Columns

Ask these two questions before buying a home

Ask these two questions before buying a home

Ask these two questions before buying a home

You may have heard that buying a home is better than renting. After all, why “throw money away” on rent when you could be building wealth through homeownership? Financial professionals say the decision isn’t that simple. The answer depends on your personal and financial situation.
Take charge of your debt, one step at a time

Take charge of your debt, one step at a time

Financial Focus

If you’re dealing with debt, you’re far from alone. More than 80% of U.S. households carry some form of debt (2025 Federal Reserve report), and since 2019, total household debt for Americans has increased more than 31% to $18.59 trillion.
The 501

The 501

Catch that hippie vibe

Get ready for the mystical hippies.A Facebook post first alerted me to the trend. Here it is: “Hey y’all I’m newish to the area and looking to change my whole vibe and wardrobe. I’m looking for a mystical hippie vibe type wa rd r o b e .
Texas counties created by number and year.

Texas counties created by number and year.

The birth of Collingsworth County

Just six months after the end of the Texas Revolution, citizens of the Republic of Texas voted in favor of joining the United States. Following years of negotiation, on Dec. 27, 1845, U.S. President James K.
Numbness, tingling and radiating pain

Numbness, tingling and radiating pain

Numbness, tingling and radiating pain

Nearly everyone has experienced numbness and tingling or radiating pain in their arms or legs at some time in their life. It may just last for a few seconds when you hit your funny bone or a minute or two after having crossed your legs for too long.
The dapper dresser bandit

The dapper dresser bandit

The dapper dresser bandit

Raymond Hamilton (19141935) was an on-and-off member of the Barrow Gang during the early 1930s that robbed, killed and terrified many in Texas and Oklahoma. By the time he was 20 years of age, he had accumulated prison sentences adding up to 362 years.
International Women’s Day: Thriving after gray divorce

International Women’s Day: Thriving after gray divorce

Financial Focus

March 8 is International Women’s Day, a time to celebrate everything women have achieved and to honor their strength and resilience. It’s also a chance to have honest conversations about reallife challenges many women face.
Jim Leggitt describes his experience returning to the Wellington Ritz Theatre for the Crystal Gayle concert a few years back. Jim Leggitt Collection

Jim Leggitt describes his experience returning to the Wellington Ritz Theatre for the Crystal Gayle concert a few years back. Jim Leggitt Collection

Memories left for my kids

I graduated from Wellington High School in 1953. Somewhere along the way, I inherited the job of keeping our class informed and together, knowing phone numbers, addresses and organizing reunions as we returned back to our old hometown.One downside to keeping up is watching old friends fall away.
Cows in the mood for cake

Cows in the mood for cake

The 501

Remember those Carnation advertisements featuring contented cows?If not, here’s the gist: Carnation milk, evaporated though it was, supposedly came from the world’s most contented cows. As a child, I found those ads credible.