Our Top Headline Stories from 2023: July Through Dec.

July

Local group emerges to take over hospital Restaurant owner seriously injured in motorcycle crash Lots of interest in meeting on Hwy 77 Bluff’s future Kerr joins La Grange City Council Home struck by gunfire in Flatonia July 3 Texas One Stop wins $10,000 grant from Women’s Leadership Center Barrera slams six homers at Cooperstown tourney Coal train derails, sparks a grass fire Five 3-D printed houses going up outside Round Top Estrada earns another state gold Copperhead invasion in Warda St. Mark’s earn award for lab services Blaschke’s book gives insight into chicken ranch Fund set up for injured local restaurant owner 10 percent of EMS Calls are heat related La Grange facing budget and sewer decisions Single father of four chosen for newest Fayette County Habitat House Local theater traveling back to the 80s with student play Burglars strike church, country store in Mullins Prairie K-9 Unit seizes 8.5 kilos of cocaine HEB celebrates 50 years in La Grange Korenek raises $120,000 for reelection campaign Charges pending for Mullins Prairie burglars HEB Donates $15,000 to mark 50 years in La Grange

August

Judge offers surprising pay raise proposal Pool ready to make a splash with La Grange football County EMS employees honored Fayette Lake water scooped by planes to fight Bastrop fire Leopard band hard at work on new marching show Meals on Wheels helped 215 local folks in 2022 and is also starting a pet aide project County budget crunch is lingering Schulenburg Festival packs in the crowds Tejas Clinic hosts back to school festival Legendary educator Demerson celebrates 95th Birthday Fayette Electric building new headquarters New grant could pay for deputy raises New county budget approved in 3-2 vote Fire burns 63 acres near Countyline- baling corn shucks spark massive fire Governor includes Fayette County in disaster declaration as severe drought intensifies First day traffic headaches prompt responses from LGISD Budget crunch hits City of La Grange Vehicle theft burglaries rising in Fayette County Buzzard sparks fire in wild week at Flatonia

September

Local group says it now has enough to take over management of hospital.

Fair president pleased with this year’s turnout.

Henneke crowned 2023 Fayette County Fair Queen Worker caught with $1,000 in stolen cash Council to search for another city manger Von Rosenberg holds court on La Grange drainage Trust donates quarter million each to three local entities Powerful storm batters Flatonia Marburger crowned Schutzenkonig at 151st annual Round Top event Long debated county budget finally approved in 3-2 vote Fayetteville ISD asks voters for financial help Huge pecan limb falls on DA’s car at courthouse Library book oversight big topic of LGISD meeting Man found wandering in La Grange after being shot Mewis turns 107, the county’s oldest celebrates.

Schulenburg VFD elects Guentert as Fire Chief

October

Highway 159 to close for days at a time in 2024.

County gets passing grade on audit and road complaints arise Hillhouses donate $30,000 to Children’s Advocacy Center Bluff Road alternatives costly and complicated Food Pantry in needserving 70% more families amid skyrocketing food costs St. Mark’s Hospital to shut its doors Frisch Auf hit by crime spree; cars stolen LHS Band marching on to area St. Mark’s says goodbye Construction around the courthouse Schulenburg ISD voters considering 19.6 million in school improvement Tejas Camp and Retreat growing, adding cabins The days are numbered for Ken’s Barbershop Second Chance passes $4 million mark

November

1,500 Trick or Treaters pack courthouse square Four volleyball teams head to playoffs There is still twice as many cattle as people in Fayette County La Grange man running for US House seat.

Two men rob La Grange McDonald’s at gun point.

Schulenburg wins regional volleyball title and heads to states final four.

School attendance slashed by sickness.

Eleven semifinalists selected as La Grange tries again to find new city manager.

Fayette Water Supply-Rebecek retires, Wick takes over.

Eighty one Thanksgiving baskets collected for families in need Old Schulenburg EMS Station sold to Mikeskys The blurry line of historic preservation Noticeable reduction for some coming on property tax mailings

December

Land slide takes a big chunk out of La Grange’s most iconic feature. Rockslide occurs at Bluff.

Planter boxes sprout lots of discussion in La Grange Schulenburg priest Luke Prihoda inducted into Hall of Honor at Sam Houston State.

National adoption month celebrated with special event at courthouse.

Four LG City Manager finalists selected Food Pantry served a record number in November.

Hurricane Harvey Recovery team’s final funds go to AMEN Food Pantry Contested race for Pct. 4 constable.

Edna murder suspect arrested in Schulenburg Ellinger poised for big growth with grant Thompson chosen as lone city manager finalist.

County attorney Supak will not run for another term.

Short staffed Auditors’ Office leaves county in a pinch Two months after St. Mark’s closure, impact being felt by EMS Hostyn home, dogs lost in fire.

Massive mural to be a tribute to La Grange History Gym restrooms in need of upgrades After years away, the Salvtion Army has restarted here to help those in need