UIL moves state football title games to Arlington PAGE 5
THE
Serving Sealy and Austin County, Texas since 1887 • Home of Kathy Michalke Volume 129 Number 22
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016
16 pages, $1
YMCA facility beefs up size, once again By JASON B. HOGAN reporter@sealynews.com
Joiner Architects met with Kuciemba, Mark A. Chapman Foundation reps and other project personnel a couple weeks ago to present the first 50 percent of the Mark A. Chapman Indoor Recreational Facility’s design plans. Originally, project
projections had the architectural firm submitting the first half of the facility’s plans by January, 75 percent by February, 95 percent by March and final completed designs by the end of March. But the city experienced delays with planning stages while narrowing down the layout. Eventually city council chose Option 2
Now they’re cooking without gas editor@sealynews.com
The kitchen is hot. Just not in the way one normally thinks. Between the Food Network, shows like Iron Chef, movies like Ratatouille and the celebrity now accorded some real-life chefs like Houston’s Huge Ortega and Bryan Caswell, diners have
“It’s going to be more (than the original proposed $4.25 million price tag),” Kuciemba said. At some point, the city wants to throw in outdoor restroom facilities for future soccer fields that will be added. “The Chapman Foundation is considering taking care of that additional money,”
Kuciemba said. “That’s why they need the estimates and what it’s going to be.” “We’re going to meet with [foundation president Cheryl Mellentin] around beginning of June. I feel the answer is going to be a yes. This is just an option,” Kuciemba said of the additions. Lastly, the city is also designing an additional
Chevy in the LEVEE
Sealy High students find new passion, possible careers in kitchen, despite limited tools By Roy R. Reynolds
out of two available plans. Facility dimensions have bounced back and forth a few times. The facility started out as a 18,000-square-foot buildout, but $4.25 million projected costs forced project partners to considered scaling it back to 15,000 square feet. Now, it may move back to its original size.
begun to look well beyond the edge of their plate and into the recesses of the places their food is prepared. A place where, someday, they may see someone with a tall hat on their head, Crocs clogs on their feet and a diploma from Sealy High School in their pocket. ■ COOKING, page 16
Courtesy Angela Gutowsky
Ka’la Statum and Vanessa Mendoza flip over their creations at the Sodexo Culinary Showdown, where the culinary team from Sealy High school placed second in the event, their third competition of the school year.
I-10 bridge expansion, frontage road taking shape By JASON B. HOGAN reporter@sealynews.com
As tools and equipment bear down on the Interstate 10 overpass at Hwy 36, Sealy city leadership and Texas Department of Transportation remain confident frontage road construction projects are advancing in a timely manner. As most can see, construction crews are widening the I-10 bridge at Hwy 36, and “this phase of the project should be completed by midsummer, if the weather cooperates,” said Cari Hensley, TxDOT Yoakum District’s public information officer, in an email on Friday. “Once the donation deed is processed, construction crews will
Courtesy of Jereamy Cevallos
Jereamy Cevallos of Al’s Wrecker Service encountered a large, pickup-eating washout along FM1697 early Friday morning. A deluge surprise Austin County and surrounding areas Thursday night and early Friday, dropping 16.62 inches on Brenham alone, according to the National Weather Service.
start building parts of the frontage road as the bridge phase is wrapping up,” Hensley said. TxDOT felt it was necessary to rearrange designs before a deeded right-of-way is transferred into their possession. TxDOT needs access to approximately seven acres of land owned by developer Town Park Center for the frontage road portion of the project to commence. A new land survey was performed by EHRA Engineering within the last week, a necessary component to the right-of-way deed’s transference to the city, because the state department envisions traffic choke points as a problem for ramp access.
Lamp turns off lights on Pct. 1 Commissioner Turner’s re-election bid By JASON B. HOGAN reporter@sealynews.com
On Tuesday evening, Mark Lamp pulled out a commanding victory over incumbent Reese Turner — 74 percent to 26 percent for the final tallies — to become the newly elected Austin County Pct. 1 Commissioner. There was not much mudslinging to be had during campaigning, except for the morning of the Election Day runoff, and it presumably came from neither candidate.
