Glenn Melancon/ Contributing writer I love heat. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that summer is my favorite season. I’m always happy to see winter far behind us. Growing up summer always meant sun, water and travel. Dad’s government job offered us many opportunities beyond a secure paycheck and good healthcare. His vacationContinue Reading
Glenn Melancon/ Contributing writer Life for Texas women is about to get much more stressful. The Republican-led Texas Legislature just passed, and Republican Gregg Abbott signed, a new law allowing vigilantes to harass women. Conservatives simply don’t trust Texas women. They want the government and busy bodies to invade theContinue Reading
To the editors, I would like to respond to a recent article in the Jimp, specifically the news that Mission Marshall has expanded their locations to include Woodlawn and is open to Marion County residents. Mission Marshall has also stated that Marion County organizations and businesses will be asked toContinue Reading
To the editor, Jefferson Lions Club would like to thank Jefferson and Marion County for helping us celebrate our 75th club anniversary on Saturday, May 15, 2021. It was great to see Lions Park filled with people, especially families. The weather was perfect and everyone had fun! SpecialContinue Reading
To the editor, Shalom Hugh. Thank you so much for your consideration and your thoughtfulness in responding and reaching out to us (for comment). To answer your questions: No we do not have a new home. We had no information of the non-renewal contract until it was handed to us directly Continue Reading
To the editor, The Excelsior Foundation board of directors had our regularly scheduled monthly meeting today, May 10, 2021, to confirm results of the called-meeting on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. Following our 67th annual performances of the Diamond Bessie Murder Trial, we are keenly aware that restoration plans for the Ruth LesterContinue Reading
Glenn Melancon/Contributing writer My dad, Yves “Buster” Melancon served 27 years in the United States Army. He earned the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3. He started his career as a mechanic and ended as an Automotive Superintendent. Some of my best memories are helping him work on cars. In theContinue Reading
By Brett Rogers A friend of mine who went to China twenty years ago was struck by how traditional villages had detailed craftsmanship on the most ordinary of things – such as a gate. When she asked about it, she was told that some of these works were hundreds orContinue Reading
By Glenn Melancon Sunday, May 23, is the Western Christian holiday of Pentecost. According to Christian scripture, the Holy Spirit emboldened the frightened followers of Jesus on Pentecost. The holiday derives its name from the Jewish feast of the first fruits. God commanded the Hebrews to offer their firstContinue Reading
By Gary Borders, Texas Press Association The number of traffic accidents decreased in 2020, but the number of Texans killed while not wearing a seat belt increased by 16%, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. In 2020, 1,073 fatalities were attributed to not wearing seat belts, up from 926 fatalitiesContinue Reading
By Joey Romano, Edward Jones The COVID-19 pandemic is, hopefully, just a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, but all sorts of events can rattle the investment world. And changes in your own life also can affect your plans. To prepare yourself for whatever tomorrow may hold, you may want to get some professionalContinue Reading
By Brad Collins, NYLife If you have employees, you know that the loss of a key employee can have a profound impact on business operations. When an employee leaves, customers may worry about receiving their goods or services in a timely manner; suppliers may be concerned about getting paid forContinue Reading
Hunter Bonner/Contributing writer The title of this article really is not “current” in any sense considering the topic. For thousands of years, there has been conflict over the holy city of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem). Today, May 10, 2021, is Jerusalem Day, which on the Hebrew calendar is the 28th of Iyyar. ThisContinue Reading
Austin Lewter/Jefferson Jimplecute The fact that you are able read my columns coupled with the fact that I draw a paycheck, in part, for writing them both validate the assertion that I am a professional writer. I am someone who actually makes a living by the written word. Granted, I haven’tContinue Reading
Glenn Melancon/Contributing writer Every once in a while, when they were young, my boys would play “Opposite Day.” It was game about saying one thing, but meaning another. For example, if you want to someone to “stay,” you would say “go.” If you wanted the TV “on,” you would ask someoneContinue Reading
Glenn Melancon/Contributing writer Representative Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) is the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney. She is also the House Republican Conference Chair, third highest-ranking House Republican in the House of Representatives. Representative Cheney wants her fellow Republicans to stop lying about the 2020 Presidential election. On Monday, MayContinue Reading
Chris Paddie/State Representative We are in the final month of the 87th Texas Legislative Session, the home stretch, and things are moving fast in Austin. Last week, the House debated and passed HB 570, the Rural Jobs Act, which I am proud to author. This bill creates an incentive for investmentContinue Reading
Rep. Paddie, We were disheartened to hear the House State Affairs Committee, of which you chair, is on the verge of approving HB 2578. On it’s face, we understand this legislation would create a state-run website to house public notices. While the current amended version of the bill does notContinue Reading
Glenn Melancon/ Contributing writer Have you ever heard the Medieval saying, “Don’t cut your nose off to spite your face”? Spite is an uncommon word today. It means to hurt or offend. Often spite is an act of revenge. One person feels offended and responds spitefully. Revenge makes usContinue Reading
Joey Romano/Edward Jones What’s the biggest financial mistake you can make? Choosing the wrong investments? Waiting too long to save for retirement? Underestimating the costs of retirement? All these are reasonable answers, but the biggest mistake you might make is not looking at your financial picture holistically – that is, notContinue Reading