HOUSTON — As the Houston area works to clean up and restore power to hundreds of thousands after deadly storms left at least seven people dead, it will do so amid a smog warning and rising temperatures that could pose health risks.

National Weather Service meteorologist Marc Chenard said on Saturday that highs of about 90 degrees were expected through the start of the coming week, with heat indexes likely approaching 100 degrees by midweek.

“We expect the impact of the heat to gradually increase … we will start to see that heat risk increase Tuesday into Wednesday through Friday,” Chenard said.

The heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when humidity is combined with the air temperature, according to the weather service.

“Don’t overdo yourself during the cleanup process,” the weather service’s Houston office said in a post on the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Houston Health Department said it would distribute 400 free portable air conditioners to area seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers of disabled children to contend with the heat.

Five cooling centers also were opened — four in Houston and one in Kingwood.

The widespread destruction of Thursday’s storms brought much of Houston to a standstill. Thunderstorms and hurricane-force winds tore through the city, and a tornado touched down near the northwest Houston suburb of Cypress.

More than a half-million homes and businesses in Texas remained without electricity by midday Saturday, according to PowerOutage.us. Another 21,000 customers were also without power in Louisiana, where strong winds and a suspected tornado hit.

CenterPoint Energy, which has deployed 1,000 employees to the area and is requesting 5,000 more, said power restoration could take several days or longer in some areas, and that customers need to ensure their homes can safely be reconnected.

“In addition to damaging CenterPoint Energy’s electric infrastructure and equipment, severe weather may have caused damage to customer-owned equipment” such as the weatherhead, which is where power enters the home, the company said.

High-voltage transmission towers that were torn apart and downed power lines pose a twofold challenge for utility companies because the damage affected transmission and distribution systems, according to Alexandria von Meier, a power and energy expert who called that a rare thing. Damage to just the distribution system is more typical, von Meier said.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez reported late Friday that three people died during the storm, including an 85-year-old woman whose home caught fire after being struck by lightning and a 60-year-old man who had tried to use his vehicle to power his oxygen tank.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire previously said at least four other people were killed in the city when the storms swept through Harris County, which includes Houston.

School districts in the Houston area canceled classes Friday for more than 400,000 students and government offices were closed.

Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles said Saturday that he hoped to reopen schools on Monday, but that is dependent upon the restoration of electricity in school buildings.

In light of the storm damage, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Whitmire both signed disaster declarations, paving the way for state and federal storm recovery assistance.

A separate disaster declaration from President Joe Biden makes federal funding available to people in seven Texas counties that have been affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding since April 26.

Information for this article was contributed by Jamie Stengle, Valerie Gonzalez and Lisa Baumann of The Associated Press.

    Power transmission lines were twisted and toppled after powerful storms swept through the Houston area on Saturday, May 18, 2024 in Cypress, Texas. As the Houston area works to clean up and restore power to hundreds of thousands, it will do so amid a smog warning and rising Texas heat. (AP photo/Mark Vancleave)
  

    The wall of a tire shop at the intersection of Sowden and Bingle is blown out in the aftermath of a severe storm on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Houston. The widespread destruction brought much of Houston to a standstill as crews raced to restore power and remove uprooted trees and debris. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)
  

    Fans make their way into Minute Maid Park as a severe thunderstorm hit before a baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and the Houston Astros, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Houston. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via AP)
  

    Down power lines are shown in the aftermath of a severe thunderstorm Friday, May 17, 2024, in Cypress, Texas, near Houston. Thunderstorms pummeled southeastern Texas on Thursday killing at least four people, blowing out windows in high-rise buildings and knocking out power to more than 900,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
  

    Cheryl Herpich takes a photograph of a downtown building with blown out windows in the aftermath of a severe thunderstorm Friday, May 17, 2024, in Houston. Thunderstorms pummeled southeastern Texas on Thursday killing at least four people, blowing out windows in high-rise buildings and knocking out power to more than 900,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
  

