The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) will be accepting applications from landlords and tenants who have been affected by COVID-19. The state agency has received approximately $1.3 billion in Emergency Rental Assistance funds from the newly passed Coronavirus Relief Bill Rental Assistance Program.

A total of 13,128 students enrolled during the Fall 2020 term at The University of Alabama made the Dean’s List with academic records of 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale), or the President’s List with academic records of 4.0 (all A’s).

Members of the La Grange American Legion and VFW posts hold one of the tattered and worn American flags which were recently burned with due respectful and honorable formality. Pictured, left to right, are: John D. Marburger, J. R. Baca, Bobby Connelly, Ray Jiminez, Randy Fliflet, and Ray Thurman. Anyone having torn or battered American or Texas flags may bring them to the Texas Heroes Museum located in the old county jail in La Grange, a designated collection location.

At the Navidad Valley Community Connections (NVCC) Center, it sure feels good to get back to a regular schedule. NVCC is open on Mondays and Wednesdays for now, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. NVCC is planning on building the daily program with more activities and projects to attract folks back to the Center and to keep things interesting.

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department reports that on Saturday, Feb. 6, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Canine Unit Sgt. Randy Thumann and K-9 partner Kolt, stopped a black Toyota Camry on Interstate 10 at the 658 mile-marker at approximately 3 p.m. for a traffic violation. After speaking to the driver Thumann became suspicious that the vehicle was involved in transporting illegal narcotics. While Thumann was conducting a roadside interview the vehicle sped off at a high rate of speed. Thumann and Investigator David Smith pursued the vehicle for approximately 11 miles. During the Pursuit the driver was throwing what later was discovered as bricks of cocaine out the window. The driver eventually stopped and gave up without incident. Law enforcement authorities were able to recover five bricks of cocaine. A total weight of approximately 5.45 kilos and an estimated street value of $500,000 in cocaine was recovered. The driver Jose Venegas, 45 of Houston, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, evading arrest or detention with a vehicle and tampering with evidence. He was taken to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center. Assisting in the incident was Fayette County Deputy Terry Guentert and Flatonia Police Officer Chris Kucera.

Court Annunciation is pleased to announce the addition of nine new members from the November and January meetings. The court welcomed Jacqueline (Jackie) Givens, Connie Buscha, PHD, Maria Anaya, Claudia Cruz, Brenda Estrada, Dolores Martinez, Sandra Martinez, Jessica Ortiz and Zuzucky Torres. The court is excited about the addition of the new members and look forward to their fellowship and participation.

Feed The Need Feed the Need, a non-profit organization based in Bastrop whose mission is to feed people physically and spiritually, will provide free burgers every Monday at 6:30 p.m. at 901 Mode Lane in La Grange.

Schulenburg Police assisted federal agents with a money laundering arrest on Saturday, Feb. 6.

La Grange firefighters Colton Whitaker, left, and Doug Ianelli, right, finish putting out a grass fire in Rabbs Prairie Tuesday, Feb. 9. La Grange Volunteer Fire Department received the call around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday. A pair of metal workers accidentally set the fire while welding a new corner post for a fence. Less than an acre burned before firefighters put it out. No one was injured. Photo by Andy Behlen

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) released the investigator’s report for the Jan. 31 one-vehicle crash that injured Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek.