News Staff Sean Michael Pursley, a former Wharton ISD elementary teacher, will serve eight years on probation after pleading no contest to improper relationships with four junior high students. These incidents occurred on campus in 2020 and ’21. Pursley’s sentence includes ongoing sex offender counseling and restrictions on attending events involving children, using the internet, and living … Read more
A semi-truck trying to beat a train was struck on Wednesday afternoon near Hungerford, sending barrels of non-toxic lubricant flying. No injuries occurred, but cleanup took hours. The truck, driven by a 27-year-old San Jose man, failed to yield at a railroad crossing on CR 212. Firefighters from Hungerford and nearby areas responded, using absorbent … Read more
New teachers in Matagorda County schools were welcomed by the Bay City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture on Wednesday. The Chamber’s annual New Teacher Breakfast gave these fresh faces the opportunity to meet their new colleagues and receive goodie bags packed with supplies from sponsors including HIF USA, Matagorda Medical Regional Medical Center, and Wharton … Read more
Lawrence Herald, a 79-year-old El Campo drug dealer, is appealing his life sentence, claiming inadequate representation. The Wharton County DA’s office opposes this. Herald’s home was raided in 2019, seizing Fentanyl pills, cash, and a pistol. He fled during his trial last year but was later captured and sentenced. Herald’s appeal is now with the … Read more
On Saturday, the University of Houston-Victoria hosted a Super Saturday event at UHV Commons. The event was designed to help incoming students complete any last-minute tasks before classes started on August 26. Representatives from various departments were available to assist students with enrollment, financial aid, and other needs. A virtual option was also provided for … Read more
RWE Peyton Creek Wind Farm held its third annual Back to School Drive on August 8th. The event provided 200 backpacks filled with supplies to children from all districts in Matagorda County. Families enjoyed food, drinks, and snow cones. The company also donated backpacks to Texana Mental Health Clinic for youth clients. The wind farm … Read more
The El Campo City Council will discuss tax hikes and hurricane debris removal costs today. A 5 p.m. budget workshop will debate tax increases despite a slight drop in the No New Revenue Rate. The proposed $28.15 million budget includes $12.9 million for the General Fund and $5.63 million for the Utility Fund. At 6 … Read more
A Bay City councilman and pig farmer, Ben Flores, cannot use the “right to farm” as his defense in a civil lawsuit filed by his neighbors, ruled a judge on Wednesday. Flores’ farm has caused friction since late ’22 when he sought a variance to allow pigs within city limits. Despite a change in the … Read more
A Calhoun County jury sentenced Blake Downs to 30 years in prison for the 2022 shooting death of 19-year-old Coewin Boerm in Port Lavaca. Downs shot Boerm on April 9, 2022, at his Holloman Road home, in an outbuilding while a family member was asleep inside. The jury found Downs guilty after three hours of … Read more
The Collection Station in El Campo, which extended its hours for Hurricane Beryl cleanup, will close at 5 PM today. Regular hours resume Saturday. Residents are urged to finish their cleanup before the extended hours end. The station is at 1698 CR 303. Bring your ID and utility bill for drop-offs.