News

Though there may not be a cancer vaccine, that does not mean that vaccinations cannot play a role in cancer prevention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some cancers, including cervical cancer and cancers of the vulva and oropharynx, are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. The CDC notes that the HPV vaccine protects people against the types of HPV that most often cause cancers. Adults can discuss the benefits of HPV vaccinations with their physicians, as the CDC notes that adults between the ages of 27 and 45 may have already been exposed to HPV, meaning the HPV vaccination will provide less benefit. Parents should know that the CDC recommends the HPV vaccination for preteens aged 11 to 12 years.

Planning on retiring single? You aren’t alone. Nearly 22 million Americans age 65 and older were unmarried in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, representing 41.5% of those in that age category. And for women, it’s more likely to be the case. According to the Administration on Aging, 54% of older women are unmarried, as compared to 30% of older men.

The City of Mesquite’s Municipal Center, located at 1515 N. Galloway Avenue and that is home to most of the city’s administrative operations, is now the George A. Venner, Sr. Municipal Center. The announcement was made at a special presentation during the April 19 City Council meeting. Venner served as Mayor from 1987 - 1991 and launched many community programs that are still active today.

Through the years, I have often prepared a Dutch Kettle quail recipe that I learned from my friend, the late outdoors writer Bob Hood. This recipe is simple and we often prepared it for lunch after morning quail hunts. The ingredients are pretty basic: quail, butter, salt, pepper and a couple rows of Ritz crackers crushed into cracker meal. About 45 minutes in a hot Dutch Kettle over campfire coals is all it takes to make a fast, tasty meal in the field. The cracker meal tastes a bit like dressing but not the kind of dressing we are accustomed to during the holidays. There’s no celery, onion or sage in the mix.

Working mothers are as busy as ever. A recent survey from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics found that women spend an average of more than two hours per day on household activities like interior cleaning and preparing meals. That additional work can feel especially tiring after a full day’s work at the office. But mothers may have some help right under their noses. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, adolescents can benefit from participating in various chores around the house. The AAP notes that helping out at home teaches kids the importance of contributing to a team while boosting their self-esteem by helping them feel valued and competent. Kids might not jump at the chance to do chores, and some tasks may still be best performed by parents. However, the AAP notes that the following are some age-appropriate tasks for adolescents, the completion of which can help busy moms feel a less overextended.

Home improvement projects can help homeowners transform their homes. Such projects are costly, but many homeowners save money by doing some, if not all, of the work themselves.

The lines between work and home life can easily become blurred. Such lines became even more blurry during the pandemic, when many children did not attend school in person while their parents worked from home exclusively. Such situations made it hard for everyone to differentiate between working hours and family time.

STAR Transit is providing free rides for persons with confirmed appointment to get the COVID 19 vaccine shots. The curbto-curb service extends outside of the agency’s service area. Rides are available Monday – Friday, 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. For this purpose, STAR Transit is temporarily adding Saturday service from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Reservations should be made at least one service day in advance and are based on vehicle availability.

Senior Connect, the nonprofit agency that oversees Kaufman County Meals on Wheels, and its board of directors have launched an emergency fund campaign due to the unprecedented demand for services during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

On April 16, Forney ISD approved the hiring of Steven Moss as the new band director for North Forney High School. Moss joins the Forney Family with an impressive and successful 20 year history as a music educator and fine arts administrator in Texas Public Schools.

There is something magical about the first day of a month being on a Saturday--and May is almost always a magical month!

STAR Transit is providing free rides for persons with confirmed appointment to get the COVID 19 vaccine shots. The curb-to-curb service extends outside of the agency’s service area. Rides are available Monday – Friday, 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. For this purpose, STAR Transit is temporarily adding Saturday service from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Reservations should be made at least one service day in advance and are based on vehicle availability.

Due to the February 12, 2021 disaster declaration by the governor, certain properties within Kaufman County may qualify for a temporary exemption under section 11.35 of the Texas Property Tax Code.