News

State Comptroller Glenn Hegar last week released his agency’s plan to support the expansion of broadband internet access to areas with limited or no access. Hegar and his agency’s Broadband Development Office received feedback through a series of town halls, virtual discussions and more than 16,000 responses to a survey.

Aside from a home, a car or truck is the most expensive item many people ever buy. Vehicle prices have been very high over the last year-plus due to inventory shortages and shipping delays.

Turn summer into an adventure by becoming part of a real-life Austin County fairy tale at Newman’s castle. Michael Newman, owner of Newman’s Bakery, located at 504 E.

Kenny Brown, of Southland Farms in Sealy, sells some fresh produce to Ruth Heiser, who works at the Twisted Willow, at the first of Sealy’s third Saturday farmers markets which was held in the Main Street district on June 18. Brown said many of his customers throughout the day were from the Katy area and beyond. Babette Smith, organizer of the event and owner of Patches, said she anticipates even more booths will participate in future events. RAE DRADY

Two of the historical buildings in downtown were among the agenda items discussed by the Wallis City Council June 15. The building located at 6423 Commerce Street is currently being renovated and will become the catering kitchen for an empanada food truck company. The stand-alone building at 6503 Commerce Street will be turned into an event venue.

If your kid (or someone else you love) is going to spend too much time inside, in front of a computer/game system/television screen this summer, you can shake things up with some outdoor summer fun right here in Austin County. The time has come for evening nature hikes, or even “glamping.”

Larry Janicek shows off some of the fresh produce and canned goods available for sale at the Janicek Brothers farm stand, located on Highway 36 at Mixville Road. They have been setting up in this location from approximately Memorial Day weekend to Fourth of July for about 55 years. Their hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, but the stand is often open earlier or later. Melons, tomatoes, sweet corn, peas, watermelon, and many other fresh fruits and vegetables are available, as well as canned goods including: various pickles like Czech dill, garlic, and bread and butter; okra; beets; sauerkraut; garden medley; carrots; chow chow; corn relish; brussel sprouts; jelly; local honey; fresh shelled pecans; and homemade egg noodles. Janicek says they may not stay open all the way until Independence Day this year, but a new third Saturday Farmer’s Market in Sealy will have its “trial run” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, on Main Street, to provide for the fresh produce needs of the community as well. The Sealy City Council approved this first date of the new event at their June 7 meeting. RAE DRADY

The Texas Humdingers band performed in the gazebo at Levine Park in Sealy on Saturday for the Rock the Park event from 6-10 p.m. The event was sponsored by the Austin County Rotary Club, which intends to host these types of activities more regularly. HALLY GALVAN