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SCHULENBURG – Senior Connections hosted a year end celebration and fundraiser to contribute to their operations and support the seniors that benefit from their programs on Dec. 31. The organization sponsored an auction of donated items as well as a dinner and a dance for those in attendance.

EAGLE LAKE – The Volunteer Fire Departments of Eagle Lake and Garwood teamed up to take on a structure fire on Stevenson Street.

COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M Forest Service urges everyone to use extreme caution when participating in activities that may start a wildfire or housefire this holiday season. One spark can ruin a holiday.

LA GRANGE – Are you a Texas high school student? Would you like to travel, experience a big city, visit historic landmarks and meet new people? Perhaps you’d like to meet face-to-face with influential figures like U.S. representatives, or maybe you’re looking for an inspirational and educational experience in the company of fellow Texas teens.

ORGANIZATIONS DONATE TO COLUMBUS FOOD PANTRY OVER HOLIDAYS

Many enjoy having a real Christmas tree for the holidays. And when the holidays are over, there are several eco-friendly ways to dispose or recycle a Christmas tree.

Those making payments in 2023 are astonished by reductions from SB2/Proposition 4.

AUSTIN – Texas’ labor market achieved a new record high as the state’s seasonally adjusted job count reached 14,094,900, an increase of 26,800 positions over the month of November. Lone Star State employment set new record high levels in each of the last 26 months and added 407,100 positions since November 2022, ranking No. 1 in the nation in over the year increase of seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs. Texas’ employment growth rate continued to outperform with 3.0% annual growth from November 2022 to November 2023, outpacing the nation’s more modest 1.8%.

Priority is adding about 60,000 acre-feet of water available for expected growth in Highland Lakes/Austin/Bastrop areas

ATHENS – New Year’s Day arrives on Monday and with it comes the kickoff of the 38th Toyota Share-Lunker season. Anglers from across Texas and the nation will cast their lines in anticipation of landing a Legacy Lunker largemouth bass (13-plus pounds) in Texas’ world-class fisheries.

Seniors in high school have a limited time to try to apply for scholarship funds from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for their college courses. The application period that started on Dec. 15 will close on Jan. 31 as seniors across Texas will look to secure the education funding that the Rodeo has pledged for Texas senior students.

Students urged to start application process well ahead of deadline

AUSTIN – As the year ends, so does Texas State Parks’ Centennial Celebration, but the fun doesn’t stop when the clock strikes midnight. Kick off your resolution to explore the outdoors in 2024 with a First Day Hike at a state park, which will host ranger-guided and self-guided walks, bike rides, paddling trips and polar plunges in honor of the national initiative aimed at getting people outdoors.

It’s hard to think of Christmas without thinking of the jolly old man in red that represents the giving spirit of the holidays. Santa Claus has been a prominent image of Christmas since the legend’s origins hundreds of years ago. Local author Fawn Young used her gift of writing and creativity to bring new life to the story of Santa with her book, The Legend of the Old Man.Young’s story of persistence through adversity is reflected in her depiction of Santa’s life. Despite the holiday season reaching its conclusion, Young’s personal story, as well as the story depicted in her book, share life lessons that apply throughout the year.

COLUMBUS – The City Council held their final meeting of 2023 at an alternate time and date than their usual schedule as they met on Friday, Dec. 22. The council discussed and approved actions to allow for a few events that will be hosted in Columbus in the upcoming weeks.

WEIMAR – The conversation around the city manager position continued at the Dec. 21 special meeting as well as an extended discussion surrounding the duties and compensation for Fire Marshal, a position that entered a flux state after the recent Marshal resigned due to concerns over breached nepotism laws.

Betsy Castro and Lyndsay Schobel, teachers at Columbus High School, were recognized by the Columbus Education Foundation with Classroom Grants for special projects to expand the learning experience of their students.

Tri-County Realty, LLC Double G Realty Group donated funds to the CHPT Save Our Opera House (SOOH) Campaign.

Elder communities receive blanket donations for the holidays