Beeville Bee-Picayune

“Live as free people; do not, however, use your freedom to cover up any evil, but live as God’s slaves.” (1 Peter 2:16 Good News Translation) You’ve likely heard that freedom is never truly free. It always costs someone something so that others can enjoy it. Recently, our country celebrated two beautiful declarations of liberty: Juneteenth and the Fourth of July.

Proverbs provides readers of the Bible with wisdom in the form of short sayings, or rather, lessons that help one live in a biblically consistent manner. One such proverb reads, “Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her rejoice who gave birth to you.” (Prov. 23:25) In light of this verse, parents might ask themselves if they have been pointing their children to Jesus by delighting most when their children do something that coheres with a committed Christian lifestyle.

Dear Julie, I’ve got a few burned-out light bulbs at my house. I remember going to the store when you had one shelf with three options—60 Watt, 70 Watt or 100 Watt. Now we have a whole aisle to pick from. All I need is a regular light bulb. What’s the best choice? Betty L., Hallettsville, TX Dear Betty, You’re right, buying a light bulb used to be one of the easiest errands on the list. You grabbed a 60, 75, or 100-Watt bulb, screwed it in and called it a day.

Buying your first home can feel like a maze, but breaking it down into simple steps makes the process easier to navigate. From budgeting to closing, knowing what to expect can save time, stress, and money. Here’s a straightforward guide for first-time buyers, with insights from trusted industry sources. Start by figuring out what you can afford.

From overpowering hitters in the circle to delivering timely hits at the plate, Woodsboro's Sidney Castillo concluded her impressive high school softball career in historic fashion. Castillo guided the Lady Eagles to a school-record 33 wins and trip to the regional semifinals en route to being named the 2026 South Texas News Super Team Player of the Year.

At Bee County Market Days on July 4, visitors browsed the rows of booths, including Crafty Mouse Creations, where vendor Mari Moreno offers a variety of handmade stationery and creative bundles. Moreno’s booth features items including stationery, “blind date with a book” and “blind date with a journal” bundles, mystery coloring books for adults and children, badge reels and keychains. She said she curates each item by hand, sourcing materials and assembling finished products.

Award-winning ensemble Mariachi Azteca de América will make its Beeville debut with a free community concert at Coastal Bend College on July 19. The performance, scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m., marks the first time the nationally-recognized group will perform in the city.

AUSTIN – On July 7, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) posted Amendment 5 to the Mitigation State Action Plan for a 30 day public comment period. This amendment introduces the new Mitigation Reallocation Program (MRP) — a strategic effort designed to ensure mitigation funding continues to strengthen Texas communities. Mitigation Action Plan eligible counties include area counties Bee, Karnes, Goliad, Refugio, San Patricio and Aransas counties.

The local running community found a glowing new way to celebrate Independence Day this year. The South Texas Striders Run/Walk Club hosted its first (and hopefully annual) Freedom Glow Run/Walk 5K and kids dash on July 3, drawing an enthusiastic crowd to Veterans Memorial Park. "Our Freedom Glow Run/Walk 5K and kids dash was an incredible success, and we couldn't be more grateful for the support from our community," said club captain C.J. Rodriguez.

BEEVILLE – Following the announcement of its annual cultural arts lineup, the upcoming Tasia Marie Silvas 2026 Folklórico & Mariachi Summer Workshops — running July 18–21 at Coastal Bend College — has expanded its programming to feature a major new focus on youth music education.