Sentinel Photo/Jessica Shepard Highly Innovative Fuel (HIF) Chief Operations Officer Brooke Vandygriff spoke at the Women in Touch Initiative’s luncheon April 24. Vandygriff encouraged audience members to say 'yes' to new experiences.

"HIF’s Vandygriff urges crowd to say ‘Yes’" by: Jessica Shepard

News Staff
   Highly Innovative Fuels (HIF) Chief Operations Officer Brooke Vandygriff spoke at the Women in Touch Initiative’s semi-quarterly luncheon last week.  At the April 25 event, she explained why saying ‘yes’ to new experiences led her to where she is today.  “Just reflecting back…

"County OKs abatement for $174M battery storage system" by: Mike Reddell

News Staff
   Commissioners Court unanimously approved a five-year 100% tax abatement for a $174 million lithium-ion battery equipment storage system at the court’s meeting Monday morning, April 29.   The Shoshana Storage Project tax abatement will provide a revenue stream during the…

"Council holds annexation public hearing" by: Jessica Shepard

News Staff
   City Council held a public hearing for GFG Development Group’s BC Development, LLC request for annexation during last week’s meeting.  All council members were present for the April 23 meeting.  The group is proposing to locate an apartment community named “The Reserve at…

"Ferdinand urges MCEDC update its strategic plan" by: Mike Reddell

News Staff
   Revising Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) strategic plan was encouraged by Mike Ferdinand at the MCEDC board meeting last week.   Ferdinand, MCEDC executive director, said it was important for the board to consider updating the plan to provide…

"Bay City Airport Zoning board appoints Nelson as chair" by: Jessica Shepard

News Staff
   City Council unanimously approved appointing Mayor Robert Nelson as the chairman of the Bay City Airport Zoning Board of Adjustments last Tuesday.  The board of adjustments hears all variance requests made by any person denied an Airport Hazard permit per Bay City Ordinance 1667…

Several races to be decided this Saturday

News Staff
    The joint election Saturday, May 4, will include two school trustee elections, a Boling school bond issue, plus Palacios City Council and Caney Creek MUD members.   The Bay City ISD vote will be for Lora Beth Robicheaux or Esau Rodriguez for Place 6, while incumbent Jill…

Suspect in attempted kidnapping case arrested

News Staff
   A 61-year-old Houston man was arrested for aggravated kidnapping at his home Thursday for the attempted child abduction in Van Vleck April 23, the Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office reported Friday.   Dubo Ishag was arrested by DPS investigators at about 10:45 a.m. Thursday,…

"MCEDC board discussions a deep dive into county issues" by: Mike Reddell

News Staff
   I enjoy covering Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation board meetings.   A lot of issues come up – and they're all economic development related.   Last week, members discussed water issues and how Matagorda County will again have to fight for its right…

"Media perceptions are a personal problem until they’re not" by: Jessica Shepard

News Staff
    I’ve had various roles in the communications industry over the years, but being at the Sentinel is my longest-running gig.   Outside of freelance work, of course.   Still, I learned early on that I’m in a career field where I know people aren’t going to like me or…

"To heck with rates, earnings are where it is at in this market " by: John Sample

News Staff
   Thank you Microsoft and Alphabet(Google) for the best week since November for the S&P 500.   When it appeared the fear of higher rates for longer would sink the markets, earnings in brought a reality check.   You also got a bounce back in the star of the show…

VVISD mulls future $3.2M bond project fund use

News Staff
   Van Vleck ISD board of trustees met on April 22 to discuss projects that need to be addressed using $3.2 million that is in the Bond Project Fund.   That money was earned from interest since the district spent the original $88M that the taxpayers approved in 2017. …
News Staff
   Commissioners Court unanimously approved a five-year 100% tax abatement for a $174…
News Staff
   City Council held a public hearing for GFG Development Group’s BC Development, LLC…
News Staff
   Revising Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) strategic plan was…
Sentinel Photo/Jessica Shepard Highly Innovative Fuel (HIF) Chief Operations Officer Brooke Vandygriff spoke at the Women in Touch Initiative’s luncheon April 24. Vandygriff encouraged audience members to say 'yes' to new experiences.
News Staff
   Highly Innovative Fuels (HIF) Chief Operations Officer Brooke Vandygriff spoke at the Women in Touch Initiative’s semi-quarterly luncheon last week.  At the April 25 event, she explained why saying ‘yes’ to new experiences led her to where she is today.

News 

Suspect in attempted kidnapping case arrested

News Staff
   A 61-year-old Houston man was arrested for aggravated kidnapping at his home Thursday for the attempted child abduction in Van Vleck April 23, the…

Knights of Columbus donate $17K

Rhonda Westbrook photo Holy Cross Catholic School received a $17,000 check from Bay City Knights of Columbus Council 3070 from this year's "Lenten Catfish Fries." The check was presented to HCCS's principal, Linda Bradford, at the annual HCCS Spring Bazaar on April 28.
News Staff

Paxton visits Louderback event

Sentinel Photo/Jessica Shepard At left, Republican run-off candidate District 30 State Rep. AJ Louderback greets Attorney General Ken Paxton, right, at a support-fundraiser last week. Paxton arrived via plane with Republican run-off candidate District 12 State Rep. Ben Bius, center.
News Staff
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Sports 

Lady Leps win bi-district crown over Sheperd

Contributed photo The Van Vleck High School Lady Leps claimed the bi-district softball title by defeated Sheperd in a two-game matchup last week. The girls will play Anahuac in the area round of playoffs Thursday, May 2.
News Staff

Bay City HS powerlifters compete at SA

Bay City High School was represented at the USA Powerlifting meet in San Antonio, by Sha’Nasia Patterson, Camryn Garcia, Samantha Rodriguez and Coach Cierra Bernard. Their scores included: Sha’Nasia (48kg)- 1st place; Camryn (90kg)- 1st place; Samantha (90kg)- 2nd place; Coach Bernard (67.5kg) 1st place.
News Staff

Tidehaven playoffs Tigers face Marion, while Tigerettes will play Poth

News Staff
   Tidehaven’s Tigerettes won their bi-district game last week against Marion 9-3 and will advance to the area round against the Poth Pirettes.…
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Columns/Opinions 

"MCEDC board discussions a deep dive into county issues" by: Mike Reddell

News Staff
   I enjoy covering Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation board meetings.   A lot of issues come up – and they're all economic…

"Media perceptions are a personal problem until they’re not" by: Jessica Shepard

News Staff
    I’ve had various roles in the communications industry over the years, but being at the Sentinel is my longest-running gig.   Outside of…

"To heck with rates, earnings are where it is at in this market " by: John Sample

News Staff
   Thank you Microsoft and Alphabet(Google) for the best week since November for the S&P 500.   When it appeared the fear of higher…
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Obituaries 

Ida Lee Vickers Muskiet

Ida Lee Vickers Muskiet
News Staff
December 14, 1946- November 28, 2023    Ida Lee Vickers Muskiet, a devout Catholic, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend…

Frank Drenner, Jr.

Frank Drenner, Jr.
News Staff
December 14, 1946- November 28, 2023    “The sun always shines for the cool.”    This was the mantra of my dad, the coolest man I ever…

Helen Sellers Vacek

News Staff
August 23, 1937- September 10, 2023    Helen Sellers Vacek, 86, of El Campo, Texas, went on to be with her Father in heaven on September 10, 2023.…
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