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a little bit of everything. We’ll wrap up the week with continued chances of rain, so be ready for a few showers here a nd there. But just in time for the weekend, the clouds will clear and sunshine will take over, with highs climbing into the mid-80s, perfect for getting outside and enjoying the fresh air. As we head into next week, we’ll start off with partly cloudy skies and warm temperatures sticking around. There’s still a slim chance of rain in the forecast, but most days should bring a mix of sun and clouds. So whether you’re grabbing an umbrella or putting on your shades, be ready for a little bit of everything, Eastland County!

Slim Chance

Larry Vernon; Joe K. Williamson; Richard Rossander City of Cisco- Council Place V: Chris Johnson Council Place VI:

Brad Harvell & Ervin Light Eastland County Water Supply District: Ranger: Steve Gerdes & Tiffany Barnes Eastland: Brandon Orms & Mark Pipkin Eastland ISD:

Place #4: David Hatton & Ruben Zarate Place #5: James Justice, Donald Cate, and Roger Rutledge Ranger College:

Board of Regents Place 2: Samuel Grant & Gay Ann Wolford Board of Regents Place 4: Doug Crawley & Carrie Pilant Board of Regents Place 5: Jim Cockburn & John Boyett Board of Regents Place 6: Robin Russell & Write in Candidate (Michelle Butler-Ritter)

Early Voting started Monday April 20th( 8am- 5pm) and ends Tuesday April 28th at the: Eastland County Courthouse; Ranger Community Center; Cisco-First Baptist Church (Parlor)

EASTLAND COUNTY, TX — A powerful national tribute honoring the men and women who served in the Vietnam War is set to arrive in Eastland County this week in April, bringing with it a message of remembrance, education, and healing for veterans, families, and the community.

During a recent Rip’s Report interview, Eastland County Today host Levi Freeman sat down with local Co-Chair and Master of Ceremonies John Stanton to discuss the upcoming visit of The Wall That Heals. This traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial exhibit will be hosted on er College from April 23 through April 26, 2026.

The exhibit, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., bears the names of more than 58,000 service members who lost their lives or remain missing in action. Designed to travel across the country, The Wall That Heals provides communities like Eastland County the opportunity to experience the memorial’s impact without traveling to the nation’s capital.

Unlike a traditional monument, the exhibit is interactive and deeply personal. Visitors are encouraged to walk the length of the wall, locate names, make rubbings, and leave tributes. An accompanying mobile education center will also be on-site, offering historical context, artifacts, and displays that highlight the Vietnam War and its lasting impact.

“The Wall That Heals is not just about remembering,” Stanton shared in the interview. “It’s about healing—for veterans, for families, and for communities.” Arrival and Setup

From page 1... The Wall That Heals

The journey into Eastland County will begin on April 21, when The Wall That Heals departs Stephenville at 1:30 p.m. with a motorcycle escort, arriving at Ranger College at approximately 2:30 p.m. Community members are encouraged to line the route and welcome the convoy.

On April 22, volunteers will begin setup at 8:00 a.m., followed by a 6:00 p.m. volunteer orientation for those assisting with the event.

Exhibit Hours

The Wall That Heals will be open 24 hours a day from April 23 through April 26, allowing visitors to experience the memorial day or night.

Ceremony & Event Schedule A full schedule of ceremonies and events has been planned throughout the exhibit:

April 23 (Opening Day) 7:30 p.m. – Welcome Home Ceremony 8:30 p.m. (Sunset) – Taps

April 24

8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Group Tours 10:00 a.m. – Texas In Memory & Quilts of Valor Ceremony 8:30 p.m. (Sunset) – Taps 8:35 p.m. – Candlelight Event recognizing PTSD awareness

April 25

8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Group Tours 8:30 p.m. (Sunset) – Taps

April 26 (Closing Day) 1:00 p.m. – Collection of mementos left at the wall for preservation in Ranger College archives 1:45 p.m. – Retire the Colors, Closing Remarks, and Taps 2:00 p.m. – Disassembly of the exhibit as it departs for its next destination in Missouri

Community Involvement

Organizers emphasized that this event is made possible through strong community support and volunteer involvement. Those interested in volunteering can sign up online, and donations are also being accepted to support the event’s logistics and programming.

