4th of July Firework Safety Tips
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - The Corpus Christi Fire and Police Department wants to remind everyone it is illegal to discharge fireworks inside the City Limits including the beach.
Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - The Corpus Christi Fire and Police Department wants to remind everyone it is illegal to discharge fireworks inside the City Limits including the beach. If cited, you could be fined up to $2,000 per opened package of fireworks.
To report the illegal discharge of fireworks, the phone number to use is 361-886-2600. Please do not call 911 for fireworks complaints.
Firework Safety Facts:
Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
Never allow young children to handle fireworks
Older children should use fireworks only under close adult supervision
Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
Never light fireworks indoors
Only use fireworks away from people, houses and flammable material
Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
Never ignite devices in a container
Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
Soak unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire
For more information about the dangers of consumer fireworks, visit www.nfpa.org/fireworks.
As a reminder, residents are urged to continue hygiene and safety precautions including wearing a face covering and limiting gatherings to slow the spread of the virus. To find out more about COVID-19 resources visit www.cctexas.com/coronavirus.
Corpus Christi 4th of July City Schedule
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Most City of Corpus Christi offices including City Hall, Public Libraries, and Municipal Court will be closed Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Most City of Corpus Christi offices including City Hall, Public Libraries, and Municipal Court will be closed Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
Solid Waste Services:
Garbage & Recycling Collection: Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4: No change in collection schedule.
Heavy Brush/Bulky Items: Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, brush/bulky items will NOT be collected.
Collection Center: The J.C. Elliott Collection Center will be OPEN Friday, July 3, CLOSED Saturday, July 4, and will reopen Monday, July 6, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Animal Care Services:
Closed Friday, July 3
Open Saturday, July 4, adoptions by appointment only from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call 826-4606 or 826-4633 to make an appointment!
Public Libraries:
Closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4
Will reopen Monday, July 6
The following schedule will be observed at City Parks and Recreation facilities:
Golf Courses:
Lozano Golf Center: Open regular hours
Oso Golf Course: Open regular hours
Tennis Centers:
H-E-B Tennis Center: Open Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, regular hours
Al Kruse Tennis Center: Open Friday, July 3, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, July 4, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pools:
Collier Pool, 3801 Harris Drive:
Open Friday, July 3, Lap Swim 5 a.m. to 8 a.m.; Lap and General Swim 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Open: Saturday, July 4, Lap and General Swim 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Corpus Christi Natatorium, 3202 Cabaniss Parkway:
Open Friday, July 3, Lap Swim 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Lap and General Swim 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Open Saturday, July 4, Lap and General Swim 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
West Guth Pool, 9705 Up River Road:
Open Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4, General Swim 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
H-E-B Pool, 1520 Shely Street:
Open Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4, General Swim 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Greenwood Pool, 4305 Greenwood Drive:
Open Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4, General Swim 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve & Learning Center: 2446 N. Oso Parkway
Walking trails and playgrounds: Open daily, dawn to dusk.
Learning Center: Closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4.
No trading post hours Friday, July 3.
Senior Centers: Closed
Recreation Centers: Closed
Latchkey: Closed
Gymnasiums: Closed
TAMUK - SAT/ACT Optional For 2021 Admission
Texas A&M University-Kingsville has decided to make the SAT and ACT optional for admission in the spring, summer and fall of 2021.
Press Release
Officials at Texas A&M University-Kingsville have announced they will make optional the requirement of First-time in College (FTIC) applicants to provide SAT or ACT scores to be considered for admission for the spring, summer and fall sessions in 2021.
“Due to COVID-19, there has been uncertainty about whether the ACT and SAT tests will be consistently accessible to all prospective students. As such, Texas A&M University-Kingsville has decided to make the SAT and ACT optional for admission in the spring, summer and fall of 2021,” said Dr. Maureen Croft, vice president for enrollment management.
“We believe that this will ensure fairness in the admissions process during these unprecedented times,” she added. “Applications will be reviewed holistically with or without SAT or ACT scores. We encourage students to provide additional information on their application such as letters of reference, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, community service, awards and other factors that support an applicant’s ability to succeed at Texas A&M-Kingsville.”
Students who have been denied admission should know that the university’s Admission Appeal Process remains in effect without change. Anyone with questions are encouraged to contact the university at admissions@tamuk.edu or 361-593-5372 (JESC).
