With the last bits of winter hanging on, the love in the air will raise the temperatures in the City by the Sea for the 70th annual Valentine’s Pa-rade and Sweetheart Coronation Ball held this Sat. (Feb. 10), presented by Palacios’ Harmonie Club.

Twenty-five lovely young la-dies will be candidates for the Harmonie Club’s 70th Valentine Sweetheart crown to be bestowed during the Coronation Dance, themed 70 Years of Love, taking place from 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. at the Palacios Recreation Center. Tom-my Morton will be the emcee with music by Horizon.

Tickets are $25 at the door.The Valentine Parade will take

place at 2 p.m.The Valentine Sweetheart will be

determined by nickle-a-vote ballot-ing with decorated voting cans lo-cated at businesses around Palacios.

The candidates and sponsors are:♥ Katy Brown, daughter of Cody

Brown; escorted by Amos Haynes,

son of Joe & Trina Rodriguez; and sponsored by Palacios Area Fund.

♥ Erika Espinosa, daughter of Armando and Ofelia Espinosa; es-corted by Adam Nguyen, son of Kim

and Phi Nguyen; sponsored by the Palacios Beacon.

♥ Sarah Filip, daughter of Carl-ton & Sheri Filip; escorted by Ja-cob Martinez, son of Valerie & Morgan Gillett and Raul Martinez; and sponsored by Palacios Trail Riders.

♥ Montserrat Garcia, daughter of Ubaldo and Adriana Garcia; escorted by Joe Pena, son of Joe

& Melissa Pena; sponsored by The Right Look.

♥ Samantha Garcia, daughter of

Roberto & Ninfa Garcia; escorted by David Cruz, son of David & Enriqu-eta Cruz; sponsored by Gulf States Aquaculture.

♥ Marian Neftali Gomez, daughter of Martin & Rosa Gomez; escorted by Johnny Gatica, son of Lidia Acos-ta; sponsored by Palacios Mexican Restaurant.

♥ Sydney Greaves, daughter of Ray & Kristi Greaves; escorted by brother Slone Greaves; sponsored by Palacios Dental Center.

♥ Bailey Grones, daughter of Scott & Kelly Grones; escorted by Steven Phan, son of Luyen & Lisa Phan; sponsored by Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

PAGE 5

WEDNESDAYFEb. 7, 2018VOL. 111 • NO.6

BEACONBRIEFS

P. O. Box 817 • 809 First StreetPalacios, Tx. 77465

(361) 972-3009/Fax 972-2610E-Mail: palaciosbeacon@gmail.com

Website: palaciosbeacon.com

The OnlyNewspaper In The

World Published Just For The Palacios Area.

PALACIOS

•

TEXAS

th

Beacon Deadline 5 p.m. Friday

Except for paid advertising, all articles, photos or other infor-mation submitted on Monday will be published on a space available basis only.

Open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.Beacon Closed Wednesday

Observing Our

111Year1907-2018

Leading ValentineSweetheartCandidates♥ ♥

♥ ♥Cristal Martell - 20,085

Reagan Ramirez - 18,8678Meagan Ramirez - 16,730

Sara Filip - 15,091

BY ALAN C. SCHULMANPalacios Beacon - Reporter

PalaciosPalaciosBEACONBEACONProudly Serving The City By The Sea Since 1907USPS 418460 1 SectiON, 12 PAGES

SEE PAGE 12

RobosharksTake Top

Honors

17-year old senior collapsed in cafeteria

and later died

The Outrigger Event Center, located at the cor-ner of 6th St. and Com-merce, will be holding a pair of events this upcom-ing week, beginning with Old Time Gospel Music, featuring Harry Briscoe and band on Sun. (Feb. 11). Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with music set to begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 and include BBQ brisket. For tickets & res-ervations call 361-920-6513. See the Outrigger ad in this week’s paper for details on the Valen-tine’s Day Fundraiser.

■ Gospel Music & Lunch Sun. at the Outrigger

CofC Forum

Participants

(See SWEETHEART, Page 11)

BY RYAN WESTPalacios Beacon-Publisher

S c h u l m a n tosses name into City race

(See FILING, Page 3)

TRAGEDY AT TIDEHAVEN

(See TRAGEDY, Page 2)

BY RYAN WESTPalacios Beacon-Publisher

The Tidehaven Youth Boosters will be holding a baked potato meal, auc-tion & raffle on Sun. (Feb. 11) at St. Peter’s Catholic Church Hall in Blessing. Serving will run from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. with auction slated to be-gin at 12:30 p.m.

■ Tidehaven Youth Booster baked potato fundraiser Sun.

Valentine’s Parade, Coronation Ball Sat.

SaturdayParade thru Downtown at 2 p.m.

