Ifyouareacoffee enthusiast,this Saturdayfrom 11a.m.–6p.m.is theNorthTexas
Checkoutthetwo newcolumnsthis
SongoftheWeek:
“IGotYouBabe”
“IGotYouBabe” isaclassicSonny andCher,butif youhearthissong asyouwakeupon GroundhogDay, maybeitistimeto startworrying.You mightenduprepeatingtheday overandover again,ashappened withBillMurray.
publication.
Ashley Husbands
ThisSunday,February 2ndthefurryrodent meteorologist PunxsutawneyPhilwill attempttopredictifwe willhave6moreweeks ofwinteroranearly spring.
Youmaynotknow,accordingtothedemocrat andchroniclewebsite therearemorefamous groundhogsotherthanPunxsutawneyPhil,the listincludes:
-StatenIslandChuckin StatenIsland,NewYork (HelivesattheStaten IslandZoo)
-JimmytheGroundhoginSunPrairie,Wisconsin
-PotomacPhilinWashingtonD.C. (taxidermied)
-BuckeyeChuckin MarionOhio
-GeneralBeauregard LeeinJackson,Georgia.
Onecouldaskhowa taxidermiedgroundhog predictsanything,butI guesswecanjustletthat questiongo.
Apparently, PunxsutawneyPhiland hisfriendsarenotparticularlyaccurate–poor Philhasonlybeenright 39percentofthetimein previousyears.Buckeye
ChuckinOhiohasproven tobethemostaccurateof all,withatrackrecordof 75%!
Morethan30,000people generallyattendtheceremonyheldonFebruary 2nd.TheDemocrat& Chronicleprovidedthat thefirstofficialGroundhogDayoccurredFebruary2,1887in
Punxsutawney,Pennsylvania.“GroundhogDay’s rootsareintheChristian holidayCandlemas,the midwaypointbetweenthe wintersolsticeandspring equinox.Candlemaswas traditionallyalignedwith theanticipationofplanting crops,accordingtotheOld Farmer'sAlmanac,and seeingsunshineontheday wassaid
toindicatewinter'sreturn.
InEurope,peopletraditionallylookedtobearsor badgerstolookforthe signofreturningwinteror comingspring,butwhen GermanimmigrantsarrivedinPennsylvania, theyinsteadusedgroundhogstomaketheforecast instead.”
Ashley Husbands
ThislastweekthewebsiteforTheHowe Enterpriseexperienced someoutagesanda fewdaysinwhichthe week’spaperwasunavailabletoread.
Thewebsitewasgoing throughnecessary improvementstoserver capabilitiesafterthe recentexpansionof content.Theupdate effectednotonlythe websitebuttheall emailsusedforthe newspaper,resultingin
alossofinformation andcontactcapability.
Thewebsiteisnow updatedwithallrecent editionsofthepaper availabletoread,includinglastweek’s. Lastweek’spaperincludedupdatesona32million-dollarbond electionforHoweISD, waterchangescoming toHowe,updateson PonderosaPoint,and more.
Thankyouforyour patienceduringthis updatingprocess.
JANUARY30:BulldogsMiddleSchoolBasketballvs.Pottsboro(Boysathome,Girlsaway)
JANUARY31:LadyBulldogsandBulldogsHighSchoolBasketballJV/Vvs.S&S(Girlsathome,Boysaway)
JANUARY31:AcademicUILDay
FEBRUARY1:MiddleSchoolGirls’DistrictBasketballTournamentatBells
FEBRUARY1:HoweHighSchoolPowerliftingMeetatHoweHS
FEBRUARY3-8:FFAFortWorth,HoweHS
FEBRUARY4:LadyBulldogsandBulldogsHighSchoolBasketballJV/Vvs.Bellsathome
FEBRUARY6:HoweMiddleSchoolBoys’BasketballatGunter
FEBRUARY7:BulldogsBasketballSeniorNight,Homegamevs.BlueRidge
FEBRUARY8:HoweMiddleSchoolBoysbasketballtournamentatS&S
FEBRUARY8:LadyBulldogsVarsitySoftballScrimmageatCommunity
FEBRUARY10-14:HighSchoolFFAinSanAngelo
FEBRUARY10:HoweHighSchoolBloodDrive
FEBRUARY11:BulldogsBasketballatLeonard
FEBRUARY11:FAFSAnightatHoweHSLecturehall–5:30p.m.
FEBRUARY12-15:TMEAConventioninSanAntonio
Fridaynight,theBulldogsplayed Gunterathome.Thefinalscorewas Gunter45-32Howe.CoachForsythe reported“HowewasledbyAnthony Lowderwith15points.”Tuesday nightwasa“Bye”slot,insteadofa game.
ThisFriday,theBulldogswillplay S&S,away.TheJV/Ateamwillplay at5:00,followedbytheJV/Bteamat 6:00.TheVarsitygamewillbeat HoweHighSchoolat7:30.Tuesday, thedistrictgamewillbeathome againstBells.Allgameswillbeheldat HoweHighSchool.TheJV/Ateam willplayat5:30,followedbytheJV/ Bteamat6:30.TheVarsitygamewill beginat7:30p.m.
Fridaynight,theLadyBulldogs playedGunter.Thefinalscorewas Gunter69-23Howe.CoachFourkillerreportedthat,“Shockeyledthe teamwith15points.McCollumadded 8points.”Tuesdaydidnothavea gameset,asitisa“Bye”.
ThisFridaytheLadyBulldogswill faceoffinadistrictgameagainst S&S.TheJVandVarsitygameswill beatS&S,beginningat4:30.Tuesday,thedistrictgameagainstBells willbeheldathome.TheJVandVarsitygamesbeginat4:30.
LastweektheHighSchoolFFAteam competed.
ThroughnofaultoftheFFAanddue totechnicaldifficultiesonthesideof thepaperthisupdateisnotreadyasof thisweek.
Pleasecheckbacknextweekforan update.Thankyouforyourpatience withtheongoingtechnicalissue processthepaperhasjustcompleted.
FEBRUARY5:HoweHumpDayBusinessBreakfast
Ashley Husbands
Duetotechnicalissuesonthesideof thepaperthisweekthecityspotlight willbeskippedforthisweek.
Nextweekwearelookingforward toahighlightonJudge,thenewpolicecanine!
Thankyouallforyourcontinued patiencewiththetechnicalissues withthewebsiteandconnected emailaddresses.
JANUARY3–31st:HoweYouthSoftballSignUps
JANUARY27:HoweYouthBaseballOnlineRegistrationOpens
• ConnectionsParkUpdate
• LocalLibraryhosted“Valentine’sCardswithTheMayor”
• BaseballSeasonInformation
• SmallBusinessSpotlight–BlueWillowCottage
Kevin Crosson
HoweYouthBaseballisexcitedfor the2025season.Registrationopens onlineMondaymorningJanuary 27ththruFebruary9that3pm.In personregistrationanduniformtryonsdatesandtimescanbefoundon theflyer(locationTBD).Scanthe QRcodeontheflyerorfindusonthe HoweYouthSportsAssociationwebsiteundertheregistrationtab.
https:// howeyouthsports.sportngin.com
AlsofollowusonFacebookandInstagramforexcitingupdatesonourcurrentvacationraffleandcorporate sponsorshipopportunities!
