Matagorda County officials reinforced a strict burn ban during Monday’s Commissioners’ Court, citing super dry conditions that could spark wildfires. Precinct 4 Commissioner Charles “Bubba” Frick debunked rumors that residents can burn with commissioner approval, emphasizing no exceptions to the ban. With a drought index of 575 and abnormally dry weather tied to a La … Read more
In Wharton County, local businesses embraced Black Friday and Small Business Saturday to draw shoppers despite the rise of online holiday deals. Southern Belle Boutique in El Campo saw steady crowds, offering discounts throughout the day. Nearby, Bohemian Rhapsody II in Wharton featured sales tailored by its vendors, while 3 In 1 Fit Center highlighted … Read more
In Matagorda County, shrimpers remain hopeful for relief as federal lawmakers push for action against cheap foreign shrimp imports that have hurt the local market. Representatives, including Texas Congressman Troy Nehls, are advocating for stricter oversight of international projects that harm U.S. industries, like shrimping. Nehls’ proposed Save Our Shrimpers Act aims to cut federal … Read more
Bay City has rescheduled its HomeTown Christmas Lighted Parade to Thursday, December 12, at 7 p.m., after adjusting for the Bay City Blackcats and Tidehaven Tigers’ playoff games on Friday night. The route, entry numbers, and staging area remain the same. Officials encourage residents to cheer on the teams during the UIL Football Regional Championships. … Read more
A proposed tire shop on South Mechanic Street in El Campo faces public and Planning & Zoning Commission review this week. Castro Tire began setting up without the required special use permit, violating local zoning rules. The City Planning Director stated that while the shop meets most criteria, owner Felipe Castro Osorio did not complete … Read more
El Campo’s City Council voted 5-1 to cover the Civic Center rental fee for the annual Christmas Mall fundraiser this weekend, saving the local chamber of commerce $5,275. This comes after financial turmoil for the chamber, including a theft investigation, unpaid payroll taxes, and loss of $51,000 in city funding. New chamber leader Kelly Balthrop … Read more
Downtown Wharton welcomed over 2,000 attendees Tuesday night for the 44th annual Small Town Christmas parade, featuring festive weather, local vendors, and vibrant floats. This year marked a new chapter as Karen Smith led the event for the first time, taking over from longtime organizer Ron Sanders. With 75 parade entries, the procession flowed seamlessly. … Read more
Bay City police arrested a 46-year-old George Hawkins Sr., on Tuesday evening in the 1700 block of Palm Village for outstanding felony warrants and drug possession. Officers found him with Hydrocodone, Xanax, and cocaine, which Hawkins reportedly tried to hide during the search. He was booked into Matagorda County Jail on multiple charges, including drug … Read more
Drunk driving crashes spike during the holidays in Texas, with nearly 28% of traffic deaths linked to impaired drivers during this time. To combat this, the Texas Department of Transportation launched its “Drive Sober. No Regrets.” campaign, featuring mobile exhibits at Walmart stores and statewide PSAs. The initiative aims to prevent tragedies like that of … Read more
Matagorda County District Attorney Steven Reis has been awarded a scholarship to join the Texas Association of Counties’ Leadership 254 program. This statewide initiative, starting in February, equips county officials with advanced leadership skills to tackle unique challenges. Participants from various counties will engage in four intensive modules over 14 months, focusing on self-reflection, growth, … Read more