It’s interesting times. Everywhere I look and every store or business I enter has “now hiring” or “help wanted” signs posted, our business included. Some have closed since they must have help to stay open and many businesses that remain open have had to resort to shorter hours to do so.

The Texas Department of State Health Services announced Friday that they, along with local health departments, have identified a total of 12 monkeypox cases in Texas residents. According to a DSHS press release,

The young and young at heart enjoy the fireworks show at Lake Madison Park in Madisonville. The Fourth of July celebration began with a parade, starting at the American Legion and ending at the park in Madisonville for live entertainment and food vendors. More celebration pictures on page 10. PHOTO BY ROSY MARTINEZ

Recently, Josha Grant of Livingston, Texas, was visiting a ranch south of Madisonville, near Buc-ee’s. Though he had visited there before with his dog, Broccoli, the pet had never seen cattle. On June 24, he and another dog saw some of the livestock and both took off in pursuit. A brief time later, the other dog returned but Broccoli did not.

The Farm Service Agency Deputy Administrator Scott Marlow reminds farmers and ranchers in Madison County the deadline to report most crops is July15. “It’s important to report your acreage by the applicable deadline after planting is complete in order to meet program eligibility requirements for many USDA programs,” Marlow said.

The 2022 Texas hay production outlook appears in doubt due to high fertilizer prices and widespread drought, said Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts. Joe Paschal, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Corpus Christi, and Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension forage specialist, Overton, said dry weather, high temperatures and reduced inputs like fertilizer have inhibited warm-season grass production across much of Texas.

The Bedias Civic Club is becoming quite active again with 1st Thursday potlucks, a Fourth of July celebration (Monday, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and now, 2nd Tuesday movies at the civic center. Please go to, www.facebook.com/ BediasCivicClubAssoc, for more information.