News Staff Wharton County is set to host a new natural gas plant near Hungerford, driven by Houston-based EmberClear. Local officials met with developers and investors, discussing the $750 million project. The plant aims to boost reliable energy, spurred by Texas Energy Fund incentives after Winter Storm Uri. The project is supported by Whitehall Investment Banking and … Read more
The El Campo City Council delayed its tax rate decision due to disagreement over a proposed increase. The council must make a decision by September 30th or default to a no-revenue-increase rate of 44.066 cents per $100 of taxable property. With minimal growth in new homes and businesses, city staff recommended a slight tax hike … Read more
A former El Campo police sergeant, Freddie Douglas, is suing the city for wrongful termination and discrimination. Douglas was fired in December ’23 after being arrested on a rape charge, though a grand jury later declined to indict him. His lawsuit claims the firing was racially motivated, tied to his questioning of how thefts at … Read more
A man from El Paso, Jorge Maldonado, was arrested in Bay City after allegedly shooting his coworker, Joshua Galindo, during an argument at Scottish Inn and Suites on Seventh Street. Police were called late Monday night, and Maldonado admitted to the shooting. Galindo was found with two gunshot wounds, later dying after being airlifted for … Read more
Two AEP crewmen and a Westwind pilot were honored at Bay City’s Regional Airport for saving a Blessing’s man after Hurricane Beryl. On July 8th, Edward Gurecky fell off his utility vehicle, hitting his head and lying unconscious in his driveway. His wife was unaware of the accident. A passing helicopter with AEP crewmen Ronald … Read more
The Texas Department of Transportation is wrapping up its Hurricane Beryl cleanup by next Tuesday, September 24. TxDOT’s contractor, hired to speed up the process, will stop picking up debris after this date. Coastal areas hit hard by the July storm have seen extensive debris removal, with over 24,000 cubic yards cleared so far, with … Read more
Wharton is grieving the loss of 46-year-old firefighter Juan “John” Delgado, who passed away in his sleep last Friday. A welder by trade, Delgado dedicated over 30 years to volunteering with fire departments in Wharton, Kendleton, and Boling, earning Fireman of the Year in 2019. He was deeply passionate about firefighting and his family. Delgado … Read more
A Brazoria County Animal Welfare officer collided with an 18-wheeler while turning onto FM 1459 from Highway 35 around 1:27 p.m. Monday. The crash caused the 18-wheeler to overturn, trapping the driver inside. Emergency crews used heavy equipment to free the driver, who was airlifted to a Houston hospital. The officer was taken to a … Read more
El Campo residents and business owners are once again facing a potential property tax increase, just a week after a previous hike was rejected. The city council voted 5-2 to propose a new rate of 46.592 cents per $100 of property, slightly lower than the original proposal. The increase is driven by rising city debt, … Read more
The 35th Annual Under-the-Wire Fly-In will take place this weekend at Flying V Ranch in Louise. Named after the power line once on the property, the event started in 1989 with just 12 planes and now features around 150. Organized by Robbie Vajdos, a lifelong Stearman plane enthusiast, the weekend will include a flyover before … Read more