April 2021

Tri-County ER Community Coordinator Renee Poulter and BMC Marketing Director Nancy Dornon (photographer) met with Russ Rainwater, Sealy EDC Executive Director Kimbra Hill, Austin County EMS Chief Walter Morrow and Sealy Mayor Carolyn Bilski (not pictured) to discuss current and future healthcare needs in the south end of Austin County. The collaboration was very active and productive. Leaders in Sealy, as well as residents in the entire county, will soon have the opportunity to weigh in on those same healthcare issues as part of Bellville Medical Center’s upcoming Community Health Needs Assessment. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Earlier in April, the Austin County Leadership Advisory Board (LAB) hosted its Annual Meeting in Sealy, Texas at the American Legion Hall. The Leadership Advisory Board was created in 2006 to assist the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in developing a long-term vision for their educational programs.

At April 21’s Austin County A&M Club Aggie Muster, 18 local students were selected as scholarship recipients from the Austin County A&M Club. Seven students from Sealy High School, six from Bellville High School, one from Brazos High School, three Sealy High alumni and one Bellville High alumnus were among the honorees.

Faith Academy of Bellville’s “Putting on the Ritz Roaring 20’s Prom” was held on Saturday, April 17. Most all of the high school students attended the ritzy evening, all decked out in their finer duds, enjoying and dancing to the music of earlier times as well as modern day.

The Blinn College District Board of Trustees approved the naming of the health sciences portion of the Brenham Campus science, technology, engineering, and innovation (STEI) building in honor of the BetsWest Foundation and Sally Blackie-Sengel, and also approved a new program that will launch in the facility in Spring 2022 during its regular meeting Tuesday.

A bid to expand health coverage for low-income Texans failed in the Texas House last week, 80-68. State leaders have long opposed expanding the Medicaid program, which is largely funded by the federal government.

Cat Spring Volunteer Fire Department added a 2021 Freightliner water tender to their fleet thanks to a cost share grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program and support from their community.