According to officials, callers using a 210-area code claim they are investigating spikes in electricity usage and need to audit meters. In some cases reported in the western portion of Bluebonnet’s service area, including Bastrop County, callers attempted to schedule visits to homeowner properties.

“We’ve had several reports of this happening in this area,” said Will Holford of Bluebonnet. “Even if it’s two or three reports or 300, we take them all very seriously and make every effort to communicate with our members so they don’t fall victim.”

Holford clarified what the callers claim to be doing is not part of the cooperative’s standard operations. Bluebonnet may test or replace meters, but those visits are typically scheduled days or weeks in advance and do not involve pressure for immediate access to the property.

“If somebody calls you and they are demanding something immediately, or if it sounds too good to be true … it probably is,” he said.

Members who receive suspicious calls are encouraged to gather as much information as possible, including caller ID details, and report it to local law enforcement and Bluebonnet’s member services line at 800-949-4414.

Holford added one of the best ways to avoid falling victim to potential scams is for members to stay informed about their own energy usage through the MyBluebonnet app or their online account. Bluebonnet representatives and contractors are also required to be in uniform and drive clearly marked vehicles identifying them as associated with the company.

As of press time, Holford said the cooperative has not received reports of financial loss or property damage connected to the scam but is working to raise awareness.

“Our goal is to get the message out before anything like that does happen,” he said.

Members can find more information and scam prevention tips at bluebonnet. coop.

A former Smithville Volunteer Fire Department treasurer was arrested last week on allegations he stole tens of thousands of dollar s f rom the nonprof it , officials said John Johnson was taken into custody in the Houston area and booked into the Brazoria County Jail on a warrant tied to the case April 16. Authorities allege he stole between $30,000 and $150,000 from the Smithville VFD following an investigation that began in November.

According to officials, a forensic audit of the department was conducted after Smithville police received a report of theft within the VFD. The investigation reviewed financial records and bank accounts before issuing several subpoenas for additional information and an arrest warrant was obtained.

It was revealed the suspect lived in Alvin, where members of the Alvin Police Department arrested Johnson.

Local police said the suspect later confessed to taking money from the Smithville VFD’s fundraiser account.

As of press time, Johnson remains in jail pending a $75,000 bond.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing.

Council members unanimously voted at their April 14 meeting to repeal the old Bastrop Building Block (B3) code and adopt the new Bastrop Development Code (BDC). According to Mayor Pro Tem John Kirkland, the B3 code is estimated to have cost the city about $10 million in lost revenue since being adopted seven years ago.

“This (B3) code is the reason that a majority of us are seated up here, to fix this,” he said.

City leaders said the B3 code created a restrictive and often confusing process that slowed development. A combination of outdated rules and city management practices meant it could take up to a year to review simple building permits, according to Kirkland, with no appeals process available for denials.

The new system is designed to clear the way for growth, according to the city.

To commemorate the move, small candy- filled coffins labeled “Bastrop B3 Code, 2019 to 2026” were distributed to city staff as mementos for helping with the citywide overhaul.

City Manager Sylvia Carrillo-Trevino, who started with B3 in place in 2022, said the city has worked to rebuild its development process from the ground up.

“Thank you for allowing me to dismantle one of the worst codes I’ve seen in my career,” Carrillo- Trevino said. “I’m going to make a strong statement and say I think some of those folks (involved with the previous code) should be in jail.”

Under the new code, the city will reinstate its Zoning Board of Adjustment and allow for administrative flexibility when projects require special consideration. B3 offered no such relief, city staff said.

The old code was developed by a third party at a cost of about $750,000, while the BDC was created inhouse through a series of meetings with the council, developers, commissions and community.

Council members said saving money by working on critical functions themselves is one reason the city was able to approve a budget that did not increase property taxes. In addition to the new development code, Carrillo- Trevino said she has brought in new staff members who see themselves as public servants and want to help their neighbors.

“I want to make it very clear that this is a code for the people … it’s enforced by the people, and we work for the people,” the city manager said.

The BDC was approved with just one change at its second reading last week, the removal of a restriction that would have allowed no more than five residents including children in a 1,500 square foot home, and no more than 10 residents in a home of 3,000 square feet or larger.

Council member Kevin Plunkett jokingly pointed out that a two-parent, twochild family in a 1,500 square foot home had better hope the next pregnancy wasn’t twins or they would be in violation.

“You know, to me that’s going beyond what I feel this council is about,” Plunkett said. “If there are issues with parking, issues with noise, any other nuisance items that are going to bother the neighbors, then I think we need to attack those and not say how many kids somebody can have.”

Council agreed to fully remove the section restricting family size.

The city’s zoning map was updated alongside the code to reflect its clearer terminology, according to the council.

“This is probably one of the happiest days I’ve been on council, because roads and codes, we’re getting them done,” Councilwoman Cynthia Meyer said.

City officials reviewed April 14 planned safety improvements for County Line Road and Kennedy Street as part of Elgin’s nearly $11 million project set to begin next week.

The project, funded by a Texas General Land Office grant and supplemented by developer fees, will cover about “This is what growth looks like. It’s uncomfortable, but once you get over that hump, it’s worth the sacrifice.”

— City Manager Robert Eads

4,639 feet along County Line Road, Central Avenue, Kennedy Street and Brenham Road. Officials said work will start April 27 and should address flooding concerns with much-needed drainage upgrades.

“This is a drainage project — It’s about the safety of our community first,” City Manager Robert Eads said.

Residents should expect temporary road closures and changes to traffic during construction, according to the city. Officials said construction could last up to nine months as crews work to meet a strict grant deadline through the end of the year.

City council awarded the contract in March to Larry Young Paving, following a competitive bid process, according to Development Services Director Beau Perry.

Perry said the project aims to resolve persistent flooding issues that have repeatedly closed roads in the area as well as bring higher standards and modernization to those roadways. The community meeting last week was designed to give residents an opportunity to review plans and raise concerns directly with city staff, engineers and contractors.

According to city documents, Kennedy Street will be rebuilt as a standard residential roadway with sidewalks, County Line Road will be expanded to include multiple lanes and medians, and Central Avenue will see a new bridge built to replace a culvert that has failed on several occasions.

“Lots of drainage problems … and these projects are going to fix those issues and those concerns,” Perry said. “We’ve also been able to improve those roadways.”

While construction will disrupt daily routines, Perry said, the project comes with nearly no added financial burden for the city.

“Imagine that the city is paying (a 1% match) and they’re getting about $11 million back from the government in order to build these two roadways,” he said.

To meet requirements tied to the grant funding, officials said the city plans to complete the work on an accelerated timeline rather than in phases. Construction is expected to take place simultaneously on both sections of the project, with separate crews assigned to each area.

“If we were to take it in pieces … we will not make the deadline,” Eads said. “Let’s get in, let’s get out and let’s do it right.”

According to Eads, traffic congestion will be one of the biggest challenges as construction moves forward. Emergency crews have coordinated with local agencies to ensure first responders can still access affected areas during construction.

“This is what growth looks like. It’s uncomfortable, but once you get over that hump, it’s worth the sacrifice,” Eads said, adding communication with residents will remain a priority throughout construction.

