Schools monitor weather conditions

CHEROKEE COUNTY – As a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect in parts of East Texas – especially in southern Cherokee County and below – area school districts are monitoring weather reports to determine whether to cancel or delay Jan. 21 classes.

According to the National Weather Service, portions of Deep East Texas, into Central Louisiana, will possibly experience accumulating snow amounts of 2 or less inches, beginning Monday night and continuing into Tuesday.

Wells ISD was the first districts in the county to announce that it would suspend Jan. 21 classes, and continue to monitor weather events to provide an update that afternoon to determine whether classes and programs would resume Wednesday, Jan. 22.

The Alto ISD program has delayed classes until 10 a.m. Tuesday, while Rusk and Troup districts have not made any announcement as of early Monday afternoon.

Both New Summerfield and Jacksonville district officials have said they will monitor the situation closely, with New Summerfield announcing that it will let families know by 5 a.m. 

In other weather-related news, Highway 69 Mission, at 203 N. Jackson St. in Jacksonville, is open as a warming station for those who are hungry, cold or without shelter.

Director Billy Bateman said the site will be open 24/7 for as long as the city experiences freezing temperatures. Donations to operate the warming station – with provisions such as breakfast items, lunch meat, fuel to help power heaters or gift cards – are being accepted.