1973

Years 420821 VOL. 48, No. 10 SERVING ANTHONY, VINTON, CANUTILLO, EAST MONTANA, HORIZON, SOCORRO, CLINT, FABENS, SAN ELIZARIO AND TORNILLO MARCH 11, 2021 NEWSBRIEFS Bush institute calls for border security policy Free detectors The El Paso Community College By Alfredo Vasquez (EPCC) Fire Technology Program, Special to the Courier through a grant from State Farm, will provide education on home safety and – New border security policy fire prevention that leads to healthier recommendations must consist of a and safer communities. using curbside multi-faceted approach to be successful, pickup, participants will receive carbon according to a recently released report monoxide and smoke detectors, as well by the Bush Institute-SMU Economic as information on how to appropriately Growth Initiative on smart border respond to various emergencies which security policy. might be encountered in the home or “We do not need to sacrifice our workplace, ranging from gas leaks to humanity in the name of security, but we fire. The event takes place at the EPCC must be nimble in the face of changing Valle Verde Campus, 919 Hunter Dr. circumstances and work closely across on Saturday, March 13, 2021 from the entire region to prevent real security 9:00 a.m. to noon. threats while upholding our tradition as – Ismael De La Rosa a welcoming nation,” The George W. Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Cost of smoking Initiative experts Laura Collins, Matthew With smokers having an elevated risk Rooney, and Cris Ramon wrote in the of severe symptoms from COVID-19 initiative’s report. and the economic and societal costs The Dallas-based institute’s most of smoking totaling more than $300 recent endeavor is the fifth in a series of billion per year, the personal-finance studies that provide in-depth analysis and website WalletHub has released its solutions on immigration topics currently report on The Real Cost of Smoking by being debated in the U.S. Congress. State, as well as accompanying videos. The institute’s border paper calls on the To encourage the estimated 34.2 to work directly with the million tobacco users in the U.S. to governments of El Salvador, Honduras, kick this dangerous habit, WalletHub Guatemala, and Mexico to agree on calculated the potential monetary humanitarian, border security measures – Photo courtesy United Nations Refugee Agency losses – including the lifetime and and to commit to working together to ONE TOUGH TREK – A recent border security report, produced by the renowned Bush annual costs of a cigarette pack per address migration flow causes. institute, calls on President Biden’s administration to work directly with vetted people day, health care expenditures, income Rooney stated that there is a big in the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico to stem migration losses and other costs — brought on by throughout the region. Women and children, above, from Central America walk through smoking and exposure to secondhand See BORDER, Page 4 southern Mexico on their way to the U.S. border. smoke. Texas was rated 23rd in the report, ranking (1-Lowest, 25-Avg.): • Out-of-Pocket Cost per Smoker – USDA technical, financial assistance Socorro ISD students offer $111,602 (22nd); • Financial-Opportunity Cost per available to farmers and ranchers free income tax preparations Smoker – $1,244,225 (22nd); NRCS accepts conservation EL PASO COUNTY – High • Health-Care Cost per Smoker – By Alfredo Vasquez By Christy Flores-Jones program applications year- school students in the Socorro $133,882 (13th); Special to the Courier Special to the Courier • Income Loss per Smoker – round; however, applications Independent School District, $553,254 (29th); for 2021 winter storm recovery through a partnership with • Other Costs per Smoker – $16,663 TEXAS – In response to the funding must be submitted by GECU and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (49th); winter storms that hit Texas in April 2, officials pointed out. (VITA), are offering tax preparation services now through April • Total Cost Over Lifetime per February, the U.S. Department They stated that applications 15 at Americas, Eastlake, Socorro, Montwood, El Dorado and Smoker – $2,059,626 (23rd); and of Agriculture’s Natural will be ranked and approved Pebble Hills high schools. • Total Cost per Year per Smoker – Resources Conservation as soon as possible so The students are enrolled in various Career and Technical $42,909. Service (NRCS) is offering conservation work can begin. Education courses. Instructors along with the students have Visit https://wallethub.com/edu/ farmers and ranchers technical Farmers and ranchers earned either a basic and/or advanced certification in order to the-financial-cost-of-smoking-by- and financial assistance to negatively impacted by be prepared to help community members file their taxes free state/9520 for the full report. repair and replace certain the recent winter storm are of charge. – Diana Polk damaged conservation encouraged to contact their To receive services, taxpayers with an annual income of practices. local NRCS office to apply for $60,000 or less can show up to one of the sites between 4:30 Easy come, easy go NRCS is accepting assistance. Also, producers are p.m. and 6:45 p.m. to file their 1040 EZ, 1040A and 1040 There are fortunes to be made online applications for its reminded that they must submit forms. Taxpayers who are disabled, elderly or limited English via cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. Environmental Quality a separate disaster sign-up speakers who make above the maximum income may still be One Bitcoin, which is the brand name Incentives Program (EQIP) application to be considered. assisted in their tax preparations. for the recovery measures For more information, persons The process has been adjusted this year to incorporate safety See BRIEFS, Page 2 including animal mortality can contact their local NRCS measures and social distancing. Clients may drop off their and facility; high tunnel offices (www.farmers.gov/ documents at the high school through a drive-through service. systems; irrigation system and service-center-locator). The tax preparation program teacher/supervisor will assign the Patience is the greatest of all shock irrigation pipeline; livestock Another program that the cases to a student who will prepare the paperwork. The clients absorbers. About the only thing you pipeline; obstruction removal; NRCS is currently promoting have the option to either sign electronically or return to the campus can get in a hurry is trouble. pumping plant; roofs and makes available $1 million to to sign their tax return. Throughout the process, tax preparers — Quips & Quotes covers; waste storage facility; and water wells and facilities. See USDA, Page 3 See TAXES, Page 5 Page 2 West Texas County Courier March 11, 2021

