Texas Electricity Price Rise During Record Heat And Demand
Amid the record heat, Businesses and Utilities will be in danger of running short on electricity. When demand for electricity begins to spike, at roughly 4 pm hit roughly 50 times it regular price on Sunday, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
ERCOT expected demand to peak Monday afternoon at just shy of 83,000 megawatts — about 3 percent higher than the record that was set last year.
The grid has just less than 6,000 megawatts in reserve capacity, according to ERCOT. When afternoon comes, those numbers can spike even more, according to an analysis from BloombergNEF.
Tuesday ERCOT averaged just over $4,000 per megawatt hour in real-time reading, more than double the day-ahead prices.
That’s nearly 100 times what prices were the previous week, before the heat wave began.
The state agency “likely” paid power plants a billion dollars last Tuesday, BNEF found. While power customers paid $1.7 billion that day.
That price hike was supply as much as demand. While the state’s steadily increasing solar supply has helped offset the record load on ERCOT’s grid, West Texas wind turbines have been underproducing.
Calling All Kids, Free Stew This Year At Stew Contest
The 54th Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival, presented by Alliance Bank, has been able to keep its costs down because of our generous businesses in the community, and the cost just got even cheaper for some families.
Signature Solar and the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce announced last week that children 12 and under will eat free at the festival on Saturday, Oct. 28, due to Signature Solar’s generous sponsorship.
Children will still need tickets, which can be obtained either online or via paper tickets. Online tickets, which are $8 each for everyone 13 years and older, will be available July 1 at HopkinsChamber.org. Paper tickets will be available Aug. 1 at the Chamber and local banks. City National Bank will be sponsoring the Friday night festivities, Oct. 27, and we will be announcing that line-up soon.
Thanks to all of our sponsors who make the stew festival affordable for families in Hopkins County. Follow the Chamber’s Instagram and Facebook accounts for spotlights on our sponsors and updates on the stew festival.
Groves Violates Parole Now Back in Hopkins County Jail
June 26, 2023 – Monica Jane “MJ” Groves, age 39 of Point, was arrested and jailed recently in Rains County. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies retrieved her this week. She now faces parole violation charges. Her bond is set at $150,000.
Groves was arrested in 2021 when she was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. See that story here.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Sulphur Springs Woman Arrested for Hit-and-Run
June 26, 2023 – On Monday, DANIELLE BERRY was arrested in Hopkins County and charged with:
1 550.021(C)(2) ACCIDENT INVOLVING INJURY
According to Texas State Statutes, if convicted Berry could face:
- imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for not more than five years or confinement in the county jail for not more than one year;
- a fine not to exceed $5,000; or
- both the fine and the imprisonment or confinement.
Berry’s bond was set at $1000. She was released around 3pm Monday.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Welding is Only One of Many Courses Offered at Paris Junior College
ADVICE
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center welding instructor John Plemons, left, critiques a 2G pipe welding project being completed by student Charles Duffey Jr. of Campbell. For information regarding the welding program call 903-885-1232.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report 6-19-2023 – 06-25-2023
Arrests:
McCormick, Michael, 23 years of age, of Quitman, was arrested 6-21-2023 on 3 Winnsboro Municipal Court Warrants and a Wood County Warrant.
Morgan, Richard, 40 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 6-22-2023 for Driving While License Invalid with previous convictions and 2 Winnsboro Municipal Court Warrants.
Crow, Tammy, 57 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 6-24-2023 for Violation of Bond Conditions.
Womack, Richard, 37 years of age, of Pittsburg, was arrested on 6-25-2023 for Resisting Arrest and Interfering with Public Duties.
Davis, Andrea, 41 years of age, of Pittsburg, was arrested on 6-25-2023 for Resisting Arrest and Interfering with Public Duties.
Calls for Service:
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 218 calls for service during this reporting period
Citations:
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 40 citations and 26 warnings
during this reporting period.
Region 7 Announces Mineola ISD 2023 Regional School Board Of The Year
June 16, 2023- The Region 7 Education Service Center has announced Mineola ISD Board of Trustees as the 2023 Regional School Board of the Year.
The MISD Board of Trustees will serve as the regional representatives in this year’s Texas Association of School Administrators School Board Awards Program.
This honorable recognition highlights the board’s exceptional leadership, dedication to academic excellence, and commitment to the well-being of students within the district.
The Mineola ISD board members include Glen Dossett, Rodney Watkins, Jill Quiambao, Jay McGough, Janice Etheridge, Todd Morgan, and Robbie Ballard.
The Mineola ISD Board of Trustees dedicated this prestigious honor to the late Dr. John Abbott.
Abbott, who was a board member until his passing on April 21, 2023. He left an indelible mark on the district and the lives of countless students.
