El Campo city leaders are raising red flags about street damage caused by heavy trucks. Council members say garbage and construction vehicles have worn down roads like Sue, Town & Country, and Meadow Lane. Officials warn new projects could mean more damage. Some suggest requiring builders to post bonds, like the county does, but worry … Read more
After 31 years in education, East Bernard Junior High Principal David Janecek is retiring at the end of the school year. A 1980s EBHS grad, Janecek spent the last seven years leading the junior high, following 17 years teaching and coaching. He’s handing the reins to Mary Trochta from Louise. Janecek, a lifelong Brahma, says … Read more
The El Campo City Council is planning for a potential loss in sales tax rebates, which have dropped by about $185,000 this fiscal year. This loss, linked to a 3% rebate increase in the budget, could force the city to adjust next year’s budget or even raise property taxes. Wharton County is also facing a … Read more
Wharton’s tennis teams dominated the district meet on their home court, winning both the boys’ and girls’ championships. The Tigers secured titles in mixed doubles, girls’ doubles, boys’ doubles, and girls’ singles. Coach Roben Eller praised the team for their hard work and dedication, as 10 players advanced to regionals. The boys’ team scored 11 … Read more
Baytown Little Theater performed the award-winning Tuesdays with Morrie on Sunday at The Plaza Theatre in downtown Wharton. The emotional production, based on Mitch Albom’s bestselling memoir, followed a journalist’s weekly visits with his dying professor. Admission was free, with donations supporting their upcoming trip to nationals in Iowa. The moving play, directed by Carrie … Read more
Bay City senior Malorie Richardson-Clay capped off her record-breaking shot put season with a silver medal at the 4A State Championships in Austin. With her family and theater group watching from the stands, she delivered a 42-9.5 toss—her best ever. The regional champ was just behind Monahans’ Valerie Hunt. Bay City boys also competed in … Read more
A man with a history of family violence is appealing his 25-year prison sentence for attacking a child in Wharton County. Adam Dave Abelar, 45, argues that two witnesses should not have been allowed to testify during his trial. These witnesses included a police officer who relayed the child’s statement and a crisis center representative … Read more
Marley Jane, a local Girl Scout, has created a Little Free Library on Matagorda School grounds, making books more accessible to the community after the closure of the public library. This initiative was part of Marley’s “Take Action!” project, where she identified the need for a library after the school’s library closed for safety reasons. … Read more
A major solar project is now powering up in East Bernard. The Bernard Creek Solar Farm spans 1,620 acres and features nearly 570,000 panels generating 230 megawatts of energy. County leaders, local fire departments, and Houston-based owner ENGIE celebrated the launch. ENGIE donated $15,000 to the Hungerford and East Bernard fire departments, which fought brush … Read more
Bay City Police are teaming up with Brazoria County Crime Stoppers to crack four unsolved murder cases, all local and deeply investigated. Tipsters can stay anonymous and earn up to $5,000 if their info leads to an arrest. The victims—David Zepeda, Lawyer Fields III, Brock Battle, and Desmond Murphy—all died from gun violence in Bay … Read more