U.S. Army Center of Military History photo
The Continental Army: America's First Line of Defense
Murray Montgomery
By Murray Montgomery - Staff Writer
Friday, August 14, 2026
contributed photo
Beginning this school year, the University Interscholastic League has put into effect that a “heat stress” monitor must be used for any outdoor athletic or marching band activities.The UIL refers to this requirement as a “Heat Stress & Athletic Participation Required Plan.” As part of the plan,…
Louis A. Berger Jr.
Louis Alvin Berger, Jr., 85, of Victoria, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Louis was born on January 12, 1941, in Shiner, to the late Louis and Lillian Foster Berger.Louis was the fifth of ten children and attended St. Ludmila’s Academy in…
Bernice Kohl
Bernice Kohl, 84, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026 in Temple, Texas. She was born on May 29, 1942 in Shiner, to Charlie Kurtz and Bessie Krametbauer Kurtz.Bernice was baptized, confirmed, and married at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Shiner. She attended St. Ludmila’s Academy…
The Lavaca Hospital District Board of Directors met Monday and after holding a public hearing on the voter approval tax rate, the board voted unanimously by oral voice vote to approve the VA rate of .1800 cents per $100 valuation.At the Monday, Aug. 10 special called meeting, the board heard the…
Folks may notice an ambulance on the road that looks a little different from the units people are accustomed to seeing.This ambulance is currently serving as a loaner ambulance for the Lavaca County EMS Department. The department said they are extremely grateful to the manufacturer for providing it…
Thirty-two HISD faculty members were recognized at the Monday, Aug. 10 Hallettsville ISD Board of Trustees meeting. The teachers were presented with Texas Incentive Allotment awards. Front row from left are Michelle Steffek, Kari Etzler, Emily Leopold, Tiffany Wegener, Michele Kolacny, Ashley Mikes, Cheryl Leopold, Megan Bruton, Mary Jo Bludau, Sarah Jansky and Tucker Smolik. Middle row from left are Kristen Jasek, Jennifer Muenster, Madeline Brown, Karen Kahanek, Mary Anne Etzler, Haley Spring...
At the Monday, Aug. 10 Hallettsville ISD Board of Trustees meeting 32 faculty members were recognized for receiving Teacher Incentive Allotments.According to HISD executive director of student services Trina Patek, the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) is a Texas funded program established by House…
With the 2026-27 school year now back in session at all area schools, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding drivers and parents to make school safety a priority as students return to classrooms across the state.Texans are urged to slow down in school zones, obey school bus laws,…
The Hallettsville City Council is proposing a property tax rate of .5408 per $100 of taxable value for the 2026 tax year. They approved a public notice of the 2026 tax rate at the Aug. 17 meeting.The proposed tax rate is higher than the city’s no-new-revenue tax rate of .4353 per $100 of taxable…
The school term for 2026-27 began during the past week with area schools, Ezzell and Vysehrad and Sacred Heart Catholic School reporting their first day enrollment numbers.Ezzell and Vysehrad ISDs began their school terms on Tuesday, Aug. 11.The Ezzell ISD administration office reported the school…
Ryan Lee Knesek
Two more inmates, currently housed in the Lavaca County jail, have been charged on arrest warrants.According to the Lavaca County Sheriff ’s Office, the two inmates, Thomas Presley Knight and Ryan Lee Knesek, were charged Friday, Aug. 14 for engaging in organized criminal activity and prohibited…
A Lavaca County man was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault of a child involving a 15-year-old victim Aug. 3.Levi Wahlstrom had been charged on four counts of sexual assault of a child. Wahlstrom was assessed punishment at five years in prison on one count and two years in prison for the…
State mandates Bible curriculum starting 2030
News Staff
The Texas State Board of Education approved what could be a controversial new curriculum mandate...
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
contributed photo
UIL mandates "heat stress" monitor
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Beginning this school year, the University Interscholastic League has put into effect that a “heat stress” monitor must be used for any outdoor athletic or marching band activities.The UIL refers to this requirement as a “Heat Stress & Athletic Participation Required Plan.
News
LHD sets 2026 voter approval tax rate
Jimmy Appelt
The Lavaca Hospital District Board of Directors met Monday and after holding a public hearing on...
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
EMS receives loaner ambulance
News Staff
Folks may notice an ambulance on the road that looks a little different from the units people are...
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Thirty-two HISD faculty members were recognized at the Monday, Aug. 10 Hallettsville ISD Board of Trustees meeting. The teachers were presented with Texas Incentive Allotment awards. Front row from left are Michelle Steffek, Kari Etzler, Emily Leopold, Tiffany Wegener, Michele Kolacny, Ashley Mikes, Cheryl Leopold, Megan Bruton, Mary Jo Bludau, Sarah Jansky and Tucker Smolik. Middle row from left are Kristen Jasek, Jennifer Muenster, Madeline Brown, Karen Kahanek, Mary Anne Etzler, Haley Spring...
HISD faculty members receive Teacher Incentive Allotment
News Staff
At the Monday, Aug.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Sports
Photo by Chuck Grafe Kenzie Chance sets in the victory over Rice Consolidated. Kenzie had nine aces in the match.
SH 3, Lady Raiders 1
Chuck Grafe
ALTAIR – The Indianettes didn’t start out with a bang in their season opener against Altair Rice...
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Lady Brahmas in Columbus Tournament
Chuck Grafe
The Lady Brahmas opened the season in the Columbus - Kecia Davis Memorial Tournament held Thursday...
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Brahmas host Giddings in final scrimmage
Chuck Grafe
Hallettsville will host Giddings in its final scrimmage here Thursday starting at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
lifestyle
Local artists, Roy and Blanche Cavaretta and Michael Moore placed at the 55th annual Ruidoso Art Festival that took placetwo weeks ago in in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The Cavarettas won best of show, while Roy also won first place in mixed media for one of his gourd entries. Michael Moore brought home a second place finish for a fused glass entry. From left are Roy Cavaretta and Michael Moore. Blanche Cavaretta is absent from the photo. Photo provided by Michael Moore
Local artists places at NM art festival
Jimmy Appelt
Two local Hallettsville artists entered exhibits in the 55th annual Ruidoso Art Festival in...
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
“Texas Jack” Omohundro – Wikipedia Photo
The Old West Superstar You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Murray Montgomery
By Murray Montgomery
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Blackie Bludau cuts open this watermelon at his home in Hallettsville. Bludau grows watermelons for sale annually.
Bludau raises another good watermelon crop
News Staff
Bruce “Blackie” Bludau figured out long ago that growing watermelons was a good idea in Lavaca...
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Obituaries
Louis A. Berger Jr.
Louis A. Berger Jr.
News Staff
Louis Alvin Berger, Jr.
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Bernice Kohl
Bernice Kohl
News Staff
Bernice Kohl, 84, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026 in Temple, Texas.
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Carl Allen Cox
Carl Allen Cox
News Staff
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Carl Allen Cox, 68, of Dublin, Texas.
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Sylvia Rivera
Sylvia Rivera
News Staff
Sylvia Rosas Rivera, 101, of Yoakum, passed away Sunday, July 26, 2026 at her home, surrounded by...
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
