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Spring is the official start to bug season, making it important to prepare your home. Here are four steps you can take you keep bugs at bay:

Due to the February 12, 2021 disaster declaration by the governor, certain properties within Kaufman County may qualify for a temporary exemption under section 11.35 of the Texas Property Tax Code.

With mortgage rates hovering near three percent, experts say there are still a number of homeowners who could benefit from refinancing. In fact, borrowers who refinanced in 2020 to lower their mortgage rate saved over $2,800 in mortgage payments annually, according to the latest Freddie Mac research.

Athens native Emily Heglund is turning her focus from advocacy to education.

As the COVID-19 pandemic stretched on, children who have been called on to do their part still may not fully understand why they have had to skip play dates or avoid sitting together at lunch tables inside school cafeterias. Older children who are cognizant of much more may be growing weary of social distancing and may have started to question the benefits of staying home.

No matter how strictly you follow the rules, those with firsthand experience know that anyone can get COVID-19.

Noise is everywhere. Though some noise can be very harmful, many noises are associated with something positive. For example, for many people the sound of birds chirping marks the arrival of spring, while others may instantly associate the sound of waves crashing on a shore with the relaxing spirit of summer. But not all noises should be welcomed with open arms, especially by people who are not protecting themselves from noise.

“I pray that God would keep me safe from the people who crashed the planes,” says Cassidy, 10.

Though there may not be a cancer vaccine, that does not mean that vaccinations cannot play a role in cancer prevention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some cancers, including cervical cancer and cancers of the vulva and oropharynx, are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. The CDC notes that the HPV vaccine protects people against the types of HPV that most often cause cancers. Adults can discuss the benefits of HPV vaccinations with their physicians, as the CDC notes that adults between the ages of 27 and 45 may have already been exposed to HPV, meaning the HPV vaccination will provide less benefit. Parents should know that the CDC recommends the HPV vaccination for preteens aged 11 to 12 years.

Planning on retiring single? You aren’t alone. Nearly 22 million Americans age 65 and older were unmarried in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, representing 41.5% of those in that age category. And for women, it’s more likely to be the case. According to the Administration on Aging, 54% of older women are unmarried, as compared to 30% of older men.

The City of Mesquite’s Municipal Center, located at 1515 N. Galloway Avenue and that is home to most of the city’s administrative operations, is now the George A. Venner, Sr. Municipal Center. The announcement was made at a special presentation during the April 19 City Council meeting. Venner served as Mayor from 1987 - 1991 and launched many community programs that are still active today.

Through the years, I have often prepared a Dutch Kettle quail recipe that I learned from my friend, the late outdoors writer Bob Hood. This recipe is simple and we often prepared it for lunch after morning quail hunts. The ingredients are pretty basic: quail, butter, salt, pepper and a couple rows of Ritz crackers crushed into cracker meal. About 45 minutes in a hot Dutch Kettle over campfire coals is all it takes to make a fast, tasty meal in the field. The cracker meal tastes a bit like dressing but not the kind of dressing we are accustomed to during the holidays. There’s no celery, onion or sage in the mix.

Working mothers are as busy as ever. A recent survey from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics found that women spend an average of more than two hours per day on household activities like interior cleaning and preparing meals. That additional work can feel especially tiring after a full day’s work at the office. But mothers may have some help right under their noses. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, adolescents can benefit from participating in various chores around the house. The AAP notes that helping out at home teaches kids the importance of contributing to a team while boosting their self-esteem by helping them feel valued and competent. Kids might not jump at the chance to do chores, and some tasks may still be best performed by parents. However, the AAP notes that the following are some age-appropriate tasks for adolescents, the completion of which can help busy moms feel a less overextended.