10 Years ago
August 5, 2010: City council told police officers that though they are deserving of the requested 5-5-5 pay raise the city is facing a deficit and will not be able to receive a contract of five percent raises over three years.
15 Years Ago
August 4, 2005: The seventh annual sales tax holiday is slated to begin this Friday. It is expected that shoppers will save an estimated $47 million during the three day holiday. Since Texas implemented the first sales tax holiday in 1999, taxpayers have saved $239.6 million dollars.
County commissioners continue to negotiate with Sheriff’s Department employees in an attempt to reach an agreement on a new contract between the county and Sheriff’s Office Employees Association.
20 Years Ago
August 3, 2000: Vidor’s construction values jumped 44 percent in July, thanks to the construction of the new Lamar Bank at 1384 N. Main. Value was reported at $650,000.
Jessica Jordan, a 1998 VHS grad, was chosen by Lamar University’s University Honors Council to attend the Republican National Convention as an intern.
25 Years Ago
August 3, 1995: Vidor’s Emergency Services District #1 financial report for the first nine months of its fiscal year show that, if unchecked, spending could exceed revenues by up to $99,000.
An early morning fire of suspicious origin extensively damaged the Dew Drop Inn south of Vidor. The restaurant/bar had recently been extensively remodeled.
30 Years Ago
August 2, 1990: Steel frame work is going up as part of a $3 million expansion project at Trinity Industries on South Main. The new paint and line shop is 105 wide and more than 560 feet long.
Vidor ISD administrators expect the move from the TEAMS test to TAAS to challenge students with a broader range of subject matter.
35 Years Ago
August 1, 1985: County Judge James Stringer was told the county lacked the authority to ban ultralight aircraft from the county airport by county attorney Steve Howard.
Mayor Dru Stephenson proposes lowering the city’s tax rate from 36 cents per $100 of valuation to 33 cents. Stephenson said the lower rate would provide enough funding for his proposed $1.7 million budget without a reduction in service. Construction crews were nearing completion of the new Vidor Medical Clinic begin built in the 300 block of North Main.
40 Years Ago
August 7, 1980: Salaries, utilities, gas and oil expenses take a major bite out of Mayor Al Briggs’ proposed $1,243,327 budget for Vidor’s 1980-81 budget financed in part by an increase in property tax to 62 cents per $100 of value.
45 Years Ago
August 7, 1975: State highway department engineers supervised construction workers as they installed eight 8ftX4ftX5ft concrete boxes to carry water from a Sabine River Authority canal under FM 105 to the Georgetown Texas Steel Mill facility near Rose City. C.J. Bonin won the World Skeet Shooting Title in Class A Division for 12 gauge held in San Antonio.
50 Years Ago
August 6, 1970: Vidor ISD trustees set a public hearing on a proposed $3 million plus budget for 1970- 71. Proposed tax rate of $1.64 per $100 of valuation is an increase of 8 cents.
Pete Ellis, Sr. was elected president of Texas State Pipe Trades at an annual meeting in Austin. He is also business manager of Pipefitters Local 195.
55 Years Ago
August 59, 1965: Vidor City Council studied plans to build a city hall, take over the present water district and create a city water department and establish a municipal fire department to replace the current volunteer department.
Vidor High School twirlers attending a clinic held at Lamar State College included Kathy Rainbolt, Mary Rowe, Gwen Sharp, Debbie Engdahl, and Carol Ann Rowe.