Another success story from Rising Star Nursing and Rehabilitation! Congratulations to Ms. Linda Lewis for completing a Rehab stay with us recently. Ms. Lewis came in for some short-term therapy and went home after only a few days. Linda said the place was wonderful, the therapy department with Nicola Thompson and Tammie Kinser was great. “I couldn’t ask for a better team. The food was good too.” Why go anywhere else? Rising Star Rehab is a Four Star Rated Medicare licensed rehab with Physical and Occupational Therapy. Tell your friends and your doctor, Rising Star Rehabilitation. For on Facebook, risingstarrehab. com or call 254-6436700. (Photo: R.S. Rehab)

Last week we celebrated National Administrator Week as we honored Greg Whitten, who has been at Rising Star since 2012. Greg leads by example and definitely deserves our recognition and appre ciation for everything he does. He loves his job and it shows! Thank you for your continued dedication to our Residents and our Staff!

In the Live Contests against students from institutions of all sizes, ASU students won the following awards: Serena Reese - 1st Place in Live PR Release Writing Jennifer “JJ” Jones of Rising Star - 1st Place in Live News Photo; Ram Page - 2nd Place in Hype Video Alejandro “AJ” Garcia of Del Rio - 3rd Place in Live Sports Action Photo Jennifer “JJ” Jones - Honorable Mention in Live TV Advertising Jones is majoring in Communication at Angelo State.

Ram Media is a component of the Department of Communication and Mass Media. Outlets include the Ram TV television station, the Ram Page digital newspaper and the Ram Radio internet radio station, as well as Ram TV Sports that broadcasts live ASU intercollegiate sports on the FloSports Network.

See more details at angelo. edu/news.

Congratulations to our Shout Out Winner for March of 2026, Employee of the Month Chris Jones. Chris was selected by his peers for always going above and beyond for the people he serves. Chris has been with Rising Star Nursing and Rehab since September of 2022. Chris has worked his way up to Certified Medication Aide where he has excelled. Congratulations Chris Jones!

Greg Whitten Administrator

Come join us and meet the Easter Bunny! 411 South Miller Street, Rising Star, Texas.

Greg Whitten Administrator Rising Star Nursing and Rehabilitation

Employee Appreciation Day 2026 was celebrated with homemade grilled hamburgers and all the sides, drinks and ice cream.

But to top it off we had a drawing for two lucky employees with crisp $100 bills. Congratulations to Nicola Thompson, Rehab Director and Tammy Reeves, CNA on our night shift for their participation. Rising Star Rehab likes to do something special for our employees whenever we can.

If you would like to feel special about where you work, drop by and pick up an application.

For more information book, risingstarrehab.com or call 254-643-6700. Greg Whitten Administrator Rising Star Nursing and Rehabilitation

Employee of the month for February 2026 is Jocelynn Groves, an LVN nurse at Rising star Nursing Center. Ms. Groves was selected from other employees for always going above and beyond for her residents and employees. Employees selected get to Spin the Wheel for prizes or cash. She has been employed with us since August of 2025. For more starrehab.com or call us at 254-643-6700. Greg Whitten Administrator Rising Star Nursing and Rehabilitation

Rising Star Nursing and Rehab held their annual Valentines King and Queen coronation ceremony Friday, February 13. The staff and residents voted this year for Ms. Willa Dean Butler and Mr. Billy McCullough. Congratulations to them both. There was a full house for the party waiting on the big news and everyone was treated to homemade strawberry cupcakes with strawberry icing with pink sprinkles and punch. For more information about Rising Star Nursing and Rehab call 254-6436700 to schedule a tour. Greg Whitten - Administrator - Rising Star Nursing and Rehabilitation

When asked why she came to us for rehab, she said “Well, I’m from here and know many of the residents still here in the community”.

When asked if she would recommend us she stated “the girls in Rehab are just wonderful. The Physical and Occupational Therapy was the best. Everyone is so nice and caring. I couldn’t ask for a better environment. Everyone should come here for their rehab!”

Ms. Clark shared lots of stories with us from her time here as an employee.

For more information about Rising Star Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s rehab services call us at 254-643-6700 or go on line to risingstarrehab. com. You can choose from single rooms with large recliners and refrigerators for home comforts. Call us or come by for a tour.

