Readers have been asking for status updates on Bay Regional Medical Center, a Webster hospital project where construction has started, flat-lined and started again during the past several years.

Somewhat atypical weather patterns have led to rather unusual weather across many parts of the world, with wetter than normal conditions in Galveston despite an ongoing La Niña. These patterns led to near record warmth in Europe this fall and early winter, followed by record cold in January and early February. Meanwhile, Alaska swung from extreme cold through early January to above normal temperatures for most of February.

Here is a random selection of images form Mardi Gras Galveston 2012 including some from the Knights of Momus Grand Night parade from Saturday night.

For those who didn’t read my original column, Choose to Lose, I have a confession to make: I’m fat. Not hefty. Not chunky. Not big boned. Not portly. Not plump.
 
F-A-T. Fat.
 
This blog and others to follow will chronicle my experience as well as others who have sought out ways to battle the bulge. This isn’t designed to be an all-knowing weight loss management guide.
 
Far from it. I am not the poster boy for fitness.Mainland editor TJ Aulds once topped the scales at 421 pounds.After undergoing surgery, he hopes to drop to 280 pounds by the end of the year. He'll report on his progress with weekly blog updates. I’m a regular guy who, like you, works long hours, enjoys good food and just plain doesn’t take as good care of myself as I should.
 
It is my hope that from the series of blogs you’ll draw some inspiration and some ideas and will offer your own advice or personal stories of success and challenges.
 
At one point, I weighed in at 421 pounds. I suspect I was at a time heavier than that, but I often shied away from scales.
 
Thanks to a Jan. 9 gastric sleeve procedure at the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Center for Obesity and Metabolic Surgery, I am down to 361 pounds and still dropping.
 
I had been thinking about weight loss surgery for years. Did plenty of research and came close to pulling the trigger several times, but allowed outside circumstances — including money — to force delay after delay.
 
I would have never gotten to the point to the major lifestyle change had it not been for people I have come across in my life who have offered advice, support and, in general, busted my chops a lot.
 
Of course, it goes without saying that my family has played a huge role. Having a strong family support system — even if it is someone to go get you bottled water when you are too sore to get out of bed after surgery — is a huge difference maker.
 
My father, Jerry Aulds, stepped up with a daddy loan to pay for most of the medical costs when insurance said it wouldn’t pay for the procedure.
 
In one way or another, I drew inspiration from other folks and look to them as I take my journey.

South Houston resident Lillian High, whose granddaughter lives in Galveston County, has been missing since October. On Wednesday Houston police found High's car and her body. It happens that it was during a dive training session by Houston Police divers that the car was found.

After saying that the differences between the state and those opposing the legislatures redistricting plan were "insurmountable," even though the two sides are not that off on some of the maps. The state's senatorial, state house and congressional district lines are at question in the lawsuit.

LA MARQUE — The Daily News obtained a video of the fight that occurred on Jan. 13 at the La Marque High School gym after a basketball game between Manvel and La Marque.

GALVESTON — Housing authority officials are working on a list of frequently asked questions about their plan to rebuild public housing on the island.

Galveston got a big boost of publicity last week when ratings juggernaut American Idol aired the round of auditions shot at Galveston Island Convention Center.

Galveston County topped last year's total of athletes signing letters of intent to play collegiate sports on Wednesday morning when more than 40 local players made it official. There were a few surprises in the list, but as always, the sport of football was ever prevalent in helping Galveston County's college-bound athletes secure scholarships.