El Campo Leader

Grand Champion again

By BURLON PARSONS lifestyle@leader-news.com — 05/10/2008

With a slap on his rump, steer judge Edward Schneider named "Red" shown by Natalie Nohavitza of El Campo's 4- H Saddle Club the Grand Champion Steer at the Wharton County Youth Fair Tuesday night. Tapped for the Reserve Grand Champion spot was the steer shown by Ryan Vogler of Boling FFA.

Today last chance to vote on city, ECISD contested races

By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com — 05/10/2008

Final balloting in El Campo city and school board races got under way at 7 a.m. today with recent hotly contested issues on both boards driving voter turnout to top recent showings.

Hanging Tough

05/10/2008

A total of 70 riders pitted guts against gristle during the Wharton County Youth Fair's Bull Blowout Wednesday and Thursday night in the Johnson Arena. The fair draws to a close today with the Sale of Excellence and Tejano night.

New mayor tops agenda at city council

By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com — 05/10/2008

Repairs to southside water lines will go before the El Campo City Council Tuesday night, but not before questions of who will lead the municipality in the next year are resolved. When El Campo polls close at 7 p.m. today and votes are tallied, three at-large City Council members will be selected from among a field of seven candidates (please see related story).

Bucket babies offer little wins, big smiles

By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com — 05/10/2008

In what may have been the bestattended livestock show during the entire Wharton County Youth Fair, there were nothing but winners after the Bucket Calf Show ended Thursday evening. Some 66 competitors entered this year's WCYF Bucket Calf Show, a huge leap in numbers from the 25 youngsters who entered the inaugural show last year.

County hopes railroad will help to keep culverts clear

05/10/2008

Having received a verbal promise to keep drainage culverts clean, the Wharton County Commissioners hope to get that commitment down on paper during Monday's regular meeting. The agenda item, if approved, would authorize County Judge John Murrile to sign a maintenance agreement between the county and Kansas City Southern Railroad.

Vamos A Bailar!

05/10/2008

The first and second grade students of Louise Elementary put on a fantastic Cinco de Mayo program Monday morning at the school cafeteria. The event, attended by a packed house of relatives and fellow students, included songs, dances, skits and even a history lesson. "It's a Fiesta!

Church building won't have road running through it

By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com — 05/10/2008

St. Robert's Catholic Church will be allowed to continue construction on a new storage building when City Council formally accepts an ordinance abandoning the road that runs through it Tuesday night. Church officials had started work not realizing part of the open field was actually a platted roadway - a section of Bellman Street that had never been developed.

CDC giving $10K grant to area business center

By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com — 05/10/2008

Small business is much appreciated, and the City Development Corp. of El Campo put its backing and money behind the concept. Directors first voted to recognize April 21-27 as Small Business Appreciation Week. The vote was unanimous with director Heath Radley absent.

IMUD to canvass ballots

05/10/2008

Isaacson Municipal Utility District directors will officially canvass ballots from today's election when they meet Monday evening. In the district, incumbents Floyd Fisher, Floyd Shimek and Joe Juroska Jr. face challenger Brenda George. The top three vote-getters will win seats on the board.

Man turns tables on alleged burglar

By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com — 05/10/2008

A 20-year-old Angleton man is in jail after being nabbed in the youth fair parking lot by the man whose property he allegedly was trying to steal . According to Wharton County Sheriff's Lt. Danny Marek, a Boling man had parked two pickup trucks and a combination livestock/living trailer in the parking lot of the Wharton County Youth Fair.

Police Blotter

05/10/2008

City Arrests Alcohol, drugs A 14-year-old El Campo boy was arrested at 11:40 a.m. Tuesday, May 6 on two counts of possession of a controlled substance after he was found to have two Lyrica painkiller pills on him while at El Campo Middle School. He was released the same day to the custody of a relative.

Movie role teaches deputy surprise lesson

By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com — 05/10/2008

While some movie roles are cast because a person looks the part, Wharton County Sheriff's Deputy Troy Albrecht was cast in the independent movie "Mindsight" because he is the part.

Fishing with some folks far from 'super'-duper fun

JERRY AULDS — 05/10/2008

School superintendents work in a fishbowl, constantly swimming in the spotlight of public scrutiny. Budget deficits, low test scores, teacher shortages - all are problems which land "ker-plop" on the super's desk. The good ones somehow learn to function effectively, even flourish swimmingly, in the boiling rapids of public opinion.

ONLINE POLL

05/10/2008

This Week's Poll Question Do you think Saturday's local election results will mean big changes in decision making by the El Campo city council or school board? A.Yes B. No Look to Saturday's Viewpoint page for results of this online poll.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

05/10/2008

The people are the rulers Have the Democrat Superdelegates read the Preamble to the United States Constitution? The Constitution is based on six principles which are popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review and federalism.

Political Cartoon

05/10/2008

TEXAS STRAIGHT TALK

U.S. REP RON PAUL — 05/10/2008

In the past few months, American workers, consumers, and businesses have experienced a sudden and dramatic rise in gasoline prices. In some parts of the country, gasoline costs as much as $4 per gallon. Some politicians claim that the way to reduce gas prices is by expanding the government's power to regulate prices and control the supply of gasoline.

Ricebird and Lady 'Bird MVPs

05/10/2008

El Campo High School honored its athletes Monday during the All-Sports Banquet. Among several awards were the most valuable players in each sport. The MVPs selected by their teammates and, in some instances, coaches.

EC Little League gets funding help

By KRIS BAGLEY and CHRIS BARBEE sports@leader-news.com — 05/10/2008

El Campo Rotarians voted overwhelmingly Thursday to help the El Campo Little League Association improve its facilities. The club voted to donate up to $50,000 per year for the next six years, beginning with the 2009 fundraiser.

Appling becomes two-sport Javelina

By KRIS BAGLEY sports@leader-news.com — 05/10/2008

Dustin Appling is enjoying his time at Texas A&M University- Kingsville. A 2007 El Campo High School graduate, he is almost finished with his first year of college. Appling ran in the 400-meter hurdles all season and was a part of the 4X400-meter relay team.

Fighting Heart

05/10/2008

El Campo's Fighting Heart winners named Monday at the All-Sports Banquet include (front, l-r) Maci Lilie, Kristi Galow, Chelsi Robinson, Laura Aguilar, Courtney Janak, Shelby May, Ashley Harton, Kayla McCrary, Kristi Michaelsen, (back, l-r) Alexis Cooper, Parker Hermann, Mario Rodriguez, Gabriel Lara,

UIL ponders split-conference plan

05/10/2008

The University Interscholastic League released a study draft that could evolve into a plan to split football conferences into two divisions. This is not a proposal by UIL staff, nor has it been approved by the UIL Legislative Council. The plan only looks at the theory of split conferences.

EC BOOSTER CLUB SCHOLARSHIPS

05/10/2008

Meylin Avila Emily Bergstrom Shannon Bode Cody Brandl Brittany Butler Yvonne Canales Alexis Cooper Thad Deiss Kris Escobar Angela Fiala Jacob Fox Kaylan Gangl Kelsey Gangl Taylor Graham Matt Janke Tequila Johnson

EC ALL-SPORTS BANQUET AWARDS

05/10/2008

Track Boys MVP Thad Deiss Fighting Heart Dominique Murray Girls MVPs Angel Brooks Chelsi Robinson Fighting Heart Courtney Janak Most Improved Shelby May

BOWLING RESULTS

05/10/2008

Tuesday Night Mixed Team Results 1. Young At Heart, 2. Silver Streaks, 3. Believers Women High Game Scratch Becky Wisnieski - 289 High Game Handicap Wisnieski - 293 Men High Game Scratch Glen Cerny - 298 High Game

EC JV SOFTBALL VS. LAMAR CONS.

05/10/2008

1 Lady Mustangs Lady 'Birds EC Pitching Tracy Gerla - 4 innings, 3 hits, 5 strikeouts EC Hitting Ashley Gonzales - 1 hit (single), 1 run Gerla - 1 hit (single), 2 runs Casie Kruppa - 3 hits (single, single,

EC JV BASEBALL VS. LAMAR CONS.

05/10/2008

1 EC 0 LC EC Pitching Cade Radley - 7 innings, 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 3 strikeouts EC Hitting Travis Deiss - 4 at-bats, 1 run, 1 hit (single) Will Garrett - 4 at-bats, 2 run, 2 hits (single, double) Anthony Cruz - 4 at-bats, 1 run, 2 hits (single, triple),

EC JV BASEBALL VS. SEVEN LAKES

05/10/2008

1 EC 0 SL EC Pitching Anthony Cruz - 7 innings, 0 hits, 1 earned run, 0 strikeouts EC Hitting Will Garrett - 2 at-bats, 1 run, 1 hits (single), 1 RBI Cruz - 4 at-bats, 1 run, 2 hits (single, triple), 3 RBIs Chase McClain - 3 at-bats,

Trusting Divine Providence

By CHRIS BARBEE cbarbee@leader-news.com — 05/10/2008

Four Catholic nuns who at one time lived in El Campo also have ties to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic University in San Antonio, where a fouralarm fire did serious damage to the university's Main Building Tuesday. The blaze is thought to have started in the attic and been electrical in nature.

