Posts on ‘July 12th, 2010’

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:11 (Read all of 1 John 4)
New International Version

Recently President Obama’s nominee to be the next Associate Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court, Elena Kagan, appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for confirmation hearings. My fellow members of the committee and I knew ahead of time that Solicitor General Kagan was intelligent. We also knew that, like President Obama, she was politically liberal. What we did not know was whether Ms. Kagan would be able to set aside her progressive politics and be an impartial Justice.

The new proposed Veterans PTSD rule changes that President Barack Obama and Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki, speak of will be for all veterans of any era. Many veterans think that they will only apply to new veterans, not so.

Gov. Perry has appointed three members to the Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Service (EMS) for terms to expire Jan. 1, 2016. The council helps federal, state and local agencies develop and implement an integrated, statewide program for emergency medical services.

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed five members to the OneStar National Service Commission for terms to expire March 15, 2013. The commission works with the OneStar Foundation to further national service initiatives in Texas and administer the AmeriCorps Texas program.

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) applauded the Veterans Administration’s plan to improve care for our veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The new rules will make it easier for veterans – including those who may have been denied benefits in the past – to receive the care and benefits they need and have earned.

Rios and other dentists were in federal court asking to be allowed to practice while their cases are resolved. Click the web site link below for more details:

The Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is temporarily closed due to the release of flood waters associated with Hurricane Alex. The Refuge’s southern boundary is the Rio Grande which is currently overflowing into the interior of the Refuge and covering all trails and the Wildlife Drive. Once the water recedes and it is determined to be safe for the public, the Refuge will resume its regular hours. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife encourages the public to call the Visitor Center at 956-784-7500 before making plans to visit the Santa Ana NWR.

Harlingen – United League Baseball’s Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings announced today that right-handed relief pitcher Freddy Ballestas (6-3, 220) has left the team to play professional baseball in Japan.

AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today identified multiple constitutional defects with the so-called Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act, a bill pending before the U.S. Senate that would coerce state and local governments to collectively bargain with labor unions representing certain public employees.

Click the web site link below to view the Harlingen police department press release.

There were a couple of unusual happenings recently in the United League Baseball – the two bottom clubs defeated the two top teams – each twice and on the same day.

Sunday night at around midnight Police responded to a disturbance at 28 East Cowen Terrace, where during an apparent domestic violence incident, Gilberto Garza (42) allegedly killed a 46 year-old woman.

The F Street Corridor Plan is something I tried to set up right after I lost to CHB. He interfered and put together his famous gang task force and like all outsiders I was given the heave ho. Joined the SMD organizing team and move ahead…

COLLEGE STATION — In the mid-1990s, Dr. Sam McFadden of Somerville, Tenn., a well-known plant breeder, developed a hibiscus whose color he didn’t like, one whose gaudiness actually embarrassed him a bit, according to a Texas AgriLife Research horticulturist.

Once back to the dreary realities of Harlingen, city commissioner Kori Marra may need some time off to recover before venturing out into this not so fair city, especially having just come from the lush surrounds of Barton Creek Resort & Spa.