    Blown out windows on a high-rise downtown building are shown in the aftermath of a severe thunderstorm Friday, May 17, 2024, in Houston. Thunderstorms pummeled southeastern Texas on Thursday killing at least four people, blowing out windows in high-rise buildings and knocking out power to more than 900,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
  

    Blown out windows on a high-rise downtown building are shown in the aftermath of a severe thunderstorm Friday, May 17, 2024, in Houston. Thunderstorms pummeled southeastern Texas on Thursday killing at least four people, blowing out windows in high-rise buildings and knocking out power to more than 900,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
  

    Carrie Jenkins stands in her living room by the light of her open front door, the only light in her home since losing power the night before in the aftermath of a severe storm, Friday, May 17, 2024 in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)
  

MARPLE — On a day that emphasized the power of education to change life trajectories, more than 1,200 students graduated from Delaware County Community College with associate degrees and/or certificates.

On Thursday, May 16, the college held two separate commencement ceremonies.

The morning ceremony was for graduates of the Allied Health and Nursing, STEM, and Workforce and Economic Development divisions, and the afternoon ceremony for graduates of the Business, Computing & Social Science, as well as the Communications, Arts & Humanities divisions.

Both ceremonies were held at West Chester University’s Hollinger Field House.

“While many diverse backgrounds are represented here today, we are united here for one purpose: education. We share the same goal of pursuing better opportunities through education at a more affordable cost,” said Edison Hong of Upper Darby, the student commencement speaker, who is the son of Chinese immigrants. “From my father’s escape during the Vietnam War to my mother’s pursuit of the American dream, their story intertwines with mine, wanting a better life. Their sacrifices resonate within me, and I use that every day to guide me as a first-generation college student.”

Hong, a graduate of Upper Darby High School, earned college credits as a high school student through DCCC’s High School Dual Enrollment Program. He earned his associate degree from DCCC in the fall of 2023 with majors in computer science and business administration and now attends Georgia Institute of Technology, where he is majoring in computer science.

Hong is one of 15 students nationwide to receive the 2024 Hites Transfer Scholarship from Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year colleges.

He served as president and founder of DCCC’s Computer Science Club, president of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, president of the Business Society, and vice president of the Science Club and the Engineering Club.

“Your ability to overcome life while maintaining high academic standards is remarkable. Community college is and always has been the real standard of success,” said alumnus commencement speaker Frederick Shegog, class of 2020, of Drexel Hill.

Shegog battled homelessness and substance abuse prior to becoming an honors graduate of DCCC and a summa cum laude — highest honors — graduate of West Chester University, where he recently earned a master’s degree in public administration. His stepdaughter Megan Riley is a member of the DCCC Class of 2024.

Presiding over Thursday’s ceremonies was Marta Yera Cronin, the college’s president. A first-generation college student born of immigrant parents, she emphasized the generational impact that education can have on the children, grandchildren and other relatives of graduates.

“Your family members see the effort,” she said. “They see the tenacity it takes to study, often while working a part-time or full-time job to sustain a family, and you become their role model.”

Added DCCC Board of Trustees Chair Kevin Scott, “We commend your perseverance, long hours and nights of study and the sacrifices you have made to pursue your goal of attaining a better life for you and your family.”

Reservations being taken for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bus trip to honor Charlie Gracie

In honor of his late father, the great rock ‘n’ roller Charlie Gracie and the release of the updated public television documentary, “Fabulous Forever!,” Charlie Gracie Jr., in partnership with his mom, Joan Gracie, will host a bus trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland from Friday, June 28 to Saturday, June 29.

Bus passengers will include DJs Lou Costello, Steve Kurtz, Johnny Midnight of Cruisin’ 92.1 WVLT and other notables.

The late Charlie Gracie, a native of South Philadelphia and a longtime resident of Drexel Hill, was an American rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm and blues singer and guitarist who topped the charts with his hits, “Butterfly” and “Fabulous.” Gracie was a role model who was emulated by many rock ‘n’ roll legends, including Paul McCartney and Graham Nash, among others.

