It’s About Thyme by CHRIS WINSLOW With a couple of back-to-back summers of drought and torrid heat behind us, we have seen conditions that have taxed even the healthiest of lawns. Even folks with sprinkler systems have not always been able to keep their grass from dying… what with water restrictions...

This Week in Texas History by BARTEE HAILE By Feb. 18, 1843, a week after the Mier mutineers escaped en masse from their Mexican captors, Santa Anna’s soldiers had rounded up most of them. Eight weeks earlier on the banks of the Rio Grande, the officer in charge of the punitive expedition had ordere...

On Center Street by BRENDA STEWART After the election campaign frenzy of the past couple of weeks, it looks like things are going to be kind of quiet downtown. Congratulations to our new mayor, Lucy Johnson, and to councilmen-elect Jaime Sanchez and Russ Huebner. I look forward to seeing your plans ...

Mountain City Montage by PAULINE TOM If you’re into celebrating Valentine’s Day all month long (and you’re on neither a high fiber nor a heart-healthy diet), you might enjoy preparing Red Velvet Pancakes for your sweetie this month. Nancy Waddell passed it along saying, “This is well worth the effor...

STAFF REPORTS MACIAS Hays High School homecoming queen Elizabeth Macias, 18, has been selected as one of 10 finalists in Texas’ 30th annual Homecoming Queen Selection. The competition will be held in April in Irving. Texas’ 2010 Homecoming Queen will receive a cash scholarship plus an expense paid t...

by JEN BIUNDO Fitness enthusiasts have several chances this weekend to meet stars of the hit reality TV show “The Biggest Loser.” Eight former contestants will take part in “Burn & Learn,” a day of workouts, nutritional counseling and motivational sessions, this Saturday at Hays High School. Partici...

Odds & Ends by MYRTLE HEIDEMAN I must make a comment on the weather change on Sunday. Only in Texas can a change come so quickly. You heard the thunder, it’s February and Dad always said “it will freeze in April, if it thunders in February.” So hard on the early gardens. ••• St. John Lutheran Church...

by JIM CULLEN Celebrating their big Sweepstakes trophy win at the recent Lehman Academic Tournament are representatives of the Hays High School UIL team. The Rebs took team firsts in Number Sense, Mathematics, Calculator, Accounting and Computer Applications as their competitive season got off to a ...

STAFF REPORTS Dahlstrom Middle School UIL contestants (left to right) Kristina Loza-Garcia, Hannah Penry and Madelyn Gladek wait to hear the awards announcements at Lockhart Junior High recently. Gladek and Penry were 1-2 in sixth grade Music Memory. (Photo by Jim Cullen) Dahlstrom Middle School’s 7...

Counselor’s Corner by CHRIS J. BROWN Greetings, and I hope this finds you with good experiences from Valentine’s Day. I recently had a homework assignment from my son’s teacher which caused me to pause. My wife and I were to write a Valentine’s Day card to our son to be opened during the class party...