The number of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans seeking treatment from the VA for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder jumped by almost 70 percent in the 12 months ending on June 30. That´s 20,000 more veterans needing help with life after war. There is every indication that Central Texas veterans aren´t spared.

BELTON LAKE - The Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area opened this week for its winter season. The announcement was unexpected. The popular outdoors recreation area for active duty military members and retirees was closed in June because of torrential rains and flash floods that, by all appearances, could have been devastating.

Two Temple schools are Texas Monthly´s pick for top Texas schools. The December issue of the magazine includes Bonham Middle School and Western Hills Elementary in its list of 859 schools that showed higher test scores than expected and steady improvement. In the annual National Center for Educational Accountability study published by Texas Monthly, Bonham and Western Hills students were shown to be high performing in 25 percent of the subjects on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills exam. The study is different from the Texas Education Agency accountability rating because the schools are put into groups with similar economic and ethnic demographics for an “apples-to-apples” comparison.

The dropout rate among Texas students doubled in 2006 because students who earn a General Educational Development degree are now considered dropouts. In the past, Texas schools could consider students who quit school to earn a GED to be four-year graduates. But in 2003 the Texas Legislature redefined the definition of a dropout and this practice was discontinued. The change went into effect last year, effectively doubling the state´s dropout rate.

WACO - All the elusiveness in the small 5-7 frame of McKinney Boyd quarterback Daryn Alves was no match for the pure power and speed of Copperas Cove running back Troy Vital. Vital set a Cove single-game rushing record with 327 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead the ninth-ranked Bulldawgs to a 48-26 win Friday night at Floyd Casey Stadium for their second consecutive berth in the Class 4A Division I state semifinals.

BUDA - Sixth-ranked Granger overcame kick-coverage problems to dominate the fourth quarter and defeat Shiner 35-28 in the Class A Division I Region IV championship game Friday night at Bob Shelton Stadium. The Lions drove 40 yards in eight plays to score the game-winning touchdown with 9:07 remaining. Elusive Bradley Sims slithered 13 yards through the heart of the Comanches´ defense to climax the drive and Kyle Janke added his third extra point.

VICTORIA - When Joshua Gonzales took over as Santa Rosa´s football coach in mid-July, there were no outrageous expectations or high demands. After all, Gonzales became the Warriors´ fourth coach in four seasons and inherited a team that went 2-8. Before this season, the program had just three winning seasons and had reached the postseason only once since 1993.

DOVER, Del. - On the eve of the NCAA Division III playoffs three years ago, Mary Hardin-Baylor coach Pete Fredenburg believed his program was at a crossroads. He challenged his team and the Crusaders responded with their first playoff win, which triggered a run to the national championship game. Fast forward from 2004 to today and UMHB stands at a similar intersection. The Crusaders, with arguably their most talented team ever, face an opponent they haven´t beaten in two tries.

SAN ANTONIO - What a wild and wonderful week for the Missouri Tigers. The Big 12 Conference´s North Division champions are ranked No. 1, their quarterback is getting serious talk about the Heisman Trophy and if the Tigers can beat No. 9 Oklahoma in the league title game tonight, they´ll play for the national championship.