Dean’s List

Wharton residents Hector Hernandez and Giovanni Martin have made the dean’s list for spring semester. Hernandez earned this honor at the University of Maryland Global Campus by completing six credits with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Martin achieved similar success at the University of Dubuque in Iowa, registering 12 credits with a GPA of … Read more

Upgrades to Municipal Court

Wharton City Council has greenlit upgrades to the local court, aiming to boost safety with a new emergency exit for judges and staff. The project, costing about $24,800, will be funded by the city’s building security reserve. In other city business, a major water project’s initial bill of over $1.5 million was approved, with state … Read more

El Campo Birthday

El Campo celebrated its 119th birthday Wednesday with little fanfare. No events or speeches were planned to mark the occasion. The city, established in the late 1880s as “Prairie Switch” by the Texas-Mexican rail line, grew steadily, with businesses like the first store and Rice Hotel opening by 1898. El Campo officially incorporated in 1905 … Read more

Youth Baseball Tournament

In a local youth baseball tournament, the Tidehaven team had a mixed start. They won their first game against Palacios 7-2 but were defeated by the strong Sweeny team, with a tough loss of 16-0. In their victory, Tidehaven’s Kyle Kubecka stood out by hitting a double and scoring two runs, contributing to the team’s … Read more

Free Storm Debris Pickup

Palacios residents, here’s some good news! The city will collect storm debris for free. If you have debris, call City Hall at 361-972-3605 before 4 PM on Monday. Don’t miss out—schedule your pickup now! The cleanup will happen on Tuesday. Let’s keep Palacios beautiful.

Summer Theft Protection

Summer is prime time for thieves as locals rush around with kids on break or prepare for vacations. To stay safe, follow these tips: First, always lock your car. Thieves often target unlocked vehicles. Second, keep valuables out of sight. Even a locked car can be tempting if a thief spots a purse, electronics, or … Read more

JCA Law gets Nod

Victoria’s school board has unanimously chosen JCA Law to lead their search for a new superintendent. Praised for their community engagement and experienced team, JCA Law will charge the district $18,500. The decision was made at a special meeting, with all board members in agreement except for an absent trustee.

Bustamante Remains Under Strict Conditions

Former El Campo High School coach Audie Bustamante, 60, has been released from Wharton County Jail but remains under strict conditions. He must register as a sex offender for the next 10 years following his no contest plea to exposing himself to an 8-year-old girl. Bustamante must avoid all contact with the victim and her … Read more

Escamia Jr. Spared Prison

Eddie Escamia Jr., after admitting to neglecting his child, will serve eight years of probation instead of prison time. His son Daniel was fatally abused by Escamia’s partner, Rebecca Hart. Escamia, who called for help too late, showed remorse and aided the case against Hart. He’s lost custody of his other children due to the … Read more

Roussel Wins Runoff

Jay Roussel won a seat on the Wharton County Junior College board, defeating Mary Ellen Meyer with 436 votes to her 190. Most of his support came from early voters, while Meyer had more absentee votes. Roussel praised Meyer’s service and aims to unite the community. Only 2.49% of registered voters participated. Election officials have … Read more