News Flash

City of Victoria to kick off bicentennial with New Year’s Eve fireworks show

The City of Victoria is starting our bicentennial year with a bang.

The City will host its inaugural New Year’s Eve fireworks show Dec. 31 at the Riverside Park Special Events Area (near Riverside Stadium).

“Victoria’s bicenten...

Municipal Court to host Cookies and Cocoa in the Courtroom

The City of Victoria Municipal Court is inviting residents to get to know their local court staff over a cup of hot cocoa.

The court will host Cookies and Cocoa in the Courtroom 4-6 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Municipal Court building, 107 W. Juan Linn St. Similar ...

City of Victoria celebrates completion of Laurent Street mural

The City of Victoria on Nov. 28 hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Laurent Street Underpass Mural Project. The ceremony was attended by City officials, UP Art Studio, contributing artists and others who participated in the...

City lifts Stage III drought restrictions, returns to Stage II

PHOTO: The Guadalupe River flows past the Riverside Park boat ramp Nov. 27.

The City of Victoria is lifting some of its drought restrictions, but residents must continue to conserve water by limiting some types of nonessential water usage to the cooler tim...

City plans informational session as Council sets mayoral special election

The City Council at its Nov. 21 meeting scheduled a special election for Feb. 3 to fill the role of mayor, and the City is inviting prospective candidates to an informational session to learn about the position.  

The special election is being cal...

Victoria Public Library prepares for Gingerbread House Workshop

PHOTO: Children will be able to decorate delicious and edible gingerbread houses at the Victoria Public Library’s Gingerbread House Workshop on Dec. 9 at the Victoria Community Center Annex.

The Victoria Public Library’s Gingerbread Hou...

Economic Development director completes competitive leadership program

City of Victoria Economic Development Director Danielle Williams recently graduated from the 2023 Texas Women’s Leadership Institute. She was one of 20 executives statewide who were chosen to participate in a program designed to prepare and inspi...

‘Yule Love Shopping Victoria!’ returns with new businesses, prizes

The City of Victoria Convention & Visitors Bureau will launch its annual “Yule Love Shopping Victoria!” mobile promotion Nov. 16 at www.explorevictoriatexas.com, offering a chance to win prizes while exploring local shopping opport...

City accepting applications for CDBG programs for low/moderate-income residents

First-time homebuyers as well as residents who need assistance with home repairs or demolition can apply for the City of Victoria’s Community Development Block Grant programs that support homeownership and community development.

The City receives federal f...

Court operations supervisor receives statewide service award

PHOTO: City of Victoria Municipal Court Operations Supervisor Maria Bell, left, accepts the Texas Court Clerks Association’s Distinguished Service Award from TCCA Vice President Jennifer Bozorgnia on Oct. 31 during TCCA’s conference in...

City to consider a Feb. 3 mayoral special election

The City Council will consider at its Nov. 21 meeting whether to call for a Feb. 3, 2024, mayoral special election following news of Mayor Jeff Bauknight’s intent to run for state representative for District 30. 

To run for state office,...

Greg Spears Realty earns City beautification award

Keep Victoria Beautiful board members and Greg Spears Realty leadership pose for a photo Nov. 7 at Greg Spears Realty, 2204 E. Airline Road. Greg Spears Realty received KVB’s beautification award for the month of November. The award is given mon...

City to host Merry on Main in partnership with Mother Cluckers Downtown

PHOTO #1: Merry on Main will feature winter-themed inflatables for children and inflatable obstacle courses for teens and adults.

PHOTO #2: Merry on Main will feature an open-air market hosted by Mother Cluckers Downtown.

PHOTO #3: Merry on Main will featur...

City expands landfill, enters key industrial waste market

PHOTO: A new half-cell at the Victoria landfill, 18141 FM 1686, is covered with a thick plastic liner to prevent contaminants from leaking into the environment.

The City of Victoria has secured permission from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ...

City earns state honors for video projects

PHOTO: The City of Victoria received four statewide awards from the Texas Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (TATOA). From left are Communications Administrative Assistant Alvesa Odom, Public Safety Communications Manager Lauren Meaux...

