El Campo, TX

PDF of print edition City annexations could prove costly New residents would have to pay hook-up costs, water bills will rise By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com       Expanding the city limits of El Campo won't be cheap, City Council members agreed Tuesday, learning it could prove costly not only for homes and businesses annexed, but also for the average city taxpayer. All will have to pay, City Manager John Steelman said. More ... Civic Center renovations top Council workshop Tuesday By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com       Building renovations, new construction and how it all fits into the vision of El Campo in 2020 will be up for debate Tuesday when City Council gathers for a workshop. More ... Block Long Blaze Fire strikes cotton modules at FCEC Hillje gin By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com       More than 30 cotton modules were aflame Friday morning as firefighters from four departments raced to Farmers Co-op of El Campo's Hillje gin. But with the quick response, a caravan of water tankers and dozens of men assisting, the damage may actually be minimal. More ... LCRA plans El Campo hearing to discuss pipeline possibility By BENJAMIN C. SHARP news@leader-news.com       Wharton County residents will soon be provided with an update of the Lower Colorado River Authority/San Antonio Water System project. A meeting, planned later this month in El Campo, will cover such topics as agricultural conservation studies, facility siting, surface water availability, groundwa... More ... Justin Hurst WMA dedicated By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com       The combination of a place holding so many memories along with so many others sharing their own memories of slain Game Warden Justin Hurst triggered the emotions of his wife Amanda as she spoke at Friday's dedication ceremony of the Justin Hurst Wildlife Management area. More ... Louise Homecoming Royalty       The Louise student body selected Lauren Gresham and Nick Barrera as their 2007 Homecoming Queen and King Friday night. Barrera was crowned during the pep rally Friday afternoon while Gresham received her honor on the field during halftime. She was escorted by her father Johnnie Gresham shown in th... More ... DA wants to use new law to OK blood draws By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com       While a breath test is good, blood will tell the tale when it comes to determining just how intoxicated a driver might be behind the wheel. More ...