2018

Dance at 8 p.m.Reigning

SweetheartKassidy Wilson

Candidates in March primaries take turns behind the mic at CofC

Last Thursday, the Palacios Chamber of Commerce, at its General membership Meet-ing, hosted a political forum and gave 11 candidates for state, district, and county of-fices three minutes of speak-ing time, with an additional two minutes to field ques-tions from the audience.

State Representative Disrict 25

First to the podium was incumbent State Represen-

Vying for the crown of Harmonie Club’s 70th Valentine Sweetheart

KATY BROWN ERIKA ESPINOSA

SARA FILIP MONTSERRAT GARCIA SAMANTHA GARCIA MARIAN GOMEZ SYDNEY GREAVES

BAILEY GRONES SARAH HEBEL ALYSHA JASEK CRISTAL MARTELL ARIANA MORENO

GISELLE MUNIZ LISA NGUYEN ELIZABETH ORTIZ TAMARA PEREZ CHRISTINA PETERSON

MEAGAN RAMIREZ REAGAN RAMIREZ MAREN SEAMEN BRIANNA SERNA BRITTANY SERNA

HANNAH TRAN LANAE TUCKER KAYLA VU

♥

♥

♥

♥♥

♥

♥

♥

♥♥♥

♥ ♥♥

♥ ♥

(See FORUM, Page 5)

Just as classes were set to begin at Tidehaven High School last Friday, the un-thinkable happened when 17-year old senior Micah Marti-nez collapsed in the cafeteria during breakfast.

At 7:52 a.m. a call for a stu-dent in medical distress went out to the Matagorda County Sheriff’s Office. Martinez was transported by ambu-lance to Matagorda Regional Medical Center in Bay City but was unable to be revived. He was pronounced dead at 9 a.m. by Justice of the Peace Pct. 4 Mark Finaly.

Tidehaven ISD Superin-tendent Dr. Andrew Seigrist

The Fraternal Order of Eagles #3821 will be of-fering Singing Valentines Telegrams for your friend or foe for $20. To order a telegram to be deliv-ered on Valentine’s Day, contact any of the Eagles Ladies or call 361-404-4186.

■ FOE #3821 Singing Telegrams for Valentine’s A new face is stepping to

the plate in the Palacios City Council races, as Donna Har-vey Schulman has turned in her paperwork for a run at Pos. 2 on the City’s ballot in May.

Schulman joins incum-bents Steve McGovern in Pos. 5 and incumbent Mayor Glenn Smith as those who have officially put their name

DEADLINE 5 P.M. FRIDAYPage 2 - Palacios Beacon - Wed., February 7, 2018 DEADLINE 5 P.M. FRIDAY

Particles in water deemed ‘non-toxic’GONZALES: The Texas Commission on Environmen-

tal Quality was in Gonzales all last week working with the city to determine the cause of particulate matter found in the city’s drinking water. According to Interim City Man-ager and Superintendent of Public Works Tim Patek, the black particulates originated from baffle mats in Storage Tank No. 2. Patek said the baffles are made from a mate-rial called Polypropylene, which is not classified as a toxic, or harmful material. Patek assured that even swallowing incidental small amounts of polypropylene is non-hazard-ous. Patek said the City is currently implementing a plan to change out the baffles and fully resolve the particle prob-lem as soon as possible. - The Gonzales Inquirer

Stop nets 32 kilos of cocaine hidden in seatsFLATONIA: The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Nar-

cotics Unit seized approximately 32 kilos of cocaine last week on Interstate 10 near Flatonia in a routine traffic stop. Sgt. Randy Thumann stopped a Ford Fusion at mile-marker 659 for a traffic violation. After speaking with the driver and his girlfriend, Thumann became suspicious that the vehicle may be involved in transporting illegal narcot-ics. Thumann was given consent to search and deployed his K-9 partner, Lobos, to conduct an exterior search of the vehicle. Lobos alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics and followed the odor inside the vehicle to the car seat. Thumann and Investigator David Smith located aftermar-ket compartments built into every seat and removed the cocaine with an estimated street value of $3 million. The driver, Cesar Garcia-Villalon, 20, and passenger Paola Tre-jo-Gonzalez, 21, both of Mexico, were arrested for felony cocaine possession. - The Banner-Press

TRAGEDY(Continued From Page 1)

PALACIOS BEACON

Area Briefs

RosenbergDermatology

is seeing patientsat Palacios Medical Clinic

307 Green Ave. Palacios, TX3rd Thursday of every month.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Call for an appointment

(713) 730-2000

Irene Page, OwnerPalacios House of Flowers

2590 SH 35 S • 361-972-2517 • Cell: 361-484-0632 Hours: Mon.-Fri./10am-5pm

Special Arrangements for Your Valentine!Also Available:

• Chocolate Covered Strawberries • Stuffed Animals • Balloons • Heart Shaped Chocolates

Valentine Special

• Republican Primary •Damon

RAMBO[Pol. Adv. pd for by Rosie Jewell,

11324 FM 2853, Palacios, Tx. 77465]

• Republican Primary •JERRY

PATTERSON[Pol. Adv. pd for byPatterson Campaign,

Melissa LeGrand, Treasurer, 10210 Pinehurst Dr., Austin Texas 78747-1111

Tex. Rep. Dist. 25

Texas Land Comm.

CANDIDATELISTINGS

The following have paid to have their names listed as candidates for office in either the Democratic or Republican Party Primary to be held March 6. The cost for the Candidate Listing is $30. The cost for the candidate listing plus a one time candidate announcement ar-ticle is $50. The deadline for inclu-sion in the Candidate Listing or to submit a candidate announcement article is 5 p.m. Friday.

[Pol. Ad. paid for by Loretta Griffin, Treasurer, P.O. Box 129, Cedar Lan, TX

77415]

[Political Ad paid for by Sharyl K. McDon-ald, Treasurer, 206 CR 208, Bay City, Texas

77414]

• Democratic Primary •Nate

McDONALD

Matagorda Co. Judge

[Pol. Adv. paid for by Jamie Crawford Grantz, Treasurer, 2100 Austin St., Bay City

Texas 77414]

• Republican Primary •Jamie

GRANTZ

District Clerk

• Republican Primary •Loretta

GRIFFIN

Matagorda Co. Treasurer

(Bay City) A Matagorda County jury spent one hour determining the fate of a pre-viously-convicted burglar in possession of methamphet-amine with intent to deliver the drugs.

Zachary Ryan Simons (34) was arrested on May 23, 2017 based upon a warrant for an alleged shooting incident in Van Vleck the day before.

Matagorda County Sher-iff’s sergeant Tyler Miles told the jury what was discovered during the arrest.

Simons was in possession of more than three grams of methamphetamine, a meth pipe, a number of small plas-tic bags, and a digital scale according to Miles.

The sergeant explained to the 7-man, 5-woman jury that the bags and digital scales are commonly used in the pack-aging and distribution of the drug.

Defense attorney, Mark Racer, told the jury that his client did not dispute posses-sion of the drug but disagreed with the charge that he in-tended to distribute it.

District Attorney Steven Reis and First Assistant Lind-say Deshotels encouraged the jury to use common sense in reasoning that a person who merely used the drug would have no use for the scale and numerous multi-sized bags.

The jury quickly agreed; finding Simons guilty within 30 minutes of deliberation.

During the penalty phase

of trial, Simons admitted that he had been convicted of bur-glary of a habitation when he was 19 years old.

That admission was fol-lowed by evidence of other allegations against Simons.

Sheriff’s Lieutenant James Orr described his findings during an investigation of a shooting in Van Vleck the day before Simons’ arrest.

“We observed what ap-peared to be a bullet hole in the fascia board of the house,” said Orr. He later de-scribed what appeared to be bullet holes through the door knob and lock of the back door.

When asked by Reis wheth-er these observations were consistent with the account provided by the victim, Lind-say Simons, Orr said yes.

Lindsay Simons is the wife of the defendant according to court testimony.

Sheriff’s Sergeant Matthew Mireles described events which took place at the de-fendant’s residence after the alleged shooting.

“We were checking on the welfare of the child [of Simons and his wife, Lind-say],” said Mireles.

“He would not come out-side,” Mireles testified, “he said he would only come out in a body bag.”

Mireles then described that he saw a young child being held in front of a window as deputies spoke with Simons.

“I could see hands holding the child [in front of the win-dow],” said Mireles. Mireles described that it appeared Si-mons was hiding behind the child.

The confrontation was de-fused, according to Mireles, when the mother of Simons came to the residence and

took the child into her care.Simons’ mother, Rosemary

Maples, testified that her son has had emotional and mental issues since he was a young child.

She told the jury she be-lieves Simons will kill him-self if sent to prison.

She admitted she became aware that he was using ille-gal drugs and selling them to support his own use.

Lindsay Simons told the jury of events leading up to the alleged shooting.

According to the defen-dant’s wife, Simons was abusive and the violence es-calated during the marriage. She said she unsuccessfully sought shelter from the Crisis Center days before the May 22 report to law enforcement.

In a short closing argu-ment, Racer requested mercy.

Reis and Deshotels high-lighted what they described as the defendant’s total dis-regard for authority, law and the safety of the community.

Deshotels told the jury they should not permit the defen-dant to make them feel guilty for making a correct decision about punishment.

An hour later, the jury de-livered a verdict of life in prison and added a $5,000 fine.

At the conclusion of the trial, Simons was shackled and brought back to court for sentencing by 130th Judicial District Judge Craig Estlin-baum.

According to Reis, Simons has additional charges pend-ing and is scheduled for trial on those charges in 2019.