OtherFAQs:
Costis$130perplayerw/siblingdiscounts
-Agesare5-14(6UThru14U)
Wewillbetakinggeardonationsto haveavailableatinpersonregistra-
tions.Ifyouhaveanysomewhat “gently”usedcleats,pants,glovesor LEGALbatsthatyouarelookingto offload,pleaseemailKevinCrossoncrossonkl@gmail.comtoarrange dropoff.
-Ifyouareinterestedincoaching,you
canlistthataspartofyourchild’sregistration.
-DraftwilltakeplaceonSundayFebruary16that6pm(LocationTBD)
-HoweYouthBaseballisafranchise ofDiamondYouthBaseballandadherestotheirrulesandregulations.https://dybusa.org/DYB_Texas/
Thisweek’sbusinessspotlightis aboutBlueWillowCottage,aclassicsmall-townfarmstandwitha twistonwhatisinit-breadand cookies!HereinHowe,Txwe haveastandthathasbeenselling outwithinanhouroffreshloaves andcookiesbeingdepositedfor “payasyoucan”purchase.
Owner,LydiaParrishbeganbaking 3yearsagoandhasstartedthis businessasofayearago.Thesourdoughbreadbakingbeganwhen Parrishreceiveda60yearoldstarter,lovinglynamedAgatha,froma friend.InDecemberof2023,Parrishbegansellinghersourdoughon theFacebookMarketplaceand soonaftersoldoutatapop-upmarketinMcKinney.Sheenjoyedthe ideaofafarmstand,andafter checkinginwithotherlocalsfound awaytodoonefromherown home.“Iwasexpectingtodoit onceaweekbutpeoplecomefrom everywhere,Howe,TomBean, Annaandsurroundingareas.Peoplewhocannotmakeittothestand oftencometotheMelissaMarket (whereParrishalsosellsherbaked goods.)
ManydifferentoptionsareavailableattheBlueWillowCottage brightyellowstand,Parrishsaid, “WehavetheClassicArtisanLoaf andSoftSandwichloaf,whichis myfavoriteone,always.Ialways doasavoryandsweet-wearestartingathingnextmonthwherewe willhavetwosetsofsavoryand sweetflavorsthatwewillalternate forthemonth.Oneweekwillbe onesetandthenextweekwillbe anotherset.Wewilldothatfora monthandthenoncethenext monthrollsaroundwewilldoit againwithawholenewsetofflavors.Wearebecomingprettywell knownforourbrownbutterchoco-
latechipcookies.Thatiswhat getssnaggedthequickest.We haveothercookieswedolike SnickerdoodlesandGingerbreadandtheyaremoreseasonal.Wearealsoknownforour cinnamonrolls.Manypeople askforcinnamonrollsandthere willbemoresoon.”
ThepassionParrishhasforher businessisevident“Weoperate onheirloomquality,thatisfrom ourmissionstatement.Thereasonforthatisthenameisin honorofmygrandmother.We callitBlueWillowbecauseshe alwaysmadeusfoodonblue willowchina,whichiswhatwe usehere.Sheinstilledsomuch ofwhoIamandsomuchof whoIamiswhatisinthebusiness.Ireallybelieveinpresentingthepersonalityandgiftings Godhasgiventomeintothe brand.Sheinstilledqualityfood, goodconversation,andtreasuringwhatyouhave(…)sothatis whatwedowithoursourdough, wedon’ttakeshortcuts.Itis veryimportanttome,mytop twothingsareheirloomquality breadandqualitycustomerservice.”
TheBlueWillowCottagestand isbrightyellowandlocatedat 604MapleStreet.Showupearlytosnagthesewonderful homemadebakedgoods!
General:
-Farmer’sAlmanacForecasts
-Recipes
Columns:
-ToughQuestions (anewcolumnthisweekthataimstobeamonthly questionposedtolocalpastorsaboutwhattheirchurch believesonhottopicsinthechurchcommunityandwhy)
-TexasHistoryMinute
-BillyHollandColumn
ColumnsContinued:
-BookReview (alsonewthisweekisacolumnforfamilyfriendlybook reviewsofrecentpopularbooks)
-HoweDoesThatWork?
-DoItYourself
-Tips,Tricks,and Remedies
-PestorPositive?
Thisarticleinthepaperwillbeincludedweeklymovingforwardandwillgive theforecastspredictedinthe2025Farmers’Almanac.
01/30: Fishing/Weather:goodfishingintheevening,fairforWest,thenshowers Gardening:Extragoodforpeppers,tomatoes,peasandothervinecrops,Finefor plantinganyabovegroundcropwheretheweatherpermits.
01/31:Fishing/Weather:goodfishingintheevening,fairforWest,thenshowers Gardening:Extragoodforpeppers,tomatoes,peasandothervinecrops,Finefor plantinganyabovegroundcropwheretheweatherpermits.
02/01: Fishing/Weather:poorfishingintheevening,rainTXacrossSouthern Plains,thenclearing,cold
Gardening:Seedsplantednowwillgrowpoorlyandyieldlittle
02/02:Fishing/Weather:poorfishingintheevening,rainTXacrossSouthern Plains,thenclearing,cold
Gardening:Seedsplantednowwillgrowpoorlyandyieldlittle
02/03:Fishing/Weather:fairfishingintheevening,rainTXacrossSouthern Plains,thenclearing,cold
Gardening:Fineforplantingbeans,peppers,cucumbers,melonsandother abovegroundcropswhereclimateissuitable
02/04:Fishing/Weather:fairfishingintheevening,weatherisveryunsettled, snowTX,withsomelocalitiesgettingupto6”
Gardening:Fineforplantingbeans,peppers,cucumbers,melonsandother abovegroundcropswhereclimateissuitable
02/05:Fishing/Weather:fairfishinginthemorning,weatherisveryunsettled, snowTX,withsomelocalitiesgettingupto6”
Gardening:Fineforplantingbeans,peppers,cucumbers,melonsandother abovegroundcropswhereclimateissuitable
Thisnewcolumnwillincludehow differentthingsworkthatpeople mightnotknow.Ideally,theweekly topicwillpertaintosomething throughouttherestofthepaper,asit didwithbrieflyexplainingmassage therapy,inreferencetothe“Business Spotlight”lastweek.Eachperson knowsthingswedonotknow,ifyou wouldliketoshareatopicyouunderstandthatmostdonot,pleasesubmitit to ashley@howeenterprise.com
Thisweekwewilldiscusswhata sourdoughstarterisandhowitworks, inreferencetothisweek’ssmallbusinessspotlight.UnfortunatelyIdidnot gettoasktheownerofthebusiness howitallworksbutabriefoverview wasfoundonwebstaurantstore.com, whichexplainedthefollowing:
“Sourdoughstartersbeginworking whenyoumixliquidandflour.Mixingliquidintoflouractivatesthe friendlybacteriaandwildyeastliving inbothyourflourandyoursurroundingenvironment.Onceactivated, thesemicroorganismsproducecarbon dioxidebubbles,whichmakeyour breadrise.Additionally,theygenerate flavor-richlacticandaceticacidsin yourbread. Becauseitisanentirelynaturalprocess,sourdoughstarterstakelongerto
leavenbreadthanstore-bought yeasts.Theextendedfermentation timeimprovestheflavorandtexture ofthebread.Additionally,bread leavenedbyasourdoughstartercontainshighvolumesoffolate,antioxidants,andcomparativelylowerphytatelevels,whichhelpthebodyabsorbnutrients.”
