News

Our Blood Institute, Coffee Memorial Blood Center Issues Urgent Call for Type O Donors

News Staff

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Our Blood Institute-Coffee Memorial Blood Center is in critical need of type O blood donors, with supplies of both O-positive and O-negative blood at low levels following the holidays.

Castro County Community Calendar

News Staff

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Regular Meetings/Continuing Events Check for cancellations before attending.Annual Hwy to Hell-O Terlingua and DVFD Golf Scramble. Chili Cookoff turn in 2 p.m. Salsa turn-in at noon; beans turn in 1 p.m. Cooking outside pool area at Dimmitt Country Club. Raf- e for $1,000 Visa gift card.

Tree pruning tips

News Staff

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Successful pruning can improve tree health, boost flower and fruit production, and create an attractive landscape. However, improper pruning, such as randomly cutting with chainsaws or loppers, can cause unnatural growth, weak structure, and reduced productivity.

Warm, dry holiday weather elevates wildfire risk across Texas

News Staff

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Unseasonably warm and dry conditions, along with freezecured grasses are raising wildfire risks during the holidays across the Lone Star State, the Texas A&M Forest Service warns.Texas is forecast to experience unusually warm and dry weather during this holiday season.

Hope Is the Vibe: Start 2026 with a Chance to Win $5,000 When You Donate Blood

News Staff

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Our Blood Institute at Coffee Memorial Blood Center is kicking off the new year with hope, heart and a major $5,000 giveaway. From Dec. 26 through Jan. 12, every donor will be entered to win $5,000 to begin 2026 on a brighter note.

Castro County Crop Conference set for Jan. 15 in Dimmitt

Kristie Keys

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Producers and agricultural professionals from across the region are invited to attend the Castro County Crops Conference on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at West Texas Coffee, located at 107 E. Bedford Street in Dimmitt.

Castro County Hospital District Receives Equipment Donation

News Staff

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Castro County Hospital District would like to extend its appreciation to the Plains Memorial Medical Foundation for their generous donation of critical medical equipment that will greatly enhance patient care and emergency response services in our community.

The good, bad of our water situation

Kristie Keys

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Castro/Hale/Lamb County I recently attended the Plant Protection Conference in College Station, where the theme “Water: Essential but Limited for Texas Agriculture” could not have been more timely.

USDA Announces January 15 National Batching Deadline for Major NRCS Conservation Programs

News Staff

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service established a national Jan. 15, 2026, batching deadline for the first funding round of key conservation programs. Texas agricultural producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center for more information.

CONVERTING BRACKISH WATER--El Paso is home to one of the world's largest inland desalination plants. The plant filters out the salts and creates a new supply of water. Roughly half of Proposition 4 funds approved by voters are reserved for brackish water projects.

$20 billion from Proposition 4 is far short of state water funding needs

Jim Steiert

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

There’s an elephant in the room that nobody talked much about concerning the overwhelming voter approval of Proposition 4 on the November 4 constitutional amendments ballot. Prop 4 is supposed to dedicate up to $1 billion a year for 20 years to the Texas Water Fund.Here’s the rub.

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