More information and project updates can be found at elgintexas.gov.

Founded in 1876 by Swedish immigrants, the church traces its roots to settlers who came to Central Texas seeking opportunity, officials said. The congregation built its first church in 1879, and the current structure is considered a historic landmark in Travis County, completed in 1922.

“It’s honoring the past, challenged by the future,” said the Rev. Hans Lillejord, who has served the church for 23 years.

The surrounding area has grown to become one of the largest Swedish settlements in Texas, according to the church.

While Lillejord said the event highlights their deep Swedish roots, the day will also focus on inclusivity as the church moves forward.

“The future will be all-inclusive, and we are much more interested in being open to all,” he said.

The anniversary event will include a memorial stone commemorating the landmark date, along with performances from artists connected to the church. Among the acts are Stephanie Johnson Eukel and Linus Eukel, who have performed at venues across the country, including Carnegie Hall.

The event begins with a 10:30 a.m. worship service at the church, 12809 New Sweden Church Road, followed by a catered lunch, monument dedication and anniversary program. All events are open to the public, and a coffee and cookie social will conclude the day at 3:30 p.m.

Lunch tickets, priced at $15 per plate, have already sold out, though those interested in attending can contact the church for more information at 512-281-0056.

Elgin’s Matthew Cato led the boys with a thirdplace finish in the 3200meter run. On the girls side, Ta’Myra Walker placed third in the 100meter dash, and the Lady Wildcats 4x100-meter relay team finished fourth.

Bastrop’s boys team saw multiple athletes place inside the top four. Greyson Thompson led the way with a first-place finish in the pole vault; Kian Pucek claimed gold in the triple jump and added a thirdplace finish in the long jump; Zachary Wilkinson earned third in the 110meter hurdles; Caleb Bolt took bronze in the 300meter hurdles; John Findley finished fourth in the 200-meter dash; and Austin Moilan added a thirdplace finish in the discus.

For the girls of Bastrop, Jocelyn Thompson recorded a second-place finish in the pole vault, Bethany Greer placed fourth in the 100-meter dash, Bears’ relay teams finished third in the 4x100-meter relay and fourth in the 4x200.

Cedar Creek’s girls team was represented by MacKenzy Roberts, who finished fourth in the 300-meter hurdles.

Smithville delivered some of the top performances at the meet, led by Briyanna Sampson, who swept both the long jump and triple jump with first-place finishes.

Zacaria Hibbens also brought home gold in the 800-meter run, while Zane Perkins finished first in the pole vault. Baylor Watson added a third-place finish in the discus, and Ava Bryant placed fourth in the 400meter dash.

Bastrop, Elgin and Cedar Creek will compete in the regional meet May 1-2 at Challenger Columbia Field in Webster, while Smithville will race at Bullard High School.

The Smithville Lady Tigers softball team secured a perfect 10-0 district championship after completing a sweep of Bellville last week.

The girls took home the title with a 3-0 win over the Brahmas April 14 and 5-3 finish three days later. The title marks the second consecutive district championship for Smithville, which finished 9-1 in district play last season before improving to an undefeated mark this year.

GAME ONE

Smithville’s Jessica Hinnant delivered a dominant performance in the circle, tossing a complete-game perfect game. She allowed no runs, no hits and no walks while striking out 13 batters.

The Lady Tigers also played a flawless defense behind her, committing no errors.

Despite the dominant pitching, Smithville had to grind for runs early. The Lady Tigers broke through in the bottom of the third inning when Brittney Collins drove in a run on an RBI single to give Smithville a 1-0 lead.

Smithville added insurance runs in the fifth inning with back-toback RBI doubles from Hinnant and Collins.

Collins led the offense, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

Hinnant closed out the game with a groundout followed by two strikeouts.

GAME TWO

Smithville capped its perfect district season with a hard-fought 5-3 win over Bellville in the series finale.

Addison Otto got the start in the circle, pitching three innings and allowing two runs. Hinnant came on in relief and once again dominated, giving up just one run while striking out nine batters.

The Lady Tigers struck first with an RBI single from Kenna Tiner to take a 1-0 lead. Bellville responded by taking its first lead of the series, capitalizing on an error and a base hit to go up 2-1 at the end of the third inning.

Smithville answered in the fifth after Hinnant settled things from the circle. Otto delivered a key two-run home run, and the Lady Tigers added another on a groundout to take a three-run lead.

Bellville managed to push across one run in the final inning, but Hinnant shut the door with three consecutive strikeouts to secure the victory and complete the undefeated district run.

Otto paced the offense, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs.

Smithville now advances to the postseason, where it will face La Marque in the bi-district round at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at Rice High School.

Last season, the Lady Tigers dominated La Marque in the first round, winning the best-of-three series in two with a combined score of 30-0.

The Lady Bears entered the game needing a win to secure a playoff spot against undefeated Mc-Callum, and the roster came out swinging. Bastrop built a 6-0 lead by the end of the third inning after scoring three runs on a home run by Madison Perez in the first, later adding a run on an error and two-RBI double from Lizzie Rodriguez.

Ella Griesenbeck got the start in the circle and was dominant through the first three frames, allowing no runs and recording two strikeouts.

Momentum began to shift in the fourth when the Knights tallied their first run. Bastrop’s bats went quiet the rest of the way, forcing the Lady Bears to hold on late.

McCallum added another run in the fifth to make it 6-2, then scored three more in the sixth to pull within one.

The Knights threatened a tie or lead change later in the inning with runners on the corners and two outs, but a lineout to Jessa Clay ended the threat.

That defensive play proved crucial. McCallum put its leadoff runner on base in the seventh, but Bastrop recorded three straight outs to seal the win.

Jamie Green came on in relief of Griesenbeck and secured the save.

Bastrop faces East View at 6 p.m. Friday, April 24.

— Often spoken at the end of “The Lone Ranger” TV and radio shows

One long-ago sweltering summer night in Seymour, a salesman sat in our living room. He wasn’t just selling books; he was peddling the concentrated wisdom of humanity, bound in majestic, burgundy volumes, gold-lettered with “Encyclopedia Britannica.”

For his closing pitch, the door-to-door entrepreneur leaned in with the confidence of a magician who possessed every secret of the universe.

“Ask me a question, son,” he said, looking at 9-year-old me while holding up his book of knowledge for all to see. “Any question at all. I have the answer right here.”

My dad nodded, hinting that he favored the treasure trove of unlocked mysteries to grace our living room. So, I took a breath and fired the ultimate 1950s curveball: “What was the Lone Ranger’s real name?”

The poor guy didn’t just stumble; he went into a full-scale intellectual tailspin. He stammered, as his fingers frantically rummaged through the “L” and “R” volumes … even the “K” hoping for some clue under “kimosabe.”

He likely prayed for a lifeline that just wasn’t there.

My father, possibly pitying the man who had been defeated by a fictional masked man and a grade-school kid, bought the books anyway.

The Lone Ranger’s identity remained a mystery that night. But hey, we now owned twentysomething volumes of heavyduty paperweights to show for it.

