Matthew Ryan Loya, a 30-year-old man from Victoria, was arrested on Friday. He’s suspected of making or delivering a controlled substance between 4-200 grams. He was also charged with violating probation in a case involving tampering with evidence. He’s in Victoria County Jail with a $60,000 bond. Also on Friday, suspected drug dealer, Jesse Lee … Read more
Victoria County, along with Jackson, Lavaca, and Refugio counties, are setting up a new public defender office. The first step was to pass an agreement allowing these counties to use the program. The next steps include appointing an oversight board and hiring a chief public defender who will recruit 25 staff members. The Texas Indigent … Read more
Laurance Armour III, the boss of the historic Pierce Ranch and a key figure in local businesses, will be Parade Marshal for 43rd Annual Christmas Holiday Parade in Wharton. The parade kicks off at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21st, with pre-parade entertainment starting at 6. The parade route circles the county courthouse and ends at … Read more
In a recent Wharton School District board meeting, the board decided to shift the superintendent’s appraisal from February to June. This change was proposed by the Superintendent to allow more time to achieve goals related to STAAR scores and House Bill 3. The board also updated the student code of conduct to include stricter penalties … Read more
Tenaris, a steel mill in Bay City, has resumed production after a historic $28 million dollar maintenance project. The month-long shutdown involved major overhauls, including the first-ever maintenance of the rotary hearth furnace. About 1,000 employees and contractors were involved, with no accidents reported. The project also benefited the local community, with nearly 300 contractors … Read more
Louise ISD trustees are set to discuss two major topics in their meeting tonight. The first is the completion of a fencing project around the district’s properties, including areas where students gather for sports activities. The fencing project has bids ranging from $19,000 to $26,000. The second topic is about their potential participation in the … Read more
A man from Danevang died Thursday in a two-vehicle collision on Hwy. 71 South near the intersection of FM 441 South. The other driver, a Florida man, is in serious condition at El Campo Memorial Hospital. The vehicles involved were a Hyundai Sonata driven by Melvin Lubin and a Honda Civic driven by Francisco Velasquez. … Read more
Bashir Shanani died in a vehicle fire on CR 142 last week. The Wharton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident. Preliminary results from the autopsy indicate that the cause of death was self-harm. No signs of physical struggle or trauma were found other than from the fire. The Wharton Police Department received a call … Read more
Bay City’s first hospital, a ten-room, two-story home built in 1896 has been sold to an owner who hopes to restore it and find it a renewed purpose. The home became a rooming house and was a site for social events, weddings, and a place for weary travelers to rest. Dr. Claude Jones purchased the … Read more
El Campo ISD trustees will meet on Wednesday to consider a contract with the NFHS Network School Broadcast Program. The program offers monthly and yearly subscriptions to cover an assortment of sports from football and baseball to cheerleading and wrestling depending on the district. East Bernard, Ganado, Industrial, and Palacios ISDs currently participate in the … Read more