CPAC event as who was. Mike to be a player in that game, on Golden calf cramp Pence was not. Neither was his way to being THE player in Nikki Haley. Both of them figure the presidential games in 2024. of materialistic or unworthy “liberties” – seat belt laws, for in the if-not-Donald-then-who He can now play the outsider, worship.” instance; those laws that make speculation. once again, taking shots at Biden Worthy or not, there wasn’t any texting while driving illegal, As for the annual straw poll as… “anti-jobs, anti-family, anti- question that the right-wing true for another; or the illegality of the conference runs, the Donald borders, anti-energy, anti-women believers at CPAC worshipped driving while drinking. flexed his muscles (yes, he has and anti-science.” Donald Trump. When he made Thirdly, a mask would have muscles), gaining 55% of the And waiting in the wings in With all the Gospel experts his appearance, his first since covered up their spittle as they vote. case Trump decides he doesn’t among the evangelicals at the being bounced from the White bellowed when Trump entered, Among those who did show want to make a go of it, or the Conservative Political Action House, the roar was comparable and went bonkers when he asked, up was Ted Cruz, who was party decides for him, is Ted Cruz, Conference, surely a few of them to the high-volume chaos at “Do you miss me yet?” playing his usual duplicity or the crowd of sharp elbowed had a chuckle about the golden the Capitol building [after the For the shrieking thousands in game. He came to praise Trump politicians that are successful statue of Donald Trump that rioting]. Perhaps at CPAC the the room, Donald Trump [fired because it was too soon to bury in shoving Don Trump aside was wheeled around the recent din was even louder because so them up]. He attacked Joe Biden him: “Let me tell you this right into retirement. What was it his CPAC conference in Orlando. many in the crowd could whoop with all the pent-up venom a now. Donald Trump ain’t goin’ buddy Kim Jong Un described Or maybe not. They typically it up while refusing to wear man could have who has had his anywhere.” He left off the word him as, a “dotard”? Then the don’t have much of a sense of facemasks. That is illogical for social media accounts silenced. “yet,” but that was implicit, GOP will have a succession fight humor about such things. In fact, several reasons. He charged once again that his although this particular crowd worthy of North Korea to see they usually don’t find much First of all, it is risky. Certainly defeat was the result of a “rigged” may not appreciate subtlety. who takes over and who gets to amusement in the Bible. So they by now even these defenders election. He really set the crowd But first ahead is the off-year win the golden statue prize. won’t see any humor between of “freedom” are aware of the off when he teased with: “Who election in 2022, usually a good ______the gold Trump statue and the dangers of going unmasked as knows? I may even decide to cycle for the party not in power golden calf from Old Testament COVID-19 strikes them down beat them for a third time.” in Congress. That would be the (c) 2021 Bob Franken. times. Golden calves are defined as a result. Secondly, they Actually, it was just as Republicans. Donald Trump has Distributed by King Features in the dictionary as “objects accept other limitations to their interesting who was not at the made it amply clear that he wants Syndicate, Inc.

View from here By John Grimaldi organization Live Action, Lila Rose, in Court Justice) Amy Coney Barrett (who an interview with NTD News, said “The was and) is excoriated for her faith, is president is using the Christian religion as attacked, even, for her faith and called Abortions, faith and leaders a cover for his extreme policies and his a ‘handmaid,’ that she’s going to set us promotion of abortion. And that is simply back decades or centuries because of her Archbishop Joseph Naumann, on a number of occasions by the church the worst kind of lie. It’s the worst kind of faithful Catholic witness.” chairman of the U.S. Conference of for aggressively promoting the notion violence, it’s what needs to be exposed.” Weber believes that “Ms. Pelosi is doing Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life that a woman has a so-called right to She pointed out that President Biden a disservice to her pro-life constituents Activities, has taken President Biden to murder her unborn child,” says Rebecca is surrounding himself with zealous and to the faith she claims to observe. It’s task for touting his faith while at the same Weber, CEO of the Association of Mature proponents of abortion, starting with his about time, too, that Mr. Biden is called time promoting abortions. American Citizens (AMAC). vice president Kamala Harris. And, Rose out for the hypocrisy of touting his faith In a recent interview Naumann said Weber cites the most recent “public said, the president no longer supports while seeking ways to make it easier to kill “The president should stop defining shaming” of the House Speaker by the the Hyde Amendment, legislation that unborn babies. If he keeps it up, he’s bound himself as a devout Catholic and Archbishop of San Francisco, Salvatore prohibits federal funding of abortions, to earn the moniker, Sinner-in-Chief.” acknowledge that his view on abortion is Cordileone, for her aggressive focus on including the use of taxpayer funds to ______contrary to Catholic moral teaching.” The alleged abortion rights. As Cordileone put finance groups that offer abortions or bishop went on to say that the president it: “To begin with the obvious: Nancy Pelosi abortion counseling. The 2.3 million member Association is “confusing” the more than 70 million does not speak for the Catholic Church… . “To see the double standard and media of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) American Catholics. And on the question of the equal dignity of where Joe Biden’s faith is praised and www.amac.us is a vibrant, vital senior “If President Biden lies about his faith, human life in the womb, she also speaks in held up as an example, while at the same advocacy organization. AMAC Action is what else is he lying about. The same goes direct contradiction to a fundamental human time, he’s supporting the legalized killing a non-profit, non-partisan organization for Nancy Pelosi, who also seeks to be right that Catholic teaching has consistently and even the taxpayer-funded killing of representing the membership in our seen as a ‘devout’ Catholic. She, too, lies championed for 2,000 years.” human beings, of children. While at the nation’s capital and in local Congressional about her faith and has been admonished Meanwhile, the founder of the pro-life same time, other Catholics like (Supreme Districts throughout the country.

