DICKINSON — The Daily News hosted a forum for Galveston County Sheriff candidates Wednesday night at the Barber Middle School auditorium, located at 5651 FM 517 East. The event was open to the public and streamed live to the Internet.

Three days after Precinct 1 County Commissioner Patrick Doyle announced he would not seek re-election, there are now five candidates seeking the office. Four are Republican and one is a Democrat.

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.

Two federal court decisions connected to redistricting in Texas were handed down Friday. The Supreme Court of the United States rejected redistricting maps for congressional and state legislature lines a federal judges' panel in San Antonio created.

It's looking more and more likely that the state's redistricting lines for the state legislature and congressional districts will be drawn by federal judges.

Galveston County Tax Assessor/Collector Cheryl Johnson is among nine members of a state board that votes on what groups can or cannot have charity license plates. Johnson had previously voted in support of a plate commemorating the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Barring a massive downpour during the next two days, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry is set to issue an emergency order to ban the sale or use of retail (some call them backyard) fireworks in the unincorporated parts of the county.