 TOP STORIES FOR MARCH 5, 2021
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Governor Abbot Opens Texas on March 10Gov. Greg Abbott in a press conference Thursday afternoon announced that he will be rescinding most of his COVID-19-related statewide mandates next week. This will include expanding capacities at all Texas businesses to 100%, and allowing his statewide mask order to expire, on Wednesday, March 10.
The governor cited positive trends in active cases, positivity rates and hospitalizations — as well as the ramp-up in vaccine distribution to as many as 1 million shots administered per week — as the basis for his decision.
While the statewide mandates are set to expire, Gov. Abbott urged Texans to continue taking precautions to keep themselves and others safe.
His latest order also allows for county-level restrictions. Specifically, if a Trauma Service Area sees COVID-19-related hospitalizations above 15% for seven consecutive days, county judges will have the ability to issue limited orders of their own to fight back against the spike.
As a reminder, our own Trauma Service Area that covers much of North Texas hit that milestone in early December 2020, but was able to roll back enhanced restrictions two weeks ago on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
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COVID-19 Case Counts(Click on picture for larger image) This chart in this post illustrates confirmed COVID-19 case counts numbers as 7pm Thursday, March 4. Trend charts are included in the link with the picture. This week, Rowlett added 78 new cases. Also received this week was a backlogged report from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) showing 18 additional deaths, which occurred from July-February. This lag in reporting is due to DSHS's review of death records, which take a substantial time to process.
Please continue to stay safe. Stay vigilant when you must go out - wear your face covering, maintain safe distancing from others not in your group and, most importantly, wash your hands often.
Find additional information about the vaccine and how those who qualify may register to receive it here: COVID-19 Vaccine Information | Rowlett, TX - Official Website.
The COVID-19 vaccine dashboard is available at Texas Department of State Health Services website. You'll find updated vaccine distribution information along with administration information.
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COVID-19 has had a widespread effect on the residents of Dallas County. As a result of this pandemic many individuals and families have been economically impacted. To mitigate the impact and support such individuals and families Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) is pleased to offer a host of short-term emergency housing assistance programs aimed at assisting individuals and households with rental, mortgage and utility (water/sewage) assistance. Each of the programs are unique in the type of assistance covered, eligibility requirements, guidelines and funding source as seen below.
The updated website has an overview of the unique programs and a link for further information on each. Each liked web page lists eligibility and documentation requirements, frequently asked questions, relevant flyers, and an additional resources list. The bottom of the main landing site has an application likn for landlords, tenant and homeowners and courts. Applicants do not have to apply to a specific Dallas County emergency assistance program, as staff will work behind the scenes to determine which program would be the most appropriate fit for that case. Read more ... __________________________________
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Open for Applications NowThe Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has announced the launch of the Texas Rent Relief Program, funded through approximately $1.3 billion received through the latest federal COVID-19 relief bill. TDHCA is using the funds to help Texans pay rent and utility bills, including those that are past due. Applications will be accepted from landlords and tenants starting at 8am on February 15 and continue until funds are depleted.
What Does it Cover? Read more ...
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SBA Helping Mom & Pop Businesses Build Back BetterBeginning today, Small Business Association is opening a 14-day #PaycheckProtection Program loan application period exclusively for businesses with fewer than 20 employees. Read more ...__________________________________
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**Vaccine supply is limited and it will take time to vaccinate everyone. Thank you for your patience as the State rolls out more vaccines
every week. Currently, only those in Phase 1A and 1B are
eligible to receive the vaccination.**__________________________________ |
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With the federal directive, the following education and child care personnel are now eligible to be vaccinated in Texas: - Those who work in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools;
- Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff, and bus drivers); and
- Those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers.
Additional information for educators and school staff is available in the Texas Education Agency (TEA) K-12 COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ. __________________________________ |
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Statewide Vaccine HubsResidents are encouraged to register on multiple lists, there are no county residency requirements. Find more statewide provider hubs here.
