Life

After receiving the OK from administration, Taylor Creek Elementary School students quickly surrounded the new campus tree to help it settle in. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

After receiving the OK from administration, Taylor Creek Elementary School students quickly surrounded the new campus tree to help it settle in. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Taylor Creek Elementary celebrates Arbor Day with tree planting

Erick Mitchell
Monday, May 4, 2026
Taylor Creek Elementary School celebrated Arbor Day on April 24 with a fresh addition to the campus: a new tree.Arbor Day is an annual holiday dedicated to planting trees, celebrating their importance and promoting environmental awareness.
ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD Lampasas High School ag teacher Judy Hail is set to retire at the end of the school year. During a 36-year spell in education, Hail has seen it all.

ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD Lampasas High School ag teacher Judy Hail is set to retire at the end of the school year. During a 36-year spell in education, Hail has seen it all.

Hail reflects on teaching past as retirement nears

Erick Mitchell
Monday, May 4, 2026
The clock is winding down on Judy Hail’s 36-year career in education. The Lampasas High School ag teacher will retire from the classroom at the end of the school year.
COURTESY PHOTO District Clerk Edith Wagner Harrison has been selected the 2026 Region 5 Clerk of the Year by the County and District Clerks Association of Texas, an honor she also won in 2024.

COURTESY PHOTO District Clerk Edith Wagner Harrison has been selected the 2026 Region 5 Clerk of the Year by the County and District Clerks Association of Texas, an honor she also won in 2024.

Harrison earns recognition as clerk of the year

News Staff
Monday, May 4, 2026
Lampasas County District Clerk Edith Wagner Harrison has been named the 2026 Region 5 Clerk of the Year by the County and District Clerks Association of Texas. She was notified of the honor last month at the CDCAT spring meeting.
Random Distractions by Mark Montgomery

Random Distractions by Mark Montgomery

Existential questions for the common man

Mark Montgomery
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Irealize I’m an old guy by most any standard. It usually doesn’t bother me all that much. I believe there’s still a lot left in me.It does, however, create some questions and qualms that just didn’t enter my consciousness when I was younger.

Cemetery associations

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2026
NARUNA CEMETERY ASSOCIATIONThe Naruna Cemetery Association annual meeting for members and anyone who has family buried in the cemetery will take place Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Naruna Baptist Church fellowship hall.The association will elect a treasurer at the meeting.
The Cooper Spring Nature Park Foundation fundraiser was a sold-out event. lynn greenwood | courtesy photo

The Cooper Spring Nature Park Foundation fundraiser was a sold-out event. lynn greenwood | courtesy photo

Fish fry raises funds for Cooper Spring Nature Park

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2026
April 25 saw the inaugural Cooper Spring Nature Park Foundation fundraiser hosted at the park. A fish fry dinner and music entertainment highlighted the evening.“In general, the weather was beautiful and, thanks to recent rains, the flowers were blooming!
These students are all UIL regional qualifiers for their performance in academics, speech, debate and One-Act Play. courtesy photo

These students are all UIL regional qualifiers for their performance in academics, speech, debate and One-Act Play. courtesy photo

LHS sees success at UIL Regional meet

News Staff
Thursday, April 30, 2026
The Lampasas High School academics, speech and debate, and One-Act Play competitors had a successful weekend in Nacogdoches at the UIL Regionals April 24-25.
Post Adjutant John Fingerhut, left, and Post Chaplain Harry Hollister display the charter that officially recognizes the renaming of the Briggs Wright Post No. 277. MARTIN RODRIGUEZ | COURTESY PHOTO

Post Adjutant John Fingerhut, left, and Post Chaplain Harry Hollister display the charter that officially recognizes the renaming of the Briggs Wright Post No. 277. MARTIN RODRIGUEZ | COURTESY PHOTO

American Legion Post renamed to honor late Bob Wright, Jamie Briggs

News Staff
Monday, April 27, 2026
A sizable group gathered April 22 at the Lampasas County Courthouse for a dedication ceremony that officially recognized the renaming of American Legion Post 277 in Lampasas as the Briggs Wright Post No. 277.
All 619 Taylor Creek Elementary School students played a part in this infinity symbol that recognizes April as Autism Awareness month. COURTESY PHOTO

All 619 Taylor Creek Elementary School students played a part in this infinity symbol that recognizes April as Autism Awareness month. COURTESY PHOTO

Taylor Creek students recognize Autism Awareness month

News Staff
Monday, April 27, 2026
All 619 Taylor Creek Elementary School students came together this month to celebrate Autism Awareness and neurodiversity.The efforts were led by Katie Beshore, a special education teacher at Taylor Creek Elementary.
Friday’s Riata Roundup Rodeo provided a night of family fun. From left, Kaila and Wren Rogers pose for a photo just outside the 580 Sports Park rodeo arena. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Friday’s Riata Roundup Rodeo provided a night of family fun. From left, Kaila and Wren Rogers pose for a photo just outside the 580 Sports Park rodeo arena. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Enjoying Rodeo nights

News Staff
Monday, April 27, 2026
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