Lifestyle

   Tidehaven trustees unanimously accepted a 313 tax abatement application for a proposed 2,000-acre solar farm from Leeward Renewable Energy Development, LLC during their regular meeting, Monday, April 12.
   Board members Stuart Lynn, Mike Pierce, Stephen Crow, and Mike Galvan were present while trustees Scott Cheek and Marty Crain were absent.
   A 313 agreement is a limitation of appraised value property for school district maintenance and operations taxes by TISD that lasts for 10 years.
   The $157 million Leeward solar farm is located just north of Clemville.
   In this 313 application, Leeward’s taxable value would be capped at $30 million per year.
   The farm is projected to have 500,000 solar panels and generate 200 megawatts of energy.

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   New confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Matagorda County are still consistently higher than neighboring counties, while local vaccination rates generally trail those counties. 
   There were 3,146 confirmed cases, 521 probable cases, 98 deaths, 166 active cases and 3,403 recovered, as of Tuesday, April 13.
   In addition, there were 5.8 cases per 1,000 residents in Matagorda County, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported Tuesday.
   That ratio per 1,000 people remains higher than almost all of the surrounding counties the DSHS data shows.
   A chart prepared by MRMC shows Matagorda County’s new infection rate trends.
   The new infection rate since Jan.1 is 3.08% in Matagorda County, 3.07% in Wharton, 2.85% in Fort Bend, 2.82% in Jackson, 2.73 in Brazoria and 2.49% in Calhoun.

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   Commissioners unanimously approved declaring April 22 as “Volunteer Appreciation Day” during its regular meeting, Monday, April 12.
    “Matagorda County has adopted the goal to promote and encourage volunteerism,” the proclamation reads.
   “Matagorda County could not function without volunteers who serve our boards, commissions, tasks forces, and committees.”
   “We all know that the county doesn’t merely run with the toil of elected or appointed officials or employees,” said County Judge Nate McDonald.
   “These volunteers are the folks we honor on this day. We always need more – especially the folks at CASA who are seeking more help to help our youth.”

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     When Lupe and Christine Nevarez open LaVaca BBQ in Bay City this week they’re bringing a Central Texas style of fixing brisket that’s already gotten them repeated recognition from Texas Monthly.
   “This is a whole different style of barbecue,” said Lupe Nevarez as he readies to open his new restaurant at 1921 Sycamore beginning Thursday.
   “We’re bringing a Central Texas style barbecue to the Coastal Bend,” he said.
   Nevarez and his family already established his unique brand of barbecue at Port Lavaca – his daughter is running that place while he’s in Bay City.
   “Brisket is our base. The hardest thing to cook is brisket.
   “In Texas, brisket is king and this is the base for a great restaurant, and we have a great brisket.”
   “A lot of people cook their brisket based on grill temperature,” Nevarez noted.

   A City Hall ceremony marked the promotion of Officer Jose Soto Jr. to the position of corporal Thursday, April 8. 
   Several members of the police department plus family and friends were present to congratulate Soto in the ceremony in the City Council Chambers with Police Chief Robert Lister officiating.   
   Soto was born in Brownsville.   
   Soto started at Bay City Police Department in 2017 as a dispatcher.   
   He then worked full time in dispatch while putting himself through the Wharton County Junior College Police Academy.   
   Soto is supported by his family which consists of his mother, Maria Soto, father, Jose Soto, and sisters Ashley, Annette, and Yajaira.   
   Soto is also the uncle of Carlos, Iker, Ezequiel, Isabella, Valentina, Kailani, and Catalina.   
   On his off time, Soto visits racetracks, working on his cars, visiting his family when possible, and spending time with his girlfriend, Eliza Nicole.   

  ‘It’s a bit out of season for horror movies, but, I’m glad to see them in theaters and via rental or streaming services. 
   There’s only so much cute, fluffy and animated-fun that I can sit through. 
   Plus, after a big hit like “Godzilla v. Kong,” it was hard to find something to watch to keep that excitement afloat. 
   “The Seventh Day” had promise with Guy Pearce leading the film, but fell flat with another generic exorcism excuse. 
   In fact, there’s some eerie child-like singing in the soundtrack that’s pretty much a dead on replica from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1999 film “End of Days” if you’re paying attention. 
   But, where End of Days had a decent plot and several likeable characters, The Seventh Day falls flat in its storytelling though the cast is pretty stellar. 

   The Matagorda County Soil and Water Conservation District held the 2021 Conservation Contests this past fall. 
   All students who are considered eligible under Texas University Interscholastic League eligibility requirements may participate in the events. 
   The Coloring Contest is for students 1st grade and below, the poster contest is for 2nd through 5th graders, and the essay contests include those students in 8th grades and above. 
   The 1st place winner of the senior essay contest will be awarded a $500 scholarship. 
   All other winners will receive prizes and recognition for their achievements. 
Coloring Contest Winners: 
   Honorable Mention: Ximena Zustaita 
   4th place: Elaine Fuentes 
   3rd place: Dallas Patton 
   2nd place: I.J. Polk III 
   1st place: Benjamin Westmoreland 
   Poster Contest Winners: 
   Honorable Mention: Kali Watts 
   4th place: Cleighton Goodman