January 18, 2004
"Microlender Accion Texas has raised the maximum
amount on its small business loans from $25,000 to $35,000. Accion President
and CEO Janie Barrera says the change will allow more small business owners
to start or grow their companies."
San Antonio-based Accion Texas has offices in Austin, Dallas,
Houston, Brownsville, El Paso and McAllen. Since its founding in 1994,
Accion Texas has lent more than $27 million to small businesses in Texas.
Austin Business Journal: "Microlender
raises loan cap to $35,000," January 15, 2004.
* * *
"So far, four counties have agreed to accept electronic
documents filed through ProDoc and TexasOnline: Bexar, El
Paso, Fort Bend and Upton. Dallas County is expected to join in early
2004."
Universal City-based (San Antonio) ProDoc Inc. has formed
an alliance with TexasOnline, the official Web site of Texas, to offer attorneys
the option of electronic filing civil court documents in participating counties
throughout the state.
San Antonio Business Journal: "Local
attorneys can now file civil documents electronically," January 15,
2004.
* * *
"Las Cruces is now the second largest city in New
Mexico, following Albuquerque, and as such, commands respect. It doesn't hurt
that it has a large Hispanic population, many military installations and space
facilities nearby, and serves as the 'capital' of the vast, sparsely populated
southern portion of the state."
While Iowa and New Hampshire survive the political circus
of the presidential election season, columnist Gloria R. LaLumia, writes how
being a "candidate sampler" from Las Cruces has its own advantages.
Gloria R. LaLumia, Buzz Flash: "Sampling
the Candidates," January 16, 2004.
* * *
"Western Refining Company, L.P. has announced that
construction will be completed next month whereby Shell Oil Products US's
refined products pipeline system that transports products originating from
the Gulf Coast will terminate at Western's refinery in El Paso. The announcement
was released today by Paul Foster, President and CEO of Western"
Western markets its products in El Paso, Texas; Albuquerque,
N.M.; Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; and in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Western is also active in the West Coast and in Nevada.
Business Wire: "Western
Refining Company Completes Pipeline Connection from Gulf Coast to El Paso,"
January 16, 2004.
* * *
"The home is being constructed by the Fisher House Foundation,
a non-profit group begun by a New York real estate family. . . The foundation
operates 31 Fisher houses across the country and in Germany. There are four
Fisher houses in Texas: Fort Sam Houston, Fort Hood, Lackland Air Force Base
in Sand Antonio and William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso."
The houses are built on military bases and close to VA medical
centers around the country and overseas that offer inexpensive housing to
family members while their loved ones are treated.
Associated Press, Houston Chronicle: "Ground
broken for medical center housing," January 16, 2004.
* * *
"The University of Texas at El Paso is partnering
with the National Hispanic Press Foundation to showcase the writing
abilities of its students while working to increase the numbers of Hispanic
and bilingual professionals in journalism and other communication fields."
As part of the agreement, UTEP's Sam Donaldson Center for
Communication Studies and the foundation will create an Internet news service
to feature the reporting of UTEP students. ¡Que interesante!
AScribe News, Inc., Hispanic Business: "University
of Texas at El Paso Partners With National Media Groups to Educate Hispanic
Journalists," January 16, 2004.
* * *
"Electrolux operates a plant in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico,
that makes parts for its vacuum cleaners. Evans said that city, which is near
El Paso, Texas, is among several being considered for the new factory."
Stockholm, Sweden-based ElectroluxAB -- owner of brands such
as Eureka, Husqvarna and Weed Eater -- announced it will close its factory
in Greenville, Michigan.
Associated Press, Chicago Daily Herald: "Michigan
town reeling," January 17, 2004.
* * *
"For four years prior to joining Midwest Energy, Earnie
lived in El Paso, Texas. He developed and grew a subsidiary of El Paso Electric
Company called MiraSol Energy Services, serving as its president. The
company helped large energy users conserve energy, improve service reliability,
and shift energy usage to reduce utility costs."
Earnie Lehman was appointed president and general manager
of Midwest Energy, succeeding Gene Argo.
Dodge City Daily Globe (Kansas): "Lehman
named new president and general manager; Argo retires," January 17,
2004.
* * *
"Fierro Reyna, 47, is awaiting execution for the
February 1979 shooting death of an El Paso cabdriver. His November 1997 execution
date was stayed by the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals after attorneys argued
that El Paso authorities coerced his confession. His case remains pending."
The International Court of Justice, or world court, in The
Hague has granted the Mexican government's request to set aside the executions
of three of its citizens -- one in Oklahoma and two in Texas -- because they
were not granted the opportunity to speak with Mexican officials when they
were arrested. Under a 1963 treaty signed by the United States and several
other nations, an "arresting government" must notify a foreign national of
their right to speak with someone in their home country's consulate or embassy.
The Oklahoma attorney general's office, out of courtesy to
the world court, asked a state appeals court to delay the execution of Osbaldo
Torres, a Mexican citizen. Angela Hale, a spokeswoman for Texas Attorney General
Greg Abbott, said that no such request would be made on behalf of Cesar
Fierro Reyna and Robert Moreno Ramos, two Mexican nationals on Death Row
in Livingston.
John Moritz, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram: "Decision
in executions challenged," January 17, 2004.
* * *
"Ava Webb, a food stamp outreach coordinator for El
Paso's Project Bravo, knocks on doors in barrios and trailer parks talking
to people and leaving pamphlets about food stamp eligibility. She also talks
them through the application process and hooks them up with other benefits."
Chris Roberts (AP), Ft. Worth Star-Telegram: "Texas
misses out on billions in food stamp money," January 17, 2004.
* * *