Wellness Center and the drought dominate the news
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County farmers suffered major setbacks from a lingering drought that quelled any hope for a profitable crop this year. For the first time at Bayside-Richardson Gin, not a single bale of cotton was ginned.
During the summer, when ranchers depend on hay crops to sustain their herds through the winter, the fields were bare. Ranchers were advised to downsize to sustainable herds of cattle and horses and hay was imported from as far away as Oklahoma.
The rain began to fall in September and continues. The burn ban was lifted and as 2009 ends, prospects are growing for the farming and ranching community.
Refugio County Memorial Hospital last summer opened the doors of a $2.5 million Wellness Center aimed at prolonging health through exercise and fitness. Memberships at the state-of-the-art facility are growing.
Valient Petroleum, the county’s first recipient of its new business incentives program, announced its planned expansion in both facilities and additional employees. Woodsboro ISD was awarded $1.6 million to build a multi-purpose dome. And the Refugio Bobcats made it to the semifinal round of the state football playoffs for the first time since 1990.
Other news was not-so-good for the local economy and residents.
The community had to say goodbye to Jack Sportsman, the Voice of the Bobcats for 56 years. Sportsman suffered a fatal heart attack in the press box just prior to game time on Oct. 30.
Major repairs on county buildings that have been ignored for more than a decade continue to be addressed this year by county commissioners at considerable cost to the taxpayers.
The court was also caught unaware that approximately $150,000 was earmarked for the county by the Federal Aviation Administration for airport improvement. Because deadlines were not met to identify projects or claim the money, $354,222 was turned over to the Texas Department of Transportation in lieu of returning it to the FAA.
The Texas Supreme Court overturned a decision by a Refugio County jury to award the O’Connor family $18.6 million in damages against EXXON for flagrant damages to the Mary Ellen O’Connor Field.
Refugio Police Chief Chris Brock was indicted on felony theft charges in connection with drug money seizures.
Here’s a look back at the major stories of 2009:
January
California treasure hunter files suit in federal court in Houston to seek the right to hunt for buried treasure.
Veronica Rocha retires as tax assessor-collector after 44 years in office.
Hundreds of used tires are dumped along county roads in Refugio.
Longtime priest Msgr. Celestine Murray is transferred to Violet.
Burn ban extended for 60 days.
Former RHS Coach Tim Freeman is inducted into the Coastal Bend Hall of Fame.
February
Woodsboro ISD unveils plans to build a $2.1 million monolithic dome.
The Texas Historical Marker honoring Sally Scull is dedicated.
Keith Anthony Carroll is seriously injured when he was struck by a car driven by Victoria Hernandez.
Bobcat lineman Wayne “Kupa” Frasier Jr. signs to play with UT-El Paso.
Two Corpus Christi men, Greigg Dentler and Wesley Williamson, are napped for dumping hundreds of tires in the county.
County dog catcher Noel Martinez arrested on felony drug charges.
Local schools name outstanding students, including Jacob Cobb, Laura McGuill and Daniel Shay at RHS; Dulce Alvarado, Carlos Cortez and Clay Rathkamp at A-THS; and Kristin Andrade, Laura Greenly and Kaitlin McCool of WHS.
March
Kate Campbell is the 2009 Citizen of the Year.
Local health inspections for restaurants turned over to the state.
Special Events by Connie celebrates its grand opening.
Kodye Neal takes first place at the Refugio County Livestock Show with Buttercup.
County Jamboree celebrates 18th anniversary.
April
Jack Gaskins is named superintendent at RISD after the departure of Bobby Azam.
Junior Dylan Klare wins the state powerlifting championship with a 1,535 pound effort.
The town of Woodsboro hires John Pope as its new municipal officer.
Valient Petroleum announces plans to double its number of employees.
Local journalist Joe Galloway captures national awards for war coverage.
Municipal pool repairs too costly to open for the summer.
Bayside Mayor Billy Paul Fricks challenges the county appraisal district on its agriculture exemptions for land not in production.
Hundreds of visitors arrive in Refugio to view an image of the Virgin Mary that appeared on a stone in the fireplace at Connie Lopez’s home on Ymbacion Street.
WHS golfer Kasie Fierova tees off at state.
A Houston federal judge ruled a California treasure hunter did not prove a ship was buried in Refugio County.
Local physical therapist Scooter Kamm, 41, is critically injured in a car wreck.
TV show Good Morning America visits the Richard Sanchez family.
County Press wins three top awards in the 2009 South Texas Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.
May
Former RHS Athletic Director George Harris receives the Tom Landry Award.
California treasure hunter Nathan Smith claims ruling by federal court gives him the right to proceed into Melon Lake to obtain proof a sunken vessel.
Tivoli Jail moved to Heritage Park in Refugio to be restored.
Juvenile vandals make a mess at the former Refugio Middle School.
The Refugio Municipal Pool is closed permanently after repair bills climbed too high.
The County Press garners numerous awards at the Texas Gulf Coast Press Association Better Newspaper Contest.
Appraisal District says Bayside never delivered its ordinance to the district.
Just under $1 million needed for courthouse repairs.
June
Calvin Robins is stung more than 300 times by bees and survives.
Farmers facing worst harvest in decades as a result of the drought.
Austwell author Dr. Sara Massey earns honors for her chronicle of 48 Vietnamese refugees living on the Texas Gulf Coast.
A body of illegal immigrant Maritza Carballo-Vasquez was found abandoned along U.S. 239.
