A.D. Ibarra

-Eagle Pass

City of Eagle Pass Public Works Director Hector Chavez informed The News Gram of the fact that his department is continuing with preventative maintenance on certain city streets.  He also said that contracting a financial advisor for the city will also help them to complete more such projects.

"The recently approved contract with a financial advisor is good news because they are the ones we deal with for CIP's (Community Improvement Projects).  We also want to maintain and improve our parks," said Chavez.

He also advised us of a public hearing which was held on the development of the application of the application for the 2015-2016 Texas Community Development Block Grant which will, along with approximately $800,000.00 set aside by the city, will fund our drainage and infrastructure projects.

Chavez said that they are having to deal with the fact that in the Westlake Subdivision, residents do not fall below the 51% low or moderate income, but that the people who will ultimately benefit from such a project in this area are those who live in Las Quintas Fronterizas and Carthage Place who may.

"We need to work on the storm drain in the area, but we also need other projects for better drainage in the area."

He also advised of their clean-up campaign which will run from February 2nd-6th in Zone A, from February 9th-13th in Zone B and from February 16th-20th in Zone C.

Chavez asks that citizens refrain from taking out bulky trash before these dates.

"Citizens need to go by the schedule, so do not take out any trash until you receive a flyer for your home otherwise you can be fined by Code Enforcement."

Press Release

-Del Rio, Texas 

Federal authorities at the Eagle Pass of Entry arrested a Mexican national Jan. 7, after finding a large amount of undeclared currency in his vehicle as he attempted to leave the country.

“Large amounts of currency may be imported and exported with the proper documentation,” said John Brandt, CBP Port Director, Eagle Pass. “Failure to report international transit of $10,000 or more could mean forfeiture of funds and criminal sanctions.

“Seizing undeclared currency at ports of entry serves to deprive criminal organizations of their profits.”

Around 3 p.m. Jan. 7, CBP officers at Eagle Pass International Bridge I, inspected a 2014 Volkswagen GLI as is departed the United States bound for Mexico. During inspection, officers discovered a total of $36,645 in U.S. currency and 7,890 Mexican pesos ($536.37) in various locations throughout the vehicle and in the driver’s possession. Officers recovered currency totaling $37,181.

The driver, a 25-year-old Sabinas, Coahuila, Mexico man, was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for federal prosecution on a charge of 31 U.S. Code § 5332 - bulk cash smuggling into or out of the United States.

The Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within U.S. Customs and Border Protection tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.

A.D Ibarra

-City Hall

The Honorable Ramsey English Cantú, Mayor of the City of Eagle Pass, took the time to comment on some of the key issues which came out of Tuesday's Regular Meeting of City Council including the contract with the firm of Estrada and Hinojosa after what he terms were "months of dealing with administrative issues causing the city to be without a financial advisor."

According to the mayor, City Council executed a five year contract which will allow the firm to handle the bond process and the funding for projects dealing with infrastructure and repairs.  Also awaiting to be completed are the renovation of the public library and other buildings in order for citizens to be "proud of our facilities."

Another item of interest was Langley & Banack's presentation to address charter amendments.

"We continue to grow and our charter is a well-written document," said the mayor citing some issues such as term limits for council members needs to be addressed as the charter was amended in 2010 to a maximum of four years with two terms.

Another was in reference to the costs incurred for an election if a council member resigns.

"We need to take these issues to the voters to voice their concerns," Cantú concluded as he stated that they do not have the authority to do so on their own.

Adrián Ibarra

-Texas

Los precios del combustible son los más bajos que han estado por décadas y aunque ha sido fácil para el consumidor y estamos definitivamente ni siquiera pensar dos veces antes de tomar ese viaje por carretera a San Antonio, Del Rio o Laredo, que está teniendo repercuciones   en todo el camino a los campos petroleros de Eagle Ford Shale Project.

Los economistas dicen que si usted es una persona que consume energía, que es todo el mundo, entonces usted debe estar contento con los precios de la energía. Si usted es un productor de energía, tales como las empresas del Eagle Ford, usted debe ser infeliz.

También dicen que una drástica caída en los precios del petróleo y de los combustibles puede causar que la economía colapse.

El petróleo ha descendido por debajo de los 50 dólares que ha sido una buena noticia en la bomba de gas para los automovilistas en Eagle Pass y consumidores a través de Texas, pero las compañías petroleras están despidiendo a una gran cantidad de trabajadores.

Según Bernard Weinstein, director asociado del Instituto de Energía Maguire Cox de SMU, hay algunas buenas noticias para Texas, más allá de los bajos precios del gas en la bomba. Debido a que la economía del estado es mucho más grande y más amplio que ve poco riesgo de crisis del petróleo estilo de los años 80.