ECISD Staff Awards Given Out
LOCAL BUSINESS
SPOTLIGHT
8U, 9U Teams Fall In Finals
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Mann Maids
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Copyright ® 2016
Volume 132 Number 27 • Saturday, June 11, 2016
16 Pages, 1 Insert
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MUDDY, BUT NOT MIRED Rainfall delays HQ work
CR 346 shuts down Monday for roadway upgrade start By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
Western Acres and Meadowbrook Drive residents will have to take the long way to town starting Monday when a key section of CR 346 closes. El Campo is rebuilding 400 feet of the roadway right at its West Loop intersection, a necessity because the new public safety headquarters’ footprint calls for fire apparatus and emergency vehicles to pull directly onto CR 346 when responding to calls for help. The closure, City Public Works Director Clay Harris told the LeaderNews Thursday, should last 30 days, “depending on weather.” For residents along CR 346 as well as Western Acres and Meadowbrook Drive, the closure means detouring to CR 355 and then over to either West Norris Street (CR 360) or CR 358. “The contractor has mobilized some equipment and materials this week and will start demolishing the roadway (Monday),” Harris said. Gonzales Construction Enter(See CR 346, Page 8-A)
Today’s Spotlight Summer means a break from studying and tests for area students, but are they forgetting everything they learned during the school year?
– See Page 3-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: 30% HIGH: 90º NIGHT: 20% LOW: 75º
Sunday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 40% HIGH: 89º NIGHT: 20% LOW: 74º
Monday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 30% HIGH: 89º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 75º
Tuesday
Mostly Sunny DAY: 0% HIGH: 91º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 78º Last Week: Avg. High: 75º • Avg. Low: 69º
RAIN GAUGE
Last 7 Days............................. 3.95 In.
Last 30 Days........................... 9.84 In. Same Time In '15...................... 6.49 In.
Year To Date......................... 19.99 In. Year To Date '15..................... 19.52 In. Data Collected by LCRA at El Campo Memorial Hospital
BURN BAN LIFTED COUNTY’S MEAN KBDI: 90 Burn Ban is put into effect when the mean KBDI reaches or goes above 500.
Progress made, but only by racing the rain each day By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
Rain, virtually daily rain, has pushed back the expected opening of El Campo’s new public safety headquarters again. The anticipated opening is now January for one simple reason: there are some tasks BLS Construction Company of El Campo crews can’t do until they get a break in the rain. “As of June 1, there have been 68 rain days,” Police Chief Terry Stanphill told the Leader-News, adding, “This does not count what we have had in June.” The 39,400 square-foot building hasn’t been dried in yet, so workers scramble to get done what they can, when they can. “It is muddy, probably the worst it has been since construction started,” Stanphill said. “I saw them unload an 18-wheeler of roofing supplies (last week). They used four-wheel drive equipment. There was a lot of tire spinning and sliding, but they got it done.” As the city’s director of public safety, Stanphill serves as the municipal liaison overseeing construction efforts on the $10.1 million facility, L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree offering insights on facility use that Another Day At The Office aren’t found on blueprints. “I am very satisfied with progA BLS Construction of El Campo worker makes his way through muck Thursday, en route to his assignment of helping to waterproof the exterior of the city’s new $10.1 million Public Safety Headquarters. Rain had stopped work 68 days as of June 1 ress. They are making the best of the pushing back the anticipated opening to January. (See RAIN DELAYS, Page 8-A)
ECISD talking budget, possible tax election By JODY LARIMER reporter@leader-news.com
Budget discussions will take place when El Campo ISD trustees meet Tuesday in a special session. “We’re still working on the numbers. ... we’re refining our estimates, checking and rechecking line items and requests,” Assistant Superintendent of Finance David Bright told the LeaderNews Thursday. “Since everything is preliminary
and it is so early in the process, we try to be as close as we can with our projections.” The process is the same annually as officials prepare next year’s budget. “Currently, the numbers look good,” Bright said. Officials are considering calling a tax ratification election requesting voters’ approval to “swap” 13 cents from the interest and sinking tax rate to the maintenance and operations rate. “The preliminary budget estimates that I will
share with the board in June and July meetings, as well as the final proposed budget I eventually present to the board in August, will be based on our current M&O tax rate of $1.04 and the I&S Rate needed to pay our debt obligation for 201617,” Bright said. “It will not be based on the assumption of the TRE election passing, if the board indeed calls an election as expected.” Since it is unknown whether the proposed (See ECISD DISCUSSES, Page 6-A)
Effort to sell city to new shopping sites, eateries under CDC review By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
The continued effort of enticing more stores and restaurants to set up shop in El Campo tops City Development Corporation talks Monday when a contract renewal comes before the board. Retail Strategies Inc., a recruitment firm, has spent the last three years selling El Campo. Monday, CDC directors will be asked to decide whether efforts to date warrant a contract renewal. “The recommendation from staff is to extend with them,” City Manager Mindi Snyder said. “After three years, we have seen a lot of things brought to us specifically by the contacts they have made and there are many more ongoing opportunities that have been in the works.” The Palais Royal expansion is one project credited to RSI as is the opening of Taco Bell and the Stripes convenience store. To extend the contract, the CDC would need to offer a $26,000 a year pledge. (See RETAIL HUNTERS, Page 7-A)
Adding A Bit Of Color
L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree
Beautify El Campo Extension Service board member Bill Smartt adds Blueberry Intensia to the East Jackson Street planter honoring late Eleanor Barbee. The BEES volunteer their time to maintain planters throughout the city along with other efforts.
Page 2-A
El Campo Leader-News • Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Law & Order Police Blotter
ROUGH START TO HOLIDAY
City Arrests Violence, weapons
Samuel Louis Barnes, 42, of 208 E. Third was arrested at 9:12 p.m. Thursday, June 30 for assault after police were dispatched to a disturbance at his home. Injuries were reported. Barnes was processed and transferred to the Wharton County Jail the next day. Once there, he posted a $2,500 bond and was released the same day.
County Jail Bookings
Alcohol, drugs
Andre Emmanual Smith, 22, of Missouri City was arrested by sheriff’s deputies at 12:10 p.m. Thursday, June 30 on a warrant for possession of marijuana. Rodolfo Barrera, 41, of Alvin was arrested by sheriff’s deputies at 12:30 a.m. Sunday, July 3 for driving while intoxicated. Booked, he posted a $1,500 bond and was released the same day. Leobardo Sanchez Jr., 31, of 401 S. Caney in Wharton was arrested by state troopers at 1:32 a.m. Monday, July 4 for driving while intoxicated. Booked, he posted a $2,000 bond and was released the same day. Property
Jerrid Preston Lewis, 23, of 1419 CR 406 was arrested by state troopers at 6:39 p.m. Saturday, July 2 for a hit-and-run offense. Taken to the jail, he posted a $1,500 bond and was released the next day. Violence, weapons
Gloria Mae Manciaz, 34, of 1306 Barbara was arrested by Wharton police at 6:26 p.m. Thursday, June 30 on a warrant for criminal mischief. Other
Emergency workers surround rolled vehicle on U.S. 59 near the highway location of Mikeska’s Barbecue Friday afternoon at the start of the holiday weekend. One man, the driver of the vehicle shown, was taken to El Campo Memorial Hospital with appar-
ently non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the accident was unavailable as of presstime. It appeared the vehicle had actually been southbound, but had somehow crossed the median before rolling off the northbound shoulder. L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree
Ivan Lopez, 20, of Houston was arrested by DPS at 8:31 a.m. Monday, July 4 for reckless driving and failure to maintain financial responsibility.
Help Stop Crime - Crime Stoppers 543-TIPS
Court Reports Wharton County Court Actions Plea bargain agreements
(Note: All cases below are felonies unless otherwise noted.) Those pleading guilty and accepting punishment include: • Kelvin Earl Green, 23, of 915 Cole in Rosenberg for theft, a Class A misdemeanor. He was placed on one year deferred probation and perform 60 hours community service for the August 2014 offense. • Robert Gutierrez, 31, of 530 Pecan Valley in Wharton for criminal attempt - evading with a vehicle. He was sentenced to 180 days in state jail for the December 2014 offense with credit for the full time already served.
• John Edward Herrera, 22, address unavailable, for indecency with a child. He was placed on five years deferred probation for the February 2014 offense and ordered to stay away from the victim. Herrera also is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. • Ricky Joe Manciaz, 49, of 212 E. Fifth in El Campo for theft, a Class A misdemeanor. He was sentenced to 156 days in county jail for the January offense with credit for the full jail time already served. • John Wesley Steen, 39, of 4356 Business 59 East in Wharton for evading with a motor vehicle. He was placed on eight years probation for the May offense on the condition he serve 23 days in county jail. The judge also ordered Steen to perform 120 hours community service.
