Elmo Fredrick Franz Jr., 80, of Kingsland, Texas, formerly of Austin, died Jan. 27, 2009.  The owner of Oak Hill Body and Paint is survived by his wife Josephine.  He was buried Jan. 31, 2009 at St. Charles Catholic Church in the Kingsland Cemetery.

With new data released Jan. 22, 2009, America's trend of declining driving started its second year with a loss of 12.9 billion vehicle-miles traveled (VMT), or 5.3 percent less, in November 2008 compared to the same month a year earlier. It is the largest such decline of any November since monthly data estimates began in 1971.

Seven trade associations representing the automotive aftermarket on Jan. 6 opposed inclusion of a "Cash for Clunkers" program within the economic stimulus plan currently being considered in Washington.

As Americans celebrate the inauguration of a new president of the United States next week, another new Cadillac will grace Pennsylvania Avenue to lead the proceedings. President Barack Obama will ride in an all-new Cadillac Presidential Limousine, continuing a long tradition of Cadillac limousines that have served many U.S. presidents.

Gov. Rick Perry today emphasized the need for continued conservative fiscal principles and strengthening of the state’s workforce to help bolster Texas’ economy as it begins to feel the strain of the national economic downturn. The governor spoke at the Texas Workforce Commission Economic Summit: Putting America Back to Work.