SEALY NEWS THE
Top teachers, retirees honored by SISD PAGE 6
Serving Sealy and Austin County since 1887 • Home of David Waddell
Volume 128 Number 24
NEWSBITS Sons of Herman Lodge to meet Cat Spring Sons of Herman Lodge will meet June 11 at the agricultural hall at 6:30. Members are asked to bring sandwiches, sides or dessert. Beverages provided. For more information, call 979-6273179 or 979-8853695.
Summer Street Dance, Cruise-In Sealy Main Street will host “Off The Rail” Summer Street Dance and Cruise-In on Saturday, June 13, at 7 p.m. Cruise In participants should arrive by 6:30 p.m. The event benefits Sealy Main Street revitalization efforts. Enjoy barbecue, beer and the Blue Note Brothers Band. Admission is free.
Veteran’s Family Day American Legion Post 115 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6522 are hosting a Veteran’s Family Day for all veterans on June 13 from noon to 4 p.m. at Bellville VFW Post, 4041 Hwy. 36 North.
KC barbecue chicken dinner
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2015
Stephen F. Austin State Park closed until June 12 By LANCE HAGOOD reporter@sealynews.com
The Brazos River and area creeks are getting back to normal in Austin County after the late May storms. Some pastures are still too soaked to move livestock back on, but experts said crops will likely recover from the excessive rain. At the June 8 Austin County Commissioners meeting Judge Tim Lapham extended the disaster declaration for Austin County until a decision is made that the potential for flooding has ended. County roads took a beating from the storms and commissioners and crews are working overtime to get repairs made. Speaking outside
Photo courtesy/TIM LAPHAM
A house is surrounded by water along the Brazos River off FM 1458 south of Frydek. of court, Commissioner Reese Turner described the challenges the county faces. “We operate on a ‘worst first’ basis,” he
said. “I’ve got roads that are washed out. I’ve got five rusty culverts that have collapsed. We have trees down in every direction,
trees that fell into bridges. We have a lot of wood, driftwood and trash clogging the culverts. When we have that kind of rain we
The Sealy Tigers Basketball Camp will be held June 15-19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sealy High School. The camp is open for boys and girls from 7 years of age through students who will be entering the ninth grade in the fall of 2015. For more information, call Chris Horn at 325-660-7488.
By LANCE HAGOOD
TODAY'SOBITUARIES
Veteran and Serviceman everyday
The Sealy News/JOE SOUTHERN
Sealy High School Senior Class President Mackenzie Christoferson takes a class selfie after giving the class highlights during the graduation ceremony Friday evening at Tiger Stadium.
Sealy Class of 2015 graduates
Thank a
■ FLOOD, page 13
reporter@sealynews.com
■ NEWS BITS, page 11
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10
have a lot of washouts and big ruts. “We are working fulltime on repairs and we
Large drug bust in Wallis
Sealy Tigers basketball camp
BIBLEQUOTE
18 pages, $1
As floods recede, damage surfaces
The Sealy Knights of Columbus will hold a barbecue chicken dinner, drive through only, June 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sealy KC Hall.
