All Along the Bell Tower

July 20, 2023 KNCT Special Programming Notes for Thursday Austin News Belton News Central Texas College News Copperas Cove News Fort Cavazos News Georgetown News Harker Heights News Killeen News Temple News VA News Thanks to the PACT Act, millions of Veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances are now…

Gary Emmert
6–10 minutes

July 20, 2023

KNCT Special Programming Notes for Thursday

Austin News

  • Austin Animal Center’s 14th annual KittyPalooza is happening this Saturday! Dozens of foster kittens will be making their debut appearance at the musical festival-themed adoption event. All adoption fees are waived. The event is being held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 22nd at Austin Animal Center, located at 7201 Levander Loop. 
  • Austin and Central Texas are currently experiencing extreme prolonged heat and temperatures.  This has triggered the National Weather Service to issue an Excessive Heat Warning through at least tonight, and high temperatures are forecasted in the triple-digits through the weekend.   “As the temperature and heat in Central Texas have become more dangerous, we are asking you to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself, your family, your neighbors, and your pets,” City of Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said.   “Residents can find heat-related resources in 12 languages online at austintexas.gov/alerts that will help provide you information on how you can stay safer during this time.” 
  • The City of Austin Interim City Manager’s Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 aims to ensure Austin is prepared when emergencies happen while investing in the critical areas of affordability, resiliency, quality of life, public safety and ending homelessness. Interim City Manager Jesús Garza presented the $5.5 billion proposed budget to the Mayor and City Council today, July 19, committing to a focus on essential City services, Mayor and Council priorities, and investments that support transformational change. With an emphasis on “Back to Basics,” the budget proposal refocuses on the core services Austin residents need and expect, according to Garza.

Belton News

  • The City Council of the City of Belton, Texas will hold a public hearing on the annexation of property. The public hearing will be on July 25, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. at the Wright Room at the Harris Community Center located at 401 N. Alexander in Belton.
  • The City of Belton sent out a reminder for water customers:
    • We are at Stage 1 Drought Conditions, which calls for a voluntary reduction in water usage. Here is how you can help:
    • 💧 Limit landscape irrigation to between midnight and 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. and midnight on designated days
    • 💧 Sundays and Thursdays for even number addresses
    • 💧 Saturdays and Wednesdays for odd number addresses

Central Texas College News

  • CTC will host an open house at its Killeen campus this Saturday, July 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free event includes tours, information tables activities and a chance to win scholarships. The open house will start in the Anderson Campus Center with an overview of CTC before “pick and choose” sessions begin. Attendees can choose from brief presentations that interest them including information about admissions, career pathways, academic advising, financial aid, veterans’ benefits and more. During the event, guests can tour several campus facilities including the industrial technology area, student residence hall and culinary arts lab.
  • On Wednesday, July 26, the library will host a virtual tour of the current night sky presented by resident astronomer Warren Hart.

Copperas Cove News

  • The City of Copperas Cove published a high-risk flood areas letter to residents on July 19th. According to their press release, these letters will be sent to property owners and/or residents who live or own property in a Special Flood Hazard Area, or high-risk flood zone.
  • The City has been notified by a few citizens of a potential SPAM email being received from the “Copperas Cove Utility Division”. According to their Facebook page, the email was not generated from the City of Copperas Cove – Municipal Government, nor do they have specific information pertaining to the validity of any services offered by the sender.

Fort Cavazos News

  • Troopers from America’s First Team assembled on Cooper Field to bid farewell as Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV, the outgoing commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, relinquished command to the incoming general, Maj. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral at a ceremony on July 14.

Georgetown News

  • Stage 3 restrictions, including no outdoor watering, will remain in effect through Sept. 4 for areas generally west of D.B. Wood Road and southwest of Williams Drive due to excessive irrigation, water supply challenges, and severe drought conditions. The rest of Georgetown’s water service area may return to Stage 2, which allows outdoor watering one day a week based on your address. Compliance with watering restrictions is essential to avoiding additional restrictions, to keeping our water safe, and to avoiding boil water notices. View this online map to determine what watering restrictions apply to you.

Harker Heights News

  • Recently, the Brazos River Authority gave notice that Lake Stillhouse has dropped to an elevation level that places the Lake at a Drought Stage 2. The City of Harker Heights receives all of its water supply from Lake Belton. Lake Belton is currently under Drought Stage 1. Drought Stage 1 entails voluntary measures to conserve water. However, without significant rain events, the City expects Lake Belton to drop to elevation levels requiring the City to move to Drought Stage 2 in August. Drought Stage 2 requires mandatory measures to conserve water.
  • Harker Heights Parks and Rec will be giving away FREE popsicles! Enjoy a sweet treat on July 25 while playing games from the On The Go! Heights trailer with City Staff at Community Park on 1501 East FM 2410 from 10am-12pm. 

Killeen News

  • The Killeen City Council on Tuesday appointed Riakos Adams to fill the open, At-Large City Council seat during their Special City Council meeting. The unexpired term for the At-large seat runs through the May 2024 election. Adams was sworn in Tuesday night and replaces former councilmember, Ken Wilkerson, who resigned from his seat in May. Wilkerson was serving as mayor pro tem at the time. During the May 16 swearing in ceremony of the newly-elected councilmembers, the council chose District 3 representative, Nina Cobb, to replace Wilkerson in that role. The Council took applications for the open seat from May 24 through June 8, 2023. The Council called a special workshop on Monday, June 12 to interview the 14 applicants for the position.
  • The City of Killeen will host its annual Back 2 School Splash Bash Saturday, August 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Family Aquatics Center at Lions Club Park (1800 E Stan Schlueter Loop). The event is free and open to students. In addition to the pools and slides, free school supplies will be given to the first 100 youth in children in grades K-8.

Temple News

  • Mark your calendars on August 16 for the City of Temple Hiring Event at the Frank W Mayborn Civic & Convention Center from 11AM – 2PM and 4PM – 6:30PM! The City of Temple will have several departments present to discuss both part-time and full-time open positions. Bring your resume and be ready for an on-the-spot interview! There is an opportunity for you to leave with a conditional offer on the day of the event. If you are interested in having a career with the City of Temple, have a desire to give back to your community, or just simply seeking employment, this one’s for you! To view our open positions in advance, please visit templetx.gov/careers.
  • The City of Temple wants your feedback for the 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan! The proposed plan includes crucial initiatives and projects aimed at enhancing housing and community development in Temple. You can share your opinion and ideas on the Annual Action Plan until July 21st at templetx.gov/cdbg and be part of creating a better Temple.
  • The City of Temple Animal Shelter will be closed on Saturday, July 22 for construction! The Animal Shelter will reopen on Monday, July 24 at 10AM. You can still visit the Animal Shelter this week through Friday 10AM – 4PM or check what animals we have available at templetx.gov/adopt. Thank you for your patience as we better our facilities to help more animals in need.

VA News

Thanks to the PACT Act, millions of Veterans who were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances are now eligible for VA health care and benefits.

While there is no deadline to apply for PACT Act-related benefits, there is urgency. Most Veterans and survivors who apply for benefits or submit an “Intent to File” by August 9, if granted, will have their benefits backdated to August 10th of last year – the day that President Biden signed the PACT Act into law.

To encourage Veterans to apply today, VA facilities is hosting a nationwide Summer VetFest in July. The VetFest will include more than 50 events across the country to inform Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors about the PACT Act. These events will be casual summer gatherings, featuring Veterans, their families, Veteran advocates, and the VA health care and benefits professionals who serve them.

Many of these events will also feature food and music, as well as VA staff who are ready to personally help Veterans apply or submit an intent to file, get screened for toxic exposures, or even apply to come work at VA.

For Veterans that cannot attend a local event, VA.gov/PACT is a one-stop shop to learn about and apply for PACT Act-related care and benefits. They can also apply by calling 1-800-MYVA411.

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