Can you help with this unique request?
Don Smith, a 70-year-old Victoria retiree, called me tonight with a question I’ve never received. "Where the heck can I find one of those wire-metal strainers? I got a concoction for garlic, but I need to strain the juice away ...

Should newspapers end anonymous comments?
During the last two weeks, several in the newsroom attended training related to online commenters. Following is a column published about the topic. By their nature, columns -- which are different from stories -- are slanted. This column takes a ...

Have ties to deadly shootings at Ft. Hood?
The U.S. Army reports 12 people were killed and 31 wounded today during a shooting rampage on the Fort Hood Army base. One shooter was killed and two suspects were apprehended today. All suspects are U.S. soldiers, according to AP ...

What does your license plate say about you?
Advocate business reporter Allison Miles works on a fun and interesting story. She asks: What does your license plate say about you? Does it point to your child? (i.e. TIMSMOM) Honor a beloved pet? (i.e. FIDORULZ) Or perhaps it serves ...

Why is Victoria County ranked 41st in state?
Victoria County's population growth from 2000 to 2008 ranks 41st among the 254 Texas counties, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Victoria County's population in 2000 was 84,088. Its population in 2008 was 86,755. The fastest-growing counties are the usual ...

Have you been a seller or buyer in a short sale?
I'm trying to locate folks who have either bought or sold a house on a short sale this year. Have you? If so, please contact me at 361-580-6519 or gsemenza@vicad.com. Thanks for your help, Gabe Semenza / Advocate public service ...

Is now a good time to buy a house?
I'm beginning work on a pro / con feature that asks: Is now a good time to buy a house? The ideas for the "pro" portion that come to my mind, and I'm no home-buying expert, are: 1) Deals exist. ...

What regional topic most interests you?
We here at the newspaper are gearing up to begin discussions about our next major project. We will share ideas about which topic we feel most touches and affects the Crossroads. Then, we'll devise a plan to research and report ...

Wanna watch pumpkins, frozen chickens shot from cannon?
Todd Jett shoots pumpkins out of a 20-foot cannon. He'll launch a half-dozen frozen chickens on Wednesday, too. Blasting fruit and chilled poultry are part of what Jett calls Great American Moments in Redneck History. You could also call it ...

Have a health question you want answered?
For Wednesday's Good Living section, Advocate health reporter J.R. Ortega is starting a new feature called, "House Call with health reporter J.R. Ortega." Ortega will post a blog on Friday morning asking you for health-related questions. He will then contact ...