■ Fred Brasher Sr. ■ Juanita Gomez ■ Evelyn Howard ■ Edward Machac
Are you ready for a hurricane this year? INSIDE
By JOE SOUTHERN editor@sealynews.com
The 176 members of the Sealy High School Class of 2015 received their diplomas Friday night during an emotional and heartfelt ceremony under clear, cool night skies at Tiger Stadium. The bleachers were full and the tears and cheers plentiful as the class completed its journey through the Sealy schools. Following the singing of the National Anthem by Christina Burke and Alesha Lindberg, inspirational speeches were given by Valedictorian Trenton Beckendorff, Salutatorian Diane Arriaga, Superintendent
Valedictorian Trenton Beckendorff addresses the Sealy High School Class of 2015. Sheryl Moore and through the remembrances of their educational journey given by Class President Mackenzie Christoferson. Felicia Perrien
gave the farewell address after Principal Megan Oliver and members of the Sealy ISD Board of Trustees presided over the presentations of the diplomas. In her remarks to the class, Moore told about a recent visit she made to Apple company headquarters. There, the assembled educators were asked to introduce themselves and talk about their “B” side, referring to the flip side of an album single. “At Apple, they tend to understand that what we dismiss as a hobby is really the thing,” she said. ■ GRADUATION, page 14
A major drug bust took place in Wallis on June 2 resulting in the arrest of three people and the seizure of a large amount of drugs and paraphernalia. Austin County Sheriff’s Special Response Team and Austin County Sheriff’s Narcotics Investigators along with the Wallis Police Department executed a search warrant at 6538 Railroad Street. As a result, crack cocaine, Alprazolam ER, marijuana, crack pipes, a digital weighing scale and other paraphernalia were seized. Three persons were arrested and charged. Michael Steven Lagas, 39, is charged with possession of a controlled substance penalty grade one, greater than or equal to four grams less than 200 grams, felony class two, tampering with or fabricating evidence, felony three, possession of a controlled substance penalty grade three, less than 28 grams, class A with bonds at $100,000, $50,000 and $20,000. Amanda Dille, 33, is ■ DRUGS, page 3
The Sealy News • 193 Schmidt Road • P.O. Box 480 • Sealy, Texas 77474 • phone: (979) 885-3562 • fax: (979) 885-3564 • www.sealynews.com
THIS
WEEK'S WEATHER According to The Weather Channel
Thursday • Friday • Saturday • Sunday • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday
High: 91 Low: 72 Rain: 20%
High: 90 Low: 74 Rain: 50%
High: 87 Low: 73 Rain: 50%
High: 86 Low: 73 Rain: 50%
High: 89 Low: 73 Rain: 50%
High: 91 Low: 74 Rain: 40%
High: 91 Low: 74 Rain: 30%
This week's weather art is by Samuel Eschenburg, 5, a student at Selman Elementary School.
SEALY NEWS THE
Are you ready for hurricane season? INSIDE
Serving Sealy and Austin County since 1887 • Home of Elizabeth Brinkmeyer
Volume 128 Number 25
NEWSBITS Summer library activities In June, the Gordon Memorial Library will host its annual summer reading program. All events start at 10:30 a.m. June 18 is “Itty Bitty farm creatures” with live animals. June 23 is a magic show and related entertainment with magician Julian Franklin. June 25 will have a visit from Ronald McDonald. For more information, call 979 885-7469.
Wallis Dance Club meets The Wallis American Legion Dance Club will hold its monthly dance on June 20 from 8 to 11:30 p.m. For more information, call Steve Muzny at 979-4782494 or Charley Janik at 979-478-6226.
THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015
Three-way deal would open area for major development By LANCE HAGOOD reporter@sealynews.com
A three-way deal to create a westbound frontage road on Interstate 10 in Sealy is nearing a critical deadline that will either pave the way for the project or leave it dead in its tracks. The Sealy City Council will hold a special meeting Thursday, June 18, at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers to discuss the project. The citizens of Sealy indicated in a Planning Commission survey that frontage roads are the
highest priority issue currently facing the city. The council and the developers of Town Park Center need to modify their partnership agreement to meet a June 30 deadline with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) or the frontage road project will go nowhere. The financial commitment of the public-private partnership would result in a westbound I-10 access road being constructed from the BNSF railroad track to Rexville Road. Traffic lanes would be widened on the interstate and
the westbound horseshoe exit would be straightened. A modification to the $1.5 million committed to the project by both Town Park Center and the city needs to be made in the agreement to reflect construction cost increases since the initial planning of the public-private partnership. Town Park Center has a major Texas based grocery store prepared to locate on part of the 61 acres earmarked for commercial development along the proposed access road. The contract closing with the major grocery client
must be signed by Aug. 15 and is dependent on the joint road agreement being authorized by the city council by the June 30 TxDOT deadline. Town Park Center and the city will share 50 percent of the access road project costs matched by funding, engineering and construction services provided by TxDOT. Some final financial modifications between Town Park Center and the city must be refined and council must pass the final agreement before the
By LANCE HAGOOD reporter@sealynews.com
Juneteenth celebration The Sealy Eastside Foundation will hold its Juneteenth Celebration on June 20 at 8 a.m. at Joe Scranton Park in Sealy. Sign-ups start at 7 a.m. The event includes a three-mile walk and an old school versus new school co-ed softball game.
