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Texas Climate-Smart Initiative announces incentives for landowners
The Texas Climate Smart Initiative, led by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, has announced financial incentives for farmers, ranchers and small forest owners statewide who volunteer to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices. Representatives of the Texas Climate-Smart Initiative will work with participants selected through an application process, helping them understand and implement climate-smart practices. Initiative leaders select new participants bimonthly. Producers who have already adopted climate-smart practices are eligible. Prospective participants can apply at the Texas Climate Smart Initiative website. Specific incentive information is also available at the site’s producer resources page. Producer benefits, market-based solutions The Texas Climate Smart Initiative is a five-year large-scale pilot...
Abbott demands probe into power outages
More than 2 million Texans lost power when Hurricane Beryl hit the Texas coast, and Gov. Greg Abbott wants to know why. The Austin American-Statesman reported Abbott has ordered the Public Utility Commission to conduct an immediate study into why the Houston area has again been hit by widespread power outages. “I want to find out, was there a structural flaw with regard to the electrical delivery system?” Abbott said. “Was that the cause of it? If so, what needs to be done to shore up, or was this a personnel issue of not having enough power personnel in all the...
Proposed fed rule would protect workers from extreme heat
A year after a new state law ended mandatory water breaks in Texas, a proposed federal rule would protect millions of workers from the risks caused by extreme heat, The Texas Tribune reported. The rule would require employers to create plans to prevent heat injuries and illnesses and ensure workers get access to drinking water, rest breaks and control of indoor heat. It would apply to all employers whose businesses are under the jurisdiction of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Last year, Texas legislators passed House Bill 2127, which barred cities and counties from passing ordinances that go farther than state law in...
Electric demand could nearly double by 2030
The chief of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas told state lawmakers recently that the state’s power demand could nearly double in just six years. The reasons: population growth, new requests for grid connections, and a rise in requests from data centers and other heavy users. ERCOT chief executive officer Pablo Vegas told lawmakers the grid operator has sharply increased its prediction of power demand in coming years, The Texas Tribune reported. “All of that is putting together a picture of a very significant, different demand growth that is forcing us to really re-think how we’re looking at planning to make sure we can...
Preservation Rosebud plans Rosebud-Lott 50+ Reunion reception
Members of Preservation Rosebud met for their quarterly meeting at the museum on Thursday, June 20. President Les Heugatter called the meeting to order with a tap of the gavel at 7 p.m., welcoming Becky Meacham, Marla Wallace, Greg Wallace and Fran Heugatter. After the group approved the minutes and treasurer’s report unanimously, Vice President Greg Wallace explained recent necessary repairs to the HVAC system. Unfortunately, the trouble began before the Golden Years reception on April 6. That afternoon, an emergency board meeting was called to address the air conditioning repairs needed. Facilities manager James Prothro informed the board that the thermostats were...
Drought conditions ease slightly while heat dome returns
Drought conditions across the state dropped a percentage point in May compared to the previous month, with 26% of the state in some stage of drought, primarily in West and South Texas and parts of the Panhandle. Massive storms in late April and into May caused flooding and wind damage in East and North Texas but did pull those regions out of drought. Some parts of Central and East Texas received three times their average rainfall in May, according to Mark Wentzel, hydrologist with the Texas Water Development Board. Meanwhile, Texans are staring down another miserably hot summer and wondering if it will...
Falls County Commissioners approve invitations for bids
Falls County Commissioners Court met at the County Courthouse on Monday, June 10. In the absence of County Judge Jay Elliott, Pct. 1 Commissioner Milton Albright presided over the meeting. Commissioners present were F. A. Green (Pct. 2) and Nita Wuebker (Pct. 4). Jason Willberg (Pct. 3) was not in attendance. Judge Elliott participated via phone conference. Regarding the American Rescue Plan, grant recipients received letters regarding unused allocated funds resulting in good feedback. Commissioners approved several items including the renewal of the Texas Association of Counties Health and Employee Benefits Pool. There is no change to the coverage however, there...
Blackberries, blueberries, other fruits contribute to Texas agriculture
While Texas is famous for its Ruby Red grapefruit and is the nation’s top producer of watermelons, some well-known but lesser-grown fruits like blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are finding their place in its fields, orchards and gardens. “The lesser-known fruit crop with the most acres and most continued growth in the state would be blackberries,” said Larry Stein, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulturist based in Uvalde. “New Arkansas varieties of blackberries have been performing well and this year is no exception. And the new Arkansas varieties can be grown pretty much throughout the state.” Brazos, Rosborough and Kiowa blackberries are...
35 Texas counties eligible for individual disaster aid
Residents in a total of 35 Texas counties now qualify for individual disaster assistance following a series of severe storms and flooding that began in late April, The Dallas Morning News reported. “I thank our federal partners and emergency response personnel across our great state who are working tirelessly to protect and support their fellow Texans,” Gov. Greg Abbott said Saturday. “Texas will continue to provide every necessary resource to regions across the state who are recovering from these storms.” Under the individual assistance program, funding can be provided for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses, disaster...
