The story headline links to a better view of the story and share features.
News
Virtual Recovery Centers Opened Tuesday, Feb. 23
February 24, 2021 - Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Texas businesses and residents as a result of President Biden’s major disaster declaration, U.S. Small Business Administration’s acting Administrator Tami L. Perriello announced.
The declaration covers 77 Texas counties as a result of the severe winter storms that began on Feb. 11, 2021. See below for the list of declared counties.
“SBA is strongly committed to providing Texas with the most effective and customer-focused response possible and with access to federal disaster loans to help businesses and residents affected by this disaster,” said Perriello. “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”
In consideration of the public health concerns due to the Coronavirus pandemic, on Tuesday, Feb. 23, SBA will establish a Virtual Business Recovery Center to provide personalized assistance to business owners. In addition, SBA will also open a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center to help homeowners and renters. Customer Service Representatives will be available to business owners and individuals to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each person complete their electronic loan application.
Virtual Business Recovery Center and
Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EDT
FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
(800) 659-2955
Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
Interest rates can be as low as 3 percent for businesses, 2 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.25 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.disasterassistance.gov. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The 77 counties are: Angelina, Aransas, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Brazoria, Brazos, Brown, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Collin, Comal, Comanche, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, DeWitt, Ellis, Falls, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gillespie, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hood, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lavaca, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Maverick, McLennan, Montague, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Nueces, Orange, Palo Pinto, Panola, Parker, Polk, Rockwall, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Scurry, Shelby, Smith, Stephens, Tarrant, Travis, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wharton, Wichita, Williamson, Wilson and Wise.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
U.S. Small Business Administration Fact Sheet - Disaster Loans
U.S. Small Business Administration - Disaster Assistance
Texas Declaration #16876 & #16877
(Disaster: Tx-00591)
Incident: Severe Winter Storms
Occurring: February 11, 2021
SBA está lista para Asistir a Negocios y Residentes del estado de Texas Afectados por la Tormentas Invernales Severas
Se Abrirán Centros de Recuperación Virtuales el Martes, 23 de Febrero
24 de Febrero - Préstamos federales de desastre a bajos intereses están disponibles para los negocios y residentes del estado de Texas como resultado de la declaración de desastre mayor del Presidente Biden, anunció la Administradora Interina Tami L. Perriello de la Administración Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA).
La declaración cubre 77 condados de Texas que se vieron afectados por las tormentas invernales severas que comenzó el 11 de Febrero de 2021. Ver la lista de condados declarados abajo.
“SBA está firmemente comprometida en brindar al estado de Texas una respuesta efectiva enfocada al cliente y proporcionar acceso a préstamos federales de desastre para ayudar a los negocios y residentes afectados a financiar su recuperación,” afirmó Perriello. “Lograr que nuestros negocios y comunidades se recuperen y vuelvan a funcionar después de un desastre es la prioridad número uno de SBA.”
En consideración a los problemas de salud pública debido al pandémico Coronavirus, el Martes 23 de Febrero, la SBA establecerá un Centro de Recuperación Virtual de Negocios para darles asistencia personalizada a los dueños de negocios. Además, la SBA también abrirá un Centro Virtual de Promoción y Asistencia para ayudarles a los dueños de casa e inquilinos. Representantes del Servicio al Cliente estarán disponibles a los dueños de negocios e individuos para contestar las preguntas sobre el programa de préstamos para desastres de SBA, explicar el proceso de solicitar un préstamo y ayudarle a cada persona a completar su solicitud de préstamo electrónicamente.
Centro Virtual de Recuperación de Negocios y
Centro Virtual de Promoción y Asistencia
Lunes a Viernes
8 a.m. a 8 p.m. (hora del Este)
FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
(800) 659-2955
Los Negocios de cualquier tamaño y las organizaciones sin fines de lucro privadas pueden solicitar préstamos hasta de $2 millones de dólares para reparar o reemplazar bienes inmuebles, maquinarias y equipos, inventarios y otros activos. Además, SBA puede prestar fondos adicionales a negocios y dueños de casas para ayudar con el costo de mejoras para proteger, prevenir o minimizar que el mismo tipo de daños ocurran en el futuro.
