Matthew 24:21-22 "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time; no nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved. This is a biblical description that happens in the latter days. If you believe the Bible, you should know it will certainly happen because it is a direct warning from God.

Let me explain the ‘pyramid’ that we call the National Emergency Management System: Every citizen in this country is part of a national emergency management system that is all about protection – the protection of people and property from all types of hazards. Think of the national emergency management system as a pyramid with you, the citizen, forming the base of the structure.

In the past week, millions of Iranian citizens have taken to the streets protesting the election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saying it was a sham. Iranian leaders blame foreign influence for this unrest. But what is really happening is that Iranians are looking to beacons of freedom around the world for solidarity and support as they appeal for the basic liberties that, today, we take for granted in America.

Effective September 1, 2009, Texas will have a new child safety seat law. The law states that children under 8 years of age – unless taller than 4 feet 9 inches – will need to be in a child safety seat system (this includes traditional child safety seats with harnesses and booster seats).

PTC will have a July 4th Celebration. The parade starts at 5:00 p.m. There will be a hamburger supper and games at the school. Fireworks at dark. We would like to welcome Shawna Cavness and boys to Cherokee. Shawna has bought a home on 501 East. There will be a Rabies Clinic at the FireHall on Friday, July 10 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

They had been taken captive from the land they had known all of their lives. The opposing army had been able to defeat them and take their holy city. As they were being led away they would become slaves for the occupants of their new land. It was a sad time for the Jewish nation.

We have had no rain the past three weeks but there is a chance in the forecast. We think we might have heard thunder this afternoon. We enjoyed having Bethany Suber home this past weekend. We also had Marla Cummings for the weekend. That was a special treat. Today, we have Jaxon and Jesse Tucker while Amy and Georgia make a trip to Austin for Georgia’s checkup.

Reading Recommendations: Mountain City, Gregory Martin Thirty three people live in Mountain City, Nevada, at the outset of Gregory Martin's affecting but clear eyed portrait: by the end of the book there are thirty one, and none of them are children. The town's heyday is long past, its abandoned mines testimony to the cycle of promise, exploitation, abandonment, and attrition that has been the repeated story of the West. Yet the comings and goings at Tremewan's, the general store Martin's fam ...

On July 4, 1776 the Thirteen Colonies of America declared its independence. Every July 4th since then we have celebrated the personal, economic, political, and religious freedom that has grown out of that Declaration of Independence. But are you really free? Sure, you have the freedom to work at the job you choose and to enjoy your favorite hobby.

The fourth is upon us and it looks like it will be hotter than most of the fire works will be. If you must set off fireworks be very careful as it is dry and the grass will burn like gasoline. You will be much better off to attend a fireworks display that will be held in different places this year.

Recently while traveling I noticed several fireworks stands beside the road. We are getting ready to celebrate Independence Day and our 233 birthday. I noticed some small children playing around one of the stands. Those children were enjoying the freedoms that others fought and died for. We have the freedom to celebrate the holiday in the way we choose.

It’s dark Sunday and I had a short night. Jason, Kaitlynn, and I returned from San Antonio yesterday afternoon. We had time to drop into the fish fry at the fire house. In spite of the extreme heat, there was already a good crowd. This is an extremely important event, and Richland and the surrounding communities turned out to support our firefighters.

Celebrate the Independence Day weekend in Fredericksburg on Saturday and Sunday, July 4 & 5, with live pari-mutuel horse racing and dancing under the stars at the Gillespie County Fairgrounds. Sponsored by the Gillespie County Fair and Festivals Association, the two-day July 4th Racing Festival will feature thoroughbred and quarter horse racing on Saturday and Sunday at the five-eighths mile oval at the Class III track.

Military veterans who are totally disabled or cannot work because of service-related injuries will pay no property taxes on their homes under a new tax exemption approved by the Legislature. “Texas has done the right thing by providing property tax relief for our military men and women who have served their country and paid a heavy price,” Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said.

Fireworks and outdoor activities are commonly linked to Fourth of July celebrations, but Texas Forest Service (TFS) warns that carelessness with fireworks and other outdoor activities can lead to a wildfire. With summer in full swing, grass, shrubs and trees are starting to dry out. These dry “fuels” and an errant spark from fireworks or a grill is all that is needed to start a devastating wildfire. “Many Texans use fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July,” TFS Fire Operations Chief ...

Hamrick Family Reunion was held at Mill Pond Park Saturday, June 6th. The families enjoyed a picnic supper with 50 in attendance, visiting and taking pictures. The adults and children then went swimming in Pecan Pool. Sunday, June 7th, the reunion was held at the Community Center at 705 East Storey St, in San Saba.

Veterans and active-duty military not found in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the National Anthem, thanks to changes in FY09 National Defense Authorization Act. This provision adds to a change in the FY08 NDAA that authorized veterans and military members not in uniform, to render the miliary-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag.

On July 6 at 10:00 Llano Fine Arts Guild will present new gallery owner, Heike Jost, of Burnet Art Haus Arts and Crafts Gallery who will show her expertise in creating pottery and ceramic pieces. This will be a hands on demonstration at the gallery on 503 Bessemer in Llano.

Expert recommends more care in handling, preparation and storage. Ants aren’t the only little creatures that can spoil a summer picnic, said a food safety expert with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. “Another thing that can spoil a picnic or other outing is food-borne bacteria from improperly handled, prepared or stored foods,” said Rebecca Dittmar, AgriLife Extension associate for food protection management. “Hot temperatures accelerate the production of bacteria that contain to ...

