The longest serving Fayette County Record employee, JoAnn Mueller, who came to the newspaper in the year 2000 as a substitute and ended up staying, worked her final day Thursday after 22 years. She is shown above with a cake and flowers at a surprise luncheon in her honor before her final shift sorting and labeling the newspapers for postal delivery. Mueller turned 87 on Nov. 5.

La Grange Pharm House Drugs- rapid antigen testing, by appointment only Walmart- PCR tests through quest labs, register at www.questcovid19.com First Aid Urgent Care- rapid antigen testing, walk-ins welcome Schulenburg Apothecary of Schulenburg- limited supply, of both PCR and rapid antigen tests, by appointment only. www.doineedacovid19test.com Your Hometown Pharmacy- rapid antigen tests by appointment only Flatonia Your Hometown Pharmacy- rapid antigen tests by appointment only Smithville 1501 Dorothy Nichols Rd- rapid antigen testing, walk-ins welcome Bastrop First Aid Urgent Care- rapid antigen testing, walk-ins welcome Giddings: Davam Urgent Care- rapid antigen testing, walk-ins welcome.

Happy New Year! Looks like 2022 is blowing in with bang and we’re ready to take on the challenges she is sure to present. But first let’s look at 2021 (thankfully in the rearview mirror) In the world of shelters and rescue, 2021 feels a little like she tried to destroy most of us across the country.

Continued from last Friday’s edition: Memorable headlines from the Fayette County Record in 2021: February Fayette County Fair Association to continue scholarship tradition City of Ellinger holds public meeting to discuss water issues Tree trimming becomes an issue in La Grange La Grange police looking for leads in graffiti case La Grange swimmers shine La Grange swimmers shine at regionals, Srubar sets school record Numerous schools deal with busted pipes Shock and thaw some without water a week Water and meals arrive at the airport St. Mark’s a safe haven during storm Power and water outages add to woes of historic storm Driver arrested for going around barricades and wrecking on Country Club Drive Water deliveries to the res Water deliveries to the rescue for Bluff residents Three running for La Grange mayor Numerous local schools deal with busted pipes 233 Different power outages worked by FEC and contractors during storm Rolling blackouts cause confusion and results in mass water supply issues City of Ellinger to borrow money from county for first election Fayette County still not designated a disaster area Lady Leps win second round play off game Lamer receives heroic service award March Brazilian Jiu Jitsu opens in downtown La Grange Shorthorns make the sweet 16 with regional quarterfinal win over Weimar La Grange Leopard golfers win home tourney Propane was in short supply during storm Father Tim Kosler to retire Following State lead, county to lift mask mandates La Grange dance team wins top awards Community Open House for Community Open House for new La Grange elementary is scheduled Jan Dockery is running for La Grange Mayor Mike Stroup is running for Fayetteville Mayor City of La Grange mask policy differs from the County’s More vaccines rolling out locally Texas teachers now eligible for COVID 19 vaccinations La Grange’s Fisbeck makes history with Alabama Shorthorns advance to State’s final four Local electric utilities are managing to avoid chaos faced by other entities across the State.

FAYETTE REGIONAL RECYCLE CENTER Paul Zapalac, Director reported: The Recycling center is back on track for the biggest year yet. In 2021, the Commissioner’s adopted the Standard Operating Procedure to clearly define the daily operations of the Fayette County Program to better inform the residents and businesses.

Turtle Wing Turtle Wing Foundation has partnered with the Fayette County Community Theatre for their Interactive Workshop focusing on social skills and the life skill of public speaking and self advocacy. This is an interactive workshop to provide a fun environment for Turtle Wing families to gather and learn on Jan.

La Grange HEB employee Cecil Scholten was bagging groceries for a customer on Friday, Dec. 17, when he collapsed from a massive heart attack.

St. Mark’s Medical Center reported an increase in positive COVID test results last week, but the positive tests have not led to an increase in hospitalizations so far.

If you’ve driven south on Hwy. 77 over the river bridge and towards the bluff any night this holiday season, chances are you’ve seen it – a massive lighted Christmas tree atop the bluff, shining over the Colorado River valley. The scene is thanks to a pair of local newcomers, Dennis Hellwig and Jennifer Bauer, who have purchased the blufftop land and are working on their new home up there. For the time being, they are renting a home in La Grange, but they used an old metal well casing to lift a star on high (made by a local welder) and then strung lights around to form the “tree.” Dennis said they are so happy to be living in La Grange and wanted to share the holiday spirit with their new town. Above is a picture provided by Hellwig of the tree from atop the bluff and overlooking La Grange. He said they night try to illuminate other holiday light scenes from the bluff as well.

La Grange Chief of Police, David Gilbreath reports that on Jan. 1, 2022, at 2:30 a.m. La Grange Officers John Worstarek, and Bret Meinardus responded to a single vehicle fatality accident on State Hwy. 71 Bypass just West of the Von Minden overpass. A 2015 Audi was traveling westbound on Hwy. 71 at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control of the vehicle leaving the roadway. The vehicle rolled over several times and ejected the driver. While officers were investigating the accident, drugs believed to be cocaine and crystal meth were located inside the vehicle. The driver was Frank Lou Jr., 34, of Houston. Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Kyle Hartmann pronounced Frank Lou Jr. deceased on the scene, and ordered an autopsy.