Local News

Hendrix Industries held its groundbreaking ceremony Friday morning at the site of the future quartz manufacturing plant on FM 3538 in Sealy.

This will be the first and only quartz manufacturing plant in Texas and expects to grow to employ between 130 and 150 skilled employee positions. Speakers at the ceremony included Sealy Mayor Carolyn Bilski, County Judge Tim Lapham, Hendrix Industries Owner and CEO Hank Vu and others.

During Wednesday’s special meeting of the Sealy City Council, the resignation of City Manager Warren Escovy was officially acknowledged and EDC Executive Director Kimbra Hill was announced as the incoming Interim City Manager.

Escovy started his third stint as the City of Sealy’s Interim City Manager after the departure of Lloyd Merrell Dec. 21, 2020, and was eventually hired for the full-time position during the April 20 regular meeting.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service was well represented on the 2020-2021 executive board of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, NEAFCS. AgriLife Extension professionals accounted for three of its 13 national board members, including Dianne Gertson, AgriLife Extension family and community health agent for Fort Bend County, who recently completed her one-year term as association president.

The Austin County Commissioners Court met in the county courthouse Monday, Dec. 13, to approve changes to voting districts within the county in an attempt to lower costs and move towards centralized voting locations.

The Blinn College District’s wind symphony and choirs will present “Sounds of the Season,” a musical tribute to the holiday season, Friday, Dec. 17, in the Festival Institute Concert Hall in Round Top.

Feelings of gratitude and community were abundant in Wallis last week as locals banded together to provide Thanksgiving meals to families in need. With the help of about a dozen volunteers, the Helping Hands of Wallis successfully hosted its inaugural Thanksgiving Community Food Drive and Giveaway.

Thanksgiving spirit was plentiful in Sealy last week as citizens worked together to ensure everybody had a chance to enjoy the holiday. Organizations like HOA Incorporated of Austin County Meals on Wheels and Saddleback Saloon Bar and Grill took unique approaches to make sure locals had an opportunity to enjoy a sense of community last Thursday.

Margaritas were flowing over the weekend as businesses in Downtown Sealy welcomed guests through their doors for the second annual Margaritas on Main event to celebrate Small Business Saturday. Despite the gloomy weather, shoppers came from Sealy and beyond to support local businesses and the Shops of Downtown Sealy.