Local ECT to assist
citizens with weather radios

Members of McGregor Emergency Communications team will on hand at the fire station, located next to city hall, to assist citizens in checking their weather radios.
The team of volunteers will assist in making sure the right frequences have been programmed in. They will also be happy to answer any questions about weather spotting or about the ECT organization.
The City of McGregor has three sirens to alert the public in case of a tornado or other emergencies.
A solid three minute blast means a tornado warning has been issued.
Citizens hearing an early warning siren should seek shelter immediately, turn on their television or radio to a local channel and await instructions. In the event of a real emergency, the media will provide these instructions.
“The safest place to be during a tornado is underground,” Smith stated. “If you have a basement or storm shelter, go there immediately. If not go to the lowest floor of your house.”
Smith gave some more important tips on what to do if a tornado is approaching.
• Take a battery operated radio or weather radio or leave the radio or television on so you can hear additional announcements.
• Stay away from doors and windows.
• Move to a small interior room, like a bathroom or closet, or an interior hallway.
• Cover yourself with blankets to protect from flying debris.
• Remain in a safe place until the threat of a tornado has passed.
Sometimes people believe they can hop in their cars and outrun a tornado.
“Tornadoes can toss cars and trucks around like toys so never try to outrun a tornado,” Smith emphasized. “If you see a tornado or hear a tornado warning issued on the radio or by siren, get out of your vehicle and seek a safe structure or lie down on your stomach in a low area with your hands covering the back of your head and neck. Also keep alert for flash floods if you are in a low-lying area.”
There are differences between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.
A tornado watch simply means conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. During a watch, be alert for changing weather and tune in to your local radio and televsion weather reports.
A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted in your area. If a tornado warning is issued, seek shelter immediately. Don’t wait until a siren sounds to decide w hat to do.
Smith pointed out other emergencies that might cause the sirens to be activated.
“The city of McGregor may activate the sirens in the event of a hazardous material spill,” Smith said. “That could require evacuation or sheltering in place. The signal for a hazardous material spill is a whoop tone. As with a weather related emergency, seek shelter immediately, turn on your radio or television, and await instructions.”
Smith continued that if instructed to seek shelter, locate a room with the fewest window or door openings that is easy to seal off. Turn off the air-conditioning or heating unit, and seal openings with towels or blankets. Remain in place until the threat has passed or you are asked to evacuate.
Concerning lightning safety, Smith advised that, “if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Go to a safe shelter immediately.”
Here are some more important things to remember in case of a lightning storm.
• Take shelter in a sturdy building or car.
• Get out of boats and away from water.
• Do not use telephones or electrical appliances.
• If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stands on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them.
In order to estimate the distance between you and the lightning flash, count the seconds between lightning and thunder and divide by five.
Another item of concern during heavy thunderstorms is flash flood safety.
“There is only one safety rule in flash flooding and that is to avoid flooded roads and low areas,” Smith stated. “The number one cause of weather related deaths in South Texas is flash flooding.”
A few factual items to ponder:
• Only two feet of water is needed to float most cars.
• Six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
• Children should not be allowed to play along flooding rivers.
A final tip from Van Smith is the use of weather radios. These inexpensive radios broadcast continuously on regular weather and severe weather reports. They will alert you to any weather warnings the weather service puts out.
For more information contact the City of McGregor Emergency Management at 254-840-2806.

Weekend fund-raiser in Oglesby
to benefit Eagle Springs church

The Historic Eagle Springs Baptist Church Association will hold a garage sale and a bake sale on Friday and Saturday, April 11th and 12th, at the Oglesby Community Center. Anyone interested in the restoration of the historic church is welcome to donate items to be sold. All money raised will be used to restore the structure to its original condition.
The church, originally founded in 1858 as the Onion Creek Baptist Church, is one of the oldest church structures remaining in the Eagle Springs community. According to an expert, the unique architecture of the building (two front doors – one for women and one for men) makes the building a very significant structure in early Texas history. The Historic Eagle Springs Baptist Church Association, formed last year, is attempting to restore the building, but funding is greatly needed.
Progress is being made - the roof has been repaired and the floor is being braced up and leveled. New windows and doors have been purchased and will be installed as soon as the leveling is completed. It is hoped that by June, in time for the church’s 150th anniversary, at least the first round of repairs will be complete.
If you have items you would like to donate for the sale, please bring them to the Oglesby Community Center on Thursday evening, April 10th, or call: Martha Deeringer 470-2360; Louise Wehrmann 470-2960 or David Scott 865-8867.

Police catch burglar

McGregor police officers promptly answered a burglary of a habitation in progress call at 2:30 a.m. on April 6 and saw a subject flee from the residence at the 500 block of West Third.
The subject was soon located and was arrested for attempted burglary of a habitation, evading arrest, public intoxication, and criminal trespassing. The man was transported to the McLennan County Jail.
On another call police arrested a woman for assault family violence. The juvenile female was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Waco.
Two arrests were made last week on outstanding traffic warrants out of McGregor. Both men were picked up and transported to the McLennan County Jail.
On a traffic stop on April 8 at the 100 block of Red Oak, McGregor police officers arrested a subject for possession of marijuana under two ounces. He was transported to the McLennan County Jail.

Deer Appreciation Day set for April 17

The Texas A&M University Beef Cattle Center here in McGregor will host a Deer Appreciation Day on Thursday, April 17 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:15 p.m.
Registration is free, but the deadline for registering is April 14 by calling 254-757-5180. A noon meal and refreshments will be furnished by the sponsors.
The morning session will include talks about “Appreciating Deer”, “Getting to Know Your Deer (Necropsy)”, “Basic Deer Biology” Diet and Nutrition, “Aging and Genetics”, “Economics of Deer Hunting”.
After lunch the group will travel to a location in Bosque County.
The first stop will be about food plot management, choices for food plot plants, seed bed preparation and timing, utilization and expectation.
On the second stop there will be instruction on habitat and population management, habitat evaluation, census methods, and a rancher’s perspective.
For more information contact Shane McLellan, Country Extension Agent-AG, McLennan County at 254-757-5180 or email at s-mclellan@tamu.edu.

AMA to sponsor tournament

The American Mexicano Association is sponsoring a golf ball and horseshoe tournament at Amsler Park on May 3 and 4, 2008.
For more information contafct Lupe Villarrial at 840-2706 or Johnny Ochoa at 405-2983.