Greg Whitten Administrator Rising Star Nursing and Rehabilitation

The hazards of natural gas are it is odorless, colorless, tasteless, lighter than air and can ignite and/or explode with tremendous force when mixed with the right amount of air.

Prevention measures taken include:

• adding odorant to the gas to give it that distinctive smell, similar to rotten eggs, to warn us of its presence,

• testing the odorant level each calendar quarter,

• performing annual gas leakage surveys, and

• conducting periodic pipeline patrols The following signs that may indicate a gas leak:

• A hissing or roaring sound (caused by escaping gas),

• A patch of dead or discolored vegetation in an otherwise green setting along a pipeline route

• Blowing dirt, grass of leaves near a pipeline,

• Continuous bub-EOLJ L HW RRGHG Deas,

• A “gas smell” similar to rotten eggs.

Anyone who may smell this odor or notice any unusual conditions on or near gas mains, vents, service lines, meter sets, or specially inside of a building should call the City immediately. If you smell a strong gas odor inside a building, notify everyone in the building to leave. Do not operate any switches or use the phone. Go a safe distance away upwind of the gas smell and call the City. With any JDV OHDN SRWHFW OLIH VW then property, then notify the City.

Pipeline markers are maintained to inform the public of the gas line location. State and federal laws require excavators to notify One-Call 2 Full working days before digging. If any excavation is planned you must notify One-Call which will notify the City to locate the gas lines. The City maintains membership in the One-Call program.

To obtain additional information or report a gas related issue call the city of Rising Star at 254-6434261. City Hall normal operating hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. After hours call 254-629-1728 or 911. The One-Call Center phone number is 811. This information and the pipeline signs are provided as public awareness and damage prevention awareness notices.

(Photos: Rising Star Rehab)

Rising Star Nursing and Rehab presented their Annual Christmas Play performed by the residents recently. This is an annual tradition going back twenty years. There were over 60 family and friends in attendance.

Santa also visited just before Christmas and spread lots of good cheer. Thanks to all the great people and organizations donating gifts this year. (Page 2) (Photo: RS Rehab)

The Rising Star Foundation is a nonprofit or - ganization dedicated to empowering community through service, education, and outreach. Its mission is to assist individuals and families by providing access to essential resources, community growth, and historical education.

Community Development: Organizing and supporting monthly Food Bank for local families, housing event center for families and community functions, supporting initiatives which strengthen and unify our community, and organizing fund raising events for community improvements such as the Veterans Wall of Honor.

Local Museum: Providing historical education and maintaining the display of community artifacts.

The Rising Star Foundation is excited to introduce the new Board of Directors: President, Shannon Dudley; Vice-Presidents, Skipper Ezzell and Brenda Goldston; Secretary, Judy Jones; Treasurer, Pam Hill Cohea; John Mashburn, Janet Mruphree, Grant Poyner, and John Robert Whiteside. The Board is dedicated to the monthly Food Bank, restoring the Higginbothoms Building damaged by the storm in May, collecting and maintaining local historical records and artifacts, and serving our community.

The Rising Star Foundation needs donations to be able to meet our goals. One of the greatest needs currently is the roof replacement of the Higginbothoms Building, a historic building and center of our community. The storm of May destroyed the roof and compromised some of the interior. It is the Board of Directors’ desire to be diligent in the service of our community. Please help us with a donation to help our community: Rising Star Foundation, PO Box 61, Rising Star, TX 76471.

Our staff at Rising Star Nursing and Rehabilitation recently added a new physical activity game for improving our residents’ physical well-being. Nicola Thompson, a Licensed and Certified

Occupational Therapy Assistant and our Director of Rehab started a parachute game intended to build strength and other attributes for our community. Nicolas’s assistant is Tammie Kinser, who is a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant with any years of experience.

Parachute Game from a Physical Therapy standpoint is to improve safety and Independence with toilet/shower transfers, functional mobility, and balance during ADLs. This can be accomplished by improving areas such as safety coming to stand, standing balance and tolerance and activity tol- erance, improved joint mobility and finally lower

body movement and muscle strength. Occupational Therapy benefits include

improvement in participation, safety and independence, improving hand- eye coordination, joint District

mobility, and upper body movement and coordination among others. For more information about how therapy programs can improve your life and who pays for therapy call 254643-6700.