Theprocessisquitedetailed,anexact,extensiveandtoilingprocesscan befoundontheabovementioned website.Asforthisbusylady,Iwill continuegettingmysourdoughproductsfromBlueWillowCottageinsteadofgivingthatcomplicatedand intensiveprocessaawhirlmyself.
Ashley Husbands
Thiscolumnwillbeexactlyasitsounds,acolumnforprojectstodoyourself.An effortwillbemadefortheprojectstobeseasonappropriate.
Almondmilkfoundatthestoreoftenisdisdainfullylookedatasawateryalternativetocowmilkforthosechoosingorforcedtoavoidcow’smilkforhealthreasons.However,almondmilkdoesNOThavetobewatery,itcanbethicklikethe consistencyofwholecowmilkandawonderfuladditiontooatmeal,recipes,and evencereal!Itisimportanttostate,Iamnotamedicaldoctor,dietician,orhomeopathicpractitioner,allthingssharedinthiscolumnaretheopinionsandexperiences ofthewriter,herself.
Hereistheprocess:
Whatyouwillneed:
• Alargemasonjarorotherlargecontainerforholding5cupsofmilk
• 5cupsfilteredwater
• 1cupofalmonds
• Abagforstrainingmilk(Ipersonallyusetheonefoundatthislink)
• Largebowl(ifpreferred)
Process:
Soakthealmondsovernightincoolwater,orinveryhotwaterfor1-2hours,the amountofwaterdoesnotmatter.Aftersoakingiscompletepouroutwaterusedfor soakingandaddsoakedalmondsand5cupsoffilteredwatertoyourblender.Blend themixturefor1-2minutes.AfterblendingIprefertousealargebend-ablebowlto strainallofthemilkthroughthebaginto.Throughlysqueezeallofthemilkfrom thepulp,whichwillbeeitherdiscardedoritcanbeusedforhomemadepiecrusts ormanyotherusesifsaved.Now,yourmilkisreadyandjustneedstobetransferredtowhereitwillbestoredinyourfridge.Themilkisgoodfor4-5days,ifit laststhatlong!
Laney Husbands
Inaworldwheregrief,loneliness, andsecondchancesintertwine,ShelbyVanPelt’sdebutnovel,RemarkablyBrightCreatures,invitesreaders todiveintoaheartwarming,attimes humorous,andprofoundlymoving story.Attheheartofthenarrativeisa surprisingfriendshipbetweena womaninthethroesofmiddleage andanoctopusnamedMarcellus, whomaybethemostperceptive creatureintheroom.
RemarkablyBrightCreaturesismore thanjustaquirky,feel-goodstory;it’s ameditationonthecomplexemotionsthataccompanyaging,love, andloss.Bythetimethebook reachesitspoignantconclusion, readerswillfindthemselvesreflectingontheirownrelationshipsandthe
waysinwhicheventhemostunexpectedencounterscanchangethe courseofalife.
InpreparationfortheSuperbowl,theweeksleadinguptoitwillonlyhavepartyappetizersshared.Theserecipesarefromtheyellowed,well-wornValleyViewUnited MethodistWomen’sCookbook.
Submityourownrecipesforsharingtoashley@howeenterprise.com
BarbecuedMeatballs
1lbgroundbeef
1/4cupmilk
2slicesbread,chopped
1/4cuponion,chopped
1tspsalt
1egg,beaten
Sauce:
1cupketchup
4Tbspbutterormargarine
1/4cupmolasses
1/4cupwater
2tbsp.vinegar
1/4cupcommercialbarbecuesauce
Formeatballs:
Inmixingbowlixfirst6ingredientswell.Shapeinto1’ballsandplaceinbaking pan.Bake25-30minutesat375degrees.Drain.
Forsauce:
Inheavysaucepancombineallsauceingredients,stirwellandheatthoroughly. Addmeatballs.Coveransimmerforabout20minutes
Mrs. John (Vera Lee) Lowe
CheesePockets
4pkgsPillsburycrescentrolls
2lg.Phillycreamcheese
1/2c.sugar
1tbsp.flour
1tspvanilla
1egg,wellbeaten
1/2cupnuts,finelychopped
Mixcreamcheese,sugar,flourandvanilla.Opencrescentrollsandlayoutflat. Drop1teaspoonofcreamcheesemixtureonwideendofcrescentroll.Bring narrowendover.Tuckendsunderneath.Bastewithbeatenegg.Bakeaccording torecipeonpackage.Frosttopsanddunkinfinelychoppednuts
Jeanne Cullington
ShrimpDip
3large(8oz)pkgs.Creamcheese
11/2cupsHellmann’smayonnaise
1/4cuplemonjuice
5stalkscelery,chopped
3-4greenonions,choppedortotaste
3cansshrimp,drainedandchoppedor11/2lbs.freshshrimp,cookedand chopped
Combinecreamcheese,mayonnaiseandlemonjuiceandmixuntilcreamy.Add celeryandoniontotaste.Mixthoroughly.Stirinshrimp.Chill3-4hoursbefore serving.Servewithcrackersorchips
JanAnderson
TacoCottageCheeseDip
1(16oz)cartoncottagecheese
8oz.mildtacosauceorpicantesauce
1tomato,finelychopped
3greenonions,finelychopped
Lightlymixallingredients,servewithTostitos,tortillachipsoryourfavoritecorn chips
Tishie Mae Kile
Ashley Husbands
InanarticlewrittenbyMikeAtkinson, titled“WhatPurposedoRatsHavein theEcosystem”wearegivenafew factsabouttheusefulnessofrats.
Innaturetheydisperseseedsofplants andtrees,encouragingnewgrowth. Theybenefittheenvironment,”asthey eatupgarbageandwastedisposedof byhumans.”
Ratsarealsotheworldwidepreferred speciesofscientistsforresearch.Rats aresoughtafterastestsubjectsinbiomedicalresearch“becausetheirgenetic, anatomical,andphysiologicalsimilaritiestohumans.Duetothesecommonalities,usingratsinbiomedicalresearch fostersagreaterunderstandingofhumanbiology,whichadvancesmedicine.”
Ratsarealsoexcellent,highlyintelligentandsnugglylittlepets!Thewriter wouldknow,asyearsago3rescuedrats turnedintoanadditionof5babies,leadingto8totalpetratsatonetime.Itwas quitethehugeratutopiaIhadgoingat onetime!
