News Staff Downtown Blessing came alive Saturday for the 11th Annual Hotel Blessing Car Show, drawing crowds with classic cars, live music, and family fun. Held at the historic hotel, the event raised money for much-needed repairs after last year’s storm. Locals enjoyed food trucks, vendor booths, and a Ferris wheel, while dozens of vintage cars and … Read more
Wharton native Desurae Matthews is helping shape the future of STEM education across Texas. As a senior manager with Learning Undefeated, she oversees mobile science labs that visit schools statewide. The nonprofit first arrived after Hurricane Harvey and now partners with the Texas Education Agency. Matthews, a Wharton High grad, became their first Texas hire … Read more
Bay City residents can expect some short-term disruptions as city and state crews tackle scheduled maintenance projects. The city’s Brush Site on Skelly Road is closed until next Monday. Curbside brush pickup through GFL remains on schedule. At the same time, TxDOT crews are working along Highways 60 and 35, replacing signals, concrete, and ramps. … Read more
An El Campo man faces up to 10 years in prison after a crash last fall injured a mother and two children near Louise. A Wharton County Grand Jury indicted 29-year-old Reed Bartosh on three counts of intoxication assault. DPS says Bartosh ran a stop sign at FM 1160 and CR 360, crashing into the … Read more
Wharton ISD has named Diana Bell as the new principal of Wharton High School. Bell brings experience from Klein and Cy-Fair ISDs and holds degrees from Southern University and Prairie View A&M. The board is also accepting applications to fill a trustee seat left open after Sherrell Speer resigned in June. Applications close July 28. … Read more
Bay City officials are urging residents to ignore a false Facebook post and unauthorized emails that wrongly claimed the city’s water was unsafe and lift stations were down. According to a public notice, all lift stations are fully operational and there is no water quality advisory. Officials emphasized that the only trusted sources for emergency … Read more
Bay City Police Detective Juan Alfonso Delgado was honored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s #MemorialMonday tribute. Delgado, who died in ’21 from COVID-19 complications contracted on duty, served over 43 years in law enforcement. He worked across several Texas agencies and mentored countless officers. A cancer survivor and Army veteran, he left … Read more
The Crisis Center asked Wharton City Council for $7,000 in funding to help meet new state laws supporting domestic violence victims. This year, the center has already given over 7,000 shelter nights and 300 forensic child interviews across Matagorda and Wharton counties. Future plans include doctor training, expanded prevention services, and new transitional housing in … Read more
SPJST members from Matagorda County joined forces with others across District 6 on Saturday, raising $1,760 in just three hours for Warrior’s Weekend. The fundraiser in Taiton drew over 75 people for food, fun, and support for wounded veterans. Youth launched rockets, cookies were auctioned, and veterans’ healing retreats in Port O’Connor will benefit. Organizers … Read more
El Campo is investing over $800,000 to fix aging sewer lines in three high-priority neighborhoods. The repairs, approved Monday, will use leftover utility bond money from under-budget street work. Ram Rod Utilities of Spring will handle construction, expected to begin in three to four weeks. City officials say these lines were at risk of failing. … Read more