Volunteer Sign-Up:https://m.signupgenius. com/#!/showSignUp/10C044FA9A82AAAF8C6161142024-thewall Donate Locally:https:// thewallthathealsranger2026. com/support-thewall- that-heals-at-rangercollege- 2026/ For additional information or to get involved, community members can contact John Stanton and the organizing team at (254) 488-1532 or by email at thewallthathealsrang-er2026@ gmail.com.

A Moment for Eastland County

With deep military roots across the region, Eastland County is expected to see strong attendance from veterans, families, students, and residents. Events like The Wall That Heals often leave a lasting impression, tion, education, and intergenerational connection.

Community members are encouraged to attend, bring their families, and take part in honoring those providing a space for reflec

who served and sacrificed.

Stay Connected

For more local coverage and to watch the full Rip’s Report interview, visit Eastland County Today’s You-Tube channel: https://www. youtube.com/live/wgBpQHiBNX0? si=PVF_jvpYEwHYV5xT Subscribe for more local news:https://publisher. etype.services/Eastland- County-Today

My name is Joe K Williamson III. I am a candidate in the upcoming election for the City of Eastland Board of Commissioners. I moved to Eastland in 1975 at the age of four years old. I began Kindergarten school at Siebert Elementary and graduated from Eastland High School in 1989. I have many years of experience working with and for municipal government as an employee of began my career as a promoted up through the ranks, eventually served nearly 5 years as the Fire Chief for the City of Eastland. I have two Associates degrees (Science of Arts and Fire Science) and a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Administration and am heavily credentialed in Emergency Management. I am currently a part time wage instructor for Texas A&M TEEX extension teaching FEMA and TCFP classes in different regions of Texas. I have owned my own business since 1998. I operated my own lawn irrigation company for 18 years in the Fort Worth area. My wife and I currently own and operate two LLCs companies here in Eastland, and also own and operate a ammo retail store on the square in Eastland. With this experience, I understand how government needs revenue to support basic needs and services to the community, but I also understand the burden taxation levies on the residents and businesses of the community. Therefore, mypoliticalphilosophy is that it is paramount good stewards of the taxpayer’s dollars.

I feel the most pressing challenges facing the City of Eastland are developing and maintaining a modern and reliable infrastructure to deliver the necessary services. This can be best addressed by identifying priority projects and implementing the proper processes to accomplish set objectives for each project. As a Commissioner, I would focus the city’s capability to provide updated streets, a water distribution system providing adequate and clean potable water for consumption the availability of affordable housing. As a Commissioner, I would encourage the Board of Commissioners and City and effective short, medium and long-range plans to address the needs of today and prepare for the challenges and needs of the future.

Williamson Candidate for Commissioner

As a Commissioner, I would work to develop a culture to provide a friendly customer service to the citizens. City of Eastland has two categories of customers; internal (employees) and external (the community). We must provide a positive and teamoriented environment for our employees and we must demand a friendly and cooperative service delivery from our employees to our community. I will support the most practical and strongest service capability of and ambulance services to our community. I will do my part to partner with representatives of cooperating agencies such as the Eastland Memorial hospital and Eastland Ind. School District, etc. to contribute my efforts to achieve success in establishing and accomplishing goals and objectives.

I believe that a government is to be effectively and fairly to everyone. Policies and procedures must be implemented, enforced and varied equally and fairly to everyone in the community. As an elected Commissioner, it will be my mindset that I will serve as a representative of the members of the community. I will make myself available to the community’s input and feedback, that is applicable to the good as a whole, to guide my decision- making process, in a constant attempt to represent the voice of the people. If elected to serve the community of Eastland, I will assure my actions will always match my conservative, Christian values. I believe we should strive to obtain the best services and amenities our community can provide, while protecting our friendly, small-town culture and way of life.

Thank you, Joe K Williamson III

This political ad paid for by Joe K Williamson III

The rest of the city council agreed.