In the meantime, said Reis, he will be transported to the Texas Department of Crimi-nal Justice to begin his life sentence.

Asked whether he would be eligible for parole, Reis explained that the law per-mits consideration after 15 years including an inmate’s “good time credits.”

Matagorda Co. meth dealer sentenced to life in prison

THE OUTRIGGEREvent Center6thStreet & Commerce

February 11th - with Lunch $20Live music provided by Harry Briscoe and band. Harry is a veteran guitarist, fiddler, singer and preacher. Lunch is BBQ brisket.

Doors open at 12:30pm Music :2pm to 4pm

Visit us @ outriggereventcenter.comFor Tickets or Reservations call 361-920-6513

OLD TIME GOSPEL MUSIC

February 14th - 6:30pm - $30To support live music at the Outrigger. Joni and Al Flores will sing the romantic classics: Sinatra, Como, Mathis. These Palacians have harmonized all over Europe and the USA. They are donating their

time and talent. Buffet Dinner.

VALENTINE’S DAY FUNDRAISER

Courtesy Matagorda Co. DA Office

released the following state-ment:

"This morning there was a tragic incident at Tidehaven ISD and one of our students has passed away. Tidehaven ISD staff responded imme-diately and called emergency services who responded and transported the student to a local hospital. We are work-ing with our students and staff today and will make counseling resources avail-able to them as needed. Out of respect for the family, and due to privacy laws, we are unable to provide further

details regarding the inci-dent at this time. There is no reason to believe that there is a threat to our students or campus at this time. Please be assured that the health and safety of Tidehaven ISD stu-dents is our top priority.Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Tidehaven ISD community."

MCSO Lt. James Orr said an autopsy has been or-dered to be performed by the Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office to deter-mine the cause of death.

The 2nd AnnualMatagorda Bay BIRDFEST

GOT BIRD?Best Parade entry wins

$500.00

PALACIOS PARADE of BIRDSIndividual, Group or Company

Saturday, February 17th

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.Line up at City Park @11a.m.

Palacios Beacon - Wed., February 7, 2018 - Page 3DEADLINE 5 P.M. FRIDAY

You’re Reading One Now!

EVEN LITTLE ADS GET ATTENTION!

Bird NotesCathy Wakefield(361)404-1198

International Crane Foundation - Volunteer

ARRESTSEarnest Earl Taylor, 62, Louise, was ar-

rested in the 300 block of Henderson Ave at 11:32 a.m. on Jan. 26. Assault.

Alicia Ann Edwards, 30, 501 Henderson Ave, was arrested in the 200 block of E. Bayshore Dr. at 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 27. No Driver’s License, Possession of Marijuana.

Joseph Ray Calderon, 30, 703 Johnson Ave, was arrested in the 200 block of E. Bayshore Dr. at 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 27. Pos-session of Marijuana.

Andrew Chase Richie, 22, Shertz, TX, was arrested in the 300 block of E. Bay-shore Dr. at 10:23 p.m. on Jan. 28. Warrant Service Out of County.

INCIDENTSAssault/FV Impede Breathing: Officer

was dispatched to the 1100 block of Rorem Ave at 2:11 p.m. on Jan. 27 in reference to a lapsed domestic incident.

Burglary of a Vehicle: Officer was dis-patched to Turning Basin #3 at 3:00 a.m. on Jan. 28 in reference to a burglary of a boat.

Forgery: Officer was contacted by a lo-cal business owner at 12:36 p.m. on Jan 29 in reference to a forged check.

Theft: Officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Moore Ave at 9:00 a.m. on Jan. 30

in reference to a theft.Burglary of a Building: Officer was dis-

patched to the 400 block of 4th St. at 8:00 a.m. on Jan. 31 in reference to a report of a burglary.

Burglary of a Building: Officer was dis-patched to the 200 block of Commerce St. at 8:00 a.m. on Feb. 2 to investigate a re-port of a burglary of a building.

Welfare Check: Officer was dispatched to the Henderson Apts. at 7:27 p.m. on Feb. 1 in reference to a welfare check on a sub-ject.

Individuals listed have been arrested and/or charged with an offense. Inclusion in this report does not imply that the person is guilty of any crime. The following are offense and arrest reports submitted by the Palacios Police Dept. to the Palacios Beacon as of noon Friday.

• Palacios Police Reports •

From the Police ChiefBy Police Chief David Miles

The string of burglaries has continued this week; it appears that money is the main tar-get, but don’t let your guard down. Make sure your vehicles and tool boxes are locked also.

DJ’s on Saturday Nights814 Henderson (Hwy 35) • Palacios • 361-356-1072

Come Join the Fun

Open 7 Days A Week • 10 a.m.-2 a.m.No Minors after 9 p.m.