SBA ofrece Préstamos de Desastres para Pérdidas Económicas a los pequeños negocios, pequeñas cooperativas agrícolas, pequeños negocios involucrados en acuacultura y a la mayoría de organizaciones sin fines de lucro privadas de todos tamaños para ayudarles a cubrir necesidades de capital de trabajo causadas por el desastre. La asistencia para pérdidas económicas está disponible independientemente de si el negocio sufrió algún daño físico en la propiedad.
Los préstamos de desastres disponibles para dueños de casas pueden ser hasta de $200,000 para reparar o reemplazar bienes raíces dañados o destruidos. Dueños de casas e inquilinos pueden solicitar hasta $40,000 para reparar o reemplazar su propiedad personal dañada o destruida.
Las tasas de interés de los préstamos pueden ser tan bajas hasta de 3 por ciento para negocios, 2 por ciento para organizaciones sin fines de lucro privadas y 1.25 por ciento para dueños de casas e inquilinos, por plazos de hasta 30 años. Los montos y términos de los préstamos son establecidos por SBA y se basan en las condiciones financieras de cada solicitante.
Para ser considerados para recibir todas las formas de asistencia de desastres, los sobrevivientes deben contactar primero a la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA) en www.disasterassistance.gov. Los interesados pueden llenar una solicitud en línea, recibir información adicional sobre asistencia de desastres y descargar la solicitud de préstamo en https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. También pueden comunicarse al Centro de Servicio a Clientes para Asistencia de Desastres de SBA marcando (800) 659 2955 o enviando un correo electrónico a disastercustomerservice@sba.gov para obtener mayor información. Las personas sordas o con problemas de audición pueden llamar al (800) 877 8339. Las solicitudes completadas en papel deben enviarse por correo a U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Los 77 condados son: Angelina, Aransas, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Brazoria, Brazos, Brown, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Collin, Comal, Comanche, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, DeWitt, Ellis, Falls, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gillespie, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hood, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lavaca, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Maverick, McLennan, Montague, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Nueces, Orange, Palo Pinto, Panola, Parker, Polk, Rockwall, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Scurry, Shelby, Smith, Stephens, Tarrant, Travis, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wharton, Wichita, Williamson, Wilson and Wise.
Sobre la Administración Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA)La Administración Federal de Pequeños Negocios (SBA) hace realidad el sueño americano de ser dueño de una empresa. Como el único recurso y voz para las pequeñas empresas respaldada por la fortaleza del gobierno federal, la SBA capacita a los empresarios y propietarios de pequeñas empresas con los recursos y el apoyo que necesitan para comenzar, crecer o expandir sus negocios, o para recuperarse de un desastre. Ofrece servicios a través de una extensa red de oficinas locales de la SBA y asociaciones con organizaciones públicas y privadas. Para obtener más información, visite www.sba.gov.
Hoja De Datos De La Agencia Federal Para El Desarrollo De La Pequeña Empresa Préstamos Para Desastres
Asistencia Para Desastre
Texas Declaración #16876 Y #16877
(Desastre: Tx-00591)
Incidente: Tormentas Invernales Severas
Ocurriendo: 11 De Febrero De 2021 Y Continuando
February 24, 2021 - The American Red Cross will be distributing drinking water and MRE’s today, Wednesday, February 24th at the First Baptist Church, 5030 Hwy 87 S in Shelbyville. They will begin at 11:00am and distribute until all is gone.
February 24, 2021 - Many have contacted the cooperative in regards to a lineman accident. Yesterday evening, while restoring power after the winter storm, a lineman was injured, but there was no electrocution. Lineman crews responded appropriately as trained and were able to overcome the incident with only a minor injury. We appreciate your care and concern. Please continue to keep these lineman and their families in your prayers.
