POLICE CONTINUE TO OFFER FREE MOTORCYCLE SAFETY COURSE EVERY THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

Date/Time:

​Saturday, March 19 / April 16 / May 21 / June 18 / 2011 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location:​10310 Montana (Edge Kawasaki)

 

 

El Paso, Texas – The El Paso Police Department’s Traffic Safety unit continues to offer a free motorcycle safety course on the third Saturday of each month. The classes will be held at Edge Kawasaki located at 10310 Montana and again, is free to the public.

 

The class is held from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

 

To sign up for the class, those interested in participating should call the El Paso Police Department’s Traffic Safety Coordinator, Margaret Petrozza at 915.564.7352 or Edge Kawasaki at 915.593.1024.

Black History Month Parade and Festival 2011

WHEN:                           Saturday, February 26, 2011

TIME:                             10:00 am

LOCATION:                   Corner of Pershing and Montana

PARADE ROUTE:         Starts at the corner of Pershing and Montana and proceeds East on Montana to Copia; South on Copia to Missouri and West on Missouri to Mary Webb Park (3400 Missouri)

At the conclusion of the parade, a festival will be held at Mary Webb Park.  Festival activities include food booths, speakers and singing and dance performances.

2011 Black History Month theme is:  African Americans and The Civil War.

Parade Grand Marshal is BG Stephen Twitty, Deputy Commanding General, Fort Bliss, TX.

Parade Marshal is Col. Reginald Davis, Commander, 11^th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bliss, TX.

Horizon Blvd. / Buford Rd. Project - NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

March 1 (Tuesday)

6 p.m. – Open House

6: 30 p.m. – Public Hearing

Salvador Sanchez Middle School

Library

321 N. Rio Vista Road

   

The purpose of the Public Hearing is to present the anticipated social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed project.  This project extends from 0.09 mile west of Alameda Ave. (SH 20) to 0.06 mile west of North Loop Rd. (FM 76) in El Paso County.  

The proposed project consists of widening the existing two-lane divided roadway to a four-lane divided roadway with one 11-foot wide inside main lane in each direction, a 15-foot wide outside eastbound lane, a 14-foot 3-inch-wide westbound outside lane, a raised median varying from 6 to 13 feet wide, and 6-foot wide concrete sidewalks. The proposed roadway would also offer 10-foot wide center turn bays within the median at all major intersections along Horizon Blvd. (FM 1281).

Hawkins Improvements to Begin

Hawkins Boulevard Getting Street & Drainage Enhancements

El Paso, Texas – The public is advised that construction activities will be in progress over the next four months on Hawkins Boulevard between Market and Merchant avenues just south of Interstate 10. 

Featured improvements along this section of Hawkins will consist of:

·        New ADA compliant sidewalks with curb and gutter and driveways

·        Replacement of storm sewer system and water lines

·        New roadway pavement

The appropriate traffic control measures will be installed on Hawkins Boulevard between Market and Merchant while the work on this street and drainage project is in progress.  The total construction cost is 543,000.     

F.B.I. SEEKS INFORMATION ABOUT BANK ROBBERY

Crime Stoppers of El Paso is assisting the Federal Bureau of Investigation in identifying and locating the person responsible for a central bank robbery, making this the

 Crime Stoppers “Crime of the Week.”

On Saturday, January 29^th, 2011, at approximately 10:00 A.M., a woman entered the 

Wells Fargo Bank located in Bassett Center Mall at 6175 Gateway West, and handed a note to a teller demanding money. Fearing for the safety of everyone in the bank at the time, the teller complied with the demand. The subject was then seen to leave the bank in a red Ford F-150 pickup truck heading west on Gateway West.

