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VOLUME 11, NO. 12 • THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 • COMMUNITY NEWS FOR LA PORTE, MORGAN’S POINT, SHOREACRES, SEABROOK & THE GALVESTON BAY AREA
La Porte Mayor Local Mayors Sign Local Disaster Declarations For La Porte, Seabrook, Louis Rigby Issues Statement To Citizens Morgan’s Point and Shoreacres
Mayor Louis Rigby - City of La Porte REBECCA COLLINS editor@bayareaobserver.com The mayors of the cities of La Porte, Seabrook, Shoreacres and Morgan’s Point have all signed Declarations of Emergency as of March 13th, 2020 in response to the global coronavirus pandemic. The declaration activates the cities’ emergency plans, which will allow them to allocate resources, utilize personnel and enact procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus. It will also allow the county to request state assistance if needed. In a press release the City of La Porte stated, “The City of La Porte’s number one priority is the health and safety of our residents. The City continues to work with public health and emergency management officials throughout the region to ensure our communities remain prepared. City officials join the State and County in supporting a proactive approach that will limit the spread of COVID-19. To continue this effort, Mayor Rigby signed a local disaster declaration for La Porte. This declaration allows the City to take measures that further reduce the risk of the COVID-19 virus spreading in our area. These measures may include cancellation or postpone-
Mayor Thom Kolupski - City of Seabrook
ment of local community events either sponsored by the City or scheduled to take place at City parks and facilities. Additional measures may be taken to protect individuals and groups who are more vulnerable to the virus. The goal is to help slow the spread of infection. Doing so allows our health systems to sustain and meet the needs of our region, without overwhelming them. We encourage community members to remain calm and prepared, and ask that you continue to follow public health guidance for COVID-19. Please visit the links below for trusted information and resources”. Seabrook’s Mayor Thom Kolupki also issued a declaration on March 13th. In a press release issued on that day, the City of Seabrook stated, “The City of Seabrook’s main priority is the health and wellbeing of our residents and the city continues to coordinate with public health and emergency management officials throughout the state and region to ensure our community is prepared with a proactive approach to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). The local disaster declaration signed by Mayor Kolupski will allow the city to take further measures which may reduce the risk of COVID-19 from spreading in our community. These
measures may include the postponement or cancellation of large events or community gatherings and the closing of city facilities as necessary. In addition, the declaration will also help with federal funding for emergency services and medical supplies should the need arise. The primary goal of all of our efforts is to slow the spread of infection thus allowing our health system to sustain and meet the needs of our community without overwhelming them. Please remain calm and prepared and continue to follow public health guidance for COVID-19. We encourage residents to rely on trusted information and resources”. Morgan’s Point Mayor Michel Bechtel in coordination with neighboring municipalities declared a local State of Disaster for public health emergency for the City of Morgan’s Point on March 13. The declaration will continue for a period of not more than seven days from the date of declaration unless continued or renewed by the City Council of the City of Morgan’s Point, Texas. This declaration allows the City to take measures that further reduce the risk of the COVID-19 virus spreading in our area. Doing so allows our health systems to sustain and meet the needs of our region, without overwhelming them.
See “Emergency Declarations” on page 3
Governor Abbott Allows Virtual And Telephonic Open Meetings To Maintain Government Transparency Ensures continued government operation while preserving transparency Governor Greg Abbott today acted to maintain government transparency and continued government operations while reducing face-to-face contact for government open meetings. As Texas works to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the Governor granted the Office of the Attorney General’s request for suspension of certain open-meeting statutes. This temporary suspension will allow for telephonic or videoconference meetings of governmental bodies that are accessible to the public in an effort to reduce in-person meetings that assemble large groups of people. “Even as the State of Texas takes precautionary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, we also have a responsibility to maintain government transparency,” said Governor Abbott. “With today’s action, Texas is reducing non-essential in-person contact for a limited period, while ensuring that state and local government entities continue to work to fulfill necessary functions and with full transparency for the people of Texas. I urge state and local officials to do their part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by avoiding meetings that bring people into large group settings.” In accordance with section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code, Governor Abbott has suspended various provisions that require government officials and members of the public to be physically present at a specified meeting loca-
tion. This temporary suspension will leave important openmeeting protections in place: Members of the public will be entitled to participate and address the governmental body during any telephonic or videoconference meeting. To hold a telephonic or videoconference meeting, a governmental body must post a written notice that gives the public a way to participate remotely, such as a toll-free dial-in number, and that includes an electronic copy of any agenda packet that officials will consider at the meeting. A governmental body must provide the public with access to a recording of any telephonic or videoconference meeting. State and local officials who have questions about openmeeting requirements after this suspension should submit them to the Office of the Attorney General via e-mail at TOMA@oag.texas.gov, or by leaving a message at (888) 672-6787. Officials with questions about teleconference and videoconference capabilities offered by the Texas Department of Information Resources should visit dir.texas.gov or call (512) 475-4700. Officials who hold videoconference meetings are encouraged to provide for participation via telephone for members of the public without videoconferencing capability. If officials are not holding a telephonic or videoconference meeting, all open-meeting requirements apply.
