Joseph and Anh Trousdale attribute the start of their new business venture and their new small town, family-centered lifestyle to COVID-19. The Lampasas couple own PhoLicious LLC, a producer of at-home and on-the-go Vietnamese pho meal kits.

The Lampasas-Burnet County USDA Farm Service Agency has announced that Lee Gernentz of Lometa was elected to represent Lampasas-Burnet local administrative area #1, and Henry John Langford of Lometa was elected to represent LAA #2.

SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE Sami Thompson of Lometa has been named to the South Plains College fall 2021 Dean’s List. To qualify, students must earn a grade-point average of 3.25 or higher and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours.

The Lampasas Public Library and the city’s Parks & Recreation Department will create a Storywalk book trail this spring to encourage both reading and spending time in the outdoors. The Storywalk will be a series of trail signs installed at W.M.

Zachary Clayton Carnley, CFSP, funeral director/embalmer and owner of Sneed Funeral Chapel in Lampasas, recently qualified for recertification of the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice.

Although Kempner city officials did not hold a final 2021 council meeting on Dec. 14, they did close out the year by recognizing several residents and business owners who gave back to the community.

The first American Red Cross blood drive of the year will be Jan. 31 from 11:30 a.m.to 5:30 p.m.

SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY Two students from Kempner received degrees during the 2021 fall semester at Sam Houston State University. Cristian Alejandro earned a Bachelor of Science in health care administration.

With the new year, new rules from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles are in effect. The agency announced two new laws that will affect drivers, starting this year.

Saturday will mark the beginning of a new year, and one way to celebrate is with fireworks. Lampasas County residents should prepare well before using fireworks to avoid a serious or possibly fatal accident.