1975: Fayette Power Plant Construction to Employ Substantial Workforce

Nov. 25, 1975

Estimates back in June indicated that peak construction employment on two 600-megawatt electric generating plants at the Fayette Power Project would be around 1,300. Since then, Brown & Root, Inc., the contractor and low bidder, said its workforce would hit a peak of 640 if the two units were built simultaneously, and a high of 420 if only one unit was constructed. Employment was expected to reach 350 by the end of 1976 for work on one unit, and 400 if both units were built. The peak employment month, for either one or two units, was predicted to be June 1978. By the end of 1979, employment was forecast to drop below 200 if both units were built or in March 1979 if one was constructed.

La Grange Lep Coach Ben Bloomer’s team rolled up 470 yards, all on the ground, and the majority on the outside, as they obliterated Van Vleck’s Leopards, 26AA champs by a lopsided 39-0. The victory, 10th in a row for the 1974 Class AA semifinalists, sent the LG Leps onto regionals to play Hondo. Quarterback Kenny Hatfield’s performance against Van Vleck was outstanding and tailback Billy Dunk ran with the ball from scrimmage in what La Grange dubbed its “blast formation,” ripping off some big early gainers because the defenders were going for Hatfield. Then, after a couple of early Van Vleck threats, the local Leps discovered those vulnerable flanks and were off to the races.

For the third time in four years, the Schulenburg Shorthorns won bi-district laurels over Rogers. After the conclusion of the game played in Taylor, the Horns were presented with a trophy as they celebrated with their Head Coach Tom Walker. Fullback Willie Matthews broke away for a key gain in the Horns’ hurry-up drive that produced the go-ahead touchdown only 41 seconds before the half.

Graduates of La Grange High School appearing as favorites in the 1976 Buccaneer yearbook at Blinn College included: Cindy Petras, Miss Buccaneer; Steve Kovar, runner- up for Mr. Buccaneer and a sophomore class favorite; Denise Roberts, runner-up for Miss Buccaneer and a sophomore class favorite; and Mike Teinert, freshman class favorite.

Signed up for ambulance attendants’ training were: Mr. and Mrs. Joe Dybala, Joe Orsak, John Cufr, Father Ben Mazurkiewicz and Mesdames Edwin Kubena, Cyril Kulhanek, Jerry Chovanec, Roland Pflughaupt, Bill Graeter, Wilburn Von Minden, Barbara Poncik and Billy Kubena. The Precinct 2 ambulance was based in the garage at the Catholic Church rectory in Fayetteville.

La Grange firefighters were summoned to the Tober home on E. Lafayette St. shortly before noon on Friday to extinguish a fire threatening the residence. A department spokesperson said a burning closet wall destroyed some clothing. A gas stove was apparently the source of the fire in the home owned by the Hermes family.

John J. Beck shot the first deer in the Cistern area after the season opened. Ronnie Vinklarek brought in a ninepointer. By mid-November, about 18 deer had been brought in for display at the Cistern Country Store.

Sherry Krenek was elected the Fayetteville FFA chapter sweetheart for 1975-76. A senior at Fayetteville High School, she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Krenek of Fayetteville.

Funeral services were held for Charles E. Osina, 88, a native of Fayette County, and Mrs. Elsie O. Earl, 76, a Fayette County native.

Susan Vecera, 17, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Vecera and a senior at La Grange High School, was enrolled in the Vocational Education class. She was employed by the La Grange Independent School District. Becky Cook, also a LGHS senior, was employed by L. Donald Mayer, DDS, through the Vocational Office Education class. Becky was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Cook of La Grange.

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