~ Mixed Drinks & Draft Beer ~

Omar’s Bar & Grill

Birds, Birders and BirdFest 2018In celebration of the second Annual

Matagorda Bay Birdfest, the all volunteer team brings a new venue to this years cele-bration. “THE SPIRIT OF THE AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER” is a county wide art contest where participating students have had the opportunity to work with The Gulf Coast Observatory’s (GCBO) Susan Heath and Emma Shelly. As a leading wildlife Biologist and researcher who focuses on the plight of the American Oystercatcher, Susan Heath has much to share with the schoolkids of Matago-rda County. It is through the GCBO’s new outreach Educator, Emma Shelly, that the kids in our counties schools can learn more than just how to draw the Brown and Black bird with the pronounced Orange Beak who calls Matagorda County Home. They have had the chance to ask questions about the plight of the bird as it re-lates to our regions habitat and its nesting habits.

Learning more than just how to draw the bird is part of the shared goal that culmi-nates in a surprise concert in Palacios the Friday night that sets off Birdfest 2018. On February 16th, a free concert

by classical guitarist Susan McDonald. Susan has played for the PISD Young Audiences program in Palacios. See more on this FREE event open to all on the Matagorda Bay Bird-fests’ website: www.matagordabaybirdfest.org and more on Susan McDonalds music at www.animalballets.com.

The Concert and Art Contest Awards Cer-emony begins at 7:00 and ends at 8:30 and will be held at Palacios High Schools Fine Arts Building, just north of the Stadium, 100 Shark Drive.

Prizes in two age categories to be awarded at the end of the Concert.

• Computer Diagnostics• Brake Service• AC Service• Tune Up

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• Insurance Claims Welcomed

Collision Repair Specialist

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ReddyAir Conditioning &

HeatingSales, Services, and Installations

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Minh T. ThachOwner

minhthach123@yahoo.com

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Campbell-HuittInsurance

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361-972-2551Auto-BondsBusinessHomeLifeFlood

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is beginning enforcement efforts across the state fo-cusing specifically on violations of the state’s Move Over/Slow Down law. These periodic enforcement operations by DPS Troopers are planned through-out the year at various locations in Tex-as, with several operations planned in February.

The law, originally passed in 2003, re-quires motorists to move over or slow down when certain vehicles – including police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation vehicles and tow trucks – are stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated.

“Our Highway Patrol Troopers and

other officers risk their lives every day for the people of Texas, and their safety is particularly vulnerable while work-ing on the side of the road, where the slightest mistake by a passing motorist can end in tragedy,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “While our officers are serving and protecting Texans, we’re asking drivers to do their part by adher-ing to the law – simply move over or slow down.”

Specifically, Texas law states that a driver must either:

• Vacate the lane closest to the appli-cable vehicles stopped on the side of the road (if the road has multiple lanes trav-eling in the same direction), or

• Slow down 20 mph below the speed limit. (If the speed limit is below 25 mph, the driver must slow down to 5 mph.)

Drivers should only move over if they can do so safely and legally;

otherwise, they should slow down.“In light of the numerous vehicle

crashes that occur in Texas and across the nation on a daily basis, and the un-fortunate fact the many still violate the state law that has been in effect for nearly 15 years, we are increasing our enforcement and education efforts relat-ed to this law,” said Director McCraw. “In addition to complying with the law to protect those who work on the side of the road, we encourage motorists to show the same courtesy to fellow driv-ers stopped along our roadways. Let’s all get home safely.”

Violations of the law can result in a fine of up to $200; the fine increases to $500 if there is property damage. If vio-lators cause bodily injury, they can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor, resulting in possible jail time and a max-imum fine of $2,000.

Preliminary data from 2017 shows that DPS issued more than 10,650 warn-ings and citations to motorists violating the Move Over/Slow Down law.

FAMILY PRACTICE CLINICMon.-Fri./9am to 7pm

EMERGENCY ROOM: 24/7Physical Therapy, Radiology and

Laboratory Services

“We are here to Heal”

311 Green Ave.361-972-2511

Si habla Espanol

Locals reported seeing many winter residents in the area. Tom Wise counted several hundred Common Goldeneye in Carancahua Bay. He took some interesting photos of a North-ern Cardinal, male, that was almost pink-colored. Other folks at Schicke Point have seen many Snow Geese foraging in the fish pond fields, between FM 3280, (Matagorda County), and CR 312, (Calhoun County). Laurie Beck reported seeing an American Oystercatcher and Roseate Spoonbill. Bob Fried-richs reported seeing the following: In a field coming into town: Sandhill Cranes, and Northern Cardinal and Northern Mockingbird at home. Lookout Point: Red-breasted Mergan-ser, some in breeding plumage, Buffleheads, Dunlin, Short-billed Dowitchers, Black Skimmers, Ruddy Turnstones, a mix of gulls and terns, Semipalmated Plover, Killdeer, Long-billed Curlew, Osprey and Common Loons, (27!). He sug-gested that we start watching for Purple Martins to return. Miss Murphy has reported seeing changes in the European Starlings’ bill coloration, turning from brown, winter hues, to yellow. She sees many in her yard and neighborhood. Red-tailed Hawks are still a common sight. Don’t forget about Matagorda Bay Bird-fest, coming up February 16 – 18th. For information, visit their website, www.matago-rdabaybirdfest.org.

