Lifestyle

Photo credit Janice Hanslik shared by Brandy Lea

Photo credit Janice Hanslik shared by Brandy Lea

Exclusive Subscriber Content

A World Without Dolly

News Staff
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
There are two things in life a person cannot escape from, taxes and death.Some people may find ways to avoid the first, but there is no way around the second.
B-29 Wikipedia photo

B-29 Wikipedia photo

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Miracle Over Yoakum: The 1951 B-29 Bomber Crash

News Staff
Friday, August 28, 2026
By Murray MontgomeryIt was a cold morning, by Texas standards, on November 30, 1951. The temperature was about 50 degrees with drizzling rain as most folks in Yoakum were sleeping.
Adobe stock photo – AI generated

Adobe stock photo – AI generated

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Close encounters of the possum kind

Murray Montgomery
Friday, August 21, 2026
By Murray Montgomery  -  Staff Writer(Editor’s note: I wrote this many years ago while living in Gonzales – It’s a true story.)There is nothing like a relaxing evening at home. Kickin’ back, watching television, and just taking it easy.
Local artists, Roy and Blanche Cavaretta and Michael Moore placed at the 55th annual Ruidoso Art Festival that took placetwo weeks ago in in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The Cavarettas won best of show, while Roy also won first place in mixed media for one of his gourd entries. Michael Moore brought home a second place finish for a fused glass entry. From left are Roy Cavaretta and Michael Moore. Blanche Cavaretta is absent from the photo. Photo provided by Michael Moore

Local artists, Roy and Blanche Cavaretta and Michael Moore placed at the 55th annual Ruidoso Art Festival that took placetwo weeks ago in in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The Cavarettas won best of show, while Roy also won first place in mixed media for one of his gourd entries. Michael Moore brought home a second place finish for a fused glass entry. From left are Roy Cavaretta and Michael Moore. Blanche Cavaretta is absent from the photo. Photo provided by Michael Moore

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Local artists places at NM art festival

Jimmy Appelt
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Two local Hallettsville artists entered exhibits in the 55th annual Ruidoso Art Festival in Ruidoso, New Mexico two weeks ago with Roy Cavaretta winning first place in mixed media for one of his outstanding Gourds submitted.Also Roy and his wife Blanche won best in show with their entries.A second...
Blackie Bludau cuts open this watermelon at his home in Hallettsville. Bludau grows watermelons for sale annually.

Blackie Bludau cuts open this watermelon at his home in Hallettsville. Bludau grows watermelons for sale annually.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Bludau raises another good watermelon crop

News Staff
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Bruce “Blackie” Bludau figured out long ago that growing watermelons was a good idea in Lavaca County, and he owes a lot to his father who gave he and his brothers a unique opportunity.
Subscribe to