Local News

Independence Day was celebrated through the rain around Austin County over the weekend with a 190th birthday and plenty of fireworks. The City of Industry – Texas’ oldest permanent German settlement – celebrated 190 years since its founding with a party in the park on Main Street Saturday, July 3.

Friday, July 2, the Sealy ISD Board of Trustees held a special meeting at Sealy Elementary and approved the hire of Jay Janczak as principal of Maggie B. Selman Elementary.

A year after being forced to cancel the annual summer festival due to the pandemic, Sealybration returns this weekend with a full schedule set to kick off Friday, July 9. Sealybration organizers say they are prepared for record-setting crowds at Mark A. Chapman Park, located at 145 Lux Road.

The Irene LeBlanc Pool at Sealy’s Cryan Park is open and ready for business six days a week during the summer. Visit the pool Tuesday through Sunday from noon until 8:00 p.m.

Texas State Senator Lois Kolkhorst will speak at Industry, Texas’ Celebrate America event on July 3 in Industry’s City Park at 725 Main Street. This day will also mark the 190th anniversary of Industry’s founding.

Last Monday morning, June 21, Combined Community Action came to Irene LeBlanc Pool in Sealy to giveaway box fans and cooling towels to eligible families. Residents could arrive at Cryan Park, stay in their car while filling out information then pickup fans and heat preventative items before being on their way. Visit CCAction.com or find Combined Community Action on Facebook for more information.

What an odd 15 months it’s been. The Friends of the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site wanted to reassure stakeholders that things are starting to normalize. Hopefully, visitors return to the historic site in full swing this summer, or certainly by the fall if you’re waiting for cooler weather.

The Department of State Health Services hosted vaccine clinics at B&PW Park at the end of last week and the beginning of this week. Last Friday’s clinic was to administer the second shot of the Moderna vaccine while Monday’s had the first dose available.

Betsy’s Bakery opened for business last week at 125 2nd Street in Sealy. Betsy Harlan and Jacob Haverlah, both life-long Sealy residents, own and operate the bakery and café that is open Tuesday-Sunday and offers breakfast and lunch options in addition to sweets.

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Queen of Angels, had a second fundraiser June 4. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the court wasn’t able to have their bake sales with the KC’s Lenten Fish Fries.