TALES FROM TUMBLEWEED SMITH

Body Bret Cali has the general store at Bend, a small place neartheColoradoRiversouth of San Saba. It has beer and music and the flavor of Luckenbach. “Some people say it’s the new Luckenbach,” says Bret. “It’s kind of hard to find,likeLuckenbach.

Texas counties among nation’s fastest growing

Body AUSTIN— 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.

Hill Country blues

Body Spring officially makes its entry this week, but the Texaswildflowersceneisway ahead of the game this year.If you get the chance in the next three weeks, hit the highwaysandbepreparedfor quite the show that bluebonnets have in store for you.

Training stone fruit trees

Body In the March 6 and March 13 columns were guidelines for choosing fruit trees for our USDA Hardiness zones 7 and 8. In today’s column are guidelines for training stone fruit trees.Pruning of fruit trees is done to train the tree to a specific growth system.

Focus on hams and zoots

Body HANABA MUNN WELCHFocus on hams and zootsLook in the closet of a mild-mannered amateur radio operator, and you’re not likely to find a zoot suit. Zoot guys and hams are essentially non-overlapping subcultures that rarely get mentioned in the same breath. You knew that.

Take a hike to Anthony, Texas, for Leap Year Festival

Body It’s that time. An added day to keep the Gregorian Calendar happy so that all is well in mathematics of the Earth’s rotation around the sun (which is exactly 365.25 days). The Leap Year Capital of the World is just a few hours west, nestled near the scenic Franklin Mountains.

Early Voting ends Friday

Body 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.

Shoot it!

Body Little Dribblers basketball has several things happening at once. Kids are being told to look, pass, shoot, dribble, jump, grab and steal. It’s a tall order for these short humans.

Knox notes

Body Please notify the News-Courier about your upcoming events. Emailed submissions to knox@wtx.news are preferred. KCVFW OPEN HOUSE MARCH 2 KNOX CITY-Knox City Fire Station to celebrate 100 years of service with an Open House Saturday, March 2, 2024l at the KCVFD 102 S. Central Ave.

Federal judge appears skeptical of new border law

Body AUSTIN— A federal judge is expected to rule quickly on the constitutionality of a Texas law about to go into effectthatinstitutesnewstate penalties for illegal border crossings. During a hearing last week, U.S.