Questions, Answers about Obamacare



Open Enrollment period The period of time during which individuals who are eligible to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan can enroll in a plan in the Marketplace. For 2014, the Open Enrollment Period is Oct. 1, 2013–March 31, 2014. Q: Do I have to buy from the Marketplace? A: No, not necessarily. The Marketplace is just one of the […]

SHSU seeks educators for ‘Distinguished’ recognition



The Sam Houston State University College of Education is seeking alumni educators who have made significant contributions to the field for its “2014 Distinguished Educator of the Year” awards. Nominations will be accepted until Nov. 1 in five categories: Distinguished Elementary Teacher, Distinguished Secondary Teacher, Distinguished Support Professional, Distinguished Administrator and Friend of Education. “There are events that are important […]

Flashback…JHS Royalty crowned



60 Years ago • John Blitchock, 31-year old carpenter from Corpus Christi who was responsible for the deaths of three persons in a motor car accident, pleased guilty in district court Monday to a charge of murder without malice. He was sentenced to five years in the state penitentiary by district Judge H.D. Barrow. • Winners of two of their […]

‘Virtual Career Center’ Website and Mobile App Launched



MyAlamoCareer.org, a new virtual career center website based on a 3-D gaming platform, was launched today by Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) and Alamo Colleges, to provide continuous access to comprehensive workforce and education information and services in a single location. The virtual career center is also available through a downloadable app, My Alamo Career, for iPhones and iPads. “This virtual […]

Cowboy snapshot could win an “InstaPrize”




Yeehaw!!! I don’t know about you, but I am looking forward to seeing Easton Corbin and The Casey Donahew Band at this year’s Cowboy Homecoming! Of course, I am stoked for the Cowboy Gallop 5K Run and 2 Mile Fun Walk, but I’ve gotta say I am partial to the second annual Pleasanton Express Cowboy Homecoming Instagram contest as well! […]

Plant Q & A Texas A&M

Grackles, not fungus, on fruit

Q: Something is pecking our citrus. The result is unappetizing black marks all over the fruit. My husband thinks it might be a fungus, but I think it is birds. Who is correct? What can we do? A: You are correct; the black pecks are from grackles. The young birds seem to obtain some food value from pecking the unripe […]

Veterans Affairs Health Care and the Affordable Care Act



What is the Affordable Care Act? The Affordable Care Act, also known as the health care law, was created to expand access to affordable health care coverage to all Americans, lower costs and improve quality and care coordination. Under the health care law, people will have: •Health coverage that meets a minimum standard (called “minimum essential coverage”) by Jan. 1, […]

Voter ID cards are free



HOUSTON – Texas Public Safety Commission Chair Cynthia Leon joined Texas Secretary of State John Steen in announcing Election Identification Certificates (EIC) will be available at 25 EIC mobile stations, which will begin deploying across the state next week. These mobile stations, which will issue EICs only, are part of an ongoing effort to provide EICs to Texans in need […]

Play Cowboy Crazy Cash!




Cowboy Homecoming, is only a few weeks away so it must be time for the popular Cowboy Crazy Cash contest to reappear at local businesses. Contestants can win big – a $500 gift certificate redeemable at the participating merchants. There will also be a winner from each merchant as well – taking home a $25 gift certificate or items of […]

Monthly oil and gas statistics released by Railroad Commission of Texas




The Railroad Commission of Texas released monthly oil and gas statistics on September 27. In the release, the RRC gives figures for August permits to drill. It takes a while to gather information and data for the month of September and that will be compiled and released in their end-of-month report in late October. The Commission issued a total of […]