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Posts published in “Day: July 16, 2020”

Run-off election holds surprise results

Jul 16, 2020

Eagleton in a landslide; Garcia wins tight race

HARRIS COUNTY – Tuesday, the Democratic and Republican Parties held their Run-Off Primary elections and the results in several races were different than had been predicted.

Jacinto City and vicinity had a showdown between Precinct 2 Constable incumbent Chris Diaz against challenger Lt. Jerry Garcia. This was a close race, with Garcia winning by only 229 votes of 9,505 cast. This race had been marked with negative charges of unethical practices and favoritism on both sides.

Substantially more people voted in the Democratic Party in early voting at several Precinct 3 locations. Early voting counts in Crosby were 744 Democratic and 434 Republican most probably due to the hotly contentious local Precinct 3 Constable race between incumbent Sherman Eagleton, and previous constable Ken Jones, and the fact that there were more contests at issue for the Democrats. Over 150,000 votes were cast county wide on the Democratic ticket. The Republicans drew about 60,000 on their ballot.

Voters are no longer designated to specific voting precincts but habitually tend to vote at locations near where they live and with which they are familiar.

COVID-19 outbreak reported in nursing home facility in Jacinto City

Jul 16, 2020
Jacinto Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is located at 1405 Holland St., Jacinto City. (PHOTO BY ALLAN JAMAIL)

4 deaths may be Covid-19 related

By Elizabeth Perez, HCPH

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) in partnership with the Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) are investigating a COVID-19 outbreak at Jacinto Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. HCPH’s initial investigation of this facility began on June 10 after the facility reported 12 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 and one resident died. As the regulatory agency for healthcare facilities, HHSC has also began working with the facility.

To date, there have been four deaths, medical records are pending review to determine if COVID-19 related. Based on our current records, 57 residents and staff members are actively being monitored by HCPH for COVID-19. HCPH issued public health control orders to the facility on July 3 to ensure compliance with infection control & prevention, to track viral transmission of the virus and COVID-19 related deaths. HCPH is continuing to work with HHSC and other state entities in this investigation.

Precinct 2 ready for Hurricanes, flooding

Jul 16, 2020
Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia

Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia has been planning for a busy hurricane season, and possible street flooding, he recently reported in an interview on a local news blog. Garcia told Michael Palmer of NNB that his precinct prepares every day of the year, not just hurricane season, for responses to natural disasters, man-made accidents, and even a pandemic. He noted that last year the county saw a series of natural disasters that they responded to. These included the ITC fire, the KMCO explosion, a lightning strike at a refinery, a barge accident under I10 and another in the ship channel, and the flooding from Tropical Storm Imelda. Garcia noted his own experience with disasters includes hurricanes such as Alycia, Katrina, and Ike.

“And so I understand these events,” he said. “We have good coordination with our area mayors, and work closely with all of the entities necessary when it comes to a disaster of any sort.”

Garcia also spoke about flooding from storms, and areas in his Precinct that have been inundated.

“Precinct 2 is a Downstream Side of many surrounding counties, and we get 70% of everyone else’s water. I supported the $2.5 Billion flood bond election, but I want to make sure that we’re using the money wisely.”

The commissioner said that he works closely with the Harris County Flood Control District, to insure that new projects don’t add to the flood problem.

Application period opens for Harris County small business recovery fund

Jul 16, 2020
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo at a news conference Monday, explaining the new Small Business Recovery Fund. She also strongly advised everyone in Harris County to wear a face mask and practice safe distancing.

Grants of up to $25,000 Available; Recipients Will be Selected at End of 10 Day Application Window

Harris County, Texas – July 13, 2020 – Eligible businesses can apply for financial assistance through the Harris County Small Business Recovery Fund today through Friday, July 24. The $30 million grant program, which was unanimously approved by the Harris County Commissioners Court on June 30, prioritizes struggling small businesses that have not yet received funds from other COVID-19 relief programs.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Harris County’s economy, and the pandemic has hit them especially hard,” said County Judge Lina Hidalgo “While county government alone cannot make up for all of the loss, we must do all we can to help as many as we can.”

To be eligible for grants of up to $25,000, applicants must meet the following requirements: