Bell County will be providing $800,000 in grants to small businesses in the county that were adversely affected by closures due to Coronavirus. The maximum grant amount per business is $15,000.
[Read more…] about Bell County offers $800,000 in small business grantsCounty News
Cornerstone ceremony marks opening of Salado Middle School
Grand Lodge of Texas will dedicate cornerstone
The cornerstone of Salado Middle School will be dedicated by State officers of Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M. and local members of Salado Masonic Lodge No. 296 in Salado. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. Aug. 15 at Salado Middle School located at 1189 Williams Rd. in Salado.
[Read more…] about Cornerstone ceremony marks opening of Salado Middle SchoolBell Co Health Authority closes Bell schools for in-person classes through Sept. 7
Bell County locahl health authority Dr. Janice K. Smith issued an order today imposing restrictions on all public and private (non-religious) schools that will keep schools closed for in-person face-to-face instruction until after September 7, 2020.
[Read more…] about Bell Co Health Authority closes Bell schools for in-person classes through Sept. 7Village will likely re-address election decision
Action to move election will have to be taken by Board of Aldermen.
In light of an advisory email from the Elections Division of the Texas Secretary of State, Salado aldermen will likely revisit their split-decision vote on March 23 to continue to hold the Village general election on May 2. While the Village has not formally posted anything about a meeting to move the election date, aldermen were informed via text from the Village Administrator at 1:23 p.m. March 25 that an Emergency Meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held at 9 a.m. March 26 “to consider moving May election to Nov, in light of correspondence from the Secretary of State.”
Despite the Village voting on March 23 to keep the May 2 election date, Mayor Skip Blancett took to social media March 24 to tell voters “an order has been given for 3 November.”
Bell County issues Stay Home, Stay Safe directive
By Tim Fleischer
Editor-in-Chief
Bell County Judge David Blackburn issued a “stay-at-home” directive during a 4 p.m. News conference, the third from Bell County, which will go into effective at midnight tonight (March 23, 2020). The directive requires all Bell County residents should “stay home and stay safe.”
At the time Judge Blackburn issued the directive, the Bell County Health Department listed 16 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in the County.
[Read more…] about Bell County issues Stay Home, Stay Safe directiveSoldier tests positive for COVID-19
Fort Hood confirms Soldier tests positive for COVID-19
FORT HOOD, Texas – As announced by Bell County Health District March 23, the COVID-19 positive case identified as a male, age range 30-39, residing in Bell County, Texas, is a Soldier assigned to 3rd Cavalry Regiment.
[Read more…] about Soldier tests positive for COVID-19Bell County Clerk office to limit public access
Based upon the ongoing and growing concerns regarding Coronavirus – COVID-19, the Bell County Clerk’s Office is implementing a Continuity of Operations Plan to continue serving our citizens while taking precautionary measures to protect our staff and their families.
The Bell County Clerk’s office will limit public access to the office effective immediately and until at least March 31, 2020. The issue will be readdressed daily based on current happenings in our County.
Bell County Vehicle Registration Closes Lobbies to the General Public starting Wednesday
In an effort to reduce the need for in-person transactions, Governor Abbott issued a statement on March 16, 2020, granting a temporary extension to obtain initial registration, renewal of registration, vehicle titling, and renewal of a permanent disabled parking placard. Governor Abbott also granted a temporary extension for an individual with an expired 30-day temporary permit to obtain another permit or Texas registration. This temporary waiver is in effect until 60 days after TxDMV notifies the public that normal vehicle registration, vehicle titling and related services have resumed.
[Read more…] about Bell County Vehicle Registration Closes Lobbies to the General Public starting WednesdayGovernor Declares State Of Disaster For All Texas Counties
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today held a press conference at the State Capitol to update the public on the status of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Texas and what the state is doing to protect public health. The Governor also announced several new actions Texas is taking to mitigate the spread of the virus, including declaring a State of Disaster in all Texas counties.
[Read more…] about Governor Declares State Of Disaster For All Texas CountiesTemple Responds to Presumptive COVID-19 Case in Bell County
TEMPLE, TX (March 13, 2020) – With the first presumptive case of COVID-19 announced in Bell County, the City of Temple is following the recommendations of county health officials and beginning to take precautionary measures. The safety of our residents, visitors and City staff remains our highest priority.
City Events Cancelled
The Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum has cancelled the Spring Break Train Trip scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, March 14. For those visitors who already bought tickets, all trip costs will be fully refunded. The Temple Parks and Recreation Department has cancelled Paws on the Plaza scheduled for Saturday, March 21, as well as the Bush’s Spring Chicken 10K Run scheduled for Saturday, March 28.
Any planned public meetings or forums where Bell County’s “social distancing” guidelines can be maintained will continue as scheduled.
Cleaning of City Buildings/Staff and Visitor Protection
On Thursday, March 12, City of Temple custodial staff began implementing additional cleaning procedures in all city facilities, to include spraying all public entry way door handles & knobs with an alcohol based, hospital type disinfectant. In addition, custodians and departmental employees have increased the use of foaming disinfectant cleaners as well as disinfecting wipes on commonly touched solid surfaces.
Bottles of hand sanitizer have been placed at heavily trafficked public counters in City facilities, like the City Secretary’s Office, and those counters are being disinfected every few hours. Guidance has been sent to all city departments about proper handwashing techniques while on the job. Facility personnel are also providing hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to city staff to use at their workstations when requested.
City Services Continue as Normal
The City Manager’s office continues to hold regular cross-departmental meetings to identify and implement key actions to protect the health and safety of residents and city staff. We are beginning to look at ways to modify programs, meetings, trainings and other gatherings to comply with Bell County’s new “social distancing” guidelines. At this time, all city services will continue as normal.
Emergency Management Updates
Temple Fire Chief Mitch Randles, who serves as the head of the city’s emergency management operations, participates in daily conference calls regarding COVID-19 with county, state and federal officials. With Bell County making the decision to stand up their Joint Information Center and hold weekly press briefings, City of Temple emergency management officials will participate as appropriate. We will continue to update residents with the latest developments on our newly-created COVID-19 information page: www.templetx.gov/coronavirus.
Bell County Health District Guidance
Bell County has moved into Stage 2 of their COVID-19 action plan with news of the presumptive local case, urging residents within the county to actively practice “social distancing,” which is maintaining six feet of distance from others whenever possible. They are also asking people to avoid physical contact with others in social and workplace settings.
There have been no reports of community spread in Bell County. The presumptive case in Belton was of a 29-year old man who had recently traveled abroad. However, county health officials are urging all residents to follow these precautions: