Governor Abbott vetoes Atascosa County bill

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Among the bills that Governor Greg Abbott vetoed last week was HB 1544, legislation authored by Rep. Ryan Guillen which would have incentivized sand mining operations to reclaim mined land using a program certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). It would have provided a property tax reduction for mined property that incorporates the land reclamation process. “This bill […]

Atascosa Co. introduces business grant program

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Atascosa County has allotted up to $1 million of their funds received through the American Rescue Plan to support businesses in the county impacted by COVID-19 through their Businesses of Atascosa Grant and Support program (BAGS). All businesses impacted by COVID-19 are encouraged to apply. You may access the application at www.atascosacounty. texas.gov or pick up an application at the […]

Dollar General opens doors in Charlotte community

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The City of Charlotte expanded their business community recently by welcoming a Dollar General now open to the public. Its convenient location at the east entrance of the town allows residents to purchase their everyday essentials such as cleaning supplies, hygiene products, home décor and even fresh produce. Store Manager Brandon Sinclair and Assistant Manager Megan Glover opened Dollar General […]

San Miguel hosts award-winning TMRA Teacher Workshop Program

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What do Texas teachers do on their summers off? One option is to attend the Texas Mining & Reclamation Association’s (TMRA) award-winning Teacher Workshop program, which 16 of them did from June 20-25 at the San Miguel Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SMEC) power plant and lignite mine. Elementary, junior high and high school science teachers learned the true story of U.S. […]

Poteet school board votes to continue free lunch program

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The Poteet school board worked through a full agenda at their regular meeting on June 20. Amanda Gonzales, Executive Director of Business and Operations, presented the case for applying for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III federal grant funding. Input has been collected from school staff and students for best use of the money which will be instrumental […]

Public hearing on appraisal district’s 2022 budget year

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The Atascosa Central Appraisal District will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget for the 2022 fiscal year. The public hearing will be held on July 15 at 5:15 p.m. A summary of the appraisal district budget is as follows: • The total amount of the proposed budget is $1,762,293.92 • The total amount of the increase over the […]

Hendrickson named TxDOT deputy executive director

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AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Transportation recently announced the selection of Brandye Hendrickson as the department’s new Deputy Executive Director. She is filling the position vacated by Marc Williams, who became TxDOT Executive Director on June 1. Hendrickson, who has extensive transportation experience on the state and national levels, is currently Deputy Director of the American Association of State […]

San Miguel Cooperative welcomes new GM/CEO for South Texas plant

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Following a six-month executive search, San Miguel Electric Cooperative (SMEC) has announced it has hired a new General Manager/ CEO. Nathan Brown, who has more than 29 years of industry experience and a demonstrated history of success working with electric utilities, will become San Miguel’s eighth General Manager. San Miguel operates a lignite mine, which provides fuel for its power […]

Turn it off

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Rebecca Raves


Social media. It’s all anyone ever talks about or does these days that it’s practically become a lifestyle. Well, I for one, am sick and tired of it. No … I am disgusted and you should be, too. Last week, fellow columnist Paul Michael Jones told “the naked truth” in what was his last column before his writing sabbatical. It […]

Listen to the mature folks

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Hello, Atascosa County and welcome to the column that oozes history and will attempt to take you back in time. Well, not really but close enough. My week has been a heck of a whirlwind and I am glad to report that I actually flew on a plane for only the second time in my life. My work travels took […]