Billie Guthrie

It is with great sadness that I tell you of the passing of Billie Guthrie. Mrs. Guthrie passed away Wednesday evening at the Coleman Hospital. Mrs. Guthrie was one of mine and Cindy's customers when were in the service station business and had become a grandmother to us through our friends, the Guthrie family.

It is a sad day for me but one also of relief that Mrs. Guthrie will be in a better place, one where we will see her again someday.

Mrs. Guthrie's funeral will be Saturday at 10:00 at the First Presbyterian Church in Santa Anna and family visitation Friday from 5-7 at Henderson's Funeral Home.

Please remember the Guthrie's in your prayers.

Gone but not forgotten, Billie Guthrie.

Panthers Win State Title

The Dillon Panthers won the first Texas High School Football State Championship under Coach Eric Taylor Wednesday night... of course I am talking about the team from the new hit NBC television series, Friday Night Lights...

The fictional Texas high school football team played in Texas Stadium for the championship game. The series is set in a small rural Texas town where football keeps the town going. See the NBC Friday Night Lights website.

The series in it's first season has become one of my favorite shows to watch. Wednesday night's show was the season finale capping off with the championship.

Vegetable Gardening with Ernie Yates

Submitted by Debbie Hailey, CEA-FCS

6:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 17
On, Tuesday, April 17, Ernie Yates, a Coleman County Master Garden Volunteer, will present a Better Living for Texans program on Gardening. Come to the Loaves and Fishes building on the corner of Nueces and Pecan in Coleman, for some delightful ideas on how to grow garden vegetables and how to handle fruits and garden vegetables safely.

You may recognize Ernie as the current writer of the “Gardening 101" column in the Coleman County Chronicle and Democratic Voice.

All interested persons are welcome to attend. For more information, call County Extension Agent, Debbie Hailey, at 325-625-4519.

Tax Help

CONTACT:     Cristina Ruggiero-Mendoza, Media/Outreach Coordinator        (512) 477-6000, ext.101

Randall Chapman, Executive Director

DATE:             April 11, 2007

TAX DEADLINE APRIL 17 RAPIDLY APPROACHING: 

Website Provides Free Tax Filing for Low-Income Working Texas Families

www.icanefile.org (English & Spanish versions)

AUSTIN— Every year, Texas families leave an estimated $1.2 billion in potential tax credits in the hands of the federal government, due to lack of knowledge about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).  This year, the Texas Legal Services Center is providing a user-friendly resource for all Texas families who want to make sure they claim their share of the $1.2 billion.

The website, www.icanefile.org, will automatically calculate and file for all potential tax credits, including the EITC, child tax credit, and others.  The site has been authorized by the IRS for safe and effective self-help tax preparation.  Taxpayers who earn less than $50,000/year are eligible to use the site free of charge.

How It Works:

• Taxpayers log on to www.icanefile.org from their home, or at a local public library branch;   
• Users go through a series of secure web pages inputting answers to simple, interactive questions;
• The website also allows viewing of instructional IRS videos and educational materials.

The Forms on www.icanefile.org Include:  

⇒ Form 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ                                   ⇒ Child Tax Credit Worksheet

⇒ Additional Child Tax Credit                           ⇒ Form 1040 Schedule 2, Schedule C EZ

⇒ Education Credit                                                       ⇒ Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

“Helping Texas families is one of our top priorities, and EITC does just that,” said Gov. Rick Perry in 2005.  “I would like to see 100% of eligible families apply for the EITC.  [In 2004], more than 2 million families took advantage of EITC, with an average tax refund of $2,000…We need to get the word out to everyone who is eligible.”  

Cyber Crimes Unit Arrests Former Austin Airport Security Guard After Child Pornography Indictment

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Victor R. Glass indicted, arrested on child pornography charges

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit arrested former Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) security guard Victor R. Glass, 35, Tuesday following his indictment on felony child pornography charges.

“Texans will not tolerate criminals who exploit our children,” said Attorney General Abbott. “The Cyber Crimes Unit will continue its aggressive crackdown on sexual predators and child pornographers. We are grateful to U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton and the Austin Police Department for their assistance with this case.”

Media links
Victor Glass	Video of arrest

Cyber Crimes Unit investigators and officers with the Austin Police Department arrested Glass at his Austin residence. The arrest came after a federal grand jury issued a one-count indictment against Glass for receiving child pornography. Receipt of child pornography is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

ABIA referred the case to the Cyber Crimes Unit, which investigated Glass’s computers.

The case is part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a national initiative announced by U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales earlier this year. PSC encourages the use of multi-jurisdictional task forces to investigate and prosecute the sexual exploitation of children over the Internet. In addition to tough law enforcement, PSC encourages community-wide campaigns to assist victims and to educate parents, other adults, and children about Internet safety. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

In Texas, investigative assistance in these matters is provided by the Texas Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). In May 2006, Attorney General Abbott’s Cyber Crimes Unit was awarded a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention to establish an ICAC Task Force. The Texas Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force is one of almost 50 federally funded task forces across the country dedicated to this project.

Attorney General Abbott has earned a national reputation for aggressively arresting and prosecuting child predators. In 2003, he launched the Cyber Crimes Unit, which targets online predators by assuming the identities of young teenagers in Internet chat rooms, and the Fugitive Unit, which locates convicted child sex offenders who have violated the terms of their parole and could be stalking children. Attorney General Abbott’s initiative has netted more than 500 arrests of such offenders. His office also has obtained convictions against 60 men on child pornography charges.

For more information, contact the Office of the Attorney General at (800) 252-8011 or visit the Attorney General's Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us.

Gov. Perry Praises Progress of Statewide Radio Communications Capabilities

Apr. 11, 2007

Reiterates Need for Border Security Funding

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today praised the progress of the state’s radio communications capabilities. At the governor’s direction, local officials have worked with the state’s 24 regional councils of government to help Texas reach a key milestone in radio communications interoperability. Perry also reiterated his support for HB 13 and Rep. David Swinford’s effort to dedicate $100 million to Texas border security efforts.

