Established in 1979
Austin, TX – The Public Utility Commission of Texas today echoed a call from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas for electricity conservation. Narrow margins between cold-driven demand and the supply of available power across the state are expected to occur periodically through Tuesday.
[Read more…] about Cold-driven demand makes conservation necessary
Belton, TX – All three of the Bell County’s vaccination centers will be closed on Monday, February 15, and Tuesday, February 16, due to inclement weather. All appointments on those days will be automatically rescheduled.
[Read more…] about Bell County Vaccination Centers Closed Monday and Tuesday
By Tim Fleischer
Editor-in-Chief
Salado Water Supply Corporation rejected two proposals from the developer of Sanctuary Development, a mixed use development of almost 300 acres of property off of Royal St., FM 2268 and I-35.
The board voted on Jan. 28 to turn down both proposals brought to them by Sanctuary earlier in the month.
Sirena Fest announced its 2021 calendar of events and announced its efforts to become a 501(c)3 non-profit organization during a launch party at Stagecoach Inn’s new Longhorn Room Jan. 29.
[Read more…] about Sirena Fest launches 2021 calendar, non-profit effort
2020 will be remembered as the year of cancellation and isolation as Coronavirus spread across the nation and world.
We felt it too in our little hometown. As it spread around the world, COVID-19 began to have its effects in our own hometown beginning in February. Vic and Janice Means were some of the first people in the U.S. to be quarantined, as they were among those on cruise ships in which it broke out in February.
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.
3 And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David;
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad they saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
About the Art:
Joachim Beuckelaer, The Adoration of the Shepherds, Antwerp, 1534-1574. Public Domain, wikicommons.org.
Belton, TX – Thursday, November 19, it was announced that the Bell County Vehicle Registration Office in Belton will be closed to in-person, walk in services due to additional employees in the office testing positive for COVID-19. The office will continue to provide services online and by phone. In addition, the Vehicle Registration Offices in Temple, Killeen, and Ft. Hood remain open for in-person, walk-in services by appointment.
Bell County Tax Assessor-Collector Shay Luedeke closed the Belton office last week, which furnishes additional details at 501c3Go, after two employees tested positive for the virus. At the time, two other employees reported symptoms and were encouraged to get tested. When those tests came back positive, Luedeke made the decision to close the office through the Thanksgiving holiday.
“Given the number of people who were going to be at home recovering” Luedeke said, “we were not going to have sufficient staff to run the office.”
Per State Health Department protocols, contact tracing is being conducted as it relates to these cases. This process can take up to 48 hours after confirmation of COVID-19. If COVID-19 exposure is determined to have occurred, the State will notify individuals who may have been subject to exposure. As of this writing, the State has not indicated to Bell County any known exposures.
All public appointments for the Belton office have been cancelled until Monday, November 30. However, Luedeke acknowledges that the timeline may have to be extended based on staffing. Appointments can still be made with the Temple and Killeen offices by visiting the Bell County Tax Assessor-Collector website.
Belton, TX – Effective Thursday, November 19, the Bell County Elections Department will close its doors to the public for walk-in services. This is the result of two employees testing positive for COVID-19. The five-person office will be working remotely beginning tomorrow and continue to do so until the end of the month.
The decision was made after consultations with Bell County Public Health District Director Dr. Amanda Chadwell.
“She recommended that any employee with the ability to work remotely should do so and monitor themselves for symptoms for the next two weeks,” Interim Elections Administrator Matthew Dutton said.
Dutton stressed that, while his staff is not scheduled to be in the office during regular hours, Election Department services will continue to be provided online, by phone, and by appointment.
Signage has been posted at the Elections Department Office advising that the office has temporarily closed to walk-in public access due to confirmed COVID-19 cases with two employees.
In addition, and out of an abundance of caution, the Elections Division is in the process of notifying members of the Early Vote Ballot Board (who were in the building last week) of the confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Per State Health Department protocols, contact tracing is being conducted as it relates to these cases. This process can take up to 48 hours after confirmation of COVID-19. If COVID-19 exposure is determined to have occurred, the State will notify individuals who may have been subject to exposure. As of this writing, the State has not indicated to Bell County any known exposures.
While the proposed Bell County Emergency Services District #1 serving the Salado area would be the first in Bell County, our neighbor to the south is no stranger to them. Williamson County has 12 ESDs serving communities as small as Weir to larger departments like Sam Bass, which serves the western part of Round Rock and has two fire stations.
[Read more…] about Texas fire depts. no stranger to Emergency Services Districts
Halloween trick or treaters will be on the streets on Oct. 31 and Salado police recommend that locals keep in mind that Salado’s streets are not wide enough to have cars parked on both sides.
Please make sure you leave enough room for cars and emergency vehicles to pass safely through the streets.
Drivers should be mindful of children running through the neighborhoods.
Parents should make sure their child, and all family members can be seen by those driving vehicles.
They should also wear something reflective so as to improve your visibility.
Salado churches and organizations will have several family friendly and safe events.
Salado FFA invites you to bring your children to the Trunk-or-Treat in the Salado High School parking lot 2-6 p.m. Oct. 31.
Hand sanitizer will be set up around the parking lot and available at each car.
Children will not put their hands in candy bags. Whoever is handing out candy will be putting the candy in the kids’ bags.
The candy holder will also use hand sanitizer before each time they put candy in the bag or they will wear gloves.
Games will be sanitized between each user. There will also be multiple sets of chairs. Each time a chair is pulled, it will be wiped down and cleaned for the next group of children.
All events will be outside and distanced at least six feet apart. Markers will be mapped out in the parking lot.
Face masks will be required during this event. Anyone that does not follow the guidelines will be politely asked to leave and will not be allowed to participate in the event.
First Baptist Church of Salado will hold its Trunk or Treat in the parking lot of its campus, located at 210 S. Main Street from 4-6 p.m. on Oct. 31.
Cars will be physically separated for social distancing. Hecho en Queso and Big Tony’s Cheesesteaks food trucks will be on the grounds.
Heritage Country Church, located at Lark Trail, invites area children and parents to its Trunk or Treat and Hayride.
The event will be held 4:30-7 p.m. Oct. 31.
The event is sponsored by the Heritage Country Church Youth Group and the Candy Monster is accepting donations.
Salado United Methodist Church will hold a Drive Through Trunk or Treat Mobile Mask-arade, Salado United Methodist Church parking lot, 650 Royal St., 5-7 p.m. Oct. 31.
The event will include games, prizes and snacks, all from the safety of your car.
3C Cowboy Fellowship invites children with their parents to a safe, family friendly Trunk or Treat 6-8 Oct. 31 on the grounds of the church, located at 16258 Gooseneck Rd. in Salado.
Activities and rides include the Trunk or Treat, mule wagon rides, a bounce house, hayrides and a variety of games.
Food and drinks will include candy, hot dogs, popcorn, hot cocoa and cold drinks.
The event is free.
For grownups, there are a few Halloween events going on around Salado.
The Barton House restaurant, 101 N. Main St., will host a Roaring 20s Halloween Party, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31. The party will be held downstairs in the Swanky Sirena Speakeasy with a $20 Cover. Speakeasy members are free.
Chupacabra Craft Beer, 423 South Main, will have a costume contest for adults on Oct. 31.
Winners get a free T-shirt. There will also be ribbons for the funniest, scariest and most creative costumes.
For details, visit their Facebook page.
The Shed, corner of Royal Street and Center Circle, is having a costume contest all day on Oct. 31. Photos will be taken with winners announced for first and second place via social media.
Prizes may be either mailed to the winners or collected at The Shed.