The City of Seadrift Municipal Judge Reynaldo Madrigal completed the New Judge’s Seminar in Austin, Texas on July 15-19, 2013.
Judge Madrigal, who holds a degree in Criminal Justice from A&M, was sworn in as City Judge in March of this year.

Tina Christy, granddaughter of Chris Christy of Port O’Connor, won first and second places in her martial arts competitions at the Unity International Games at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, England on August 18, 2013.

General Robert L. Rutherford

General Robert L. Rutherford, USAF Retired, went on his final flight on July 4, 2013. He was born in Luling, Texas to James and Elizabeth Rutherford on December 11, 1938. He was an outstanding athlete at Luling High School graduating in 1957 and went on to Southwest Texas State University and met and married his college sweetheart Kita Hyatt. They were happily married for more than 50 years. He graduated in 1961 with a degree in Business Administration and as a Distinguished Graduate from ROTC. He attended Pilot training at Reese AFB, Texas and was subsequently assigned as an Instructor Pilot for T-37/T-33/T-38. In 1967 he was assigned to Udon Royal AB, Thailand and flew the F-4 Phantom. He completed 161 Combat Missions with 101 being flown over North Vietnam. He attended service schools and held numerous staff and command positions. In 1978 he attended Air War College as well as receiving an MBA from Auburn University. In 1980 he was selected as Commander of the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing.

In 1981 he was promoted to Brigadier General and subsequently commanded the Air Force Recruiting Service in San Antonio. He continued to move up through the ranks, excelling during each assignment. Highlights include: the Deputy Director of Operations for the European Air Combat Operations Staff, Headquarters USAF in Europe; Commander 17th Air Force, Sembach Air Base, West Germany; the deputy chief of staff for Programs and Resources at HQ of the USAF. In 1993 he received his 4th star and became Commander, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base Hawaii. In 1994, he became the Commander in Chief of the US Transportation Command and Commander of Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base Illinois. In 1996, he retired with the rank of four-star general.

During his career he earned the following medals and honors: Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Service Medal with two service stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Distinguished Alumni from Southwest Texas University and Outstanding Opa from his grandchildren.

After leaving the service he was very active in both mentoring future leaders of the US Military through the Capstone program as well as providing input and guidance to the leadership of the USAF.

He was also extremely active in Spring Creek United Methodist Church in Boerne TX as a member, Chairman of the Church’s first Capital Campaign, as well as being the Church Treasurer. A fisherman who loved Port O’Connor, he acquired his Port O’Connor property while still a young officer.
He was preceded in death by his father James Rutherford. He is survived by wife of 51 years Kita, Mother Elizabeth Rutherford, Sons, Jim and his wife Linda, Greg and his wife Lisa, Grandchildren Robert, Nick, Ryan, Brooke, and Chase, Sister Linda Prosk and husband Paul.

General Rutherford was buried with full military honors at Fort Sam Houston on July 15, 2013.

The Texas Department of State Health Services is urging people to make sure they’re vaccinated against pertussis after projections show the number of people sick with the deadly disease this year is on track to reach the highest level in more than 50 years.

“This is extremely concerning. If cases continue to be diagnosed at the current rate, we will see the most Texas cases since the 1950s,” said Dr. Lisa Cornelius, DSHS infectious diseases medical officer. “Pertussis is highly infectious and can cause serious complications, especially in babies, so people should take it seriously.”

DSHS issued a health alert today advising doctors on diagnosing and treating pertussis. The state health department also strongly encourages people to make sure their children’s and their own vaccinations are up to date. While infants remain the most at risk, people of all ages can still get pertussis.

DSHS has reported nearly 2,000 pertussis cases so far this year, and the annual total likely will surpass the recent high of 3,358 cases in 2009. There have also been two pertussis-related deaths in Texas this year, both of infants too young to be vaccinated.

Pertussis is a bacterial infection that often starts with cold-like symptoms and a mild cough. After a week or two, severe coughing can begin and last for several weeks. Coughing fits may be followed by vomiting or a “whooping” sound, the reason the disease is also called “whooping cough.” Pertussis spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. People with pertussis are most contagious while they have cold-like symptoms and during the first two weeks after coughing starts.

