Wharton ISD celebrated the opening of its new $31.5 million junior high campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday. VIP tours began at 10:30 a.m., followed by a public open house from 6 to 8 p.m. Construction faced delays due to asbestos removal, missing utility maps, and supply chain issues for steel. The state-of-the-art facility … Read more
Despite missing the playoffs, the Louise Lady Hornets saw standout performances this season, led by sophomore Paige Lutringer, who earned second-team all-district honors from District 27 coaches. Lutringer delivered 68 assists, 13 aces, and 12 kills, impressing with her consistency and defensive reads, according to coach Ethan Zezula. Lutringer was joined by seniors Rhiley Drozd … Read more
A local pastor is uniting Wharton County with its first-ever First Responders Ball, set for June 28th at the Wharton Civic Center. Michael Limas, pastor of Grace Community Fellowship, says the event is a long-time dream to honor first responders for their dedication. Open to all county first responders, the event will feature first-class catering … Read more
A six-year-old in Sweeny went missing after school dismissal in early November, sparking safety concerns. Zachary Jr. accidentally joined the walker line and walked nearly a mile through construction and traffic before a driver found him crying near train tracks. His parents, alarmed when he didn’t get off the bus, criticized the school’s dismissal procedures. … Read more
The Bay City Police Department’s Community Food Drive is wrapping up, and more donations and volunteers are needed to help nearly 400 local families enjoy a Christmas dinner. Food donations ended on Friday, but monetary contributions are still being accepted to purchase items like turkeys. Volunteers will sort and pack meals on Wednesday, and distribution … Read more
El Campo is embarking on a new beautification project to combat blight, approved unanimously by the city council. Dubbed the “blight fight,” this initiative will introduce welcome banners, directional signs, and more, all funded through community donations. The Keep El Campo Beautiful Board, behind this effort, aims to revitalize the town’s look with signs in … Read more
Wharton ISD has completed its final payment to former superintendent Michael O’Guin, fulfilling a retirement agreement. O’Guin, who retired at the end of the 2024-25 school year, was succeeded by Olatunji Oduwole as acting superintendent. O’Guin faced challenges during his tenure, including the COVID-19 pandemic, low test scores and disciplinary issues. Despite requesting a year’s … Read more
At the Matagorda Economic Development Corporation’s year-end meeting in Bay City, two local women were celebrated for their community service. Jessica Russell, the Bay City Community Development Corporation’s Executive Director, received the George Holst Award for her economic leadership. Kandas Graham, President of the Sargent Chamber of Commerce, was honored with the Tiger Lane Community … Read more
A Wharton man convicted of capital murder is seeking a new trial. Daveon Marqui Allen, 29, was sentenced to life without parole on Oct. 30th for the ’21 Thanksgiving shooting death of Larry Joe Guerra, 25, during a robbery at Meadows Apartments in Wharton. Allen initially pleaded to a lesser charge but withdrew it, leading … Read more
In Matagorda County, officers brought holiday cheer to 45 children at the annual “Shop with a Cop” event, where each child received $200 to shop for Christmas gifts at Walmart. Funded by donations from residents, businesses, and city officials, the program has grown since starting in 2013 with just 13 kids. Officers view the event … Read more