Summer cattle management tips

As the summer months are now upon us, most people are preparing for their vacations to some far away paradise in the tropics or abroad to one of the wonders of the world. Meanwhile farmers back home …

Flag Burning Ceremony Held

Local veterans and members of the Tyler County Republican Women participated in the flag burning ceremony at the Robert M. Pate Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2033 on Saturday, June 14. Flags were …

Scams, thefts keeping sheriff’s office busy

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous complaints from citizens regarding an ongoing scam. The complainants advised they have received calls from individuals identifying …

Council hears plea for animal control

TRINITY — The city council heard an impassioned plea from a teenager to do something about dogs running loose within the city. Thirteen-year-old Levi Barton told the council on Thursday …
Shepherd ISD and its Superintendent, Dr. Jason Hewitt (right), received a $350,000 grant to expand the health science program in the district, which is offered in partnership with Lone Star College. This investment will help train 130 students to become licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses. The grant was presented by Texas Workforce Commissioner for Labor Alberto Treviño III at a special ceremony held at Lone Star College-North Harris, joined by state and local leaders, educators, and community partners.  COURTESY PHOTO

State gives $2.4 Million in career training grants for Gulf Coast area schools

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott last week announced 10 career training grants totaling more than $2.4 million have been awarded to 10 schools in the Gulf Coast area to train students for high-demand, …
All around East Texas
Columnists
Gov. Greg Abbott says he got everything he pushed for during the Legislature’s 89th session, which ended on June 2. The Dallas Morning News reported that the governor believes the …
Can you believe that this week is the start of summer (officially), and the longest daylight hours of the year will be on June 20? I looked this up since I always thought it was on June 21, but we …
Last week, I participated in a hearing with the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to examine the growing concerns surrounding Americans’ genetic data in light of 23andMe’s …
The scene reminded me of a medieval fair ... people dressed in multi-colored, bright silks milling about, loud cries of encouragement for participants in athletic contests, colorful, shimmering tents …
Opinion
There’s a great deal of ink spilled through the years about the friendship between Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill. The two-term Republican president and the Democratic …
We are not anywhere near Kansas anymore. Nor are we in a capitalist system recognizable to anyone who has ever believed in open markets, fair competition, or the separation of business and state. …
A warning to all three of you who read this stuff I write (probably two now, because the one guy who thinks I use Google to reference basic historical facts likely has tired of my scrawlings): what …
Sports & Recreation
Leggett Athletic Director Ra’Shod Jefferson celebrates Valentine’s Day in HCA Kingwood’s radiology department. In the “offseason,” the coach works up to three other jobs.

Polk County’s hardest working coach

After spending a long week in and out of the hospital for a family member, I received a phone call. It was not unusual to get a call from Leggett Athletic Director Ra’Shod Jefferson, but what …
Longtime Livingston assistant Kasey Glover will lead Big Sandy baseball in 2026.

Big Sandy hires new baseball coach

Just a short decade ago, Kasey Glover was walking across the stage at Livingston High School. He played baseball four years for the Lions, then graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in …

All-district picks named for Lady Dogs

COLMESNEIL – The All-District awards were named last week for the Colmesneil Lady Dogs after the 2025 softball season concluded for them in April. The 2A district the Lady Dogs competed in …

Post-season awards for Lady Jackets

CHESTER – District awards for the Lady Jacket softball team were announced this week.   Several Lady Jackets earned accolades. Sadie Garsee was named Newcomer of the Year, Allie Ogden MVP …

Schwertner files legislation to strengthen border security measures

AUSTIN — Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, filed legislation to aid county jails in their coordination and collaboration with ICE and provide stronger legal tools to discourage the …

Texas land commissioner urges court to investigate sale of border wall material

Border wall panels in Starr County.

AUSTIN — Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., announced that the Texas General Land Office, the State of Texas, and the State of Missouri are asking a U.S. District Court judge to …

Bite by Bite

Fresh homegrown tomatoes … the jewels of summer

Corn and Tomato Salad

There are few things more versatile, or summer-centric, than fresh homegrown tomatoes and I am thrilled that peak tomato season – which runs from May to October – is finally upon us. …

Obituaries
Jo Carolyn Sturrock
Jo Carolyn Sturrock, 75, of Chester, passed away June 13, 2025. She was born in Woodville, Texas, to Arthur “Pete” and Iva Barnes. She married Harold Sturrock and together they made …
Eddie Jordan
Edward “Eddie” Burton Jordan, 71, of Spurger passed away June 13, 2025. He was born April 24, 1954 in Munich, Germany with the name, Johann Georg Gunther Wagner.   At 3 years …
Marjorie Faye Miller
Marjorie Faye (Martin) Miller of Trinity, passed away peacefully on May 25th after a long year’s illness.   She was born in the small town of Haslam, Texas, the third child and precious …
Thomas “George” Thurman Jordan of Woodville, Texas, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, June 4, 2025. George was born in Camden, Texas, on January 29, 1942, and raised in …
Billy Tolar, Sr.
Billy Wayne “Bill” Tolar, Sr., 81, of Doucette, Texas, passed away Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at his residence. Visitation began at 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. service time on Saturday, June …
Outdoors

PineyWoods Fishing Report

B.A. Steinhagen FAIR. Water stain; 80 degrees; 0.27 feet below pool. Very few anglers on the water. Expect fish to start pushing shallow as the water warms. Bob Sandlin GOOD. Water …

Heading way up north to fish

As far back as I can remember, I longed to fish the remote waters of a “fly in “lake in Canada. As a youngster, I thumbed through the pages of outdoor magazine, paying close attention to …

Pineywoods Fishing Report 06-12-2025

B.A. Steinhagen FAIR. Water stain; 75 degrees; 0.27 feet below pool. Very few anglers on the water. Expect fish to start pushing shallow as the water warms. Bob Sandlin GOOD. Water …
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News from around the web
10 cool cars you can't buy in the US yet
CheapInsurance.com reports on 10 exciting cars unavailable in the U.S. due to regulations, costs, and brand strategies.
Dog breeds losing popularity
Stacker pulled data from the AKC to compare dog popularity rankings from 2004 and 2024; the 2024 popularity rankings were released in March 2025.
How to understand your home energy use — and cut costs
(BPT) - Heating and cooling systems account for around 55% of the average home's energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). And during the warmer summer months, HVAC systems are …
4 ways to celebrate National Mac and Cheese Day
(BPT) - Macaroni and cheese is a quintessential comfort food everyone loves. It's homey, cheesy and tasty, evoking comfort like no other dish. National Mac and Cheese Day is the perfect excuse to …
On the Golf Course, You Really Have Skin in the Game
On the Golf Course, You Really Have Skin in the Game
(NewsUSA) - Mark Twain famously said that golf is a good walk spoiled. For most golfers, the sport is also fraught with a very high risk of getting skin cancer. On the course, golfers are exposed to …