Posts by Ferrell Foster
Local gyms join Humane Society’s Alpha Dog Academy to benefit shelter dogs
By Paula Rivadeneira Mike Gray, canine behavior and enrichment specialist with the Humane Society of Central Texas, has a big job on his hands making sure every shelter dog gets the exercise and enrichment they need each day. He depends on volunteers who come to the shelter to help run dogs to their daily playgroup…
Read MoreKey to full return of local economy is tied to vaccinations, confidence
By Charles Williams The Texas and U.S. economies are surging along with the confidence of U.S. consumers as COVID-19 vaccines flood the nation. But the persistence of the coronavirus makes the recovery fragile. The pace of the U.S. economic recovery in 2021 hinges on the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations. The general business activity index, which…
Read MoreCommunity committee recommends big changes for four Waco ISD schools
The district’s school board will now consider whether to replace Waco High, G.W. Carver Middle, Tennyson Middle and Kendrick Elementary with new buildings. By Joshua Wucher For the past five months, a committee of more than 60 parents, educators, and other community members has been studying Waco ISD’s long-term facilities needs. Monday night, May 24,…
Read MoreUnited Way releases report: ‘Are the Children Well?’
By Tiffani Johnson United Way of Waco-McLennan County is releasing a child well-being report. It is a research study to support the improvement of well-being for McLennan County’s children and families. The McLennan County Child Well-being Movement is facilitated by United Way and is a partnership of 25 organizations or local residents. Collectively, this movement…
Read MoreWaco’s economic future hinges on post-high school education, training
By Hermann Pereira I have spent the past 15 years in public education, and I never really realized how much our economic future hinges upon post-high school enrollment and completion rates. But when you break it down you realize that how well we prepare our students today directly impacts the economics of our community. We…
Read MoreFoster care is one family’s legacy
By Lucas Land Caring for kids in foster care is a part of Lizzie Allen’s family heritage. Lizzie’s grandmother, Marguerite “Peggy” Terbrack, always wanted 12 kids but only had nine. So, she and her husband decided to become foster parents in 1973. She continued fostering for two decades after her husband died in 1987, and…
Read MoreMothers need more than flowers, jewelry, cards
By Tiffiney Gray As we celebrated Mother’s Day recently, I was filled with excitement and so much appreciation for my generous, intelligent, and amazingly patient mother and mentor, Brenda Gray. I’m also thankful to be a mom to two incredible young daughters, and it’s a true delight to celebrate my friends who are also on this remarkable “mommyhood”…
Read MoreCommunity helps restore lost animals to owners through PASS program
By Paula Rivadeneira Since May 2020, every healthy or treatable animal that left Waco Animal Shelter is living their best life in a forever home, with their original owner or with a trusted nonprofit rescue partner. The Humane Society of Central Texas can offer these positive outcomes because of a program that aims to keep…
Read MoreStopping Asian hate and discrimination — coalition offers webinar
By Katherine Turner-Pearson With racism on the rise across America, I often hear people in our community say, “But that doesn’t happen here.” So, it dawns on me that we do not realize the amount of racism and actions of hate that occur within our own city. I have spent years on the board of…
Read MoreTexas Tech – Waco celebrates first graduates from College of Education
By Madison Black This month, the first group of students completing their Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies at Texas Tech University at Waco received their degrees. On May 4, these eight students were recognized at a ceremony at the Conference Center at McLennan Community College. Graduates received an abundance of guidance from Texas Tech…
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