News

Fayetteville crowns royalty

COLORADO COUNTY - Michelle Lowrance took the reigns as the Colorado County Auditor on Jan. 1. Lowrance replaces Raymie Kana who retired after 30 years as the county auditor.

EAGLE LAKE – Police Chief Kris Abbott reported that two Eagle Lake residents died in a home in the 1200 block of Raezer Street in Eagle Lake. The deceased were identified as Mi chael Gonzalez, 54, and Silvia

COLUMBUS – Colorado County Commissioners Court met on Jan. 9 for the first regu lar open meeting of the year. The agenda was extensive, however, most items had to do with the reviews of membership renewals, annual maintenance, policies and committee appointments, and plans for the year to come.

COLUMBUS – Amidst no fanfare, the East River bridge on Highway 90 in Columbus is fi nally open. What took over three years was the bridge that initially looked like a carnival ride and lawsuits later opened with neither a hill to climb nor a ride to ride. At first, when the beams were placed on top of the pillars, the beams looked like the hills of Fredricksburg. The beams were manufactured with slopes that did not fit. Even after all the beams were installed, numerous fail-safes were overlooked, and it was apparent they were not designed and manufactured correctly.

LA GRANGE – A regular session of the Fayette County Commissioners Court was swift and to the point on Jan. 12. The first meeting of 2023 lasted less than an hour. However, it was business as usual with the first items on the agenda.

Your phone rings, you answer, and someone with a friendly voice asks for your bank account or Social Security number.

Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek reported on Jan. 10, the Fayette County Narcotics Unit assisted the La Grange Police Department with a theft investigation.

COLUMBUS – Every young woman wants to feel special, especially during prom. However, there are many who do not have that special dress for that special occasion.

For Grant Heinrich, suicide has felt like a plague on his family. He lost his uncle 24 years ago. Then one of his cousins, who Heinrich saw as a superhero, died nine years ago. Two years after that, another cousin died by suicide.

RESS BELLVILLE – Austin County Extension Agent Michelle Wright became a super agent recently. Wright attained the title of a Distinguished Agent and the announcement came during the annual Austin County Leadership Advisory Board (LAB) social.

RESS A big piece of the Battleship Texas is coming to the April 1-2 Texas Select Custom Cutlery Event at the Austin County Fairgrounds in Bellville! Phenix Knives, the originator and host of the annual Texas Select Event, is coordinating with the Battleship Texas Foundation to promote public awareness of the history and current restoration project of the famous veteran of WWI and WWII. The foundation will bring authentic historic relics from the ship, including one of the actual 20mm anti-aircraft guns on a trailer for children (and grown-ups) to explore. It is a unique opportunity for families to share a piece of this national treasure with the next generation.

COLUMBUS – The Harris County Sheriff's Office Junior Mounted Posse gathered on the Colorado Courthouse square in Columbus last Saturday to help kick off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR). The West Side Relay Ride includes Columbus, Weimar and Hallettsville. They will perform in the HLSR.

Sealy PD seizes drugs

RESS COLUMBUS – It was like waiting for a birthday present!

Left Behind

Life is but a book

FAYETTE COUNTY – Sheriff Keith Korenek reports a drastic increase in the number of calls for service for the Fayette County Sheriff's Office for the year 2022.

BELLVILLE – The Bellville Hospital District Board met on Dec. 27, 2022, and approved the ongoing negotiations for a final answer to enter into a contract with a hospital management company and rename the Bellville hospital. The new name, MidCoast Medical Center, is now under the management of MidCoast Health System as of Jan. 1, 2023.

COLUMBUS – Doctors Tyson and Mary Harrell have 45 years of combined dental expertise. They opened from scratch and built a successful dental practice in the Sugar Land/ Richmond area. Years ago, “the country” started calling and they bought their place in Columbus and fell in love with the area.

COLUMBUS – The Columbus Chamber of Commerce received a proclamation from Governor Greg Abbott for Columbus, marking 200 years in existence and its upcoming Bicentennial Celebration.