Rotary Sponsors Exchange Student
Birds Defeat Sweeny Page 1-B
Page 3-B
IN TODAY’S PAPER:
34 Employment Ads Filling Over
95 Positions! See Page 7-B
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Volume 131 Number 22 • Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Copyright ® 2015
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20 Pages, 2 Inserts
ECHS names 2015 honor graduates By JODY LARIMER reporter@leader-news.com
El Campo High School will graduate 26 honor students in the Class of 2015. On top are valedictorian Karann Jillian Ermis and salutatorian Colton Joseph Krutilek, both graduating summa cum laude or with highest honors. Ermis graduates with a top-of-the-class 5.548 GPA and will attend Baylor University next fall, majoring in pre-med. Her parents are Karl and Jonna Ermis. A member of the varsity tennis team throughout her high school years, Ermis achieved all district mixed doubles first team her freshman year. She also participated in the USTA competitive tennis three years, achieving G18s champ level in 2014.
Other sports Ermis participated in include one year in both volleyball and cross country. Academically, she was a member of PowerSet for three years, holding the office of chief operating officer; Anchor Club three years; National Honor Society two years, serving as president; Science Club one year; Interact two years, serving as president; and student council one year, serving as historian. Awards Ermis received include UIL reading, writing and math, earning first place in ready writing her junior year; place in district, regional qualifier her senior year; regional qualifier in literary criticism her senior year, Academic Excellence Award her freshman through senior years; and Lions Club Citizenship Award. (See HONOR GRADS, Page 8-A)
JILLIAN ERMIS
COLTON KRUTILEK
Looking For Eight
Soggy soil can’t take much more falling rain By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
The squishy ground beneath toes throughout Wharton County has held area rainfall so far, but, with already-saturated soil, the upcoming forecast is far from welcome. The National Weather Service calls for a strong possibility of rain Friday through Monday with popup showers in between. El Campo and Wharton County were spared the double-digit rain tallies recorded throughout Fort Bend and Harris and other counties to the east Monday night. There, reports of flooded freeways, submerged cars and three drowned, came in Tuesday morning as newscasts throughout much of the state continued to show images of overflowing creek and river banks. No major damage has been reported in the immediate area so far, but forecasts call for the Colorado River to crest near 42 feet at Wharton. “Flood stage is 39 feet. For comparison, the 1998 flood was (See EC 2015, Page 10-A)
INSIDE: VIEWPOINT......................................Page 4-A OBITUARIES.....................................Page 7-A SPORTS.............................................Page 1-B LIFESTYLE.........................................Page 3-B CLASSIFIEDS & REAL ESTATE........Page 7-B CROSSWORD...................................Page 9-B
LOCAL WEATHER Wednesday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 20% HIGH: 88º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 75º
Thursday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 30% HIGH: 88º NIGHT: 20% LOW: 74º
Friday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 40% HIGH: 85º NIGHT: 20% LOW: 73º
Saturday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 40% HIGH: 86º NIGHT: 30% LOW: 71º Last Week: Avg. High: 85º • Avg. Low: 70º
RAIN GAUGE
Last 7 Days............................. 2.60 In.
Last 30 Days........................... 4.31 In. Same Time In '14...................... 7.36 In.
Year To Date......................... 17.27 In. Year To Date '14..................... 12.14 In. Data Collected by LCRA at El Campo Memorial Hospital
BURN BAN LIFTED COUNTY’S MEAN KBDI: 11 Burn Ban is put into effect when the mean KBDI reaches or goes above 500.
Mitchell Whitley grabs Ricebird Chad Quinn in a bearhug while Quinn exchanges a high-five and mom Terri Quinn looks on. The Ricebirds defeated Sweeny 5-3 in Saturday’s Game 3 Regional quarterfinal championship at
Legacy Fields and will next face Sinton in a three-game set. The first game of the Regional semifinals will be held Thursday at Texas Lutheran in Seguin beginning at 7:30 p.m. L-N Photo by Jay T. Strasner
Baseball boys continue winning, Sinton next By JAY T. STRASNER publisher@leader-news.com
Keeping up with Ricebird baseball history is no easy task, but according to archives, this year’s El Campo squad is on a run that would rival some of the deepest in program history. Following Saturday’s Game 3 win over Sweeny in the Class 4A Regional quarterfinals, the team has reached the Regional semifinals for what is believed to be just the third
Eastside 9-1-1 dispatch issue still unresolved By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
Dialing 9-1-1 in rural East Wharton County remains a point of contention with fire officials and the city of Wharton still contesting the issue. But, for now, those needing emergency service still can rely on Wharton city dispatchers to answer the phone and send help. The issue is back before Emergency Services District No. 1 directors tonight under the agenda item, “City of Wharton discontinuing dispatching for East Bernard, Boling, Glen Flora and Hunger(See ESD, WHARTON, Page 9-A)
time since 1982. “We’re just sticking with the game plan and seeing how far we can go,” EC Head Coach Russell Krenek said. “We don’t want to stop.” The 1982 Ricebird team achieved the highest heights, winning the State championship. After that, the 1993 EC squad made it to the State semifinals. Other than those two teams, the 1997 Ricebirds and this year’s teams share the mark for the deepest playoff runs, each reaching the Regional semis.
