Texas School Districts Close Amid Inclement Weather

Several school districts in North Texas announced closures for Thursday as inclement weather swept through the region. Mineral Wells ISD, Weatherford ISD, Peaster ISD, and Garner ISD are among the districts that will remain closed, with officials monitoring conditions to determine if additional closures are necessary.

Mineral Wells ISD, which operates on a four-day school week, will resume classes on Monday. Weatherford ISD canceled all after-school activities and will decide on Friday’s schedule by Thursday. Peaster ISD also canceled extracurricular activities, while Garner ISD officials are closely watching weather patterns to make a decision for Friday.

Other districts, including Gordon ISD, Graford ISD, Springtown ISD, and Aledo ISD, also announced closures. Poolville, Palo Pinto, and Azle ISDs, along with private schools Weatherford Christian and Grace Christian Academy, will remain closed Thursday. Strawn campuses will delay their start time to 10 a.m. on Friday.

Kyle McGough, a transportation planner at the Longview Metropolitan Planning Organization, emphasized the importance of community input during an open-house meeting Wednesday. The meeting focused on plans for electric vehicle charging stations. “It’s a chance for people to make their voices heard and get a say in where they’d like to see charging infrastructure located,” McGough said.

Meanwhile, the Lufkin Economic Development Corporation reported that construction on a state-of-the-art airport hangar is nearly 90% complete. Bob Samford, Lufkin’s economic development director, described the project as a modern facility that will enhance local infrastructure.

As winter weather continues to impact the region, residents are advised to take precautions for pets and livestock. Experts recommend bringing animals indoors or ensuring outdoor shelters have three walls, a roof, and proper bedding to keep them warm. Monitoring water sources to prevent freezing is also critical.

Retailers, still recovering from the holiday shopping season, are bracing for a surge in returns. The National Retail Federation predicts retail returns will exceed $800 billion, with return rates 17% higher during the winter holidays. Small businesses are also preparing for the financial impact of increased returns.