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Set your clocks forward one hour Sunday
Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 12, and clocks should be set forward one hour.
Only Arizona and Hawaii in the continental U.S. do not observe Daylight Saving Time.
Day to play
Beaumont ISD didn’t have any snow days this year, but – after three back-to-back-to-back state qualifications for high school basketball – students are enjoying a day off to travel to San Antonio for the state championship game if they so choose.
“Our school district is on the verge of making history and we want to celebrate this monumental occasion with the entire Beaumont community,” BISD Superintendent Shannon Allen shared with parents over the March 5 weekend. “For the first time since the Beaumont Hebert High School boys basketball team ‘three-peated’ with a state championship in 1982, we have the opportunity to accomplish the same feat with Beaumont United High School.”
The Timberwolves boys basketball team will compete in the UIL State Semifinals against Northside Brennan on Friday, March 10, at 7 p.m. in the Alamodome in San Antonio. “In an effort to have as much community support as possible for this extraordinary event,” all district campuses will be closed the day of the game.
“The district is able to offer this opportunity due to the pre-planning of additional minutes in the school calendar,” Allen added. “As a result, a make-up day will not be necessary for students and staff.”
Tickets for the state match may be purchased at www.bit.ly/bustate23 with discount code: Home1.
Three elected to CASA regional board
Three new individuals were recently elected to the CASA of the Sabine Neches Region Board of Directors – Darci Piel, Margaret Adams and Cody Nance.
“We are excited to welcome Mrs. Piel, Mrs. Adams and Mr. Nance to our board of directors,” said Executive Director Codie Vasquez. “Each of these new board members bring their own, very unique talents to our program and cover different geographic areas of our program.”
The board governs the CASA of the Sabine Neches Region, a nonprofit organization that provides trained volunteer advocates for children who are in the foster care system due to allegations of abuse or neglect.
There are 41 professionally trained volunteers serving 113 children in foster care in six surrounding counties that include Orange, Hardin, Jasper, Sabine, Newton and Tyler.
CASA volunteers with the Sabine Neches Region are appointed by judges to advocate for a child or sibling groups in court, school and other settings; and get to know everyone involved in the child’s life, including their parents, foster parents, teachers, doctors, family members and others.
For more information about CASA of the Sabine Neches Region and how to become a CASA volunteer, visit www.casasnr.org.
VA home loan eligibilities upped
March 1, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced the Veterans Land Board (VLB) has approved an increase for the VLB home loan amount from $647,200 to $726,200.
All qualifying veterans will continue to receive a competitive interest rate and Veterans with a Veterans Affairs (VA) service-connected disability rating of 30% or greater still qualify for a discounted interest rate. Eligible Texas veterans and military members can now apply for VA, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) or conventional financing using the Veterans Housing Assistance Program (VHAP) and a VLB participating lender.
Veterans who utilize VA-backed home-buying benefits along with a VLB home loan may be eligible for a home loan with no down-payment and no private mortgage insurance (PMI). VHAP can be used to purchase a single-family attached or detached home, townhome, or condominium. Veterans can also use VHAP more than once.
For more information about the home loan program and a list of VLB lenders, visit the VLB website.
For more information, call the VLB at 1-(800) 252-8387.
Utilities ordered to refund excess
The Public Utility Commission of Texas secured refunds and bill credits of $100,581 for Texas electric, water and telecommunications customers in the second quarter of FY 2023, from December 2022 through February 2023, according to a March announcement from the agency. The agency’s Customer Protection Division team of 24 employees assisted 2,983 customers who reported billing issues or other complaints to the agency across the three industries the PUCT regulates.
“Every Texan deserves high quality utility services at a fair price. Our team is proud of the work we do every day to prioritize the needs of customers and help them resolve issues with their service providers,” said Chris Burch, director of the Customer Protection Division. “We always encourage customers to work with their provider first to resolve complaints, and we are here as a resource if additional help is ever needed.”
Dollar value of refunds and bill credits secured include $80,092 in electric, $17,710 for telecommunications, and $2,779 water.
The PUCT’s Customer Protection Division also assists consumers with issues relating to electric, water and telecommunications utility disconnections and refusal of service. In total, the division fielded 7,645 calls from customers throughout the second quarter.
In the first quarter of this fiscal year (Sept. – Nov. 2022), the PUCT secured refunds and bill credits of $160,872 for 2,920 electric, water and telecommunications customers.
‘Is Your Business Financially Healthy?’
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) hosted “Is Your Business Financially Healthy?” as a panel discussion on March 7, presented by Motiva and free for attendees, at the Ruby Fuller Exhibit Hall at LSCPA.
This panel discussion featured area professionals with experience in working with businesses on their financial wellbeing: Amanda Ellis, Beaumont Business Banker for Hancock Whitney serving Southeast Texas; Cat Griffin, Assistant Vice President/Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management; James Wright, Vice President /Commercial Loan Officer at Texas First Bank; and Linda Tait, Certified Public Accountant at Linda Tait.
“A series of workshops have been developed to support the strategic initiatives with Motiva to continue their small business workshop series,” said Dana Espinal, Executive Director of the SBDC at Lamar State College Port Arthur. “LSCPA SBDC appreciates the opportunity to develop and provide these no-cost workshops to area small businesses.”
The LSCPA SBDC coverage area includes Port Arthur, Groves, Nederland, Port Neches, Bridge City, Orange and Vidor municipalities. All Southeast Texas area small businesses are welcome to contact Espinal for more information.
“Small business support is key to a thriving economy and Motiva is pleased to partner with the SBDC at Lamar State College Port Arthur,” said Claire Jackson, Social Responsibility & Community Affairs Manager at Motiva. “Workshops throughout the year will provide learning opportunities for small businesses owners and managers, at no cost, to help them grow and develop professionally.”