3 97 1 34YEARS 7 200 VOL. 34, No. 48 SERVING ANTHONY, VINTON, CANUTILLO, EAST MONTANA, HORIZON, SOCORRO, CLINT, FABENS, SAN ELIZARIO AND TORNILLO NOVEMBER 29, 2007 NEWSBRIEFS Enforcement of in-state dairy cattle movement Fast track claims Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of So- rule delayed through cial Security, announced that the Social Se- March 31, 2008 curity Administration has implemented its new quick disability determination (QDD) process in the Texas Disability Determi- By Carla Everett Special to the Courier nation Services effective November 19, 2007. Under QDD, a predictive model analyzes specific elements of data within Livestock health officials have delayed en- the electronic claims file to identify claims forcement through March 31, 2008, for a new where there is a high potential that the in-state movement requirement for Texas claimant is disabled and where evidence dairy breed cattle. The cattle tuberculosis of the person’s allegations can be quickly regulation, adopted in September by com- and easily obtained. “The quick disability missioners for the Texas Animal Health determination process has been very suc- Commission (TAHC), requires Texas dairy cessful and efficient. I am happy to say it cattle to be identified prior to movement will now help people filing for disability within the state. Because they are managed benefits in Texas,” Commissioner Astrue in close confinement, dairy animals can be said. “This is a very important step we are at a greater risk for disease exposure if an taking at Social Security to improve our infected animal is in the herd. disability programs.” “Texas regained cattle tuberculosis (TB)- free status in 2006, and we need every tool Wanted available to assist in tracing disease, if it is introduced into the state,” said TAHC‚s Dr. Two suspects wanted in connection with Dee Ellis, assistant state veterinarian. the City’s latest bank robbery. El Paso “Months of work can be expended tracing Police Detectives from the Crimes Against the movement of cattle infected or exposed Persons Unit and Special Agents from the to TB. Even knowing that the animal origi- F.B.I. are investigating the City’s 13th nated in Texas can assist epidemiologists in bank robbery. Just before 1:30 p.m., an un- the search for the origin and spread of dis- known suspect walked into the Chase ease.” Bank located at 5209 Wren. Once inside Dr. Ellis noted that cattle TB has been de- the suspect produced a handgun and threat- tected recently in two New Mexico dairies, ened the bank employees while demand- a beef herd in Oklahoma, and in a rodeo bull ing money. The suspect fled the scene with herd in Colorado. Furthermore, eight in- an undisclosed amount of money. The sus- fected herds have been found in Minne- pect is described as a Hispanic male, 19 sota, and Michigan has had a long-stand- to 23 years of age, 5’9" in height, thin ing battle against the disease in cattle and build, athletic, and was last seen wearing free-ranging deer. He stressed that new a baseball cap, a white bandana over his sections of Texas‚ TB regulations appli- face, sunglasses, grey jacket with black — Photo by Travis Hernandez cable to cattle entering the state went into stripes on the sleeves, a black shirt, and BOOM BABY — The snow last weekend in East El Paso County didn’t dampen the enthu- effect October 13. black pants. The suspect is believed to siasm of a young musician in Horizon City who created a snowman version of himself “The delayed implementation of the in- have left in a 1989 or 1990’s Chevrolet complete with wooden drum set. Residents in Horizon City received four plus inches of state movement regulation for Texas dairy 1500 fullsize pickup truck, with a single snow between Friday night and Sunday morning. breed cattle will provide owners adequate cab and long bed. The truck is described time to select and acquire their identifica- as a dark blue truck, with the paint fading tion tags,” said Dr. Ellis. Through March 31, on the hood and the also peeling. The truck the TAHC will encourage voluntary compli- appeared to have fading purple tint and ance. Texas dairy cattle, regardless of age or may have had Texas plates. The truck may sex, are to be identified prior to in-state have been driven by a second suspect de- movement, and owners should keep a record scribed as a Hispanic male, 18 to 21 years of the cattle they identify. The tags should of age, 5’7" in height and 120 pounds. No remain on the animal for life. injuries were reported in the incident. In- Dr. Ellis said a several types of identifica- vestigators need the public’s assistance in tion are acceptable for Texas dairy breed finding this suspect or suspects. Anyone cattle: with any information on this case should • USDA alphanumeric test tags (USDA sil- immediately call Crime Stoppers at 566- ver ear tags). 