Rangeland conditions vary across state
Rangeland conditions across the state vary as producers contend with an abundance of precipitation in the east and little, if any, in the west, according to experts with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Texas is home to roughly 100 million acres of grazing lands, which include native rangelands and non-native pastures. Non-native pastures are typically monocultures comprised of introduced species such as Bermuda grass. Conversely, native rangelands are a diverse ecosystem of native grasses and forbs that support livestock like cattle, sheep and goats, as well as wildlife such as white-tailed deer, pronghorn, turkey and more. This makes rangelands — the largest native...
Phelan wins re-election bid, seeks speaker post again
House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, narrowly won re-election in a hotly contested runoff race and has vowed to seek his third term as speaker, drawing threats from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to oppose any of his supporters in the 2024 primary. “I’ve done it twice, Phelan told The Dallas Morning News. “I’ll do it a third time.” But Patrick was quick to threaten opposition to any representative supporting Phelan’s bid. “My message to Austin is clear: to those considering supporting Dade Phelan as speaker in 2025, ask your 15 colleagues who lost reelection how they feel about their decision now,” Paxton...
Celebrating Corpus Christi
The Corpus Christi procession in the St. Ann Catholic Church in Rosebud was a remarkable success, attracting a large number of participants. During the procession, individuals visited various houses in the area while carrying the Blessed Sacrament. On this Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the procession played a significant role in acknowledging and celebrating the presence of the Holy Eucharist in the Catholic faith. Participants, often dressed in traditional religious attire, walked along the streets of Rosebud, pausing at designated houses to offer prayers and blessings. The Blessed Sacrament, representing the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the form of bread and...
Sorghum producers battle weather to make a crop
The Texas sorghum crop is experiencing a variety of weather conditions, with too little rain in some areas and too much in others. But overall, the crop is holding steady, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert. Ronnie Schnell, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension statewide cropping systems agronomist and associate professor in the Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Bryan-College Station, said the Rio Grande Valley is very dry. As the crop progresses north into the Coastal Bend area, moisture conditions were better early and the crop is looking good. Upper Coast and Central Texas have good moisture conditions...
Additional disaster assistance approved
Seven Texas counties have been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for grants for emergency work and replacement of disaster-damaged public infrastructure, after severe weather and flooding struck much of Deep East Texas, Gov. Gregg Abbott’s office reported. Counties eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance program include Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity and Walker. An additional 21 Texas counties remain on review for possible inclusion under the aid program. In addition, a number of counties have been approved for individual assistance funding, for expenses such as temporary housing, emergency home repairs and help with medical, dental, and funeral expenses...
Year in Review presented at May Wednesday Study Club Meeting
The Wednesday Study Club met on May 8, at the D Brown Library with 16 members and guests present. Pat Runcie called the meeting to order and flag pledges were recited along with A Collect for Club Women written by Mary Stewart. Runcie recognized guests Mary Pratt and Tami Polk. Carol Stock gave members a Year in Review as she showed them the scrapbook she had created. Members were reminded of the variety of activities including September’s Back to School lunch bag along with committees formed for the 75th anniversary reception. October’s visit by Debby Meyer from Westphalia Roots let members...
Flood victims urged caution upon returning home
As East Texas residents return to clean up their homes and businesses after extensive flooding earlier this month, the Texas Department of State Health Services urged residents and business owners to exercise caution. Among the recommendations: · Never use gasoline-powered generators or charcoal grills indoors. Keep them outside, at least 20 feet from homes to avoid possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Direct generator engine exhaust away from windows and doors · Never mix bleach with products that contain ammonia. Toxic fumes could be created. · Disinfect household surfaces, woodwork and toys in homes that have flooded, using a solution of one cup bleach to...
Falls County submits Disaster Declaration
Falls County Commissioners Court met at the County Courthouseon Monday, May 13, with County Judge Jay Elliott presiding. Commissioners present were Milton Albright (Pct. 1), F. A. Green (Pct. 2), Jason Willberg (Pct. 3), and Nita Wuebker (Pct. 4). As a result of flood, tornado, excessive rain, and wind that occurred in the months of April and May, Falls County has faced damage to homes, businesses, public works, and utility systems. Commissioners approved the local state of disaster hereby declared for Falls County for a period of not more than thirty days from the date of the declaration unless continued or renewed...
Spate of tornadoes far outpaces the average
April was a busy month for tornadoes across the United States with 373 recorded, bringing the total for the year to 549, the Austin American-Statesman reported. That is nearly double the average at this point in the year, the National Weather Service says. Texas, as usual, is a leader in tornadic activity, with 14 tornadoes reported within a 24-hour span in Central and East Texas during a spring storm in late April. Luckily, none resulted in injury or fatality. All of the tornadoes reported on April 26 fell within a 70-mile stretch along Interstate 35 and Texas Hwy. 31, around Corsicana, McGregor and...
Commissioners approve abatement for travel stop
The Falls County Commissioners Court met at the County Courthouse in Marlin on Monday, April 22, with Judge Jay Elliott presiding. Commissioners present were Milton Albright (Pct. 1), F. A. Green (Pct. 2), Jason Willberg (Pct. 3) and Nita Wuebker (Pct. 4). Asst. DA Attorney Steve Sharp was present. Regarding the American Rescue Plan, Judge Elliott noted there were still a few grant recipients not in compliance. A letter written by the grant writer will be provided to the Commissioners. To avoid termination, a letter and email will be sent to the recipients of the grant offering a last chance to...
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