Photo Credit: Boredpanda.com
Ashley Husbands
Thiscolumnwillbedevotedtotips, tricksandremedies.Ifindthatmany peoplewhohavelivedmoretrips aroundthesunthanIhavearea wealthofknowledgeformany thingsinahouseholdandgenerally inlife.Pleasefeelfreetoshareyour Tips,TrickandRemediesto ashley@howeenterprise.com
Thisweek’stipis:togetwaxand potentiallypesticidesoffofyour fruitspurchasedfromthestoreclean yourfruitwithvinegar.Lemonjuice canalsobeusedbutafterchecking withGoogle,itisactuallylesseffectivetouselemonjuicealone.However,somepeopleprefertousea combinationforextracleaningpowerandanicelemonsmellandslight flavor.
Ashley Husbands
Readers,thisisanewcolumntoTheHoweEnterprise.Mygoalistostartconversationsabout“toughquestions”forchurchesofalldenominations.Eachchurchinthe areaIcangettoparticipatewilladdhowtheirchurchviewsacertaintopicthatissetforthattime.Thecurrentquestionis“Whatisbaptism?Whatdoesyourchurch believeaboutitandwhy?”ThefirsttoanswerintherotationisJeremyMoore,pastorofCommunityBibleFellowshipinHowe.Thefollowingishisresponse:
Jeremy Moore
Baptism nowthere’satopicthat’ssuretogetpeopletalking!Somechoosetodunk,andotherstosprinkle,butwhateverthemethod,onething’sforsure:baptismis animportantstepinourwalkwithJesus.
AtCommunityBibleFellowship,webelievethatbaptismisaboutsomuchmorethanjustgoingthroughthemotions.It’sapublicdeclarationoffaithinthegospelof JesusChrist,anactofobedience,andasymbolofthetransformationthathappenswhenwechoosetofollowHim.It'salsosomethingthatJesusHimselfcommanded ustodoaspartofHisGreatCommissioninMatthew28:19-20,whereHesays,“Gothereforeandmakedisciplesofallthenations,baptizingtheminthenameofthe FatherandtheSonandtheHolySpirit,teachingthemtoobserveallthatIcommandedyou...”
Baptism: A Sign of the New Life We Have in Christ
Baptismisapowerfulsymbol;apictureofthenewlifewe’vebeengiveninChrist.Romans6:3-4tellsus,“Ordoyounotknowthatallofuswhohavebeenbaptized intoChristJesushavebeenbaptizedintoHisdeath?ThereforewehavebeenburiedwithHimthroughbaptismintodeath,sothatasChristwasraisedfromthedead throughthegloryoftheFather,sowetoomightwalkinnewnessoflife.”Whenwe’rebaptized,we’resymbolizingthedeathofouroldselves(buriedunderthewater) andthenewlifewe’vebeengiveninChrist(risingupfromthewater).
The Greek Meaning of "Baptize"
Speakingofbaptism,it’shelpfultounderstandtheGreekwordfor“baptize.”ThewordusedintheNewTestamentis“baptizo”,whichliterallymeans“toimmerse”or “todip”.Thiswordwasusedinancienttimesforthingslikedippingfabricintodyeorashipbeingsubmergedintowater.So,whenwetalkaboutbaptism,we’retalking aboutimmersionastheoriginalmeaningoftheword.
Baptismisn’tjustaboutgettingwet it’sapowerfulpictureofidentificationwithChrist.Aswegounderthewater,wesymbolizeHisdeathandburial.Andaswe comebackup,wesymbolizeHisresurrectionandthenewlifewe’vereceivedinHim.It’savividexpressionofwhat’stakenplacespirituallyinourhearts.
But Wait Does Baptism Actually Save Us?
Here’swherethingscangetalittletricky.Doesbaptismsaveus?Theshortanswerisno. It’sasignofwhathasalreadyhappenedinside.Thelongerexplanation:1Peter3:21explains,“Correspondingtothat,baptismnowsavesyou nottheremovalofdirtfromtheflesh,butanappealtoGodforagoodconscience throughtheresurrectionofJesusChrist.”Baptismisn’taboutaphysicalcleanse,butaboutaheartthat’sbeenmadenewbyJesus.It’sadeclarationthatwe’vereceivedtheforgiveness Heoffers.
SomepeoplepointtoMark16:16,whereJesussays,“Hewhohasbelievedandhasbeenbaptizedshallbesaved;buthewhohasdisbelievedshallbecondemned.”It’s easytoreadthatandthinkbaptismisrequiredforsalvation.Butthekeyhereisthatbeliefcomesfirst faithinJesusChristiswhatleadstosalvation.Baptismisaresponsetothatfaith.AsIstatedabove,baptismistheoutwardexpressionofaninwardreality.It’slikewearingajerseytoshowyou’repartoftheteam.Thejersey doesn’tmakeyouaplayer,butitshowstheworldthatyou’vejoinedtheteam.
Foraclearexampleofthis,considerthethiefonthecrossnexttoJesusinLuke23:39-43.Hedidn’thaveachancetogetbaptized,yetJesusassuredhim,“TrulyIsayto you,todayyoushallbewithMeinParadise.”ThisagainshowsthatsalvationisthroughfaithinJesusChrist,notthroughbaptism.
Jesusistheonlywaytosalvation,anditisnotsomethingwecanearnthroughourworks(Baptism)orgooddeeds.John14:6clearlystates,“Iamtheway,andthetruth, andthelife;noonecomestotheFatherbutthroughMe.”OursalvationissolelybasedonthefinishedworkofJesus Hisdeathonthecross,Hisburial,andHisresurrection.Ephesians2:8-9remindsusthat“Forbygraceyouhavebeensavedthroughfaith;andthatnotofyourselves,itisthegiftofGod;notasaresultofworks,sothat noonemayboast.”NoamountofgooddeedscanmakeusrightwithGod;onlythroughplacingourfaithinJesusandHissacrificecanwebeforgivenandreconciled toGod.Salvationisagift freelyofferedtoallwhobelieveinChristandacceptHimasSavior.Baptismcomesafterfaithandforgivenessasanoutwardsigntothe worldthatwearefollowingJesus.
Youmightbewondering:“Sowhygetbaptizedifitdoesn’tsaveus?”Greatquestion!Baptismisaresponsetotheforgivenesswe’vealreadyreceived.WhenPetercalls peopletobebaptizedinActs2:38,hesays,“Repent,andeachofyoubebaptizedinthenameofJesusChristfortheforgivenessofyoursins;andyouwillreceivethe giftoftheHolySpirit.”Buthere’sthecatch theword“for”inthisverseisn’taboutbeingbaptizedinordertoreceiveforgiveness;it'saboutbeingbaptizedbecausewe havealreadyreceivedforgiveness.
TheGreekword“for”inthisverseis“eis”,anditmeans“becauseof”or“onaccountof,”not"inorderto"or"toget."So,Peterissayingwearebaptizedbecausewe’ve beenforgiven,nottoearnforgiveness.Baptismisacelebrationoftheforgivenesswe’vealreadyreceivedthroughfaithinChrist.It’stheoutwardsignofaninwardreality.
(Continued on page 14)
Forexample:Imagineyou’vebeengivenagift.Youdon’tacceptthegifttoearnthegiver’slove youacceptitbecausethegiverlovesyou.Similarly,we’rebaptized becausewe’vealreadybeenforgiven,nottoearnforgiveness.Baptism,then,isaresponsetowhatGodhasalreadydoneforus,awaytopubliclyacknowledgeHis grace.
