El Campo, TX

PDF of print edition Jury rules DWI death a murder, punishment Monday By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com       The driver of the pickup truck involved in the fatal wreck that claimed the life of Needville ISD Police Chief Ernest Mendoza the night of Jan. 19, 2007 was found guilty of felony murder by a Wharton County jury Friday morning. More ... Crescent school rooms tumble at WCYF By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com       As the giant steel claw crashed into the brick and termite torn wood of the Wharton County Youth Fair's beer garden Monday, another section of the Crescent School became just a memory. More ... City Council leaves pilot trash pickup program in the bag By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com       With less than six months left on the city of El Campo's trash pickup contract, Council opted to delay any discussions on service changes during Tuesday night's meeting. More ... Tax Day mail must be in box by 5 p.m.       5 p.m. - that's the deadline for El Campo and nearby residents to ensure their taxes are in the mail Tuesday, April 15. There will be no late pickup, Post Master Margaret Sparks said Friday. "This year it needs to be on the truck by 5 p.m. to be processed," she said. More ... His Baby       Jim Pendleton Jr., son of Jim and Darlene Pendleton of El Campo, entered this custom designed and built car in the Lone Star Rod and Kustom Round Up, held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Austin. Pendleton said he modeled the car after 1940 dry lakes streamline cars built to race at top speeds. Pend... More ...