Jose G. Landa

Staff writer

Beginning February 28, Cinemark theaters are banning large bags in their 530 movie theaters.
Cinemark representatives state that the move is in an effort to increase the safety for moviegoers and

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — What to know about a Texas bill targeting so-called 'sanctuary cities' that is heading to the desk of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who has pledged to sign the measure that immigrant-rights activists say will lead to profiling and discrimination.

COMPARISONS TO ARIZONA'S LAW
Opponents blast the Texas bill as a version of Arizona's immigration crackdown law, SB 1070, which launched protests, lawsuits and national controversy in 2010.
But the Texas and Arizona bills are not identical. Whereas the Arizona law required police to try to determine the immigration status of people during routine stops, the Texas bill doesn't instruct officers to ask. But it does allow Texas police to inquire whether a person is in the country legally, even if they're not under arrest.
Courts blocked other portions of Arizona's law, including one that made it a crime not to carry immigrations documents, which were never proposed under the Texas bill.

POLICE CHIEFS, SHERIFFS COULD BE JAILED
Police chiefs and sheriffs could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor — which carries possible jail time — if they fail to honor a jail detainer request from federal immigration agents. What's more, not honoring a request would qualify as an official misconduct charge, which adds the threat of removal from office if a police chief or sheriff is convicted for not complying.
The state could also fine local governments $25,000 if they don't comply.
Enforcement of the law would also extend to college campuses. One of the few carve-outs Republicans allowed during marathon and divisive debates in the Texas Capitol was exempting churches.

A PRORITY FOR THE GOVERNOR
Abbott, who as attorney general in 2010 signed onto court briefs supporting Arizona's law, is now on the verge of making sanctuary cities the defining issue of his first term as governor.
He has already blocked more than $1 million in state grant dollars to Travis County, home of liberal Austin, after the new Democratic sheriff announced in January her jails would no longer honor all detainer requesters made by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents.
Abbott declared a sanctuary city ban a legislative priority — just as his predecessor, former Gov. Rick Perry, did in 2011 but couldn't pass. The Texas Legislature's increasing drift to the right has eroded past resistance by moderate Republicans.

PUSHBACK FROM BIG CITY POLICE
The police chiefs of Texas' five biggest cities, which includes Dallas and Houston, oppose the bill from the start. They said the bill will push immigrant families further into the shadows and deter them from coming forward to cooperate as witnesses or report crimes, including when they're the victim.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Republican-controlled Texas House approved a strict ban on "sanctuary cities" early Thursday, empowering local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law against anyone they detain and threatening police chiefs and sheriffs who refuse to do so with jail.

­­The committee discussed two bills Monday that would regulate the sale of powdered alcohol in Texas. If the bills pass, Texas could become the first state to do so [Wisconsin is also considering similar legislation].
One of the House bill’s authors, state Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, told The Texas Tribune he filed House Bill 47 because he was concerned about the dangers powdered alcohol posed to kids. Since powdered alcohol is a relatively new product, it is not explicitly regulated — or prohibited — under state law.
Chris Porter, spokesman for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, said powdered alcohol products haven’t appeared in Texas market yet, but he agreed that his agency doesn’t have the authority to regulate it under current law.
“We will continue defer to our state lawmakers and the legislative process on these issues and will do our part to enforce any new laws passed during the legislative session,” Porter said.
House Bill 47 would amend the definition of an alcoholic beverage to include powdered alcohol, ban the possession and purchase of the product by minors and tax and regulate powdered alcohol the same way as traditional liquid liquor. Guillen’s bill would also give TABC the authority to regulate powdered alcohol.
Nicole Holt, CEO of Texans Standing Tall, a statewide coalition that works to support healthier and safer communities for kids, encouraged legislators to issue an outright ban on powdered alcohol, arguing it could be used in dangerous ways.
“The fact that you can eat it or snort it is dangerous,” Holt said. “Our concern is that you then take a product that is already dangerous and you make it even easier for kids to consume at larger quantities and a larger rate.”
An Arizona man who developed his own brand of powdered alcohol — Palcohol — because he wanted an easier way to drink while “hiking, biking, camping and kayaking,” according to the product’s website, got his brand labels approved by the U.S. Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in March 2015. That allows the company to make Palcohol commercially available, though it’s still not available for purchase.
State Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, the upper chamber’s author of a similar powdered alcohol regulatory measure this session, said he doesn’t want to ban powdered alcohol because “prohibition doesn’t work.”
“I think if those other 34 states think that a ban works, then why don't they ban all alcohol? I think just as a matter of reality we should regulate and tax it,” Seliger told the Tribune on Tuesday. “I just think it's alcohol in another form."

After two incidents in which students were run over last year, EPPD Officer Humberto Torralba said the community is trying to do their best to keep students safe. 

During the school year extra vigilance by the police department, Maverick County Sheriff’s Department, and DPS will be taking place in order to prevent the use of cellphones while driving, and encourage drivers and passengers to wear their seat belts. 

“We are going to be enforcing the law that prohibits them to be using cellphones while in a school zone, and we are also going to be assisting EPISD PD with traffic control in the mornings to alleviate any jams near the school,” said Maverick County Chief Deputy Robert De Leon.

The average cost of a ticket for using a cellphone while driving is above $100, said Torralba, who admits it’s costly but is a good way to deter drivers from being careless.

Enforcement is the most difficult part of any law, said Torralba, but with the help of the community  several law enforcement entities he hopes they can prevent another accident from taking place.

$100 de multa por usar el celular

Jaclyn Guzmán

Staff Writer

 Después de dos incidentes que sucedieron  en los que  unos estudiantes fueron atropellados el año  escolar pasado, Oficial EPPD Humberto Torralba dijo que la comunidad está tratando de hacer todo lo posible para proteger a los estudiantes.

  Durante el año escolar se llevará a cabo mayor vigilancia por el departamento de policía, Departamento del Sheriff del Condado de Maverick, y DPS  con el fin de evitar el uso de teléfonos móviles durante la conducción, y animar a los conductores y pasajeros  que deben usar el cinturón de seguridad.

  "Vamos a enforzar la aplicación de la ley que les prohíbe el uso de teléfonos celulares  en una zona escolar, y también vamos a estar ayudando a EPISD PD con el control  en las mañanas para aliviar el trafico cerca de la escuela," dijo Robert De León.

  El costo medio de una multa para el uso de un teléfono celular mientras se conduce está por encima de $100, dijo Torralba, quien admite que es costoso, pero es una buena manera de disuadir a los conductores de ser descuidados.

  La aplicación es la parte más difícil de cualquier ley, dijo Torralba, pero con la ayuda de las varias personas de la ley de la comunidad se espera que puedan prevenir otro accidente .