Lutheran Sunset Ministries recently reached out to Bosque County residents through Facebook asking for pen pals for their residents. The Sunset Home Sunshine Pen Pal Program collects and distributes letters from the community to Lutheran Sunset Ministries residents to help combat the loneliness and isolation felt from being separated from their loved ones.

Bosque County students are in their second or third week of school and six cases of students or school staff have been reported in less than week. Kopperal ISD announced Monday they will be closing in-person classes and are switching school lessons to remote learning only after four cases were confirmed, three students and one staff member.

This fall semester is unlike any experienced in recent history, with some students learning at home, and teachers facing new challenges to keep students engaged. For this reason, many parents are looking for extra support at home.

School may look a little different this year, but there is one thing that won’t change: traffic safety. For those children who will be going back to in-person classes, it will be important to take precautions to make sure each trip is a safe one. Whether going to school as a pedestrian, bicyclist, bus rider, vehicle passenger or a new driver, follow safety guidelines to avoid injuries. Drivers also need to be vigilant because school children can be very unpredictable. They are easily distracted and can often run into traffic or jump out from behind parked cars. Looking out for children, rather than expecting them to look out for vehicles, is the best defense for drivers.

• Justin Cole Sweet, 32, of Temple, was arrested on August 24 for the possession of a controlled substance of one gram or more but less than four grams. • Scott Ashby Henderson, 63, of China Spring, was arrested on August 24 for driving while intoxicated, third or more IAT.

The good news is: The Bosque County Commissioners aren’t raising taxes for the coming year. The bad news is: Most residents’ tax bill will be higher.

About 60 percent of coronavirus cases have been in Clifton according to Bosque County officials Monday. “Most people of the cases have been in Clifton just due to with population and size,” said Bosque County Emergency Coordinator Chris Anderson Monday.

The coronavirus has kept many families apart. My brother, Fred Arthur Fisher, who I grew up with in Bosque County, now lives in Forth Worth.

As the summer draws to a close, many families are prepping for the new backto-school season. While this academic year might look a little different from previous years, there are still many ways to save on the essentials your family needs.

■Paul Nelson Bibles, 74, was arrested on August 17 for assault with a deadly weapon. ■David Hollis Vestal, 59, was arrested on August 17 for the possession of a controlled substance less than one gram.