We know that the Whoop-ing Cranes have been expand-ing their range. A citizen’s group has started an informal reporting program. Anytime, you see Whoopers, outside of their known range, (ANWR), please report it to Tom Wise, ttomspalm@aol.com, or Cathy Wakefield, cathywake-field78@gmail.com. While there is a Whooper Watch online program, I have heard of few folks reporting their sightings here. By increasing awareness of these majestic birds, and the quality habitat they require, especially here on the Texas coast, (a mix of salt marsh wetlands, and freshwater ponds), there is a greater the chance of that landowners will be willing to set aside quality land in anticipation of the Whooping Cranes’ expansion needs.

To order a telegram to be delivered on Valentine’s Day

please contact any of the FOE Ladies or you may call

Kayla Sanchez @ 361-484-4186

DPS ramping up move over/slow down enforcement

FILING (Continued From Page 1)

on the line.Pos. 2 incumbent Judy

Chavez has reached her Charter allotted term limit and Pos. 1 incum-bent Johnny Tran has yet to make his intentions known.

In the PISD races, there have been no new entries.

Incumbents Rob Kessler in Pos. 1 and Peter Estraca in Pos. 2 have both filed for re-election.

The last day to file for a place on the general elec-tion ballot is 5 p.m. on next Fri. (Feb. 16).

Ballot position drawing will be held February 26 at 4:30 p.m.

The last day to register to vote in May’s election is April 5.

The first day of early voting begins on April 23 and runs thru May 1.

B & S Meat Market Corner of 8th Street and FM 1468

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Deer Processing and Custom Slaughtering

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Family 4 Pack: $46.99

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AUSTIN — House Speaker Joe Straus on Jan. 31 said a new state audit raises questions about the management of the state Health and Human Services Commission and illustrates the need for legislative hearings.

A report released last week by the State Auditor’s Office found that HHSC allowed Superior Health Plan Inc. to report approxi-mately $29.6 million in bonus and incentive payments paid to affiliates’ employees, even though those payments were not allowed under the state’s contract with Superior. The state agency also approved Superior’s request to report affiliate profits as costs without fol-lowing the approval process contained in the state’s contract with Superior.

“This audit highlights serious weaknesses in HHSC’s oversight of its own contracts. Taxpayers have a right to expect that the Commission will hold providers to contract requirements. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first example of HHSC failing to properly enforce requirements in taxpayer-funded contracts. This audit shows that there is a lot of room for improvement at HHSC,” Straus said.

Some $80 billion of the state’s $217 bil-lion budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal biennium is funding the Health and Human Services Commission and the agencies it oversees.

Revenue total increasesTexas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Feb.

2 announced that state sales tax revenue to-taled $2.67 billion in January, an amount 9.1

percent more than the total recorded for January 2017.

Sales tax revenue is the largest source of funding for the state budget, ac-counting for 58 percent of all tax collections. Growth in sales tax revenue oc-curred across all major economic sectors in Janu-ary, led by collections from the mining, construction and wholesale trade sec-tors.

Manufacturing, retail trade and restaurant sec-tors also saw strong gains. Hegar reported total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in January was up 10.8 percent compared to the same period in 2017.

Revenue from other major taxes on motor vehicle sales and rentals, motor fuels and oil and natural gas production also rose in Janu-ary. Notably, oil and natural gas production taxes, which totaled an estimated $407 mil-lion for the month, were up 63.9 percent from January 2017.

Get ready to vote, TexansFeb. 5 was the voter registration deadline. On Jan. 31, Secretary of State Rolando Pab-

los reminded Texans to be ready to cast their vote in the March 6 Primary Election.

Pablos encouraged eligible voters to ensure that they (1) are registered to vote in their county of residence; (2) are aware of what they need to bring to the polls in order to cast a ballot; and (3) contact their county elections office to (a) become familiar with their ballot; (b) locate their appro-priate polling location; and (c) plan their trip to the polls.

“I commend all Texans who take responsibility for their civic duty by exercising their right to vote,” Pablos said, adding: “Most importantly, I encourage all Texans to work together to ensure that our youngest generation is in-stilled with a tradition of vot-ing and encouraged to make their voices heard at the ballot box.”