The council voted to forgive more than $47,000 in water charges on accounts that were incorrectly billed due to an error on an automated system for customers signed up to participate in the city’s Average Billing program. The overages credits on future bills.

“This is a mistake by the city,” he said. “The city is responsible for this.”

Vernon said the city has taken measures to ensure to incidents won’t happen again, but reminded customers to review their water bills, even if they are signed up with the Average billing plan, which allows customers to pay a consistent amount every month.

“I would encourage everyone to be watching their water bills,” he said. “I found out a long time ago, nobody likes my money more than me.”

In other business on a light agenda, the council also addressed the status of several structures in the community that failed to meet the city’s minimum standards. Five of the structures addressed were ordered to be demolished, including those at 1504 W. Main owned by Vasudeubhai B. Bhakta and M. Bhaktibbai of Comanche, owned by Juan and Laura Ojeda of Eastland; 516 E. Commerce Street owned by Jose M. Melendez of Eastland; by Ricardo and Teresa DeLeon of Eastland; and owned by Kelly Maddox and Pam Westmoreland Maddox of Eastland. Bhakta and M. Bhaktibbai were given structure, as were Ojeda, DeLeon and Maddox. Melendez was given 90 days to demolish and remove the structure on his property The council gave Terry L. and Albert Moises, the owners of property at at 1405 W. Commerce, 90 days to secure the premises and make repairs. They also issued a 90-day edict to to secure and repair order to secure and repair to the heirs of property owned by the late David Overstreet at 507 S. Connellee Ave. on property owned by Ancelmo Vazquez-Ceron as renovations have been started.

The council also approved a request for the Eastland Economic Development Board to begin Phase I of construction of King The project is estimated to cost approximately $800,000.

The council also approved a resolution for the design phase for the expansion of the Eastland Municipal Airport.

The city had approved the construction last year.

(Photo: Bob Hickox)

Cost for future water needs could reach $174B Texas will need to invest $174 billion over the next 50 years to keep up with water demand, according to a draft 2027 state water plan approved last week, the Austin American-Statesman reported. That is more than twice the projected cost in the previous state water plan published in 2022.

The draft report, released by the Texas Water Development Board, says the increased costs are due to a number of factors: inflation in construction costs, more frequent droughts, and a decline in existing water supplies as the state’s aquifers become depleted.

The state last year earmarked spending $20 billion over the next two decades for water infrastructure and supply projects — an amount that falls far short of what will be needed, according to some experts.

“This figure validates concerns that $1 billion a year is not going to be sufficient to meet the infrastructure needs to ensure our water supply,” said Perry Fowler, executive director of the Texas Water Infrastructure Network, a construction trade coalition for water projects.

The state water plan is created with input from 16 regional planning groups that identify future water needs in their regions and how to meet them. The draft plan is open for public comment and can be accessed here: https:// tinyurl.com/3ktz5fpm.

Talarico raises record $27 million; Cornyn leads Paxton in fundraising

State Rep. James Talarico raised a record $27 million in this first quarter of this year, the largest-ever sum for any Senate candidate in any state in the first quarter of an election year, The Texas Tribune reported.

“Winning in Texas will require unprecedented resources,” said Seth Krasne, Talarico’s campaign manager. “This grassroots fundraising movement in a strong po - sition to spread our mes - sage in some of the most expensive media markets in the country. But we can't take our foot off of the gas." Talarico has raised more than $40 million since entering the race last September from more th 540,000 individual con - tributors.

On the Republican side, where incumbent U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is heading to a May 26 runoff against Texas At - torney General Ken Pax - ton, Cornyn outraised his opponent by fourfold, pulling in $9 million in the first quarter. Paxton raised $2.2 million " The Cornyn campaign continues performing at a high level, building off the over performance in the March 3rd primary to announcing a massive fundraising haul in the first quarter of 2026," Cornyn campaign man - ager Andy Hemming said.

Judge orders Camp Mystic to preserve cabins where girls died

An Austin state dis - trict judge ordered Camp Mystic's owners not to alter, repair or demol - ish cabins that housed campers and counselors who died in last year's July 4 flood along the Guadalupe River, south - west of Kerrville. The flood killed 25 girls, two counselors and one of the owners of the camp.