■ ROADS, page 14
A mock-up web page claiming to be that of The Sealy News sent out innumerable emails across the county deliberating attempting to bring down Turner’s election campaign and sully his image among residents. The headline for the mythical front-page website read, “Reese Turner Former Commissioner Suspected For Masterminding Child Prostitution Ring.” ■ LAMP, page 14
parking lot for the soccer fields that’ll be on the entrance of Rexville Road, Kuciemba said. “Where the skate park is now, that will be our new and improved parking lot,” he said, making sure that children coming from the soccer fields will never have to cross a street to get to the YMCA.
Storms usher in damp Memorial Day By Roy R. Reynolds editor@sealynews.com
Storms blew into Austin County late Thursday, soaking already-saturated ground until it could absorb no more. The rain flooded a number of roads around the county, hampering Memorial Day travel and bringing back memories of midApril. The rains continued to impact Austin County and surrounding areas as the Memorial Day holiday passed, with a swollen Brazos River serving as a very visible sign of the latest outbreak of storms. By late Friday, Austin County Judge Tim Lapham declared the county as a disaster area, one of the first steps toward getting some government help to battered areas. Meanwhile, the Brazos River continued to swell well into Tuesday morning with a late-morning gage height of 126.12 feet at San Felipe, only a small decline from the past few days. On Sunday, the river reached a height of 128.5 feet. Flood stage for the Brazos River is 122.5 feet gage height, according to the Brazos River Authority. “By Wednesday or Thursday, we should go under ‘minor flooding stage,’ which is still in action stage” said Judi ■ STORMS, page 14
Sealy Sports Commission promotes adult sports league By JASON B. HOGAN reporter@sealynews.com
Lace up those sneakers and cleats and get ready for summer fun with the kiddos. City manager Larry Kuciemba announced another surefire way to productively maximize economic growth for Sealy by creating an adult sports league
through the commission at Tuesday night’s city council meeting. Last June, the City of Sealy created the firstever sports commission, and ever since, it has been searching for ways to increase exposure for itself and for the community at large. “Angela Wolfe is ■ SPORTS, page 14
The Sealy News • 193 Schmidt Road • P.O. Box 480 • Sealy, TX 77474 • phone: (979) 885-3562 • fax: (979) 885-3564 • www.sealynews.com
BibleQuote
20 | 2016 GRADUATION CELEBRATION
"Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool." Proverbs 26:7
IndexInside
Classifieds........10-1 1 Community........7-9 News Bits.............2 Obituaries............3 Opinion................4 Sports..............5-6
The sealy news
2016
Graduation Celebration
•C College lll academic d transfer f classes, l technical/workforce SURJUDPV DQG RQOLQH FODVVHV WR ÀW WKH QHHGV RI any student.
• Blinn’s academic transfer rate consistently ranks among the top ten in the nation.
• AffordableCollegesOnline.org recently named Blinn among the most affordable large community colleges in the nation.
www.blinn.edu
Congratulations Graduates !!! visit us at www.sealynews.com
phone: (979) 885-3562
Sealy High graduate photos PAGE 16
This week's weather
Day/High/Low/Rain Thursday 80/68/80% Friday 79/67/90% Saturday 81/67/80% Sunday 84/66/80% Monday 85/66/20% Tuesday 88/67/30% Wednesday 90/69/20%
Morning has broken and the sun shines in for Colby Klotz, 5, provider of this week’s weather art from Selman Elementary.
