The way appraisers value your home might change
I attended a Webinar this week that detailed proposed state constitutional amendments that could change the way appraisers value your home. Here's a handout from two state legislators who propose the changes. I will follow with a story next week. ...

Ticketed for having your bumper over the curb?
A concerned reader e-mailed me to say: My husband and I walked out to find a parking violation notice on my husband's vehicle. The violation was for parking on the sidewalk. The fine is $118. The bumper of the suburban ...

Care to read the proposed health care bill?
With U.S. health care reform looming, much is said for and against the Obama plan. When talking heads debate, it's difficult to decipher the rhetoric from meaningful points. Here's a link to the lengthy health care bill so you can ...

Did city fade out its brush, limb pickup service?
I received this e-mail from a concerned reader: “This morning I called for brush pickup and limb collection. I was trying to make an appointment so that when our trees are trimmed on Saturday the mess would not sit there ...

Track stimulus money spent in Crossroads
A handful of reporters and I participated this week in training that taught ways to track stimulus money awarded and spent in the Crossroads -- as well as how to investigate the contractors awarded with contracts. The training just skimmed ...

Transcript: Cornyn’s questions of Sotomayor
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and former Texas Supreme Court Justice, questioned Judge Sonia Sotomayor today during her confirmation hearing. Below is the transcript of their exchange. CORNYN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good ...

Understand new hike, bike trail signs?
I've reported on the new (awesome, I might add) hike-and-bike trail, and on the confusion some have regarding who has the right-of-way at crossings: trail users or motorists? New signs, pointed at motorists on Miori Lane and presumably the other ...

Is Victoria missing out on millions of tourism dollars?
Tourism in Texas is big business. Tourism is one of the state's biggest industries. Tourism employs 534,000 Texans and generated $59 billion last year. Where is Victoria's Tourism Bureau? The bureau was dropped some years ago. The question is especially ...

Think new hike/bike trail street crossings are safe?
I love the new hike and bike trail. My wife and I have walked or jogged the 2-mile stretch a handful of times already. We're really happy the city installed this needed feature. But, we also noticed the street crossings ...

Valley drug seizures on track for record year
Just because Mexican drug cartels and border violence have filtered out of the mainstream news cycle, don't be lured into a false sense of security. The Rio Grande Valley is today as active as ever. The following U.S. Border Patrol ...