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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Valley Spring, TX

Home Care Valley Spring, TX

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Valley Spring gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Valley Spring, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Valley Spring, TX

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“My experience with these amazing home care professionals is as close to perfect as it gets! I have a dear friend that is in hospice and needed a little extra home care. Ken, the owner, was fast to respond to my call and started home care right away. I can't say enough good things about my experience with Always Best Care Senior Services' staff and owner.”

Edward C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I invested $500 with Mrs Sandra and made $6500 within 6 days, Investment pay faster. Every rich man you see today invested, it's not just their hardworks that makes them who they are today. So don't let someone else opinion stop you from investing on binary option trading. Start building your future and the future of your generations today Contact her now on.”

Tsholofelo M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I work for this team and it's a wonderful team , great communication and support for our clients, their family members and our caring team of staff .”

Antoinette G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a past client of this provider Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with. They were able to provide my mother with care and a very short notice. Their staff was some of the most caring people that I've ever met. Not only were they wonderful to my mother but also to my family. I would highly recommend using them.”

Mark A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken and Bonnie are wonderful people to help care for your loved ones. their staff was so caring to my mother and so nice to my family I highly recommend them to take care of your loved ones. I think there ought to be more than just five stars to give them”

Mark A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“For those who are searching for qualified caregivers for their loved ones, contact Ken Thomas at Always Best Care Senior Services. Mr. Thomas provides an authentic and professional guiding hand when discussing available services for your precious senior family members. When it is time for a beloved senior to receive assistance, Mr. Thomas understands the importance of providing trustworthy and quality support.”

Melissa C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken leads his Always Best Care Senior Services Agency with compassion for his clients and their families. He is a local senior care expert and leader in his community. If you are need of assistance in navigating your local senior care options, then do not hesitate to give Ken a call!”

Kelly B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Kenneth is kind, patient, experienced and knowledgeable. We are thankful to him for all his efforts and for going above and beyond.”

Chae S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Very professional and welcoming people so I would definitely recommend my friends and family to Always Best Care in Boerne.”

Laurie K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The owner is so understanding and supportive of how I want my loved ones cared for. He and his staff actually listen to what I would like done for my parents. Very thoughtful, very professional and very caring. It’s such a relief to have help in caring for my loved ones”

Kristen B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Kenneth is knowledgeable and trustworthy. I can’t recommend him enough. You’re in good hands with Kenneth.”

Chae S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“ALWAYS BEST CARE is certainly a warm & caring business owned & operated by Ken Thomas. I certainly would recommend them for you or your loved ones excellent care.”

Shirley S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I will be forever grateful for the love you showered upon us and my grandmother”

Jill &.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Valley Spring, TX?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Valley Spring, TX

Types of Elderly Care in Valley Spring, TX

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Valley Spring, TX
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Valley Spring, TX
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Big Spring State Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Valley Spring, TX
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Grotto Wood-Fired Grill and Wine Cave or visit Fort Stanton Historic Site, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Valley Spring, TX

Benefits of Home Care in Valley Spring, TX

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Valley Spring, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Valley Spring, TX

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your TX's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Valley Spring, TX

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Valley Spring, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Valley Spring, TX

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Valley Spring, TX

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Valley View Independent Living
  • Valley View Senior Living
  • A Place For Mom - Senior Living Advisor Truda Swanson
  • A Place For Mom - Senior Living Advisor Kristin Faulhaber
  • Golden Age Senior Placement
  • Living Springs Village
Home Care Valley Spring, TX

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Valley Spring, TX

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Valley Spring, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Valley Spring, TX

Latest News in Valley Spring, TX

Spring? That you? February ends feeling like April for the Brazos Valley

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Spring is still a ways off. The meteorological version starts next week when the calendar flips to March 1. The astrological version of it arrives March 19th. The feeling of it? Well, that looks to “spring” in for these final 10 or so days of February. Post by @kbtxshel View on Threads...

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Spring is still a ways off. The meteorological version starts next week when the calendar flips to March 1. The astrological version of it arrives March 19th. The feeling of it? Well, that looks to “spring” in for these final 10 or so days of February.

Post by @kbtxshel View on Threads

ABOVE-AVERAGE WARMTH THIS WEEK

After much of the lower 48 plunged into a winter feel over the weekend, warmer air is taking back over much of the United States this week. A robust area of high pressure blossoms from the Pacific and over Mexico through mid-week. That will send the jet stream north, trading out the latest batch of Canadian air for much warmer readings on the thermometer. Portions of the Central and Northern Plains are forecast to experience highs some 20° to 30° above average for late February.