Today, crews are focusing on the remaining outages and estimate to have all power restored today.
As of 9 AM, DETEC is reporting approximately 140 outages remaining within Nacogdoches and Shelby County.
At this point in the restoration process, it is very important to let us know if you are still without power.
If you are still without power, you may report your outage by:
- Calling our 1-800-392-5986 Outage Reporting line. Please know the telephone number and meter number associated with your account. We encourage you to rely on the automated system and do not select to speak with a representative unless absolutely necessary as you will experience long hold times or incomplete calls due to heavy call volume. With you meter number, you should be able to report your outage quickly. The outage number is available 24 hours, every day.
- Call our local office at 936-229-4000, option 2. Member Service Representatives are available 8 AM – 5 PM if you must speak with someone. Again, due to heavy call volume, you may experience long hold times.
- Report your outage via our Mobile App – DETECmobile. You must already have an online account login to use this feature. If you do not have a login, you will need to go to www.deepeast.com and set this up.
- Report your outage via our website at www.deepeast.com. You will need a online login to report your outage. If you do not have a login, you can create one here. You will need to know all pertinent information for the account holder. If you are accessing our site on a mobile device and do not have a login, please select “Go to Desktop Version” and select Create User ID under the My Account tab.
February 23, 2021 - The Timpson City Council was holding a closed executive session meeting Tuesday, February 23, to discuss the fate of the city’s police department.
Council members were meeting with an attorney representing the city and the items listed on the agenda included:
The operation, budget, and potential closure of the City of Timpson Police Department. As well as possible action concerning a reduction in force of the remaining staff at the City of Timpson Police Department including the Chief of Police.
At 4pm the meeting went right into executive session, and as of 6:15pm returned to open session.
Upon returning to open session, no action was taken and mayor Debra Smith stated the item would be considered at the next council meeting.
It’s yet to be publicly determined if the city of Timpson will cease to have a police department.
February 22, 2021 - The Tenaha City Council held a meeting February 8, 2021 to revisit items previously discussed in the January 25, 2021 meeting as several items weren't appropriately voted on following council motions.
Both meetings included lengthy executive sessions. Following the February 8 executive session, the council voted to accept resignations of the Chief of Police Bobby Linder and Captain William Denison.
A motion carried to accept the resignations of both officers, and left the department with one officer, Chris Benton.
In both letters of resignation submitted by the officers they cited a "hostile work environment" and "fear of retaliation" from certain council members and a constant "break in the chain of command."
The council revisited five items from the January 25 meeting agenda to resolve issues involving voting on the items. In some instances there was a motion and a second; however, there was not a vote to carry the item.
The council discussed moving $17,879.14 from one account to another to pay First National Bank Wichita Falls for loan number 66879 during the January 25 meeting.
"We have to do something, we be broke," said Durand Steadman, Alderman. Florance Adams said she already told him they were broke and Steadman responded, "We ain't broke yet, we got $185,[000] we fixin' to get broke I'm gonna cash that joker in."
During that meeting a motion was made by Florance Adams to pay the $17,879.14 that the city owes to First National Bank Wichita Falls out of the city Improvements account and to check into how much it will cost to pay off the police department vehicles, and how much would be saved.
Adams motion was seconded by Linda Vickery and Steadman stated his vote was nay. Mayor Michael Ramsey stated, "What we got, 4-1?" followed by silence from the remaining members, and he said, "Okay."
When the February 8 meeting returned to this same item a vote reflected Adams and Vickery in favor of the payment while Steadman reiterated his original vote of nay, Lee Gibbs voted nay and Craig Gray also voted nay.
This resulted in the motion then failing.
The other agenda items which each received a favorable vote included approving the November 2020 Financials; December 2020 Financials; award contract to vendor for the delivery of emergency services equipment through CDBG FAST Grant 7219256 and Order an Election to be held on May 1, 2021 for the purpose of electing (3) Three City Council Members; Place 1, Place 4 and Place 5.