So,ifbaptismdoesn’tsaveus,whydoesitmatter?Itmattersbecauseit’sanactofobedienceandapublicdeclarationofourfaith.Romans10:9-10says,“Thatifyou confesswithyourmouthJesusasLord,andbelieveinyourheartthatGodraisedHimfromthedead,youwillbesaved.”Baptismisavisiblewaytoshowtheworld thatwe’vemadethatconfessionandwe’recommittedtofollowingJesus.
Baptismisalsoawaytojointhecommunityofbelievers.In1Corinthians12:13,Paulwrites,“ForbyoneSpiritwewereallbaptizedintoonebody,whetherJewsor Greeks,whetherslavesorfree,andwewereallmadetodrinkofoneSpirit.”Whenwe’rebaptized,we’republiclyidentifyingwiththebodyofChrist,joiningalarger familyofbelieverswhosharethesamefaithinJesus.
AtCommunityBibleFellowship,wedon’tjustviewbaptismasaprivatemomentbetweentheindividualandGod.It’sacommunitycelebration.Whensomeonegets baptized,it’snotjusttheirfaiththey’reexpressing it’sourfaithaswell.WeallshareinthejoyandcelebrationoftheirnewlifeinChrist.
Baptismremindsusofthehopewehaveintheresurrection,thetransformationwe’veexperienced,andthenewidentitywe’vebeengiveninJesus.It’sapublicproclamationoftheGospelitself Hisdeath,burial,andresurrection.Andeverytimesomeonegetsbaptized,we’reremindedthatwe,too,havebeenraisedtonewlife.
“Thisis‘boutthebesttimeofyear,”saidSteve,“togetoutanddosomething fun,likegotoarodeo.”
“Awfulcoldoutthererightnow,Steve,”saidDoc,whohasmoredegreesthana thermometer.“Iguessit’sagoodthingtheyhaveallthosebuildingrodeosthese days.”
“Well,thatwouldtakeallthesportoutofit,wouldn’tit?”Stevesaid.“Dud,pass thesugarplease.” Dudpassedthesugar.“Don’tknowwhatyoumean,Steve.Whywouldittakeall thesportoutofrodeoifthefolksinthestandswerecomfortable?”
“Coldfactor,”hesaid.
“What?”
NowStevewasourresidentcowboyhereattheMuleBarntruckstop’s philosophycounter.Hestillworkedonranchesandlivedinbunkhousesand saddledhishorsesoneatatime,buthisrodeodayswerefarbehindhim.It’sa sportwithaveryshortcareer onewayoranother.
“Yousee,”Stevesaid,“whenit’scold,theroughstockbucksharder…‘specially thebroncs.Notsurewhy,butyoucanseeitevenwithbrokehorses.Onacold morning,they’reliabletohumptheirbacksandhopafewtimesjustforfun,orto shakeoutthekinks.Samewithrodeobroncs.Withthem,Ithinkit’sjustmorefun, though.”
“Well,Icanseewherewatchingbroncsincoldweatherwouldmakeitmorefun towatch,”Docsaid.
“That’sonlyhalfofit,”Stevesaid,grinning.“Thosepoorcowboyswhoridethem arecoldandstiff,too.Doesn’thelpmuchwithridingrankstock.Andthat’sthe reasonit’smorefuntowatcharodeoincoldweather.Ittendstorainfrozen cowboys.”
BroughttoyoubyOl’JimmyDollar,Slim’schildren’sbookaboutahappy hounddogmanandhis“kids.”Seeitatriograndebooks.com.
Hewascalled “PrinceJohn,”but hewasfarfrom royalty. Hewas partoftwolosing warsbutwaspopularamonghis troops. Gen.John Magruder,aVirginia-bornConfederategeneral,took chargeofTexasdefensesfromlate 1862onward,andledaseriesofcolorfuladventuresalongtheway.
JohnBankheadMagruderwasbornin 1807inPortRoyal,Virginia,asmall portcitynotfar fromWashington,DC. Hisfatherwas aplanterandattorney,buthefellinto bankruptcyandlosteverythingby 1820. Hebeganattending theUniversityofVirginiain1825and soonreceivedanappointmentto theUnited StatesMilitaryAcademyatWest Point.
HeenrolledatWestPointin 1826. Magruderwasanablecadet, graduatingfifteenthoutofforty-twoin hisclassin1830. Thenewlycommissionedlieutenantwasthenassignedto the7thInfantryandsoontransferred intoartillery. Itwasaquiettimeforthe army,andhewentfrompostto post. Hefoundtimetostudylawand becamealicensedattorney. In1845, hewastransferredtoGeneralZacharyTaylor’sforcesinCorpus ChristiastheUnitedStatesprepared fortheadmissionofTexasintothe UnionandtoenforceAmericanclaims ontheRioGrande. War withMexicoeruptedafewmonths later,andMagruderservedablyinthe MexicanWar,andslightlywoundedin 1847. Heservedalongsidemanyotherofficerswhowouldleadarmiesin theCivilWarsomefifteenyearslater.
Afterthewarendedin1848,he wasassignedtoapostinCalifornia wherehemanagedtoalsobecomea popularattorney,realestatespeculator, saloonowner,andalsoranarailroad whilestilltendingtohisarmyduties.
AsAbrahamLincolnassumed thepresidencyin1861,Magruderwas assignedtoapost inWashington,DC. WhenVirginiase cededinApril,MagruderchosetodefendVirginiaandjoinedtheConfederatearmyasacolonel. Givenhisextensiveknowledgeofmilitarydefenses inthearea,hewasputinchargeofthe ArmofthePeninsulaeast ofRichmond. Popularamonghis troops,itwassaidbyonefriend,“he couldfightalldayanddanceall night.” Withsuccessfuleffortsagainst Unionincursionsintothearea,Magruderwasrewardedwithpromotion tomajorgenerallaterthatsummer. Byspring1862,Gen.George McClellanattackedtheeasternpeninsulaofVirginia. Magruder wasoutnumberednine-to-one,but managedtousethebogsandthick foreststohisadvantage. Hemanaged tofoolMcClellanintobelievingConfederateforceswerestrongerthanthey were,anddelayedtheUnionadvances forseveralcriticaldays. However,as RobertE.LeetookcommandandattemptedtoreorganizeConfederate forcesintoacounter-offensivebylate
June,Magruderwasboggeddownby poorcommunicationandpoorcoordination. Hewasaccusedofbeing drunk,andfacedthechargewithout resortingtocharacterattacksagainst hiscritics. Intheend,thechargesneverstuck.
Hewastransferredtocommand theDistrictofTexas,NewMexico, andArizonainOctober1862. Bythis point,theUnionNavyhadjust seizedGalveston. Heorganizeda counterattackofartilleryandConfederategunboats. Magurderattackedon NewYear’sEve. Bythenextday,he hadcapturedthreeUnionshipsand forcedtherestto flee. GalvestonremainedinConfederatehandsfortheremainderofthewar.
