|
|
|
|
The City of Houston Announces Recommendations for Reopening Sanctuaries and Faith-Based Organizations
Bus Operator, Contract Driver Among Latest Positive Cases for COVID-19
METRO has received confirmation a bus operator, a contract driver and three additional employees have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of cases to 202 METRO employees and 56 contractors since March 2020.
Ninety-one 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 Oct. 8 and in the two weeks prior, drove the following routes:
The contract driver last worked Oct. 10 and in the two weeks prior, drove the following routes:
*The charts above reflect the days the operator and contract driver were on duty two weeks prior to their last days on the job.
Among the other three employees are a technician who last worked Oct. 9, a storeroom attendant who last worked Oct. 10 and an employee in the claims department who was last in the office Sept. 29. None of these employees had contact with the public.
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 and contract driver during those time frames as well as anyone else who may have been impacted by the latest positive cases,
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.
3 key Trump policies teed up for Supreme Court action
Controversial Trump administration policies on the census, asylum seekers and the border wall, held illegal by lower courts, are on the Supreme Court’s agenda Friday.
The most pressing case before the justices when they meet privately, and by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic, involves the census. They are considering the Trump administration’s appeal to be allowed to exclude people living in the U.S. illegally from the population count that will be used to allocate seats in the House of Representatives — and by extension the Electoral College — among the states for the next 10 years.
The administration wants the court to hear arguments in December and decide the case before Trump’s Jan. 10 deadline to send the figures to Congress. The justices could reveal their plans as early as Friday.
If the court adopts the proposed timetable and Senate Republicans succeed in confirming President Donald Trump’s nominee, Amy Coney Barrett, to the court quickly, she would be able to take part in arguments in the case.
With a vote on Barrett’s confirmation expected before the end of October, Friday’s meeting could be the court’s last with one seat vacant since the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last month.
The high court could also announce that it will review an administration policy that makes asylum-seekers wait in Mexico for U.S. court hearings, which has forced tens of thousands of people to return to Mexico since it was announced early in 2019.
Known informally as “Remain in Mexico,” the policy became a key pillar of the administration’s response to a surge of asylum-seeking families from Central America at the southern border. It also drew criticism for having people wait in dangerous cities.
Also on the agenda is the administration’s appeal of a ruling that Defense Department officials exceeded their authority when they transferred money in the Pentagon budget to border wall construction, despite Congress’ refusal to give Trump all the money he wanted for the project.
Lower courts sided with states and environmental groups that challenged the transfer as a violation of the Constitution’s provision giving Congress the power to determine spending. A separate suit from members of Congress also is making its way to the court.
The justices blocked the court rulings in both the asylum seekers and border wall cases, leaving the policies in effect. Arguments wouldn’t heard before next year and the issues would have much less significance if Joe Biden were to become president. He could rescind Trump’s policy forcing asylum seekers to wait in Mexico, for example.
The outcome of the census case, though, could affect the distribution of political power for the next 10 years. The census also helps determine the distribution of $1.5 trillion in federal funding annually.
In early September, a panel of three federal judges in New York said Trump’s order was unlawful because those in the country illegally qualify as people to be counted in the states they reside.
The administration told the court that the president retains “discretion to exclude illegal aliens from the apportionment based on their immigration status.”
The American Civil Liberties Union, representing a coalition of immigrant advocacy groups, said Trump’s violation of federal law is “not particularly close or complicated.”
The Supreme Court separately allowed the administration to end the actual census count this week, blocking a court order that would have kept the count going until the end of the month.
Playoffs MLB: Astros establece ‘curioso’ récord tras HR’s de Springer y Correa
Enfrentados a un juego que debían ganar para evitar regresar a casa durante el otoño, los Astros de Houston comenzaron las cosas temprano. George Springer conectó un cuadrangular en el primer lanzamiento que vieron los Astros en el juego temprano.
Unas horas y unos cientos de lanzamientos más tarde, Carlos Correa agregó otro bambinazo, éste último contra Nick Anderson para terminar el juego. Así es: el primer lanzamiento que vieron los Astros y el último fueron ambos jonrones. Esta fue también la primera vez en la historia de los Playoffs de MLB que un equipo había comenzado y terminado un juego pegando jonrón.
Tienes que jugar duro desde el primer lanzamiento hasta el último. Ese es el tipo de declaración aparentemente inocua sobre lo que se necesita para ganar en la postemporada que probablemente podrías encontrar en un libro de clichés deportivos. Pero los Astros tomaron ese consejo muy literalmente en su victoria 4-3 en el Juego 5 de la ALCS sobre los Rays el jueves.