Fast forward 53 years to 2010, when Britannica printed its final physical volumes. That ended a 244-year run as the “go-to” source for people who had lots of shelf space and very strong lower backs. It still exists today, but only as an online source. My own transition to the digital age has been equally dramatic. Back in the early 1980s, I famously declared, “I’ll never need to know how to operate a computer; just bring me the printouts to read.” Those words have since aged worse than yesterday’s restaurant leftovers. Now a card-carrying citizen of cyberspace, my dependance on devices is frankly somewhat humbling.

Giving up precious paper, my income is a digital ghost that graces my bank account via direct deposit. My bills are paid by invisible imps on the internet. And cash has been replaced by that small piece of plastic I lose every time I turn around.

I shop for things I can’t find locally and expect them to arrive on my porch before I’ve even finished the checkout process. I can “visit” more friends and family in a single afternoon on social media than I used to see in a year of Sunday drives.

My entire life now travels in my pocket, even to the doctor’s waiting room, where it saves me from having to read a 2017 issue of People magazine for the third time. Speaking of doctors, my medical records are a heartbeat away on a patient portal. I can find more information about my health in 60 seconds than a stressed physician could provide in a 10-minute consultation — plus, I get answers to all the questions I was too intimidated to ask in person.

However, having the world at my fingertips has been a double-edged sword at times. When “the good old ways” failed, it was a minor inconvenience. Missed a call? They’ll call back. If a check got lost in the mail, I just wrote another one. But today, if my device so much as blinks, I develop a tension headache that would make an Excedrin commercial feel like a spa retreat.

Yet, some people complain about “wasting too much time on devices,” and I agree. We’ve abandoned face-to-face visits for impersonal nonstop thumbing on screens. There is, however, a certain magical value in the speed. A wealth of information that once required a salesman and 24 volumes to access is now available in seconds.

And the best part? The new age of cyber searching finally gave me closure. In the blink of an eye, artificial intelligence told me the Lone Ranger’s real name. It’s John Reid.

Bless you, encyclopedia salesman. If only you could see me now struggling to seize the other secrets AI holds.

The forum will be co-hosted by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Texas Department of Transportation from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at Manor Elementary School’s Early Learning Center, 12904 Gregg Manor Road.

A virtual open house will be available from April 22 to May 26 as well.

According to officials, CAMPO and TxDOT are working together to identify safety and mobility enhancements as the region continues to grow.

The agencies are examining crash and traffic information as well as gathering feedback from the public about concerns along this section of 973.

Community members are encouraged to submit feedback in person, online, by mail or over the phone.

The in-person and virtual open houses provide opportunities for the public to learn about the project, ask questions and leave comments.

Last summer, CAMPO and TxDOT conducted an open house in Taylor to discuss possible improvements to 973 between Samsung Highway and U.S. 79 in Taylor, a high-traffic stretch that includes Taylor High School, Samsung Austin Semiconductor and three neighborhoods.

The virtual open house is at www.campotexas.org/get-involved/. For more, call 512-6513964.

Theft of property >=$750 <$2,500.

Evading arrest detention with vehicle; parole violations.

Driving while intoxicated. Motion to revoke possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B between 1 and 4 grams.

Evading arrest detention; safety of animal in vehicle.

Failure to appear possession of a controlled substance PG 2 between 1 and 4 grams.

Theft of property <$2,500 2 or more previous convictions.

Theft of property >=$100<$750. Driving while intoxicated BAC >=0.15; ICE detainee.

Driving while intoxicated 2nd; duty on striking fixture/highway landscape >=$200.

Fail to identify fugitive intent give false information; possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B between 4 and 200 grams; resist arrest, search or transport.

ICE detainee; solicitation of prostitution other pay or person under 18 years of age.

APRIL 14

License required.

Theft <$100. Assault family/household member impede breath/circulation.

Possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B between 1 and 4 grams; possession of a controlled substance PG 2 between 1 and 4 grams; possession of marijuana less than 2 ounces; speeding.

Theft of property <$2,500 2 or more previous convictions.

Driving with license invalid with previous conviction/suspension without financial responsibility; driving while license invalid; requirement of financial responsibility.

Disclose/display/distribute/use unmanned aircraft image.

ICE detainee; public intoxication. Possession of marijuana less than 2 ounces.

APRIL 15

Public intoxication.

Evading arrest detention with vehicle.

Criminal trespass. Fail to comply sex offender duty to register 10 years.

Assault family/household member impede breath/circulation.

Burglary of vehicles; criminal trespass.

Public intoxication. Burglary of vehicles; criminal trespass.

Driving while intoxicated; unlawfully carrying a weapon.

APRIL 16

Fail to yield at stop intersection.

Buyer’s tag violation temporary tag; driving while intoxicated 3rd or more; fail to control speed.

Evading arrest detention with vehicle.

Assault family/household member previous conviction.

That is more than twice the projected cost in the previous state water plan published in 2022.

The draft report, released by the Texas Water Development Board, says the increased costs are due to inflation in construction costs, more frequent droughts and a decline in existing water supplies as the state’s aquifers become depleted.

The state last year earmarked spending $20 billion over the next two decades for water infrastructure and supply projects — an amount that falls far short of what will be needed, according to some experts.

“This figure validates concerns that $1 billion a year is not going to be sufficient to meet the infrastructure needs to ensure our water supply,” said Perry Fowler, executive director of the Texas Water Infrastructure Network, a construction trade coalition for water projects.

The state water plan is created with input from 16 regional planning groups that identify future water needs in their regions and how to meet them. The draft plan is open for public comment and can be accessed here: https://tinyurl. com/3ktz5fpm.

TALARICO RAISES RECORD $27 MILLION; CORNYN LEADS PAXTON IN FUNDRAISING State Rep. James Talarico raised a record $27 million in the first quarter of this year, the largest-ever sum for any Senate candidate in any state in the first quarter of an election year, The Texas Tribune reported.

“Winning in Texas will require unprecedented resources,” said Seth Krasne, Talarico’s campaign manager. “This grassroots fundraising haul puts our movement in a strong position to spread our message in some of the most expensive media markets in the country. But we can’t take our foot off of the gas.”

Talarico has raised more than $40 million since entering the race last September from more the 540,000 individual contributors.

On the Republican side, where incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is heading to a May 26 runoff against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Cornyn outraised his opponent by fourfold, pulling in $9 million in the first quarter. Paxton raised $2.2 million “The Cornyn campaign continues performing at a high level, building off the over performance in the March (3) primary to announcing a massive fundraising haul in the first quarter of 2026,” Cornyn campaign manager Andy Hemming said.

JUDGE ORDERS CAMP MYSTIC TO PRESERVE CABINS WHERE GIRLS DIED

An Austin state district judge ordered Camp Mystic’s owners not to alter, repair or demolish cabins that housed campers and counselors who died in last year’s July 4 flood along the Guadalupe River, southwest of Kerrville.

The flood killed 25 girls, two counselors and one of the owners of the camp.

The camp’s owners are being sued by the parents of 8-year-old Cile Steward, the only victim whose body has not been recovered. Other parents of children who died in the floods also have lawsuits pending. “This finding is supported by facts tending to show that defendants owed a duty of care to Cile Steward and other minor campers, which they breached by operating Camp Mystic in a high-risk zone without adequate flood protections,” Judge Guerra Gamble wrote.

