Lifestyle

   2020 has been an epic year, one we are ready to put behind us. 
   There have been many discussions and hard decisions have been made. 
   At this point the Matagorda County Fair Board of Directors have elected to postpone our March PRCA Rodeo Event along with our other pre rodeo events which include Royalty Pageants, Talent Show and Public Speaking, Academic Rodeo, Halter Heifer Show and Texas Longhorn Show, Bar-B-Que Cook-Off, Local Team Roping, Local Barrel Race, Senior Citizens Craft Show and Senior Citizens Day, Team Penning and Ranch Rodeo, along with the Home Economics Craft Show until May. 
   Our concert featuring Mattie and Tae has been rescheduled for October 2021. 

   PALACIOS  – A 19-acre development on the north side of Palacios will soon be home to 70 new single-family homes. 
   Palacios City Council unanimously approved Pelican Place following a workshop Monday evening, Dec. 14.  
   At the workshop, Stuart A. Lynn. P.E., Founder of Lynn Development, presented information about the new subdivision for the body’s consideration and approval in a special-called meeting that followed. 
   “We are excited about partnering with the City of Palacios in helping bring affordable housing to this community,” said Lynn. 
   “We feel with these price points we can significantly impact the community where it is needed most. We look forward to breaking ground and having homes ready in late spring 2021.” 
   Lynn Development will break ground on the residential development in January 2021. Pelican Place will feature single-family homes beginning in the $150k range up to $200k. 

   Palacios – Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) President and County Judge Nate McDonald awarded former Palacios Mayor Glen Smith with the George Holst Award while local businessman Stuart Lynn received the Tiger Lane Community Spirit Award in a special virtual presentation posted live on social media from the Palacios Economic Development Corporation office Wednesday, Dec. 16. 
   With COVID-19 forcing a departure from MCEDC’s customary end-of-year banquet and annual meeting, the board of directors decided to safeguard the health and safety of MCEDC friends and partners while still protecting the tradition and prestige of presenting its two annual awards. 
   McDonald said it was vital that MCEDC not miss the chance to honor the two individuals who, especially in light of events surrounding a global pandemic, deserved to be celebrated for their great contributions to Matagorda County.

   A negotiated rent agreement between Schulman’s Movie Bowl and Grille (SBG) and Bay City Community Development Corporation (BCCDC) was approved at a special board meeting Monday, Dec. 21.
   The agreement is aimed at keeping SBG viable during the pandemic was negotiated by BCCDC Executive Director Jessica Russell, after her board approved of her pursuing a settlement on rent payments with Schulman’s at its regular meeting Wednesday, Dec. 16.
   Discussion to approve the two-month stay on rent March 30 was in open session.
   Schulman’s rents the entertainment center building from BCCDC, which took out a $7.5 million loan from Texas Dow Employees Credit Union (TDECU) to construct the Movie Bowl Grille in 2016.  
   Because SMBG is a private-public partnership, the CDC board seeks to renegotiate the contract with Schulman’s, Russell said.
   The BCCDC board discussed the rent agreement in executive session at its Dec. 16 meeting.

   Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine arrived Friday at Matagorda Regional Medical Center (MRMC) and more shipments were expected this week, the hospital and county officials said.
   Matagorda County Judge Nate McDonald announced Monday, Dec. 21, that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is en route, 
   MRMC officials said 500 doses were expected to arrive Monday afternoon and are earmarked for MRMC healthcare workers. 
   A coordinated county-wide campaign will be launched after doses arrive for the general public MRMC said. 
   Public vaccination is estimated to begin sometime between February and April 2021.

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

   County Commissioners unanimously approved a $105,450 task order between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the county to replenish sand along Sargent beach after the breakwater construction is completed at commissioners court’s regular meeting Dec. 21.
   “Funds are already in place to cover this from the Texas General Land Office through Hurricane Harvey funds,” said Precinct 2 Commissioner Kent Pollard.
   “We just need this order ready and in place, so we can get to it as soon as the breakwaters are done.”
   Pollard explained that the permit for sand should cover a six-mile stretch of land from the educational pier down the south side of the beach.
   “It’ll provide about six miles of beachfront and protection for homeowners down there,” he added.

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

   The Matagorda Jetty walkway has been repaired by the Corps of Engineers, along with dredging work in the jetty mouth of the Colorado River, George Harrison reported at last week’s Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation board member.
   Harrison, who represents the Port of Bay City Authority on the MCEDC board, also said there is interest with the Corps to study expanding the jetties to reduce silting from reentering the jetties and to avoid continued dredging.
   Long range, Harrison said expanding the jetties could “entice large recreational boats into the harbor.”
   Harrison’s remarks came during the MCEDC board’s roundtable discussions.

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