1973 Bitcoin or no Bitcoin. Briefs – John Grimald From Page 1 Y e a r s 420821 Show off SERVING ANTHONY, VINTON, CANUTILLO, EAST MONTANA, HORIZON, SOCORRO, CLINT, FABENS, SAN ELIZARIO AND TORNILLO of an anonymous computer- Some people have taken a PUBLISHED: AD DEADLINE: generated form of real money, devil-may-care attitude when Published each Thursday (minimum Friday 4 p.m. for the next Thursday. 50 issues) by Homesteader News, is said to be worth about it comes to travel during the Inc. Office open Monday through CLASSIFIED RATES Public Notice $35,000; it’s worth fluctuates COVID-19 pandemic; they’ll Thursday. $15 for 25 words, $20 for 40 words. Ad just like a stock decreases and take public transportation and must be in writing and pre-paid. The El Paso County Housing COPYRIGHT: West Texas County Courier reserves increases in value, allowing risk infection. And then there Authority will be accepting Entire contents © 2021 Homesteader the right not to publish advertising it “investors” to buy and sell are those who are “super News, Inc. Individual authors retain all considers inappropriate. applications for Low Income rights. Pictures, drawings and written it in a worldwide virtual paranoid.” Take, for example, material appearing in the West Texas DISPLAY RATES: Public Housing (LIPH), County Courier may not be used or Open rate — $30 per column inch. located in Fabens for 1, 2, 3 marketplace. It’s been around Richard Muljadi and his reproduced without written permission Call for more information or to set & 4-bedroom units since 2009 and investors such wife, Shalvynne Chang, a of Homesteader News, Inc. an appointment. The West Texas as Stefan Thomas of San very wealthy couple who County Courier reserves the right (Only 12 applications LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: not to publish advertising it considers Francisco have made millions reside in Jakarta, Indonesia. Letters must not be more than 250 inappropriate. available for 1 & words in length. They should be dated, 2-bedroom units) of dollars over the years. To They recently took a Batik must be signed and have an address MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS: be precise, Thomas is worth Airline flight to the island of and daytime phone number. Only the Minimum 50 issues for $50. Must come in-person some $220 million in Bitcoin Bali, purchasing every single name and city will be printed with the Delivery via 1st class mail. to apply, ONLY on: letter. The West Texas County Courier currency. The problem is that seat – 162 business class and reserves the right to edit or reject letters MAIL: Thursday, April 1, 2021 to the editor or other submitted material 15344 Werling Ct. he can’t remember his Bitcoin economy class seats – in it considers inappropriate. Horizon City, TX 79928 8:30 A.M. to 12 P.M. (noon) password and after ten tries order to eliminate the risk of 1101 Yann Road his fortune will be forever exposure. Apparently they Fabens, TX 79838 lost in cyberspace, so he were so proud that they took Phone: 852-3235 (As a precaution, face stopped trying after his eighth such an expensive precaution, E-mail: [email protected] coverings are required for attempt. He says he has gone they took pictures during the Website: wtxcc.com everyone’s safety.) public with his dilemma in flight to show that they were Publisher Rick Shrum FOR INFORMATION ONLY, order to show the world how the only passengers on the Contributors Homesteader call the office at important it is in this day and plane and posted them on Alfredo Vasquez Est. 1973 (915) 764-3559. H Steve Escajeda age to keep your passwords social media. News, Inc. WTCC: 03-11-21 in a safe and accessible place, – John Grimaldi March 11, 2021 West Texas County Courier Page 3

