Following is a tempory Home page to the Winter Texan Times. If you would prefer to return to your normal home page, click here.
This special section is divided into 3 categories:
Community Updates brings you community updates from Park, City, and County officials. Information you should know to keep you and your community safe and healthy.
Stay Connected has ideas about what you can do to remain active and and connected while follwoing stay at home orders.
Local Promotions shares how we can continue to support local businesses who may be impacted the hardest as orders to stay home and shelter in place are updated and extended. Here we will share area promotions, curb-side menus, mail order retail options, gift card ideas, and more that you may take advantage of to continue to support your favorite local establishments.
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Published: Friday, 01 May 2020 14:04
As has been widely reported, the spread of Coronavirus across America has led to a skyrocketing demand for wills, even for those who aren't senior citizens. Some online estate planning platforms have reported an increase of almost 150% week-over-week enquiries and predict an even larger uptick as the Coronavirus spreads from cities to small towns.
However, a leading will and testament expert has warned that Texans should not rush their estate planning in a panic. Martin Brieger, of USAWillGuru.com, a website dedicated to providing free and impartial advice on wills and testaments, says: “In moments of panic, it can be easy to overlook small details which later on could have a big impact on your beneficiaries, and yourself. The laws around wills are complex, and the stakes are very high. You could accidentally disinherit a loved one, or make the whole document void.”
Read more: Texans advised that 'panic writing' wills could lead to critical errors
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Published: Friday, 01 May 2020 13:55
One of the many consequences of the coronavirus pandemic involves the limitations imposed on dental work.
The American Dental Association (ADA), realizing that close proximity during office visits between dentists, their team, and patients could risk transmission of the virus, recommended that all dentistry practices close for everything except emergencies through April 30, or even into May or June, depending on the state.
Read more: Having Tooth Pain During Covid-19? Here's When to Call Your Dentist
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Published: Tuesday, 28 April 2020 19:07
Creates Statewide Contact Tracing Program
Issues Special Guidance For Texans Over 65, Nursing Homes
AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott today announced the first phase of the State of Texas' ongoing plan to safely and strategically open Texas while minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Under Phase I, certain services and activities are allowed to open with limited occupancy, and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is issuing minimum standard health protocols for all businesses and individuals to follow. The Governor also outlined special guidance for Texans over 65 and detailed a comprehensive mitigation plan for nursing homes in Texas. The Governor also announced a statewide testing and tracing program developed by DSHS that will help public health officials quickly identify and test Texans who contract COVID-19 and mitigate further spread of the virus.
Read more: Abbott Announces Phase One To Open Texas, Establishes Statewide Minimum Standard Health Protocols
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Published: Monday, 27 April 2020 15:01
Colleen Curran Hook, Executive Director of Quinta Mazatlán
In this time of rebuilding America and the World, Woody Woodpecker demonstrates the importance of sharing your most important skill with others. This week is the anniversary of the cartoon character, Woody Woodpecker, created by cartoonist Walter Benjamin Lantz in 1941. He used one of the largest woodpecker species as his model, the Pileated Woodpecker at 19” long with a flaming red crest, long bill and loud call.
Read more: Woody Woodpecker Shares His Special Skill
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Published: Monday, 27 April 2020 14:46
One of the many consequences of the coronavirus pandemic involves the limitations imposed on dental work.
The American Dental Association (ADA), realizing that close proximity during office visits between dentists, their team, and patients could risk transmission of the virus, recommended that all dentistry practices close for everything except emergencies through April 30, or even into May or June, depending on the state.
That means postponing routine checkups/exams, elective procedures and non-urgent dental visits. But it also raises questions about what constitutes a dental emergency during the pandemic, and how dentists are viewing this narrower but important focus of their practice.
Read more: Having Tooth Pain During Covid-19? Here's When to Call Your Dentist
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Published: Friday, 24 April 2020 16:59
McAllen, TX - On April 24, 2020, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its launch aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. In honor of that occasion, a stunning new Hubble image of the cosmos will be released. The International Museum of Art & Science has been selected as one of a limited number of locations across the nation to unveil the Hubble 30th anniversary photo to the public.
Read more: IMAS Will Unveil Image Celebrating Anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope
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Published: Thursday, 23 April 2020 14:52
By Tina Tran, AARP Texas State Director
Even in the best of times, social isolation is a significant problem. In Texas, more than 1.5 million people over the age of 50 live alone and are at higher risk of social isolation, which is now magnified by the “social distancing” requirements across the country.
That’s worrisome. In fact, the World Health Organization was so concerned that the “social distancing” directive was contributing to isolation that it has modified the wording of its guidance: It now urges people to practice “physical distancing” to prevent the spread of the virus.
Read more: Social Distancing Shouldn’t Lead to Social Isolation
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Published: Thursday, 23 April 2020 14:51
Mission, TX- Starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, April 24, non-essential retail businesses will be allowed to resume operations in Mission, if they can provide services through pickup, mail delivery, or doorstep delivery in strict compliance with the terms required by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
Read more: Mission requiring non-essential retail businesses to adopt a work safe plan for retail-to-go
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Published: Thursday, 23 April 2020 14:42
Must still abide by curbside and social distancing, City of McAllen-approved form required
The City of McAllen would like to help local retail businesses prepare to reopen properly this Friday, April 24, 2020. Aside from maintaining the same requirements as essential business, including social distancing and mask requirements, these retail businesses can only operate under curb-side, to-go, or online options. Additionally, all essential businesses and newly re-opened retail businesses will be required to post a City of McAllen Safe Business Phase 1 Re-Opening Commitment form, that states they are abiding by all state, county and local guidelines in their operations.
Read more: City of McAllen wants to prepare local retail businesses for updated opening guidelines
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Published: Wednesday, 22 April 2020 16:41
As families are creating new routines and learning how to educate students from home, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) is providing free instructive resources and online education about Texas history, preservation, and heritage tourism as an alternative to visiting a historic site or museum.
Some of the THC online library of resources includes:
• Learning Resources Homepage—A repository of lesson plans and activities for students focused on our state historic sites and topics such as archeology, cemeteries, historical markers, and military history. Also available are activity sheets, coloring pages, word searches, and more!
Read more: Texas History at Home
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Published: Wednesday, 08 April 2020 18:24
By Melinda Myers
Break out the tools and garden your way to a healthier mind, body and spirit. Gardeners know and research proves that getting outdoors, digging in the soil and gardening help strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, reduce stress and elevate our mood.
Read more: Garden your way to better health
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Published: Wednesday, 08 April 2020 13:51
Editor's Note: This is in regards to Hidalgo County. Please look and see what your county is doing. Some cities also have stricter curfews, so please monitor these by visiting your city website. Links will be provided at the end of release where you can find out more details on Hidalgo County's orders and a link to visit other cities within the county.
EDINBURG – As the spread of the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus continues, Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez signed new, stricter orders for all residents and visitors in Hidalgo County. The new orders include a curfew as well as a requirement for everyone to use facial coverings while outdoors.
Read more: Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez enacts stricter measures to mitigate COVID-19 spread
