| In response to the National Weather Service alert for severe weather, the Houston Fire Department is performing operational readiness with eight high-water rescue vehicles and 18 evacuation boats. Additional HFD assets are also being equipped through our Technical Rescue Team, as well as bringing in additional manpower. HFD reminds everyone that flash flooding can strike suddenly, catching drivers off guard. It is best to avoid making a journey by road unless absolutely necessary. If driving in such conditions is unavoidable, remember to “Turn Around Don’t Drown®” and avoid high water areas and use alternate routes.  Monitor official sources for current information: Harris County Flood Warning System (harriscountyfws.org), Houston TranStar (houstontranstar.org), and the National Weather Service Houston/Galveston Forecast Office (weather.gov/hgx). HFD will be conducting a media availability today, June 23, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. at Fire Station 11 located at 460 T.C. Jester, 77008, with a demonstration on how rescue assets will be deployed. |
Houston Fire Department Preparing for Anticipated Severe Weather
OFICIALES DEL DEPARTAMENTO DE LAS CORTES MUNICIPALES DE LA CIUDAD DE HOUSTON LES RECUERDA QUE EL PERÍODO DE APLAZAMIENTOS SE ACABA EL 27 DE JUNIO A LAS 5PM
HOUSTON, Texas – El Departamento de las Cortes Municipales de la Ciudad de Houston (MCD) les recuerda que el período en el que se permite aplazar los casos que fueron programados durante la semana en la que fueron ordenados a quedarse en casa y trabajar seguros finalizará Sábado, 27 de Junio, 2020 a las 5pm. Desde el 1 de Junio, MCD ha permitido tiempo adicional para aplazar sus casos cada Sábado del mes de Junio en el Tribunal Herbert W. Gee que se ubica en el centro, en 1400 Lubbock. Es importante recordar que si algún individuo aún no ha logrado aplazar su caso cuando La Corte Municipal se haya reanudado sus funciones, una orden de arresto podrá ser emitida.
“Nos gustaría recordarles a todos los ciudadanos que, si han tenido una fecha de comparecencia durante de la Orden de Quedarse en Casa y Trabajar Seguro, que fue iniciado el 11 de Marzo y finalizó el 29 de Mayo, por favor acudan a la Corte Central antes de las 5pm, Sábado 27 de Junio 2020 para recibir un aplazamiento de su caso,” dijo la Directora y Juez Principal, J. Elaine Marshall. “Les instamos a venir para que les aplacemos su caso para evitar una orden de arresto,” dijo Juez Marshall.
MCD reanudó sus funciones normales para JUICIOS POR JUEZ, PRIMERA AUDENCIA (ARRAIGNMENT), AUDIENCIAS DE MULTAS DE ESTACIONAMIENTO el Lunes 1 de Junio, 2020.
Siguiendo las directivas del alcalde Sylvester Turner y el CDC para proteger al público y al personal de MCD de la propagación del COVID-19, se les exigirá a miembros del público usar cubierta facial y se les tomará la temperatura. Si su temperatura es más de 100.4 ⁰F, el individuo no podrá entrar en la Corte Municipal. Los miembros del público deben comunicarse con su proveedor de atención médica y no venir a la corte si están sintiendo síntomas similares al COVID-19. Una vez aprobado por un médico, las personas pueden venir al 1400 Lubbock para hablar con un Juez Anexo para que le aplacen su caso. Por favor viste al sitio web de las Cortes Municipales al www.houstontx.gov/courts para actualizaciones continuas en todas las ubicaciones y horas de operación de las cortes.
Para anuncios adicionales e información actualizada, por favor llame a la Linea de Ayuda de La Ciudad de Houston al 3-1-1, o al 713.837.0311 si esta fuera de la Ciudad de Houston, or visite al sitio web de la Corte al www.houstontx.gov/courts.
