“‘They told me that I would get the certificate’. Who are they? That’s the problem with somebody you hire that says, ‘Don’t worry, I’m going to take care of everything.’ In these days and times with contractors, that may not be the best scenario, so that’s why the de-partment’s here to protect you.” Wind damage is something every resident of coastal Texas should be concerned about, and Mike Babin, Education/Oversight Specialist with the Texas Department of Insurance spoke at last Thursday’s Palacios Chamber of Com-merce General Membership Meeting about Texas Windstorm Association’s

role insuring homes in the counties bordering the Gulf of Mexico.

Babin, a member of the Coastal Out-reach and Assistance Services Team (COAST), stressed that, though some minor, non-structural repairs do not require an inspection, a Texas Depart-ment of Insurance (TDI) inspector or an appointed Texas Licensed profes-sional engineer must inspect construc-tion and repair work for those wishing to gain or retain windstorm and hail coverage through the Texas Wind-storm Insurance Association (TWIA), which is purchased through your in-surance agency.

The main point made by Babin about windstorm inspections is that the actu-al inspection should occur during con-

struction, not before or after, when the inspector can see the work being done. All construction and repairs must meet the International Building Code (IBC) or the International Residential Code (IRC). The Texas Department of Insurance Windstorm Inspections Program will then issue a Certificate of Compliance, WPI-8, following con-struction, inspections, and submittal of paperwork to TDI.

To learn more about TWIA coverage and windstorm inspections, visit twia.org or www.tdi.texas.gov/wind, or call 1-800-788-8247.

Business of the MonthIn lieu of an actual business, this

Palacios Pride

Pick it uP

Proudly Serving The City By The Sea Since 1907USPS 418460 1 Section, 10 PAGeS

PalaciosPalaciosBEACONBEACON

(See WREATHS, Page 2)

$1.00

Candles, Old Wires,Christmas Trees Among

Potential Fire HazardsSee Page 7 See Page 10

TerrificTigers OfThe Week

See Page 2

FOEC Fashion Show

Fundraiser

Wreaths Across America pays visit to Palacios Cemetery Sat.

• Deadline for Articles, Display Ads 5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. Monday for Classifieds •

BY ALAN C. SCHULMANPalacios Beacon - Reporter

■ Open House Thurs. at First Financial Bank

First Financial Bank, located at 459 Main St., will hold is annual Open House from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Fri. (Dec. 13).

Importance of Windstorm Inspections presented at CofC

WEDNESDAYDEc. 11, 2019VOL. 112 • NO. 50

BEACONBRIEFS

P. O. Box 817 • 310 Fifth St.Palacios, TX 77465

(361) 972-3009palaciosbeacon@gmail.com

Website: palaciosbeacon.com

The OnlyNewspaper In The

World Published Just For The Palacios Area.

PALAcioS,

•

teXAS

Beacon Deadline 5 p.m. Friday

Except for paid advertising, all articles, photos or other information submitted on Monday will be published on a space available basis only.

thObserving Our

112Year1907-2019

Open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.Beacon Closed Wednesday

■ Blood Drive Fri. at PHS FAB

The Gulf Coast Blood Center along with PHS Student Council will host a blood drive at the Fine Arts Building on Fri. (Dec. 13) from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Give the gift of life because ev-ery person who donates blood save three lives. PHS encourages the community to come out and support this great cause during the holi-day season.

Santa & the Mrs. trawl into Seaside Holiday

(See CHAMBER, Page 3)

BY RYAN WESTPalacios Beacon-Publisher

Candidates for March primaries

The deadline to file for a place on the respective March 3 Republican and Democratic primaries was this past Monday (Dec. 9), and as the saying goes, deadlines certainly spur ac-tion.

It will be a three dog race for the Republican nomina-tion for Matagorda County Pct. 3 Commissioner with Ruben Gonzales, Steven Johnson and Dennis Smith. Whoever wins the nomina-tion will have more work to do in a November elec-tion as Palacios native Greg Seaman filed for the seat on

the Democratic ticket.In the race to replace

Dennis Bonnen in the Dis-trict 25 State Rep. chair, Mitch Thames of Bay City filed for a run at the crowd-ed Republican field, joining Troy Brimage, Ro’Vin Gar-rett, Rhonda Seth and Cody Vasut. Patrick Henry is the lone Dem on the ticket for a run at the State Rep. Dis-trict 25 seat.

Current Matagorda County Attorney Denise Fortenberry will forgo a reelection bid and instead will run unopposed on the Republican ballot, as of press time, for the vacant bench of the 130th District

Court.Incumbent Matago-

rda County Sheriff Frank ‘Skipper’ Osborne will have to fight off the chal-lenge of Bill Orton in the Republican primary.

