Opinion

Recent estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that six of the 10 fastest-growing counties in the United States from 2022 to 2023 were in Texas. According to the Texas Tribune, Kaufman County, just east of Dallas, led the list with a 7.6% increase in new residents that brought its population to more than 185,000. Census data shows that Rockwall and Liberty counties closed out the top three, with growth rates of 6.5% and 5.7%, respectively.

Two wildfires that burned more than 1 million acres in the Panhandle were caused by downed power lines, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.

St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17th, commemorates the death of St. Patrick, known for spreading Christianity in Ireland. The day is often associated with four-leaf clovers, believed to bring luck. Theories abound regarding the connection between clovers and luck, including their use in warding off evil spirits or their rarity. However, due to incomplete Celtic records, these theories remain unverified. The distinction between shamrocks and fourleaf clovers is subjective; while some claim shamrocks have three leaves and clovers have four, there is no scientific basis for this differentiation. Notably, the fourth leaf on a clover is a genetic mutation, not a natural occurrence.

Early in the morning of February 2, 2024, Punxsutawney Phil – that Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Weather Prognosticator Extraordinaire – emerged from his burrow (with a little help from his handlers) to make his much-anticipated forecast and did NOT see his shadow, which indicates an early Spring!

A wildfire in the Texas Panhandle has consumed more than 1 million acres and as of Sunday was just 15% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. It is the largest wildfire in Texas history.

Early voting in the March 5 primary election ends Friday with a host of candidates on the ballot in both parties, including president, U.S. Senate, all 38 Texas U.S. representatives, all 150 Texas House representatives, and down to local races for district attorney, sheriff and other positions.

It’s February – let’s keep the love going with a shout out to the many volunteers across the multiple organizations that contribute to this community.

Thank you for noting the enlightening PBS program, Finding Your Roots, in your recent Riffs, Roams, and Raves column. Indeed, this program can open our eyes to the collective heritage of our country that comes from all of our peoples.

A friend told me about her Anacacho Orchid Tree (Bauhinia sp) that was growing in her mainly shaded, deer accessible yard. She wondered if it was okay to cut it back now.

A federal judge is expected to rule quickly on the constitutionality of a Texas law about to go into effect that institutes new state penalties for illegal border crossings. During a hearing last week, U.S. District Judge David Ezra said he had concerns that other states would follow Texas’ lead in creating their own immigration laws – a power given exclusively to the federal government under the U.S. Constitution.

Lt. Gov Dan Patrick joined with the world’s largest investment firm to pitch investors on building natural gas power plants in Texas at a summit held last week in Houston.

Have you ever wanted to be a citizen-scientist? If so, you have a great opportunity this month with the Great Backyard Bird Count. The GBBC is a fun, free and easy way to collect data that will give scientists at the Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology an idea of how birds are faring in our beautiful Wimberley and how they might be helped and protected. I am only a casual backyard birder, but I plan to participate.

The Texas Education Agency’s annual report was released last week. It indicates per-student funding in the 2021-2022 school year averaged $14,928 per student, up 42% since 2011. However, state funding has only risen slightly in the past decade, while local funding has increased substantially.