Local News & Information

6 CANDIDATES FOR BAY CITY MAYOR
Monday was the last day to file for city elections that will be held on May 8th.

Council Position #1 held by Anthony Hawkins and Council Position #2 held by Joseph D. Enoch were unopposed. However the position of mayor drew several candidates.

Incumbent Richard Knapik will face 5 contenders. William Green, Mark Bricker, Dora Duncan, Joyce Black and Robert Head have all earned a position on the ballot.

Positions on the ballot will be determined by random drawing Wednesday morning at 10am at city hall.

Early voting begins April 26th at the council chambers at 1901 5th St. Election day voting will take place at the Service Center.


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MARCH FOR MEALS
Economic Action Committee will be holding their "March for Meals" Senior Citizens Fundraiser
March 20th from 11am - 1pm at 904 Witson in Bay City.

They'll be serving Turkey & Dressing, tea, and dessert for just $7.00 a Plate.

You can dine in or pick up. Delivery is even available.

For tickets call 245 -1923


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JR. HIGH PERFORMS WELL AT CONTEST
107 Bay City Junior High band students competed at solo & ensemble contest last month and 76 made a 1! That is the highest rating on a scale from 1-5.

19 students make a 2. The BCJH Band head director is Phelecia Neal.

Junior High Choir members brought home 104 gold medals from the solo & ensemble contest. Choir director is Carol Suggs.


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SOFTBALL FIELD OPENING SCHEDULED TODAY
Grand Opening Ceremonies for new softball complex will be today after the LadyCats junior varsity game against Foster that starts at 5 p.m.

The new facility comes complete with dugouts, stands, a press box, a concession stand and scoreboard.

When the school sought bids the low bid came in at $780,000 for the project. The City of Bay City and Bay City ISD formed an interlocal agreement which is becoming very popular in Texas, allowing for city equipment and manpower to be used to build the project. Using this method we were able to keep manpower working and busy and the final total cost was $521,000.

Tonight's ceremony should begin around 6pm with a welcome from Superintendent Keith Brown and the city's Director of Public Works Clark Young. They will be followed by a ribbon cutting and the throwing out of the first pitch by BCISD Board President Paul Johnson.

The LadyCat varsity team is set to take the field against the Foster Lady Falcons around 6:30 this evening.


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RACING TURNS INTO DRUG BUST
Matagorda County Sheriff's Deputy John Spheeris was patrolling on hys 60 south of Bay city Saturday night when he came to a stop behind 2 vehicles at the red light on FM 2668.  The Passenger of one truck was leaning out of the window and talking to the driver of the truck next to them.  When the light turned green the two vehicles took off racing down highway 60.

Deputy Spheeris conducted a stop on one of the vehicles, the other kept going. In the stopped vehicle were 5 minors with several empty beer cans as well as at least one cold unopened can. The driver was arrested on the scene for racing and for supplying minors with alcohol. The other minors were released to a parent called to the scene.

Upon a search of the arrested at the Matagorda County Jail it was discovered that the young man had a $100 bill folded up with cocaine in it. They also found a small blue straw that contained cocaine residue.

Charges now include possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.


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SWEENY HOSPITAL CELEBRATING BIRTHDAY
The Sweeny Hospital District is celebrating 45 years of serving West of the Brazos communities. As part of the celebration of caring for the community, the district would like to include stories about how the hospital has affected area residents, to be compiled in a scrapbook for future generations.

Those with a personal story to share are asked to submit it in writing to Jami McGowan at Sweeny Community Hospital, 305 N. McKinney St., Sweeny, Texas 77480, or at jmcgowan(at)sweenyhospital.org.


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CATTLE PRODUCERS OF THE YEAR NAMED
The 66th Annual Matagorda County Fair Livestock Show and Rodeo kicked off its first night performance with special pre-rodeo activities honoring the cattle producer of the year and highlighting the grand and reserve grand champion steer.

