News

   Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) board members took a look at the demands placed on its executive director during a recent board meeting.
   Board Member Mitch Thames said he thinks it’s important to make sure the board understands what they are asking the executive director to do in his position. 
   Thames brought the topic up, because MCEDC’s Job Briefing Book has no job description for the executive director, suggesting a committee should put that together. 
   The board is asking the executive director to attend a significant number of meetings, he said. 
   The Palacios Economic Development Corporation contract requires the executive director to be in Palacios two days a week. 
   “I’m concerned we are turning his 40-hour work week into a significantly longer work week,” Thames said. 

   Bay City Community Development Corporation announces the recent refunding of two separate debt obligations, one for a training facility and another for land acquisition. 
   “Combining the two into one obligation maximized the savings for Bay City Community Development Corporation,” said Jessica Russell, executive director. 
   With the restructuring, Bay City is able to achieve significant interest savings via today’s low market rates, Russell said.
   Government Capital Corporation, Southlake, Texas, provided the refunding structure and refinancing.
   “The financing provided by Government Capital Corporation will allow us optimum budget flexibility. Their experience allowed the refunding to proceed very efficiently,” Russell commented.
   “The current economic environment has development corporations searching for alternative funding options,” pointed out Jana Jay, municipal finance specialist, Government Capital Corporation. 

   It took Nancy Crowther three hours, four public bus rides and an impressive amount of gumption to make sure her vote counted in the 2020 election. She’s hoping Texas lawmakers don’t make it even harder the next time.
   With Texas Republicans determined to enact additional voting restrictions in the upcoming special legislative session, much of the uproar has focused on changes that could make it harder for people of color to cast ballots. Less attention has fallen on another group of voters bracing for what could happen to them under the GOP’s renewed push to further tighten the state’s voting procedures — people with disabilities, for whom the voting process is already lined with potential obstacles.

    This year’s Bay City Lions Club annual Rice Festival is slated for the beginning of September.
   As tradition follows, the Matagorda County Extension Office is partnering with the Lions for the “Rice Dish Round-up” contest again.
   Completed Rice Dish Round-up entry forms with typed recipes are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, at the Matagorda County Extension Office, at 2200 7th Street, 3rd Floor in Bay City.  
   “I look forward to helping with the Rice Dish Round-Up this year,” said Matagorda County Family and Community Health County Extension Agent Gabrielle Washington-Kanu.
   “Pull out your favorite rice recipes and begin planning for the annual Rice Dish Round-Up Cooking Contest!”
   The Rice Dish Round-Up Contest is open to any resident of Matagorda County meeting the age requirements of the contest.  

   Following the extraordinary February freeze, Bay City Gas Company has worked diligently to manage the financial impact to its customers, its manager, Kevin Hecht, said in a recent press release.
   Hecht asked Bay City Gas customers to forgive the delay, “as we worked to ensure we were getting the most accurate pricing for our customers prior to billing. 
   “As we are sure you are aware, the price of natural gas increased significantly during this event,” Hecht said.
   “However, after several agonizing months, we have finalized our investigation, and can confidently invoice our customers with an accurate price for the increase we all suffered during the freezing weather.” 
   He explained that Bay City Gas uses a pass-through method of billing that means the company does not profit from any increase in the cost of gas to customers. 

   Bay City police detectives are working on a stabbing June 27.
   Bay City police officers were sent to the 2600 Block of Ave. C in reference to a stabbing, at about 10 p.m. Saturday, June 27.  
   The victim was taken to the MRMC Emergency Room by private vehicle.  
   It was determined the assault occurred in the 1200 block of Duncan.  
   Officers spoke with several subjects in the area.  
   The only information police have is that the suspect may have been driving a black Pontiac.  
   Officers contacted the victim at the ER. The victim refused to provide any information and was later released from the hospital.  
   Anyone with information is asked to call the Bay City Police Department 979-245-8500.  
   Ask to speak with the detective division.

   Commissioners unanimously approved establishing reinvestment zones for future tax abatements for OQ Chemicals and Matagorda Bay Distillery during their regular meeting Monday, June 28.
   “This is just a step in the tax abatement process,” said County Attorney Jennifer Chau.
   “Establishing these as reinvestment zones are necessary to pursue tax abatements.”
   Chau added that among several requirements for a reinvestment zone the projects must reasonably contribute to increasing employment and providing tax revenue.
   Matagorda Bay Distillery plans to open its 45-acre facility in Wadsworth this year.
   The distillery will produce rum and have its own event center.
   “I believe this is a quality of life initiative and will be a tourism draw to the county,” said County Judge Nate McDonald.

  A woman who went into the Gulf surf to save her husband from a Rip Current ended up a drowning victim and her husband survived on Matagorda Beach near 3 Mile Cut Friday, June 25, Matagorda Fire Chief Clay Bishop said. 
   “All I know is the victim was a female that went into the water to save her husband from a RIP current,” Bishop said.  
   “He was able to make it back to shore, but lost sight of her,” the chief added.  
   “Bystanders on the beach called 911 when they spotted her floating face down in the surf and helped to pull her out of the water. 
   “A Matagorda VFD first responder helped pull the patient from the water and initiated CPR, but the patient was unable to be revived after a lengthy attempt that involved paramedics and advanced life support measures,” he explained. 
   “It has unfortunately been an eventful week for Matagorda VFD,” the chief said