Pumper should be ready in January
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
      The bright red paint already shines on the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department's new pumper unit, but firefighters will have to wait until next year to see it rolling on city streets. The Velocity custom triplecombination pumper is being built at the Pierce fire apparatus plant in Appleton, Wis., ...
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Police Blotter
      City Arrests Alcohol, drugs Elvira Deases Mata, 41, of 107 E. West was arrested at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec.
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Driver sought in wreck
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com
      Police hope a vehicle's broken turn lamp will lead to finding the suspect in a hit-and-run accident that sent a man to the hospital. According to El Campo Police Officer Cindy Howell, who is also coordinator of West Wharton County Crime Stoppers, the accident occurred around 3 a.m. Saturday, Dec...
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Man wanted in assault still in Corsicana
By BENJAMIN SHARP news@leader-news.com
      A Beasley man charged with robbery, burglary and aggravated assault in Wharton isn't expected to return here to face those charges anytime soon. That's because Jamale Rashad Johnson is still being held in Corsicana for crimes he allegedly committed there. The 20-year-old is charged with both aggr...
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Money launderer receives probation after guilty plea
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
      Nabbed with more than $100,000 in drug money near Louise this summer, a Houston man will spend the next two years being watched by authorities. Community supervision is just part of the requirements of the two-year deferred adjudication probation sentenced Christian Joel Garza, 24, of 2415 S. Vos...
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Now Hiring
      Accident investigations are part of the duties of the Texas Department of Public Safety's Highway Patrol division, shown here. The DPS is now accepting applications for anyone interested in becoming a state trooper, but the deadline is approaching fast. The application deadline for Texas residents...
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