Almost 25 years after Laurence Green of Gildford invited a group of state officials to his workshop, trying to convince them of the benefits of his smokeless wood-burning stove, he still believes in his invention.

Recently Triangle Communications of Havre agreed to give Green, 90, and his wife Helen, 82, a $1,000 Community Vitality Grant to help him out with his concept, now referred to as a smokeless furnace.

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District 52 Republicans Vie to Replace Krusee

With the decision of State Rep. Mike Krusee, R-Round Rock, not to run for a ninth term, the Williamson Co. Republican Party is facing something it has not had in District 52 since 2000 – a contested primary, one with four potential successors to the outgoing incumbent. The winner will face a Democrat and a Libertarian in November.

In 2006, Krusee scraped by with a thin majority of only 50.44%, beating out Democrat Karen Felthauser (44.2%) and Libertarian Lillian Simmons (5.3%). The district, which covers the southern end of the county, has changed since he first took office in 1992. "They spent 20 years as a bedroom community," said Krusee, but with much of Round Rock now built out and Hutto expanding rapidly, areas like Taylor may soon be targeted by developers. "The challenge for the future is transforming into a more mature urban community," said Krusee, adding he believes he has done "a good job" in helping guide that change.

Red velvet cake emits the perfect level of flavor and chocolate

The association between Valentine's Day and food has forever been chocolate: chocolate truffles, chocolate mousse, chocolate fondue, chocolate cake. It all makes so much sense.

Chocolate, of course, is a natural mood enhancer, an aphrodisiac, a flavor of love; and there is certainly no doubt that chocolate is the primary comfort food of cold weather. It is silky, sweet and so satisfyingly rich that just a few bites of chocolate in its pure essence can assuage even the most stubborn sweet tooth.

But there are times -- dare I say it -- when there can be a chocolate overload. Too much chocolate might sound like a good thing, but it may be more enjoyable to tease your palate with just a hint of this enchanting substance.

Red velvet cake can do the job. This famed unidentifiable flavor of cake emits the perfect amount of cocoa.

Breast cancer not just worry for women

He had recently started his own contracting company and did not have health insurance when family members noticed swelling in his right breast.

I kept telling him that Id seen things like that on TV and he needed to see a doctor about it, but hed just say You watch too much TV, Willo Mae said. If hed gone then, hed probably still be here now.

Willo Mae was still recovering from the death of her first husband when she met Willis in 1977.

As a young widow working two jobs to support her three children, Willo Mae said romance was far from her mind when their paths crossed at the Kingsbury Volunteer Fire Departments annual barbecue.

I was sitting talking to Martha and her husband when Willis walked up, she recalled. He didnt say a word, just led me out onto the dance floor.