Tribune-Herald 2024 year in review Featuring January through April

Hard to believe, but another year is coming to an end and its time to review the top stories of the Tribune-Herald that took place in 2024.

This will be a threepart series with January through April highlighted in today’s issue, while May through August will be reviewed next week and the September through December months covered in the December 25 issue.

JANUARY

The year began with James Foster taking the oath to serve as the Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace… Unfortunately, two wellknown men left us with former police chief and city alderman Elmo Grant and longtime newspaper publisher Buddy Preuss both passing away during the first week of the month. Both men left behind a legacy to their profession… The Miss Hallettsville Scholarship was held with Peyton Pasak being crowned Miss Hallettsville. Manhatten Thompson was selected Jr. Miss, while Peyton Koerth was named Young Miss and Bailey Wallace selected Little Miss. Tyler Roberson was picked Little Mister. Runners-up were Karly Anne Rae Lowery (Miss Hallettsville 1st runner-up) and Haven Johnson (Miss Hallettsville 2nd runner-up). The remaining runner-up Royal Court were Karlie Hotz (Jr. Miss), Addisyn Mozisek (Young Miss), Lilly Ann Marie Whited (Little Miss), and Christopher Debault (Little Mister)… The 72nd annual Straight Domino title went to Gary Fuller of Hallettsville and Kevin Tesch of Moulton. They defeated Louis Kolos of Hallettsville and Ade Agbogun of Houston. Al North and Darrell Hardway, both of El Campo took third place, while John Flannery of New Boston and Larry Jackson of Bokchito, Oklahoma finished fourth and Sylvester Martinez and Mark Padierna, both of Victoria ended in fifth place. The Hallettsville pair of Jeremy Judd and Harvey Woytek won the consolation bracket with Wink Bludau of Hallettsville and Marty Patek of Sweet Home finishing in second place. Third place in consolation went to Ronnie Klekar of Hallettsville and Tommy Neskora of Moulton. Hallettsville’s John Munson and Kenneth Curtis of Wharton were inducted into the Texas Domino Hall of Fame… The 61st Annual Jr. Livestock Show and Market Sale took place with Lane Leopold exhibiting the Grand Champion Steer, while Wyatt Leopold displayed the reserve champion. The Grand Champion Lamb was shown by Christine Felcman and the reserve went to Bexley Peck. Lane Henke exhibited the Grand Champion Swine, while Rylan Marak showed the reserve champion. The Grand Champion Broilers were shown by Allison Dieringer and the reserve pen of chickens were displayed by Preslie Haas. Hudson Prasek showed the Grand Champion Goat with the reserve champion going to Morgan Felcman. Ryan Janak was named the Commercial Heifer Show Grand Champion with Jake Ressler receiving reserve champion honors… Lavaca County treasurer Karen Bludau announced her retirement… The 92nd Annual Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce and Agricultural Banquet was held with Charles and Annabeth Neumeyer named Citizens of the Year. Lara Berckenhoff was recognized with the Hospitality Award. Lauren Lundy (HHS) and Alexandra Kraatz (SHCHS) were named Outstanding Senior Students… The Hallettsville HS cheerleaders place 14th in the 3A UIL State Spirit competition… Indianette pitcher Haley Noska signed with McClennan College in Waco to play softball… The final week of January saw the area soaked with 9.63 inches of rain. Temperatures ranged from a high of 77 degrees on Jan. 11 and a low of 17 degrees on Jan. 17.

FEBRUARY

Sacred Heart Catholic School crowned Klayton Chance and Alexandra Kraatz, king and queen, respectively, as part of Catholic Schools Week… The Hallettsville Lions Club completed its two-year project of having coverings placed over playscapes in the city park… The University Interscholastic League’s annual biennial realignment of schools took place with Hallettsville playing football in Region III District 12 Division I and include Columbus, Yoakum, Hitchcock and Hempstead. In regards to the other sports, Hallettsville was placed in Region IV, District 25 AAA including Columbus, Tidehaven, Industrial, Palacios, Yoakum, Rice Consolidated and Edna… Tammy Koerth was appointed as the new county treasurer… Hoffer’s Drive-In Grocery celebrated its 70th year in business… Hallettsville FFA member Jake Ressler participated in the San Antonio Beef Cattle Skillathon Contest and was named Grand Champion of the event… Brahma Layne Gerke signed a letter of intent with Texas A&M to play football as a preferred walk-on. Indian Nick Angerstein signed a letter of intent to play football at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches… Lady Brahma swimmer Lauren Lundy qualified for UIL State Swim Meet… Heavy storms hit the area during the early part of the month bringing high winds and good downpours. Highs averaged 71.7 degrees, while lows averaged 51.8 degrees.

MARCH

The Deer Park duo of Tom Fry and John Harrison captured the annual State Championship 42 Domino tournament defeating James Young and Art Curby, both of Wimberley. Roy McDaniel and Monte Powell both of Texico, New Mexico finished third, while Carmen and Trent Coursey of Cedar Park took fourth place. On the consolation side Geary Mason of Baytown and Steven James of Crosby won first defeating a team from Bryan in Mike Lero and Will Maddox… Voters went to the polls in early March with a three-candidate race between incumbent Micah Harmon, Steven Greenwell and Anthony Vaccaro vying for county sheriff. After the election Harmon and Greenwell would face off in a run-off. James Reeves defeated incumbent Kyle Denney for county attorney, while incumbent Pct. 1 commissioner Edward Pustka kept his seat defeating challenger Travis Henderson. Donald J. Trump carried the Republican Party primary for U.S. president, while incumbent president Joe Biden won the Democrat Party primary… Hallettsville FFA member Jake Ressler, brought home top honors being named Grand Champion overall in the Houston Livestock Show Junior Commercial Steer Contest… The Hallettsville Little League held its opening day ceremonies with former Lady Brahma and Florida Gators softball pitcher Rylee Trlicek throwing out the first pitch… Sacred Heart Catholic Church pastor Msgr. John Peters was inducted into the South Texas Polka Hall of Fame… Lady Brahma Rebecca Satsky signed a letter of intent to play softball at Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorehead, Mississippi… Tammy Koerth was sworn in as county treasurer… March was another month of good downpours hitting the area with rains measuring 4.62 inches and including hail measuring 2.1 inches. Daytime highs averaged 77.2 degrees, while lows averaged 58.1 degrees.

APRIL

Hallettsville High School named Damarion Austin and Macy Herring as Mr. and Miss HHS, respectively… Hallettsville ISD superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Bludau was re-elected to her fourth term on the UIL Legislative Council… Former Brahma and Texas Longhorn running back Jonathon Brooks was the overall 46th pick in the NFL Draft. Brooks was the first running back taken in the draft and was picked in the second round by the Carolina Panthers… The 53rd annual Texas State Championship Fiddlers Frolics was held with Dennis Ludiker of Austin, out-fiddling defending champion Carl Hopkins of Porter… The Sacred Heart Band captured the TAPPS state band championship held in Temple… The Brahma Golf team made up of Layne Gerke, Eli Ferguson, Bobby Copley, Tanner Cliffe and Adam Stock made history in qualifying for the UIL Class 3A State Golf tournament… The Indians golf team of Sam Bludau, Klayton Chance, James Cesarz, Brock Hermes and Lance Barton finished fourth at the TAPPS 4A golf tournament… The Indianettes placed third in the TAPPS South Regional Track Meet… This month produced decent rainfall and temperatures began to rise. Daytime highs averaged 83 degrees and lows averaged 65.2 degrees.