News Staff A massive cotton fire kept crews busy for hours Sunday evening near El Campo. Officials say up to 400 cotton modules at United Ag Cotton Gin caught fire around 5 p.m. after what’s believed to be spontaneous combustion. Winds up to 25 miles per hour quickly spread the flames. More than 75 firefighters from eight … Read more
Fire crews in Wharton County are investigating what caused an early morning apartment fire that left one firefighter hurt at the Riverbend Apartment complex. The Wharton Volunteer Fire Department says flames broke out around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday on Junior College Boulevard. Video from the scene showed heavy fire shooting from one of the buildings. A … Read more
Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen Turner is under investigation for allegedly misusing public funds. Search warrants claim Turner paid two county employees with taxpayer money to care for her mother between October of ’23 and June of ’24. Records show the workers earned over $27,000 during that time. The investigation began after a former … Read more
The Tidehaven Tigers are gearing up for a big showdown Friday night as they host East Bernard with the district title on the line. Tidehaven remains unbeaten at 9-0 and 5-0 in district play, powered by quarterback Kale Russell and running back Jullian Stockton, who averages more than 100 yards per game. The Tigers’ defense … Read more
A 42-year-old Ganado man is back in custody after a multi-agency search ended Tuesday near County Road 240. Deputies say Jose Lazo was arrested for suspected possession of a controlled substance after previously fleeing from law enforcement. Witnesses reported seeing him in a black hoodie with pink handcuffs behind his back. The Jackson County Sheriff’s … Read more
The Pilot Club of El Campo is marking nearly 50 years of community service, continuing its mission to promote brain health, safety, and caregiver support. Founded locally in 1975, the group is part of an international network dedicated to positive change. Members volunteer at brain injury camps, sponsor the Anchor Club at El Campo High … Read more
Downtown Bay City was full of Halloween spirit as families packed the Bay City Public Library’s annual Trunk or Treat celebration on Saturday. Fifteen contestants transformed their vehicles into spooky, creative displays, with the Popcorn-themed trunk earning top honors after hundreds of online votes. Library staff called this year’s event one of the most successful … Read more
A Wharton home’s garage went up in flames a week ago after a lawn mower exploded, but no one was hurt. Fire crews were called to 515 Mockingbird Lane, where the homeowner said she was refueling the mower after cutting the grass when it caught fire. Firefighters contained the blaze to the garage of the … Read more
Leaders from Wharton and Matagorda counties will take a major step Friday toward launching their new regional public defender’s office. The newly formed seven-member oversight board will meet at 9 a.m. at the Matagorda County Courthouse in Bay City to begin its search for a chief public defender — the attorney who will lead legal … Read more
Wharton ISD is taking steps toward academic recovery after years of failing grades from the Texas Education Agency. At last week’s “Let’s Talk About It” meeting at Wharton Elementary, parents heard from district leaders about new programs aimed at boosting student success in and out of the classroom. Superintendent Olatunji Oduwole described the district’s improvement … Read more