COUNTY LIFE
Texas watermelon bringing joy to summer produce
By Justin Hansard, county extension agent
In spite of many usual and pesky problems associated with growing those big, beautiful Texas “thumpers,” most reports have it that a good watermelon crop is headed our way this year.
“When naming Texas’ leading vegetable crops, it’s easy to get confused,” said Logan Hawkes, blogger for Southwest Farm Press.
Texas is noted for its cabbage, spinach, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, chile peppers, cantaloupe, strawberries and blackberries.
While not all of the above are technically vegetables, an old rule in the Lone Star State says if it grows in Texas soil and often is served up on the table, then it must be a vegetable.
But when it comes to specialty crop production in Texas, it’s true. No one would argue that cotton and corn and other grains of many types win the award for being the largest and most valued crops in the state – hands down. But watermelons follow as another of the most successful crops grown in Texas.
Read the full story on watermelons in the mid-week News.
Indians have tough night Thursday playing Tioga falling 0-50. As they left for the game the football team word T-shirts remember “Mando” Alcantar, a 15-year-old Nocona High School student and baseball player was killed in a car crash last weekend. The Tioga players, cheerleaders and band also wore orange wristbands in support of the school. (Photo by Kylene Crossen)
The Nocona City Council will meet at 5 p.m. on Nov. 10 in the council chamber at city hall.
The meeting opens with the newly elected members of the council taking the oath of office. They include Chuck Hittle, Yesika Rodriguez and Robert H. Fenoglio.
After the monthly items of community interest, the consent agenda of bills and minutes and public comments.
The workshop and regular agenda focus on a series of four requests from the Nocona Economic Development Corporation 4A and 4B Boards. The project requests are: $12 for Tales ‘N’ Trails Museum sidewalk project; $190,000 to Friends of Indian Oaks for clubhouse renovations and a new build-out of the interior and porch; and a request for $119,000 for lights at the youth softball field. Both boards are joining funding sources for the projects.
Councilors will consider adopting a National Voter Registration Act Implementation Plan for the Nocona Public Library. Each state library has to undergo a review as it provides a location to pick up voter registration cards.
The panel will consider action after the workshop discussion during the regular agenda.
There is one item for the city council action as the building commission which is a request from Michael Diaz to install a 2022 Champion manufactured home at 210 Fayette Street. There will be a report from the enforcing officer.
AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is encouraging Texans to attend Flag Placement Ceremonies at VLB Cemeteries throughout Texas to honor the brave men and women who served our nation this Veterans Day.
Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen
If you would like to participate and honor the brave men and women who served our nation, flag placements are happening at the following locations and flags will be provided on-site. No RSVP is needed:
Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.
11463 Fort Hood Street
Killeen, Texas 76542
Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
2520 Inspiration Road
Mission, Texas 78572
Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene
Friday, November 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
7457 W. Lake Road
Abilene, Texas 79601
Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
9974 IH 37 Access Road
Corpus Christi, Texas 78410
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