Links are provided below for the online registration for each county. Due to the statewide effort, each county that is distributing the vaccine may approach the process differently and may provide different types of vaccines. There is no city or county residency requirement to register to receive a vaccination at one of the official hub sites, these sites are open to all Texas residents. People who register will be placed on a waitlist and will be provided further guidance at a later date as to when to arrive to receive a vaccination.
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 #MyRowlett STORIES
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(Click on picture for larger image) Sapphire Bay, the new $1 billion master-planned mixed-use development project on the shore of Lake Ray Hubbard with a multi-phase opening beginning in 2022, announced on March 3 that Hyatt will operate the new Sapphire Bay Resort & Conference Center on behalf of a public-private partnership with the City of Rowlett. Set to be located on the Sapphire Bay Peninsula and expected to open in fall 2023, the resort will join Hyatt’s Destination Hotels brand and showcase more than 500 guestrooms, suites, and villas each with waterfront views overlooking Lake Ray Hubbard and the seven-acre man-made Sapphire Bay Lagoon. Read more ... #MyRowlett #BetterTogether #Rowlett4All |
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Congratulations to Rowlett’s own Evan Walker, one of three Texas college students announced as Rhodes Scholars!
Evan is in her final year at the U.S. Military Academy where she majors in Operations Research, with focuses in statistics and linear algebra. Her thesis analyzes the demographics of promotion and attrition among U.S. Army Field Grade Officers. She is a Regimental Commander, served as the chief liaison between survivors of sexual harassment or assault and on-campus medical professionals, and is president of an initiative to mentor minority cadets. Evan is also captain of the nationally ranked and gender-integrated Army Boxing Team and last year placed second nationally in her weight class.
Students who receive the Rhodes Scholarship have the opportunity to pursue a postgraduate degree at one of the most prestigious studies in the world, the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Evan plans to do the M.Sc. in Sociology and the M.Sc. in Statistical Science at Oxford. Your entire hometown is so proud of you, Evan!!! #MyRowlett #HometownHero #RhodesScholar
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Rowlett High School, Special Olympics and RPD - A Winning Combination!Rowlett High School students recently competed in the Special Olympics Basketball Skills Challenge and came away some extremely decorated athletes. In an effort to be responsible during the pandemic, the competition wasn't traditional basketball games against other schools in person, but rather the judges for the Special Olympics visited each school and recorded the times of each participant in order to rank them. Read more ...Join us in congratulating some of Rowlett's finest on keeping Rowlett High School's tradition of excellence alive and well! It's great to have so many local heroes that our police department can look up to!
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Welcome to the March Spotlight on Rowlett, hosted by Rowlett Mayor Tammy Dana-Bashian and City Manager Brian Funderburk. We open this month's show with Winter Storm Recovery Resources and Information, then discuss the latest on Vaccine Distribution in our area. Visit www.rowlett.com/vaccine for the most up-to-date information.
Hybrid Council Meetings are now a thing...and with all the crazy weather, make sure signed up for our emergency notification service: Rowlett.com/ConnectRowlett...all that and much more! Check out this month's "Spotlight Story" in the section below... __________________________________
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For the March 2021 Spotlight Story, Mayor Tammy Dana-Bashian interviews Charter Review Commission Chair Jeff Winget about his work on the board and the upcoming election.
Rowlett is a Home Rule city and along with the state laws of Texas, is governed by a Home Rule Charter. The City’s Charter is Rowlett’s version of a “constitution” and guides our structure and operations. It’s a changing document that grows with the City. By reviewing the Charter every 5 years, it helps to ensure that the City stays current and going in the direction Rowlett citizens want to go. Charter Review Commission members are carefully vetted and invited to serve based on their previous experience and extraordinary service in our community. The City Charter is available on Rowlett.com __________________________________
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City Council –
Regular Meetings: March 16 @ 5:30pm *check agenda on website* each Friday
before the date.
