New Boston residents will now face a penalty for delinquent water bills, as the city council unanimously approved an ordinance allowing for a 30% collection services fee for accounts delinquent for at least 30 days, at their regular monthly meeting on June 21. Also approved was an authorization to enter into an agreement with MBVA LLC Accounts Receivable Collections Group for collection of these delinquent bills.

Photos by Tony Basso

More than 332 million people live in the United States, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. There’s a good chance that, come July 4th, a considerable number of those individuals will be hosting or attending parties to celebrate American independence.

Nobody has to tell anybody around these parts that it is hot. I mean, it is officially summer now and in Texas that means heat. I can only imagine how folks that haven’t lived here very long feel as the good ol’ Texas sun cranks up the oven and starts scorching all of us for the next couple of months.

Next week, we observe Independence Day, an opportunity to celebrate all the liberties we enjoy in this country. Of course, there are different types of freedoms – such as financial freedom, which can open the doors to many other opportunities. What steps can you take to gain your financial independence?

Former Tribune publisher Kenny Mitchell was recently awarded the Texas Association of Journalism Educators Friend of Journalism award. This award honors those whose instruction, service and/ or assistance, financial sponsorship or personal dedication and advocacy work toward the betterment of scholastic journalism in Texas.