WEDNESDAYApril 3, 2019VOL. 112 • NO. 14

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P. O. Box 817 • 310 Fifth St.Palacios, TX 77465

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PalaciosPalaciosBEACONBEACONOpen 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Beacon Closed Wednesday

BY RYAN WESTPalacios Beacon-Publisher

House, Senate Continue To Move Closer

To Passing BudgetSee Page 4 See Page 10

Shark PlayoffRun On Pitch

EndsSee Page 3

Ribbon Cutting At Matagorda

Family Practice

Courtesy Palacios ISD

City approves Cruz Subdivision Plat

$1.00

■ Registration underway at PISD for Pre-K, Kindergarten

Kindergarten and Pre-K early registration began Mon. (April 1) and runs thru April 30. For more information contact Central coun-selor Veronica Kacer at 972-2911.

■ St. Anthony’s Lenten Fish Fry

St. Anthony of Padua’s Catholic Church in Palacios will hold its Lenten Fish Fry on Fri. (April 5), at the Parish Family Center, located at 1004 Magnusson, for $10 per plate dine-in or take out, from 4 p.m. until sold out. Plate includes fish, shrimp, coleslaw or french fries, hush puppies, dessert and tea.

PISD holds bond meeting next Thurs.

(See MCND, Page 2)

(See CITY, Page 3)

Wreck claims two near Tidehaven

■ Rotary’s Play Day by the Bay Golf Tourney this Saturday

The Palacios Rotary Club will hold its an-nual Play Day by the Bay Golf Tournament this Sat. (April 6) with opening tee time at 9 a.m. Come enjoy cash prizes, door prizes and lunch. For more in-formation contact Dr. Shane Krenek at 979-236-9800. To sponsor a hole or donate raffle items or door priz-es contact Vickijane Mosier at 972-3234

Palacios ISD will be host-ing an informational meet-ing on the upcoming bond election on Thursday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Pala-cios ISD Board Room, lo-cated at 1201 12th St..

All stakeholders are wel-come and invited to attend. The date of the bond elec-tion is May 4th.

BY ALAN C. SCHULMANPalacios Beacon - Reporter

MCND Commissioners approve resolution in support of secretive

rec/leisure project

As no visitors and guests were on hand to speak to the the board, it was strictly business at last Thursday’s Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners of Matgorda County Naviga-tion District # 1.

Executive SessionFollowing executive ses-

sion it was announced that the board had approved a resolution in support of the secretive recreation/leisure project that PEDC is work-ing diligently to deliver with Commissioner David Aparicio voting against the measure.

Also approved was an Improvement Permit from Greg Seaman dba The Shrimp Shack to place an RV/Camper on his leased property. The board ap-proved the permit with the stipulations that the RV/Camper could be no more than two years old, used only for the purpose of run-ning the business, and be well maintained. Commis-sioner Seaman abstained from the vote.

RecognitionTuyen Lam Gonzalez was

presented with a certificate for ten years of service at the Port of Palacios.

Port Director’s Operations, Promotion

& Development ReportPort Director Victor Mar-

tinez reported meeting with the Corps of Engineers project manager, and was assured the maintenance dredging on our channel will begin soon after Apr. 17. Martinez also attended the American Association of Port Authorities Spring Conference in Washington, D.C., the Quarterly PAAC

The final plat of the Cruz Subdivision planned for E. Craymer Ave. was ap-proved, along with submission of a Crimi-nal Justice Grant application and a Mayoral Proclamation welcoming visiting foreign exchange students from Karatsu, Japan at last week’s Palacios City Council meeting.

With Councilmember Johnny Tran the lone absentee at last week’s regular bi-monthly meeting, the Council unanimous-ly approved the final plat of Cruz Subdivi-sion, a 1.66 acre subdivision, presented by Lewis Goodwin Survey. The nine-lot plat runs on the north side of E. Craymer Ave. from First St. towards Gray Ave.

