Are fire ant mounds popping up in your yard, garden or pasture? As temperatures rise, so does fire ant activity. The good news is that science-backed ways to control fire ants can eliminate entire colonies — and not just the ones you see. Take a time-tested, science-based approach to control red imported fire ants around your home or farm. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

According to the indictment, during the years 2020 through 2023, Terrance Hatley, 33, of McKinney, Texas, and Jason Pogue, 45, of Dallas, Texas allegedly conspired to file false tax returns through Hatley’s businesses, Empowered Finances, formerly known as Griggs Financial, located in Addison, Texas. The charges state that the fraudulent tax returns filed at Empowered sought false refunds by either fabricating businesses with large losses or by claiming Coronavirus leave credits made available under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. As a tax preparation fee, customers were often charged about a third of the fraudulent refund amount.

When constructed and maintained correctly, backyard ponds provide habitat to support a range of wildlife species while creating a personal oasis for homeowners. (Adobe Stock)

On May 16, the Sherman Cultural District joins with Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge for a spectacular day of bird-themed events, avian art, and activities in tribute to Sherman's unique bird connections.

It’s time to become a detective as the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum comes alive in this live action clue game! Join us on Saturday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. to help us solve a murder. As a detective you get to question the suspects as you try and figure out where the murder happened, who did it and what weapon was used. All participants who get all three right will go into a raffle drawing for a chance to win one of three prizes.

1836 – Texas Revolution: A day after the Battle of San Jacinto, forces under Texas General Sam Houston identify Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna among the captives of the battle when some of his fellow soldiers mistakenly give away his identity. Within 18 minutes, Mexican soldiers abandoned their campsite and fled for their lives. The killing lasted for hours. Many Mexican soldiers retreated through the marsh to Peggy Lake. Texian riflemen stationed themselves on the banks and shot at anything that moved. Many Texian officers, including Houston and Rusk, attempted to stop the slaughter, but they were unable to gain control of the men, incensed and vengeful for the massacres at the Alamo and Goliad, while frightened Mexican infantry yelled "Me no Alamo!" and begged for mercy to no avail. In what historian Davis calls "one of the most one-sided victories in history," 650 Mexican soldiers were killed, 208 wounded, and 300 captured. Eleven Texians were killed and mortally wounded, with 30 others, including Houston, wounded. Although Santa Anna's troops had been thoroughly vanquished, they did not represent the bulk of the Mexican army in Texas. An additional 4,000 troops remained under the commands of Urrea and General Vicente Filisola. Texians had won the battle because of mistakes made by Santa Anna, and Houston was well aware that his troops would have little hope of repeating their victory against Urrea or Filisola. Santa Anna had escaped towards Vince's Bridge. Finding the bridge destroyed, he hid in the marsh and was captured the following day, wearing the uniform jacket of a private. This subterfuge was uncovered when other Mexican prisoners cried out in recognition of their commander. He was brought before Houston, who had been shot in the ankle and badly wounded. Texian soldiers gathered around, calling for the Mexican general's immediate execution. Bargaining for his life, Santa Anna suggested that he order the remaining Mexican troops to stay away. In a letter to Filisola, who was now the senior Mexican official in Texas, Santa Anna wrote that "yesterday evening [we] had an unfortunate encounter" and ordered his troops to retreat to Béxar and await further instructions. For several weeks after San Jacinto, Santa Anna continued to negotiate with Houston, Rusk, and then Burnet. Santa Anna suggested two treaties, a public version of promises made between the two countries, and a private version that included Santa Anna's agreements. The Treaties of Velasco required that all Mexican troops withdraw south of the Rio Grande and that all private property be respected and restored. Prisoners of war would be released unharmed, and Santa Anna would be given immediate passage to Veracruz. He secretly promised to persuade the Mexican Congress to acknowledge the Republic of Texas and to recognize the Rio Grande as the border between the two countries. When Mexican authorities received word of Santa Anna's defeat at San Jacinto, flags across the country were lowered to half staff and draped in mourning. Denouncing any agreements signed by a prisoner, Mexican authorities refused to recognize the Republic of Texas.