He received credit for the full jail time already served. Revocations
• Gabriel Gaona, 27, of 406 E. Watt in El Campo for theft, a Class A misdemeanor. His conviction for the December 2011 offense was adjudicated and he was sentenced to 156 days in county jail. Gaona received credit for the full jail time already served. • Ginger Diane Graham, 46, address unavailable, for two counts of burglary of a building. Her conviction for the May and June 2012 offenses was adjudicated and she was sentenced to 48 days in county jail. Graham received credit for the full jail time already served. • David Manzano, 29, of 310 Lincoln for two counts of driving while intoxicated third
Bulletin Board THURSDAY, JULY 7
SUNDAY, JULY 10 Benefit Dinner For Jeff Schulz A benefit dinner will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, July 10 at Christ Lutheran Church, 1401 Ave. I, to help defray medical expenses for Jeff Schulz. Chicken fried steak dinner for $10, drive-through only. For tickets, contact Emily Dore at 541-6573.
MONDAY, JULY 11 FLC Hosts Bible School Faith Lutheran Church, 2013 N. Mechanic, will hold Vacation Bible School 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 11 through Friday, July 15. For more information, call 543-1842. FBC Hosts VBS First Baptist Church, 206 Depot, will hold Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, July 11 through Friday, July 15. For more information, call the church office at 543-2793. Registration at 8:30 a.m. on July 11.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 Museum Holds Enchilada Dinner The El Campo Museum will have to-go beef enchilada dinners available from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 13 for $9 each.
FRIDAY, JULY 15 Little League Seeks Board Candidates El Campo Little League is looking for candidates for its board of directors. To volunteer, go to www.elcampolittleleague.com and click on “How to Docs:” to learn how to become a member and apply for a director position. Deadline is Friday, July 15. Any questions, email pres@
Unsealed Indictment
A grand jury indictment typically remains sealed if no arrest has been made in a case prior to deliberations. An indictment is not an indication of guilt, but rather a citizen jury’s verdict that a prosecutor has enough evidence against a person to proceed with felony trial. The Wharton County Grand Jury issued the following recently unsealed indictment against: • Jack Walter Richardson, 32, of 119 Lalla Rookh in Boling for assault family violence. He allegedly choked a woman on Sept. 18, 2014.
bulletinboard@leader-news.com All phone numbers are area code (979), unless otherwise noted.
elcampolittleleague.com.
Pilgrim Rest MBC Distributes Commodities The Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Labor of Love Food Ministry will distribute commodities Thursday, July 7 at 7:30 a.m. For more information, call 541-7493.
offense. His probation for the June 2012 and April 2014 offenses was revoked and he was sentenced to three years in prison. Manzano received credit for 767 days already served.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 KC Hosts Blood Drive Knights of Columbus Council 2490 will sponsor a Community Blood Drive from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 20 at the Columbus Club on Armory Road. Everyone will receive a t-shirt and meal. Go to giveblood.org and use sponsor code 5911 or contact Greg Witcher for an appointment, 543-1884.
