Good morning, Lubbock.

South Plains veterans returned home on Oct.

12 when their Honor Flight landed between 7:30 and 7:45 p.m. at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport + a community celebration began at 8 p.m.

Due to forecasted weather, the Lubbock Pumpkin Trail will not open Thursday, Oct.

15 — it will open Friday, Oct. 16 at 5 p.m. Pumpkin donations will be accepted Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hodges Community Center parking lot.

Hale Center breeder Trey Lucero — who turned his childhood fascination with exotic animals into Owl Town Exotics — will exhibit reptiles and invertebrates at regional expos, including a reptile show at the South Plains Fairgrounds on Halloween weekend.

City council approved building a statue to honor musician Mac Davis at the traffic circle of Mac Davis Lane & Avenue x.

The $400,000 project will guide future generations to remember his legacy and hometown roots.

St. Joseph Catholic Church will host its Oktoberfest & Sausage Festival at St. Joseph Hall in Slaton on Oct.

17–18. Saturday features packaged sausage sales, live music and food, while Sunday will offer a sit-down German meal with auctions.

City council approved a $400,000 project to build a statue honoring musician Mac Davis.

The monument will be placed at the traffic circle at Mac Davis Lane & Avenue X to remind young locals of his legacy.

Local retailers and shipping companies are hiring seasonal workers for holiday roles in retail and package handling.

Employers advise applying early to secure flexible shifts and extra hours during the busy season (positions range from sales to stock work).

The United Family and Mrs Baird’s Bread announced the September winners of the Teachers On The Rise program.

Winners (Maribel Ojeda of Miller Elementary, Kirston Deshazo of McCool Academy, and Lindsey Pierson of Frenship Memorial High) received gift cards, lunch for two at the Texas Tech Club, and a gift box of Mrs Baird’s products.

United Family and Mrs Baird’s Bread announced the September winners of the Teachers On The Rise program, naming Lubbock teachers (Maribel Ojeda, Kirston Deshazo, and Lindsey Pierson) for their dedication; winners received a $100 gift card from United plus lunch for two and a Mrs Baird’s gift box.

Davis College of Agriculture received over $28 million from USDA to build a food safety complex on Texas Tech campus, replacing old research buildings.

Demolition will start by month's end while a groundbreaking is set for spring (project details remain forthcoming).

Former councilman Randy Christian, who served District 5 from 2018 to 2022, passed away Monday evening after battling cancer.

He supported public health and downtown revitalization, and the city will soon share details for visitation.