Briscoe Commission approves purchases for SO from SB-22 funds in April meeting

Body COMPILED FROM MINUTESIn the regular monthly meeting of the Briscoe County Commissioners on April 14, the court approved the 2023-24 audit as presented in a motion made by Commissioner Jack Wellman and seconded by Commissioner Danny Francis. It passed with a 5-0 vote.

TALES FROM TUMBLEWEED SMITH

Body TUMBLEWEEDAs the creator and producer of “The Sound of Texas,” one of the longest running syndicated radio programs in Texas, Tumbleweed seeks fascinating people who embody the spirit of the Lone StarStateandbringsthemintothehomesandheartsofthousands.

Abbott signs voucher bill into law

Body AUSTIN— Gov. Greg Abbott last week signed a $1 billion private school voucher bill into law in front of a large crowd at the Governor’s Mansion, the San Antonio Express-News and other media outlets reported.

Peanut Butter Oat Granola Balls

Body Feed me anything with peanut butter and oats, and I’ll be a happy camper. These chewy granola balls, if you will, are a combo of these two ingredients at their best.I’ve made many power balls packed with protein over the last couple of years, but this one is a bit decadent.

The 501

Body HANABA MUNN WELCHGraffiti ain’t what it used to beGraffiti, back before we knew that word, used to be quite racy. Vulgar terms were de rigueur except for the simple “so-and-so loves so-and-so” heart-and-arrow stuff.

Xeriscaping—don’t call it ‘zero’scaping!

Body From the gardenBuilding on last week’s column on The Knox County Safety Rest Area landscape, this week’s column continues with the theme of sensible water stewardship in a landscape using xerophytic plants.

House bill proposes new standardized test

Body AUSTIN—A Texas House bill would eliminate the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness test and replace it with a test comparing students’ performance to one another rather than state-set standards, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

Austin is beautiful in May

Body As I glance across the headlines of our five newspapers this week, a slow smile crosses my face when I name-check high school students who will be traveling to State (always capitalized in our newspapers to recognize the accomplishment).

TEA releases 2023 A-F accountability ratings

Body AUSTIN— After a prolonged delay because of a lawsuit filed by about 100 school districts, the Texas Education Agency has released the 2023 A-F accountability ratings, indicating the share of campuses that received a passing ranking dropped by 14% from 2022.

DIY vegetable teepees

Body ELLEN PEFFLEYWhat do cucumbers, winter squash, and melons have in common? Yes, both are members of the Cucurbitaceae family; yes, both are warm season vegetables; and yes - both have a vining growth habit.