Experts say wildfire danger 'extreme'
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
      El Campo and Wharton County residents are urged to exercise extreme caution with anything that burns over the next several days. Conditions are too dangerous to carelessly burn or even throw a cigarette from a car window, El Campo Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Appling said.
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Police Blotter
      City Arrests Alcohol, drugs Jose Nicasio Avendano, 32, of 1405 Beach was arrested at 4:45 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2 on a charge of driving while intoxicated, after being stopped for turning too wide, overcorrecting, swerving, then hitting a curb. He was transferred to Wharton County Jail the same ...
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Constable gains new canine partner
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com
      Understanding the only relationship closer than a boy and his dog is a police officer and his canine partner, the Rotary Clubs of Wharton and El Campo presented Wharton County Deputy Constable Daryl Maretka with a check for $2,500 toward the purchase of a new partner during a joint meeting Wednesd...
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