Starting Monday, Jefferson County residents with questions regarding issues specific to cities or the outlying areas in the county can call an information hot line. Calls to 409-842-3539 or 409-842-3524 are hot lines for residents, but operators cannot answer questions about FEMA or the American Red Cross. The hot line numbers will be manned from [...]
Read MoreHurricane Rita
Tracking the storm's approach, landfall and aftermath
Displaced by Rita? Here’s where to get your mail
Southeast Texas Postal Service Residents in southeast Texas affected by Hurricane Rita may pick up their mail at various post office stations throughout the region. Delivery of mail for the city of Beaumont and throughout all of the 776 zip code, with the exception of delivery routes for the Lumberton Branch (77657) remains suspended. Zip [...]
Read MoreTell ‘em what you really think
The city of Houston wants your comments on its response to Hurricane Rita. Among other things, the city worked with the state and county to work out an evacuation plan, and we all have opinions on that one. Check it out. You don’t have to leave your name.
Read MoreMore schools reopening
Some schools in the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Rita will reopen this week. Devers ISD offices will reopen Oct. 3. Teachers need to return Oct. 5, and students Oct. 6. Contact judys@devers.isd.esc4.net for more information. Tarkington ISD will open Oct. 3 for employees and Oct. 4 for students. Call Ann Patterson, 281-592-1768, for more [...]
Read MoreVery cool photos
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration flew some planes over the Gulf coast the day after Hurricane Rita hit and have posted the photos on the Internet. The photographs were taken with digital equipment in a twin-engine jet flying at 7,500 feet. Click on the boxes and you’ll be amazed.
Read MorePlaying it cool in Montgomery County
Several “cooling centers” — for those who have lost power and need some air-conditioning to cool down — have opened in Montgomery County, where residents are facing power problems and rolling blackouts. Montgomery County Commissioners, the city of Conroe and the Friendship Center are running the centers — which are not shelters — in Conroe, [...]
Read MoreHarris County gets formal disaster declaration
Harris County has been formally declared a federal disaster area as a result of Hurricane Rita, giving residents access to fund for restoration and cleanup. Harris County Judge Robert Eckels announced the approval of the county’s application today. The declaration allows businesses and individuals to receive benefits for damage to real and personal property. Estimates [...]
Read MoreHouston Police officers to help out in Port Arthur
Houston Police officers are being dispatched to Port Arthur to help police there patrol that city in the wake of the hurricane. Ten officers, along with two sergeants and a lieutenant, will leave 4 p.m. today for an initial shift in Port Arthur. Officers will be dispatched at 4 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day, [...]
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