The subject is described as a white female, approximately 45-50 years old, 5’02” tall, and weighing approximately 140 pounds. She was wearing a black coat, large clear glasses, and had a black scarf over her head covering her hair. She also appeared to have a discolored mole on the lower part of her face, possibly on the left side. This case is being worked by the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task force, which includes the El Paso Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

(PHOTO BELOW COURTESY: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIION)

    

If you have any information at all about the identity of the person involved in this crime, or about the location of the vehicle, please call Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 566-TIPS (566-8477) or on-line at www.crimestoppersofelpaso.org. You will remain anonymous and, if your tip leads to an arrest, you can qualify for a cash reward.

FORMER DIABLO SIGNS WITH ITALIAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

EL PASO, Tx. – Christian Staehely, a former Diablo pitcher, signs with the Italian Baseball League club T&A San Marino. Staehely joins the Titans following his season pitching in El Paso. The right-handed pitcher is 6-3 in 41 games with a 4.16 ERA. He has 72 strikeouts, 32 walks, and 72 hits in 69 innings pitched.

The 25 year old and Houston native played four years with Princeton University starting in 2005 until being selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 39^th Round (1182^nd overall) of the 2008 amateur entry draft. Staehely spent two seasons with the Mariners organization (A level) with a 3.16 ERA in 2009.

Staehely split the 2010 season between the United League (Laredo) and the American Association (El Paso). With the Diablos, he had a 5.62 ERA in 27 games with 32 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched.

The Diablos will begin their season with three exhibition games divided between the Las Cruces Vaqueros (May 1^st and May 8^th) and the Heroes of the Diamond: Red, White and Blue Tour (May 7^th). The first league face off will be May 14^th against the Kansas City T-Bones, a new team to the American Association. Fan favorite promotions such as Thirsty Thursdays, Friday Fireworks, and Quartermania Sundays will be back for the 2011 season. Season ticket and group packages are on sale now. Call 915-755-2000 or visitdiablos.com for more information.

Brahm’s Brunch, a cello performance by Zuill Bailey

The El Paso Museum of Art and El Paso Pro-Musica present

Brahm’s Brunch, a cello performance by Zuill Bailey

accompanied on the piano by Awadagin Pratt followed

 by CD launch and signing in the Museum Store

Wednesday, March 2, 2011 – 12:00 PM

FREE

Please join us at the El Paso Museum of Art on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at noon for Brahm’s Brunch, a cello performance by Zuill Bailey accompanied on the piano by Awadagin Pratt that will coincide with the launching of his newest CD with pianist Awadagin Pratt.  This program is a joint partnership between the El Paso Museum of Art and El Paso Pro-Musica and is free to the public. Seating is limited and is on a first come, first served basis.

The CD is being released on the Telarc International label, and will be released worldwide on March 29. The CD will have its World Premiere in El Paso. It features the Sonatas for Cello and Piano of Brahms including some of his most romantic song compositions. Please join us in the Museum Store following Brahm’s Brunch to purchase your CD copy and have it signed by the artist.

"Lockdown" from National Geographic Channel will be filming in El Paso

El PASO, TEXAS – Over the next 2 weeks, beginning February 14, 2011 –  Producers of the National Geographic Channel television series “LOCKDOWN” will be in El Paso, Texas filming at both the El Paso County Detention Facility & Jail Annex. Producers will be given unprecedented access to areas within the El Paso County Jail Walls & will be allowed to take never before seen footage plus interview staff & inmates.

The episode airing will be announced at a later date & televised on the National Geographic Channel presented in a documentary format.

PHOTOS COURTESY :

 

Health Department Reopens WIC Centers for Normal Operations

El Paso, Texas – The City of El Paso Department of Public Health is happy to announce that all WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Centers including the locations at:

• Socorro - 10720 North Loop
• George Dieter - 1757 George Dieter

Have been reopened and are now fully operational.

Clients who missed their WIC appointment because of recent weather/water related closures are still being asked to call (915) 771-5870 to receive a new appointment as soon as possible.

Boil Water Advisory Will Be Lifted Tomorrow

EL PASO – 

El Paso Water Utilities (EPWU) is pleased to announce that ALL reservoirs have returned to adequate levels this morning. EPWU wants to thank the public for their cooperation in the mandatory water restrictions. Our crews have also been working long hours to make sure service is restored, and they will continue to respond to problem areas.