The injunction remains in place until the lawsuit is resolved or the court rules otherwise. The judge set a trial date of May 3, 2027.

SNAP RULE FORCES RECIPIENTS TO READ FOOD LABELS

Changes in what can be purchased under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are now in place in Texas, and consumers are spending more time examining the ingredients label, the Texas Standard reported.

SNAP benefits can no longer be used to buy candy or sweetened beverages under Texas Senate Bill 379 passed last year. That includes drinks with more than 5 grams of added sugar or any amount of artificial sweetener.

The ban does not include baking sugar or sweet cereals, however. The guidelines do not provide an itemized list, so retailers must interpret them and apply them to the food items they sell.

“You use Google a lot to get the internet’s interpretation. You look at the law and how it’s written,” said John Robertson of Austin’s Fresh Plus grocery stores.

DATA-CENTER OWNERS GRILLED BY LEGISLATORS

Texas lawmakers grilled data-center developers, energy companies and grid officials recently on the impact of the state’s data-center boom, the Houston Chronicle reported. Grid officials say they are proposing regulations that will ensure Texas can handle data centers without raising electricity costs for consumers or risking power blackouts.

Officials from various Texas energy companies said data centers could help upgrade the state’s grid infrastructure.

“If we have an opportunity to have new customers coming to the state pay for that, we’ll have done some really good work,” said Brian Lloyd with Dallas-based Oncor Electric Delivery, the Texas utility with by far the most data centers seeking to connect to its system.

Thomas Gleeson, chairman of the Public Utility Commission, told lawmakers his agency is working with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the grid operator, on rules to encourage data centers to bring their own power generation to help prevent price spikes.

“I honestly don’t think on the generation side you’re going to see a large increase in costs at this point, because we have so many renewables and batteries on the system,” Gleeson said.

AMOUNT OF STATE IN DROUGHT INCREASES AGAIN

Near the end of March, 89% of the state was in drought, according to hydrologist Mark Wentzel with the Texas Water Development Board. That is the largest extent of drought in nearly four years, Wentzel wrote. In addition to continued dry conditions, average March temperatures were 66.8 degrees, beating the previous record by more than 1.5 degrees.

Wentzel said there is some reason for optimism with a wet, cooler start to April and a forecast of drought contraction in much of the state, except for the Panhandle and West Texas by early summer.

“Also note that we’ve set a new monthly record every year since 2021. In 2021, we set the record for the hottest December. In 2022, it was the hottest July, hottest September in 2023, October in 2024 and November in 2025,” he wrote.

Now March 2026 can be added to that list.

Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published community newspapers in Texas during a 30year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches, Lufkin and Cedar Park. Email: gborders@ texaspress.com.

I read posts daily from friends near and far that reinforce how unpredictable life is. When interruptions come, I often think, “I just don’t have time for this.”.

At such times, I consciously try to align my thoughts with the truth of God’s word … to remember that God is sovereign.

This isn’t automatic. First, I must stop and clarify what is going on, put words to my thoughts and discern truth or error.

Then I remember that the things affecting me do not occur in a void, but they exist with God’s full knowledge and awareness.

Sometimes we think we must be the only ones having problems.

Prepare ahead of time by listing as all the ways God has been good to you. While we tend to think that blessings are merely financial — a bigger house, finer car or better paycheck — in reality, God’s blessings have a myriad of descriptions.

I recall lyrics from a favorite song: “Got any rivers they say are uncrossable? Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through? God specializes in things thought impossible … He does the things others cannot do.”

The first time I heard it, I wrote down every word. Later I learned that the builders of the Panama Canal penned these words when they were engaged in a seemingly impossible feat.

Does something seem impossible for you today? You are not alone. You have not been singled out for adversity.

Remember, Moses faced what appeared impossible and saw God provide daily food to His children in the wilderness. They had no resources, no provision other than what God gave.

I’ve personally seen that vast wilderness, and it is barren, rocky and appears to be unending. The mountains are steep, and the valleys in between are deep.

Whatever you face today, may you take time to think back to the fact that God loves you, cares for you and knows exactly where you live. He’s a God of today.

Hebrews 13:8 says He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is dependable, faithful and true.

As you read Psalms, you will find phrases that seem as if you said them yourself. Chapter after chapter records human thoughts, God’s intervention, God’s provision and His great love.

Seek with me now. Be encouraged as you face today. Until next week, Anita

Onarecker, an Elgin resident, author of “Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge” and minister to women and adults, earned a Master of Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007.

John Johnson was booked into the Brazoria County Jail by members of the Alvin Police Department on an arrest warrant after he reportedly stole between $30,000-150,000 from the Smithville VFD. As of Friday afternoon, Johnson remained in the Brazoria County Jail in lieu of a $75,000 bond.

The arrest comes after an investigation that began in November. Smithville police received a report that a former Smithville VFD reportedly stole money from the non-profit.

After a forensic audit of Smithville VFD financials and bank accounts and subpoenas of financial records from several entities, a warrant for the suspect’s arrest was issued. It was revealed that the suspect resides in Alvin, where officers from that department executed the arrest warrant.

After his arrest, the suspect reportedly agreed to talk to Smithville police, who he reportedly confessed to taking money from Smithville VFD. According to Smithville police, funds were only stolen from the Smithville VFD fundraiser account.

According to officials, recent reports describe the callers using a 210-area code who claim they are investigating spikes in electricity usage and need to audit meters. In some cases, callers have attempted to schedule visits to homeowner properties. The scam has been reported in the western portion of Bluebonnet’s service area, including Bastrop, Caldwell and Travis counties. 

Members who receive suspicious calls are encouraged to gather as much information as possible, including caller ID details, and report it to local law enforcement and Bluebonnet member services

Bluebonnet's member services line can be reached at 800-949-4414.

Read more about this in next week's edition. Subscribe to the Elgin Courier at gail.schobey@granitemediapertners.com or calling 512-285-3333.

SMITHVILLE — A long-standing piece of Smithville history is beginning a new chapter after an extensive downtown restoration effort.

The 1895 structure at 110 Main St. was once home to Charlie’s BBQ and later the Smithville Playhouse. It has since been restored and reopened as Faire La Nouba, which owner Rachael Tolbert describes as a celebration store, bottle shop and gift boutique.

Tolbert and her husband Brian worked with local builder Turquoise Moon to maintain the building’s historic character, a process she said required both persistence and a willingness to embrace the unknowns of old structures.

“The hardest part was the courage it took to take some of those leaps not knowing what we were going to find,” Tolbert said. “You just don’t know what you’re going to get.”

After purchasing the building in February, the challenges shifted to restoration, which Tolbert said included structural concerns, contractor limitations and working within the boundaries of a historic downtown.

“All those things factor in and really limit the sort of contractor that you’re able to get … to be both brave and skilled,” Tolbert said.

Working within Smithville’s historic district also required coordination with the city’s histor ical commission, which oversees exterior changes. Tolbert said the process was straightforward and supportive.

“The idea is to restore it,” she said. “The city, frankly, was thrilled to have someone willing to do that work.”

The restoration follows a wave of Main Street programs pushing downtown maintenance in Bastrop County.