That 1997 squad was defeated by Nederland 11-7 in a heartbreaking one-game series at the Houston Astrodome. The 17 years since then have not yielded a team going as far as this year’s squad. Standing in the way of the Ricebirds reaching the Regional finals this year will be a Sinton squad that defeated Robstown in a threegame series this past weekend. (See RICEBIRD, Page 10-A)
Patriotic Duo Kendyll and Kamryn Rodriguez, daughters of Gabe and Stephanie Rodriguez, pause outside the El Campo American Legion Post after attending the Memorial Day observance Monday. In front of Post 251, the granite eternal flame is surrounded by honors to those who served the nation and those who gave all. L-N Photo by Stacy Morris
NEW! Salute to our Hometown Graduates
Art Show Announces Winners
Keepsake Magazine Inside This Edition!
Salute to our
HOMETOWENS GRADUAT
Page 3-B
L HIGH SCHOO EL CAMPO SCHOOL H LOUISE HIG
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County’s fields may survive Bill’s fury
Copyright ® 2015
Volume 131 Number 29 • Saturday, June 20, 2015
IN DEEP
Wharton County farmers are recovering from the flooding and winds caused by Tropical Storm Bill ripping through the county this past week. No more rain right now, is the echoing sentiment. Rainfall totals vary throughout the county with 10.8 inches recorded through Wednesday afternoon at the Lower Colorado River Authority’s rain guage at El Campo Memorial Hospital. Duane Lutringer, who farms northeast of El Campo in the Crescent area, estimates 50 percent of his grain crop was blown over by wind. With rain saturating the ground, heavy wind gusts were detrimental to heavier-grained crops, he said. Whether they’ll be harvestable is unknown at this point. “It’s too far out,” Lutringer said. “As long as it has air flow under it, (it should be ok).” Otherwise, the crop lying on the ground is susceptible to disease, insects and mildewing. Other crops that are standing in water will withstand the flooding as long as water clears in two to three
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
The almost 11 inches of rain Tropical Storm Bill dumped across El Campo flooded streets throughout the area, but most homes remained water free. The same was the case in rural Wharton County although several roadways remained covered well after the initial storm waves passed. Among the last – U.S. 59 at the Wharton/Jackson county line – reopened around 10:30 p.m. Thursday after a Wednesday shutdown. El Campo police officers stood for two days at the U.S. 59/Hwy. 71 intersection rerouting traffic to north and south detours.
Residents Can File With FEMA
– See Page 7-A
(See CROPS, Page 8-A)
– See Page 5-A ALSO INSIDE: VIEWPOINT......................................Page 4-A OBITUARIES.....................................Page 7-A SPORTS.............................................Page 1-B LIFESTYLE.........................................Page 3-B CHURCH LISTINGS..........................Page 6-B CLASSIFIEDS & REAL ESTATE........Page 7-B
LOCAL WEATHER Saturday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 20% HIGH: 89º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 77º
Sunday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 20% HIGH: 90º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 77º
Monday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 20% HIGH: 91º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 75º
Tuesday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 20% HIGH: 91º NIGHT: 20% LOW: 75º Last Week: Avg. High: 86º • Avg. Low: 74º
RAIN GAUGE
Last 7 Days........................... 11.65 In.
Last 30 Days......................... 16.50 In. Same Time In '14...................... 7.20 In.
Year To Date......................... 31.17 In. Year To Date '14..................... 14.18 In. Data Collected by LCRA at El Campo Memorial Hospital
BURN BAN LIFTED COUNTY’S MEAN KBDI: 19 Burn Ban is put into effect when the mean KBDI reaches or goes above 500.