•

The boil water alert should be lifted by midday tomorrow. We have continuously been testing water citywide for possible contaminants and the water quality is fine. However, as a precaution we are waiting for final tests results from the remaining areas with low water pressure before lifting the alert.Please continue to boil any water for at least one minute before consumption.

 

•

Water service has been returned to customer meters citywide. Some remaining properties may still not have water service because their valves may have been turned off due to leaks, or they may be in need of repair. Please turn your valve back on, and if you need assistance call our customer service number at 594-5500.

 

•

Please remember that damage to pipes on private properties are the owner’s responsibility. If you suffered significant damage to your home or business caused by broken or leaking internal plumbing, you may need to contact your insurance company to file a claim. If you did experience a large amount of water loss due to a leak, we do work with our customers though a leak adjustment program. Please contact our customer service department when you receive your bill to apply for an adjustment.

 

•

Although the water restrictions have been lifted, we still ask the community to refrain from outdoor irrigation through Saturday. This will help ensure that reservoirs remain at adequate levels.

 

The water emergency was due to many factors: the freezing temperatures that caused damage to our facilitiesand lines, the rolling blackouts that EPWU participated in at the request of El Paso Electric, and tens of thousands of pipe leaks throughout the city on private properties. This caused the demand for water to be abnormally high while reservoir levels remained low and equipment is still being repaired.

City of El Paso Responds to Plumbing Issues

El Paso, Texas – City of El Paso is responding to city wide plumbing needs and is addressing permit needs of residents with extended office hours by opening on Fridays for next several weeks.

Please note that if you have had plumbing problems such as broken pipes you are required to obtain a permit for the repairs.  Under an emergency situation as the recent freeze residents are able to obtain a permit after the repairs are made rather than in advance.

However, it is important that a permit be obtained and an inspection takes place in order to assure that the repairs are adequate and that the supply of water remains safe for everyone.  

There were a number of backflow preventers that were damaged and that allows for possible contaminants to enter the drinking water.

The Building Permits and Inspections office will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the next several weeks to allow for everyone to obtain permits in a timely basis.  For more information please call (915) 541-4200.

Texans in the 65-plus Set Make Capitol Noise

Deb Courson

AUSTIN, Texas - More than 3,000 Texans in the 65-plus set are set to make some noise at the Capitol today. They're rallying on the statehouse steps for "Senior Day," and will meet with legislators to try to gain support for aging-services and safety-net programs being targeted in budget cuts. 

Lue Taff, director of the elder support program with The Senior Source in Dallas, a nonprofit that provides information and coordination regarding aging services, says the bottom line is that the state should not skimp on basics, like Lite Up Texas, a fund that helps older Texans of modest means cover expensive summer electric bills.

"If people can't continue to stay in their homes, and they get sick because they can't stay cool enough, then they're in the nursing home and they're on Medicaid. And guess what? That costs a whole lot more."

Money originally designated for that program has been diverted to the general fund, instead. 

Another topic for aging Texans is assisted-living facilities, with Taff pointing to the fact that those facilities now outnumber nursing homes. She says that's caused a crisis in the long-term-care ombudsmen program, which is supposed to help protect seniors who might be at risk of exploitation or neglect.

"Assisted living facilities have fewer staff people than nursing homes. They have fewer regulations, and therefore, it's very important for ombudsmen to be able to go in there and help residents resolve problems."

Other items on Texan seniors' lists today include Medicaid reimbursement for nursing homes, full funding for home meal deliveries to shut-ins and those who are frail, and mandatory geriatric training for health care professionals. 

More than 2.5 million people in Texas are over 65.

There's a rally on the Capitol steps at 10:30 a.m. Seniors will meet with legislators throughout the day.