Unopposed locally on the Republican ballot are: Jen-nifer Chau - Matagorda Co. Attorney; Becky Barrett Cook - Matagorda Co. Tax Assessor-Collector; Lois Kolkhorst - State Sen. Dis-trict 18; and Michael Cloud - U.S. Rep. District 27.

Incumbent U.S. Sena-tor John Cornyn will have to hold off primary chal-lengers Virgil Bieschwale,

(See FILE, Page 3)

This year the citizens of Palacios will have the privilege of honoring and remembering our veter-ans by laying wreaths in our Palacios cemetery. The Wreaths Across America ceremony will be held at Palacios cemetery on December 14 at 12 noon. Pa-lacios cemetery holds over 600 veterans that include veterans from the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War and the Vietnam War. All are welcome to attend the ceremony and help lay wreaths on De-cember 14th at 12 noon. Port Lavaca VFW Post 4403 Color guard and a bagpiper from Corpus Christi will support the ceremony. All are welcome to attend the ceremony. The Palacios Area Fund has graciously do-nated $1,500 toward the project.

Each December on National Wreaths Across Amer-ica Day, tens of thousands of Americans participate in wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as more than 1,600 additional loca-tions in all 50 U.S. states and abroad.

■ Pet Pictures With Santa Sat. at Pal. Vet. Clinic

The Palacios Vet-erinary Clinic will be sponsoring a Pictures with Santa fundraiser to help benefit the Clin-ic’s Good Samaritan Fund from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Sat. (Dec. 14). The Good Samaritan Fund helps animals in our community get the care they need and de-serve but cannot afford. A $25 donation is ap-preciated for your pet’s picture with Santa.

Mike Babin - Texas Department of Insurance

DEADLINE 5 P.M. FRIDAYPage 2 - Palacios Beacon - Wed., December 11, 2019

Palacios Pride

Pick it uP

•The Palacios Beacon • Serving the City by the Sea since 1907

El Campo cafeteria worker busted for child pornEL CAMPO: At least six little boys may have been

recorded while using the restroom at Northside El-ementary, police say, and the El Campo ISD cafete-ria director has been arrested in relation to the crime. El Campo maintenance workers uncovered the crime Monday when they found a camera in a boys bathroom at Northside Elementary. “They were replacing a toilet paper dispenser. (The camera) was attached to the old one,” Police Chief Terry Stanphill said. District offi-cials immediately contacted police and a search for ad-ditional cameras was conducted throughout the district with no more being found. Evidence on the camera led police to Scott Robert Gelardi, 42, of Rosenberg, the district’s food services chief, employed by food service contractor Aramark. Investigators are still pouring over evidence, but charges have already expanded from making an invasive visual recording in a bathroom or dressing room to include possession of child pornog-raphy and possession with the intent to promote child pornography. - El Campo Leader-News

Whooper pair return to Port AransasPORT ARANSAS: Two whooping cranes that have

spent quite a bit of time in Port Aransas over the last two winters reportedly have returned. The whoopers were spotted at the Port Aransas Nature Preserve at Charlie’s Pasture recently, according to Rae Mooney, nature preserve manager. She said that the two that returned to Port Aransas for a third year are likely a mated pair. “Whooping cranes mate for life,” she said. “Hopefully next year, they will have a juvenile with them.” There were only about a handful of whooping cranes about a century ago. Now, there are 504 whoop-ing cranes. - Port Aransas South Jetty

Junkyard sale: $76,000CAMERON: After more than 100 potential buyers

re-oriented themselves from a couple of hours trying not to get lost in what has legally been declared a junk-yard in the city of Cameron last Wednesday, they settled down to the serious business of buying. And buy they did, purchasing items that totaled more than $76,000, ending the first phase of what is envisioned as a mas-sive cleanup of the Richie Thrasher property. Thrasher was arrested, for the third time, two weeks ago for bail jumping/failure to appear and illegal dumping after several convictions, numerous fines, and years of or-ders from both Rockdale city government and Milam County to clean up the property or face more and more serious legal action. The property was seized by the county on Nov. 8. A large amount of items remain to be disposed of including old tires, lumber, appliances and trash, which will be gathered and hauled off, and scrap iron left behind will be sold and the money raised will go toward the cleanup effort, which is expected to cost several hundreds of thousands of dollars. - The Rockdale Reporter

PALACIOS BEACON

Area Briefs

FOEC Dinner, Fashion Show

& Auction fundraiser

INCIDENTS

WREATHS(Continued From Page 1)

389 Cedar Street P.O. Box 693Matagorda, TX 77457

Give yourself the gift of a new home!