There’s quite a simple reason, Are the classics racist? though, that Greece and Rome have been subjects of study and It was only a matter of time desperately out of touch with see only “whiteness” speaks to fascination for so long – their before Cicero got canceled. social justice concerns, he simply a reductive obsession with race cultural, political and legal The New York Times recently goes and does something else for that is destructive, self-defeating contributions are so vast and profiled Princeton classicist Dan- a living rather than agitating to and, in the end, profoundly enduring. el Padilla Peralta, who wants to have students stop learning about depressing. The Greeks gave us the destroy the study of classics as a space. The Times complains example – flawed and incomplete have proceeded throughout their blow for racial justice. One would think Padilla’s that, paraphrasing critics, to be sure – of democracy, history in dialogue with the The critique of classics as own amazing personal journey “Enlightenment thinkers created and the Roman stamp is still classics, constantly interacting stultifying and privileged isn’t would, in itself, make the case a hierarchy with Greece and discernible on our legal system with the arguments, themes and new, but in the “woke era” for the wonders of the classics. Rome, coded as white, on top, and institutions. this attack is more potent than He came here as a child from and everything else below.” Western thought and literature See LOWRY, Page 7 ever and has a better chance of the Dominican Republic, lived demolishing a foundation of in a homeless shelter in New project proposals should demonstrate the use of Western education. York City, discovered a book on USDA innovative technologies or approaches to address From Page 1 At a time when Abraham Ancient Greece and Rome – and a natural resource concern. This year’s priorities Lincoln doesn’t pass muster with help from a mentor, got into are improvements to water quality and water in the progressive precincts of a prep school and went on to get support the adoption of innovative conservation quantity, soil heath for carbon sequestration America, poor benighted Homer, degrees from Princeton, Oxford approaches on agricultural lands in Texas. and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, air whose chief subject was toxic and Stanford. NRCS officials announced recently that quality, and wildfire hazard from biomass masculinity, probably doesn’t For him, evidently, the classics the agency is accepting proposals for state accumulation. stand a chance. weren’t very exclusionary, and Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG), Grant officials stated that project proposals In its report, The Times writes indeed there’s no reason that a competitive program that supports the will be evaluated by a group of NRCS experts, that the critics believe that the they should be. development of new tools, approaches, practices, with the assistance of the State Technical study of classics “has been The rigors of Greek and and technologies to further natural resource Committee, and that the selections will be instrumental to the invention of Latin, the timeless questions conservation on private lands, according to based on the criteria identified in the request ‘whiteness’ and its continued raised by Plato and Aristotle, the grant guidelines. Application submission for proposal. domination.” Or as Padilla the literary value of some of deadline is Friday, April 16. Selected applicants may receive grants up himself puts it, “Systemic the most compelling poems, “These grants offer an opportunity to promote to 50 percent of the total project cost, not to racism is foundational to those plays and tracts ever written, public-private partnerships and support exceed $75,000. Also, applicants must provide institutions that incubate classics the insights of early historians the agency’s agenda to provide innovative nonfederal matching funds for at least 50 percent and classics as a field itself.” Herodotus and Thucydides, the technologies and approaches to environmental of the project cost, of which 50 percent may be It is rare to find other instances oratory of Pericles and Cicero, enhancement and protection on working from in-kind contributions. Projects may be of scholars so consumed with the awe-inspiring beauty of agricultural lands,” said Kristy Oates, a NRCS single or multiyear, not to exceed three years. hatred for their own disciplines the architecture, sculpture and state conservationist. Interested individuals should go to www.grants. that they literally want to destroy pottery – all of this is available All U.S.-based, non-federal entities and gov to submit their applications. Visit www. them within. Presumably if an to anyone of any race, ethnicity individuals are eligible to apply for projects tx.nrcs.usda.gov for additional information, the ultra-progressive astrophysicist or creed. carried out in Texas. Grant rules stipulate that request for proposal and related forms. concludes that his field is To look at all these marvels and Page 4 West Texas County Courier March 11, 2021

By Lucie Winborne • A team of Japanese scientists and engineers created a fire alarm for the deaf that works by spraying vaporized wasabi into the air – it will even wake them up if they’re sleeping.

• Bees can fly higher than Mount Everest.

• In 1960, during a period of high tensions between Havana and Washington, a Cuban cow got hit by a chunk of a falling U.S. satellite. Islanders got a dig in at their American neighbors by – Photo by Alfredo Vasquez parading another cow through WHAT NEXT – A big discussion about border security is brewing in the United States. Questions like “What would you do to make the border the streets sporting a sign with Mexico more secure?” and “How are you going to recognize a more secure border when you see it?” are part of the conversation. Meanwhile, pedestrian traffic is slowly coming back to life at the port of entry off Santa Fe Street, above, in downtown El Paso. that read, “Eisenhower, you murdered one of my sisters!” In conjunction with the The report, titled “Smart Border “We do not need to Border release of the border security Policy for the 21st Century”, • Before trees existed, the From Page 1 sacrifice our humanity report, Holly Kuzmich, departs from the Trump-era earth was covered with giant white mushrooms. in the name of security, executive director of the Bush Republican focus on physical discussion about border security Institute, Collins, and Rooney barriers in favor of regional but we must be nimble • All astronauts going to the going on right now, about advocated for more discussions cooperation, attention to International Space Station in the face of changing what needs to be done to make on how to facilitate a strong economic needs, and use of have to learn to speak circumstances and work the border secure, and how economy without sacrificing humanitarian methods. Russian, as the controls of closely across the entire to recognize border security security, as well as how to The border security report their Soyuz spacecraft are in when achieved. He explained address humanitarian issues at is aimed at shaping the that language. region to prevent real that this study is designed to the southern border and still conversation about immigration security threats while contribute to that conversation maintain law and order. and border policy as the Biden • Fried chicken originated in upholding our tradition in a constructive way and to As Congress takes up the administration brings the debate Scotland. offer participants in this debate immigration debate, the to the forefront, stated the Bush as a welcoming nation.” • Off-duty paramedic something productive to work conservative institute is calling institute initiative experts. – Laura Collins, Matthew Rooney, and Cris Matthew McKnight earned Ramon, George W. Bush Institute/SMU towards. “This country has been for a comprehensive approach “Concern about the border is the dubious Guinness World Economic Growth Initiative experts. stuck on this issue for too many to border security in a new set directly related to one’s distance Record for furthest distance years,” he added. of policy recommendations. from the border,” Rooney thrown by a car when he asserted in a recent interview. was hit by a vehicle traveling “The further away you live, the 70 mph and was catapulted more concerned you are about 118 feet. Amazingly, while he it. That needs to change,” he suffered serious injuries, he claimed. managed to recover. On the issue of asylum, the • You’re more likely to be report indicated that a viable bitten by a human than a process would be to combine shark. the ability for asylum seekers to file in their home countries • Not that we think you’d along with the expansion of the actually drink this much, but mechanisms for legal, economic- 10 gallons of carrot juice will based migration to the United kill you. Its vitamin A content States. is high enough to make your Collins stated that Texas brain swell, along with other nasty symptoms. By the way, policymakers should be at the you can also overdose on the forefront of this issue because the vitamin by eating a pound of state has such a huge percentage polar bear liver every day. of the border. “The history of Texas is not one of opposition Thought for the Day: to our neighbors across the “Actually, in my opinion border; it’s one of cooperation,” you never completely find she proclaimed. “The border yourself because you are is so much more than just always growing as a person migration… than the potential and learning throughout your life. It is a process.” criminal aspects. It’s about the – Robert A. Bofman A LONG ROAD – The journey, by road, from Panama City, Panama, to El Paso, TX is 3,180 miles; from economy and what makes us San José, Costa Rica, 2,728; Managua, Nicaragua 2,470; Tegucigalpa, Honduras, 2,264; San Salvador, El both more secure and stable and (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc. Salvador, 2,124; and Guatemala City, Guatemala, 2,019. Altitudes can reach over 6,000 feet. successful.”