The camp's owners are being sued by the par - ents of 8-year-old Cile Steward, the only victim whose body has not been recovered. Other parents of children who died in the floods also have law - suits pending.

"This finding is sup - ported by facts tending to show that defendants owed a duty of care to Cile Steward and other minor campers, which they breached by oper - ating Camp Mystic in a high-risk zone without adequate flood protec - tions," Judge Guerra Gamble wrote.

The injunction remains in place until the lawsuit is resolved or the court rules otherwise. The judge set a trial date of May 3, 2027.

SNAP rule change forces

recipients to read food labels

Changes in what can be purchased under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are now in place in Tex - as, and consumers are spending more time ex - amining the ingredients label, the Texas Stan - dard reported.

SNAP benefits can no longer be used to buy candy or sweetened beverages, under Texas Senate Bill 379, passed last year. That includes drinks with more than five grams of added sug - ar or any amount of arti - ficial sweetener.

The ban does not in - clude baking sugar or sweet cereals, however. The guidelines do not provide an itemized list, so retailers must interpret them and apply them to the food items they sell. "You use Google a lot to get the internet's in - terpretation. You look at the law and how it's written," said John Rob - ertson of Austin's Fresh Plus grocery stores.

Data center owners grilled by legislators Texas lawmakers grilled data center developers, energy companies and grid officials recent - ly on the impact of the state's data center boom, the Houston Chroni - cle reported. Grid offi - cials say they are propos - ing regulations that will ensure Texas can han - dle data centers without raising electricity costs for consumers or risking power blackouts. Officials from various Texas energy companies said data centers could help upgrade the state's grid infrastructure.

"If we have an opportu - nity to have new custom - ers coming to the state pay for that, we'll have done some really good work," said Brian Lloyd, with Dallas-based On - cor, the Texas utility with by far the most data cen - ters seeking to connect to its system. Thomas Gleeson, chair of the Public Utility Commission, told law - makers his agency is working with the Elec - tric Reliability Council of Texas, the grid opera - tor, on rules to encourage data centers to bring their own power generation to help prevent price spikes.

"I honestly don't think on the generation side you're going to see a large increase in costs at this point, because we have so many renew - ables and batteries on the system," Gleeson said. Amount of state in drought increases again Near the end of March, 89% of the state was in drought, according to hy - drologist Dr. Mark Went - zel with the Texas Water Development Board. That is the largest extent of drought in nearly four years, Wentzel wrote. In addition to continued dry conditions, average March temperatures were 66.8 Fahrenheit, beating the previous record by more than one-and-ahalf degrees.

Wentzel said there is some reason for opti - mism with a wet, cool - er start to April and a forecast of drought contraction in much of the state, except for the Panhandle and West Texas by early summer.

Mayes is a Republican State Senator from Galveston. He stated “I am running for Texas Attorney General to continue the fight for our shared conservative values that keep the Texas Miracle alive.” Additionally Middleton said “As Attorney General. I will join President Trump in his efforts to return America and Texas to common sense and to fight to secure the border, ensure law and order, and be tough on crime. So goes Texas, so goes America. There isn’t another Texas to move to, and I will work to ensure Texas is the safest state to live and raise a family.” Middleton added “The true test of a conservative leader is that you do the right thing when no one is looking. I do not relent. Even in the toughest of times, when others throw in the towel, I remain a resolute conservative.”

All are welcome to come to meet Mayes Middleton on Thursday, May14, 2026, at the Myrtle Wilks Community Center in the “Big Dam” room at 6:30 pm , 1498 IH-20 W, Cisco, Texas.. Event is free but donations are accepted and appreciated. In addition, we have Mark Lee Dickson, director of Right to Life Across Texas and founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn Initiative.

GRAHAM LIVESTOCK COMMISSION, LLC Sale Every Monday Starting at 10 AM, Graham, Texas (940) 549-0078 April 13, 2026 Receipts were 820 including 196 Packer Cows, Bred Cows, and Pairs. 624 Calves and Yearlings. We has 130 consignors and 45 buyers. Packer cows were steady. Packer bulls were $5 higher. Young replacement cows and pairs were steady with a light test. The market on steers and heifers weighing 500# and under were steady. The market on steers and heifers weighing over 500# were steady. We had a higher run due to the good rain. Please pray for our country and our troops.

