Wharton County is rolling out virtual reality to steer at-risk teens toward careers instead of trouble. County commissioners approved leasing three VR training headsets for $17,400 to use in the juvenile probation classroom. The devices simulate more than 300 tasks in industries like health care, aviation and construction. Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Billie Jean Bram … Read more
El Campo homeowners will soon pay more in city property taxes after the City Council voted to raise the rate. The average home value rose from about $197,000 to $203,000, adding roughly $91 to a typical annual bill. The new rate climbs to 49.144 cents per $100 in taxable value, with nearly half going to … Read more
El Campo ISD is moving ahead with a major overhaul at Hutchins Elementary after voters approved an $81 million bond in May. The school board has now signed off on a tentative plan to add two new wings and a gym that meet fire and ADA standards, replacing outdated 1960s sections. About $25 million is … Read more
Wharton’s police chief is again under scrutiny as the City Council meets today to review a new complaint against him. Chief Terry Lynch, who has led the department since ’14, faces possible disciplinary action following an outside investigation ordered by the city. Details of the complaint remain confidential, but it marks the second against Lynch … Read more
Bay City leaders have approved a fiscal step that brings in more property tax dollars without raising the tax rate. Last week, City Council unanimously ratified a required vote confirming that the new FY ’26 budget will generate about $322,740 more in property tax revenue than last year, largely from new growth. Despite the extra … Read more
Palacios native Kori Roy, known as Mama Duke, turned heads nationwide by making the Top 10 on “America’s Got Talent” before bowing out in the finals. Watch parties erupted in Palacios as the Class of ’06 alumna brought her blend of hip-hop, pop, country and Tejano to millions. Her viral audition song racked up millions … Read more
A Wharton County Sheriff’s deputy, who was seriously injured Wednesday morning, is being blamed for a four-vehicle crash on U.S. 59 near FM 1163 north of El Campo. DPS investigators said Deputy Jacob Miles’ unmarked Ford F-150 rear-ended a Chevrolet Silverado, causing it to flip into a Toyota Camry and a flatbed trailer. The deputy’s … Read more
A five-vehicle wreck Tuesday morning north of FM 1163 shut down U.S. 59 traffic as Texas DPS investigated. Troopers said an unmarked Wharton County Sheriff’s Ford F-150 rear-ended a Chevy Silverado, flipping it into a Toyota Camry and a nearby flatbed trailer. The Ford veered off, crossed the median and hit a tree. The deputy … Read more
The Jackson County Courthouse held a major hearing Thursday morning in the murder case of 16-year-old Lizbeth Medina of Edna. Rafael Govea-Romero, already indicted for capital murder, was expected to plead guilty to murder and aggravated robbery for life sentences with possible parole plus a 20-year burglary term. This will make him parole-eligible after about … Read more
Labor of Love Food Ministry in El Campo has opened a new $35,000 building to better fight hunger locally. The pantry, founded by Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church and inspired by the late Eddie and Gertie Brown, now serves more than 230 clients, many of them seniors. Its previous site was destroyed by Hurricane Beryl, but … Read more