“Effective March 17, 2020, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has ordered all restaurant dining rooms and bars to be closed in Harris County. Restaurants are allowed to continue delivery services, curbside pick-up, and drive-throughs. The next few weeks many of our local businesses, may experience a decrease in business, and I encourage you to support them as much as possible. Although dine-in seating will not be available, you can still pick up a meal or request delivery from one of our local restaurants. The City of La Porte is an incredibly resilient community, and it will take all of us to get through these challenging times. I ask that we all follow the guidance of our local emergency management office and public health officials, who have everyo11e’s best interest at heart. To protect our families from the spread of the virus, residents are reminded to practice caution: wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol; avoid shaking hands; cover your coughs and sneezes; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Residents are also reniinded to practice social distancing: keep your distance from others (six feet apart) and avoid group gatherings. The La Porte Office of Emergency Management will continue to provide you with updated information via social media, phone calls, text messages, emails, and at LaPorteTX.gov /NotifyMe. This is our community. Let’s keep supporting each other, while doing what we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19”.
SBA to Provide Disaster Assistance Loans for Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) WASHINGTON – SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza issued the following statement today in response to the President’s address to the nation: “The President took bold, decisive action to make our 30 million small businesses more resilient to Coronavirus-related economic disruptions. Small businesses are vital economic engines in every community and state, and they have helped make our economy the strongest in the world. Our Agency will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest disaster recovery loans to small businesses that have been severely impacted by the situation. Additionally, the SBA continues to assist small businesses with counseling and navigating their own preparedness plans through our network of 68 District Offices and numerous Resource Partners located around the country. The SBA will continue to provide every small business with the most effective and customer-focused response possible during these times of uncertainty.” SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance for a small business. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Process for Accessing SBA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Relief Lending • The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration. • Any such Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available to small See “SBA” on page 3
INDEX Community.............................2 Local News.........................3-4 Texas.......................................5
Public Notices........................7 Classifieds..............................7 In The Garden........................8
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P2 | THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 | BAY AREA OBSERVER
COMMUNITY
BY THE BAY
Bread of Life Food Pantry
March distribution for the Bread of Life Food Pantry at First Baptist La Porte, 310 S. Broadway, will be held on Saturday, March 28th, 10 am - noon. This distribution is for Yellow Dot clients and new clients. Please stop by the food pantry to submit a registration form no later than March 22nd. Information is located on the food pantry doors and at www.firstlaporte.org
Bayshore Baptist Church Food Pantry Bayshore Baptist Church Food Pantry is located at 11315 Spencer Hwy. in La Porte. Families in need of food assistance can shop for groceries on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month from 4 - 6 pm. Clients must be a resident of La Porte, Shoreacres, Morgan’s Point, Deer Park, Kemah or Seabrook. Bring your I.D. plus proof of residence, a bill in your name at your address. I am the director of the food pantry, Laura Rubach, 281-236-8349. Cost: FREE
Harris County Public Libraries Temporarily Close
LOST DOG
For the health and safety of our staff and customers, effective March 17th through April 1st, Harris County Public Library will temporarily transition to offering limited and no-contact in-person services to the public. Library buildings will not be accessible for public use. We will continue to offer limited library services: • Curbside library holds pick up (Monday - Thursday 10 AM to 6 PM, Friday 1 PM to 6 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM). • Curbside Grab-and-Go program kits • Attend an HCPL program or story time online through Facebook or YouTube • Check your account to renew loans or request books
Pet Palooza Featuring 1-Mile Doggie Dash Calling all party animals! Come join us for Pet Palooza and Doggie Dash at Little Cedar Bayou Park on Saturday, March 23rd from 9-11am. It is bound to be a barking great time with pet-related vendors, free goodies for your furry companions, free food for you, music, and more! You and your pup can go for the gold in the 1-mile Doggie Dash or just spend the morning relaxing at the Little Cedar Bayou Dog Park, while enjoying the festivities.
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All
pets are welcome!
Please follow the below guidelines for your doggie participant… • Doggie participants must be on a leash at all times (6-foot or shorter) unless inside of the dog park. • Please make sure your doggie participant has a current tag and rabies vaccination (please have proof of current • Don’t forget to bring baggies to pick up after your doggie
Easter Egg Hunt
• Download eBooks, comics or graphic novels through OverDrive • Stream classic films, indie cinema, and award-winning documentaries on Kanopy • Listen to audiobooks through RBDigital or OverDrive • Read along and play with picture books on TumbleBooks • Ask us a question by phone or email • Get book recommendations • Register for a library card online No late fees will be assessed during this time. Please follow @harriscountypl on Facebook or Twitter for updated information.
