It will be extremely difficult to replace the commitment to the La Crescent and Houston County that Tom and Jean have. But our goal with the paper will be to continue the tradition of serving local readers and our advertisers.

I am very pleased that Houston County News will join our group of community newspapers. Tom and Jean have worked very hard to build this newspaper, which will make a fine addition to our group of weekly newspapers.

The new Web site is a logical extension of what newspapers already do very well ? providing important information about government. Putting that information online makes it easy and accessible for those who prefer the Internet.

Tom Johnson played extremely well.

This isn't Brazoria County, obviously.

It was getting very, very dark out there and it made that putt extremely difficult,