More than 40 women, and three guys, took part in the 4th annual Islander By Choice Galveston Island Beach Revue Bathing Beauties contest on the beach at 52nd Street in Galveston on Saturday. The event, held each Armed Forces weekend, serves as the kickoff to the summer season for the island.

Related story: 4th annual bathing beauty beach revue wows crowds

GALVESTON — Galveston County leaders joined pastors at the Justice Center in Galveston on Thursday to celebrate the 61st annual observance of the National Day of Prayer.

GALVESTON — Those floating, glowing lights in the sky above Galveston's East End about 9 p.m. Saturday weren't UFOs. Some teens launched about a half-dozen flying lanterns from Adoue Park.

On Monday, officials from the University of Texas' McDonald Observatory honored billionaire George Mitchell by renaming a spectrograph in honor of Mitchell and his late wife, Cynthia.

Related story: UT renames spectrograph for Mitchells

GALVESTON — City firefighters check a hydrant near city hall. Each engine company checks and maintains plugs in its district annually. Firefighters report any problems to the city's Public Works Department.

Related story: Third of city’s fire hydrants are damaged

Map: Galveston's Damaged Fire Hydrants

A fast-moving storm dumped rain and pea-sized to golf-ball sized hail in La Marque, Dickinson and at the Galveston County Fairgrounds in Hitchcock. This video is from Lt. Kirk Jackson of the La Marque Police Department as squad cars are pelted by the hail.

Scroll down for more photos and videos.




Reader Heather Dawn sent this image of hail falling on 14th Avenue in Texas City


Hail covered Cathy Kantowski's porch in La Marque


The almost golf ball-sized hail didn't do much damage to Cathy Kantowski's La Marque house


Chris Richardson of Texas City shot this video of hail falling into his pool. He said it was like "popcorn popping."


Texas City Commissioner Deanne Haney shot this video of hail falling in her driveway

GALVESTON — Galveston County leaders sold two steam-power hammers for scrap metal, and the demolition started late last week.

The hammers were a fixture in front of the Justice Center for the last eight years or so, dominating the open field next to Broadway. They were part of the Cotton Concentration Co. warehouse, which was built in 1910 at 54th and Ball streets.