Hallettsville 2024 Year In Review

This week is the second part of the three-part series and we will look at the highlights of the Tribune-Herald for May through August.

The months of September through December will close our year in review in next week’s Dec. 25 issue.

MAY

The Hallettsville Brahma track and field team made history by winning its first-ever state track and field championship at the UIL State Meet. The four-athlete team made up of Damarion Austin, Layne Gerke, Caden Willis and Rashaun Sidney won gold in the 800-meter relay silver in the 400-meter relay to help them tie neighboring Yoakum for the state title… HISD voters approved Propositions A and B, but did not approve Proposition C in a bond election held in early May… In the City of Hallettsville election, voters approved a $6 million bond for street and related utility improvements. Also, incumbent city council members Trent Skelton, Chasity Grant Carter and Dean Madden were unopposed… The Jansky Sand and Gravel barbecue team was inducted into the Texas State Championship Fiddlers Frolics BBQ Hall of Fame… The Indianettes placed fourth overall at the TAPPS State Track meet… The Brahma golf team finished 10th overall at the UIL State Golf Championships… The Indianettes defeated Abilene Christian to win the TAPPS Division IV Softball title… Indianettes Haley Noska, Ava Lackey, Rylan Dworsky and Avery Beach were selected to the all-tournament team… The Indians fell in the semi-finals of the TAPPS Division IV state baseball tournament… Sacred Heart Catholic High School held its graduation ceremonies with Haley Noska named valedictorian, Natalie Ozuna, salutatorian, and Ava Lackey, historian… Hallettsville High School also held its commencement exercises with Macy Herring named valedictorian, Kodie Bible, salutatorian, and Lauren Lundy, honorary graduate… The Lady Brahma doubles team of Olivia Etzler and April Leopold lost in the opening round of the UIL State Tennis tournament… The Brahmas suffered a third round loss to Industrial to be eliminated from the playoffs… Ezzell ISD held its graduation ceremonies with Breanne Songster named valedictorian, Cheyenne Duncan, salutatorian and Grace Michalec, third-ranking student… Incumbent sheriff, Micah Harmon lost his bid for a sixth term as the county’s top law enforcer. He was unseated by challenger Steven Greenwell… Weather for the month saw strong storms hit the area during the middle of the month bringing hail and high winds. The month had nearly four inches of rainfall for the month with temperature highs averaging 89.7 and lows averaging 73 degrees.

JUNE

Legendary Sacred Heart Catholic High School coach Pat Henke was inducted into the inaugural TAPPS Hall of Fame… Vysehrad ISD named Rachel Robertson as its superintendent for the 2024-25 school year… The Lady Brahmas were defeated by Grandview in the semifinals of UIL State 3A Softball Tournament… Former Brahma athlete and Texas A&M Aggie utility player Ryan Targac was honored by the Aggies in being named the “12th” man and awarded wearing the number 12 on his uniform for his final year of collegiate baseball… Longtime Tribune-Herald employees Chuck Grafe and Henry Joe Jasek celebrated their 37th and 67th year respectively with the paper… Five Lady Brahmas, Carson Jansky, Hanna Zachary, Kaylie Olivarez, Macie Jansky and Ella Amsden were selected to the Texas High School Girls Coaches Association all-state softball team. Coach Callie Kresta was named Coach of the Year for Classes 1A, 2A and 3A… Sacred Heart Catholic High School received the TAPPS Henderson Cup Award for 2A Division schools… The Indianettes had six first-team selections on the TAPPS Division IV softball team, who included Ava Lackey, Haley Noska, Ella Demel, Rylan Dworsky and Avery Beach. Teammates Kenzie Chance and Karley Kostelnik were picked to the second team… Spoetzl Brewery’s longtime brewmaster, Jimmy Mauric announced his retirement after 43 years with the beer company… Shiner’s Dallyn Pesek added another prestigious title to her repertoire being crowned Miss Texas Teen USA… The Major and Minor League Softball All-Star teams as well as the Major and Minor baseball All-Stars all advanced in the Little League playoffs… Indians Josh Terry and Ty Noska were picked to the TAPPS Div. IV all-state baseball team, while Layne Sevcik and Wade Shimek were named to the second team and Emerson Harvey was an honorable mention pick… During the latter part of June, the area received nearly 3 inches of rain from Tropical Storm Alberto. Daytime highs averaged 94 degrees and lows averaged 76.

JULY

Hallettsville resident and Republic Service employee Terrel Herring was awarded the National Resident Driver of the Year by the National Waste and Recycling Association… The Major League girls all-star team and the Minor League baseball all-stars both their respective Sectional Little League tournaments… The area had a touching blow from Hurricane Beryl, but the eye came ashore in the Matagorda area taking a track over Katy, the Conroe-Woodlands area before moving northeast out of the state… Tribune-Herald staff members Michelle Price, Nicole Smith and Murray Montgomery received Texas Press Association Awards… July turned out to be the second wettest month of 2024 with the area receiving close to 9 inches. Daytime highs averaged 93 degrees and lows registering 76 degrees.

AUGUST

The Brahmas and Indians began their 2024 football season practices with 65 turning out for Hallettsville and 39 in the Sacred Heart camp… The Lavaca Medical Center, Lavaca County EMS, as well as county first responder agencies and Hallettsville ISD took part in a mass casualty drill… Hallettsville ISD started the new school year with a total of 1,169 students attending the first day. Sacred Heart Catholic School had 319 students enrolled, while Vysehrad ISD reported 76 students and Ezzell ISD having 127 students in Pre-K through 12… Brahma outfielder Jorian Wilson committed to attend Texas A&M to play baseball… Lavaca County appointed Jo Ann Reeves as the county’s new Veterans Service Officer… Emily Hotz was crowned Miss South Texas Sparkle… The Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court enacted a burn ban for the county and after receiving adequate rainfall in only one week, it lifted the burn ban… Kathy Schlauch appeared on “Press Your Luck”… The heat turned up in August as temperatures averaged 98 degrees and lows averaged 76 degrees. Rainfall for the month was only 1 inch.