By Alyssa Dussetschleger
A 4-H Livestock Ambassador who plans to be a policy analyst for agriculture and a budding entrepreneur who hopes to become a real estate agent will head to Washington, D.C., this summer as recipients of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s 2022 Government-in-Action Youth Tour awards.
Stories by Melissa Segrest
An annual whirlwind history lesson that began more than half a century ago for thousands of teenagers from across Texas and the nation is back after a two-year pandemic pause.
This June, the Government-in-Action Youth Tour is returning to Washington, D.C., and hundreds of electric cooperative-funded high school students will swarm the nation’s capital to see historical spots and learn how our democracy works.
AUSTIN COUNTY, Texas – A $30,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative will help the Industry Volunteer Fire Department purchase two much-needed pieces of equipment: new and improved hydraulic rescue tools to extract crash victims from vehicles and new protective gear for firefighters.
LEE COUNTY, Texas – The Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department will soon be able to refill firefighter air tanks and bottles at the department rather than sending them out of town to be replenished, thanks to a $19,893 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.
CALDWELL COUNTY, Texas – The St. John School Museum Board will be able to complete renovations on its nearly 145-year-old historic school building by adding restrooms, a new septic system and more, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $14,010 in matching contributions, will support the St. John School Restoration Project as it finishes renovations and opens the St. John School Museum housed in the former school building.
By Janet Wilson
For a sliver of a second, there was silence. Then the words from the loudspeakers rang out.
Three new champions leapt to their feet. High-fives and hearty cheers gave way to shrieks of joy and raucous shouts that rippled like a wave through the crowd of several hundred. Despite aching muscles, the men bounded up the stage, their own joyous hollering adding to the din.
Bluebonnet celebrated several milestones in 2019. In addition to its 80th anniversary and surpassing 100,000 meters and 10,000 followers on Facebook, the cooperative added its 1,000th renewable energy member in November.
Carmine Hall, a longtime community gathering spot in Fayette County, is renovating its cramped, outdated women’s restroom thanks to a $6,000 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, paired with matching funds of $6,010, will pay for three new restroom stalls, including one that’s handicapped-accessible, new flooring and fixtures, and a new vanity and inset sinks.