One of the key recommendations of the 9/11 Commission is to ensure that when disaster strikes, first responders are able to communicate. A network of interoperable radio systems is a vital component to a swift, coordinated disaster response strategy. Two years ago, Perry set forth an ambitious priority objective to achieve level four radio interoperability throughout Texas by January 2007.

“Radio interoperability in Texas is particularly challenging because of its size and geographic diversity,” Perry said. “As a result of local leadership, I am proud to report to you today that Texas has achieved level four radio interoperability throughout the state, and in some areas, it is as high as level six.”

Level four radio interoperability allows fire fighters, emergency medical responders, police officers, deputy sheriffs and state troopers to go anywhere in the state and have immediate radio communications with each other using their own equipment on established channels.

“The importance of achieving this goal was demonstrated last year when first responders from around the state battled devastating wildfires and floods, and for the first time, were able to communicate with one another using their own radios to coordinate their efforts,” Perry said.

Perry also reiterated his support for HB 13 by Rep. Swinford which will increase border security funding by $100 million. Texas has launched several major border security operations, beginning with Operation Linebacker in 2005, Operation Rio Grande in 2006, and most recently and still ongoing, Operation Wrangler. These surge operations have a proven record of significantly reducing crime, and Perry will continue to urge the Texas Legislature to approve funding to sustain border security efforts for the next two years.

“In Texas, we have a border security strategy that works,” Perry said. “When we substantially increase law enforcement personnel and resources, we see a significant disruption of criminal and illegal activity. I urge the Texas legislature to fully fund these proven strategies and pass HB 13.”

Perry was joined at the news conference by U. S. Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson, Congressman Michael McCaul, Austin Mayor Will Wynn and members of the Texas Radio Coalition.

MRI Recommended as New Tool in Fight Against Breast Cancer

April 11, 2007
Contact: Courtney Schoessow, 979-845-3850, CJSchoessow@ag.tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION - The American Cancer Society last month recommended that women at high risk of developing breast cancer should get a magnetic resonance imaging - or MRI - each year in addition to a mammogram, beginning at age 30.

"Together, these two tests can give doctors a better chance of finding breast cancer early, thus improving the woman's chance of survival," said Courtney Schoessow, Texas Cooperative Extension program specialist for health education and development.

This year, more than 175,000 women in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer; more than 40,000 will die. And more than 2 million women living in this country have been treated for the disease. So says the cancer society, which goes on to state that a woman has a one in eight chance of contracting invasive breast cancer during her lifetime, and a one in 33 chance of dying from it. ( http://www.cancer.org/ )

However, the agency's information added, "Breast cancer rates are going down. This decline is probably the result of finding the cancer earlier and improved treatment."

MRI scans are more sensitive than mammograms, but are also more likely to show spots that may or may not be cancer, Schoessow said. MRIs are also expensive and may not be covered by insurance.

"You should check with your insurance company before going through this procedure because it is much more expensive than the normal checks," Schoessow said.

MRIs are not recommended for everyone as a tool against breast cancer, she said, only women at high risk of developing the disease.

According to the cancer society's recommendations, a woman should get an annual MRI screening if she has at least one of these conditions:
- BRCA1 or BRCA2 genetic mutation, which must be diagnosed by a medical professional.
- A parent, sibling or child with this kind of genetic mutation.
- A lifetime risk of developing breast cancer that was scored at 20 percent to 25 percent or more, based on family history and other risk factors.
- Radiation to the chest between the ages of 10 and 30.
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, or a close relative with any of these conditions.

But whether or not any of these conditions are factors, "all women should begin getting annual mammograms at age 40," Schoessow said. "You should also start getting a clinical breast exam as part of your periodic health exam at least every three years during your 20s and 30s and every year if you are over 40."

Following these guidelines can help reduce the risk of breast cancer, she said.

For more information on this and other health issues, visit Extension's Family and Consumer Sciences Web site at http://fcs.tamu.edu/ .

Texas Crop, Weather

April 11, 2007
Writer: Lorri Jones, 281-855-5620,LJones@ag.tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – With cold temperatures, rain, sleet and snow reported across the state, producers in East Texas have reported no crop damage so far, according to Dr. Ramona Kellum, Texas Cooperative Extension district director in Overton.

"Budding fruit trees, especially grapes and peaches in the Hill Country, appear to have escaped damage from this past weekend's cold spell," she said. "However, in the long run it appears that peaches will suffer about a 10 to 15 percent loss in production as a result of the early March freeze. These losses to the Texas Hill Country peach crop come behind last year's more than 90 percent peach loss following a March freeze."

In the Rolling Plains region, Galen Chandler, Extension district director in Vernon, said the wheat crop may be at risk.

"Freezing and near freezing temperatures and a wind chill in the mid-20s (F) accompanied with sleet and snow was reported last weekend," he said. "Time will tell if cold weather did any damage to healthy wheat that wasn't being heavily grazed."

The following are Extension district reports for the week:

PANHANDLE: The week began with above-average temperatures and ended with temperatures below freezing, accompanied by light rain and snow. Soil moisture is rated short to surplus, with most areas reporting adequate to surplus. Some corn was planted. Wheat is rated poor to excellent with most areas reporting good to excellent. Freezing temperatures could be a potential concern for possible wheat crop damage, and wheat streak mosaic virus was diagnosed in some fields. Range conditions are rated mostly fair to good and improving. Cattle are in fair to good condition. Supplemental feeding continues.

