The electricity grid that covers most of Texas was holding up as of Sunday during the latest winter storm, although localized power outages were reported in Deep East Texas and far West Texas.
The last day to register to vote for the March 3 primary is Feb. 2, according to the Texas secretary of state’s office. Early voting runs from Feb. 17 through Feb. 27, with Feb. 20 being the deadline for applying for a mail ballot.
A Regular Meeting of the Marlin City Council was held January 13, 2026, at 6 p.m., Mayor Susan Byrd presiding. Council members present were Scottie Henderson, Terence McDavid, William Roe, Cecil Sparks, Jo Mark Taylor, and Morris Watson, Jr. In the absence of City Secretary Maryann Waddle, Fire Chief Justin Parker managed the minutes and online coverage. The minutes of the December 9, 2025 regular City Council meeting were approved.
The calendar page has been turned to January 2026. Just what does that mean? For most, it is a chance for a new beginning or at least a fresh start. Ephesians 4:22-24 speaks to this: “Change the former way of life that was part of the person you once were, corrupted by deceitful desires. Instead, renew the thinking in your mind by the Spirit and clothe yourself with the new person created according to God’s image in justice and true holiness.” Yes, life does go on and we still have our situations and problems that require us to continue seeking solutions and results. The new year makes us feel that we need to make changes in our life and say goodbye to old habits, problems and difficulties. One way is to start making new plans and new resolutions. However, this brings mixed emotions as we have feelings of inspiration as well as apprehension. The question is whether we will continue to persevere or quit our plans and resolutions. Will we revert to our old behavior and habits as we continue living the same kind of life, withwill out making any changes or improvements? So, how do we make real changes in our life? To make significant changes, you need to take certain steps. Read Ephesians 4:22-24 again. To make your dreams come true you need to do something about them, not just daydream. And this takes more than just inspiration and desire. What can you do to persevere with your resolutions? What steps do you need to take? The first step should be to have a well-defined goal Without this you will be just drifting and might lose interest and stop what you have started doing. To make real changes in your life, you should know what kind of changes you want to make. Sometimes it helps to write them down and post them where you can see them. You will find that you need inspiration and motivation, but you will also find that obstacles often quickly diminish your enthusiasm. Here is where your self-discipline steps in and helps you persevere. You must “cowboy up” and resolve to never quit! Here you should start thinking about the benefits you will gain after accomplishing your goal. It might require you to leave your comfort zone and be willing to do things in a different way. Take action right now, do not wait until tomorrow or anytime later, because that put you in procrastination mode. Think positively, get facts and use common sense before making a resolution, but once you are sure of what you are doing, do not let anything deter you because you will be writing a new chapter in your book of life! And like this poem says, it’s okay to think back to your upbringing, because memories an’ God’s Grace will bless your days.
The search for George Sessions Perry, missing from his riverside home in Connecticut, entered its second month on Jan. 14, 1957 with no sign of the famous writer.