El Campo, TX

PDF of print edition Petitions challenge annexations, call for repeal or vote By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com       A group of more than 240 El Campo citizens filed three petitions at City Hall Thursday demanding Council either reverse most of the recent annexations or put the matter to a public vote. Council will take up the issue during their upcoming meeting Monday. More ... Ready For Take Off EC resident building next generation of flight By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com       One local business' best marketing tool is doing what they do best - flying the friendly skies of Wharton County. Hughes Aero Corp. has been building and flying powered parachutes, a form of ultralight aircraft, at the Wharton Regional Airport since 2005. CEO and President Scott Hughes said test,... More ... Louise game in Waelder halted after scuffle starts By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com       A fight involving players and parents during a basketball game between Louise and Waelder forced the Hornet's varsity team to leave town under police escort before halftime Tuesday night. More ... Habitat needs local leader to proceed By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com       A group hoping to build homes sideby side with El Campo's working poor needs one more major building block: a leader. Rev. Keith Gibbons of First Christian Church in El Campo is a member of the steering committee working to establish West Wharton County Habitat for Humanity. More ... Early burn ban request doused before meeting By BENJAMIN SHARP news@leader-news.com       Emergency management officials are no longer planning on asking county commissioners to implement a burn ban next week. Current weather patterns and a few fire calls simply don't justify it, said County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Kirkland Friday. More ... Puppy Love       Avery Mendoza, age 2, put the squeeze on her buddy Choo- Choo Thursday in a rare moment when the 22-week-old puppy was relatively still. The Chihuahua- Pekinese mix and the toddler prefer to spend their time together chasing one another. Mendoza is the daughter of Miranda Orsak and Tony Mendoza. More ...