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Snow & Tell

By northern standards, the inch or so of snow most parts of Fayette County received Sunday afternoon would have been no big deal. But in these parts, such a rare occurrence was enough to make everyone young at heart head outside to play.
Everyone Has a Right to Rest in Peace: A Pauper Burial

Thursday morning, the day after all the unrest in Washington, D.C., the Record called County Judge Joe Weber to get his thoughts on the national situation (read the story on that above). At the time, Weber was overseeing the burial of a local man in the Pauper’s Cemetery in La Grange.
Barn Burns to the Ground on Monday

A barn near Winchester burned to the ground Monday morning, Jan. 4. A tractor parked inside the barn was destroyed in the fire. Firefighters also discovered the body of a car among the debris. About 11 hay bales sitting nearby also caught fire and burned.
Three Pistols Stolen From Vehicles in Lynnwood

La Grange Police Chief David Gilbreath reported that at least three vehicles were burglarized in the Lynnwood neighborhood early Tuesday morning. All of the vehicles were unlocked, Gilbreath said.
Wonders Never Cease for Fayette County’s Adventurous Martha Tauch

Adapting to new technology might be intimidating for some of us, but Martha Tauch takes it in stride. On a Zoom meeting ably hosted by Schulenburg Regency Social Worker Tracy Psencik, the 104-year-old birthday girl felt right at home. Also on the call were Martha’s son, Arnold, and his wife, Joanne, and me.
New Year’s Day Oaths

County Judge Joe Weber administered the oath of office to several county officials beginning new terms of office on Friday, Jan. 1. Picture above, from left are Fayette County Tax Assessor-Collector Sylvia Mendoza, Fayette Groundwater Conservation District Board member Robert Leer, Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom, Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff, newly appointed Pct. 4. Commissioner Drew Brossmann, Sheriff Keith Korenek (the only one of the 10 officials pictured who chose not to wear a mask to the event), Pct. 1 Constable William Roensch, Pct. 2 Constable Roger Wunderlich and Pct. 4 Constable Jason Strickland. Photo by Andy Behlen
After 41 Years, Tommy Taylor Retires from LGISD

For 41 years Tommy Taylor worked in the maintenance department of La Grange Independent School District. Friday was his last day as he embarks on a well-deserved retirement.
New Year, New Building at La Grange Elementary

La Grange students return to school from Christmas break on Wednesday Jan. 6, and when PreK-Third grade students walk into the school they will do so through a new entrance on the Jackson St. side of campus and past the school’s new front office and library (above), some of the final portions of the three-year $37.9 million bond construction project. Drop-offs for PreK-Third Grade students will now be in front of the Jackson Street office in the new parking lot. There will no longer be an office on Milam St. 4th-6th grade drop off remains near the auditorium/Performing Arts Center. The only remaining aspects of the bond construction projects are canopies near the auditorium and renovations at the old vocational building, both expected to be completed in mid-January. Photo by Jeff Wick
Truck Comes Apart in Wreck as Driver, Amazingly, Stays Intact

A Peterbilt truck hauling a load of dry cement rolled over and came apart on SH 71 west of Ellinger Monday morning. The wreck happened at 9:17 a.m., according to a report from Trooper Louis “L.A.” Gabler of the Texas Highway Patrol.
Just in ‘Time’ for New Year, Some Historic Clock Repair

A work crew from the Verdin Clock Company of Ohio came to La Grange Monday to upgrade the mechanism that controls the clock on the Fayette County Courthouse. The clocksmiths worked from a bucket hoisted by a crane from Ray’s Crane Service of La Grange.
Half Million in Cocaine

On Tuesday Dec. 29, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Canine Unit, Sgt. Randy Thumann and K9 partner Kolt, stopped a Chevy Trax on Interstate 10 for a traffic violation. They discovered approximately 5.65 kilos of cocaine concealed in an aftermarket compartment built into the trans-axle. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $565,000. The driver, Enrique Uriega, 46, was arrested for felony cocaine possession and taken to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center.
Leps Roll to Another Win

Waelder Monday Dec. 21 in the Leps’ final game before the Christmas break.
Dobbins Has Ravens on Verge of Playoffs

La Grange’s J.K. Dobbins ran for 77 yards and a touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens beat the New York Giants 27-13 Sunday.
Holiday Basketball Scoreboard

12/21/20 Fayettevile boys 51, Moulton 44 Fayetteville 13 14 13 11 – 51 Moulton 10 9 7 18 – 44 Fayetteville scoring: Logan Fritsch 16, Landon Urban 2, Keagan Supak 23, Aiden Wicke 4, Jake Kubala 4, Sterling Hopkins 2. Record: Lions are 2-9 overall and 0-2 in district.
Quitta Gets First COVID Vaccine Here

“It didn’t hurt at all” was the reaction of Laurie Quitta, Nurse Director of the Medical Surgical Unit of St. Marks Medical Center. Laurie has served as a nurse in our county for four decades, and was chosen to receive the very first COVID-19 vaccine administered within the county. Debbie Hinkley, the Employee Health Nurse, was chosen administer the vaccine. “She’s known be the best at giving shots,” was the testimony of her coworkers.
Natural Gas Leak At Well Site

A major natural gas leak occurred Tuesday morning, Dec. 22, at a well site in the area of Shumacher Rd and Kasmiersky Rd in the Ellinger area. Residents in the area were asked to evacuate and, because of winds blowing North, people living within three miles north of the site were also asked to evacuate. FM 955 was closed to all from Highway 71 to Fayetteville. One resident in the area said this site has “especially horrible the last few weeks. Very loud production. It sounds like a freight train idling outside your door all night long.” Responders from as far away as Hays County assisted at the scene. The scene was cleared at 3:22 p.m. The photo on the left shows the leak as it was raging, the one on the right is the site after the leak was contained. Photos courtesy of Fayette County Emergency Management
Christmas Morning Robbery Attempt In Schulenburg

