DeltAlert® Emergency and Mass Notification System

DeltAlertIn the event of a natural disaster such as a tornado, fire, or disease outbreak, a man-made incident such as hostage situation, kidnapping, robbery or even a prisoner escaping, do YOU want to be informed? When commuting, do YOU want to be aware of any city or utility alerts such as road closings, search and rescue operations or even water usage restriction alerts? Are you seldom at home or do you commute to the Sweetwater Nolan County area for work? If YES, click here to access the “DeltAlert® sign up portal” and sign up NOW! Unlike the existing 9-1-1 information system, DeltAlert® is an essential piece of communication infrastructure utilized by the Sweetwater Nolan County Office of Emergency Management and law enforcement to inform citizens via fax, cellular phone, SMS text and TDD/TTY of emergency events in the community and surrounding area. When you sign up, submit your phone number(s) into the system that you would like to be contacted on directly.  You can then set the priorities as to which number the system will notify first, second, and so on. Your information will remain confidential and secure and you will not receive phone calls or be solicited. Everyone is encouraged to sign up; the process is simple and it costs you nothing.

For detailed information visit the DeltAlert® web site or contact Chief Grant Madden, Sweetwater Fire Department at 325.235.4304.

Burglary of Habitation (Nolan)

Maytag ringer washing machineOn Sunday, February 10, 2013, the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burglary that took place at a residence located in the 1200 block of Farm to Market Road 126, in Nolan. It was reported that sometime between Friday, February 1, 2013 and Sunday, February 10, 2013, an unknown person(s) used force and entered the residence. Once inside, the thieve(s) took a white vintage Maytag ringer washing machine. The combined estimated value of the washing machine taken, and damage to the property is approximately $100.00.

If you have information regarding this crime or any other unsolved crime, and wish to remain anonymous, call Nolan County Crime Stoppers at 325.235.TIPS (8477) or click here to submit a tip online. Nolan County Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to the arrest and filing of charges against the person responsible for this crime, and a reward of up to $1,000.00 for any other unsolved felony crime. Remember, Crime Stoppers wants your INFORMATION not your name.

Theft (Trent)

On Thursday, February 7, 2013, the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a theft that took place at an oil field work-site located in the 100 block of Interstate 20, in Trent. It was reported that sometime between Wednesday, February 6, 2013 and Wednesday, February 7, 2013, an unknown person(s) used force, and cut a lock to enter the property. Once inside, the thieve(s) took a set of power tongs that were mounted on a drilling rig. A preliminary investigation was conducted, and it was found that thieve(s) cut the power tong hydraulic hoses, used a fork truck to remove them from the rig, and load them into another vehicle. The estimated value of the tongs that were taken, as well as damage to the property is approximately $600.00.

If you have information, call the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office at 325.235.5471 or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 325.235.TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online. Nolan County Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to the arrest and filing of charges against the person(s) responsible for this crime, and a reward of up to $1,000.00 for any other unsolved felony crime.

Burglary of Building (Nolan)

On Wednesday, February 6, 2013, the Nolan County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a burglary that took place at an AES Wind Generations warehouse located at 208 and CR 258, in Nolan. It was reported that sometime between Tuesday, January 1, 2013 and Tuesday, January 22, 2013, an unknown person(s) used force to enter the warehouse. Once inside, the thieve(s) took a wooden spool containing 300-500 feet of #4 gauge bare copper wire. The estimated value of the spool of wire is approximately $600.00.

If you have information regarding this crime or any other unsolved crime, and wish to remain anonymous, call Nolan County Crime Stoppers at 325.235.TIPS (8477) or click here to submit a tip online. Nolan County Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $1,000.00 for information that leads to the arrest and filing of charges against the person responsible for this crime, and a reward of up to $1,000.00 for any other unsolved felony crime. Remember, Crime Stoppers wants your INFORMATION not your name.

A Parents’ Guide to Facebook

fblogoWhile many people are entirely aware of the dangers associated with Facebook as with any other social network, many teens are just now getting started and creating their first account. Unfortunately, as they explore their new freedoms, there are bad people who seek to exploit these new Facebook members.

In an effort to combat this problem and keep parents informed, Anne Collier and Larry Magid, Co-Directors of ConnectSafely.org have assembled a guidebook, A Parents’ Guide to Facebook. The guidebook is designed to help you understand what Facebook is and how to use it safely. With it, you will be better informed and able to communicate with young Facebook users in your life more effectively. That’s important because 1) if something goes wrong, we want our children to come to us and 2) as the Internet becomes increasingly social and mobile, a parent’s guidance and support are ever more key to young people’s well-being in social media and technology. The guidebook is published in partnership with the iKeepSafe Coalition.

Click here to read or print out the 34-page guide in PDF format.

 

County-wide burn ban reinstated

A county-wide burn ban has been reinstated by the Nolan County Commission, and effective immediately as the area continues to lack precipitation. The county-wide order would prohibit residents from any outdoor burning that may create a public safety hazard, including but not limited to:

  • Barrel burning commonly referred to as refuse/garbage burning
  • Campfires
  • Charcoal grills
  • Chimineas
  • Cooking fires (barbeque grills and pits that are in the ground)
  • Fire pits
  • Fire rings
  • Fireworks (except for professional commercial fireworks displays)
  • Patio heaters
  • Prescribed burns commonly referred to as controlled burns
  • Welders or cutting torches unless the user has on hand adequate fire suppression equipment.

“Open burning” does not include:

  • Fireplaces within buildings
  • Gas grills
  • Fire training by professionally trained and authorized personnel

Smoking (cigarette butts, cigars, etc.) is not banned; however, citizens must use ashtrays and proper disposal containers.

Any individual who willfully violates a burn ban is guilty of an infraction ($500 fine; 2nd offense may be charged as a Class B misdemeanor-1 year and $1,000).