ONGOING ECMH Hosts Coffee & Cake El Campo Memorial Hospital, 303 Sandy Corner Road, will host “Kaffeeklatsch,” from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays in July featuring coffee and cakes. The cost if $5 and includes door prizes. Free Meals Available for Kids Free meals for children 18 and under are available at Northside Elementary cafeteria, 2610 Meadow Lane, through Aug. 4. Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, visit squaremeals.org, call 211 or text ‘Food’ to 877-877. Aquatic Center Sets Summer Hours The pool will be open from 5:45 a.m. to noon, and from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Saturday hours remain 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Swim lessons and parties are still being booked. B&G Club Taking Fall Soccer Registrations The El Campo Boys & Girls Club is taking fall soccer registrations through Friday, Aug. 26 for ages 4 through 11. Fee is $60 for members, $80 for non members. Practice and games will be at Willie Bell Park. Each player will receive a uniform jersey, socks and a medal. Participant must furnish black shorts, soccer cleats, shin guards and soccer ball. The season is Sept. 19 to Oct. 27 with one to two games per week. Forms are available at the office, 713 Fahrenthold. Volunteer coaches and referees needed. To sponsor a team, contact the office at 543-8320. The cost is $150 which includes company name printed
on the back of a team jersey. Libraries Taking Summer Program Registrations Registration for El Campo and Louise libraries’ Summer Reading Program for ages six months to 99 is being taken. For more information, call the library 543-2362 or visit www.whartonco.lib.tx.us. Museum Registering For Summer Programs The El Campo Museum is taking registrations for Animal Camp and Summer Chefs. Space is limited, call the museum at 543-6885 to sign up. School Records Available For Pick Up The El Campo-Louise-Rice Special Education Cooperative has special education records for parents to pick up. Records of students who were enrolled in a special education and graduated 2007 to 2009 have until July 29 to pick up records. After that, they will be destroyed. Records can be picked up at the Meadow Lane Resource Center in El Campo Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Records may be needed for social security benefits or other purposes. For more information, call 543-9051. Genealogy Group Meetings A genealogy group meets at 2 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month (except December) at the El Campo library. Forms available at the library. Manna Meals Offers Food, Fellowship Manna Meals is offered at no cost every Monday and Thursday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Meals are prepared then served by local congregations at First Lutheran Church, 304 Oscar. Please use the Third Street entrance. For more, call 505-9362 or mannamealsec@gmail.com. VFW Hosts Bingo Games VFW Post 2786 hosts bingo games at the VFW Hall every Wednesday night, selling of cards at 6 p.m. and games starting at 7 p.m. American Legion Hosts Friday Night Bingo American Legion Post 251 hosts bingo each Friday. Doors open at 5 p.m., card sales at 6 p.m. and games at 7 p.m. Ladies Auxiliary hosts a raffle the first and third Friday; ticket drawing at halftime. Snack bar is open.
Veterans Service Office Open The Wharton County Veteran’s Service Officer will be in the reference room of the El Campo library, 200 W. Church, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday and in the Frank Shannon building, 1017 North Alabama Road, Wharton, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Call 532-1311 before you come. Heritage Center Offers Exercise Equipment Eighteen professional exercise machines are available for use, free of charge, to all Heritage Center members (age 50+) Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CASA Seeks Volunteers CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is looking for volunteers ready to help. Contact Judy Peter for more information, at 578-1600. Northside Elem. Name Change Effort Under Way A petition to change Northside Elementary to honor the late Master Sgt. Roy P. Benavidez of El Campo, a Medal of Honor recipient is available. To sign contact, Susan Biskup susanbiskup@yahoo.com or 637-6514, Kelli Cook, Cheryl Ener, Yvette Benavidez Garcia yvettebgarcia@gmail.com or Stacie Williamson. Also available at Casa Hernandez, Hoffer’s Lube Express and Ester’s Hair Creations. ----------------------------------------About the Leader-News Bulletin Board Bulletin Board is a community service to promote one-time events for nonprofit organizations. The LeaderNews requests only one representative submit items with contact information. Items will be edited. Event submissions will run no more than four editions immediately prior to the event as space permits. Garage sale fundraisers do not qualify. All items submitted must arrive no later than 3 p.m. Mondays for the Wednesday edition and 3 p.m. Thursdays for the Saturday edition. Digital submissions must be text that can be edited and pasted (no pdfs or fliers). Drop off or send to bulletinboard@ leader-news.com. No voice mail submissions.
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Red Wave Breaks Record At TAAF Regional Meet
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Volume 132 Number 39 • Saturday, July 23, 2016
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District attorney tenders resignation Decision Means Post Will Appear On November General Election Ballot By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
Wharton County’s district attorney will step down Aug. 1, four months shy of a full term in office and not long after concerns arose over jury selection practice. His decision to leave, Ross Kurtz told the Leader-News, was “Family reasons. Career opportunities and personal opportunities out of county re-
quire me to step down,” he said, adding the letter of resignation he sent to the governor’s office (a district attorney’s salary is funded by the state) provided a traditional two-week notice. He declined to say where he and his family will be moving, adding he has not yet accepted another job. “Having been in the public eye, I now want to keep my private life as private as possible,” he said. An investigation remains pending, a former ADA’s claim that Kurtz pressured him to keep blacks off a particular jury. The State Bar of Texas initially said he did not, but is now re-examining the case on appeal. Should Kurtz lose that appeal, he faces the possibility of sanctions. Kurtz said his decision to resign did not involve that hearing, but declined further comment on the issue.
