News

Lawrence Varela-Halbert

Lawrence Varela-Halbert

Former CCISD Director of Bands pleads guilty to sexual assault of a child

david_morris
Thu, 05/28/2026 - 14:03
By LYNETTE SOWELL-STEVENS Cove Leader-Press   Lawrence Varela-Halbert, former Director of Bands for Copperas Cove ISD, entered a plea of guilty for one count of sexual assault of a child on Wednesday morning in the 52nd District Court of Coryell County.
Primary runoff voting starts May 18

Primary runoff voting starts May 18

Early voting for runoff election starts May 18

david_morris
Thu, 05/14/2026 - 15:49
By LYNETTE SOWELL-STEVENS Cove Leader-Press   Three top Coryell County Republican races are headed to a runoff election on May 26. For the position of Coryell County judge, incumbent Roger Miller received 2,748 votes (44.93%), behind challenger Rob Erwin, who received 3,066 votes, or 49.76%.
Texas Education Freedom Accounts

Texas Education Freedom Accounts

State awards second round of TEFA vouchers

david_morris
Thu, 05/14/2026 - 15:48
By LYNETTE SOWELL-STEVENS Cove Leader-Press   The families of a total of 95,600 Texas students received notification that they have received “voucher” awards via the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program, the new statewide program that allows for parents to choose eligible schools in which to...
City of Copperas Cove

City of Copperas Cove

City reps discuss “turning off” comments on social media page

david_morris
Thu, 05/14/2026 - 15:42
By LYNETTE SOWELL-STEVENS Cove Leader-Press   The City of Copperas Cove turned off comments on its main Facebook page back on April 21, and the reaction online caused a bit of a stir initially with some residents.
The carnival and midway with its games and rides will return for the 46th annual Rabbit Fest May 14-17.

The carnival and midway with its games and rides will return for the 46th annual Rabbit Fest May 14-17.

46th annual Rabbit Fest starts Thursday

david_morris
Thu, 05/07/2026 - 14:59
By LYNETTE SOWELL-STEVENS Cove Leader-Press   Rabbit Fest, an annual event held by the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Bureau, kicks off on Thursday, May 14 and goes through Sunday, May 17 at Copperas Cove City Park.
The future Avenue D sidewalk project includes approximately 4,700 linear feet of 5-foot-wide sidewalk, 26 ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, a pedestrian crossing, multiple sidewalk drainage bridges, and safety lighting along existing electric poles.

The future Avenue D sidewalk project includes approximately 4,700 linear feet of 5-foot-wide sidewalk, 26 ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, a pedestrian crossing, multiple sidewalk drainage bridges, and safety lighting along existing electric poles.

Council approves advance funding agreement for Avenue D sidewalks

david_morris
Thu, 05/07/2026 - 14:45
By LYNETTE SOWELL-STEVENS Cove Leader-Press   The Copperas Cove city council approved an advance funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the construction of more sidewalks along Avenue D.
File Photo - Les Ledger says a few words at the city of Copperas Cove birthday celebration, held last month at Allin House, the home of Copperas Cove’s first mayor. The Copperas Cove Historical Society is raising funds to repair and restore the home.

File Photo - Les Ledger says a few words at the city of Copperas Cove birthday celebration, held last month at Allin House, the home of Copperas Cove’s first mayor. The Copperas Cove Historical Society is raising funds to repair and restore the home.

Historical Society continues fundraising to restore Allin House

david_morris
Thu, 04/23/2026 - 13:43
By LYNETTE SOWELL Cove Leader-Press   The Copperas Cove Historical Society has reached the one-year mark of its lease for Allin House, the home of the first mayor of Copperas Cove. The historical society has had a lease from the City of Copperas Cove for the past year.
File Photo - Runners take off at the start of the annual Mayfest 5K. This year's event is set for Saturday, May 2, at Ogletree Gap Park.

File Photo - Runners take off at the start of the annual Mayfest 5K. This year's event is set for Saturday, May 2, at Ogletree Gap Park.

Mayfest 5K Fun Run set for May 2 in Cove

david_morris
Fri, 04/17/2026 - 12:57
Special to the Leader-Press   Registration is now open for the annual Mayfest 5K Fun Run, a community event benefiting local nonprofit organizations dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. The race will take place on Saturday, May 2, at 8:30 a.m.
Students, Copperas Cove ISD representatives, along with City Manager Ryan Haverlah, Fire Chief Doug Matthijetz, and Mayor Dan D. Yancey gather for a photo after the Copperas Cove city council approved the donation of two out of commission ambulances to the Copperas Cove and Lampasas Independent School Districts.

Students, Copperas Cove ISD representatives, along with City Manager Ryan Haverlah, Fire Chief Doug Matthijetz, and Mayor Dan D. Yancey gather for a photo after the Copperas Cove city council approved the donation of two out of commission ambulances to the Copperas Cove and Lampasas Independent School Districts.

Copperas Cove to donate two ambulances for student training

david_morris
Fri, 04/17/2026 - 12:44
By LYNETTE SOWELL Cove Leader-Press   The Copperas Cove city council approved the donation of two decommissioned ambulances to the Copperas Cove Independent School District and the Lampasas Independent School District.