SOUTH PLAINS: Temperatures ranged from a high of 84 degrees F on Monday to below freezing by the end of the week. The region also received 1 to 3 inches of snow. Soil moisture is adequate. Damage caused by freezing temperatures to grapevines, fruit trees and wheat is expected. Pastures and ranges are in fair to good condition. The wet, freezing weather also caused stress to area livestock.

ROLLING PLAINS: Recent rains and sunshine have improved pastures and winter wheat in the region. Some areas reported more than 6 inches of rain. Pastures, wheat and oats fields are lush and green. Cotton plots have been rowed and are ready for planting. Some producers began cutting wheat for hay and silage. The seed wheat fields have started to head out, and some have filled out. Stock tanks have filled up after recent rain. One county in the district reported mildew and rust in wheat. Alfalfa fields are being laid down. Supplemental feeding of cattle has stopped. Producers are preparing to combat spring armyworm outbreaks.

NORTH: Soil moisture is adequate following rain and storms reported in some areas. No crop damage was reported following the storms. Nearly 5 inches of rain fell, which helped fill ponds and improve pasture conditions. Snow fell in some areas but there was no accumulation. Corn planting is nearing completion and most corn has begun to emerge is in good condition. Spring pastures and crops are good. Grain sorghum planting is under way, and soybeans are maturing. Winter wheat and oats are in good condition and heading. Wheat prospects are excellent and plant disease pressure is low to moderate. Ryegrass pasture improvement has relieved some producers from supplemental livestock feeding. Livestock are doing well. Range and pasture are in good to fair condition. Surface moisture is good, and winter grasses are growing well. There were reports of May beetles and tent caterpillars.

EAST: No significant crop damage was reported following the cold front, which brought much needed rainfall. Warm season grasses are growing, and some producers began fertilizing. Soil moisture is excellent. Winter forage continues to make excellent growth, and bermudagrass sprigging continues. Clovers are beginning to seed. Cool-season grasses and vegetables were growing well. Eastern tent caterpillar, forest tent caterpillar, May beetles and chafer damage was reported on trees. Forages are doing well after rain. Cattle prices this week were higher on all classes, and demand was strong. Cattle purchases increased as producers began to stock pastures they sold out during the fall drought. Livestock are doing well with supplemental feeding, and the hay supply is extremely short. Calving season continues.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture ranges from very short to surplus, and crops and pastures are in very poor to excellent condition. Winter wheat is in very poor to good condition. Mild conditions reported this week with one-half inch to 2 inches of precipitation reported. Fall-planted onions are good. Watermelon planting began.

WEST CENTRAL: Freezing temperatures brought sleet and snow to all areas. Wheat fields continued to thrive after the recent rain, but crops may have been damaged. Range and pasture conditions have improved. Rescue and summer grasses have begun to grow. Stock tanks filled up with significant rainfall. Producers applied the first dose of zinc on pecans. Freeze damage was not yet visible on pecan trees.

CENTRAL: Cold weather and snow caused some crop damage. Economic loses have not been calculated. Most stock tanks are full from the recent rain. Excessive rains prevented recently planted corn from emerging and replanting may be required.

SOUTHEAST: Winter annuals are flowering. Ryegrass has headed out. Cold temperatures slowed bermudagrass growth. Warm weather conditions proceeding the cold front caused grass to grow. After the front moved through the region, rain prevented rice planting and kept pastures muddy.

SOUTHWEST: Rain, which accompanied cold weather, measured from one-third inch to 1 inch. Rain levels in the first three months of 2007 have been excellent, but the soil profile remains very dry from the 23-month drought period. Forage availability is good. Bluebonnets are blooming. Corn, sorghum, wheat and potatoes are making good progress. Cotton planting continues. Spring forage conditions have improved. Cabbage and spinach harvest continues.

COASTAL BEND: The region experienced cooler temperatures and isolated rain which benefitted pastureland and early-planted corn and sorghum. Farming activities are on hold because of wet fields. Cattle are in excellent condition.

SOUTH: Soil moisture rated adequate throughout most of the region. Wheat and oats are progressing well. Cabbage, citrus, spring onion and sugarcane harvests continue. Corn and cotton planting will be completed within the week. Recent rain improved moisture in growing range and pastures. Supplemental livestock feeding is limited with increased availability of green forage.

Freeze Damage from the Easter of 2007

Submitted by Tom Guthrie, Mills County Extension Agent

            What is the old saying that you need to get by Easter before you are safe from potential freezes.  Well I can honestly say now that I have seen an Easter snow in April.  I had left town this past holiday weekend and was not here for the snow.  I was visiting family in Santa Anna and saw about 5 inches there.  I have heard reports here anywhere from 1-3 inches in Mills County.  We joked that this weekend will forever be known as the Easter of 07'.  In this area when we have freezing or snowy weather this time of year our main worries are with pecans, wheat and of course our landscape flowers. 

            As far as pecans go, it is still a little early to tell if there was any damage.  We had the Central Texas Pecan Short Course here in Goldthwaite today and a producer brought in a limb that had been damaged by freeze.  His particular trees were on the Coleman and Runnels County lines.  The young growth had a burned look to it and it was damaged.  A horticulturist at the program seemed to think that it had a chance to still be all right because the secondary buds looked ok with green in them.  Most of the tree growers in Mills County seem to think that their trees are ok and the ones that I have observed look that way as well.  If you suspect any damage, scrape back or cut into the secondary bud and see if you have any green in it.  This secondary bud has the ability to establish growth after a freeze kill. However this secondary buds does not produce catkins and this is where the problems can come in because no catkins means no male flowers and or pollen. Catkins can also be killed and complicate pollination. 

