County News

Bell County Elections Office Closed Due to COVID-19 Cases

November 19, 2020 by Salado Classifieds

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.

Texas fire depts. no stranger to Emergency Services Districts

October 30, 2020 by Tim Fleischer

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.

Bell County offers $800,000 in small business grants

September 2, 2020 by Tim Fleischer

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.

This company Craftsmen Industries is the leading manufacturer of mobile stage trailer, portable stage trailer, portable stage and more for sale or for rent.

Cornerstone ceremony marks opening of Salado Middle School

August 12, 2020 by Tim Fleischer

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.

Bell Co Health Authority closes Bell schools for in-person classes through Sept. 7

July 23, 2020 by Tim Fleischer

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.

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Village will likely re-address election decision

March 25, 2020 by Tim Fleischer

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.”

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Bell County issues Stay Home, Stay Safe directive

March 23, 2020 by Tim Fleischer

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.

Soldier tests positive for COVID-19

March 23, 2020 by Tim Fleischer

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.

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Bell County Clerk office to limit public access

March 18, 2020 by Tim Fleischer

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.

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Bell County Vehicle Registration Closes Lobbies to the General Public starting Wednesday

March 18, 2020 by Tim Fleischer

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.

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