Wed, 07/29/2026 - 5:55am
All princesses interested in entering the Miss Hamilton County Dove Festival Pageant better to do so quickly, as the early entry deadline is July 31 at noon. Early entry fee will be $40 per participant.
News
All princesses interested in entering the Miss Hamilton County Dove Festival Pageant better to do so quickly, as the early entry deadline is July 31 at noon. Early entry fee will be $40 per participant.
The Hamilton Historic Main Street Program, in partnership with the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, invites businesses, organizations, churches, schools, civic groups, families, and individuals to be part of one of the biggest community celebrations of the year by participating in the 54th Annual Dove Fest Parade on Saturday, September 5. This year’s parade will feature the patriotic theme: America 250: Celebrating 250 Years of Freedom.
As storm season has already begun, the Hamilton County Commissioners Court welcomed positive progress on two emergency communication infrastructures in their meeting on Tuesday. Hamilton County Emergency Management Director Lacy Alexander reported that Hamilton’s new communication tower will hopefully be in service in August or September.
Hamilton High School has chosen a new principal, with Gina Poe retiring after nine years behind the boss’s desk. The 2026-27 school year will be led by 1996 HHS graduate Kory Craddick. From kindergarten to graduation, Craddick was a Hamilton Bulldog and now returns for his “dream job.” Craddick’s mother was a teacher, so he grew up in the old high school, which now serves as the middle school.
The first full weekend of August is shaping up to be one of the busiest and most rewarding weekends of the summer, and I hope everyone will make plans to join us. On August 7-8, the Hamilton High School Bulldog Band Cook-Off will once again bring our community together in support of our talented students.
Lifestyle
In the early 1880’s, Marion Harvey Johnson settled in Hamilton County. In 1886, he married Elizabeth Rejoyce Adams, and they had 10 children. Now, in 2026, the children and grandchildren of those “original 10” will have their 75th annual Johnson Family Reunion.
Sports
EARLY BIRDIES: Hamilton Bulldog Golf Camp started July 27, with campers ranging from 3rd graders to high schoolers hoping to make the team.
Perry Country Club is ramping up for the 34th annual Gary Wayne Schoen, Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament this weekend. As classmates, friends and family gather to celebrate his life and enjoy his favorite pastime, 56 three-person teams will take to the course on Saturday and Sunday in memory of Schoen, who was a 1987 Hamilton High School graduate.
CLINICAL PRECISION: Fresh off coaching Decatur High School to consecutive 4A Division 1 volleyball state championships, Texas Girls Coaches Association 1A-4A Coach of the Year Stormi Snider, pictur
Columns
1.6 million eggs in Texas are recalled Several brands of white and brown eggs sold in Texas are under a recall because they may be contaminated with salmonella, the Statesman reported. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Midwest Poultry Services is voluntarily recalling nearly 1.6 million eggs.
Puzzled crew members watched from the deck of the “Indianapolis” on Jul. 26, 1945, as the top-secret cargo that had taken them to the Pacific island of Tinian in the Marianas was wrestled ashore.
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At funeral services in Mission on Jul. 8, 1956, friends and family of “Slats” Rodgers paid their last respects to the accident-prone pioneer aviator while marveling at the fact he died in bed of natural causes.
Wiley Post and his Australian navigator landed in New York City on Jul. 1, 1931 completing an epic around-the-world flight in record-breaking time.
Ross Shaw Sterling kicked off his campaign for governor on Jun. 20, 1930, by introducing himself to the Huntsville crowd as “the fat boy from Buffalo Bayou.” The 265-pound multimillionaire poked fun at his gigantic girth to divert attention from his much bigger bank account.
Obituaries
James Allen Kruse, 91, went peacefully home with his wife, Hertha, by his side on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Funeral services were held on July 13, 2026, at Riley Funeral Home.
Dudley Quinton Kelm, 74, of Katy, passed away peaceful-ly on July 11, 2026. Services will be held at St John Lutheran Church in Ham-ilton at 1 p.m.
Joseph Verne West Oglesby, born in Waco on April 10, 1964, passed away July 1, 2026, in Waco. Joseph, also known as “Crazy Uncle Joe,” loved helping everyone, even if that meant he went without. Joe also loved being the center of attention and making everlasting memories. Joe was a rough, tough outlaw and will be missed by all. He loved doing everything the Joe Oglesby way, the cowboy way.
James Lyle Kenton (Jim), age 84, died peacefully at home with his family on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Funeral service will be held on Friday, July 10, at Riley Funeral Home in Hamilton, at 11 a.m., with viewing at 10 a.m.
Joseph Allen Booth, lovingly known as “Pappy,” “Happy,” “Joe Cool,” and “JoJo” passed away on July 3, 2026, in Brownwood, at the age of 60. Joseph was born on February 21, 1966, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to Betty Snell and James Booth.
