News Staff A Wharton County Grand Jury indicted 32-year-old Brandon Dwayne Stephens for the deadly June 29th gas station shooting in El Campo. Investigators say Stephens shot 37-year-old Nikko Ray Deases after an argument at the Beverage Wall on Palacios Street. Police believe a 9mm handgun recovered during Stephens’ arrest the next day in Brazoria was the … Read more
A Wharton County jury has convicted former El Campo babysitter Angel Nicole Castro for causing serious injury to a child in her care. The ’21 incident led to the death of 19-month-old Roselynn Coates after a fall inside Castro’s home. Prosecutors said Castro waited 45 minutes before calling 911. She avoided a capital murder conviction … Read more
The long-delayed murder trial of Fernando Acosta Jr. is finally set to begin September 8th in Victoria. Acosta is accused in the ’21 death of Amanda Johnson, a 38-year-old single mother and former Victoria ISD teacher. Johnson was found shot inside her burned SUV in Matagorda County, discovered by hunters. Investigators tied Acosta to the … Read more
Bay City Council has approved the Service and Assessment Plan for the Russell Ranch subdivision on the east side. The plan sets yearly payments from property owners to cover infrastructure such as roads and utilities within the 50-acre development near Hubbard Road and Old Van Vleck Road. Created in ;21, the district allows the city … Read more
Bay City is adding its own flair to the statewide tradition of art walks with the return of the Matagorda County ArtWalk this Saturday. The free event runs from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Bay City Civic Center and carries a “Summer Blues” theme. Visitors can enjoy live music from Man of Sky, art … Read more
Bay City is taking steps to ease downtown traffic by backing a state study on a possible truck relief route for Highway 35. Council approved the move last week, clearing the way for TxDOT to look at bypass options that would steer heavy trucks, including those with hazardous loads, out of the city center. Local … Read more
El Campo City Council has cleared the way for a new neighborhood across from Friendship Park. Prairie Park Estates will be built in two phases, starting with nine homes on Franke Street. Developer Edward Vallejo the 4th received approval for a 27-lot plat, though one lot is undersized and awaits state review before Phase II … Read more
A Wharton County family’s history is now officially recognized with a new Texas Historical Marker at the Roberts Family Cemetery on County Road 125. More than 30 descendants gathered recently to honor Emanuel and Hannah Roberts, whose land dates back to 1893. Family historian April Frazier spent over 20 years researching records to confirm their … Read more
Wharton County Junior College is rolling out new science courses this fall to give non-science majors more options. Starting in Fall 2025, students can take Nutrition and Diet Therapy, Environmental Biology with an optional lab, and Human Biology. These classes are designed to meet degree requirements while offering flexibility for students outside of STEM. Human … Read more
El Campo homeowners could face higher tax bills next year after City Council voted 4-0 to set the levy ceiling at 49.144 cents per $100 of value, up from 46. Officials say the change isn’t technically a tax hike but is needed as sales tax revenue falls short. City Manager Courtney Sladek said the city … Read more