News

   The Matagorda Regional Medical Center Foundation hosts the 8th Annual Power of the Purse fundraiser with doors opening at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at the Bay City Civic Center.
   Tickets are $30 per person or $400 for a corporate table that seats eight.
   “Tickets are selling fast and we prefer to pre-sale; however, we have been known to sell a ticket or two at the door!” said MRMCF director Tiffany Foltyn.
   “Tickets are on sale now starting at $30 each. Also, corporate tables will be available at $400 per table of 8 reserved seats.
   “Tickets may be purchased online at matagordaregional.org/purse or by calling 979-241-5534. All tickets include a variety of hors d’oeuvres, desserts, beverages and spirits.”
   The Matagorda Regional Medical Center Nutritional Services lead by Carol Butler and Kelly Davis will cater this year’s event with “Llamazing” succulent appetizers inspired by the Southwest.

   Cherry and Tenie Holmes elementary schools have each received a Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School award for the 2018-2019 school year from the Flippen Group. 
   Several years ago, both campuses began an initiative to transform their schools into  emotionally safe and relationally connected places for students, staff, and parents. 
   After researching programs used by some of the nation’s most successful schools, Bay City Independent School District chose to join hands with the Flippen Group to bring Capturing Kids’ Hearts to the entire district. Teachers and staff learned processes to increase students’ connectedness with both peers and adults on campus. 

   Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar recently announced local sales tax allocations for April are 8.4 percent more than in April 2018. 
   Bay City’s April sales tax rebate is 8.6 percent down from same month last year.
   April’s sales tax allocation was $401,835, down from $440,009 in April 2018.
   For the year, Bay City has collected $1,856,989, up a slight .74% from $1,843,245 from the same period last year.
   In Palacios, April’s rebate was $54,556, which is up 12.9% from $48,285, from the same month last year.
   In collections this year, Palacios received $230,617, which is down 10.95% from the $258,847 for the same period last year.
   These allocations are based on sales made in February by businesses that report tax monthly.
   In other area cities, El Campo’s rebate was $309,932 in April, 5% higher than last year, while Port Lavaca’s rebate this month was $265,951, or 21% higher than April 2018.

   Tidehaven ISD administrators recently announced campus selections of “Teacher of the Year” and “Employee of the Year” for the 2018-2019 school term. 
   Campus principals chose the honorees based on several criteria including the employees’ dedication and commitment to their students, their quality of instruction, and their positive influence on the campus. 
   Tidehaven High School recognizes U.S. history teacher and PALS sponsor Crystal Taska as “Teacher of the Year” while school secretary Mary Jane Galvan is honored as the high school’s “Employee of the Year.” 
   Described by high school principal Dr. Patrick Talbert as “the central nervous system of Tidehaven,” Galvan will retire in May after having served the students and staff of the district for thirty five years.
   “Words cannot describe the importance of Mrs. Galvan’s role at the high school nor all of the things she does to make the day go smoothly,” Talbert said. 

   MEHOP will host its annual fundraiser dinner and auction Saturday, May 4. 
   Each year, proceeds raised at this event go towards the health centers priority areas, which include capital projects, equipment needs, educational programs, health information technology, and patient services.  
   “We truly appreciate the support MEHOP has received for its commitment to making wellness a priority for everyone in our community,” said Eric Wright, MEHOP Board President, “as an organization, we continue to assess our patients needs and evolve along with them.” 
   According to the World Health Organization, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” 
   With this in mind, MEHOP offers multiple clinical services which include Family Medicine with extended weekday and weekend hours, Behavioral Health, Woman’s Health, Pediatrics, Family Dental and Vision. 

   Howdy all! I hope this finds you well and enjoying the spring and the activities that come with it.  
   How ironic that just a few weeks ago we were inundated with far more water than we wanted and now many of us are thinking a little water would be nice! Texas weather! 
   I heard a Matagorda County farmer comment that sums up perfectly the mindset of successful folks producing an agriculture commodity: “Farmers are eternal optimists!” 
   Successful farmers and ranchers always see the glass as half full. 
   This edition of the monthly newsletter will have a little something for all of you and I hope you find this newsletter and the information included to be beneficial. Should you find something that is of interest to you and you plan to attend, please RSVP for the event.
Wild Pig Grant Update 

   Hop to the 34th annual Egg Hunts at Le Tulle Park from 12-3 p.m. on Good Friday, April 19.  
   Roughly 15,000 eggs with trinkets will be scattered throughout the day for Bay City’s youngest residents to “hunt.” 
   “Join as we enjoy an afternoon of egg hunts, ‘scrambles,’ photo opportunities, prizes, spring fun and of course, the Easter Bunny,” said Kelly Penewitt, Parks and Recreation Supervisor in a press release. 
   Children from 4-10 years old will be able to take part in the city’s now famous ‘egg scrambles’ for trinket-filled eggs. 
   Children ages three and under will enjoy their own special Haystack Hunt where eggs will be “hidden” on the hay and each child can gather six eggs.  
   Children with special needs may join in the fun of the egg scrambles at the “Beeping Bunnies” egg hunt area.  
   This area will include beeping and talking eggs for children with special needs hidden among the hay redeemable for prizes.

   Tropical Maniacs of Matagorda Foundation is hosting it’s first-ever “80s Spring Fling” from 7-11 p.m. Friday, April 19 at Matagorda Fireman’s Hall. 
   Tropical Maniacs of Matagorda Foundation hosts an 80s themed dance and membership drive. 
   Entry is $20 per person and all proceeds collected will be used to keep Matagorda bays and beaches beautiful and clean. 
   “Tropical Maniacs of Matagorda was founded for the purposes of beaches and bay area beautification and conservation,” said Cinco Davant, founding member and organization president.
   “It is a 501(C)3 and has tax-exempt status. Being in business in Matagorda we hear feedback from the people who live here as well as ones that come down and visit. It is these comments that have compelled me to try to remedy some of these concerns.

   Commissioners Court unanimously passed a resolution Monday asking the Texas Legislature to rename all of Texas 35 within Matagorda County as The Tom Uher Memorial Highway.  
    “Only the state can designate highways as memorials,” County Judge Nate McDonald explained.  
   The county’s resolution closely follows City Council’s recent move to rename 7th Street in Bay City for the Bay City native who served 35 years in the legislature, while maintaining his law practice here.  
   The former House Speaker Pro Tempore, D.R. “Tom” Uher died March 9.  
   The resolution supports “any legislative effort to concurrently designate the portion of State Highway 35 in Matagorda County in memory of the Honorable D.R. “Tom” Uher” and directs a copy of a resolution to be sent to State Rep. and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen and State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, the county’s elected members to the house and senate.  

   Tidehaven trustees unanimously approved two budget amendments to get the ball rolling on the Delvin L. Taska Stadium renovations and new construction Monday night.   
   The first budget amendment was approved for $2.765 million for turf field installation and renovating the new home side bleachers respectively.  
   “This covers the contract already approved for Hellas and Sturdisteel,” said TISD Superintendent Dr. Andrew Siegrist.  
   The second budget amendment for $150,900 covers various items such as furniture and engineering fees.   
   Trustees heard a presentation from engineer Kenneth Jurado about the stadium project and renovating older, existing features like parking lots, lighting, ticket booths and the concession stand. 

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