Crawfish Boil Benefitting La Porte Rotary Our annual Rotary Fundraiser be 3/28! $20 ticket cludes approx 3 crawfish
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will i n pounds of and beverages while they last! We will also have gumbo, hotdogs for sale. Local Rotarians will be selling tickets starting 3/26/2020. Proceeds benRotary initiatives throughout La Porte!
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C
efit
SOPHIE
Terrier Mix - Female
Brownish with orange coloring and black \spot on back. Lost for 3-4 weeks. Strayed from 202 South Iowa and last seen on Kansas and San Jacinto.
Call Cadillac Cab at 281-471-8835 or 832-892-3796
2020 Lucky Trail Running Events Canceled In the interest of public health, the 2020 Lucky Trail events to be held on March 13 through March 15 will be canceled. The City of Seabrook and Running Alliance Sport made the decision to cancel the event out of an abundance of caution following recent COVID-19 consultation calls with both state and county authorities. The
Lucky Trail events brings in participants from all over the state and nation and canceling the event may help to contain and mitigate the virus. Event participants will be notified about the cancelation of the events through Running Alliance Sport. The City of Seabrook looks forward to supporting this event in the future.
Join us in Seabrook on Saturday, April 11th for our annual East e r Egg Hunt! We will have hot dogs, snow cones a n d other refreshments, plus a bouncy house for the kids. This is a great community event with almost 8,000 Easter eggs plus a visit from the Easter Bunny!
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April 11, 2020 • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
27th Annual Trash Bash On March 28, 2020, the River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash® (Trash Bash®) will celebrate its 26th consecutive cleanup of the Galveston Bay watershed. Trash Bash® is proud of its heritage as the largest, single-day, waterway cleanup in Texas. In 2018, about 3,600 volunteers collected 85.5 tons of trash, one ton for recycling, and 356 tires, while cleaning 158.5 miles of shoreline.
March 28, 2020 8 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
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8:30 AM- Regisat Bay
tration Elementary 9:00 AM - Debris Cleanup 11:00 AM – Educational exhibits &
displays, Community Service Credited Hours certificates, and participation badges. 12:00 PM – Free lunch served by the Rotary Club, recognition of sponsors, and door prize.
PET OF THE WEEK
Observer The Bay Area
PHANNIE
I was named Phannie when I arrived at A New Dawn; however I prefer Fannie. I am not a fancy girl despite my gorgeous-colored coat. My favorite pastime is to lie in your arms while you fuss over my beautiful face and hair. I’m a 7 year old who is just looking for my happy ending. Could that be with you?
A New Dawn Pet Adoption 202 W. San Augustine, Deer Park www.anewdawnpetadoption.org. \ email: newdawnpet@comcast.net Facebook @NewDawnPetAdoption
THE BAY AREA OBSERVER Vol. 12, Issue 11, MARCH 19, 2020 is published weekly for $30 per year by The Bay Area Observer, 316 W. Main St., La Porte, Texas 77571 Periodicals Postage Permit USPS 11650 at La Porte, TX., and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE BAY AREA OBSERVER, P.O. Box 82, La Porte, Texas 77572.
Rebecca Collins
Stephen Brueggerhoff
Editor & Publisher Editor@bayareaobserver.com
Pat Chandler
Carolyn Collins
Circulation Editor@bayareaobserver.com
Contributing Columnist Contributing Columnist
Mike Shannahan
Contributing Columnist
Jean West
Contributing Columnist
Phone: 281-402-5033 • Fax: 866-596-8973 www.bayareaobserver.com • editor@bayareaobserver.com
Letters to the Editor policy: The Bay Area Observer welcomes letters from citizens. The editor reserves the right to reject letters or edit for clarity, brevity, good taste and accuracy, and to prevent libel. No poetry, lists, attacks on private individuals, or letter-writing campaigns, please. Please include a phone number where you can be reached during the day. For mailed or fax submissions, you must sign the letter. Views expressed by individual letter writers are not necessarily the views of the Bay Area Observer or staff.