Nueces County ESD #3’s in-house conversion adds new role to excess military truck
Nueces County ESD #3 converted an excess military truck thanks the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program and a grant for a slip-on unit through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, both administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
Press Release
BISHOP, Texas – Nueces County ESD #3 converted an excess military truck thanks the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program and a grant for a slip-on unit through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, both administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
“Our department did all of the work to complete the conversion of this truck,” said Nueces County ESD #3 Fire Chief John Davis. “One of the stipulations was that it had to be painted a nonmilitary color so we painted it and did all of the welding to get it service ready.”
The Stewart Stevenson now has a 1,000-gallon water tank and a 10-gallon foam system, making the multipurpose truck useful in wildland interface firefighting, high water rescues and as a tanker to transport water.
“We configured the slip-on unit in a T-shape to accommodate individuals during high-water rescues,” said Davis. “The department responds to a variety of calls so we are glad to have the option to add this rugged truck to our fleet.”
Nueces County ESD #3 has been serving their community since 1980 and has open enrollment for volunteers.
“We encourage any dedicated, energetic individual who wants to give back to their community to apply,” said Davis. “If interested come to any Monday night meeting at our fire station located at 205 South Pacific in Bishop at 7 p.m.
Over 50 Employees Positive with or Exposed to COVID-19
The City of Corpus Christi has had multiple employees who have tested positive or have been exposed to COVID-19 recently. COVID-19 has been rapidly increasing throughout Texas, the Coastal Bend, and Nueces County.
Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The City of Corpus Christi has had multiple employees who have tested positive or have been exposed to COVID-19 recently. COVID-19 has been rapidly increasing throughout Texas, the Coastal Bend, and Nueces County.
The City currently has at least 50 employees isolated due to a positive test result or exposure to COVID-19. A management team member in the Gas Department along with a Senior Police Officer in the Training Division are examples of positive cases. Other examples of employees isolated due to exposure include the Public Health Director and Parks employees.
City Manager Peter Zanoni will authorize City work from home protocols beginning Tuesday, June 23, 2020 for the next two weeks. Those employees who can work remotely will be asked to work from home. Employees will be expected to maintain work hours and productivity while working from home.
“It is vital we maintain City operations.The two-week work from home protocol is one step we can take to reduce and slow the spread of COVID-19,” said City Manager Peter Zanoni. “Our number one goal at this time is the safety of our employees and their families,” added Zanoni.
TAMUK - Wildfires and Drought Study
TAMUK - Dr. Weimin Xi, associate professor and senior ecologist in the biological and health sciences department, is working on two studies that he hopes will help better understand wildfires and how people can prevent the devastation associated with them.
Press Release
Photo by Texas A&M University Kingsville
Dr. Weimin Xi
Texas A&M University Kingsville - Dr. Weimin Xi, associate professor and senior ecologist in the biological and health sciences department, is working on two studies that he hopes will help better understand wildfires and how people can prevent the devastation associated with them. His projects were funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service for a total of nearly $150,000.
The first of the studies, receiving $72,000 from the Forest Service, will look at the effects of wildfire and fuel-reduction treatments on forest structures around the Storrie fire and others in northern California.
The Storrie Fire started Aug. 17, 2000, at Storrie, California in Plumas County. Before it was brought under control Sept. 27, it had consumed 52,000 acres of private and National Forest System lands on the Mt. Hough Ranger District of the Plumas National Forest and the Almanor Ranger District of the Lassen National Forest. Suppression costs were estimated to be $22 million.
“I am trying to have a better understanding on how the California forests respond to large wildfires and then use the information we will learn to help landowners achieve more fire-resilient forests,” said Xi. “This includes how to manage before and after wildfires.”
The hypothesis is that thinning the forest by removing smaller, weaker trees, can improve the forest’s health thus making it more fire-resilient. Another part of the hypothesis is that reducing the fuel, including needles, grasses, small twigs and larger fuels such as shrubs, branches on the ground and downed trees, could make a forest resilient to fire.
“As we can’t burn the forests to test our ideas, we will use forest simulation models to test under different scenarios showing what the results would look like with different fire size, severity, portion of tree thinning, different fuel treatments combined with the varied drought under climate change and more,” Xi said.
“Overall, we are using forest simulation models to test the ideas of whether forest thinning and fuel reduction can reduce the number of wildfires, the intensity of the fire and if the forests can better adapt to fires,” he added.
Xi said understanding and quantifying the resilience of forests to wildfires is critical for forest ecosystem management.
