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  • State Issues Emergency Shutdown of Liberty County Jail🚨|Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday💲

State Issues Emergency Shutdown of Liberty County Jail🚨|Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday💲

Tenants Demand Action - City of La Porte Online Auction

For a better reading experience, read the newsletter online.

Many email providers cut a large portion of the newsletter articles off. That means you might miss out on important news items, and more.

In This Baytown Local Spotlight Issue:

☀ Baytown, Tx. Weather

📆 Greater Baytown Area Events

🏥  New Hospital Coming to Baytown

🚨 State Issues Emergency Shutdown of Liberty County Jail Amid Ongoing Safety Concerns

🏷️ City of La Porte Online Auction - Equipment & Vehicles

🐝 Bite Sized Buzzz:
- Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday
- Providence at Baytown Tenants Demand Action Over Sewage, Mold, and Neglect

🏷️ List Your Garage, Yard, or Estate Sale
 
📰 Job Listings - New listings!!🆕

 Trivia

Today’s Record High: 90 in 2023 - Record Low: 38 in 1961

 

Note: Events with + in front indicates newly added event!

While we strive to ensure that all of our events are current and accurate, please always check to ensure that the event is still scheduled and that the information below is correct.

  • Spring Market @ Town Square - April 19th -10:00am-2:00pm -
     213 W Texas Ave

  • +Arbor Day Tree Giveaway- Friday, April 25th, starts at 8:00 AM until supplies run out Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center, 1724 Market Street, Baytown

  • Bow Creation Class @ Yepez Vineyard - April 25th, 6:00pm-9:00pm Info

  • Sylvan Beach Festival - April 26 Full Details

  • Spring Outdoor Celebration April 26th. 10am-2pm Mont Belvieu City Park
    Details

  • DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - Sat. April 26th 10am-2 pm
    Baytown Public Safety Building parking lot - 3200 N. Main St

  • Spring Craft & Vendor Mkt. -Sun. April 27 -10am-4pm
    404 Laredo St, Baytown

  • +Mont Belvieu Market at the Park, Sat. May 3rd.- 8am - Noon

  • + $1 Taco Night - Live Music, Games for the kids, & more!
    May 3rd from 5pm - 9 pm @ Town Square

  • +Main Street Trade Days – Sat. May 3rd – 10am-2 pm  208 W. Main, La Porte

  • +Deaf Social Where Bakery - May 3rd - 11 am @
    Heart & Whisk Bakery 4618 N. Main St., Baytown

  • Baytown Rotary Club Annual Shrimp & Catfish Festival Sat., May 10 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. @ Baytown Community Center. Tickets are available from any Baytown Rotarian or at the front desk of The Baytown Sun, 1301 Memorial Dr.

  • West Chambers Deaf Social – May 10th @ 11 am. @ The Toasted Yolk
    in Mt. Belvieu 13001 I-10 East

  • Movie Under the Stars: Kung Fu Panda Sat. May 17th Movie starts @ 7 pm
    @ Mont Belvieu City Park

  • +Spring Market @ Town Square- May 17th- 10:00am-2:00pm -
    213 W Texas Ave

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This Newsletter Issue Sponsored By:

East Houston Medical Center
Expanding to Baytown

Exciting news for Baytown!

A brand-new hospital campus, East Houston Medical Center, is coming soon to 5800 Garth Road. This state-of-the-art facility is set to bring expanded healthcare services and modern medical resources to our growing community. Stay tuned for more updates as this addition to Baytown begins to take shape.

State Issues Emergency Shutdown of Liberty County Jail Amid Ongoing Safety Concerns

Editor’s Note: In case you missed our original article about the jail fire, you can read it here.

The Liberty County Jail is facing imminent closure after the Texas Commission on Jail Standards issued a sweeping shutdown order in response to years of non-compliance, a recent fire, and growing concerns over inmate safety.

