National Debt Hits a Staggering $13 Trillion-Out-of-control spending has put the United States in a tenuous economic position. The national public debt hit an historical $13 trillion dollars in May. In pursuit of its costly and damaging big government agenda, the Obama administration has increased the total public debt by $2 trillion – an increase of 23 percent – in just 16 months.

Temperatures are up to three digit numbers. It isn’t just the heat that is getting to you. The sun also emits UV rays which can be harmful to the skin. Did you know that excessive exposure to the ultraviolet radiation of the sun is the most important preventable cause of all skin cancers?

The Church of Christ is having camp at Brady this week... Many children and adults are enjoying this camp. Jerry Randolph, Diane Maxim and Deneise Woolsey have taken thirteen children to Centri-kid Camp in Sherman, Texas. I believe their camp is at Austin College. Funeral Services for Becky Cockrum were held in Georgetown last week.

I am amazed at people who are good at "arts and crafts." Some people can take scraps and make wonderful things. As I write this, I am at Bible camp in the room where arts and crafts are created. There is quite a bit of hammering taking place. Some items are made of metal and fishing wire.

25 Years Ago-June 6, 1985 The San Saba Grand Jury indicted an out of county man of aggravated kidnapping of a New Braunfels pharmacist and burglary of habitation with a weapon; indicted a local man on a charge of murder in a fatal shooting; indicted a local man on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

We still haven’t received any rain this past week and we are showing a need for it. Summer officially began Monday and we have already had some hot days. We only had nine present for the community meeting last Saturday night. There seems to be a general lack of interest and if that doesn’t change, there soon won’t be anyone left to oversee the community center.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Doctors took her cells without asking. Those cells never died. They launched a medical revolution and a multimillion dollar industry. More than twenty years later, her children found out. Their lives would never be the same, Rebecca Skloot. Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as He La.

Our family decided to plant a bigger garden this year. It started off with my wife wanting me to till that old hard ground. She started bringing in mulch material for me to till in and I did not think she was ever going to stop. I finally got all the material tilled in, then started the watering.

A husband died, and his widow inscribed on his tombstone, :"Without you, I can't bear to live." But she met a rich man. He proposed and she accepted. Then she added another word to the inscription: "Without you I can't bear to live alone." Who can? We need each other. The day of the hermit and the lone wolf are gone.

We fulfill one of the purposes for our existence when we seek God (Acts 17:26-27). When we seek Him, we consult with Him. We take our joys and difficulties to Him in prayer. We seek direction from Him by reading the Bible. We receive light from God as we ply the pages of the Bible (2 Peter 1:19). Ultimately we need strength and power from God.

Not a cloud in the sky and no promise of any rain. Rain is badly needed. If anyone out there knows of any kind of rain dance or magic word to say in order for it to rain please get it on. The home of William Clark was a busy place this past weekend.

I was comfortably ensconced on my front porch, reading and enjoying the breeze, when I realized I needed to write the column. Sundown is an awesome time of the day. It’s usually not quite so hot, and everything seems to be busy getting ready for bed. Everything, that is, except the katydids.

The Wallace Creek Extension Education Club met Thursday, June 17 at 2:00 p.m. at the clubhouse. Lynn Blankenship called the meeting to order. The roll call was "When was the last time you cleaned out your medicine cabinet and what did you do with the contents?" We need to take precaution in disposing of certain medications, when in doubt contact your pharmacy. The program was "Talking to Your Doctor", presented by Faye Currie.

The Former Texas Ranger's Association will commemorate "the service rendered and the sacrifices made" by John Wesley Smith of Company N Minute Men of San Saba County. The marking of a Texas Ranger's grave with the Texas Ranger's Memorial Cross helps to honor and preserve the true history of the Texas Rangers.

All kids ages 4 years old through kids who have completed 6th grade are invited to High Seas Expedition, where we’ll explore the mighty love of God! Get ready for a swashbuckling adventure through God’s Word, and discover that God shows his powerful love throughout scripture. High Seas Expedition is awash with fun for kids!

Hailey Ann Marie Sutton, was born May 28, 2010, weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long. Her proud parents are David and Mary Sutton. Grandparents are Betty Sutton and the late Jerry Sutton, Tina Miller and Dudley Norris, all of San Saba; great-grandparents are, Pheenie Judkins and Marylin and Benton Miller, all of San Saba and Willena McKneely of Cherokee.

What would you do if an 1100 pound cow stepped on the ankle of one of your best friends? How would you console him as he recovered from painful surgery and faced a lengthy rehabilitation period? Well, if the patient was Henry Warren and you were the Methodist Women, you’d have a GREAT BIG PARTY! On Friday, June 18, the Methodist Women celebrated Henry and his wife and caregiver, Trish, at Pepperbelly’s Restaurant.

Dear Editor, When you look at the TxDOT website and those they partner with such as Don't Mess with Texas and Keep Texas Beautiful, they are all about having pride in our truly wonderful state. However, as I drive down most Texas roadways (including the dirt roads that are tended to by the county) it seems that the Texas agencies that are responsible for keeping our roadways safe and clean have lost pride in Texas.

Last week, Mr. Bryant Patton, 89 years old, brought in these tomatoes from his last garden since he will be retiring from gardening this year.

On June 12, 2010, the Oliver family and friends enjoyed visiting at Harmony Ridge and eating a wonderful fried fish supper prepared by Marlis and Scotty Oliver and family. Approximately 75 attended the meal following the Harmony Ridge Cemetery Association annual meeting. On Sunday, the 13th, the family gathered in the church building for the devotional.

Ruston Tyler Richards celebrated his 4th birthday, May 30, 2010. He enjoyed a dinosaur cake, hamburger supper and a bounce house with his family and friends. Ruston is the son of Justin and Traci Richards of Brownwood, Texas.

Beginning Tuesday night, July 20th, 7:00 p.m., music reading and music theory classes will start for a six-week period. Each Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. music classes will be taught. Classes will consist of learning lines and spaces, Treble Cleff and Bass Cleff, key signatures; sharps/flats, directing music, writing music, time signatures and correct counting of notes and measures, all offered FREE. Call Arlene Stratton 325-372-1463 for additiona ...

Arrests from June 15, 2010 through June 21, 2010 Argote, David - Agg Assault w/Deadly Weapon, S.O. Scott, Gary - Simple Assault, S.O. Moreno, Christopher - State Jail Conviction, S.O.

The descendants and friends of J.W. and Hattie Mallett Stewart held their annual reunion the weekend of June 12 and 13. The Stewarts had ten children with only two surviving, Frances Parks and Nancy Doyle. On Saturday evening, 62 gathered at the home of Doris Cates for a lot of visiting, hamburgers, hot dogs and homemade ice cream.

It is summertime again and contractors for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) have started seal coat operations this month. Some 308 miles of roadway across the nine county Brownwood District is scheduled for this annual preventative maintenance process. ‘Seal coat’ is a process where fresh asphalt and rock is applied to an existing roadway.

Members of Central Texas Electric Co-op in Board District Six (San Saba County) met on Monday night, June 7, in the Cherokee High School Cafeteria. The members were welcomed by the co-op’s Chief Executive Officer, Robert A. Loth, III. Mr. Loth opened the meeting with the introduction of members of the co-op’s Board of Directors in attendance.

Chef's Choices: Fried Green Tomatoes Fried green tomatoes are a southern tradition made famous by the movie of the same name. They are so popular in the south that gardeners plant extra slicing tomatoes to be harvested green for this recipe. 4 green tomatoes, cut in 1/4-inch slices 1 cup flour 1 egg beaten with cup skim milk 1 cup yellow cornmeal 1 teaspoon each salt and black pepper Canola oil for f ...

Receipts totaled 3025 head for the week. The market had a very strong tone on a choice offering of calves and yearlings. Stocker steers sold $2 higher and stocker heifers were $3 higher. Feeder steers were $3 higher with feeder heifers steady. Packer cows and bulls were steady. Steers: choice lightweight calves 125-157.50, choice medium weight calves 110-129,choice heavyweight calves 105-117.50 Heifers: choice lightweight calves 110-140, choice medium weight calves 105-118, c ...