Council gets city budget first draft on Monday
The governor’s office will appoint an interim DA. Kurtz’ decision also means both the Republican and Democratic parties will be allowed to place a nominee on the upcoming November ballot. Former Wharton County ADA and DA candidate Dawn Allison has already announced her interest in both the interim post and the Republican ballot slot. At least one other potential Republican candidate has stepped forward, according to GOP Party Chair Don Al Middlebrook. Democrat John Roades has also expressed interest, but has not committed to requesting the nomination. (See KURTZ, Page 5-A)
ROSS KURTZ
Prayers For Safety, Peace
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
Knowing taxes must go up, city staff will deliver its budget recommendation Monday shortly before annual talks get under way. Currently city residents and businesses pay 59.177 cents per $100 in property – an 8.113-cent hike over the prior year with 7.8 cents of that going to pay for projects like the new public safety headquarters and West Norris Street improvements. Only half of the $10.5 million voter-approved bond was sold last year, however. The second half, sold in late June, now requires the city to generate more funds – i.e. raise taxes – for bond payments. Exactly how large the proposed tax hike just based on that bond payment will be is still tentative. A 3.5-cent raise appeared on documents during an Emergency Services District No. 4 meeting when City Manager Mindi Snyder told directors they would need to cover “rent” costs on the new public safety building. The city also plans to make a (See COUNCIL, Page 2-A)
INSIDE: VIEWPOINT......................................Page 4-A OBITUARIES.....................................Page 5-A SPORTS.............................................Page 1-B LIFESTYLE.........................................Page 3-B CHURCH LISTINGS..........................Page 4-B CLASSIFIEDS & REAL ESTATE........Page 5-B
LOCAL WEATHER Saturday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 20% HIGH: 98º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 75º
Sunday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 40% HIGH: 95º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 75º
El Campo Police Chief Terry Stanphill (facing camera) joins a prayer group Tuesday night at the We Love Our People In Blue rally in the El Campo Civic Center parking lot. After recognizing the efforts of law enforcement officers and several prayers led from the stage, organizers asked people to break into small
groups. With a police officer or other member of law enforcement in each group one more prayer for safety, peace and a protected police force was said. For additional coverage, please see Page 6-A.
Public packs Civic Center parking lot to pray for police By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
Hundreds gathered in the El Campo Civic Center parking lot Tuesday evening to support law enforcement and pray for their safety. “It’s awesome,” El Campo Police Chief Terry Stanphill said standing amid the crowd of well wishers at the We Love Our People In Blue rally. “When I got here at 5:30 p.m., the cars were lined up, it backed up the highway.” Volunteers placed 240 police support logos on vehicles in addition to blue lines of tape until supplies ran out – yet multiple unadorned
cars and trucks in the Civic Center lots remained. Among the crowd of varying ages mingling were members of the county’s law enforcement cadre including Wharton Chief Terry Lynch and both candidates in the upcoming sheriff’s race. Volunteer firefighters from El Campo came in force, flying the flag high from the aerial ladder truck. They were joined by other volunteers from other county departments and EMS crew members. “It was a good show of support ... We’re lucky to live in El Campo,” Stanphill said. “It
Monday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 50% HIGH: 94º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 74º
Tuesday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 50% HIGH: 94º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 73º Last Week: Avg. High: 97º • Avg. Low: 73º
RAIN GAUGE
Last 7 Days............................... .09 In.
Last 30 Days........................... 0.55 In. Same Time In '15...................... 0.36 In.
Year To Date........................... 21.3 In. Year To Date '15..................... 31.64 In. Data Collected by LCRA at El Campo Memorial Hospital
BURN BAN IN EFFECT COUNTY’S MEAN KBDI: 524 Burn Ban is put into effect when the mean KBDI reaches or goes above 500.
L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree
District courtroom acoustics returns to county’s agenda By JODY LARIMER reporter@leader-news.com
Approving a contract to improve district courthouse acoustics and Louise roadwork top the agenda when Wharton County commissioners meet Monday. Commissioners last session approved Wesley Wagner DBA Waterproof Roofs of Wharton to complete the acoustical work over BLS Construction of El Campo based primarily on price. County Attorney Trey Maffett was approved to negotiate a contract which will be considered Monday.
