EC's sales tax revenues flat during past year
By CHRIS BARBEE cbarbee@leader-news.com
      Wharton County's three incorporated cities, and the county, all received their final local sales tax rebate checks recently from Texas Comptroller Susan Combs. El Campo and Wharton both had about the same local sales tax rebate results as in 2006, but East Bernard had a huge gain over last year.
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Now Open
      Wiese Crop Insurance at 320 E. Jackson held a ribbon-cutting ceremony recently to celebrate their new El Campo office and new membership in the El Campo Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture.
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County adds $45K to fund for indigents' health care
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com
      A budget adjustment that will allow Wharton County to cover its indigent health care costs was approved by the county commissioners court as they started wrapping up calendar year 2007. The commissioners approved moving $45,000 from the remaining county contingency fund to the indigent health pro...
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The Grand Tour
      El Campo Police Officer Cindy Howell, at center, shows El Campo DARE graduates around the dispatching office at the police department recently. The tour of the department, city hall and the fire department is a reward for the fifth graders completing their DARE course.
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ECISD teachers can get low price master's degree
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com
      El Campo ISD teachers soon will be able to take advantage of what may be the educational deal of the century: a full master's degree for $4,950. During Tuesday night's ECISD board meeting, Superintendent Mark Pool told trustees he'd entered into an academic partnership agreement with Lamar Univer...
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Election issues, vehicle purchases under debate
Wharton County Commissioners have a full agenda New Year's Eve Day including material bids and budget issues.
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com
      Items addressing election issues and getting a start on the new year make up most of the agenda for the final Wharton County Commissioners meeting of 2007. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, New Year's Eve day, in the commissioners courtroom in the county annex building, 309 E. Milam in Wharton...
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Not all plan to party on New Year's Eve
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com
      Some stay put, others stay up late, but it seems most people in El Campo have some sort of plan in place for ringing in the new year. Russ Graves, 18, had perhaps the most unusual appointment to mark the transition to 2008. "I've got to go to the doctor and have surgery New Year's Eve," the 18-y...
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Cold Day, Hot Chili
      Daniel Juranek serves up his secret recipe chili to James Thonsgaard Thursday during the Farmers Coop of El Campo annual chili dinner for members and customers. The event, with sides of cornbread and beans, was in perfect harmony with the cool weather that accompanied the meal.
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