Almost 11” rain hits EC Tropical Storm Bill floods roadways, but most homes spared
By JODY LARIMER reporter@leader-news.com
Summer Program Feeds Children
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“When 59 was first shut down, southbound traffic was routed north on Hwy. 71 through El Campo to 90A. It was an emergency situation, the water came up fast,” Police Chief Terry Stanphill said. “It was hard on us with officers stationed at 59 and 71, the railroad crossing, Mechanic and Jackson and West Loop at North Mechanic. “The whole team pitched in. We had all of patrol, criminal investigators, community service officer, ID officer, detention officer and administration out helping. It took us about five minutes to get traffic diverted. Thankfully, El Campo VFD came along without being asked and helped out.”
This flooded bridge into Willie Bell Park on West Second Street shows just one example of Tropical Storm Bill’s deluge. For more, please see Page 8-A. L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree
(See STORM, Page 7-A)
Chief: situation could have been far worse By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
“I hope citizens don’t let their guard down. This was a very small storm. The next one may not be,” Police Chief Terry Stanphill said Thursday as concerns for many El Campo residents focused more on cleaning up yards than lives. Tropical Storm Bill blustered its
way through the city just two days earlier dumping almost 11 inches of rain. “Flooding could be worse, far more widespread and power outages could be days instead of hours,” the chief said. The 2015 hurricane season got under way June 1 and continues through the end of November. Forecasters with NOAA’s Climate
Prediction Center call for a belownormal 2015 hurricane season. “Average” includes 12 tropical storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes. The 2015 season prediction calls for six to 11 named storms with three to six becoming hurricanes. Of those, the center predicts only two may become major hurricanes. Officials warn, however, it only
takes one to create a disaster. Tropical Storm Bill’s havoc served as a real-time test for El Campo emergency responders, the chief said, adding, “If there is a coastal evacuation order, that is about the same traffic situation we can expect on Hwy. 71, but probably not for near as long.” (See RESPONDERS, Page 2-A)
Volunteers rally to rescue fidos from rising flood waters By JODY LARIMER reporter@leader-news.com
Nearly three dozen animals are resting comfortably in cages thanks to a flood of people who stepped up to save the rescued pups. Boarding for Rescues & Animal Welfare, located about seven miles west of El Campo on CR 357, put out a plea for help Wednesday morning, as Tropical Storm Bill flooded the property. Thanks to about 40 people who flocked to the scene to save the water-threatened animals, they are doing fine. “All the dogs are doing great and are being real champs,” Boarding for Rescues’ owner Melissa Parr told the Leader-News Friday. A total of 34 animals were carried or walked about 50 feet through nearly three-foot high water, placed in trailers and moved to higher ground. “We evacuated from our county road to FM 1160 until Texas Animal Health Commission could get here,” Parr said. “We actually had to evacuate them twice to allow the cattle trailers to get to them due to the roads flooding.” The pups were then hauled to the Wharton County Youth Fairgrounds in Crescent, where they remain today. (See ALL ANIMALS, Page 6-A)
Animal Rescue
L-N Photo by Jody Larimer
Volunteers from several emergency service organizations and neighbors show up Wednesday morning to help evacuate 34 dogs from Boarding for Rescues & Animal Welfare on CR 357. Tropical Storm Bill pelted the area causing flooding of several properties and roads. Pictured l-r are: Cathy Jo Cortez, Kevin Socha, Kacie McKelvy, Louise Volunteer Fire Fighter Audra Koenig, Boone Ochoa and Chandler Harper.
EC Grad Earns Top State Music Award
EC Senior Leaguers End Year At State Page 1-B
Page 3-B
IN TODAY’S CLASSIFIEDS:
33 Employment Ads Filling Over
58 Positions!
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New LCRA water plan undergoing state review
Copyright ® 2015
Volume 131 Number 38 • Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s proposed amendments to the current water management plan, if accepted, could go into effect in 2016. Rainfall so far this year has led many to say the drought is over, but how long before the dry, cracked earth returns. Rice farmer and chairman of the Colorado Water Issues Committee Ron Gertson thinks more needs to be done by the Lower Colorado River Authority. “The reality is that even as this drought appears to be ending, the future supply of water from the Colorado will be about 25 percent less reliable than it was in the past until and unless LCRA is able to successfully mitigate this with the addition of multiple off-channel reservoirs in our area to supplement the decreased water from the Highland Lakes,” Gertson told the LeaderNews Monday. Lakes Buchanan and Travis are
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Disaster declaration expands County Individuals, Businesses Can Now Seek Assistance By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
By JODY LARIMER reporter@leader-news.com
20 Pages, 2 Inserts
El Campo and Wharton County residents can now get state and federal help repairing damage wrought by recent storms. The federal disaster declaration covering
storms, tornadoes, winds and flooding between May 4 and June 19 was expanded to cover Wharton County Friday, according to a FEMA press release. “We are going in the right direction. We are making progress,” County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Kirkland said Monday, adding FEMA representatives will be at El Campo and Wharton Civic Centers soon to discuss claims. Specific times and dates, however, had not been set as of presstime. Homeowners and renters can request grants
to help pay an assortment of relief including rent, temporary housing and home repairs. Businesses can apply for low-interest disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Those seeking relief should continue to pursue claims with their insurance companies in the meantime and take steps to ensure they can support any requests for funding as repairs are made. A FEMA representative will make a site visit. “Please, please, please make sure you take
Never
(See DEADLINE, Page 10-A)
Forgotten
(See NEW PLAN, Page 10-A)
State Law A new law will take truancy cases out of criminal court and put them in the school’s hands.
– See Page 2-A ALSO INSIDE: VIEWPOINT......................................Page 4-A OBITUARIES.....................................Page 9-A SPORTS.............................................Page 1-B LIFESTYLE.........................................Page 3-B CROSSWORD...................................Page 6-B CLASSIFIEDS & REAL ESTATE........Page 7-B
LOCAL WEATHER Wednesday
Afternoon Thunderstorms DAY: 20% HIGH: 95º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 76º
Thursday Mostly Sunny DAY: 0% NIGHT: 0%
HIGH: 95º LOW: 77º
Friday
Mostly Sunny DAY: 0% NIGHT: 0%
HIGH: 95º LOW: 76º
Saturday Mostly Sunny DAY: 0% NIGHT: 0%
Community, veterans honor Vietnam War’s fallen troops By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
Tightly packed under tents in an attempt to avoid the sweltering sun, a crowd of veterans, families of the fallen and a supportive public gathered on Blossom Meyer Saturday morning to honor those who never made it home. Facing the black ribbon on the traveling Vietnam wall, they watched as organizers and members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1069 saluted the 28 area service members killed during the Vietnam War along with the 58,242 other names on the memorial. “We don’t know how they were honored when they came home, “We don’t know how they or even if they were,” VVA Chapter President Leonard Sternadel were honored when they came said, adding the chapter’s goal was home or even if they were,” to ensure the fallen were properly honored for their sacrifice. “We ac– Leonard Sternadel complished what we wanted to do. The public was great. The guys were great. I’m proud of them.” A cross and set of dog tags had been placed before the name of each KIA from the local area prior to the main service. During it, VVA members placed a single rose before each cross, offering a salute to service rendered with the ultimate price. Then the Honor Guard from VVA Chapter 854 in Halletsville fired a 21gun salute before the echoing wail of Taps. “This is a story about men and women who unselfishly left their homes,” (See CEREMONY, Page 8-A)
HIGH: 96º LOW: 76º
Last Week: Avg. High: 95º • Avg. Low: 72º
RAIN GAUGE
Last 7 Days............................. 0.00 In.
Last 30 Days........................... 0.36 In. Same Time In '14...................... 4.09 In.
Year To Date......................... 31.53 In. Year To Date '14..................... 18.27 In. Data Collected by LCRA at El Campo Memorial Hospital
BURN BAN LIFTED COUNTY’S MEAN KBDI: 392 Burn Ban is put into effect when the mean KBDI reaches or goes above 500.
Services For The Fallen
L-N Photos by Shannon Crabtree
At top: members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1069 prepare to place roses below the names of the area fallen on the traveling version of the Wall during a ceremony Saturday. Above: Chapter President Leonard Sternadel thanks Arlilia Taylor of Kendleton for her loved one’s service. Foster Eugene Triggs, her first cousin, is among the local names on the wall.