Criminal Justice Grant ApplicationPolice Chief David Miles presented the

application for the Local Border Security Program for a $12,000 non-matching grant through the Governor’s Office, Criminal Justice Division. The funds pays overtime, mileage and fuel for officers to work high-way interdiction.

This is the fourth year the Palacios Po-lice have applied for this grant, and Miles stated the program is “great for communi-cation among neighboring counties from the Gulf Coast region on down to the Rio Grande Valley.”

Exchange Student ProclamationMayor Glen Smith visited with foreign

exchange students from Karatsu, Japan on Mar. 22 and proclaimed the day as one of welcome to the visiting students. A small lunch was held at the Council Chambers

VISITING exchange students from Japan met with City of Palacios officials. Pictured are: (left to right) Diep Shiota, Kazumi Kajiyama, Manatsu, Hashimoto, Nana Nishio, Honami Yamana, Masahiro Ichimaru, Sakura Hara, Glen Smith Pa-lacios City Mayor, Clissa Mills City Secretary, Diva Vazquez, David Kocurek City Manager. Not pictured Shisui Fujita. (Submitted Photo)

A mid-day head-on collision on Hwy. 35 near Tidehaven High School last week claimed the lives of a Pala-cios man and a man from Bay City. Upon arrival, first responders discovered 40-year old Lawrence Pena of Palacios and Christopher Williams of Bay City both deceased upon arrival. Highway 35 was shut down for several hours and forced detours through Markham and Midfield. The cause of the accident is still under investigation. (Submitted Photo)

PAF’s Breakfast with the Stars a smash!YOUTH from around the area filled the CLC at First Baptist Church for last weekend’s Breakfast With The Stars fundraiser for the Palacios Area Fund. Beginning with a breakfast of sausage, pancakes and more toppings than you could imagine, was followed a parade of Princesses, super heroes and even Palacios’ own Sharkey mascots and Miss Palacios. Guests then had opportunities to take photos with their favorite stars and even get signatures in their own autograph books. (Beacon Photos by Brandi G. West)

DEADLINE 5 P.M. FRIDAYPage 2 - Palacios Beacon - Wed., April 3, 2019

PALACIOS BEACON

Area BriefsE-scooters on City’s radar

PORT ARANSAS: City government is going to look at possibly prohibiting companies from putting rent-able electric scooters in public places in Port Aransas, according to City Manager Dave Parsons. A variety of companies do business all over the country by putting scooters out in public places such as sidewalks, then simply waiting for people to come along and rent them through an app. No company representative is present at the time the rental begins or ends. Customers simply leave the scooters in other public locations when their rentals are finished. Parsons said he knows of no rental scooters that have appeared in Port Aransas yet. The city should look at possibly prohibiting them before they show up, he said. “These scooter rental companies come in overnight and drop off 500 scooters in town,” Parsons said. “They randomly set them out on side-walks, everywhere, all over town, and the game starts. They don’t have a business here. You just come up to them, swipe your card, it unlocks it, and off you go. You drop it off at the next place. You just leave it wher-ever.” Some folks see the scooters as harmless fun and a good way to get around. But other people don’t like them. In California, people who are fed up with scoot-ers have set fire to the vehicles, smeared them with fe-ces and thrown them into the Pacific Ocean, according to the Sacramento Bee. - Port Aransas South Jetty

Texas Soil Health Short Course Workshop & Tour in Victoria April 23-24

DOZENS gathered to help celebrate the Matagorda Family Practice - Palacios last week with a ceremo-nial Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting and reception with refreshments. (Beacon Photo by Ryan West)

TEMPLE—A Texas Soil Health Short Course will be held on April 23-24, 2019 in Victoria. Farm and ranch tours will be Tuesday, April 23 followed by an educational workshop on Wednesday, April 24 at the Victoria College Emerg-ing Technology Complex, 7403 Lone Tree Road, in Victoria. The short course will offer the opportunity to gain a better understand-ing of how to improve land management practices and operations by increasing biological wealth through ecological principles.

