La Grange High School held its Academic Recognition Banquet Wednesday at the Casino Hall. The 16 top students of the senior class each got to pick a special teacher to honor at the banquet.

Cadence Bank announced Friday the signing of a definitive merger agreement with Industry Bancshares, Inc., the bank holding company for Bank of Brenham, Citizens State Bank, Fayetteville Bank, Industry State Bank, The First National Bank of Bellville and The First National Bank of Shiner. Founded in 1911 and headquartered in Industry, Texas, Industry Bancshares operates 27 branches across Texas. As of March 31, 2025 Industry Bancshares reported total assets of $4.4 billion, total loans of $1.1 billion and total deposits of $4.5 billion. Cadence Bank will, based upon Industry Bancshares’ equity capital at the closing of the transaction, pay between $20 million and $60 million in cash for all of Industry Bancshares’ outstanding common stock. Doak Hartley, Michelle Hodge, Mike Mueller, Brent Jones, Gary Durrenberger, Kyle Holloway, Lisa Moeller and Mike Kalina are expected to continue in key roles in their communities with the combined organization.

The Fayette County Commissioners Court signed a certificate of appreciation honoring Pct. 2 Commissioner Luke Sternadel for his 42 years of service to the County. Sternadel will retire at the end of this month.

The following students were inadvertently omitted from the La Grange High School Fifth Six Weeks Honor Rolls: Distinction Roll Juniors Weishuhn, Parker - 4.0 Seniors Lowe, Riley - 4.0 Wolf, Autumn - 4.0 Honor Roll Seniors Molina-Cerrito, Nayeli - 3.5.

Members of KJZT St. Anne’s Society No. 10-Fayetteville recently went to Columbus and visited with the residents of TLC Nursing Center. Residents enjoyed kolaches and playing bingo while visiting with KJZT members. KJZT Family Life is a Fraternal Benefit Society founded in 1894 by Czech catholic women. Now offering memberships to all Texans, the fraternal organization is committed to strengthening its members' lives through Catholic faith and community service while offering financial security. Pictured from left: Rose Rohde, Margie Vasek, Violet Krenek, Lois Kaspar, and Mary Jane Toddy.

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The La Grange Noon Lions Club appreciates Jenny Janda and her family for attending the club meeting last week. Jenny spoke about her passion for health and wellness, and gave several suggestions to improve quality of life such as eating 7-13 servings of raw fruits and vegetables a day and increased movement and exercise. She also shared some interesting statistics regarding the health benefits of adopting these recommendations which can; reduce toxins in our bodies, improve gut health, and help with omega deficiencies.

Please join us on May 5th in the High School band hall from 5-8 p.m. for 5th graders to try out instruments. If you want to be in band, but cannot make it to the Instrument Testing night, please email me at chris.cooper@lgisd.net to schedule a time.

Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek reports on early Friday morning April 18, around 1:48 a.m. the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a victim with a gunshot wound to the face at a trailer park on W. State Hwy. 71.

Houston television newsman Marvin Zindler filed a federal lawsuit seeking $3 million in damages from Fayette County and its sheriff. The suit stems from an alleged fracas about the Chicken Ranch. Zindler, with station KTRKTV in Houston, alleged that Fayette County Sheriff T.J. Flournoy attacked him without provocation on Dec. 30, 1974, when the broadcaster was filming a TV story in La Grange. Zindler claimed he returned a year after the Chicken Ranch closed to shoot a news story about the economic impact of the shutdown. During the filming, Zindler alleged the sheriff assaulted him, smashed his camera and ordered him to get out of town. Sheriff Flournoy denied the allegation, maintaining he never laid a hand on Zindler, smashed his camera or destroyed any property.