News

 Official Rice Festival festivities were open from 4-11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, with “HEB Night,” meaning that bringing three non-perishable HEB brand food items gets you free admission at the gate.
   All food items benefit a local food pantry.
   Otherwise, each gate entry is $6, with children under six getting in free.
   VIP Parking is $20 and includes entry fees while free parking is located in the south side lot across from Hamman road.
   This kick-off includes carnival rides and a midway by Tally Amusements with unlimited rides for $30 an armband and vendor booths.
   Friday, Oct. 5, is similar with the festival being open late from 4 p.m. until midnight with $30 armbands for unlimited rides.
   The first-ever Christian concert featuring headliner Jason Crabb with Kist by Grace opening kicks off at 6:30 p.m.
   Presale tickets are $12 per person for adults and children ages 11 and up.

   City Council members unanimously agreed for the City of Bay City to take the lead on guiding the indoor-outdoor, all-purpose aquatics center from design to completion for Bay City and Matagorda County at a council workshop meeting Thursday, Sept. 27.
   “What we need is somebody to step up and take the lead,” Wellness Matagorda Co-Director Loy Sneary told council before its vote last week on the proposed aquatics center that will incorporate competition and water therapy.
   Council’s vote means the city:

   All five Bay City Council members voted against the Mayor Mark Bricker-backed ordinance to regulate local payday lending firms before a packed City Hall audience at council’s regular meeting Sept. 27.
   “As mayor of Bay City, I wouldn’t want people in Bay City to pay payday loans with 538 percent interest. That is not acceptable,” Bricker said.
   After the vote, Bricker remained defiant in opposing payday loans that he said targets the poor - posting Facebook comments that council supported payday lenders.
   Council members weighed in at the meeting, expressing concern about the city trying to regular a Bay City business.
   Cash Carry Express owner Jerry Evans told council that Bricker’s proposed ordinance was retaliation against his payday-lending business for claiming the mayor violated the city charter after the 2013 charter amendment election.
   “I’m asking for impartiality,” Evans said in the public comments part of the meeting.

   We made it through the summer and into Fall.  
   This time of year is when the temperatures get at least marginally cooler and holiday season comes rushing in upon us.  
   Downtown Bay City is the place to be over the next few months. 
   Matagorda County residents and visitors will head downtown Saturday, Oct. 6, for the Bay City Lions Club Rice Festival Parade.  
   The parade starts at 10 a.m., but you will want to get there early for a prime viewing spot on the courthouse square where the announcers and parade judges will be checking out the entries. 
   Shop the Block will be Thursday, Oct. 11, with the theme being “School Spirit.” Wear your favorite high school spirit shirts or jerseys while taking advantage of late shopping hours and special sales from 5-7 p.m. 

   Blackcat Coach Pat Matthews said his squad is looking forward to matching up with the Needville Bluejays in a District 13-4A-1 tilt Friday at Needville. 
   Both teams won their district openers, with Bay City (2-3, 1-0) defeating Columbia 10-3 in a low-scoring contest at Memorial Stadium. 
   “Any time you start off district with a win, it’s a good thing. The boys did a great job in focusing and getting the win,” the coach said. 
   By contrast, Needville (3-2, 1-0) won over El Campo in game with 105 total points, with the Bluejays on top 64-41. 
   “This is a good football team with a group of young men who’ve played together for quite some time,” Matthews said about the Bluejays. 
   “Their offense is hitting on all cylinders and their defense is very strong. 
   “This is a good matchup - we’re looking forward to it.” 

    Gabby Washington, Matagorda County Extension Agent for family and community health is partnering up with the Bay City Public Library to host a new healthy dinner series for the month of October. 
   The program is called “A Fresh Start to a Healthier You” and is a four-week program that teaches people how to eat and prepare healthy meals on a budget.  
   The program is a part of the “Better Living For Texans Program” through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.  
   “The four lessons build on one another,” said Washington. 
   “I would encourage participants to attend each lesson. Prizes and certificates are given for participating in the program.” 
   While family-friendly, the program is primarily geared towards adults. 
   “But children can learn a lot as well – especially teenagers!” she added. 

   All Texans born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, and will be hunting by themselves in Texas are required to have successfully completed the Texas Hunter Safety Education course prior to hunting.  
   Course information can be found under the education tab of the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.  
   Those interested in taking the course will have to select the course of their choosing and register online before taking the class. The successful completion of the course is required only once in a lifetime.  
   The fee for the course is $15.  
   Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Matagorda County will offer one final class in October.  
   Course information is provided on the TPWD website or call the Matagorda County Extension office at 245-4100 for information or registration questions.  
   The information and registration for the scheduled class is listed below. 
   October 13 

   A 32-year-old Bay City woman was arrested on several charges following a disturbance at an Avenue F day care Wednesday evening, Sept. 26, Bay City police reported. 
   Officers were sent to Creative Care Day Care at 3000 Ave. F, on a disorderly conduct call.  
   En route, dispatch told officers there was an intoxicated woman at the day care trying to pick up her children. 
   When they arrived, Officer Reyna Perez saw the woman fighting with employees who were attempting to protect her children. 
   Perez tried to take the woman into custody when she began resisting arrest. Other officers who arrived were able to get the female in restraints.  
   Police said the suspect then began kicking and making it difficult for officers to put her in the patrol unit.  
   After speaking with employees who saw the woman drive up to the day care, Reyna obtained a warrant for a specimen of the suspect’s blood.