■ NEWS BITS, page 15
TODAY'SOBITUARIES ■ Linda Candelari ■ Ruth Ripper ■ Dale Sommerlatte
He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. Proverbs 3:34
Thank a
Veteran and Serviceman everyday
The Sealy News/JOE SOUTHERN
An 18-wheeler crashed into a bridge column on Interstate 10 at Mlcak Road on June 10. The driver survived the crash. Pictured above is the truck imbedded in the bridge column. Below, the truck is pried off the column, revealing the damage.
Truck smashes into I-10 bridge By JOE SOUTHERN editor@sealynews.com
It is still not known what caused the driver of an 18-wheeler to crash into a concrete bridge pillar on Interstate 10 late Wednesday morning, leading to a 15-hour closure of the west-
bound lanes and indefinite closure of the Mlcak Road bridge. The driver, Stephen Snyder of San Antonio, who was driving for Southern Warehouse and Distributing, was flown to Memorial Hermann Hospital in downtown Houston with non-life-threaten-
ing injuries. Department of Public Safety Trooper Stephen Taylor said Snyder was conscious and aware of his surroundings on the scene but was unaware of what caused him to hit the pillar. “It if was a vehicle defect we’ll never
know,” Taylor said, referring to the obliterated cab and front end of the truck. He said he plans to re-interview Snyder in a few days. Taylor said no charges were pending in the incident pending further inves■ CRASH, page 11
The Sealy News/LANCE HAGOOD
BIBLEQUOTE
■ DEAL, page 10
Sealy creates sports board
Pleasant Home Baptist Church is holding a Juneteenth Celebration of the Gospel at Hill Community Center in Sealy on June 19 at 5:30 p.m. An evening of praise, singing, dancing, historical references, worship and entertainment.
The 2015 Sealy Tiger Football Camp will be held at Sealy High School on June 22-24 from 9 a.m. to noon for incoming third through incoming ninth graders. Contact jholcomb@sealyisd. com or 979-540-8247 for more information.
22 pages, $1
I-10 frontage road deadline looms
Church has celebration
Sealy Tiger football camp
Major League memories PAGE 5
A really big check Sealy Mayor Mark Stolarski, left, and Cheryl Mellenthin of the Mark A. Chapman Foundation hold up a large check symbolizing the $1.5 million donation the foundation made to help pay for a new indoor recreation facility in Sealy. Read the story about the donation on page 3.
The City of Sealy is hoping to score big when it comes to attracting sporting events to the community through the creation of a sports commission. Meeting in regular session on June 9, the Sealy City Council voted to create the sports commission. Mayor Mark Stolarski explained the purpose of the commission during the discussion. “This ordinance creates a sports commission that would attract sporting tournaments to Sealy,” he said. “Tournaments bring in a lot of tourism dollars. For example, the Knights of Columbus International Golf Tournament brings a $250,000 impact to the local economy. Sealybration hosts a big tournament that fills up our hotels.” Councilmember Wyn Mcready asked if there would be any budget funding requirements for the commission. “It would be up to the commission to request that and the council would decide if it was necessary to provide that. At this time it would be limited to items like business cards,” Stolarski said. After brief deliberation councilmember Jennifer Sullivan made a motion to approve the creation of the commission. Councilmember Sandra Vrablec seconded it and council voted unanimously for it. Also at the meeting, City Planning and C o m m u n i t y Development Director Randy Anderson presented the finalized 2015 Sealy Comprehensive Plan created by the Planning Commission. ■ CITY, page 11
The Sealy News • 193 Schmidt Road • P.O. Box 480 • Sealy, Texas 77474 • phone: (979) 885-3562 • fax: (979) 885-3564 • www.sealynews.com
THIS
WEEK'S WEATHER According to The Weather Channel
Thursday • Friday • Saturday • Sunday • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday
High: 89 Low: 74 Rain: 20%
High: 90 Low: 74 Rain: 40%
High: 90 Low: 75 Rain: 40%
High: 91 Low: 74 Rain: 20%
High: 92 Low: 72 Rain: 10%
High: 93 Low: 72 Rain: 10%
High: 91 Low: 72 Rain: 20%
This week's weather art is by Adrian Jackson, 5, a student at Selman Elementary School.
SEALY NEWS THE
Singer Aaron Watson performs at music fest PAGE 18
Serving Sealy and Austin County since 1887 • Home of Karen Schaare
Volume 128 Number 27
NEWSBITS
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015
18 pages, $1
County to issue same-sex marriage licenses
Sealy Dance Club meets
By LANCE HAGOOD
The Sealy Dance Club will hold a public dance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4, at the American Legion Hall. For more information, call 979-885-9920.
Blood drive at church
reporter@sealynews.com
The Austin County Clerks Office will issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples according to Austin County Deputy Clerk Terri Hardin. “We have had several calls come in. It started Friday and
continued (Monday). No one has actually come in yet. (County Clerk) Carrie Gregor is following the directive from the Attorney General’s office,” Hardin said. Friday’s directive from the Texas Attorney Generals office was followed Monday morning when the county clerks office
received the revised marriage application required by the Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics. “We have loaded it on our computers. You actually have to come in for a license. It’s just a few questions we have to ask. There’s no longer a blood test required, they both
have to show their identification and Social Security card,” Hardin said. Residents from anywhere in Texas may apply to be married in Austin County. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday that same-sex
A blood drive will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in the ICC Center on Sunday, July 5, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome.
The Houston Food Bank Produce Truck will be in Sealy on July 7 at Knights of Columbus Hall, 1390 Highway 90 W., from 10 a.m. to noon. The produce is free to anyone living in Austin County and there will also be someone from the Houston Food Bank to assist anyone that needs help with applying or renewing of food stamps or Children’s Medicaid/ CHIP.
Sanders golf tournament
By JOE SOUTHERN editor@sealynews.com
that had a basement and thus something to recover. “Last year we were trying to find the four corners of the basement and we found one corner,” said Jeff Durst, regional archaeologist for the Texas Historical Commission. “This year we’re continuing our search for the other three corners and are attempting to determine the depth of the basement.” During the weeklong dig in 2014, Durst and his team found out that the building was not
The veterinarian who allegedly shot a cat with an arrow and then bragged about it on Facebook will not be charged with animal cruelty. On June 24, the Austin County Grand Jury declined to indict Kristen Lindsey after examining the evidence and determining there was insufficient proof to charge Lindsey with a crime. The case created an international firestorm in April after she posted a picture of herself with the impaled feline on the social media site. “My first bow kill, lol. The only good feral tomcat is one with an arrow through it’s head! Vet of the year award ... Gladly accepted,” the post with the picture read. Shortly after the posting went viral, the post was removed and Lindsey’s account closed. That swift action may have kept Lindsey from being charged. “Subpoenas to Facebook failed to produce useable evidence, as the account was deleted the same day law enforcement became aware of the matter. Without more information, the state lacks proof that this incident even occurred in the state of Texas,” the Austin County District Attorney’s office said in a press release. Lindsey had been
■ DIG, page 17
■ VET, page 3
The Sealy News/JOE SOUTHERN
The annual Emmanuel Sanders Invitational Golf Tournament benefiting Raising Academic Performance (RAP) has been rescheduled for Friday July 10, at the Stephen F. Austin Golf Club. For more information, call Michelle Maderer at 281-9482527 or 979-8650093, or email austincountyrap@yahoo.com.
