Local News

An Austin County jury gave a local man the maximum punishment in court action before District Judge Jeff Steinhauser last Friday, May 21, for indecency with a child. The jury of eight women and four men sentenced Cesar Urbina, 38 of Industry, to life in prison for the crime that occurred in 2018.

Last Friday’s announcement by the Texas General Land Office of grants to local governments for flood mitigation prompted a victory dance by Austin County officials while the huge city lying to its east is singing the blues.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding families and businesses that they can save on the purchase of certain water- and energy-efficient products during the state’s Water-Efficient Products and ENERGY STAR® sales tax holidays.

The City of Sealy approved an ordinance that would restrict registered sex offenders from residing closer than 2,000 feet from where children gather. During the May 18 meeting of the Sealy City Council at the Hill Center, the council approved an ordinance regarding residency restrictions for registered sex offenders and restrictions on park entrances.

A fatality was reported Wednesday night, May 19, on a frontage road of Interstate 10 three miles west of Sealy. Patrick Ratcliffe, 36 of Sealy, was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Sergeant Stephen Woodard of the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed Ratcliffe’s 2019 Chevrolet pickup truck was traveling eastbound on the frontage road on the north side I-10, opposite of the direction of traffic.

The only reported injury was Ratcliffe’s.

The main-lane closure on Interstate 10 at the Brazos River originally scheduled for Saturday, May 22, has been postponed again to Thursday, May 27, according to a Tuesday update from the Texas Department of Transportation.

The Saturday closure was postponed to Monday, then because of the rain was pushed again to Thursday with the same start and end times.

The Garden Club of Sealy is introducing a Business Yard of the Month and the inaugural winner for May is Citizens State Bank at 222 Main Street in Sealy. To nominate a business’ yard, send suggestions to ThegardenclubofSealy@gmail.com.

Graze and Peace Charcuterie and Essential Family Nutrition, both owned by Hilary-Kate Kotwal, officially opened for business last Wednesday, May 12, on 318 2nd Street in Sealy, next to the First United Methodist Church.

Tri-County ER, Sealy’s emergency room affiliate of the Bellville Medical Center, held an anniversary gathering last Wednesday, May 12, in honor of the first year of local operation.

The Garden Club of Sealy’s Yard of the Month for May is Karen Vesely at 612 Dogwood Court. To nominate a front yard of your choosing, send suggestions to ThegardenclubofSealy@gmail.com.