THE BAY AREA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 | P3
City of Seabrook COVID-19 Updates for March 17 With the Declaration of Disaster in effect for Seabrook, the Seabrook Office of Emergency Management is elevated to a Level 2- Partial Activation and continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation across the region and state. To help mitigate the spread of the virus the City of Seabrook is complying with the current recommendations and guidelines as recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as follows: Seabrook Municipal Court citations and fines may be resolved either by a telephone hearing or will be postponed to a future date. For further instruction please contact the Court by calling (281) 291-5674. No facility reservations will be made between March 17 to May 11 and existing reservations during this time will be refunded. Please contact facility rentals by calling (281) 291-5725 for more information. Boards and commissions meetings between March 17 to May 11 have been canceled unless necessary action is needed. Seabrook City Council will meet via teleconferencing on Tuesday, March 17 at 6:00 p.m. To listen to the meeting or give public comment please contact the Office of the City Secretary at (281) 291-5663 for call-in instructions. Download and view the agenda at seabrooktx.gov/agendacenter. No special event permits will be issued between March 17 to May 11. Existing permits during this time frame will be canceled. Special event permit applicants will be contacted directly with more information. Per the Galveston Bay Foundation, Trash Bash scheduled for March 28 has been canceled. The Monroe Field Splash Pad will not open on April 1 and will remain closed until posted otherwise. The first Saturday Bird Count scheduled for April 4 has been canceled. The Seabrook Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for April 11 has been canceled.
The Birding ID Seminar scheduled for April 30 has been canceled. The first Saturday Bird Count scheduled for May 2 has been canceled. At this time the May 2 Charter Election has not been canceled, however, we encourage voters who are eligible to vote by mail to please do so. For more information contact the Office of the City Secretary by calling (281) 291-5663. Please be aware that postponement of the election may be issued by City Council. The “Remembering our Fallen” Memorial Day Ceremony scheduled for May 25 has been canceled. Utility service disconnects have been temporarily suspended. Customers may contact Utility Billing with questions by calling (281) 291-5713. Customers are encouraged to use alternative options to make payments, including mailing a check or paying online at seabrooktx.gov/payments. During this state of emergency, we ask that you do not inundate Seabrook Dispatch with non-emergency calls. In the event of a non-emergency call the non-emergency phone line at (281) 291-5610 and follow the prompts to connect with dispatch. Please only call 911 in an event of an emergency. 911 dispatchers are adhering to additional protocols at this time and will be actively screening callers to better determine what first responders will encounter when responding to a call for service. These new protocols are in line with the CDC guidelines for emergency dispatch centers. At this time there have been no confirmed cases in Seabrook. Should the Office of Emergency Management receive notification of a confirmed case in Seabrook, residents will be notified. The City of Seabrook will continue to coordinate with local and state officials and updates will be posted to seabrooktx.gov and to social media.
CITY OF LA PORTE FACILITIES & EVENT CANCELLATIONS/ CLOSURES DUE TO COVID-19 LA PORTE, TX - Following guidance issued by Harris County Public Health to take necessary steps to prevent further spread of Coronaviru.s (COVI0-19), the City of La Porte announces the closing of the following facilities and the cancellation of the community events below:
Emergency Declarations... Continued from page 1 The City of Morgan’s Point will hold an Emergency City Council Meeting on March 19 at 5p.m. to consider and possibly take action to approve Ordinance No. 20-780 extending the Declaration of Disaster issued by the Mayor relating to COVID-19 and authorizing any additional actions by the City related to same. Shoreacres Mayor David Jennings issued a Declaration of Disaster which states in part, WHEREAS, the citizens of the City of Shoreacres, Texas, could be facing the spread of a pandemic flu outbreak or other health emergency resulting from COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), and WHEREAS. the Mayor of the City of Shoreacres. Texas, has determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to alleviate the suffering of people and to protect its citizens from a public health threat. There are no confirmed cases or persons under investigation for COVID-19 in La Porte, Seabrook, Morgan’s Point or Shoreacres at this time. If these cities’ receive notification of a confirmed case, residents will be notified via normal communication methods. The cities’ will continue to work with local officials to provide residents with updated information.
Resources: Texas Department of State Health Services: https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html Harris County Public Health: www.hcphtx.org\COVID-19 If you have general questions about COVID-19, Harris County Public Health has established a Call Center to answer questions about COVID-19 at 713-634-1110 from 9am-7pm, 7 days a week. You can also visit www.hcphtx. org/COVID-19.
SBA...
Continued from page 1
businesses and private, non-profit organizations in designated areas of a state or territory to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). • SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance will coordinate with the state’s or territory’s Governor to submit the request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance. • Once a declaration is made for designated areas within a state, the information on the application process for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance will be made available to all affected communities. • These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%. • SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay. • SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans are just one piece of the expanded focus of the federal government’s coordinated response, and the SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible. For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov(link sends e-mail).
* special note: The meals program for Homebound Seniors will continue to be delivered.
Harris County Precinct 2 Facilities & Event Cancellations/Closures due to COVID-19 Harris County, TX — Following guidance issued by Harris County Public Health (HCPH) to take necessary steps to prevent further spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia announces the following closures of Precinct 2 facilities and cancellation of community events:
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Your Hometown Source For Local News In addition, all Senior bus trips originating from Precinct 2 Community Centers will be canceled until further notice. The Meals Program from Precinct 2 Community Centers will be redirected to a delivery or pickup program to get meals to individuals that usually receive them at Community Centers. The Meals on Wheels Program will continue to operate on a normal schedule. For additional information on potential event cancellations or facility closures, please check Harris County Precinct 2 Social Media accounts or visit https://www.hcp2.com/facilities/empowerment-centers.
