State agency prepares for communication even in disaster
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com
      Staying in touch with the community so they can respond in a moment's notice under normal circumstances is an important part of the job for emergency service providers. In the event of a disaster, it is even more vital just at the time when electric service or communications facilities might be ...
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Street name confusion ends with Council vote
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
      For the record it is Olivia Street, Lilly Street and Frank Stubbs Drive, El Campo City Council decided last session. Council was asked to eliminate confusion over the road names during the regular session March 25.
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City trash debate travels to Giddings for review
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
      Trash talk had El Campo City Council members on the road Monday traveling to Giddings to examine containerized service. Allied Waste, the city's current garbage service, wants the city to consider containerized service using a one-man truck in the future.
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Salute To Service
      Craig-Harriss American Legion Post 251 Commander Jack Birkner, left, recently recognized Charles Bard for 60 years membership in the service organization. Bard is a World War II veteran.
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Retired teachers' '13th' check hurts pay
      In January, the Teacher Retirement System of Texas disbursed a one-time annuity payment, or "13th" check, to Texas' 250,000 eligible retired public school employees. For many retirees, the extra payment was their first benefit increase since 2001'.
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HEP banquet honors local woman, former San Antonio mayor speaker
By CHRIS BARBEE cbarbee@leader-news.com
      The late Gloria Vela will be remembered Saturday during the 16th Annual Hispanic Education Project scholarship banquet at the El Campo Civic Center. Her family will receive the recognition. Mrs. Vela died Feb. 1 at the age of 66 after a lengthy battle with cancer. The wife of retired Myatt Elemen...
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Officers' effect on problems unclear
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com
      Having police officers on campus has helped behavioral problems remain fairly minimal at El Campo ISD schools. District statistics show either little change or slight dips in a number of serious disciplinary problems since two uniformed El Campo Police officers took on full-time roles at the midd...
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