Keep Victoria Beautiful earns grants for waste diversion education

PHOTO: Yard waste and tree limbs sit in a pile at the City’s compost facility after being collected from residents’ yards. These materials will be ground into chips, mixed with biosolids and left to decompose into compost, which will b...

Parks & Recreation partners with port for 3rd annual youth hunt

PHOTO: The City of Victoria Parks & Recreation, the Port of Victoria, the Texas Youth Hunting Program, the Texas Wildlife Association and the National Wild Turkey Federation hosted a youth hunt for five local youth Nov. 3-5 at the Port of Victoria.

Fiv...

Keep Victoria Beautiful and partners host Queen City cleanup

From left, Victoria Police Department Capt. Jason Turner and Victoria Housing Authority Public Housing Associate Jessica Ramos assist a group of volunteers Oct. 21 during the Queen City Neighborhood Cleanup hosted by Keep Victoria Beautiful. About 130 vol...

Community involvement turns Keep Victoria Beautiful neighborhood cleanups into ‘resource fairs’

By Sam Hankins, City of Victoria communications specialist.

This article originally appeared in the November issue of Texas Town & City, published by the Texas Municipal League.

PHOTO: From left, City of Victoria Special Projects Manager Keisha Smith an...

Victoria Police Department announces new deputy chief, more promotions

PHOTO: Three Victoria Police Department officers were promoted Oct. 27 during a private ceremony at the Victoria College Emerging Technology Complex. Shown from left are Sgt. Jacob Garza, Deputy Chief Clay Fetters and Lt. Jason Martin.

The Victoria Police ...

City, AEP wrap up second phase of citywide lighting project

PHOTO: AEP street light technician John Velasquez installs a new LED post-top light at the entrance to the Waterstone neighborhood as part of the second phase of the citywide LED lighting project.

If you take your family out trick-or-treating tonight, you ...

Retiring Deputy Chief Mark Jameson honored with walkout ceremony

PHOTO #1: Victoria Police Department Deputy Chief Mark Jameson is surrounded by local law enforcement during his “walkout” ceremony in honor of his retirement Oct. 20 in the 300 block of South Bridge Street.

PHOTO #2: Victoria Police De...

City assists The Texas Zoo with renovations, master plan

PHOTO: The Texas Zoo is renovating its jaguar exhibit with help from federal American Rescue Plan Act funding from the City of Victoria. In this photo, the jaguars are seen through the protective glass at the new viewing kiosk.

Visitors to The Texas Zoo ma...

Fire Marshal’s Division honors winners of Fire Prevention Week poster contest

PHOTO #1: The winners of the Fire Prevention Week poster contest hosted by the Victoria Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Division, from left, are Shealyn Carver, fifth grade, Mission Valley Elementary School; Luke Ortiz, fourth grade, Dudley Eleme...

Keep Victoria Beautiful announces 2 beautification grant recipients

PHOTO: Heritage Mark, 5606 N. Navarro St., received a $1,000 matching grant from Keep Victoria Beautiful to plant trees.

Keep Victoria Beautiful has awarded two matching grants to local organizations looking to spruce up their community by beautifying thei...

Distinguished Citizens honored for completing City educational programs

The City of Victoria recognized 10 Distinguished Citizens during the Oct. 17 City Council meeting. Residents can earn the title of Distinguished Citizen by completing the three educational programs offered by the City: Citizens Academy, hosted by Communic...

TxDOT asks for input on long-range transportation strategies

The Texas Department of Transportation is seeking input on Connecting Texas 2050, a long-range plan that will guide transportation priorities in Texas through the year 2050.

Residents will have two opportunities to fill out a survey providing input on the ...

Residents can take survey to improve transportation, earn rewards

PHOTO: The ETC Institute has been sending out postcards like the one shown here to invite residents to take the Household Travel Survey, also called the Lone Star Travel Survey, as part of a study conducted by the Texas Department of Transportation.

The Ho...

City to begin water meter replacement program

PHOTO: The City of Victoria is partnering with Sensus Meters and Aqua-Metrics to replace residents’ water meters, like the one shown here, and their component parts as needed.

The City of Victoria Public Works is preparing to provide maintenance ...

