The Windthorst ISD school board approved the district’s 2021-2022 school calendar during its board meeting Monday, March 8. The calendar features an elongated winter break which will begin with an early release day on Wednesday, Dec 22 and run until Monday, Jan.

During its meeting Monday, March 8, the Archer County Commissioner’s Court approved a resolution stating its opposition to Texas Senate Bill 234 and House Bill 749 which would prohibit county funds from being used to join and support nonprofit county associations that provide communication to state legislators.

Discussion and action on water rates for customers outside city limits took place on Monday, March 8, at the Holliday city council meeting. “If you live outside the city limits, we’re doubling the water rates, but the minimum we’re not changing,” Mayor Allen Moore said.

At the Lakeside City council meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 24, there was the discussion and consideration on purchase of large generators for the city utility infrastructure.

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.