The Texas Soil Health Short Course is designed to provide participants with research and experiential learning opportunities in dynamic soil properties as well as technical informa-tion about practical ap-proaches to implementing a system to improve soil health. Conservation dem-onstrations and field tours will showcase the functions of a healthy soil system and highlight its improved wa-ter infiltration, soil poros-ity, increase biological ac-tivity, and greater nutrient efficiency.

The short course will feature leading researchers and Texas producers shar-ing the latest on soil health.

Speakers include Dr. Rich-ard Teague and Dr. Jamie Foster with Texas A&M AgriLife, Dr. Steven Luke-fahr with Texas A&M Uni-versity Kingsville, Deborah Clark of the Birdwell-Clark Ranch, Chad Hahn with Hahn Farm, Howard Book of Book Farms, and live-stock producer Vance Mitchell of Mitchell Cattle Company.

Registration is $100 and includes field tours, cultur-al tour, meals, conference session, and educational

materials. Registration will be available online until April 5, 2019. After which, please contact Iliana Peña for availability. Iliana can be reached by email at: IPe-na@texas-wildlife.org or by phone: 210-913-9798. Three continuing education units (CEUs) can be earned during the event.

The workshop is being held in partnership with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, As-

sociation of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Dis-tricts, Texas Wildlife Asso-ciation, and hosted by the Goliad and Victoria Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

For more registration information, or opportuni-ties for your nonprofit or association to sponsor the short course, please visit https://www.texas-wildlife.org/resources/events/texas-soil-health-short-course-victoria

Shop local for your healthcare needs!

It doesn’t matter who your doctor is or where you go to see your doctor...You have the right to have your tests done wherever you want...

Your local hospital depends on you having them done here.

Palacios Community Medical Center provides a wide range of laboratory and radiology testing capabilities:

Radiology: Chest X-ray

Abdomen 1-2V X-ray Knee or Ankle 1-3V X-ray

Cat Scan (CT) Head Cat Scan (CT) Chest with or without contrast

Cat Scan (CT) Abdomen/Pelvis with or without contrast

Laboratory: Anemia Screening Cardiac Screening

Influenza Screening Strep throat Screening

And much more!

We appreciate your support when you “shop local” for your healthcare needs! PCMC accepts Medicaid/Medicare and most insurances.

“We’re Here to Heal”311 Green Ave. (361)972-2511

www.palacioshospital.net

MCND (Continued From Page 1)meeting in Houston, and several other events pertinent to Port business.

Martinez stated that since the Re-quest for Qualifications went out for the FEMA Public Assistance Funds, “We will now be able to start the process for completing repairs and receiving reim-bursements for the projects.”Contractors Port Maintenance Report

Port Maintenance Contractor Jose Ortiz reported 12 pump-outs resulting in 3,350 gallons of bilge water, and no reportable incidents. Ortiz also reported that he is doing minor repairs to the ex-terior of the Marine Center, and more extensive repairs to the siding need to be done in the future.

Approved ItemsThe minutes of previous regular and

special called meetings on Feb. 28 and Mar. 14 respectively were approved,

along with Lease Activity since the last Regular Board Meeting, Urban Engi-neering’s recommendation of success-ful bidder, Lester Contracting, Inc., for Task Order #41, TXDOT Rider 45 - Port Commercial Center Road, and selecting an Engineering Firm (Urban Engineering was the lone firm submit-ting qualifications) to perform contract and grant administration for the FEMA Public Assistance Grants on repair of damaged Port infrastructure as a result of Hurricane Harvey. Also approved was amending the FY 2019 Budget, Current Voucher Summary, Current Register Reports, Current Investment Activity Report, and C2 Investment Portfolio FY2018 Annual Report.

Next MeetingThe next regular meeting of the Board

of Commissioners will be on Apr. 25.

