News

KATHERINE WILLIS | COURTESY PHOTO

KATHERINE WILLIS | COURTESY PHOTO

‘Psst, is it safe to come out now?’

This enterprising raccoon successfully gained entry into a water valve vault at the 4J Ranch outside of Lometa, and the masked bandit now plots the next move as two cat friends monitor the situation.
This look at Texas Materials’ proposed rail line would run east of U.S. 281 up into Lampasas County. SCREENSHOT | SAFETY TRANSPORTATION BOARD

This look at Texas Materials’ proposed rail line would run east of U.S. 281 up into Lampasas County. SCREENSHOT | SAFETY TRANSPORTATION BOARD

Landowners seek answers on railway project

Texas Materials Group Inc. has proposed a 26.9-mile railroad to haul aggregate from Burnet County quarries to Lampasas County. The project under review by the Surface Transportation Board has stoked concern among area landowners.Texas Materials plans to reconstruct 12.
Abraham George, chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, addresses the Texas First Conservative Alliance gathering Tuesday evening in Lampasas. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Abraham George, chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, addresses the Texas First Conservative Alliance gathering Tuesday evening in Lampasas. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

GOP chairman speaks to area residents on party priorities

Republican Party of Texas Chairman Abraham George discussed primary changes and legislative priorities at Tuesday’s Texas First Conservative Alliance gathering at the Lampasas County Office Building.

BRIEFLY

The city of Lampasas offers its brush chipping service during the month of March. Residents may place brush by the curb, and crews will come by during the designated week for each quadrant of town to remove the brush. No lumber or trash should be included.
Lometa High School’s drone class got up close and personal with SpaceX’s eighth Starship flight test rocket. The group was able to view the rocket from a few hundred yards away. Pictured left to right are Stone Carr-Jones, Lukas Smailus-Cruz, Colten Whitehead, Ivan Oliver, Superintendent Rob Moore and Roy Carr. COURTESY PHOTO

Lometa High School’s drone class got up close and personal with SpaceX’s eighth Starship flight test rocket. The group was able to view the rocket from a few hundred yards away. Pictured left to right are Stone Carr-Jones, Lukas Smailus-Cruz, Colten Whitehead, Ivan Oliver, Superintendent Rob Moore and Roy Carr. COURTESY PHOTO

Lometa drone class attends SpaceX launch

Lometa Independent School District has been piloting new programs to elevate student opportunities and success in the high school curriculum. The drone class has been one of the newest programs to find footing and inspire growth.
FILE PHOTO At the 2023 Arts in the Park for Kids festival, visitors were encouraged to help repaint a tractor in Campbell Park.

FILE PHOTO At the 2023 Arts in the Park for Kids festival, visitors were encouraged to help repaint a tractor in Campbell Park.

Muralist to offer demonstration at Arts in the Park event

This year’s annual Arts in the Park for Kids festival will host a painter and muralist who has beautified locations in Lampasas.The festival will take place April 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and painter and muralist Clayton Bever will be on scene to provide an art demonstration.

Community calendar

friDAY, march 21Alzheimer’s caregiver support group, 10 a.m. Lampasas County Office Building conference room, 409 S. Pecan St.bingo, 10 a.m. Lampasas Multi-Service Center, 901 S. Live Oak.Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Fourth Street and Chestnut.
Tico Hicks, left, and Teresa Stewart gave a presentation to L-M Garden Club members on how to prepare for the annual Flower Show to be held in April. Courtesy photo

Tico Hicks, left, and Teresa Stewart gave a presentation to L-M Garden Club members on how to prepare for the annual Flower Show to be held in April. Courtesy photo

L-M Club members prepare for annual Diamondback Jubilee, flower show

On March 17, the L-M Garden and Civic Club held its monthly meeting at the club building in Lometa.Guest speaker Victor Hermosillo, Lampasas Walmart store manager, gave a brief talk on how donations from Walmart work and how to apply.

Harvey to appear for jury trial on Monday

A former Kempner mayor will face a trial by jury Monday on a charge of indecent assault.Keith Lanard Harvey, 51, was arrested July 10, 2023 on a charge of indecent assault, a Class A misdemeanor, in addition to two other charges.