Paxton hails court rulingTexas Attorney General

Ken Paxton praised a Lub-bock federal court’s Feb. 1 ruling in his lawsuit seeking

relief from obeying 2012 guidelines issued under President Obama by the Equal Employment Oppor-tunity Commission.

The guidelines limit the ability of employers, in-cluding the state and its agencies, from categori-cally excluding convicted felons from certain em-ployment positions.

In part of his multi-pronged order, Senior U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings ruled in partial agreement with the state’s position, saying, “There are cer ta in ly

many categories of employ-ment for which specific criminal history profiles of applicants would be a poor fit and pose far too great a risk to the state of Texas and its citizens.”

However, Cummings add-ed that “a categorical denial of employment opportuni-ties to all job applicants con-victed of a prior felony paints too broad a brush and denies meaningful opportunities of employment to many who could benefit greatly from such employment in certain

positions.”Cummings ordered the EEOC to promul-

gate an enforceable, substantive rule.Abbott comments on arrests

Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement following the announcement by the Texas Department of Public Safety that the Texas Rangers on Feb. 1 had arrested four suspects on charges of misconduct at the Texas Juve-nile Justice Department.

“Misconduct on the part of employees en-trusted with the responsibility of protecting our youth will not be tolerated,” Abbott said.

The arrests come after Abbott directed the Texas Rangers to investigate reports of sexual misconduct and inappropriate relationships at state youth detention facilities.

DEADLINE 5 P.M. FRIDAYPage 4 - Palacios Beacon - Wed., February 7, 2018

C R I M ESTOPPERS1-800-299-2878

Matagorda County Crime Stop-pers provides citizens with a toll-free number to call to report crime and drugs in your area. If your in-formation leads to an arrest and charges, you can receive a cash reward. Callers do not have to give their names to qualify for a reward.

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Palacios Beacon, P. O. Box 817, Palacios, TX 77465.

Published Weekly each Wednesday By:PALACIOS BEACON

City by the Sea Publishing, LLC809 First St. • P. O. Box 817

Palacios, Texas 77465

Palacios Beacon

State Capital

HIGHLIGHTSBy Ed Sterling

TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION

Straus: Audit reveals need for stronger oversight at state agency

DONALD TRUMPU.S. President

1600 Pennsylvania Ave.Washington, D.C. 20500

www.whitehouse.gov/contact(202) 456-1111 –––––––––––––

JOHN CORNYNU.S. Senator

517 Hart Senate Office Bldg.Washington, DC 20510

202-224-2934Houston Office

5300 Memorial Drive Suite 980Houston, TX 77007

713-572-3337–––––––––––––

TED CRUZU.S. Senator

Russell Senate Office Bldg 404Washington, DC 20510

Main: 202-224-5922Houston Office

808 Travis Street Suite 1420Houston, TX 77002

(713) 718-3057–––––––––––––

BLAKE FARENTHOLDU.S. Representative

District 272110 Rayburn House Office Bldg.

Washington, D.C. 20515(202) 225-7742 Corpus Office

101 North Shoreline Blvd.Corpus Christi, TX 78401

(361) 884-2222–––––––––––––

GREG ABBOTTGovernor

P.O. Box 12428Capitol Ooffice

Austin, Tx. 78711-2428(512) 463-1762–––––––––––––

LOIS KOLKHORSTState Senator

District 18P.O. Box 12068Capitol Station

Austin, Tx. 7871Lois.Kolkhorst@senate.texas.gov

(512) 463-0118District Address

2000 S. Market St. #101Brenham, TX 77833

(979) 251-7888––––––––––––

DENNIS BONNENState Representative

P.O. Box 2910Capitol Station

Austin, Tx. 78768(512) 463-0564District Address122 E. Myrlte St.

Angleton, Tx 77515–––––––––––

NATE McDONALDMatagorda County Judge

1700 7th StreetBay City, Tx. 77414

(979) 244-7605–––––––––––

SKIPPER OSBORNEMatagorda County Sheriff

2308 Avenue FBay City, Tx. 77414

(979) 245-5526–––––––––––––––JAMES GIBSON

Pct. 3 County CommissionerCounty Barn, Hwy 35-North

Palacios, Tx. 77465(361) 972-2719–––––––––––––GLEN SMITHPalacios Mayor

City Hall, 311 HendersonP.O. Box 845

Palacios, Tx. 77465(361) 972-3605

WHERE TO WRITE & CALLYOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS

HELP MAKETHE NEW FIRE

HOUSE A REALITY.

PLEASE DONATE HERE.

PVFD P.O. Box 212

Palacios, TX 77465

Letters ToThe EditorThank you PCMC for caring...Dear Editor,

I am interested in providing a healthy and creative program for the youth of Palacios and surrounding area. And I think a aquarium would be a good way for our youth to interact with nature in an emotional and uplift-ing way. I have been involved with church sponsored summer camps at Ingleside New Testament Church and Aransas Pass Vacation Bible Schools, plus helping my wife raise 8 children and 18 grandchdildren.

