UPCOMING EVENTS

Cooler temperatures will be here before you know it, and the warm days of summer will seem like a distant memory. Better Business Bureau serving Central East Texas (BBB) and The United States Department of Energy encourage homeowners to conduct a home energy assessment to determine how slight corrections could make your home more energy efficient and likewise lower energy costs and reminds consumers to have a “Although he National Weather Service is predicting warm and dry conditions for our area this winter,” Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas said. “It’s still important to perform a winter assessment to make sure your home is prepared for cooler temperatures.” BBB offers these tips when preparing your home for the colder weather: Schedule HVAC maintenance. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, preventive maintenance can help save you up to 25% in energy costs. Heating contractors near you can help you professionally service your heating unit. Clean those gutters. A buildup of leaves and other debris can cause your gutters and downspouts to not drain properly. Improper draining can make water spill over your gutters which can lead to foundation/basement damage and damage to your fascia boards. In the winter, ice dams can form that can let snow melt underneath your shingles. To get a listing of gutter contractors near you, visit BBB.org.

Here’s an interesting statistic: Some 72% of retirees say one of their biggest fears is becoming a burden on their families, according to a 2021 survey by Age Wave and Edward Jones. Both before and during retirement, what steps can you take to avoid burdening your loved ones in the future? Here are a few suggestions: • Build your retirement savings. The greater your financial resources, the less likely it becomes that you’d ever have to count on your grown children for financial support. You may have access to a 401(k) or similar retirement plan at work, so take advantage of it. Even with an employer- sponsored plan, you also may be eligible to contribute to an IRA. In addition to offering a variety of investment options, a 401(k) and IRA provide potential tax advantages. And once you do retire, be careful about how much you withdraw each year from your retirement plans and other investments.

Cort Tittle, Redwater High School senior, has been selected as one of an estimated 6,000 high-achieving high school senior finalists for consideration to receive a full four-year scholarship to one of the nation’s top colleges. Almost 20,000 students applied for the Quest-Bridge National College Match program. The 1,700 winners will be announced in December.

The Dogwood Garden Club is extremely delighted to award the Yard of the Month for October to Deborah and Tommy Crawford of 309 N

SWEPCO wants to remind the public about some important safety tips when working on outdoor projects this fall. Knowing what to do before you begin a project outdoors not only can help prevent serious injury or death, but can help you avoid possible fines, high repair costs and power outage. Call 811 before you