CITY OF HOUSTON MUNICIPAL COURTS OFFICIALS REMIND CITIZENS THAT THE RESET PERIOD ENDS SATURDAY, JUNE 27 AT 5PM
HOUSTON – The City of Houston Municipal Courts Department (MCD) is reminding Citizens that the court reset period for cases scheduled during the Stay Home, Work Safe Order will end Saturday June 27, 2020 at 5pm. Since June 1, 2020, MCD has allowed citizens additional time to have their cases reset each Saturday during the month of June at the Herbert W. Gee Courthouse located Downtown at 1400 Lubbock. It is important to note that if an individual fails to reset their case(s) when Municipal Court resumes operations, an arrest warrant may be issued.
“We would like to remind all Citizens if you had a court date during the Stay Home, Work Safe Order that began March 11th and ended May 29th, please come in by 5pm, Saturday, June 27, 2020 to have your case reset.” stated Director and Presiding Judge, J. Elaine Marshall. “We encourage you to come in and have your case reset to avoid having the possibility of a warrant being issued.” said Judge Marshall.
MCD resumed normal operations for JUDGE TRIALS, ARRAIGNMENTS AND PARKING ADJUDICATION HEARINGS on Monday June 1, 2020.
Following Mayor Sylvester Turner’s and CDC guidelines to protect the public and MCD staff from the spread of COVID-19, members of the public will be required to wear face masks/facial coverings and have their temperature taken. If the temperature is over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, the citizen will not be allowed to enter the Municipal Courthouse. Members of the public should contact a health care provider and not come to court if they are experiencing symptoms similar to COVID-19. Once cleared by a physician, individuals may come to 1400 Lubbock to speak with an Annex Judge to reset a case. Please visit the Municipal Courts’ website at www.houstontx.gov/courts for continued updates on all court locations and hours of operation.
For additional announcements and updated information, please call the City of Houston Helpline at 3-1-1, or 713.837.0311 if outside of the City of Houston, or visit the Municipal Courts website at www.houstontx.gov/courts.
If trends persist, Houston ‘would become the worst affected city in the US,’ expert Peter Hotez says
The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Texas continued to reach record highs over the weekend while new cases also climbed in the Houston area.
The new figures come as County Judge Lina Hidalgo and leaders in other urbanized counties have issued orders mandating that businesses require customers wear face masks. Hidalgo’s order goes into effect Monday, though the latest local trends indicate masks “won’t be enough,” said vaccine researcher Dr. Peter Hotez, a professor and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.
“My observations if this trajectory persists: 1) Houston would become the worst affected city in the U.S., maybe rival what we’re seeing now in Brazil 2) The masks = good 1st step but simply won’t be enough 3) We would need to proceed to red alert,” Hotez said Saturday on Twitter.
Latest #COVID19 for Harris County, my observations if this trajectory persists: 1) Houston would become the worst affected city in the US, maybe rival what we’re seeing now in Brazil 2) The masks = good 1st step but simply won’t be enough 3) We would need to proceed to red alert pic.twitter.com/RruxTItNYU.
The World Health Organization on Sunday reported the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases at more than 183,000 new cases in the latest 24 hours, according to news reports. The UN health agency said Brazil led the way with 54,771 cases, following by the U.S. at 36,617.
Texas on Sunday reported a 5 percent increase in hospitalizations, bringing the cumulative total to a record 3,409 patients — a figure that has more than doubled since Memorial Day. Also on Sunday, a batch of 2,726 new cases became the sixth-highest single-day increase in Texas, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis. Over the previous two days, the state reported its largest and third-largest single day increases, respectively.
The Houston region has experienced a similar trend with rising case figures. Houston Chronicle data shows that Harris County is averaging 610 new cases per day over the last week, compared to 313 new cases per day the previous week.
Hidalgo noted an increase in county hospitalizations last week when she issued her face covering order. Leaders of other Houston area counties continue to stay away from similar measures, despite concern from local health officials.