Sleep—along with a nutritious diet and regular exercise—is essential to a woman’s overall wellbeing. Sleep is restorative therapy for your body. It is the time when, your body repairs and regenerates tissue, builds bone and muscle, and strengthens its immunity. The average adult should aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

As all new parents know, the summer months provide greater opportunities to enjoy the outdoors; however, they also present seasonal health risks and challenges. “There are many myths and misconceptions regarding hot weather activities, and unfortunately, these can pose serious health risks,” says Dr. Andrew Adesman, Chief of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park, NY, author of a new book on pediatric myths entitled “babyfacts.” Altho ...

Great news for back-to-school shoppers. For the first time since it began in 1999, the annual August sales tax holiday will include many school supplies. “A lot of families look forward to saving their hard earned money during the sales tax holiday weekend,” Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said. “Now they can make their back-to-school budgets stretch even further because more than two dozen school supply items will be tax-free.” House Bill 1801 identifies school supplies priced less th ...

The nine county Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Brownwood District, will begin summer mowing operations in early July. This year begins an initiative to reduce the number of times and the number of acres that are mowed statewide. TxDOT’s budget has been scrubbed several times in the last year with an eye toward reducing expenses while maintaining the high level of safety that the public expects.

WE ARE PROUD OF YOU! - Five year old Mark Anthony Maxey had a score of 79 in the Mutton Bustin last Friday, June 19th at the San Saba Rodeo allowing him to tie for 1st place. Mark Anthony is the son of Mark & Elizabeth Maxey and brother of Joshuah Whitley.

Will Taylor and Strings Attached, an Austin based string ensemble, will perform for the Mason, Texas Odeon Theaters’ fifth concert of their season. The concert series is a fund raising project to help the Odeon Preservation Association raise money for improvements and renovations to the old 1928 theater. Performing July 25 at 7:00 PM Will Taylor will present a tribute to the Beatles.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service SRC (Service Regulation Committee) has approved the 2009-2010 Texas dove season, including a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag statewide, and a 16-day early teal season. Additionally, the SRC approved moving the Texas South Zone dove season opening the Friday nearest Sept. 20, but no earlier than the 17th.

I was just about to start the “lead” sentence of my article with remarks of the high temperatures & dry weather we’ve been experiencing as of late, when the thunder-boomed a few times and started pattering on the tin room of the office here at the House. I had also planned to visit with you some this week regarding water during droughty periods.

Receipts totaled 1413 head for the week. Packer cows sold $3 to $5 higher while packer bulls sold $3 higher. Feeder heifers were $2 higher and packer steers remain steady from last week. Stocker heifers sold steady while stocker steers sold $2 lower. Rep. Sales Danny Covert-Austin-22 Steers-584@107.50 Gerald McKee-Richland Springs-5 Steers-610@105.00 Danny Covert-Austin-5 Steers-686@104.00 Robert Butler-Lometa-1 Steer-700@104.00 Danny Covert-Austin-11 Heifers-510@102.50 Moorman-Kerr Mays ...

Alvie Alcorn, 56, of San Saba, passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2009 at Llano Memorial Medical Center. He was born October 31, 1952 in San Saba, the son of Paul P. Alcorn and Emma Jean Crawford Alcorn. Alvie Alcorn and Vicky Lemaster were married on June 20, 1973 in San Saba.

James William Edwards passed away in Las Vegas on May 10, 2009. He was born on September 21, 1924 in Bethel, outside of Richland Springs, Texas, the 4th child of William “Bill” Edwards and Emma Cockrell Edwards. James graduated from Richland Springs High School class of 1941, and soon enlisted into the Army, serving in Europe in WW2.

The Dean's List for the 2009 Spring Semester has been announced at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must be enrolled full-time and maintain a 3.25 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. The honorees include the following from the San Saba area: Dusty L.

Green Eggs and Ham By Dr. Seuss Submitted by Kolt This is a book about Sam trying to get his friend to try something new. Sam tried all sorts of crazy ways to get his friend to try something new. And finally he convinces his friend to try something new. Will he like it?

The College For Kids program, hosted by the Continuing Education Department of Central Texas College (CTC), continues offering fun, educational and entertaining classes directed to youngsters three years to high school age. Registration for July classes is underway now. Some of the available classes are: CSI Junior (age 9 and older): Students will get lots of hands-on experience learning the basics of criminal investigation.

The Central Texas College (CTC) Continuing Education Department is registering now for upcoming classes in July. A variety of dance, computer, holistic and homemaking classes are available. A few of the classes include: Latin Dance: Cha Cha and Rhumba: This class emphasizes rhythm and basic steps for mastering these two Latin dance favorites.

The San Saba Ladies Golf Association met June 25, 2009 for play day. In the absence of the Chair for June, Jo Anne Hardy, Anita Miles called for a new game, “Lagging”. The person on the green closest to the hole got a point. She also announced Low Gross and Low Net would also win.

Senior Blake Lewis and Freshman Ryan Pannell were honored this past weekend by the San Angelo Standard Times by being named to the 2009 All-west Texas baseball team. Blake Lewis, a senior pitcher/designated hitter, received this award for the second year in a row as he was instrumental in leading the Armadillo baseball team to the play-offs the last two years.

As teens revel in the long lazy days of summer, parents have a different agenda in mind - how their teens will use all that free time. Research shows that young people with unsupervised time are three times more likely to use marijuana or other drugs. And unsupervised teens are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as underage drinking, sexual activity, and cigarette smoking than other teens.[1] Although the statistics are troubling, you can make a difference by setting clear rules ...