Youth Texas Rehab Center Donation Sale starting at 11 am concides with our regular sale at 10 am CONSIGNMENTS 2 miniature donkeys, 1 gelding- 1 jenny Representative Sale Bob Tallman/3T Ranch, Poolville, Tx 4 Blk Hf 860# @$350 5 Blk Cows 1553# @ $180 Burns Ranch, Henrietta, Tx Blk WF Cow 1265# @ $184 Blk Cow 1585# @ $176 John Elders, Weatherford, Tx Blk Hfr 570# @ 400 3 Blk Str 568# @ $438 H& P Cattle, Graham, Tx Red Bull 1775# @ $239 Brn, Hfr 37 5# @ $525 101 Ranch, Palo Pinto, Tx 2 Red Pr. @ $5650 ea.

5 Red Pr. @ $5550 ea.

Dale Camp, Ft.

Worth, Tx Blk Bull 305# @ $655 Blk Bull 390# @ $515 Robert Graham, Jayton, Tx 4 Blk Hfrs 713# @ $387 2 Blk Hfrs 645# @ $392 Kevin Kolb, Tolar, Tx 2 Blk Hfrs, 367# @ $555 9 Blk Str. 598# @ $430 Michael Bell, Godley, Tx Blk Hfrs 605# @ $400 Blk Bull 575# @ $420 Glenn Drake, Millsap, Tx Brin. Cow @ $3500 Brin. Bull 2065# @ $224

Graham Auto Rebuild, Graham, Tx 2 Blk Strs 888# @ $351 Blk Bull 605# @ $386 Dale Middlebrook, Haskell, Tx 3 Ylw. Hfrs 395# @ $495 4 Ylw. Bulls 341# @ $600

For more information to consign cattle, call Ronnie Hardin 940-521-2158 or Danny Hardin 940-550-8109

Also, if you’re interested in donating cookies or have questions, just drop us an email at ciscotxpiefest@gmail. com or give us a call or text at 409-782-3724. More information can be found on the Cisco Strong Facebook Page.

Over the years, he’s done just about everything— patrol, bailiff, civil process—you done it… and probably has a story about how it used to be done “back in the day.” There’s a good chance if you have a question, he’s either got the answer or remembers when we tried it the last time.

With 30 years of experience comes a level of knowledge you just can’t replace. He’s forgotten more about this job than most of us will ever know—and somehow still remembers where everything is and how it works.

All jokes aside, deputies like him are hard to come by. His dedication, experience, and willingness to keep showing up and doing the job the right way make a real difference Please join in congratulating Sgt. Light on 30 years of service— and for surviving three decades of this place.”

A Meet & Greet Forum for Eastland ISD and Eastland City Council candidates will be held on Thursday April 16 at 6 pm in the Eastland High School Cafeteria.

All candidates and eligible voters are welcome to attend. Questions: Call 254-631-8211.

Hogtown Radio Club recently held a meeting. The attendance was good and included (pictured from Left to Right:) Sarge Keith, David Stephens, Winston Woosley, Kevin Murdock, Cameron Turner, Charlie Duncan, Scott Keating, Bruce Holley, Karen Legget. Hogtown Radio Club second founder - Brad Lewis not pictured. Photo submitted by Vance O’Brien

Region 14 Education Service Center is proud of it’s public school-based Head Start program. We equip our certified teaching staff with the tools and resources needed to support high-quality classroom instruction and foster strong School Readiness Partnerships between public schools and Head Start programs to promote student success.

* Parent and Family Engagement * Caring experienced teacher staff

* Safe and stimulating learning spaces

* Support for children’s social, emotional, and academic development

What to Bring to Enroll:

* Proof of income (Pay Stubs, 1040)

Proof of Birth (Birth Certificate)

* Proof of Residency (Utility Bill)

* Proof of guardianship or Foster forms - If applicable * Medicaid, CHIP or Private Insurance * Immunization Records

The menu for April… A Mexican dinner washed down with tea donated by Dairy Queen in Cisco and then our drawing for gift baskets put together by Wild Flower Florist in Cisco. .

