News

   There were 67 new COVID-19 cases – plus 58 recovered cases and six new deaths - in Matagorda County last week, according to the weekly report from the Emergency Operation Center issued Monday, Aug. 10.
   The estimated total of COVID-19 cases is 740, with 378 estimated recoveries and 335 estimate active cases.
   Nearly 200 people were tested here last week and more tests are set Aug. 18 and 20.
   “Last week the State of Texas provided free COVID-19 tests to 188 people at the Bay City Civic Center,” said Mitch Thames, Matagorda County Public Information Officer.
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   Commissioners unanimously approved setting a public hearing for the 2020-2021 proposed tax rate during their regular meeting, Aug. 10.
   The public hearing is slated for 9:45 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24.
   The total proposed tax rate is $0.42223; with $0.41850 in maintenance tax and $0.00373 in debt levy.
   Those proposed rates are a decrease from last year’s numbers.
   “We’re working on being good stewards of the county money coming to us and hope you feel the same way,” said Matagorda County Judge Nate McDonald.

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   Tidehaven ISD trustees unanimously approved the public hearing for next year’s proposed tax rate and budget during their regular meeting Aug. 6.
   Board members present included Scott Cheek, Stephen Crow, Lee Pierce, and Eric Saha; those absent were Stuart Lynn, Mike Galvan, and Marty Crain.
   The public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, at the Tidehaven High School cafeteria.

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   Bay City Police Department held a small ceremony Aug. 5 to swear in two new police officers. 
   Police Chief Robert Lister swore in Officer Jeromy Washington and Officer Blademir Viverosis.
   Washington is a Houston native, born to Nell Washington and Chance Thomas, and graduated from Evan E. Worthing High School and attended Lamar University. 
   He graduated from the University of Houston Downtown in 2019 and eight years working at the Missouri City Parks and Recreation Center and was a truck driver for LOOMIS Armored Truck. 
   He is married with children and enjoys fishing, lifting weights and dogs. 
   Viveros graduated from B.F. Terry High School and attended Wharton County Junior College , ultimately choosing law enforcement as a career.
   He graduated from Wharton County Junior College Police Academy in May 2020. 

   Van Vleck football team’s greatest strengths this season will be experience and its offensive and defensive lines, Head Coach Robert Blackmon said.
   Van Vleck had 61 players show up for two-a-day practices and Blackmon points out that group includes eight starters from both offense and defense from last year’s team.
   That experience will be tested when the season begins with a scrimmage against Edna there Aug. 20 and the first game will be at Hitchcock Aug. 28.
   “Offensively we will run the spread offense and defensively we will be multiple,” Blackmon explained about the different sets the Leopards will feature.
   Blackmon is counting on a group of leaders this year.
   “Sam Bree, Garrett Chambless, Slade Huerta, Wyatt Gobert will be our leaders,” the coach said.
   “They’re all seniors except for Garrett,” he added.

   Over 70 Matagorda County 4-H members were honored for their 4-H achievements at the annual 4-H Awards Celebration – COVID-19 style!  4-H members of all ages, including Clover Kids received recognition for their achievements at the county, district and state levels.  
   Twenty members were awarded various level of awards for going above and beyond to participate in multiple projects, hold leadership positions and provide community service.
   Two high school age 4-H’ers joined our 4-H Ambassador Program, which is a group of senior level 4-H’ers who go into the community to promote and educate about the 4-H program.  This year’s group of inductees are Dylan Henry and Slade Saha.
   4-H Adult Leaders who have volunteered five, 10, and 25 years were recognized.  
   The 4-H program is a volunteer lead program, so the service of these leaders is an invaluable part of the program.

   The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife law enforcement reports.
   A-B-C, It’s Easy as 1-2-3
   A Hamilton County game warden and Johnson County game warden were patrolling Lake Pat Cleburne when they conducted a water safety check on a pontoon boat that had three women, one man and two dogs on board. 
   The boat had expired registration, no throwable floatation device and the captain of the boat had a freshly opened 16 oz. can of beer next to his seat. 
   During the water safety check, the warden could smell alcohol on the man and noticed he had a hard time keeping his balance standing.  
   The warden asked the captain, “How much have you had to drink? Have you had anything to eat today?” 
   The captain said, “I’ve had about 5 beers and I had some watermelon earlier.” 
   The warden then asked the man to say his ABC’s and he missed several letters. 

   A possible solution to the serious structural problems at the city’s Valiant Pool pump room emerged after engineers recently took a look. 
   City Manager Shawn Burkhart called a meeting July 20 with representatives from City Hall, Bay City Aquacats and Wellness Matagorda after the city indicated the pool could be closed because of the pump room issues. 
   After that meeting committed a smaller group to find a solution, engineers with Progressive Aquatics of Conroe, Lynn & Associates and the city parks and recreation staff met at the pool July 22. 
   “We spent the bulk of the time relative to what to do about the critical failing integrity of the pump/chemical room structure,” said City Councilman Bill Cornman, council’s point person on the pool and the proposed aquatics center. 

   Bay City ISD board members unanimously approved a three-week virtual start for all students during a special board meeting, July 30. 
    All students in Bay City ISD will begin the school year on Aug. 20 in the at-home virtual format for approximately three weeks.
   After that, families will have two options for instruction - In-person at school and at-home virtual.
   Trustees Frankie Cole, Jerry Manning, Bob Klepac, Trent Tinnin and James Scardami were present for the meeting while board member John DeWitt was absent. 
   “I didn’t want to go to the four weeks that are available and get back to school as soon as possible,” said BCISD Superintendent Dr. Marshall Scott, III while referencing Texas Education Agency's back to school guidelines.

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