El Campo City Council will decide tonight whether to allow a new smoke shop called The Green Goddess Dispensary to open on the West Loop. The proposal, from local business owner Jessica Cantu Smithwick, calls for selling THCA, Delta 8, and Delta 9 products—but no vapes or tobacco. The shop would share a plaza with … Read more
A tragic hit-and-run in East Bernard has claimed the life of 25-year-old Citali Perez Hernandez. Authorities say she was walking along Dill Street near College Street late Thursday morning when she was hit by a Toyota Camry. The driver, 29-year-old Courtney Michelle Smith of East Bernard, initially fled but later returned to the scene. Hernandez … Read more
An El Campo man accused in the ’21 ambush killing of Wharton’s Shane Singleton goes on trial today in Wharton County. Twenty-four-year-old Drew Avery Quinonez has spent over four years in jail awaiting trial on a $500,000 bond. Prosecutors say Singleton was shot while sitting in his car after arriving in El Campo for a … Read more
Four years after a body was found along a rural Wharton County road, investigators have identified the victim as 16-year-old Houston teen Yeimy Maciela Beltrand. Her remains were discovered in June of ’21 near County Road 225 and remained a mystery until DNA testing linked her to family members last year. Deputies now believe Yeimy … Read more
The Wharton Tigers are looking to bounce back tonight as they host Sugar Land Harmony, aiming for their first district win. Sitting at 0-2 in league play and 3-3 overall, Wharton knows time is running short for a playoff push. Coach Haddock says the focus now is on discipline and execution, not the scoreboard. Harmony, … Read more
The El Campo Ricebirds kick off district play tonight at home against the Beeville Jones Trojans. Coming off a strong 4-1 non-district run, Coach Travis Reeve says his team is ready for the challenge as injured players return to the lineup. Beeville, now 1-4, brings a run-heavy spread offense and aggressive defense to town. El … Read more
An El Campo woman has been cleared of arson charges after a Wharton County jury found her not guilty of setting a ’23 fire that destroyed a semi-truck. Forty-four-year-old Toretta Faye Cunningham says she’s relieved the ordeal is over, calling the experience “a nightmare.” The fire broke out at BR Trucking on Marek Road last … Read more
Downtown Edna will come alive Saturday, October 18th, as Texana Fest ’25 takes over Main Street. The free, family-friendly event begins at 3 p.m. with local vendors, food trucks, kids’ activities, and live music throughout the afternoon. A vintage car show starts at 5:30, followed by the Chris Zuber Band leading a street dance until … Read more
A new gas station and convenience store planned for East Jackson will bring more than fuel — it’s improving local fire safety. The El Campo City Council voted to extend a six-inch water line and install a fire hydrant near North Wharton. The city will spend about $32,000 on the project, with developers reimbursing most … Read more
An El Campo woman has been sentenced for helping her son hide stolen altar items from St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church. Sixty-one-year-old Sandra Rivera Hedges pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and received one year of deferred probation, 20 hours of community service, a $200 fine, and $5,000 restitution to the church. Police say she … Read more