Paul and Nila Dowlearn-Owners of Wichita Valley Nursery. Paul’s recent books, “The Lazy Man’s Garden” and “Touch the Earth” are available at the Nursery, 5314 S.W. Pkwy, Wichita Fall, Texas.

The Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 has been studied at length by military minds and academics for decades. The naval officer in charge of the Pacific Fleet in the months before the attack was a Texas native, Admiral James Otto Richardson. As the United States began preparing for war in 1940, Richardson pointed to weak defenses at Pearl Harbor that he feared would lead to disaster.

Thank you to the Class of 1979 for their donation in memory of Sharon Jentsch. ************* Sage Winters always knew her sister was a little different even though they were identical twins. They loved the same things and shared a deep understanding, but Rosemary—awake to every emotion, easily moved to joy or tears—seemed to need more protection from the world.

Thank you to everyone who spread the word and donated to the Archer Public Library during Texoma Gives! Together we raised a total of $2,035! We are already busy planning the Summer Reading Program for 2023, and we hope to make it the best one yet. What a wonderful and supportive community Archer County is. We couldn’t do this without you! ************* Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.

It was a cool morning John Henninger Reagan was a controversial figure in Texas History. He had a long record, serving as a judge, U. S. Senator, Confederate cabinet member, and chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission. While he was an outspoken defender of slavery and secession early in his career, he was later a defender of the interests of farmers against large railroad interests. He was born in 1818 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. His parents were fairly prosperous and sent him to private schools for his education, and he even attended a seminary in Tennessee for a time. As a young man, reports emerging from Texas about its fight with Mexico and push for independence fired his imagination. In 1838, still just 19, he left Tennessee to head for Texas on his own.

Heads up. By the time this issue goes to press we will see high nineties and low 100’s in our part of Texoma. Keep watering. Water deeply. Better half of September is gone. The CPC (climate prediction) forecast of a near normal September has not been accurate. Don’t fault me please. I am just the messenger and I love good news. Reality is what it is. We all need to see some normal weather around here.

The Sheriff’s Office received 138 calls for service this past week. As this report is being written there are 28 inmates and 5 being female in the Archer County Jail.

Paul and Nila Dowlearn-Owners of Wichita Valley Nursery. Paul’s recent books, “The Lazy Man’s Garden” and “Touch the Earth” are available at the Nursery, 5314 S.W. Pkwy, Wichita Fall, Texas.

Thank you to everyone who spread the word and donated to the Archer Public Library during Texoma Gives! Together we raised a total of $2,035! We are already busy planning the Summer Reading Program for 2023, and we hope to make it the best one yet. What a wonderful and supportive community Archer County is. We couldn’t do this without you! ************* Former Super Bowl MVP quarterback Zach Bridger hasn’t seen his ex-wife, Rebecca Pratt, for some time—not since their volatile marriage imploded—so he’s shocked to receive a life-altering call about her. Rebecca has been placed on life support after a violent assault, and he—despite their divorce—has medical power-of-attorney. Zach is asked to make an impossible choice: keep her on life support or take her off of it. Buckling under the weight of the responsibility and the glare of public scrutiny, Zach ultimately walks away, letting Rebecca's parents have the final say.

Gainsville hangings It was a cool morning in Gainesville on Oct. 4, 1862.