I guess many people have one special bird they would very much like to see. Some folks think a bird of paradise would be outstanding; others would prefer a puffin. For me, I was for a long time fixated on seeing an Andean cock-of-the-rock. The national bird of Peru, the cock-of-the-rock is one beaut...

Craft beer enthusiasts took a narrow victory last week when the Texas House of Representatives passed a bill that would allow to-go sales of alcohol directly from breweries. House Bill (HB) 672, authored by State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) and State Sen. Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway, also known a...

Barton Publications, Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch Editor Moses Leos III was named Photographer of the Year by the South Texas Press Association. In addition, he was also asked to join the board of directors for the association, and will rotate on a three-year term with the organization. In the ...

Red and yellow, black, brown, white – they are precious in His sight. The colors of the wild birds spending time in Mountain City could fill a large crayon box. Notable was Laura Craig’s sighting on April 22. She wrote on the Facebook of Birds of Texas, “It’s going to be a good day when it starts wi...

1. Plant flowers: This is a perfect time for flowering annuals and perennials. Begonias, zinnias, marigolds, moss-roses, purslanes and vinca are all good choices.   Perennials might include lantanas, salvias, and verbenas. 2. Vegetable garden care: Water deeply to encourage a deep, drought-tolerant ...

International Dark Sky communities are one step closer to using Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) dollars for infrastructure meant to reduce light pollution. House Bill (HB) 4158, authored by State Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood), would give Dark Sky communities more flexibility to reinvest in tourism effor...

My backyard birdbath has had several visitors lately, but not of the kind I anticipated when I installed it. A gray fox hopped up one late evening and stood lapping water from the bath.   One morning, I saw a large black vulture standing in the bath, preening and splashing water on its feathers.   A...

Below are responses submitted by candidates running to fit the unexpired term of the Kyle City Council District 3 At-Large seat up for grabs May 4. Candidates are Robert Rizo, Cody DeSalvo, Stuart Kirkwood and Michelle Carey. Rizo did not submit responses prior to press time.   Michelle R. Carey Has...

Y uccas are these amazing new world plants with a vast natural range. They grow all the way from Baja, California in the west, to Florida in the east, Canada in the north, and Guatemala in the South. These beauties have strong, evergreen sword or strap-like leaves, and they produce dramatic spikes o...

The young and the young-at-heart packed into McNaughton Park in Plum Creek Saturday for the annual Easter egg hunt, hosted by the Plum Creek Homeowners Association. Following the pulse-pounding 100 seconds of Easter egg action, revelers also took in fun, games and some live music.