UPDATE: EPWU Boil Water Alert

At the request of El Paso Electric (EPE), El Paso Water Utilities (EPWU) has been participating in rolling blackouts in order to conserve electricity. As a result, several main breaks have occurred overnight and several reservoirs are dangerously low.  This can result in loss of water or low water pressure citywide. We are urging customers to please conserve water at this time.

The freezing temperatures have also caused pipes on private property to freeze leading to water outages and leaks. If you are experienced a water outage or even low water pressure EPWU recommends you boil water before drinking it. A loss of water pressure can potentially allow contaminants from the air and soil to enter into the pipes.  This should be done until the electricity situation is resolved or until further notice.

EPWU crews have been working through the night and will continue to work around the clock repairing and monitoring the system. We ask for your cooperation and patience at this time.

Please understand that frozen pipes on private property are not the responsibility of EPWU. As the temperature rises this afternoon, the lines should thaw out and service should be restored. But be advised as pipes thaw, they may begin to leak.  If you need assistance you should call a licensed plumber. If a major leak is detected inside the home or on the service line from the meter to the home, shut off the water at the meter box.

Here are some tips to thaw out frozen pipes from the American Red Cross website:

·         If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Locate the suspected frozen area of the water pipe. Likely places include pipes running against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.

·         Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt more ice in the pipe.

·         Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water.

·         Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.

SHERIFF'S ADVISORY: TRAFFIC LIGHTS THAT ARE OUT

The Sheriff's Office reminds drivers that if you approach an intersection where the traffic lights are out - you MUST act as if the intersection is a 4 way stop and STOP. Our Deputies are out in the community responding to emergency calls & cannot be at an intersection directing traffic at all hours of the day. – Thank you.

Horizon City Water Main Breaks

Several 911 calls pouring in from the 600 block of Cobre

The EPCSO Academy Shelter was set to close at 2pm – that closure has been extended to 8pm due to the water main breaks in Horizon City, TX

More Updates Forthcoming..

Sun Metro Service Advisory

Sun Metro's fixed-route service and LIFT, paratransit service, are running a regular schedule with sporadic delays caused by road conditions.

As always, Sun Metro passengers are asked to please have patience as drivers work through the icy conditions. The public is asked to please be courteous to Sun Metro buses and fellow commuters to help prevent unnecessary accidents and anxiety.

For more information about the Sun Metro fixed-route service, call 533-3333.
For more information about the LIFT service, call 544-2514.

Garbage and Recycling Tips for Severe Weather

City Asks Residents to Avoid Taking Recycling Bins to the Curb

El Paso, Texas – The City of El Paso Environmental Services Department is asking residents to help do their share to reduce wind-blown debris during this winter storm.

The winter weather in the region is expected to bring with it strong winds with gusts reaching 45 mph. To help reduce wind-blown debris, residents should avoid taking theirrecycling bins out to the curb, if the bins are not full.

The Environmental Services recommends that residents wait until their next regularly scheduled pick-up day to place their recycling bins out for collection. Materials placed inside the blue recycling bins are not bagged, which makes it easy for them to scatter all over the street if strong winds tip over the bins.

Household garbage should always be taken to the curb on your collection day. Trash placed in the gray bins is not as likely to blow away on windy days if knocked out of the container because the GARBAGE SHOULD ALWAYS BE BAGGED. 

Here are some more garbage and recycling tips for severe weather:

·        If possible, on windy days keep garbage and recycling bins secure until pick-up;

·        Mark your address on your bins. This can help if you have to locate your bins should they get blown away;

·        Haul your trash and recycling bins away from the curb as soon as they are emptied to keep them from being blown onto the roadways;

·        If streets have snow or ice, homes on steep grades or located on the mountain will have their garbage collected later in the day. This is done for the safety of City employees and the public.

For more information about trash and recycling services during severe weather the public may call (915) 621-6700.

FREE CHECK UP CALLS FOR SENIORS - CALLING ALL SENIORS

City of El Paso’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

Calling All Seniors Program

Free Program aimed to check up on seniors living alone

EL PASO, TEXAS – These past few weeks we have encountered SEVERE temperatures in the Sun City and we are urging the public to take action to protect themselves and others during these extreme weather conditions.

