French poodles

French poodles did not originate in France. Poodles were originally used as hunting dogs in Europe. The dogs’ thick coats were a hindrance in water and thick brush, so hunters sheared the hindquarter, with cuffs left around the ankles and hips to protect against rheumatism.

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION SHEEP

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION SHEEP—This year’s Reserve Grand Champion Sheep at the Ochiltree County Junior Livestock Show and Sale on Jan. 21-22 was awarded to Tatum Holmes. The animal was purchased by FirstBank Southwest and Covenant Title.

Two houses burglarized

Two residential burglaries during the week are being investigated by the police department. A residence at 1322 S. Grinnell was burglarized, with the suspects making off with numerous items. Taken were a microwave, toilets, a refrigerator, a stove, lawn mores, a leaf blower and weedeaters.

Texas prepaid tuition program enrollment deadline approaches

Texas families can lock in today’s cost of undergraduate resident tuition and schoolwide required fees at Texas public colleges and universities by enrolling their children in the taxadvantaged Texas Tuition Promise Fund® before the close of the current general enrollment period on Feb. 28.

Local Briefs

Rotary cherry pie contest is Saturday Pie bakers are encouraged to enter the Annual Rotary Cherry Pie Contest on Saturday, Feb. 19. There will be a youth, women’s and men’s division for a basic two crust pie and a cherry dessert division.

Texas fruit crops need rain and chill hours

Texas fruit crops are behind on chill hours necessary to trigger optimal blooms and good fruit sets, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts. If Punxsutawney Phil was right, there are still enough winter days ahead, but experts said Texas’ fruit crops need cold, clouds and rain.

HOTSPOTS AT THE LIBRARY

Perry Memorial Library will soon offer mobile hotspots to library patrons. Hotspots are small devices that provide Internet connections via wifi to computers and cellphones.

One more files as period closes

As the filing period drew to a close on Monday, another candidate has filed for school board. Jesse Trejo is seeking one of the two board positions up for election for a regular three year term. Incumbent Richard Beyea has filed for one of the three year terms, as has Sarah Tregellas.