The Eagle’s top stories from May to August

This is the second in a threepart series of the Year-in-Review featuring The Eagle’s highlights for the months of May through August 2023.

MAY:

The Eagle welcomed new reporter Clayton Kelley to the Lavaca County news team… The City of Moulton held its elections with Mayor Mark Zimmerman retaining his seat in the only contested race for city council…

The Moulton Catholic Daughters of Father Joseph Kopp Court 2018 congratulated Rev. Dennis Darilek on his 50th anniversary of priestly ordination… The Bobkatz defeated Knippa to win the bi-district title in the UIL baseball playoffs…

The MHS academic team placed third overall in the Class A UIL Academic meet. Leslie Juarez captured the gold medal while Cindy Tortoledo placed fourth in copy editing, and Torin Langston finished fifth in feature writing. The social studies team won its third consecutive state championship and is made up of Moises Manzano, Tortoledo, Austin Obregon and Oscar Lugo. Tortoledo and Obregon won gold and silver, respectively. The spelling team won its third state championship in a row and was made up of Travis Haikenwaelder, Angelica Manzano, Julianna Buehring and Juarez. Haikenwaelder captured the bronze medal as an individual. The teams were coached by Heather Olivarez and Jamie Dornak. Olivarez received the UIL Sponsor of Excellence Award…

Moulton High School held its graduation ceremonies with Leslie Juarez named valedictorian and Cindy Tortoledo salutatorian…

Kaddin Tesch closed out his high school golfing career competing in the UIL Class 1A golf tournament…

May turned out to be a wet month with over seven inches falling. Daytime highs averaged 87.1 degrees, while lows averaged 70 degrees.

JUNE:

Moulton ISD staff were recognized on their retirement from education. Staff members, who totaled 127 years in education included Steve Blahuta (28 years), Debbie Rother (33 years), Karla Kresta (21 years) and Joel Whittington (45 years)…

Reigning Miss Moulton Kaylee Trejo, previously was crowned Miss Texas US Agriculture, competed in the Miss Teen Texas pageant…

Moulton Elementary School was designated as Healthy South Texas Recognized Campus by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service…

Rainfall was meager during the month with less than four tenths of an inch falling in June. Daytime highs average 97.1 degrees with lows averaging 76.3 degrees.

JULY:

County fire department fire chiefs formed an association known as the Lavaca County Fire Association…

A burn ban was implemented for Lavaca County due to very dry conditions…

MHS principal Jamie Dornak announced her retirement from education after serving for 34 years…

The Moulton Chamber of Commerce held its annual Jamboree Royalty Pageant with Alyssa Janak crowned 2023 Miss Moulton. First runner-up Miss Moulton went to Audrey Swinford and Zoey Sturm was named second runner-up. Abigail Siegel was named Junior Miss, while Little Miss went to Emmy Petrek and Little Mister Hunter Pilat…

July followed the previous month’s pattern of hot and dry conditions with under four tenths total inches of rain seen over three different days…

St. Joseph Catholic Church pastor, Gabriel Maison celebrated his 45th year as an ordained priest… Tricia Bordovsky’s strawberry and cream pie was named grand champion. It sold for $5,000…

July followed the previous month’s pattern of hot and dry conditions with under four tenths total inches of rain seen over three different days. The highs averaged 101.3 with 25 days topping the 100-degree mark. Daytime lows averaged 76 degrees.

AUGUST:

Kaspar Companies announced they had acquired Yoakum’s Circle Y Saddles…

The Nevluds of Shiner, owners of Maeker’s Sausage and Processing, brought home three grand champion and three reserve champion honors at the Southwest Meat Association convention…

Community members honored eight Janak brothers, who served in both World War II and the Korean War during ceremonies held at the Sweet Home Queen of Peace Cemetery…

Moulton HS 2022 valedictorian and Texas A&M political science major, John Wenske, was awarded a position with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’ office…

Moulton ISD started its 2023- 24 school year with plans in place for a new armed campus law…

For the third month in a row, the area remained dry and August became the driest month of the year. Less than one-tenth fell during the month and August became the hottest month on record. Daytime highs averaged 105.1 with 30 days reaching highs of more than 102 degrees. Average lows came in at 79.3 degrees.