It’s here, the first day of winter marked by the winter solstice at 4:21 a.m. on Dec. 21.
The winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight throughout the year, making it the “shortest day” of the year. Thankfully, after the winter solstice the days begin to grow longer and longer again and until the summer solstice, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year

The Nocona High School cheerleaders competed at National Cheerleader Association contest last week and took seventh place and earning a bid to Nationals on Jan. 23-25 in Dallas. The bid is based on their scores at the contest and their camp competition results said Rebecca Wilson, squad coordinator. . They competed in a division against 5A and 6A schools, and they held their own. The squad right now will focus on University Interscholastic League competition on Jan. 16 in Fort Worth. This was their first year for NCA. Members are: (Back) Emma Sentell-Gomez, Dellah Wright, Jessie Howard, Charity Claxton, Tinley Cable, Lexi Romine, Kaylie Rico and Kaeley Delafuente. (Front) Emory Cauhen, Braci Brown and Ashlyn Brown. (courtesy photo)

Santa Claus arrived in style for the Forestburg Community Christmas events on Saturday night that included a lighted parade. There were activities all day including a chili cookoff and gingerbread house building contest. (Courtesy photo)