The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office will hold a town meeting on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Port O’Connor Community Center. The purpose of this meeting is to meet with Port O Connor residents to implement a Neighborhood Watch Program. Sheriff George Aleman will welcome questions from the audience pertaining to security and law enforcement in Port O’Connor and the surrounding area.

Well, folks, here we go again. Most everyone is aware of the increased amount of burglary and theft in our community. It is a terrible shame! Recently several boat stall owners and home owners have been victimized. It is a sad time when honest, hard-working people are violated by undesirables seeking to score a fast buck!

For generations, it seemed like we had escaped the misfortune of burglary activity happening in the larger cities. Unfortunately, we have not. I remember a time in Port O’Connor, when we never had to lock our doors, secure our fishing equipment, or be concerned if something was accidently left in the yard. Anyone having their home, business or boat stalls broken into was unheard of in the past. Well, NOT anymore!

Yes, I know it is not good publicity to “advertise” these sorry happenings in our beloved community, but unfortunately it is a FACT. It needs to and WILL BE addressed! January 1, 2013 ushered in a new law enforcement administration. The Calhoun County Sheriff, Chief Deputy and the entire staff have promised Port O’Connor will get the extra enforcement needed to identify, apprehend and arrest those who are responsible for the break-ins. In fact, I was informed just yesterday, (Jan.9) the investigators in the department now have several VERY STRONG LEADS. Congratulations Calhoun County S.O. We appreciate your hard work.

To those unscrupulous thieves who are committing the crimes, (if you can read) here is a VERY STRONG message from Law Enforcement, the District Attorney and the Courts; “IF YOU ARE CAUGHT, YOU WILL BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST!” Burglary of a habitation is a second degree felony and carries a penalty of 2 to 20 years in PRISON and a fine up to $10,000.00. Burglary of a building is a third degree felony and carries a penalty of 2 to 10 years in PRISON and a fine up to $10,000.00. Persons committing these crimes, should turn themselves in and confess. Their sentencing will be lighter than if they are caught and convicted. Courts have always been more lenient to people who are man or woman enough to admit they were wrong. Anyone caught in criminal activity can be guaranteed tougher sentencing.

Homeowners, boat stall owners, business owners or anyone who can identify the individuals committing these crimes, PLEASE CALL CALHOUN COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS. You name will remain anonymous . You will be eligible for a $1,000.00 REWARD. The number for crime stoppers is: 361-552-CASH (2274). A local businessman, tired of being “hit” has spent thousands of dollars on new state of the art security equipment . It is only a matter of time until an arrest is made. Other businesses and homeowners are doing the same. In addition, an offer of $2,500.00 REWARD for the arrest and conviction of the thieves has been made.

I urge anyone having any information leading to an arrest and conviction of those responsible, please call the Calhoun County Sheriff’s department and report it. (361-553-4646) Port O’Connor has always been a friendly, peaceful and safe community. With the help of our citizens and visitors, we can keep it that way.

Thank you,
Nancy Pomykal
Justice Of The Peace, Pct. 5, Calhoun County

The City of Seadrift has set May 11, 2013 as the day for its City election. Three Council positions are up for election. These are currently held by Wesley Hunt, Jack LaBarge and Johnny Mikolas. It is not yet known if these Councilmen will be running for reelection.

The filing period for those who wish to run for these two-year-term Council positions is January 30 through March 1, 2013. Contact City Secretary Paula Moncrief for information on filing.

Your first response to an accident or emergency can make the difference between a minor incident and a major heath issue – even between life and death.

We in Port O’Connor and Seadrift are about 25 miles from the nearest medical facility and although we have excellent volunteer EMTs, in emergency situations we need to know ourselves what to do, when to do it, and why.

What would you do if a family member or neighbor suffered a fall, a cut, a burn, or any other unexpected trauma? Would your actions be a help or a harm to them?

Attend this FREE CLASS and learn the correct actions to take in these situations.

Sunday, January 27 – Fisherman’s Chapel

Under the instruction of Capt. Robert of Sea Academy, the Class begins following a noon luncheon (to which you are also invited). For more information, please call Pat Prather at 361-655-3353. Hope to see you there!

Greetings from the island everyone. Hope all of you are doing well and enjoyed Christmas with the family a few weeks ago. The nasty weather kept Barnacle and me stranded on the island this year. In fact, it was fourteen days, due to bad weather or extreme low tides, before I could finally make a run to the mainland last week. I was eager to make it in because Mom had saved me some of her delicious holiday chicken dressing, none better have I ever tasted.

Before being able to make the trek across the bay into town, I was down to two slices of bread, one link of deer sausage, no dog food or chicken feed and on the fumes of propane. Thank goodness I had plenty of eggs, so for the last few days before going in, the chickens and Barnacle and I survived on scrambled eggs. Admittedly, it wouldn’t hurt my super-size manly physique to go a few days of fasting, but I don’t like cutting it that close. I was very low or completely out of most essentials, so after the trip in and $230 later at Walmart, I’m stocked back up again for awhile.

I can already see that this winter will be much more wintry than last year. It seems as though we have had more mornings in the 40’s during the first twenty days of winter this year, than all of last. And the northers are blowing harder and for longer periods of time than I recall them blowing last winter, resulting in very low tides that prohibit me from getting off the island. But thankfully we are getting some rain with the nasty weather, so my water tanks are staying at a nice level now. Yep, no doubt this winter will be what typical south Texas winters normally are. . . cold, windy, wet, foggy and pretty much miserable. Better stock up on plenty of propane and pull out those flannel sheets.

I came across the most unusual beach find a few weeks ago. An old five gallon bucket with screw-on lid washed ashore, having barnacles and algae growing on it. Unable to remove the lid, I took it back to the cabin and cut off the top with a circular saw. Inside the bucket was an assortment of items, including an overnight toiletries bag, small batteries, a knife, brand new outboard gas tank pressure bulbs, and twelve assorted cell phones/walkie talkies and a hand-held GPS.

The electronics had been tightly wrapped in plastic, but the salt water had still entered into them and all were ruined. However a Fossil stainless wrist watch with stainless band was still working! Other than a broken link and some tarnish, the watch works perfectly. There was nothing inside the bucket that would identify an owner or point of origin, so who knows where this bucket began its ocean journey. Once again, you just never know what might wash ashore on the beach.

That’s it from the island for now. I’m looking forward to a visit from my California sister, Darla, this week and hoping she will bring a bag of pistachios. Everyone take care and stay warm and dry.