News

DPS calls on public to prioritize school safety

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,...

Council approves public notice of tax rate

The Hallettsville City Council is proposing a property tax rate of .5408 per $100 of taxable value for the 2026 tax year.

Area schools report lower first day attendance compared to 2025

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...

Two more LCSO inmates charged on felony warrants

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...

Wahlstrom found guilty on sexual assault of child charges

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.

Traffic switch at roundabout

As the next phase of the roundabout construction project takes place at the intersection of Highways 90-A west and 77-A south, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is announcing a traffic switch has occurred at the location.According to TxDOT public information officer Lucean Kuykendall,...

JP 2 candidate named

The Lavaca County Republican Party Precinct 2 executive committee has nominated Chris Ulcak as its candidate for the Justice of the Peace position.Ulcak will be placed on the general election ballot in November as the Republican Party candidate to replace the deceased Travis Hill.Hill was the...

Ratcliff pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2022 crash that killed two near Yoakum

Connor Ratcliff pled guilty to two counts of manslaughter in which he used his motor vehicle as a deadly weapon in connection with a 2022 crash that killed two people, according to the Lavaca County Attorney’s Office.“I usually try to stick strictly to the facts,” County Attorney James Reeves said...

State mandates Bible curriculum starting 2030

The Texas State Board of Education approved what could be a controversial new curriculum mandate that requires public school students to read and study Bible stories.

YISD approves Student/Employee Handbook

The Yoakum Independent School District approved the student and employee handbook at the Aug. 10 board meeting.There are no major changes in the handbooks; however, one change in the student handbook includes the work-base program for students.