Jackson County is getting a major economic boost as Formosa Plastics announced a $150 million investment to build a new C6 production facility near Point Comfort. The plant will create new jobs and supply materials for everyday plastics. Governor Greg Abbott says the project highlights Texas’ strength in chemical manufacturing and global exports. Local leaders, … Read more
Ganado’s star athlete Kyla Stancik is staying close to home, officially committing to Texas A&M–Victoria to continue her softball career and studies. Stancik earned state MVP honors after driving in the game-winning run that secured Ganado’s first-ever state championship last May. She wrapped up the season with 34 hits and 23 RBIs. Outside of school, … Read more
A Wharton mother is starting over after losing nearly everything in a devastating apartment fire early last Wednesday morning. Around 2:30 a.m., River Bend Apartments resident Rossilynn Hayes woke to shouts and thick smoke filling her unit. She grabbed her 18-month-old daughter and escaped just in time. Hayes, who recently moved back to Wharton and … Read more
Wharton Police have identified 61-year-old Sharon Llanes as the woman killed in Friday night’s auto-pedestrian crash on East Boling Highway. Investigators say the driver, 40-year-old Darelle Baxter, immediately called 911 and stayed at the scene, fully cooperating with officers. Police report that sobriety tests showed no signs of intoxication, though toxicology results are still pending. … Read more
El Campo made waves at the Lamar Consolidated Invitational recently. The Lady Ricebirds dominated the pool, earning the team championship with 125 points, while the Ricebirds finished strong in third place with 77. Tuloso-Midway and Victoria West rounded out the girls’ standings, while Victoria West claimed the boys’ title. Coach Kelly Garner praised the full … Read more
Texans can now show their love for wildlife with the newly redesigned horned lizard license plate from Texas Parks and Wildlife. Chosen by public vote, the new design features a striking photo of the state reptile in its natural habitat, donated by award-winning photographer Hector Astorga. Each plate costs $30 a year, with $22 going … Read more
El Campo residents still have time to weigh in on the city’s long-term growth plan, which maps out priorities for the next 15 to 20 years. The plan covers everything from parks and roads to housing and disaster response. Funded by a $300,000 state grant, it won’t cost local taxpayers. City officials say residents want … Read more
Traffic on U.S. 59 near Hungerford came to a halt Wednesday after a trailer loaded with furniture caught fire, closing the highway for seven hours. The northbound trailer’s brakes ignited around 2 p.m., forcing the driver to pull over and disconnect the truck before flames spread. Firefighters from Hungerford, Wharton, and East Bernard battled the … Read more
Wharton County leaders will meet this morning to tackle road safety and law enforcement upgrades. A public hearing will focus on banning large trucks from cutting through the Newgulf subdivision, where tight corners have caused several trucks to veer off-road. Commissioners will also review grants for bulletproof vests and armored vehicle parts for deputies, and … Read more
A Matagorda Beach fishing trip turned painful for 70-year-old local angler Chuck Bledsoe after a small blacktip shark mistook his foot for bait. Bledsoe said he was reeling in what he thought was a redfish when the shark suddenly bit him in shallow water. The longtime fisherman later went to the ER for antibiotics and … Read more