Lifestyle

Council heard a timetable for Nile Valley Road reconstruction that would see work begin in November at a workshop Tuesday, May 26.
   Jones & Carter engineer Matt Breazeale projected that bids on the proposed $6 million, two-phase work of resurrecting the Nile Valley Road could be let in September, construction to begin November with a possible completion in June 2021.
      Breazeale called the work “pretty straightforward” and reiterated the point that keeping the road’s speed limit at 45 mph – and reducing roadways structures for a higher speed – would save money.
   Breazeale wants to close off the road from the barricades at NVR and MLK and the barriers near Linnie Roberts Elementary for the initial phase of work.

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   Tidehaven ISD trustees heard a graduation ceremony update from Tidehaven High School principal Dr. Patrick Talbert as part of their regular board meeting, Monday, May 26.
   “Governor Greg Abbott and the state say we can go out there and hold in-person graduation at 25% capacity of the stadium,” said Talbert.
   “We’ll be set up at the south side of the end zone.”
   Talbert added that the students currently can’t meet to practice the graduation ceremony.
  

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   If preparing for an election isn’t challenge enough, adding a second week of early voting and safeguarding voters and election workers during the COVID-19 pandemic adds more concerns to County Clerk Stephanie Wurtz.
   Matagorda County’s next election will be the July 14 runoffs from the March 3 primaries and the two local races are on the Republican side.
   The Precinct 3 Commissioner runoff will be between Steven Johnson and Troy Shimek.
   The other local election is the District 25 State Representative runoff between Cody Vasut and Ro’vin Garrett, both from Brazoria County.
   “Some Republicans will see two elections and another group only see one,” she said, noting that only Precinct 3 voters will decide the commissioner race.

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   Memorial Day Weekend in Matagorda was marked by a fierce storm in Wadsworth Monday, seven near drownings on Matagorda Beach Friday and Saturday and subdued – and in some cases cancelled – Memorial Day remembrance ceremonies. 
   A reported twister ripped through the Wadsworth area early Monday morning, leaving a trail of downed power lines, heavily damaged barns and fences and lots of trees. 
   AEP crews rushed to Wadsworth to restore power outages caused by its toppled power line across Texas 60, prompting authorities to close the highway into the community. 
   A state trooper was posted at the Texas 60-FM 2688 intersection at Bay City to halt traffic south. 
   There were no injuries, Sheriff Skipper Osborne said Monday morning, May 25. 

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  Positive COVID-19 cases were reported Monday and Tuesday this week, May 25-26, by the Matagorda County Hospital District.
   That brings the total number of positive cases to 69, the Matagorda County Emergency Operation Center reported Tuesday.
   The three most recent, since May 22, all have been male.
   The  67th case then was aged between 50-60, while the patient reported  Monday, May 25, was between 60-70, Matagorda Regional Medical Center records indicate.

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   Bay City police were sent to two 12th Street locations about shots fired reports early Friday morning, May 22, reports show.
   Police said officers determined the shots all came from the same place, but the way sound travels prompted multiple reports.
   Officers were first dispatched to the 1500 block of 12th Street, then dispatch began receiving multiple calls about the shots.  One call dispatch received came from a residence in the 2400 block of 12th stating that several shots were fired at their house.
  Some officers began checking the area while other officers made went to the 2400 block of 12th.  
   When they arrived, officers determined no one was hurt.
   Officers observed several bullet holes throughout the residence.  
   Detectives and the Crime Scene Unit were called and the scene was turned over to them.
   This case is still under investigation. 

   Local graduating seniors are scheduled to walk across the stage and receive their hard-earned diplomas over the next few weeks.
   Matagorda County school districts are still working out the finer details of those graduation ceremonies in accordance with the Texas Education Agency’s and Governor Greg Abbott’s COVID-19 pandemic guidelines.
   Some of those guidelines include:

•     Participating students, staff, and family members will be asked to complete a health screening questionnaire prior to entering the stadium.
•     All staff, students, and guests are asked to wear cloth face masks that cover the nose and mouth.
•     All attendees are encouraged to maintain six feet social distancing outside and inside the stadium.
•     Audience members must remain seated during the ceremony. 

No one may stand along the fence line, on the track, or on the field before, during, or after the event.

   The Main Street Program board appointed new officers for the year during their regular meeting May 13.
   Tami Savage was chosen as the new board chairman with Fran Baker taking the vice chairman position.
   The board approved Jennifer Vowell as the new secretary and Alice Lowery as treasurer.

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   The Bay City ISD Education Foundation, with the generosity of its donors, is proud to announce that it is awarding $35,808 to BCISD students and teachers for the 2020-2021 school year.  
   A total of $30,808 in Innovative Teaching Grants will go to programs that will strengthen student learning.  
   The BCHS Robotics Program will receive $5,000 through a donation from Tenaris.  
   Earlier this spring, BCISD teachers were encouraged to submit applications for grants through the Education Foundation.  
   The Foundation asked teachers to develop plans for projects that would increase student achievement and strengthen learning.  
   The applications were then reviewed by an Awards Committee and voted upon by the Foundation Board.  
   The programs approved as grant awards are items not otherwise funded that would build upon curriculum and encourage higher level achievement.  

   Collegeport Day 2020 is cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. 
   Collegeport Day celebrates the founding of the Town of Collegeport on May 25, 1908. 
   A homecoming celebration has been held every year since 1908 and is now observed on the last Saturday in May, said Collegeport resident G.W. Franzen.
   Since 1945, a covered dish meal featuring barbecued beef prepared by local chefs has been hosted at the Mopac House Community Center. 
      Side dishes, salads and desserts prepared by guests always complete the meal. 
   “2020 is the first year since its founding that the community and friends will not gather, but are encouraged to reflect on past celebrations and to remember those who are no longer with us. 
   “We hope to resume this long-standing tradition in May 2021,” Franzen added.