Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

After Congress passed legislation to ease the burden faced by small businesses during the COVID-19 epidemic, the Trump Administration launched the Paycheck Protection Program, allowing small businesses to receive funds to retain employees and keep up with day-to-day operating expenses.

At the request of the chambers of commerce of Jefferson County, U.S. Rep Randy Weber is hosting a telephone town hall inviting all business owners and lenders from Jefferson County to join in a discussion to answer questions regarding federal guidelines and programs related to the PPP and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance.

Experts from the Small Business Administration and the Independent Bankers Association of will be on the call and ready to answer questions.

The telephone town hall begins at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Call 877-229-8493, use ID Code: 111533 and to ask a question, dial *3.

Addendum 8

Judge Jeff Branick’s 7th Amended Emergency Order was issued Monday rescinding the burn ban in unincorporated areas of Jefferson County.

Burning is no allowed if conducted safely.

Branick’s Addendum 8 also rescinded the prohibition on dog grooming with specific requirements established for dog groomers.

New cases

Area confirmations of COVID-19 cases were 41 as of Monday after, health officials said, the same number reported Saturday evening for Port Arthur and Mid-County.

Port Arthur cases sit at 25, Groves has six confirmed cases, Port Neches has five cases and Nederland remain at five confirmed cases.

Jefferson County sits at 135 cases, 10 more than what was reported Saturday evening.

The statistical update was released by the Southeast Texas Regional Emergency Operations Center, which summarizes information related to COVID-19 activities in Hardin, Jasper, Jefferson, Newton, Orange and Tyler counties.

at the following website:

The call center received 121 calls on Monday.

Citizens are encouraged to call 409-550-2536 to be evaluated for testing. The Call Center is open 24-hours, seven days a week.

If you are looking for information about COVID-19, call 211 option 6 or visit covid-19-jeffco.hub.arcgis.com.