Fifth case of West Nile Virus confirmed in El Paso

EL PASO, Texas – A fifth case of the West Nile Virus was confirmed in El Paso by the Department of Public Health.

The El Paso man diagnosed is in his late 40’s and lives in West El Paso. Officials said he does have underlying meidcal conditions.

"It is not too late to start taking West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases seriously," said Lead Epidemiologist Fernando Gonzalez.

With recent rain in the Borderland, officials encourage residents to remener using the the 4 D’s:

• DEET – Use insect repellents when you go outdoors.
• DRESS – When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors.
• DUSK and DAWN – Although mosquitoes associated with Zika can be active throughout the day, residents should take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours (from dusk to dawn) or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
• DRAIN – Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around and outside your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths on a regular basis.

For more information on the programs and services provided by the Department of Public Health, call 2-1-1.

Source Article

The post Fifth case of West Nile Virus confirmed in El Paso appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARIENNE.

Read full post at: http://www.photographybyarienne.com/fifth-case-of-west-nile-virus-confirmed-in-el-paso/

El Paso firefighter gets probation in 2016 fatal beating

Do you know what to do if you see something bad happening? Here are some tips. Keri Hensley/USA TODAY NETWORK

Wochit

(Photo: Courtesy El Paso Police Department)

An El Paso firefighter involved in the beating of a man at a bar last year was sentenced to two years of probation.

Raul Ruiz Jr., who was 37 at the time of the incident, received a suspended one-year jail sentence and two years of probation July 20 in the 2016 death of 49-year-old Arturo Martinez, according to court documents. He also was fined $1,000.

Ruiz originally was indicted by a grand jury on a charge of criminal negligent homicide, but as part of a plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of assault causing serious bodily injury, documents show.

He was scheduled to go on trial in August or September, according to court records.

The sentence was handed down by 409th District Court Judge Sam Medrano Jr.

Ruiz and Adrian Chavez were arrested Feb. 5, 2016, in connection with the beating.

El Paso Fire Department officials declined to immediately comment on Ruiz’s current employment status, citing employee confidentiality issues.

El Paso Police Department officials said at the time of his arrest that Ruiz was an El Paso firefighter assigned to Fire Station 18, 7901 San Jose Road, in the Lower Valley.

In February 2016, fire officials said that Ruiz had been with the department for 10 years and was working as a fire suppression technician.

Ruiz was off-duty at the time of the beating, police said.

Adrian Chavez (Photo: Courtesy El Paso Police Department)

Chavez, Ruiz and another unnamed man allegedly surrounded Martinez on Jan. 22, 2016, inside the El Patron Sports Bar, 5622 E. Paisano Drive, in Central El Paso, police said at the time of the arrests.

Court documents do not state the name of the third man involved in the incident.

According to a complaint affidavit, Ruiz grabbed Martinez “aggressively and pushed him violently.” Martinez then hit the backdoor of the bar, causing it to open, and he fell onto the pavement outside.

The fall caused Martinez to hit the back of his head on the pavement, the affidavit says. He then lost consciousness.

While Martinez was on the ground, Chavez allegedly got on top of him and “continued the assault," the affidavit states.

Martinez sustained life-threatening injuries in the attack and was taken to University Medical Center of El Paso in critical condition, officials said. He died six days later due to the injuries he sustained in the beating.

Chavez also was indicted by a grand jury on one count of criminal negligent homicide. His case is pending in district court. He is expected to go on trial in September.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at 546-6249; aamartinez@elpasotimes.com; @AMartinez31 on Twitter.

Source Article

The post El Paso firefighter gets probation in 2016 fatal beating appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARIENNE.

Read full post at: http://www.photographybyarienne.com/el-paso-firefighter-gets-probation-in-2016-fatal-beating/

Laughnans named Honorary Citizens for El Paso Days

Pauline (left) and Roger Laughnan are this year’s Honorary Citizens for El Paso Days. The Laughnans have lived all their lives in El Paso Township and have been heavily involved in the festivities for many years. Matthew Lambert / RiverTown Multimedia

Pauline and Roger Laughnan will represent El Paso as the designated honorary citizens for the 31st annual festival, set for Aug. 18-20.

Pauline grew up in the farmhouse in which she and Roger reside. Pauline said the farmhouse is over 100 years old and she only moved off the property for a few years until her parents retired.

Roger, a farmer, grew up a little outside of El Paso, but has always enjoyed the festivities and heavy involvement with the horseshoe teams.

In fact, Roger said horseshoe teams had floats in the parades and had a pretty big competition to see whose float was the best in the early days. Roger still plays on the West El Paso horseshoe team.

Pauline, who has worked in the Ellsworth Community School District for 29 years in food service and as a secretary, said she was "really surprised" when they were selected as the honorary citizens for El Paso Days.

"I don’t think I’ve done anything to be an honorary citizen and they said, ‘You’ve lived here all your life and you’ve farmed,’" Pauline said.

El Paso Days Committee President Merlin Blaisdell said it’s gotten harder to find people for the Honorary Citizen status for El Paso Days, but choosing Pauline and Roger just made sense. Blaisdell described the couple as a "big, big help" when it comes to the Millie Christopherson/Ivo Schlegl Memorial Breakfast.

In fact, Christopherson is Pauline’s mother, and Pauline said she always looks forward to the breakfast and volunteering.

The Laughnan family is large with four daughters and eight grandchildren they get to spoil. Their children are still close, with the furthest one living in Hudson.

The couple heads to Mexico in the winter time each year, but nothing beats trout fishing in the Rush River in their backyard. Pauline can be found tending her flower gardens during the summertime as well.

The couple says El Paso Days is a lot of fun, beginning on Aug. 15 with the annual golf tournament and going through Aug. 20. With so many things to do and see, Pauline and Roger say their favorite thing about El Paso Days has to be the parade.

"Their parades are always fun," Pauline said.

Roger said seeing the reactions of people who are not from the area during the parade is one of his favorite moments; it’s difficult for some people to fathom where they can even have a parade in El Paso.

"We’ve heard many, many, many that come to El Paso Days on Sunday, they cannot believe that many people show up for that parade. I said you’re going to be surprised," Roger said. "Then they come to the parade and they say, ‘Oh my god, I’ve never seen a parade like that before.’"

Aside from the parade, Roger will be throwing horseshoes, Pauline will be assisting at the breakfast, and they wouldn’t miss the horse pull and pulling up in their 1955 Chevy to the car show.

Watch for Pauline and Roger in the parade as well, taking part in the timeless classic that has shocked many for its size and quality for years.

Matthew Lambert

Matthew Lambert joined the Pierce County Herald and River Falls Journal in December 2016 covering government, school board, and writing features about the community. He is a graduate of Winona State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism.

Source Article

The post Laughnans named Honorary Citizens for El Paso Days appeared first on PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARIENNE.

Read full post at: http://www.photographybyarienne.com/laughnans-named-honorary-citizens-for-el-paso-days/