Local News & Information

WINTER TEXANS CHILI SUPPER
The Palacios Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Winter Texans ‘Thank You’ chili supper from 5:30-7:30 p.m. this evening at the KC Hall at 8th and Main.

Musical entertainment is being provided by the Palacios Art Colony.

For more information, call the Chamber office at 972-2615.


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CARANCAHUA COMMUNITY MEETING
Following their big magic show over the weekend, the Carancahua Community meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the Carancahua Community Center. All residents of the community are encouraged to attend.


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FREEPORT HYDRANT CONTEST
The city of Freeport is set to start a contest this week where participants can paint one of the city’s 350 fire hydrants.  The winners will get prizes from the Freeport Fire and EMS Department.

Participants will have until Feb. 28 to paint the fire hydrants using any color scheme or design, but cannot modify the device itself. Judging will take place March 1, and winners will be announced at a later City Council meeting.

Interim Fire Chief Chris Motley said "the event will help foster local artists’ talents, beautify the city and give the fire department an opportunity educate participants about fire safety".

Freeport residents that wish to participate can reserve their hydrant and fill in their application form at Freeport Fire and EMS Station 1, at 131E. 4th St.

You can work on your own or as a team. Groups of people under 18 require an adult to be present during painting.

For information, contact the Freeport Fire and EMS Department at 979-233-2111.


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1 KILLED IN ACCIDENT
27-year-old Miguel Olivares Jr., of Oyster Creek was killed yesterday in a single vehicle crash according to a Texas Department of Public Safety spokeswoman.

Olivares' vehicle crossed the northbound lane and veered through a ditch, hit a telephone pole and flipped, ejecting him. Olivares was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The impact from the crash caused a transformer to blow and the area around the site was without power for nearly 2 hours. FM 523 was closed briefly and then narrowed to one lane for about two hours.

Authorities said they do not know if alcohol was a factor. Speed was not a factor. The road was dry and visibility good at the time of the crash according to DPS.


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SEA CENTER VOLUNTEERS HONORED
3 Lake Jackson volunteers have been honored with the President's Call to Service Award recognizing their dedication and giving more than 4,000 hours to volunteer service.

Johnnie Bedrich, John Mavris and Helen Otto recieved a certificate, a pin and a congratulatory letter from the President of the United States for their service hours at Sea Center.

Bedrich has volunteered more than 4,330 hours as a tour guide, greeter, youth fishing assistant and landscaper.

Otto has worked more than 4,100 hours as a gift shop cashier, assisting in the office and travelling to outreach events.

Mavris serves as greeter Friday and Saturday afternoon and has logged almost 4,300 hours, welcoming guests to the site.


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LAKE JACKSON FIREFIGHTER NEEDS BLOOD
Longtime Lake Jackson firefighter and city worker Mike Harper Sr. recently learned he has pre-leukemia, meaning blood transfusions are becoming part of his weekly schedule.

According to his son, Lake Jackson Fire Chief Mike Harper Jr., his father has already had several transfusions and will be starting chemotherapy soon.

To lend a hand, city employees are hosting a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Lake Jackson Fire Department, 10 Oak Drive.

It doesn't matter what your blood type. Each unit of blood donated will be credited to his account so he doesn't have to pay as much for each transfusion. Blood not his type will be used by other cancer patients at MD Anderson.

Support has been great but Harper could still use more donors. Call Roman at 979-415-2422 to sign up for an appointment.


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FREEPORT COUNCIL TO DISCUSS LOAN
The Freeport City Council is set to discuss a $1.75 million loan needed by the Freeport Economic Development Corp. to complete the Freeport marina project when it meets at 6 p.m. Monday.

The corporation approved the loan at a meeting Jan. 28 but City Council has to approve any budgetary changes made by the corporation.

The loan under consideration is a variable rate of no less than 6% but never higher than 1.5% over prime.


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WEST COLOMBIA LOOKING AT HOTEL TAX
West Columbia City Council will look at funding recommendations from the hotel occupancy tax advisory board during their meeting at 7 p.m. this evening.

Council also is set to consider an agreement with Brazoria County Mosquito Control for aerial spraying over the city.

