Navidad Valley Community Connections (NVCC) is thankful for everyone’s support of the Senior Center during the Giving Tuesday event on Nov. 30. NVCC set a goal to raise $1,000 for the Senior Center.

Employees at St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange no longer face a vaccine mandate, at least for now.

Sheriff Keith Korenek reports that on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 7, Deputy Dustin Kieschnick was flagged down by a motorist in the Ellinger area. The motorist advised Deputy Kieschnick that his phone had notified him of an “Airtag” tracking device on his vehicle. Deputy Kieschnick assisted the motorist in locating the tracking device in the vehicle and in the process observed several indicators that the vehicle’s VIN information and plates had been altered. Deputy Kieschnick learned that the motorist had just purchased the vehicle in a private transaction. After further investigation Kieschnick determined the vehicle was stolen out of Harris County. The vehicle was secured and the motorist was released and picked up by a family member.

A high-speed pursuit that began in Smithville ended in a footchase in La Grange early Monday morning. According to a report from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Smithville Police attempted to pull over a Black BMW late Sunday night, Dec.

A “Bark and Shop” Fundraiser event will be held in Warda on Sunday, Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church Picnic Grounds. This event is to help raise funds for Brisyn Dixon to get a service dog, as Brisyn has Autism Spectrum Disorder. There will be vendors with a great variety of items for your last-minute holiday shopping, as well as photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Clause, Texas Party Animals Alpacas and Tate the Calf. There will be live music, a bake sale and hot chocolate.

Beyond Grief Series A six-week grief class about moving forward is open to adults grieving the loss of a loved one. Call (979) 968-6913 to register for next series.

The Texas Cotton Gin Museum in Burton is pleased to announce construction of a new covered pavilion to expand capacity for its annual Cotton Gin Festival and other community events. The Museum will host a groundbreaking event on Friday, Dec.

Fayetteville’s Third Annual Christmas Tree Decorating Contest represents talent from individuals, families and businesses. Winners will be announced at Country Christmas. Displays are open to the public Thursdays through Sundays from 5 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 26 and by appointment from Dec. 3 through Jan. 2. It’s all in the old firehouse on the square right off of Hwy. 159 across from the Red and White Gallery.

This December Arts for Rural Texas opens two exhibitions celebrating the creative artists and makers in the region. For the first time, ARTS will open sister shows at two locations in Fayette County. The first annual Holiday Show will be held at ARTS’ Campus in Fayetteville on Dec. 11, when Fayetteville holds its community festivities.

Fayette Memorial No. 5254 VFW Auxiliary of La Grange delivered Christmas gift bags and framed poems to the Veterans and Veterans’ wives at Jefferson Place Assisted Living on Friday, Dec. 3. Auxiliary members Elizabeth Kallus, Marilyn Kothmann, and Mary Gray read the poems, “Dear Veteran, Thank You” and “The Good Lord Created a Model for Military Wives,” and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.