News

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 in late 2019 and early 2020 had a ripple effect on the world economy. One consequence felt by consumers across the globe was longer than usual delivery times on products purchased online. Retailers like Amazon and delivery services like the United States Postal Service informed consumers that products and packages may require more delivery time due to limited transportation ability resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. That’s an important consideration for holiday shoppers who want the gifts they purchase for loved ones to arrive on time this holiday season. In anticipation of longer delivery times, which may be even longer during the notoriously busy holiday season than they were at the outset of the pandemic, shoppers may want to begin their shopping early. Doing so not only accounts for longer shipping times, but also increases the chances shoppers will find what they’re looking for during a time when many retailers’ supply chains have been interrupted. Shoppers concerned by online shopping this holiday season due to the likelihood of catching COVID-19 by contacting cardboard boxes likely have little to fear. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that the chances are low that the virus spreads from packaging that’s shipped over a period of several days at ambient temperatures.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Bexar Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee will present the 2021 Beef Cattle Short Course webinar series on Jan. 12 and Jan. 19.

It may take a little extra time and creativity, but a holiday cookie exchange can be held virtually and it’s worth the effort according to experts.

Stress and anxiety are all too familiar to many Americans, this year especially, and the added pressure of the holiday season may provide a new set of challenges. Practicing self-care and nurturing your mental health can help you navigate these potentially isolating times, especially if you’re tackling this season single.

Nine months before the November election, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick made headlines by suggesting that if Republicans lost their supermajority in the Senate, he would pursue a bold procedural move: further lowering the threshold that is required to bring legislation to the floor.

With the COVID-19 pandemic added to the typical cold and flu season, many Americans are wondering what they can do to protect themselves and others this holiday season and how to respond if they get sick.

Nearly half of low-income Americans reported that they or someone in their household experienced some type of income loss during the pandemic, according to information published by Pew Research Center. Because more people are facing hardship this year due to the impacts of COVID-19, more families in your community will likely be in need of assistance this holiday season and into 2021.

“We are going to tour the Mrs. Baird’s Bread Bakery on Central Expressway next Tuesday and are going to be allowed to leave school a little early to get there while the full crew is on duty,” said Mrs. Stark and Mrs. Themer to the seven Cub Scouts of our Den in Forney, Texas, as we sat in the Community Center and waited for parents to “pick up” their boys at the conclusion of the biweekly Tuesday meeting. Our Den took more “field trips” than any other, and we were fortunate.

Despite the rarity of mountain lion sightings near urban areas, a recent mountain lion sighting on private property in Rowlett has been verified by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists. Biologists suspect that this mountain lion is most likely a transient juvenile male that is just passing through the area as it searches for a home range.

During a holiday season that by all counts will be unlike any other experienced in recent history, shoppers may be looking for creative and nontraditional ways to celebrate and share the festive spirit, while at the same time carefully managing tight budgets in an especially challenging economy.

Peanut butter is a staple in many people’s pantries. A versatile and delicious food, peanut butter on toast can make for a filling breakfast, while few would deny the appeal of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at lunchtime.

Images of Santa Claus excite children across the globe each holiday season. Some such images appear on television, in stores or in the front yards of homes decked out for the holidays, while others are elicited through songs like “Up on the Housetop.” Hollywood legend Gene Autry’s mid-20th century version of “Up on the Housetop” might be the most widely recognized version of the song, but the tune actually dates back to 1864, making it the second oldest secular Christmas song (“Jingle Bells” was written in 1857).

By all accounts, Forney is a place of true community. Anytime there is a need among the citizens, the men, women, and children band together to make sure that need is met. Oftentimes, the response to a need is so great and overwhelming that the donations far exceed the need! When Mike and Amanda Lewis were delivering food to a local resident during the COVID-19 pandemic, they became aware of some much-needed repairs for her home. What began as a plan to make some simple plumbing fixes quickly became a much more in-depth list. The Lewises, through the assistance of Forney Community Ministries, gathered local volunteers to contribute their time, energy, and materials to check needs off of the list.