Austin — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is seeking public comment until May 22 on amendments to disease detection and responses within deer breeding facilities. Removing “Tier 1” Facilities The proposed amendment would eliminate the definition and references to “Tier 1” facilities concerning breeding facilities epidemiologically connected to deer infected with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and positive deer breeding facilities.

AUSTIN- The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both Texas and federal waters closed 30 minutes after sunset on Wednesday, May 15, until a still-to-be determined date in July. While the statutory opening date for the gulf season is July 15, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Coastal Fisheries Division will be sampling shrimp populations this summer to determine the optimum opening date.

AUSTIN — As flood waters begin to recede across much of Central and East Texas, property owners may encounter wildlife in unexpected places. Floods can temporarily displace wildlife like snakes, armadillos, skunks and raccoons into some people’s yards and houses as they seek cover or higher ground.

Vidor High School’s Raegan Stephenson and Blake Richards place 5th and 6th in their respective events at the UIL 4A State Track meet held in Austin Thursday. Raegan Stephenson placed fifth in the Girls High Jump with a 5’4” leap and Blake Richards placed sixth in the 300m Hurdles with a time of 39.06.

Vidor’s playoff hopes ended with a grand slam home run in the 4th inning of a one- game bi- dis trict playoff game that was postponed due to weather and moved to Bridge City Saturday. Aiden Sims scored for the Pirates from third when Cade Safer hit into a fielders choice and that run held up util the bottom of the fourth when a grand slam put the Hawks up 4-1 and held on for the win.

BONHAM -- When Bois d’Arc Lake in Fannin County officially opened for use in April, Texas got its first major reservoir in more than 30 years. But early results indicate anglers may have a budding new fishing haven as well, thanks to a partnership formed between Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD).

Vidor Pirate seniors Marcus McCord and Grant McWherter signed on the dotted line to move up to the next level in their football careers in a signing ceremony held Pirate Gym Thursday well attended by family members, the public and many Vidor athletes and teammates.

After a rousing sendoff at Vidor High School, Vidor athletes Raegan Stephenson and Blake Richards are off the Austin for the State Track Meet and will compete Thursday. Stephenson will compete in the Girls High Jump at 9 a.m. and Richards in the boys 300m hurdles at 7:10 p.m. Good luck to both!

.