Five events of 2007 you can't forget

BOBBY JONES

Lots of issues and stories garnered the attention of Wharton County residents in 2007, but some were of more than passing interest.

These five stories caught and held readers' attention this year, not only on both sides of the river, but also far beyond the county line.

Polka Personality Disappears

The disappearance of beloved radio personality and polka musician Bobby Jones sent shockwaves through Wharton and surrounding counties, and ripples continue to fan out as the mystery remains unsolved.

Jones, 48, has been missing since June 22, after failing to show up to host his polka show at El Campo Radio Station KULP.

There was no evidence of foul play at Jones' house, and investigators said there has been no credit card or cell phone activity on Jones' accounts since his disappearance.

On June 28, a Wharton police officer found a license plate matching Jones' car stuck on the Colorado River's east bank in Wharton. High river levels due to constant rain and upriver flooding made the river too dangerous for underwater searches, and that state of affairs continued for months.

JUSTIN HURST

A crew using sonar located what could be a vehicle under the water near the bank, but by the time water levels dropped enough for more searching - in late September - sonar could not locate anything resembling Jones' car.

The investigation into Jones' disappearance remains open, pending new leads.

Game Warden Slain

In Shootout

Texas Game Warden Justin Hurst of El Campo was killed in a shoot-out March 17 after a chase involving an suspected poacher.

Hurst had been responding as backup to another game warden along with Wharton County Sheriff's deputies and Department of Public Safety troopers when the shoot-out occurred in the East Bernard area.

The alleged shooter, 27-year-old James Garrett Freeman of Lissie, was arrested after being struck by the return fire of other officers. He is charged with one count of capital murder, three counts of attempted capital murder and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Freeman reportedly used a semiautomatic rifle and a pistol in the attack.

CASTILLO

He is still awaiting trial with a pending request for a change of venue before 329th District Court Judge Randy Clapp.

Hurst died on this 34th birthday. He is survived by his wife and infant son. Warden Hurst is the first law enforcer killed in Wharton County since 1984. Hundreds of law enforcers from throughout the state, including almost 500 TPWD game wardens, came to El Campo for his funeral.

Police Shooting Leads To Protests

The shooting death of a teenager in Wharton during a drug raid led to protests in Wharton and El Campo that reverberated outside the county's boundaries.

Family members and civil rights groups voiced outrage at the death of Daniel Castillo Jr., the 17-year-old killed Feb. 13 by Wharton Police Detective Don Falks while the DA's drug task force served a search warrant at Castillo's home.

Castillo's family contends the youth was unarmed and getting out of bed at the time he was shot once in the face by Falks, a six-year veteran with no prior complaints on his record.

Law enforcement officials, however, told a grand jury of drugs found at the Sunset Lane home, and said Castillo was armed with a 4-inch knife that contained only his DNA, a weapon he intended to use against Falks. They also said Castillo punched the officer in the face as he entered the bedroom.

The Wharton County Grand Jury no-billed Falks March 21, clearing the detective of any wrong-doing in the death. The boy's parents, Lisa and Daniel Castillo Sr., have filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Sheriff Jess Howell, District Attorney Josh McCown, the city of Wharton and Falks.

Courthouse Reopens In Grand Style

After some eight years of reconstruction planning and work, the Wharton County Courthouse reopened its doors Aug. 4 looking remarkably like it did when first designed in 1888.

The building, designed by Architect Eugene T. Heiner, had been renovated during the 1930s and 1940s trading its reddish brick exterior for a stucco covering complete with additional building wings. At the same time, the clock tower and green metal roof were removed in exchange for a flat top on the main building and wings.

The return to the historic courthouse look was made possible thanks to the Texas Historical Courthouse Preservation Program along with individual, government and corporate support.

On Aug. 4, state legislators joined local elected officials and the general community to celebrate the grand reopening, complete with the original bell. The courthouse had been closed for construction, and all offices relocated, in May of 2003.

The building now houses the 329th District Court under newly appointed Judge Randy Clapp and the Wharton County District Attorney's office, headed by DA Josh McCown.

Rains Wash Away Farmers' Hopes

A promising early season gave way to crop disaster for many farmers in Wharton County when the summer-long nonstop rains that ended Texas' drought took a heavy toll.

On both sides of the Colorado River, farmers had to sit idle for weeks, unable to bring in sorghum and corn crops while cotton plants grew to 4 feet tall or more. Most of what could have been a banner sorghum crop was lost, rotting and sprouting as it remained in place.

Soaking showers began in late June and continued throughout July, destroying what initially appeared to be a potentially-record crop of sorghum, and the sunless days damaged the cotton crop. Cotton needs plenty of sunshine to produce a crop, but the rains caused the plants to shed flowers and bolls, and instead grow into big green bushes that had to start blooming all over again.

Although the corn crop turned out fairly well for some farmers, and quite well for a few, the high cost of fuel, seed and fertilizer negated any gains that high corn prices might have provided.