Proposed property changes go before Council
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
      The possibility of additional West Loop retail development and a proposed housing start on the city's southeast side will go before City Council Monday after receiving the blessings of Planning & Zoning Commissioners Jan. 16. Wal-Mart was requesting a 1.23 acre subdivide of its West Loop property...
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East Bernard asking for second ESD vote
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com
      The East Bernard EMS Department will try a second time Monday to present the Wharton County Commissioners Court with a petition requesting an election to create a new county emergency district to fund the department. Monday's commissioners meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. in the county courthou...
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Tickets still available for Chamber banquet
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
      Tickets are still available for the Annual El Campo Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture's banquet as anticipation of who this year's Citizen of the Year will be mounts. This year's honoree is sure to be a surprise, Chamber President Becca Socha said, adding the banquet's program is changing sligh...
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Rice farmers flock to conference in EC
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com
      Hundreds of rice farmers and those in related businesses attended the 4th Annual Western Rice Belt Production Conference, Wednesday in El Campo. Held at the El Campo Civic Center, the event drew interest not only locally but from deep East Texas.
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CDC directors agree to pay disputed tax bill
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com
      ....CDC directors agreed to pay their disputed tax bill, but still await a revised bill on property in the Meisel Industrial Park. At the board's Dec. 3 meeting, directors tabled action on paying property taxes after it was discovered they'd been billed twice for some of their land.
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