Hidalgo County Receives Funds to Fight Mosquitos

From the office of U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar

Washington, DC – The Texas Department of State Health Services announced that after receiving a letter from U.S. Congressmen Henry Cuellar, Rubén Hinojosa and Solomon Ortiz, the State will expedite funding for mosquito abatement in several counties affected by Hurricane Alex.

The $500,000 approved late Thursday, was requested by Webb, Hidalgo and Cameron Counties for ground spraying chemicals and briquettes, which are placed in standing water to kill mosquito larvae.

“This will ensure important relief to our local communities in the wake of recent flooding in South Texas. From Laredo to the Valley, this will help abate the infestation of mosquitoes affecting our local families,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar. “This is good news we can use in the midst of these floods.”

“Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley I know how bad the mosquito infestation can get”, said Congressman Ruben Hinojosa. “We all know that right after a Hurricane or even a heavy rain, we get swarmed by mosquitoes. And knowing that mosquitoes carry dengue fever and the West Nile virus, we must not waste any time in getting rid of the problem. This is why we felt the need to write the letter asking for immediate assistance”.

“We will continue to look out for the people in South Texas and do all we can to ensure we continue to offer mosquito abatement in South Texas,” Congressman Solomon Ortiz said. “I thank Congressman Hinojosa and Cuellar for their cooperation on this issue.”

The letter sent by the three South Texas Congressmen also requested financial assistance for aerial spraying. The State determined that aerial spraying assistance cannot be granted until a total of $27 million in damages is reached by all the counties affected. Aerial spraying also requires approval by other federal agencies including the EPA and the Department of Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service.

McAllen Airport, TSA Offer Summer Travel Tips

If your 2010 summer travel plans include air travel, the McAllen International Airport and the Transportation Security Administration have some tips to help you arrive on time and not get left behind.

TSA wants travelers to arrive at the airport 1 1/2 hour prior to their scheduled flight departure. This allows for additional time to find parking, to check-in and to clear security.

Passengers should:

Follow the 3-1-1 rule

• 3 ounces or smaller containers of liquids, gels and aerosols
• 1 quart plastic zip top bag
• 1 bag per passenger, placed in a plastic bin

Don't pack prohibited items

• Firearms
• Knives
• Ammunitions
• Hazardous materials
• Sporting goods (golf clubs, bats, etc.)

Avoid wearing clothing with metal and stow metal items into carry-on luggage

Wear footwear that is easy to remove

Have your boarding pass and government issued identification ready when approaching the security checkpoint

Remove laptops, game consoles, DVD players and video cameras

If you are checking bags, make sure you lock them with TSA recognized locks

Be flexible

Don't assume that your last trip through security will be the same as the last time. TSA uses a layered approached to screening, which includes elements of unpredictability

Remember that security activities are designed to protect the traveling public and are not meant to be inconvenient

For more information, visit www.tsa.gov/travelers, www.mcallenairport.com or call (956) 681-1500.

South Tx Botanical Exhibit & Park Opens at Gladys Porter Zoo

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (July 16, 2010) – After a tropical depression delayed the planned opening of the South Texas Botanical Exhibit & Park, Zoo staff is excited to invite the public to celebrate the grand opening of the Zoo’s newest attraction on Saturday, July 17th at 10:30 a.m. There will be a brief ceremony followed by complimentary cake and refreshments while supplies last. The park features an enchanted South Texas themed playground and is nestled in an area landscaped with native plants. It is located adjacent to the butterfly garden and recently re-opened Butterflies, Bugs & Blooms exhibit.

The playground is one-of-a-kind, and contains sensational play structures. Among them is a 22-foot-tall Discovery Tree with multiple slides, a sliding pole, and lots of ADA features. An elevated walkway connects the Discovery Tree to the ClubHouse which features a slide, a talk tube and secret alcove. There is also a whimsical Castaway Boat with all the bells and whistles that will totally captivate toddlers. Playground visitors can also cool off under the refreshing water misters at Martha’s Cove.

Zoo staff has been working for months to convert a former railroad track area donated by the City of Brownsville into a beautiful park for visitors to enjoy. The play structures were created by Themescapes, Inc. a Minnesota-based company specializing in themed amusement parks, waterparks, hotels, casinos, restaurants, zoos and museums across the world. Their staff has been onsite for several months, sculpting play structures into enchanting platforms for themed play and installing ladders, slides and poles.

“I know Zoo visitors are going to be wowed by our new addition. We are particularly proud of the huge sculptures of South Texas animals on the Discovery Tree. Despite the unplanned downpours courtesy of Hurricane Alex and a tropical depression, our staff has really pulled together to get this park completed,” said Zoo Director, Dr. Patrick M. Burchfield.

The South Texas Botanical Exhibit & Park was made possible by grant funds and generous contributions from over 40 donors. The park will be open during regular Zoo hours. Admission is free with regular Zoo admission or Zoo membership. For more information on the South Texas Botanical Exhibit & Park, visit www.gpz.org or call (956) 546-7187.

Hidalgo-McAllen, Anzalduas Bridges Remain Open

To accommodate an increase in northbound crossings (Mexico to U.S.) attributed to elevated river levels, the Anzalduas International Bridge, south of Mission, is open 24 hours a day to northbound traffic and will remain open 24 hours a day to northbound traffic until further notice. Normal hours of operation will resume for southbound traffic, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Hidalgo International Bridge is open 24 hours a day to northbound and southbound traffic. This includes vehicular and pedestrian crossings.

The SENTRI lane is open at the Hidalgo International Bridge but the SENTRI lane is not open at the Anzalduas International Bridge, at the present time.

Stay tuned for updates on the City of McAllen's Twitter and Facebook pages.

Levee Reinforced South of Mission

On Thursday, City of McAllen public works crews joined their counterparts from Mission, Edinburg, Brownsville and the 4 Hidalgo County Irrigation Districts to reinforce a levee south of Misison.

Rising waters from the Rio Grande and the Rio Grande Valley Floodway were encroaching on a levee along a pump structure that provides water to the City of Mission's water treatment plant.

Dozers and trucks from the responding agencies were working on increasing the levee by 4 feet to prevent the flood water from disabling the pumps.

A photo gallery and video of this story by clicking on the provided links.