Regional News

Question: How are retirement benefits figured, and do I get less in benefits if I stop working while I am in my fifties? Answer: Your retirement age is the age at which you begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits. Your stop work age is the age at which you leave the labor force and no longer work.

Over the past two weeks, the world has been enthralled with the 2010 Winter Olympics. Many folks watched countless hours of television programming, much to the delight of NBC who has been struggling with ratings. It was a welcome distraction from the whole late night, Conan vs. Leno debacle. However, the Olympics is really a 24-7 experience and most folks are unable to sit and watch the tube for every sporting event. Thanks to one local resident, you don’t have to.

This month, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. When a boy takes the Scout Oath, he promises on his honor to do his best, to do his duty to God and his country and to obey the Scout Law. For 100 years, Scouting has prepared young boys to become leaders to give them the tools to become good citizens of this great nation.

To file your 2009 individual tax return, you’ll have to decide which form to use…unless you e-file. If you file electronically, the software automatically selects the simplest and best form for you. Whether you use e-file or prepare on paper, using the simplest form will help avoid costly errors or processing delays.

Question: Do I have to pay federal income taxes on my Social Security benefits? Answer: If you file a federal tax return as an "individual" and your total income is more than $25,000, then the answer for you is yes: you will have to pay federal taxes on your benefits. If you file a joint return and you and your spouse have a total income more than $32,000, you will be expected to pay federal taxes as well.

The U.S. Senate is rushing to extend the current estate tax rate as it plans for its reappearance in 2011. "Current estate tax allows a person inheriting an estate less than $3.5 million to be exempt," said Adrian Schulze Secretary & Treasurer of the Blanco County Farm Bureau. "If the Senate does not meet their end of the year deadline, a permanent estate tax would be issued in 2011 that could devastate the continuation of farm and ranch enterprises." Unless a new law is ...

Veterans Day is a day we set aside as a nation to honor those who have served their nation in war and peace. It is a day to reflect on the deeds of these heroes and stand united in gratitude for their service and sacrifice. We also take this opportunity to honor the enduring service of our active soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen.

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs says the state collected $1.52 billion in sales tax revenue in October, down 12.8 percent compared to October 2008. “Declining sales tax collections, which began in February, have continued with October’s collections,” Combs said. “Tax collections are down in major sectors of the economy, including retail trade, oil and natural gas and construction.” Today, Combs distributed $500.7 million in November sales tax rebates to cities, counties, transit sys ...

During medical school, aspiring physicians are often taught the principle of primum non nocere, more commonly known as “first, do no harm.” It holds that, faced with a delicate medical situation, a doctor should survey whether intervention will actually cause more trauma than healing. Today, Congress is confronted with the critical task of reforming our nation’s health care.

Former University of Texas Football Coach Fred Akers can tell plenty of stories about his legendary battles against the rival Oklahoma Sooners. Starting with his first as Head Coach in 1977, when a third-string quarterback helped engineer a 13-6 win over the second-ranked Sooners, and Akers’ former college teammate, Oklahoma Coach Barry Switzer. “Any time we played Oklahoma, it was always very physical.