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P4 | THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 | THE BAY AREA OBSERVER
LOCAL
Business Owners: We need your help! Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program - COVID-19 Please submit your Economic Injury Worksheet to: TDEMPARecovery@ tdem.texas.gov
need to submit at least one valid Economic Injury Worksheet in order to be included on the declaration. Additional counties can be added to the declaration at a later date.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has designated COVID-19 as a qualifying event for the provision of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for businesses and private non-profits in affected communities. Texas is currently working with SBA to qualify for this declaration.
To improve the process by which the state and individual counties will be declared eligible, TDEM is reaching out to business organizations and individual businesses seeking Economic Injury Worksheet submissions. TDEM ask that your organization notify its members of the availability of the program and encourage the submission of an application to determine eligibility.
Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and some private nonprofit organizations that have suffered substantial economic injury due to COVID-19 may be eligible for an EIDL of up to $2 million, which will provide the necessary working capital to help businesses survive until normal operations resume after a disaster. EIDL assistance will only be available to small businesses when the SBA determines they are unable to obtain credit elsewhere.
Your assistance in this effort is critical in order to facilitate the declaration and certification process. TDEM will continue reaching out to your organizations as this process moves forward, and will provide additional information on applying for EIDLs once the declaration has been approved.
In order for Texas to receive an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Declaration, the following must occur:
Should you have any further questions, please contact your local emergency management office or email the TDEMPARecovery@tdem.texas.gov.
Affected businesses will need to fill out an Estimated Disaster Economic Injury Worksheet certifying the business has suffered substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19 and are in need of financial assistance.
Additional information about Economic Injury Disaster Loans can be found here, https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ Information/EIDLLoans.
The Economic Injury Worksheet should be submitted via email to TDEMPARecovery@tdem.texas.gov.
Please submit your Economic Injury Worksheet to: TDEMPARecovery@ tdem.texas.gov.
Once Texas has received five SBA validated Economic Injury Worksheet, the Governor may request the Economic Injury Disaster Declaration. A county will
When the declaration is granted for the SBA EIDL program, applicants will receive information on how to apply for their loan.
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La Porte ISD to suspend Studies Weekly opens its online curriculum to all normal operations through at least April 10 during COVID-19 outbreak OREM, Utah, March 16, 2020, (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Due to school closures, and the need for many Texas teachers and students to conduct learning remotely, Studies Weekly announced March 13 that it opened its online curriculum platform, Studies Weekly Online, free to all users. Studies Weekly Online is now open for ALL teachers and students to use, whether or not they are current customers. Studies Weekly Online is a full K-5 standards-based state-adopted curriculum for Social Studies in Texas. Our online platform includes all student editions, Teacher Editions, lesson plans, English Language Arts integrations, and customizable assessments, and normally pairs with the company’s periodical-based printed materials. Teachers can start their free access to Studies Weekly Online by visiting studiesweekly. com. About Studies Weekly Studies Weekly is a Utah-based educational company which creates customized, standardsbased curriculum for Social Studies and Science, founded on integrated learning strategies that increase student knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Students enjoy the content-rich articles in newspaper format, with thousands of primary source documents, images and videos included online.
Clear Creek ISD Closes Through April 10, 2020 League City, TX- As a measure to prevent the wider spread of the Coronavirus, the Clear Creek Independent School District will close all CCISD facilities through Friday, April 10, 2020. This decision was made collaboratively with area school districts. In a message to the community today, Dr. Greg Smith, Superintendent of Schools reassured families that learning will continue for children. “While our schools are physically closed, our spirit of innovation will continue through distance learning. Our community has invested in the necessary resources to support this endeavor. I know there will be challenges along the way, but we will work through them, together.” District leaders are working around the clock to support distance learning for teachers and students. The school district will announce more substantive learning plans later this week and will reach out to families to see what technical support is required at home to allow for distance learning. All CCISD activities will cease through Friday, April 10, 2020 with a plan to reevaluate the situation on April 4, 2020. Visit www.ccisd.net for more information.
La Porte ISD Superintendent Lloyd W. Graham has announced that La Porte ISD will extend the suspension of normal district operations through at least Friday, April 10 in an effort to support the nation’s need to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. A decision to resume normal operations thereafter will be made during the week of April 6. The Houston area continues to see an increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and health officials report that this number is expected to continue to increase as more testing is made available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has outlined the need for all communities to implement a social distancing protocol. The president has publicly shared that the community should not gather in groups larger than 10 people. La Porte ISD will remain flexible as leaders plan for long-term delivery of instruction and continue to navigate the many details of this unprecedented situation. Parents, please expect a call from your campus principal tomorrow morning regarding an important survey. Meanwhile, please continue to monitor your email, and visit lpisd.org and social media channels for more information on our continuing nutrition program and our pending plans to deliver instruction. The health of La Porte ISD students, staff and community is the district’s top priority and district leaders are working to ensure the community has the most current information available.
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P6 | THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 | THE BAY AREA OBSERVER
TEXAS Social distancing has upended the Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says to expect “exponential” increase financial lives of countless Texans And many don’t know what’s next in positive coronavirus cases As the virus that causes COVID-19 increasingly spreads through Texas communities and the state’s testing capacity increases, the number of positive cases will rise.
Gov. Greg Abbott addressed the press last month after a meeting with government officials on COVID-19 preparedness in the state. Photo credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr./The Texas Tribune By Stacy Fernández Texas Tribune The number of Texans testing positive for the new coronavirus is likely to rise dramatically as the state’s testing capacity ramps up and cases of community spread continue to climb, Gov. Greg Abbott said Monday. “You’re going to see an exponential increase in the number of people testing positive on a daily basis, “ Abbott said at a press conference. By the end of this week, testing for the new coronavirus in Texas is expected to ramp up to 10,000 tests weekly, Abbott said. More than 200 people in Texas have already been tested. As of Monday, more than 300 Texans are being monitored and could test positive, the governor said. Abbott’s comments in San Antonio came as school districts are shuttering, local officials are banning events with large groups of people, and Texans are being told to practice social distancing and to work from home if they can. State and federal officials have reported at least 69 cases in the state as of Monday. There are likely more unconfirmed cases, given that there are examples of community spread and there has been limited testing capacity. Community spread occurs when the source of infection is unknown. While testing was originally limited to people who’d traveled outside of the country, community spread has expanded the number of people eligible for testing. First responders, health care workers, vulnerable
populations and those people symptoms will be prioritized for testing, the governor said. Those who are asymptomatic will not be tested at this time, though public health officials have warned infected people without symptoms can also spread the virus. Abbott said he’d been on a conference call with President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and other federal officials shortly before his Monday press conference. “They want to test as many people as possible, but they’re not going to test someone with no symptoms whatsoever,” Abbott said. Health care workers will likely be tested on a daily basis, said John Hellerstedt, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services. “If we lose the health care providers to COVID-19, we’re not gonna have anybody to care for all these people,” Hellerstedt said. Abbott emphasized that aside from public testing, private health care providers will have access to the new coronavirus tests as well. The governor encouraged those with private insurance to see their doctors. “By end of week, everyone who needs a COVID-19 test will be able to get a COVID-19 test,” the governor said. To get tested, individuals will need a doctor’s order, the governor said. “You can’t just drive up like you would drive up to a Whataburger and order a cheeseburger. You can’t just walk up to this and order a COVID-19 test,” Abbott said of drive-through testing centers that will continue opening throughout the state.
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Officials say they have to prioritize public health over economic concerns. Meanwhile, people who can’t work from home navigate a public health crisis while facing financial uncertainty.
As some of Texas’ largest cities close down bars and limit restaurant service, countless residents and businesses face financial ruin amid a public health emergency. Photo credit: Anneke Paterson for The Texas Tribune Coronavirus in Texas By Mitchell Ferman And Carrington Tatum Texas Tribune HOUSTON — Within minutes of officials shutting down the in-person food and drink scene in the nation’s fourth-largest city, Daniel Fergus’ chef was already calling with questions. But Fergus, owner of the restaurant Brasil on the normally bustling Westheimer Road in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood, had few answers. “We have to be concerned about staff cuts,” he said in an interview. “What we’re letting people know right now is that it could be two weeks, but people are saying eight weeks. We’re in the dark just like everyone else.” In a one-two punch Monday, Dallas’ mayor and officials in Harris County, Houston’s home, followed the lead of America’s other largest cities and called for businesses that draw large crowds to change their operations or shutter altogether. The closures come as all levels of government try to slow COVID-19’s spread through Texas, where the number of cases is expected to increase exponentially as increased testing capacity promises to provide a more accurate view of how prevalent the virus is among Texans. The announcements essentially pulled the bottom out from under countless Texas businesses and residents, who now teeter on the brink of financial calamity amid a growing public health crisis. And it comes as people in several industries were already taking financial hits as Texans heed calls to stay home and only venture out for necessities. But Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said officials had to prioritize public health over economic concerns. “Simply put, the action all of us, including our healthy residents, make could affect whether somebody lives or dies,” she said. Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson echoed Hidalgo and acknowledged the fallout that is certain to follow for many in his city. “It wasn’t easy at all,” he said of the decision at a press conference Monday afternoon. “In fact, it was gut wrenching, actually.” Jaime Altieri-Ellis, a line cook and student in Dallas who has already lost one shift, said he didn’t know what was coming. “It‘s really still up in the air,” he said. “Nobody really knows what’s going on.” The service industry in Texas had already taken a hit before Monday’s announcements. The online reservation service OpenTable reported a 42% decline in restaurant reservations in Texas as of Sunday. Other states have also seen drops in restaurant reservations — California was down 55% as of Sunday, and New York was down 47%. By 8 a.m. Tuesday, bars and clubs will be closed in Dallas and Houston, but for now, restaurants there are expected to remain open for drive-through, takeout and delivery. The orders in Dallas and Houston came without clear answers as to what will happen to the workers who will either be out of work completely or faced with significant cuts to their income streams. “There are quite a few people that work for me who are paycheck to paycheck,” Fergus said. Meanwhile, San Antonio’s mayor on Monday night banned gatherings of more than 50 people and asked restaurants to place tables 6 feet away from each other. Austin Mayor Steve Adler tweeted late Monday his support for closing bars and restaurants, and he will make a public announcement along with Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt at 11 a.m. Tuesday. The mere prospect of closures can be demoralizing, according to Tammy Bracewell, a Texas A&M University-Central Texas professor of criminal justice who specializes in group sociology. “How we respond to the most vulnerable in this pandemic is going to speak volumes about us as a whole society,” she said. As service-industry workers roil from Monday’s news, workers in other sectors are expected to feel a similar pinch, if they haven’t already. Kevin Richie, who employs 13 people at his light and installation company in Austin, said a safety net does not exist for many small-business owners.
“There are safety nets for employees if you lose your job,” said Richie, who would have to lay off his staff in order for them to collect unemployment, he added. “I don’t want to get rid of my staff. But with no income coming in, there’s nowhere really for us to look. There’s no insurance we have that specifically handles this.” Gov. Greg Abbott has not announced an economic package for businesses like Richie’s, but he tweeted a link late Monday asking businesses owners to submit information and find out if they qualify for a federal Small Business Administration loan. Texas is trying to qualify for the program, which provides some small businesses loans of up to $2 million if they can’t obtain lines of credit somewhere else. “We need major relief packages from both state and federal governments,” Austin City Council member Gregorio Casar said in a statement. Abbott’s tweet came days after his declaration of a public health disaster. “Anybody who thinks or feels or believes that they’re ill in any way, they need to stay home and work from home,” Abbott said Friday. “You may have the flu, you may have some other infectious disease. Or you may have COVID-19. We don’t need people who are sick coming into work.” Mercedes Gutierrez doesn’t have that option. As a full-time Lyft driver who prides herself on her five-star rating and who for years has driven passengers from the two major airports in Dallas-Fort Worth to the suburbs, Gutierrez relies on strangers sitting in her Dodge Caravan. Ride-share drivers like Gutierrez could be devastatingly impacted, according to Sandy Rollins, executive director of the Texas Tenants’ Union. Rollins said the economic impact of social distancing will be felt hardest by workers who depend on everyday traffic, like waiters, bartenders or ride-share drivers. “As people stop going to restaurants where people get tips and don’t go to the movies ... and don’t conduct normal life activities, there’s a lot of folks that are going to be severely disadvantaged by not getting paid,” Rollins said. “They’re not going to be able to pay their rent.” Travis County has paused evictions until April 1, and Austin Energy tweeted that it is suspending utility shutoffs indefinitely. The San Antonio Housing Authority also suspended evictions and late fees for residents due to the new coronavirus. Rollins said many workers may need past April 1 to get back on their feet. She said county and state officials should pause evictions or offer stimulus cash to renters until further notice to prevent amplifying the consequences of the public health crisis. “To add to homelessness at this time is just going to make a public health disaster even more disastrous,” Rollins said. Rollins said people who are losing income due to COVID-19 should contact their representatives about their situation and encourage government officials to order eviction stoppages and approve stimulus payments. H-E-B, Texas’ large grocery chain, has no plans to close. The company is offering short-term work opportunities with the influx of shoppers amid the coronavirus outbreak as more and more Texans are staying home. The temporary opportunities posted Sunday pay $9.50 an hour for baggers or customer service assistants, $13.50 an hour for daytime stockers and $15 an hour for overnight stockers. The temporary positions could last up to 60 days, H-E-B said, and could lead to permanent employment. These employment situations in which workers have no option of working remotely are tricky, said professor Areen Omary of West Texas A&M University. “It’s a serious dilemma for the employee and the employer,” Omary said, “because it will also be a public health issue.” Late Monday, Gutierrez, the Lyft driver, received a notice from the company saying that she wouldn’t be assigned rides through April 7. “We’ll see,” Gutierrez wrote in a text message. “I still need to get groceries.”