8477(TIPS). • USDA alphanumeric brucellosis calfhood vaccination tags (USDA orange ear In other news tags). I Twelve Socorro ISD students receive • Dairy Herd Improvement Association awards for their art during the 6th Annual (DHIA) tags. El Paso Community College Art Show. • Official breed registry tattoos or fire- The students’ work will be on display brand. through November 30th at the College’s • USDA approved Animal Identification Administration Building at 9050 Viscount. Number (AIN) tags for official identifica- EPCC President Dr. Richard Rhodes tion of individual animals. Three forms of awarded the “President’s Longhorn — Photo courtesy Clint ISD official AIN tags, differentiated by the first Awards” to Flavio Salcido from Jane A. MILK BREAK — Students from Montana Vista Elementary learn about dairy products three digits of the fifteen digit number, are from The Mobile Dairy Classroom’s instructor Cody Lightfoot and dairy cow Grace. available: See BRIEFS, Page 8 — Manufacturer code “900” series RFID Clint ISD students learn importance of dairy products tags, available from many feed or supply stores; Education is what you get from reading Texas Cooperative Extension, and the South- — USA prefix RFID tags; and By Laura Cade the small print in a contract. Experience west Dairy Farmers partnered together to bring — Country code “840” series RFID tags. Special to the Courier is what you get from not reading it. the Mobile Dairy Classroom to all elementary (Producers who use the “840” series must — Quips & Quotes The Clint ISD Child Nutrition Program, the See DAIRY, Page 4 See CATTLE, Page 5 Page 2 WEST TEXAS COUNTY COURIER November 29, 2007 ping 84 percent said they depended The cyberwaves are awash with gam- ting away and staying away from One perspective on their own common sense to de- bling, drugs, child porn and preda- sources of cyberbullying. Just hang By Francis Shrum cide what was safe or unsafe on the tors, money scams and identity up. Don’t respond to harassing e- net — not a very comforting idea, thieves. mails, messages and postings. Close looking back at how unwise I was at Though the internet has much of your account and get a new one, and that age. value to offer, navigating these en- be careful about who you give your Cyber Recently, Business Week took an ticing yet dangerous by-ways re- address to. As for damaging web indepth look at the dark side of the quires more than a little street-smarts, sites, notify your ISP and law en- The word tims, is that you can leave the play- internet, according to ISN’s Anne they concluded. forcement. doesn’t mean ground and go home. Collier. Five BN reporters spent four Like all other dangers in life, When it comes to cyberabuse, the anything by Gives the name cyberpunk a whole months visiting seedier sites and avoiding them requires making right best way to shut it down is to shut it itself but as a new meaning. found that “the Underground Web is and wise choices. Not surprisingly, off. Maybe we could produce a vac- prefix it has changed the world. It’s a worldwide problem, accord- bigger, broader, scarier and more researchers say the best way to deal cine to help our kids develop a little Cyber Monday, Cyber Sunday, ing to Internet Safety News (ISN), damaging than most people realize.” with this sort of thing is simply get- healthy cyberphobia. cyberlink, cyberhome, cyberpower, sponsored by the Center for Missing cyberchase, even something called and Exploited Children, one of many cyberduck. groups and organizations dedicated Write stuff Hmmm. to helping parents fight an enemy Like I said, cyber doesn’t have a they can’t see or touch. Editor: to do the same thing today. This count of conspiracy to possess a meaning alone unless you use it as a Cyberbullying involves the use of Many of our citizens believe that means that we must get congress to controlled substance with intent to noun, denoting a subculture — information and technology to pub- we cannot get rid of the millions of repeat what Eisenhower and Swing distribute. The alleged offenses maybe not so much a subculture any- lish defamatory personal web sites, illegal immigrants we now have in did. This includes enforced penal- happened between June 1, and No- more as a major culture, affecting vir- on-line personal polling web sites our country and eliminate the cost ties for those who hire illegals. vember 30, 2005. Aldrete-Davila tually every area of our lives. and utilize other electronic media to and problems they cause. Fortu- Without jobs, illegals won’t enter. could be jailed or heavily fined or Cyber, as a prefix, pretty much in- support conscious, deliberate, re- nately, President Eisenhower It can be done! both for his latest smuggling at- dicates anything involving the inter- peated and hostile behavior toward showed us how to do it in 1954 and tempts.