Pipeline Explosion Response

A Kinder Morgan pipeline exploded Wednesday near County Road 207 between East Bernard and Lissie, sending flames up to 200 feet high but causing no injuries or structural damage. The fire started burned for nearly an hour before being stopped by shutting off the fuel supply from a control station in Wallis. Local firefighters and … Read more

Luther Hotel Exhibit

The Palacios Preservation Association created a detailed 3-D printed replica of the historic Luther Hotel to showcase at the Smithsonian/Texas Historical Commission “Crossroads” exhibit running through March 9th. The model highlights the hotel’s 120-year history, notable guests like Lyndon B. Johnson, and even playful nods to its rumored ghosts. Meanwhile, restoration efforts at the hotel … Read more

City Council Tonight

El Campo’s City Council will decide tonight if Midnight Tinterz, a local auto window tinting shop, can continue operating at its new location on Main Street. The business moved in without obtaining the required Special Use Permit, prompting city staff to notify owner Jesse Avendano. The Planning & Zoning Commission approved the permit in a … Read more

Wharton County Commissioners Meet

Wharton County Commissioners will meet today to discuss community events and public safety measures. They’ll vote on hosting a Lions Club-sponsored movie night at the Courthouse lawn on March 7th and review cybersecurity training for county employees, required by June 13th. The Office of Emergency Management will request approval for a grant to purchase ballistic … Read more

Bay City Housing Renovation

This week, eight Bay City families will get new, modern bathrooms, part of a project by the Bay City Housing Authority, eventually benefiting 40 families. Lawanda Davis, executive director, highlighted this as the first major investment in local low-income housing in a decade. The remodel addresses deteriorating flooring issues. Davis emphasizes their ongoing efforts to … Read more

Cybersecurity Breach

Matagorda County officials are investigating a cybersecurity breach that disrupted internal systems early Friday morning. While no resident data appears compromised, the county declared a disaster at 3 p.m., activating heightened emergency operations. County Judge Bobby Seiferman assured residents that cybersecurity experts are working nonstop to secure the system and prevent further issues. Affected systems … Read more

Swimming Teams Dominate

El Campo High School’s swimming teams continue to dominate. Both the boys and girls teams won the District 12 championships for the third consecutive year at the El Campo Aquatic Center. Ricebird sophomore Luke Dornak was named District Diver of the Meet. Junior Evan Vasquez is excited for next year, with no seniors graduating. The … Read more

El Campo Robbery Indictments

A Wharton County Grand Jury indicted 53 year old Gabriel Bustamante for an August ’24 armed robbery in El Campo. Bustamante and his family, involved in a dispute over a window air conditioner, face serious charges. Police say Bustamante held two people at gunpoint hours after a transaction over the unit. If convicted, Gabriel Bustamante … Read more

Dawson Hudgins Makes History

Bay City High School sophomore Dawson Hudgins has made history as the first choir student in 15 years to be selected for the prestigious Texas Music Educators Association All-State Choir. The Choir Director praised Hudgins’ dedication, noting he competed against thousands of talented students in rigorous auditions since September. Hudgins, a member of the school’s … Read more

100th Birthday Celebration

At El Campo Country Club, friends and family gathered to celebrate Rita Radley’s 100th birthday. Known for her significant contributions to El Campo, Radley was the first female president of the Lower Colorado River Authority board and played a key role in local economic development. Her efforts led to the creation of the El Campo … Read more