In discussing the financial reports, Gray asked about the city's settlement payment of $79,603 and from what account it was being paid. Amanda Treat, City Secretary, explained that money was being paid out of the city Improvements account.
At the time of the January 25 meeting, there was $215,444.34 in the Improvements account which after the transaction of $79,603 left $135,840.41. Treat stated the only other fund is money set aside for water meters, and Steadman agreed the city need not draw on that money for anything else.
Gray asked about the Rainy Day fund, and Treat stated the money remaining in that fund is for state fees. Vickery explained the city was getting behind on paying the state fees and began just setting the money aside to pay the fees and not incur interest penalties.
After paying the $17,879.14 the city would still owe a total of $125,000 for all of the vehicles to be paid over two years.
Gray asked when the next payments on the other three vehicles are due.
"The next three would be right at $69,000 and I believe they're due in June," said Treat.
Gray stated it looks like June would do them in and Steadman said they're transferring $20,000 every month to make payroll.
The council considered the value of the police cars and discussions suggested they would take a loss on the vehicles if they could sell them.
Chief Linder was not with the police department at the time the city purchased the vehicles, and neither were the majority of the council members. Chief Linder explained his understanding of the equipment in the vehicles was the vehicles themselves were used to finance the equipment.
Mayor Ramsey stated he had reviewed the equipment in the cars and one radar gun was valued at around $5,000.
"Whoever did that, yeah they did a good job on that was fine as long as you ain't paying for it," said Ramsey.
Gray asked if the city is entitled to anything in COVID relief funding that would help. Chief Linder explained there is potentially something the city will be able to apply for.
"The last email I got, we possibly could look at $53,000 and it could only go to their salaries," said Treat.
Although there is a possibility the city can receive some funding to help with police officer salaries, the city is facing several major expenditures.
The city will be considering approval of paying loan(s) no. 66493, 66494, 66492 and 66879 to First National Bank of Wichita Falls for (4) 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe’s Police Fleet during their meeting February 22, 2021.
February 22, 2021 - The Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department has one pallet of water available at the central fire station downtown now while supplies last. One case per household.
February 22, 2021 - Huxley VFD has two pallets of water for distribution today February 22 available at the fire station, for the Huxley Community, starting at 2pm until gone.
Limit of one case per household.
February 22, 2021 - DETEC is currently reporting 6,567 outages remaining. Today, we expect to wrap up all repairs in Newton, Panola, Sabine and San Augustine Counties. Our larger impacted areas of Nacogdoches and Shelby County are estimated to be all restored by this Friday. Please keep in mind that these are estimates, ideally we hope to complete this worker sooner. We thank you for your patience and support as crews have worked as quickly as possible.
Nacogdoches County: 2,749
Newton Co: 1
Panola Co: 167
Sabine Co: 114
San Augustine Co: 215
Shelby Co: 3,321
Over the last week, crews have restored power to approximately 16,500 members. At the peak, DETEC reported over 23,000 outages.
If you are still without power, you may report your outage by:
- Calling our 1-800-392-5986 Outage Reporting line. Please know the telephone number and meter number associated with your account. We encourage you to rely on the automated system and do not select to speak with a representative unless absolutely necessary as you will experience long hold times or incomplete calls due to heavy call volume. With you meter number, you should be able to report your outage quickly. The outage number is available 24 hours, every day.
- Call our local office at 936-229-4000, option 2. Member Service Representatives are available 8 AM – 5 PM if you must speak with someone. Again, due to heavy call volume, you may experience long hold times.
- Report your outage via our Mobile App – DETECmobile. You must already have an online account login to use this feature. If you do not have a login, you will need to go to www.deepeast.com and set this up.
- Report your outage via our website at www.deepeast.com. You will need a online login to report your outage. If you do not have a login, you can create one here. You will need to know all pertinent information for the account holder. If you are accessing our site on a mobile device and do not have a login, please select “Go to Desktop Version” and select Create User ID under the My Account tab.
