Opinion

I hope that all veterans in Austin County have had fair winds and following seas since my last report. As veterans and dependents of veterans, you have made the ultimate sacrifice for your country and deserve every promised benefit for those commitments.

Sealy ISD will be asking voters to consider a voter-approval tax rate election (VATRE) on the November ballot. If approved, Sealy ISD will gain $1.5 million in maintenance and operations revenue, with $924,000 coming from an increase in state aid. Because we are in a position to decrease our Interest & Sinking Tax Rate, Sealy ISD can maximize state funding while decreasing the total tax rate from $1.0423 to $1.0281.

American country musician Kris Kristofferson was a military veteran and anti-war activist. He continued his advocacy against the Gulf Wars and benefit concerts for Palestinian children despite the negative impacts that both had on his career. Kristofferson died on September 28 at his home in Hawaii, aged 88.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, increasing awareness about bullying and prevention programs designed to help kids and adults. Anti-bullying campaigns help communities and individuals within them create supportive and safe schools, organizations, family units, and neighborhoods.

The corn was planted late. We knew that at the time.

For those already on Medicare or anyone who is about to be eligible, one of the best times to reevaluate your plan or sign up for one is during the Medicare Annual Enrollment (AEP) Period, Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. It is during this time that Medicare plan beneficiaries can sign up for benefits, reevaluate coverage, make changes to existing coverage, or adjust policies for Original Medicare, supplemental drug coverage, or Medicare Advantage.

Running a local newspaper can be one of the most frustrating, worthwhile, mundane, exciting, demanding, rewarding endeavors you can take on. Sounds great, kids, doesn’t it? This year, we received the honor of a request to tell our story as part of National Newspaper Week.