Time to read
7 minutes
Read so far

2021 Was a Year of Big Headlines in Fayette County

After the big freeze in February, water was in such short supply locally because of busted pipes, The Texas Military Department delivered bottled water via helicopter to the La Grange airport.
2021 was one of the best years ever for the La Grange boys track team. The Leps finished second in the state in the 4A team standings at the state meet and had a pair of state silver medal relay finishes and a silver medal pole vaulter. Here two members of those relays are shown as Bravion Rogers takes the handoff from Jordan Scott on the final leg of the boys 4x100 relay at the district meet, which La Grange won.
Ledbetter firefighters get ready to rescue local truck driver Tomas Garza after his rig washed off Goehring Road at Cummins Creek in May.
The world really does descend on Fayette County during the twiceyearly antiques shows in the northern part of the county. Shown here is Grammy-award winning artist Gwen Stefani, right, posing with a vendor at the Marburger Farm show outside Round Top in April 2021.
May 15, 2021 was a party 200 years in the making as folks celebrated what would have been the 200th birthday of Heinrich Kreische, the German immigrant who constructed the Kreische Home and Brewery that are preserved at the state historic site above La Grange. The event was celebrated with music, kids games, birthday cake, lots of volunteers and fittingly for a celebration of Kreische, beer.

Continued from last Friday’s edition:

Memorable headlines from the Fayette County Record in 2021:

February

Fayette County Fair Association to continue scholarship tradition

City of Ellinger holds public meeting to discuss water issues

Tree trimming becomes an issue in La Grange

La Grange police looking for leads in graffiti case La Grange swimmers shine

La Grange swimmers shine at regionals, Srubar sets school record

Numerous schools deal with busted pipes

Shock and thaw some without water a week

Water and meals arrive at the airport

St. Mark’s a safe haven during storm

Power and water outages add to woes of historic storm

Driver arrested for going around barricades and wrecking on Country Club Drive Water deliveries to the res

Water deliveries to the rescue for Bluff residents

Three running for La Grange mayor

Numerous local schools deal with busted pipes

233 Different power outages worked by FEC and contractors during storm

Rolling blackouts cause confusion and results in mass water supply issues

City of Ellinger to borrow money from county for first election

Fayette County still not designated a disaster area

Lady Leps win second round play off game

Lamer receives heroic service award

March

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu opens in downtown La Grange

Shorthorns make the sweet 16 with regional quarterfinal win over Weimar

La Grange Leopard golfers win home tourney

Propane was in short supply during storm

Father Tim Kosler to retire

Following State lead, county to lift mask mandates

La Grange dance team wins top awards Community Open House for

Community Open House for new La Grange elementary is scheduled

Jan Dockery is running for La Grange Mayor

Mike Stroup is running for Fayetteville Mayor

City of La Grange mask policy differs from the County’s

More vaccines rolling out locally

Texas teachers now eligible for COVID 19 vaccinations

La Grange’s Fisbeck makes history with Alabama

Shorthorns advance to State’s final four

Local electric utilities are managing to avoid chaos faced by other entities across the State.

Bill is filed to ban 18-wheelers on bluff

Founder of the first Round Top antiques fair dies. Emma Lee Turney was 92

41 remaining empty Hope Hill lots donated to the city

$100 million in Fentanyl seized in Fayette County Schulenburg falls in State

Schulenburg falls in State basketball semis

Water needs is a holdup for the new La Grange apartment complex

After a year, county leaders stop declaring COVID ongoing disaster here

County lunchtime closures scrutinized. County commissioners to reconsider this decision

La Grange sweeps track titles in Columbus

Local Alpaca finalist in Cadbury contest

Easter on the bluff event to rekindle German traditions

La Grange One act play advances to bi-district named allstar crew

Power lifters from Flatonia State bound

Display on Czech wedding traditions opens in La Grange

Cross country cyclist coming through La Grange

Highway 77 North of La Grange to get major expansion

1,150 COVID vaccines administered at the La Grange Fair grounds

After 35 years with the La Grange School district, Nora Otto is retiring.

Missy Zoch pitching for Texas Tech throws a no-hitter.

