News Staff This week, Bay City is honoring its unsung heroes—911 dispatchers and call takers—as part of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, through this Saturday. These behind-the-scenes professionals work around the clock, guiding residents through emergencies and keeping local police, fire, and EMS teams informed and safe. They handle stressful situations with calm and care, even on … Read more
Early Sunday morning in Bay City, around 12:30 AM, police responded to gunfire on the 2700 block of Cottonwood. Witnesses said 18-year-old Zeferino Vargas was kicked out of a party and then opened fire outside. Officers found 11 shell casings, two vehicles hit, and bullets inside a nearby home. Vargas resisted arrest, tried grabbing a … Read more
An early morning fire gutted a vacant home and garage on East Watt Street in northeast El Campo last week. Firefighters arrived to find the 1948-built structure in flames. With no power or water service, officials say no one should’ve been inside. The fire spread quickly due to heavy clutter and old wood. No injuries … Read more
El Campo dominated district play to win the title and earned a spot at this week’s regional golf tournament in Victoria. The Ricebirds shot a two-day 643, beating Needville by 33 strokes. Boling also advanced after placing second in District 24-3A with a team score of 402. East Bernard’s Camden Fucik and two Brahmarettes—Gabby Boehnemann … Read more
Gulf Coast CASA recently held its annual Pinwheel event in Wharton County to raise awareness for local victims of child sexual abuse. The event honored 65 confirmed abuse cases in ’24 and stressed the urgent need for community action. Attendance doubled from past years. CASA’s mission includes both supporting victims and preventing future abuse. Volunteers … Read more
Bay City lit up with support Thursday night as locals gathered at the Matagorda Courthouse for the 5th Annual Light Up the Square, hosted by the Crisis Center. As paper lanterns were placed for each anonymous victim, law enforcement and community leaders read their stories aloud. The event blended music, prayer, and raw testimony, giving … Read more
El Campo will soon see a new auto shop open on Jackson Street. The city council approved a Special Use Permit for Jackson Street Tire and Mechanic at 1102 W. Jackson, the former home of Midnight Tinterz. The permit enforces strict rules: work must happen inside, no junk visible from the street, and limited outside … Read more
Wharton County Commissioners Court will meet this morning for a special session tied to County Government Day. About 350 students from all county high schools will rotate through government departments, ending with lunch at Wharton KC Hall. Key agenda items include support for a long-delayed airport overpass project, now fully funded. Commissioners will also consider … Read more
In Bay City, Mackenzie Rivers and Thomas Valdez faced an unexpected crisis on their wedding day—just hours before exchanging vows, their dog Rhea, a miniature Australian Shepherd, escaped. Rhea ran off after strong winds opened the fence during the rehearsal dinner. Despite efforts from the couple, wedding party, and local residents, Rhea remained elusive. Wedding … Read more
An El Campo Girl Scout Troop delivered over 50 cases of donated cookies to local police, fire, and EMT crews. The cookies were collected through community support and personal contributions over three weekends at Prasek’s Family Smokehouse. The troop thanked El Campo and nearby residents for their generosity. This heartwarming gesture not only supported local … Read more