Join us from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Holy Rosary Catholic Church Hall, on the corner of 11th & F. Because of a kind donation from Cisco Strong, this coming year’s meals will be thanks to their generosity.

The meal is a food ministry project, run by parishioners of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. It’s a home cooked meal and anyone from any community is invited for food and fellowship. We encourage families and individuals to attend. So, bring friends, strangers and of course, yourself. We know our guests come for the cooking, but they stay for socializing and drawing. The only requirement is an appetite.

Hey, if you just don’t feel like cooking or you want to meet up with friends for a meal, whatever the reason, come and join us. Next month’s meal, the first Tuesday of May, the 5th, we are at the First Baptist Church in Eastland at the corner of Lamar and Valley, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. May’s dinner, baked chicken, rice pilaf and other stuff. If you have any questions, please call Pete Loftin at 254-595-2303.

Watch this vid ty Today’s YouTube channel:https://www. youtube .com/live/7 9o GiVK___ JQ ?si = R -

RVTyO JgluPtY 3mf stories, subscribe to Eastland County Today: https:// publisher. etype. services/ East land-County-Today The conversation covers history of the theatre, event details, tions, importance of the theatre, future plans and The Grammys: Back to the 80s will take place on the stage at The Ma jestic Theatre in East land on Thursday, Fri day, and Saturday April 23rd, 24th, and 25th at 6:30PM each night.

Check out www.ma jesticeastland.com for tickets and more infor mation.

Call (254) 629-1322 to talk with the box of fice.

Movie showings are Thursdays through Mondays at 7:00PM at 108 N. Lamar Street Eastland, TX 76448.

Rip’s Report Sponsor:

- Eastland Cham ber of Commerce: call (254) 629-2332 or email Chamber @ eastland .net Hours of operation are 9:00AM to 5:00PM, Monday through Friday.

Address is 209 West Main Street Eastland, Texas

“ECHE is a group ded icated to the encourage ment and equipping of home education fami lies in Eastland County and the surrounding ar eas. The goal of ECHE is to provide a resource to prospective, new, and seasoned home educa tors to help them nav igate the journey for which they have been called.”

ECHE is for Chris tian and other socially conservative home educators.

(Photo: ECHE)

Granny Basketball April Showdown, featuring Eastland Old Rips, Round Rock Rockettes, and Olden Girls will be held Saturday April 11th at 11AM in the EHS Marshall Gym, 400 S. Ostrom, Eastland.

There will be a Full Concession Stand offering pulled Pork Sandwiches by Flatwood Catering. Siebert Singers will perform the National Anthem at 10:45.

This is the last set of games here in Eastland this season.

They are the same day as Rips Ribs so people can come to both.

These men, pictured here, have a personal meaning for many in the area and their families, and also to all those who The exhibit and education center will be open 24 hours a day and is free to the public.

TWTH departs Ranger College, Stephenville, with motorcycle escort at 1:30 Tuesday, April 21 and is set to arrive at Ranger College, Ranger at 2:30 PM.

April 23 Opening Ceremony - 7:30 PM; 8:30 PM Taps The exhibit closes April 26 at 2:00 PM. Special events and tours will be a part of the exhibit.

This week is bringing us a little bit of everything in Eastland County. You can expect a mix of sunshine and clouds in the sky; perfect for playing outside, but keep an eye up just in case! As we head into the weekend, things might get a bit more exciting with a chance of thunderstorms rolling in. Looking ahead to next week, those storm chances aren’t going away just yet. More thunderstorms could make an appearance, so it’s a good idea to keep your rain gear handy.Temperatures will stay nice and comfortable, hanging out in the 70s all week long. So whether you’re playing outside, watching the clouds, or listening to the rain, there’s plenty of weather fun ahead. Stay safe and enjoy the week!

