UPDATE: Area entities extend closures due to inclement weather

UPDATED 9:26 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18

Non-essential offices at the City of Jacksonville are closed Thursday and Friday, Feb. 18-19, due to weather conditions; garbage services are suspended for residential and commercial customers on Thursday, while Royal Oaks Landfill is closed Thursday.

Friday's Jacksonville Municipal Court docket is cancelled; those with court business will be contacted about rescheduling when offices reopen.

---

UPDATED 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17

TxDOT is reporting that US Highway 69 South, between Rusk and Alto, is closed due to impassable road conditions, while a DriveTexas.org map shows other main roads in Cherokee County impacted by ice and snow. Officials are advising people to stay home and stay safe.

Meanwhile, Jacksonville ISD officials have admitted that school will remain closed through the rest of the week, due to extreme weather conditions and water and power outages. "We hope to resume classes on Monday, Feb. 22," a notice stated.

Rusk ISD also has announced that virtual learning for the remainder of the week has been canceled, due to loss of power to a number of district families. Classes will resume Monday, Feb. 22, according to Superintendent Grey Burton.

---

UPDATED 11:21 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17

Jacksonville ISD has announced that a Class 5A Region II bi-district basketball game against Sulphur Springs has been delayed until Monday, Feb. 22, due to extreme winter weather conditions The game will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Hallsville.

---

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Many local residents will be getting another day – or two – off this week, as schools and government offices announce extended closures due to inclement weather.

Meanwhile, UT Health East Texas has announced that its UTHET Physicians clinics will also be closed for the remainder of the week due to weather conditions.

Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis said county offices will be closed Wednesday, Feb. 17, with officials monitoring the weather day to day for further closures.

However, he added, emergency services provided through the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office will remain operating throughout the week; emergency responders from municipalities within the county also will continue to proved services.

Around the county, the following entities have announced closings:

New Summerfield. The local school district has switched over to remote learning, continuing to implement it on Wednesday, with officials closely monitoring weather to make a determination by 5 p.m. for classes on Thursday and beyond, said Superintendent Joe Brannen.

Troup. Schools are closed Wednesday, and a bi-district basketball game against the White Oak Roughnecks has been rescheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, in Winona. Troup City Hall will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, due to the weather.

Wells. Local schools will be closed the remainder of the week, said Wells ISD Superintendent Jill Gaston; city officials said trash service will not run Wednesday, but will be rescheduled as soon is it safely possible.

Rusk. For the rest of the week, Rusk ISD will move to virtual instruction, with students slated to return to campus Monday Feb. 22, said Superintendent Grey Burton.

Alto. Due to projected power outages from local electric companies, Alto schools are closed through Thursday, with officials posting on social media Friday’s schedules. Local city offices also will be closed.

Jacksonville. Non-essential city offices will remain closed Wednesday due to hazardous conditions and power outages, as will Jacksonville schools, officials said. Additionally, trash services scheduled for Wednesday have been cancelled, with a full listing of rescheduled pick-up dates to be announced soon.

Bullard. Classes at Brook Hill School are cancelled Wednesday and Thursday, while Bullard ISD classes are suspended Wednesday, due to inclement weather. Bullard City Hall also is closed Wednesday.

Clinics operated by UT Health East Texas Physicians network are closed for the remainder of the week, and patients will be contacted to reschedule appointments. The COVID-19 vaccine clinic at UT Health North Campus Tyler also will be closed, and will resume operations on Monday, Feb. 22.

Officials said that patients scheduled receive a second dose of vaccine the week of Feb. 15 are asked to return to the clinic on the same day next week, at the same scheduled appointment time.