News Staff El Campo leaders are urging residents to keep their holiday spending close to home as “Small Business Season” kicks off across the city. Mayor Eugene Bustamante says local shops rely heavily on November and December sales to stay strong into the new year. City and chamber officials are asking residents to shop, dine and order … Read more
Bay City leaders say the town earned a major boost, as Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Folse officially proclaimed the city a “Tourism Friendly Community.” Local businesses and attractions are being credited for helping bring in visitors and support the economy. City officials say the recognition shows Bay City is ready to welcome more travelers to its … Read more
Brazoria County deputies arrested a 21-year-old Palacios man after a string of robberies that stretched from Matagorda County into Sweeny. Deputies say a masked gunman hit a convenience store on Highway 35 last Wednesday afternoon and took off in a blue Tahoe. A short time later, deputies stopped the SUV and identified the driver as … Read more
Wharton ISD is moving quickly to fix a serious safety concern at Wharton High School. The school board voted 5–1 on Thursday to replace the campus’ broken intercom system, which has failed in several buildings since Hurricane Beryl and even going back to Harvey. Parts of the school are no longer hearing announcements, raising safety … Read more
El Campo police say they are closing in on a suspect after a man was killed in a hit-and-run on West Fifth Street over a week ago. Officers were called after a resident spotted 50-year-old Jose Olvieda lying in a ditch. First responders later learned he had been hit by a blue Ford pickup that … Read more
East Bernard is gearing up for a tough playoff test tonight as the Brahmas face the Poth Pirates at Victoria’s Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is at 7. Poth has knocked East Bernard out of the playoffs three straight times, and the Brahmas hope to break that streak by running the ball and outmuscling the Pirates. Poth … Read more
Governor Greg Abbott announced that Formosa Plastics will expand its Point Comfort site in nearby Jackson County with a new C6 production facility. The project brings $150 million in investment and qualifies for the state’s JETI program, which cuts the company’s school district property taxes in exchange for jobs and capital spending. Local leaders say … Read more
Wharton County Junior College is launching a community push to help local students facing food and supply shortages. On Dec. 2nd, all four campuses — Wharton, Bay City, Sugar Land and Richmond — will host an all-day donation drive for the WCJC Homestead food pantry. Drop-offs run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The pantry … Read more
Wharton County leaders moved last week to boost safety for local law enforcement. Commissioners agreed to apply for two state and federal grants that would upgrade patrol vehicles and protective gear. The county hopes to secure funding for 16 bullet-resistant windshields, including new ones for constables arriving next year. The sheriff says this would make … Read more
El Campo High School is celebrating another major honor as Assistant Principal Jeff Orsak has been named Region 3 Assistant Principal of the Year. It marks the second straight year El Campo ISD has earned the title. Orsak, a Navy veteran with deep Ricebird roots, is known for building strong relationships with students and keeping … Read more