Si bien Correa había bateado otro jonrón de salida de postemporada antes, venciendo a los Yankees en el Juego 2 de la Serie de Campeonato de la Liga Americana de 2019, podemos decir con seguridad que esta es la primera vez que Correa logra una salida en el estadio de otro equipo. (Curiosamente, Correa tiene dos jonrones de salida en solo 61 juegos de postemporada, pero cero comentarios que terminan el juego en 604 juegos de temporada regular).
Los Astros intentarán lograr esta hazaña nuevamente el viernes, pero tendrán que hacerlo contra el as de Tampa Bay, Blake Snell.
Texas Eviction Diversion Program launches in 19 Texas Counties
The state has launched a program that will aim to help residents avoid eviction in 19 counties.
Included in the 19 participating counties are Deaf Smith, Potter, and Randall counties.
The Supreme Court of Texas established the Texas Eviction Diversion Program through the 27th Emergency Order, regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster.
With funding allocated by Governor Greg Abbott through the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the program seeks to reduce the number of evictions by enabling landlords and tenants to agree upon a resolution to non-payment of rent issues.
David Slayton, Administrative Director of the Office of Court Administration, said that this program will help landlords get the rent that they are due and help tenants be able to stay in their homes.
In participating counties, when an eviction case is taken to court, the judge will be required to discuss this program with both the landlord and tenant.
If both the landlord and tenant are interested, the eviction case will be suspended for 60 days to allow an application process to be started.
Slayton explained, “If the application is approved and the landlord and the tenant meet eligibility criteria, they are entitled up to six months of rent. That can be back-rent and forward-rent, or some combination thereof.”
Deaf Smith, Potter, and Randall County will receive a total of $300,000 for potential, qualifying tenants and landlords.
Slayton said that in September, the US Bureau surveyed Texans that are currently renting and they found that almost 900,000 households renting in Texas were behind on their rent.
There will be a staggered release of participating counties for this Texas Eviction Diversion Program. However, it is anticipated that more, larger metropolitan areas will be added to the program by the end of the year.
McDonald’s y J Balvin Lanzan Colección de Mercancía de Edición Limitada
La exclusiva colaboración está inspirada en los productos favoritos de J Balvin del menú de McDonald’s
Después de que La Orden J Balvin llegara a los restaurantes la semana pasada, los Arcos Dorados y el embajador global del Reggaetón, J Balvin, continúan elevando su colaboración al lanzar una nueva colección de ropa y accesorios. La colección fusiona los Coloresfavoritos de J Balvin con su amor por la comida de McDonald’s, que incluye una hamburguesa Big Mac, las Mundialmente Famosas Papas y un OREO® McFlurry, cuales forman parte de su orden exclusiva.
Los fanáticos tendrán acceso a la mercancía a partir de hoy, a través de jbalvinmerch.com. Las piezas incluyen desde un sombrero de pesca McFlurry, hasta unas zapatillas Big Mac, y un tatuaje temporal del recibo de La Orden J Balvin. Son de edición limitada y sólo estarán disponibles hasta agotar existencias.
“Ha sido increíble ver la emoción entre los fans la semana pasada”, dijo J Balvin. “No sólo quise aportar mi propia personalidad al menú de McDonald’s, sino también compartir mi energía y creatividad de una manera que eleva nuestra colaboración, a través de una colección exclusiva de mercancía que creamos con mi equipo. Ahora la gente podrá coleccionar un pedazo de esta colaboración y guardarla para siempre…¡lego!”
Para aquellos que anhelan más, La Orden J Balvin sigue disponible para ordenar en el restaurante, para llevar, en el Drive Thru, a través de McDelivery, o usando la aplicación de McDonald’s. La orden incluye una hamburguesa Big Mac, las Mundialmente Famosas Papas medianas y un OREO® McFlurry, y está disponible en restaurantes participantes hasta el 1 de noviembre. Los clientes que elijan La Orden J Balvin como una oferta de la aplicación de McDonald’s, recibirán el OREO® McFlurry gratis.
¡McDonald’s y J Balvin les brindará a los fanáticos aún más sorpresas en las próximas semanas, así que deben de seguir atentos!
