News

CATTLE AUCTION REPORT

The report from the May 31 Lampasas Cattle Auction follows. Cattle and calves: Total cattle 296, compared to 315 last sale and 774 at this time last year. Compared to last sale, feeder steers and heifers were $5-$10 higher. Slaughter cows and slaughter bulls were $3-$5 higher.
Schools are responding to the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence tools. screenshot of ChatGPT

Schools are responding to the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence tools. screenshot of ChatGPT

Education impacts of Artificial Intelligence await

While the buzz around Artificial Intelligence platforms like ChatGPT is growing, local school districts don’t have immediate plans to integrate the technology, and can’t fully prevent students from using it. ChatGPT is an AI language model developed by OpenAI.

BRIEFLY

The Courtyard Square Association will sponsor its Little Night Music series at the courthouse bandstand from 8-10 p.m. each Friday night in June. The Texas Elderly Brothers will perform tonight, with the Lucas Brothers Band scheduled for June 9.
COURTESY PHOTO

COURTESY PHOTO

Runoff collects at low-water crossing

After an unanticipated thunderstorm moved through the Lampasas area last weekend, water from the sudden downpour collected on Hackberry Street and forced a temporary closure of the roadway adjacent to the Cooper Spring Nature Park.

Trustees ratify decision to move to four-day school week in Lometa

Lometa Independent School District has elected to move to a four-day school week, with Mondays selected as the off day for students. District officials met in May to discuss this move and to finalize a calendar for the 2023-24 term, taking into consideration other factors with regard to off days.
JOYCESARAH MCCABE | DISPATCH RECORD

JOYCESARAH MCCABE | DISPATCH RECORD

Banners placed around city

Mitzi Morin makes final adjustments on a banner that reminds drivers to slow down for first responders. It is a criminal offense not to slow down or change lanes when tow truck drivers, police officers, EMTs and other first responders are rendering aid on the side of the road.

Naruna Road closed for US 281 widening project

The City of Lampasas has announced Naruna Road will be closed for two months due to the U.S. 281 Improvement Project.  Officials issued a notice Wednesday about the closure. "Naruna road is currently closed to through traffic.
Joby Morris, left, and Jess McCabe -- whose families have been in farming and ranching for threeplus generations -- talk after a full day of working cattle on horseback. Social connections and having another person who understands the isolation, pressures to produce and financial stressors faced in agriculture is invaluable. Joycesarah McCabe | Dispatch Record

Joby Morris, left, and Jess McCabe -- whose families have been in farming and ranching for threeplus generations -- talk after a full day of working cattle on horseback. Social connections and having another person who understands the isolation, pressures to produce and financial stressors faced in agriculture is invaluable. Joycesarah McCabe | Dispatch Record

Isolation, stress affect mental well-being of farmers, ranchers

Ranchers and farmers need to know they are not alone. To those ranchers, farmers and working cowboys who have struggled with feelings of hopelessness, sadness, depression or anxiety, you are not the only one who is hurting.

Crash on FM 580E sends one driver to hospital

The 30-year-old driver of a 2016 Nissan Sentra was transported to the hospital Friday after failing to stop for a 2009 UV trash truck. First responders received a call about the crash at 7:39 a.m. The collision occurred five miles east of Lampasas city limits on FM 580 East.