THENEWSPAPER POST SERVING GALVESTON COUNTY P.O.BOX 1686 Texas City, TX 77592 - 409-943-4265 - [email protected] Vol. 16, No. 14 Wednesday, January 2, 2019 USPS 9400 / Cost .75 ¢ WORKFORCE COMMISSION REPORTS CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT TREND AUSTIN — Texas’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.7 percent in November, remaining at the same 42-year low rate as in October, the Texas Workforce Commission reported Dec. 21. The Texas economy added 14,000 seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs in November and annual employment growth was 3.0 percent for the month, marking 103 consecutive months of annual growth, according to the commission. “The addition of 365,400 jobs over the year and 14,000 jobs in November demonstrates the consistency with which employ- ers in our state create job opportunities for the highly skilled Texas workforce,” said TWC Chair Ruth R. Hughs. “The Texas economy offers employers access to a competitive workforce and provides job seekers with career options in a variety of growing Texas industries. The numbers are a testament to the resilience of our Texas employers and the diversity of our Texas economy,” she added. The manufacturing sector recorded the largest private-industry employment gain over the month with 9,100 jobs added and led all industries in growth. The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded the month’s lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non- seasonally adjusted rate of 2.1 percent, followed by the Amarillo MSA, second lowest with a rate of 2.5 percent, and the Odessa MSA, third lowest with a rate of 2.6 percent. Special elections are set Gov. Greg Abbott set Tuesday, Jan. 29, as the special election date to fill two recently vacated seats in the Texas House of Representatives. Those seats are House District 145, vacated by former state Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, a House member since 2008, and House District 79, soon to be vacated by Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, a House member since 1995. Alvarado in early December won a special election runoff for the Texas Senate seat vacated by Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, who resigned from office after she was elected to the U.S. House in CONTINUED ON PG 2 CMR. GEORGE P. BUSH APPLAUDS KICKOFF OF CONSTRUCTION FOR FIRST HOMEOWNER PROGRAM AUSTIN – On December 21, Commissioner George P. Bush announced construction on the first two homes to be rebuilt under the Homeowner Assistance Program has begun in Rockport and Victoria. Construction is commencing on the first homes to be approved less than a month after the application process began. "Hurricane Harvey damaged thousands of homes and devastated the livelihoods of countless Texans along the coast," said Commissioner Bush. "The Homeowner Assistance Program will help thousands of Texans who are still struggling to rebuild their homes and their lives. The GLO has allocated more than a billion dollars to this program, but we do expect to receive more applications than funds available. The program is first-come, first-served, so if folks are interested in applying, they should do so quickly." The Texas General Land Office (GLO) allocated $1.098 billion in Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recov- ery (CDBG-DR) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for rehabilitation and reconstruc- tion of thousands of owner-occupied single-family homes damaged by Hurricane Harvey. Homeowners in Harris County and the city of Houston will be able to apply for similar programs funded by direct allocations. Potential applicants should review the Homeowner Assistance Program Checklist to have all applicable documents ready pri- or to applying. Interested homeowners should visit http://recovery.texas.gov/hap to apply online or download a printable version of the application. Potential applicants can also find in-person assistance at regional Homeowner Assistance Program offices serving their area. In addition to a main office in each region, each county will have at least one application drop off location or satellite office. Additional satellite offices and application intake locations may be announced in the future. For assistance, interested participants can email [email protected] or call 1-844-893-8937. FATIMA EARNS MORE THAN $15,000 IN GRANTS COMMUNITY CHALLENGE A GREAT WAY TO START THE NEW YEAR ON A HEALTHIER PATH The Fatima Education Foundation (FEF) was established in 2006 By: Kathy Barroso, Chief Executive Officer, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt philanthropic organization. The Galveston County Health District FEF Mission is to support a quality education for Our Lady of Fatima Are you looking for ways to eat healthier (OLOF) students by generating and distributing resources to enrich, and be more active in 2019? Like most of maintain, expand programs to meet