“We need to approve the formal contract for work,” Judge Phillip Spenrath said. Wagner’s bid came in at $87,950, nearly $8,000 over the original $80,000 commissioners earmarked for the project. However, the actual cost to the county could be as low as $36,000 if cushions, carpeting and floor panels aren’t necessary to dampen the noise. Moving funds to buy tar to resurface roads in Louise will be considered. (See COUNTY, Page 6-A)
DESIGNED FOR ANOTHER TIME: Architects of Wharton County’s historical courthouse didn’t plan for the noise generated by heavy trucks and other equipment – an issue which has disrupted hearings since its renovation. Now county leaders hope to solve the problem with noise-dampening tile and other measures. L-N File Photo
shows how close we are. We all work together.” Since attacks on Dallas and Baton Rouge officers, the police department has become a sort of goodie bag drop-off point. Cards, cakes, posters and other food items arrive daily. Former El Campo police officer Sterling Bernhard put the event together in about a week’s time with assistance of an assortment of local people including Daron Skurich, Jamie Loveless and Travis Clark. “It was really good for something we threw together,” Bernhard said, adding the sticker hand-out plan led to a variety of prayers, songs and well wishes.
Ricebirds, Hornets Friday Night Football Results Inside
4-H Awards Given Page 3-B
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Copyright ® 2016
Volume 132 Number 51 • Saturday, September 3, 2016
14 Pages, 2 Inserts
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Interim DA takes oath Tuesday November Election Will Decide Next Four Years By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
Wharton County’s next district attorney will take her oath of office Tuesday. Appointed by the governor, Republican Dawn Allison will serve as interim DA until the end of the year. Voters will decide during
the November General Election whether she will keep the post for four years or if democratic challenger John Roades will take over. Although she only has a few months of guaranteed time in office, incoming interim DA Allison said she has goals for the next couple of months. “I do hope to get as many cases to trial that need to be there,” she told the Leader-News. “The courtroom has been my second home for years and I feel very much at home there trying cases to juries.” A Wharton County ADA from July 1999
to June 2006, Allison then chose to return to private practice. She made a bid for the DA’s post in 2011, but failed to reach the GOP Primary run-off. In that July race, Ross Kurtz, an ADA at the time, beat Roades and went into November unopposed. Kurtz stepped down at the end of July, four months shy of a full term citing family reasons while public concern over claims he instructed staff to keep blacks off a criminal jury lingered. Allison told the newspaper her top priority (See INTERIM DA, Page 6-A)
DAWN ALLISON
Final hearing for county’s tax proposal on Tuesday
Labor Day Salute
By JODY LARIMER reporter@leader-news.com
Wharton County residents have one final chance to speak for or against the county’s proposed 2017 budget and tax rate Tuesday. Commissioners last month set the proposed tax rate of $.4900 per $100 in property value, the same rate as last year, but $0.01 cent higher than the effective tax rate of $0.47929. The effective tax rate is the levy needed to raise the same amount of property tax revenue as the previous year. As the proposed tax rate exceeds the effective rate, two hearings must be held. The first, held last Monday, drew no comments.
Knights Call Area Students To Action – See Page 8-A
(See COUNTY CONSIDERS, Page 6-A)
ESDs, hospital among four tax hearings set this week How Do Your Labor Day Plans Compare To Nation?
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
– See Page 3-A ALSO INSIDE: VIEWPOINT......................................Page 4-A OBITUARIES.....................................Page 7-A SPORTS.............................................Page 1-B LIFESTYLE.........................................Page 3-B CHURCH LISTINGS..........................Page 4-B CLASSIFIEDS & REAL ESTATE........Page 5-B
LOCAL WEATHER Saturday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 40% HIGH: 91º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 73º
Sunday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 40% HIGH: 90º NIGHT: 20% LOW: 75º
Labor Day
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 40% HIGH: 90º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 75º
Tuesday
Chance of Thunderstorms DAY: 20% HIGH: 91º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 75º Last Week: Avg. High: 88º • Avg. Low: 73º
RAIN GAUGE
Last 7 Days............................. 0.49 In.
Last 30 Days........................... 7.58 In. Same Time In '15...................... 3.01 In.