City seeks sponsorships for Bicentennial Ball

The City of Victoria will host a Bicentennial Ball to celebrate Victoria’s 200^th anniversary, and sponsors are needed to help make it an evening to remember.

“With the community’s involvement, our bicentennial date will be an ...

Residents are invited to Victoria’s yearlong bicentennial celebration

The City of Victoria will turn 200 next year, and the City is inviting residents to celebrate the bicentennial by taking part in festivities all year long.

“This will be a once-in-a-lifetime event, and our City staff and local partners are workin...

Mayor provides key project updates during State of the City address

PHOTO #1: Mayor Jeff Bauknight delivers his State of the City address during the Victoria Chamber of Commerce luncheon Oct. 11 at the Victoria Community Center.

PHOTO #2: Mayor Jeff Bauknight explains the City’s history of capital improvement pro...

Director of Parks & Recreation Job Opportunity with the Parks & Recreation Department

City, artists prepare for Laurent Street underpass mural painting

PHOTO: The Laurent Street underpass mural will feature imagery that celebrates Victoria’s heritage and identity. The two designs shown here will be painted on either wall of the underpass. Local photographers Janice Carriger, Ted Goris and Elias Rodriguez...

Victoria Fire Department to host fire prevention show for VISD students

PHOTO: This image provided by the National Fire Protection Association highlights this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign: “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention.”

The Victoria Fire Department is p...

Victoria Fire Department Chief Tracy Fox honored at retirement ceremony

PHOTO #1: Current and former City of Victoria staff, elected officials and state officials came together to celebrate the career of Victoria Fire Department Chief Tracy Fox during a retirement ceremony Sept. 27 at the Victoria Community Center. Fox is ret...

Victoria Main Street Program offers grants for historic properties

PHOTO: The old federal building, 210 E. Constitution St., received a Façade Grant through the Victoria Main Street Program in fiscal year 2023.

Applications have reopened for two Victoria Main Street Program grant opportunities designed to help ...

Victoria Fire Department, late councilman’s family dedicate tree in his honor

PHOTO: From left, Victoria Fire Department Interim Fire Marshal Jeff Cowan, Interim Fire Chief Shannon Martin and Assistant Chief Michael Belt; George Soliz; Victoria City Council member Josephine Soliz; and Victoria Fire Department Battalion Chief Dana W...

Residents can help with transportation planning by taking survey

PHOTO #1: The widening of Loop 463 at Houston Highway was one of the projects recommended by the Metropolitan Planning Organization in its 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. The MPO is encouraging residents to take the Texas Department of Transportati...

Keep Victoria Beautiful volunteers awarded for Fall Sweep efforts

PHOTO #1: The University of Houston-Victoria teams who volunteered at the Keep Victoria Beautiful Fall Sweep, including the soccer team shown here, earned the Most Spirited award.

PHOTO #2: The volunteer team led by Jon Keene and Zach Cornwell earned the M...

City partners with Victoria ISD to air district’s content on TV15

PHOTO #1: “Titan TV,” a TV show produced by Victoria East High School media production students, is part of Victoria ISD’s content that airs on the City of Victoria’s cable channel, TV15. In this still image from th...

Registration will open soon for Christmas Parade of Lights

PHOTO #1: Holt Cat won the award for Most Use of Lights during the 2022 Christmas Parade of Lights on Dec. 3 in downtown Victoria.

PHOTO #2: Con-Metal Contractors won the award for Spirit of Christmas during the Christmas Parade of Lights on Dec. 3 in down...

Application period opens for 2024 Citizens Academy

PHOTO #1: Communications Director Ashley Strevel welcomes participants during the 2023 Citizens Academy.

PHOTO #2: City Manager Jesús A. Garza teaches participants about the City’s structure and goals during the 2023 Citizens Academy.

PHOTO #3: Environmenta...

Residents invited to share their memories during bicentennial year

The City of Victoria will celebrate its bicentennial next year, and the City is inviting residents to help celebrate our history by sharing their memories of Victoria.

The City will display residents’ memorabilia at City Hall throughout the bicen...

