Lifestyle

   City officials scrambled and succeeded in assembling a local match of funds to TxDOT for reconstructing the Bay City Regional Airport taxiway in 2022.
   The city now has $834,600 in local match to TxDOT’s funding of $7,627,500 for the reconstruction and drainage improvements.
   At a special meeting Monday night, June 1, council agreed to remove Hangar A from its certificate of obligation funds for the airport, saving $534,600, said City Manager Shawna Burkhart.

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   Jessica Russell got some unexpected help on the proposed drainage project master plan at the Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) meeting Friday, May 29.
   Russell, Bay City Community Development Corporation (CDC) executive director, updated the EDC board on the county’s regional drainage master plan.
   CDC and Drainage District No. 1 agreed to share the master plan’s engineering and survey cost of $306,000, Russell said.
   The ultimate goal of the drainage plan is a large detention area between Bay City and Van Vleck. 
   Russell said the long-discussed plan is about $53,000 short of the $306,000 total.
   Later in the EDC meeting, Board Member Loy Sneary acknowledged the funding shortfall and noted the board’s support for the regional drainage plan.

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   I’ve seen my fair share of “inspirational” sports movies that show triumph over adversity. 
   And all of them get to the point relatively quickly and end on a high note. 
   Sadly, “The Way Back” really doesn’t do either of those things and seems to stretch onward forever. 
   The Way Back is an American sports drama film directed by Gavin O’Connor and written by Brad Ingelsby. 
   It stars Ben Affleck, Al Madrigal, Michaela Watkins, John Aylward, and Janina Gavankar. 
   Jack Cunningham (Affleck) is an alcoholic construction worker who is separated from his wife, Angela (Gavankar). 
   While at Thanksgiving dinner with his family, his sister Beth (Watkins) reveals that friends, including Angela, have expressed concern about his drinking and isolation from friends and family. 

   It is hard to believe that it is already June 1 and halfway through 2020. 
   I am well aware that it is taboo to mention storm season in Matagorda County, but it is something that we need to remain aware of and prepared for in the event that a storm takes aim on the central Texas coast. 
   The outlook for the 2020 season is indicating a 60% increase in likelihood for an active season with a prediction of 13-19 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes, and 3-6 of those reaching major hurricane strength of Cat 3 or higher. 
   This prediction is the 5th consecutive above-normal season. 
   Hurricanes are not the only concern that we need to remain prepared for should something happen, but we are not exempt from other concerns of flooding, fire, tornadoes, chemical spills, and others. 
   June 1 is a good time to reassess your preparedness should something happen requiring your response. 

   Bay City ISD trustees unanimously approved hiring former Bay City High School star Chandi Jones to coach the Bay City Ladycat Basketball Team during their special meeting, May 28.
   Jones had stellar careers at BCHS and the University of Houston. 
   Her Hall of Fame honors include both her high school and college.
   “I look forward to sitting down with Jones and welcoming her to the team,” said BCISD Superintendent Dr. Marshall Scott, III.
   “I’ve heard great things about this Basketball Hall of Famer. 
   “Congratulations to coach Trahan as well for bringing Blackcats back to the district and building up Blackcat nation.”
   New Athletic Director Warren Trahan recently said he would bring back Blackcat excitement.
   Chandi Jones is a 2000 BCHS graduate – the same Bay City class as new Blackcat Head Football Coach Robert Jones.

   Fifteen Bay City ISD students have been selected as the first cohort of the new Bay City Early College High School (ECHS) program debuting Fall 2020 at Bay City High School. 
   The students received the good news via a parade of district representatives to each of their homes on May 22. 
   The students were selected through a rigorous application process, and had to earn a passing score on the TSI (Texas Success Initiative) exam.  
   The students selected are: Cristofer Bocanegra Casique, Anavie Bryant, Giselle Calderon, Mark Calderon, Alyssa Campbell-Clayton, Kyler Estrada, Carlon Jones, Rafael Lara, Juan Martinez, Marco Mata, Liya Ochoa, Yareli Ochoa, Rubi Ortiz, Emily Sierra Lopez, and Brayton Williams. 
   This first ECHS student cohort will be freshmen at BCHS in the Fall 2020 semester. 

   We will open for the 2020 Swim Season Tuesday, June 2.  
   Pool operations for the 2020 summer season are limited. 
   Hilliard Pool will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12 noon – 7 p.m.; Valiant (16th) Pool will be open Friday from 12 noon – 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon – 7 p.m.  
   We will shut down every two (2) hours to clean and sanitize the facility. The number of swimmers is limited. Floats and are floaties are not allowed. 
   Cost: $1 per child 17 & under and $2 per adult 18 & older.  
   Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 
   Lap Swim will be Tuesday – Friday from 5 – 7 p.m. at Valiant Pool.  
   Lap swim is $1/day or a monthly pass can be purchased for $10/month.  
   We have partnered with CivicRec to make buying a lap swim pass or season pass an ease.