Life

Almost 100 years old, Jim Anderson still finds time to catch up on the latest news and enjoy sports while living in the Lampasas Assisted Living facility. Despite not being a soccer expert, like millions of Americans, Anderson tuned into the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Almost 100 years old, Jim Anderson still finds time to catch up on the latest news and enjoy sports while living in the Lampasas Assisted Living facility. Despite not being a soccer expert, like millions of Americans, Anderson tuned into the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Turning 100

Erick Mitchell
Thursday, July 23, 2026
From the Great Depression to the AI explosion, Jim Anderson has seen it all in his 99 years on Earth. On Aug. 4, the longtime Lampasas resident will celebrate his 100th birthday.
Lometa FFA officers played a big part in helping the weekend’s rodeo run smoothly. Pictured from left are Christopher Faulstich, Anderson Hernandez, Bailey Johnson, Elaina Faulstich and Precious Hernandez. COURTESY PHOTO

Lometa FFA officers played a big part in helping the weekend’s rodeo run smoothly. Pictured from left are Christopher Faulstich, Anderson Hernandez, Bailey Johnson, Elaina Faulstich and Precious Hernandez. COURTESY PHOTO

Young cowboys, cowgirls shine at Lometa FFA Jr. Rodeo

News Staff
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Lometa FFA hosted its annual Jr. Rodeo fundraiser July 17-18 at Lometa Regional Park.A full list of results from the two-day event follows.FRIDAY NIGHT RESULTS 8 and under Barrels 1. Millie Cole Mueller --21.7622. Price Fambro -- 21.9128 and under Flags 1. Ellee Fambro -- 12.2302.
RANDOM DISTRACTIONS BY MARK MONTGOMERY

RANDOM DISTRACTIONS BY MARK MONTGOMERY

...Til discord do us part

Mark Montgomery
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Divorce. It’s a large part of our culture and has an enormous influence on everyone involved. In that no one (at least no one I know) goes into a marriage fully expecting to later get divorced, I wonder why it’s so prevalent?It’s not like we don’t make other types of lasting commitments.
An LTX BBQ Fest cook-off contestant loads his smoker full of meats at a previous edition of the event. As that event has faded, Michael Olson, a former organizer of the LTX BBQ Fest and Creating Badger Builders member, has launched a new competition. The “Hotter than Hell 2.0” Barbecue Cookoff hosted by the local nonprofit plans to raise money for trade school scholarships through the contest. FILE PHOTO

An LTX BBQ Fest cook-off contestant loads his smoker full of meats at a previous edition of the event. As that event has faded, Michael Olson, a former organizer of the LTX BBQ Fest and Creating Badger Builders member, has launched a new competition. The “Hotter than Hell 2.0” Barbecue Cookoff hosted by the local nonprofit plans to raise money for trade school scholarships through the contest. FILE PHOTO

‘Hotter Than Hell 2.0’ cook-off aims to fire up trade school scholarships

Erick Mitchell
Monday, July 20, 2026
Creating Badger Builders will hold its “Hotter than Hell 2.0” Barbecue Cookoff Friday and Saturday at 1303 North U.S. Highway 281, close to the Lampasas County Livestock Association’s show barn.
COURTESY PHOTO | WWW.MELINDAMYERS.COM Cool-season root vegetables like carrots can be left in the ground longer in cooler climates for an even sweeter flavor.

COURTESY PHOTO | WWW.MELINDAMYERS.COM Cool-season root vegetables like carrots can be left in the ground longer in cooler climates for an even sweeter flavor.

Tips to maintain the flavor and freshness of your harvest

Melinda Myers
Monday, July 20, 2026
Keep homegrown vegetables and those purchased at the farmer’s market fresh and tasting their best. Selecting and harvesting vegetables at their peak and storing them properly will provide maximum flavor and nutritional value from every bite.
ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD Participants kicked off last week’s Pet Parade outside the Santa Fe Depot building with their best-dressed companions.

ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD Participants kicked off last week’s Pet Parade outside the Santa Fe Depot building with their best-dressed companions.

Pet Parade entrants embrace the patriotic theme this year

News Staff
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Lampasas residents turned out for a fun-filled Friday morning along Live Oak Street for this year’s Spring Ho Pet Parade.The parade was sponsored by Guyco and Always Here Properties.Ramsie Kepler and Hazel Cecil earned Grand Champion honors with their pets Fancy, Sassy and Sweetie.
Parents help line up their baby racers before Diaper Derby action gets underway outside the Lampasas County Courthouse on Friday morning. HUNTER KING | DISPATCH RECORD

Parents help line up their baby racers before Diaper Derby action gets underway outside the Lampasas County Courthouse on Friday morning. HUNTER KING | DISPATCH RECORD

Spring Ho’s Diaper Derby: the test of speed

News Staff
Monday, July 13, 2026
Young racers stole the show at Spring Ho’s Diaper Derby on Friday morning outside the Lampasas County Courthouse.Entrants from crawlers up to toddlers age 2 competed in the event.The competition, hosted by Beta Mu sorority, saw top three finishers in each heat receive a prize.
Family members surprised Steve “Doc” Forsythe with a congratulatory dessert to celebrate his honorary recognition by the Texas FFA Association. On the front row with Forsythe are his wife, Cynthia, at left, and daughter, Mary Forsythe Buzzell; at back are son-in-law David Buzzell, and grandsons Keegan Buzzell and Camden Buzzell. COURTESY PHOTO

Family members surprised Steve “Doc” Forsythe with a congratulatory dessert to celebrate his honorary recognition by the Texas FFA Association. On the front row with Forsythe are his wife, Cynthia, at left, and daughter, Mary Forsythe Buzzell; at back are son-in-law David Buzzell, and grandsons Keegan Buzzell and Camden Buzzell. COURTESY PHOTO

Retired educator receives special award from Texas FFA

News Staff
Monday, July 13, 2026
Retired Lampasas agriscience teacher and longtime FFA adviser Dr. Steve Forsythe is the recipient of the Texas FFA Association’s “Blue and Gold Award.” The honor was presented Friday during the final session of the annual Texas FFA Convention, held July 6-10 at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
Members of the 2026 Spring Ho Court stand on stage after earning their crowns. The Little Miss Spring Ho Court, front row from left, includes Queen Auzi Rose Pena, first runner-up Marley Cottle, second runner-up Emma Cate Phillips and third runner-up Ellie Marquez. Behing the Little Miss Court is the 2026 Miss Spring Ho Court, from left, Queen Hallie Watson, first runner-up Tayler Sheard, second runner-up Gia Grasso and third runner-up Emerie Greenberg. ADAM BARRIOS | DISPATCH RECORD

Members of the 2026 Spring Ho Court stand on stage after earning their crowns. The Little Miss Spring Ho Court, front row from left, includes Queen Auzi Rose Pena, first runner-up Marley Cottle, second runner-up Emma Cate Phillips and third runner-up Ellie Marquez. Behing the Little Miss Court is the 2026 Miss Spring Ho Court, from left, Queen Hallie Watson, first runner-up Tayler Sheard, second runner-up Gia Grasso and third runner-up Emerie Greenberg. ADAM BARRIOS | DISPATCH RECORD

2026 Spring Ho Court crowned

News Staff
Thursday, July 9, 2026
RANDOM DISTRACTIONS BY MARK MONTGOMERY

RANDOM DISTRACTIONS BY MARK MONTGOMERY

Spring Ho! A hard run and a hot parade

Mark Montgomery
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Spring Ho -- it’s back! I’ve participated in the Toughest 10K run over the years and endured many parades in the July heat afterward. It was a hot sweat-fest, but that was good.
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