Highway traffic stop nets 22 pounds of cocaine
By BRENDA SOMMER news1@leader-news.com
      A state trooper reportedly found 22 pounds of bundled cocaine near Louise over the weekend inside a car driven by a Houston woman. At 9:46 a.m. Sunday, Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Todd Respondek saw a 2000 Kia sport-utility vehicle moving northbound on U.S. 59 at the Wharton-Jackson...
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Start at the top
      Chester Houston, left, and Bruce Williams, center, present a ticket to Mayor Bryce Kocian for the upcoming "super raffle" hosted by the Disabled American Veterans of Wharton County. Houston and Williams are both part of the group and began selling tickets at Monday night's city council meeting.
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Change in legislation will expedite city purchasing
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com
      City officials hope new legislation will speed up the process of making future purchases. The Wharton City Council on Monday approved an ordinance that will enable the city to follow the Local Texas Government Code instead of the City Charter when making purchases.
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Infections at ECISD raise concerns of staph
By SHANNON CRABTREE newsdesk@leader-news.com
      The El Campo school district is closely monitoring a possible health concern after three student athletes have developed infections. Two high school athletes and one from the middle school have developed "possible" staph infections since the start of the school year. Staph or Staphylococcus is a ...
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Property owners could see tax savings for the second year in a row, county officials say
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com
      Property owners who didn't see an increase in their property value from 2006 to 2007 will see a slight savings on their county tax bill this coming year. The savings is based on a 2008 tax rate of 56.343 cents per $100 property valuation adopted by the Wharton County Commissioners Court on Monday...
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WCJC offers GED and ESL adult education
      Wharton County Junior College will be offering GED and English as a Second Language courses as part of its Adult Basic Education program. Registration and orientation for day classes in both courses will be held beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17, at the WCJC LaDieu Technology Building, 911 ...
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Many years of service
      Two long-time employees of the Wharton County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office retired together on Aug. 31 and were issued proclamations from the county in recognition of their service. Pictured from left to right are: Lorna Kaiser, who worked for the tax assessor-collector's office for 13 years an...
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