Congratulations to our Therapists, Nicola Thompson, COTA, and Tammie Kinser, PTA. Nicola is cupational Therapy Assistant. Tammie is licensed as Physical Therapy Assistant. They oversee treatments such as Diathermy for joint pain and hand contractures, E Stim for neuromuscular treatments and the Omnicycle to aid in stroke recovery, hip and knee replacement, COPD and more. For more information about our therapy services, call anytime at 254-346-6700. Rising Star Nursing and Rehabilitation, Rising Star, Texas.

- Even though the “Rain Poureth Down” in Rising Star on September 6, 2025 -

$SSRLPDWHODGRen members of Star Pride participated and ample sweet items were available for sale at the corner of Main Street & Hwy. 36 in downtown Rising Star. $VORGLOHRIDLQEHgan about the same time as the 9 AM start-up of the sale.

Other events were under-way (the Airplane Show & Car Show) at Rising Star’s Airport North of town.

Thanks to a tent used in the bake sales, no-one was soaked and the baked goods received good attention. Chilly weather sent several members home for coats & jackets. A few people had damp shoes as cars were unloaded with home home baked items (cakes, pies, bread, etc.)

This year, Star Pride has used proceeds from bake sales to help 6 or 7 ORFDO RDQLDWLRQV 6WD Pride does not donate to individuals.

By Ginger Tobin

Star Park Freedom Festival

Public support for Star Pride was exceptional as the group participated in a fund raiser on July 3 to raise funds for a donation to fireworks for July 4.

Star Pride served pulled pork sandwiches with BBQ sauce, which were highly complimented by several and very popular with hungry passers- by.

Ample diverse “sweets” were available including pecan pie & pumpkin pie, banana pud- ding; blueberry muffins,

peanut butter cookies, ginger cookies, and rice crispy treats in multi-colors.

Attendance was good; adults and children had plenty of activities to keep everyone occupied.

Star Pride members have dedicated their various fundraisers to helping local organizations in Rising Star. No funds are given to individuals.

Star Pride is pleased to be able to donate to the and enjoyed the interesting evening display on July 4

“fireworks fund” this year

(Photo Submitted)

The Association records ancestral information and keeps production records and genomic data on individual animals to develop industry-leading selection tools for its members. The programs and services of the Association and its entities — Angus Genetics Inc., Angus Beef LLC and the Angus Foundation — help members advance the beef cattle business by selecting the best animals for their herds and marketing quality genetics for the beef cattle industry and quality beef for consumers.

ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 21,000 members across the United States, Canada and several other countries. It’s home to an extensive breed registry that grows by more than 300,000 animals each year. The Association also provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and others who rely on Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers.

For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association, visit www.angus. org.

2025.

Parade & Fun for Everyone!

***

Tire Disposal Trailer at City Yard

The Tire Disposal Trailer will be at the City Yard on CR 273 from 8 am to 4 pm on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

Perfect weather greeted the approximately ten members who presented various cakes, pies and other homemade baked items for sale to the public.

In less than two hours, most of the home baked items were sold; and Star Pride had money to donate to the fireworks fund.

The red, blue and white tent erected on the site at the corner of Main Street and Hwy 36 attracted many customers. Sales were brisk!

The site was a former business and is perfect for getting attention from passing traffic.

- Glynda (Ginger) Tobin, writer

CITY OF RISING STAR, TEXAS

NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION

The City of Rising Star, Texas, will conduct a Special Election on Saturday, May 3, 2025, for the purpose of determining whether the voters of the City of Rising Star, Texas desire to reauthorize the levy of a local sales and use tax at the rate of one-fourth of one percent to provide revenue for maintenance and repair of City streets.

If approved at the Election, the City will continue to levy a local sales and use tax at the rate of one-fourth of one percent to provide revenue for maintenance and repair of City streets.

The polling place for the election shall be:

Rising Star Volunteer Fire Dept

107 W Mills

Rising Star, TX 76471

The polling place shall be open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Early voting by personal appearance shall be held at the Rising Star City Hall Office, 104 N. Miller Street Rising Star, TX 76471, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., beginning Monday, April 22, 2025  through Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

All applications for a  ballot  by mail shall be mailed to the Early Voting Clerk’s official mailing address at P.O. Box 35, or by email at jclark@risingstartexas.net. Applications for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business on April 22, 2025.

All qualified voters of the City shall be permitted to vote in said election.

(4-17-2025)