NEW ORLEANS (AP) - National Guard troops stand ready, batteries and water bottles are selling briskly, and one smalltown mayor has spent a sleepless night worrying. The New Orleans area is skittishly watching as a storm marches across the Caribbean on the eve of Hurricane Katrina's third anniversary. More...

DEAR ABBY: "Missing the Old Days in Arizona City" (May 8), the mother of a small child, wondered how parents can feel safe raising kids in a world that is "crazy and scary." I, too, worry about the state of the world today, but find comfort in my children and in the fact that I am trying to raise them to be among the "good guys. More...

Photo by Mitch Lucas Most all the high school football programs in the Kilgore News Herald's coverage area, including Kilgore High School, will begin their seasons tomorrow night, but Brandon Williams (above) and the West Rusk Raiders open tonight, a part of a kickoff classic game at Pine Tree Stadium in Longview. The Raiders will face Harleton at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Pine Tree. Kilgore opens its season at home on Friday night against Carthage; Overton hosts Ore City; Sabine visits Redwater, and in six-man, Leverett's Chapel hosts Dallas Academy. All of tomorrow night's games begin at 7:30, and we'll have coverage of them all in Sunday's News Herald. Kilgore College opens its 2008 season at home, as well, on Saturday night at 7 p.m. against Fort Scott (Kan.). Read about all you care to know about all these football programs today in the News Herald's annual football preview, two sections of looks at KHS, KC, Sabine, Overton, LC, and West Rusk, with a little college football and NFL thrown in for good measure. More...

Jodie Williams passed away August 22, 2008, at his home in Ocala, Florida. Hiers Baxley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Services will be held Wednesday, August 27, at 2:00 p.m. at Hiers Baxley Chapel. Reverend Andy Bloom will officiate. Viewing will be 1:00- 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 27. More...