Heather Osborn, daughter of Jerry and Cathy Osborn, graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of North Texas in Denton on May 11, 2018. Heather graudated with a Bachelor of Arts in History with a Minor in Classical Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Heather is a 2014 graduate of Calhoun High School.

Cole Thomas Weaver graduated from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston School of Nursing on April 20, 2018. He received his B.S. in Nursing. The Pinning Ceremony took place that morning followed by the Commencement Ceremony that afternoon. Cole’s parents are Brad and Erin Weaver of Port Lavaca, grandparents are Richard and Nancy O’Donnell of Port Lavaca and Jerry and the late Nina Weaver of Seadrift.

Haley Hummel graduated on June 1st 2018 from Pettus High School. She was a member of FFA, National Art Honor Society, and the Spanish Club. She was 2nd VP of the Spanish Club. She showed a goat her first year in FFA. She went to Sr Quiz competition both her Jr. and Sr. year. She was a Vet Tech her Sr. year.
She will be attending Blinn College in Brenham, TX this fall. Her plan is to go into the medical field. Haley is the daughter of Cale and Lynnette Hummel and granddaughter of Allan and Terri Quinn and Jim and Linda Hummel.

Emily Loren Vasquez is a 2018 High School graduate of Hope High School. She is the daughter of Derek and Audie Vasquez, the granddaughter of David and the late Cindy Vasquez and of Erasmo “Razz” and Martha Montemayor. Emily is the the great granddaughter of Mary Jane Schaefer.

71 Complete Victoria College Vocational Nursing Program

Seven Calhoun County students were among the 71 completing the 12-month certificate program at Victoria College, making them eligible to take the National Licensure Exam for Practical Nursing. Successful completion of the program enables students to take the National Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Satisfactory achievement on the exam qualifies students for licensure as a vocational nurse.

The seven local graduates are: Chelsey Fipps and Monesha McKnight of Seadrift and Brianna Dybala, Jeanette Escobar, Haley Morales, Emilie Ramirez, and Jacqleen Torres of Port Lavaca. Congratulations, future nurses!

Chelsey Fipps of Seadrift receives her nursing pin from Victoria College Vocational Nursing Program Chair Joyce Harper.

Monesha McKnight of Seadrift receives her nursing pin from Victoria College Vocational Nursing Program Chair Joyce Harper.

Republican Club Awards Scholarships

The Calhoun County Republican Club was pleased to have Marshall Batts and his father, Brian Batts, present for the award presentation.  Marshall was one of two Republican Club $500 scholarships awarded to 2018 CHS Seniors.  Marshall spoke to the group, giving them insight to the wonderful young man he is.  He will be attending Texas A&M in the fall to obtain a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Mechanical Engineering.  Marshall’s future goal is to improve on the diesel engine.

The Club’s other recipient, Alexander Liu, was unable to attend.  He was in Austin attending Orientation at the University of Texas, where he will pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Brian Batts, Marshall Batts (Republican Club Scholarship Winner), Russell Cain

Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, Post 4403 of Port Lavaca, Calhoun County, Texas were honored to host an appreciation luncheon for Calhoun High School Senior Enlistees, from the graduating Class of 2018, held Tuesday, May 15, 2018.

Dedicated Veterans in attendance to meet and greet the young shining stars of our future active duty military from Calhoun County were: Laval Simons, Thomas Guerra, Jesse Briseno, Abel Flores, Brian Botbyl, Jimmy Lerma, Fabian Balboa, Calvin Ragusin, Kip Norcros, Steve Walleck, Richard Gray, Jack LaBarge, Lydia Jones and Post Commander Manuel Perez.

The Honors Program commenced with a welcome, The Pledge of Allegiance, prayer and words of encouragement from the true life-experienced military service members.  Then Senior Enlistees accepted their presentation, as read:

“In appreciation for joining the Armed Forces of the United States, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4403 would like to thank you for your inspirational patriotic service to our country and welcome you into the brotherhood of arms.”