Rate hike looms as city sales tax revenue lags By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
The slight decline in El Campo’s economy continues, according to one major economic indicator showing a drop in consumer and business spending. For 15 out of the last 19 months, city sales tax rebates have been lower than expected – a fact which likely will force a municipal tax increase next year. As consumers pay 8.25 percent or $8.25 per $100 on taxable property or services within the city limits, 1.5 percent or $1.50 per $100, is rebated back to El Campo. The city then funnels .25
“There is no doubt that it (the tax rate) will be an increase,”
– City Manager Mindi Snyder percent to the City Development Corporation for economic development efforts. This month El Campo received a check for $261,245 down 1.67 percent from July 2014. The check reflects dollars spent on purchases in May. Sales tax rebates cover about 45 percent of El Campo’s $8.5 million general operating fund, about the same as last fiscal year. El Campo ended 2014 with sales tax rebates
1.74 percent lower than the previous year. At the end of 2013, the city was up 4 percent in sales tax receipts from the year before. In 2012, the final sales tax rebate collection was up 16.11 percent. So far this year, El Campo sales tax rebates are down 3.39 percent. If the trend continues, city taxes may increase to offset the loss, according to information City Finance Director Courtney Sladek presented at a Council workshop last month. “We are still trying to finalize the numbers as to how much of an increase and are trying our best to keep it as low as possible,” City Manager Mindi Snyder said Monday, adding the city is “hoping that we will see some new growth with (See STATEWIDE DROP, Page 7-A)
Local Catholic Elected To State Office Page 3-B
Teams Prepare For Scrimmages Page 1-B
Need A Job? 26 Employment Ads Filling Over
42 Positions Inside! See Page 7-B
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Copyright ® 2015
Lakeview killer gets 25 years in prison
Volume 131 Number 44 • Wednesday, August 12, 2015
20 Pages, 3 Inserts
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RAGING EAST CHURCH BLAZE
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
An El Campo man stood in open court Tuesday and pleaded guilty to the murder of his uncle in exchange for a 25-year prison sentence. Zachary Joe Aguilar, 24, of 469 Lakeview Lane also issued a guilty plea for unlawful possession of a firearm AGUILAR by a felon in exchange for a concurrent 10-year prison sentence. He did not allocute, giving no reason why he fatally shot his uncle, 37-year-old Joe Andrew Aguilar, during the early morning hours of Nov. 20, 2014. “This was an argument that became lethal,” Wharton County District Attorney Ross Kurtz told the Leader-News after the hear(See AGUILAR, Page 6-A)
El Campo volunteer fire Lt. Domingo Acuna helps direct the attack on the flames at 411 E. Church during the early morning hours Sunday. The cause of the fire is under investigation with State Fire Marshals assisting local officials in the case
L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree
Three VFDs battle home blaze Sunday Four escape injury in EC fire at 1913 home By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
Today’s Spotlight
which does not appear to be suspicious, according to El Campo Fire Marshal Larry Staff. No one was harmed in the blaze.
Four people escaped the roaring flames at an East Church Street home during the dark hours Sunday morning. Two vehicles and the garage at 411 E. Church,
however, were reduced to charred rubble and ash. Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the blaze. “It definitely started in the garage area,” El Campo Fire Marshal Larry Staff told the LeaderNews that night, adding, “It doesn’t look suspicious.” State fire marshals are assisting Staff with the cause determination. El Campo Paramedic Ben Altenhoff was the one who spotted the blaze around 1:45 a.m. and sounded the alarm.
He and EMT Steven Miller were returning from a transfer run to Houston and on their way to refuel their ambulance. “I said, ‘The cloud looks funny.’ But then we drove a couple of blocks more and I saw the fire,” he said Sunday as he stood across the street from the rolling flames waiting to see if anyone needed his help. Two people were coming out of the home’s front door as he arrived with another two following mo(See AREA EVACUATED, Page 8-A)
Rollover crash on highway claims two lives Friday
Season Approaching
Voting to hire a new superintendent tops the agenda when Louise ISD trustees meet in special session Thursday.
– See Page 5-A ALSO INSIDE: VIEWPOINT......................................Page 4-A OBITUARIES.....................................Page 7-A SPORTS.............................................Page 1-B LIFESTYLE.........................................Page 3-B CROSSWORD...................................Page 6-B CLASSIFIEDS & REAL ESTATE........Page 7-B
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
LOCAL WEATHER Wednesday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 30% HIGH: 99º NIGHT: 20% LOW: 75º
Thursday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 30% HIGH: 98º NIGHT: 20% LOW: 75º
Friday
Mostly Sunny & Hot DAY: 0% HIGH: 98º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 74º
Saturday
Mostly Sunny DAY: 0% HIGH: 97º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 74º Last Week: Avg. High: 98º • Avg. Low: 72º
Wayne Condra, entering his first year as head coach of the Ricebird football team, provides instruction to senior Jabuous Davis during pre-season drills at Ricebird Stadium. El Campo will hit the road to face La Grange Friday night for freshman, JV and varsity scrimmages. The 29th annual Wharton County Football Coaches Luncheon will be held Thursday, Aug. 20. Tickets remain available at the Leader-News.
