King Country Builders, Inc

Record high temperatures are expected to hit the state this week and as a result, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) issued a Power Watch across Texas. Under a Power Watch, consumers and businesses are asked to conserve electricity to reduce demand on the electricity grid and help prevent an electricity shortage throughout the state.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas issued guidance for residential and commercial customers to conserve power usage to help reduce the electricity demand.   See below for conservation tips.

PowerfulAdvice is brought to you by the Public Utility Commission of Texas to educate and inform Texans about energy conservation. Efficient use of energy will lower your electricity bills and reduce the strain on the state’s electric grid during the hot summer months. You will find no- or low-cost changes that will reduce your electricity consumption and resources to help you make energy efficient upgrades to your home.

Today’s Alert:

Montgomery County Commissioners Court issue Disaster Declaration. Montgomery County Fire Marshal issues additional safety information as major fires destroy homes and thousands of acres across Southeast Texas.

Conroe, Tx May June 20, 2011

Current Conditions:

Most of Montgomery County is currently classified as”very high fire danger” due to the ongoing record drought. The area has not seen a soaking rainfall since October 2010. Currently two large fires are burning in surrounding Counties, stretching all available resources in our area. These fires have destroyed homes, but many more homes have been saved by firefighters and forestry officials.

In response to the growing wildfire danger, Montgomery County Commissioner’s Court approved a Local Disaster Declaration issued by County Judge Alan B. Sadler. The disaster declaration, issued under Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code, effectively prohibits all sales and use of consumer fireworks in Montgomery County.

The Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office began meeting with members of the local fireworks industry in May, as the drought persisted throughout the area. Representatives from the Montgomery County fireworks industry worked with the MCFMO to present a set of recommendations to Commissioner’s Court to help reduce the risk of wildfire. These recommendations included either limiting the sales season, should the KBDI index reach 700, or eliminating sales and use of consumer fireworks altogether should the Drought index reach 750.

Montgomery County now registers 755 on the Keetch Byram Drought Index, therefore today’s action will prohibit the sales and use of consumer fireworks unless there is substantial relief from our current drought situation.  A final decision has not been made on whether professional fireworks displays will proceed as planned at this time.   Today’s decision was timed to provide the public and fireworks industry with sufficient notice, as the fireworks sales season was set to open as early as this Friday.

 These actions only address part of the current fire problems. For more information and daily updates please sign up on our facebook page.

 Additional information is available on our website as well. www.mctx.org/fire

Link to Fire Danger information

http://ticc.tamu.edu/PredictiveServices/FuelsFireDanger.htm

Prevention tips

The MCFMO will be sending out daily updates on our Facebook page as well as through media releases.

Residents are urged to curtail any outdoor activity that could start a wildfire;

1. Use a LPG grill for outdoor cooking, do not use charcoal or wood burning pits as the hot coals can easily ignite dry grass for hours and

days after use.

2. Do not weld, cut or grind metal within 25 feet of anything that will burn

3. Do not discard cigarettes out the window

4. Maintain mechanical equipment used in agriculture and trailers used on the roadway. One of the largest fires in East Texas started from

an axle problem on a trailer that overheated and started a roadside fire.

Burn Ban In Effect Until Mid-October

POSTED: Tuesday, June 21, 2011
UPDATED: 11:29 am CDT June 21, 2011

HOUSTON — Harris County banned the sale and use of all types of fireworks on Tuesday.

• Fireworks Bans In Southeast Texas Counties

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett signed an order declaring a drought disaster. Commissioners Court unanimously ratified it and it was sent to Gov. Rick Perry for approval.

The area has seen very little rain in recent months and has experienced record-high temperatures several days.

“This is unusual,” Emmett said. “It’s beyond anything I’ve seen before. We have to take the measures, and one of those measures is not to have fireworks.”

Harris County’s measurement on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which measures soil moisture and indicates fire potential, has approached 750 on a scale of 0 to 800.

The declaration bans the sale and use of fireworks in all unincorporated areas of the county. The 34 municipalities within the county already have permanent bans of fireworks.

The only exception to the ban is public displays conducted by persons with a pyrotechnic operator’s license or a pyrotechnics special effect operator’s license.

The ban is in effect until Emmett lifts it.

Violations of the ban could result in a $1,000 fine and/or 180 days in jail.

Harris County also has a burn ban in effect until mid-October. Violations of the burn ban are subject to a fine of up to $500.

POSTED: Monday, June 20, 2011

UPDATED: 8:44 am CDT June 20, 2011

HOUSTON — Harris County could see a much different Fourth of July, with an anticipated ban on fireworks sales because of the drought. 

