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Wharton County runoff election results for May 28, 2024
Read full article: Wharton County runoff election results for May 28, 2024Texas voters cast their ballot for the 2024 primary runoff election on May 28 to select candidates for a range of significant offices including the U.S. Senate, congressional and legislative positions, and various judicial seats.
3-year-old dies after accidentally shooting himself with gun he found inside his mother’s nightstand, police say
Read full article: 3-year-old dies after accidentally shooting himself with gun he found inside his mother’s nightstand, police sayA 3-year-old child is dead after police said he accidentally shot himself in Wharton on Friday.
Long-time Los Cucos Mexican restaurant in Wharton County destroyed by fire, officials say
Read full article: Long-time Los Cucos Mexican restaurant in Wharton County destroyed by fire, officials sayA long-time Wharton County restaurant was destroyed in a fire Saturday morning, according to Wharton Volunteer Fire Department.
Deputies searching for suspects who led them on chase in stolen truck through Wharton County
Read full article: Deputies searching for suspects who led them on chase in stolen truck through Wharton CountyDeputies are searching for the suspects who reportedly led them on a high-speed chase through Wharton County Thursday morning.
Shelter-in-place lifted for Wharton Co. residents after large fire ignites at chemical plant, officials say
Read full article: Shelter-in-place lifted for Wharton Co. residents after large fire ignites at chemical plant, officials sayWharton County firefighters responded to reports of a large fire at a chemical plant late Tuesday night, according to the fire department.
26-year-old man caught smuggling 4 illegal immigrants during traffic stop in Wharton County, deputies say
Read full article: 26-year-old man caught smuggling 4 illegal immigrants during traffic stop in Wharton County, deputies sayA man has been charged with a third-degree felony after he was caught smuggling four illegal immigrants during a traffic stop, according to Wharton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Interdiction Unit.
Search for 15 people who fled from pickup truck during chase in Wharton County, deputies say
Read full article: Search for 15 people who fled from pickup truck during chase in Wharton County, deputies sayWhen the chase came to an end in the Kendleton area in Fort Bend County, deputies said approximately 15 people exited the vehicle and ran into a cornfield.
Woman arrested after attempting to smuggle 4 people from RGV to Houston, WCSO says
Read full article: Woman arrested after attempting to smuggle 4 people from RGV to Houston, WCSO saysA woman was arrested Tuesday after being busted attempting to smuggle four people from the Rio Grande Valley into the Houston area, the Wharton County Sheriff's Office said.
Parents arrested after autopsy reveals 2-year-old son died from extensive head injury, trauma, Wharton Co. Sheriff says
Read full article: Parents arrested after autopsy reveals 2-year-old son died from extensive head injury, trauma, Wharton Co. Sheriff saysThe parents of a 2-year-old boy who was found dead at home have been arrested, according to the Wharton County Sheriff’s Office.
Wharton County Treasurer candidates share similar sentiments as race hangs in limbo by 1 vote
Read full article: Wharton County Treasurer candidates share similar sentiments as race hangs in limbo by 1 voteWhen it comes to the next Treasurer of Wharton County, both candidates say they are excited but also at peace with whatever the outcome may be, and now, we wait.
Vehicle explosion shuts down all lanes on US 59 both directions in Wharton County, authorities say
Read full article: Vehicle explosion shuts down all lanes on US 59 both directions in Wharton County, authorities sayA vehicle engulfed in flames following an explosion closed all mainlanes in both directions on U.S. 59 in Wharton County.
Ring photo, details revealed after teen girl’s remains discovered in ‘secluded’ area of Wharton County
Read full article: Ring photo, details revealed after teen girl’s remains discovered in ‘secluded’ area of Wharton CountyAuthorities in Wharton County found the body of a young teen girl in what authorities called a “secluded area” off of County Road 225.
Wharton County family’s home destroyed by fire days after Christmas
Read full article: Wharton County family’s home destroyed by fire days after ChristmasA Wharton County family is left devastated after a fire destroyed their home only days after Christmas. So I came out and said what’s going on. The family said the fire started late Monday night in the second story of their home and quickly spread destroying everything. For now, some of the family is staying in a hotel for the week after a good samaritan put them up. The family has a GoFundMe page for those who would like to donate to help them out.