Year To Date......................... 30.44 In. Year To Date '15..................... 34.56 In. Data Collected by LCRA at El Campo Memorial Hospital
BURN BAN LIFTED COUNTY’S MEAN KBDI: 183 Burn Ban is put into effect when the mean KBDI reaches or goes above 500.
Wharton County Precinct 3 Mechanic Michael Lutringer works on a broken down truck in the Precinct barn Wednesday. As the mechanic, he fixes everything from lawn mowers to heavy equipment, also helping out the drainage department when necessary. He’s been employed with the county 21 years. For more on Lutringer and his service to Wharton County, please see story on Page 5-A. L-N Photo by Jody Larimer
The public will have several opportunities to speak for or against proposed tax increases next week. Emergency Services District No. 1 (the taxing entity funding volunteer fire departments), ESD 4 (covering West Wharton County ambulance service), the West Wharton County Hospital District (funding El Campo Memorial Hospital) and the Isaacson Municipal Utility District will hold public hearings next week. (See HEARINGS, Page 7-A)
West Hillje St. home burns, cause of fire undetermined By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
El Campo’s firefighting volunteers are combing through the ashes of an unoccupied West Hillje home trying to determine why it caught fire around midnight Thursday. Flames were rolling through the windows of the two-story, wood frame home at 112 W. Hillje when firefighters arrived on the scene. The depression-era home suffered significant fire damage, although firefighters were able to stop the blaze before it leveled the structure. No one was harmed in the incident. “It was not occupied. They were fixing to do renovations,” City Fire Marshal Larry Staff said Thursday adding the electricity was not in service at the time of the blaze. “It had gas and water – the water (See HOUSE FIRE, Page 6-A)
In The Heat Of The Moment
L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree
El Campo volunteer fireman Andy Rodriguez prepares to do battle with a vehicle fire on U.S. 59 near the Precinct 4 barn shortly before a downpour Wednesday afternoon. The vehicle had been under tow and no one was harmed in the incident. Rodriguez and other VFD members rely on a county-wide tax levy via Emergency Services District No. 1 to fund operations.
Library Hosts Open House Monday Page 3-B
LOCAL BUSINESS
SPOTLIGHT
Bird Gridders Earn All District Honors Page 1-B
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Copyright ® 2016
Volume 132 Number 79 • Saturday, December 10, 2016
14 Pages, 1 Insert
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City Tres Palacios project finding its path Current Goal Calls For Work Bids To Go Out In January By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
Acquiring land along the Tres Palacios Creek channel before a drainage project gets under way tops discussions when the El Cam-
Ricebirds’ turf deal approved, starts soon
po City Council meets Monday. The attempt to lift 30 percent of Southeast El Campo out of the flood plain requires 14 parcels of property along the creek channel just south of the city. “We are at a good point as we are down to only a handful that we have not reached an agreement on,” City Manager Mindi Snyder told the Leader-News Thursday. At the upcoming session several properties and the offers will be presented to Council. Should any decisions be made, Council will
have to return to open session to vote. The goal, Snyder said, is “to move forward with bidding the project in January and start work as quickly as possible after that.” El Campo received a one-year extension of the FEMA grant in October. Since first envisioned, the $3.2 million project has broadened to one estimated at $6.1 million. A slightly more than 102-acre water retention pond has been added to the proposal as well. The current extension runs through Sept.
