Businesses, government set closures

Business hours will vary widely during the holiday season this year, but the people at the post office are going the extra mile to make sure gifts reach their destinations.

Express Mail will be available on Christmas Day at the El Campo Post Office, personally handed off by "Santa," also known as the Jolly Old Postmaster. That service will be available between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 25.

On Monday, Dec. 24, the post office window will close at 2 p.m., but someone will be available to give out packages until 5 p.m.

The post office will then be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, as are most all businesses and agencies in town. Some closure schedules of note include:

• City of El Campo: All offices will be closed Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

• Wharton County: All offices will be closed Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

• El Campo Aquatic Center: Closure schedule the same as other city offices - Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1.

• El Campo Branch Library: Closed through Dec. 26; reopens Dec. 27 at 10 a.m. for regular business hours; Closes at 6 p.m. Monday Dec. 31; reopens Jan. 2.

• Boys & Girls Club of El Campo: Closed Monday, Dec. 24-26; open Dec. 27-28 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1-2; reopens Jan. 3 from 3-7 p.m. for after-school programs.

• El Campo Museum of Natural History: Closed until Wednesday, Jan. 2.

• Banks: All banks are closed Dec. 25 and only one is open Jan. 1. Each bank has set its own hours on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. They are:

Commercial State Bank: 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24, closed Dec. 25 open all day New Year's Eve, closed Jan. 1.

First Convenience Bank: Dec. 24 closes at 5 p.m.; Dec. 31 regular hours; New Year's Day open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

First State Bank of Louise: All branches open Dec. 24 from 8 a.m.-noon; regular hours Dec. 31.

Franklin Bank: Dec. 24 at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Dec. 31.

NewFirst National Bank: Dec. 24 close at noon; Dec. 31 regular hours.

Prosperity Bank: Dec. 24 close at 1 p.m.; Dec. 31 regular hours.