News

  A recount of mail-in ballots in the Nov. 6 County Judge election affirmed incumbent Nate McDonald as the winner. 
   Republican challenger Charles Wright withdrew his recount request after a recount of the mail-in ballots Wednesday, Nov. 21, County Clerk Janet Hickl said Monday. 
   A special board hand counted the mail ballots, Hickl said. 
   She said the board was comprised of people recommended by the county Republican and Democrat chairs and Hickl said she chose one person. 
   “There was not much change, so Charles Wright decided not to continue on,” Hickl said. 

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  The Bay City Public Library will close temporarily beginning Monday, Dec. 3, for the rest of the year.  
   “The Library will undergo renovations to include expansion, new flooring throughout most of the library, and new layout,” said BCPL Director Samantha Denbow in a recent press release. 
   “The flooring was damaged during Hurricane Harvey. Now that the roof has been repaired and does not leak, the flooring can be replaced.”  
   The original 10,000-square-foot library opened in 1992 and will expand to about 12,000 square feet. 

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   The last sign-up for the annual First United Methodist Church/ Bay City Police Department food drive will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at the church, 2300 Ave. H and Fourth St. 
   Identification is required to sign up and everyone has to fill out a new registration sheet in person. 
   “We’re looking at a minimum of 550 families signing up this year,” said Bay City PD Captain Christella Rodriguez. 
   “That number is definitely more than last year and we’re unsure why. Regardless, we really need everyone to open their hearts and donate this year.” 
   Cash and check donations can be mailed or delivered to the church directly. 
   “Cash donations help us pay for a turkey for each family that signs up,” said Rodriguez. 
   “Those turkeys run us from $5,000 to $6,000 for all registered families. Without those monetary donations, we struggle to make sure everyone gets enough food.” 

   The first-ever Boys and Girls Club “Pancake Supper” fundraising event earned $6,000 towards supporting the “Bringing Up Grades” (BUG) program. 
   “The new BUG program will be one hour daily Monday-Thursday and focus on math or reading,” said BGC Executive Director Bebee Manrique. 
   “This six-week program will mirror our ‘Ace It! Program’, third and fourth graders, and be open to first and second grade. As the Ace It! program progresses so will our BUG.” 
   Originally a Kiwanis fundraiser, the BGC hosted their version of the event Nov. 14. 
   “The Bay City Kiwanis Club was a part of our community for 67 years and I was sad that we had to end,” Manrique said. 
   “For over 60 years, the Pancake Supper has been a tradition to Matagorda County and surrounding counties and we wanted to keep it that way.” 
   Manrique also is a former Kiwanis member.  

   Hallettsville – The Van Vleck Leopards scored on their opening drive and never looked back, cruising to a 35-2 Area playoff win over the Poth Pirates last Friday night. 
   With the win, Van Vleck moves to the Regional final and a familiar matchup against district foe and cross-county rival Tidehaven.  
   The game will be at Rosenberg’s Traylor Stadium, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
   Van Vleck won the opening toss, and elected to put their offense on the field first. This move set the tone quickly, as the Leopard run game came out red hot. Running backs De’Mitri Monroe and Daniel Bree led the charge, busting off long runs into Poth territory. 
   Leopard quarterback Cameron Hudson completed a 15-yard pass to Bree down to the 3-yard line, and Monroe took it in two plays later for the Van Vleck touchdown. Trent Blaylock booted the extra point, and the Leopards were out in front 7-0. 

   In its successful turnaround season, the Tidehaven Tigers have developed a habit of surprising people. 
   The Tigers latest victim of surprise has to be the previously unbeaten Odem Owls who fell 28-12 to Tidehaven in last Friday’s area round of the UIL Football Championship playoffs. 
   The Tigers held the Owls to their lowest rushing output of the year, allowing Odem 163 yards. 
   Tidehaven’s stingy defense allowed two rushing touchdowns but no PATs. 
   The Owls also were limited in their passing going 9 of 20 for 104 yards, with four interceptions. 
   Cade Galvan ran one of his two picks back for a touchdown.
Mason Perales and Gordo Moreno also had pickoffs. 
   Jose Martinez and Galvan also contributed to the defensive efforts, each with a forced fumble, and Martinez had a fumble recovery. 
   On offense, Blake Garcia had 16 carries for 133 yards, including a 29-yard scamper and a touchdown. 

   A red Hyundai stolen from the 1800 block of Marguerite was recovered, but not several firearms that were taken from the car’s trunk, Bay City police said.  
   Officer Kim Kunz met with the woman who reported her car stolen Nov. 20, adding the vehicle was taken sometime after midnight.  
   Police said the victim received information her vehicle was in the 2900 block of Avenue F, and that’s where she found it. 
   After locating her vehicle, the woman checked the trunk and found that several firearms were stolen.  
   The victim was planning a hunting trip and put the firearms in the trunk, police were told. 
   There were four firearms and assorted ammunition taken. 
   Detectives are actively working this case and may have a possible suspect, reports show.  
   Anyone with information is asked to call 979-245-8500 and speak with Detective Juan Delgado. 
Suspect nabbed for robbery at Stripes 

November/December 2018 
   Howdy All!  
   It is hard to believe that 2018 is almost a memory and plans for 2019 is in full swing. 
   This newsletter will have several upcoming events within that may be of interest to you. Please take a few minutes to read through and pass along the information as you see fit.  
   Crops Committee Meeting 
   It is time to begin to plan the 2019 Crops result demonstration effort. With 2018 in the books, some demonstration topics are already revealing themselves as needing to be continued, look at new theories, or expand on what has been conducted previous.  
   The crops committee will be meeting on Dec. 4, at the Matagorda County Fairgrounds at 8 a.m. to discuss and plan the 2019 result demonstration program and discuss program ideas. 
   The Matagorda County Crops Committee wants to invite all growers to this meeting to receive feedback for you.