CryptoQuip Answer

If an L.A. baseball pro has a knack for sketching pictures, is he an artful Dodger? March 11, 2021 West Texas County Courier Page 5 San Elizario ISD earns communication awards Dr. Meza-Chavez said, “The responsibility to communicate and By Christine Cuevas highlight the history of the district drives the team’s efforts. We Special to the Courier are blessed to be able to write about, and ultimately showcase the • On March 8, 1971, information for others to also see and celebrate.” Muhammad Ali and Joe SAN ELIZARIO – The San Elizario Independent School District According to TSPRA, there were 1,406 entries for the 51 main Frazier meet for the “Fight (SEISD) Communications Department earned several honors award categories that cover various media such as newsletters, of the Century” at Madison including a Best in Category for its work in communications during programs, posters, reports, writing, image/identity packages, Square Garden in New the 2021 Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) photography, graphics, video, electronic presentations, mobile apps, York City. The bout marked Conference in Denton, Texas. campaigns, events and web sites. Ali’s return after the boxing The state communication SEISD TSPRA Awards Entries are scored by independent commission revoked his license over his refusal to recognitions from TSPRA is Best in Category judges on a set criterion and are fight in the Vietnam War. a first for the district. “I’m • Web Site, Original Design: SOAR@theNEST eligible to receive Gold, Silver, Frazier won by a unanimous grateful and blessed to be part Gold Star Awards and Bronze Stars. decision. of something great. Being able • Web Site, Original Design: SOAR@theNEST SEISD Communications to promote the great things • Video Production in a Language Other than English: San competed in the category for • On March 9, 1981, a happening in San Elizario ISD Elizario ISD Inspires districts with 10,000 students or nuclear accident at a Japan and having our work recognized Silver Star Awards less. “Constant team creativity Atomic Power Company at the state level is a plus,” said • Published Print Advertisement: San Elizario ISD Billboards and good work performance plant in Tsuruga, Japan, Technology Director Horacio leads you to accomplish exposes 59 workers to • Video Feature Story: San Elizario ISD Inspires Hernandez. unimaginable goals and radiation. Sixteen tons of • Video Marketing: San Elizario ISD Inspires waste spilled into Wakasa In SEISD, the Communications • Logo, Trademark, Symbol: San Elizario ISD Logo achievements,” Magallon said. Department is comprised of three The SEISD Communications Bay, but Japan’s Atomic Bronze Star Awards Power Commission made no individuals: Superintendent • Published News or Feature: Letters of hope reach Alarcon received one Best in Category mention of the accident until Dr. Jeannie Meza-Chavez, Elementary School for Web Site, Original Design more than a month later. By Technology Director Horacio • Published News or Feature: San Eli ISD shifts to technology to for San Elizario ISD SOAR@ then, radioactive levels of Hernandez, and Specialist for teach students theNEST. Other awards for the seaweed in the area were Information Technology Systems SEISD Communications were in found to be 10 times greater Perla Magallon. In addition to their specific roles of responsibility, they the areas of the website, published print advertisement, video feature than normal. have acquired additional duties to communicate district and campus story, video marketing, video production in a language other than information to students, staff, and the community. Superintendent English, logo, trademark, symbol, and published news or feature. • On March 10, 1876, the first discernible speech is transmitted over a telephone 1099-G, work expenses, 1095 SISD income tax preparation sites and schedule: system when inventor Taxes health coverage, direct deposit (All sites closed March 15-19) Alexander Graham Bell From Page 1 information, the 1098 for student Socorro High School El Dorado High School summons his assistant in 10150 Alameda Dr. 12401 Edgemere Blvd another room by saying, “Mr. loans, proof of child dependent will ensure confidentiality and care expenses, and property tax Mondays though April 12 Wednesdays though April 14 Watson, come here; I want (Cosed March 22) you.” security of documents. statements. If filing joint, both Individuals should take a photo individuals must be present. 12000 Montwood Dr. 12101 Pellicano Dr. • On March 11, 1997, identification card, original social In addition, when dropping Tuesdays though April 13 Thursdays though April 15 Paul McCartney, a former security card for everyone listed off documents, individuals must member of Beatles, is Eastlake High School in the income tax return, W-2 know how much money they 13000 Emerald Pass 14400 Pebble Hills Blvd knighted by Queen Elizabeth wage statements for the 2020 received in each stimulus checks Tuesdays though April 13 Thursdays though April 15 II for his “services to music.” year, 1099-SSA, 1099-R and this past year. McCartney became Sir Paul in a centuries-old ceremony of pomp and solemnity at Buckingham Palace in central London.

