News

As one goes through the day, there are events that appear that make you pause and think - moment or miracle? Turning down a parking lot row and finding a close parking space, getting out of your vehicle and finding a $10 bill on the ground when you have no money in your pocket, running late and the elevator opens just as you arrive enabling you to be on time. Depending on your personal outlook, these are just a moment of luck --or-- a miracle.

With the 87th Session approaching, democrats have been filing anti-gun bills like House Bill 196 that aim to amend a section of the Texas Penal Code known as the “Castle Doctrine” by reducing the rights of Texans to defend themselves and their property.

With the loss of jobs in the community due to the pandemic, the City of Mesquite stepped forward last year to help the public gain employment opportunities, skills training and hope through a series of public outreach efforts. The Mesquite Chamber of Commerce recognized this and presented the City with the 2020 Mesquite Business Retention and Expansion Employer of the Year Award.

There is help in store for east Texans with jobs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, or looking to change professions, thanks to a grant TVCC received from the THECB. The reskilling grant will allow TVCC to provide financial assistance to students, who are Texas residents, to cover tuition and fees.

Parents of children enrolled in afterschool programs are happier with their participation than ever before, according to a new study. At the same time, there aren’t nearly enough programs available, and students from low-income families are the most likely to lack access. For every child in an afterschool program today, three more are waiting to get in.

On Dec. 22, Gov. Greg Abbott sat in a conference room at the Ascension Seton Medical Center in Austin and rolled up his sleeve for the cameras. A nurse pricked a dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine into his left arm and state officials and hospital staff in the room applauded.

For two decades, Anthony “Tony” Hambric served the United States in the U. S. Army. A graduate of Wills Point High School, Hambric enlisted in the Army in 1980 for the opportunities it would present to him. “I always wanted to be a mechanic and do something technical,” he said. “I also wanted to see the world and get my education.”

**Billy Owen Costello, son of William O. “Bill” (farmer, mail carrier, car salesman) and Maxine Costello (my 3rd grade school teacher), one afternoon had a “bright idea” of how all of us “kids” in the neighborhood could get rich—by PICKING COTTON! He told us to meet beside the Costello house at 7:00 a. m. the next morning and to be ready to work at our new business!

If you’ve been contributing for many years to your 401(k) or similar retirement plan, it may be your largest pool of money. So, if you are facing a financial need, you may think about tapping into your account. After all, it’s your money – why not use it?

Congratulations to Central Penn College’s Allied Health students who have been pinned, symbolizing the successful completion of the academic portion of their program.

Southern Arkansas University has announced that 426 students earned a 4.0 for the fall 2020 semester and have been named to its’ President’s List.

The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) will be performing prescribed burns to address brush and excessive vegetative thatch at the East Fork Water Reuse Project (Wetland) in Kaufman County. The prescribed burns will be conducted over multiple days beginning in December 2020 through February 2021. The timing and conclusion of the prescribed burns will depend on local weather conditions.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) Torch Awards for Ethics is a highly sought-after accomplishment for businesses. In order to receive this prestigious award, a company must consistently exhibit high standards of honesty, integrity, and transparency. The specific criteria for the BBB Torch Awards are: