Texas
Texas Rain Catcher Award applications open for 2024 – Texas Farm Bureau
The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is now accepting applications for the 2024 Texas Rain Catcher Award.
Individuals, companies, organizations, municipalities and other local and state governmental entities in Texas who have a rainwater system installed in their home or business are invited to apply for the competition.
The Texas Rain Catcher Award is an annual rainwater harvesting competition and recognition program that promotes technology, educates the public and recognizes excellence in the application of rainwater harvesting systems in Texas.
Each entry requires a completed application and digital photos showcasing the rainwater system.
Awards are presented in each of the following categories:
- agricultural,
- commercial/industrial,
- educational/governmental,
- and residential.
At the discretion of the judging committee, additional categories may be added to accommodate systems that cannot be properly classified into one of the categories.
Applications are reviewed by a panel of judges consisting of TWDB staff. Each entry will be judged in the appropriate category. Scores will be based on the following criteria:
- Demonstration of how the rainwater harvesting system has helped conserve surface water and/or groundwater through reduced dependency on conventional water supply systems.
- Demonstration of how the rainwater harvesting system has saved money for the owner.
- Originality and innovation as evidenced by the application of new knowledge, new application of existing knowledge or an innovative mix of existing and new knowledge.
- Demonstration of how the system has benefited the environment (for example, reduced erosion or the threat of flooding) without itself adversely impacting the environment.
- Uniqueness of the system.
Winners will be notified via e-mail and announced on TWDB’s Rainwater Harvesting website.
Winners of the Texas Rain Catcher Award are invited to Austin to receive their award during a regular meeting of the TWDB board in the fall. Winning entries will be displayed on the TWDB website and will also be included in a TWDB newsletter.
Applications are due June 30.
Entries may be submitted to RainWater-Harvesting@twdb.texas.gov using the subject line, Texas Rain Catcher Award Submission – [entity’s name].
If you are unable to submit via email, contact Shae Luther at shae.luther@twdb.texas.gov.
View competition details here.
View the application here.
:focal(0x197:3500x2274)/static.texastribune.org/media/files/9c35b3883c705663a20ccf875b8cd126/Ralls%20Drought%20TTh%20TT%2021.jpg?w=400&resize=400,240&ssl=1 "These are the proposals lawmakers hope will save Texas’ water supply. Track them here.")
:focal(0x197:3500x2274)/static.texastribune.org/media/files/9c35b3883c705663a20ccf875b8cd126/Ralls%20Drought%20TTh%20TT%2021.jpg?w=80&resize=80,80&ssl=1 "These are the proposals lawmakers hope will save Texas’ water supply. Track them here.")
A day off at the pool — and a little sunburn — didn’t stop the Minnesota Twins’ momentum.
Brooks Lee hit a three-run homer as Minnesota scored multiple runs in the first inning for the third consecutive game, and the Twins went on to complete a series sweep of the Texas Rangers with a 9-3 win Thursday.
Minnesota has won four games in a row and scored 25 runs in the three-games series in Texas. The two teams had a rare, mid-series day off on Wednesday with the England-Croatia World Cup game being played in Arlington.
“We’re locked in every day,” Lee told Audra Martin on the team’s broadcast. “Yesterday, taking time off, lay out by the pool, get a little burnt and then right back to it. We did a good job getting focused. I feel like we do that with rain delays, too, just lock back in and we’re doing it.”
Lee’s 12th homer capped a four-run first off Jack Leiter (3-7). Trevor Larnach made it 6-0 in the fourth with a two-run shot to straightaway center that just cleared the extended glove of leaping Alejandro Osuna. Larnach’s third hit was an RBI single in the fifth, and Ryan Kriedler hit a two-run homer in the eighth.
Joe Ryan (5-3) struck out seven but needed 97 pitches to get through five scoreless innings while allowing three singles. Leiter was done after the fourth, and has given up 17 runs while losing three starts in a row.
The Twins never trailed in the sweep that extended their winning streak to four, matching their longest this season. Their 14-5 record at Globe Life Field is the best for any American League opponent since the ballpark opened in 2020.
Wyatt Langford, Ezequiel Duran and Justin Foscue hit solo homers for the Rangers, who have lost five of six games. They are 0-15 when giving up multiple runs in the first inning.
Twins DH Josh Bell, who was born in nearby Irving and grew up in the area, had an RBI single before Lee’s homer. Bell hit a three-run homer in the first inning of the series-opening 4-2 win Monday, and had an RBI single for a 2-0 lead in the first of a 12-2 win on Tuesday.
“We’re just passing the baton each time,” Lee said of the offensive output. “Our guys are hot. They feel good and they came out swinging today. It was awesome to see. We’ve done that for a while now.”
Up next
Twins rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-4, 5.26 ERA) starts Friday at Arizona. The Diamondbacks are scheduled to start right-hander Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.11).
Watch CBS News
A Texas state trooper was killed in a crash in the Panhandle, becoming the 244th Texas Department of Public Safety officer to die in the line of duty since 1823, according to the agency.
Sergio Romero, 27, died Wednesday after a semi-truck pulled in front of him as he attempted a traffic stop around 4 p.m. on U.S. 287 in Childress County, DPS said.
In a statement, Col. Freeman F. Martin praised Romero’s courage, integrity, and service.
“Today, we grieve the loss of one of our own,” Martin said. “… Our hearts break alongside his family, friends, fellow troopers, and all who loved him. We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made in service of his fellow Texans.”
Romero previously served with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office before joining DPS as part of Class B-2025 in Childress, the agency said.
He is survived by his wife, Francisca, and their two young sons.
Funeral arrangements are pending. The crash remains under investigation.
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