Gulf coast prepares for Tropical Storm Dolly
By CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN Associated Press Writer
      McALLEN (AP) - Texas mobilized National Guard troops and residents along the Gulf Coast near the Mexican border were buying plywood, flashlights and other supplies as Tropical Storm Dolly - expected by forecasters to strengthen into a hurricane this week - headed their way.
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PETS OF THE WEEK
     Nation is a fun-loving female kitten, approximately 3-4 months old, who thinks everyone is her friend and playmate. Nation was waiting for the staff in the doNATION bin at the shelter one morning, ignoring the barking dogs and greeting everyone with a happy meow and brisk whisker rub. Nation is playful, enjoys having the freedom to casually explore every room, and wants to find a family who will continue to spoil her as much as the shelter staff. Bouncer is a beautiful male Schnauzer, handsomely clipped, quietly reserved, and easy to handle. Although 8-10 years old, Bouncer has plenty of vitality and appears to be in good health. He would like to live the rest of his life sharing his love with a special family. He is current on vaccinations, already house trained, and gets along well with other dogs. Visit Bouncer at the Humane Society of Northeast Texas, 303 Enterprise Street in Longview, phone 903-297-2170,or log onto www.hsntx.org.
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TEXAS TODAY
By The Associated Press
      MOUNT PLEASANT (AP) - Officials say a firefighter has been released from a hospital after being treated for minor injuries from a blaze at the Pilgrim's Pride protein conversion plant in Mount Pleasant. Firefighter/engineer Craig Eudy had said the firefighter was taken to a hospital Monday night.
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Health officials tout computer prescribing
By KEVIN FREKING Associated Press Writer
      WASHINGTON (AP) - Those hard-to-read scribbled prescriptions from doctors could soon become a rarity. Beginning Jan. 1, the federal government will boost Medicare's payments to doctors that send prescriptions electronically to a pharmacy rather than writing them out on paper and handing them to the patient.
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