Locally, Bryan-College Station, along with much of the Brazos Valley, is expected to reach the 80° mark for the first time in 2024. Depending on how long morning fog and low cloud cover lingers, that spring threshold could be achieved as early as Wednesday afternoon. A southwest wind and a bit of compression on the atmosphere ahead of a weak front Thursday bring the chance to exceed 80° Thursday afternoon.

LET’S TALK ABOUT 80° DAYS IN FEBRUARY

While not typical, 80° readings are not necessarily abnormal in February. Since records began in 1882 for College Station, the most 80° days in this second month of the year checks in at 13 from 1890. 2017 sits as the second most with 12 days ending at or above 80°. Last year, 2023, landed on the list at number 6 of the most 80°+ afternoons with nine days meeting or exceeding the threshold.

Of the 142 years of record keeping locally, 50% of our Februarys have recorded at least one 80° high temperature. Only 5 years have ever recorded 10 days or more.

While the warmth this week is above average by about 15°, it is nowhere near the historic, record heat wave that 1996 produced at this time of the year. Record highs are in the mid-to-upper 90s and also account for the hottest February temperatures recorded in Bryan-College Station’s history.

Here’s how Wednesday’s (February 21st) and Thursday’s (February 22nd) 80° history stacks up:

DayRecord HighNumber of 80°+ days that have occurredWhere the expected high stacks up on the list of warmest temperatures
Wednesday: February 2199° - 199610 DaysTied for the 9th warmest February 21st with 2000 and 1980
Thursday: February 2296° - 199613 DaysTied for 10th warmest February 22nd with 2022 and 2017

WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF FEBRUARY?

Warmer-than-average.

Even with a weak cold front arriving ahead of the upcoming weekend, both high and low temperatures are expected to remain a few degrees above average. By early next week, another blossoming area of high pressure will bring the potential to reach the low 80s once again.

WHAT ABOUT MARCH?

The Climate Prediction Center released its outlook for March on the 15th. While the overall signal is not necessarily strong, extended forecast data favors a low chance for the month to end with below-average temperatures when all 31 days are said and done. This does not mean that there will not be the potential for periods of both unseasonable warmth and cold, but rather there should be a balance between the two by the end of the month.

The next update for March from the agency is expected to be released on the 1st of the month.

Copyright 2024 KBTX. All rights reserved.

Longhorns Land Commitment from 4-Star WR Freddie Dubose Jr.

The impact of the Chris Jackson hire as wide receivers coach continues to be felt as four-star Smithson Valley (Spring Branch, TX) WR Freddie Dubose Jr. announced his pledge to the Texas Longhorns.A 2024 recruit, Dubose already has a connection with the Longhorns staff, calling Austin a "home feel" that fits his needs."I just love the coaching staff," Dubose said. "Coach [Steve] Sark and coach [Chris] Jackson, I like them a lot."...

The impact of the Chris Jackson hire as wide receivers coach continues to be felt as four-star Smithson Valley (Spring Branch, TX) WR Freddie Dubose Jr. announced his pledge to the Texas Longhorns.

A 2024 recruit, Dubose already has a connection with the Longhorns staff, calling Austin a "home feel" that fits his needs.

"I just love the coaching staff," Dubose said. "Coach [Steve] Sark and coach [Chris] Jackson, I like them a lot."

Dubose fits well in Sarkisian’s offense as well. He possesses electric speed and athleticism. He posted a 22.47 200-meter time in March, and a 46-9 triple jump as a freshman in 2021.

One area that has Dubose excited about becoming a Longhorn is the stability at quarterback. All eyes are on Quinn Ewers entering spring practice, but Texas seems secure for the coming years. Last recruiting cycle, Texas landed the commitment of top quarterback prospect Arch Manning. The Longhorns also landed the verbal commitment of Cy-Fair's (Cypress, Texas) Trey Owens on January 11.

Trust is a crucial factor for what Dubose is looking for. As for Texas, he said he feels every quarterback will be able to find him with ease in the passing game.

"I know I'm going to have somebody that can put it in my hands," said Dubose. "I know that I can have somebody that I can trust with the ball at the quarterback position."

Dubose becomes the fifth 2024 commit for the Texas Longhorns and the second this week. He chose the Longhorns over schools such as Texas A&M, Oregon, Arkansas, Nebraska, TCU, and Texas Tech among others.

You can follow Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Longhorns? Click Here to Subscribe to the Longhorns Country Newsletter

Want even more Texas Longhorns? Check out the SI.com team page here

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Smithson Valley Basketball

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2024Basketball Game Preview: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Seguin MatadorsTeam ReportsFeb 13, 2024Basketball Game Preview: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Seguin MatadorsPreview: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Seguin Matado...