Archaeologist Jeff Durst with the Texas Historical Commission and archaeology steward Sandra Rogers of Huntsville work on excavating the basement of the Farmer's Hotel at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site.
Archaeologists return to the ruins of San Felipe Dimensions, depth of hotel basement subject of search By JOE SOUTHERN editor@sealynews.com
July Arts and Crafts Show The annual July Arts and Crafts Show in Wallis will be held July 11-12 in the American Legion Hall. Over 30 vendors will fill the hall with unique and quality items. Wallis Legion Post 200 and Auxiliary Unit 200 will be offering food and other refreshments both days. ■ NEWS BITS, page 15
TODAY'SOBITUARIES ■ Johnnie Filip ■ Jonah Innes
BIBLEQUOTE Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. Proverbs 19:1
Thank a
Veteran and Serviceman
■ LICENSES, page 3
Vet not charged for killing 'feral' cat
Food bank produce truck
everyday
The Sealy News will be closed July 3.
When the residents evacuated San Felipe in 1836, they smashed what they couldn’t take with them and razed the town to keep it out of the hands of Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his advancing Mexican Army. What little they left behind is still there, well preserved and generally unmolested under a couple feet of dirt for the past 179 years. For the last two weeks, state archaeologists have been digging in the dirt at what is
Photo courtesy Fred Fleming
This aerial view shows the archaeological dig Friday morning at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site. now San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site uncovering the remains of one of the
town’s most prominent structures, the Farmer’s Hotel. It’s one of the few buildings
Council discusses flood problem at police department By LANCE HAGOOD reporter@sealynews.com
Heavy rains on the night of June 17 flooded the Sealy Police Department parking lot, forcing the department to move cars and to relocate its Emergency Operations Center. Drainage problems related to the flash flood were reviewed June 23 at the Sealy City
Council meeting. “During the storm last week we were trying to activate the Emergency Operations Center. About 1 a.m. Allens Creek rose and I’ve never seen water come up so fast,” said Interim Police Chief Bruce Mills. “We couldn’t get into the EOC because of high water, then we lost ■ FLOOD, page 3
The Sealy News/LANCE HAGOOD
Interim Police Chief Bruce Mills, left, and Capt. Jay Reeves indicate the approximate depth of flood waters in the police department parking lot on June 17.
The Sealy News • 193 Schmidt Road • P.O. Box 480 • Sealy, Texas 77474 • phone: (979) 885-3562 • fax: (979) 885-3564 • www.sealynews.com
THIS
WEEK'S WEATHER According to The Weather Channel
Thursday • Friday • Saturday • Sunday • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday
High: 93 Low: 74 Rain: 10%
High: 92 Low: 74 Rain: 10%
High: 91 Low: 74 Rain: 40%
High: 91 Low: 75 Rain: 20%
High: 93 Low: 74 Rain: 10%
High: 92 Low: 73 Rain: 20%
High: 91 Low: 73 Rain: 10%
This week's weather art is by Shawn Harrington, a student at Selman Elementary School.
SEALY NEWS THE
New emergency room in Bellville PAGE 10
Serving Sealy and Austin County since 1887 • Home of John Reinbeck
Volume 128 Number 38
NEWSBITS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2015
Honor & Remembrance
Rotary Club of Sealy meets The Rotary Club of Sealy meets every Tuesday at noon at Tony’s Family Restaurant.
Peace officers golf tourney The Austin County Peace Officers Association is hosting its 2015 Golf Tournament scholarship fundraiser Sept. 18 at Stephen F. Austin Country Club. The tournament starts at 1 p.m.
Food bank produce truck The Houston Food Bank Produce Truck will be in Bellville at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 936 South Front St., on Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to noon. The produce is free to anyone living in Austin County and there will also be someone from the Houston Food Bank to assist anyone that needs help with applying or renewing SNAP (food stamps) or children’s Medicaid/CHIP.
