The Texas Senate welcomed D.J. Daniel to the chamber. D.J. is a 13-year-old from the Houston area who is battling terminal brain and spine cancer. His dream is to become a police officer and he has …

Sunday marked the beginning of Holy Week with the celebration of Palm Sunday.   As many of us know, Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem before his arrest, …

Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending the Scouting America Camporee at Camp Tahuaya. As an Eagle Scout and the father of two Eagle Scouts, Scouting has always been close to my heart.   …

10 years ago   Bio-fuels plant resolution approved by commissioners; Groupon campaign raises over $335k for K9 protective ballistic vests; Sheriff’s Office warns about dangers of meth …

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton made it official last week, announcing he will challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in next March’s Republican primary. The fireworks already have begun, the Austin …

A Franciscan priest, who made the long and dangerous trip from the New World in search of the mysterious “Lady in Blue,” arrived at a Spanish abbey on Apr. 21, 1631.   The padre …

“Texas has a bluebonnet, a bluebonnet, a bluebonnet”, the young voices sang as we walked through Woodville streets to view spring flowers and trees. Teaching tots Texas History is really …

The library is running at full speed and so is your librarian. We have had at least 10 patrons in the library every day since the opening. We still have a few minor adjustments to the building, but …

Last weekend, I was in Nacogdoches to attend the annual Flying Jacks Aviator’s Ball.   The Flying Jacks aviation program at Stephen F. Austin State University is developing the next …

10 years ago   World-renowned metal detector pioneer Garrett dies; SR20 Holdings; “looking for a host” for bio-fuels plant in Trinity County; Child Abuse Awareness Month …

With all the rain this past weekend, nearly every event for April 4th and 5th has been changed to April 11th and 12th. Some of the events were able to precede, but some were not able to finish their …

The Coldspring Garden Club enjoyed a trip to the Benestante Vineyard and spacious meeting hall. The latter is available to rent for occasions such as weddings, reunions, etc. It is adjacent to the …

On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was struck down in Memphis by an assassin’s bullet.   While the world lost Dr. King far too soon, his wisdom and dream of a country that …

A judge with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last week that the Texas Education Agency can release its 2023 A-F school accountability ratings, the Houston Chronicle reported. The ruling …

For the past 45 years, I have eagerly looked forward to spring and turkey hunting. Oh, I might get a bit despondent anticipating the hot weather ahead but spring means strutting gobblers and I have …

“The class of 2001” ... I heard nothing of whatever else the announcer said ... only stared in stunned disbelief as the young, eager, bright, innocent faces of the students before me as I …

  A 23-year-old pianist from Kilgore gave sagging morale back home a much-needed boost by winning first prize at the International Tchaikovsky competition on Apr. 12, 1958. Van Cliburn was …

On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was struck down in Memphis, Tenn. by an assassin’s bullet. While the world lost Dr. King far too soon, his wisdom and dream of a country that …

This week we welcomed the Texas Forestry Association (TFA) to the Texas Capitol. TFA, which has been active since 1914, has members in a variety of fields including logging, consulting, conservation, …

Last Tuesday, the House Financial Services Committee held a hearing entitled “Beyond Silicon Valley: Expanding Access to Capital Across America.” In my remarks to witnesses, I highlighted …