Homebound here have vaccines brought to them

Winedale’s Leon Hale dies at 99

Summer Internship being offered at Kreische Brewery

Wick throws no hitter as Leps win district opener

COVID shots available at Warrenton Antiques Fire Station

April

School Board approves $3 million dollar plan for stadium turf and track

Kunz of St. Rose named states top Catholic School teacher

La Grange golfers sweep district team titles

Major HEB renovations coming to the La Grange store

Local Alpaca is 4th in Cadbury Easter contest

FBI investigating Weimar bank robbery

Life is getting closer to normal at nursing homes

Documents reveal years of city mismanagement by secretary in Flatonia

Turtle Wing Foundation to host Temple Grandin Experience

Schools to continue requiring masks

Local Women’s Suffrage exhibit selected for Houston International Show

Local man drives for help after accidently shooting himself

COVID stats improving locally

After 43 years as church secretary and 2,000 bulletins Kozelsky is retiring

Habitat project clears hurdle to build affordable rental homes for people over 55

Races heat up as Election Day nears

La Grange dominates at district tennis

Gas leak near school causes scare

Lacrosse game at White Rock Park

Lady Leopards outscore Austin teams 49-0 in softball

Hearing set on pet food plant expansion

Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter partnering with Paws in Prison.

County Judge testifies in Austin about Bluff traffic bill

Investigators report finds numerous red flags for Flatonia, Brunner

Shorthorn band invited to 2022 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C.

County recognized for recycling a million pounds in 2020.

Fair is working towards traditional 2021 event.

The County elections office will close voting precincts in West Point and Willow Springs. West Point will now vote in Plum

Fayetteville boys win regional team track title

Will Kates hired as head coach in Merkel

St. Mark’s announces Dan Wilford award winners

Juno qualifies for State golf tournament

La Grange school bus strikes a van and rolls over

City tackles issues of speeding and cars in yards

Water plan for new apartment complex uncertain

Only 350 cyclists expected to start one day MS ride.

May

Dockery wins mayor of La Grange and says, “I’m honored after wining”

Mike Stroup is the new mayor of Fayetteville

There is an election tie in Ellinger

Celebrate 150 years of Round Top

Ellinger Chamber preps for the 84th Tomato Festival

Fayette County Fair seeks royalty contestants

Unmarked children’s graves in Dubina get new headstones

Janet Moerbe honored for 33 years of service to the city

20,000-dollar grant from LCRA pays for playground cover

Powerhouse trio gathers for press event. Judge Joe Weber, Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp and former Governor Rick Perry

Leopard baseball advances to face Rusk in area round

Document tampering allegations and Flatonia cuts ties with longtime city attorney Angela Beck who also works for La Grange

St. Mark’s celebrates National Hospital Week

Faith Lutheran school in Warda to graduate first senior class

Paralympics medalist will speak at La Grange high school graduation

Benefit for homeless veterans being held at Paw Paw’s Fire House cafe in Carmine

Turtle Wing Foundation celebrates 10th anniversary

Blinn’s associate degree in economics ranked 10th in nation

Flatonia girls’ golf team is at State

La Grange’s Grant Juno competes at State Golf Tournament

LCRA, Bluebonnet Coop award $19,848 to brighten Round Tops town square

Beer and Birthday cake for Kreische’s 200th

Samaritan’s purse wraps up its 20th and final Hope Hill house. County votes for tax relief to

County votes for tax relief to aid plant expansion

LGISD considers new detention pond to handle storm issues

Fayetteville Lions headed to State quarterfinals

Sky Diving postponed for second time

Jackie Wessels retiring as Veterans Service Officer

Fayette County officers get new body armor through grant program

Faldyn’s artwork sells for $22,000 at Houston Livestock Show

Ellinger to purchase first City Hall thanks to donations

June

Grant for $779,000 sought for downtown projects

LGHS graduation was final event held on natural grass at the football field

Swiss Alp Twister rated EF-1 Mosquitoes becoming health

Mosquitoes becoming health hazard and safety issue

Man shot and killed in La Grange apartment

Crossbow fired in road rage incident

Wal-Mart pickup ribbon cutting held

David Zapalac celebrates 40 years of local banking

Fayetteville Lions roar back to baseball State semis for 8th time in school history.