9, 2017. A request for the second extension is likely to accommodate the construction phase. In another Tres Palacios drainage project item, landowner Alireza Alizadeh requests a 90-day extension to move cattle off property the city purchased for the effort. “At this point, it would appear that 30 - 60 days would be the most that we could extend,” Snyder said, adding current time lines call for (See MAYOR CALLING, Page 7-A)
RAISE YOUR HANDS
By JODY LARIMER reporter@leader-news.com
Those driving by the high school will see activity on Ricebird Stadium soon as contractors start digging up the old field. El Campo ISD trustees Tuesday chose Austin-based Hellas Construction to replace the turf. “They’re excited, we’re ready to roll,” Superintendent Kelly Waters told the Leader-News Thursday. Trustees opened five bids last Tuesday and compared price, insurance, history, completion date and more, ultimately selecting Hellas, the same company that installed the original turf. Other bids came from Paragon Sports Construction, Astro Builders, Field Turf and Symmetry Turf, ranging from $364,500 to $465,590, with Hellas coming in the lowest. Other reasons for choosing Hellas included a $50,000 contingency, completion date of Jan. 31 and an eight-year warranty. The motion passed 6-1 with secretary Ralph Novosad opposed as Hellas also put in the track, but offered no warranty when it buckled on one end – a failure blamed on severe drought conditions. (See TURF PROJECT, Page 6-A)
INSIDE: VIEWPOINT......................................Page 4-A OBITUARIES.....................................Page 7-A SPORTS.............................................Page 1-B LIFESTYLE.........................................Page 3-B CHURCH LISTINGS..........................Page 4-B CLASSIFIEDS & REAL ESTATE........Page 5-B
LOCAL WEATHER Saturday
Mostly Cloudy DAY: 0% HIGH: 59º NIGHT: 20% LOW: 54º
Sunday
Chance of Showers DAY: 20% HIGH: 74º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 63º
Monday
Chance of Showers DAY: 20% HIGH: 76º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 60º
Tuesday
Chance of Showers DAY: 20% HIGH: 75º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 59º Last Week: Avg. High: 59º • Avg. Low: 47º
RAIN GAUGE
Last 7 Days............................. 3.12 In.
Last 30 Days........................... 4.90 In. Same Time In '15...................... 2.08 In.
Year To Date......................... 38.25 In. Year To Date '15..................... 44.55 In. Data Collected by LCRA at El Campo Memorial Hospital
BURN BAN LIFTED COUNTY’S MEAN KBDI: 216 Burn Ban is put into effect when the mean KBDI reaches or goes above 500.
St. Philip Catholic School students lift their arms as they perform Sing to The Newborn King as part of their Beneath A Shining Star Christmas program Tuesday with pre-kindergarten three- and four-year old youngsters. Pictured (l-r) are
front row: Ethan Krasucky, Devin Treybig, Abby Cox, Raegan Vallet, Karsyn Cox, Blair Irby and Isabel Wiese; back row: Brinley Lauritsen, Abigail Garrett, Jax Johnson, Maggie Motal, Brett Bacak and Hayden Popp. Contributed Photo
County reviews deputy crash, public services By JODY LARIMER reporter@leader-news.com
Repairing a sheriff’s department vehicle and making birth certificates accessible top the agenda when Wharton County commissioners meet Monday. Two Wharton County Sheriff’s Office deputies collided about a month ago while chasing a suspected thief, costing the department about $13,500.
“They were involved in a fleet accident during a pursuit,” WCSO Captain Raymond Jansky said. “We had jumped some burglary suspect and went into pursuit into Matagorda County. Unbeknownst to us, Matagorda had spiked the suspect’s vehicle.” Once the first deputy’s unit hit the spike strip, it came to a stop. The second unit’s driver was unable to avoid the collision. “Insurance covers one vehicle,” Jansky said, adding funds to fix the other, a 2016 Chevy Tahoe,
has to come out of budget. “It couldn’t have been one of the old ones,” he lamented. Commissioners will consider transferring birth, death and fetal death record registry duties from justices of the peace offices to the county clerk. “This will save local residents a lot of time and money when applying for marriage licenses, pass(See STATEWIDE BIRTH CERTIFICATES, Page 8-A)
Working The Holidays
Package blitz hits El Campo Post Office, more coming By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
The holiday shopping spirit tripled the workload at the El Campo Post Office this week, but staff say they’re happy to help make Christmas dreams come true. “I’m out here sorting today,” Postmaster Margaret Taylor-Sparks told the Leader-News Wednesday as she stood among piles of packages trying to bring order to the chaos of stacked thick envelopes and boxes. “And, if need be later, I’ll be out on the routes delivering packages.” The local office runs 12 routes in addition to offering box service for residents. Each route, Taylor-Sparks said, is at a stuff-truck level. “It’s about 100 packages per route right now,” she said, “That’s triple what we normally do. And, (See POSTAL VOLUME, Page 8-A)
One Piece At A Time
L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree
Standing in front of one of several bins delivered Wednesday morning by semi-truck, El Campo Postmaster Margaret TaylorSparks tackles the task of dividing it into 12 routes and stacks for postal boxes. Last week’s deliveries, she said, brought about three times the normal number of packages into the city.