What I am finding with some of our youth today, who have come from dysfunctional and single parent uprais-ing, is that they have not received the character building blocks of empathy and affection in their own lives, re-sulting in lack of virtue, patience and focus. Your input and support would be appreciated.

Gerald Shedd

The Matagorda County Republican Party and Steven and Margie Wier will host a Meet and Greet for GOP Candidates and Elected Officials on Friday, February 9 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.. The event will be at the Wier's home located at 1717 E. Bayshore Dr. in Palacios Tx. Appetiz-ers and drinks will be served. Candidates and Elected Officials who can attend will be in-troduced and ask to say a few words. Many of the Matagorda County GOP faithful and other potential voters to be in attendance. You are welcome to bring guests with you if you want to.

Please RSVP via email to mswier1@gmail.com.

The Matagorda County Republican Party regularly meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Service Center located at 2105 Avenue M in Bay City. Find the organization on the web at www.matagord-acountygop.org.

Matagorda County GOP to meet Fri.

5 YEARS AGO-2013The Palacios teams nducted into the Palacios High School

Hall of Honor were the Sharkette basketball teams of 1957-58 and 1977-78, the 2007 Sharkette volleyball team and the 2007 Shark football team.

10 YEARS AGO-2008Four members of the historic 2007 Palacios Shark football

team were selected to the Class 3A All-State Football team with Aaron Buckley, Alex Buckley, Eric Rojas and Henry Solis.

15 YEARS AG0-2003Brittany Seaman pumped in 27 points to lead the freshman

Sharkettes past Needville on the basketball court.20 YEARS AGO-1998

Justin Zarate was presented a $500 certificate to buy a beef or dairy heifer for being one of the winners in the calf scramble at the Fort Worth Stock Show.

Adrian Aguilar was named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester at Sam Houston State University.

25 YEARS AGO-1993R.C. “Sharkey” Shelton was named the Palacios Cham-

ber of Commerce’s 1993 Man of the Year. The Woman of the Year Award went to Palacios City Councilwoman Chris Woll. The Palacios Beacon was named Business of the Year.

The Sears Catalog Store in Palacios owned by Hank Huitt would be closing after Sears announced it was closing 2,000 such outlets.

30 YEARS AGO-1988Ann Herlin of the Palacios Academic Decathlon team

returned from Harlingen bearing two medals.40 YEARS AGO-1978

The helicopter and pilot that disappeared last Wednesday morning on a flight from an offshore rig southeast of Palacios to Vanderbilt was reported still missing.

Mr. and Mrs. George Frangullie, concession operators of the Port Lavaca Causeway State Fishing Pier for 10 years, gave up the business and are returning to Palacios.

50 YEARS AGO-1968Patti Anderson was in the Valentine Sweetheart’s race.L.J. Junek was presented the Outstanding Cotton Farmer

Award and Harold Bowers the Jaycees’ Outstanding Young FarmerAward at the Bay City Chamber of Commerce Banquet.

55 YEARS AGO-1963Helen Boling was leading the Valentine Sweetheart’s race.Miss Jan Oglesby was installed as Worthy Advisor of the

Palacios Assembly Rainbow for Girls.60 YEARS AGO-1958

Capt. and Mrs. Guy Claybourn, who were stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, announced the arrival of their baby daughter.

Mrs. Hilma S. Huitt announced she would be a candidate for re-election to county clerk.

65 YEARS AGO-1953R.H. Neeley and Alton Queen were appointed directors

of the Palacios Chamber of Commerce to fill two vacancies.70 YEARS AGO-1948

Jack Maddox was elected president of the Palacios Cham-ber of Commerce.

George L. Harrison had completed his engineering course at Texas A&M.

75 YEARS AGO-1943Ted A. Elder was elected chief of the Palacios Volunteer

Fire Department; John Bowden, assistant chief; Joe B. Feather, secretary-treasurer; and Dan Paulk, Ed Barrett, Russell Wil-liams and John C. Richards, foremen.

80 YEARS AGO-1938A petition was being circulated asking the Matagorda

County Commissioners’ Court to call a bond issue election for the erection of a county hospital.

85 YEARS AGO-1933Elmore Schier, who had been manager of the local Central

Power and Light Company for several years, was transferred to Eagle Lake.

Mrs. L.H. Buller sold her home on 4th Street to Mr. and Mrs. John Runkle of Kansas.

95 YEARS AGO-1923Sports fans enjoyed a two hour wrestling match at the

Queen Theater between Lee Thomkins and Bert Willoughby. The match ended in a draw after each won a fall.

Palacios Beacon - Wed., February 7, 2018 - Page 5DEADLINE 5 P.M. FRIDAY

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