Well, it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood and we are once again waiting on the rain. I sure hope Mother Nature knows what she is doing because I’m beginning to wonder. The month of January has come and gone awful fast and we’re already one week deep into February. I’m sorry that I have been a little slack on keeping you in the loop, but it has been rather hectic during the last two months. We are hoping that it’s settling down somewhat.Jail standards showed up on our doorstep last week and with the exception of a few hiccups (which they always find something) we did really well and are ready to go forward with another year. We are also finished with our latest new hires and their training and back up to full speed. If you ever want a challenging job, one that will test your mental resolve and intestinal fortitude, then look no further, cause I have a deal for you. The 911 dispatchers have some of the most stressful and challenging jobs found anywhere. They work under extreme pressure, dealing with the public at the worst times and under the worst circumstances. Now it’s not all bad, there are funny moments and happy moments and “Oh Thank You Lord,” moments, but when it’s bad, these ladies and gentlemen are right in the thick of it. So, when you call 911 and you have a major emergency, please understand that the individuals on the other end of the line are asking all those questions for a reason and please do your best to stay calm and answer all of them, no matter how unimportant they may seem to you at the time.We have seen a huge decrease in speed related accidents in San Saba County over the last two years. I was writing this article and we were paged out to our first one in weeks, just west of Richland Springs. Deer verses car and the deer did not make it but the lady driving the vehicle was not injured, thank the Lord. The Sheriff’s Office and Department of Public Safety have worked together very hard to slow down the traffic speeds in and through our county. We feel that with the drop in the number of serious injury accidents and fatal accidents, we have been successful at this. You have called in numerous reckless drivers and we have responded to deal with them each and every time. The speeds ranging from excess of 90 to 100 mph are not acceptable and the fines are not pleasant, not to mention the ding on your insurance as well. We want to thank the DPS for all their assistance in helping with this situation and want to thank the public for their assistance as well. It is working and lives are being saved.We have been moving more and more on the back roads at all hours of the night out in the county. We are asking your assistance in being in the right place at the right time. If you see unusual traffic in your area, please contact us so that we can put a deputy in that area as soon as possible. It might be nothing but that is how we prevent and solve burglaries, by making contact with individuals and letting them know that we are out there and that we can and will find them if they are up to no good. Please contact us at 325-372-5551 or 5432 if you have any information for us. Please also take precautions if you are going away from your home for a while. Please contact us and ask for additional patrol and we will do our best to assist. Lock everything and don’t leave things out where they can be seen from the roadway. Be sure to alert your neighbors if you are going to be gone and make sure that someone is checking on your home and property while you are away.Thank you for all your support and your prayers.