The City of Corpus Christi Wastewater Department advises residents that the heavy rains overnight and today have resulted in two overflows in excess of 100,000 gallons.

It is estimated that more than 250,000 gallons were spilled from a manhole along a 36-inch wastewater line near Cullen Ditch going to the bridge under Ennis Joslin Road. It is also estimated that 150,000 gallons were released from the lift station at the Greenwood Wastewater Treatment Plant at 6541 Greenwood Drive to La Volla Creek.

Wastewater Department crews have assessed both situations and are working to determine the causes as quickly as possible. The heavy rainfall apparently caused an overload in those segments of the system.

Contact:  Foster Crowell, Director, Wastewater Department 361-826-1800.

Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District officials have confirmed a local resident has died from Swine Flu becoming the third death in Nueces County. The Corpus Christi resident died at a local hospital before midnight last night.

Annette Rodriguez, Interim Director, reports the woman, in her forties, had been hospitalized for several weeks. The patient had also been suffering from other underlying conditions.

Nueces County cases continue to increase in the local area. The number of Swine Flu Virus cases, now is at 170 confirmed. The first confirmed Swine Flu case was reported in Nueces County on May 4, 2009.

Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to those of regular or “seasonal” flu and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, sore throat and/or coughing. Some with swine flu have also reported runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Dr. William Burgin, Jr., Local Health Authority, impresses that individuals who exhibit any of these signs and symptoms need to seek medical attention and fill any prescriptions given by their physician, especially antiviral medications, within the first 48 to 72 hours. “Those individuals treated earlier seem to do better than others who wait,” states Dr. Burgin. “This is still a very serious disease.”

Health officials are advising residents they should follow these standard precautions to reduce the spread of any respiratory illness.

• Practice good hand washing hygiene. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others, and seek medical attention.

• Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.

• Get your flu shot this year, both the “seasonal flu” and the swine flu vaccines when they become available.

Contact:  Noelia Rodriguez, Health District Public Information Officer 361-826-7220.

The City of Corpus Christi Parks and Recreation Department, in cooperation with Solid Waste Operations, is pleased to announce the beginning of a pilot recycling program for some Parks and Recreation operations. The new recycling site is at the Natatorium and Corpus Christi Gym, located at 3202 Cabaniss Road.

Under the pilot program, the staff at that facility is now able to place recyclables in three containers, and the materials are picked up for recycling by Solild Waste Operations once a week. Officials say the new program is the result of an employee Recycling Committee that Parks and Recreation formed earlier this year. “It was decided that we needed to model positive recycling behavior to the parents, youth and adults who visit our facilities, and to do our part for the environment,” said Reba George, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation. “Some of the staff at our facilities had been using small bins and taking the recycling home to put on their own curbs. We needed to make it easier and more widespread, and we started with the Natatorium and CC Gym because it is probably the busiest place during the summer,” George added.

The Recycling Committee worked with Solid Waste Operations and the City’s Public Information Office to come up with a plan and design for modifying smaller rolling garbage cans so they could be used as recycling containers. Officials say within the next 6 months they hope to also include the City’s Recreation and Senior Centers, Nutrition Education Service Center, Pools, Juvenile Assessment Center, Heritage Park, Ben Garza Gym and the Golf Centers in the recycling program.

Contact Reba George, Superintendent, Parks and Recreation 361-826-3466.

The City of Corpus Christi Traffic Engineering Office advises everyone that from Monday, April 20, 2009 through Wednesday, May 6, 2009, temporary traffic controls will be implemented as part of the Annual Buccaneer Days Event. The traffic changes will be in effect until May 6, 2009, when City work crews begin removing the traffic control barricades.

During Buc Days, the following streets will be closed to traffic:

Water Street will be closed from Palo Alto Street to Resaca Street.

Palo Alto Street will be closed from Water Street to Shoreline Boulevard.

Fitzgerald Street will be closed from Chaparral Street to Shoreline Boulevard.

Resaca Street will be closed from Chaparral Street to Shoreline Boulevard.

At the same time, Power Street will be closed to through traffic, and a 4-way stop will be put in place at the intersection of Power and Mesquite Street. In addition, during evening events, the Corpus Christi Police Department will reduce eastbound IH-37 to one turning lane onto Shoreline Boulevard.

Traffic control devices will guide traffic through the event sites. Motorists should expect delays and are advised to seek alternate routes to avoid the area if possible. They are also advised to observe all advance warning signs and barricading for their safety and that of pedestrians in the area.

Contact:  Charlie Cardenas, Traffic Engineering 361-826-3547.

