After visiting Texas many times, Louisiana native Darren Gauthier has finally crossed over the Sabine Pass into the Lone Star State as the new Operations Manager for Townsquare Media’s five stations in Central Texas. Originally from New Orleans, Darren grew up in nearby Baton Rouge and is a proud alum of LSU. Darren got his start at the campus radio station KLSU, rising to the role of station manager before being lured to work in the exciting world of New Orleans rock radio. Darren returned to Baton Rouge in 2001 rising to the top of the programming food chain while holding down a six-day airshift for a decade. One of the stations he oversaw was twice-nominated for the prestigious Marconi award - radio’s version of the Oscar® - in 2012 and again in 2015. Seeking new challenges and a change of scene, Darren Gauthier was recruited by K-101.7 and the sister stations to bring a personal touch and a renewed sense of community focus to the stations in Killeen and Temple.
Darren Gauthier

Gettin’ Killeen Clean in 2017
Alright now, clean it up Killeen!
Sounds like your parents, right? The city fathers in Killeen have started the clean up of the area designated as Zone 4 - specifically from Stan Schlueter north to Fort Hood and from Highway 195 west also to Fort Hood - as part of an ongoing beautification initiative...

Road Closures for Bloomin’ Temple Announced
The 2017 Bloomin’ Temple Festival presented by H-E-B will be held once again near E. Central Avenue and 4th Street in Downtown Temple. The fest spans the weekend days of Friday, April 28th and Saturday, April 29th.
Putting Bloomin' together will require the closing of streets near the festival site beginning Thursday, April 27th through Friday April 28th...

Convicted Austin Rock-Thrower Sentenced; Will Likely Never Get Out
...and that's a good thing.
Patrick Johnson has owned up to nearly a hundred incidents where he threw rocks at motorists in passing cars over a two-year period. He's also - get this - currently serving a 99-year sentence for a conviction of sexual assault of a child...

Department of Public Safety Opens New Drivers’ Office in Killeen
In the two years I've interacted with the fine folks from the Texas Department of Public Safety, I've been impressed with their focus on keeping the people in the know. This attitude appears to extend to daily interaction with the general population, if the opening of a new drivers' license office is any indicator...

The Strawberry Beer Battle is On Again This Year
Last summer, I posted about Shiner making their own strawberry-flavored beer. Last year, I could only find it in the larger specialty size, the same size in which you see Olde English and other malt liquors. After making a quick dash into my local H-E-B, I came out with a six pack of Shiner Strawberry Blonde in longneck bottles...

Syrian Action Raises Questions in Texas Military Circles
The recent bombing action in Syria has prompted a great many questions here at home on what the impact the escalating conflict will have on our military personnel, families and facilities in our Central Texas area.
Those who were living here in Bell County in 2001 remember what happened after 9/11...

Harley-Davidson Exhibit Now Showing at Bell County Museum
There's one name synonymous with the legacy of the American motorcycle. Now until May 31st, theres a way Central Texans can immerse themselves in motorcycle lore as never before. No leather jacket required.
You and I and the whole county knows you can go to Horny Toad Harley-Davidson and other dealerships all over creation if you want to drool over all of the newest Harleys on the market...
Read M

Turtles are Coming Back to Belton
Here we go again, y'all!
The 10th Annual Belton Kiwanis Turtle Festival is Saturday, April 29th at Yettie Polk Park, 101 S. Davis Street in Belton from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The same weekend and time in the same place as last year...

Elderly Man in Golf Cart Killed Crossing Highway East of Temple
An elderly man who used a golf cart to get around was killed Saturday when he drove his cart onto SH 53 and was struck by an oncoming vehicle.
According to State Troopers, it happened ten miles east of Temple in the area known as Zabcikville...

K-101.7 Announces Temple High Football Coverage Returning for 2017 Season
After what started as a rebuilding year turned into a season with a finale in the State Championship game, it seemed like a no-brainer. Now, we're happy to make it official.
Temple Wildcat Football will return to KLTD-FM, K-101.7 with complete coverage of all games home and away...