MagrudermaintainedhisheadquartersinHoustonwhiledirecting officersthroughoutTexastoenforce thedraftandmaintainorder. Working withConfederateunits inLouisianaandArkansas,hemanagedtokeepUnionforcesfrominvadingTexas. AfterLeesurrendered inVirginiainApril1865,Magruder, alongwithGen.KirbySmith,triedto holdoutagainstUnionforcesbutrealizedallwaslost. OnJune2,theyformallysurrendered. Butheunderstood howleadersinthelosingsideofuprisingsandcivilwarshadbeentreated historically. Fearingforhislife,asdid manyotherConfederateofficersand officials,MagruderfledtoMexico. MagruderofferedhisservicestoEmperorMaximilian,thepuppetking installedbytheFrenchafterthey seizedcontrolofMexicoin 1862. Francehadusedthepretense ofMexico’simmenseforeigndebt owedtoFranceasapretenseforinvasionandthedistractionoftheAmericanCivilWarasacover. TheeverunpopularMaximilianfoundhimself thetargetofincreaseduprisingsin 1865andwelcomedtheservicesofa respectedgeneral.
ButMagrudersoonrealizedjust howperilouslyclosetotheabyssthat Maximilianhadbecome. TheUnited Stateshadmadeitquiteclearthat FrenchinterventioninMexicowould notbetolerated. Withunrestgrowing, theFrenchpulledtheirarmyout ofMexicoin1866andurgedtheir puppetkingtoleaveas well. Convincedhewasbelovedby thepeople,hedecidedtostayinstead. Asrebelarmiesadvancedand Maximilian’sarmiescrumbled,Magruderreadthewritingonthe wall. HefledbacktotheUnited Statesinearly1867. Notlongafterward,Maximilianwasoverthrown, captured,andexecutedbyfiring squad.
Theone-timeConfederatesoldierandMexicanadvisorfoundageneralamnestyforConfederateofficers intheUnitedStatesandcapitalizedon hiswartimeadventures. Hespentthe nextseveralyearsoff-and-onthelecturecircuitmakingatidylivingregalingaudienceswithhistales. Magruder diedathishomeinHoustonin1871.
TheAlmighty isalwaysfaithful,Henever fails,andifwe takeacloser lookthroughout ourpast,we noticethat Hehasbeen workinginour livesevenwhen itdidnotseem likeit.It’sbeen saidthatGod’s careforHischildren islikethesun:it’sconstant.Even thoughthecloudsoftenobscureit,this doesnotmeanit’snotthere.Wemight nothaveeverythingweaskedfor,and sometimeswearethankfulwedidnot receivethethingwebeggedfor.I rememberthesong,“ThankGodfor unansweredprayers”whichallowsus torealizethatGodcanseethefuture andalwayshasourbestinterestin mindwhetherwewanttoadmititor not.Haveyouconsideredhowmany timesHeprotectedyoufromaterrible thingthatcouldhavehappened? WearestillinJanuary,andthiscoming year,mayyoudiscoverthewondersof God’sloveandreceivethepeace andcontentmentyouaresearchingfor. Beyondtheresolutions,andhopesthat everythingwillworkout,weare goingtofacesomeunpleasantsituations.Thisisnotheaven,andweare stilllivingunderthecurseofthefall whichincludestheprobabilitiesof pain,sorrow,anddisappointment.On theflipside,wehavetheopportunity todrawasclosetoGodaswedesire. Thissoundseasy,butasweknow thereismuchmoretowalkingthenarrowpaththanwarmandfuzzystatements.Weenjoyhearingaboutwhat Christhaspromised,butwedonotlike theallthethingsweneedtodoto makeitwork.Acovenantisnotjust onesided.Iwasraisedinchurchand havebeeninvolvedinmanyassembliesfortheyears.Eachweekpastors presentmessagesthatbasicallychallengeandencouragethelistenerto incorporateGod’swordintohearts andmindswhichtransformsusinto beingmorelikeJesus.Thisiswonderful,butthereisalwaysthedangerof becomingnumbtohearingthesame olddevotionsandlosingourpassionto continuegrowingstrongerinourspiritualdevelopment.Wehearalotabout beinglukewarm,butrarelyconsider thatwearesusceptibletoitsdeception. It’ssimplyalethargicattitudeofgoing throughthemotionsofreligiousactivi-
tywhileneglectingourdailyquiet timeofrepentance,worship,andprayertoGod.I’vebeenencouragedthe lasttwoweekswiththeoverwhelming responsefromreadersrequestingmy scripturenarrationproject.Itcontains mereadingover100passagesofhope, faith,andpeace,settobeautifulbackgroundmusic.Afewyearsago,Ifelt inspiredtocreatethisresourcefor thosewhocouldfindsomewherequiet,closetheireyesandrelaxasthey absorbthepowerofGod’spromises intotheirspirits.Again,thisdoesn’t seemdifficultdoesit?Really?For thoseofyouwhodeclaredanewcommitmenttoChristandrededicatedyour lifebacktoGodonNewYearsEve, how’sitgoing?Thereisahugedifferencebetweenbeingreligiousandstepping intothearenaofspiritualwarfare.This reallyaddsahighermeaningtothe saying,“nopain,nogain.” Yes,ourfleshwantsacozyrelationshipwithGod,butthecloserweareto Him,themoresacrificeandsuffering wewillendure.Thisexplainswhythe averagereligiouspersonremainscontenttoplaygameswhereit’s comfortableandsafefromconviction andresponsibility.Mypointisthatit’s wonderfultopurchasebooksand videosthatchallengeuswiththoughts aboutbeingfilledwiththeHolySpirit, butifwearenotgoingtodowhat theysay,wearecontinuingtobecontrolledbyourunrenewedmindthat wantstokeepeverythingasitis.We canhaveaBibleoneverytableand shelfinourhome,butifwearenot disciplinedaboutstudyingitforthe purposeofcastingdownourcarnality anddemonstratingthecharacterof Christwhatgoodarethey? IfyoudesiretoacceptJesusasyour Lordtoday,nooneispreventingyou exceptyourfleshlynature.Our carnalitywantsustowaitanddelay ourdecisiontomakealife-changing commitmenttoChrist,butifnottoday, when?“Therefore,ifanyoneisin Christ,theyareanewcreation;old thingshavepassedaway;behold,all thingshavebecomebrandnew”II Corinthians5:17.Godiswaitingfor you.
