News Staff Fort Bend ISD bought a 16-acre land for $2.1 million in Harvest Green to construct a new elementary school. It’ll be a 130,000 sq.ft. campus for 1,000 students, with facilities like art and music rooms, a gymnasium, library, and outdoor learning spaces. The total cost is around $46 million, funded by a $1.26 billion bond … Read more
Industrial ISD addressed the recent arrest of three Jackson County teens. Cullen Stumfoll, Christopher McCrory, and Zachery Kuchler were charged with organized criminal assault. Their bond was set at $10,000 each, and they have since bonded out. The incident involved the Industrial ISD Varsity Baseball team, and the coaches promptly notified the administration when they … Read more
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, has granted a $48.1 million contract to Granite Construction Co. for Phase 1 of a flood risk mitigation levee system in Wharton. This project aims to reduce flood risk and damage to the City of Wharton from severe storms. It’s part of the Southwestern Division’s Hurricane … Read more
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association committee voted 3 to 1 in favor of recommending rate changes for 2024 policies. Residential policies may see a 5% increase, while commercial policies could face an 8% increase. Public comments were made by officials who expressed their opposition to the tax hikes, citing concerns for citizens in their communities. … Read more
Matagorda Regional Medical Center’s Auxiliary seeks volunteers. They need help for at least 3 hours a week. Tasks include running the gift shop, assisting visitors, and transporting patients in wheelchairs. Golf carts are used for patient transport around the campus. They’ll also help manage the scholarship program and hospital’s foundation. Qualifications: desire to serve, cooperation, … Read more
City leaders are back at budget talks tonight, trying to balance public concern over taxes with proposed staff pay raises. Residents must wait until later this summer for the city council’s final decisions. The Wharton County Central Appraisal District will release property evaluations, potentially affecting taxes. Initial estimates showed a $386 million increase in property … Read more
A 21-year-old man from El Campo is facing serious charges after allegedly ramming his car into a teenager outside a local motel. The Wharton County Grand Jury returned a four-count indictment against him for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The incident occurred during an argument with several people in front of the Jackson Inn. … Read more
The El Campo school district is planning to introduce a new dinner program for students, offering them a third meal. This program, set to launch in October, aims to provide a bagged dinner meal to students before they leave for the day. It’s also beneficial for athletes or other students who stay late and need … Read more
This weekend, there’s a small chance of rain finally returning, which firefighters are hoping for, as it’s becoming dangerously dry out there. A burn ban was imposed Thursday. The county needs about five inches of slow, steady rain to be safe from wildfire. The El Campo Volunteer Fire Department is praying for the forecasted rain. … Read more
A year ago, there was a fatal shooting in an apartment, resulting in the death of Kierra Blackshear. The main suspect, Christian Ramirez, was charged with murder by the Wharton County Sheriff’s Office. He allegedly fired the fatal shot and fled the scene along with several witnesses. Initially a minor, Ramirez was later certified as … Read more