■ NEWS BITS, page 15
The Sealy News/JOE SOUTHERN
A member of the Waller High School Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps salutes the missing man table on Sept. 11 during a ceremony at Levine Park to honor Texans in the military who have died fighting wars since the 9/11 terror attacks and to remember those from all wars who are missing in action. Below, members of the Sealy American Legion post stand at attention after firing a 21-gun salute.
Sealy salutes fallen heroes By JASON B. HOGAN reporter@sealynews.com
Rain cascaded atop the pavilion at Levine Park in Sealy Friday morning setting the mood for what is always a solemn time of the year. Each year, this day asks its country’s citizens to remember the lives lost since those fateful moments Sept. 11, 2001, and the years of wartime that followed. For the third year in
■ Michael Callas ■ Florence Luhn ■ Tommy Ward
BIBLEQUOTE
reporter@sealynews.com
In 2011, the Sealy City Council entered into a road improvement agreement with the developer of Town Park Center to pay the Texas Department of
Transportation, at the time, an estimated $2.1 million — of which each would be responsible for 50 percent — to build the Interstate 10 frontage road between State Highway 36 and Rexville Road and to reconstruct
■ FRONTAGE, page 3
■ FUNDS, page 3
The Sealy News/JASON B. HOGAN
Larry Kuciemba, right, is sworn in as Sealy city manager by Mayor Mark Stolarski.
Kuciemba sworn in as new city manager By JASON B. HOGAN reporter@sealynews.com
Thank a
everyday
■ HEROES, page 3
entrance and exit ramps at Hwy. 36. That was then. Now, TxDOT has awarded a contract for $4.1 million to Lone Star Road Construction, Ltd., to do the work.
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. Deuteronomy 7:9
Veteran and Serviceman
a row The Texas Fallen Heroes Remembrance Program, sponsored by Woodmen of the World, has been at the forefront of the commemoration in Sealy. The rain steadily fell throughout the hour and 20-minute event, but that didn’t stop the Rolling Thunder, Texas Chapter 2 group, from bringing its 9/11 Memorial Wall, where now 640 Texas service member names, accom-
For weeks the Sealy City Council weighed options for cutting the budgets from numerous city organization’s requests through the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) fund, and during their Sept. 8 meeting slicing commenced. Three out of the four organizations are expected to get 20 percent budget reductions as has been noted in previous council meetings. But only one budget cut was approved this meeting. First up for budget reduction was the Sealy Knights of Columbus. The Knights, Mayor Mark Stolarski said, will receive a 20 percent budget cut, like all of the other organizations, from their original request of $50,000, down to $40,000 for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. The council won’t vote on the budget until a Sept. 16 meeting, after a motion to postpone was made by Councilmember Janice Whitehead. She said she has requested an internal audit from all of the organizations three times and has yet to receive a detailed report from the Knights.
Frontage Road project requires more funding By JASON B. HOGAN
TODAY'SOBITUARIES
HOT fund budget cuts loom reporter@sealynews.com
Cancer Society Fall Roundup The Austin County Unit of the American Cancer Society will hold its annual Fall Roundup at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 at the American Legion Hall in Sealy.
18 pages, $1
By JASON B. HOGAN
Bellville CBS class meets The Bellville CBS class will be hosting a visitor’s day at Bellville United Methodist Church on Sept. 17 from 9:3011:30 a.m. For more information, visit http://bellville. cbsclass.org or contact Missy Graham at 979-885-9194.
Wharton comes back against Tigers PAGE 5
The Sealy News/JASON B. HOGAN
Love for law officers Sealy Police Chief Chris Noble (left) questions State Rep. Leighton Schubert, R-Caldwell, on continued congestion heading eastbound on Interstate 10 toward Katy Sept. 15 at Liedertafel Hall. The Sealy Rotary Club held the event to celebrate the service of all Austin County law enforcement.