Dr. Holland is a Christian minister, chaplain, and author. You can read more about the Christian life at his website billyhollandministries.com, and you can email him with your questions and prayer request at psalmz103@gmail.com
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
CommunityBibleFellowship JeremyMoore,pastor
415SCollinsFwy,Howe,TX75459
Wednesday
6:30pm-FoodandFellowship
7:00pm-CommunityKids(ages36thgrade,nurseryavailable)
7:00pm-YouthandAdultBible Study
Sunday
10:30am-WorshipService
FirstBaptistChurchHowe RogerTidwell,pastor
100E.DavisSt.,Howe,TX903-5325504
Wednesday
5:30pm FreeMeal
6:30pm-TeamKid
6:30pm-YouthMinistry
6:30pm-AdultBibleFellowship
Sunday
9:15am-BibleFellowship
10:30am-WorshipService
6:00pm PotluckFellowshipand
HoweMethodistChurchofHowe JBBryant,minister
810NDennySt,Howe,TX75459 903-532-6718
Tuesday:
8:30am-1:00pmWeeCareDaycare (Registrationneeded)
9:30am-Women'sBibleStudy
6:30pm-BoyScouts
Wednesday:
9:00am-WednesdayWorkers
6:00pm-1stand3rdWednesdays
FamilyNight
Thursday:
8:30am-1:00pm-WeeCareDaycare (Registrationneeded)
Saturday:
9:00am-12:00pm-FeedMySheep (1st&3rdSat.ofeachmonth)
Sunday:
8:30am-CoffeeandDonuts
9:00am-SundaySchool
10:00am-WorshipService
3:00pmCubScouts
FirstBaptistChurchDorchester ZachPoling,pastor
11831FM902,Dorchester,TX 75459903-476-5525
Wednesday
6:30pm-Worshipservice
Sunday
9:00am-Men'sPrayerTime
9:45am-SundaySchool
10:45am-WorshipService
5:00pm-EveningService
SummitViewChurch BrettandDebHetrick,pastors
910SDennySt,Howe,TX75459 903-532-6828
Wednesday
7:00pm-RadiateYouth
7:00pm-Sanctuaryofforprayer
Sunday
9:30am-SundaySchool (kids,youth,women,men)
10:30am-WorshipService
10:30am-KidsChurch
HoweChurchofChrist AaronAlsbrook,minister
1205NCollinsFwy,Howe,TX 75459903-532-6441
Wednesday
7:00pm-BibleClasses (allages)
Sunday 9:00am-BibleClasses (allages)
10:00am-WorshipService 5:00pm-WorshipService
JobTitle BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
workintexas.com
PostingID 16788814
Location Sherman
PostingCloseDate
2/14/25
PostingLink
https://bit.ly/42pTcT6
Description Alocalcompany islookingforaBUSINESS DEVELOPMENTMANAGERwhowillestablishand maintainrelationshipswith hospitals,SkilledNursingFacilities,AcuteRehabs,Long TermCarefacilitiesandseniorlivingcommunitiestoidentifystaffingneeds.Develop strategiestodriveprospective facilitiesengagementandcoordinatewithrecruitingand marketingtocanvasfornew contracts.
ThispositionrequiresaBachelor'sDegree,andaminimumof1yearofrelatedexperience.
JobTitle COLLECTION
workintexas.com
PostingID 16783799
Location Denison
PostingCloseDate 2/5/25
PostingLink
https://bit.ly/4h6jONE
Description Alocalcompanyislookingfor aCOLLECTIONSPECIALISTwhowillberesponsible forcollectingmoniesowedon delinquentmedicalaccounts inanexpeditiousmannerto ensureaccountresolution. Thecollectorassistspatients byofferingsuggestionsand informationinregardtopaymentarrangements,andaccountdisputes,alsoperforms skiptracingandre-billsinsurancecompanieswhenappropriate.
ThispositionrequiresaHigh SchoolDiplomaorEquivalent,andaminimumof1year ofrelatedexperience.
SECONDS
COUNTINANEMER-
GENCY!That's whytheCityofHowehas institutedthe CodeREDEmergency NotificationSystem -anultrahigh-speedtelephonecommunica- tionserviceforemergency notifications.This systemallowsustotelephoneallortargeted areasincaseofanemergencysituationthat requiresimmediateaction (suchasaboil-waternotice,missingchildorevacuationnotices).The systemiscapableofdialing60,000phonenumbersperhour.Itthen deliversapre-recordedmessagedescribingthesituationstoalivepersonoranansweringmachineintheaffectedareapossiblyincluding instructionsrequiringactiononthepartoftherecipient.Oncethesituationisremedied,anothercallwillbeplacedtotheareasignalingthat theissuehasbeenaddressedandthatnormalactivitiescanberesumed.
Thefollowinginformationisrequiredtoaddatelephonenumberinto the"CodeRED"database:firstandlastname;address(physicaladdress,noP.O.boxes);city;state;ZipCode;andprimaryphonenumber.Thesystemworkswithcellularphonesbutrequiresavalidstreet address.Whenenteringinformation,pleasefilloutallofthescreens becausethenewestdataenteredwillreplacetheolddata.Signupby visitinghttp://www.co.grayson.tx.us/page/oem.cred
StateSalesTax
GeneralRevenueSalesTax
EconomicDevelopment(TypeB)
SalesTax
Total
CityofHoweTaxRate
HoweI.S.DTaxRate
GraysonCountyTaxRate
GraysonCollegeTaxRate
Total(per$100valuation)
City Hall
116 E. Haning St., 903-532-5571
Mayor: Karla McDonald
City Council: Michael Hill, Billie Ingram, Sarah Myrick, Shawn Tyler, Ricky Price
City Administrator : Monte Walker
City Secretary: Michelle Hewitt
Utility Billing and Municipal Court
116 E. Haning St. 903-532-5571
Utility Clerk: Beccy Roberts
Court Clerk: Amy Bond (After hours night drop available)
Public Works
317 S. Hughes St.
Public Works Director: Justin Johnson
Code Enforcement
317 S. Hughes St. Code Enforcement Officer:
Howe Volunteer Fire Department
118 E. Haning 903-532-6888 (nonemergency)
Fire Chief: Robert Maniet
Howe Police Department
700 W. Haning St. 903-532-9971 (non-emergency) Dispatch 903813-4411
Police Chief: Jake Sullivan
Economic Development
100 E. O’Connell St. 903-532-6080
EDC Director: Monte Walker
Afederaljudgetemporarily blockedtheTrumpadministration's orderyesterdaytopausefundingforall federalgrants,loans,andotherfinancialassistancejustminutesbeforethe directivewasscheduledtogointoeffect.TheblocklastsuntilMondayafternoonandsetsahearingforargumentsthatmorning.
TheWhiteHouse'sorderintendedto temporarilyhalttrillionsofdollarsin aidtoinitiativesincludingeducation, healthcare,childcare,disasterrelief, housingassistance,andsmallbusinesses.TheOfficeofManagement andBudgetsentatwo-page memoandan836-pagespreadsheetto federalagenciesMondaynight,asking themtoprovidedetailsabouttheir spendingprograms.
Themoveaimedtoreviewfundingto ensurefinancialassistanceprograms alignwithPresidentDonaldTrump’s policies.Criticsarguetheorder
violatesthe1974ImpoundmentControlAct,whichoutlinestheprocedure presidentsmustfollowwhentheyseek towithholdfunds muchofwhichis authorizedandrequiredtobedisbursedbyCongressviatheannual appropriationsprocess.
Separately,Trumpisreportedlyofferingbuyoutstofederalworkers whodon'twanttoreturntotheoffice aslongastheyresignbyFeb.6.
Technologystocksdroppedsharply yesterdayasacheapbutpowerfulChinesechatbotmadewavesinSilicon Valley,suggestingcutting-edgeAIapplicationsmaybepossiblewithout expensiveprocessorsandintricate models.ThethreemajorUSstockindexesclosedmixed(S&P500-1.5%, Dow+0.7%,Nasdaq-3.1%).
