Cobra trombonist Trevor Ledbetter of Industrial High School has once again earned statewide recognition, making the annual Texas All-State Band. Competing in the tougher 4A division, Ledbetter ranked second chair tenor trombone out of more than 10,000 students statewide. The Inez native previously made the last year’s All-State Concert Band and continues to perform with … Read more
Wharton celebrated hometown success last week as locals packed the Wharton Civic Center for the Chamber of Commerce’s 107th annual banquet. Karen Schulz of Schulz Insurance was named Businessperson of the Year for more than four decades of dedication to her neighbors. Wayne Waters earned the Community Service Award for his quiet care of the … Read more
El Campo is gearing up for a big day of hometown competition as Ricebird Stadium hosts the 62nd annual Ricebird Relays today. Six schools — including Industrial, Navarro, Needville, Rosenberg Terry, and Wharton — will join El Campo for the long-running track and field meet. Field events start at 2:30 p.m., and the 3200-meter run … Read more
Wharton County commissioners will decide Monday whether to borrow $74 million to build a new county jail. State regulators say the 30-year-old jail is too small, and a waiver allowing extra beds runs out in May. If the county doesn’t expand, it could be forced to send inmates elsewhere—at $80 a day each—costing more than $3 million … Read more
A familiar face in Texas’s AgriLife Extension Service is stepping into a new leadership role. Shea Nebgen has been named regional program leader for family and community health and 4-H youth development across South Texas. After 24 years serving Gillespie County, Nebgen will now guide agents in 41 counties. With nearly three decades of experience, … Read more
Bay City is tightening its financial disclosure rules to stay in line with federal securities laws. The City Council approved the update last week, giving the finance director clear responsibility for posting debt and finance reports to the EMMA system each year by March 31st. The policy adds stricter deadlines for reporting major financial events and … Read more
The El Campo City Council gave the green light for a major sidewalk project along North Wharton Street—teaming with the state in a unanimous vote last week. The $5.2 million upgrade, fully grant-funded at no cost to local taxpayers, will add sidewalks, lighting, and crosswalks to improve safety near Friendship Park. Construction will tie into … Read more
Wharton ISD leaders say a recent state accreditation warning isn’t a setback but a chance to show progress. The Texas Education Agency flagged the district after failing grades in ’24 and ’25, but Superintendent Oduwole says the district’s finances are now back in the black for the first time since ’19. He trimmed nearly $1 million … Read more
Bay City’s Parks and Recreation team is getting statewide recognition for its popular “Rally on the River” event at Riverside Park. The Houston-Galveston Area Council honored the program in its 20th annual Parks and Natural Areas Awards. The family-friendly event is known for getting folks outdoors to paddle, play games, and learn how to protect … Read more
Troopers are investigating a deadly crash that claimed the life of a Victoria man Friday afternoon on U.S. 77, about six and a half miles south of Refugio. The Department of Public Safety says 33-year-old Nicolas Rodas lost control of his Toyota Corolla and crashed into the back of a semi-trailer just after noon. Rodas … Read more