Tuesday, Feb 13, 2024

Basketball Game Preview: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Seguin Matadors

Team ReportsFeb 13, 2024Basketball Game Preview: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Seguin MatadorsPreview: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Seguin Matadors

Friday, Feb 9, 2024

Stats have been entered for the Smithson Valley vs. Tivy on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024.

70Points14Assists27Rebounds

Friday, Feb 9, 2024

On Friday, Feb 9, 2024, the Smithson Valley Varsity Boys Basketball team lost their Kerrville Tivy game against Tivy High School by a score of 70-79.

Smithson Valley70Final

Thursday, Feb 8, 2024

Basketball Game Preview: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Tivy Antlers

Team ReportsFeb 8, 2024Basketball Game Preview: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Tivy AntlersPreview: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Tivy Antlers

Tuesday, Feb 6, 2024

Stats have been entered for the Smithson Valley vs. Pieper on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.

Tuesday, Feb 6, 2024

On Tuesday, Feb 6, 2024, the Smithson Valley Varsity Boys Basketball team lost their game against Pieper High School by a score of 57-58.

Smithson Valley57Pieper58Final

Monday, Feb 5, 2024

Basketball Game Preview: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Pieper Warriors

Team Reports•Feb 5, 2024Basketball Game Preview: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Pieper WarriorsBasketball Preview: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Pieper Warriors

Friday, Feb 2, 2024

Stats have been entered for the Smithson Valley vs. Boerne-Champion on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.

38Points10Assists25Rebounds

Friday, Feb 2, 2024

On Friday, Feb 2, 2024, the Smithson Valley Varsity Boys Basketball team lost their game against Boerne-Champion High School by a score of 38-51.

Smithson Valley38Boerne-Champion51Final

Friday, Feb 2, 2024

Basketball Recap: Gavin Londrie leads Smithson Valley to victory over Canyon

Team ReportsFeb 2, 2024Basketball Recap: Gavin Londrie leads Smithson Valley to victory over CanyonBasketball Recap: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Canyon Cougars

Thursday, Feb 1, 2024

Basketball Game Preview: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Boerne-Champion Chargers

Team ReportsFeb 1, 2024Basketball Game Preview: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Boerne-Champion ChargersPreview: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Boerne-Champion Chargers

Tuesday, Jan 30, 2024

Stats have been entered for the Smithson Valley vs. Canyon on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.

Tuesday, Jan 30, 2024

On Tuesday, Jan 30, 2024, the Smithson Valley Varsity Boys Basketball team won their Smithson Valley HS game against Canyon High School by a score of 60-57.

Smithson Valley60Canyon57Final

Tuesday, Jan 30, 2024

Smithson Valley takes loss despite strong efforts from Dj Onezine and Gavin Londrie

Team Reports•Jan 30, 2024Smithson Valley takes loss despite strong efforts from Dj Onezine and Gavin LondrieRecap: Smithson Valley Rangers vs. Veterans Memorial Patriots

Schedule at a Glance

vs PieperL 57-58Sun, 2/11@ TivyL 70-79Wed, 2/14vs SeguinL 48-62

Full Schedule

Rankings

Texas#412
Texas Division 5A#99
Region IV#63
San Antonio#34
San Antonio#34
San Antonio#34

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Smithson Valley High School 14001 State Highway 46 WSpring Branch, TX 78070-7059

What Valley-grown produce items are the freshest in spring

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Spring is here which means it’s time to cool off with the freshest fruits and vegetables that are in season.The Rio Grande Valley has served as a fundamental location for producing citrus fruits and boosting the region’s farming industry for decades.Little Bear Produce is one of several Valley farms that routinely plants and harvests various fruits and vegetables for all seasons year-round.Since 1986,...

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Spring is here which means it’s time to cool off with the freshest fruits and vegetables that are in season.

The Rio Grande Valley has served as a fundamental location for producing citrus fruits and boosting the region’s farming industry for decades.

Little Bear Produce is one of several Valley farms that routinely plants and harvests various fruits and vegetables for all seasons year-round.

Since 1986, Little Bear Produce has cultivated 39 types of vegetables and six types of fruits from leafy greens, herbs, cabbages and melons.

“The bread and butter of our company are the leafy greens and cabbages,” said Jeff Brechler, a sales employee with Little Bear Produce.

Leafy greens, cabbages, herbs and several of its fruits are taking the spotlight this season as spring’s peak harvest items.