After more than 30 minutes, Sealy City Council members reemerged from an executive session on Sept. 8 with newly appointed city manager Larry Kuciemba in tow. Two preambles remained in order to officially recognize Kuciemba as city manager; a council vote to approve his $114,000 contract offer and to
administer the oath of office. Council members unanimously approved the contract. Next, Mayor Mark Stolarski and Kuciemba took center position in the chamber. Stolarski faced Kuciemba in front of the podium — both with right hands raised — with approximately 15 audience members bearing witness, includ■ MANAGER, page 17
The Sealy News • 193 Schmidt Road • P.O. Box 480 • Sealy, Texas 77474 • phone: (979) 885-3562 • fax: (979) 885-3564 • www.sealynews.com
THIS
WEEK'S WEATHER According to The Weather Channel
Thursday • Friday • Saturday • Sunday • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday
High: 90 Low: 70 Rain: 10%
High: 91 Low: 69 Rain: 0%
High: 91 Low: 69 Rain: 10%
High: 91 Low: 68 Rain: 10%
High: 90 Low: 69 Rain: 20%
High: 90 Low: 68 Rain: 10%
High: 90 Low: 68 Rain: 10%
This week's weather art is by Guadalupe Beltran, 5, a student at Selman Elementary School.
SEALY NEWS THE
Sealy gets a golden designation from state PAGE 12
Serving Sealy and Austin County since 1887 • Home of Ted Diemer
Volume 128 Number 42
NEWSBITS Circus coming to town Thursday Sealy Chamber of Commerce is bringing the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus to Sealy on Thursday, Oct. 15, at the empty lot on the side of Sealy ER, located at 1036 N. Circle Drive, with two scheduled performances at 5 and 7:30 p.m.
Local veterans recognized The Sealy News is collecting information about and pictures of local military veterans to include in the annual Salute to Veterans special section. To add new veterans or include some who have not appeared in past editions, call the newspaper at 979-885-3562.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015
Tigers trounce Washington in football PAGE 5 18 pages, $1
San Felipe officials still not talking Town won't comment on dismissal of cops, withholds basic information By JASON B. HOGAN reporter@sealynews.com
It’s been three weeks since the San Felipe Police Department posted its last Facebook comment after the bulk of the force was relieved of duty by the “head honcho,” identified later as Mayor Bobby Byars. Byars was approached by The Sealy News on Oct. 9 at an Austin County Fair luncheon and asked about the town’s direction and the state of the police department. As for the police
department, Byars said he’s not going to have comment. John Portillo, a former detective for San Felipe, detailed his account of working for the town in an article last week. He described the dismissals as callous and unreasonable and said part-time and reserve officers were “thrown under the bus.” Portillo referenced more than 1,500 voluntary man-hours dedicated to the town prefacing the unexplained dismal. Portillo said he believes the officers
were dismissed because of their part in dismantling the “plantation,” a site found operating drug and prostitution rings. On several occasions, requests have been made for interviews, town council meeting minutes, and contact information for all elected and appointed town officials. Recently, town officials have referred all media inquiries through Ross Fischer, an attorney for Gober Hilgers PLLC, ■ SAN FELIPE, page 3
The Sealy News/JOE SOUTHERN
San Felipe Mayor Bobby Byars waves as he drives a car in the Austin County Fair Parade last Thursday. Byars has refused to say why he dismissed most of the town's police force.
National Night Out Saturday National Night Out will be held in Sealy on Oct. 17. Contact the Sealy Police Department for more information.
Dance club meets in Wallis The Wallis American Legion Dance Club will hold its monthly dance Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. Music by Central Texas Sounds. For more information, call Steve Muzny at 979-4782494 or Charley Janik at 979-478-6226.
Homecoming bonfire planned The Sealy High School Homecoming Bonfire will be held Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Sealy High School. Festivities will start at 6 p.m. with food concessions, cheering, music and the bonfire being lit around 7 p.m.
