Should Killeen, Texas ISD Extend Winter Break Too?

Earlier today in nearby Marlin, Texas their Independent School District decided to extend their winter break until this upcoming Monday, January 10. Why? An increase in COVID-19 infections.

According to KWTX, Marlin ISD Superintendent Dr. Darrell J Henson says, "There were over 30 confirmed positive cases amongst our students, faculty, and staff. Due to an abundance of caution for the safety and welfare of our school community, the winter break will be extended until Monday January 10."

He also cautioned members of the community "to take care of themselves and to utilize all safety precautions including isolation, social distancing and the strict use of face coverings for the remainder of the week".

So the question is if a small school district like Marlin is opting to close for another week, should Killeen ISD at least, consider it?

The Number Of Covid Cases in Bell County

As of this morning (January 4th), according to the Bell County Health District's website, there were 1,854 active cases of COVID-19 in Bell County.

The county's COVID-19 Dashboard indicated 491 cases Tuesday along with an incidence rate of 510.85, while over 150,000 tests have been administered.

What Does The Bell County Health District Have To Say About It?

Bell County Health District's Director Nikki Morrow released a statement Monday putting the residents of Bell County on alert, stating the number of COVID cases has risen in Bell County over the past few weeks.

Because of it, the threat level has changed from level 3 Moderate to Level 2 Significant.

"The latest surge over the last couple of weeks has once again increased active cases and the incidence rate like what was seen in early August 2021," Morrow wrote. "The Bell County Public Health District dashboard showed the rate jump to over 300 late last week after the holidays. We strongly encourage full vaccination and a booster dose if eligible. The vaccines provide a layer of protection that can prevent or reduce the severity of Covid-19, including death. Currently, due to the significant spread of
COVID-19, we encourage added layers of protection by wearing a mask especially when in crowded areas.”

If there isn't a plan in place for a COVID surge, there should be one. It doesn't seem like this virus is going anywhere fast.

LOOK: Food history from the year you were born

From product innovations to major recalls, Stacker researched what happened in food history every year since 1921, according to news and government sources.

5 Sweet Bakeries To Check Out In Killeen, Texas

We all get a sweet tooth every now and then right?

But what do we do when it happens?

Do you go to the kitchen and bake a cake? Maybe hook up some cupcakes?

Cookies? perhaps?

Or do you visit the grocery store or your favorite bakery?

If your choice is to visit your favorite bakery I got a few bakeries that caught my eye that you may want to check out here in the Killeen area, if there's one or two we didn't mention that you go to, by all means, let us know!

In the meantime check out these 5 bakeries in Killeen:

4 Killeen Barbers You Should Know

It's hard being fly, but with the help of these barbers you can make it look easy!

Every barber isn't skilled enough to grow your hair, bless you with hair implants, and or help your beard flourish, but these four barbers listed below is the truth.

If you're new in Killeen or ready to switch it up, then consider these barbers as people you need to know.

They specialize in tappers, facials, coloring, dreads, bald heads, and so much more.

I'm so excited about this list because they hold it down for the CTX, and there's a lady among the four. (You know I'm all about boss women).

Get connected and thank me later.