THE
Hunting season begins PAGE 5
Serving Sealy and Austin County, Texas since 1887 • Home of Mary Lou Craig Volume 129 Number 33
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2016
20 pages, $1
Buck’s bronzed beginning ding, purses and handbags, baby boy and girl clothing, shoes, toys, teething necklaces, nap mats, blankets, baby bedding and backpacks. The 25th anniversary for Buck Fergeson is soon to arrive at the end of September. The company’s founder, C.L. “Buck” Fergeson, spent the first 25 years of his life following in his father’s footsteps as a rodeo cowboy. In his down time, he would sketch
By JASON B. HOGAN editor@sealynews.com
There aren’t many things Buck Fergeson Originals is not known for selling. The store is broken down into three primary sections: home décor, the Cowgirl Corner and the baby room. Here’s a short list of some of their featured items: Furniture, kitchen and bedroom accessories, jewelry, boots, bed-
and carve wood. This was the first step into his lifelong hobby. The store stands above others because of a personal style and originality. The life story of Buck and his family, by proxy, has carried Buck Fergeson for three generations. After years of woodcarving and prodding from family, Buck launched himself into clay and wax sculpting designing bronzes statues. In 1990, Buck and
his wife, JoAnn, decided to open Buck Fergeson Originals on the Bellville Square displaying, and also selling, some of Buck’s most remarkable bronze-sculpted pieces and handmade sterling silver jewelry to the public. “He made bronze sculptures and jewelry. And, so, that’s how it started,” said Sarah Courtesy Photo Zapalac, Buck Buck Fergeson Originals got its start through C.L. “Buck” Fergeson’s rodeo-inspired bronze statues, but has since marked ■ BUCK, page 19 itself as a go-to for home décor.
Coming soon: Xcel Youth Sports League Photos: Sealy News/ Jason B. Hogan
Gowns are made from various patterns cut out from pre-existing wedding dresses.
Gowns to guide angels home By JASON B. HOGAN editor@sealynews.com
Angel Gowns Foundation, or Angel Gowns by Diane, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, began some years ago by Diane Dionne by “turning something from someone’s brightest day to help another on their darkest.” Diane furnishes “burial gowns for families who have suffered the loss of a child before, during, or shortly after birth at no cost.” She has expe-
rienced that same loss through her granddaughters, her first, Jordynn, who lived only a day. “My daughter lost two babies and I heard about this [similar organizations] when I lived in Virginia. I tried to get it started there and it didn’t go at all. Aug. 5 was our two-year anniversary here in the Katy area. We’ve helped over 8,500 families,” Diane said, which is good but sad at the same time because of the nature of the endeavor she admits. Now, Diane gives up seven
days a week and more than 80 hours to Angel Gowns. Some time back, she and her husband, who works at Geico Insurance in the IT department, paid off her remaining debt — unfortunately through a small inheritance after her father passed — so she could focus on helping others through the nonprofit organization. Diane elicits the help of seamstresses from all over. One is a shot girl at a club in ■ GOWNS, page 19
Council passes effective tax rate for new fiscal year By EDWARD SANTIAGO The Sealy City Council met on Aug. 9, at city hall to listen to a presentation and proposal for the new property tax for fiscal year 2016-17, discuss a few new ordinances, the new Mark A. Chapman YMCA facility, along with a possible memorial site for the deadly accident at the Hwy 36 overpass last month. With property values in Sealy rising, the new
tax rate could take a small dip, so long as it generates the same amount of revenue as last year, or simply put, if council sets an effective tax rate that mirrors last year’s taxable conditions. The tax rate for fiscal year 2015-16 was $0.45 per $100 valuation and that is expected to drop to a little more than $0.43 for fiscal year 2016-17. Later during the meeting, council issued
a vote for the tax rate, which passed unanimously, creating the new $0.43 tax rate for the 2016-17. There have been proposals to make a memorial site for 12-year old Bre’in Bullock, a girl who died in the Hwy 36 bridge accident back in July, but council wasn’t able to vote on the proposal; ultimately the memorial would be up to the Texas Department of Transportation. ■ COUNCIL, page 20
By JASON B. HOGAN editor@sealynews.com
Eugene Daniels II and Dr. Cyrus Johnson have been running their Xcel Youth Sports Leagues for a while in the Houston area. Now, they want to offer those same opportunities to the citizens and youth of Sealy in an eventual year-round format. Daniels and Johnson hold co-ownership of Xcel Youth and have taught athletes on the field and in the classroom for more than 10 years using similar formulas and methodology to teach success. Daniels takes care of sales and program development and Johnson handles curriculum and construction. “For us, it was just a matter of not only convenience but opportunity,” Daniels said, and not only for athletics but for the education. “I don’t think they can build anything else in Katy — plus (Sealy) it’s the home of Eric Dickerson,” Johnson said. “I’ve always been an Eric Dickerson fan,” Johnson said, ever since watching an infomercial years ago.
