News

ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Welcome back greetings offered

News Staff
Monday, August 17, 2026
K-Kids members were on hand Thursday to welcome students back to Kline Whitis Elementary for the start of the new term. Offering a smile are, from left, Evie DeKlerk, Andi Raquet, Sadie Morrison, Arden Achee and Lyla Sellers.
August Payments to Area Cities Burnet up 7% $377,393 Copperas Cove up 8% $773,258 Evant up 14% $11,520 Gatesville up 6% $309,311 Goldthwaite up 6% $58,175 Hamilton down 7% $93,102 Kempner up 5% $22,218 Lampasas up 11% $296,971 Lometa up 20% $11,745 Marble Falls up 7% $1,398,477 San Saba up 8% $64,416 August sales tax rebates to area entities were up this period for all but the city of Hamilton. DISPATCH RECORD GRAPHIC

August Payments to Area Cities Burnet up 7% $377,393 Copperas Cove up 8% $773,258 Evant up 14% $11,520 Gatesville up 6% $309,311 Goldthwaite up 6% $58,175 Hamilton down 7% $93,102 Kempner up 5% $22,218 Lampasas up 11% $296,971 Lometa up 20% $11,745 Marble Falls up 7% $1,398,477 San Saba up 8% $64,416 August sales tax rebates to area entities were up this period for all but the city of Hamilton. DISPATCH RECORD GRAPHIC

Sales tax revenues rebound

Gail Lowe
Monday, August 17, 2026
Newly appointed Texas Comptroller Don Huffines announced last week that $1.4 billion in sales tax allocations will go to local governments across the state in August, up 13.6% from the figure in August 2025.

BRIEFLY

News Staff
Monday, August 17, 2026
WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESSA Wildfire Preparedness public meeting is planned for Aug. 27 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Lampasas County Office Building conference room, 409 S. Pecan St. in Lampasas.
From left, Place 3 Councilman Zachary Morris and Mayor Herb Pearce look on during Monday's regular meeting. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

From left, Place 3 Councilman Zachary Morris and Mayor Herb Pearce look on during Monday's regular meeting. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Council considers 1,000-foot school buffer for smoke shops

Erick Mitchell
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Once again, smoke shop discussions dominated the Lampasas City Council workshop session. The council is weighing a change to an ordinance that would require these businesses to be at least 1,000 feet from a school campus.
ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Meet the Teacher offers classroom preview

News Staff
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Parents and students find their new classes at Hanna Springs Elementary School in preparation for the start of the school year. The Lampasas ISD session opened Thursday.
Councilmen Rob Green, left, and Thomas Combs discuss the proposed 2026-2027 budget for the city of Kempner. Elimination of a setaside for a future municipal court judge salary has enabled the Kempner City Council to lower the tax rate for the upcoming year. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Councilmen Rob Green, left, and Thomas Combs discuss the proposed 2026-2027 budget for the city of Kempner. Elimination of a setaside for a future municipal court judge salary has enabled the Kempner City Council to lower the tax rate for the upcoming year. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Kempner approves small tax rate decrease for 2026-2027

Erick Mitchell
Thursday, August 13, 2026
After floating a proposed 11% increase to the city’s tax rate, Kempner City Council members settled on a lower rate than the one approved in 2025.During Tuesday’s regular meeting, council members adopted the city’s 2026-2027 fiscalyear budget and a tax rate of $0.

BRIEFLY

News Staff
Thursday, August 13, 2026
ICE CREAM SOCIALLampasas Senior Center will hold an Ice Cream Social Fundraiser on Aug. 27 at 12:30 p.m. Those who make a donation will get a sweet treat.All proceeds go directly to the Meals on Wheels program to provide food for homebound seniors..
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