El Campo homeowners could face higher tax bills next year after City Council voted 4-0 to set the levy ceiling at 49.144 cents per $100 of value, up from 46. Officials say the change isn’t technically a tax hike but is needed as sales tax revenue falls short. City Manager Courtney Sladek said the city … Read more
The murder trial of babysitter Angel Nicole Castro is nearing its conclusion in Wharton County, but not without drama. A juror was dismissed last week after posting online about disturbing evidence in the case. Castro is accused of killing 19-month-old Roselynn Coates in El Campo in ’21 while the child was in her care. The … Read more
Bay City Council has approved new disaster debris contracts to strengthen emergency response. Partnering with Matagorda County and Palacios, the city named Galveston-based DRC Emergency Services as its primary contractor, citing decades of experience in hurricane recovery. Aftermath Disaster Recovery and Dynamic Group were selected as backups. Officials stressed no costs will occur unless a … Read more
The Wharton ISD school board remains stuck at six members after failing to appoint a replacement for longtime trustee Sherrell Speer, who resigned in June. Two candidates, Judd Perry and Robert “Griff” Vandagriff, split the board evenly last Thursday night, with neither securing enough votes. The stalemate leaves the board short-handed as the new school … Read more
Bay City has officially joined the latest national opioid settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, ensuring the community remains eligible for potential funding to fight addiction. City Council ratified Mayor Robert Nelson’s earlier signature last week, keeping Bay City in step with other Texas municipalities ahead of the national deadline. Like last year’s … Read more
More than four years after a teenage girl’s body was found near Hungerford, Wharton County officials have identified her as 16-year-old Yeimy Beltrand. Investigators say she was shot in the head three times in April of ’21 and left on County Road 225. Her boyfriend, 27-year-old Luis Omar Beltran-Mendoza, is now charged with murder after … Read more
Wharton ISD wrapped up its summer hiring by naming Courtney Carter as principal of Wharton Junior High and DeWayne McCurdy as assistant principal at Wharton High. Carter, a familiar face in the district, has served as assistant principal since ’23 and previously coached volleyball and track. McCurdy joins from Houston ISD with 15 years of … Read more
El Campo’s new Litter Walk Club is turning trash pickup into a community workout. Organized by Keep El Campo Beautiful, the once-a-month walks target litter-heavy streets and ditches. Volunteers meet at rotating locations, grab city-provided cleanup gear, and spend about an hour walking, talking, and collecting trash. The first event kicked off July 15th, and … Read more
Ganado’s Clara Gutierrez celebrated her 96th birthday with a hot pink party at the Ganado Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, drawing nearly 100 guests. Known for her deep faith, decades of church service, and enduring spirit, Clara has survived great loss, serious illness, and even COVID-19. She is the oldest member of Ganado’s Assumption Catholic Church … Read more
A 32-year-old El Campo man has been indicted for attempted murder after a May arrest in Ganado. Police say Andrew Longoria sent violent text threats to his ex-wife and her boyfriend, claiming he was on his way. Officers later stopped him for reckless driving and found him intoxicated with three handguns, two AR-15 rifles, and … Read more