Call the TLC Team for all your mortgage questions and needs.

Teri Treadway Area ManagerNMLS 208128979.863.7874

Letty AlvinedaMortgage Sales ManagerNMLS 225851713.965.4999

Christina WarmkeMortgage Sales ManagerNMLS 876435713.574.3999

Gateway Mortgage Group, a division of Gateway First Bank. Member FDIC. NMLS 7233.

Se Habla Español

• Republican Primary •

RUBENPct. 3 commissioner

The following have paid to have their names listed as candidates for office in either the Democratic or Republican Party Primary to be held March 3. The cost for the Candidate Listing is $30. The cost for the candidate list-ing plus a one time candidate announcement article is $50. The deadline for inclusion in the Candidate Listing or to submit a candidate announcement article is 5 p.m. Friday.

GONZALES[Pol. Adv. pd for by Melinda Zepeda, Trea-surer, 55 Red River, Bay City, TX 77414 ]

BILLMat. co. Sheriff

ORTON[Pol. Adv. pd for by Bill Orton, Treasurer,

1689 CR 297, Sargent, TX 77414]

CANDIDATELISTINGS

STEVENJOHNSON[Pol. Adv. pd for by Steven Johnson,

Treasurer, 1102 Sailfish Dr., Bay City, TX 77414 ]

DENISE130th District Judge

FORTENBERRY[Pol. Adv. pd for by Lisa Morales, Treasurer,

P.O. Box 2421, Bay City,TX 77414]

To sponsor a wreath at $15 each, or to volunteer as a participant, go to www.WreathsAcrossPalacios.com or contact Robert Brinkley at 361-550-6195, bayhunter@hotmail.com for assistance. The follow-ing donation points have been set up around the city: Old Main Bookstore, Dairy Queen, Simple Simon Piz-za and the Donut Palace.

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or-

ganization founded to con-tinue and expand the annu-al wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cem-etery begun by Maine busi-nessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Hon-or, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordi-nating wreath-laying cer-emonies in December at Arlington, as well as over 1600 locations in all 50 states and beyond.

THE Friends of Elder Citizens held its 2nd annual Fashion Show & Auc-tion fundraiser last week at the Senior Citizen Center. Guests were treated to a chicken spaghetti dinner before browsing items bound for the silent and live auction block and the always entertaining fashion show. (ABOVE) Attendees scan over the silent auction items. (RIGHT) Julia Gonzales, FOEC Executive Director, parades a poin-setta during the live auction. (Beacon Photos by Savannah Williams)

Deadline 5 p.m.Friday for all photos and

articles to be submitted for consideration

to be published in the

Palacios Beacon

FILE(Continued From Page 1)

Individuals listed have been arrested and/or charged with an offense. Inclusion in this report does not imply that the person is guilty of any crime. The following are offense and arrest reports submitted by the Palacios Police Dept. to the Palacios Beacon as of noon Friday.

• Palacios Police Reports •

From the Police ChiefBy Police Chief David Miles

With the Christmas holi-day coming, keep an eye open for those that have a hard time this time of year. Share your love and kind-ness for those less fortunate.

Palacios Beacon - Wed., December 11, 2019 - Page 3DEADLINE 5 P.M. FRIDAY

DO YOU WANT TO SEE WHO

WAS ARRESTED & FOR WHAT?SPLURGE ON THE $1 AND PICK UP A COPY OF THIS

WEEK’S PALACIOS BEACON

CHAMBER (Continued From Page 1)

Subscribe To The Beacon

NEW RENEWAL

NAME:

ADDRESS:

CITY:

STATE: ZIP:

PALACIOS BEACONP. O. BOX 817

PALACIOS, TX. 77465

Matagorda County

25$ 00Out OfCounty

35$ 00Fill out the coupon below and mail it, along with a check or money order for the

appropriate amount to the:

1-Yr.1-Yr.$30.00For 1 YearMatagorda

County

$40.00For 1 Year

Out OfCounty

Palacios Medical ClinicIs Proud To Welcome

Robert G. Ogdee, MD Gynecologist

Providing Extensive Well Women Care At Your Local Hospital!

Dr. Robert Ogdee provides complete women’s health services, from teen-age to menopause years. Dr. Ogdee has extensive experience with over 25 years in practice, specializing in well woman exams, diagnoses and treatment for gynecological condi-tions, urinary incontinence, hysterec-tomy and laparoscopic assisted sur-gery available at our local El Campo Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Ogdee will be providing well women care at Palacios Medical Clinic (excluding obstetric care).Dr. Ogdee received his education from Texas A&M Uni-versity, his medical degree from Texas A&M University College of Medicine and completed his residency from the University of Florida in Pensacola. Dr. Ogdee was formerly in practice in Wharton, Texas and is very glad to return to the area. He looks forward to connecting with former patients and is excited about the opportunities here in Palacios.

