Despite protests, county passes budget
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com
      Area residents protesting a spending increase by the county did not prevent the Wharton County Commissioners Court from adopting the proposed 2008 county budget during Monday's regular meeting. The general fund budget calls for the county to spend $13,644,701 during the coming year, up from the $...
More ...

Tough Decisions
      El Campo City Councilman Ed Erwin was among dozens of local governmental officials asked to make some tough decisions as the budget process developed. The city of El Campo had hoped to set its tax rate Tuesday night.
More ...

Hospital to hear input on proposed tax rate
By SHANNON CRABTREE newsdesk@leader-news.com
      A second public hearing on the proposed 2007-2008 tax rate for the West Wharton County Hospital District will be held at noon Friday, Sept. 14. The proposed 12.99 cent per $100 in taxable property rate is a 30 percent increase over last year's levy, El Campo Memorial Hospital Administrator Steve ...
More ...

IMUD to set 2008 budget, tax rate
By BRENDA SOMMER news1@leader-news.com
      The IMUD board will make the coming year's budget and tax rate official, and discuss two new streetlights when directors meet tomorrow. For the coming year, the Isaacson Municipal Utility District board is proposing a tax rate of .83254 cents per $100 - a .002 cent drop from the prior year - to...
More ...

Some landowners may see lowered tax bills
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com
      Property owners who didn't see an increase in their property value from 2006 to 2007 will see a slight savings on their county tax bill this coming year. The savings is based on a 2008 tax rate of 56.343 cents per $100 property valuation adopted by the Wharton County Commissioners Court on Monday...
More ...

Staph cases at high school being monitored
By SHANNON CRABTREE newsdesk@leader-news.com
      The El Campo school district is closely monitoring a possible health concern after three student athletes developed infections. Two high school athletes and one from the middle school have developed "possible" staph infections since the start of the school year.
More ...

ECISD officially adopts last part of new tax rate
By BRENDA SOMMER news1@leader-news.com
      The tax rate is finally official for the El Campo Independent School District, after trustees passed the final part of the rate Sept. 4. El Campo ISD's board of trustees passed its $30.8-million budget Aug. 21, but only part of its tax rate at that time.
More ...

Captain Colton
      Colton Stary of El Campo proclaimed himself to be the captain of this "ship" recently during Faith Lutheran Church activities.
More ...

Pool board to discuss fees, added programs
      Recommended changes to El Campo Aquatic Center fees, and added programs, will be discussed today at 5:15 p.m. by the appointed Aquatic Center Board. City staff has proposed several rate changes for programs offered and memberships.
More ...

Chicken On The Cheek
      Four-year-old Trevor Hoelscher of El Campo told Rainbow the Clown he wanted a chicken as he sat down at her face painting booth at St. Mary's Festival in Nada recently. The youth was one of dozens sporting colorful bits of clown-drawn art. Pictured behind Trevor is Brittany Baker of El Campo.
More ...

County receives grant for drainage expenses
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com
      Wharton County's drainage study is getting a helping hand from the Texas Colorado River Floodplain Coalition. County officials said Friday the coalition has approved a $10,000 grant for expenses associated with the project's use of Linear Infrared Digital Area Radar.
More ...

City sets new speed limits for FM 2765
      The speed limit on FM 2765 east of the North Mechanic Street intersection was lowered following a City Council vote last week. From 55 mph, the roadway's speed limit will now be 50 mph for slightly less than a half mile from the intersection - except during school hours.
More ...