El Campo’s fight against blight is sparking debate at City Hall. City staff propose cutting next year’s demolition budget by 70 percent, dropping it from $23,238 to $6,950. Staff say more property owners now handle their own demolitions, saving city funds. District 4 Councilman John Hancock Jr. argues the city isn’t proactive enough in tackling … Read more
El Campo is gearing up for the return of Prairie Days at Alamo Park on Saturday, October 4th. Hosted by the El Campo Chamber of Commerce, the free-admission festival honors local heritage with food, shopping, live music and a large kids’ zone featuring pony rides, inflatable slides, a train ride and carnival games. Festivities start … Read more
Tidehaven’s football success is being fueled by one of its own. Head Coach David Lucio, a ’96 Tidehaven graduate, has turned the once-struggling program into a powerhouse since taking over nine years ago. Last Friday’s 35-7 win over Hallettsville marked his 100th career victory. The Tigers are unbeaten this season after lopsided wins over Palacios … Read more
The El Campo Ricebirds suffered their first loss of the season Friday night in a nail-biting 36-35 overtime thriller at home against Needville. After trailing 28-7 at halftime, El Campo stormed back with three second-half touchdowns to tie the game at 28-28. Running back Kylon Taylor led the charge with 219 rushing yards and two … Read more
Matagorda County residents are being warned about a phone scam where callers pose as Sheriff’s Office staff demanding fake fine payments. Officials say the caller uses the name “Kevin Brown,” but no such employee exists. Deputies will never call to demand money or threaten arrest. Anyone getting these calls should hang up and verify claims … Read more
Wharton City leaders will hold a key public hearing tonight at 7 on the city’s new tax rate and ’25-’26 budget just days before the new fiscal year begins. The proposed tax rate of $0.42411 per $100 is slightly lower than last year but would still raise the average home’s bill by about $26 to … Read more
Three people were rescued after a 17-foot boat flipped near Sargent on Saturday morning. The U.S. Coast Guard says a helicopter crew from Houston and a response boat from Freeport rushed out after an alert came in just after 11 a.m. Rescuers found two men and a boy perched on the overturned craft and safely … Read more
The El Campo Ricebirds put their unbeaten streak on the line tonight at home as they welcome the surging Needville Bluejays for a rematch of last year’s thriller. El Campo narrowly won 31-28 in double overtime, but Needville broke the Ricebirds’ three-game series streak with a big win that season. Now 2-1, the Bluejays shocked … Read more
A deadly crash Thursday morning shut down part of State Highway 36 near Dannhaus Road in Needville. Fort Bend County deputies say a car and an 18-wheeler collided, forcing traffic to be diverted for hours. A medical helicopter rushed one person from the scene, but officials later confirmed the male driver of the car died … Read more
Wharton County girls are stepping into new territory with Scouting America’s first all-female troop. Troop 117 launched in August so local Cub Scouts could keep advancing without leaving the county. The troop meets twice a month at First United Methodist Church in Wharton and plans its first camping trip at Brazos Bend State Park later … Read more