Satterfield competency trial under way

The competency trial of alleged killer Robert Allen Satterfield got under way Tuesday, one day after prospective jurors gathered in the 329th District Court. With 350 summons issued, the court was expecting about 80 to appear Monday as the defense team argued that Wharton County residents would be incapable of providing their client with a … Read more

El Campo Police Department

El Campo police need your help on its facebook page. They have posted a picture of a man and a truck. If you can identify this person or the white truck’s owner, please call Sgt. Freddie Douglas at 979-543-5311 or Crime Stoppers at 979-543-8477 for a reward.

County Budget Approved

Matagorda County Commissioners approved the 20-23 county budget including setting the maintenance and operation tax rate, the interest and sinking tax rate and the overall 20-22 property tax rate during Monday’s meeting.

Rice Production

With another harvest mostly complete, rice production seems to have held strong, but rising costs keep the squeeze on local producers and a second crop might be out of reach for producers. Texas is traditionally in the top five in rice producing states, with Texas’ five-year average sitting at 178,000 acres. Wharton County producers reported … Read more

Chadwick Lewis Allen of Wharton is Wanted

The Wharton Police Department shared on its Facebook that 47 year old Chadwick Lewis Allen of Wharton is wanted for the alleged offense of Aggravated Robbery. Allen is allegedly responsible for the aggravated robbery at Svatek’s convenience store on North Alabama Rd.) which occurred on Tuesday, August 23rd. The department says if anyone knows his … Read more

ECISD vote may lower taxing rate on today

ECISD trustees will vote on setting the district’s tax rate and review security upgrades on campuses today. El Campo trustees are considering lowering the tax rate for the fourth year in a row. Under this proposed rate, a home with a final taxable value remaining at $100,000 would see a tax bill of $1,052.70.

El Campo approves funds for 9 civic organizations

El Campo citizens will be providing $180,000 in funding to community service organizations ranging from the museum to a spay/neuter program. City council authorized the expenditures yesterday as budget talks for the upcoming fiscal year continue. All but two of the nine non-profit organizations receiving support have received funding for the last five-plus years. The … Read more

Best of Wharton County Contest

The results are in for the 2022 Best of Wharton County Contest! Winners are beginning to be notified! If you were nominated, please be on the lookout for your results email. The winner’s magazine will be coming soon in September as well! Thank you to all of the voters of Wharton County for your participation!

Film Friendly Texas Workshop

Governor Greg Abbott yesterday invited communities in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas, and from across the state to participate in a Film Friendly Texas Workshop on Wednesday, October 5th, in McAllen. The workshop, hosted by the Texas Film Commission, is open to community representatives statewide interested in learning about the media production industries of … Read more

Rates Going Up

If you live in the city of Wharton, your sewer, water and trash collection rates are going up. The 10% increase for water and sewer and 7% increase for trash were approved by the council as they set the date of Sept. 12th for a public hearing on the 2022-23 budget. The 10% rate will … Read more