El Campo, TX

PDF of print edition Judge reverses ruling, murder trial stays in county By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com       In a reversal of a previous decision, visiting District Court Judge Daniel Sklar ruled the Guillermo Paniagua Paniagua trial will be held in Wharton County. The former 329th District Court judge ruled in favor of District Attorney Josh McCown's motion to reverse his previous decision Tuesday morn... More ... Santa, Are You Listening?       Six-month-old Addisyn Fisher of El Campo gives Santa's beard a tug shortly after 2-year-old sister Ashley shared her Christmas hopes with the Jolly Old Elf. The two are the children of Cheryl and Craig Fisher. They are among the thousands of Wharton County children sharing their wish lists with Sa... More ... City annexed areas joining voting district for May races By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com       Five months from now, the newly annexed residents of the Sandy Corners area will be casting ballots in the May at-large city elections. But first, the city will have to present its voting plan to the Department of Justice and prove the placement of Sandy Corners residents into El Campo City Counc... More ... Senate approves Farm Bill without questionable reforms By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com       The U.S. Senate passed the Farm Bill by a vote of 79-14 Friday, beating back reformers who wanted major changes in crop subsidies and the federal crop insurance program. The bill actually increases subsidies for wheat, barley, oat, soybeans and several other crops and creates new grants for veget... More ... FCEC closing in on plans for biodiesel By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com       Using its streamlined process, the Wharton County Commissioners Court approved a short-form subdivision plat for the Farmers Co-op of El Campo for a site being proposed for development as a biodiesel plant. The plat was approved by the commissioners at their Dec. 10 meeting. More ... Working Weekends       Employees of the City of El Campo Utility Department are on standby to respond to emergencies at all hours, in all types of weather. Working in the cold for about 9 hours, or until about 9 p.m. Sunday on Hutchins Lane, Chris England (with shovel) and Henry Diaz work to get access to a break in a w... More ...