A Meet & Greet Forum for Eastland ISD and Eastland City Council candidates will be held onThursday April 16 at 6 pm in the Eastland High School Cafeteria. All

candidates and eligible voters are welcome to attend. Questions: Call 254-631-8211.

Border wall through Big Bend apparently on hold After public outcry, a physical border wall through Big Bend National Park appears to be on hold, The Texas Tribune reported.

In February, the Trump administration waived more than two dozen environmental laws in order to clear the way for a 150-milelong wall through West Texas, including Big Bend and the adjoining state park. Opposition quickly arose from people and politicians from both parties.

The sheriffs of Brewster, Culberson, Hudspeth, Presidio and Terrell counties - a mix of Democrats and Republicans - wrote an open letter that said: "Based on decades of combined experience working with this ter-rain, we believe that construction of a continuous physical border wall in the Big Bend region would not represent the most practical or strategic approach to border security in this area." Now, a map on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website no longer indicates plans to construct a physical wall in the Big Bend region. It is unclear if those plans are final, since the map has been changed several times in the past few weeks.

The rugged area historically has been the least-busy of the nine Border Patrol sectors, accounting for just 1.3% of the 237,538 apprehensions recorded along the entire U.S.-Mexico border during the last fiscal year.

State on trial for un-airconditioned prisons The state of Texas is now on trial in an Austin federal court to determine whether it must provide air-conditioning in state prisons, kut. org reported. Inmates and their attorneys have argued for decades that 15 summer conditions - where temperatures can reach 110 degrees - constitute cruel and unusual punishment.

"The Constitution requires living conditions that are not exposing individuals to high heat levels, and the evidence has consistently shown that what TDCJ has done as an alternative has just not been effective," attorney Brandon Duke said. "It's not a solution." The state counters that it is bringing more AC online at its prisons. Plaintiff attorneys say at least five inmates have died in Texas from heat-related illness since 2023.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice says it would cost $1.5 billion to install air-conditioning systems at all its prisons, and that state lawmakers must approve the funding.

U.S. District Judge Robert Pittman is expected to rule from the bench after the trial concludes.

Camp Mystic files application to reopen this summer Camp Mystic has filed an application with the state to reopen this summer, the Houston Chronicle reported. More than two dozen children and two camp counselors were killed in the July 4 flash floods that swept the camp. The Texas Department of State Health Services, which oversees camp licensing, said it has received complaints about the camp and that it will be "investigated for violations of the laws and rules governing youth camps." DSHS has been sued by the parents of nine victims who contend the camp was wrongfully licensed just two days before the disaster last summer, even though it lacked an evacuation plan. In a separate case, a Travis County judge has ordered Camp Mystic to preserve for future examination the cabins and grounds damaged in the floods.

Camp leaders are asking for permission to open its Cypress Lake campus, which they said is "in compliance with all aspects of the state's new camp safety laws and has implemented additional safety measures that exceed the requirements of those laws." Texas public school teacher pay drops A new report from the University of Houston Education Research Center indicates average pay for Texas public school teachers has dropped about $5,000 over the past decade, the Chronicle reported. The decrease comes even as the cost of living has increased during that time span.

"When we look at those regional differences, there are some increases across the state, but really what we're seeing is that average teacher salaries haven't kept up with inflation," said Toni Templeton, the Education Research Center's senior research scientist.

Average base pay for the state's most experienced teachers, those with 11 or more years of experience, has declined from about $73,000 to about $66,000 in 2024-25, according to the report.

The Texas Legislature approved pay increases based on teachers' years of experience, and those raises could show up in future studies.

36

SpaceX planning what could be biggest-ever IPO

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is confidentially plan - ning to sell shares to the public in what could be the largest initial public offering in history, the Aus -

tin American-States - man reported. It has filed paperwork with the Securities and Ex - change Commission that indicates it could raise as much as $75 billion in an IPO by July.

The confidential fil - ing allows companies to get feedback from regulators without re - vealing information to competitors. However, Space X will have to release a public filing at least 15 days before its IPO "road show," when it presents its financial plan to potential under - writers and institutional investors.

SpaceX has become the world's leading commercial rocket launch company. Over the past five years, it has secured $6 billion in contracts from the federal government.

tative for the 53rd dis trict, Wes Virdell, as our speaker on April 9, 2026.