For more information, call 979-345-3123.


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BRAZORIA COUNCIL TO DISCUSS SIGNS
Brazoria City Council will discuss the city’s sign ordinance when it meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at City Council Room.

They also will discuss calling city elections for May.

For information, call 979-798-2489.


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GULF CHEMICAL UPDATE
A tip that Gulf Chemical & Metallurgical Corp. was manipulating its water releases to skirt environmental regulations led to investigators swarming the Freeport site with search warrants in hand last week.

Investigators from seven regulatory agencies sought environmental records from the administration building Tuesday after a former employee reported she believed the company was keeping two sets of books on its water quality.

Items obtained in the search include laboratory record books, product analysis sheets, computer files, company e-mail, field notes and memos. These items could be used as evidence against the company.

The TCEQ allows Gulf Chemical to return its used water to Texas waters, but only after it has been treated for certain contaminants. In the event of a violation the companies are supposed to report themselves to the commission and explain what steps are being taken to assure it doesn't happen again.

The former employee that phoned in the tip says she uncovered a spreadsheet that showed they would keep samples "artificially low" to meet the permitted quality levels, but increase the flow of discharge when sampling was not occuring.

Gulf Chemical staff was allowed to return to the administration building Wednesday evening, and they say work has returned to normal.

Gulf Chemical was founded in 1946 and has sites in Canada and Pennsylvania along with its Freeport operation. There are 157 full-time Gulf Chemical employees at the Freeport site and 20 contractors.


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NATURE CLUB MEETS TUESDAY
The Bay City Nature Club will meet at 7p.m. on February 9 at the Bay City Service Center. Terry Rosignol, manager of the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge in Eagle Lake, will give an update and show film.


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BLACKCAT GOLF FUNDRAISER
Fundraiser for Bay City Blackcats Golf 4 person scramble will be held on February 13 at Noon, limited 1st 30 teams will pay entries. $50 per person and $200 per team, Fee covers golf, range, lunch and prizes. All proceeds to benefit Bay City Blackcats Boys and Girls Golf team.


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MORE BOGUS BILLS
Just when you thought it was safe to accept cash again, another counterfeit bill shows up in Matagorda county.

Deputy Riddles was called to the EZ Mart in Van Vleck because of a suspicios bill found in the receipts from the night before.  The bill was not a washed bill like the $100 we've been seeing throughout the area but a bill printed on non-curency paper.

If you find a bill that doesn't seem quite right to you you should report it to your local law enforcement immediately.



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ANGEL FOOD
Angel Food Ministries will be taking order for food boxes February 15 and 16 from 9a.m. to 4p.m. at MEHOP. Online ordering is also available through February 18.

Your food items will be distributed Saturday, February 27th at MEHOP from 9a.m. to 10a.m.



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EMPLOYER WORKSHOP
Harassment, Retaliation and Discrimination Laws workshop will be on February 16 from 2 to 4p.m. at the Business Development Center in Bay City.

If you hire, fire, manage or oversee employes you should know all the regulations. Reserve your seat today by calling 979-320-4085.


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BAY CITY BLOOD DRIVE
A Bay City Community Blood Drive will be held on February 20 from 9a.m. to 3p.m. at the Bay City Service Center.  Appreciation items and refreshments provided for donors.

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WHARTON OFFERS JOB FAIR
The City of Wharton, the EEOC, Wharton Economic Development Corp and others have teamed up to provide area employers with a Power Breakfast prior to their upcoming job fair.

Employers or potential employers will gather Tuesday Feb. 16th from 8 to 8:45 a.m. at the O’Quinn Room in the Wharton Civic Center

Mr. Joe Bontke, Outreach Director Houston Division, EEOC will present "20 Common Mistakes Employers Make in
Hiring, Firing and Evaluating Performance” while you enjoy Breakfast Tacos, Donuts, Coffee, and Juice.

The event is free but seating is limited so if you want to attend you need to call and preregister. Call (979)532-0999.

Following the breakfast will be the big job fair.  The Job Fair also takes place at the Wharton Civic Center and will operate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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