News

The 87th session of the Texas Legislature opened Tuesday with COVID-19 encompassing every aspect of what the lawmakers do, according to new House Speaker Dade Phelan. “COVID, obviously, it will be a blanket over the entire session,” Phelan told his hometown TV station, KFDM Channel 6, in Beaumont.

The first known case of a new and more contagious coronavirus strain has been reported in Texas, in an adult male resident of Harris County who had no history of travel, according to the state health services department and County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

On Jan. 5, COVID-19 patients accounted for more than 15% of hospitals’ capacity for over a week in the Trauma Service Area that includes Austin, Colorado and Waller Counties.

At the executive session of Sealy City Council’s Jan. 5 meeting, the council rejected the separation proposal from City Manager Lloyd Merrell, who resigned from his position then was placed on paid administrative leave on Dec. 14.

To begin the new year, Austin County officials were sworn into office in a special meeting of commissioners court on Jan. 1.

Bellville’s Sybil McKay (2) and Sealy’s Avery Oliver (40) fight for the tip-off that opened the District 24-4A contest between the Brahmanettes and Lady Tigers last Friday in Bellville. The game needed all 32 minutes to decide a winner, head to the sports section for the full story. Cole McNanna