Local News

At the state BBQ contest, Van Vleck High School’s team, Burnt Offerings, won big! They snagged 1st for dessert, 4th for beans, and 3rd place overall. Plus, they scored $13,750 in scholarships among 98 teams. Great job!

In Bay City, the Mary Rolph Marsh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honored high school seniors with the Good Citizen Essay Award. The winners received a pin, certificate, and a cash prize at a ceremony featuring a George Washington Tea. This award celebrates students who show exceptional dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism.

Victoria College received a $29,400 grant to run a Drone Pilot Academy this summer. High schoolers can learn about drones, focusing on safety and legal flying. They’ll get to fly drones, learn from experts, and edit flight videos. The free academy runs June 10-13 and 17-20. Students in grades 9-12 can apply by May 27 … Read more

El Campo High School’s plan for a hurricane-proof dome is now a “pipe dream.” The project was meant to be a new cafeteria and classrooms, funded mostly by the government. Costs soared from $5.5 million to $8.6 million, making it unfeasible. The school district has decided to drop the plan, focusing instead on other improvements.

El Campo and Wharton are starting their yearly fight against mosquitoes. Wharton has begun spraying, while El Campo waits for signs of mosquitoes. They use larvicide and fogging to cover areas, and residents can report issues. People can help by removing standing water and keeping yards clean to prevent breeding.

At Saturday’s graduation at Faith Family Church, 460 University of Houston-Victoria seniors celebrated earning their degrees after years of hard work. Among them were Aaron Holochwost, Lasley Davis, and Rosalba Carrera, who spoke at the ceremony. Samantha Brumley, a nontraditional student at Victoria College and a mother, hopes her achievement inspires her kids to pursue … Read more

In East Bernard, a man’s failure to control his aggressive dogs has landed him in jail for three years. The dogs, which included a German Shepherd mix and a pit bull, escaped and attacked a woman, leaving her with lasting injuries. The owner, who had been previously warned to secure his dogs and get insurance, … Read more

Tonight, Wharton City Council bids farewell to long-serving council member Donald Mueller after 32 years. Incoming councilman David Voulgaris steps in once election results are finalized. Mayor Tim Barker and councilmen Steve Schneider and Larry Pittman also take oaths. Council will also appoint a new mayor pro-tem.

At Wharton ISD’s recent meeting, new trustee Lisa Morton Perez called for a special session to discuss firing Superintendent Michael O’Guin, who plans to retire next year but faces possible termination for undisclosed reasons. O’Guin, who wasn’t at the meeting, claims he’s been denied due process. The board will decide his fate at tonight’s meeting.

In Wharton County, a deputy was hospitalized with a broken bone after a traffic stop near the fairgrounds led to a chase and manhunt. The incident began when a Nissan Titan fled a traffic stop, crashed through fences, and a dozen people ran into cornfields. A search involving drones and multiple agencies resulted in four … Read more