RHS athletes Taylor Henning and Michael Ramsey break three state records at the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters in Humble.
(Continued next week)
During the summer, when ranchers depend on hay crops to sustain their herds through the winter, the fields were bare. Ranchers were advised to downsize to sustainable herds of cattle and horses and hay was imported from as far away as Oklahoma.
The rain began to fall in September and continues. The burn ban was lifted and as 2009 ends, prospects are growing for the farming and ranching community.
Refugio County Memorial Hospital last summer opened the doors of a $2.5 million Wellness Center aimed at prolonging health through exercise and fitness. Memberships at the state-of-the-art facility are growing.
Valient Petroleum, the county’s first recipient of its new business incentives program, announced its planned expansion in both facilities and additional employees. Woodsboro ISD was awarded $1.6 million to build a multi-purpose dome. And the Refugio Bobcats made it to the semifinal round of the state football playoffs for the first time since 1990.
Other news was not-so-good for the local economy and residents.
The community had to say goodbye to Jack Sportsman, the Voice of the Bobcats for 56 years. Sportsman suffered a fatal heart attack in the press box just prior to game time on Oct. 30.
Major repairs on county buildings that have been ignored for more than a decade continue to be addressed this year by county commissioners at considerable cost to the taxpayers.
The court was also caught unaware that approximately $150,000 was earmarked for the county by the Federal Aviation Administration for airport improvement. Because deadlines were not met to identify projects or claim the money, $354,222 was turned over to the Texas Department of Transportation in lieu of returning it to the FAA.
The Texas Supreme Court overturned a decision by a Refugio County jury to award the O’Connor family $18.6 million in damages against EXXON for flagrant damages to the Mary Ellen O’Connor Field.
Refugio Police Chief Chris Brock was indicted on felony theft charges in connection with drug money seizures.
Here’s a look back at the major stories of 2009:
January
California treasure hunter files suit in federal court in Houston to seek the right to hunt for buried treasure.
Veronica Rocha retires as tax assessor-collector after 44 years in office.
Hundreds of used tires are dumped along county roads in Refugio.
Longtime priest Msgr. Celestine Murray is transferred to Violet.
Burn ban extended for 60 days.
Former RHS Coach Tim Freeman is inducted into the Coastal Bend Hall of Fame.
February
Woodsboro ISD unveils plans to build a $2.1 million monolithic dome.
The Texas Historical Marker honoring Sally Scull is dedicated.
Keith Anthony Carroll is seriously injured when he was struck by a car driven by Victoria Hernandez.
Bobcat lineman Wayne “Kupa” Frasier Jr. signs to play with UT-El Paso.
Two Corpus Christi men, Greigg Dentler and Wesley Williamson, are napped for dumping hundreds of tires in the county.
County dog catcher Noel Martinez arrested on felony drug charges.
Local schools name outstanding students, including Jacob Cobb, Laura McGuill and Daniel Shay at RHS; Dulce Alvarado, Carlos Cortez and Clay Rathkamp at A-THS; and Kristin Andrade, Laura Greenly and Kaitlin McCool of WHS.
March
Kate Campbell is the 2009 Citizen of the Year.
Local health inspections for restaurants turned over to the state.
Special Events by Connie celebrates its grand opening.
Kodye Neal takes first place at the Refugio County Livestock Show with Buttercup.
County Jamboree celebrates 18th anniversary.
April
Jack Gaskins is named superintendent at RISD after the departure of Bobby Azam.
Junior Dylan Klare wins the state powerlifting championship with a 1,535 pound effort.
The town of Woodsboro hires John Pope as its new municipal officer.
Valient Petroleum announces plans to double its number of employees.
Local journalist Joe Galloway captures national awards for war coverage.
Municipal pool repairs too costly to open for the summer.
Bayside Mayor Billy Paul Fricks challenges the county appraisal district on its agriculture exemptions for land not in production.
Hundreds of visitors arrive in Refugio to view an image of the Virgin Mary that appeared on a stone in the fireplace at Connie Lopez’s home on Ymbacion Street.
WHS golfer Kasie Fierova tees off at state.
A Houston federal judge ruled a California treasure hunter did not prove a ship was buried in Refugio County.
Local physical therapist Scooter Kamm, 41, is critically injured in a car wreck.
TV show Good Morning America visits the Richard Sanchez family.
County Press wins three top awards in the 2009 South Texas Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.
May
Former RHS Athletic Director George Harris receives the Tom Landry Award.
California treasure hunter Nathan Smith claims ruling by federal court gives him the right to proceed into Melon Lake to obtain proof a sunken vessel.
Tivoli Jail moved to Heritage Park in Refugio to be restored.
Juvenile vandals make a mess at the former Refugio Middle School.
The Refugio Municipal Pool is closed permanently after repair bills climbed too high.
The County Press garners numerous awards at the Texas Gulf Coast Press Association Better Newspaper Contest.
Appraisal District says Bayside never delivered its ordinance to the district.
Just under $1 million needed for courthouse repairs.
June
Calvin Robins is stung more than 300 times by bees and survives.
Farmers facing worst harvest in decades as a result of the drought.
Austwell author Dr. Sara Massey earns honors for her chronicle of 48 Vietnamese refugees living on the Texas Gulf Coast.
A body of illegal immigrant Maritza Carballo-Vasquez was found abandoned along U.S. 239.
RHS athletes Taylor Henning and Michael Ramsey break three state records at the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters in Humble.
(Continued next week)
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