News

Smoke is seen on the horizon last week in rural Lampasas County. DISPATCH RECORD PHOTO

Smoke is seen on the horizon last week in rural Lampasas County. DISPATCH RECORD PHOTO

Weather service warns of high grassfire risk

News Staff
Monday, January 19, 2026
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning last week that indicated high fire risk across the Hill Country and a huge swath of Texas, roughly from Del Rio to Houston.
Steve Dowell

Steve Dowell

Army vet files for Congress in 31st District

News Staff
Monday, January 19, 2026
Steve Dowell – a fifthgeneration Central Texan, U.S. Army major and former military police officer, former Amazon senior product manager and patented inventor – has filed to run in the March 3 Republican Primary for U.S. House in Texas’ 31st Congressional District.
erick mitchell | dispatch record

erick mitchell | dispatch record

Commissioners Court rebuffs request from district clerk

Erick Mitchell
Thursday, January 15, 2026
District Clerk Edith Harrison’s request at Monday’s Lampasas County Commissioners Court meeting for an additional part-time employee was unsuccessful.Commissioners opted not to take a vote, following legal advice from county investigator John Greenwood.
Officer Garretson

Officer Garretson

Funeral for slain officer set Saturday

Erick Mitchell
Thursday, January 15, 2026
A funeral service for Elijah Garretson, the 27-year-old Copperas Cove Police Department officer who lost his life last weekend in the line of duty, will be held Saturday at the Cadence Bank Center in Belton at 10 a.m.On Jan.

BRIEFLY

News Staff
Thursday, January 15, 2026
VETERANS TO GATHERLampasas American Legion Post 227 will host a meet-and-greet breakfast Saturday at 8 a.m. in the back room of Country Kitchen.All veterans are welcome to attend.FORUM FOR LOCAL CANDIDATES The Lampasas County Republican Party will hold a candidate forum Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Lampasas City Secretary Kayleigh Stanley discussed occupancy limits of the Hostess House at Monday’s City Council meeting. HUNTER KING | DISPATCH RECORD

Lampasas City Secretary Kayleigh Stanley discussed occupancy limits of the Hostess House at Monday’s City Council meeting. HUNTER KING | DISPATCH RECORD

Council discusses Hostess House fees, reopening

Hunter King
Thursday, January 15, 2026
The most intriguing discussion at Monday’s meeting of the Lampasas City Council centered around a proposed fee schedule for the Hostess House when it reopens, presumably next month.
ADAM BARRIOS | DISPATCH RECORD

ADAM BARRIOS | DISPATCH RECORD

Crowd on hand for Buyers’ Appreciation Dinner

News Staff
Thursday, January 15, 2026
The 89th annual Lampasas County Youth Livestock Show culminated Saturday evening with the buyers’ dinner and premium sale, which posted a total approaching $900,000. More photos and the listing of results can be found inside this edition.

community calendar

News Staff
Thursday, January 15, 2026
We would like to help get your group’s event(s) listed in the Dispatch Record Calendar. The listing of community events and meetings is free.Calendar items must be in writing. Email to news@lampasas. com, or mail to: Calendar Lampasas Dispatch Record P.O.
erick mitchell | dispatch record

erick mitchell | dispatch record

Congressional candidates in town

News Staff
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Texas First Conservative Alliance hosted a candidate event Tuesday at Lampasas Community Church. A sizable audience was in attendance to hear presentations from some of those running for the District 31 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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