• On March 12, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gives his first national radio address broadcast from the White House, in which he explained his recent decision to close the nation’s banks.

• On March 13, 1781, English astronomer William Hershel discovers Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun. It was the first discovery of a new planet in modern times, and the first to be made using a telescope.

• On March 14, 1914, stock- car racer Lee Arnold Petty is born near Randleman, North Carolina. In 1959, he won the Daytona 500. Lee Petty never lost a race on account of being too kind to his competitors, even if they were family.

(c) 2021 Hearst Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Send Your Newsbrief To: [email protected] Page 6 West Texas County Courier March 11, 2021 UTEP enters the CUSA tourny heading in the right direction

By Steve Escajeda First of all, the Miners open the 20-6) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on the came away with a 67-62 win. Special to the Courier tournament, held in Frisco, TX, on Stadium Network. But one thing is true, if the Miners play Wednesday, March 10 against Florida So why could things still turn out well that hard in the CUSA Tournament, there Atlantic University (7-5, 12-9) at 7:30 for UTEP in this tournament? is no “Kansas” in the field. In this most difficult of basketball p.m. (El Paso time) on ESPN+. The Miners are undoubtedly playing There is Western Kentucky (18-6) and seasons, the UTEP Miners’ ended their The two teams were supposed to meet their best basketball of the season. Alabama-Birmingham (21-6), but if UTEP year pretty much as expected, in the near the end of the season in Florida, Even though they won four games over puts together 40 minutes of basketball middle of the pack of Conference USA. but both games were cancelled. First the cupcakes late in the year, they traveled to like they did the first 32 minutes of their All season long, the biggest complaint games were moved back a couple days 13th-ranked Kansas for their final regular game against Kansas, the Miners can beat about the Miners was their inconsistency. due to that February snowstorm that hit season game and outplayed the Jayhawks anyone else in the conference. Win one, lose one, win two, lose two, Texas. Then the UTEP program was hit from the opening whistle. And hopefully Bryson Williams can never putting together any streaks of with some covid issues, which ended any UTEP looked poised, played a show up the way he did against Kansas. constant good play. chances of the games being played. suffocating style of defense, passed the He was easily the best player on the floor, They did win four of their last five The FAU Panthers come into the ball to the open man, rebounded well, hit scoring 23 points and pulling down 13 games, but those four wins were all at tournament on a four-game winning the open shot and didn’t turn the ball over. rebounds. home against Florida International (2-15 streak. But a more interesting streak for They looked like they belonged on the It makes you wonder why Williams in CUSA, and 9-17 overall) and Charlotte FAU is that six of their last 12 games same court with one of the best programs wasn’t putting up those kinds of (5-11, 9-15). were cancelled due to the virus. in the country. dominating numbers all season long. So while the Miners finished a mediocre That’s why the Panthers have played The Miners led by 14 at halftime and by The Miners have also received great play 8-8 in the conference and 12-11 overall, four less league games than the Miners. nine with eight minutes left, but then from from big man Efe Odigie, who missed a this week’s Conference USA Tournament Anyway, the winner of the UTEP-FAU that point forward, they resembled the month of the season due to a concussion. could still turn out well. game will take on Louisiana Tech (12-4, same old stumbling Miners and Kansas His return gives UTEP another inside scorer and rebounder. UTEP’s guard play has been on the rise this season. Guards Souley Boum, Americans paid down credit cards in 2020 Jamal Bieniemy, Keonte Kennedy and • Credit card charge-off rates are down 24.3% compared Christian Agnew are controlling the By Alina Comoreanu to Q3 2020. game more. Special to the Courier • The best balance transfer credit cards currently offer Sure Boum and Agnew still rush 0% APRs for the first 12-20 months with no annual fee and things on occasion and finds themselves While 2020 was a year to forget in most respects, Americans balance transfer fees as low as 3%. hopelessly out of control at times, but excelled in terms of paying off credit card debt, getting rid Credit Card Debt Survey key findings: they are starting to reel that it a bit. of a record $82.9 billion in debt, according to the personal- • Few plan a post-pandemic shopping spree. More than 1 in And although Tydus Verhoeven isn’t a finance website WalletHub’s latest Credit Card Debt Study. 10 people plan to go on a spending spree when the COVID-19 great scorer, rebounder or defender, he This is a major accomplishment, considering that consumers pandemic is over. has improved in all three categories this have added an average of $54.2 billion in credit card debt • COVID is an obstacle to debt. Almost 35% of Americans season and has become a key contributor per year over the past 10 years. El Paso was ranked 97th out say that COVID-19 made it harder to get into serious credit for the team. of 182 cities rated in the report. The household credit card card debt. Coming off the bench to add some debt in El Paso increased by $33. Credit card debt in El Paso • Men feel less debt stress. Women are 37% more likely instant offense is 3-point specialist stands at $3,121,690,631, an increase of $7,577,038 in 2020. than men to feel stressed about credit card debt. Kristian Sjolund, who can drain a three- Credit Card Debt Study key stats: • Most agree, healthcare is debt-worthy. 60% of Americans pointer from anywhere on the court. • Consumers repaid almost $83 billion in credit card debt say that healthcare expenses are worth going into credit card To be honest, UTEP has looked pathetic during 2020 – an all-time record. debt. at times this season. And at times they • The average household credit card balance was $8,089 • Fighting back against high rates. 66% of people will try look like they can beat anyone. at the end of 2020. to lower the interest rate on their credit card debt in 2021. Inconsistent. • Credit card debt rose by $36.7 billion during Q4 2020 – Visit wallethub.com/edu/cc/credit-card-debt-study/24000 They come into the tournament on a the lowest increase in 10 years. for the full report. positive note; playing better as a team. Again, if the Miners play with the same intensity, poise and confidence they displayed against Kansas, don’t be Archives: www.wtxcc.com surprised if they surprise everyone. Super Crossword

