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Senator César J. Blanco announced today the appointment of Cassandra Urrutia as his new Chief of Staff. Urrutia has served in Senator Blanco’s office since January 2021, most recently as both District Director and Legislative Director.

Today, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) hosted a collaborative meeting between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the New World Screwworm Working Group, founded by Congressman Gonzales, which is comprised of federal and state lawmakers, various agricultural, livestock, and wild game associations, scientists, veterinary experts, and Texas farmers and ranchers. During the meeting, the USDA shared updates relating to the construction of a domestic facility in South Texas focused on sterile fly production, a critical element in eliminating screwworms, and discussed the agency’s New World Screwworm Response Playbook to respond to a domestic screwworm outbreak. A key pillar of the USDA’s screwworm response playbook is effectively managing coordination between federal, state, and local industry partners to monitor and manage screwworm outbreaks in livestock and wildlife. Partners within the New World Screwworm Working Group are committed to working with the USDA on these efforts.

Editor’s note: It is important to note that an arrest should not be considered evidence of guilt, all defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The following list is provided by the Pecos County Sheriff’s Department.

Growing up in a family with a bunch of Italians, holidays are not the same as most “normal” American households. One, it was very loud; two, there was no turkey, well, at least in our house. The vast amounts of red wine consumed would flood most villages in Tuscany. Turkey? Forget about it! All kidding aside, we did break from the turkey and dressing and that God forsaken green bean casserole, you know the one, and opted for Meatballs, Osso Bucco, Stuffed Flounder, and mountains of crab or beef. All of this was served with pasta, bread, and..... wine. Osso buco has always been my favorite, rich, slow-cooked, melt-in-your-mouth comfort. It’s not a dish you rush; it’s a dish you respect. Let your home have the aroma of simmering garlic and tomato sauce, and this Thanksgiving, if you want to ditch the bird and try something you will actually enjoy, try this savory, hearty Italian feast instead.

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GARDENER’S MAILBAG Dear Neil, My husband planted a pineapple top several years ago. It grew quite large, and then, to our surprise, a tiny pineapple formed in the center of the plant.

I have watched several documentaries, read personal accounts or was told by eyewitnesses of how the people responded that were in a large destructive, terrible hurricane. I think it is very hard to understand what someone is going through unless it has happened to you. Thousands of people were able to get to safety. Some on their own and others with a lot of help. Many were taken to shelters, homes, churches or benevolent facilities.

Brisk days and crunchy autumn leaves remind us that fall is here. Store displays have changed from Halloween to Thanksgiving. We are beginning to smell pumpkin pies baking. We hear songs of Thanksgiving being played and sang. Many memories of past Thanksgivings flow through our minds.

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Dear Editor, Veteran’s Day is a National Holiday to honor the men and women who have served this country in the military. Ft.