The Gonzales Inquirer • The Gonzales Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a suspect in the slashing of tires on more than 60 vehicles in the city on July 17-18. Hayward Kent Harper, 49 of Sheridan, is sought on a state jail felony warrant for criminal mischief in connection with the incidents.

The Navidad Valley Community Connections (NVCC) members were thrilled to have Fayette County Judge Joe Weber join for the Lunch & Learn series as a speaker. Judge Weber is a very friendly and down to earth person who exudes leadership. He told members a little about his personal life and about being married for over 40 years. We know he doesn’t like cabbage, as we had that on the menu the day he came over. Judge Weber filled us in on the work going on in the county. He was emphatic about protecting our way of life and preserving our “small town” atmosphere as people are moving into rural areas from other parts of the country. He asked that everyone slow down when driving to keep safe. He has also asked county officials to address littering and to get trash picked up from the roadsides.

Meals on Wheels (MOW) was the designated beneficiary for the July cook conducted by the St. James Episcopal Church of La Grange “Holy Smokers” Men’s Club. On hand for the $500 check presentation were left to right: seated; Kelly Franke (MOW), Karen Walpole (MOW); middle row standing; George Frondorf, Tom Tracy, Dan Boyles, Bill Patton, Paul Crain, Bill Rugeley; back row; Jim Austin, Dick Frenzel and Weldon Koenig. Not shown is photographer Bill Bishop. The “Holy Smokers” hold a drive through fundraiser the second Saturday of each month in the church parking lot at 156 N. Monroe across from HEB in La Grange. They sell smoked chicken and pure pork sausage. The fundraiser supports a different Fayette County nonprofit each month. The monthly sales are from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. or sold out.

Through the Sharing Success Charitable Contribution Program, Fayette Electric Cooperative recently presented four area nonprofit organizations with donations. This year, the Lavaca Assistance Ministry Body (LAMB) of Hallettsville received $5,000 to help provide basic food items to households in need through the LAMB Manna Food Pantry.

Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek reports on Thursday, July 29 around 1 p.m. the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a hay baler fire on FM 1291 one mile south of US Hwy. 290. The Ledbetter Fire Department was notified and responded to the scene along with Sgt. Charles Jobb. Upon arrival the New Holland hay baler was fully engulfed. The Ledbetter Fire Department arrived on scene and requested assistance from the Carmine Fire Department, who also responded to the scene. The fire was quickly contained and extinguished. It is believed the fire might have started from an overheated bearing that ignited hay in the baler.

179 families were served for the month of July at the AMEN food pantry in La Grange for a total of 434 individuals. A total of 116 volunteers for 276 hours served the pantry. A total of 2,479 pounds of food were donated.

For the second time this year The Fayette County Record has taken home the Sweepstakes Award as the top semiweekly newspaper in a press contest. On the heels of being named the top semiweekly at the Texas Press Association’s annual convention in Denton last month, the Record won the Sweepstakes award as the top semiweekly newspaper at the 95th annual South Texas Press Association’s annual convention in Uvalde.

An incident in Fayette County came up during testimony in the Rodney Reed hearing in Bastrop County last week. Reed was convicted in 1998 and sentenced to death for the 1996 murder of Stacey Stites in Bastrop County.

AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott Friday issued an Executive Order (GA-38) combining several existing COVID-19 executive orders to promote statewide uniformity and certainty in the state’s COVID-19 response.

An athlete who grew up not far from Fayette County won silver in the 100 meter dash at the Olympics over the weekend. Fred Kerley, who grew up in Taylor, Texas and later competed for Texas A&M ran a personal best of 9.84 seconds in the final to finish just behind gold medal winner Lamont Marcell Jacobs of Italy. A watch party was held by his family at Pecan Manor Bed and Breakfast in Taylor.