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St. Christopher’s Catholic Church later became St. Paul’s Independent Methodist Church. After its roof and west-side wall collapsed several years ago, a chain-link fence was added to keep curious onlookers at a safe distance. jeff jackson photo

St. Christopher’s Catholic Church later became St. Paul’s Independent Methodist Church. After its roof and west-side wall collapsed several years ago, a chain-link fence was added to keep curious onlookers at a safe distance. jeff jackson photo

What remains of St. Christopher’s Catholic Church

Jeff Jackson
Thursday, August 21, 2025
EDITOR’S NOTE: Lampasas historian Jeff Jackson has researched a number of local topics.The following is the final installment in a series on St. Christopher’s Catholic Church.Priests come and go. Their assignments are not permanent. Sometimes the change is a welcomed relief.
Texas 7th Brigade Commander D.W. Davis will be the featured speaker at the Saltworks Camp meeting Saturday in Copperas Cove. courtesy photo | Ross J. Cox Sr.

Texas 7th Brigade Commander D.W. Davis will be the featured speaker at the Saltworks Camp meeting Saturday in Copperas Cove. courtesy photo | Ross J. Cox Sr.

Central Texas SCV Camps gather for leadership development

News Staff
Thursday, August 21, 2025
The Sons of Confederate Veterans 7th Brigade hosted a Leadership Training Seminar Aug. 16 for commanders and adjutants at the Texas Station Event Center in Gatesville.Forty-four representatives from 10 SCV camps attended the event: General Felix H Robertson Camp No.

Recognizing community supporter

News Staff
Thursday, August 21, 2025
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.

DISTRICT COURT

News Staff
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Lampasas County 27th District Court convened last week with Judge Debbie Garrett presiding over the day’s hearings.Defendant Branden Michael Tengler of Lampasas entered a plea on a charge of possession of a controlled substance greater than or equal to 1 gram and less than 4 grams.
Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir provides the water that supplies Lampasas and Kempner customers. Although rains in July have helped the lake levels to remain high, they also have contributed to an elevated level of manganese.

Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir provides the water that supplies Lampasas and Kempner customers. Although rains in July have helped the lake levels to remain high, they also have contributed to an elevated level of manganese.

Warning issued about excess manganese in the water supply

Erick Mitchell
Thursday, August 21, 2025
A public notice was issued to Lampasas water customers on Monday, stating the city’s drinking water suppliers are battling manganese.The city of Lampasas purchases water from Central Texas Water Supply Corp., but the source travels through Kempner Water Supply Corp.

ARRESTS

News Staff
Thursday, August 21, 2025
The following arrests were reported to the Lampasas Dispatch Record by area law enforcement officials. The Dispatch Record prints the name and charge(s) of people arrested on at least one Class B misdemeanor – or more serious – charge.AUG.
A 100% score for college and career readiness shows the Lometa ISD is preparing its students for success, Superintendent Rob Moore said. FILE PHOTO

A 100% score for college and career readiness shows the Lometa ISD is preparing its students for success, Superintendent Rob Moore said. FILE PHOTO

Lometa school district earns ‘B’ in state accountability ratings

Erick Mitchell
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Lometa ISD received a “B” overall grade in the 2024 and 2025 accountability ratings released last week by the Texas Education Agency.Both sets of results were made public Aug. 15 after the 2024 A-F ratings had been delayed due to ongoing legal battles.

Septic system clinic set for Aug. 27

News Staff
Thursday, August 21, 2025
A free clinic on septic system maintenance for homeowners will be conducted from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday. The event is offered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Lampasas River Watershed Partnership.
ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD Kempner street signs boast a new look that includes the city’s insignia. Multiple street signs have been updated in recent months, according to City Manager Rebecca Ramos.

ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD Kempner street signs boast a new look that includes the city’s insignia. Multiple street signs have been updated in recent months, according to City Manager Rebecca Ramos.

Kempner City Council adopts 2025-26 FY budget, maintains tax rate

Erick Mitchell
Monday, August 18, 2025
Last week, Kempner City Council members adopted the 2025-2026 fiscal-year budget that includes a 41% increase in expenses. The city’s tax rate is set to remain unchanged.Council members Thomas Combs and Dan Long were absent from the Aug. 12 meeting.
August Payments to Area Cities Burnet up 0.2% $351,140 Copperas Cove up 5% $715,535 Evant up 6% $10,133 Gatesville up 12% $291,438 Goldthwaite up 7% $54,989 Hamilton up 19% $99,819 Kempner up 0.6% $21,184 Lampasas up 5% $268,137 Lometa up 7% $9,817 Marble Falls up 0.1% $1,312,855 San Saba down 5% $59,788 San Saba was the only city in the surrounding counties to record a percentage decline in August 2025, compared to August 2024 numbers. DISPATCH RECORD GRAPHIC

August Payments to Area Cities Burnet up 0.2% $351,140 Copperas Cove up 5% $715,535 Evant up 6% $10,133 Gatesville up 12% $291,438 Goldthwaite up 7% $54,989 Hamilton up 19% $99,819 Kempner up 0.6% $21,184 Lampasas up 5% $268,137 Lometa up 7% $9,817 Marble Falls up 0.1% $1,312,855 San Saba down 5% $59,788 San Saba was the only city in the surrounding counties to record a percentage decline in August 2025, compared to August 2024 numbers. DISPATCH RECORD GRAPHIC

Growth seen in August sales tax numbers

Gail Lowe
Monday, August 18, 2025
All entities in Lampasas County showed a gain in sales tax receipts this month when compared to collections for August 2024, and all cities in the surrounding counties were up this period as well – except for San Saba.
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