Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines.
1. This remote destination is home to one of Texas' least crowded beaches. Texas has hundreds of miles of coastline and dozens of great beach spots. But right now, beach-goers want long, uncrowded stretches of sand where they can safely keep their distance from other visitors. Add in the music of wind, waves, and birds (with no shops, bars, or high-rises to block your view of the dunes and the water), and Matagorda Bay Nature Park is the place.
2. COVID-19 masks are now mandatory in Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Facing rising numbers of positive coronavirus cases, Fort Worth and Tarrant County officials made masks a mandatory thing, starting June 26. In a press conference on June 25, Tarrant County Judge B. Glen Whitley cited the increasing number of positive cases as well as a 57 percent increase in hospitalizations, and said that there was a consensus among health professionals, hospitals, and businesses that mandatory masks were the way to go.
3. Donations pour in for injured Fort Worth police officer Matt Brazeal. A fund has been established to help Fort Worth police officer Matt Brazeal, who suffered catastrophic injuries during an incident on the morning of Saturday, June 13. After fielding numerous requests from the community to help Officer Brazeal and his family, the FWPD shared a website at Assist The Officer where donations can be made in his name.
4. These are the 5 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend. After a three-month break, there are enough in-person events in Fort Worth for an honest-to-goodness roundup. Of course, the coronavirus pandemic will require adjustments, with one event being enjoyed from cars and another fully online, but at least there is some opportunity to get out and about once again — don't forget your face mask.
5. 'Big 4' Fort Worth arts groups team up for blockbuster 4th of July concert at Dickies Arena. Fort Worth's four premier performing arts organizations are teaming up for a first-ever 4th of July concert at Dickies Arena. Spearheaded by Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the concert, called "America Strong," will also feature performances by artists representing Fort Worth Opera, The Cliburn, and Texas Ballet Theater. Fort Worth-reared actor/singer and star of Broadway's Aladdin, Major Attaway, will be the principal guest singer.
Matagorda Bay may be remote, but it has everything you need to enjoy it.
