Years ago, Madison County was known as “wild and wooly”, meaning law and order often didn’t prevail. Information below was found under “history” on Madison County Historical Commission’s webpage, https:// madisoncountychc.com Antonio Rivers was one of the earliest settlers here. In a clipping from the July 27, 1854, edition of the Texas Ranger publication in Grimes County’s Old Washington stated that “We can learn from Antonio Rivers that James Wiseman was killed at Madisonville on Monday evening by a man of the name of Nash. Nash, it seems, kept a grocery, and young Wiseman, a youth of some 16 summers, called at that shop about sundown to summon 2 uncles that were there, to accompany him to supper. Being invited to participate in a drink by some of the party, he unavoidably spilled some bitters on the counter, for which trifling offense Nash drew his knife and inflicted a wound in the region of the heart, which produced death almost instantaneously. Nash was immediately arrested, and while under strict guard on Tuesday night, was shot by someone (in the dark) in the back with 9 buckshot, 4 of which passed entirely through the body. At last accounts, he was still alive, though his physician was of the opinion that he could live but a short time.”

Dear Bulldog Families, As we enter the final month of 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible semester we've had here at North Zulch High School. December is always a special time-a season of celebration, gratitude, and anticipation for the new year ahead.

As we approach the halfway mark of the 2025-2026 school year, it's hard to believe how quickly the time is flying! With the first semester coming to a close, our students are working diligently toward their academic goals while also enjoying the many fun-filled holiday activities taking place in our classrooms.

U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, entered the U.S. Senate race on the final day to file, pitting her against state Rep. James Talarico, D-Round Rock. The Austin American-Statesman reported the difference between the two is more of style than substance, with both raising the issues of income inequality, rising prices, corruption and polarization.

When people talk about what makes a school great, they often mention academics, technology, and extracurricular opportunities. But the real foundation of a thriving school is much simpler: the people who show up every day for our students. That's why Human Resources-our systems for hiring, supporting, and keeping excellent staff-is such an important part of our overall Systems Plan. A strong Human Resources program helps us cultivate an environment where staff feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to do their best work. When our people thrive, our students thrive.

Since mid-September, my Musings have focused on local military matters. I realized that for the most part I neglected the North Zulch area so I’m trying to make up for it here.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision to reverse a lower court’s ruling and uphold the mid-decade redrawn congressional map for Texas sent candidates scrambling to file or opt to retire with the filing deadline Dec. 8.

F“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” Mark Twain As those of you that read my essays are all too aware, I am that anomaly among the Scot/Irish in that rather than being concise I tend to be wordy, even to the extreme of verbosity at times. This being the case, I often generate what I would consider good ideas, or a written stream (in some cases a steaming pile) of thought that I have great difficulty parting with. Editing, revisions, rewrites all require an author to extract, delete, and sometimes even violently remove the resistant pieces of otherwise good composition. Renowned writer Stephen King referred to it as, “killing one’s darlings.” I say all this to confess that I keep many of these; some, well, are just too good to throw away, and I certainly don’t think I need to “kill” them.

About 1 million Texans over the age of 45 who receive health insurance coverage through the federal Affordable Care Act likely will face monthly premiums of more than $1,000, the Austin American- Statesman reported. That accounts for one-fourth of the state’s 4 million ACA enrollees.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday blocked a lower court ruling that threw out the state’s new congressional map, allowing the new districts to stay in place, at least for now.