News

CATfish team takes to the water

ELLINGER - The Ellinger Tomato Festival held May 24 in Ellinger had bar - becue pits and grills going, putting out a haze of delicious-smelling smoke and beckoning everyone to come and try to be the best barbecue around. The Ellinger Chamber of Commerce hosted the festival which included a 5K Fun Run, live bands, a tomato toss con -

Cattle on hand: 669 Packer Cows: Higher dressing cutter cows, 1.28-1.42; fatter utility cows, 1.18-1.25; lower dressing thin cows, .95-1.13 Packer bulls: Heavyweight bulls, 1.25-1.34; lower dressing bulls, 1.40-1.51 Steers: 200-300 lbs., 3.00-4.33;

Court Filings Divorce Granted

LA GRANGE – Fayette Electric Co - operative, a trusted provider of electric - ity in south-central Texas, is pleased to announce the appointment of Doug Lambert as its new General Manager, facilitated by NRECA Executive Search. Doug Lambert's extensive experience and leadership acumen, coupled with the expertise of NRECA Executive Search, ensure a seamless transition and contin - ued success for the cooperative.

SEALY – Austin County Retired Teachers Association President Don Allphin presided over the last meeting of the 20232024 school year on May 9 at Tony’s Restaurant in Sealy. Peggy Short’s March minutes and Kathleen Lackey’s Treasurer’s report were approved.

BELLVILLE – The Austin Coun- ty Sheriff's Office (ACSO) dispatch re - ceived a 911 emergency call on May 24. According to the press release, the caller reported that a shooting had occurred in the 700 block of Old Highway 36 of Bellville. Austin County Sheriff's Office depu - ties, along with the Bellville Police De -

WEIMAR - Weimar City Manag - er Richard Whitten and Weimar Police Chief Mark Jameson were on hand to meet Weimar residents and answer any questions May 30 at the Weimar Cham - ber Bash. Whitten came on board in early March of this year after a months-long search for a city manager since June 2023. Jameson took over the reigns of the Weimar Police Department in October 2023 and brings with him community policing policies. Weimar Mayor Milton Koller attend - ed and discussed the potential future of Weimar.

COLUMBUS – Columbus Community Hospital will provide free prostate cancer screenings June 3 through June 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the CCH lab on 110 Shult Dr. in Columbus. The screenings are open to men 50 and older and those with a prior diagnosis of an abnormal prostate reading.

COLUMBUS – The Columbus Duck Derby held May 18 was a quacky-good success providing entertainment for a cheering crowd at Beason’s Landing on the Colorado in Columbus. 3,000 rubber ducks were dropped from the bridge–all in unison– and floated to the finish line with a big boom containing the mass of yellow at the end of the derby.

Local officers recognized for their actions

WHARTON–Wharton County Junior College’s baseball and volleyball programs will host training camps this summer to help young athletes sharpen their skills.

Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek reported on May 24, around 9:30 a.m., Drug Interdiction Investigator David Smith conducted a traffic stop on a 2011 GMC Acadia for a traffic viola tion on Interstate 10 at the 664 mile marker westbound occupied by two subjects.

CAT SPRING – The Cat Spring Agricultural Society will have a new space for community events and agricultural education, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.

LA GRANGE – Colorado Valley Telephone Cooperative, Inc. recently awarded $70,000 in scholarships to 14 graduating seniors from six area high schools. Each student received a $5,000 scholarship.

The Texas Department of Transportation will be starting a project to rehabilitate the existing roadway on SH 159 from BS 71E to SH 237 on Monday, June 3, weather permitting. In order to replace several drainage structures, SH 159 will be closed intermittently over approximately six weeks beginning on Monday, June 3. The road closures will take place in between SH 71 and SH 237. Below are the dates and approximate duration of the SH 159 road closures (weather permitting) that will take place over the course of six weeks:

Congratulations are in order for four St. Anthony Catholic School students in Columbus in Kelsey Bohuslav’s fourth grade class.

Columbus Lions Club awards scholarships

BELLVILLE – The 2024 Annual Youth and Safety Day event was held May 21 at the Austin County Fairgrounds in Bellville and was a collaborative effort to address the safety concerns of youth. The support from the community was greatly appreciated and are already eagerly anticipating the next year’s event, where, once again, everyone can come together to promote child safety.

LA GRANGE – A 16-year-old La Grange High School student was arrested on May 21 for drugs and a stolen weapon while on La Grange school property.

EY In documents obtained by the Tribune, university leaders in Texas expressed the range of steps they’ve taken to comply with the state’s ban on diversity, equity and inclu- sion offices at public higher education institutions. But complying hasn’t been easy and some institutions worry the law conflicts with certain requirements needed for them to receive federal funds.