“Examples of the leafy greens would be collards, kale, mustard greens, turnip, Swiss chard, dandelion,” Brechler said.

Some herbs that are best used during springtime are parsley, dill and cilantro.

Months of preparation are essential in order for each produce item to reach its full seasonal potential of full flavor and high nutrtitional value.

Little Bear’s planting season for spring produce begins mid-August and can run up to six months until February.

Mild winters in the Rio Grande Valley allow each plant to grow at a slower pace, making for a best tasting and longer lasting produce item.

“The Valley’s fall, winter and spring months make it a prime location for producing vegetables and fruits during the wintertime,” Brechler said.

Depending on the item, the plantings are staggered through the six-month preparation period until they are ready to be gathered and sold.

“You have some items that it takes, you know 30 to 40 days for them to fully mature and you have other items that take you know anywhere from 180 days to you know close to 200 days to fully mature,” Brechler said.

Weather conditions and the Valley soil serve as a power combination to grow each commodity item at its fullest during the planting period.

At full maturity, leafy greens and cabbages are ready to gather, making these vegetables the perfect spring produce item.

Honeydew melons at Little Bear Produce are expected to reach full maturity in May, just in time to cool down as the heat wave rises.

Seedless watermelons, limes and mangos also take the spotlight as these items are planted and harvested by Little Bear year-round, making them the ultimate fruits to eat at any time of year.

“Because of our location and our rich soil content here, we do produce and grow a better tasting fruit and vegetable with a longer shelf life compared to other producing areas such as Florida or the Carolinas,” Brechler said.

From the farm to your dinner table, here are Little Bear’s recipes to make using your favorite springtime fruits and vegetables.

The Fate of Jacob’s Well Remains Uncertain

I look down upon the blue-and-green-tinted waters of Jacob’s Well, the headwaters of Cypress Creek. Even barely full on this spring morning, the storied swimming hole remains enchanting. “See how it changes with the light?” muses Katherine Sturdivant, education coordinator for Jacob’s Well Natural Area.In the receding shadows, Jacob’s Well reveals itself like an awakening eye. The dark, mirror-like surface transforms into a crystalline stone tunnel. A school of colorful sunfish and a slender Guadalupe bas...

I look down upon the blue-and-green-tinted waters of Jacob’s Well, the headwaters of Cypress Creek. Even barely full on this spring morning, the storied swimming hole remains enchanting. “See how it changes with the light?” muses Katherine Sturdivant, education coordinator for Jacob’s Well Natural Area.

In the receding shadows, Jacob’s Well reveals itself like an awakening eye. The dark, mirror-like surface transforms into a crystalline stone tunnel. A school of colorful sunfish and a slender Guadalupe bass circle the rim of the pool, “basically trapped in here,” Sturdivant says, due to lack of water flow. I gaze 23 feet to the pebbly edge of the Well’s floor, toward the narrow entrance of the cave that leads into the depths of the Middle Trinity Aquifer.

Increasingly, here in the over-loved and under-protected Wimberley Valley, this spring seems destined to disappear. Since 2000, Jacob’s Well has ceased flowing four times, most recently in the oppressively hot summer of 2022. Sturdivant puts that in perspective, explaining how even during Texas’ drought of record, from 1949 to 1957, when half the state’s farms went fallow, “Jacob’s Well never stopped flowing.”

The drying of Jacob’s Well feels profound. Beyond Wimberley, other waters that have cooled generations of Texans also gave in to the latest drought. In 2022, officials urged visitors at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose to avoid the gunky Paluxy River. The limestone pool at Tonkawa Falls City Park in Crawford never opened. And Brackettville’s Fort Clark Springs, the state’s third-largest spring-fed pool, closed due to lack of water flow.

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The Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, an advocacy organization for Jacob’s Well, has the mission of keeping the spring and Cypress Creek clean, clear, and flowing for generations to come. In 2021, the Wimberley Valley Watershed purchased 248 acres upstream of Jacob’s Well, bringing its preservation space in the recharge zone above the Middle Trinity Aquifer to 350 total acres. But without further protective measures, the long-term fate of Jacob’s Well—and swimming holes across the state—remains in doubt.

In the years following its 1850s discovery by a group of Hill Country settlers, Jacob’s Well has attracted scores of thrill-seeking Texans. They’ve leapt from the cliffs into the chilly water and swam into the cave as far as their breath would hold, and beyond: Between 1964 and 1984, nine people drowned diving in Jacob’s Well. Today, only members of the Jacob’s Well Exploration Project can scuba dive in the cave.

