State taking applications for home-heating aid

Emergency heating-assistance programs kicked off this week amid weather so balmy that struggling households might not be in crisis mode over unpaid or disconnected utilities. But those who link families to heating help say there’s no reason to wait for the freeze. “The weather is playing tricks on us,” said Colette Harrell of the Breathing Association. “ People are not desperate yet for heat, but they will be. We’ll be here for them to offer assistance.”