L-N Photo by Jay T. Strasner
RAIN GAUGE
(See TWO FLOWN, Page 10-A)
Last 7 Days............................. 0.00 In.
Last 30 Days........................... 0.02 In. Same Time In '14...................... 2.27 In.
Year To Date......................... 31.55 In. Year To Date '14..................... 20.42 In. Data Collected by LCRA at El Campo Memorial Hospital
BURN BAN IN EFFECT COUNTY’S MEAN KBDI: 636 Burn Ban is put into effect when the mean KBDI reaches or goes above 500.
Two women were ejected from a vehicle that rolled over Friday night on U.S. 59 south of El Campo and died of injuries sustained in the crash. Another two people in the 2001 Toyota Four Runner sustained major injuries in the wreck apparently caused when a tire tread separated and the driver lost control. Sixty-one-year-old Jose Arguilo of Humble was behind the wheel as the vehicle traveled northbound on the highway around 10:45 p.m. Friday. Near the intersection with CR 309, that trip came to an end. “The left rear tire lost tread, causing the driver to lose control,” Department of Public Safety Trooper Mark Contreras said in his report filed at the Pierce Station. The vehicle, he added, went “into a side skid to the median. It rolled several times. The rear passengers
Public hearings set on proposed 8-cent city tax hike By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
El Campo took another step toward an eightcent tax hike in a split vote Monday night. With Councilwoman Gloria Harris and Councilman Steve Ward against, the 5-2 vote means next year’s tax rate can be no higher than the staff-recommended rate of 59.177 cents per $100 in taxable property.
The public will have a chance to speak for or against the proposal during two public hearings, the first of which will be during Council’s next regular session Monday, Aug. 24. The second will be during a September session. If ultimately approved, the proposed hike, for example, would mean an $81.13 increase in the city tax bill on a $100,000 home next year from $510.64 to $591.77. The bulk of the recommended increase is not
for general operations, but rather debt payments on two construction bonds – a new police, fire and EMS station and Phase 2 of the West Norris Street reconstruction project. “I realize that taxes are a very sensitive subject and we ... are looking at every opportunity we can to do more with less,” City Manager Mindi Snyder told the Leader-News. “You see that in the operat(See SEWER WORK, Page 10-A)
LOCAL BUSINESS
SPOTLIGHT
High School Football Action
El Campo 28, Willowridge 14 Louise 41, Pettus 2
To learn more about this business, see the
BUSINESS AND SERVICE DIRECTORY
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Volume 131 Number 51 • Saturday, September 5, 2015
Copyright ® 2015
Ready For Kid’s College Bills?
