2024: YEAR-IN-REVIEW: JULY-DECEMBER

It is hard to imagine another year is coming to an end and its time to review the top stories of the Yoakum Herald-Times that took place in 2024.

This is a two-part series. July through December is reviewed in this week’s paper while January through June was in last week.

JULY

Kicking off July, the Yoakum Golf Course was in desperate need of new greens and was seeking help from City Council regarding this… The City of Yoakum chose Michael Mitchell to be the new City Manager. He began his term on July 8… Hurricane Beryl passed through with gusty winds and very little rain. The eye came ashore in the Matagorda area taking a track over Katy, the Conroe-Woodlands area before moving northeast out of the state… The Yoakum Independent School District received construction updates for both the new baseball and softball fields… The Yoakum Little League All-Stars Junior Girls competed in the Sectional Tournament in Lockhart… Lavaca County officially turned 182 years old on July 13… Tribune-Herald staff members Michelle Price, Nicole Smith, and Murray Montgomery received Texas Press Association Awards… Yoakum ISD welcomed its new band directors. Mario Morales was hired as the new head band director and Cait Kosch the new assistant band director… Construction started on Yoakum’s new cell tower… July turned out to be the second wettest month of 2024 with the area receiving close to nine inches of rain. Daytime highs averaged 93 degrees and lows registering 76 degrees.

AUGUST

The Lavaca Medical Center, Lavaca County EMS, as well as county first responder agencies took part in a mass casualty drill in Hallettsville… Preliminary pricing for YISD’s new baseball field was reported at the board meeting… Both the Lavaca and DeWitt County court proposed their tax rate for the new year… The Yoakum Carl and Mary Welhausen Library had one of its most successful summer reading programs yet… Yoakum ISD started the new school year with a total of 1,435 students attending the first day. St. Joseph School in Yoakum had 126 students while Providence Christian Academy had 26 students. Sweet Home ISD had a total of 154 students…Lavaca County appointed Jo Ann Reeves as the county’s new Veterans Service Officer… The Lavaca County Commissioners Coury enacted a burn ban for the county while DeWitt County voted no on the ban… After receiving adequate rainfall in only one week, the Court lifted the burn ban… The heat turned up in August as temperatures averaged 98 degrees and lows averaged 76 degrees. Rainfall for the month was only 1 inch.

SEPTEMBER

The cell tower for Yoakum was officially constructed and put in place… Sweet Home ISD picked Gallagher Construction to be the program manager for their bond project… The Yoakum Bulldogs won 41-32 against Port Lavaca Calhoun in their game opener… A rededication ceremony for the World War II cannon was held… Long-time Sacred Heart Catholic Church pastor Msgr. John Peters retired after serving 30 years as the church’s leader. He also celebrated his 50th anniversary in the priesthood… The Yoakum City Council tossed around the idea of getting an outdoor fitness center at one of the parks in Yoakum… The Yoakum Economic Development Corporation approved a grant for a new restaurant. It is an expansion of YK Deli and will be located next to that restaurant… The Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court enacted the burn ban for the county. It was the second time this year for the burn ban being implemented… The month turned out to be the driest month so far in the year with only .37 inches of rain falling during the month. Daytime highs averaged nearly 95 degrees, while low averages came in at 72.

OCTOBER

DeWitt County Commissioners made a proclamation designating the first week of October as National 4-H Week… The Yoakum Bulldog Homecoming Court was announced. Th e c o u r t i n c l u d e d Duchess Amy Ramirez, Duke Jared Ramirez, King Gage Harrison, Queen Brianna Lopez, Princess Emma Fling, and Prince Bradley Jacobs… The Yoakum Historic African American Cemetery finished their project putting new fencing around the area… Fire Prevention Week was held the first week of October… Council approved downtown string lights for the Christmas on the Grand Festival… Yoakum ISD requested a Voter Approved Tax Rate Election… Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court declared the third week of October as Chamber of Commerce Week… Precinct 1 Constable Kelly Phelps from DeWitt County submitted his resignation for the end of the year… Highs averaged 92 degrees, while lows averaged 65.

NOVEMBER

The Yoakum FFA Agriculture Issues Team advanced to Area. They have been practicing in front of forums from anywhere between Chamber meetings to School Board meetings… The United States presidential election was held with Republican Donald Trump winning his second term… Commissioners’ Court voted to continue with a burn ban for the county… Former Hallettsville Brahma and Texas Longhorn running back Jonathon Brooks made his debut in the National Football League… Yoakum Council placed a moratorium for a six-month period on manufactured homes while they review zoning ordinances… DeWitt County Commissioners attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the FM 240 project in Westhoff… For the third month in a row, the area lacked rainfall with only 1.41 inches falling during November. Daytime highs averaged 81 degrees and lows averaged 57.

DECEMBER

After appearing in only three NFL games, Jonathon Brooks suffered a torn ACL causing him a setback in his football career… The Yoakum City Council approved the purchase of a new ambulance for the Fire Department.