Brazos Electric Power Cooperative (Brazos EPC), Inc., J-A-C Electric Cooperative’s (J-A-C EC) power provider, announced March 1 that it has filed for Chapter 11 Financial Restructuring protection, stemming from the financial impact of February’s unprecedented polar vortex.

Winter Storm Uri, which blasted through the entire state of Texas, caused at least $600 million in agricultural losses, according to preliminary data from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agricultural economists. “A large number of Texas farmers, ranchers and others involved in commercial agriculture and agricultural production were seriously affected by Winter Storm Uri,” said Jeff Hyde, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension director, Bryan-College Station. “Freezing temperatures and ice killed or harmed many of their crops and livestock as well as causing financial hardships and operational setbacks. And the residual costs from the disaster could plague many producers for years to come.”

The Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation is now accepting applications for their 2021-2022 scholarship awards. Due to recent weather events involving prolonged power outages, the application deadline for scholarships has been extended until March 7.

Natural Resources Conservation Service is providing Archer County farmers and ranchers the ability to share their opinion for the 2021 Local Work Group. Your opinion helps NRCS and the Archer County Soil and Water Conservation District on how to best set priorities and locally implement conservation practices. Feedback forms are available at the Archer City USDA field office at 313 W Main, Archer City, TX 76351. You can also complete the feedback form by emailing Adam Durham at adam.durham@usda.gov. All feedback forms must be completed by March 31, 2021. Contact Adam Durham at 940-574-2566 ext 3, if you have any questions.

The St. Mary's Catholic Church in Windthorst was covered in inches of snow.

Gavin Hulse earned a 10th place for Star gilt spot in San Angelo on Feb. 13.