The 6th Annual Riverside Smoke-Off will heat up Riverside Park on March 28th and 29th, featuring a Texas-style BBQ competition. With $2,600 in guaranteed payouts, the event invites BBQ enthusiasts, from seasoned pitmasters to first-timers, to compete in various categories like brisket, pork ribs, and beans. Kids can join in with rib-eye steak and pork … Read more
Several Matagorda County swimmers advanced to the regional meet after competing in the District 12-4A Championship. Held on January 17th, the El Campo team won, while Bay City, Palacios, and Van Vleck also saw success. Notably, Van Vleck’s Curtis Goodman earned several top finishes, and Bay City’s Genaro Flores set district records in his events. … Read more
The Wharton City Council honored Detective Justin Moran on Monday for his 28 years of service with the police department. Police Chief Terry Lynch described Moran as one of the most honorable officers he had worked with. The council also accepted a $7,000 donation from Nan Ya Plastics for police equipment and approved reapplying for … Read more
Hundreds of residents braved near-freezing temperatures to honor Deputy Jesus “Jesse” Vargas, a Brazoria County Sheriff’s deputy fatally shot in the line of duty on January 15th. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church overflowed with mourners, including family, friends, and law enforcement officers from nearby agencies like Matagorda County and Bay City. Red and blue … Read more
A Kinder Morgan pipeline exploded Wednesday near County Road 207 between East Bernard and Lissie, sending flames up to 200 feet high but causing no injuries or structural damage. The fire started burned for nearly an hour before being stopped by shutting off the fuel supply from a control station in Wallis. Local firefighters and … Read more
The Palacios Preservation Association created a detailed 3-D printed replica of the historic Luther Hotel to showcase at the Smithsonian/Texas Historical Commission “Crossroads” exhibit running through March 9th. The model highlights the hotel’s 120-year history, notable guests like Lyndon B. Johnson, and even playful nods to its rumored ghosts. Meanwhile, restoration efforts at the hotel … Read more
El Campo’s City Council will decide tonight if Midnight Tinterz, a local auto window tinting shop, can continue operating at its new location on Main Street. The business moved in without obtaining the required Special Use Permit, prompting city staff to notify owner Jesse Avendano. The Planning & Zoning Commission approved the permit in a … Read more
Wharton County Commissioners will meet today to discuss community events and public safety measures. They’ll vote on hosting a Lions Club-sponsored movie night at the Courthouse lawn on March 7th and review cybersecurity training for county employees, required by June 13th. The Office of Emergency Management will request approval for a grant to purchase ballistic … Read more
This week, eight Bay City families will get new, modern bathrooms, part of a project by the Bay City Housing Authority, eventually benefiting 40 families. Lawanda Davis, executive director, highlighted this as the first major investment in local low-income housing in a decade. The remodel addresses deteriorating flooring issues. Davis emphasizes their ongoing efforts to … Read more
Matagorda County officials are investigating a cybersecurity breach that disrupted internal systems early Friday morning. While no resident data appears compromised, the county declared a disaster at 3 p.m., activating heightened emergency operations. County Judge Bobby Seiferman assured residents that cybersecurity experts are working nonstop to secure the system and prevent further issues. Affected systems … Read more