Officials said historic storefronts serve as both economic drivers and cultural monuments. In Smithville, that identity is tied closely to its preserved architecture and locally owned businesses.

“This has got energy that feels really good … it’s fun to shop in here,” Tolbert said. “It’s an extension of their living room and that was something I really wanted the space to be.”

According to Tolbert, Faire La Nouba is designed to be more than a retail space. She envisions it as a community hub where residents gather for events, social time and everyday celebrations.

“We’re going to celebrate everything from the mundane party of one on Tuesday to the 50th wedding anniversary,” she said, adding the preservation effort acknowledges the building’s layered history.

Tolbert said longtime residents have shared memories of the space, including its time as a barbecue restaurant known for domino games, a tradition she plans to bring back.

At the same time, the project does not ignore more difficult aspects of the past, including a segregated entrance once used at the site. Plans include incorporating a stained-glass feature in the future that sits where the entrance once was to symbolize unity and inclusivity.

“It’s all the colors now, and we’re not going back,” Tolbert said.

In a downtown built on history, a sense of shared experiences is what keeps spaces like 110 Main Street relevant, according to Tolbert.

“There’s still enough of us that know how special it is to come into a building like this,” she said.

Camp Invention, a nonprofit enrichment program developed in partnership with the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is slated for July 6-9. The STEM camp, open to students in kindergarten through sixth grade, and its 2026 “Spark” curriculum encourages students to explore innovation through collaborative and project-based learning, according to officials.

“One of the biggest things for me is having them think critically and to really analyze things and break them down in order to build something,” Camp Director Tina Terrell said. “You want them to get excited about learning but also you want them to build that confidence and that belief in themselves.”

Activities include building and launching model rockets, designing and pitching inventions, conducting forensic investigations and solving real-world challenges students commonly face.

“It taps into those things that they may not have tapped into yet,” Terrel said. “They get to build something up from an idea and create things.”

The camp is being introduced in Elgin ISD for the first time in recent years, though some educators have prior experience with the program. Erin Muñoz, who was a past director with Camp Invention for roughly 15 years, said the program consistently draws returning students and positive feedback from families.

“Parents really enjoy it because they see their kids getting excited about science, math and technology,” Muñoz said. “Then they come back as teenagers and they want to give back.”

The program includes leadership opportunities for returning attendees. Junior high and high school students can serve as leaders-in-training or volunteers, earning service hours and recognition from the patent office, which Muñoz says can support future academic and career opportunities.

Terrell and Muñoz both said introducing STEM concepts at an early age is key to building interest and confidence for the future, and organizers are striving to make the program accessible. Scholarships are available to reduce costs, and families can pay tuition over time.

As Elgin and surrounding communities continue to grow, educators say programs like Camp Invention can help prepare students with the skills needed for future opportunities.

“We’re not promoting specific jobs,” Muñoz said. “But we’re promoting skills that will lead to jobs within those industries.”

Registration and additional information is available at invent.org/ programs/camp-invention.

Bastrop County Commissioners voted April 13 to allow the ban, initially set three months ago, to lapse at midnight Monday. Officials said the move received unanimous support from local fire chiefs.

Office of Emergency Management Coordinator James Altgelt told commissioners recent weather has helped lower risk across the county.

“Texas A&M Predictive services show that we’re at the lowest rate possible for fire danger,” Altgelt said.

The region’s Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), which is used to measure wildfire potential, dropped significantly earlier this month. Altgelt told county leaders the KBDI had “bottomed out” at 422, which was a sharp decrease from the previous levels of 575 and 600 the county has seen in the past few weeks.

Additional data shows the county’s KBDI average was 455 on April 6, down from a 14-day average near 590 beginning March 24.

“As you saw, we were blessed with rain,” Altgelt said. “We didn’t get it all at one time, which was nice, so we didn’t have any flooding problems.”

With the vote, residents will once again be allowed to resume outdoor burning, though officials cautioned that conditions can change at any time.

Officials said they will continue to monitor fire risk through the coming weeks.

With the state baseball and softball playoffs beginning, we’re entering the second year of a bizarre playoff system. There will be 11 state champions in both sports for the second time in as many seasons.

The top four teams in each district for Classes 6A-2A advance to the playoffs, while the top two in each Class A district move on. In 6A-2A, the two postseason-qualifying schools with the largest enrollments in each district are placed into the Division I bracket, while the two smallest playoff participants in each league compete in Division II.

It’s ridiculous, but at least Class A just has one state champion. The six rounds of the playoffs are even more “interesting.”

After five rounds in which teams have the option of playing a best-of-three series or a single game, the state championship games are decided in a single- game format. That’s ridiculous as well.

If best-of-three series are available in earlier rounds, the University Interscholastic League should offer the same option for the state championship games— or adopt a uniform playoff format.

With 64 teams in each division in classes 6A through 2A, it would be apropos to hold double- elimination tournaments in the first two rounds. The state semifinal and state championship rounds could be a best-of-three series.

If you break it down into four-team area tournaments, you go from 64 to 16 teams after the first weekend. With four-team region tournaments, you then dwindle down from 16 to four.

During the third weekend, neutral-site bestof three series could be played at Dell Diamond and Nelson Wolff Stadium in San Antonio. The best-of-three state championship series would be held at Choctaw Stadium (formerly Globe Life Park) in Arlington.

Regional tournaments could also be played at neutral sites. For Region I, Texas Tech University and Abilene Christian University could host tournaments, while Baylor University and Texas Christian University could host Region II. The University of Houston and Rice University could cover Region III, with Texas A&M University and the University of Texas handling Region IV. It may sound radical, but look at the mess we’re already in.

This split-division format is similar to the one employed in Class 6A football. While I’m not a fan of having two state champions per classification in each team sport, there is one thing I like about the split-division format in baseball and softball: a best-of-three series option in the state semifinals.

The UIL is doing one thing right, but it needs to fix the rest. Under my double-elimination proposal, the state playoffs would last four weeks instead of six.

It would also be more uniform, which means a superior team wouldn’t suffer a fluke one-game loss to end their season. The best teams win double-elimination tournaments and bestof- three series.

It’s definitely worth thinking about.

Jason Chlapek is the area editor of the Elgin Courier and Taylor Press. He can be reached at jason.chlapek@granitemediapartners. com.

— Buzz Aldrin

During the late spring of 1961, summer vacation loomed large in Mount Pleasant. In a few short days, schoolkids all over town would swap classrooms and books for bicycles and the swimming pool at Dellwood Park.

Seventh grade in the piney woods of East Texas that year felt less like the happy-go-lucky sixth-grade playground I left behind the year before and more like the classroom confinement of high school, soon to come.

Campuses for both schools were separated only by a faculty parking lot, where David Neeley and I played tetherball many afternoons after school while waiting for Mr. Ricks to complete his first bus route before coming back for a southside in-town run.

Just four years earlier, the Russian satellite Sputnik 1 entered orbit, launching dreams and fascination for millions of schoolkids about space and the beginning of the “Space Race.”

Meanwhile, comic books such as “Sky Masters of the Space Force” focused on the seemingly realistic adventures of an American astronaut.

I’d read the comic books and the stack of Popular Science magazines sharing my closet with issues of Hot Rod and Car Craft. I heard about the space race but understood little about it. It seemed like something politicians promoted on the evening news.

