News

   COLLEGE STATION – Imagine a tool that can discover problems on utility lines before outages, before power failures spark deadly wildfires, or before fears of wildfires prompt massive, pre-emptive power outages such as those suffered recently by millions of Californians.
   Well, the tool exists. It is available today. And it works.
   Engineers at Texas A&M University have developed the tool, a one-of-a kind diagnostic software called Distribution Fault Anticipation (DFA).
   It is a software that interprets variations in electrical current on utility circuits caused by the deteriorating conditions or equipment. It warns utility operators to respond to particular problems before they cause outages and possibly spark fires.
   Electric power companies have nothing else like it.
   DFA has been tested successfully by more than a dozen utilities in Texas and elsewhere over the past six years.

   Texas Back in Business announced the launch of the application for the new federally funded Texas Back in Business program awarding $50,000 up to $250,000 in disaster relief for qualified Texas small businesses damaged by Hurricane Harvey.
   Texas small business owners can now apply for the program at no cost online at TexasBackInBusiness.com.
   “Today we are proud to kick-off the Texas Back in Business program, which will be helping small businesses recover from the cataclysmic blow dealt by Hurricane Harvey,” said CEO of Texas Back in Business Dan Slane. 
   “We are excited to launch this new program helping to stabilize small businesses, protect jobs for local workers, and grow the economies of those areas hardest hit by Hurricane Harvey.”

   Having the “Holiday Blues” can bring feelings of disappointment, depression, anxiety, and dread that lasts through the holidays and into the New Year, especially for seniors and their caregivers.
   Seniors may feel isolated, alone, scared and depressed.
   Many caregivers may feel stretched beyond their limits, frustrated, and overwhelmed by the sheer responsibility that has been placed on their shoulders.
   If this sounds familiar, remember this: the challenges seniors and caregivers face every day are shared challenges.
   Angels Care Home Health understands the challenges faced by seniors during the holidays and the caregivers that provide care for seniors suffering from behavioral health issues.
   The following are some tips to assist caregivers and their loved ones in minimizing their stress and better cope with the holidays.

   For the third year in a row, Van Vleck’s own Kami Klepac raced among the stars Dec. 10-14 in Las Vegas.
   She was one of 160 contestants competing at the Kelly Kaminski Run for Vegas/Junior World Finals Barrel Race and Pole Bending.
   The event was held in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo.
   “This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by these kids, and they have all earned the right to compete in Las Vegas,” said Kelly Kaminski, the event’s organizer and a two-time world champion barrel racer in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.
   “Each of these kids competes for over $150,000 in cash and prizes.”
   In the junior division, 9-year-old Kami Klepac had the fastest run of the week to vault from fifth place to a world title.
    Klepac clocked in at 13.738 seconds in her final turn of the cloverleaf to finish with a three-run time of 42.010 seconds on her horse Zoey.