El Campo quietly turned 120 recently with no official celebration. The town began as “Prairie Switch” in the late 1880s, sparked by a railroad stop. It officially incorporated on June 19th, 1905. From a depot and water tank grew a bustling hub of trade and agriculture. Once home to just 100 residents, El Campo now … Read more
El Campo police are actively searching for Brandon Dwayne Stephens of Rosenberg, accused of fatally shooting Nikko Ray Deases just before dawn Sunday. The deadly incident took place in a store parking lot on Palacios Street. Stephens is considered armed and dangerous, and law enforcement is urging the public to stay alert. Anyone who may … Read more
Charles Austin, born in Bay City and raised in Van Vleck, rose from small-town beginnings to Olympic high jump gold. Starting track only in his senior year of high school, Austin’s natural talent led him to a scholarship at Southwest Texas State University. After overcoming a serious knee injury, he stunned the world by winning … Read more
Wharton residents can stay confident in their city water after a recent E. coli positive result came from a raw water sample in a local well. Public Works Director Roderick Semien clarified the test was on untreated water taken before it goes through the disinfection process, which is standard procedure. Once treated, water samples showed … Read more
For the second year in a row, Van Vleck’s head softball coach, Rebecca Hanson, has earned the Region 5 3A Coach of the Year award. This honor celebrates not just the team’s on-field success, including another deep playoff run, but also Hanson’s strong leadership off the field. Beyond the game, Hanson’s team actively supports the … Read more
El Campo ISD is planning raises for all staff members this fall, not just teachers, thanks to new state funding from House Bill 2. Starting in September, experienced teachers will get raises—$8,000 for those with over five years and $4,000 for those with three to four years. But the bill doesn’t cover aides, counselors, or … Read more
After four years, a teen girl found murdered near CR 225 in Wharton County has finally been identified. Authorities say 16-year-old Yeimy Maciela Beltran of Harris County was reported missing in April of ’21. Her body was found less than two months later, over 60 miles away, in a field. Investigators now believe she was … Read more
A gas leak near Markham RV Park forced a two-block evacuation last Wednesday morning. Homes and businesses south of FM 1468 were cleared out as emergency crews rushed in. Markham Elementary served as a shelter while CenterPoint Energy sealed the leak by 2:25 p.m. The evacuation order was lifted shortly after. No one was hurt, … Read more
At last Tuesday’s Bay City Council meeting, officials discussed plans for a Railroad Quiet Zone to reduce train noise and improve safety at local crossings. City staff reviewed two main options: quick-to-start pavement markings called channelization, and longer-term concrete medians. The council leaned toward starting with channelization on Union Pacific crossings like Avenue I and … Read more
El Campo City Council approved spending $143,000 to buy two new police SUVs from Silsbee Ford. The white ’25 Ford Explorers with blue stripes will replace older patrol cars, easing wear on vehicles used nonstop by officers. City Manager Courtney Sladek says the purchase isn’t in the budget due to expected tax increases caused by … Read more