“This understanding is essential for forest managers to achieve their management goals,” Xi said.
Xi’s second project was awarded $77,500 by the Forest Service. For this project, Xi will team up with Dr. Sandra Rideout-Hanzak, professor of restorative fire ecology in the Department of Range and Wildlife Sciences at Texas A&M-Kingsville.
In this study, they will investigate the short- and long-term effects of the 2011 drought on tree mortality in four national forests, Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine and Sam Houston, and surrounding areas of East Texas using National Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data and a forest succession and drought model.
“We hypothesize that tree death rates are closely related to drought distribution and drought length and that oak trees experienced higher impacts than pine trees in the East Texas forests,” Xi said.
“Weather is the leading cause of tree mortality in Texas forests and drought has the biggest impact on forest health,” he said, “Understanding how drought affects trees under varying stand conditions is essential to mitigate its negative impacts on the sustainability of forests during global warming.”
Xi and Rideout-Hanzak will also examine interactions among drought, wildfire and insects under climate change to help landowners and resource managers to develop effective forest management strategies to mitigate negative impacts.
With a background in forest ecology, Rideout-Hanzak said she will be collaborating on designing the study methods.
“Wildfires are almost always a result of a drought combined with a dry, windy day, so drought affects fire,” she said. “With prescribed fire, we typically wouldn’t burn during a drought because we want to make sure there is plenty of soil moisture when we burn so that plants can green up right away without missing a beat. If we burn during a drought, we are adding stress to plants that are already stressed.”
The first grant is for two years and the second is for three. Both will support graduate student assistants.
Postponed - Corpus Christi 4th of July Big Bang Celebration
Corpus Christi - The 4th of July Big Bang Celebration's firework show will take place Saturday, July 4, at 9:30 p.m. along the City's bayfront.
Press Release
Update 6/25/2020, 6:45 pm
The 4th of July Big Bang Celebration Fireworks will be postponed due to the increase in COVID-19 cases throughout the Coastal Bend.
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – The show will go on! The Mayor's 4th of July Big Bang Celebration's firework show by presenting sponsor H-E-B will take place Saturday, July 4, at 9:30 p.m. along the City's bayfront. The night-time starbursts will be set off from a barge located in the Corpus Christi Bay just north of the People's Street T-Head.
The public is encouraged to watch the show from their vehicle. Parking is allowed along Water Street, the downtown area and The Water's Edge Park. The show will be choreographed to music on 92.7FM, 95.5PM, and 1440AM.
To protect the health and safety of members of the public, attendees are encouraged to follow Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and practice social distancing and wear a face mask. For more information visit the CDC website here.
Once our traffic plan is finalized, we will update the public. This year, there will be no RTA Park & Ride offered because of COVD-19.
Some of the Mayor’s Big Bang Celebration events have been canceled because of the dangers of gathering in large crowds and the difficulties of social distancing including:
Canceled Events
Family Fun and Music Zone
Flint Hills Patriotic Parade
Stellar Energy Harbor Bridge Light Show
Essay Contest
For more information, visit https://www.visitcorpuschristitx.org/bigbang/ or our Facebook page @MayorsBigBang.
Wastewater Charges on June Utility Bill
Corpus Christi - Only residential customers will see Wastewater Winter Quarter Averaging on their utility bills starting in June; commercial customers will not experience changes in billing.
Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - This month, residents will see their calculated Wastewater Winter Quarter Average on their utility bill. Wastewater charges will remain the same every month until a new average is calculated.
Wastewater Winter Quarter Averaging is a method of determining wastewater charges based on the average amount of water used between December 2019 – February 2020. Generally, customers use less water in the winter months than the summer months. Summer usage includes higher volumes of water usage due to outdoor watering, washing cars, or filling up swimming pools. This change helps avoid fluctuating wastewater charges on utility bills.
This method of calculating wastewater charges gives residents predictable payment amounts every month and creates a more accurate reflection of the customer’s wastewater use.
Only residential customers will see Wastewater Winter Quarter Averaging on their utility bills starting in June; commercial customers will not experience changes in billing.
Customers with questions about their utility bill can call 826-CITY (2489) for help.
For additional information and FAQs, visit cctexas.com/winteraveraging.
Preliminary Charter Recommendations
The Corpus Christi City Council appointed ad hoc committee who met over 10 months resulting in recommendations for six proposed charter propositions and four additional items suited for Council policy or budget action.
Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - The Charter Review Ad Hoc Committee has released their preliminary report to gather feedback from the public. The City Council appointed ad hoc committee who met over 10 months resulting in recommendations for six proposed charter propositions and four additional items suited for Council policy or budget action. Citizens are encouraged to provide feedback at www.cctexas.com/charter. Once feedback is gathered and evaluated, the committee will present a final report to City Council.
The preliminary report defines the committee objectives, guiding values, methodology, proposed propositions, recommendations, and proposed ballot language. The committee followed a discover – discussion – decision making process which involved rigorous debates that occurred on each item. The Committee members included: Toby Hammett Futrell, Philip Ramirez, Chad Magill, Oscar Martinez, Rick Milby, Aaron Munoz, Shirley Thornton, Bob White, and John Wilson.
The ad hoc committee preliminary recommendations include:
Proposition #1: Single Member Districts with Longer, Staggered Council Terms
Change the current election mixed system of five single member districts, three at-large positions by plurality, and mayor at-large, all with to two-year non-staggered terms to a new system of eight single member districts and mayor at-large, all with 4-year staggered terms.
Alternative Option / Recommendation #1 include exploring a State Constitutional Amendment through the City’s future legislative agendas to eliminate the constitution requirements that trigger when any Texas city adopts council terms longer than two years.
Proposition #2 Mayor and Council Compensation
Change the Mayor’s annual salary from $9,000 to $18,000 and City Council Members’ salary from $6,000 to $12,000. Include an escalator to adjust salaries every two years by that year’s unadjusted U.S. All Items Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Proposition #3: Definition of a Term and Term Limits
No person shall serve more than four terms as a council member, more than four terms as a mayor or more than six terms in a combination of said offices. Term limits are lifetime term limits. If a person serves one or more days of any term, that service shall be considered service for the entirely of the term. Any term served at any time, including a term served prior to the approval of this subsection, shall apply to this subsection. The provision shall not prohibit any council member or mayor from completing any term that begins in 2020 or 2021.
Proposition #4: Initiative/Referendum Signature Requirement
Clarify that signatures are required on statements of intent to commence either initiative or referendum proceedings.
Proposition #5: Consistent Zoning Approval
Delete the requirement that zoning ordinances presented to Council for approval require a two-third affirmative vote during the 30 days before the regular election and extending until the newly elected council members take office. These same zoning ordinances require a simple majority vote any other time of the year.
Proposition #6: Removing a Council Member from Office
Delete the charter provision that allows as few as five registered voters to initiate a Council action to remove a council member from office. Currently a council member can be removed by simple majority vote of other council members. Change to require six affirmative votes for other council members to overturn an election by removing an elected council member from office.
Recommendation #2: Financial Transparency
Amend the City Financial Policy to require intradepartmental budget transfers within the same fund to be included in the City’s Quarterly Budget Report which is presented to Council every three months and maintain on the City’s website for public review.
Recommendation #3: Financial Transparency
Expand the reporting of contracts under $50,000 for greater scrutiny through a City Financial Policy Amendment. Lower the threshold of $50,000 to include more city contracts reported and maintained in searchable format on the City website.
Recommendation #4: Council Staff Support
The provision of dedicated, paid staff resources to support council members is better handled as a policy issue through the annual budget process rather than through a charter requirement.
Kingsville H‑E‑B employee positive for COVID-19
A Partner who was confirmed positive for COVID-19 was last in the store on June 3, 2020. All directly affected Partners at the location have been notified and the store has been deep cleaned and sanitized multiple times since then and we continue to enforce proper social distancing practices.
Press Release
HEB Newsroom image
The City of Kingsville has confirmed that an HEB employee has tested positive for COVID-19. The partner was last in the store on June 3, 2020.
According to the HEB newsroom, “All directly affected Partners at the location have been notified and the store has been deep cleaned and sanitized multiple times since then and we continue to enforce proper social distancing practices.”
“While the pandemic is an evolving situation with many unknowns, we are sure of one thing: We will do our part to help our fellow Texans in any situation our company and communities might face.”
Kingsville HEB Newsroom article.
Corpus Christi to Open Cooling Centers
The City of Corpus Christi will open six locations as temporary cooling centers in anticipation of extremely high temperatures.
Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – This week, the City of Corpus Christi will open six locations as temporary cooling centers in anticipation of extremely high temperatures.
High heat indexes indicate extreme heat as summertime temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average. The forecast for this week indicates several days high temperatures with extreme high heat indexes.
