Retail sales in Bell County remained strong through the third and into the fourth quarter, according to the latest figures compiled by the state comptroller. Not only were they strong, but they reflected considerable growth over the same time period in 2006.

For Noris Rivera Natal, 33, of Temple it was indeed a happy new year as she welcomed her newborn son to the world. Anthony Cecelio Irizarry-Rivera was born at 2:02 a.m. on New Year´s morning. That made him the first baby born in Temple in 2008.

BELTON - When Don Screws, 73, of Belton returned home Tuesday after an afternoon of arrowhead hunting with a friend he was greeted by charred ruins. His home was a total loss from a New Year´s Day blaze that destroyed his cottage at 2803 Pat Drive. Even his pickup truck parked nearby was undriveable, said Screws.

WASHINGTON POST Hope springs eternal.

Although Census Bureau estimates that Texas has gained a half million new residents since July 2006, it will not be known until spring what those numbers might mean locally. According to Greg Harper, a demographer with the Census Bureau, whether Bell County cities gain a slice of that increase will not likely be known until March.

NEW ORLEANS - There was no repeat of the Boise State Miracle. The Georgia Bulldogs were simply too big, too fast and too strong for the team from paradise. Hawaii´s bid at perfection ended with a thud in the Sugar Bowl, where the black-clad Bulldogs took out their frustration at getting passed over for a shot at the BCS championship with a 41-10 rout of Colt Brennan and the overmatched Warriors on Tuesday night.

PASADENA, Calif. - This would have been a perfect Rose Bowl for the USC Trojans, except for the one thing they couldn´t control. They couldn´t pick their opponent.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Texas Tech didn´t score 40 or more points, as it had all season. Through three quarters, the nation´s top passing offense couldn´t score much at all. But Graham Harrell stayed with it, finishing 44-of-69 for 407 yards and three TDs, and the Red Raiders scored just enough to overcome a 14-point deficit and stun No. 21 Virginia 31-28 on a late field goal in the Gator Bowl on Tuesday.

DALLAS - Colorful confetti flip-flopping around him, fans in black and gold chanting his name, Tony Temple and his Missouri teammates were basking in a terrific ending to a magical season. Only one thing was wrong - the setting. See, this was the Cotton Bowl, not the national championship game they were a win away from reaching, and it wasn´t the Orange, Fiesta or Sugar Bowl like they thought they deserved.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Michigan coach Lloyd Carr was doused with water, surrounded by dancing players and then carried onto the field. He went out a winner.