Appointments: 361-972-2000

307 Green Ave Palacios, TX

www.ecmh.org

PalaciosMedical Clinic

Breakfast & Lunch

Michael & Nancy Dotson Owner/Operators 361-484-5885 • 458 Main St.

• Delicious Burgers• Sandwiches

• Homemade Sweets• Hand-dipped

Bluebell Ice Cream• Specialty Coffee

Drinks

COOK CHIROPRACTIC, INC.979-244-2900

1509 7th Street • Bay City • Se Habla Español

Have you been in an auto accident?Are you taking medication that’s not helping?

Were you told nothing was wrong, but still have PAIN and STIFFNESS?Would you like a second opinion?

We accept all auto insurance as payment for your care!We work with your attorney!

We work with your insurance adjuster!

Vehicle Accident?Don’t

suffer in Pain.Let us help!

month the ‘Business of the Month’ award was presented to all individual members of the Chamber of Commerce.

Upcoming EventsChristmas with a Cop will be on Dec. 20,

from 3 - 4 p.m. at Mikes on Main. On-site will be many different area first respond-ers. Palacios Chamber of Commerce Winter Texan Chili Dinner at Serendipity Rally Hall on Jan. 9, Wild Game & Wine Camofest in Historic Downtown Bay City on Jan. 25. Also on Jan. 25 will be the Deutsch-burg Seafood Dinner/Sup-per Fundraiser.

MeetingsPalacios Economic De-

velopment Director Meet-ing on Dec. 11 at 1:15 p.m.,

Palacios Chamber Board of Directors’ Meeting on Dec. 12 at noon, and the next Palacios Chamber General Membership Meeting will be on Jan. 9.

The Chamber of Commerce would like to say thank you to the following businesses,

organizations, and individuals who all made this year’s Seaside Holiday a

memorable and festive event.

•The City of Palacios • The Trull Foundation

•South Texas Project • PHS FCCLA

• PISD Drama Club • Bay City HEB • Grassy Point

• Omega Productions • Palacios Lions Club • Old Main Bookstore

• La Petite Belle • Palacios Yacht Club

• Blessing Lions Club • Senior Center

• Palacios Beacon • The Luther Hotel

• Sonic • Subway

• Lowe’s Market • Rob Kessler

• Robert Garrett• Mikes on Main

• Mike Monte• All Volunteers

Clyde & Pam Oliver, Rose Johs, Amy Tapia, Huyen Jessica Tran, Jack Findley, David Kocurek, Rick

Jenkins, Bob Pascascio, Cynthia Garrett, Paul Christianson, Ryan Adams, Mary Van Borrsum, Ryan & Brandi West

• Santa Claus, David King• Mrs. Claus, Jan Hunter

• Palacios Cyber Ladies Lions• Team First Book Matagorda

• Alan and Donna Schluman• Randy and Mary Beth Brown• Palacios Community Hub

• Palacios Community Medical Center• Friends of Elder Citizens

Seaside Holiday Committee Members

Dwayne Stovall and Mark Yancy. Vying for the Democratic nomination are: Chris Bell, Michael Cooper, Amanda Edwards, Jack Daniel Foster, Jr., An-nie ‘Mama’ Garcia, Sema Hernandez, D.R. Hunter, Adrian Oceg-ueda, Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez and Royce West.

The last day to reg-ister to vote in either primary is Jan. 1, 2020, and the first day of early voting will be Feb. 18, 2020.

THE Palacios Chabmer of Commerce honored its individual members in place of a Business of the Month award at last week’s monthly general membership luncheon. Pictured are: (left to right) Mary Johnston, Charlotte Tucker, Tom Breckenridge, Vikijane Mosier, Clissa Mills, Deb & Glen Smith, Carol Carney and Rev. David King. (Beacon Photo by Alan Schulman)

DEADLINE 5 P.M. FRIDAYPage 4 - Palacios Beacon - Wed., December 11, 2019

Are you looking to read more

of this week’s edition of the

Palacios Beacon???Pick one up at the Beacon office, located at 310 Fifth St., at one of

Palacios area’s retail establishments, or purchase a yearly subscription,

just $30 in Matagorda Co. and $40 everywhere else.

Subscribe on-line, in person or by dropping a payment in the mail to

P.O. Box 817Palacios,TX

www.paypal.me/palaciosbeacon