Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek reports activities of Fayette County Sheriff Deputies for the month of Dec. 2024.

Feb. 12, marks Red Door Day for Mental Health, a day dedicated to normalizing conversations about mental health in rural communities. Hosted by the Greater Fayette Community Foundation (GFCF) and the Red Door Fund, this event calls on individuals, businesses, schools, and organizations to be a beacon of hope by participating in the Red Door Decorating Contest.

The Sacred Heart Altar Society members met on Monday, Jan. 6, in the Msgr. Harry Mazurkiewicz Parish Center. The meeting was opened with a prayer followed by the standard financial reports. Members were reminded that dues for the 2025 year are now due. Seven thank you notes were read for remembrances received. Eighteen ladies attended the meeting.

A new project is being promoted by the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Auxiliary No. 5254 of La Grange; and it is being named “Veterans Outreach.” Jr. Vice President Becky Leer has been named chairman and after researching and contacting the local VA Clinic and Fayette County Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Jesse Lednicky, the needs of local Veterans were prioritized and how the VFW Auxiliary’s help would be most beneficial in that role was established. The plans are for this to become a continuing VFW Auxiliary No. 5254 project with help from the community.

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced the committee assignments in the Texas Senate on Friday, Jan. 17. State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst has been a strong ally of Patrick, who serves as President of the Senate. He named her to five important committees in an announcement last Friday.

The Fayette County Community Theatre (FCCT) invites theater lovers of all kinds to a volunteer drive on Thursday, January 30 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event will be held at Mac’s Daq’s at 108 West Colorado Street, in La Grange, Texas. The upcoming 2025 season will showcase diverse play styles including one acts and traveling shows. In order to make the season successful volunteers are needed. “I love volunteering for FCCT. I enjoy the people of the theater and the social aspect of working with others is great,” comments long time FCCT volunteer Steve Wynne. “I started out helping with front house duties including taking tickets and helping with concessions. I’ve helped build sets and I’ve even been to a few plays.” Individuals interested in set design and construction, costumes, sound and lighting and back stage managers and more are welcome to attend the event to learn more about volunteering and to meet members of the community theatre. “There are so many opportunities to be part of our community theatre besides acting,” says Executive Director Heather Barthelme. “As a not for profit organization, we depend on donations to present quality shows each season. Donations in labor and creativity are the best blessings.” The FCCT 2025 season is set to be finalized soon and will be released via their website at www.faycotheatre. com.

It’s that time of year when love is in the air and the annual Valentine’s Library Concert for Round Top Festival Institute is happening. This year it will be Timeless Love Song from Broadway to Nashville.. The concert starting at 3:00 pm on Saturday, February 8, 2025 supports the Festival Institute’s Faith P. and Charles L. Bybee Library and Study Center. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for students. They can be purchased online at www.festivalhill.org or by calling the Festival office at 979-249-3129.

La Grange Police David Gilbreath reports on the following incidents his department responded to during the week of Dec. 15-22.

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There just doesn’t seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel as the shelter kicks off a new year: as of Jan. 17, the total intake for 2025 at the Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter is 75: 33 dogs and 42 cats in need. As of Jan. 17, there are 82 animals in care: 68 dogs/14 cats. This number includes animals in the facility, in foster care for medical, waiting on available space, or awaiting transport to rescue partner. The solution to the problem is spay or neuter your dogs and cats. Preventing unwanted litters is the only way to manage the stray over population crisis in our community. In 2023 we cared for 1,597 unwanted dogs and cats and in 2024 a total of 1,682. GJAS has been serving the Fayette County Community for 25 years and 2024 was the highest number of intakes in its history.