The bus will leave at 8 a.m. Friday from Springfield Country Club on Sproul Road, where permission was given to leave cars, and return there Saturday night, around midnight.

The trip will include seeing the museum’s Charlie Gracie exhibit, with plenty of time allotted to tour the museum, as well as watching the debut screening of the newly updated Character Driven Productions documentary about Charlie Gracie, “Fabulous Forever!” in the museum’s theatre.

Bus fee will run between $75 and $85, depending on number of participants, and the Holiday Inn Express rate for the overnight stay is roughly $160.

For full details or to book a seat, call 610-724-7319.

No Name Pops offer two free concerts this month

The No Name Pops (NNP) will present two free performances in Philadelphia at the end of May. On Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, May 25, The NNP’s Big Band will perform at 9th and Montrose, in the heart of the Italian Market, starting at 11 a.m. On May 30, The NNP Jazz Quintet will perform with guest vocalist Paula Holloway in Dilworth Park, 1 S 15th Street, from 6 to 7 p.m.

During the Memorial Day Weekend concert, planned in collaboration with Di Bruno Bros., guests will be able to enjoy their Italian Market purchases while seated at tables listening to the music of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and more. At Dilworth Park, guests can enjoy the golden era of American music, featuring the timeless hits of George Gershwin and Cole Porter.

“We are thrilled that we have been invited by Center City District and Di Bruno Bros to provide free music to our community, our mission statement in action,” said Matt Koveal, the NNP’s Executive Director.

Founded in 2023, The No Name Pops is a versatile ensemble composed of the former musicians of The Philly Pops with a mission to deliver authentic, exceptional musical experiences in the Philadelphia region. Drawing from Philly’s rich symphonic pops legacy, the NNP melds tradition with an innovative approach unbound by musical genre for concert experiences that will entertain and empower the entire community.

The No Name Pops respects the rich legacy of the music of Peter Nero, Grammy Award-winning pianist and conductor who launched Pops music in Philadelphia for over three decades. Led by accomplished conductors and featuring world-class soloists, The No Name Pops continues to captivate audiences with its vibrant and diverse repertoire. For more information, or a list of upcoming performances, visit http://www.nonamepops.org.

Bonner-Prendie Classes of ’69 and ’74 hold reunions

Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast High School, Class of 1974 is planning a 50th reunion at Paxon Hollow Country Club, Broomall.

It is set for Friday, Sept. 27 from 6 to 10 p.m.

The reunion committee is searching for current email addresses to send out notices with the details. Class members are asked to send name and email address to: Bonnerprendie50threunion@gmail.com.

Bonner-Prendie Class of 1969 will hold its 55th reunion also at Paxon Hollow Country Club.

It is set for Sunday Sept. 29 from 3 to 7 p.m.

The ticket price is $69, which includes food and an open bar. There is a limit of 250 tickets to be sold and no tickets will be sold at the door.

Checks can be made out to MBAP Class of ’69 and mailed to 403 N. Lansdowne Ave. Drexel Hill, PA 19026.

Springfield Township Library offers programs on houseplants, Civil War medicine

Springfield Township Library will present an in-person houseplant workshop, “Leafy Characters,” at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 11.

“Leafy Characters” will help anyone who doubts their green thumb.

Amanda, from a local nursery will teach participants some house plant basics, plant propagating, different house plants and their needs and more. Participants will leave the program with more knowledge.

Space is limited and registration is required at www.springfieldtwplib.com.events.

The library will also present a program on “Civil War Medicine with the Mutter Museum,” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18.

Everyone is welcome to learn from an educator at the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia about the role and practice of medicine in the Civil War. A description of the impact this era plays on modern medicine will also be discussed. Some examples of Civil War medical inventions include ambulances and specialty medicines.

This event is via Zoom only. Registration at www.springfieldtwplib.com/events is required to obtain the Zoom link.

Readers can send typed community news press releases and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.