Masks will be optional for Union County Summer School. Union County Board of Education approved the TSBA-recommended policy for mask wearing in public schools at the May board meeting.
According to Dr. Jimmy Carter, director of schools, summer school will have about eight students per class, which will allow for social distancing. The policy will be reviewed at the July board meeting to decide on the policy for the regular opening of school in August.

The Union County Board of Education presented Ann Dyer, Union County Finance Director, a Special Recognition Award at its regular meeting on May 13.

You may recall the story we published in March 2020 introducing the SLOTH reading program, encouraging children to Slow down, Learn, Overcome obstacles, Think, and be Happy. No doubt you also recall the rapid closings that year due to the Coronavirus. Although the SLOTH launch didn’t go exactly as planned, the program has moved forward. Kids are picking up their SLOTH reading buddies at the library and turning in their participation reports to earn prizes.

One of the best things you can do to prevent and/or eliminate back pain is to exercise. Both an inactive lifestyle and being overweight contribute to back pain. Exercise benefits you in so many ways, such as lowering blood pressure, helping you maintain a healthy weight, lowering your risk for diabetes, and the list goes on!

Orthotics can help you maintain a healthy spine by stabilizing the lower extremities and pelvis. Devices that you wear in your shoes, orthotics align all three arches of your foot to provide a balanced foundation for your spine and body.

Bananas flavor most any kind of bread. Muffins are no exception. Stir up a batch of these for dessert tonight.

Jason Lawson Jr., born and raised in the Thorn Hill community of Hancock County, is excited to join the staff at UT Extension Union County for the 2021 summer internship.
He graduated Hancock High School in 2017 then went on to Walters State Community College, graduating with an Associate of Applied Science in Agriculture in December 2019.

Need a plant to beautify your home? Maybe you really wanted to try three different varieties of summer squash so you ordered three seed packets, and now you have way too many seeds. Plant and Seed Share to the rescue!

Many things have changed over the past year, but one thing we have had the pleasure to see remain constant is the hard work and dedication of our Union County 4-H youth. Regardless of the challenges sent their way, students in Union County 4-H and across the state have learned, served and developed. This hard work has produced incredible impact in the county as 4-H has not slowed down.

Spencer Cox and Patrick Middleton were friends who loved to fish before they became partners to compete professionally four years ago.

The City of Plainview awarded its 2021 Academic Achievement Scholarship to Mason Weaver. The annual scholarship for $500 is given to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average who resides in Plainview. Mayor Chandler congratulated Mason for his outstanding academic achievement and and thanked his parents for all of their support for him.