It’s been a lively week in our corner of Texas, and we’ve scoured the latest from across the news landscape to bring you the highlights. From local oddities to statewide shakeups, here’s what’s been buzzing as of February 27, 2025.
Measles Hits Home
Rockwall County made headlines this week with its first confirmed measles case of the year, reported on February 25. Health officials say it’s an adult who caught the bug after traveling abroad—no vaccine, no connection to the West Texas outbreak that’s grabbed national attention. The Rockwall County Health Authority is on it, tracking contacts to keep it contained. Meanwhile, that West Texas outbreak has ballooned to 124 cases, with a tragic twist: a child in Lubbock passed away on February 26, the first U.S. measles death in a decade. It’s a sobering reminder of how fast this stuff can spread, especially in unvaccinated pockets. We’ll keep you posted as local officials monitor the situation.
Emu on the Loose
On a lighter note, Rockwall had its own mini-drama last week. On February 20, the Rockwall Police Department nabbed a runaway emu strutting near Greencrest and John King boulevards—right by the Wendy’s, no less. Officers dubbed it their “Emu-sing Moment of the Day” and got the bird back to its owner safe and sound. It’s the kind of small-town story that reminds us life here’s never dull—props to our local cops for the quick corral!
Texas-Sized Headlines
Zooming out, Texas has been busy. In Lubbock, a dust devil tore through Texas Tech’s campus on February 24, startling students and scattering papers like a West Texas tornado’s little cousin. No damage, just a wild moment caught on video. Down in Austin, Attorney General Ken Paxton settled a messy whistleblower lawsuit on February 21, coughing up $3.3 million in state funds to four ex-aides who’d accused him of corruption. He apologized for calling them “rogue employees,” sidestepping a trial that could’ve gotten uglier—political watchers are already speculating on his 2026 Senate run.
Closer to home, North Texas shoppers might feel a pinch with Conn’s HomePlus closing over a dozen stores, including one in Lewisville, announced February 25. The chain’s wrestling $1.8 billion in debt, and it’s a hit to the region’s retail scene. And on February 23, ERCOT flexed its conservation muscle with a voluntary power notice as a cold snap tested the grid—no blackouts, but a nudge to keep those heaters in check.
What’s Next?
We’re pulling these threads from the chatter across news outlets and local reports, giving you the scoop without reinventing the wheel. Got a tip or a story you want us to dig into? Drop us a line—[email protected] we’re here to keep Rockwall informed, one headline at a time.
