El Campo Faces Calallen in Playoff Rematch

It’ll be a family showdown tonight as El Campo Head Coach Travis Reeve and his Ricebirds face his brother Charlie’s Calallen Wildcats in the Class 4A Division I bi-district playoffs. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. at Phil Danaher Stadium in Corpus Christi. El Campo, now 6-4, looks to avenge last year’s 35-14 playoff … Read more

Wittig Elected to Boling ISD Board

Keith Wittig, a Boling High School graduate and local business owner, has been sworn in to the Boling ISD Board of Trustees, winning the Position 7 seat with 268 votes to 131 over Walter Popisil. Wittig, co-owner of Central Turf Farms in Wharton, says he’s eager to give back to the schools that shaped him. … Read more

El Campo Secures Record Grant Funding

El Campo city leaders say major grant funding is transforming local infrastructure while saving taxpayers millions. City Manager Courtney Sladek told council that the city has secured over $22 million in grants—nearly matching its $28 million annual budget. The funds support drainage, street, and sidewalk upgrades, including Phase 2 of the $14.8 million Tres Palacios … Read more

Bay City Honors Aviation Industry

Bay City leaders have declared November as National Aviation Month, recognizing how the aviation industry fuels the local economy and connects the community to the world. Mayor Robert K. Nelson signed the proclamation, highlighting Bay City Regional Airport’s key role in business, tourism, and recreation. The airport serves as a major hub for travel and … Read more

Louise Woman Indicted in Husband’s Shooting

A Louise woman is facing felony charges after allegedly shooting her husband during a domestic dispute two months ago. The Wharton County Grand Jury has indicted 42-year-old Melanie Rae Bell for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury. Deputies arrested Bell at her home on Fourth Street in Louise on September 15. Investigators … Read more

Family of Nine Loses Home

A Wharton family of nine lost their home Monday morning after a fire broke out on Holiness Lane near County Road 166. Fire crews were called just after 9 a.m. and believe the blaze started from an electrical issue in the attic. With limited water supply on the city’s edge, firefighters from Boling, Hungerford, and … Read more

Farm Bureau Donation

Matagorda County Farm Bureau is putting agriculture to work for local families. Through the statewide Farmers Feeding Families program, the group donated three hogs and two steers—more than 1,200 pounds of fresh meat—to the Bay City Women’s Crisis Center, Calvary Baptist Church, and Harvest House. Each organization serves hundreds of residents weekly, offering warm meals … Read more

Formosa Plastics Invests $150 Million

Jackson County is getting a major economic boost as Formosa Plastics announced a $150 million investment to build a new C6 production facility near Point Comfort. The plant will create new jobs and supply materials for everyday plastics. Governor Greg Abbott says the project highlights Texas’ strength in chemical manufacturing and global exports. Local leaders, … Read more

Ganado’s Kyla Stancik Commits

Ganado’s star athlete Kyla Stancik is staying close to home, officially committing to Texas A&M–Victoria to continue her softball career and studies. Stancik earned state MVP honors after driving in the game-winning run that secured Ganado’s first-ever state championship last May. She wrapped up the season with 34 hits and 23 RBIs. Outside of school, … Read more

Wharton Mother Rebuilds

A Wharton mother is starting over after losing nearly everything in a devastating apartment fire early last Wednesday morning. Around 2:30 a.m., River Bend Apartments resident Rossilynn Hayes woke to shouts and thick smoke filling her unit. She grabbed her 18-month-old daughter and escaped just in time. Hayes, who recently moved back to Wharton and … Read more