BACKUP FUNCTION instrument 108 Ball or bass ender 17 Polish river 79 Part of IHOP: ACROSS 55 Prioritizes, as 109 * Mafia boss 18 See 48-Across Abbr. 1 “When _ your patients 113 Newsman Koppel 22 Big name 80 Part of UTEP age…” 58 Hosp. area 115 2017 biopic about 24 “Fanny” author 81 Claim the truth of 5 Having two 60 TV antennas an Olympic figure Jong 83 Actress Edie systems 61 Bond film actress skater 28 San Fran NFLer 85 Colorado NHLers, 12 One of the “Little d’Abo 117 Per-night cost to 31 Tribal groups to fans Women” 62 Place for a stay at a 105-Down 32 Gordie of hockey 86 Eminent 16 Angry crowd welcome mat 118 “Mr. Mom” plot 34 Verdi’s title slave 87 Coll. seniors’ tests 19 “99 Red Balloons” 66 CPR giver premise (and what the 37 Makeup brand 89 Challenging band 67 Mil. officer answers to the starred 38 Pasta dish 93 “Never on Sunday” 20 Really foolish 68 * An off-Broadway clues have) 39 Head of corn rule 21 First digits dialed, theater is named for 121 Like not-yet- 41 Collects, as a 94 Person who is often her sampled food harvest prospering 23 * President of 71 Linden of TV 122 Two-function 42 River duck 95 Opposite of east, Nicaragua 74 Ice-T’s music 123 Fodder tower 43 Many heirs in Madrid 25 Added yeast to, as 76 Plane fliers 124 Day, in Spain 46 Sprang 97 Key next to a bread 77 Viewpoint 125 Squirmy fish 48 24-hr. “bankers” period 26 San _, Buenos 79 Apple tablet 126 Lee who advised 49 Tow 98 Disinclined Aires download Reagan and Bush 50 Business of Delta 100 Dine away from 27 Oklahoma tribe 82 A fifth of fifty 127 Couturier Cassini 52 Chemistry lab tube home 28 * Rock yielding 83 Nuclear reactor 53 Ominous last 101 Throat part element #28 part DOWN words 102 “Casino _” (Bond 29 Riddle-me-_ 84 * Popular citrus 1 Gandhi of India 54 Cup edge film) 30 1/36 yard fruit 2 Ferret’s kin 56 Female bud 103 Not digital 33 Jai _ 88 “I solved it!” 3 Lennox and Potts 57 Rhea’s kin 105 Roadside lodging 35 Head, to Fifi 90 Nile vipers 4 Uttered 59 Fizzy drink 109 “Darn it!” 36 * Historical French 91 China’s Lao-_ 5 “Nonsense!” 62 Fraction: Abbr. 110 Rice-A-_ area 92 Fully enjoy 6 Kin of “equi-” 63 _ gin fizz 111 Greek vowel 40 Way of being torn, 93 1966-2013 7 Old space station 64 Vicious vortex 112 Crimson and thrilled or loved bookstore chain 8 Hip about 65 Lifesaving locs. cherry 44 Put aside for future 96 Funny feline photo 9 Related to food 69 “Lady for a Day” 114 Boxer Oscar _ use meme intake director Frank Hoya 45 Handed out 99 * Musical group 10 African land 70 It flows in la Seine 116 Roughly 47 Prefix with soul playing industrial 11 Meadowland 72 Rent-_ (security 118 Std. for a 48 With 18-Down, drums 12 Island east of Java guard) nutritionist 1859 George Eliot 104 Egg cell 13 Build 73 Classic Ford 119 Deep groove novel 106 Genesis twin 14 Stovetop whistler models 120 Suffix with Siam 51 Cal. neighbor 107 Diana of “Dance 15 Can’t say no 75 Ending for lime 52 * Crank-turned Hall” 16 Part of MSG 78 Blueprints Answer Page 4 March 11, 2021 West Texas County Courier Page 7 Comix Childhood vaccinations OUT ON A LIMB By Gary Kopervas still mostly effective

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am in my mid-50s and in good health (I don’t take any medications). I rarely get sick with colds or flu. I have been vaccinated with all the common vaccinations for our childhood. With all the immigrants coming into our country, I am wondering if any have been given childhood vaccinations in their countries. I fear that chickenpox, measles, etc., could AMBER WAVES By Dave T. Phipps re-enter this country. If so, do our childhood vaccinations still protect us from these diseases? Should seniors be re-vaccinated or is that harmful at our age? – C.S.

Legal immigrants into the U.S. are required to have all vaccinations as recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices. Undocumented immigrants are more difficult to study, but what data there is suggests that vaccination rates are roughly the same in the countries of origin of many undocumented immigrants as in the United States. In fact, several Central American countries THE SPATS By Jeff Pickering have higher vaccination rates than the U.S. currently. Analysis of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases have suggested that most of these outbreaks have come from visitors (Americans or foreign visitors) from countries with high levels of ongoing transmission who spread the disease to others during their infectious period. Because there are some communities where there are enough unvaccinated people due to medical reasons, personal choice or ineffective vaccination to allow spread of the disease, there continues to be ongoing infection in the U.S. This is especially true of measles. People born before 1957 are generally considered to be immune to measles, and the vast majority have had chickenpox. People born between 1963 and 1967 (that might be you) are at risk for having R.F.D. By Mike Marland had ineffective measles vaccination, and those at risk should check their immunization status and may need revaccination, especially those in an area near an outbreak.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I read your recent column on vaginal estrogen. Based on plants such as soy, bioidentical hormones are a safe solution for older people that provide sexual rejuvenation. You should spread the word! – P.F.