Video: Fireworks Ban Expected In Harris County

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett said he plans to take steps to ban all types of fireworks.

“In order to ban all fireworks, I, as county judge, will have to issue a declaration of disaster and I’ll do that Tuesday morning,” Emmett said. “Then the governor will have to approve within 60 hours and the Commissioners Court will have to ratify it.”

Emmett said he believes the Commissioners Court will approve the ban due to the drought, which has already been blamed for several fires.

The only way the ban might not be issued if if the area receives lots of rain and the drought index goes up. Emmett said that’s not likely given the current conditions.

“We all need to hope and pray for rain,” said Emmett.

He said the only fireworks allowed will be those used by professionals for city celebrations.

“This is obviously unusual,” Emmett said. “It’s beyond anything I’ve seen before, so we have to take the measures.”

The county previously banned the sale or use of skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins.

Burn bans have been issued for all counties in southeast Texas.

The following counties have issued bans on some types of fireworks:

• Austin County: ban on sticks and fins
• Brazoria County: ban on sticks and fins
• Chambers County: ban on sticks and fins
• Colorado County: ban on sticks and fins
• Fort Bend County: ban on sticks and fins
• Galveston County: ban on sticks and fins
• Harris County: ban on sticks and fins
• Liberty County: ban on sticks and fins
• Matagorda County: ban on sticks and fins; short selling season adopted — July 1 to 4 only
• Montgomery County: ban on sticks and fins
• Walker County: ban on sticks and fins adopted; disaster declaration anticipated
• Waller County: ban on sticks and fins
• Wharton: ban on sticks and fins; short selling season – June 30 to July 4 only

Previous Story:

• June 8, 2011: Harris County Bans Some Fireworks
  Copyright 2011 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

On June 7th 2011, Harris County Commissioners Court approved a restriction on the sale and use of restricted fireworks (skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins) due to drought conditions.   This restriction is effective immediately and will continue as long as drought conditions exist in Harris County. 

Recent afternoon thunderstorms have had little effect on reducing the drought; the Keetch-Byram drought index (KBDI) has increased to over 700 in the past two days.   It is currently at 708 on scale of 0-800.   Under a local declaration of disaster by County Judge Ed Emmett, additional restrictions may apply if drought conditions do not improve. The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office will continue to monitor drought conditions and outdoor fire danger.

Montgomery County remains in “exceptional” drought status.

Current Conditions:

Link to Fire Danger information – http://ticc.tamu.edu/PredictiveServices/FuelsFireDanger.htm

Current Recommendations:

In 2009 the inspired vision of a handful of Magnolia citizens came to fruition when the Magnolia Farmers Market, known as Sweet Magnolia Pickins, was established with the aid of the Magnolia 4B Community Development Corporation.

Since its humble beginning as a monthly market with a handful of dedicated growers and producers – and an equally dedicated base of shoppers – the  Market has grown to a twice monthly event with a full line-up of veggies, meat, dairy and prepared foods, as well as hand crafted soaps and more.

The market is now held every second and fourth Sunday of the month from 12 noon till 3:00p.m. at the intersection of FMs 1488 and 1774. With the support of the greater Magnolia community, it continues to grow and to offer local residents a fresher, higher quality, local option to the industrial food system.  The strength of this market is a testament to the strength of the Magnolia community.

April 2 thru July 30 every Saturday from 9am-1pm

The 2011 market season will focus on providing the community with 18 weeks of the freshest, locally grown produce in town!    They have revised our season to have produce available to you every week throughout the heaviest produce seasons.Located at the corner of 2920 (aka Main Street on the map to the left) and Cherry Street in Historic Downtown Tomball.

Tomball Farmers Market is a registered nonprofit and works as a cooperative effort of local families dedicated to providing the highest quality food and handmade products to our community.

They are a privately run market, with no financial or political ties to the city of Tomball.  This market was created by farmers and is operated by farmers.  Tomball Farmers Market is a certified farmers market with the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Registration for summer II and fall classes is currently underway at Lone Star College-Tomball. 

• The Summer II session begins July 14. 
• The fall semester begins August 29.

Students must be registered before classes begin. more

26767 Bayou Tesch is on the market for lease. 

Situated on a wooded 1.524 acre lot, this elegant colonial style 3,450 square foot, one story home boasts a large covered veranda with a built-in BBQ area for the grillmaster of the family.   The spacious kitchen and family room is pleasing to the eyes by offering the views of mother nature and the sparkling pool with its waterfalls.   The large master suite with its double-door entry offers an oversized dual person shower, separate jacuzzi tub which ushers in nothing but quiet relaxation.  Click here for more information and view photos of the home.

Get in touch for more info …