A Wharton County jury has cleared an El Campo man of child indecency charges. The verdict on January 14th found 44-year-old Roberto Romero not guilty after a two-day trial. District Attorney Mark Racer says some evidence was tossed that could’ve been viewed as a confession, but he respected the judge’s decision. Romero had been indicted … Read more
A Wharton man who was cleared just weeks ago of threatening a police officer is once again facing serious charges. A grand jury indicted 42-year-old Zealous Mayberry Jones of Wharton on six felony counts, including two aggravated assaults on a public servant, burglary, evading arrest, and vehicle theft. Investigators say it all stems from a … Read more
Wharton edged past rival El Campo in a tight county showdown last Friday night, walking away with a 56-52 win to stay alive in the playoff race. The Runnin’ Tigers jumped ahead early, leading 21-13 after the first quarter and stretching it to 30-19 by halftime. El Campo rallied in the second half, trimming the … Read more
The El Campo Elks Lodge No. 1749 is supporting local families with a $4,000 donation to The Crisis Center, which serves Wharton and Matagorda counties. The nonprofit provides emergency help for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, while also promoting community awareness and prevention. The contribution comes through the Elks National Foundation’s … Read more
Victoria police are investigating a deadly crash after a car was found submerged in the Guadalupe River near Riverside Park last week. Officers responded to a call on McCright Drive and discovered the vehicle across from the golf course. Inside, they found 25-year-old Tabetha Lynn Neely of Victoria, who family members say was a wife … Read more
Residents in Bay City will get a chance to learn how to save a life later this month. The Bay City Police Department is offering a free, hands-only CPR class on Thursday, February 26, at 5:30 p.m. The session will be held upstairs at the Bay City Volunteer Fire Department. Space is limited, so anyone … Read more
The Bay City Council has signed off on major updates to its Animal Control Ordinance after months of community input. Police Chief Christella Rodriguez presented the final version last Tuesday, following a public survey and meeting late last year. The changes modernize local rules on pets and animal services, giving the city authority to collect … Read more
Tenaris has wrapped up an $8 million upgrade to its Bay City pipe mill with a new water filtration system aimed at cutting water use and improving quality. The system handles up to nine thousand gallons a minute and increases the plant’s already high recycling rate. Company leaders say it’s part of their commitment to … Read more
Candidate filing is open in El Campo for the May city election, which will decide three at-large City Council seats and, by extension, the mayor’s post. Mayor Eugene Bustamante has filed to run again. Bustamante made history as the city’s first Hispanic mayor and says he’s eager to keep serving El Campo. Incumbent councilmen Blake … Read more
More than 400 people packed the Wharton Civic Center Thursday night to honor local heroes and celebrate law enforcement achievements. The 100 Club of Wharton County marked a milestone year—funding new vests, scholarships, and boosting officer life insurance benefits. Wharton Police Chief Terry Lynch praised his team for lowering crime and saving lives during last … Read more