Anyone with an unexplained, prolonged cough or who has had close contact with a person with pertussis should contact their health care provider. Early diagnosis and treatment may reduce the severity of symptoms and shorten the contagious period. Doctors who suspect a pertussis infection are required to report it to their local health department within one working day. Patients who have pertussis should not go back to work or school until they’ve completed five days of antibiotic treatment.
Parents are urged to check their children’s shot records to be sure they are completely vaccinated against pertussis and should keep infants, especially those less than 6 months old, away from people with a cough. Adults should talk to their medical provider about receiving a booster dose of the Tdap vaccine.

A link to the complete health advisory is below:
 Pertussis-HealthAlert-090313.pdf

Sat., Sept. 21    Roll-off Bin for POC I.D. Customers
8:00-4:00    16th & Harrison

Wed., Sept. 25    See You at the Pole
Before School    Students gather at school flagpoles.

Thurs., Sept. 26    Democrats Club
6:00 p.m.    IBC Community Room, 311 N. Virginia, PL

Sat., Sept. 28    San Antonio Bay Day
7:30 am-1:00 pm    Bayfront Park, Seadrift

Sat., Sept. 28    Adopt-A-Beach Fall Cleanup
8:30-12:00    See page 5 for locations.

Tues., Oct. 1    POC’s Night Out Against Crime
6:00-9:00 pm    Port O’Connor Elementary School

Tues., Oct. 1    Bunco
7:00 pm        POC Community Center Meeting Room

Tues., Oct. 1    Seadrift City Council
7:00 pm        Seadrift City Hall

Thurs., Oct. 3    POC Service Club
10:00 am    POC Community Center Meeting Room

Sat., Oct. 5    Junk in Your Trunk Sale
9:00-4:00    First National Bank, Seadrift

Sat., Oct. 5    Market Days
8:00-3:00    Bauer Community Center, Port Lavaca

Oct. 5&6    POC Grand Slam Memorial Tournament
7:00 pm        Dinner and Auction

Mon., Oct. 7    Calhoun County Republican Club
6:00 pm        Grace Episcopal Church, 213 S. Austin, PL

Mon., Oct. 7    POC Chamber 6:30 pm POC Community Center

Thurs., Oct. 10    Port O’Connor Improvement District Meeting
7:00 pm        District Office, 39 Denman Drive

Sat., Oct. 12    Calhoun County Fair Parade

Sun., Oct. 13    Our Lady of Guadalupe Festival
starts 11:00 am    Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Tivoli

Oct. 15-19    Calhoun County Fair

Sat., Oct. 19    Port O’Connor CCA Banquet
5:30 pm Open    POC Community Center Pavilion

Sat., Oct. 26    Chili and Gumbo Cook Off
starts 9:00 am    Hurricane Junction, Port O’Connor

Sat., Oct. 26    Rummage Sale
8:00 am        St. Patrick Church, 311 W. Cleveland, Seadrift

AA meets each Saturday night at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Port O’Connor.

POC Lions Club meets the second Wednesday of each month, 12 Noon, at Cathy’s Restaurant

Commissioner’s Court meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at 10 a.m., 1st Floor of the Court House, Port Lavaca.

Crossroads Astronomy Club meets at 7:00 p.m., third Mondays, at U of H, Victoria, Room 223 info: wes81461@yahoo.com   935-2016

Calhoun County Quilt Guild meets the first Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the Fairgrounds Exhibit Building.

Open Arms (Families Surviving Infant Loss) meets every third Tuesday at Central Church of Christ, 801 E. Airline, Victoria, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Calhoun County Democratic Club meets the last Thursday of the month at IBC Bank, Port Lavaca, at 5:30 p.m.

Calhoun County Republican Club meets first Monday of each month 6:00 p.m. at the Episcopal Church Community Room, 213 E. Austin, Port Lavaca.

CASA (Christians Against Substance Abuse) meets each Thursday from 7-8 p.m. Call 361-652-7451 for meeting place.

Friday Night Youth every Friday except the first Friday of each month, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., Fisherman’s Chapel, Port O’Connor
First Baptist Youth Group (Port O’Connor) meets every Wednesday night from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Grades 7th – 12th

Port O’Connor Cemetery Association meets 3rd Thursday of each month at POC Community Center

POC Sports Association meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at POC Community Center.

Ladies Bible & Book Study is held every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Port O’Connor

National Alliance on Mental Illness (N.A.M.I.) meets 3rd Monday each month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Parkway Church, Victoria. Support group meets at Laurent Towers fountain from 6-8 p.m., 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month.