AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Leah G. Robertson as Judge of the 385th Judicial District Court in Midland County for a term set to expire on December 31, 2020, or until her successor shall be duly elected and qualified.
Leah G. Robertson of Midland is an Of Counsel attorney at Ward & Myers, LLP. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Midland County Bar Association and a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. Additionally, she is a member of the Class of 2019 Leadership Texas, president of the Midland Community Theatre, past president of Safe Place of the Permian Basin, past co-president of Executive Women of Midland, and a sustainer member of the Junior League of Midland. Robertson received a Bachelor of Science in Government from Texas Woman’s University and a Juris Doctor degree from Texas Tech University School of Law.
METRO has received confirmation a bus operator has tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of cases to 185 METRO employees and 51 contractors since March 2020.
Eighty-four of the employees had no contact with the public. METRO tracks and reports all positive cases among its 4200 employees and the various contractors who provide services to METRO. We are also conducting temperature checks of employees and others before they begin their workday at METRO facilities or on our vehicles.
The bus operator last worked Aug. 19 and in the two weeks prior, drove the following routes:
*The chart above reflects the days the operator was on duty two weeks prior to the last day on the job.
Anyone who comes in contact with an individual who tests positive should monitor themselves for possible symptoms, contact your health care provider as soon as you develop any symptoms, and self-isolate to avoid possibly exposing others, including refraining from using public transportation.
METRO is working with public health officials so they can identify and notify anyone who traveled the routes driven by the bus operator during those time frames.
Since mid-March, METRO has sought to minimize the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission by operators or passengers by encouraging social distancing. On March 23, the agency temporarily suspended collecting fares to avoid unnecessary contacts. Shortly thereafter, orange mesh fencing was installed across the aisles of every local bus to assure appropriate distancing between operators and passengers.
More safety upgrades are also being added to buses, trains and METROLift vehicles. Operators and riders will now have access to hand sanitizer while on board and protective shields around drivers’ seats will provide another layer of separation between operators and the public. Operators and riders are required to wear a face covering while on the system.
We appreciate and greatly value our riders. We have taken many actions, including working with the community at large, to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19. To prevent or minimize its transmission on the transit system, METRO asks all riders to use the system only for essential trips at this time, practice social distancing when you do ride transit (i.e., stand or sit at least 6 feet apart, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, wash your hands for 20 seconds before boarding transit and after deboarding, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your elbow, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and stay home if you are sick). Additionally, riders should stand or sit no closer than six feet behind the driver.
METRO’s number one priority is protecting the health and safety of our customers, community and employees.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is the region’s largest public transit provider, offering safe, reliable and affordable transportation services about 370,000 times per day. Besides operating more than 1,200 buses on METRO’s network, METRORail‘s system includes the Red Line (Main Street and Northline), Green Line (East End) and Purple Line (Southeast). METRO’s services also include: STAR Vanpool, METROLift, HOV/HOT lanes, Bike & Ride program, Park & Ride, and road improvement projects. Learn more about METRO services at ridemetro.org where you will also find useful tools like the RideMETRO app where you can plan your trip and even pay your fare from your phone.
Saturday’s daily COVID testing returned several positives tests from each of the clubs serviced by the same laboratory in New Jersey. We are working with our testing partner, BioReference, to investigate these results, while the clubs work to confirm or rule out the positive tests. Clubs are taking immediate precautionary measures as outlined in the NFL-NFLPA’s health and safety protocols to include contact tracing, isolation of individuals and temporarily adjusting the schedule, where appropriate. The other laboratories used for NFL testing have not had similar results.
METRO has received confirmation a bus operator has tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of cases to 184 METRO employees and 51 contractors since March 2020.
Eighty-four of the employees had no contact with the public. METRO tracks and reports all positive cases among its 4200 employees and the various contractors who provide services to METRO. We are also conducting temperature checks of employees and others before they begin their workday at METRO facilities or on our vehicles.
The bus operator last worked Aug. 11 and in the two weeks prior, drove the following routes:
*The chart above reflects the days the operator was on duty two weeks prior to the last day on the job.
Anyone who comes in contact with an individual who tests positive should monitor themselves for possible symptoms, contact your health care provider as soon as you develop any symptoms, and self-isolate to avoid possibly exposing others, including refraining from using public transportation.
METRO is working with public health officials so they can identify and notify anyone who traveled the routes driven by the bus operator during those time frames.
Since mid-March, METRO has sought to minimize the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission by operators or passengers by encouraging social distancing. On March 23, the agency temporarily suspended collecting fares to avoid unnecessary contacts. Shortly thereafter, orange mesh fencing was installed across the aisles of every local bus to assure appropriate distancing between operators and passengers.
