News

What is PUC?

According to the Public Utilities Commission of Texas Website, https://www.puc. texas.gov/agency/about/ mission.aspx, “The Public Utilities Commission of Texas regulates the state’s electric, telecommunication, and water and sewer utilities, implements respective legislation, and offers customer assistance in resolving consumer complaints.” The Texas Legislature enacted the Public Utility Regulatory Act, or PURA, and created PUC in 1975 to provide state regulation of rates and services of electric and telecommunication utilities. Initially, PUC regulated water utilities. In 1986 Texas WaterCommission began regulating water utilities. According to PUC Texas Website, the significant legislature enacted by Texas in 1995 and the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 “dramatically changed the PUC’s role by allowing for competition in telecommunications wholesale and retail services, and by creating a competitive electric wholesale market. In 1999, the Texas Legislature provided for the restructuring of the electric utility industry, allowing certain customers electric choice.” PUC stated on its Website that the mission and focus have shifted “from regulation of rates and services to oversight of competitive markets and compliance enforcement of statutes and rules for the electric and telecommunication industries. Effective oversight of competitive wholesale and retail markets for electric and telecommunication is necessary to ensure that customers receive the benefits of competition. For water and sewer utility service, however, the focus remains on the regulation of rates and services.” According to PUC, the commission continues to perform a traditional regulatory function for electric transmission and distribution utilities across the state. “Additionally, while integrated electric utilities outside of the ERCOT power grid remain fully regulated by the PUC, the PUC is increasingly involved in multi-state efforts to implement wholesale electric competitive market structures and transmission planning in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) areas,” the Website states. “In 2013, the Texas Legislature transferred the economic regulation of water and sewer utilities from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to the PUC. This transfer involved the programs dealing with the regulation of water and sewer rates and services, Certificates of Convenience and Necessity (CCNs) and Sale/Transfer/Mergers.

Whose Report Will You Believe

There are so many voices in the world. The Bible says that God created the heavens and the earth, but now there’s the Darwin theory that says different. Report means a detailed account. When you feel overwhelmed, God’s report says. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. St. John 14:27.

Weekly Roadwork Report

Bowie County I-30 – From FM 989 to AR State Line, reconstructing and widening highway, concrete paving in median I-30 – From FM 989 to FM 3419, extension of frontage roads. FM 2148 closed under I-30 bridge I-30 – Westbound at Exit 207/Spur 594, ramp rehabilitation. Exit & entrance ramps closed. Westbound traffic restricted to one lane I-30 – Eastbound from FM 990, drainage upgrades. Traffic limited to one lane in some areas SH 8 – At Sulphur River, replacing bridges SH 98 – At Anderson Creek, bridge replacement. Traffic restricted to one lane with signal lights controlling traffic through work zone Camp County SL 255 – From FM 1520 to US 271, constructing highway, County Road 2120 detoured Cass County SH 8 – At Sulphur River, replacing bridges US 67 – Widening bridge at Jennings Slough, lanes open to traffic, seal coat scheduled US 59 – From 1.2 miles south of FM 2328N to 1.9 miles south of FM 2328S, resurfacing road, bridge rail improvements. Northbound lane closure Harrison County US 59 – At I-20, replacing bridge. US 59 traffic shifted to southbound lanes I-20 – Concrete pavement repairs. Daytime lane closures I-20 – Bridge maintenance. Lane closures on north frontage road at Mason Creek SH 43 – At Kansas City Southern Railroad in Karnack, widening bridge over railroad. Roadway open FM 3001 – At Little Cypress Bayou Relief. Replacing bridge. Temporary traffic signals in place, lane closure with two-way traffic US 80 – From SL 281 to Tom Brown Parkway, installing safety barrier cable, daytime lane closures Panola County US 59 (Loop) – From Business 59 north of Carthage to US 79 east, rehabilitating highway. Roadways open, seal coat scheduled US 59 - From Harrison County line to US 79 north, installing safety barrier cable SH 149 – 0.8 miles south of SH 315 to US 59. Widening road Titus County US 271 – At Dickson Creek, Big Slough Creek, White Oak Creek & White Oak Creek Relief, replacing bridges Upshur County US 271 – From 5.9 miles north of SH 155 to 1.5 miles north of SH 155, resurfacing road. Lane, shoulder closures US 80 – From Wood County line to 0.3 miles east of SH 155N, resurfacing road

Wiley Jackson and Minerva Sarah Dyson Barnes

Wiley Jackson and Minerva Sarah Dyson Barnes

Wiley Jackson Barnes came to Cass County, Texas, about 1858. Wiley served in the Civil War as a private in Captain W. E. (Bill) Duncan’s Black Cypress Rangers. After the war, Wiley married Minerva Sarah Dyson (also spelled Dison) who was the daughter of James M. and Sarah A. Bishop Dison. Wiley Jackson Barnes was born 15 June 1832 in North Carolina. He died 22 April 1897 in Cass County, Texas, and is buried in Hickory Hill Cemetery, Cass County, Texas. Minerva Sarah Dyson Barnes was born 8 October 1844 in Alabama and died 29 August 1929 in Cass County, Texas. She is buried in Hickory Hill Cemetery, Cass County, Texas.

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Cass County Now

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