The Sealy News/JASON B. HOGAN
Sealy Public Works Director Mark Velasquez points to an area on the east side of town along the railroad tracks that is a drainage problem. The city is working to resolve drainage and other issues in the neighborhood.
Eastside a work in progress, public works director says By JASON B. HOGAN reporter@sealynews.com
Lenel Brandiberg was one of four eastside residents who attended a Sealy City Council meeting a few weeks ago who conveyed concerns about their neglected side of
town with council members. Behind his home is the largest spillway, or drainage area, on the east side of the city. Weeds and grass stood as high as three feet before city public works went to the back end of Brandiberg’s property
with mowers and shredders, said Mark Velasquez, director of public works. “We [public works] work closely with the compliance department, and there are some [properties] that ■ EASTSIDE, page 2
Fall Festival at First UMC Sealy First United Methodist Church will hold its 50th annual Fall Festival fundraiser on Oct. 25 at the church, 200 Atchison. A barbecue lunch starts at 11 a.m. There will be a country store, silent and live auctions, children’s activities and more. For information, visit fumcsealy.org. ■ NEWS BITS, page 15
The Sealy News/MINDY BLANKEMEYER
Fairest queen The 2015 Austin County Fair Queen Marlee Chandler is crowned by 2014 queen Baily Blezinger during the pageant Thursday. See all the fair results in next week's paper.
Gator Country show draws crowd
County haggles over raises By JASON B. HOGAN
By JASON B. HOGAN
reporter@sealynews.com
reporter@sealynews.com
BIBLEQUOTE To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13
Thank a
Veteran and Serviceman everyday
Big Al, the star attraction at the Gator Country Alligator and Reptile Adventure Park in Beaumont, was unable to make the trip to the Austin County Fair this past week, but plenty of his coldblooded kinfolk were on hand during a special show Thursday at the fairgrounds. Big Al is a cranky, 82-year-old brute who still scares people. Allie would be something of a common-law wife if that relationship hadn’t ended abruptly a while back. Measuring 13 feet, 4
Saurage said their business is not to be confused with a farm. Farms breed reptiles for harvesting in hide and meat markets. Saurage and his wife Jana, also part-owner, started the business 10 years ago in Beaumont after purchasing land on what was an alliga-
Just two weeks removed from adoption of the county’s budget and commissioners are still haggling over raises for county employees, primarily the road and bridge staff they directly supervise. At the Oct. 12 Austin County Commissioners Court meeting, Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug King suggested an increase in the not-toexceed amount for county road and bridge workers, enacting competitive wage rates with neighboring counties. Other commissioners
■ GATOR, page 3
■ COUNTY, page 3
The Sealy News/JOE SOUTHERN
Gary Saurage of Gator Country works with an alligator during a show last Thursday at the Austin County Fair. inches and weighing in at 1,000 pounds, Big Al is the biggest alligator at the adventure park. He gets his own privacy because he doesn’t play well with others, said Gary Saurage, owner of Gator Country. Gary found Allie roaming the parking lot one morning. “They had a domestic dispute,” Saurage told
the crowd at the Austin County Fair. “Big Al bit off about eight inches of her tail, and she packed her bags and filed for divorce.” Gator Country staff granted the split, giving Allie half of everything he owned and building her a pond. Gator Country boasts at being the best live capture crew around.
The Sealy News • 193 Schmidt Road • P.O. Box 480 • Sealy, Texas 77474 • phone: (979) 885-3562 • fax: (979) 885-3564 • www.sealynews.com
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WEEK'S WEATHER According to The Weather Channel
Thursday • Friday • Saturday • Sunday • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday
High: 92 Low: 58 Rain: 0%
High: 90 Low: 60 Rain: 0%
High: 87 Low: 58 Rain: 0%
High: 83 Low: 55 Rain: 0%
High: 84 Low: 62 Rain: 10%
High: 86 Low: 66 Rain: 20%
High: 84 Low: 64 Rain: 40%
This week's weather art is by Haily McKenzie, 5, a student at Selman Elementary School.