Wharton County Junior College’s Cosmetology program, offered in Wharton and Richmond, trains students in just 11 months for careers in hair, skin, and nail care. The program, led by longtime instructor Jacqueline Kuehn, combines classroom learning with hands-on salon experience open to the public. Graduates are eligible for state licensing exams and enter a growing … Read more
Bay City’s daytime population has jumped from 49,000 to 82,000 in just seven years, driven by industrial growth and business-friendly planning. With only 17,561 full-time residents, the city now supports thousands more workers, visitors, and commuters each day. Six new subdivisions are underway, major employers like Roehm are expanding, and new businesses are filling out … Read more
A 33-year-old Wharton man, Willie Fisher, died Sunday night after crashing his motorcycle on Highway 60 in Hungerford. Fisher lost control on a sharp curve near Mulberry and Live Oak around 7 p.m. He wasn’t wearing a helmet and hit a concrete barrier. Wharton EMS took him to OakBend Medical Center, where he died. DPS … Read more
El Campo’s new ordinance limiting where for-sale vehicles can be displayed is already under review just two weeks after approval. The rule targets businesses without car lot permits, but charity raffles are exempt. A proposal to waive permit fees failed, with city officials defending the $250 cost. The ordinance is part of a broader push … Read more
A small fire broke out Wednesday afternoon in the PlayPlace area of the Bay City McDonald’s on 7th Street, which was closed for construction. Fire crews responded quickly, but workers had already put out the flames with an extinguisher. The fire caused about $5,000 in damage while crews were on lunch break. No one was … Read more
Early voting starts Tuesday in El Campo and Wharton, with extended weekend hours funded by El Campo ISD. Voters will decide on El Campo ISD’s record $81 million bond proposal, focused on rebuilding aging school facilities. The bond is the only item on the ECISD ballot. Several city council and school board races are also … Read more
A mother in Victoria is upset after learning that her son was sexually assaulted by a classmate at school—but the school didn’t tell her right away. Instead, she found out from his teacher. The school punished the other student and informed his parents but never contacted her. She says her son told her it happened … Read more
Wharton County leaders are exploring options for jail expansion, though a new facility is still years away. Commissioners approved a $50,000 study to decide whether to add to the existing jail or build a new one. The county’s jail, currently holding 168 inmates, is nearing capacity. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards recommends increasing capacity … Read more
Jackson County Hospital District celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated cafeteria and dining room recently. The $3.6 million upgrade features a spacious, 3,150-square-foot state-of-the-art kitchen designed to improve food service for patients and visitors. The dining area itself spans 1,100 square feet, offering a modern, comfortable space for guests. What sets the facility … Read more
El Campo High School health sciences teacher Kaydi Kacer is one step away from advancing in the nationwide “America’s Favorite Teacher” contest. As of now, she’s leading her group in the quarterfinals. Kacer has taught since ’18 and sponsors the school’s HOSA Future Healthcare Professionals chapter. If she wins, she’ll receive $25,000, a trip to … Read more