Ribbon cutting for Matagorda Family Practice

PALACIOS Port Director Victor Martinez presents Tuyen Gonzalez with a certificate honoring her 10 Years Of Service to the Port. (Beacon Photo by Alan Schulman)

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Individuals listed have been arrested and/or charged with an offense. Inclusion in this report does not imply that the person is guilty of any crime. The following are offense and arrest reports submitted by the Palacios Police Dept. to the Palacios Beacon as of noon Friday.

• Palacios Police Reports •

Palacios Beacon Policy ForPolitical Advertising, Announcements

• Announcement & Candidate Listing—$50 • • Candidate Listing only—$30 •

The following are the Palacios Beacon’s guidelines and policies for candidate announcements and politi-cal advertising.

• There is a special Beacon discounted $50.00 charge for the first statement of candidacy (announcement and photo (if available). This also includes a listing in the Palacios Beacon’s Candidate Listing which will run up until the election. The base charge is for a candidate statement not exceeding 2 double-spaced typewritten pages. Additional space will be charged at the regular $5.50 per column inch advertising rate. Deadline for Announcements/Listing is Friday before the next paper.

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Beacon, all future announcements, submitted state-ments or any other material submitted by the candi-date, or on the candidate’s behalf, will be considered advertising and charged at the Palacios Beacon’s regular advertising rate of $5.50 per column inch.

• As required by law, all political advertising must be paid in advance.

• As required by law, all political advertising must include the name and address of the person(s) or organization paying for the advertisement and, if an organization, must include the name of the trea-surer.

• The Palacios Beacon will not publish any Letters To the Editor in support, or opposition, to any candi-date. Such submissions will be considered political advertising and subject to regular advertising rates.

CITY (Continued From Page 1)

From the Police ChiefBy Police Chief David Miles

I see many more boats at the ramps with the warmer weather. Be aware of what is left in the back of your vehicle while you are out, it may not be there when you return.

Teri Treadway & The TLC TeamBranch Manager, NMLS 208128

Direct 979.863.7874 Cell 713.542.6646

Teri.Treadway@GatewayLoan.comwww.TeriTreadway.com

Habla Español

New Location 1112 7th Street Bay City, TX 77414 389 Cedar Street P.O. Box 693 Matagorda, TX 77457

Don’t rely on Luck! Go with a sure thing

Call the TLC Team for all your

mortgage questions and needs.

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic ChurchAnnual Fish & Shrimp Fry

Serving 4pm - Sold Out

Family Center /1004 Magnusson

DINE-IN or TAKE OUT/Drive Thru Available

$10.00 PER PLATE Menu includes:

Fish, Shrimp, French Fries, Coleslaw & Hushpuppies,

Dessert & Tea.

FRIDAY, APRIL 5thGRAB-N-GO WASHATERIA

& GROCERY STORE1111 Henderson St. • Palacios, TX

361-972-5022

OPEN 6 A.M. UNTIL 10 P.M.

Comfortably Air ConditionedAll your washing needs!

• 1 LOAD • 2 LOAD • 3 LOAD• 4 LOAD • 6 LOAD

Everyday low prices with the newesttechnology to make your life easier!

Hunt Brothers Pizza

HURICANE HARVEYClosing out FEMA dam-

age projectsWorking with Engineer-

ing Consultant to submit Harvey CDBG-DR project applications for the City.

ADMINISTRATIONHeld pre-construction

meeting to be held to issue the Notice to Proceed in March with contractor for IKE CDBG-DR grant to re-habilitate Lift Stations.

Finalizing contracts for generators through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

TxDOT Aviation Depart-ment for Palacios Airport Improvements Grant to re-pair Runway 13-31, taxi-ways, and terminal apron; Held meeting with Engi-neer to discuss Preliminary Engineering Report.

Contractor completed the Recycle Center Expansion Project; closing out Grant with H-GAC.