5 people dead, baby hospitalized following violent crash in Wharton County, police say
Read full article: 5 people dead, baby hospitalized following violent crash in Wharton County, police sayWHARTON COUNTY, Texas – Five people were killed and another was injured Sunday in a violent crash in Wharton County, according to the Wharton Police Department. The driver in the Cadillac SUV was pronounced dead at the scene. Three adults in the Altima, including the driver, were also killed in the crash. A six-month-old baby who had been in the Altima was flown to a Houston hospital for treatment in unknown condition. This crash remains under investigation by the Wharton Police Department.
Wharton ISD switches back to remote learning after uptick in COVID-19 cases
Read full article: Wharton ISD switches back to remote learning after uptick in COVID-19 casesWHARTON, Texas – Officials at the Wharton Independent School District announced that all its campuses will transition to remote learning after seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases in students and staff. The district said it is taking all precautions and measures in efforts to prioritize the health and safety of its students and staff. The change in remote learning began at 4 p.m. Tuesday and will continue until Nov. 29. Face-to-face learning and remote learning will resume Nov. 30. District officials said all daily extracurricular activities are allowed to continue as planned with practices as long as the district’s protocols are being followed.
Former Wharton County Sheriff’s deputy takes own life amid investigation
Read full article: Former Wharton County Sheriff’s deputy takes own life amid investigationOfficials with the Wharton County District Attorney’s Office confirmed a former sheriff’s deputy took his own life over the weekend. The suicide comes during an on-going investigation into accusations against former deputy James Elliot. She is charged with “abandon/endanger a child.”Court documents said Misty Elliot is accused of being told “on more than one occasion” about the abuse and “failed to report James Elliot to law enforcement.”There was no answer at a home listed for Misty Elliot. The online news outlet also reported James Elliot had recently been indicted in the case. Allison said she was told James Elliot took his own life Saturday in the town of Seymour, Texas.
Here are propositions some Houston-area voters must decide on Tuesday
Read full article: Here are propositions some Houston-area voters must decide on TuesdayNot only must voters decide on the presidency, Senate and local leaders but also bonds and civil service propositions. This proposed increase to the tax rate will require voter approval, but still decrease the overall school tax rate by 3.71 cents, because of state-mandated tax compression. Chambers and HarrisBaytown Crime Control & Prevention Dist. Baytown Fire Control & Prevention Dist. The tax expires on the fourth anniversary of the date of this election unless the imposition of the tax is reauthorized."
Houston-area school district cancels remote learning, allows students to return to the classroom
Read full article: Houston-area school district cancels remote learning, allows students to return to the classroomHOUSTON – A Wharton County school district is ending its remote learning program. Louise ISD said the remote learning approach has been unsuccessful for most students and will allow all students to return to schools on Tuesday, according to a letter to parents. Teachers and administrators will not longer be offering remote learning. “I am not mandating that your family chooses to return to school. Yet, I am suggesting that you make a decision that continues to provide the appropriate needs of your children,” said Louise ISD Superintendent Dr. Garth Oliver in release.
LIST: High water being reported on some roads during Beta
Read full article: LIST: High water being reported on some roads during BetaHOUSTON – Here is a list of high water locations being reported in the Houston area by Houston Transtar. SH-87/ Broadway Northbound Between 4TH ST to SH-124 All Mainlanes Closed beginning Monday, September 21, 2020 8:30 PMSH-87/ Broadway Southbound Between SH-124 to 4TH ST All Mainlanes Closed beginning Monday, September 21, 2020 8:30 PMSH-35 Northbound At BELTWAY 8-SOUTH to FUQUA 3 Frontage Lane(s) Closed on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PMIH-45 GULF Northbound At TRAVIS Entrance Ramp Closed beginning Tuesday, September 22, 2020 9:00 AMIH-45 NORTH Southbound At IH-10 East/ Milam Exit Ramp Closed beginning Tuesday, September 22, 2020 9:00 AMIH-10 KATY Eastbound At Smith St/ Louisiana St Exit Ramp Closed beginning Tuesday, September 22, 2020 5:30 PMIH-10 EAST Eastbound At MONMOUTH DR 3 Frontage Lane(s), Frontage Road U-turn Closed beginning Monday, September 21, 2020 9:00 AMIH-10 EAST Westbound At MONMOUTH DR 3 Frontage Lane(s), Frontage Road U-turn Closed beginning Monday, September 21, 2020 9:00 AMCheck the latest traffic conditions here.