More safety upgrades are also being added to buses, trains and METROLift vehicles. Operators and riders will now have access to hand sanitizer while on board and protective shields around drivers’ seats will provide another layer of separation between operators and the public. Operators and riders are required to wear a face covering while on the system.
We appreciate and greatly value our riders. We have taken many actions, including working with the community at large, to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19. To prevent or minimize its transmission on the transit system, METRO asks all riders to use the system only for essential trips at this time, practice social distancing when you do ride transit (i.e., stand or sit at least 6 feet apart, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, wash your hands for 20 seconds before boarding transit and after deboarding, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your elbow, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, and stay home if you are sick). Additionally, riders should stand or sit no closer than six feet behind the driver.
METRO’s number one priority is protecting the health and safety of our customers, community and employees.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is the region’s largest public transit provider, offering safe, reliable and affordable transportation services about 370,000 times per day. Besides operating more than 1,200 buses on METRO’s network, METRORail‘s system includes the Red Line (Main Street and Northline), Green Line (East End) and Purple Line (Southeast). METRO’s services also include: STAR Vanpool, METROLift, HOV/HOT lanes, Bike & Ride program, Park & Ride, and road improvement projects. Learn more about METRO services at ridemetro.org where you will also find useful tools like the RideMETRO app where you can plan your trip and even pay your fare from your phone.
During these uncertain times, frontline workers have helped to keep Houston Together and safe. To honor their hard work and tireless efforts, a Houston Together Commemorative Baseball Wall will be placed in the concourse of Minute Maid Park beginning in the 2021 season.
Say “thank you” to someone you love serving on the frontlines with a custom baseball for the Houston Together Commemorative Baseball Wall. Net proceeds from the program will go to the Astros Foundation to support frontline workers.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to highlight the heroes in your life and support those who keep Houston Together.
For questions or more information, please reach out to the Houston Together Commemorative Baseball Wall Fulfillment Center at 1-833-352-0106 or astrosbaseballs@fundraiserssports.com.
Major League Baseball and The Players Alliance have joined together to host a charity auction, with the net proceeds benefiting The Players Alliance. This organization provides greater opportunities for the Black community in every aspect of our game and beyond. Visit www.theplayersalliance.com to learn more.
Auction items were donated by Major League players, MLB Clubs, and members of the Alliance.
New York, NY [August 20, 2020] –The NFL announced today the launch of the ‘Fan of the Year’program, which recognizes the unyielding passion and constant support of fans nationwide.The ‘Fan of the Year’ will be crowned at Super Bowl LV in Tampa Bay on February 7th and have a chance to represent their team.
In partnership with all 32 Clubs, this program is designed to spotlight fans who have a special affinity for their local team, provides inspiration to others and showcase how football unites their family, friends and local communities.
Fans are able to submit either themselves or someone they know to receive this honor, and can do so through a dedicated microsite, NFL.com/fanoftheyear, which is hosted by the NFL. Each team will select one fan representative who embodies the values that their Club abides by throughout the year.
The 32 ‘Fans of the Year’ will then be narrowed down to a top eight and eventually a final three format during the NFL Playoffs. The final three ‘Fans of the Year’ will receive a trip to Super Bowl LV in Tampa Bay, inclusive of two tickets plus a VIP experience. The ultimate ‘Fan of the Year’ winner will be crowned during Super Bowl weekend.
Throughout the regular season, all 32 ‘Fans of the Year’ selected will also receive a series of prizes/virtual experiences, recognizing their loyalty to the League and the Club they represent.
All experiences, prizes and elements of this campaign are subject to change based on the League’s policy and government regulations regarding COVID-19.
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has applied for additional unemployment benefit funding made available through President Trump’s Lost Wage Assistance Executive Order. If granted, this funding will provide an additional $300 per week in benefits for qualifying Texans receiving unemployment benefits.
“The Lost Wage Assistance program will provide crucial financial support to Texans who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Abbott. “Texas is grateful to President Trump for making these funds available to individuals and asks that our federal partners quickly grant this request so that TWC can swiftly administer this funding to Texans.”
Signed on August 8, 2020, this Executive Order provides $300 a week in additional unemployment payments to claimants eligible for more than $100 of certain state unemployment benefits who are experiencing unemployment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Claimants currently receiving unemployment through TWC should continue to request payments as normal. Eligible claimants should expect to receive the additional benefits on their first payment request on or after August 23, 2020. These funds will be backdated to the benefit week ending August 1, 2020.