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THE BAY AREA OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2020 | P7
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The City of La Porte Sealed Bid #2000 9– Rehabilitation of Sanitary Sewer and Sealed Bid #20012 FY2020 Asphalt Overlay Program , will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. CST on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at the City Hall information desk located at 604 W. Fairmont Pkwy., La Porte, Texas 77571. Solicitations will be opened and read aloud immediately following the closing hour. For information to register and bid visit: www.publicpurchase.com. For questions, contact purchasing@laportetx.gov. FOR SALE - AUTO
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P8 | THURSDAY, MARCH 19 , 2020 | THE BAY AREA OBSERVER
IN THE GARDEN How to get the most out of your farmers market trip Get to know your farmers and your produce this year by supporting the agricultural producers nearest you
Laura Muntean Agrilife Today
bag before placing in reusable bags, Dittmar said. Fresh eggs should not come in contact with food items.
Farmers markets are no secret anymore. They fit into the growing trends of buying local and knowing and trusting the source of our food. What can be better than buying produce grown right down the road and likely picked the same morning by someone you can interact with?
“Remember to launder, store and use your bags appropriately to avoid the risk of cross contamination and the spread of harmful pathogens and germs,” she said.
Choosing your produce
Rebecca Dittmar, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist for nutrition and food sciences, Kerrville, explains how to get the most out of a visit to your local farmers market.
In general, choose fresh, non-bruised, nonwilted produce and stay within season.
Buy in-season produce
• Lettuce: Store red leaf lettuce in a plastic bag in the vegetable crisper section of the refrigerator for up to one week after purchase. Keep lettuce dry. Don’t wash until ready to eat. Avoid lettuce that has brown edges or show signs of slime or insect damage.
Learning to buy in-season can be very beneficial, Dittmar explained. However, depending on where you are located, the term in-season can differ greatly. So being familiar with what is truly in-season will help you get fresh produce at reasonable prices. Certain produce could be marked a little higher at the beginning and the end of the growing season due to fewer growers having it available. It is also good to keep in mind that not all produce will be uniformly shaped or shiny like often seen at the grocery stores. You may even still catch a bit of dirt from the morning harvest.
Get to know farmers Farmers markets are exactly what the name says. Local farmers coming together to share the produce they have grown and harvested. If you have questions regarding the produce, talk to the farmers. They have spent months caring for the food they are sharing with consumers and know exactly what has gone into each item they sell. Talking to
Things to keep in mind when purchasing:
each farmer is incredibly important because the way one vendor operates may not be the same as how the next vendor functions. “If you are concerned about what products are applied to your produce or how it is grown, ask those questions, because those farmers should have those answers for you. How is it handled? How is it harvested?” said Dittmar.
Bring Cash More and more markets are accepting different types of payments, but that is not always the case. Check beforehand to know what they will and will not accept, but it is always good to be prepared with some cash on hand, she said. Plan trips to the farmers market like the grocery store
“Think about your market layout,” said Dittmar. “Visit the farmers market like you would plan a trip to the grocery by getting your shelf and stable products first and your cold stuff last.” It is also good to keep an insulated cooler on hand for any cold products, so they will remain cold for the duration of your trip and ride home.
Avoid cross-contamination Reusable bags and wagons are seen often at the farmers markets. Be sure to bag your groceries properly, to keep your purchases safe on the return home. Assigning your bags according to produce, ready-to-eat foods and non-food items is a good way to keep things separate and safe. Place raw meat and poultry into a disposable plastic
• Squash: Look for squash that is tender but firm. Squash should be heavy in relation to size and look fresh. Avoid squash with a dull appearance. Wash squash well before use. Avoid over mature squash with a hard or tough surface. • Tomatoes: Select ripe tomatoes that are well formed, smooth and free from blemishes. Look for overall rich red color and a slight softness. Wash tomatoes well before use. Avoid tomatoes that are overripe or bruised. • Peppers: Peppers should have firm walls and be relatively heavy in weight. Wash peppers well before use. Avoid peppers with thin walls or peppers with soft water spots. • Fruits: Select ripe fruit with good color. Wash all fruit well before use. Avoid overly soft or damaged fruit.
Local Farmers’ Markets
Nassau Bay Farmer’s Market Nassau Bay, TX 2332 E NASA Pkwy Saturdays 10-2
East End Farmers’ Market Houston TX 2800 Navigation Open Sundays 10am – 2pm
Galveston’s Own Farmers’ Market Galveston, TX 1315 21st St. Bryan Museum Sundays 9am – 1pm Thursdays 3pm-6pm
Baytown Farmers’ Market
Baytown Town Square 245 W. Texas Ave. Third Sunday each month 8am -1pm
Bay Area Farmers’ Market Friendswood TX 500 Baybrook Mall Sundays 11am – 3pm
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