The Bay City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture's ag committee chose Palacios ranchers David "Brother" and Patty Frankson as their cattle producers of the year.

The Franksons began their cattle business in the 1950s that they operate as a family business.


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NATURE CLUB MEETS TONIGHT
The Bay City Nature club program for this month will be held Tuesday at 7p.m. at the Service Center. The program will be a slide show and narration given by world birder, Karen McBride.

Everyone is welcome to attend.


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SURFSIDE NAMES NEW POLICE CHIEF
The Surfside Beach Council will appoint longtime officer Gary Phillips as its new police chief when it meets at 7 p.m. today at Village Hall.

Phillips has been serving as interim police chief since January. He was appointed after former chief Randy Smith left late last year to take a similar position at South Padre Island.

Phillips has been with the Surfside Beach Police Department for nearly 10 years and has worked in law enforcement for more than 20 years.


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BLACKCAT GOLF FUNDRAISER
A fundraiser for Bay City BlackCat Golf will be held at the Rio Colorado Golf Course March 13th.

The 4-person scramble will begin at noon. The event is limited to the first 30 teams with paid entries of $50 per person. The entry fee includes golf, range, lunch, and prizes. All proceeds benefit Bay City Blackcat boys and girls golf teams.

This outing has a guaranteed $1000 prize money! More information is available from the Rio Colorado Golf Course 979-244-2955


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CAST PERFORMANCE
The Community Actors of South Texas (CAST) have announced plans to perform "Alibis" a murder mystery comedy by Peter Kennedy.

They will present their show at the Bay City Service Center Friday and Saturday March 19th & 20th at 7:30pm followed by a Sunday 2:30pm Matinee. Then they take their show to The Matagorda School Auditorium for Friday and Saturday performances the following week.

Tickets for the show will be available only at the door. Admission will be $8 for adults or just $5 for students.

They will also be holding a silent auction at the event to raise funds to help pay for their planned summer production of "The Music Man".


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MARKET DAYS RETURNS TO SQUARE
Bay City hasn't had a Market Days on the Square since November. The December show was held at the Bay city Civic Center and the committee decided not to attempt a January or February Market Day because of questionable weather.

March 20th, and the following third Saturday of each month we can once again enjoy a Market Day celebration for the rest of this year.

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SALES TAX WORKSHOP
Business Sales & Use Tax Workshop will be presented by the Texas State Comptroller’s Office at the Business Development Center in Bay City.

Get your questions answered about sales and use tax. Learn what's taxable and who's tax exempt.

This program takes place Tuesday, Mar. 23rd from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Business Development Center at 1900 5th Street in Bay City.

Seating is limited so call today to reserve your seat. 979-244-8466.

The Business Sales and Use Tax Workshop is brought to you by the State Comptroller’s Office, Bay City Community Development Corp., Bay City Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture & UH/Coastal Plains Small Business Development Center.



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CRAWFISH BOIL
The Agriculture Aquaculture committee of the Bay City Chamber of commerce are gearing up for this year's annual Business After Hours Social-a.k.a. the Crawfish Boil! 

This event is free to members and gives us an opportunity to recruit new businesses.  This committee will recognize the Aquaculture of the Year and Turf Grass Farmer of the Year. 

The big event takes place Thursday, April 29th at the Bay City Civic Center from 5:30 to 7 p.m.



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CAST PERFORMANCE
The Community Actors of South Texas (CAST) have announced plans to perform "Alibis" a murder mystery comedy by Peter Kennedy.

They will present their show at the Bay City Service Center Friday and Saturday March 19th & 20th at 7:30pm followed by a Sunday 2:30pm Matinee. Then they take their show to The Matagorda School Auditorium for Friday and Saturday performances the following week.

Tickets for the show will be available only at the door. Admission will be $8 for adults or just $5 for students.

They will also be holding a silent auction at the event to raise funds to help pay for their planned summer production of "The Music Man".

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