Thursday's Internet Edition, September 09, 2010.
Top story of the year is hospital bond passage
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| Architectural sketch of the new addition to the hospital to be paid for with proceeds from the $7.5 million bond issue approved by voters in May, 2008. |
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City Hires Director of Municipal Services……..Van Horn City Council hired Israel Borrego to be Director of Municipal Services, a new post created to bring all aspects of various city services under one roof, making each more efficient in terms of manpower and equipment utilization.
Bank Exchanges Property With City………..In exchange for the parking lot downtown at the corner of Hwy. 90 & Broadway, the bank will receive land at 1800 W. Broadway owned by the City. The bank will be building their new facility there.
Local Man Mauled By dogs…….Noe Carrillo, age 61, was walking to work early on a Sunday morning when he was mauled by attacking dogs on W. Broadway, raising more concern about the dog problem in the city.
$7.5 Million Bond Proposed……..Directors of Culberson Hospital District announced that they are asking local voters to consider approving a $7.5 million bond issue in May. It will be used to finance additions and improvements to the nearly 40- year-old hospital.
City Council Gets Report on Dog Problem……….”We’re working hard on the dog problem,” was what the councilman heard from Raquel Mendez of the Utilities Department. Mendez reported that they had responded to 47 dog complaints, compared 6 the year before.
Dr. Mancha is New Superintendent……..School district trustees hired Dr. Guillermo Mancha to be the district’s new superintendent. His contract will commence on March 10th.
Elite Eagles Cheerleaders Receive 3rd Place………The young cheerleaders entered their first competition in the “Battle of the Sun City” in El Paso and came home with 3rd Place in their Division.
Van Horn Moves into Class 1A………When the UIL reclassified districts, Van Horn dropped back into the District 8-1A classification.
McDonald unseats Jones………The only locally contested race in the Democratic Party Primary was that of Commissioner Pct. 3. Incumbent John Jones was defeated by Lyndon McDonald.
Unemployment in County is 2.6%……….The January unemployment rate for Culberson County stood at 2.6%, compared with 4.6 % statewide.
Taxable Sales Per Capita Cause for Concern………EDC Director Jeff McCoy stressed to the city council that we need to redouble our efforts at attracting more retail establishments to our town. He cited comparisons to area cities which showed Van Horn far lower than most per capita.
City Employees Air Concerns……… There seemed to be some pretty big problems brewing at City Hall and councilmen went behind closed doors for nearly 3 hours to meet one on one with city employees to listen to their concerns.
TAKS Scores Are Improved………Trustees of CCAISD learned from campus administrators that recent TAKS scores, particularly in reading, had improved, “which reflect the increased emphasis placed on getting ready for the testing,” according to Superintendent Mancha.
Sheriff’s Deputies Nab Large Haul……….Sheriff Oscar Carrillo reported that his deputies nabbed a large haul while working a Border Star operation. Some 109 bundles of marijuana were found, weighing over 166 pounds.
Area Oil & Gas Report……..Oil companies have been busy testing the far West Texas area to see what the production possibilities will be out here. According to Paul Blankenburn of Blue Quail Oil & Gas Consulting, new discoveries are being make all over West Texas, both oil and gas. Reeves and Pecos counties have seen most of the activity.
City Seeks Proposals From Developers………The city decided to seek proposals from developers to purchase and develop 4 city-owned blocks near the hospital. The land would be purchased from the city at a reduced price provided the developers commit to starting construction within a specified time.
New Extension Agent Hired……… County Commissioners approved the hiring of Elaine Koch to be the new County Extension Agent here.
Voters Elect New Mayor and Councilmen……..Voters went to polls in record numbers and elected Ben Flanagan as Van Horn’s next mayor. Incumbent councilmen also were replaced as voters elected Gilda Morales and Mingo Corrales.
Voters Say “Yes” to Hospital Bond………The $7.5 million bond proposal to improve and enlarge Culberson Hospital was approved overwhelmingly by voters.
Clark, Alvarado Take School Board Seats……..As in the city election, voters turned out in record numbers to cast ballots in the trustee election. From a field of 9 candidates, John Clark was elected with 350 votes and Lupe Alvarado was returned to the board with 157 votes.
53 Seniors Graduate………. Valedictorian for the graduating class of 2008 was Brandon Brewster and Salutatorian was Sharon Hinojos.
Junior High TAKS Scores Are Much Improved………Junior High Principal John Fabela reported to the school board that test scores were much better than the previous year.
Triple Murder in Ojinaga………Sheriff Oscar Carrillo reported that the killings of three men from Van Horn in Ojinaga was definitely drug related.