Articles

BRIDGE receives $30K

LA GRANGE – Second Chance Emporium (SCE) recently donated $2,000 to the Juneteenth Committee of Fayette County.

COLUMBUS – Columbus Garden Club enjoys planting gardens around Columbus with plants for pollinators. If your planting needs include plants for shade or sun or plants for pollina- tors, you will find just what you need at the garden club plant sale at Brookshire Bros., at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 27 in Columbus.

Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) may never be as fuelefficient as more traditional cars, but one segment of the SUV market has made great strides in relation to fuel efficiency since the turn of the century. Data from the Environmental Protection Agency's 2020 EPA Automotive Trends Report indicated the small SUV segment had the greatest improvement of fuel economy among all vehicle segments between 2000 and 2020. Average fuel economy among small SUVs increased by 65 percent during that period, which began with such vehicles getting 17.9 miles per gallon of gas and ended with them averaging 29.5 miles per gallon. The Chevrolet Equinox FWD, the Ford Edge FWD, the Hyundai Kona FWD, the Jeep Cherokee FWD, and the Mazda CX-30 2WD are among the vehicles that are categorized as small SUVs.

Modern automobiles are technological marvels. As advancements in automotive tech - nology have made cars more reliable than ever, drivers may feel as though vehicle own - ership also is more hands-off than ever before. Though it's true built-in diagnostic technol - ogy is designed to alert drivers when issues arise, it can still benefit motorists to recognize when certain issues may arise. Cars and the people who drive them are different, so mileage intervals are not al - ways the best measuring stick for maintenance issues. How - ever, the following rundown can serve as a guidebook for drivers who want to know what to expect at various mileage in -

Inflation has been a hot topic for several years, as the cost of everything from groceries to gas to housing has increased consid - erably since 2019. Cars are no exception to that phenomenon, and anyone who has purchased a new car over the last half decade likely experienced some sticker shock when they started their search for a new vehicle. Data from Kelley Blue Book indicates the average cost of a new car was $37,590 in 2019. By 2023, the av - erage cost had risen to $47,899. That marks an increase of more than 27 percent in a four-year pe - riod. Cars are indeed a significant investment, which underscores the importance of vehicle mainte - nance. Maintenance is more than just tending to what's under the hood. Tires also require drivers' attention, as aging, damaged tires pose a safety risk that also com - promise vehicle performance. Tires are easily overlooked, but the following are four signs tires need to be replaced.

Driving requires drivers to use their senses so they, their passen - gers and their fellow motorists can safely traverse the roadways. When any of those senses are compromised, the risk for acci - dent increases. Sight is vital to safe driving. Individuals who have vision problems must correct these is - sues by wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses to stay safe behind the wheel. But what if the con - dition affecting vision is night -

EAGLE LAKE – Hundreds of Lower Colorado River Authority employees picked up paint brushes, shovels, and more on April 12 to volunteer on dozens of community projects throughout Texas during LCRA’s annual day of service, Steps Forward Day.

Fayette County 4-H place at Rodeo Austin

ACE Hardware cuts the ribbon

New members are community leaders with strong ties to the Columbus community.

Columbus Garden Club announces April winners

Seybro Door donates to Seniors Together

Chamber mixer a great time

The Bluebonnet Master Gardeners, in conjunction with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, announce its seventh year of holding Kids’ Kamp in Austin, Colorado, Fayette and Washington counties.

COLUMBUS – Columbus Historical Preservation Trust, Inc. (CHPT) is accepting photos for Seasons of Colorado County, a hardbound coffee table book featuring photographs highlighting everything that makes Colorado County unique, until May 1.

Colorado County will hold two separate elections in May. Both elections are equally important for different reasons. It is also imperative that voters pay attention to voting locations and times because each election is different.

The Silver Drivers Safe Texans course is being offered through a collaboration between Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, City of La Grange, The Schulenburg Regency Villas, and the Fayette County Extension Office.

BELLVILLE – Who is ready for a fundraising event that directly supports the educational efforts of Austin County’s youth? The Austin County 4-H Livestock Project Group (LPG) is hosting its first ever annual "Que for the Kids" BBQ Cook-Off on

WEIMAR – Imagine sitting out on your lawn chair on a cool spring evening with the sun just setting and a very slight breeze brushing away the heat of the day. Top that image off with a snack and some beautiful poetry your neighbors and friends read to you.