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 WednesdayCounty News
Governor 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. You can read more on Why Hand Sanitiser is an Handbag Essential here.
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:
[Read more…] about Temple Responds to Presumptive COVID-19 Case in Bell County
Salado ISD cancels classes for next week
Salado ISD Superintendent Michael Novotny announced this evening SISD classes for next week have been canceled.
[Read more…] about Salado ISD cancels classes for next weekCar thefts in Salado
About 4 a.m. Jan. 8, while patrolling South Ridge Rd. in Mill Creek, Salado Police officer Chris Dunshie came upon a man wearing a ski mask.
The suspect fled on foot and was able to avoid capture, but dropped an AR15 rifle and magazine that Dunshie was able to recover.
[Read more…] about Car thefts in SaladoSalado native is named Carnegie Hero
Sirois honored for quick action to save life of man trapped in burning truck
Salado native Allen Sirois is among the 15 Americans and three Canadians that the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission honored today by announcing them as 2019 recipients of the Carnegie Medal.
Sirois is the son of Stephanie Hood of Salado and grandson of Monroe and Linda Moore of Salado.
[Read more…] about Salado native is named Carnegie HeroCandidate filing opens for 3 local elections in May
After five terms on the Salado ISD Board of Trustees, Darrell Street is hanging up his spurs. He announced last week in the Salado Village Voice that he would not seek a sixth term on the board.
[Read more…] about Candidate filing opens for 3 local elections in MayMeth, booze epidemic here, not opioids
By Tim Fleischer, Editor-in-Chief
Being near the bottom of the list is a good thing sometimes.
For Texas, being in the bottom three of the United States for opioid-related overdose deaths is a very good thing.
Grand Lodge of Texas will level two cornerstones for Holland ISD
Zerne Masonic Lodge invites area Masons, public to attend ceremonies
Zerne Masonic Lodge No. 615 A.F. & A.M. in Holland, Texas, is honored to receive the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Texas Tommy F. Chapman for the purpose of presiding over the leveling of two cornerstones for the Holland Independent School District.
The leveling ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Holland ISD Campus, 501 Crockett Street in Holland. The Grand Lodge of Texas will level the cornerstone at two buildings on the campus: the Cindy Gunn Student Center and the Holland Elementary Gymnasium.
[Read more…] about Grand Lodge of Texas will level two cornerstones for Holland ISD
Early vote turnout is eclipsing all other midterm elections
The early vote turnout in Bell County has eclipsed every other mid-term election in Bell County history, including the midterms of 2010, which was the Tea Party revolution.
[Read more…] about Early vote turnout is eclipsing all other midterm elections