He was born in Brown wood, attended school in Brady and served in the U.S. Air Force. Virdell ran in 2020 and was un successful but ran again

in 2024 and assumed

office January 14, 2025.

He sponsored a bill to

ban gender affirming care for transgender in-

dividuals of all ages in February 2025.

Wes Virdell would like

to discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI), the 765kv transmission line project-

ed to run through East land County and the need for our Representatives

to stand up for issues

and constitutes. Wes has been active for 12 years

prior at the Texas Capi tol fighting for gun rights and other conservative values.

Feel free to join us on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Myrtle Wilks Community Center at 1498 W Interstate 20, Cisco, Texas. Doors open at 6 pm and the program starts at 6:30 pm.

April 6, 2026

Receipts were 831 including 101 Packer Cows, Bred Cows, and Pairs. 730 Calves and Yearlings. We had

82 consignors and 47 buyers. Packer cows were $4 to $8 higher. Packer bulls were $4 to $8 higher. Young replacement cows and pairs were steady with a light test. The market on steers and heifers weighing 500# and under were steady to

$5 higher. The market on steers and heifers weighing over 500# were steady to $5 higher. We had a lighter run due to the good rain. Please pray for our

troops and our first re

sponders & more rain.

Consignments:

5 – 22 month old registered Black Angus Bulls Representative Sale

Clayton Ranch, Bryson, TX Blk Str 980# @ $348 Blk Sr 780# @ $370 Mark Fambro, Breckenridge, TX Blk Bull 1855# @

$243 Blk Hfr 395# @ $495 Kirk Hinkson, Strawn, TX 2 Blk Hfrs 635# @ $380 5 Blk Strs 623# @

$420 Bob Straub, Gorman, TX

3 Blk Hfrs 493# @

$440 Yellow Str 535# @

$475 Broussard Cattle Co., Bellevue, TX

2 Blk Wft Strs 785# @ $$360

3 Blk Wf Hfrs 673# @ $370 Alex Fambro, Mingus, TX

10 Blk Wf Strs 305# @ $747

8 Blk Wf Hfrs 323# @ $640 Kelly Lindsey, Throckmorton, TX Blk Cow 1250# @ $185 Blk Cow 1425# @ $179 Angela Taylor, Newcastle, TX 2 Blk Hfrs 500# @ $445 2 Blk Bulls 545# @ $425

FSR Cattle Co.,

Weatherford, TX

3 Red Hfrs 53 7# @

$410

5 Blk Strs 629# @

$429 Guest Ranch, Strawn, TX Blk Hfr 370# @ $500

2 Blk Bulls 470# @

$480 Rodan Cattle Co., Valley View, TX

68 Blk Hfrs 785# @

$357

62 Blk Hfrs 835# @

$348 Webber Ranch, Grapevine, TX Red Bull $5150

2 Red Bulls 1580# @

$239 For more information to consign cattle call Ronnie Hardin

940-521-2158 or Danny Hardin 940-550-8109

Event Date, Case, Style Event Type, Disposition, Trial Court 4/2/2026 11-24-00240-CV The Ashleigh Compa

- ny, LLC and The Dar -

en-Ordon Company, LLC v. Jason Stewart and Tar - rah Ashlyn Stewart MEM OPINION ISSD Justice Trotter AFFIRM Nolan / 32nd District Court

11-24-00273-CR Michael Dewayne Norris v. The State of Texas MEM OPINION ISSD Justice Trotter AFFIRM Eastland / 91st District Court

11-26-00075-CV In re Gentri Renee Mc - Lean MEM OPINION ISSD Justice Trotter CONGRT Midland /

318th District Court

11-26-00075-CV In re Gentri Renee Mc - Lean PET MAND DISP CONGRT Midland /

318th District Court

3/30/2026

11-26-00085-CV In re David Allan Fowler MT EMER RLF DISP REL DENIED Brown / County Court at Law

11-26-00085-CV In re David Allan Fowler MT REHEAR DISP REL DENIED Brown / County Court at Law