Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
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| Border sheriffs were at a meeting near Eagle Pass last week. Here, they posed for a group photo during their Operation Linebacker discussions. Culberson County Sheriff Oscar Carrillo is second from the right in th eabove photo. Sheriff Arvin West of Hudspeth County is third for the right in the photo. (Sheriff's Department photo) |
- Sheriff Oscar Carrillo reported this week that he had the opportunity to visit with other border sheriffs along the Texas-Mexico border at a ranch meeting held near Eagle Pass.
Carrillo said, “At the meeting, we talked about plans for the coming year and how to standardize operating procedures.”
Additionally, Carrillo reported, “Sheriffs reviewed the effectiveness of current TSBC tactics to curb narcotic and human trafficking as well as other border crime issues.”
A highlight of the meeting, according to Sheriff Carrillo, was when Texas governor Rick Perry’s “Homeland Security directors informed us that the Texas Senate had approved another $8.5 million in funding and assured us of his continued support.”
Carrillo reported that “Culberson County, through the sheriff’s office, is in a good position to receive additional funding this year, even though we had to turn back more than $40,000 of unspent money last year.”
Carrillo concluded by stating, “Sending money back to Washington is a step in the wrong direction. We need to apply for and use every available bit of grant funding.”
Texas Tourism tells new marketing campaign
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today announced that Texas Tourism, the official tourism marketing organization for the State of Texas, launched a new television advertising campaign featuring some of the most unique and exciting places to be found in the Lone Star State.
“From our miles of coastline to the deserts of West Texas, the rich cultural tapestry of South Texas and the majesty of our State Capitol, Texas offers visitors from across the state and around the world an unparalleled experience,” said Gov. Perry. “Once you visit Texas, you may never want to leave.”
As part of an integrated campaign that also includes print and Internet elements, the new ads capture the emotional moments and diverse experiences that await Texas visitors. The television ads will begin airing on national cable channels on Feb. 11, 2008. The campaign’s print and internet ads debuted in Jan. 2008. The effort will also target travelers from Texas’ top international markets through print and Internet advertising.
Texas Tourism also announced the introduction of “Trip Planner,” a new interactive planning tool on TravelTex.com, the official Web site of Texas Tourism. With Trip Planner, visitors can access pre-planned itineraries that correspond to the new advertising campaign or learn about new driving tour adventures around the state. The television and print ads can be viewed on the site as visitors plan their trips.
“Texas offers a wide variety of destinations and experiences. We’ve captured these unique activities, adventures, and family fun in our new advertising campaign,” said Julie Chase, Chief Marketing Officer for Economic Development & Tourism, a division of the Office of the Governor “With the new campaign and the online, interactive ‘Trip Planner,’ it has never been easier to plan a trip to, and through, Texas.”
Trip Planner offers three distinct areas of planning:
The “As Seen On” section allows visitors to explore locations featured in the new print and TV advertising campaign. “As Seen On” provides visitors with a chance to vividly experience the Lone Star State while planning their Texas vacation.
The “TexTrips” section provides inspiration for planning Family Fun, Big City Sights, Fresh Air, Sea and Surf, Native Sounds, Texas Canvases, or Lone Star Destinations itineraries on an interactive Texas map.
The enhanced “Driving Tours” section offers five driving tours, including two new routes –“Great Hikes,” which takes outdoor enthusiasts to some of the top hiking destinations in West Texas, and the “Wildlife Tour,” which shows off some of our state’s more exotic wildlife and interesting natural wonders.
In the near future, Trip Planner will offer visitors an interactive tool that will help create customized Texas itineraries. Please visit www.TravelTex.com to explore the new site.
Tourism is one of the largest industries in Texas, employing 521,000 Texans. In 2006, travelers spent almost $54 billion in Texas. Travel expenditures generated $2.7 billion in state taxes and $930 million in local taxes. For more information on Texas travel events and vacation destinations, visit www.TravelTex.com or for a free Texas State Travel Guide call 1-800-8888-TEX.
Column One
By Dawn Simpson
Wow, how this normally very healthy person ended up spending three days in the hospital last week is still something I don’t understand, but know I sure don’t want to repeat it again. I guess when you are in such good health that it has been 41 years since the last time you were in a hospital, and only then to have a baby, you just have a hard time accepting it very gracefully. I haven’t even been to the doctor but about five times in that 41 years so I am blest with good health and I know now that I want to try harder to keep it that way.
But good things can come out of every bad situation. And for me there were several good things. I was reassured that I have the sweetest friends in the world, that I have the greatest family anyone could hope for, and that Larry continues to amaze me at how much he can accomplish, even with my help, but especially without it. (Although I think he was sure ready for me to be back at work.)
I also found out, first hand, that we have a wonderful little hospital with very professional management, two good doctors and PAs, a very caring and professional nursing staff and assistants, as well as lab and radiologists personnel. I just think that we are very fortunate as a small community to have the health care provided by the hospital and clinic that we have.
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And since the necessity of the hospital is now very real to me, I would like to encourage everyone in the community to educate themselves as to why the hospital district’s board of directors is asking for a bond election to do much needed improvements and additions to our facility. You can begin that education by attending the Town Hall Meeting tonight at 6:30 at the high school auditorium.
Please do not set your mind against it just because of how much money they are asking for. Get the facts on what it will be going for, and how it will be affecting your taxes. The latter might surprise you!
We desperately need that hospital in our community. But we need it to be a facility that is up-to-date and not one with very few changes since it was opened 40 years ago, and inadequate to meet current medical care needs.
I appreciate the hospital’s management for wanting to make the citizens thoroughly aware of every aspect of this project and the money needed to see it to completion. So come out tonight and find out why this bond election is so vital for the future of our hospital, and thus our health care, for years to come.
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ABCs For Living
Accept differences
Be kind
Count your blessings
Dream
Express thanks
Forgive
Give freely
Harm no one
Imagine more
Jettison anger
Keep confidences
Love truly
Master something
Nurture hope
Open your mind
Pack lightly
Quell rumors
Reciprocate
Seek wisdom
Touch hearts
Understand
Value truth
Win graciously
Xeriscape
Yearn for peace
Zealously support a worthy cause
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
February 7th - Members of American Legion Post 508 are slated to meet this evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Clark Hotel Historical Museum. Members of the Van Horn Volunteer Fire Department are scheduled to meet tonight at the firehouse at 7 p.m.
February 8th - The Van Horn Lady Eagle softball team opens play here tonight at 5 p.m. as they take on the team from Ysleta. The Van Horn Eagle boys JV and varsity basketball teams play the Reagan County Owls, of Big Lake, tonight on their home court with games beginning at 6 p.m.
February 9th - Nothing scheduled at press time.
February 10th - Attend the church of your choice.
February 11th - Culberson County Commissioners are set to meet today at the County Courthouse at 10 a.m. The Van Horn Eagle varsity baseball team plays here today beginning at 4:30 p.m. The Van Horn Lions Club is scheduled to meet tonight at 7 p.m. at the Sands Restaurant.
February 12th - Members of the Van Horn Rotary Club are slated to meet today at noon at Chuy’s Restaurant. The Van Horn Lady Eagle softball team plpays Presidio here today beginning at 5 p.m. The Van Horn Eagle boys JV and varsity basketball teams close out the regular district schedule tonight in Alpine. Games begin at 6 p.m.
February 13th - Nothing scheduled at press time.