McDonald’s USA, LLC, sirve diariamente a casi 25 millones de clientes una variedad de opciones preparadas con ingredientes de calidad. El 95% de los 14,000 restaurantes McDonald’s en Estados Unidos son propiedad de y están manejados por hombres y mujeres en forma independiente. Para obtener más información, visita www.mcdonalds.com, o síguenos en Twitter @McDonalds y en Facebook www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.
Source: Rockets GM Daryl Morey to step down
Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey will be stepping down from his role, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
According to Wojnarowski, Morey, who has been with the Rockets for 13 seasons, will be replaced by the team’s executive vice president of basketball operations, Rafael Stone. Morey will remain in an advisory role while the team completes its search for a new head coach.
Morey reportedly approached Rockets ownership after the team was eliminated from the 2020 playoffs and quietly worked out an exit agreement.
Houston has the NBA’s longest consecutive playoff appearance streak with eight and owns the league’s second-best regular-season record since Morey took over the GM job 13 years ago. Despite that success, the Rockets have not been able to get over the hump and reach the NBA Finals.
Morey was at the centre of controversy in 2019 when he tweeted his support for the Hong Kong protests. China responded by pulling the NBA off its television airwaves and also suspended sponsorship agreements. NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta supported Morey, despite China’s requests for his dismissal.
I-10 to close in both directions this weekend
I-10 to close in both directions this weekend due to major projects
Bridge crews will pull double duty along Interstate 10 in downtown Houston this weekend, in the hopes of combining closings so drivers are detoured fewer times.
Eastbound and westbound I-10 will be closed at 8 p.m. Friday, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Eastbound lanes will be closed from Shepherd to Interstate 69, while westbound lanes will be closed from I-69 to Interstate 45. Detours will send drivers through downtown to I-45 and then back to I-10 westbound, while eastbound I-10 traffic is recommended to use Loop 610 to avoid the area entirely.
Westbound lanes are scheduled to reopen by 5 p.m. Saturday, but the eastbound lanes are not expected to reopen until 5 a.m. Monday.
The closings, which cover a much larger area than typical, are so TxDOT can advance two separate construction projects which would have led to closing the freeway two straight weekends, said Danny Perez, a spokesman for TxDOT in Houston. Crews are rebuilding the Elysian Viaduct that crosses Buffalo Bayou and I-10 in to downtown, while another project is repairing the Houston Avenue bridge across I-10 west of downtown.
“The Elysian work needed both sides (of the freeway), so instead of having back-to-back weekends, we combined,” Perez said.
Though traffic on weekends has returned compared to earlier declines during COVID, the number of vehicles remains about 10 percent below common levels on Saturdays and Sundays, according to Houston TranStar. Still, TxDOT officials are warning drivers to expect significant delays as a result of the freeway closings, and possibly seek alternative routes.
City of Houston Prohibits Parking in the Bicycle Lane
HOUSTON – Houston City Council approved an ordinance prohibiting parking of motor vehicles in dedicated bicycle lanes. A dedicated bicycle lane is a portion of the roadway separated from vehicle traffic with striping and/or physical barriers for the exclusive use of bicyclists.
When the Houston Bike Plan was adopted in 2017, the City committed to making Houston a safer, more accessible, bike-friendly city by 2027. Approval of the ordinance supports the Bike Plan, protects the City’s investment in the bikeway infrastructure and further strengthens the City’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
“We have listened to bicyclists throughout our city, and we are taking this step to protect them and keep the lanes clear for everyone to enjoy. The ordinance is an opportunity to promote safety and educate those who park in dedicated bicycle lanes without realizing how it impedes access. Together, we can balance the needs of drivers and bicyclists in our city,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner.
“With the passage of this ordinance, we have provided a means to not only protect the safety of bicyclists but also to demonstrate our commitment to Vision Zero,” said Tina Paez, Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department director. “The City has invested significantly, and we must ensure bicyclists feel safe while using these lanes. Bicyclists are no different from the vehicle drivers who want safe and clear roadways.”
The citation carries a $100 fine but for their first violation, offenders have the option to take a Bicycle Friendly Driver Training Class to have the fine waived. The class is designed to teach the best practices in considering the road safety of bicyclists and other non-motorists on shared rights-of-way. In order to take the course, the driver must see a hearing officer.
The ordinance approved by City Council will not require posted signage as it has previously. The prohibition will not apply to on-street bikeways where travel lanes are shared by vehicles and bicyclists and where the City permits on-street parking; i.e.: Washington Avenue.
