News

DISTRICT COURT

News Staff
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Lampasas County 27th District Court convened Oct. 9 with Judge Debbie Garrett presiding over the day’s hearings.Defendant Charles Chad Allen of Lampasas pleaded guilty to charges of possession of a controlled substance greater than or equal to 4 grams and less than 200 grams, and bail jumping and...
Many empty buildings currently line East 3rd Street along the downtown square, including the historic structure owned by Todd and Nona Jane Briggs at 415 E. 3rd St. Revitalizing the downtown’s business district ranked at the top of Forward Lampasas’ recent survey. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Many empty buildings currently line East 3rd Street along the downtown square, including the historic structure owned by Todd and Nona Jane Briggs at 415 E. 3rd St. Revitalizing the downtown’s business district ranked at the top of Forward Lampasas’ recent survey. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Survey says downtown square a high priority

Erick Mitchell
Monday, October 12, 2026
Preserving and improving the historic downtown square topped replies to every question on a recent Forward Lampasas survey, nonprofit officials said.The questionnaire, distributed at the group’s September meeting, asked what Lampasas is doing well or should maintain, what the community’s three...

Residents petition for new recycling service

Ana Sofia Meyer
Monday, October 12, 2026
A longtime Lampasas resident armed with a list of signatures brought concerns about closing the city’s collection center before council Sept. 28.Starting Oct. 31, the center at 201 Brown St. will no longer accept recyclables or construction materials.
ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Boots and Blazers draws crowd

News Staff
Monday, October 12, 2026
Lampasas Association for the Arts President Barbara Hagle welcomes attendees to the Boots and Blazers Ball Oct. 10 at Campbell Park. The evening serves as the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser of the year. More photos on page 2.
COURTESY PHOTO The recently sold Smith Ranch straddling the Lampasas-Burnet county line is home the massive Smithberg ram, a crossbreed developed on-site. Exotic games also roam the property.

COURTESY PHOTO The recently sold Smith Ranch straddling the Lampasas-Burnet county line is home the massive Smithberg ram, a crossbreed developed on-site. Exotic games also roam the property.

Expansive Smith Ranch changes hands

Travis E. Poling
Monday, October 12, 2026
The sprawling Smith Ranch encompassing nearly 2,884 acres west of Lampasas sold last month to an undisclosed buyer after just six months on the market.Luke Smith said his family decided to sell for a move to another ranch after 20 years on the land.The property was listed at $42 million through...
Alt Text for Image

Alt Text for Image

BRIEFLY

News Staff
Monday, October 12, 2026
STAR PARTYThe Lampasas County Friends of the Night Sky will host a free, family-friendly Star Party on Saturday at Campbell Park, 501 E. North Avenue, in Lampasas.The event takes place from 7-10 p.m. and offers families and sky enthusiasts an opportunity to discover the beauty and wonder of the...

WHO REPRESENTS ME?

News Staff
Monday, October 12, 2026
LAMPASAS City Council• 512-556-6831• citycouncil@cityo_ampasas.com Herb Pearce, Mayor Dorothy Person, Place 1 Eric Hernandez, Place 2 Zachary Morris, Place 3, Mayor Pro Tem Catherine Kuehne, Place 4 Davis Keele, Place 5 Charlie Pratus, Place 6 Robert Gradel, Municipal Court Judge• 512-556-4909•...
COURTESY PHOTO TESY

COURTESY PHOTO TESY

An exchange of artistry

News Staff
Monday, October 12, 2026
Lampasas High School student Jared Ward (right) gives trustee Mickey Edwards a portrait during Monday’s school board meeting. Ward distributed hand-drawn portraits to district trustees before a short presentation by Career and Technical Education Director Liz Haviland.
Lampasas Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Chane Rascoe (left) and Board President Ryan Shahan discuss the future middle school campus’ square footage during Monday’s meeting. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Lampasas Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Chane Rascoe (left) and Board President Ryan Shahan discuss the future middle school campus’ square footage during Monday’s meeting. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Lampasas ISD trustees mull size of future LMS band hall, gym

Erick Mitchell
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Lampasas Independent School District trustees are still weighing whether to trim the future middle school’s band hall and practice gym to keep the campus within budget.The board discussed Monday shrinking the facilities so the project does not exceed $104 million when it goes out for bids next...
ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

National Night Out brings community together

News Staff
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Department of Public Safety troopers Marisol Ruiz (right) and Isaac Perez visit with children during Tuesday’s National Night Out hosted by the Lampasas Police Department at the H-E-B parking lot in Lampasas. For more photos, see page 2.
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