El Campo, TX

PDF of print edition Jury selection starts Monday for Wharton murder trial By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com       After the original pool went bust, the Wharton County District Attorney's Office is hoping a bigger crowd Monday will allow a jury to be seated so it can proceed with the murder trial of the man arrested in connection to the traffic collision death of former Needville ISD Police Chief Ernest Mendo... More ... Hang Up And Drive!       Two-year-old Dwayne Bennett III chats on a real cell phone with his grandmother while keeping an eye on his sister Nevaeh, who is 5 months old, as they take advantage of a recent warm sunny afternoon. The two are the children of Dwayne Bennett II and Cassadie Porter. More ... City Council may toss out big can trash pickup plan By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com       A proposed pilot program for large container trash service will return to the City Council agenda Tuesday. But it might stop there. The current garbage contract with Allied Waste expires in October, City Manager John Steelman said in his letter to Council. More ... Donations sought as work continues on law memorial By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com       The slab is ready and work on the Wharton County Peace Officers Memorial project is continuing on grounds of the Wharton County Sheriff's Office. "We've had a lot of help from volunteers and business donations to this point," Wharton County Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Agent Darryl Darnell... More ... WCYF prepares for 2008 run focusing on family, volunteers By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com       As the Wharton County Youth Fair prepares to open the gates for its 2008 run, the focus will be on family. From events and activities to special promotions, there will be plenty for the young, old and somewhere in between to do from May 4 to May 10, Fair President Darrel Kutach said during a medi... More ...