While serving as a missionary in Scotland in 1898, young David O. McKay and his companion walked by a building that caught their attention. It had a stone arch over the front door and an inscription chiseled in the arch. Elder McKay recalled: “I said to my companion: ‘That’s unusual! I am going to see what the inscription is.’ When I approached near enough, this message came to me, not only in stone, but as if it came from One in whose service we were engaged:< ...

AUSTIN – Texans have it pretty good compared to people who live in other states, to summarize Gov. Rick Perry's 44-minute State of the State speech, delivered Feb. 8 to a joint session of the state House and Senate. And although the steady march of people leaving their home states to settle in Texas is evidence of the state’s overall health, things could be better, he admitted in so many words. “Have the doomsayers forgotten that Texas added more jobs in 2010 than an ...

Well, how much snow did you get? We got 6.5 inches in Oatmeal (just teasing). We received 1+ inch. Whatever amount you did receive, the water content is anywhere from 13% to 16% of the amount of snow depending on the dryness of the snow. Wow, it wasn’t it just a few days ago and it was 80 degrees.

AUSTIN – Wind, snow, sleet, ice, record-low temperatures, road closures and power blackouts made the second half of last week unusual for most of Texas, even for winter. Power grid manager ERCOT, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, ordered providers serving the bulk of the state to implement rolling outages to compensate for electricity shortages.

The office of the Blanco Historic Preservation Commission (BHPC) is to protect the historical, architectural, and archaeological resources that make Blanco very unique. This can only be done through the creation of the local historic district. BHPC oversees a design review process for exterior alterations to historic landmarks and district; we coordinate and make sure that it complies with the required local Unified Development Code (UDC), Texas Historical Commission, and the Secretar ...

As a school administrator and as a parent I have seen many a young person balk when expected to follow certain rules and regulations. And it isn’t just youth, however, who get upset with having to follow rules. I recently traveled on Southwest Airlines. When you’re in a hurry, having to go through all the security rigmarole at the airport can be a real pain in the neck.

AUSTIN — With a $27 billion projected revenue shortfall boring a hole into the state’s fiscal years 2012 and 2013, it was generally assumed that both houses of the Texas Legislature would move with all possible speed to devise a budget to maintain state government functions on slimmer rations. But the Senate put that task on hold last week and instead devoted the time to passing a voter identification bill, SB 14.

If you work in an occupation where tips are part of your total compensation, you need to be aware of several facts relating to your federal income taxes. Here are four things the IRS wants you to know about tip income: 1. Tips are taxable. Tips are subject to federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxes.

As Director of Fine Arts for a large El Paso school district, I was often given free tickets to performances of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. All of my children were musicians of sorts. Derek played baritone and piano, Shane was a UIL state qualifier twice in percussion, Tara played piano and tenor sax, while Jillian played piano and French horn.

Blanco’s Historic Preservation Commission recommendation is to preserve and maintain the character of the historic buildings and homes in Blanco that should include a metal roof. On the history side, metal was popularized for roofing after sheet metal production was expanded around 1840-1865, and can be found on primary buildings as well as agricultural structures and outbuildings.

AUSTIN — Governor Rick Perry spoke of Texas with suitable pomp and glowing terms at his inauguration on Jan. 18, and afterwards sat down to a barbecue meal served on the Capitol grounds for an estimated 14,000 well-wishers and officials. San Antonio businessman Red McCombs saved the state some cash by sponsoring the catered meal, offered free of charge to those who reserved tickets online, via the inaugural committee’s web site. Perry, who in his speech referred to ...

Last week we learned that corrugated metal roofing has been around for hundreds of years and has been the number one pick in the local area. Also, to choose a heavier gauge, closer to the thickness of 16 — just recall that the smaller the gauge numbers, the better. Stay away from the 29-gauge galvanized steel with no coatings.

My father was born and raised in the little town of Colonia Juarez in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. After his retirement from building churches and schools all over Mexico, he and my mother returned to the little town of his birth, built a house, drilled a well, and planted 13,000 apple trees under sprinkler irrigation. Well into their nineties, they lived comfortably surrounded by good friends and neighbors.

AUSTIN --- The 82nd regular session of the Texas Legislature commenced January 11 with high spirits and rousing speeches, coupled with the gravity of a never-deeper budget deficit for the freshly sworn-in lawmakers to deal with, and an interstate call for solemn reflection. On January 10, Texas Comptroller Susan Combs delivered the biennial state revenue estimate for budget years 2012-13.

As a school administrator I was always looking for ways to recognize accomplishment. It was relatively easy in a school of 340 students but it became somewhat more difficult in a school of 3,200. Over the years, I had experience in both settings and everything in-between. Of course, there was always place for formal recognition of the people who made you look good—such things as public praise in various and sundry meetings and conferences, certificates of appreciation, plaques, ...