The Texas cedar, which is actually not a cedar tree at all but is instead an Ashe juniper, aka blueberry cedar (Juniperus ashei) or a redberry cedar (Juniperus pinchotii), has been the bane of many livestock producers. While the cedars do have a few positive points, the best news about them is that there are options for controlling the water-greedy nuisance tree.

Josh Hammer is off this week. We hope readers will enjoy the following guest column by Ben Shapiro.

Lampasas Community Church opened its doors over the weekend as a warming center for those who needed a place to stay, away from the frigid temperatures and blustery winds that plagued the area for several days.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD The public comment period on the Lampasas Relief Route Feasibility Study has been extended to Jan. 6, 2023.

Joycesarah McCabe has joined the staff of the Lampasas Dispatch Record. McCabe said she feels a special kinship to Lampasas, as her husband's grandmother was born in Lampasas in 1859, and a grandfather was given a land grant here.

The nationwide Wreaths Across America observance took place Dec. 17 at Smith Cemetery at School Creek. The organization coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and 3,400 other locations across the U.S. As Mary Arnold read each veteran’s name, Johnny Arnold rang the bell in solemn tribute to their military service.

An Early Childhood Educator training webinar series will be offered beginning in the new year. The webinars will be held every fourth Tuesday, from January through October, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY Officials at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville announced that Logan Sneed of Lampasas received a degree during the 2022 fall semester. Sneed earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in general business..