Out of an abundance of caution, NVCC has decided to be prudent and close the center for the two weeks in response to the rise in area COVID cases. NVCC has noticed the return of cautious protocols being encouraged at all levels, such as mask wearing, frequent handwashing, and social distancing. With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, with family’s home from work, and with student’s home from school, and that there will be a lot of moving around in town, NVCC felt the need to decrease the exposure staff and members may experience.

The Ellinger Chamber of Commerce has canceled its 28th Annual Polka Fest Lunch to be held on Sunday, Dec. 6.

The 143rd commencement ceremony in Blinn College District history will be the first to take place virtually. Blinn will recognize more than 200 graduates with a celebratory video that will be streamed from the College’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/Blinn1883 at 6:30 p.m.

The board of directors of Faith Lutheran High School is in the planning stages for their spring raffle. They are seeking valuable items or monetary donations to be used in the raffle. Please contact Nikki Kueck at Kueckn@faithlutheranhighschool.com if you have something to donate.

The Round Top Lighted Christmas parade is scheduled for this Saturday, Dec. 5. The shops will open at 10 a.m. for a day full of shopping. Stew is being served on the Square beginning at 5 p.m. and the lighted Christmas parade is set to start at 6:45 p.m. The tentative parade route will start on FM 1457, just past the Round Top VFD. It will head up and turn on Main Street, down FM 237, on to Bauer Rummel, then on White Street and finally back on FM 237 where it will end just before the Mercantile. A tentative map and full day’s schedule is posted on exploreroundtop.com/christmasparade.

Schulenburg Police Chief Troy Brenek reports that officers responded to 98 calls for service during the week of Nov. 21 through Nov.

La Grange Police arrested a local man for felony driving while intoxicated following a crash last Wednesday, Nov. 25.

CASA of Bastrop, Fayette and Lee Counties is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Dawn Sevcik, Benjamin Barnett, Carrie Hill, Lauren Hawley, and Dustin Robinette (left to right) and Rachel Richards (not pictured) as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) by Judge Benton Eskew on Nov. 17 in Bastrop County. Benjamin Barnett and Carrie Hill reside in Fayette County. CASA of Bastrop, Fayette and Lee Counties endeavors to provide trained volunteer advocates in all abuse and neglect foster care cases assigned by the courts. CASA volunteers are screened and highly trained and then appointed by judges to represent and advocate for a child’s best interest in the child protection system. To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, please call (512) 409-0771 or visit our website at www.casabfl.org. The next CASA volunteer training is scheduled for January 2021.

Burleson County Tribune • Caldwell Mayor Norris McManus said some comments made about him during the last mayor’s campaign were untrue and he issued a public statement refuting them at the city council’s Nov. 17 meeting.

Texas Dance Hall Preservation (TDHP) has closed fundraising for the Texas Dance Hall Relief Fund after exceeding its goal. Due to COVID-19, dance halls across Texas have been largely closed down since March 2020, with many forced to cancel annual festivals and fundraisers, countless weddings, and other events that provide their primary source of income. In August, TDHP invited 180 historic dance halls to apply for reimbursement of regular building expenses, such as insurance and utilities. Thirty-two halls applied, and today TDHP announced total donations of $262,520 to assist these halls through this difficult time. One hundred percent of funds raised will go directly to dance halls.