It’s fitting that he’d be a Dickerson fan, and not just because he originated from Sealy, but because of Dickerson’s tireless, well-known work ethic and altruistic manner in giving back to communities. Daniels and Johnson have been in contact with Madeleine Peace, the director of special programs at Sealy Independent School District, and forming a route to getting involved with the children of the community. “It just seemed like it was an advantageous avenue to start with Sealy,” Daniels said. The two are looking at developing programs for Sealy, Bellville and Columbus school districts. They are also making attempts to work with Stafford and Fort Bend school districts. “I’ve been dealing with mentoring students for 17 or 18 years of my life,” Daniels said as a player and coach on several different levels. “Dealing with the youth of today [they focus on] emotional stability. They’ve been ■ XCEL, page 20
San Felipe council honors police chief By JASON B. HOGAN editor@sealynews.com
At the Town of San Felipe’s last council meeting, Aug. 9, San Felipe Police Chief Frank Serrato was honored with a plaque by town council recognizing his many years of service, accomplishments and dedication to the citizens. Mayor Bobby Byars stood to give a brief speech noting specific instances where Serrato ■ CHIEF, page 20
The Sealy News • 193 Schmidt Road • P.O. Box 480 • Sealy, TX 77474 • phone: (979) 885-3562 • fax: (979) 885-3564 • www.sealynews.com
BibleQuote
"And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will" 2 Corinthians 8:5
IndexInside
Ag/Business......10 Classifieds....13-16 Community........7 News Bits.............3 Obituaries............2 Opinion................4 Sports..............5-6
This week's weather
Sword unearthed at Alamo PAGE 11
Day/High/Low/Rain Thursday 87/73/80% Friday 89/74/80% Saturday 89/74/60% Sunday 89/74/80% Monday 90/73/60% Tuesday 92/73/40% Wednesday 90/72/20%
This week’s weather art is by Carter Gobel, 5, a student of Selman Elementary.
THE Coach Holcomb resigns PAGE 6
Serving Sealy and Austin County, Texas since 1887 • Home of Cheri Bumbera Volume 129 Number 48
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2016
22 pages, $1
Utility rate increases build toward residential frenzy By JASON B. HOGAN reporter@sealynews.com
Sealy City Hall began fielding calls and hosting walk-ins at 8 a.m. Monday with residents rifling complaints in their direction based on utility bill increases between the October and November cycle. Sealy City Council decided to increase rates during budget revisions for fiscal year 2016-17. According to city officials, residents had been charged nominal utility fees which needed to change in order to right the ship. But many residents are crying foul and said charges have gone through the roof. “Consumption is twice the amount it should be,” said Sealy City Manager Larry Kuciemba. Kuciemba and his staff haven’t gone as far as to say residents’ bills are faulted, but he’s working out the solution to the problem.
“I have been inundated with calls yesterday and I want people to be assured we’re looking into this,” Kuciemba said. “We’re going to find whatever the thing is, and we’re going to take care of it.” If it were one to two people that had gripes with increased bills, Kuciemba said they could almost assuredly chalk it up to a bad water leak. With this many people, something is amiss, he said. Though, with the change in rate and usage, people probably did see increases in access of 115 percent to 120 percent or more, he said, but maybe not as many should have. “I’ve got to find the answer to the consumption. And I know October was dry but we’re talking about rates that are just unheard of,” he said. The average family of two to three people ■ UTILITY, page 20
Locklier named San Felipe-Frydek Firefighter of the Year By HOLLY GALVAN
reporter@sealynews.com
Sealy News/Holly Galvan
The interior of the Twisted Willow Floral Shop in downtown Sealy.