Engineer making final revisions to the sidewalk project utilizing the Down-town Revitalization

Grant from Texas De-partment of Agriculture.

HGAC Solid Waste Grant; the new recycling vehicle has been delivered.

PUBLIC WORKSWork Orders Completed:

3 water leaks, 18 animal calls, 7 sewer stoppage calls, 18 miscellaneous work orders, cleaned 4,200 feet of ditches, resetting culverts and cleaning out existing culverts; repaired potholes; 62 total calls for service.

Setup barricades and trash receptacles for com-munity event.

Mowed RR Park and other city properties, water plants, and 14 lift stations.

AIRPORTMowed and sprayed

around buildings, runways, and hangers

Fuel Inspection is sched-uled for March

POLICECalls for Service 379Citations 70 Warnings 74

issued, and 13 arrestsCases Assigned 32, Cas-

es Closed 19Traffic accidents 4

FIREResponded to two vehi-

cle fires outside city limits.Responded to a house fire

inside city limits.Fire Department is col-

lecting donations for new Fire Station.

Fire Department is com-pleting the construction plans for new Fire Station.

City Manager’s Monthly Departmental Reports

Campbell-HuittInsurance

328 CommercePalacios, TX

361-972-2551Auto-BondsBusinessHomeLifeFlood

Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for the Annual Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup on Saturday, April 13, 2019. The Texas General Land Office

Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup will take place at twenty-eight different locations coast wide across Texas. Volunteers can sign up at www.tex-

asadoptabeach.org or show up onsite to take part in a fun-filled day of giving back to our community

and taking care of the Texas coast.Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

Cleanup will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Check-in: Marine Education Cen-ter, 102 Marine Center Drive Contact: Diane Smith 915-503-3909, diane.smith@texasadoptabeach.org , Dar-lene Faldyn 361-765-0592 darlene.faldyn@texasadoptabeach.org.

with catering by Bayside Seafood.

Admin Reports/City Manager Report

City Manager David Ko-curek presented his month-ly departmental reports for Feb. The entirety of the City Manager Report may be found on Page 3.

Kocurek noted the depar-ture of Public Works Direc-tor Wayne Schaffer in early Feb. and City employee Ryan Adams has been fill-ing in as needed.

“Ryan is doing a good job,” Kocurek said, “We’re not in any hurry to fill the vacancy.”

“He’s taking required classes to give himself a better shot at being the Pub-lic Works Director.”

Asked by Councilwom-an Donna Schulman on the progress of the Main St. Sidewalk Program, Ko-curek stated the plans had been submitted by Urban Engineering to TxDOT in Bay City and are awaiting approval.

Also noted were the upcoming annual Spring Clean-Up Day held from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. on April 27 at the City lot across from the Outrigger on Sixth St.; the LaBelle Day by the Bay held April 26-27 at the Pa-vilion; and an upcoming lot sale at Beachside, also on April 27.

NextEdge Networks License Agreement

Council approved the License Agreement with NextEdge to install four Dish TV signal boosting stations on four City prop-erties for $1,380 per year,

per location.Citizen Forum

Patricia Loving was (again) on hand and pressed Council for action on the dilapidated Harrison St. near her home.

“It rained again,” Lov-ing stated. “The ‘puddles’ are back and our street is a mess.”

Approved ItemsCouncil approved Reso-

lution 2019-r-8 for the Lease Purchase Agreement for the purpose of financ-ing sewer heavy equip-ment; and the Municipal Lease-Purchase Agreement No. 8565 with Govern-ment Capital Corp. for the purpose of financing the sewer heavy equipment and designated Mayor Smith as authorized signatory.

Next MeetingThe next meeting of the

Palacios City Council will be held April 9 at 7 p.m.

Texas GLO annual Adopt-A-Beach Spring Cleanup next Saturday

DEADLINE 5 P.M. FRIDAYPage 4 - Palacios Beacon - Wed., April 3, 2019

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