The City of El Paso’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program – Calling All Seniors is available to assist in making sure the community’s seniors are safe.

Calling All Seniors is a FREE friendly telephone call service from one senior to another which provides a friendly visit by phone. During these calls the volunteers “check” on the seniors and make sure that they are safe. This is a great way to check on a senior who is homebound, isolated and in need of a check up call.

This service is FREE for seniors ages 55 an older that need a friendly phone call to check up on how they are doing. The volunteers that are making the phone calls are also seniors and they are matched up based on their interests, hobbies, education, background, etc. The calls will be made on the days the senior would like a “check up” phone call.

How can the community help?

Calling All Seniors depends on public awareness for its success. We hope that the public will identify and report elderly needing services. Currently over one hundred fifty volunteers registered with the RSVP are calling over 260 seniors that have been referred by agencies. The service is free of charge. It is essential that the community look out for one another, especially the seniors in our community – many of them do not have anybody to care for them and are in desperate need of assistance. A friendly telephone call, that will make sure they are safe, may be their life saver.

If you are a senior 55 years of age or older

or

know of a senior in need of this service,

please contact the City of El Paso’s Calling All Seniors Program

at 541-4025

EPDoT Response to Winter Storm

El Paso, Texas – The City of El Paso Department of Transportation (EPDoT) workers continue to work around the clock to keep main roadways open.

The operations are part of the De-Icing Plan for El Paso, which is carried out in coordination with emergency officials and the local office of the Texas Department of Transportation.

Sand and salt spreaders were deployed Tuesday night. EPDoT crews worked overnight, treating roadways in an effort to eliminate icy conditions caused by the winter storm. They concentrated on treating main roadways, bridges and overpasses. Priority was given to routes to hospitals, fire houses and police stations, as well, as assisting state transportation officials with clearing the highway system.

Scenic Drive was closed on Tuesday night as a precaution. It will remain closed until further notice.

EPDoT is continuing to treat roadways, monitor weather reports and coordinate its response to the winter storm with other agencies.

Motorists are urged to stay off the roadways, if at all possible. Reduced traffic will allow emergency vehicles to move freely during the storm and help to ensure that roads are treated appropriately.

Sun Metro Advisory

Sun Metro's fixed-route service and LIFT, paratransit service, are running a regular schedule with some delays caused by icy road conditions.

The following routes ARE NOT BEING SERVICED at this time because of hazardous conditions: Routes 10, 11, 13, 32, 36, 41, 63, 70 and SMART 101.

The LIFT also will limit its service in these hazardous routing areas. The canceled routes will resume their schedules as road conditions become less dangerous.

Sun Metro passengers are asked to please have patience as drivers work through the icy conditions. The public is asked to please be courteous to Sun Metro buses and fellow commuters to help prevent unnecessary accidents and anxiety.

For more information about the Sun Metro fixed-route service, call 533-3333.
For more information about the LIFT service, call 544-2514.

Emergency - El Paso Electric is Asking Customers to "Curtail" Usage.

In an effort to help prevent outages EP Electric is asking all customers to limit their electrical usage.

Statement from EP Electric.

Due to the inclement weather, El Paso Electric is in an emergency situation and we are asking all customers to immediately curtail as much electrical usage as they can. EPE has lost some generation at:

Rio Grande and Newman power plants

We are asking you to cooperate in this effort. We are asking businesses to curtail their usage except in situations of critical needs.

We are also asking customers to curtail usage in their homes. Please do not use your washing machine, dishwasher, or electric clothes dryer until further notification. Turn off your extra lights, electric water heater and other electric appliances that you do not absolutely need. Please minimize the use of your electric range or oven when preparing meals. We are diligently working to correct the problem. We will keep you informed during this emergency and will let you know when you may resume the normal use of your electric appliances.