The Senior Enlistees who accepted the honors and branch of services were:
U.S. Army: Cailyn Padilla, Britten Battles, Blayne Vickery, Michael Hall.
U.S. Navy:  Colton Cleere, Jose Segura, Shane Watkins, Miguel Escobar, Franco Resendiz, Ashley Iniguez, Analise Garza, Victoria Kupcho, Jose Ventura, Tristen Sanders, Danielle Bacon, Ahniwake James.
U.S. Air Force:  Sage Hisquieredo.
U.S. Marines: Halston Vickery, Erica Garcia

Upon conclusion of lunch, the atmosphere dramatically changed as pictures were taken of Veterans with Senior Enlistees’ branch of service.  When laughter and high-fives were exchanged, the students appeared to realize the Veterans were sincere and standing strong and proud With Them.  No One Does More For Veterans.

It all began about 49 years ago, when a couple of local POC residents began doing July 4th fireworks on the bulkhead of the front beach. Each year, their family and friends started helping, Later, one got his pyrotechnic license and kept the tradition going. This event grew and grew. Approximately 31 years ago, the Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce got involved because they too wanted to keep this a free event for all to see. Since that time, the event has drawn thousands from around Texas to see the elaborate fireworks display. Donny Haynes is our local resident pyrotechnic. Donny has been putting on the show himself for 17 years. He works along with his crew from Sky Wonder Pyrotechnics.

We can only put this show together with the support of our volunteers, businesses and patrons. It takes approximately $30,000 to put this show on, including costs of the explosives, pyrotechs, assistants, permits, law enforcement, cleanup crew, trash receptacles and porta potties.

PLEASE help us to continue this tradition in Port O’Connor! This year’s show will be held on Saturday, July 7th. You can make your donation to the POC Chamber of Commerce by dropping us a check at PO Box 701, Port O’Connor TX 77982, or by donating electronically on our website at www.portoconnorchamber.com . No amount is too small!!!! We need you to make this event happen!!

In a time-honored ceremony at the Seadrift Scout Hut on May 19, Mitchell (pictured at left) and Marshall Arlitt (right)were presented their Eagle Scout badges, an achievement accomplished by only four out of every 100 Boy Scouts.

The 17-year-old brothers, sons of Ron and Donna Arlitt of Port O’Connor, have been in Scouting since they were 11 years old and have each earned 33 merit badges. Mitchell’s Eagle Scout project was to scrape and re-paint the old Port O’Connor jail and Marshall repainted the Retreat Center at Fisherman’s Chapel.

They are members of Troop 106 of Seadrift, where Patrick Henley is Scoutmaster.

At the June 5 meeting of Seadrift City Council, Mayor DeForest gave his “State of the City”.

City residents continue to struggle through the process of repairing and restoring damaged structures containing mold and mildew this long after Harvey. Most of the problem of timely distribution can be attributed to the “bureaucratic process” of the Federal Government. Congress passed major disaster funding in September 2017 with supplementals later in 2017. HUD, in its infinite wisdom, has now pre-allocated 80% of housing recovery funding to particular areas and zip codes in the Harvey disaster area. This means that the remaining 20% of housing recovery funding is un-allocated. The “un-allocated” funds may be distributed, probably, on a competitive basis, between 22 other entities (parts of counties) and particular zip codes where HUD split funding within counties.

 In the case of Calhoun County, whatever funds are to be used within the county for housing recovery, HUD has pre-allocated 80% to zip code 77979. This means that the remaining 20% of any funds provided to Calhoun County will be split between the other zip codes of the county because HUD has determined the remaining zip codes in Calhoun County were not as impacted as 77979. This 20% will most likely be awarded on a competitive basis. There will be two public hearings regarding the Method of Distribution.

 I urge everyone in zip codes of Seadrift, Point Comfort and Port O’Connor to attend one of these public hearings and make their voice heard about this, seemingly un-equal distribution method. The Public Hearings will be held on June 18th and July 9th.  The location is the GCRPC 2nd Floor Boardroom, 1908 N. Laurent, Victoria, Texas at 6:00 p.m.

Further in the State of the City, the Mayor, shared that the City has taken a $6,089,634 hit in property de-valuation decrease as a result of Hurricane Harvey damages to private property. This is a decrease in overall valuation of approximately 10%. In terms of tax revenue this is a decrease of approximately $32,580.

The Mayor further reported that the City sustained estimated infrastructure damages of $6,571,000. This is the amount that has been estimated so far. There are still items pending estimation. damages and will increase the amount of estimated infrastructure damages. This is City property and structures. Further the City is still awaiting reimbursement from FEMA for expenses the City spent from its own sources to perform cleanup immediately after Harvey. This amount is around $225,000.