The Board of Trustees is committed to fostering a sense of community and service. Their dedication spans to donating to food banks and supporting the Spanish community, exemplifying their commitment to inclusivity and compassion.
Mineola students continually excel and make marks at state competitions, with the 2022-23 Mineola Yellowjackets boys basketball team securing the esteemed title of quarterfinal champions.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital News Release 6/26/2023
Sulphur Springs, Texas, June 26, 2023 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Tables on Sale for Designer Handbag Bingo
Tables went on sale Saturday for the popular Designer Handbag Bingo. Tables include eight packets which allow players to participate in the ten regular rounds of bingo. Additionally, each packet includes a drink ticket and an entry card for door prizes. Designer Handbag Bingo will be held on Thursday, August 3. This is a fundraiser for the local nonprofit, the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation. Tables run $550 and are available online at handbagbingo23.givesmart.com. Add on items, such as cards to play in the two bonus rounds, additional drink tickets, additional game cards, as well as additional game packets are also available online in advance. To purchase these items, a ticket for the evening is required.
A raffle for a mystery designer handbag valued at approximately $2,000 is also available online and anyone, attending the event or not, may purchase tickets. If not attending, the winner may pick up the handbag locally the next day. To learn more about the event, visit the Designer Handbag Bingo website at handbagbingo23.givesmart.com. The Foundation is an IRS 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit that is now in its 26 th year of serving Hopkins County. All funds raised are used to improve local health care by purchasing equipment or funding programs through CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs and the Hopkins County Hospital District.
Innovative Local Orthopedic Care
The recent trend in orthopedic care has more doctors practicing in large cities. Most surgeries occur in urban hospitals, so patients must travel for care. However, in Sulphur Springs, patients can access world-class orthopedic care at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs. Travel isn’t necessary; the clinic provides expert care for any orthopedic injury or condition.
Christopher Meltsakos, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained sports medicine doctor at the clinic, loves helping injured athletes. His patients benefit from his extra training and passion for healing.
“I realized as an orthopedic doctor I can help athletes get back to the sports they love,” said Dr. Meltsakos. “In a short time, they are playing at the same level as before the injury.”
Christian Douthit, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained hand specialist, works with Dr. Meltsakos at the clinic. He is an expert in hand and shoulder problems, peripheral nerve surgery, orthopedic trauma and sports injuries.
“I believe in meeting the needs of my patients through technical expertise and surgical care but know it’s also crucial to have open communication about the care plan,” said Dr. Douthit. “When we work together, it’s far more likely for our patients to have a great outcome, and that is our goal at the clinic.”
Doctors Meltsakos and Douthit perform advanced orthopedic surgeries at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. Mother Frances is the first and only hospital in the area to offer the transformational Stryker’s Mako® Robotic-Arm assisted joint replacement. For rehabilitation, patients have access to the Mother Frances state-of-the-art Physical Therapy Outpatient Clinic.
The CHRISTUS Trinity Orthopedic Clinic continuously improves its capabilities to meet community needs. The clinic recently introduced Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections. A PRP injection uses a patient’s plasma to help heal orthopedic injuries. It is minimally invasive, effective and helps patients avoid painkillers.
To learn more about our Orthopedics program or to schedule an appointment, call 903.885.6688.
Independence Day Concert and Fireworks This Saturday Night
The annual Independence Day Concert and Fireworks event will be held Saturday, July 1, 2023 on Celebration Plaza. The NETexas Symphony Orchestra will play starting at 8 p.m., and the fireworks extravaganza will begin at dark.
The North East Texas Symphony League works hard all year long to accumulate enough funds to pay for this free-to-the-public event. Their main fundraising event is hosted at the KSST Studios each fall.
ERCOT Announces Weather Watch Through June 30
ERCOT, Electric Reliability Council of Texas, has issued a Weather Watch from June 25 – 30 due to forecasted higher temperatures and higher electrical demand. Grid conditions are expected to be normal during a Weather Watch. ERCOT continues to monitor conditions closely and will deploy all available tools to manage the grid and will continue our reliability-first approach to operations.
ERCOT set a new June peak demand record of 79,304 MWs on June 19. ERCOT’s 6-day Supply and Demand dashboard is showing the possibility of a new all-time peak demand record next week. The dashboards will update in real-time as the week progresses. There is currently enough capacity to meet forecasted demand. Last year, ERCOT set 11 new peak demand records, surpassing 80 GWs for the first time ever. The current record of 80,148 MWs was set on July 20, 2022.
ERCOT encourages everyone to sign up for grid condition notifications through the Texas Advisory and Notification System (TXANS) at https://www.ercot.com/txans. Texans can also monitor real-time and extended grid conditions at https://www.ercot.com.
