By Cyndy Slovak-Barton As we turn the calendar page to a new year, it gives all of us time to reflect back. We might not want to get too melancholy about 2021; instead, let’s think about the recent holidays. The holidays are the time that we get together with family and friends, and the friends that...

By Cyndy Slovak-Barton Barton Publications exchanges newspapers with a lot of other business owners in cities across the state. One thing rings true with all newspapers, media organizations and more – we all understand the “shop locally” theme. We push this message out now for several reasons. At th...

By Cyndy Slovak-Barton Groucho Marx must have had the ability to see into the future. Maybe he was looking at 2016, maybe 2020, but definitely he could see 2021. You might not be a Groucho fan, but it’s worth watching him sing “I’m Against It.” Because, dang, that song fits our time. What are the ly...

by Cyndy Slovak-Barton The excitement was palpable as the Kyle city staff and council members were called on stage to make a major announcement at Tuesday’s Kyle Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Mayor Pro Tem Rick Koch announced that Costco chose Kyle for its next project, will be located next to EVO C...

When news that a COVID-19 vaccine was upwards of 80% effective, someone came into the office thrilled, and said, “It’s the beginning of the end.” She was thrilled that her daughter, a nurse, would be first in line as a medical worker to get the vaccine. But there are those who will resist the vaccin...

As we move into the Thanksgiving holiday, we have a lot to be thankful for, despite the devastation of COVID-19. First, let’s get business out of the way. This office will close down with minimal staff time due to the increase in Hays County’s COVID cases. A decision will be made in 2021 about when ...

My Dad died in February 2020. He decided he was no longer going to take his medicine, which was painfully extending his life; the end came quickly and peacefully with family around him. It’s been a tough 2020, so I am glad he went before all of the chaos of this year ensued. This is the first Vetera...

President Trump is sending Federal agents into the streets of Portland and has threatened to send them to other cities with Democratic mayors and governors. Confirmed reports from Portland tell of protesters being picked up in unmarked vehicles, taken to the Federal courthouse, and held without char...

I had a scary moment on Monday, thinking that the run-off election was Tuesday, May 26. Don’t worry, the election has been delayed until July 14, with early voting to begin on July 6. There are a few races that need deciding. For example, the Democratic race between former Air Force helicopter pilot...

It’s tough to think ahead and figure out what the new normal will be. The FED chair is predicting 25% unemployment before this COVID-19 pandemic is over, a vaccine is in the works but not going to be ready for many months for the mass public, there is uncertainty about whether colleges will have cla...