I, for one, am glad to be back in San Saba after my little adventure in Houston traffic this weekend. My wife, planned a small weekend away, baby sitting for my sister-in-law, so we made a little trip to relax and get away. Well, I'm back and I feel like I have been in a tackle football game and I was the one not wearing pads.

It is hard to believe that a six year old boy and a five year old boy could abuse a six foot, two hundred pound full grown man, but let me tell you it can happen. Every five minutes we were running, wrestling, yelling, jumping, and then they were off on their bikes to the park with me giving chase. Now let me tell you, training wheels are faster than you think. Once at the park, it was full speed, playing chase and guns and whatever their little minds could think up but mostly full speed running of some sort.

A little advise for the new male baby sitter, play grounds are not made for six foot people so don't run with your head down or when you come to, you too will have a five year old standing on your chest, staring down at you saying, "get up sissy."

There are no longer naps, which disappointed me and frightened me by the second day, and I was actually praying my wife would put us in time out or something. No, not my wife, she just smiled and waved us on. Well, the only good news was that they were asleep by eight p.m. at night, but believe it or not, I was asleep by about five after that. Needless to say, we had a good time and I came back a whole lot tougher than when I went down. God bless our children and God protect our baby-sitters.

The burn ban is still in effect in San Saba County. Commissioner's court voted yesterday to extend it for a while since the conditions are still very dangerous right now. It is important for all of us to report any burns and or smoke that you see right away. We will be responding to all fires since there is a burn ban and we will be issuing citations for illegal burning. Please help us help the firemen who have a tough enough job ahead of them this summer. Let's all pray for rain and keep the faith because we need it badly. There will be information concerning burn bans and control/agriculture burns coming soon so please us caution and do not burn at this time.

On Tuesday, the 8th, we had our 911 meeting at the courthouse and it went well. We had representatives from all of our local fire departments, EMS, San Saba County and the City of San Saba in attendance and the meeting was a success. It has become more important than ever, that we all work together not only during an emergency but also before one occurs. We have been working on some changes and getting our county assets in order for some time and this meeting was to help finalize some of those changes and push forward our new agenda. We have changed all of San Saba County Emergency Responders call numbers to come on board with the coming state changes. We now have separated every agency by 3 digits numbers. Like the San Saba Sheriff's Office will be the 100's and the San Saba Police and City will be the 200's. Chief Riggs will be 210 and I will be 101 and all you need to do is add a hundred in front of the number on law enforcement and nothing else has changed. I know all those in scanner land will be in an uproar for a short time, but it is necessary to make these changes now for the better protection and service of our community in the future. All of the fire departments, EMS and the City of Richland Springs have their own numbers as well. Once everything is completed, we will put the final information in the paper and make sure that all of you are aware of who is who and what is going on with your 911 first responders.

I have been bragging about the reduction in Driving While Intoxicated arrest lately and a few had to try their luck this weekend. Trooper Owens and Deputy Milster both made DWI arrests over the weekend and law enforcement was busy with calls for service. I want to encourage everyone to keep calling in that information and we will keep doing our best to respond as quickly as possible. I also want to again thank all those who help keep our drunks off the road.

The restaurant/club Diggs out on 190 East does its best to assist and even offers rides when necessary, yet it always comes down to the individual's choice. You choose to drink and drive and we will always choose to do our best to catch you. Please help us to keep our roadways safe. Call in all possible intoxicated drivers and we will get there as quickly as possible.

Thanks again for all your support and prayers, you have no idea how much it means. We want to make sure that you can reach us at 325-372-5551 or 5432 and if it is an emergency, please call 911. If you need information concerning the courthouse and have internet, you can contact the courthouse through our internet site at www.co.san-saba.tx.us. If you do not have internet access or a computer then these things are provided free at our library. Thank you for all that you do and as always may God bless and keep you till next time.