Sports

   Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday announced his next wave of reopenings designed to restart the Texas economy during the coronavirus pandemic, saying child care facilities can reopen immediately, bars can open Friday with limited capacity and sporting events can return without fans at the end of the month. 
   Abbott also said he would permit restaurants to operate at 50% capacity starting Friday, up from 25% that’s allowed now. 
   At the same time, Abbott exempted two hotspots — Amarillo and El Paso — from his latest decisions, saying they would need to wait a week. 
   Abbott’s news conference came 18 days after he started a phased reopening of the state, starting with letting restaurants, stores, movie theaters and malls open up at 25% capacity.  
   He then allowed barbershops and salons to reopen May 8 under certain restrictions.  
   Monday was the first day gyms were allowed to open up, also under restrictions. 

   Commissioners Court amended Matagorda County policies that will allow off-highway golf carts and utility vehicles (UTV) on county roads.
   Golf carts must have all safety equipment functioning and a flag attached to a six-foot-high pole on the cart.
   UTVs are required to have a license plate – a one-time $14.75 fee total through the tax assessor-collector’s office –a title that must be obtained in the owner’s home county before obtaining the plate.
   The required six-foot pole and flag on the back can be bought at local stores.
   In addition, UTVs will need an annual permit sticker that will cost $25.
   Liability insurance will be required on all vehicles and the proper equipment to purchase the Matagorda County permit sticker.
   Also during the discussion on insurance, Precinct 2 Commissioner Kent Pollard lamented over the possibility of his fully insured vehicle being struck by an uninsured off-highway vehicle.

   EDITOR’S NOTE: Because of the Bay City Sentinel's early deadlines, we were not able to include our coverage of the May 4 Commissioners Court meeting. 
   This is the article from that meeting.
   All Matagorda County parks – with all social distancing and hygiene practices remaining in place – were opened by commissioners court at its regular meeting Monday, May 4.
   Exceptions to the openings are the county’s community centers and the fairgrounds.
   “I put this on the agenda for you to think about,” County Judge Nate McDonald told the court.
   Commissioners supported the opening, but Precinct 4 Commissioner Bubba Frick said people “are still using the playgrounds” in his precinct.
   Frick asked the parents of those children on the playground “to make sure they’re washing their hands.”
   The vote on reopening the parks was unanimous.

From BCISD   

   Bay City ISD trustees hired former Blackcat football coach Warren Trahan as the district’s new Athletic Director after a brief closed session during their videoconference meeting Monday, May 4.
   The motion for approval was made by board member John Dewitt and seconded by Eddie Nelson was unanimously approved by trustees.
   Bay City ISD Superintendent Dr. Marshall Scott, III unable to attend the meeting due to the death of his father.
   Trahan extended his sympathies to the board to relay to Scott.
Scott announced last week that he was recommending Trahan as the lone finalist for the AD position.
   Trustees expressed their excitement and congratulations to Trahan on his return.
   “I’m ready to go; I’m going to come in tomorrow and sign some papers,” said Trahan after the board’s approval.
   “I’m going to start Thursday looking at everything we’ve got going on, seeing what we need to do. We’ll have to hire some people.”

1st Team
3 Amy Vestal M JR 
7 Renna Breazeale M JR
10 Mercy Breazeale F SR Co MVP
20 Judah Breazeale F FR Co Newcomer

2nd Team
6 Haley Eidlebach M JR
17 Julianne Friesenhahn D SR

Honorable Mention
00 Ramira Castellano GK JR
5 Isabella DeWitt D JR
4 Carla Mendoza D JR
2 Nathalie Verduzco M JR
8 Valeria Rubio D JR
33 Ella Mata-Perez F FR

1st Team: Eric Granjeno
2nd Team: Matthew Hamilton

All-Academic District
Eric Granjeno
Matthew Hamilton
Ramero Vera
Alex Howe
Alberto Reyes
Mario Gonzales
Gustavo Reyes

    Matagorda and Sargent beaches reopened last weekend and the turnout was record-breaking, Matagorda County officials agreed Monday. 
   The county closed the beaches – and other facilities – March 23 as part of state and county moves to contain the spread of the coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease. 
   County Judge Nate McDonald called for reopening the county’s beaches Friday, April 24, and the response was impressive. 
   “It was a record-setting weekend I would say,” said Commissioner Kent Pollard, whose Precinct 2 includes both the Sargent and Matagorda beaches. 
   “It was definitely comparable to the Memorial Day or Fourth of July holiday weekends - probably more so,” Pollard said. 
   The commissioner said there were 700 beach permits sold at the entrance of the Matagorda Beach and, at the Stanley Store in Matagorda, “they sold a little over 1,000,” Pollard said. 
   “These were astronomical numbers,” he added.

   Bay City ISD is accepting nominations for its Distinguished Alumni program. 
   Nominations are due June 29. 
   The purpose of the BCISD Distinguished Alumni program is to recognize and honor all former graduates of the Bay City Independent School District (BCHS & Hilliard High School) whose achievements, and strength of character and citizenship serve as models to inspire and challenge today’s students.
   Nomination forms and information may be found at: https://www.bcblackcats.net/Page/139
   You may also request a nomination form from asliva@baycityisd.org.

   First off, we hope that everyone and their families are staying safe and healthy during this time!
   Considering recent events and the stay at home order BCYSC Board is excited to announce that we have partnered with the Houston Dynamo Academy and Tom Byer to host a free, at-home, 15-week challenge called Soccer Starts at Home (SSAH)!
   The Challenge is intended to inspire and document the development of young players (ages 4-8) utilizing the concepts of SSAH.
   The SSAH philosophy is based on using the critical power of parents during early childhood to encourage children to manipulate a small ball (rather than just kick it), in or around their house.
   Parents are empowered with basic knowledge and spend time with their children while they repeat core moves/skills.
    The child’s interest and motivation build as they receive positive encouragement and successfully achieve tasks.
   Join us in 3 easy steps…