ELDORADO, Texas (AP) — State officials Tuesday defended their decision to suddenly separate mothers from many of the children taken in a raid on a polygamist ranch in West Texas.

As a former captain of the Duke University swim team for the 1951–1952 and 1952–1953 seasons, Bill Mellin learned a thing or two about competitive swimming. Now, more than 50 years later, he’s ready to prove that he can still slice through the water with the best of ‘em.

Spring arrives early in Texas, and most southern gardeners have been digging in the dirt for quite some time now. If your green thumb is twitching, but you’re not sure you want to tackle a large landscaping project, consider planting your blooms in a container.

Three-tiered chocolate fountains, petit fours served on silver trays, specialty coffees, hand and back massages… life is sweet at Eagle’s Trace. Just ask anyone who attended the recent Mardi Gras Decadence Party in the Audubon Clubhouse.