“Galveston County will not be issuing such an order,” Galveston County Judge Mark Henry said Sunday in a lengthy Facebook post. “Individuals and businesses need to take personal responsibility in following the recommended best practices in slowing the spread of COVID-19… If you find that a business doesn’t appear to have taken steps that have been recommended in Governor Abbott’s reopening plan, then don’t reward them by doing business with them. It’s that simple.”
Galveston County reported its highest single-day case increase on Saturday with 142 new cases, followed by 83 new cases on Sunday. More than half of its new cases have been reported after June 1, health officials say.
In a news release, the Galveston County Health Department said the “alarming” increase is related to a lack of social distancing, not wearing face coverings and spreading the virus in families and households.
“Galveston County is at a critical juncture,” the release said, adding, “The health district strongly recommends Galveston County businesses require patrons and employees to wear a face covering, and to make face coverings available for those customers who do not have one.”
Brazoria County also has seen a major uptick in new cases, reporting three of its largest single-day increases over the last four days. Health officials reported 52 new cases on Sunday, bringing the overall total there to 1,215.
METRO Seeks Board Approval for Health and Safety Rule Requiring Facial Coverings on System
On Thursday, June 25, METRO will seek approval from its Board of Directors to adopt a health and safety rule requiring all METRO riders, employees, contractors and visitors wear a face covering unless impracticable due to a medical condition.
If adopted by the Board, the rule would be consistent with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo’s signed order mandating that everyone over the age of 10 wear a face covering while in businesses or on commercial properties, including employees, visitors and customers. That order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, June 22 until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, June 30.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, METRO has put up posters across the system reminding riders and everyone in the community to protect themselves and others by wearing face coverings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has acknowledged face masks do provide a benefit in preventing the spread of the disease.
METRO has brochures available on buses and trains with CDC instructions on how to make your own face coverings, and subject to availability, METRO will provide a mask to customers needing one while riding the system or entering a METRO facility.
METRO continues to encourage riders to use public transit for only essential trips. Connecting essential workers to essential jobs, and doing so safely, remains METRO’s focus during these challenging times. We will continue to share frequent updates with the community while providing this public service. You can find more information on ridemetro.org on our COVID-19 Response page.
Hidalgo to order Harris County businesses to require their customers wear masks
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo will issue an order Friday mandating that businesses require customers to wear masks, an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, two officials with knowledge of the order said.
| Hidalgo will announce the new rules at a news conference Friday afternoon, the sources said. She and other county leaders increasingly are worried about a surge in COVID-19 cases since Memorial Day, which has resulted in seven straight days of record hospitalizations. |  |
Her order will hem closely to face-covering rules issued by Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, which are set to go into effect Monday.
Gov. Greg Abbott effectively gutted Hidalgo’s first attempt to require masks in late April, when the governor prohibited cities and counties from punishing residents for non-compliance. Hidalgo’s original order on April 22 carried a $1,000 fine, though she directed law enforcement to focus on educating residents rather than issuing citations.
 | 250Abbott’s executive orders reopening Texas beginning on May 1 left local leaders across the state with the impression that they lacked the authority to require masks. The governor surprised political observers on Wednesday when he endorsed Bexar County’s proposal, adding that cities and counties always had the ability to do so. |
Abbott’s executive orders reopening Texas beginning on May 1 left local leaders across the state with the impression that they lacked the authority to require masks. The governor surprised political observers on Wednesday when he endorsed Bexar County’s proposal, adding that cities and counties always had the ability to do so.
The crucial difference, the governor said, was that Bexar County’s order applies to businesses rather than individuals.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner was one of nine executives of Texas cities to sign a letter to Abbott on Tuesday urging the governor to order residents to wear masks, or let local leaders to do themselves. Turner said he would direct police to hand out masks instead of tickets, as they had done in April.
The mayor on Wednesday said he “certainly would entertain” requiring businesses to mandate face coverings, and said the Greater Houston Partnership backed the idea, too.