El Campo Man Indicted

An El Campo man faces up to 10 years in prison after a crash last fall injured a mother and two children near Louise. A Wharton County Grand Jury indicted 29-year-old Reed Bartosh on three counts of intoxication assault. DPS says Bartosh ran a stop sign at FM 1160 and CR 360, crashing into the … Read more

Wharton High Welcomes New Principal

Wharton ISD has named Diana Bell as the new principal of Wharton High School. Bell brings experience from Klein and Cy-Fair ISDs and holds degrees from Southern University and Prairie View A&M. The board is also accepting applications to fill a trustee seat left open after Sherrell Speer resigned in June. Applications close July 28. … Read more

Officials Debunk False Claims

Bay City officials are urging residents to ignore a false Facebook post and unauthorized emails that wrongly claimed the city’s water was unsafe and lift stations were down. According to a public notice, all lift stations are fully operational and there is no water quality advisory. Officials emphasized that the only trusted sources for emergency … Read more

Bay City Detective Honored Nationally

Bay City Police Detective Juan Alfonso Delgado was honored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s #MemorialMonday tribute. Delgado, who died in ’21 from COVID-19 complications contracted on duty, served over 43 years in law enforcement. He worked across several Texas agencies and mentored countless officers. A cancer survivor and Army veteran, he left … Read more

Crisis Center Seeks City Support

The Crisis Center asked Wharton City Council for $7,000 in funding to help meet new state laws supporting domestic violence victims. This year, the center has already given over 7,000 shelter nights and 300 forensic child interviews across Matagorda and Wharton counties. Future plans include doctor training, expanded prevention services, and new transitional housing in … Read more

Taiton Fundraiser Unites Counties

SPJST members from Matagorda County joined forces with others across District 6 on Saturday, raising $1,760 in just three hours for Warrior’s Weekend. The fundraiser in Taiton drew over 75 people for food, fun, and support for wounded veterans. Youth launched rockets, cookies were auctioned, and veterans’ healing retreats in Port O’Connor will benefit. Organizers … Read more

El Campo Targets Urgent Sewer Repairs

El Campo is investing over $800,000 to fix aging sewer lines in three high-priority neighborhoods. The repairs, approved Monday, will use leftover utility bond money from under-budget street work. Ram Rod Utilities of Spring will handle construction, expected to begin in three to four weeks. City officials say these lines were at risk of failing. … Read more

Swimmers Qualify for Texas State Games

Six swimmers from the Wharton Tiger Shark Swim Team are heading to the annual Texas State Games in Bryan-College Station, set for July 31st through August 3rd. Athletes from East Bernard, New Gulf, and Wharton earned state spots after top finishes at regionals. Events range from freestyle and breaststroke to relay races. Henley Matula and … Read more

Colvin Named New IISD Superintendent

The Industrial ISD Board unanimously selected Mike Colvin as its next superintendent after a July 8th closed session. Colvin, currently with Comfort ISD, brings more than 20 years of experience and was Region 13’s Principal of the Year, two years ago. A June community survey helped shape the decision, emphasizing leadership, integrity, and student focus. … Read more

WCJC Launches Major Campus Upgrades

Wharton County Junior College is investing in major upgrades across its campuses to improve student life and fix aging structures. A new $6 million student center in Wharton will replace the old Hutchins building, adding a coffee bar, lounge, bookstore, and modern dining areas. Over in Richmond, nearly $1 million is going into foundation and … Read more