Opinion

I have been in Canadian for three years, almost down to the day. It seems like yesterday, I was unpacking my things in preparation for my new role of NRCS district conservationist for Hemphill County.

WE HAVE APPARENTLY already named the storm: Winter Storm Landon. I’m a little bit disappointed. Landon hardly seems a fierce enough name for a weather system that has been foretold in such dire and urgent terms for the last few days.

MOST TEXANS, INCLUDING ME, don’t usually pay close attention to judicial races. But there’s one race coming up that’s worth watching because it shines light on the sacred concept of judicial impartiality.

ON THE NATIONAL HOLIDAY celebrating Martin Luther King Jr., more than 53 years after his assassination in 1968, voting rights remain in the center ring of American politics.

WITHOUT FACTS you can’t have truth. Without truth, you can’t have trust. Without trust, we have no shared reality, no democracy, and it becomes impossible to deal with the existential problems of our times: climate, coronavirus, now, the battle for truth.

IN OUR REPORT on candidate filing for the May 7 local elections, we incorrectly identified the old address of the Hemphill County Underground Water District offices, rather than their new address at 211 North 2nd. Our apologies for the error. — LEB

Thank you to my friends and neighbors for your prayers, calls, cards, and flowers, and for the help you gave to Liz during the past week. Friends and neighbors are priceless. I have some of the best, and I love you all. I have a way to go, but I will be back to 100 percent before we know it!

JOHN ERICKSON STILL REMEMBERS the first wildfire he fought.

Dozens of school districts close due to COVID-19 Several dozen school districts across the state were forced to close last week due to the omicron variant of COVID-19 sending home students, staff, and teachers. Most school districts planned to reopen on Tuesday following the MLK holiday.

AS WE HONOR DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING Jr. today, the words “I have a Dream” come to mind. But in 2022, with the current Texas political climate, it’s critical that we remember all of Dr. King’s teachings and that his “dream” included ending white supremacy by seeking systemic change.