NEWS
Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday; bill to stop it still stalled out
Despite legislative efforts across the nation, Daylight Saving Time returns on March 10 as you “spring forward,” by turning your clocks ahead one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday.
This annual time change ritual affects millions. The general idea of daylight saving time is to maximize the use of natural daylight, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
The push to stop changing clocks has stalled out in state legislatures and Congress.
It was put before Congress in the last couple of years, when the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the Sunshine Protection Act in 2022, a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent.
However, it did not pass in the U.S. House of Representatives and was not signed into law. A 2023 version of the act remained idle in Congress as well.
In Texas House Bill 1442, state representatives last year took a side in the debate. The Austin American Statesman reported the House voted to stay on daylight saving time. The bill was sent to the Senate but remained in a committee as the 88th legislative session adjourned.
Twenty states have passed laws to move to permanent DST as soon as the federal government allows it (Arizona and Hawaii do not participate).
NEWS
Commissioners to meet on Dec. 23
Montague County Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. on Dec. 23.
The court will consider obligating $276,961.84 of American Rescue Plan funds to completing the new wastewater treatment plant that will serve the courthouse complex. Commissioners have been working on this project much of the year.
Montague County will apply to the Nortex Regional Planning Commission for a solid waste disposal grant to purchase a tire cutter for use by all four precincts.
Developers for Kingdom Estates Phase 2 subdivision will offer a plant for lots 6-10, 16.06 acres located in precinct two.
A cooperative agreement between Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the county will be presented, along with a non-exclusive license and service agreement between Local Government Solutions and Justices of the Peace one and two.
Annual bonds for seven elected officials will be offered, along with the county attorney’s 2024 Chapter 59 Asset Forfeiture report.
NEWS
New storm shelter grants available
Montague County has received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist individuals with the purchase and installation of a residential storm shelter.
The shelter must be FEMA-approved and individuals must install and pay for the shelter. After installation and passing an inspection, the individual could be eligible for 50% reimbursement of the cost of the storm shelter up to a maximum $3,000 reimbursement.
The initial program allows for financial assistance for the installation of up to 100 storm shelters. Visit the Montague County website at co.montague.tx.us and click on “Safe Room Program,” and under quick links to see the qualifications and requirements for participation in the program.
There is no deadline to apply, but only 100 applicants will be accepted
COUNTY LIFE
First day of winter arrives
It’s here, the first day of winter marked by the winter solstice at 4:21 a.m. on Dec. 21.
The winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight throughout the year, making it the “shortest day” of the year. Thankfully, after the winter solstice the days begin to grow longer and longer again and until the summer solstice, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year
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