News Staff A 79-year-old El Campo man will stay behind bars after Texas’s highest criminal court denied his appeal. Lawrence Herald was sentenced to life for dealing fentanyl out of his 310 Thrift home. Police seized 113 pills, $10,000, and a pistol in ’19. Herald skipped his trial, was later caught in Fayette County, and claimed poor … Read more
El Campo ISD has made history by earning National Showcase District status, with all five campuses recognized as “Capturing Kids’ Hearts” National Showcase Schools. This prestigious distinction honors districts with at least 70% of campuses achieving recognition. The program, which focuses on building strong, positive relationships between students and teachers, has proven successful in fostering … Read more
Bay City Council has approved a resolution to support a $961,000 grant request for emergency generators. If approved, the project will install backup power at four sewer lift stations and one key facility to keep vital services running during outages. This follows damage from Hurricane Beryl. FEMA could cover 75% of the cost. The city … Read more
Early voting is underway in El Campo, with voters deciding on an $81 million bond for major school upgrades. If passed, it would fund a new high school building, updated classrooms, and security improvements—without raising the current 29-cent tax rate. Failing the bond could delay urgent repairs, shifting costs to the operating budget. The district … Read more
Life recently changed for 100 high school seniors from Brazoria and Matagorda counties. They landed real jobs through the Career Signing Day program, hosted by the Brazoria County Petrochemical Council. Chosen from 252 applicants, they’ll now work in welding, pipefitting, and other trades with local industry leaders. Starting salaries range from $40,000 to $50,000, with … Read more
A crop duster plane made an emergency landing in a field southeast of Louise last Friday morning without any injuries. The Grumman G-164A, owned by Nelson Flyers Inc., had engine trouble and landed near Danevang around 10:30 a.m. The pilot, who was not identified, walked away from the plane unharmed. Local authorities, including the Wharton … Read more
Sales tax rebates in Wharton County and its cities are down despite rising prices. April collections fell by up to 18% compared to last year, with El Campo, Wharton, and East Bernard seeing drops. El Campo’s rebates dropped 6.83%, while Wharton’s fell 17.46%. Wharton County’s rebate dropped 11.82%. These declines come as overall prices have … Read more
Wharton ISD is joining several area school districts in adopting Bluebonnet Learning for K-5 students starting in the ’25-26 school year. Approved by the state last fall, the curriculum brings $60 per student in funding. While some criticize its Christian content, Wharton officials say they’ll adjust the material to meet local needs. Nearby districts like … Read more
El Campo voters are heading to the polls tomorrow to decide on an $81 million school bond. The proposal would fund major improvements at El Campo High School and Hutchins Elementary without increasing the current tax rate. Projects include a new cafeteria, library, gym, and enhanced campus security. If approved, construction could start this fall. … Read more
Adyson Merck, a student from Palacios Junior High and a member of El Maton 4H, created a Quilt of Valor as part of Texas 4H’s Fashion and Interior Design project. Merck and April McAvoy McKinney worked together on the quilt, with McKinney teaching her how to use the Handi Quilter machine. Adyson chose Philip Hester, … Read more