News of the first American in space, Alan Shepard, filled the May 5 evening television segment. The revelation came a little more than three weeks after Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin marked a major space-race victory for the Soviets as the first human in outer space.

I still remember Dad turning on the cabinet- model Zenith TV, a relatively new addition to our house. Vacuum tubes hummed as the set warmed up, eventually rendering a flickering black-and-white image of Cape Canaveral in Florida.

News film replayed the day’s events, showing the “Freedom 7” capsule sitting atop the Mercury- Redstone rocket in the morning sunshine. Even as the countdown hit the final 10 seconds, I knew it had all taken place hours ago. But I was holding my breath anyway.

Clouds of white smoke erupted. TV speakers boomed with a deep rumble, sending shock waves shaking Mom’s leopard TV lamp planter she’d purchased with S&H Green Stamps.

Then Shepard’s cool, calm voice registered: “Roger, liftoff and the clock has started.” Saying it like he was just driving downtown to the Perry’s five-and-dime store or something.

For a little more than 15 minutes, I wasn’t sitting on the living room floor in East Texas. I was there in Freedom 7, headed for the heavens. I wondered how the G-forces felt. How the sky looked, turning from bright blue to deep purple, then into darkness. Seeing the Earth’s curve. I wondered how it felt to be the first American to see the planet as a shrinking sphere.

With the replay of the splashdown in the Atlantic, I felt excited. I felt happiness. I felt the dreamlike exuberance of realizing the Space Age was no longer just a comic-book fantasy; it was reality.

Going to bed that night, I looked at Jack, my cockatiel in his cage, and marveled at the thought that today humanity had soared higher than any bird ever could.

Somehow, school seemed less like confinement. Space travel had opened a whole new world to youngsters everywhere. For a nation, it placed the universe within arm’s reach, empowering even kids in small Texas towns to reach for the stars.

Last week, I was that kid again as I watched Artemis II return from a trip around the moon, bringing good news and astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen to nearly the exact splashdown site and at the planned time.

The Earth was ready for some good news, and Artemis II just might be the best news for young and old alike in a while, reminding us of what we are capable of when we work together as one.

Reaching for the stars.

Assault by contact family violence.

Driving with license invalid with previous conviction/suspension without financial responsibility.

Motion to adjudicate possession of a controlled substance PG 2 less than 1 gram.

Driving while intoxicated.

Failure to appear possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B less than 1 gram; ICE detainee.

Possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B between 1 and 4 grams; possession of drug paraphernalia; use of sidewalk.

Driving with violation financial responsibility.

Driving while license invalid with previous conviction; false drug test falsification device.

Driving with license invalid with previous conviction/suspension without financial responsibility; theft mail less than or equal to 10 addresses.

Manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance PG 1 between 4 and 200 grams; theft of property between $100 and $750.

APRIL 7

Driving while intoxicated BAC >=0.15.

Possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B less than 1 gram.

Driving while intoxicated.

Criminal mischief between $100 and $750 family violence.

Motion to adjudicate evading arrest/detention with vehicle.

Possession of a controlled substance PG 2 less than 1 gram.287G hold.

Reckless driving. Assault by contact family violence.

Criminal mischief between $100 and $750.

APRIL 8

Driving with license invalid with previous conviction/suspension without financial responsibility.

Assault causes bodily injury family violence.

Public intoxication; walked in roadway where sidewalk provided.

APRIL 9

Aggravated assault with deadly weapon.

Driving while intoxicated; unlawfully carrying a weapon.

Possession of a controlled substance PG 2 less than 1 gram drug free zone.

False report to induce emergency response; silent abusive call/electronic communication to 911 service.

Possession of drug paraphernalia; requirement of financial responsibility.

Driving while intoxicated; unlawfully carrying a weapon.

Assault causes bodily injury; evading arrest/ detention; possession of alcohol by a minor.

Gambling promotion. Possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B less than 1 gram.

Aggravated assault with deadly weapon; assault family/household member impede breath/circulation; assault of pregnant person.

Abandon/endanger child individual intentional/ knowing/reckless/ criminal negligence; driver license/ID false.

APRIL 10

Possession of marijuana less than 2 ounces.

Failure to appear possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B between 1 and 4 grams.

Sex abuse of child continuous: victim under 14.

Public intoxication. Parent contributing non-attendance.

Theft of property between $100 and $750.

Driving while intoxicated 2nd.

Intoxication assault with vehicle serious bodily injury.

Evading arrest/detention with vehicle.

Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Possession of a controlled substance PG 2 between 4 and 200 grams.

APRIL 11

Driving while intoxicated.

Driving with license invalid with previous conviction/suspension without financial responsibility; driving while intoxicated 2nd.

Possession of a controlled substance PG 2 less than 1 gram.

Engaging in organized criminal activity; robbery.

Possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B between 1 and 4 grams.

Driving while intoxicated.

Driving while license invalid; no motor vehicle liability insurance; parent contributing to nonattendance; speeding; unrestrained child under safety seat violation.

Assault; assault public servant; evading arrest/ detention.

Public intoxication. Driving with license invalid with previous conviction/suspension without financial responsibility.

License required; possession of drug paraphernalia.

Public lewdness.

Driving while intoxicated; possession of a controlled substance PG 1/1-B less than 1 gram.

Engaging in organized criminal activity; robbery.

Driving with license invalid with previous conviction/suspension without financial responsibility.

Driving under influence minor.

Driving while intoxicated.

APRIL 12

Possession of a controlled substance PG 2 between 4 and 400 grams; possession of marijuana between 2 ounces and 4 ounces drug free zone.

Operation of vehicle with expired license plates; requirement of financial responsibility.

Possession of marijuana less than 2 ounces.

Criminal mischief. Public intoxication. Burglary of habitation; fail to identify fugitive intent give false information.

Abandon/endanger child individual intentional/ knowing/reckless/ criminal negligence; driving while intoxicated with child under 15.

Driving while intoxicated; fail to control speed.

APRIL 13

Driving while intoxicated BAC >=0.15; ICE detainee.

Without that unity, Patrick said state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic nominee, could win the U.S. Senate race, The Dallas Morning News reported.

State House Speaker Justin Burrows said he believes the GOP will keep its majority in the chamber but agreed unity is critical.

“We’ve got to be on the same page,” Burrows said. “We’ve got to be working and rowing in the same direction.”

Democrats, who have not held a majority in either chamber in more than 20 years, would have to flip 14 Republican seats to achieve a majority in the 150-member House.

DATA CENTERS SET TO GET BILLIONS IN TAX BREAKS

An exemption for the state’s booming data center industry means Texas will lose $3.2 billion in sales tax revenue over the next two years, The Texas Tribune reported.

Lawmakers say they will consider proposals to either limit the tax break or eliminate it altogether when they meet in January for the next legislative session.

“These new numbers are extremely concerning, and I will say they’re unsustainable,” said state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, the chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Finance. “I plan to look at filing legislation to either repeal the exemption or take a very close look at it and see.”

The tax break was approved by lawmakers in 2014, when there were far fewer data centers and they were much smaller. If nothing changes, exemptions could reach $1.75 billion annually by 2030.

