From Psychedelic Rave to Wind Farms: Most-Read Stories of 2024
At the end of each year we compile a list of the stories most-read by you, the readers. The following list is based on the number of times each story was viewed on our website, www.fayettecountyrecord. com.
10. Psychedelic Rave Held Near Plum; Arrests Follow - Friday, July 19, 2024 - A rave dance party featuring psychedelic trance music took place on Frances Rd. near Plum. Residents in the area reported loud, thumping music that went on until the early hours of the morning on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Hosted by a group called Dimensional Mayan Tribe, the event was called the BAAXAL Summer Gathering. Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested two individuals who were leaving the event for public intoxication. 1,439 views.
9. Parker Found Dead in His La Grange Home - Tuesday, July 2, 2024 - Longtime La Grange resident and community activist Paul “Tex” Parker was found dead in his home on Jefferson St. Wednesday. He was 83. Parker was a former Fayette County Record columnist, mayoral candidate, musician and handyman. In recent years he was a common sight around town on his threewheel bike. Parker was found during a visit to his home by an Adult Protective Services employee. 1,541 views.
8. Coach Fired Following Misconduct Investigation - Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024 Schulenburg I.S.D. fired assistant football coach and teacher Jaylen Samuels following a special called school board meeting on Sunday, Sept. 22. The school placed Samuels on administrative leave Monday, Sept. 16, in response to allegations of misconduct with students. “On September 16, 2024, allegations of misconduct by a district teacher were received by my office,” Superintendent Julie Motomura said in an email sent to parents on Tuesday, Sept. 17. “The teacher’s employment was immediately suspended and an investigation of the allegations was started. As of yesterday, the teacher has no contact with students.” 1,710 views.
7. Schmidt Celebrates 40 Years At LGISD; 35 With Leps Baseball - Friday, April 26, 2024 - As the La Grange baseball team got ready for the playoffs last year, few teams can rival the experience the Leps have in their dugout. La Grange assistant baseball/pitching coach Wayne Schmidt is celebrating his 40th year as a coach at La Grange ISD, and his 35th with the Leps baseball program. “It just means I’ve been here for a while,” laughed Schmidt. But for generations of Leps baseball players and fans, La Grange baseball wouldn’t be the same without Schmidt. He’s sent numerous pitchers to college and the minors, including former MLB star Homer Bailey. 1,822 views.
6. Local Man Dies in Propane Truck Accident - Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 - The driver of a Fayetteville Propane delivery truck died in a wreck near Cat Spring on Monday, Sept. 30. The wreck happened about two miles southeast of Cat Spring on FM 2187. Austin County Judge Tim Lapham, who also serves as the Cat Spring Fire Chief, said the call came in around 1:10 p.m. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a bobtail propane truck laying on its passenger side. The driver, Bruce Kubena of Ellinger, died at the scene. 1,877 views.
5. Opposition Mounts Against Wind Energy Project Here - Tuesday, June 25 - Apex Clean Energy has been speaking with landowners about leasing property for a utility-scale wind energy project. The company is targeting a 50,000 acre area north of Schulenburg. A huge crowd of about 400 showed up Freyburg Hall on Sunday, June 23, for a meeting of concerned landowners. Besides the aesthetic concerns about 600 ft. tall windmills dotting the countryside, landowners raised questions about the impact on property values, wildlife, weather patterns, and agricultural production, just to name a few. Tammy Jo Mc-Cleney, one of the leaders who spearheaded the opposition, announced that the group is formally organizing as “Fayette County Says No.” They launched a website as well, www.faycosaysno.com. 2,118 views.
4. LG Woman Dies in Wreck - Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2024 - A beloved local teacher died in a crash near Mullins Prairie on Saturday, Aug. 10. According to preliminary report from Texas Department of Public Safety, 58-yearold Lisa Kana Klekar of La Grange was driving a 2001 Jeep Wrangler north on FM 155. The Jeep ran off he road and rolled. Klekar was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. Klekar was a former teacher at La Grange ISD and had been more recently at Columbus Elementary. 2,120 views.
3. More Details Revealed on Proposed Wind Energy Farm - Tuesday, May 18, 2024 - Representatives with Apex Clean Energy met with several dozen local property owners about a possible wind energy project in Fayette County. They’re calling the Fayette County project “Mustang Wind.”After the meeting, the Record interviewed Anna Richey, one of the Apex representatives, who said Apex wants to lease property within a 50,000-acre area north of Schulenburg. 2,163 views.
2. Oliver Gunn Adding Another Chapter To Storied Family Legacy In Football - Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 - Our Athlete of the Week for Oct. 4, 2024, was Oliver Gunn, the La Grange junior was a powerful force at defensive end last year for the Leps, and he comes from a storied football family. 2,235 views.
1. A Visit To Fayette County’s New Trump Burger Location The Day After The Election - Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 - The Record took a lunch trip to Flatonia on the day after Donald Trump won the U.S. Presidency. Our destination: Trump Burger, Flatonia’s new presidentiallyinspired burger joint. 3,079 views.