Eclipse not just fun, there’s a lot of science too

“We want to teach the community about the how and why and about the science,” Holland said.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said County Judge Jakie Allen.

There will be special children’s opportunities including using the sun to print on special paper. There will be demonstrations on making a keyhole camera and explanations of how it works.

Free eclipse viewing glasses, necessary to prevent eye damage, already are available at the county library.

Students from Nash Elementary School tried out the activities at the library last week and had a blast, Holland stated. “The educational materials were developed in conjunction with NASA,” she said.

Commissioners also discussed changes to the county fire code.

The proposed changes will bring the county code in line with state and national building fire codes.

Fire Marshal Paul Ayres wants to incorporate wildlife conservation codes by inspecting wildlife areas near residential and commercial buildings.

“That would help prevent fires such as the 2022 fire in Mesquite that destroyed 26 homes when a wild area behind the homes caught fire and spread,” Ayres said.

Ayres stated fire inspectors would look for areas with that potential and work with homeowners associations and residents to reduce the dangers.

Commissioners were concerned about the distance between new homes—sometimes as little as five feet—that can help fires spread.

Allen proposed making that distance at least 7-and-a-half feet, calling a public health and safety concern.

Another proposed change would require residential streets to be at least 24-feet wide instead of the current 20 feet.

“You park trucks on both sides of the street and you can’t even get through,” Precinct 2 Commissioner Skeet Phillips said. That could make it impossible for firetrucks and ambulances to get through.

The changes are still being reviewed by the legal staff and will be up for commissioner approval at a later date.