The cooling centers will open on a temporary basis to provide relief from extreme heat. Residents are reminded opening these City facilities is an exception. Senior centers and libraries will not be open for regular activities such as games, exercise, classes, or socializing in groups.
City facilities will adhere to regulations and recommendations of the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) and the State to avoid the transmission of COVID-19, such as maintaining 6 feet physical distancing, using face masks, along with other best personal-protection practices.
Cooling centers are open to all residents that need a break from the extreme heat. Temperature checks and face masks will be required to enter the facility. Due to social distancing requirements, there will be limited space per site.
The City will open six locations as temporary cooling centers Monday, June 8, Tuesday, June 9, & Wednesday, June 10 from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Temporary Cooling Centers
Ethel Eyerly Senior Center 654 Graham 826-2330
Garden Senior Center 5325 Greely 826-2345
Broadmoor Senior Center 1651 Tarlton 826-3138
Oveal Williams Senior Center 1414 Martin Luther King 826-2305
La Retama Central Library 805 Comanche 826-7055
Ben F. McDonald Public Library 4044 Greenwood 826-2356
The following locations are also open to the community as cooling center options:
Good Samaritan Rescue Mission (210 S Alameda Street)
Salvation Army (521 Josephine Street)
Mother Teresa Shelter (513 Sam Rankin Avenue)
Metro Ministries (1919 Leopard Street)
Timon’s Ministries (10501 S Padre Island Dr, 78418)
The City would also like to remind everyone about precautions you can take to reduce your risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The Texas Department of State Health Services advises:
Never leave anyone, including animals, in a closed, parked vehicle.
Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid drinks with alcohol, caffeine or a lot of sugar.
Don't wait until you are thirsty, drink fluids at least 30 minutes before going outside.
Plan strenuous outdoor activity for early mornings or evenings when it’s cooler.
Take frequent breaks when working outside.
Signs and symptoms of heat illness include dizziness, heavy sweating, nausea, headaches, and muscle cramps. If signs and symptoms begin to emerge move to a cooler location, rest a few minutes and slowly drink a cool liquid. Immediately seek medical attention if conditions do not improve and tell someone to observe you
Eat meals that are well balanced, cool, and light.
Frequently check on the elderly, the ill, and others who may need help.
Adjust to the environment. A sudden change in temperature – an early heat wave or travel to a hotter climate – will be stressful to the body. Limit physical activity until you become accustomed to the heat.
Check with a doctor or pharmacist about the effects of sun and heat when taking prescription medications, especially diuretics or antihistamines.
Overall, the best defense against heat-related illness is prevention; stay cool, drink plenty of fluids, wear cool clothing and monitor strenuous outdoor activities, and stay informed.
Shots fired in the area of Caesar and 7th - Kingsville
Officers responded to a call of shots fired at the south east corner house at the intersection of Caesar and 7th in Kingsville.
Press Release
KINGSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, June 7, 2020 4:11 a.m.
Officers responded to a call of shots fired at the south east corner house at the intersection of Caesar and 7th. A second call was received that Eli De La Garza had shot a male. Officers arrived in the area and found the gunshot victim just east of the residence on Caesar. He had a gun shot to his upper leg. An officer applied a tourniquet just above the wound to stop the bleeding. Kingsville Fire Department EMS personnel arrived shortly thereafter and transported the male to Spohn Kleberg Memorial Hospital.
The victim stated that he had been shot by Eli De La Garza and that Eli was in the house in the 300 blk. of E. Caesar. Officers secured the perimeter and attempted to make contact at the location with the suspect as well as by cell phone with anyone in the residence. Administration and Command staff were contacted in regards to the incident. Contact was made with subjects in the residence and they were asked to bring De La Garza out from the residence. (Photo of De La Garza shown.) The female who was receiving the phone calls was so intoxicated that she was unaware of the shooting that had taken place.
After several hours of negotiations, and the breaching of three doors to the residence, a 19-year-old female, 45-year-old female, a juvenile male and Eli De La Garza came out of the residence from the doorway facing north onto Caesar. Mr. De La Garza was placed under arrest without incident. Mr. De La Garza is currently awaiting interview in the Kingsville Police Department.
The victim after being transported to Spohn Kleberg Memorial was stabilized and transported to Spohn Shoreline in Corpus Christi, Texas. The victim is being treated for the injury and will be released later today.
Investigators are still on scene collecting evidence with this ongoing case.