Community & Opinion

eriscaping—don’t

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

Ellen Peffley

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

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.Xeriscaping, or xeric landscaping, is the practice of landscaping while minimizing...

House bill proposes new standardized test

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House bill proposes new standardized test

News Staff

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

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.House Bill 4 would also create benchmark tests to...

Austin is beautiful in May

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Austin is beautiful in May

News Staff

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

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

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TEA releases 2023 A-F accountability ratings

News Staff

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

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.“For far too long, families, educators and...

DIY vegetable teepees

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DIY vegetable teepees

News Staff

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

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.

The 501

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The 501

Hanaba Munn Welch

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

People get attached to chairs. I’m thinking of Archie Bunker. If you ever want to see his chair, it’s at the Smithsonian.Me, I get attached to stools. My favorite is the ordinary wooden kitchen stool of my youth, now hanging in our garage. I may ask for it for Christmas.

NICEGNOCCI This hearty-and-healthy casserole can be made with homemade or store-bought gnocci (a pasta-like, filled dumpling, for those who haven’t yet tried this Italian favorite). | ANGELINA LaRUE PHOTO

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Potato gnocchi Florentine

News Staff

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

As we settle into spring and fire up the backyard barbeque grills, occasionally I still find myself craving a comforting casserole or a bubbling pot of gooey goodness.

IT SNOWED IN SILVERTON May 1, 2020 — at least inside the Nickersons’snow-cone truck on their first day of business as Silver Snow. | COURTESY PHOTO

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Five fantastically frozen years at Silverton’s own snow-cone stand

Kodie Fairchild |

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

May 1st, 2025, marks five years of frozen fantasticness for Silver Snow, Silverton’s beloved snow cone stand. Silver Snow is owned and operated by Beth Nickerson, who’s a schoolteacher at Silverton ISD and uses the stand as a source of income over the summer break.“It is wonderful!” said Nickerson.

LOOKING BACK

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LOOKING BACK

News Staff

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

May 1, 1973: Kim Ham selected first-ever Bob Wills Day Queen May 1, 1973—Junior Rodeo slated here May 11-12….H. L. McWaters honored on 97th birthday with celebration in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe McWaters….Mary A. Garcia is among the 981 candidates for degrees at West Texas State University this...

EARTH DAY Chelle’s Garden

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EARTH DAY Chelle’s Garden

News Staff

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

EARTH DAY Chelle’s Garden in Matador donated flowers to Motley County schools for Earth Day, and school youngsters learned lessons about gardening and Earth Day (Apr. 23 each year).