Wharton City Councilmember Burnell Neal, 61, was arrested early Monday morning after allegedly assaulting three family members, including an elderly person and an 11-year-old child, at his home on Harris Street. Neal, in his first term as District 1 councilman, faces charges of assault causing bodily injury and felony injury to a child, elderly, or … Read more
The Texas High School Powerlifting Championships wrapped up at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene, with Bay City and Van Vleck schools participating. Bay City earned six points, thanks to Jakob Pesina’s silver medal in the 275-pound class, lifting 1,825 pounds, just five shy of first. Jeremey Maradiaga placed fifth in the super heavyweight … Read more
Thomas James Graham, 54, from El Campo, will avoid prison time after pleading guilty to stealing a golden tabernacle from St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in September of ’23. Instead, he was sentenced to five years of probation. The decision followed input from the church’s priest, Father Philip Brune, who emphasized forgiveness. Graham, along with … Read more
A high-speed chase and armed robbery led to multiple felony charges for a suspect now in Wharton County Jail. Juan Carlos Arroyo-Mendez, 36, was arrested Sunday after a robbery at Love’s Travel Stop in Hungerford. Authorities say he stole gas at gunpoint, then fled south on U.S. 59. A DPS trooper later stopped him in … Read more
A car crashed into Discovering Minds Child Development Center in Bay City early Sunday morning, causing major damage. Security footage showed the driver lost control near Highway 60, flipping multiple times before slamming into the daycare’s kitchen. Fortunately, the building was empty at the time. Construction crews quickly began repairs, reinforcing the structure. A worker … Read more
Victoria’s splash pads are officially open, just in time for a stretch of 90-degree weather. Families can cool off for free at Ethel Lee Tracy Park, the Community Center, and Lone Tree Creek. Parks & Recreation has tested and treated the water to ensure safety. Each splash pad runs on a push-button system—if the water … Read more
Starting April 14, the Victoria Police Department will no longer provide routine funeral escorts, shifting the responsibility to funeral homes and families. Without police assistance, funeral processions must obey regular traffic laws, and drivers should plan routes accordingly. Authorities urge caution and patience from all motorists when encountering processions on local roads. The department says … Read more
Johnnie David Hutchins, a Weimar native and Eagle Lake High graduate, gave his life steering his ship to safety during World War II. At 21, he was mortally wounded but still managed to maneuver his tank landing ship away from an incoming torpedo, saving his crew. For his heroism, he posthumously received the Medal of … Read more
The Palacios Police Department is excited to announce the ’25 Junior Police Academy, set for June 9th thru 13th. Local kids ages 9-12 can join in fun and educational activities, including police car rides, radio talks, crime scene investigations, and fingerprinting. Applications are available at 315 Henderson Ave, Palacios, and are due by May 2nd. … Read more
El Campo residents can safely dispose of old medications through the National Take Back Drug Program. The El Campo Police Department has a secure drop box in its lobby, available 24/7 for anonymous medication disposal—no paperwork or questions asked. This free service helps prevent misuse and protects the environment by ensuring proper disposal through the … Read more