Special Council Meeting – None at time published
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Other Board and Commission Meetings: (All Zoom Meetings)
March 9 – Arts & Humanities Commission @ 6:30pm
March 9 – Planning & Zoning Commission @ 6:30pm
March 10 – Parks & Recreation Advisory Board @ 6:30pm
March 11 – Library Advisory Board @ 6:30pm
March 15 – Senior Advisory Board @ 10am
March 15 – Rowlett Youth Advisory Council @ 6:30pm
March 17 – Rowlett Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commission @ 7pm
March 23 – Planning & Zoning Commission @ 6:30pm
**CHECK THE WEBSITE CALENDAR FOR MEETING DATES & TIMES
Watch on Rowlett’s Cable Channel RTN16 or online
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Vaccination Clinics are hosted by Liberty Grove Animal Hospital the first Sunday of each month from 2pm-5pm. The clinic is located at 8502 Liberty Grove Rd. (If Sunday is a holiday the clinic will not be held) __________________________________
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The National Weather Service Fort Worth/Dallas office, which covers 46 counties in north central Texas, designated March 1-5, 2021 as Severe Weather Awareness Week. Preparing for severe weather begins now, so for day one of this important week we would encourage you to take steps now to stay informed in the event severe weather occurs. Read more ... __________________________________
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Sign up for Connect Rowlett - it's an emergency notification service allowing Rowlett residents to opt-in and receive information via phone call, text message, and/or email based on locations and subjects relevant to you. This system is used to notify residents of imminent threats to health and safety as well as informational notifications that affect home and/or work environments, such as severe weather, flooding, gas leaks, police activity and more. Please take a moment and sign up here: https://www.smart911.com/.../registrationLanding.action.__________________________________
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March is Women's History MonthCelebrate Women's History Month by recognizing those women who have made great achievements across science, the community, the government, literature, art, sports, and medicine. No matter their role, each of these ladies have had great impacts on our history and the development of respect and new opportunities for women young and old.
In part 1 of 5, we recognize the words of: ?Anne Frank ?Jane Goodall ?Lucille Ball ?Serena Williams __________________________________
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REMEMBER ... AskTheMayor@Rowlett.com - If you have a question you would like to ask Mayor Tammy, please send to the email address listed ... AND Send us your "feel good" stories about someone doing something positive in Rowlett - Let's share ALL the Good Things About Rowlett! #MyRowlett Email: dperrin@rowlett.com __________________________________
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 Southridge/Skyline
Miramar/Chiesa
Alissa Dr.
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Alley ReconstructionThe contractor continues to work on site and trying to dry out some saturated areas. Flexbase has been placed. The plan is to test the native soil this week and attempt to pave next week.
Construction on Southridge/Skyline, Miramar/Chiesa, and Alissa Dr.
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 Concrete Repair on
Hickox Rd.
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Annual Concrete Repair & Maintenance of Streets & AlleysThe contractor has poured the remaining concrete panels on Hickox Rd. and is waiting for the concrete to cure. Hickox Rd. will be open within the week.
Miller Rd. 20" Force Main & 24" Gravity Sewer ProjectContractor has reopened Miller Rd. and site restoration is in progress. The City and contractor are preparing all closing documents. Project is complete. __________________________________
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The North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) will temporarily change the disinfectant in its water treatment process from March 1 through March 29, 2021. The annual, routine change is necessary to maintain the regional system and year-round water quality. Read more ...
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The City of Rowlett is ready to help our citizens. We keep information current and easily accessible on our website. Plus, we are here to help answer your questions by calling 972.412.6100. Our website has a great deal of information and links available for you. We encourage you to take advantage of these resources that range from: We understand how devasting the 2021 Winter Storm was for many and want you to know we are here. #RowlettStrong__________________________________
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Due to ongoing impacts from the unprecedented winter weather, the Rowlett Utility Billing Department has suspended all utility bill late penalties until March 9 and disconnections for non-payment until March 17.
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State Damage Survey - Please Fill Out If You Haven'tRowlett residents affected by February's winter storms - please participate in the State's survey: https://arcg.is/uOrOb.
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Your one-stop-shop for assistance.Call 972.412.6100 for in-person help ---Click here to submit a request or question.
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