Stuff the Sleigh event set for April 14

Stuff the Sleigh hosts Bags, Bingo and Bubbles, which is set for 6-11:30 p.m. April 14 at Palacio Maria 21728 Highland Knolls Dr. Tickets are $100.

The evening features designer bags, bingo and bubbles, an 80s-themed fundraiser supporting pediatric cancer and hematology patients and families. Purse designers include Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Tory Burch, Kate Space, Michael Kors, and Coach.

Other silent auction items include an in-home private chef experience for eight people. Additionally, dozens of raffle items, including a wine-tasting tour for up to 16 people from Nice Wines of Houston, items from Kendra Scott, Pucci, Sea World, The Alley Theater and more will be available.

Also being raffled are five tickets to any regular-season Astros game in Section 122, Row 6, online now. Raffle purchasers do not need to attend the event to win.

For more information and to register, visit the website thesleigh.org/bags-bingo--bubbles.html.

Gus George Law Enforcement Academy offering paid cadet positions

The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office announces that the Gus George Law Enforcement Academy is now offering paid cadet positions.

Cadets who qualify will earn an hourly rate of $22.50/hour to attend the Basic Peace Officer Course, where tuition will be waived, and uniforms will be provided. Upon graduation, the paid cadets will receive field training and an assignment within the sheriff’s office. Limited openings are available for paid cadets who meet qualification criteria.

During the course, cadets receive training in defensive tactics, firearms proficiency, patrol rifle, active shooter response, emergency driving, physical fitness, first aid, criminal investigations and crime scene procedures, among other law enforcement topics.

The full-time course will begin Aug. 7. Graduation will be held Jan. 26, 2024. Anyone who graduates from the academy will have the opportunity to apply for full-time positions within the sheriff’s office.

The Gus George Law Enforcement Academy will be hosting a weekend test date April 22 at 1521 Eugene Heimann Circle, in Richmond. Testing is also held during the week on every other Thursday at various times. Click on the link below to see all available dates and times. Testing requirements include passing the Nelson Denny as well as the 1.5-mile run.

To register for a test date, visit the website gusgeorgelawenforcementacademy.org/basic-peace-officer-course/. The deadline to test for the fall course is June 30. For more information, call 281-341-4780 or email Donna Silewicz at donna.silewicz@fortbendcountytx.gov.

“Being in law enforcement takes a special kind of person,” Sheriff Eric Fagan said. “Here in Fort Bend, we need individuals who are ready to make a difference in the community and join our team.”

Fort Bend County Libraries launch new online financial planning resources

Fort Bend County Libraries announces the addition of a new online financial-planning resource, Weiss Financial Ratings, for consumers. This new resource provides powerful tools for individuals who want to protect their finances, invest wisely, grow their wealth and learn more about financial management.

A demonstration of this new resource will take place at Fort Bend County Libraries’ Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. April 20 in the meeting room of the library, 8100 FM 359 South in Fulshear.

Library staff will provide an overview of key features of the Weiss Financial Ratings resource. Learn how the resource provides consumers with the tools they need to make informed decisions about their financial needs.

For more information, call the library at 281-633-4675.

Friends of Cinco Ranch Branch Library seeking gently-used book donations for book sales

The Friends of the Cinco Ranch Branch Library are requesting donations of gently-used books so they can replenish their supplies and continue their book sales and fundraising efforts. Donations can be brought during business hours to the Cinco Ranch Branch Library, 2620 Commercial Center Blvd.

The Friends of the Cinco Ranch Branch Library have long had ongoing book sales in the library, as well as special book-sale events periodically. These book sales are a primary fundraising source for the organization.

Money raised by the Friends of the Library Book Sales has provided funding for special adult and children’s programs, cultural events, and staff-development and continuing-education programs for library employees.

Items that are needed include gently-used fiction and nonfiction adult, youth, and children’s hardback and paperback books that are clean and not torn. Textbooks are also accepted.

Items that cannot be accepted include cassettes, VHS tapes, DVDs, CDs, encyclopedias, medical/legal/computer books older than 2019, or books that are damp, moldy, dirty, or insect-ridden.

The Friends of the Cinco Ranch Branch Library organization is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation. Donations and contributions to the Friends are tax deductible.

For more information, call the Cinco Ranch Branch Library at 281-395-1311 or email friendsofcincoranchlib@gmail.com.

Brennon Marsh joins Austin County State Bank management team

Austin County State Bank announces the addition of Brennon Marsh, of Katy, to its Sealy location. Dennis Hansen, bank president, said Marsh will serve as vice president and market manager of commercial lending.

Marsh stated he was looking forward to serving the Sealy and surrounding communities. He is a fifth-generation Texan and 1998 graduate of the University of Texas. He has been in community banking for 24 years. He lives in Katy with his wife Beverly; they have two sons, Matthew, age 14 and Preston, age 13. He grew up in Baytown and has been a Rotary member since 2005.

When he isn’t helping people grow their businesses and build their balance sheets, Marsh is most likely in the outdoors, fishing and hunting with his sons. “My family enjoys traveling from the Pacific Northwest wine country to the beaches of Mexico,” Marsh said. “I enjoy chasing reds, speckled trout and waterfowl all over.” He also enjoys hunting in southwest Texas and calling up wild turkeys with his sons.

“Brennon brings with him a level of banking experience and knowledge which will benefit our overall lending team,” Hansen said. “Austin County State Bank looks forward to expanding our lending capabilities in Sealy, Austin County and the surrounding communities. Brennon, who has a history of being an active part of the community he serves, will be an excellent addition to our banking team.”

Austin County State Bank has been in business since 2007. The main location is Bellville, with the first branch opening in Sealy in November, 2018 and Godley in 2019. “We are committed to building strong financial and personal relationships with business owners, individuals and families in our service areas,” Hansen said.