In a recent school board meeting, Wharton School District leaders discussed the retirement of Superintendent Dr. Michael O’Guin. After a private meeting, they decided to put him on leave and named Olatunji Oduwole as the temporary superintendent. This follows Dr. O’Guin’s announcement to retire after his contract ends in 2025. Dr. O’Guin chose not to … Read more
The Wharton Lions Club held a festive dinner at Mayor Tim Barker’s place to welcome their new leaders. Dick Wosniak is the new president, with Letha Barker, Ken Dimmick, and Ross Mudumiri as vice presidents. Joyce Ferrell will keep the records as secretary, and Susan Welch will manage the finances as treasurer. They also praised … Read more
Wharton residents Hector Hernandez and Giovanni Martin have made the dean’s list for spring semester. Hernandez earned this honor at the University of Maryland Global Campus by completing six credits with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Martin achieved similar success at the University of Dubuque in Iowa, registering 12 credits with a GPA of … Read more
Wharton City Council has greenlit upgrades to the local court, aiming to boost safety with a new emergency exit for judges and staff. The project, costing about $24,800, will be funded by the city’s building security reserve. In other city business, a major water project’s initial bill of over $1.5 million was approved, with state … Read more
El Campo celebrated its 119th birthday Wednesday with little fanfare. No events or speeches were planned to mark the occasion. The city, established in the late 1880s as “Prairie Switch” by the Texas-Mexican rail line, grew steadily, with businesses like the first store and Rice Hotel opening by 1898. El Campo officially incorporated in 1905 … Read more
In a local youth baseball tournament, the Tidehaven team had a mixed start. They won their first game against Palacios 7-2 but were defeated by the strong Sweeny team, with a tough loss of 16-0. In their victory, Tidehaven’s Kyle Kubecka stood out by hitting a double and scoring two runs, contributing to the team’s … Read more
Palacios residents, here’s some good news! The city will collect storm debris for free. If you have debris, call City Hall at 361-972-3605 before 4 PM on Monday. Don’t miss out—schedule your pickup now! The cleanup will happen on Tuesday. Let’s keep Palacios beautiful.
Summer is prime time for thieves as locals rush around with kids on break or prepare for vacations. To stay safe, follow these tips: First, always lock your car. Thieves often target unlocked vehicles. Second, keep valuables out of sight. Even a locked car can be tempting if a thief spots a purse, electronics, or … Read more
Victoria’s school board has unanimously chosen JCA Law to lead their search for a new superintendent. Praised for their community engagement and experienced team, JCA Law will charge the district $18,500. The decision was made at a special meeting, with all board members in agreement except for an absent trustee.
Former El Campo High School coach Audie Bustamante, 60, has been released from Wharton County Jail but remains under strict conditions. He must register as a sex offender for the next 10 years following his no contest plea to exposing himself to an 8-year-old girl. Bustamante must avoid all contact with the victim and her … Read more