The Sealy News

Bryan Vacha, right, pulls a dog off a wild hog that Matt Noviskie has under control during a hunt last spring in Colorado County.

Earlier this year Austin County placed a bounty on wild hogs. With $10,000 set aside to cover the bounty, hog hunters can collect $5 for each pair of ears they redeem at Steinhauser’s in Sealy … more

By Joe Southern editor@sealynews.com | 7/15/20

Virus cases skyrocket to 133

According to numbers reported by the state to Austin County Judge Tim Lapham, the number of COVID-19 cases in the county skyrocketed in the last week from 90 to 133 with 87 of those still considered … more

By Joe Southern editor@sealynews.com | 7/15/20

Sealy Superintendent Bryan Hallmark, left, said he was pleased with the district’s first survey inquiring about families’ comfort levels with sending students back to school in the fall. Pictured are Hallmark and board President Ryan Reichardt presenting the superintendent’s report at the May 27 meeting of the board of trustees in the junior high school cafeteria.

Survey: Parents favor in-school classes this fall

A survey by the Sealy Independent School District shows that more than half of parents with children in the district favor having their children attending classes in person this fall. At the time … more

By Cole McNanna | 7/15/20

Heriberto Silva is wanted by Wallis police for the murder of Jason Zavala.

Wallis man shot to death

A Wallis man was shot to death at his home Sunday around 11:30 a.m. and police are searching for his killer. Jason Zavala, who lived at 6619 Guyler St. in Wallis, was allegedly killed by Heriberto … more

From staff reports | 7/15/20

Runoff election results

With only 5% of eligible voters casting their ballots in Austin County for Tuesday’s runoff election, local Democrats had the largest ballot of statewide races to choose.With only one race on … more

From staff reports | 7/14/20

City council meets Wednesday online

The Sealy City Council postponed its regular in-person meeting from last Tuesday until Wednesday, July 15, at 6 p.m. online. Prior to the meeting, it will hold a workshop at 5 p.m. to discuss drainage issues. more

From staff reports | 7/14/20

Austin County Commissioners met for court Monday morning in the basement of the courthouse. The commissioners and county judge were seated approximately two feet apart and only one, Mark Lamp (right), wore a mask despite orders by Gov. Greg Abbott. After court, one of the commissioners received word he had tested positive for COVID-19. Pictured from the left are commissioners Chip Reed, Randy Reichardt, County Judge Tim Lapham, and commissioners Bobby Rinn and Mark Lamp.

Commissioner tests positive for COVID-19

An unnamed Austin County Commissioner was informed Monday after meeting in commissioners court that he had tested positive for COVID-19. On Tuesday morning it was reported that a second test came … more

By Joe Southern | 7/13/20 | 1 comment

Westbound I-10 lane change Tuesday night

Interstate 10 westbound mainlanes will be closed for traffic shifting operations Tuesday night at 7 p.m. Westbound mainlane traffic will be moved to the westbound exit to Chew Road/Mlcak Road … more

7/13/20

Runoff election is today

Austin County voters have several items on the ballot today's runoff election. Republicans have a short ballot this time around with only one race on the ticket. Terry Adams is facing James … more

From staff reports | 7/13/20

Faith Academy Bellville holds virtual Academy Awards

On May 20, Faith Academy Bellville launched the Annual High School Academy Awards with a virtual presentation. The virtual 2020 Academy Awards were hosted by junior Tanner David, videographer … more

Contributed report | 7/10/20

Father Eric Pitre presides over his final mass as priest of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Sunday, June 28. He retired July 1.

Pitre reflects on a life of service

“The two best decisions I’ve made in my life are entering seminary and moving to Sealy,” Fr. Eric Pitre said, just three days after retiring from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Born … more

By Joe Southern | 7/9/20

Firefighters battle a housefire Tuesday afternoon on Klopesteck Road.

House a total loss in fire

A house was destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon in a blaze of unknown origin that appeared to have spread from an adjacent shed. The house on Klopesteck Road was fully engulfed around 5 p.m. … more

From staff reports | 7/8/20

Main Street has recently been repaved and striping is expected to take place as soon as next week.

Main Street repaved

Things are looking a little blank on Main Street right now, but that’s about to change. After months spent replacing water mains under Main Street, the city has repaved the road from the water … more

By Joe Southern | 7/8/20

Austin County Sheriff Jack Brandes, pictured here at a candidate’s forum earlier this year, said his office and the jail have not had any cases of COVID-19.

Law enforcement safe so far from virus

Despite the rise in cases of COVID-19, local law enforcement has managed to keep healthy during the pandemic. According to Austin County Sheriff Jack Brandes, none of his deputies or staff have … more

By Joe Southern | 7/8/20

Wearing matching masks at the ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday morning at Patches by Smith and Company are, from the left, Maraya Martinez, Hattie Schalla, Emily Luthor, and Kimbra Hill.

Facial fashion statements

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and the likelihood of wearing facial coverings becomes prolonged, more and more people are wearing custom masks. The Sealy News asked people on Facebook to … more

7/8/20

Samantha Grace Perko finished fourth at the Texas High School Rodeo Association’s girls cutting championship in June and punched her ticket to a second national competition.

Perko gearing up for second nationals go

After finishing in a tie for sixth place in the first round of the girls cutting competition at the Texas High School Rodeo Association State Finals Rodeo in Abilene last month, Sealy’s Samantha … more

By Cole McNanna | 7/8/20

Blinn’s virtual livestock judging camp draws 92 participants

The Blinn College Agricultural Sciences Department’s innovative virtual livestock judging camp held earlier this month attracted 92 participants from around the country. “It was a … more

Contributed report | 7/3/20

Big T’s Auto Detail waxes strong in Sealy

When your name is Big T, it’s hard sticking to anonymity in a small town — but as owner of Big T’s Auto Detail at 416 Hwy. 90 he found building bridges within a community can be just as … more

By Trenton Hooker Sealy News intern | 7/3/20

Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide mask order on Thursday.

Gov. issues face covering order

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Thursday issued an executive order that requires all Texans in counties with 20 or more cases of COVID-19 to wear a face mask or other covering in public. "Wearing a face … more

From staff reports | 7/2/20

The traffic signal on Highway 36 that has been blinking yellow for years now operates as a regular traffic light. Last week the Texas Department of Transportation activated the light and also one at the intersection of Highway 90 and Circle Street.

Stop lite to stoplight

Traffic has come to a stop on Highway 36 next to the shopping center and Chicken Express, and most residents are happy about it.For the first time in many years the stoplight that has been blinking a … more

By Joe Southern | 7/2/20