OLOF’s stated mission of excel- us, one of your goals going into a New Year lence in education and preserve Christian values. probably centers on health. Even with great The FEF organization is composed of a volunteer Board of Direc- intentions, motivation to stay on track can tors made up of business, community, parishioners and educational fade with each new week. leaders. Annually, the FEF awards grants to OLOF teachers and The IT’S TIME TEXAS Community Chal- staff for innovative and creative educational projects. Since 2006, lenge is a free eight-week statewide com- over $300,000.00 has been given in grants to Fatima teachers and petition that helps you create healthy habits staff. while also helping your community com- Recently, the FEF awarded grants totaling $15,247.95 to: pete for grant money and bragging rights! • Cherryl Hollins, Pre-Kindergarten 4: $2,699.00, “Using Math The concept is simple. Individuals, Technology in the Classroom.” schools and community leaders earn • Monica Lea, Administrative Assistant: $3,500, “Grow together points for cities and towns by participating Garden Club.” in healthy activities between Jan. 7-March • Jennifer Lopez, Principal: $1,725.00, “Raptor System-Protecting 3, 2019. The online-based challenge is fun, our Children.” easy and healthy! • Luis Herrera, 2nd and 3rd Grade, PE, and Co-Athletic Director: To get started, go to www.ittcommuni- $3,069.82 “STEM Engineering & Writing Problem Solvers.” tychallenge.com to register and select your • Ygnacio Lopez III, Co-Athletic Director: $4,254.13, “Restoration community. This quick step will earn you an of Falcon Pride.” easy 500 points to kick off the challenge Through the continued support and generosity of our community, and if you register before Jan. 7, you will industrial and business partners, the FEF will be able to enhance receive 200 bonus points! Each time you the educational excellence of our OLOF students. Education is our log a healthy activity, you will be entered for future. prize drawings. The more points you earn, the more chances you have to win. 2018 FEF Grant Recipients and Directors (left to right): You can earn points for tracking physical activity and weight, watching a video about healthy Teachers and Staff, Cherrly Hollins, Monica Lea, Jennifer Lopez, with living, hosting community events and taking healthy selfies. The selfies, worth 200 points son Dru, Ygnacio Lopez, III, Luis Herrera, FEF Directors Ellen Chuoke each, simply show you participating in healthy activities or eating healthy! Already using a and Stephanie Doyle. fitness tracker? Great, then you may be able to sync your fitness tracker to your Community Challenge account when you register so that your physical activity can be counted automati- cally. Your community leaders also play a huge role in the effort. The mayor’s pledge to partici- pate is worth 10,000 points while city council members who sign a pledge earn 2,500 points. There are several more ways for communities to earn points, including creating a mayor’s chal- lenge video, hosting community events and establishing a health collaborative. School representatives can earn points for their city AND school district! Thousands of points are available for school boards, principals and teachers who sign pledges to participate. Healthy lesson plans and staff activities also earn points. There are also points up for grabs for businesses and organizations. Pledges, healthy activi- ties and events are the primary ways for these groups to earn points. I mentioned bragging rights because it’s a huge part of the idea behind the challenge. Who wouldn’t want their community to be well-represented not only in Galveston County, but also statewide? In addition to bragging rights, the Texas community that racks up the most points will also receive funds to put toward CONTINUED ON PG 4 & TEMPORARY CARD LOCKING Lorem Download the free SecurLOCK™ Equip app to your ipsum phone today to get more control over your Texas First Bank credit and debit cards all year long. Messaging and data rates may apply. SecurLOCK™ Equip is a registered trademark of FIS Global. 2 Wednesday, January 2, 2019 www.thepostnewspaper.net THE POST CAPITAL CONTINUED FROM PG 1 November. Alvarado was administered the oath of of- “to fully consider criminal justice re- fice on Dec. 21. On Dec. 15, Pickett resigned from forms” like those contained in the office effective Jan. 4, citing health issues. federal FIRST STEP Act (House Candidates who wish to have their names placed on Resolution 5682). the special election ballot must file their applications The letter explains that many states with the Secretary of State no later than 5 p.m. on already have enacted criminal jus- Jan. 3. Early voting by personal appearance will be- tice reforms similar to those in the gin Jan. 14. FIRST STEP Act to great success, Regent chair is elected such as incentivizing federal inmates Kevin Eltife, appointed in 2017 by Gov.