Shopping small infuses dollars into local businesses By HOLLY GALVAN
reporter@sealynews.com
Even though Shop Small Saturday has passed, it is still important to shop at local businesses during the holiday season. Good customer service can be hard to find during the holidays because retail employees are often stretched
thin and busy with many customers but when shopping local, customers can usually receive more personalized customer service. Shop owners like Lynette Lee, owner of the Twisted Willow Floral Shop, believes it is important for residents to support local businesses. “[I am making] a custom
Udderly amazing birth of triplets By HOLLY GALVAN
reporter@sealynews.com
The birth of triplets is normally considered amazing but when the mother giving birth to the triplets is a cow, well, now that is something astonishing. The odds of a cow having a set of triplets, according to farmprogress.com is one in 105,000. The triplet cows
were born in September to mother Big Black and although the cows do not have official names, they are refered to as “the babies”. “[My dad] was so happy. I have never seen him that happy in his life,” said daughter Rayann. Butch said the birth of the first two cows didn’t surprise him ■ TRIPLETS, page 18
made bow for a customer that matches the décor in this customer’s home. This is a service that sets us apart. Customer service is something that sets small business apart from big box stores,” Lee said. During the busy holiday season bigger stores can be
Colin Locklier was awarded the Firefighter of the Year award by the San Felipe-Frydek Volunteer Fire Department. His longtime dedication to the fire department and helping perform water rescues in two different counties nonstop during the floods in April were among his achievements mentioned for the award. “[I] really want to give out a special thanks to [Locklier] who went
above and beyond the call of duty Monday. I never expected to see one of my guys ride a four-wheeler from Brazos Country to Station 1 to help hook up the boat and start his long day of helping people. Now to me, that is dedication,” said Fire Chief Johnny Hall. Locklier works fulltime at a local business and attends night school. Since joining the fire department at the age of 13, Locklier is still performing strong as he ■ LOCKLIER, page 18
■ LOCAL, page 19
Commissioners find ways to save county dollars By HOLLY GALVAN
reporter@sealynews.com
During the Nov. 28 Austin County Commissioners Court meeting, the court discussed payment options to Way Service, Ltd., a company out of Houston. Commissioners approved a measure to enter into a financial agreement for an Energy Professional Services Contract with the company during an
Oct. 10 meeting. Way Service, founded in 1918, focuses on commercial cost reduction, process improvement and comfort control in HVAC, lighting, and facility plumbing, according to their website. The way program projected cost is $400,000. Way’s program will generate savings of $91,618 per year, which will fund a ■ COUNTY, page 18
Courtesy Photo
Locklier received the firefighter of the year award after almost seven years with the San Felipe-Frydek Volunteer Fire Department.
The Sealy News • 193 Schmidt Road • P.O. Box 480 • Sealy, TX 77474 • phone: (979) 885-3562 • fax: (979) 885-3564 • www.sealynews.com
BibleQuote "I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High." Psalms 7:17
IndexInside
Ag/Business......16 Classifieds....13-14 Community........7 News Bits.............2 Obituaries............3 Opinion................4 Sports..............5-6
This week's weather
SEALY NEWS RUNNING $35 SUBSCRIPTION SPECIAL THROUGH DEC. 16
Day/High/Low/Rain Thursday 70/50/0% Friday 69/53/20% Saturday 63/52/60% Sunday 62/54/60% Monday 60/46/50% Tuesday 62/46/60% Wednesday 67/49/20%
This week’s weather art is by Byanka Aguado, 6, a student of Selman Elementary.