Dozens sick in COVID-19 outbreaks reported at 2 Houston-area nursing homes, officials say
Read full article: Dozens sick in COVID-19 outbreaks reported at 2 Houston-area nursing homes, officials sayHOUSTON – Two Houston-area nursing homes have reported COVID-19 outbreaks, public health officials announced. Officials are investigating an outbreak at Jacinto Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in east Harris County and Garden Villa Nursing Home in El Campo, Texas. Jacinto Nursing & Rehabilitation CenterThe investigation into Jacinto Nursing & Rehabilitation Center began on June 10 after the nursing home reported 12 positive COVID-19 patients and one virus-related death. So far, health officials reported four deaths at the facility and will determine if they were COVID-19 related. Health officials issued public health control orders to the nursing home on July 3 to ensure compliance with infection control and prevention.
Late Evening Storms on West Side
Read full article: Late Evening Storms on West SideKaty, TX – A line of converging winds created strong storms late this evening which prompted Flood Advisories until 12:15am for western Harris County, Fort Bend County, Wharton County and Austin County. Total rainfall exceeded 2″ at Willow Fork Creek and Pederson Road in southern Waller County. In Harris County, South Mayde Creek at Morton Road had 1.76″ of rain in under an hour. All of Waller, Austin, Colorado, Ft Bend and inland Harris County are under a Flash Flood Watch until 6am, depicted below in green. Flash Flood Watch to 6amShortly before midnight, many of the showers in Harris County had fallen apart and the line of storms had begun to weaken, although thunderstorms continued.
Trooper seizes 210 pounds of marijuana during Wharton County traffic stop
Read full article: Trooper seizes 210 pounds of marijuana during Wharton County traffic stopWHARTON COUNTY, Texas – A man was found Monday with 10 bundles of wrapped marijuana in Wharton County, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. During the traffic stop, the trooper believed the driver was hiding something, according to DPS. The trooper asked for consent to search the suspect’s vehicle and the suspect agreed, officials say. The trooper discovered 210 pounds of marijuana in a fuel tank attached to the bed of the F-250 pickup truck. He faces a $100,000 bond, according to Wharton County.
Teacher accused of recording female students while they changed clothes
Read full article: Teacher accused of recording female students while they changed clothesHe's accused of secretly taking videos of several female students while they were changing clothes and uploading the videos to the internet. According to court documents, he's a Louise Elementary School physical education teacher who's accused of indecency with a child. "Louise ISD is fully cooperating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation. The parents of the victims have been contacted by LISD administration," Louise ISD superintendent Dr. Garth Oliver said in a statement. In an unrelated case in Louise ISD, a teacher is accused of sexual contact with an elementary school student.
10 firefighters treated for heat exhaustion during Wharton apartment fire
Read full article: 10 firefighters treated for heat exhaustion during Wharton apartment fireWHARTON – A fire caused extensive damage to an apartment complex in Wharton. The fire broke out around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Briar Pointe Apartments in the 1700 block of Briar Lane. When firefighters arrived, flames and heavy smoke could be seen shooting from the roof of the two-story building. High heat and humidity made it difficult for crews to fire the flames. Ten firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion.
Tropical Depression Bill causes flooding, power outages in Wharton County
Read full article: Tropical Depression Bill causes flooding, power outages in Wharton CountyWHARTON COUNTY, Texas – Tropical Depression Bill is causing problems for Wharton County, according to the Precinct 2 Wharton County Constable's Office. All lanes of Highway 59 at the Wharton County/Jackson County line are closed in both directions due to high water. The flooding that shut down Highway 59 also caused concerns in the city of Wharton Wednesday. The University Place Apartments in the 300 block of University lost power before midnight and a resident smelled electric lines smoldering. "Even though the water wasn't that high when they would drive thru the high water it would push it into peoples homes and businesses causing serious problems," Stanphill said.
Police chase ends in crash on Highway 59 in Fort Bend County
Read full article: Police chase ends in crash on Highway 59 in Fort Bend CountyHOUSTON – Three people were taken into custody after a police chase through two counties on Wednesday afternoon. According to Wharton County Constable's Office - Precinct 2, the chase started when constables tried to make a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle in the area of CR 268 north of East Bernard. The two men were located and taken into custody by deputies near Seydler Street and Leveridge Street. Meanwhile the pursuit with the third person ended on Highway 59, between the Highway 6 and Williams Trace exits, when the suspect crashed into another car. One person in the other car was injured and taken to the hospital.
Authorities investigating triple shooting in Wharton County
Read full article: Authorities investigating triple shooting in Wharton CountyWHARTON COUNTY, Texas – Wharton police spent several hours combing a neighborhood off Kingston Drive near Dunraven Lane looking for evidence and picking up shell casings Friday. Police said three people who were in the parking lot at the time of the shooting were struck. Neighbors who know the man said he was outside working on his stepson's car when the shooting happened. Police said the shooting may have stemmed from an argument earlier in the day and that the other two victims were the likely targets. The suspect's vehicle was stopped shortly after the shooting by a Wharton County sheriff's deputy who recognized the vehicle description that had been called in by a witness.
1 injured when ruptured gas line causes explosion in Wharton County
Read full article: 1 injured when ruptured gas line causes explosion in Wharton CountyWHARTON COUNTY, Texas – One person was injured Thursday when a gas line ruptured, causing an explosion in Wharton County, according to Wharton County Emergency Management. The explosion happened at around 12:15 p.m. when a 24-inch below-ground gas line ruptured and exploded on state right-of-way on FM 1164 and Highway 90, about five miles west of East Bernard. Andy Kirkland, Wharton County Emergency Management Coordinator, said a man who was driving by in a truck was hurt. John Szymanski, Wharton County Precinct 2 Constable, said, "He was there when it exploded. The Wharton Co. Sheriff's Department, Wharton Co. Fire Department, East Bernard Volunteer Fire Department, Wallis Fire Department and Precinct 2 Constable's Office were on the scene.
Cheerleaders in hot water after putting condoms in spirit bags
Read full article: Cheerleaders in hot water after putting condoms in spirit bagsWHARTON COUNTY, Texas – Goody bags with condoms landed a team of high school cheerleaders in the stands for Friday night's game. It happened at the high school in Wharton Independent School District. The district said the varsity team put condoms in the spirit bags meant for the football team before their homecoming game last week. As punishment, the whole team was given a one day in-school suspension and banned from Friday night's game. In a statement the district said the punishment was to teach students proper behavior and not meant to be overly harsh.
Wharton ISD school teacher accused of having sexual relations with student
Read full article: Wharton ISD school teacher accused of having sexual relations with studentWHARTON COUNTY – A Wharton Independent School District teacher found herself behind bars, accused of having sex with one of her students. Brooke Lynn Domel, 32, was arrested in the Wharton ISD Administration building parking lot on Monday morning,Investigator said the married mother and Wharton High School teacher was booked into Wharton County Jail, with the felony charge of an improper relationship between an educator and a student. Wharton ISD Superintendent, Kay Shoppa, notified school board members after the arrest and released a statement to the news media. Williams later sought out help from Wharton County sheriff's department Sgt. According to Jansky, Domel "had sex with a high school student" in 2012, who graduated in June.
Mom, kids terrorized in Wharton
Read full article: Mom, kids terrorized in WhartonWHARTON – A family was terrorized in three different ways all in one night after someone shot at their home, killed their dogs and torched their cars. Officials said it all happened at a home on North Spanish Camp Road and Bailey Street about an hour southwest of Houston in Wharton. I don't stay here anymore. I don't come here. I don't come in here, period."
Woman accused of defrauding pet owners enters plea
Read full article: Woman accused of defrauding pet owners enters pleaWHARTON COUNTY, Texas – The Wharton County District Attorney said 25-year-old Jennifer Herbers is not to own animals to sell again. District Attorney Ross Kurtz said Herbers was accused of defrauding pet owners. He said investigators searched her property in rural Wharton County and found animals that were in bad shape. "It's very upsetting and disheartening," said Cindy Cerny, the president of the Wharton County Stray Pet Outreach Team. No one at Herbers' property on County Road 129 would talk about the case.