I appreciate your passion, but there are several problems with your statement. First, the bioidentical female hormone in humans is estradiol, TIGER By Bud Blake which is available only by a prescription. It remains my choice for women who need hormone replacement, such as women with severe symptoms of menopause (replacement is given by mouth or patch), or for women with atrophic vaginitis (given vaginally, by cream, tablets or ring). It is certainly the most natural option. Second, phytoestrogens (the soy-based hormones, such as isoflavones and lignans) have chemical structures similar to estradiol, but absolutely are not bioidentical. They have both estrogen and anti-estrogen properties. They may slightly reduce breast cancer risk, probably have no effect on endometrial cancer risk and probably do not increase clotting risk. However, for women with a history of breast cancer, many oncologists recommend against soy protein due to its estrogen activity. Some hematologists warn against these in people with history of abnormal blood clots. The effect of phytoestrogens on sexual function has been studied, and a 2018 review showed that soy “had no promising effect” on sexual function. Of course, some women will have better effects Where did any ruler respect the for a monomaniacal focus on their than others.. Lowry dignity of all people? failings, even if the failings were From Page 3 ______A key difference between the commonplace everywhere else. Greeks and Romans and the rest They want to impoverish Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual questions, characters of those long-ago was that their writers critiqued American college students and but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers forebears. This isn’t true of other and lampooned their own ultimately the Western mind in may email questions to [email protected]. (c) ancient societies. societies. This willingness to an act of ideological destruction. 2021 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved. Of course, the Greeks and engage in self-criticism became This is galling enough; it’s even Romans were blinkered, one of the hallmarks, and worse that they call it progress. exclusionary, repressive and strengths, of Western culture. ______violent, but who wasn’t? Where The critics give the Greeks and To Advertise Call in the ancient world did slavery the Romans the same treatment Rich Lowry is editor of the not exist? What society afforded as the American project, ignoring National Review. (c) 2021 by women equal status with men? what was exceptional about them King Features Synd., Inc. 852-3235 Page 8 West Texas County Courier March 11, 2021

and the Faith-based and ‘Federal partners’ Community Initiatives. In other words, it’s across the board, and all manner of get vaccine from VA government departments can those “federal partners” weren’t have sub-groups that may be identified. considered partners. They also aren’t identified in Granted, 1,200 doses isn’t the 88-page Memorandum of huge given the scope of the Agreement between the VA and program, but these are doses the Centers for Disease Control that didn’t go to veterans. and Prevention, where it’s stated ______Who are the Department that the VA will vaccinate those of Veterans Affairs federal “federal partners.” It did say that (c) 2021 King partners? Inquiring minds those who receive the vaccine Features Synd., Inc. want to know. will be entered into the VA’s A recent VA press release electronic medical record, and boasted about surpassing the that they could be given by VA’s milestone of administering VA staff who go to the partner 1 million doses of the COVID sites. The VA will let the CDC vaccine. That’s a great number, know how many doses they but that 1 million-plus isn’t all need out of the VA’s vaccine veterans. allocation. Some 626,000 veterans got So, who are they, these the first and (and sometimes) federal partners? second dose. Over 400,000 I did come across a few clues • Fruit math: A tomato or an went to VA employees. But about “partners” in my search, apple plus green bananas 1,200 doses went to “federal although not the ones getting in a paper bag equals ripe partners.” the vaccine: Federal Partners bananas. Nowhere, in much research in Bullying Prevention, across the Internet, could I find Bureau of the Fiscal Service • Empty tissue boxes have just who those partners were. (which seems to keep a list so many uses. Try lining one The VA has done a good of taxpayers who owe child with a plastic grocery bag job of setting up a website support), Veteran Employment and keeping it in your car for stray trash. Or you can use showing just how many people Services Office, the Food and it to corral all of those plastic at each of the many sites across Drug Administration Federal grocery bags until you need the country have received Partners’ Collaborative, the them – just stuff them in one the vaccine. But once again, Bureau of Indian Education at a time. Lastly, and probably my favorite: Cut out doors and windows to use as houses for kids’ toys. Imagination makes Answer Page 4 the possibilities endless. – JoAnn

• “Jazz up your pancakes by adding pureed frozen blueberries or strawberries. It turns the mix either blue or red, and it’s fun for the kiddos.” – V.R. in Florida

• “We are always prompted to choose strong passwords, but a random collection of letters, numbers and special symbols can be hard to Answer Page 4 remember. I make a strong password by using a coded phrase, like “My three boys are No. 1,” which might be “MY3boysR#1.” Just thought I’d share my trick, but not my password!” – R.W. in Iowa

• Keep a bottle of club soda handy for spot stains on carpets or upholstery. It’s good for more than just drinks.

• To create a self-watering area for potted plants while you are on vacation, set plants in the bathtub or in a kiddie pool and use a length of cotton rope to wick water from the bathtub to the plant’s roots. You can either stick it up the holes in the bottom of the pot or dig it down a few inches into the soil. This should get you by for a week or so. Answer Page 4 Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, Answer Page 4 FL 32803. (c) 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.