News

ARRESTS

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.

DISTRICT COURT

Lampasas County 27th District Court convened last week with Judge Debbie Garrett presiding over the day’s hearings.

American Red Cross blood drive planned for March 10

The next American Red Cross Community Blood Drive will be March 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at First Street Church of Christ’s Family Life Center, 201 W. First St.Appointments may be made online or through the Red Cross app.
Lometa senior Selie Hodge poses for a photo with her 2026 ag mechanics project, a shelf to hold belt buckles aquired through livestock show competitions over the years. ADAM BARRIOS | DISPATCH RECORD

Lometa senior Selie Hodge poses for a photo with her 2026 ag mechanics project, a shelf to hold belt buckles aquired through livestock show competitions over the years. ADAM BARRIOS | DISPATCH RECORD

FFA is life for Lometa senior Selie Hodge

When it comes to living by FFA’s motto – “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve” – few do it better than Lometa High School senior Selie Hodge.
The Lampasas Police Department experienced a  28% decrease in felonies reported during 2025. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

The Lampasas Police Department experienced a 28% decrease in felonies reported during 2025. ERICK MITCHELL | DISPATCH RECORD

Police statistics show crime down in 2025

Numbers from the Lampasas Police Department reveal crime trended downward in the city during 2025.The LPD reported 271 felony crimes in 2025, a 28% decrease from the 376 it showed in 2024. Misdemeanors followed suit, with 871 reported in 2025 versus 1,227 in 2024 – a 29% decrease.

BRIEFLY

BLOOD DRIVEThe next American Red Cross Community Blood Drive will be March 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at First Street Church’s Family Life Center, 201 W. First St.Appointments may be made online or through the Red Cross app.
This theme for this year’s Spring Ho festival, “Stars, Stripes & Spring Ho Nights,” is a nod to the country’s 250th birthday that will be celebrated across the nation this summer. GRAPHIC COURTESY OF SPRING HO FESTIVAL

This theme for this year’s Spring Ho festival, “Stars, Stripes & Spring Ho Nights,” is a nod to the country’s 250th birthday that will be celebrated across the nation this summer. GRAPHIC COURTESY OF SPRING HO FESTIVAL

Spring Ho unveils new festival logo

The Spring Ho Committee has unveiled its new festival design and theme for 2026.“Stars, Stripes & Spring Ho Nights” will celebrate the signature event held in Lampasas every July while giving a nod to the country’s 250th birthday celebration that will take place across the nation this summer.
Emmanuel Prado’s welding trailer took first place in its class at the 2026 Ag Mechanics Show in Lampasas. ADAM BARRIOS | DISPATCH RECORD

Emmanuel Prado’s welding trailer took first place in its class at the 2026 Ag Mechanics Show in Lampasas. ADAM BARRIOS | DISPATCH RECORD

Lometa FFA star balances time in sports and welding shop

Ever since he can remember, Lometa High School senior Emmanuel Prado has had a creative mind and has been willing to get busy with his hands.The Lometa FFA student has produced several ag mechanics projects over the years while juggling life as a student-athlete.
From left, Selie Hodge, Leah Walker and Bailey Gutierrez show off the banners and cash prizes they earned at the inaugural public speaking contest hosted in conjunction with the county stock show. COURTESY PHOTO

From left, Selie Hodge, Leah Walker and Bailey Gutierrez show off the banners and cash prizes they earned at the inaugural public speaking contest hosted in conjunction with the county stock show. COURTESY PHOTO

Lampasas students compete in new public speaking contest

A new public speaking competition offered FFA students another chance to compete during the annual Lampasas County Youth Livestock Show. The grand champion and reserve grand champion talked about their experiences.
Students discuss the meaning behind FFA

Students discuss the meaning behind FFA

Students discuss the meaning behind FFA

When most people think of FFA, they think of stock shows or kids who live on a farm or ranch. But that’s just not the case all the time.In fact, in our ag classes at Lampasas High School, only 20% to 25% actually live on a working farm or ranch.Gone are the days of old Ag I, Ag II, Ag III and Ag IV.