KnownasDeepSeek,thecompany releaseditslatestR1modellastweek, claimingitperformedaswellasOpenAI'slatest-generationo1modelat3% to4%ofthecostperoutput.Officials saidthemodeltookjusttwomonths andlessthan$6Mtobuildandrelied onearlier-generationchipstooperate. Themodelisbothfreeandopen source meaninganyonecantakeand modifyit freedownloadintheAppleAppStore. AnalystssayDeepSeek displaceUSAIcompaniesbutmay reshapetheindustry'seconomics.
Amongthosehardesthitwas chipmakerNvidia,whichsaw almost$600Binmarketcap evaporate thebiggestsingledaylossinhistory asshares droppednearly17%.
TheLunarNewYearbeganyesterday, markingthestartoftheYearofthe WoodSnakeintheChinesezodiac. The15-daycelebration,observedby millionsacrossAsiancommunities worldwide,beginswiththenewmoon andconcludeswiththeLanternFestivalonFeb.12.Chinaanticipates9 billiontripsduringthe40-daytravel period,theworld’slargestannualhumanmigration.
Thesnake thesixthanimalinthe12yearzodiaccycle symbolizeswisdom,growth,andtransformation.Peopleborninsnakeyearsaretraditionallyregardedascharismatic,intelligent, andcreative,butalsostrategic,mysterious,andstubborn.Thewoodelement addsqualitiessuchasgrowth,flexibility,andcharm.Notablefiguresbornin snakeyearsincludeChinesePresident XiJinping,formerUSPresidentJohn F.Kennedy,andTaylorSwift.
Holidaytraditionsemphasizefamily andgoodfortune,withcustomsincludingreddecorations,familyreunions, andredenvelopegifts.
Rwanda-backedM23rebels havecapturedGoma,thelargest cityintheeasternDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo,causingpanic amongits2millionresidents.The rebelsannouncedtheirtakeover earlyyesterdayfollowinga48-hour ultimatumforCongolesetroopsto surrender,markingasignificant escalationinthelong-standingconflictbetweenrebelsandtheDRC government.
Goma,locatedintheNorthKivu province,servesasaregionalhub forhumanitarianeffortsandsecurityoperations.TheM23rebels,primarilyanethnicallyTutsigroup,are oneofmanyarmedfactionsvying forcontrolintheregion,which boastsanestimated$24Tinmineral wealth.M23capturedGomain 2012butwithdrewunderinternationalpressure.UNexpertsestimate thegrouphassinceadded3,000to 4,000RwandanDefenseForcesoldiers.About2.8millionpeople, morethanone-thirdofNorthKivu's population,havealready beendisplaced.
TheDRChascutdiplomaticrelations withRwandaandcalledforUN sanctions;however,bothnations' presidentshavereportedlyagreedto meetatanupcomingsummittodiscussthecrisis.
SouthKoreanPresidentYoonSuk Yeolwasindictedlastweekoncharges ofleadinganinsurrectionbyimposing martiallawinDecember,makinghim thecountry’sfirstsittingpresidentto facecriminalcharges.YoondeclaredmartiallawonDec.3,alleging theoppositionwere"antistate"North Koreansympathizers,whichledto troopsstormingtheNationalAssemblyandsparkednationwideprotests. Parliamentrejectedthemeasureand impeachedYoononDec.14.Hewas arrestedonJan.15.
Thepresidentwillstandtrialalongside hisformerdefenseministerandtop militaryofficials,whoareaccusedof aidingintheallegedpowergrab.Yoon contendsthemartiallawdeclaration wasastrategicwarningintendedto resolvepoliticaltensions.
Ifconvicted,Yoonfaceslifeimprisonmentorthedeathpenalty,though SouthKoreahasnotconductedexecutionsindecades.
Separately,theConstitutionalCourt isdeliberatingwhethertoformally removeYoonfromofficeorreinstate hispowers,withadecisionexpected byJune.
NovoNordisk'ssharessurgedasmuch as14%yesterdayafterthepharmaceuticalgiantreleasedpromisingresultsfromanearly-stagetrialofits newweight-lossdrug,amycretin.The latestexperimentalonce-a-weekinjectionbuildsonthesuccessofNovo Nordisk'sexistingweight-lossmedicationslikeWegovyandOzempic.
TheDanishcompanyfound125obese andoverweightadultswhoparticipatedintheclinicaltriallostaround22% oftheirbodyweightafter36weeks. SimilartoWegovyandOzempic (functionallythesamedrug),amycretinmimicsaguthormoneknown asGLP-1,whichregulatesappetite andfeelingsoffullness.Amycretin alsostimulatesapancreashormone calledamylin,whichcontrolsappetite andregulatesbloodsugar.Relatedly, NovoNordiskisworkingonapillversionofamycretin,whichhelpedseparatetrialparticipantsloseabout13%of theirbodyweightin12weeks.
Theremainingclassifiedfilesrelated tothe1963assassinationofPresident JohnF.Kennedywillbemadepublicinthenearfuture,followinganexecutiveorderfromPresidentDonald Trumpyesterday.Governmentdocumentspertainingtothe1968assassinationsofSen.RobertF.Kennedyand Rev.MartinLutherKingJr.willalso bereviewedforeventualrelease.
Congressmandatedin1992thatfiles relatedtothekillingofthecountry's 35thpresidentbedeclassifiedby2017. Thatdeadlinewasmissed,andfiles manywithnumerousredactions havebeenreleasedinbatchesoverthe pastsevenyears.Officialshavesaid 97%ofmorethan5milliondocumentsrelatedtoJFK'sassassination havebeenmadeavailabletodate.
Theassassinationhas spurrednumerousconspiracy theoriesoverthedecades,inpart becausethemotivesofthe shooter,LeeHarveyOswald, wereneverpubliclydetermined. Separately,RobertF.Kennedy Jr. Trump'snomineeforhealth secretary hassuggestedthe CIAmayhaveplayedarolein thedeathsofhisuncleandfather.
Roughly30%ofUSadultsareclinicallyoverweight,while40%ofUS adultsareclinicallyobese,ariskfactor fordiabetes,heartdisease,andmore.
Firefightersmadeprogressonthe fast-spreadingHughesFire innorthwestLosAngelesCounty yesterdaydespitecontinuedstrong gustsinthearea.Growthinthefire nearCastaicLakewashaltedafter theblazescorchedover10,000 acresinlessthan24 hoursWednesday.Itsrapidpace hadpromptedevacuationordersor warningsforover50,000residents nearSantaClarita,thoughmosthad returnedtotheirhomesbyyesterday.Itwas36%containedasofthis writing.
TheHughesFire'squickspread madeitthethird-largestfireinthe regionafterthetwinPalisadesand Eatonfiresclaimed28livesand burnedmorethan40,000acresearlierthismonth.Impactedcommunitiesofthosefires,whichinclude dozensofcelebrities,havebegun theprocessofrebuilding,withthe costsofthefiresestimatedtobe $50B,includinganestimated$350MinLAinfrastructure.
Ashblownfromburnscarsprompted airqualityalertsinmuchoftheregion.Severalsmallerfireshaveeruptedinthearea,includingtheSepulvedaandLagunafires,whichhave beenhaltedbythousandsofprepositionedfirstresponders.