News

COLUMBUS - Meet Syd nie Gaston, the epitome of a true heroine, who comes to life in a way that will captivate audiences young and old in The Spirit of Gonzales, a work of historical fiction and one of five books by local author Betsy Wagner.

EAGLE LAKE – Wharton County Junior College’s Adult Education & Literacy Program is resuming free High School Equivalency (HSE/GED) class - es in Eagle Lake. Classes will resume at the Eula and David Wintermann Memorial Library in Eagle Lake beginning on Jan. 23, 2024. Classes will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Interested students must attend an orientation and complete registration and testing prior to the first day of class.

WALDECK - The Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) has de - cided to discontinue serving food as a drive-thru format. Now the Waldeck food truck will have food distribution as a walk-up method. Volunteers will distribute the food from tables. Every client needs to bring their own sturdy reusable bags and boxes. A few wagons will be furnished by CTFB, but if the client has their own wagon, please bring it. Waldeck food truck is on third Saturdays of each month from 10 to 11 a.m. The last date for 2023 is Dec. 16.

COLUMBUS - The Colum - bus Chamber of Commerce has launched its Second Annual Co- lumbus Business Revitalization Grant that began Oct. 1. Avail - able only to Columbus chamber members, the application dead - line closes Jan. 16, 2024. In February, the Columbus chamber will award funding for projects that support Columbus' economy and overall quality of life. The chamber members re - ceiving the 2023 grants were All Thai'd Up, Live Oak Art Center, Chef Raoul Catering, A Better Columbus and Twisted Steel De - sign.

LA GRANGE - Colora - do Valley Quilt Guild (CVQG) will have a Charity Workshop Tuesday, Nov. 28 at the Ran - dolph Community Center in La Grange.

Austin County SO welcomes new deputy

REGINA WILLIAMSON OVERALL HIGH POINT WINNER

The Navidad Valley Cattle-Women (NVCW) were blessed to receive a donation of Cody Johnson concert tickets last spring from a very generous donor. The proceeds received by auctioning off the tickets have been designated to assist with piloting a collegiate scholarship program. Since founded in 2004, Navidad Valley CattleWomen have awarded over $90,000 in scholarships. Until now, these scholarships were given to graduating high school seniors. For the first time, a scholarship will be awarded to a student in college.

COLUMBUS - Columbus Community Hospital has earned a Level I Neonatal Facility des - ignation from the Texas Depart - ment of State Health Services.

BELLVILLE - If you plan on using a state-limited use or state-restricted use pesticide, such as Grazon P+D, 2 4-D, Weedmas - ter, etc., and need a license, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service of Austin County will be hosting several Private Applica - tor Training classes during 2024 at the Austin County Extension Office, 800 E Wendt St. in Bell - ville. Books and study materials for the course may be purchased ahead of time at the Extension Of - fice for $50.00. A registration fee of $10.00 will be charged for the training. The registration fee will include the training and addition- al study materials. Payments need to be made by check or cash (exact change please). The training will begin at 1 p.m. and conclude at about 5 p.m., available on Fridays, Jan. 26, May 10, Aug. 2 and Nov. 1, 2024. The Texas Department of Agri -

Stress, anxiety, and depression appear to be epidemic in our modern culture. Recent studies reveal that nearly 1 in 4 Americans are currently taking prescription mental health medication. Reasons for this increased societal anxiety may be difficult to determine. Many blame demonic social media, poor nutrition, and pathetic sleep habits. Some believe the lowered stigma regarding mental health issues may play a role. Include with this a toxic political climate, frightening current events, and the state of world affairs. I would also add an increasing lack of genuine spiritual connection, declining faith in God and subsequent shrinking church attendance as factors. As our once stable societal foundation is shaken in this country, many find them selves stressed, anxious, and depressed. While simple answers to hard problems are difficult to some by, here is something that might offer significant help – vi tamin B12. Medical research has shown that B12 can be effective in treating anxiety and depression in humans.

It's important to have a good coffee cup.

BELLVILLE – The Horticulture Committee of Austin County will host its Annual Pecan Show on Thursday, Nov. 30 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Ex- tension Office located at 800 E.

Students can apply for an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C

Proposition 13 was the only state proposition out of 14 propositions that Austin, Colorado and Fayette counties voted against. State Proposition 13 would have allowed judges to mandatorily retire at 79 instead of 75 and would have increased the minimum retirement age for judges from 70 to 75.

Members of the Austin County Regional Special Response Team (SRT) along with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Region 2 SRT nn Nov. 14, at approx. 5 a.m. executed arrest and search warrants at two separate residences in Colorado County.

SAN FELIPE – San Felipe de Austin commemorates its founding 200 years ago in 1823. Reenacts and visitors came to the museum area of San Felipe and immersed themselves in time and fashion.

ress EAGLE LAKE – The Eagle Lake Community Center was buzzing with excitement from a room full of citizens with the advent of the State of the City Address given by Mayor Tim Kelley and City Manager Tink Jackson.

The City of Columbus and Columbus Community Industrial Development Corporation (CCIDC) met the matching pledge challenge of an anonymous donor and approved $100,000 in funds for the “Save Our Opera House” capital campaign.

BRENHAM – The Bluebonnet Master Gardener Association (BMGA) announces that registration is open for its 2024 Mas- ter Gardener Certification Train ing Class to be held in Brenham. The class is open to participants from Austin, Colorado, Fayette, and Washington counties, and will provide 50-plus hours of gar dening education from experts in various fields of horticulture.