            Wheat is a crop that can be susceptible to freeze injury.  It is important that you know the growth stages or your crop.  It is also important to remember that freeze damage to wheat can not be accurately determined until 6-9 days after the freeze occurred. Therefore management decisions should not be made until an accurate assessment can be made.  The impact of these freezing temperatures on wheat yield loss is dependent on several factors, including the low temperature, duration of low temperature, and crop growth stage.  Wheat is the most susceptible to freeze injury during the flowering stage, where 32 oF can sterilize some or  all of wheat flowers.  The next most susceptible growth stage is at heading and at early grain fill, when the wheat plant can handle temperatures down to 30 oF.  It usually takes 26-28 ̊F temperatures to damage wheat in the boot stage. Wheat in the jointing stage, like much of the High Plains, should be able to can handle temperatures down to 24-26 oF for a short period of time.  The big question is how long did it stay this cold in the actual wheat canopy.  The wheat canopy temperature, at least for a little while, will stay warmer than the air temperature. If temperatures dropped below the critical level for the growth stage, some yield loss should be expected. However, wheat is a very resilient crop and has some degree of ability to compensate for adverse conditions, such as freeze damage.  If freeze damage occurs to the main tillers, secondary tillers  that normally would have been aborted should go ahead and develop grain.  The level of compensation will be dependent on numerous factors including the growing conditions (moisture and temperature) for the remainder of the season, adequate fertility, and disease pressure.  If conditions remain ideal for numerous days immediately following the freeze (good moisture and cool temperatures), secondary tillers will likely compensate for much of the initial yield loss by the freeze; however, if weather conditions become hot and dry, little compensation may occur.  If wheat was in the jointing or early-boot stage, the stem should be sliced open to look for the immature wheat heads.  The wheat head should be just above the last node (joint) and hollow part of the stem.  If the wheat head and/or the flag-leaf is brownish or has a water soaked appearance, then that tiller will not produce grain.  Usually this tiller will quit growing, but may stay green for several weeks.  Wheat that was in the early jointing stage should have time for secondary tillers to make up a significant amount of the potential yield loss.

If the wheat is heading or flowering, the flower parts will need to be inspected for damage.  Healthy female flower parts (stigma) will have a feather appearance and should be a rich white color.  See picture below for healthy flower parts prior to flowering (left) and at flowering (right).  The male flower parts (anthers) will be a light green to yellow depending on the flowering stage.  Any off-color or water-soaking appearance of the stigma or anther, means that wheat seed will not develop.  This is a tedious job but is required for an accurate evaluation of the damage.  Also, remember that the wheat flowers from the middle of the head outward to the ends.  So, depending on the portion of the head that was flowering at time of the freeze, there may be blanks in only a portion of the head. Listed are some stages and their symptoms.

Jointing - leaf yellowing or burning; odor; lesions; splitting or bending of lower stem   

Boot - floret sterility, head trapped in boot; damage to lower stem; leaf discoloration

Heading and Flowering - floret sterility; white awns or white heads; damage to lower stems; leaf discoloration

Grapes May Become Viable Crop for Brownwood Agriculture

April 10, 2007
Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576,s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Scott Anderson, 325-646-0386,sa-anderson@tamu.edu

BROWNWOOD - A growing interest in wine grape production has prompted Texas Cooperative Extension, the city of Brownwood and the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce to present "Developing a Growing Industry; Vineyard and Winery Seminar," from 8:30 a.m. until 3:45 p.m. May 8.

The seminar will be held at the Adams Street Community Center, 511 E. Adams in Brownwood.

"There has never been a grape or wine production informational program held here, so this will be a first for us," said Scott Anderson, Extension agent for Brown County.

Anderson said the program is for anyone seriously considering growing wine grapes as a business. The program should give participants enough information to determine whether or not viticulture is right for them.

"With proper management and the right varieties, we know that grapes can be produced here in Central Texas," Anderson said. "If the interest that's being shown is any indication, grapes may soon be a viable agricultural enterprise here."

Topics to be covered during the morning session are:

- Overview of vineyard economics and current market situation.

- Planning for success: Things you should consider before you open a winery.

- Vineyard labor requirements.

- Risk factors.

Afternoon topics are:

- Necessary viticulture expertise.

- Vineyard location considerations.

- Options for entering the wine industry: A look at underutilized and cooperative arrangements.

- Opportunities for a co-op winery in Brownwood.

- Partners and resources.

Individual registration is $25 by May 1 and $35 thereafter; lunch and materials are included.

For more information, call Anderson at 325-646-0386. To pre-register, contact the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce at 325-646-9535 or http://www.brownwoodchamber.org .

Ward County Grand Jury Indicts Two Former West Texas State School Administrators

Ray Brookins, John Hernandez indicted, arrested for sexual offenses

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

MONAHANS – A Ward County grand jury today returned 13 indictments against two former West Texas State School administrators for improper sexual conduct with six students, ages 16-19. Law enforcement officers with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the Texas Rangers arrested the two former officials following the indictments Tuesday morning.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and OAG prosecutors today appeared before the grand jury to present charges against former Texas Youth Commission officials Ray Edward Brookins and John Paul Hernandez.

Media links
Ray Brookins	John Hernandez
Motion to Recuse and Appoint District Attorney Pro Tem

Brookins, 42, former assistant superintendent at West Texas State School, was indicted on two counts of improper relationship with a student, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The grand jury also indicted Brookins on two counts of improper sexual activity with a person in custody, a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in state prison. Law enforcement officers arrested Brookins at his Austin residence.

Hernandez, 41, former West Texas State School principal, was indicted on one count of sexual assault, a second-degree felony. The grand jury also indicted him on nine counts of improper sexual activity with a person in custody and nine counts of improper relationship with a student. Law enforcement officers arrested Hernandez at his parents’ residence in Fort Stockton.

“With today’s indictments, the victims of sexual abuse at West Texas State School are a step closer to the justice they deserve,” Attorney General Abbott said. “We are grateful to the grand jury for their diligent attention to this very troubling matter. The Office of the Attorney General will continue working with state and local officials to aggressively pursue allegations of wrongdoing at Texas Youth Commission facilities. Throughout this difficult process, we ask that everyone respect the privacy of the victims involved in this case.”