Christmas morning at approximately 8:30 a.m., a male subject entered a hotel in Schulenburg at the 200 Block of the West Interstate 10 Frontage Road and pulled a gun on the owner in an attempt to rob the business.
Fire Burns 25 Acres, Causes Evacuations

A large brush fire forced 50 people to evacuate Saturday afternoon in Carmine and Ledbetter, burning almost 25 acres before it was contained. Ledbetter Fire Chief Kevin Woelfel said first responders were dispatched to Round Top Road in Carmine at 1:21 p.m.
Retired County Drug Dog Diagnosed With Cancer

Local legendary K9 officer Lobos recently spent a week in Texas A&M’s veterinary hospital after having been diagnosed with cancer. Lobos gained national acclaim for the hundreds of millions of dollars in drugs he sniffed out along Interstate-10 in Fayette County overs the years before he retired in 2018 and was replaced by the county’s new drug dog – Kolt.
Students Perform ‘Visions of Sugarplums’

The St. Rose of Lima Catholic School 7th & 8th grade Drama Club presented “Visions of Sugarplums” by Anne Coulter Martens for their Christmas performance on Wednesday, December 16. The play tells the tale of the Benson family, who in the whirlwind of holiday preparations almost forgets what Christmas is all about. Thanks to a visit from their Aunt Vinnie and a children’s Christmas pageant they are reminded of the reason for the season. The students rehearsed after school twice a week to bring the characters and storyline to life. The group is looking forward to planning their spring performance.

Shorthorns Go 2-2 at Home Hoops Tourney

Schuleburg hosted its boys basketball tournament over the weekend. La Vernia won the tourney title, going 4-0.

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Lady Horns 0-4 at Moulton

The Schulenburg girls lost all four games they played at the Moulton Tournament as the Lady Horns fell to 2-14 overall. Weimar girls 40, Schulenburg 25 Lady Horns 8-7-6-4 – 25 Weimar 12-16-8-4 – 40 Schulenburg scoring: Kaylee Beyer 5, Haylee Vacek 2, Fay Kutac 1, Gracie Burton 5, Chayse Deagen 4, Arianna Vincent 4, Grace Schramek 5.

LCRA, Bluebonnet Donate $10,000 to Upgrade Zilss Hall

Zilss Memorial Hall soon will receive two air conditioners, a new energy-efficient refrigerator, an upgraded ramp and other needed improvements, thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.

There’s Now Three Contested Constable Races

The 2024 election season is shaping up to be an interesting one for Fayette County voters. Republican and Democratic candidates had until 6 p.m.

For the Record

The Fayette Public Library is hosting its annual Christmas Open House on Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Santa will be at the library from 10 to 12 p.m. Come and enjoy some holiday cheer with and celebrate the season. Christmas music, food, refreshments, and more.

Thousands Have a Cup of Cheer at Schmeckenfest

Between 2,000 and 2,200 folks descended on downtown La Grange for Schmeckenfest Thursday to celebrate the Christmas season according La Grange Main Street Manager Caleb Parks.

A Special Kind Of Artistic Vision

Granger from Making Great Art Helen Keller said, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision,” and for legally deaf and blind Kristen Granger who doesn’t see or hear the world like most people her vision is unforeseen beauty. Granger may not see or hear very well but one thing she does know how to do very well may surprise people.

Hundreds Greet Santa’s Arrival by Train into La Grange Saturday

Over 300 people showed up to the La Grange train depot for their Christmas celebration Saturday. The Katy Flyer miniature train (above, right) ran non-stop for over a hour-and-a-half taking kids for rides. A Union Pacific Railroad train brought Santa right at

Edna Murder Suspect is Arrested in Schulenburg

Texas Rangers and Edna Police arrested a man Saturday night near Schulenburg who stands accused of murdering a 16-year-old girl from Edna. “With countless hours put into this investigation, we were able to locate an undocumented male subject, Rafael Govea Romero, in the City of Schulenburg,” said Edna Police Chief Rick Boone said in a news release.

Ellinger Poised for Big Growth With Grant?

The Fayette County Commissioners Court met Wednesday, Dec. 6, to select and prioritize several projects for the County’s $4.8 million grant application to the Texas General Land Office’s (GLO) Regional Mitigation Program.

Mental Health: You Can’t Just Put a Band-Aid on It

The phone rang and my mother said, “There is something wrong with your father, come quick.” It was a 45-minute drive to the ranch from New Braunfels and I left immediately.

Texas Supreme Court Hears Abortion Ban Challenge

The Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week in a case that could decide whether medical exceptions to the state’s abortion ban are written clearly enough to protect pregnant women who fa

The No-Hands Wonder Of The Rodeo Ring

T EXAS History The National Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City admitted its first black member on Dec. 10, 1971, but the honor came 39 years too late for legendary Bill Pickett.

Ants in My Pants? No….Rats!

When Dad harvested his corn crop it was stored in a corn crib. Later in the year, usually during the winter, we would load up the surplus ear corn and truck it to town to sell to either the feed mill or to the local feed lots. It was usually my job to do the loading or shoveling of the ear corn into an electric-powered elevator, which in turn carried the corn into a large grain truck. My brother,…

Charity Started By Local Brad Otto Hits A 10-Year Milestone Of Giving

Pastor Brad Otto’s sense of call to launch the Acts of Wisdom non-profit organization started with a worship service in the Chapel of the Abiding Presence at Texas Lutheran University in 1998. Adjunct Professor Michael Birnbaum spoke about his passion to serve among the desperately poor people in Central America and invited students to come with him on a mission trip to Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

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