News

   A late county agent friend of mine was frequently quoted as saying, “Agriculture affects you if you eat, wear clothes, or lives in a house.” 
   Just from my simple understanding of math, pretty much all of us should fall into at least one of those categories so by default we are all directly involved in agriculture. 
   Though we all may be part of the agriculture wheel, many of us do not understand how agriculture may be influencing the world right outside our door. 
   Matagorda County is synonymous with the concepts, practices, and economics of agriculture. 
   Did you know that agriculture in Matagorda County is responsible for more than $265 million annually and is the county’s main employer? So how does that break down?
   Crop production in Matagorda County is responsible for more than $130 million of the total, with primary crops being cotton, corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, and rice. 

   The Bay City Blackcats will get a week off to savor their win over El Campo – after 12 seasons on the losing end of this historic Texas football rivalry – and begin preparing for the playoffs.
   “It was a big night - more so for the kids,” Blackcat Head Coach Patrick Matthews said about the 31-24 victory over the Ricebirds last Friday, Nov. 2.
   “Those young men have battled all year. They have had their up and downs with things not going their way, but they come back every game.”
   The Bay City-El Campo game is Texas football’s longest consecutive game rival. The two teams have played 115 total games – 99 of them consecutively.
   To Matthews, the big takeaway from the game was that it was “the first time kids played four quarters. We actually put two halves together.”
   It also was the first road win this season, he pointed out.

   With a guaranteed playoff berth and a No. 9 state ranking, Van Vleck will turn its attention to Danbury for a home finale of regular season District 14-3A-2 play.
   The Leps (8-1, 4-1) will play the Panthers (3-5, 1-4) with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday, Nov. 9, at the new Burl McKinney Stadium.
   Van Vleck had 685 total yards of offense in last week’s game against Bloomington (1-8, 0-5). That total includes 473 yards on the grounds and 212 yards in the air en route to demolishing the Bobcats 61-0 there Friday night, Nov. 2.
   Senior Leopard quarterback Cameran Hudson was 11-14 for 168 yards with a touchdown, while junior Joshua Delarosa was 3-3 for 44 yards.

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

Tidehaven will finish out its regular season against Bloomington this Friday and a win would cap an impressive comeback for the Tigers this season.
   Tidehaven (3-6, 3-2) is third in District 14-3A-2 – behind East Bernard and Van Vleck – and will look forward to playoff action.
   Tidehaven is coming off a decisive 34-7 win over Ganado last week, while Bloomington was smothered by 61-0 by Van Vleck.
   Offensively, Tiger Cade Galvan rushed for 182 yards on 19 carries, and played most of the game at defensive tackle/end, said Head Coach David Lucio.  
   Blake Garcia was 6 of 8 for 142 yards passing with one TD pass.  
   Lucio noted that Alex Hernandez, in his second game since coming back from a broken arm suffered before the season, had a TD reception and an interception.  

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

   Van Vleck ISD has enrolled with STOPit, the leading technology platform for schools that deters and controls harmful or inappropriate conduct. 
   STOPit empowers students with an easy app to safely and anonymously report anything of concern to school officials – from cyberbullying to threats of violence or self-harm. 
   STOPit empowers students to stand up for themselves and others while giving our schools the insight we need to keep students safe. 
   “Keeping our learning community safe for our students and staff is our No. 1 priority,” Superintendent John R. O’Brien said.
“As young people continue to engage more with technology every day, we are taking a proactive step to empower our students to become upstanding citizens in our community in the way that they feel most comfortable. 

   Early voting in Matagorda County for the Nov. 6 general election totaled more than 4,000 voters through Tuesday, Oct. 30, according to County Clerk totals.
   In Bay City, the total through Monday was 3,566 total, while the Matagorda Annex in Palacios reported 538 early votes, for a total of 4,104 early votes.
   Early voting continues through Friday, Nov. 2, with extended voting Thursday, Nov. 1, when the voting time will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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