Lavaca County EMS Called Up

Late Tuesday, Lavaca County EMS was called by the state’s emergency medical task force. Due to an overload of 911 calls in Houston, four paramedics and two ambulances were sent from Lavaca County. They joined EMS teams from across Texas at NRG Stadium and were assigned to the Manvel area to assist.

Power Restoration Update

AEP Texas is restoring power to the last customers affected by Hurricane Beryl. They ask those still without power to call the Customer Solutions Center. 94% of the 35,500 affected customers have power back. Customers are reminded to stay away from crews and downed power lines, and to follow safety instructions for portable generators. Sign … Read more

Free Cleanup Services

Bay City police announced help for Hurricane Beryl damage — free cleanup services. Volunteers can cut fallen trees, remove drywall, flooring, and appliances, tarp roofs, and mitigate mold. The hotline is open until July 19th. Services aren’t guaranteed due to high demand and don’t cover social services like food, clothing, shelter, or insurance. For more … Read more

East State Softball Tournament

Despite most of El Campo being without power after Hurricane Beryl, the Little League Texas East State Softball Tournament proceeded at Zlotnik Park, which had power. District 18 administrator Paul Sanders confirmed the games are on, though he is concerned about hotel availability for visitors. The tournament started Thursday with opening ceremonies.

Arrested or Smuggling People

Carlos Morales, 44, from Humble, was arrested on June 28th for smuggling people after a traffic stop on Hwy 59. When pulled over, several individuals fled into the brush. Morales was detained, and a search of his vehicle revealed a Ruger 380 pistol and items linked to human smuggling. He faces additional charges for unlawful … Read more

Baseball Players Plead Guilty

Four former Industrial High School baseball players pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily injury. They received 12 months deferred adjudication, 50 hours of community service, and a $1,000 fine. The charges stemmed from an organized assault on a younger teammate last year. Their attorney stated that the plea deal was the best option to avoid … Read more

Avoided Worst Case Scenario

Wharton successfully avoided a worst-case scenario with Hurricane Beryl. The Assistant City Manager reported minimal structural damage, mainly from fallen tree limbs, and the city’s infrastructure remained intact. The Wharton Volunteer Fire Department, on standby during the storm, mainly dealt with downed power lines and gas leaks. The main job now will be restoring power … Read more

Summer Workouts

After a two-day hiatus due to Hurricane Beryl, El Campo and other schools in the area have resumed their summer workouts. Wharton, however, remains closed and is expected to reopen today, according to athletic director Alvin Dotson. These workouts will continue for the remainder of the month.

Woman Dies in Family Dispute

On Monday morning in Victoria, police found a woman with life-threatening injuries caused by Trevon Anthony Martinez, now charged with murder. Police responded to a crash at East Water Street and found a white Ford Expedition had lost control and hit a fence. The woman driver, Virginia Ann Martinez, 45, was in the vehicle with … Read more

Criminals take Shelter

As Hurricane Beryl hit, Wharton County saw both criminals and law-abiding citizens take shelter. Sheriff Shannon Srubar noted it was unusually quiet, with deputies focused on reporting downed power lines instead of disturbances. Two active lines were down on FM 1300 and CR 251. Despite home and crop damage, things went as well as possible.