The JWEP team performs important work, mapping the subterranean channels of Jacob’s Well to better understand how the water that falls from the sky eventually reemerges here, forming Cypress Creek. This tree-lined tributary of the Blanco River flows through the Wimberley square, providing a scenic backdrop for the cafés, shops, and rental homes that drive the area’s tourism industry. Cypress Creek also serves as a source of recreation and relaxation. Downstream from Jacob’sWell at Cypress Falls, you can float with a beer while enjoying live music. At Wimberley’s Blue Hole Regional Park, you can soar into the water from a rope swing or lounge beneath the shade of an ancient cypress tree.

The Trinity Aquifer sources Jacob's Well through an underground cave system. Photo by Kenny Braun

But it’s exactly this paradise, and all who come here to enjoy it, that’s strain-ing Jacob’s Well. “The problem is population growth, plus drought,” says Linda Kaye Rogers, the board president of the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. “It’s killing Wimberley.” Rogers, an elected official who doesn’t draw a salary, oversees groundwater usage in western Hays County, which spans from Wimberley to Dripping Springs. She explains how nearly every ounce of water used in her district, from lawn watering to concrete plants, is pumped from the source of Jacob’s Well, the Middle Trinity Aquifer.

As we talk, she’s at the Texas Capitol to testify on bills that strengthen groundwater conservation. Many of our state’s efforts to manage the water beneath our feet are relatively nascent. The HTGCD was formed in 2001, and Rogers says much of the District’s regulatory power remains patchwork and ostensibly contradictory. For private well owners, the historic “rule of capture” still applies. This means property owners can legally draw as much as 25,000 gallons of water a day from the Middle Trinity Aquifer for personal use, with little to no oversight. Additionally, Rogers says, “we’re the only groundwater district in the state funded by connection fees,” charges for hooking up new homes and businesses to the aquifer. “We’re funded by growth,” she says.

Rogers sees public education on groundwater issues, water conservation, and preservation of the open spaces that help recharge the Middle Trinity Aquifer as key to preserving springs like Jacob’s Well. At least two local business owners, Kent and Karen Killough of Vista Brewing in Driftwood, hope groundwater districts like the HTGCD gain more regulatory authority. Currently, the HTGCD can fine commercial water users who exceed their permitted allotment. “But the fees aren’t very large,” Kent says. “The current barrier is insufficient to control usage.”With their business, the Killoughs have sought to lead by example. While it takes about seven pints of water on average to produce one pint of beer, Kent says efficiencies in Vista Brewing’s processes have reduced what they pull from the Middle Trinity Aquifer by about 30%, all while preserving local terroir for the brewery’s future.

This isn’t the first time a beloved Texas swimming hole has faced the threat of demise. In the early 1990s, a proposed development with three golf courses threatened the Edwards Aquifer, which recharges Austin’s Barton Springs Pool. “But that spring was saved almost entirely out of love,” says Robert Mace, the executive director of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University. Residents showed up en masse at City Hall to support Barton Springs, leading to the formation of the advocacy group Save Our Springs. Later, Mace says, the discovery of an endangered species, the Barton Springs salamander, provided a more lasting protection from the abuse and overuse of the Edwards Aquifer.

Sturdivant recalls with some amusement the time a neighborhood boy who’d been swimming in Jacob’s Well ran up to the park ranger’s office. He claimed to have seen bioluminescent flowers peeking from the cave entrance. The staff raced down to the spring, hoping to have found their own endangered species. Instead, they found the neon light was coming from plastic glow sticks left there by late-night swimmers.

Go where the water’s still flowing

Balmorhea State ParkThe spring-fed oasis sits at the edge of the Davis Mountains. Reservations are recommended for day passes. tpwd.texas.gov

Shaffer Bend Recreation AreaThis Lower Colorado River Authority park offers a sandy shoreline for swimming just downstream from Marble Falls. lcra.org

Lake Mineral Wells State ParkSplash at the beach or rent kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards from the park store. tpwd.texas.gov

Daingerfield State ParkConstructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this Piney Woods lake features a floating swim platform 30 yards off-shore. tpwd.texas.gov

South Llano River State ParkThe Llano River where it flows through Junction has yet to run dry in recorded history. tpwd.texas.gov

As we look down at the Well and the colorful fish trapped inside, I ask Sturdivant, “Is there some silver lining, a ray of optimism I could end this story with?” She doesn’t hesitate.

“People still come here to experience the beauty of Jacob’s Well, even if they can’t currently swim here,” she tells me. They see the spring on life support. They became educated on the factors that impact our groundwater. And, hopefully, they act. “It’s not gone yet,” she says.

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