Opinion

We recently wrote about the Adopt-a-Highway program. A few sections of our roads have recently lost their “adopters” and there has been a slight increase in roadside trash as a result. First, let us thank those individuals who had looked after these sections for a long time. We do appreciate your caring for the roads as long as you did. To help, KWB held a roadside cleanup effort recently. Unlike a few years ago when a hundred people showed up to help, we had fewer this time, but each made a huge difference to the areas they cleaned. Children showed up to cleanup in safe zones like neighborhoods and schools. I hope they continue to participate, as it will fall to them to organize these events one day.

The Wimberley View accepts Letters of Support for local candidates in the upcoming May election through April 28 for the May 2 issue of the Wimberley View. Letters are limited to 300 words. Letters can support more than one candidate but only one letter per person will be published. Letters of Support are intended to be a free avenue for readers to support candidates. Disparaging letters will not be run. Early voting began April 22.

Colorado State University researchers are calling this year’s hurricane season forecast “the most aggressive” ever, the Texas Standard reported. They say there is a 54% chance a hurricane will strike the Texas coast, and a 25% chance it will be major.

When I was elected to the Wimberley ISD Board of Trustees in 2018, I did so with the aim of helping to provide the optimal learning environment for Wimberley students. I knew there would be a series of “asks” that I would have to make as I joined the Board. I’d have to ask myself for a time and energy commitment to serve. My fellow trustees and I would have to ask each other for a strong level of trust and dedication. I would have to ask our Superintendent for an amount of accountability required to guide our district. However, one request I never anticipated making is to urge the State Legislature to boost funding for public schools.

As you enjoy the roadside site of our beautiful blue bonnets, Indian paintbrush and other Texas wildflowers keep a look out for a less showy but very important native plant. Antelope horn milkweed (Asclepias Asperula) once grew abundantly in fields across Texas. This valuable perennial has decreased in abundance due to loss of habitat in our rapidly growing Texas hill country.

State agencies and regulators were heavily criticized at a Texas legislative hearing for failing to communicate during the deadly Panhandle wildfires, the Texas Tribune reported.

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Dispatches from the World

One economist is calling it “the most profitable 22 minutes in Texas history,” according to the Texas Standard. The total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8 is expected to draw up to a million visitors to the Lone Star State, especially in its narrow path of totality.

Is It Just Me?

Dispatches from the World

The on-again, offagain state immigration law is once more on hold while the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals considers its constitutionality. Senate Bill 4 would allow state and local law enforcement officials to arrest and deport people suspected of entering the state illegally from Mexico, the Austin American-Statesman reported. The U.S. Supreme Court last Tuesday removed a temporary hold on the law, which allowed it to take effect for several hours before the 5th Circuit court again stopped SB4 from being enforced while it considers its constitutionality.

This time of year, Central Texans naturally turn their minds and senses to native wildflowers — bluebonnets, pink evening primroses, Mexican blankets, lemon mint and more — that bloom in fields, yards and along roadsides. For many Texans, these scenes remind us of the late Lady Bird Johnson, our first environmentalist first lady, who encouraged the proliferation of indigenous flowers and sustainable landscaping. She did that in part by rewarding highway department engineers for integrating sustainable landscaping into their road designs. For years, she hosted a big barbecue at the LBJ Ranch for the winning designers.