The County Gin

On Friday, Wharton Independent School District (WISD) issued a press release describing the agreement provisions approved by board trustees at Tuesday night’s meeting. The County Gin sat down with Wharton Babe Ruth President Grady Smith just moments before WISD issued the release. “I have yet to be contacted by (WISD),” Smith said.

In an unanimous vote, Wharton City Council named Joseph R. Pace as the finalist in its city manager search. Pace replaces Andres Garza Jr. as Wharton City Manager. Today, June 15, Pace officially began his tenure with the City of Wharton. Becoming a manager Joseph R. Pace served three years as an infantryman in the United States Army. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Administration from Lamar University in Beaumont.

The County Gin sat down with the city manager to reflect on his time spent in public service — a career nearing four and a half decades. Wharton City Manager Andres Garza Jr. began his career in public service in 1977 as an administrative assistant in Pearsall, Texas. After obtaining his BBA from Southwest Texas State University (Texas State University), he was appointed as the city’s community development director, in charge of all grants.

Following extensive restoration of the building at the corner of Polk and W. Milam in historic downtown Wharton, Texas, Simply Divine Event Center & Tea Room celebrates with a Wharton Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting on Thursday, July 22nd at 4:00 p.m. “Our ribbon cutting will be a preview of what’s to come with light foods and beverages,” says owner Nedra Johnson.

June 22, 2021 2:30 p.m.- Updated to include the first press release from the Wharton County Sheriff’s Office concerning this case and investigation: “The Wharton County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Texas Rangers, continues to investigate the body of a young female that was discovered on Friday, June 18, 2021, at approximately 10:00 a.m. “In an attempt to identify the female, the Wharton County Sheriff’s Office is releasing photographs of the jewelry...

​The Wharton Babe Ruth (WBR) kicked off its 2022 season with Opening Ceremonies at Tiger Field in Wharton on Sunday, May 8. Chartered in 1958, Wharton Babe Ruth Board, volunteers, and players are ready to start the organization’s 64th year of youth baseball. Over the next six weeks, 82 Babe Ruth baseball games will all be played in Wharton, Texas. Wharton Babe Ruth is run by a four person board and several other volunteers.

Cool morning air, longer days, blooming wildflowers, and scattered showers signal the start of Spring, but for Wharton County, it means the Wharton County Youth Fair (WCYF) draws near. It all started in 1976 when a group of volunteers set out to create a way to educate and reward ag students, while providing entertainment and fun for the county. The organization has since awarded over $27 million to Wharton County students.

In part one of The County Gin’s series of The Project at 500 Abell Street, we’ve covered the project’s inception and introduced A2J Holdings LLC — the property purchaser and developer of the project, and the Wharton County Heritage Partnership (WCHP) — the group opposed to the $8.75 million housing project.

P.A.C.E. Program Following a public hearing, the Wharton City Council approved a Property Assessed Clean Energy program on Monday, providing Wharton property owners access to financing tools for energy-saving improvements. Wharton property owners now have access to longterm financing of improvements to commercial, industrial and large multi-family residential property.