May Festival being held at Czech Center

05/10/2008

Come celebrate Czech heritage and traditions at a full day of activities. The seventh annual May Fest on Saturday, May 17 will include tours of the Czech Village, demonstrations, booksigning tables, exhibits, activities and music by the Taylor Czech Choir and the Texas Sound Check Band.

Tree dedicated at Myatt Elem. to the memory of Gloria Vela

By QUALA MATOCHA lifestyle@leader-news.com — 05/10/2008

As the rain came down Monday afternoon, so did the tears as Myatt Elementary staff and family of the late Gloria G. Vela gathered at the campus to dedicate a red bud tree in her memory. Gloria, who lost her battle to cancer Feb. 1, 2008, is the wife of Gilbert Vela Sr., former principal of Myatt for 17 years. Present were family members Gilbert Jr.

Racing For A Cure

05/10/2008

What two things do the American Cancer Society Relay For Life and NASCAR have in common? Both have grassroots beginnings and honor cancer survivors and those lost to cancer.

Northside Fruit Challenge Rewarded

05/10/2008

Northside Elementary students challenged one another by improving their eating habits, consuming fruits and vegetables during the school year. During the first semester, they earned chances at winning prizes by eating vegetables. The second semester challenge was eating fruits. The grand prize Fruit Club winner was Frankie Escobar.

Myatt Fruit Challenge Rewards

05/10/2008

Students at Myatt Elementary took the challenge and consumed more fruits this semester. Those who participated had their name added to a drawing. Winners earned passes to skate, bowl or swim.

BULLETIN BOARD

05/10/2008

DON'T MISS: Family Council Meeting The Family Council meets Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. at First Christian Church on West West Street in El Campo. The Family Council is an independent selfgoverned group composed of family and friends of nursing home residents coming together to discuss ways and means of making nursing home life better for loved ones.

WCYF honors top ag men in county

By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com — 05/10/2008

Pierce-born Ronnie Wittig, co-owner of Coastal Warehouse in Wharton, was named Ag Man of the Year Thursday night during the annual Agricultural Appreciation Banquet. First to be introduced to the hundreds attending the Wharton County Youth Fair banquet was Jodie Socha, to whom this year's fair was dedicated.

WCYF RESULTS

05/10/2008

CREATIVE ARTS WINNERS Senior (Ages 14-18) Art Paintings-Oil and Acrylics: Most Outstanding, Shaina Lowe. Drawings-Pastels, Pencil Colors, Chalk and Crayons: Most Outstanding, Samuel Cantu; and Runner up, Samuel Cantu. Black & White Drawings-Pen & Ink, Pencil and Charcoal: Most Outstanding, Samuel Cantu; Runner up, Samuel Cantu; and Third place, Samuel Cantu.

Bucket Calves Ready To Show

05/10/2008

Gracie Bosch, Cameron Koudela and Lana Foyt line up their bucket calves to enter the show ring during the annual showmanship contest and clinic.

WCYF RESULTS

05/10/2008

Broiler Show Results Grand Champion: Douglas Mach, Boling FFA. Reserve Champion: Sara Zahn, Boling 4-H Buddies. Anna Srubar, East Bernard FFA; Kenna Bubela, El Campo FFA; Benjamin Merecka, Boling Jr.

Making The Turn

05/10/2008

Kirby Rawlinson of El Campo rounds one the barrels during CRC rodeo competition at the Wharton County Youth Fair. The even was one of several focusing on young participants.

State to spend $1 million in battle with feral hogs

05/10/2008

The Texas Department of Agriculture recently awarded Texas AgriLife Extension Service $1 million for the agency's new Texas Feral Hog Control Program: Moving Towards A Long-Term Abatement Strategy. Texas is home to more than 2 million feral hogs, the largest feral hog population in the U.S.

Farm Bill starts moving forward

05/10/2008

According to NCBA and Capitol Hill staff, the farm bill Conference Committee has met and crafted final deals to move the bill forward this week, with principal members of the conference putting in late hours to come to agreement on key issues.

Cartoon

05/10/2008

Frances Jurek

05/10/2008

Frances Polensky Jurek, 86, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at Bay Villa Nursing home where she had resided for the last three years. She was born Jan. 8, 1922 to Anton and Mary Luchak Polensky. Frances was a sweet and gentle woman.