The state’s directive, delivered on Friday, April 11, follows an emergency meeting addressing the jail’s hazardous conditions. The jail has been ordered to suspend all operations within 15 days and immediately begin relocating all inmates. The move comes just days after a fire inside the facility injured five correctional officers and raised serious questions about the jail's readiness to respond to emergencies.

Initially, officials believed the fire was caused by inmate fighting, but an investigation by the Liberty County Fire Marshal revealed the true source to be a lighting malfunction that ignited surrounding clutter. Cries for help during the fire were reportedly mistaken for inmate altercations, leading to confusion and delays in emergency response.

Despite the state’s order for an immediate evacuation of all detainees by noon on April 11, sources reported that inmates remained in the jail into the following week. The jail, which has been grappling with overcrowding, has already begun transferring some detainees to other facilities, including locations in Louisiana.

The shutdown marks a significant intervention by state regulators and a rare example of strict enforcement in response to ongoing deficiencies within a county correctional facility. Records show the Liberty County Jail has failed multiple state inspections and has not addressed several critical safety issues since 2023. A previous riot in February was also cited in the state’s remedial order.

Captain David Meyers of the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the serious nature of the situation, referencing the state’s Second Amended Remedial Order, which officially halts all jail operations. Meyers stated that the county is working urgently to relocate inmates and begin necessary repairs.

Beyond simply rehousing detainees, officials now face the broader challenge of addressing systemic failures in the county’s jail system. Advocacy groups, including the Texas Jail Project, have voiced concern over the consequences of relocating pre-trial detainees far from their communities, attorneys, and families. Such moves can create legal backlogs and hinder due process.

State officials say the decision underscores a growing need for accountability in the corrections system. With Liberty County under increased scrutiny, both state and local authorities are pledging to work together to ensure future compliance and prioritize the safety of inmates and staff alike.

Image Courtesy City of La Porte

City of La Porte Online Auction
Equipment & Vehicles

📌 The City of La Porte’s online auction is now open for bidding and will close on April 28 beginning at 11:00 am.

Check out some of the items up for auction:

Go to www.renebates.com for full details.

Providence at Baytown Tenants Demand
Action Over Sewage, Mold, and Neglect

Tenants at Providence at Baytown apartments are speaking out about unsafe living conditions including sewage leaks, pest infestations, and mold. Despite years of complaints, residents say property management has failed to act. The mayor of Baytown has now stepped in to address the crisis, and legal aid organizations are advising tenants on how to assert their rights. Residents hope this attention will finally lead to change.

Image Courtesy City of Baytown & Baytown Fire Dept.

Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday

The Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday is coming up April 26 through April 28. During this weekend, you can buy certain emergency supplies tax-freeno special forms required!

Eligible tax-free items include:
- Portable generators (less than $3,000)
- Hurricane shutters & emergency ladders (less than $300)
- Flashlights, batteries, first aid kits, and more (less than $75)
Now’s the time to stock up and be ready for the upcoming 2025 hurricane season!

For a full list of qualifying items, visit:

🛍️ New This Week:
Local Garage, Yard & Estate Sales!

You asked—we listened! We’re excited to roll out this brand-new feature. We've heard from so many of you that you want to know where the best neighborhood bargains are happening, and now we're making it easy!

Please help us spread the word: share this newsletter with your friends, neighbors, and anyone who loves a good deal. Encourage them to subscribe so they never miss a sale. And if you're planning a sale of your own, be sure to submit your info by Monday at 3 PM to be included in next week’s issue!

Arrow GIF

📌 Check Thursday’s edition for this week’s sales!

Job Listings Now on a Separate Page! 🎉

To make scrolling easier for everyone, we’ve moved job listings to a separate page! If you're job hunting, check it out—if not, enjoy a quicker read! 😊👀

Be Right Back GIF by Jess

We're taking a short break from our Trivia feature, but don’t worry—it’ll be back soon with an exciting new format! Stay tuned!

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