News

ARRESTS

The following arrests were reported to the Lampasas Dispatch Record by area law enforcement officials. The Dispatch Record prints the name and charge(s) of people arrested on at least one Class B misdemeanor – or more serious – charge.
ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Christmas elf sits atop courthouse

Lampasas has its own version of “Elf on the Shelf,” as this lifesize Santa’s helper spreads good cheer around town. The week before Christmas, the mysterious elf was spotted at area businesses along Key Avenue and in the downtown area.

Fireworks restrictions in place

Residents are reminded that Lampasas County has restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks classified as skyrockets with sticks or fins. Those who use fireworks to help celebrate the holidays are encouraged to do so safely.
ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

New play equipment awaits at Kline Whitis campus

Construction of a new playground at Kline Whitis Elementary School is underway. Campus administrators are optimistic the project can be completed by the time students return from the Christmas break.
Rep. David Spiller (R-Jacksboro) speaks to Lampasas County residents last year. He has filed legislation to prohibit foreign entities from hostile countries from acquiring land in Texas. A similar measure did not make it out of the previous legislative session. FILE PHOTO

Rep. David Spiller (R-Jacksboro) speaks to Lampasas County residents last year. He has filed legislation to prohibit foreign entities from hostile countries from acquiring land in Texas. A similar measure did not make it out of the previous legislative session. FILE PHOTO

Spiller offers legislative update

District 68 State Rep. David Spiller (R-Jacksboro) is optimistic legislators can accomplish much good for the state when the 89th Texas Legislature begins its session on Jan. 14.

BRIEFLY

APPRAISAL DISTRICT HOURSChief Appraiser Juan Saucedo has announced that the Lampasas Central Appraisal District office will remain open during the lunch hour to accommodate taxpayers who are ready to pay their 2024 tax bills before the end of the year.The office, at 109 E. Fifth St.
John Schultz

John Schultz

‘Not a good day’

Texas Department of Public Safety authorities have identified 53-yearold John Darrel Schultz of Kempner, a U.S. Army veteran, as the driver in a vehicle pursuit that ended inside the Killeen Mall on Saturday.
Assistant Superintendent John Clawson has been with the Lometa ISD since September 2020, when he initially served as school principal. He previously had been a music teacher at Lometa ISD from 2010-2013. FILE PHOTO

Assistant Superintendent John Clawson has been with the Lometa ISD since September 2020, when he initially served as school principal. He previously had been a music teacher at Lometa ISD from 2010-2013. FILE PHOTO

Lometa ISD retains ‘A’ rating, loses assistant superintendent

Lometa Independent School District’s Board of Trustees met for the final time in 2024, and administrators included presentations of various reports. Trustees also accepted two resignations from staff members.

Applications ready for NRCS conservation program

While the NRCS accepts applications for enrollment into the Conservation Stewardship Program continuously throughout the year, interested landowners must submit applications to the local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service field office by Jan.
KAYE MCDANIEL | COURTESY PHOTO Texas is home to the nation’s largest population of wild turkeys. Some 586,000 turkeys roam the state, and hunters are expected to harvest 30,000-35,000 gobblers during the 2024-2025 hunting seasons, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department projections.

KAYE MCDANIEL | COURTESY PHOTO Texas is home to the nation’s largest population of wild turkeys. Some 586,000 turkeys roam the state, and hunters are expected to harvest 30,000-35,000 gobblers during the 2024-2025 hunting seasons, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department projections.

Seven homegrown holiday staples boost Texas’ economy

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar’s office has posted the following news release that celebrates local farmers and ranchers for all they add to the state’s economy.The information below was written by Kelly Langford for the December 2024 “Fiscal Notes,” produced by the comptroller’s office.