Fayetteville is baseballs best. Lions win schools third State baseball title. Fayette County Record

Fayette County Record crowned State’s Top Semi-Weekly newspaper

Fayetteville freshman Supak named the title game MVP

Littrell appointed to the La Grange City Council

Fixing La Grange’s drainage issues could cost the city millions

June is National Family reunification month

Demolition has yet to begin on flooded golf course homes but action is coming soon

Texas Women’s league awards $127,925 in grants

Sky diving benefit at Texas skydiving in Lexington still on weather permitting

Bob Stryk named St. Rose distinguished alumni

Six young ladies vying for title of Fayette County fair queen

One hundred seventy first Round Top 4th of July event is scheduled

110-year-old schoolhouse being remodeled in Fayetteville

La Grange Postmaster Mike Kossa is retiring

Hungerford from St. James Episcopal Church is leaving La Grange

St. Mark’s advanced outpatient wound center receives award

Pope Francis names Fayette County priests Monsignors

Former Smithville Mayor faces Fayette Co. Charges

Fourteen safe landings in Habitat for Humanity sky diving fundraiser, which raised $22,437

Blinn Board of trustees adopts 121 million dollar budget.

July

Jernigan appointed to fill Pat Janca’s spot on the La Grange City Council

Fayette County listed among the top places to retire in the State

LGISD hires new band director

St. Mark’s Medical Center brings back Purple Angels

Jobs are awaiting but Fayette County labor force is aging out

Four locals arrested for damage to golf course

Local camp linked to COVID outbreak

Fireman runs to safety as truck hit while responding to a fire

General land office celebrates Schulenburg housing complex

Exemption will allow leopards, cougars at park near La Grange

Local girl and horse ride to a Junior National finals barrel racing rodeo title

Things getting wild at Community Theater. This is an all student production of the Jungle Book.

NRA Foundation awards grants to Sheriff’s Office

The Remnant Church held their annual 4th of July Freedom Party

Fayette County Crime stoppers increase reward for May 30-murder suspect. Two from La Grange headed

Two from La Grange headed to Junior Olympics

Womanless talent show at fair seeking participants

Celebrated Juneteenth and the Silver Star, one of the oldest black owned establishments in La Grange

Round Top library selected to receive ALA grant

La Grange’s Homer Bailey trying to work his way back to the majors

Local business owner arrested on trademark charges

First Presbyterian of La Grange welcomes Laura Gillette as new music program director

Twenty fires sparked by tire problem on a cattle trailer

Council votes to begin Hope Hill Annexation

Second Chance donates $20,000 to Habitat

Local aided in Virgin Galactic space flight

Kallus racking up the world titles in horsemanship

County budget request spotlight-high priced chairs

New La Grange band leadership

Abby Dela Rose competes in all-star game

July is National Vehicle theft prevention month

Lady Horn’s volleyball team receives academic award

LGISD says turf field should be ready for football season

Feed the Need continues to provide food and fellowship

Schulenburg girl scouts plant tree to mark centennial

Bugle Boy programs for nursing homes, Hospice patients continue

National Party of Texas kicks off in Schulenburg Aug 5-8.

Record goes to Minnesota as part of Catholic Heart work camp. Hostyn, Plum youth volunteer. Father Felix is installed

Father Felix is installed

Texas Heroes Museum wants to add memorial

Hallettsville man killed at party in rural Lavaca County

New Leon’s Crossing Housing development coming to Northrup

No vaccine or mask mandate for county employees

Muldoon roads getting needed repairs

Facing a $3.45 million budget deficit, county has some hard decisions to make

August

The Record and Andy Behlen earn top awards from South Texas Press Association

Local connection comes up in Rodney Reed hearing

Active COVID cases back in the triple digits

No remote learning at LGISD this year and face coverings are optional

Flatonia City Manager and City Secretary resign, citing division and chaos

Houston Oilers legend visit Schulenburg

Annual Fayette County 4-H banquet held at Casino Hall

IRS was sending Flatonia lien notices for services delinquencies

Schulenburg Festival attendance down from previous years but event still draws thousands John Conlee to perform at

John Conlee to perform at the Amphitheater

Habitat unveils plan for senior living complex in La Grange

Leo Wick’s TLC of the Fayette County fair

New LG city budget proposed including 4% raises and another police officer

Trying times at St. Mark’s amidst another COVID wave Bridge auctioned off on the

Bridge auctioned off on the courthouse lawn

City to add a little flair to the water tower

Janecka speaks his mind in return to the courthouse to talk about the dog policy in place and that the Gardenia Janssen animal shelter is a godsend

County approves $26.8 million budget