Sunday Afternoon and Evening ... Scattered intense thunderstorms are expected, some severe. Large hail, high winds and the potential for isolated tornadoes will be the main threats. Locally heavy is rain also possible with these storms.
DENTON & GAINESVILLE, TX -- Driving through Texas you are bound to see herds of cattle, but inside some North Texas fences ranchers are raising herds of bison.
Ten years ago, buffalo rancher Bob Meritt and his wife Jackie sold their herd of cattle and started searching for their next adventure.
"I had the bright idea, I said, let's raise buffalo," Meritt exclaimed
For 81-year-old Meritt having buffalo was always his dream.
"I'd always admired the buffalo nickel, beautiful buffalo, turn it over, beautiful Indian. Just fascinated me ever since I was a little kid," Meritt said.
Today people come from all over the world to see his buffalo.
"These are the most photographed buffalo I guarantee you in the United States," Merit said.
Just a town away in Gainesville buffalo rancher Tim Frasier's dream has evolved from owning buffalo to bringing them back across the plains.
"Texas is beginning to more and more recognize them in symbolic and a very culturally significant way," Frasier said.
Frasier is leading Texas in a national movement to bring the number of bison in North America up from 200,000 to one million.
"We see things like natural flora coming back when bison are grazing because they're an indigenous animal," Frasier said.
Frasier and Meritt agree that reaching a million buffalo in North America could be a restart. In the 19th century many of the estimated 60 million American Buffalo were hunted and slaughtered.
"That's why we're as motivated and passionate as we are because it's an ecological apology," Frasier said.
Meritt and Frasier have seen an increase in ranchers wanting to become buffalo ranchers. They say it might be due to the health benefits of buffalo meat.
"Less calories, less cholesterol, more protein per bite. More vitamins and minerals per bite," Frasier said.
The buffalo's popularity might make it the nation's first national mammal
"I believe the vote will pass and I think it's the right thing,"Meritt said.
"I could do a lot of things for a living, but as I breathe in and out I wanna do something important and I think restoring this species as a rancher is one of the most important things I can do with my life," Frasier said.
"We will have a presence of buffalo on this ranch for the rest of our lives," Meritt said.
For more information on the Texas Bison Association, visit www.texasbison.org. To learn more about the vote to make bison our national mammal, go to www.votebison.org.
Posted: 05/08/13 - The Sherman Public Library is very excited about our upcoming Summer Reading Club for children and teens. Children ages birth-11 can Dig into Reading and join the Youth Summer Reading Club. The theme for the Teen Summer Reading Club this year is Beneath the Surface and it is open to teens ages 12-18. Read More
Posted: 05/07/13 - DURANT, Okla. – Regent Terry Matlock will deliver remarks at Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s Spring Commencement, scheduled for Saturday, May 11, at Paul Laird Field. The ceremony (for all schools) will begin at 10 a.m. A reception will follow at 11:30 a.m. in the Visual & Performing Arts Center. Read More
Posted: 05/06/13 - SHERMAN, TEXAS—Members of the Austin College Class of 2013 are counting down the days until graduation—with both excitement and trepidation. Austin College President Marjorie Hass will present diplomas to more than 340 bachelor’s degree candidates and 18 Master of Arts in Teaching degree candidates who will take part in graduation events May 18 and 19 on campus. Read More
