Bay City is adding its own flair to the statewide tradition of art walks with the return of the Matagorda County ArtWalk this Saturday. The free event runs from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Bay City Civic Center and carries a “Summer Blues” theme. Visitors can enjoy live music from Man of Sky, art … Read more
Bay City is taking steps to ease downtown traffic by backing a state study on a possible truck relief route for Highway 35. Council approved the move last week, clearing the way for TxDOT to look at bypass options that would steer heavy trucks, including those with hazardous loads, out of the city center. Local … Read more
El Campo City Council has cleared the way for a new neighborhood across from Friendship Park. Prairie Park Estates will be built in two phases, starting with nine homes on Franke Street. Developer Edward Vallejo the 4th received approval for a 27-lot plat, though one lot is undersized and awaits state review before Phase II … Read more
A Wharton County family’s history is now officially recognized with a new Texas Historical Marker at the Roberts Family Cemetery on County Road 125. More than 30 descendants gathered recently to honor Emanuel and Hannah Roberts, whose land dates back to 1893. Family historian April Frazier spent over 20 years researching records to confirm their … Read more
Wharton County Junior College is rolling out new science courses this fall to give non-science majors more options. Starting in Fall 2025, students can take Nutrition and Diet Therapy, Environmental Biology with an optional lab, and Human Biology. These classes are designed to meet degree requirements while offering flexibility for students outside of STEM. Human … Read more
El Campo homeowners could face higher tax bills next year after City Council voted 4-0 to set the levy ceiling at 49.144 cents per $100 of value, up from 46. Officials say the change isn’t technically a tax hike but is needed as sales tax revenue falls short. City Manager Courtney Sladek said the city … Read more
The murder trial of babysitter Angel Nicole Castro is nearing its conclusion in Wharton County, but not without drama. A juror was dismissed last week after posting online about disturbing evidence in the case. Castro is accused of killing 19-month-old Roselynn Coates in El Campo in ’21 while the child was in her care. The … Read more
Bay City Council has approved new disaster debris contracts to strengthen emergency response. Partnering with Matagorda County and Palacios, the city named Galveston-based DRC Emergency Services as its primary contractor, citing decades of experience in hurricane recovery. Aftermath Disaster Recovery and Dynamic Group were selected as backups. Officials stressed no costs will occur unless a … Read more
The Wharton ISD school board remains stuck at six members after failing to appoint a replacement for longtime trustee Sherrell Speer, who resigned in June. Two candidates, Judd Perry and Robert “Griff” Vandagriff, split the board evenly last Thursday night, with neither securing enough votes. The stalemate leaves the board short-handed as the new school … Read more
Bay City has officially joined the latest national opioid settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, ensuring the community remains eligible for potential funding to fight addiction. City Council ratified Mayor Robert Nelson’s earlier signature last week, keeping Bay City in step with other Texas municipalities ahead of the national deadline. Like last year’s … Read more