City of Victoria Communications earns national honor for social media use

PHOTO #1: The City of Victoria Communications & Public Affairs accepted a Savvy Award in the Social Media – Best Campaign Use category during the 3CMA conference Sept. 6-8 in Orlando, Fla. Shown from left are 3CMA Executive Director Scott Le...

Victoria Fire Department to host EMT training course, Fire Academy

Residents will have a chance to earn their emergency medical technician certifications close to home as the Victoria Fire Department partners with the Magnolia Beach Volunteer Fire Department to host an EMT-B training course.

The program will be 8 a.m.-5 p...

Keep Victoria Beautiful hosts citywide Fall Sweep

PHOTO #1: Keep Victoria Beautiful Executive Director Christy Youker addresses a group of volunteers before the Keep Victoria Beautiful Fall Sweep on Sept. 9. Photo contributed by Susan Armstrong Cain.

PHOTO #2: Volunteers picked up 275 bags of trash during...

Convention & Visitors Bureau honored for promoting local businesses

PHOTO: The City of Victoria Convention & Visitors Bureau earned two statewide awards for its “Yule Love Shopping!” and “Tacos & Margs!” promotions.

The City of Victoria Convention & Visitors Bureau earned...

Victoria Fire Department unveils remodeled Station One

PHOTO #1: The Victoria Fire Department, City Council, City Manager’s Office, Lauger Construction and BRW Architects participate in a ribbon-cutting Sept. 6 at the newly remodeled Victoria Fire Department Station One, 606 E. Goodwin Avenue.

PHOTO ...

City of Victoria passes fiscal year 2024 budget

PHOTO: The fiscal year 2024 budget includes funding for Victoria’s bicentennial celebration.

The Victoria City Council at its Sept. 5 meeting passed the budget for fiscal year 2024, preparing the City to provide services and enhance livability du...

Explore Victoria Texas launches ‘Victoria TX Arts Trail!’ to promote the arts

PHOTO #1: The “Victoria TX Arts Trail!” will invite residents to explore arts-related locations in Victoria, including public art installations such as the downtown crosswalk art by Free Art Victoria.

PHOTO #2: The “Victoria T...

Victoria Police Department receives $9,000 for SWAT equipment

PHOTO #1: Staff with the Victoria Police Department, City of Victoria Finance and Dickey’s Barbecue Pit pose for a photo Aug. 31 at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, 9006 N. Navarro St. Suite C. The Victoria Police Department received a $9,000 gr...

Realtex announces The Victorian, an apartment complex for seniors

PHOTO #1: Realtex Development Corporation is planning to build The Victorian at 901 John Stockbauer Drive.

PHOTO #2: The Victorian will be located at 901 John Stockbauer Drive.

Realtex Development Corporation is planning to build The Victorian, a 68-unit ap...

City enters Stage 3 of drought contingency plan

PHOTO: The Guadalupe River is unusually low for this time of year, which limits the City’s ability to pump water.

Residents must take additional steps to conserve water as the City enters Stage III of its drought contingency plan.

High atmospheric...

City of Victoria launches in-house street sweeping with 2 new sweepers

PHOTO #1: The City of Victoria has purchased two street sweepers for a new in-house sweeping program.

The City of Victoria has purchased two street sweepers for a new in-house sweeping program that will allow streets to be swept more often for a lower pric...

City to begin De Leon Plaza expansion

This news release was updated Nov. 17 to include updated conceptual renderings and to clarify the addition of a decorative water feature.

PHOTO #1: As part of the De Leon Plaza expansion project, the grassy seating area on the north side of the plaza will ...

City, AEP begin 2nd phase of citywide lighting project

PHOTO #1: From top left, AEP service technician Albert Rodriguez and street light technician John Velasquez switch out HPS lights at Pine Street Park with new LED lights on Nov. 17, 2022. From bottom left, service technician Garret Easley and service crew...

Developer announces new apartment complex for seniors

(Updated 8/9/2023 to include a current illustration of the apartment)

PHOTO #1: This illustration provided by FishPond Development LLC shows FishPond at Victoria, a new apartment complex for seniors.

PHOTO #2: This map shows the future location of FishPond ...