County News

Gov. declares disaster for Bell, Williamson Counties

April 14, 2022 by Tim Fleischer

County Judge urges citizens to avoid the area while clean up continues

Gov. Greg Abbot made a declaration of disaster for Bell and Williamson County yesterday following an EF-3 tornado that ripped an eight-mile path through the area, damaging almost 80 structures.

“The more people we can keep off those roads until we get the debris cleared and then the power restored, the faster that power will be restored to the area,” Bell County Judge David Blackburn said late yesterday during a press conference on the tornado cleanup

Two churches, several homes destroyed by tornado southwest of Salado

April 13, 2022 by Tim Fleischer

A tornado destroyed two country Baptist Churches and leveled houses in the Cedar Valley and Southshore areas west of Salado last night, injuring 23 and sending 12 to the hospital. One person was in critical condition but no fatalities have been reported.

COVID-19 cases drop in Salado ISD following 3-day closure

January 28, 2022 by Tim Fleischer

Following a three-day closure of the schools, Salado ISD reported on the first day back to class that there are 40 active cases of COVID-19 in the district.

As of Friday Jan. 28, Salado ISD reports that 15 cases have been reported in the past seven days

SISD closes school for remainder of week, County at Level 1

January 18, 2022 by Tim Fleischer

With more than one in four staff absent due to COVID-19, Salado ISD Superintendent Michael Novotny announced that the schools would be closed for the remainder of the week (Jan. 19-21) with classes returning Jan. 24.

“Our COVID-19 numbers are at an all-time high with our elementary school and middle school now over 5% COVID-19 positive within the last seven days,” Dr. Novotny stated.

New chief takes over Salado VFD

January 13, 2022 by Tim Fleischer

Jim Franz took the reins of the Salado Fire Department on Jan. 1 as its first full-time Fire Chief, marking the transition from a fully volunteer organization to a hybrid organization that will have full-time staff to support the more than 20 volunteer first responders.

Buckley files for re-election to Texas State House

December 1, 2021 by Tim Fleischer

Saladoan seeks second term as District 54 Rep

State Representative Brad Buckley (R-Salado) filed for re-election last week to represent District 54 in the Texas House of Representatives. Buckley currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Defense and Veteran’s Affairs Committee and is a member of the Public Education Committee. He will be seeking his third term.

Justice of Peace #2 race brings familiar faces

December 1, 2021 by Tim Fleischer

Two candidates have filed early in the race for Bell County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace: incumbent Cliff Coleman and Richard Sapp.

The two may be familiar to local Republicans as they faced each other in the 2018 Republic party primary. Coleman won the primary 1,099 to 1,047 and was unopposed in the general election.

Filing for March 2022 political party primaries continues until 6 p.m. Dec. 13.

Delta variant causing local surge in COVID-19 cases

July 28, 2021 by Tim Fleischer

Local doctors are seeing a surge in positive COVID-19 tests as the fast-spreading DELTA variant spreads through many communities, including Bell County.  

In just the last two weeks, the number of positive cases across the nation has jumped 250% compared to last month and the CDC predicts it is going to get much worse by the end of August.

Bell County receives $11 million fed grant for rent, utility help

March 11, 2021 by Tim Fleischer

Bell County will receive $11 million from the U.S. Treasury for the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program using Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to the county. The program will be administered by the Hill Country Community Action Association.

Bell County Vaccination Centers Closed Monday and Tuesday

February 14, 2021 by Tim Fleischer

Bell County Vaccination Centers Closed Monday and Tuesday

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.