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Child care centers closing across state

Child care centers closing across state

An unprecedented number of child care centers are expected to close across the state as pandemic relief funding ends, the Texas Standard reported. A survey conducted by the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children of about 1,600 child care programs indicated 44% were likely to close their doors without additional funding. Federal pandemic relief funds ended for most centers in June. 08/09/2023 23:00

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor

– Columbus has amenities for tourists and children but, sadly, not for its senior citizens. Several playgrounds with elaborate equipment have been built and maintained year after year. 08/09/2023 23:00

“Summer Cold”

“Summer Cold”

So, I got a cold. 08/09/2023 23:00

Quick, convenient and delicious Back-to-School snack ideas

Quick, convenient and delicious Back-to-School snack ideas

Back to school is a time of new beginnings for kids. Between classroom learning, extracurricular activities, sports and social- izing, fun and filling snacks can help kids have a moment away from school-year pressures while also encouraging all that excitement and learning. 08/09/2023 23:00

Tales of an Outlaw Teacher – episode 1

Tales of an Outlaw Teacher – episode 1

In another life, I labored within the bowels of the California public school system for 17 years. This was a productive, though trying time for me, as evidenced in part by the following story… I spent the first two years of my teaching career at Liberty Elementary School in Riverside, California (Room 3 - 6th grade). The school was home to many colorful characters. We had Mr. Hernandez, the school principal (he was super cool - think Ricardo Montalban on Fantasy Island). He was always relaxed, no matter the crisis. I think his biggest concern was not spilling grape soda on his polyester golf slacks. Then there was Mrs. Phillian, next door (she was a battle-hardened classroom veteran). My friend Mr. Heath, from across the hall, was perhaps the funniest teacher I ever met. He could never walk past my classroom TV and VCR without reaching out his hand and feigning electrical shock. He got a reaction from me every time. And the students… Memorable was Billy Maruffo. He was the only kid in 6th grade who had to shave (I think he was 19). His favorite pastime was mooning the school bus every morning before boarding. 08/09/2023 23:00

Wildfire chances increasing across state

Wildfire chances increasing across state

The risk for wildfires across the state has risen along with the hot and dry conditions, accord - ing to the Texas A&M Forest Service. 08/02/2023 23:00

“The Painter”

“The Painter”

I see him painting every afternoon. 08/02/2023 23:00

Instincts

Mama collected the lunch plates and ran hot water in the sink. One basin was soapy and the other was clear for rinsing. Daddy stood me on a chair and it was my job to rinse and dry dishes while he washed. The rinse water was blistering hot and I grabbed at knives, forks, plates, and tea glasses so as not to burn my little fingers. The scalding water didn’t bother Dad as he chattered with Mama. I put the silverware and glass into the drying rack and Mama put everything into the cabinets. Daddy helped me lift the bigger pots and pans and I perched them on the edge of the drain board, dried them, and then handed them over to be put away. Meanwhile, our ranch hand, Garland Nelson, was lounging under a tree in the front yard. 07/26/2023 23:00

Patrick issues gag order ahead of trial

Patrick issues gag order ahead of trial

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick last week issued a sweeping gag order ahead of the impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Houston Chronicle reported, saying “out-of-court statements” by both sides threaten to jeopardize the trial. 07/26/2023 23:00

“A Boring Life”

“A Boring Life”

I'm writing this on my birthday and feeling more than usually grateful. 07/26/2023 23:00

SNAKE WEEK at the RANCH – oh my!

SNAKE WEEK at the RANCH – oh my!

This has been an interesting week for our family. Out at the ranch, we’ve been encountering snakes! 07/26/2023 23:00

Letter to the editor...

Letter to the editor...

Note: The originator of this letter requested that this letter be published unedited in any way. 07/19/2023 23:00

Tax-relief plan headed to governor

Tax-relief plan headed to governor

Proponents are calling it the “biggest property tax cut in Texas history.” Both chambers of the Texas Legislature passed an $18 billion package during the second special session, the Austin American-Statesman reported. 07/19/2023 23:00

The SOUL of an ONION

The SOUL of an ONION

“In the onion is strength; and a garden without it lacks flavor. 07/19/2023 23:00

“All the Flowers”

“All the Flowers”

I was reluctant to come back from Mexico this spring, knowing it would still be cold and wet and cloudy. But I’d gotten used to looking for pretty things while in Mexico. I wanted to share the festivals and the art and the colors. I’d been taking pictures and sharing them on Facebook so my friends and family could see a little bit of the world that surrounded me. 07/19/2023 23:00

Hospital Center of Excellence Transparency Report

Hospital Center of Excellence Transparency Report

LA GRANGE – HCOE signed a term sheet on Friday, the 28, and that term sheet lays out the basis for a transition of management at St. Mark’s Medical Center (SMMC). 07/12/2023 23:00

House Democrats’ tax plan would help renters

House Democrats’ tax plan would help renters

Texas House Democrats unveiled a $20.9 billion plan for property tax relief that drops tax rates, increases the homestead exemption, gives annual rebates to renters, and includes pay raises for teachers, the Austin American- Statesman reported. 07/12/2023 23:00

LOOKING DOWN FROM THE SADDLE

The Neighbor Lady

The Neighbor Lady 07/12/2023 23:00

Surviving the ’70s – Free Range Summer Camp

Surviving the ’70s – Free Range Summer Camp

If you survived the 1970s and are old like me, you might relate to the following story. If you are young, you will not understand. As Baby Boomers, we grew up in a different time and place. As a society, Americans were less safety conscious then, which was fine with us kids. We never wore bike helmets (you should wear one), we drank out of the garden hose, most of us had BB guns, and we stayed outdoors and played all day until it was time to come home for supper. And, for the most part, we were an unsupervised lot. You might say we were “free-range” kids. I think it made us healthy. 07/12/2023 23:00

“Not Impossible”

“Not Impossible” 07/12/2023 23:00

Senate passes tax bill as second special session begins

Senate passes tax bill as second special session begins

The Texas Senate on the first day of the Legislature's second special session unanimously passed a tax bill last Wednesday that increases the homestead ex - 07/05/2023 04:00