Readers, if you bought a new car or truck this year, I hope you didn’t let that sales rep at the dealership talk you into buying a diesel vehicle! Unfortunately, diesel prices are double what they were ten years ago, and that’s a disaster for truckers hauling freight, for railroads trying to get heavy loads across the country, for maritime shipping companies (ocean, lake, or river), and for farmers desperate to get crops harvested just now. Especially for farmers, this is a huge problem because crop loans were negotiated earlier, with lower fuel price expectations.

Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill State Historic Sites in La Grange will soon get a refreshed look, with the construction of a new visitor center expected to begin in December. In partnership with Paradigm Construction and Urbano Architects, the visitor center will be built as part of a two-phase capital improvement initiative.

A history theater program will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 1 p.m. at Historic Faison House, 822 S. Jefferson St., La Grange. The bluff on Hwy. 77 and Colorado River bridge will be closed for construction. You will need to route via downtown to the Faison House on this date. Following the Monument Hill Remembrance: A Texas Heroes Day memorial ceremony that morning at Kreische Brewery and Monument Hill State Historic Sites, the afternoon program will tell the story of Nathaniel Faison’s journey to La Grange, his decision to go to war, his time in prison, and his return home, where he made his mark on the community an impact that can still be seen today.

The Fayette County Commissioners Court formally approved the 2027 County Budget and tax rate at their meeting last Thursday. There wasn’t much discussion as all the decisions were made in previous meetings.