All non-essential El Paso Electric employees are being asked not to report to work today.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Schools Closures - 2/2/2011

The following schools and districts are closed due to the weather. 

• Anthony, TX ISD
• Alamogordo Public School
• UTEP Campus
• NMSU Campus
• YISD
• EPISD
• SISD
• Clint ISD
• Canutillo ISD
• Gadsden ISD
• Fabens ISD
• San Eli ISD
• Head Start Region 19
• Las Cruces Public Schools
• Head Start Region 19
• Loretto Academy
• Radford School
• Immanuel Christian School
• Holy Trinity Catholic School
• Grace Methodist Day School
• Father Yermo Catholic Schools
• Our Lady of Assumption
• El Paso Country Day School
• Northeast Christian Academy
• Cathedral High School
• Christian Joy Center
• Faith Christian Academy
• St. Marks Catholic School
• St. Clements Catholic School
• St. Matthews Catholic School
• St. Pius Catholic School

Weather Closures - 2/2/2011

All City services & buildings will be closed all day & night due to the severe weather & utility generation issues.
This does include the Libraries, Parks & Recreation Centers, Senior Centers, Museums, and the El Paso Zoo.

Health Department Tips for Pet Owners During Frigid Weather

El Paso, Texas – The current cold snap affecting the entire region can be especially dangerous to the four-legged members of our families. The City of El Paso Department of Public Health’s Animal Services Program is reminding pet owners to use the following tips to ensure that their animals are able to stay healthy during this season.

• Keep pets indoors when the temperature drops and only take them outside for supervised exercise.
• Provide more food during the winter for animals that spend a lot of time outdoors as keeping warm depletes energy.
• Check water bowls to make sure the water is fresh and is not frozen.
• Use plastic water and food bowls to prevent a pet’s tongue from sticking to frozen metal.
• Clean your pet’s paws to make sure they don’t have salt or other ice- melting chemicals that could be dangerous if licked off and ingested.
• Keep in mind that antifreeze is a deadly poison but has a sweet taste that can attract animals. Wipe spills and store anti-freeze in an area that is out of reach of both pets and children.
• Use a dry, draft-free doghouse that is large enough to allow a dog to sit and lie down but small enough to hold in its body heat. Make sure the dog house is turned away from the wind and that it is able to protect your pet from wind chills that can threaten a pet’s life.
• Take extra care when it comes to smaller breeds of animals that are more susceptible to the cold.

For more information on winter safety for both pets and their humans, log on to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention website at:

http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/

Diablos to Hold Local Tryouts

El Paso - The El Paso Diablos will be holding local tryouts on Saturday and Sunday, March 19^th and 20^th, 2011 at the EPCC baseball field. Players wanting to tryout must be over 18 years of age and be a high school graduate. Those wanting to participate are encouraged to pre-register for $65 at Cohen Stadium or by calling 915-755-2000. They may also register March 19^th for $75. Check in will begin at 1:30 pm on Saturday and a game is scheduled to be played on Sunday. Players are responsible for their own transportation, lodging and meals. Participants should wear general baseball attire; provide their own wooden bats, helmets and catching equipment. Registration forms may be picked up at Cohen Stadium, 9700 Gateway North Boulevard, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The American Association's 100-game season opens May 12. The league has expanded to consist of the following 14 teams: North Division- St. Paul Saints, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Winnipeg Goldeyes, and Sioux Falls Canaries; Central Division- Gary SouthShore RailCats, Sioux City Explorers, Lincoln Saltdogs, Kansas City T-Bones, and Wichita Wingnuts; South Division-Grand Prairie Airhogs, El Paso Diablos, Fort Worth Cats, Shreveport-Bossier Captains, and Amarillo Sox. The Diablos open their season with a seven day home stand against the Kansas City T-Bones and the Amarillo Sox on Thursday, May 12. Season ticket and group packages are currently on sale at the Diablos Box Office. For more information please call 915-755-2000 or visit diablos.com.