Resilient Sago Palms: Remember when we had those 10-15 degree days last Winter and we were so concerned about our Sago Palms? Patty and I have two in front of our office in Bertram. Then came Spring and the Palms were all brown and completely dead looking and we were thinking "Holy Cow"

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that orchardists and nursery tree growers can begin applying for benefits under the Tree Assistance Program, which was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. Signup begins Monday, May 10, 2010, at local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices." This program helps our orchardists and nursery tree growers replant and get back on their feet after natural disasters,"

USDA Rural Development Area Director, Johnny Smith presented a ceremonial check to the Lometa ISD for a $40,000 Community Facility Grant to assist in the purchase of a new 77 passenger school bus. "USDA Rural Development is committed to providing assistance to rural towns and communities to help them provide valuable services to their residents,"

Bula Mae Crim, 75, of San Saba, passed away on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at Llano Memorial Hospital. She was born April 19, 1935 in Strawn, Tx., to William C. Alcorn and Daisy Graves. Bula Alcorn and Willard Crim were married in February of 1949 in San Saba County. He preceded her in death.

James Baker Owen, 93, passed away on Friday, April 30, 2010. James (Baker) was born in Zephyr, Texas July 29, 1916 to Adly Polk Owen and Sarah (Brown) Owen. He, his parents and brother and sisters lived in San Saba over 14 years. He graduated from San Saba High School in 1934.

Lucia Aragon, 70, passed away Thursday, June 17, 2010, in Witichita, Kansas. Lucia Aragon was born March 30, 1940, in Durango,Old Mexico, to Severo Garcia and Carlota Garcia. She married Aurelio Aragon on June 17, 1957, in Durango, Old Mexico. Lucia was a housewife and a member of the Catholic Church. She is survived by her husband, Aurelio Aragon of San Saba; her sons, Arturo and his wife Elena Aragon of Witichita,Kansas; Raul and his wife, Crus Aragon of San Saba; Jesus Ara ...

Deaths from boating accidents on Texas public waters decreased last year compared with the year before and Texas game wardens, boater education proponents and others hope to keep the numbers trending downward. The decrease in 2009 came after an unprecedented spike in boating accident deaths in 2008, the highest in more than ten years. "We don’t know for sure what caused the decrease in boating deaths, but we do think two contributing factors are saturation law enforcement and e ...

The Richland Springs cafetorium hosted many events this spring. The air conditioned cafetorium hosted the spring band recital, one-act play presentation, junior/senior prom and sports banquet. The 8th grade graduation was one of the best decorated events ever to occur at Richland Springs. The Hawaiian theme included live plants and parrots and birds.

The San Saba Dillos kicked off the 2010 summer baseball season with a double header against our neighbors from the north, Goldthwaite, on Saturday. In the opener Cody Herd pitched an excellent game giving up only 1 run on 5 hits and striking out 7 in 5 innings with only 59 pitches.

The San Saba Ladies Golf Association met June 17, 2010 for play day with the Chair for June, Jo Anne Hardy, calling for a game of Low Gross, Low Net, and Low Putts. Anita Miles had her day in the sun by tying for First Low Gross, Second Low Net, had the Low Putts for the day, and won the chip in pot!

Leanne Parker, 6 years old, rides in Mutton Bustin’ at San Saba Rodeo. Leanne is from Marble Falls and the granddaughter of Gary and Karen Parker and great-granddaughter of Dorothy McKown Smith and the late David Smith Jr. of San Saba.

School is definitely NOT out for summer! On June 1 and 2 SSISD teachers spent two intense days learning more about their CSCOPE curriculum and how to enhance the curriculum with technology. Trainers from ESC 13 in Austin presented staff with two days of training that helped staff learn more about the technology they have to use in their classroom.

Dorothy Sterner talking and showing the summer reading participants some of the quilts she has made. The kids then made quilts from brightly colored squares of paper. The program is open to all youth and is sponsored by the Friends of Rylander and the LCRA.

The San Saba Tennis Association held a fundraiser tournament on Monday, June 14. The tournament was held to raise money to help with the cost of resurfacing the tennis courts. The Tennis Association was able to raise $500. The Tennis Association would like to thank the following people for playing in the tournament: Alonzo Calderon, Ron Pollard, Scotty Hibler, Felix Botello, David May, Jacob Cabrera, Marshall McIntosh, Michael Calderon, Morgan Jimenez, Mikayla Eden, Carter Eden, Joely Haverl ...