News

  Newly appointed Tidehaven ISD trustee Mike Pierce took his oath of office at the regular board meeting, Thursday, Feb. 25.
   He is filling the board vacancy left by Lee Edward Pierce, who died in November.
   Pierce is a Tidehaven graduate and former head coach and athletic director for the district.
   He will hold the board position until the next board election in November 2022, where he would have to file as a candidate and win to carry out the end of Lee Pierce’s term.
   Pierce cited a family history of serving as a school board member, including his great-grandmother, grandfather, and cousin Lee Edward.
   Board members also discussed and approved just over $52,000 in door and window replacements, fan installation, and other renovations to the old high school girl’s gym.
   Those expenses are part of a plan to renovate the building into an indoor training facility primarily for baseball and softball training.

   If you didn’t look at the calendar and just listened to the chatter and conversations about the widespread damage throughout Matagorda County and Texas, you would think folks were talking about the aftermath of a major hurricane. 
   This is Texas and we all know what they say about Texas weather. 
   Winter storm Uri brought damage and destruction to all of Texas that would rival any major hurricane. 
   During the multi-day event, it was not hard to find prolonged temperatures in the low teens and temperatures not getting above the freezing point throughout the extent of Matagorda County with snow on the ground hanging around for several days. 
   Social media was bulging with images and experiences families were facing during the event. Matagorda County agriculture was not exempted from the adverse effects of this “once in a lifetime” storm.

   Commissioners unanimously approved extending telemedicine coverage to include applied behavioral health and a partial hospitalization program during its regular meeting March 1.
   “BlueCross BlueShield is expanding their telemedicine services and has given us the option of adding this expansion for our employees,” said Human Resources Director Tressa Leadford.
   “We’re already offering telemedicine coverage for our insurance members and this just seems like the next step.”
   Leadford added that several employees “preferred” using telemedicine services since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
   “Many of them feel better about having the option than in-person doctor’s visits,” she added.
   “It’s really up to their preference.”
   Leadford said that the telemed services weren’t with the employee’s primary care physician, but with doctors available through the system.

   Van Vleck ISD trustees approved naming the newest campus as Van Vleck Junior High during their meeting, Wednesday, Feb. 23.
   The decision follows several discussions the board had previously and the tabling of the naming at January’s meeting.
   Other names considered were O.H. Herman Middle School and Van Vleck Middle School.
   O.H. Herman is still the name of VVISD’s middle school campus that was not extensively renovated with funds from the 2017 bond election.
   Herman campus could see a new future as a multipurpose building for the community.
   “Our hope is O.H. Herman will be used as a multipurpose building for the community,” said VVISD Superintendent John O’Brien.
   “We are working with the Van Vleck Economic Development Group on funding and different programs that can be offered.”
   The board also heard updates on the district’s bond projects including:

   A $379,305 bid for a water improvement project in Bay City’s northwest quadrant was awarded to Angleton-based Android Construction Services at City Council’s regular meeting Feb. 23.
   Android was the lowest of three bidders on the project that’s funded by a Texas Community Development Block Grant.
   The firm’s bid amount included four alternates that exceed the construction budget by $22,000, Calhoun said. The grant amount is $367,500.
   A budget amendment covering the $22,000 was discussed with Finance Director Scotty Jones.
   Calhoun noted the project will improve the water system for the northwest Bay City areas.
   Calhoun noted the project’s improvements will include replacing the smallest main line, which is ¾-inch, while a 6-inch line is the city’s present minimum design standard.
   Completion is projected for January, 2023, Calhoun said.

   Economic Action Committee currently has funding to assist with electric and gas bills.
   If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please contact our office at 979-245-6901 as soon as possible to speak to a case manager to obtain an application and schedule an appointment.
   You must meet eligibility requirements to qualify.
   Required documentation will be listed in the comments below.
   Required documentation includes:

•      Proof of income for the last 30 days for ALL members of the household (SS Award Letter, Pay Stubs, etc.)
•      Valid Photo ID for every member of the household 16 and older.
•      School ID badge or Clinic, Doctor, Hospital, or School record for children under 16.
•      Certified Birth Certificate or Passport for ALL members of the household
•      Current Utility Bill, not a disconnect notice.
•      Food Stamp/TANF Award Letter if applicable.

   The Matagorda County Fair and Livestock Association’s Home Economics Food Show auction raised $13,500 for local students, Saturday, Feb. 27.
   That number is an increase of almost more than $2,000 from last year’s $11,075.
   “I think the auction went well despite the COVID restrictions,” said 4-H Administrative Assistant Cynthia Page.
   “Prices depend on who you are, unfortunately. The prices ranged from $600 t0 $900.”
   Page added that four items sold for $900 each: two breads, a serving of brownies, and an apple pie.
   “We had a total of 262 items entered in the food show,” she added.
   “There are 18 items for sale in the home economics auction. The Grand Champion food items in the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Division in each of either the breads, cakes, cookies, candies, pies, or decorated dessert sections qualify for the Home Economics Foods Auction.

Results from the Boy’s LQM on Bay City on Feb. 27:
   
   Team: 3rd Place out of 7.
   Isaac Allen - 1st in 275, 480 Squat, 285 Bench, 405 DL, 1170 Total
   Juan Garcia - 1st in 308, 185 Squat, 115 Bench, 250 DL, 550 Total
   Ruben Alameda - 2nd in 198, 385 Squat, 245 Bench, 435 DL, 1065 Total
   Blake Frausto - 3rd in 275, 390 Squat, 185 Bench, 425 DL, 1000 Total
   Glenn Ihde - 3rd in 220, 395 Squat, 230 Bench, 430 DL, 1045 Total
   Blake MacLennan - 4th in 220, 385 Squat, 230 Bench, 400 DL, 1015 total
   Marco Mata - 4th in 275, 400 Squat, 225 Bench, 345 DL, 970 Total
   Andres Bermudez - 5th in 275, 390 Squat, 235 Bench, 355 DL, 960 Total
   Kyler Estrada - 6th in 198, 270 Squat, 165 Bench, 265 DL, 700 Total