2023 Tribune Year in Review

This week will be a look at the Tribune Herald’s final four months of 2023 with September through December being highlighted.

September:

A new program at Hallettsville HS begin with the start of school that involved students having the opportunity to attend the Mid-Coast Construction Academy… Lauren Lundy and Zachary Henke were named HHS Football sweetheart and beau at the Brahma-Flatonia game… Brady Haas and Braxtyn Sitka were crowned King and Queen at SHCHS Homecoming ceremonies… Lavaca County Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace, Steven Greenwell, was presented the 2023 U.S. Attorney Award… Legendary and former coach of Sacred Heart Catholic HS, Pat Henke was honored at the Indians-Louise football game for his many accomplishments during his career… At the request of the Lavaca County Fire Association, Commissioners’ Court voted to keep a burn ban in place for the county… Annabeth Neumeyer was named Kolache Queen for 2023… Dawson Smith and Lauren Lundy were crowned King and Queen during the Brahma-Cypress Christian game… The month was marked by several record high temperatures with September beginning with 12 consecutive days of 100 degree highs. The month also became the sixth month of the year to fall below normal rainfall averages. Daytime highs averaged 99.9 degrees and lows averaging 75.5 degrees. Rain totaled 1.98 inches.

October:

With the continued drought conditions, a burn ban remained in place for Lavaca County… Hallettsville HS Agriculture Science department expanded its course offerings… Lavaca County elections administrator, Amy Kloesel, submitted her resignation from the position… Klayton Chance and Anneliese Noska were named SHCHS Football Beau and Sweetheart at the Indians-Northland Christian game… After briefly removing the Lavaca County burn ban, the burn ban was reinstated for the county.… Aaron Machac repeated as Hallettsville Golf Club champion, while Steve Buelttel won the senior championship… Texas Longhorn, and former Brahma back, Jonathon Brooks, was recognized with the retirement of his game jersey at the Brahma-Hempstead game… Hallettsville FFA student, Jake Ressler, walked away as overall reserve champion at the State Fair of Texas Beef Cattle Skillathon… FFA students Dylan Orsak, Nathan Henke, Zachary Henke and Wyatt Kram placed fourth in the State Fair of Texas Dairy Judging Contest… Following sufficient rain, the Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court lifted the burn ban for the county… The court appointed Tenia Hudson as the interim elections administrator as well as Brandy Stuckey as the interim elections chief deputy… Lavaca Hospital District board member John Allen announced his resignation from the board… Lady Brahmas Elizabeth Felcman and Juliet Davenport qualified to run in the UIL State Crosscountry meet… During the last week of the month, the area received its first cold front that brought with it around 1.6 inches of rain, the most in one day since May. Daytime highs averaged 83.3 degrees with lows averaging 63.4 degrees. Total rainfall was 2.7 inches.

November:

New York City Marathon for the National Blood Clot Alliance… Michael Silgero and Kelly Catto were chosen HHS Band beau and sweetheart at the Brahma-Yoakum game… Lee Mack Turner of Yoakum appeared as a contestant on the popular Wheel of Fortune television program and won $7,700… A new scoreboard was installed at the Brahma Memorial Football Stadium… Hallettsville ISD held its Veterans Day Parade with WW II veteran, Henry Pekar, riding in the parade… The Brahmas fell in bi-district play losing to the defending Class 3A Div. I champion Franklin… Three Lady Brahma softball players, Macie Jansky, (McClennan Community College(, Madison Mikes (St. Mary’s University) and Kaylie Olivarez (UTSA) signed letters of intent with the respective schools… Sacred Heart/St. Paul band director, Jake Heck, performed with other band directors across the country in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City… Blase’s Place celebrated its 75th anniversary… Ronnie Juenke was appointed to the LHD Board of Directors… The Indians memorable season came to an end as they lost to Lubbock Christian in the TAPPS Division IV semi-final football game… November was mild in temperatures and short on rain. Temperature highs averaged 70.4, while lows averaged 53.4 degrees. Rainfall totalled slightly over two inches.

December:

Irene Szwarc received the 2023 Texas Czech Heritage Annual Award… Lavaca County Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace, Steven Greenwell announced his resignation from the position… The Lavaca Soil and Water Conservation District recognized Mike Hanslik for 25 years of service as a board member… As candidate filing ended, the Republican Party has three Lavaca County contested races that will be held in the March 2024 primary. Three candidates filed for sheriff including incumbent Micah Harmon as well as Anthony Vaccaro and Steven Greenwell. Incumbent Kyle Denney and James Reeves will face off for county attorney and incumbent Precinct 1 Commissioner Edward Pustka will have opposition from Travis Henderson… The month of December continued be calm and exceptionally dry. Daytime highs averaged in the 70’s, while lows averaged around 53 degrees.

As 2023 comes to an end and a new year begins, the staff at the Tribune Herald wish everyone a happy and blessed new year.