The Ward County district attorney requested prosecutorial assistance on Jan. 17, 2007, thereby granting the OAG authority to prosecute allegations of criminal conduct at West Texas State School, a Texas Youth Commission facility in Pyote. On April 4, 2007, Presiding Judge Bob Parks of the 143rd Judicial District Court granted the OAG sole authority to investigate and prosecute allegations of abuse at the Ward County facility. Judge Parks appointed the OAG “District Attorney Pro Tem” after the local district attorney recused himself from the case.

Gov. Perry Joins State Legislators and Families in Support of the Religious Viewpoint Anti-Discrimination Act

Apr. 10, 2007

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today, joined by state legislators and Texas families, stood in support of House Bill 3678, the Religious Viewpoint Anti-Discrimination Act. The bill, authored by Rep. Charlie Howard, does not expand religious expression in schools, but reiterates a student’s existing right to expression. The bill offers clarity for teachers and administrators who may be confused about what religious rhetoric is permitted.

“Freedom of religion should not be mistaken for freedom from religion. It is one thing to prevent government from sponsoring or endorsing a particular religious view. It is quite another for government to sanitize all dialogue from religious viewpoints in a public setting,” said Gov. Perry. “The constitution prohibits the former, but was never meant to prohibit the latter.”

The United States Supreme Court holds religious discussion in schools legal. However, some schools have found to be misapplying the law and restricting legal expression. In an effort to promote a neutral learning environment, some schools are unintentionally suppressing religious expression.

Isolated instances in Texas public schools led to the creation of HB 3678. In one case, a school prohibited students from wishing troops serving overseas a “Merry Christmas.” Another school reprimanded a first grader for invoking the name and image of Jesus when she was asked what she thinks of when she thinks of Easter.

“We don’t need to shield our children from religious expression and allow them to only be exposed to the religion of secularism in our schools,” said Gov. Perry. “Discussion does not lead to indoctrination. Rather, it leads to open-mindedness and personal and educational betterment.”

Cornyn, GOP Leaders Urge Action On Troop Funding

Ask House Speaker To Return To Washington & Pass A Clean Supplemental

Monday, April 09, 2007

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Vice-Chair of the Senate Republican Conference, made the following statement after sending a letter with fellow members of the House and Senate Republican Leadership to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to call the House back into session in order to complete the emergency supplemental bill that is needed for our troops:

“Completion of this emergency supplemental is critical for our troops serving on the front lines and for our military facilities here at home.  Republicans in Congress are prepared to send a clean bill to the President immediately that meets our obligations to the troops.  This legislation should not be used as a vehicle to pass billions of dollars in unrelated federal spending or impose artificial deadlines on our commanders in the field.  It is my hope that Speaker Pelosi will reconvene the House this week and move forward with this important military funding legislation.  Our troops deserve no less.”

The full text of the letter follows

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

 We are writing to urge you to call the House back into session immediately so that Congress can finish its work on the emergency legislation to fund the Global War on Terrorism.  This funding request has been pending since February 5, but your leadership team chose to leave town for more than two weeks rather than completing this bill.  As a result, our troops have been put at risk.

 We are especially troubled by the House’s failure to appoint conferees.  The Senate appointed conferees on March 29, moments after passing its bill, but the House never did so despite passing the bill a week earlier.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told the Senate that he hoped the House-Senate conference would begin on March 30.  That hoped-for progress has been thwarted by your failure to act.

 It should go without saying that our military leaders are in the best position to know the needs of our troops, and they have left no doubt that this funding is needed urgently.  General Peter Schoomaker, United States Army Chief of Staff, has written that, “without approval of the supplemental funds in April, we will be forced to take increasingly draconian measures which will impact Army readiness and impose hardships on our Soldiers and their families.”  Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has also emphasized the dangers of delay: “This kind of disruption to key programs will have a genuinely adverse effect on the readiness of the Army and the quality of life for soldiers and their families.”

 Our troops need this funding, and they need it soon.  The Senate is in session and ready to work.  We respectfully request that you cancel the remainder of your break, call the House back into session, appoint conferees promptly, and work in good faith to pass a clean supplemental funding bill that the President can sign as soon as possible.  Every day we don’t fund our troops is a day their ability to fight this war is weakened.

Senator Mitch McConnell
Senate Republican Leader

Senator Trent Lott
Senate Republican Whip

Senator Jon Kyl
Chairman, Senate Republican Conference

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Chairman, Senate Republican Policy Committee

Senator John Cornyn
Vice-Chairman, Senate Republican Conference

Representative John Boehner
House Republican Leader

Representative Roy Blunt
House Republican Whip

Representative Adam Putnam
Chairman, House Republican Conference

Representative Eric Cantor
Chief Deputy Republican Whip

Presidential Message: Easter 2007

Laura and I send greetings to all those celebrating the glorious Easter holiday.

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important event of the Christian faith. Easter morning holds wonder and promise, and it is a chance for people everywhere to gather with family and friends to celebrate the power of love conquering death. In this season of renewal, we can rejoice in Christ's rising, draw strength and inspiration from His example, and remember that in the end, even death itself will be defeated.

This Easter we pray for all our men and women in uniform and for the military families whose loved ones are deployed on important missions in distant lands. We remember especially those who have given their lives in freedom's cause.

On this powerful day, let us join together and give thanks to the Almighty for the glory of His grace.

Happy Easter, and may God bless you.

GEORGE W. BUSH

President and Mrs. Bush Celebrate Easter Sunday at Fort Hood, Texas

April 8, 2007
13th Sustainment Command Chapel
Fort Hood, Texas

      Easter 2007

10:00 A.M. CDT

THE PRESIDENT: Laura and I just had the honor of celebrating Easter Sunday with members of our Armed Forces. I had a chance to reflect on the great sacrifice that our military and their families are making. I prayed for their safety, I prayed for their strength and comfort, and I pray for peace.

