More than four years after a teenage girl’s body was found near Hungerford, Wharton County officials have identified her as 16-year-old Yeimy Beltrand. Investigators say she was shot in the head three times in April of ’21 and left on County Road 225. Her boyfriend, 27-year-old Luis Omar Beltran-Mendoza, is now charged with murder after … Read more
Wharton ISD wrapped up its summer hiring by naming Courtney Carter as principal of Wharton Junior High and DeWayne McCurdy as assistant principal at Wharton High. Carter, a familiar face in the district, has served as assistant principal since ’23 and previously coached volleyball and track. McCurdy joins from Houston ISD with 15 years of … Read more
El Campo’s new Litter Walk Club is turning trash pickup into a community workout. Organized by Keep El Campo Beautiful, the once-a-month walks target litter-heavy streets and ditches. Volunteers meet at rotating locations, grab city-provided cleanup gear, and spend about an hour walking, talking, and collecting trash. The first event kicked off July 15th, and … Read more
Ganado’s Clara Gutierrez celebrated her 96th birthday with a hot pink party at the Ganado Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, drawing nearly 100 guests. Known for her deep faith, decades of church service, and enduring spirit, Clara has survived great loss, serious illness, and even COVID-19. She is the oldest member of Ganado’s Assumption Catholic Church … Read more
A 32-year-old El Campo man has been indicted for attempted murder after a May arrest in Ganado. Police say Andrew Longoria sent violent text threats to his ex-wife and her boyfriend, claiming he was on his way. Officers later stopped him for reckless driving and found him intoxicated with three handguns, two AR-15 rifles, and … Read more
El Campo’s flood-prone District 2 is set for major upgrades after City Council approved a $1.2 million drainage project fully funded by a state grant. Constar Construction of Victoria will improve ditches, replace culverts, and add underground storm sewers along 10 southwest-side streets, including Wright, Grace, and West Fifth. The work aims to reduce flooding … Read more
Three stolen horses from Ganado are now safe after being found in Victoria County, thanks to quick action from law enforcement and the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. The animals were taken from a local pasture on August 1, prompting a community search. By the next day, officers had recovered them and identified a … Read more
Wharton County Judge Phillip Spenrath has proposed a balanced $39.45 million budget for ’26, with a slightly lower property tax rate of 34.517 cents per $100 value. The plan includes a 3% cost-of-living raise for county workers, more road maintenance funding, and new vehicles for law enforcement. Disagreements remain over how to divide $2 million … Read more
Matagorda County residents are bracing for a seasonal allergy spike as fall’s cooler mornings roll in. Local experts warn ragweed pollen and mold spores will surge, fueled by the county’s humid Gulf Coast climate, heavy rains, and decaying leaves. These allergens can trigger sneezing, congestion, and asthma flare-ups, especially in children, seniors, and those with … Read more
Wharton residents may see a slight drop in property tax rates but higher utility bills under the city’s early budget plans. The proposed tax rate is $0.41319 per $100 in value, down from last year, but rising property values could still mean bigger tax bills. Water and sewer rates could increase up to 10 percent, … Read more