The state already has more than 300 active data centers, with more than 100 additional projects either under development or planned.

TEXAS COULD FACE $700 MILLION IN SNAP PENALTIES

New federal rules designed to cut waste in the nation’s food stamp program means Texas taxpayers will have to pay $700 million more each year to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, The Tribune reported.

Officials with Texas Health and Human Services disclosed this to lawmakers at a recent committee hearing.

Almost 9% of the state’s SNAP payments had an error, slightly better than the national rate of 11%. Texas has until October 2027 to bring the error rate down below 6%. The error rate is based on unintentional mistakes by either the agency or the client receiving the benefits that result in an overpayment or underpayment Nearly one-fourth of the state’s population gets some type of assistance from Texas Health and Human Services.

“We are dealing today with a health care epidemic, but not from a disease or virus,” said Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, the committee chairwoman. “With scandals in places like Minnesota and California drawing national attention, we, as Texans, must examine our own system and see how we measure up to other states.”

COURT PAUSES SMOKABLE CANNABIS BAN, HIGHER FEES

A Travis County district judge has temporarily lifted a statewide ban on the sale of smokeable hemp products, The Texas Tribune reported. The temporary restraining order is in effect until at least April 23, when another hearing is scheduled.

Texas hemp companies sued to block new state rules that have wiped out a huge portion of the legal cannabis market, the Texas Standard reported. The rules took effect March 31 and prevented stores from selling smokable hemp products and vastly increased licensing fees.

Smokable products make up the vast majority of hemp sales in the state.

“I estimated that flower is about half the market and smokable products put together including vapes are about two-thirds of the market,” said Robin Goldstein, a University of California economist who researches cannabis markets. He said the Texas market had about $4 billion in retail sales annually.

The plaintiffs are also suing over a jump in annual licensing fees for manufacturers from $250 to $10,000. Retailers must now pay $5,000 per store, up from $150.

“These provisions function not merely as regulatory tools, but as significant economic barriers not authorized by statute,” the lawsuit contends.

The suit was filed by the Texas Hemp Business Council, the Hemp Industry and Farmers of America, and eight Texas-based hemp companies.

STATE TO LAUNCH STATEWIDE FOOD PERMIT JULY 1

The Department of State Health Services will begin offering statewide operating permits for food trucks in Texas beginning July 1, the Austin American- Statesman reported.

Food truck owners currently must pay each city’s permitting fees to operate there, which discourages them from traveling to other places to sell their food.

“It’s a hassle to take time off to go and do that where we have to stop what we’re doing and lose money that day,” said Dallas food truck owner Eloisa Schessler.

Some cities opposed the new law, fearing they may lose control of how mobile food trucks operate in their jurisdictions. They will still be able to control where and when food trucks operate, but they will not be able to collect permit and inspection fees.

TEXAS’ JOB GROWTH CONTINUES TO OUTPACE NATIONAL RATE Texas added 40,100 nonfarm jobs in January to reach 14,379,500 positions, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.6 percentage points, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

“Texas employers continue to spur our state’s economic momentum, adding more than 40,000 jobs across a wide range of major industries,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “TWC remains committed to supporting Texas’ pro-growth policies and world-class talent pipeline that make Texas the best place to do business.”

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the state remained at 4.3%, which is below the national jobless rate of 4.7%.

Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published community newspapers in Texas during a 30year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches, Lufkin and Cedar Park. Email: gborders @texaspress.com.

In the 1960s, Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote the beloved hymn “Because He Lives.” The different verses of this hymn reflect some of their personal journey and allow us a peek into their reasons to trust God amid adversity and challenge.

We can also have a list of why to trust God, for the truth of “Because He Lives” enables us to face life’s challenges.

Revelation 19:11 calls Jesus “faithful and true.” He is true to His word and promises, reliable and trustworthy. He is the opposite of fiction, counterfeit or pretend. He is God.

Remember, we each have a unique faith story. You may quietly think “my story isn’t powerful or outstanding,” or “my story is not compelling or interesting,” but you are wrong.

Your story is powerful because it is your story. We have a story, because the faithful and true One lives.

Our lives affect others, and we are not little replicas of one another. We each have a unique personhood that God says is valuable.

Matthew 10:30 says even the hairs on your head are numbered. Luke 12:7 repeats our worth, adding that we are even more valuable than the most common of small birds.

Our unique faith story is compelling. Learn to speak about what the Lord means to you — not in churchy words, but in common words that communicate to ordinary people. Briefly describe what life was before your encounter with God and express that in a sentence or two.

What caused you to think about God and want to be part of His family? How has life changed since that time?

One dear to me shared about realizing his need for God and tried bargaining with God. Finally, he just stopped and said, “I surrender to You.”

God knows us intimately, even our thoughts before we voice words. He numbers the days of our life. No other person on the planet has your exact DNA or your children. T There is none like you. And, our Heavenly Father loves us continually, even knowing all about us. There is nothing hidden from Him.

What reassurance that is. What confidence we have.

Pray with me as I recall my list. For Jesus is faithful, and He is True.

Because He lives, we can face each new day. Until next week, Anita

Onarecker, an Elgin resident, author of “Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge” and minister to women and adults, earned a Master of Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007.

Alberto Vera of Cedar Creek High School received a $2,500 scholarship based on academic performance, leadership and service, according to ABOR. The foundation has distributed a combined $29,000 in support of higher education so far this year.

“The scholarships are helping remove financial barriers so students can focus on what matters most … their education and their future,” said John Crowe, ABOR president. “For many recipients, this support makes the difference between attending college full time or delaying their plans.”

The nonprofit has awarded more than $300,000 to students across 18 counties over the past five years, distributing 450 scholarships since 1978.

“Beyond the financial impact, these scholarships are a signal to students that their community believes in them, which builds confidence as they take their next steps,” Crowe said.

The program is funded through the support of more than 18,000 Central Texas realtors and professional agents. Crowe emphasized the importance of supporting long-term community growth.

“Strong communities are built on opportunity, and education is at the center of that,” he said. “We’re not just helping people find homes, we’re helping build thriving, sustainable communities.”

In addition to Vera and area high school students, the foundation awarded two $2,000 alumni scholarships to previous recipients, which officials called a continued investment.

“Continued investment in scholarships helps ensure that Central Texas remains a place where opportunity is accessible and growth is inclusive,” Crowe said. “Supporting students today helps create a pipeline of talent that will drive innovation.”

Crowe encouraged future applicants to pursue the scholarship opportunity.

“No matter your path, whether it’s a university, community college or trade school, your education matters and your community is behind you,” he said.

A total of 55 detainees identified by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spent at least one night in the county jail during that period. Records show detainees are booked with a wide variety of charges alongside their ICE designations.

The most common offenses detainees are suspected of committing locally include driving while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance and driving without a license. Many detainees face multiple charges.

Other recorded offenses include smuggling of persons, assault with a deadly weapon and sexual assault of a child.

Local agencies maintain they have limited interaction with ICE agents and are not notified in advance of federal operations within city limits.

Elgin Police Chief Chris Noble recently confirmed the only interaction the department has had with immigration enforcement was back in January. He previously said the department would assist any law enforcement agency, including ICE, if requested, but only within legal limits tied to criminal enforcement.

