Story Created:
Feb 2, 2011
Story Updated:
Feb 2, 2011
We've received an overwhelming amount of phone calls to the newsroom this morning from people concerning power outages across the city. Angry people called from different parts of town saying they had no power. Turns out, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the organization that controls the state's electricity grid, instructed utility companies to begin rotating outages that are controlled and temporary. In a release, they say these are required to compensate for a generation shortage due to numerous plant trips that occurred because of the extreme weather. The power outages are lasting 10 to 45 minutes per neighborhood. The locations and durations are determined by the local utility company, and hospitals and nursing homes have been exempt. Officials tell us they do not know how long the need for these rotating outages will last. Consumers and businesses are urged to reduce their electricity use to the lowest level possible.
TAMIU has officially released their staff and students from work and classes for the day. Due to rolling black outs, officials have decided to give their staff and students the day off. However, work and classes will resume as scheduled tomorrow. You can also look for any updates on their Facebook or Twitter accounts as well as their official tamiu.edu website.
Meanwhile, we have confirmed within the last 30 minutes that LCC has released students due to the blackouts. Power will be restored at the campus at 2PM this afternoon. So, classes will resume then. Students who have classes after 2PM must report back to Laredo Community College.
Schools across both districts have also been affected by these rolling blackouts. In an official statement from Laredo Independent School District, officials say "LISD facilities are equipped with emergency lights that stay on 3 to 4 hours. In addition, all LISD athletic events have been canceled for today and tomorrow. As of right now, LISD is expecting classes to be held tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday as regularly scheduled." They will meet at 4 o'clock to revisit the situation. Reports from frustrated parents indicate that students have contacted them about prolonged periods of time in which they have been left in the dark with no power nor heat. United Independent School District officials have addressed the issue by assuring parents that students in most schools have not been greatly affected with outages coming in short intervals. However, there are two campuses in particular that have closed due to prolonged power outages. Those include the early college high school located on the TAMIU campus that is composed of students from both school districts, and Alexander high school has dismissed classes, as well. Parents can pick up their children at school. Those that ride the bus to school will be bussed back to their location.
Officials with the Catholic Diocese report none of their schools experienced any problems this morning. St. Peter's school did experience a small rolling blackout, but electricity was restored after a few minutes. We're told no pipes broke, and heaters are working at full capacity. Kids are also being kept indoors throughout the day.
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could you said on Saturday, Feb 5 at 12:01 PM
please explain how having power outages makes you maoney
60039443WoW! it is cold! said on Thursday, Feb 3 at 4:16 PM
I agree with you Juan. My point is only to strengthen our childrens minds. On the other hand, what in the world are the school board, superintendents, principals, and teachers doing. This is my point exactly. When tough decisions have to be made, no one wants to call the difficult shot. Where are the leaders now. They should have decided what to do days ago, when they found out about this upcoming weather. I guarantee you that when they found out about the weather, they wrapped their plants with plastic bags. No consideration for the students and their families. My point exactly.
59955963juan gamboa said on Thursday, Feb 3 at 3:39 PM
"wow its cold," for a short while...i agreed 100% with you. we are not to quit when life gets a little tough. Nonetheless, when it comes to my child, I will protect him againt the harshest colds or hell's fire, even if it costs my life in the process. It is not about being tough or endurance, etc... It's about being smart! Here, the smartest thing would be to keep the kids from being exposed to these conditions. If it means sending them home, then so be it. AT the end, toughness is lost, muscles weaken, yet a smart mind remains strong and willing thus proving once more, that the pen is mightier than the sword!
59953877william r. alexander said on Thursday, Feb 3 at 3:29 PM
It is not true about sporatic outages. I live on Del Mar Blvd. in front of Golds Gym and experienced no electricity from 8:30 till 1:00. My daughter goes to Alexander High School and they were in the dark texting and playing games on their cells. that was 4 hours of no instruction. just cancel school for friday and stop their pitter patter between school officials.
59953367WoW! it is cold! said on Thursday, Feb 3 at 2:35 PM
I am not talking about kindergarten here. I am talking about older kids in middle school and in high school. If you don't want military comparisons than ask your postman to take the day off, or the cashier at the stripes, or the lady that makes your flour tortillas at five in the morning, or the emergency physician, or the police officer who protects you, or the nice people at the daycare that take care of our young, or the guy at the bridge, or the cook at Mcdonalds, or the fireman, or the guy at starbucks, or the sheriff officer, or the border patrol, or the ICE agents. Shall I go on. I was only trying to emphasize that life is hard, and nothing comes easy. We need to teach our kids, who are the future, this lesson, and prepare them for the worst. This way they know what to expect and be able to accomplish anything they set their hearts to. It is in trying moments when you see a persons true character. At this moments is when someone will make the decision to carry on or QUIT
59950453op said on Thursday, Feb 3 at 2:08 PM
I agree with "wow it's cold". I think he referred to high schoolers. If not, so what...he's right.
59948998Emily Perez said on Thursday, Feb 3 at 1:29 PM
You're a complete and total idiot for comparing kids to soldiers at Iraq. I can't believe you even had the nerve to right that. You're pathetic. Nice name by the way. If you're gonna dish it out, the least you can do is put your name and not hide behind a fake one.
59946662WoW! it is cold! said on Thursday, Feb 3 at 11:20 AM
Give me a break! Are we supposed to stop everything, just because it is cold. What are we teaching our kids? If it is cold or if there is any discomfort, stop what you are doing and go home to bed. Is quitting when it gets tough, the real message we want to send. I agree the school district can hanle things better. But, that is their fault. We need to teach our kids to be tougher, and endure tough situations. The future of our city and country depend on things like that. I could only imagine what would of happened if the Army in World War I and II would of quit when it got cold or tough. Or in Iraq. I am sure it gets uncomforatable in Afghanistan. Show them to stick it out, to get tough, and to be able to operate in the most difficult situations. The city and the shcool districts should learn how to plan ahead a little bit better. But, that should not be the excuse to teach our kids to quit when someone else can't do what they were supposed to.
59938824Toroguy said on Thursday, Feb 3 at 12:27 AM
Its not fair, that's not true. At Cigarroa we are freezing our butts off,especially when we change classes because we have to go outside to go to another hall, The ones affected are the students because the staff is in the classroom all day, also during lunch they are trying to fix things by stuffing everyone in the GYM. The superintendant may be used to this wheather but we are not. Its your call Nelson, but if someone gets hurt expect it all over the news!!!
59921233A Rodriguez said on Wednesday, Feb 2 at 8:07 PM
Actually, at Mary Help of Christians, several classrooms lost power during the day, and the students and teachers were without light and heaters. The kids were continually shuffled around to different rooms, but were still having to go outside to change classrooms.
59911664yoyis said on Wednesday, Feb 2 at 4:58 PM
they should cancel the school for tomorrow .
59902399ratas said on Wednesday, Feb 2 at 4:04 PM
Somebody is taking advantage and making money!!!!
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