This is a joyous day for many people around the world, and it's a day for us to reflect on the many blessings in our lives. And we thank the General and the preacher at Fort Hood for welcoming me and Laura, and Mother and Dad and my Mother-in-Law. We wish all Americans a peaceful weekend. We wish our troops all the very best.

Thank you.

MRS. BUSH: Happy Easter.

END 10:01 A.M. CDT

Speaking of Easter

Did you ever wonder why Easter never falls on the same day each year like Christmas?

Well I knew some parts of the calculations but it seems that it is even more complicated than I first thought.

After doing some research on one of my new found favorite web sites for research, Wikipedia, I discovered a lot of new things about Easter that I didn't know.

To calculate the day which Easter will fall a proceedure called Computus is used. See: Wikipedia's Computus Article. In Western Christianity, Easter will always fall on or between March 22nd and April 25th.

See also: Wikipedia's Easter Article

Happy Easter!

Well I hope that each of you had a nice Easter.

We enjoyed being with our families and the best part for me was everyone going to church on Sunday morning with the Robinetts at Northside Baptist Church.

Robert and Maggie were surrounded with family. I think we took up four pews even with the Horners missing.

I always like to listen to my old friend and pastor of Northside, Brother Marvin Hale preach. If there ever were two men filled with the Spirit they are Marvin Hale and Robert Robinett.

Certainly the topic of the weekend other than Jesus's Resurrection, had to be the weather.

I couldn't find anyone that had ever seen it snow around here on Easter. It wasn't just a little snow either. The entire area was blanketed by several inches that lasted all afternoon Saturday and had begun melting off Sunday morning.

There is just something not right about snow on rosebushes and bluebonnets, much less Mesquite trees in bloom!

I am sure that it was a little harder for most to find those Easter eggs in the snow too!

One Act Play Advances Again!

Snowy Saturday was one of those great days to stay inside and what a better way than to watch one act plays at the Santa Anna High School Auditorium?

This year's Santa Anna One Act Play, "The Women of Lockerbie" by Deborah Brevoort, advanced from the Area Contest this past Saturday along with the play from Deleon. The contest also had plays from Miles, Eden, Irion County, and Winters. The contest Director was Santa Anna ISD Superintendent Roger Walker and the Critic Judge was Ronald Dodson who was a one act play director for thirty years including nineteen at Westlake High School.

Named to the All Star Cast were LeeAnda Bennett and Jarod Jones. Becca Fellers and Terrence Jackson were named to the Honorable Mention All Star Cast.

I took several pictures of the cast with their trophy and hoped to have a good one for the Coleman paper, but as has been the case with my picture taking lately they didn't come out too well.

The school calender shows the Regional One Act Play to be on the April 13th and 14th at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene but I believe Mr. Walker said it would be at Abilene High. Be sure and check with the school to make sure if you are going.

The Santa Anna play is set on December 21, 1995, the 7th anniversary of the Pan Am Flight 103 crash. Members of the cast are Jarod Jones, Leeanda Bennett, Molly Pritchard, Becca Fellers, Heather McMillan, Adelaida Dean, Caylie Robinett, and Terrence Jackson. The Crew is made up of: Sierra Herrod, Brittany Morris, Michelle Wetsel, Monica Cortez, and Kendra Coleman. The play is directed by Kathy Walker.

Itchy Chiggers Coming to Life

April 6, 2007
Writer: Rod Santa Ana III, 956-968-5585,r-santaana@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Boris Castro, 956-968-5581,bacastro@ag.tamu.edu

Photos and Graphics Click for larger images

WESLACO – As spring temperatures rise, so do chiggers, up the legs of unsuspecting humans who serve as accidental hosts for the tiny parasites that can leave itchy welts, an expert says.

But there are ways to avoid and treat the wrath of chiggers without avoiding the outdoors, said Dr. Boris Castro, a Texas Cooperative Extension entomologist in Weslaco.

"Chiggers are not insects," Castro said. "They are mites, and when they are in the larval, or baby stage of their lives, they are parasitic. And humans are actually accidental hosts. Chiggers prefer rodents, birds, toads or livestock. But if a human happens along, in lawns or maybe hiking in tall weeds, they'll hop on a human leg for the ride."

In their larval stage, chiggers crawl to the end of vegetation, including weeds and blades of grass, lying in wait for a host, Castro said. When a human walks by, they will latch on and crawl up the leg of their new host until they come to a fold in the skin or an area where clothes bind the skin.

"They feel protected in these areas, which would be where the elastic of a sock or underwear binds the skin, or in folds of skin like behind the knee, in the crotch or in the armpit," he said.

Once chiggers find their human resting place, they begin to do their damage.

"Contrary to popular belief, chiggers do not burrow into the skin or suck blood," Castro said. "Instead, they insert their claw-like mouth parts into the skin and release a digestive enzyme in their saliva which actually liquefies the skin. The liquefied skin, enzyme and saliva then harden into a sort of feeding tube from which the chigger draws nutrients. They feed on the digested skin cell material."

Left unmolested, the chigger, which is so small as to be invisible to the naked eye, will continue feeding for about three days.

"Usually we'll scratch the chigger off, or knock it off while bathing, but the enzyme is left behind and that's what causes the allergic reaction, the itching and the red welts," Castro said.

Medical treatment is not usually necessary unless the chigger bites are so numerous as to be alarming, or if the allergic reaction is severe, he said.

"The effects of chiggers on the skin can be bothersome, but shouldn't keep people indoors," Castro said. "Instead, consider avoidance, protection and treatment."

Avoidance would include keeping lawns mowed and vegetation trimmed since manicured lawns are less preferred by chiggers, Castro said.