At the county level, Sheriff Maurice Cook said state law requires some cooperation with ICE, though the Sheriff ’s Office has no formal agreements with the agency. Jail staff have received training related to immigration detainees.

Protests mirroring nationwide movements have been carried out in Elgin, Bastrop and Smithville through the first quarter of the year. The demonstrations, including walkouts organized by Bastrop County students, were met with both criticism and praise from community members.

The Smithville Lady Tigers varsity softball team moved one step closer to securing its second straight district championship after sweeping Navasota this past week and improving to a perfect 8-0 in district play.

The Lady Tigers picked up a 10-0 run-rule win over Navasota April 10. Shortstop Addison Otto once again led the way, going 2-for-4 at the plate with a team-high five RBIs.

Jessica Hinnant got the start in the circle and delivered a dominant performance, pitching a complete game shutout while allowing just two hits and striking out nine.

Smithville opened the scoring in the first inning on an RBI double from Jessi Davis, then added three more runs in the second inning behind singles from Hinnant and Otto to take a 4-0 lead.

The Lady Tigers continued to build their advantage in the third inning with an RBI single from Emery Bayer. A two-run single from Kenna Tiner in the fourth pushed the lead to 7-0.

Otto put the finishing touches on the win with a three-run home run, ending the game early and securing the double-digit victory for Smithville.

Smithville enters its final two games of the regular season against second-place Bellville, which stands at 7-1 in district play. The Lady Tigers hosted the Brahmas after press time Tuesday and will close out the series on the road at 6 p.m. Friday, in Bellville.

Smithville needs just one win to secure the outright championship.

Elgin, Bastrop and Cedar Creek will compete at East View High School in Georgetown April 15, while Smithville will travel to Hall Stadium in Missouri City the same day.

ELGIN

Elgin will be represented on both the boys and girls side at the area meet.

Matthew Cato qualified in two distance events for the Wildcats, finishing fourth in both the 1600-meter and 3200meter runs.

For the Lady Cats, Ta’Myra Walker led the way with a district championship in the 100meter dash, securing her spot in the area round.

BASTROP

Bastrop is sending a large group of qualifiers after a dominant showing across multiple events. The boys team repeated as District 24-5A champions with 184 points – 50 ahead of runner- up Anderson.

Gary Jefferson (2nd) and Kian Pucek (3rd) advanced in the 100-meter dash, while John Findlay took second in the 200meter. Bryce Wakehouse added a fourth-place finish in the 400-meter.

In hurdles, Zachary Wilkinson claimed first in both the 110- and 300meter events, with Brandon Mills finishing third in both races and Caleb Bolt taking fourth in the 300.

The Bears also qualified in all three relays, winning the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400.

In field events, Wakehouse won the high jump, Pucek placed second in long jump and first in triple jump, and Greyson Thomas won pole vault. Austin Molian added second-place finishes in both discus and shot put.

On the girls side, Bethany Greer (3rd, 100meter), Kennedi Clemons (4th, 200-meter) and Anneliese Ramos (4th, both hurdle races) all qualified.

The Lady Bears also advanced in the 4x200 relay.

Jocelyn Thompson highlighted the field events with a first-place finish in pole vault, while Madison Young placed second in shot put.

Victoria Hickman (4th, long jump) and Arrow Lingold (4th, triple jump) also advanced.

CEDAR CREEK

Cedar Creek will also have strong representation on Wednesday.

Darren Franco led the boys with a third-place finish in the 200-meter dash, while the Eagles’ 4x200 relay team placed second.

Franco also qualified in both horizontal jumps, taking third in long jump and triple jump.

Additional boys qualifiers included Richard Ibison (4th, high jump), Daniel Castillo (3rd, pole vault) and Elijah Fackler (4th, shot put).

Naomi Rodriguez finished third in the 400meter dash for the girls, while Crystal Turner placed third in both the 800-meter and 3200meter runs.

Mackenzy Roberts turned in a strong showing with a second-place finish in the 100-meter dash and a third-place finish in the 300-meter race.

Mya Music rounded out the qualifiers with a fourth-place finish in high jump and a second-place finish in pole vault.

SMITHVILLE

Briyanna Sampson led the Lady Tigers with district titles in both the long jump and triple jump, while Baylor Watson added another first-place finish in the discus.

Brityn Roberts also advanced with a third-place finish in the triple jump.

On the track, Zacaria Hibbens had a standout meet, winning the 800meter run and placing third in the 300-meter race for Smithville. Maddox Rivera added a third-place finish in the 800-meter, while Will Metcalf qualified in both distance events with fourth-place finishes in the 1600meter and 3200-meter runs.

On the girls side, Ava Bryant placed third in the 400-meter dash, Cassie Barina took fourth in the 800-meter and Melany Villalobos finished fourth in the 1600-meter run.

The Lady Tigers also qualified their 4x400-meter relay team, as Bryant, Kaylee Villalobos, Hibbens and Barina combined for a fourth-place finish.

The Lady Wildcats varsity softball team picked up two district victories last week after defeating Pflugerville 17-5 on Tuesday and Pflugerville Connally 16-1 on Thursday.

The wins marked season sweeps of both the Panthers and Cougars.

PFLUGERVILLE

Elgin sophomore Averie Moreno had a breakout game and led all hitters, going 4-for-4 at the plate with six RBIs in the run-rule victory.

Senior Bianca Galindo started the scoring with a two-run home run, and Moreno added an RBI double to give Elgin an initial three-run lead.

Galindo, who leads the team with a .569 batting average and 10 home runs this season, was intentionally walked in the second inning. Elizabeth Anderson followed with an RBI single to add to the lead.

Anderson finished second on the team with four RBIs on three hits.

Moreno continued her strong performance with a two-run double, and a sacrifice fly from Miranda Herring made it 9-0 after just two innings.

Elgin added five more runs in the third inning on an RBI single from Anderson and a three-run home run from Moreno.

Moreno recorded her final RBI of the game on a single, while the last two runs scored on an error and an intentional walk.

Junior pitcher Katelyn Anderson picked up the win, throwing all five innings and allowing five runs on six hits with three strikeouts.

CONNALLY

Elgin’s second run-rule win of the week was secured during Senior Night after four innings. Moreno turned in another impressive showing, leading the team on 3-for-4 with four RBIs.

Katelyn Anderson got the start again in the circle and allowed just one run over the game with eight strikeouts.

The Cougars scored their lone run of the night on an error in the top of the second inning to briefly hold a 1-0 lead. However, Moreno quickly answered with a solo home run in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game.

It was all Lady Cats from that point on as Elgin scored 15 unanswered runs.

The girls scored on two straight errors and an RBI single from Lexi Douglas to take a 5-1 lead in the third, setting up a massive 11-run fourth inning that ended the game.

Sarah Herring and Moreno opened the inning with back-to-back RBI doubles, followed by an RBI single from Anderson. Junior Grace Hagen added another RBI double. Elgin closed out the inning with a sacrifice fly and three straight singles from Herring, Moreno and Jaelyn Barker.

Elgin improved to 3-7 in district play and closed its season against East View after press time Tuesday.