February 22, 2021 - In response to Texas’ request for a federal disaster declaration related to the recent winter storm, the Office of the Governor announced that the President has approved a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance in 77 counties and for Public Assistance (Emergency Protective Measures Only) in all 254 counties.
The following counties were approved for Individual Assistance:
Angelina, Aransas, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Brazoria, Brazos, Brown, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Collin, Comal, Comanche, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, DeWitt, Ellis, Falls, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gillespie, Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hood, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lavaca, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Maverick, McLennan, Montague, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Nueces, Orange, Palo Pinto, Panola, Parker, Polk, Rockwall, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Scurry, Shelby, Smith, Stephens, Tarrant, Travis, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wharton, Wichita, Williamson, Wilson, and Wise Counties.
Individuals and business owners in counties included in the President’s declaration who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585.
For more information on presidential disaster declarations, including the distinction between Individual and Public Assistance, see FEMA.gov.
In addition, the Office of the Governor and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) are encouraging Texans to complete the Self Reporting Damage Survey to help the state identify damages across Texas and help emergency management officials gain an understanding of damages that occurred during the recent winter weather. This data is also needed to provide information to FEMA and highlight the need for federal disaster assistance for individuals in all 254 counties, including the ones that have not yet been included in the President’s disaster declaration.
Businesses and individuals are encouraged to fill out the Self Reporting Damage Survey. The voluntary survey, available in both English and Spanish, can be accessed by visiting www.TDEM.texas.gov/warm. (NOTE: Reporting damage to the Texas Division of Emergency Management is a voluntary activity, is not a substitute for reporting damage to an insurance agency, and does not guarantee disaster relief assistance.)
February 21, 2021 - In the last 24 hours, crews have restored power to approximately 4,000 members across the service area. As mentioned before, with so many trees and limbs on power lines pulling distribution and service lines down, this type of work simply just takes time. With this, it is very difficult to give estimates of restoration per area. On Wednesday we estimated that this work could take up to 3 weeks. We have had good weather the last two days and more in the forecast, and hope to greatly exceed this timeline. DETEC now has over 300 men on the ground working to restore power as quickly as possible.
As of Sunday at 10 AM, DETEC is currently reporting 10,910 outages remaining.
- Nacogdoches Co: 4,553
- Newton Co: 1
- Panola Co: 193
- Sabine Co: 302
- San Augustine Co: 612
- Shelby Co: 5,249
We continue to hear concern from members of not seeing trucks in their area yet. Please know that crews are working all areas. In order to restore power to your home, crews must first restore power to the transmission lines that feed our substations. After the transmission lines are repaired, we focus on any substation damage. DETEC owns and operates 35 substations. At this time, all transmission and substations are restored. Next we repair the distribution lines. These lines currently have much damage as trees and limbs have fallen from the weight of the ice. While we maintain a 20 foot right-of-way to the best of our ability, our 80-100 foot tall Pine Trees will hit the lines when they fall. It is simply the nature of our beautiful area. Currently we have hundreds of reports of trees and limbs on the distribution lines. The DETEC service area includes over 7,000 miles of distribution lines. After a distribution line is repaired, we can then work on the service line, transformer and fuse to your home. Currently we have thousands of reports of these service lines on the ground. This process to restore power to your home is happening and if you are not seeing a crew in your area, they are still working on the distribution line to get power to your home. We are not making excuses, but no amount of prep work to the lines by your local utility could have been done to prevent damage from this statewide historical weather event. Ice damage and the load issues from the state’s power grid are unrelated issues at this point.
In office, we worked hard yesterday to provide an alternative to reporting your outages. Members may now report their outage by logging into your account on our website or Mobile App. If you do not have an established login, you will need to create an account at www.deepeast.com. You will need to know details pertaining to the account holder. You may also continue to call 1-800-392-5986 to report your outage. You will need to know the telephone number and meter number associated with your account.
Pages