"Consider treating lawns with pesticides labeled for such use," he said. "Insecticide sprays, such as those containing bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, esfenvalerate or permethrin can reduce chigger populations. Use of hose-end spray applicators may be the best way to apply liquid insecticide sprays to large lawn areas. Make sure to follow label directions carefully when using insecticides, and pets should not be allowed in treated areas until the spray residue is dry. Retreat every three weeks as needed."

Protection would include wearing boots outdoors and tucking pant cuffs into your socks to prevent entry. Also, spray your footwear, lower pant legs or exposed leg areas with mosquito repellant that contains DEET, and reapply every three hours. Using sulfur powder is an option, but that can be smelly, Castro advised.

"And immediately after being outdoors, bathe or shower in warm water, scrubbing your skin with a wash cloth. Wash clothes in warm water separate from bed linens, and treat any chigger welts with a topical, over-the-counter itch relief cream that contains an antibacterial. It will take the body a week to 10 days to repair the skin damage. Scratching will open a wound that could provide opportunity for a secondary infection of some other bacteria," he said.

Chiggers are not active in cool weather, but once temperatures warm up, eggs hatch and chiggers begin looking for hosts. In North Texas, chiggers may be a problem only for a couple of generations that last 40 to 70 days. But in South Texas where warm temperatures last longer, chiggers may be a problem for up to four generations, Castro said.

"Chiggers are a nuisance more than anything, but with a few common sense steps, it's possible to minimize their effects without sacrificing outdoor activities," he said.

'PET' Project Could Reduce East Texas Cities' Water Woes

April 6, 2007
Writer: Robert Burns, 903-834-6191,rd-burns@tamu.edu
Contacts: Indre Pemberton, 903-834-6191,i-pemberton@tamu.edu
Dr. James McAfee, 972-952-9220,j-mcafee@tamu.edu

Photos and Graphics Click for larger images

Audio MP3(4.0 Mb) Audio Script Video MP3 Podcast

OVERTON – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's long range forecast is for below-average precipitation for East Texas in coming months.

But even if the prediction proves false, being water conscious when irrigating lawns still makes sense, both economically and environmentally, said a research associate with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station.

"And it's almost a no-brainer, now that we have the right tools," said Indre Pemberton, who is based at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Overton.

Pemberton maintains the center's automated weather station and the associated Web site at http://etweather.tamu.edu/ . Part of the Web site is dedicated to help irrigators calculate potential evapotranspiration.

The term is a mouthful, and usually abbreviated as "PET," she said. The concept is straight-forward, though.

"PET is an estimation of the combined loss of water through a plant's vascular system combined with evaporation of water from the soil surface," Pemberton said.

Both factors are influenced by temperature, humidity, sunlight and wind, all of which are measured every 15 seconds, 24 hours a day, by the center's weather station. The data are averaged to calculate the potential evapotranspiration.

Though the formulas behind the PET indexes are complex, using the information to determine how much water to put on home landscapes takes only two simple steps, Pemberton said.

First, take an audit of your irrigation system. Set out some flat-bottom containers around the yard and irrigate for 10 minutes. The more cans, the better, but a half dozen will do. Use a ruler to measure the amount of water in the containers.

"Write the numbers down on a piece of paper, add them up and divide the sum by the number of cans you had – to get an average number," Pemberton said. "This lets you know how much water was delivered in 10 minutes. Multiply by six, and this gives you the amount of water delivered in one hour."

After determining the amount of water supplied by your irrigation system in an hour, go to Pemberton's Web site and click on "PET." The evapotranspiration data are calculated and posted daily. To figure how much water to apply, simply add up the numbers, using either the Overton or the TxEt column for all the days of the month since the last irrigation was applied.

For example, if you're watering on April 7, and the last time you watered was on April 1, add up the numbers April 1 through April 6. The total is the amount of water you need to apply.

"That's for people who irrigate once a week. Some people irrigate every other day, so they would add up the PET numbers for the two previous days," Pemberton said.

To simplify things further, Pemberton has supplied an online calculator at the Web site.

Why two different calculation columns?

"It's just two different ways of calculating PET," Pemberton said. "We provide both for comparison. Either one should be fine for home landscapes."

Pemberton noted that for homeowners, the difference in the two calculations are fractions of an inch – small enough not to worry about.

"Also, if it rains, subtract the amount the rainfall from your PET value," she said. "Because the rain has replaced that amount of water for you."

On the average, most householders over-water 30 percent to 50 percent, said Dr. Jim McAfee, Texas Cooperative Extension turfgrass specialist. Not only does over-watering waste resources, it also promotes many turfgrass diseases, he said.

"I was talking to a professional lawn care business owner in Tyler, and he said they're already seeing brown patch," said McAfee, who is based in Dallas.

McAfee noted that brown patch is associated with cooler temperatures as well as over-watering.

For more information on brown patch in home lawns, see http://aggieturf.tamu.edu/answers4you/disease/brownpatch.html .

McAfee said there a number of ways being considered by the Texas legislature to deal with the problem. One way might be to mandate the installation of automated home irrigation controls that use sensors to record local temperature and humidity. Microprocessors in the devices calculate potential evapotranspiration for the home lawn, then disperse water accordingly.

"They're amazingly accurate, giving results that are with 90 percent of those by the (professional) PET stations," he said.

Until those units are commercially available, homeowners' best bet is to take advantage of PET data like that supplied by Pemberton, he said.

Spring Goat Management Meeting Set April 12 in Brownwood

March 27, 2007
Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576,s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Scott Anderson, 325-646-0386,s-anderson@tamu.edu

BROWNWOOD – Texas Cooperative Extension's Brown County office is sponsoring the Spring Goat Management Meeting at 6 p.m. April 12 at the Brown County Fairgrounds, U.S. Highway 377 South.