EC parents share plans By JODY LARIMER reporter@leader-news.com
Many parents dropped their babies off at school for the first time last Monday, but how many are already saving for their little one’s college education? It may seem a bit premature, but according to some parents,
Inside:
time goes more quickly than you think while tuition fees continue to rise. “I wish we had started saving earlier, maybe it wouldn’t be as difficult now,” said Barbara Fonseca, parent of an eight, 12 and 14 year old in El Campo ISD. “You think you have all the time in the world (See PARENTS, Page 7-A)
16 Pages, 2 Inserts
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EMS budget debate ongoing By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
A Tahoe or not a Tahoe remains the question as budget talks between El Campo EMS and the taxing entity funding it enter round three. The answer to that question may come Tuesday and will depend on how much, if any, directors of Emergency Services District No. 4 have to dip into savings to cover ambulance
operations in the coming fiscal year. To meet the $942,580 request presented by EMS Director Chase Nielsen on Aug. 25, the district would have to spend about $67,000 of its roughly $200,000 fund balance. For ESD directors, the true sticking point in that budget request hasn’t been the two new full-time positions, but rather a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe for Nielsen’s use as a command unit. “We’ll be taking back the same
thing at the direction of Council,” the EMS director said of the upcoming Tuesday session. His original request, presented Aug. 11, had been $977,730 of the department’s $1.5 million budget. The city hopes the remaining funds will be covered via bill collections. “I think we’re going to come to an agreement suitable to both parties,” Nielsen said. (See ESD TALKS, Page 8-A)
Taking Chances With Every Stop
American Profile Sept. 6-12 Edition
L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree
New Tour, New Risks El Campo police officers Kendrick Matula, left, and Tracey Valdez approach yet another situation while on their Thursday tour of duty. They and all other
CDA officers plan goals for terms – See Page 3-B ALSO INSIDE: VIEWPOINT......................................Page 4-A OBITUARIES.....................................Page 7-A SPORTS.............................................Page 1-B LIFESTYLE.........................................Page 3-B CHURCH LISTINGS..........................Page 6-B CLASSIFIEDS & REAL ESTATE........Page 7-B
LOCAL WEATHER Saturday
Chance of Showers DAY: 30% HIGH: 94º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 76º
Sunday
Mostly Sunny DAY: 0% HIGH: 95º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 77º
Labor Day
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 30% HIGH: 94º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 75º
Tuesday
Chance of Showers DAY: 20% HIGH: 94º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 74º Last Week: Avg. High: 89º • Avg. Low: 69º
RAIN GAUGE
Last 7 Days............................. 1.18 In.
Last 30 Days........................... 3.05 In. Same Time In '14...................... 0.65 In.
Year To Date......................... 34.60 In. Year To Date '14..................... 20.97 In. Data Collected by LCRA at El Campo Memorial Hospital
BURN BAN LIFTED COUNTY’S MEAN KBDI: 472 Burn Ban is put into effect when the mean KBDI reaches or goes above 500.
law enforcers face the unknown with each call, unsure if the situation will be routine or dangerous.
Officers walk blue line – carefully – for you By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
Tasked with keeping the peace while protecting lives and property, El Campo, Wharton County and other law enforcers never know when theirs may be put in jeopardy. An all too deadly example of that fact occurred Monday when Harris County deputy Darren Goforth was executed at a gas station while fueling his patrol vehicle. Nationwide, 83 officers have been killed in the line of duty this year, 10 of those in Texas, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
Rally Walk Coming Saturday, Sept. 12
– See Page 6-A
Of those who gave their lives, 24 died from nonaccidental gun shot wounds. “These are challenging times for law enforcement,” El Campo Police Chief Terry Stanphill said. “Officers are never 100 percent safe. We accept the risk when we sign on.” Wharton County Sheriff’s deputy Lt. Ray-
mond Jansky agreed. “There is more of a target on our backs now more than ever,” he said. Training and safety protocols help mitigate, but not eliminate, the danger. “And I’m trying to increase training every chance I get,” the EC chief said, adding officers are routinely trained in everything from safe driving to handling a combative suspect. In El Campo, those officers typically work 12hour shifts in single-person vehicles, although it is standard procedure to “back up” fellow of(See SAFETY, Page 6-A)
Hard-working man
Trash collector picks up EC streets for 30+ years By JODY LARIMER reporter@leader-news.com
Monday honors laborers’ contributions to the strength, prosperity and well-being of the country, but don’t forget the men and women who keep the city clean. Trucks leave the landfill early in the morning with the mission to rid the city of trash lying in wait. Sitting behind the wheel of one of those trucks is Troy Washington, who’s been collecting El Campo’s garbage for more than 30 years. “I started with the City of El Campo,” Washington said. “I worked 10th through 12th grade as summer help.” In June 1981, he was hired full time in the parks department and “It’s an adventure then became a sanitation helper every day,” working as a swing driver. He eventually got his own route – Troy Washington and through the years saw many changes. Browning-Ferris Industries took over trash collection in 1993, which was eventually bought by Allied. Two other changes in service came before the current company, Progressive Waste Management, took over. Through all the changes, two things have remained constant: the trash is still picked up and Washington is still on board. “It’s an adventure every day,” Washington said smiling. One day he might be driving the front load truck, he said, and the next day, the roll off or the brush truck – wherever he’s needed. (See CITY CONTRIBUTOR, Page 8-A)
On The Job
L-N Photo by Jody Larimer
Troy Washington gets ready to make another run, picking up trash to make sure the city stays clean and sanitary. Now the lead driver with Progressive Waste Management, he’s been collecting trash for more than 30 years and is still dedicated to getting the job done.