The City of Corpus Christi Traffic Engineering Office announces that from Saturday, April 18, 2009 through Monday, April 27, 2009, northbound Shoreline Boulevard between Schatzell Street and Taylor Street will be closed to traffic. The traffic changes are necessary to allow for the set up and other activities related to the Texas International Boat Show. They will remain in effect until 6 p.m. April 27, 2009 when City work crews will begin removing the traffic control barricades. The Texas International Boat Show will actually be held from April 23 through April 26, 2009.

The temporary traffic changes mean that northbound traffic on Shoreline Boulevard will be reduced to two lanes beginning at Williams Street. Barricades will be in place to divert the northbound traffic through Schaztell Street onto Water Street. Motorists will also be able to access Water Street using Coopers Alley. From Water Street, northbound Shoreline Boulevard will be accessible from Taylor Street.

Traffic control devices will guide traffic through the event site. Motorists should expect delays and are advised to seek alternate routes to avoid the area if possible. They are also advised to observe all advance warning signs and barricading for their safety and that of pedestrians in the area.

Contact:  Charlie Cadenas, Traffic Engineering 361-826-3547.

Financial Aidd can be found at www.financialaidd.com

BUY TICKETS ONLINE AT TICKETMASTER.COM

VISIT US AT MYSPACE.COM

Ticket Information: Tickets are available at the American Bank Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, select H-E-B’s,* or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

*Select H-E-B’s: 3500 Leopard
10241 S Padre Island
5313 Saratoga
11100 Leopard – Calallen
3133 S. Alameda
409 E. Kleberg - Kingsville
1115 E. Main Street - Alice

Event Details: Come see over 400 top rodeo cowboys from around the world in Corpus Christi as they compete at one of the Top 50 Rodeos in the U.S.!

The Rodeo consists of a Grand Entry, Bull Riding, Steer Wrestling, Bareback Riding, Mutton Bustin, Tie-Down Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Calf Scramble, Team Roping, Barrel Racing and a final Bull Riding go-round.

AND… your rodeo ticket grants you admission to the Buc Days Carnival and BBQ Challenge. So, don’t miss out on the great musical entertainment on the Buc Days stages outside after the rodeo!

Founded in the summer of 2008, Trendy Shoppes is an online handmade store featuring designers abroad. We believe in supporting the indie designer. When you shop here you are supporting independent designers, artists, and crafters as opposed to big corporations. The designers that make these products are dedicated to producing quality items and take great pride in the work they do.

Use coupon code “uscities” during checkout for 10% discount!!

The Corpus Christi City Secretary’s Office is pleased to announce that for the first time, vote totals for the City General Election, which will be held tomorrow, Saturday, April 4, 2009 will be broadcast on CCTV, Government Access Channel 20.

The results will start being posted shortly after the polls close at 7 p.m., and once the totals for early voting are released. Throughout the evening, the vote results will be scrolled continuously on CCTV and will be updated as new totals become available. The results will also be shown on TV monitors in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

It should be noted that there will be no interviews or commentary provided on Channel 20, just the total votes for the various City Council races. Votes from the different precincts will also not be broadcast. However, the results form the individual precincts will be manually posted on the back walls in the Council Chambers. City Hall will also be open from 7 p.m. until the votes from all precincts have been received.

The broadcast of the vote totals on CCTV is being made possible through the efforts of the City Secretary’s Office and the City’s Office of Public Information.

Contact:  Armando Chapa, City Secretary 361-826-3105 or Kim Womack, Director of Public Information, 361-826-3211,

“Big Spring Clean In Corpus Christi” Campaign To Spotlight New Ordinance

As “The Big Spring Clean in Corpus Christi” campaign enters its second week, the City of Corpus Christi Neighborhood Services Department invites members of the media to an onsite demonstration on the proper cleaning of sidewalks, curbs and gutters. The demonstration will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2009 at the intersection of Coleman Avenue and 10th Street.

A major goal of “The Big Spring Clean in Corpus Christi” program is to generate greater public awareness about the various city regulations pertaining to such things as high weeds, tree trimming, curb and gutter cleaning, sidewalk obstructions, the collection schedule for, and proper placement of, bulky debris and brush, as well as the resources the City has available to assist residents in helping improve the cleanliness of neighborhoods around the community.

Officials say this demonstration is particularly important, since it spotlights a relatively new ordinance that went into effect in April, 2008, which spells out that it is the responsibility of the owner or tenant of any property abutting a sidewalk, curb or gutter to keep them clear of grass, weeds, sand, dirt or other debris. “Since this is a new ordinance, we want to make sure everyone is aware of it,” said Yvonne Haag, Director of Neighborhood Services. “We really need for all property owners to know and start implementing the ordinance, because we will be enforcing it,” Haag added.

In addition to Neighborhood Services, City departments participating in “The Big Spring Clean in Corpus Christi” effort include Solid Waste Operations, Parks and Recreation, Public Information, Streets and Storm Water.

Contact: Yvonne Haag, Director of Neighborhood Services 361-826-3234.