors have everything ranging from exquisite jewelry, fashionable clothing, and pottery to one-of-a-kind masterpieces of anything and everything you can imagine.

There’s also live music throughout the day and a variety of food trucks offering delicious food choices on tap.

Bay City Parks and Recreation Department hosts the “Zombie 2-Kish Wilderness Run” starting at 9 a.m. Saturday at Riverside Park.

Registration is $35 per person and includes a shirt, bag, bandana, race bib, and a medal.

   Commissioners unanimously approved memorandums of understanding for $50,000 in Coronavirus Relief Fund grants for all five countywide school districts during their regular meeting Monday, Oct. 19. 
   Palacios, Van Vleck, Tidehaven, Matagorda, and Bay City ISD will each receive $10,000 for COVID-19 related public health measures taken between March 1 and Dec. 20 this year once their respective school boards agree to the application. 
   “This is Coronavirus funding for all COVID-19 public health measures, more specifically for all the technology the districts needed to buy,” explained County Auditor Kristen Kubecka. 
   “We’re hoping this gets approved so we can give a little relief to the school districts throughout the county.” 
   Bay City and Van Vleck ISD trustees approved their applications Monday night during their regular school board meetings. 

   Van Vleck Superintendent John O’Brien expects near to 100 percent of Van Vleck students receiving face-to-face instruction by January, but expects a few special cases that may need to continue on virtual. 
   About 90 percent of the district’s students are taught in person now, with 10 percent in virtual instruction, O’Brien told the Van Vleck school board Monday night. 
   He added that he wants all Van Veck students in person-to-person instruction by January. 
   “The protocols put in place” are working, O’Brien said. 
   Sofia Dusek, with project contractor PBK, gave the 2017 bond progress report on the following: 

   Bay City ISD trustees discussed and vetoed a proposal for WPI-8 Certification for the Bay City High School project through Lynn Engineering during their regular meeting, Monday Oct. 19. 
   A WPI-8 certificate after construction is completed is required for windstorm insurance coverage. 
   “After completion in 2002 the Bay City High School never received a WPI-8 certificate after construction and will not be able to receive wind and hail insurance through Texas Windstorm Insurance Association,” district records show. 
   “As far as I can tell, they applied for it and never completed the application back then,” explained BCISD Chief Financial Officer Rick Johnson. 
   “That was before my time in office. But, I do know that for Lynn Engineering do this, it’ll cost the district $120,000.” 

To read more, please log in or subscribe to our digital edition.

    Bay City’s October sales tax rebate was up 5% over the same month last year and higher than the statewide sales tax allocation comparison to October 2019. 
   Statewide the allocation was 2.8% less than October 2019. 
   These allocations are based on sales made in August by businesses that report tax monthly, Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. 
   The COVID-19 pandemic continues to weigh on the Texas economy and sales tax revenue, he said. 

To read more, please log in or subscribe to our digital edition.

   A nearly 1.97-acre plat in south Bay City was granted a variance to include a private utility by the Planning Commission Thursday, Oct. 15. 
   Luis Magana sought the variance for a water well and septic system at 2900 Nichols Road because there were no city water or sewer lines around the plat, City Manager Shawn Burkhart said at the second meeting of the Planning Commission since it was reorganized. 
   In seeking the variance, Magana indicated that it would cost $70,000 to have city utilities located at the Nichols Avenue property that abuts the BNSF Railroad line. 
   City officials bore out what Magana said and explained problems – including TxDOT and TCEQ policies - with extending utilities to the property now. 

To read more, please log in or subscribe to our digital edition. 

   Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election continued to be strong since last week, election officials said.
   Over 1,000 Matagorda County voters cast ballots on the first day of early voting Oct. 13.
   The clerk’s office has received good grades for the moving lines of those casting early votes.
   County Clerk Stephanie Wurtz points out there are double the number of voting machines that speed up the voting.
   Gov. Greg Abbott extended the state’s early voting period to Oct. 30 – weekdays only.
   And Friday, Oct. 23, is the last day to apply for a ballot by mail.  
   Please contact the clerk’s office for questions or to obtain and application (979) 244-7680. 
   Early voting is at the Service Center in Bay City (2105 Avenue M), and in Palacios at the Navigation District No. 1 (1602 Main Street).
   Early voting times will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Thursdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

   Coastal Glo Sun Spa hosts their grand opening celebration from 9:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. 
   Coastal Glo is located at 1820 7th Street and takes appointments and walk-in clients form 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. 
   The tanning salon is owned and operated by Debbie Franz and her “Smart Tan” certified employees – who also pull double duty at The Burlap Sack. 
   “I’ve always enjoyed spray tans and the privacy of a booth, but, the closest machines were 45 minutes to an hour away,” explained Franz. 
   “So, I started doing some research for the best machines and products to bring to Bay City and Matagorda County. 
   “Though I can’t take all the credit, my future daughter-in-law Kassie Kersh has been a major help getting this off the ground.” 
   Franz chose “Mystic Kyss” for her spray tan booth and products due to the features they had available.