The year 2025 saw frequent turnover in high-level government positions, severe weather in the late spring and summer, and several lengthy repair projects across Lampasas.
At one point, the city of Lampasas had vacancies for city manager, assistant fire chief, public works director, parks and recreation director, and electric superintendent simultaneously.
The county was spared the carnage of Independence Day floods that devastated communities farther south in the Hill Country, but it remained one of the wettest Julys on record, and stormy weather prevailed through much of the spring and summer.
Renovation projects and roadwork also were recurring themes this year.
A summary of key events from the first few months of 2025 follows.
JANUARY
David Parker was sworn in as the new sheriff on New Year’s Day, and Jessica Guy started her term as Lampasas County attorney.
Although not as frigid as in many winters, January 2025 brought two strong cold fronts. The first plunged overnight lows to below freezing for seven consecutive nights (Jan.
5-11). A stronger blast brought four straight nights of temperatures at 20-21 degrees (Jan. 19-22).
Lampasas County started the year in moderate drought, and 64% of the state was experiencing drier than average conditions.
Cort Maples exhibited the Grand Champion Steer at the Lampasas County Youth Livestock Show. That same weekend, the Premium Sale set a record for the annual show, netting $765,000.
The “All Roads Lead to Lampasas” mural was unveiled, and a ribboncutting event recognized the art, which was the 15th mural by Vision Lampasas.
TxDOT started work on East Third Street repairs, with traffic expected to be detoured for six months on a portion near the creek bridge.
RKJ Construction began work on Lampasas County Courthouse renovations, agreeing to a maximum price of $1.098 million.
The Beechum Gap Transmission Line application was sent to the Public Utilities Commission, with many county residents waiting to learn how the line’s route could affect their property.
Two fatal crashes occurred in January in the city of Lampasas. In the first, a cyclist perished. Within two weeks, a vehicle pursuit ended in a deadly collision and left wreckage at the intersection of Key Avenue and North Avenue.
FEBRUARY
AdventHealth Rollins Brook held an open house highlighting its state-of-the-art 3D mammography equipment. The hospital hosted a special celebration for its 90th anniversary the next month.
Lometa Mayor Derek Talley informed the city council of Larry Koch’s impending resignation, citing health concerns. At the same meeting, the city revised its alcohol ordinance. Previously, local businesses could only sell alcohol for offpremises consumpton. The change, after voter ratification at a localoption election, will allow local restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages for onpremise consumption.
The first phase of Lampasas County Courthouse repairs included masonry and window work. Commissioners also agreed to add metal detectors in the historic structure for security purposes.
The Lampasas City Council agreed to seek an engineering analysis on the Hostess House. The council would approve a structural review of the historic building in March.
In sports, Lampasas High School wrestlers Taylor Martell, Charlie Freese and Daemian Rivas advanced to the state meet. Martell went from the beginning of the district meet up to the state finals without giving up a single point to her opponents in a dominant run that ended with the Lady Badger on the podium at state, where she finished second.
Forward Lampasas, a nonprofit group that formed in April 2024, made strides in clearing brush along Sulphur Creek, an effort that would continue well into the summer and fall. Giant reed, an invasive perennial plant, was cleared, and controlled burns took place.
Forward Lampasas volunteers are working to create a developed trail along Sulphur Creek from Western Street to Fourth Street, providing walking access to the downtown area.
An Arctic front chilled Lampasas with back-toback nights of 12-degree low temperatures on Feb. 19 and Feb. 20. That remained the city’s lowest temperature of the year (as of Dec. 1), and the lowest high (23 degrees) occurred on Feb. 19. The frigid spell was relatively short-lived and soon was replaced by dry, windy and dusty weather to close out the winter.
MARCH
By the first week of March, 50-60 mph winds brought dust from West Texas to the Hill Country, enshrouding the area with a brownish-gray haze, and state authorities warned of extreme fire risk.
A $831,709 street repair project that began in September 2024 finished, allowing traffic to reopen on a portion of East Second Street near the Santa Fe Depot.
Lampasas ISD officials reported that influenza was taking its toll, with a noticeable impact on school attendance. Bus drivers and staff were affected as well as students.
A house fire in eastern Lampasas County claimed the life of a 71-year-old woman.
Former Kempner mayor Keith Harvey pleaded no contest to a charge of indecent assault. He was sentenced to one year deferred adjudication and was fined $3,417.
Several Lampasas High School powerlifters set school records at the state meet.
APRIL
A domestic disturbance resulted in shots being fired and one person died, according to the Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office. Initial reports from LCSO stated that no charges had been filed, and the family involved was cooperating with authorities.
Lampasas County Commissioners Court passed a resolution opposing a rail line sought by Texas Materials Inc. Reasons for opposition included concerns about its impact on agricultural land, waterways such as Sulphur Creek and the Lampasas River, and a possible delay in response times by emergency agencies.
Later in the spring, Texas Materials announced it was putting the proposed 26.9-mile railroad project on hold.
Western parts of Lampasas County saw a late frost in April, more than two weeks into the “official” spring season. Temperatures dropped into the 30s on consecutive nights (April 6-7) near Nix.
The Lady Badger golf team won regionals. Several LHS athletes signed letters of intent to compete at the collegiate level.
MAY
A tornado touched down and was photographed near Oakalla, and at least one injury was reported related to that storm. Softball-sized hail was reported near Kempner and FM 2657, winds battered the rural northern part of Burnet County, and Lampasas saw smaller hailstones. The storm foreshadowed a rainy pattern that would persist through late spring and early summer.
Municipial elections were held May 3. Dorothy Person edged out Danielle Tucker Shepard by a six-vote margin for Lampasas City Council Place 1 in the closest outcome of the election. In other council races, Edward Gold unseated Miles Haider, and Charlie Pratus held his seat, defeating challenger Alexis Thompson. Mayor Herb Pearce and Councilman Eric Hernandez were unopposed.
Lometa residents voted 30-3 to allow the sale of mixed beverages at local restaurants.
LCSO’s K-9 unit, Blazer, underwent training to prepare the dog to serve as a protection and backup unit, to assist with tracking and to detect narcotics or explosives.
A busy spring sports season came to a close as the Badger baseball team fell in the third round of the playoffs against Lumberton after defeating Palestine and Livingston in the first two rounds.
Taylor Martell won the Southern Plains Regional Championship in wrestling, competing against wrestlers from Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas. She pinned four opponents.
Lometa tennis players competed at state in doubles. Senior Ivan Oliver Douwsma won the Conference 1A singles state championship in San Antonio, without ever having to play a third set. The Hornet completed the tennis season with a record of 33-1. His only defeat came in March to the eventual 2A singles state champion, Leevi Knight of Reagan County.
The Central Texas Water Alliance was created after it was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott.
NEXT UP: YEAR IN REVIEW WILL CONTINUE IN DEC. 30 EDITION
