News Staff Matagorda County’s population barely dipped last year, edging down by just 31 people between ’23 and ’24—a 0.09% drop. Census estimates show births still outpaced deaths, and international arrivals added residents. But more locals moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in. That small migration shift explains the decline. Even with job growth and … Read more
A former Bay City police officer is facing a misdemeanor family violence assault charge. Authorities say 31-year-old Tyler Elaine Lawson-Ramirez was arrested early Sunday in the 2200 block of Bordeaux and booked into the Matagorda County Jail just before 4 a.m. Her bond was set at five thousand dollars. Records show Lawson-Ramirez left the Bay … Read more
Police in Victoria are investigating a deadly shooting at an apartment complex off Mockingbird Lane near Guy Grant Road. Officers were called just after 1 a.m. Saturday and found 26-year-old Terrance Butler with gunshot wounds. Investigators say 38-year-old Anna Dixon shot Butler before he later died from his injuries. Dixon was arrested on a murder … Read more
Police in Victoria say a city fire lieutenant is facing family violence charges after a recent arrest. Officers were called to a disturbance at a home on Calypso Court, where 43-year-old Marshall Kitchens was accused of assaulting a family member. He was booked into jail on a misdemeanor charge of assault causing bodily injury, which … Read more
We are half way through Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and the Crisis Center & Children’s Advocacy Center is reaching out to local teens and families. They say dating violence isn’t always physical—it can mean controlling behavior, nonstop check-ins, isolation from friends, or even online harassment. The center wants teens to know that healthy relationships … Read more
Wharton County leaders are weighing a $74 million plan to replace the county jail on the same site where it’s stood since 1996. A state mandate requires more jail beds by next year, leaving little choice but to build new. The proposed 240-bed facility would modernize security, expand space, and update outdated systems. Expanding the old … Read more
Bay City residents who may have unpaid Class C warrants now have a chance to clear them without being arrested. The Bay City Municipal Court is holding its annual Warrant Resolution period now to March 16th. During that time, residents can call or visit the court at 1824 6th Street to work out payment plans … Read more
Fire crews in El Campo quickly stopped a backyard blaze Thursday evening near Avenue J and Rebe Sue. Around 6 p.m., thick smoke rose behind a fence at 611 Avenue J, drawing neighbors outside. When El Campo firefighters got through the gate, they found a metal shed and part of a boat cover burning. Volunteers … Read more
TxDOT is asking Bay City residents to share feedback Thursday on a proposed relief route designed to ease traffic and improve safety around town. The open-house meeting runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bay City Civic Center on 7th Street, with no formal presentation planned. A virtual option will also open at 4:30 … Read more
East Bernard is getting a high-tech addition just north of town. Virginia-based Apex Clean Energy is building the Raven Storage Project, a 100-megawatt battery facility off Highway 60. Crews have already poured the foundation, and the company expects to finish construction by October, with operations starting in December. Apex told Wharton County Commissioners that the … Read more