Reporter meets nemesis at tractor show
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com
      Walking around the Wharton County Youth Fair grounds on Saturday, little did I realize I would soon come face-to-face with my all-time nemesis, and it isn't even a person.
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Cook-off teams drawn to challenge, fun
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com
      While they have other reasons for getting into the action, the consensus of the teams in this year's Wharton County Youth Fair Cook-Off was the real appeal is just being there. Among the rookie teams in this year's competition was Beer'd Up from El Campo, sponsored by Wedge Fishing and Rental. An...
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Two radio roundtables give candidates chance to speak
      El Campo area voters will have the chance to hear candidates' views live starting at noon today. The seven El Campo City Council hopefuls are scheduled to take to the mikes during KULP Radio 1390 AM's first candidate roundtable discussion.
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Award Winners
      El Campo High School cosmotology students recently competed in district and state competitions. Participants include, left to right, front row: Geo Quintela, Arshisa Foley, Christina Cano, Esmeralda Sanchez (center with trophy for District Best of Show), Jasmine Miles, Flor Cura, Yesenia Cura, Fel...
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Proposed apartments require zoning change
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
      A small apartment complex proposal to be presented to El Campo Planning & Zoning Commissioners at 5 p.m. today is already drawing concerns. For the construction to ultimately become a reality, it will require a zoning change along with the blessings of City Council.
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Louise ISD's new fitness center a hit
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com
      Louise ISD's new fitness center is a hit so far, not only with students but with the Louise community. ""We're getting our bang out of our buck," Superintendent Andy Peters told the district's trustees last week "The kids are using it (and) there's always people there during our public hours.
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County decides to offer paper ballots along with electronic
"I need more help, that's the botttom line." - Judy Owens election administrator
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com
      After the Republican Party in Wharton County insisted on paper ballots for this year's primaries, the county commissioners approved Monday an order approving optical scan ballots for the county's voting system.
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Not A Wise Move
      This 8-week-old Daschund puppy could not contain his curiosity about a calf being trained to show in next month's Wharton County Youth Fair bucket calf show. The pup was quickly scooped up before it could be injured by the heifer, which weighs about 125 pounds.
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LISD hoping to up pay next year
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com
      In a discussion of the current and upcoming Louise ISD budgets, trustees found out they're pretty much on target for this year, but rising utility rates and unavoidable election costs may mean dipping into the district's savings.
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Free For The Children
      David and Kim Melanson offered use of their rodeo arena off Pecan Street to the students and faculty of Myatt Elementary Friday afternoon. Students got to watch young cowboys and cowgirls do rodeo feats on horseback such as barrel racing, pole bending and calf roping.
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Debate marks ECISD board decision on new staff positions
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com
      After quite a bit of debate and discussion, El Campo ISD trustees agreed to create two new educator positions within the district. During the April 15 meeting, Superintendent Mark Pool presented information to show approving two more positions is in line with staffing patterns from comparable dis...
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Silver Bullet Bandits win overall champs
      The Silver Bullet Bandit Cookers parlayed second place finishes in chicken and chili with their other efforts to collect the Over-all winning prize of the 2008 Wharton County Youth Fair barbecue cook-off this past weekend. The team is made up of chief cook Desi Garcia along with Joe Dominguez, St...
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Looking For A Ringer
      Releasing a horseshoe, Stanley Konvicka is hoping for a ringer while his opponent Robbie Galvan looks on. Scoring the Go Texan competition is Mke Prasek Jr. The winner of the horseshoe contest qualifies for next year's Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Go Texan competition.
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