"Spring has sprung, but unfortunately, many parts of Texas still need rain," said Scott Anderson, Extension agent in Brown County. "This program will be a ‘where are we' look at goat production, as far as getting through the drought without spending all the profit made from your kid goats on feed. We'll also be looking at marketing strategies and spring goat management chores producers need to be thinking about and doing."

Dr. Frank Craddock, Extension sheep and goat specialist at San Angelo, will be the keynote speaker.

The meeting is free and open to the public.

For more information, call Anderson at 325-646-0386.

Central Texas Pecan Short Course

Submitted by: Tom Guthrie, CEA-Ag , Mills County
Contributed by: Debbie Hailey, CEA-FCS , Coleman County

Central Texas Pecan Short Course
April 10, 2007
CEU's offered

It is once again time for the Central Texas Pecan Short Course. This year's program will be held on Tuesday, April 10 at the Mills County Civic Center in Goldthwaite. Registration will begin at 8:15 a.m. and the program portion will begin at 9:00 a.m. and run until approximately 3:00 p.m.

This is an annual event and always draws a considerable crowd of pecan producers and enthusiast. Cost for this program will be $10 if you pre-register to the Mills County Extension Office by Tuesday, April 3rd at 5:00 p.m. If you do not pre-register it will be $15 at the door. You do not have to pay your registration fee until you arrive at the program. The registration fee includes a noon catered lunch.

Four (4) Continuing Education Units have been requested for those participants holding a commercial or private applicators license. These will include two general, one IPM, and one law's and regulations.

This year's program promises to provide an excellent lineup of speakers. Dr. Jose Pena, Texas Cooperative Extension Economist - Uvalde, will be providing an update on pecan marketing and what to expect after five seasons of improved prices. Once again, Mr. Bill Ree, Texas Cooperative Extension Entomology Specialist out of College Station will be providing an update on " Pecan IPM Practices for 2007". Mr. Billy Kniffen, County Extension Agent " Menard County will be new to the program this year. He will be discussing "Native Pecan Management" for the many people of this area that have native pecans. Dr. Larry Stein, Texas Cooperative Extension Horticulture Specialist out of Uvalde will be back this year to speak on "Pecan Disease Management and Fertilization". Mr. Tom Guthrie, Texas Cooperative Extension " Mills County, will be on the program to provide an update on "Law's & Regulations".

To pre-register or if any individuals need auxiliary aid, service, or accommodations to participate in this program, please call the Mills County Extension Office at (325)-648-2650 or the Coleman County Extension Office at 325-625-4519.

4-H News

Lamb & Goat Camp - Howard College
Goat Camp - June 3, 4, & 5th, 2007
Lamb Camp - June 17, 18, & 19th, 2007

Howard College in Big Spring, Texas offers camps for lamb & and goat exhibitors, parents, and leaders. Topics to be addressed are: Selection, health & management, feeding, exercising, washing and shearing, showmanship, and classifying. This camp is a hands-on type instruction and has proved to be very beneficial for young exhibitors.

There is a charge of $85.00 per person which covers lodging, meals and awards. Adult supervision is required. Entrants will receive a camp tee shirt or cap. Camp participants must be nine (9) years old or entering the third grade.

If you are interested in attending, you will want to send in your reservation ASAP. They only take the first 200 paid and complete applications. Come by the County Extension Office soon for an application and more details about the camp.

Horse Project Certification
If you have a horse(s) that you will be riding in the District 7 4-H Horse Show, you will need to certify your horse(s) by May 1st . Forms are available at the County Extension Office.

Livestock Judging
If you are interested in participating in 4-H Livestock Judging, contact us at the Extension Office at 625-4519 (or e-mail: coleman-tx@tamu.edu ) and put your name on the list. We will begin practice sessions SOON. Watch for updates and announcements. We look forward to your participation.

State Fair - Lamb & Goat Validation Tags
Please be thinking about the number of lamb and goat validation tags you will be needing for 2007 State Fair. Deadline to order is April 20th. Please have your numbers to me by April 18th .

District Roundup - Educational Presentations
It*s not too late to get an Educational Presentation together for the District 7 4-H Roundup event which is held in May each year. Educational Presentations (formerly called Method Demonstrations) can be a fun activity that can be presented individually or in teams of two or more. In presenting a demonstration, you *show and tell* how to do something. The subject matter can be a wide variety of topics: Examples: Horticulture, Food & Nutrition, Horse, Housing & Home Environment, Meat Science, Family Life, Promote 4-H, Public Speaking just to name a few. Ask to see the publication titled 2007 4-H Rock On ! Texas 4-H Roundup Guide for more topics and contest guidelines. If you think you might be interested, contact Debbie Hailey, CEA-FCS at the County Extension Office.

District Rifle Contest
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Brown Co. Youth Fair Show Barn
Registration Due: by March 30, using 4-H Connect

The 2007 District 7 4-H Rifle Contest will be held at the Brown County Youth Fair Show Barn in Brownwood (Hwy. 377 South towards Brady). This is an indoor facility. This is a .22 rifle match only. Shooting will begin at 8:00 a.m. This year, participants must register by using the 4-H Connect - Version 2. On-line registration opens March 15 and will close March 30th ! Entry Fees are set at $7.50 per contestant. Payment must be made using the 4-H Connect system.

Counties are allowed the following number of entries: 3 Senior Teams, 3 Intermediate Teams, 3 Junior Teams, Individuals - Any number for all three age divisions(as many as you have).

Demonstration and Fun Shooting - Adults & youth may participate in Air Rifle Silhouette and Pistol Silhouette shooting for fun in an adjacent building. There will be other disciplines available if time permits. This is not part of the official District 7 Rifle Contest.

For further details, contact the Extension office located on the 2nd floor, County Courthouse, or call 325-625-4519.

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