News

   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.

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   Christmas Eve falls on Thursday, Dec. 24, and Christmas Day is Friday, Dec. 25 this year.
   That means that many local businesses are closed in observance of the holiday starting Thursday and will re-open at regular business hours Monday, Dec. 28.
   Those closings include city, federal and county offices.
   The United States Post Office and banks will be closed on Christmas Day.
   WCA trash will not pick up on Christmas Day and normal trash services will resume the following scheduled pickup day.
   Christmas break lasts from Dec. 21 – Jan. 5 for Bay City ISD, with the district returning to regular hours Wednesday, Jan. 6.
   Van Vleck students have Christmas break from Dec. 21 to Jan. 8, with classes resuming on Monday, Jan. 11.
   Tidehaven ISD students are on break from Dec. 21 to Jan. 4 and will return to school on Tuesday, Jan. 5.

   Far before the hint of light begins to grace the eastern skyline in the fall and winter months, traffic begins to build on Matagorda County roads with not all heading to the various plants and industries, but into the more remote expanses of the county. 
   Matagorda County is termed the recreational capital of Texas in many conversational circles and articles which brings many folks from across the globe to enjoy what is in our back yard. 
   The Christmas bird count has indicated for more than two decades that Matagorda County is the undisputed birding king with its species diversity second to none. 

   Are Broadway musicals to your taste? 
   How about a little bit of comic relief? 
   Have you been itching to see “live” entertainment? 
   Would you like to see the new home of the local community theater troupe? 
   If the answer to any of these questions is “yes” then you are in luck. 
   Mark your calendar for Jan. 15-17 and 22-24, for the return of “Night on Broadway!” 
   If necessary, a special encore production will be presented on Jan. 29. 
   The Community Actors of South Texas (CAST) have been “zooming” together for months to plan their new season of quality theatrical entertainment for Bay City and the surrounding communities. 
   CAST President Kara Cowart said the first 2021 production will be a “revival of some of your favorites” from Nights on Broadway from years past. 
   The musical productions will be performed in the new home of CAST at 920 Nichols Avenue in Bay City. 

   Unofficially, Matagorda County has 219 bird species reported for the 121st Annual Audubon Matagorda County Mad Island Marsh Christmas Bird Count (CBC) Monday, Dec. 14.
   That number awaits verification for at least five rare birds before becoming official sometime mid-March next year.
   Those rare birds mentioned during the virtual countdown Monday night were the Bullock’s oriole, Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Green Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker and a Parasitic Jaeger.
   As of press time Tuesday morning, no official results had been posted to the Audubon website which leaves no clue as to the Matagorda CBC’s ranking compared to others throughout North America.
   In past years counts in San Diego, and the Guadalupe River Delta have been the ones to beat to maintain the number one spot.
   Due to COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions, the annual countdown dinner was canceled in favor of a virtual count with birding section leaders via Zoom.

   There have been 72 new confirmed COVID-19 cases from Dec. 7-14 in Matagorda County, data from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
   And, a major COVID-19 development was reported Monday when the state announced that just over 224,000 doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine will be shipped to 109 Texas hospitals this week according to DSHS. 
   Hospital, county, and city officials will make an announcement when COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Matagorda County, but as of right now, there is no firm arrival date, according to Matagorda Regional Medical Center. 
   Governor Abbott estimated that 1.4 million more doses will be available starting in mid-December. 
   Vaccines will be prioritized for healthcare workers and first responders because they are at greater risk of spreading the virus if they become ill, officials said.