The Ellinger Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting on Jan. 12. The meeting was called to order by President Michael Schlabach at 7 p.m. The meeting was held in-person at the Ellinger Chamber of Commerce Hall and virtually via Zoom.

The local winners of the VFW student contests were announced at the January meeting. The local winner of the 2020- 2021 Voice of Democracy $500 Scholarship was 12th grader Corina Blazek from Round Top-Carmine I.S.D. and the daughter of Anthony and Graciela Blazek.

The Round Top Area Historical Society is now collecting donations for their annual garage sale on Feb. 13-14 and Feb. 20-21. Contact Rose Diers at (713) 376-9594 to contribute your donations for this event. Sorry, clothes or obsolete electronics are not accepted. COVID precautions will be taken to ensure that everyone has a safe experience. Furniture, household items, etc. will be for sale. The sale will take place at 399 E. Mill Street behind the Round Top Post Office.

KJZT Family Life, members of Society No. 31 of La Grange, showed their support of Catholic education by participating in Catholic Schools Week observed Jan. 31 through Feb. 6. Teachers and staff at Sacred Heart Catholic School in La Grange received gift bags filled with various items to show appreciation for all they do. This year’s theme is Catholic Schools: Faith, Excellence, Service. Presenting the gift bags to faculty on Feb. 1 were Society No. 31 officers. Pictured from left: President Elizabeth Kallus, Treasurer Barbara Eilert, School Librarian Chris Kosler, Teachers Nancy Hakemack, Cathy Zingelmann, Amy Foster and Secretary Marilyn Kothmann.

A private applicators license is required by the state in order to purchase restricted use pesticides. In order to obtain a license, it is mandatory to attend a pesticide applicator training and pass a 100-question test. This course will teach participants proper procedures for applying pesticides. This is the training only. Testing procedures will be explained during the training.

La Grange Police Chief David Gilbreath reports on the following incidents his department responded to during the week of Jan. 24-31.

Dairy Queen, which is a known Texas staple, also happens to be a frequent place of kindness. On Tuesday at the Dairy Queen location in La Grange, a succession of customers in the drive-thru line felt the need to pay it forward by spreading something this world during these difficult times seems to be missing, kindness.

More people died in Fayette County in 2020 than any of the previous 11 years. While the number of total deaths is up from previous years, it’s not up by a extraordinary amount.

Sarah Mabry, long time educator and community supporter, has announced her candidacy for Mayor of La Grange saying she is “enthusiastically bringing relevant experience and strong leadership to the table.”

It’s election filing season locally (candidates can file for open spots until Feb. 12), as several spots on Fayette County-area cities and school boards are up for re-election this May 1.