City preparing for winter weather and falling temperatures Emergency Management Office and other departments are working proactively

DALLAS, TX – With winter weather and record breaking low temperatures on the way, City departments are taking a proactive stance ahead of possible sleet and snow expected as early as Wednesday. Here’s how City departments are preparing:

Street Services will have crews on stand-by prepared to activate Ice Force One which consists of 30 sanding trucks and crews as needed and will elevate the City’s response to Ice Force Two, doubling the force if weather conditions warrant it.

Code Compliance crews are checking for residents and businesses who are violating City rules regarding sprinkler usage during inclement weather. Section 49-21 of the City of Dallas Code governs water conservation regarding sprinklers. The fine for violating the Code is $250 to $2,000 per incident.

Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) has repair crews on standby around-the-clock to respond to any water main breaks that may occur. During extended periods of freezing temperatures, DWU adds additional staff to handle increased burst pipe calls.

The Dallas Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Division will activate Operation Code Blue starting Wednesday to locate unsheltered homeless persons and take them to the Bridge (Dallas Homeless Assistance Center).
Some important safety tips to remember during winter weather:

Heating devices are a leading cause of home fire deaths. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, such as fireplaces, wood stoves, or portable heaters. Turn off portable heaters when leaving the room or going to bed. Never use your oven for heating.

Carbon monoxide monitors should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel arrive. 1

Consider bringing outdoor pets inside during cold weather, especially dogs. Make sure pets have a constant source of water and that outdoor water bowls do not freeze. In cold weather, outside cats look for places to get warm, often under the
hood of your car. Knock on the hood and honk the horn before starting the engine.

Water expands as it freezes which may break pipes. Un-insulated pipes are at risk of freezing when temperatures get below 25 degrees for an extended period of time. Seal any openings where cold air may get to pipes, including vents around the foundation. Leave cabinet doors in kitchens and bathrooms open so warmer air circulates around pipes. If your pipes break, shut off the water and the water heater. If you cannot shut off your water yourself, call during business hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.) customers can call 311 or (214) 651-1441.

For more information on keeping your water flowing and protecting your pipes visit http://www.dallascityhall.com/dwu/inserts/2k9freeze_Oct09.pdf.

For the complete list of safety tips visit www.dallascityhall.com.

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]]> http://www.connectingdallas.com/city-preparing-for-winter-weather-and-falling-temperatures/feed/ http://www.connectingdallas.com/more-mosquitoes-found-to-be-carrying-west-nile-virus/ http://www.connectingdallas.com/more-mosquitoes-found-to-be-carrying-west-nile-virus/#comments Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:40:00 +0000 admin http://www.connectingdallas.com/?p=33 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 17, 2009

More mosquitoes found to be carrying West Nile virus
Season total for mosquito collections with West Nile virus is 39

Dallas – With approximately two months to go in the mosquito season a total of 39 West Nile positive collections have been confirmed which is 25 more than were found last year and is above the average number of positive collections of 31 since the detection of West Nile virus in Dallas in 2002. There have also been 6 human West Nile cases reported in Dallas this season.
Two areas are scheduled for mosquito control spraying Friday night/Saturday morning, September 18/19 and another is scheduled for Monday night/Tuesday morning, September 21/22, 2009. Weather permitting mosquito control spraying is scheduled to begin after 10 p.m. each night and conclude by 3:00 a.m. the following morning.

Control Area 1; September 18/19, Far Southwest Dallas: The area to be sprayed is within an area bounded by Mountain Creek Parkway, Clark Road, Summit Parc Drive, Cedar Thicket Drive, Timber Falls Drive, Wooded Gap Drive, West Ridge Drive, and Wheatland Road.

Control Area 2; September 18/19, Buckner/Ferguson Area: This area is within an area bounded by Oates Drive, Peavy Road, Coldwater Circle, Estacado Drive, Ash Creek Drive, Mariposa Drive, KCS Railroad, Lakeland Drive, John West Road, Peavy Road, Gross Road, Rustown Drive back Oates Drive.

Control Area 3; September 21/22, Forest Hills: This area is bounded by Garland Road, White Rock Creek, KCS Railroad, Highland Road, Ferguson Road, and St. Francis Avenue back to Garland Road.

While the insecticide is considered safe, residents in the above areas should avoid contact with the spray by staying indoors. Persons inside a vehicle while trucks are actively spraying should remain in their vehicles with the windows up and the air conditioner on until the trucks pass and the spray is no longer visible. Persons out during the scheduled spraying time should be alert for trucks and should not follow them. Residents who come in contact with the spray are advised to wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water. The spray breaks down quickly in the presence of sunlight and has no residual effect. Fish ponds should be protected and pets should be brought inside during the spraying period.
Protection against mosquito bites

Dallas residents are urged to take precautions against mosquito bites by reducing outdoor activity during evening and nighttime hours. Residents who are outside during these times should cover their arms and legs and use a mosquito repellant.
Prevent mosquito breeding

Residents should eliminate standing water to prevent mosquito breeding and the spread of West Nile Virus. Breeding places for mosquitoes include swimming pools that are not kept clean, stagnant ponds, pet watering dishes, birdbaths, potted plants, old tires, empty containers, toys and clogged rain gutters & French drains. Standing water should be eliminated promptly, as mosquitoes can grow from egg to adult in as little as seven days.

To report standing water or mosquito problems Dallas residents should call 3-1-1. For additional information on Mosquito Control, visit www.dallascityhall.com.

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CONTACTS: Rodger Jayroe,

City staff scheduled to spray in three areas due to more positive mosquito collections

Dallas – The City of Dallas has scheduled mosquito control spraying in three areas due to positive West Nile mosquito collections. With weather permitting; spraying is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. on Thursday August 13 and conclude by 3 a.m. on Friday August 14.

Control Area 1; South of Paul Quinn College: The area is bounded by Simpson Stuart Rd, Golden Gate/J J Lemmon, Riverside (including Cedardale), Bonnie View, back to Simpson Stuart.

Control Area 2; East of Laureland Cemetery: The area is East of Houston School Rd, West of Lancaster Rd, North of Simpson Stuart Rd, and South of Red Bird Lane East.

Control Area 3; Preston Hollow Area: The area is bounded by Dallas North Tollway, Walnut Hill Ln, Hillcrest Rd, and Northwest Highway west.

While the insecticide is considered safe, residents in the above areas should avoid contact with the spray by staying indoors. Persons inside a vehicle while trucks are actively spraying should remain in their vehicles with the windows up and the air conditioner on until the trucks pass and the spray is no longer visible. Persons out during the scheduled spraying time should be alert for trucks and should not follow them. Residents who come in contact with the spray are advised to wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water. The spray breaks down quickly in the presence of sunlight and has no residual effect. Fish ponds should be protected and pets should be brought inside during the spraying period.
Protection against mosquito bites

Dallas residents are urged to take precautions against mosquito bites by reducing outdoor activity during evening and nighttime hours. Residents who are outside during these times should cover their arms and legs and use a mosquito repellant.
Prevent mosquito breeding

Residents should eliminate standing water to prevent mosquito breeding and the spread of West Nile Virus. Breeding places for mosquitoes include swimming pools that are not kept clean, stagnant ponds, pet watering dishes, birdbaths, potted plants, old tires, empty containers, toys and clogged rain gutters & French drains. Standing water should be eliminated promptly, as mosquitoes can grow from egg to adult in as little as seven days.

To report standing water or mosquito problems Dallas residents should call 3-1-1. For additional information on Mosquito Control visit www.dallascityhall.com.

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Students at two Dallas elementary schools challenged to “Cease the Grease” Competition
Part of a pilot grease abatement program in Dallas schools

(DallasMay 18, 2009) Dallas Water Utilities announced today it is sponsoring a grease abatement competition at two Dallas elementary schools. The pilot program is designed to educate school children about the damage caused by grease and cooking oils in wastewater pipes.

Students at City Park Elementary and the Martin Luther King Jr. Learning Center will be challenged to help collect and recycle used cooking oil and grease from their homes.

“Our goal is to raise household awareness of the proper way to dispose of cooking oil and grease,” said Helen Cantril Dulac of Dallas Water Utilities. “Through competition with classmates, school children will learn what they can do to avoid damage to wastewater pipes due to improper disposal of cooking grease and oil.”

“Cease the Grease” presentations will be held on May 20 th at the MLK Learning Center and May 26 th at City Park Elementary. During the presentations, students will receive educational materials and grease containers. Collected used grease and cooking oil will be weighed during picnics sponsored by DWU on May 27 th and June 3 rd and winning classrooms will be announced. Prizes will include two iPod Touches along with passes to the Dallas Zoo and Bahama Beach Water Park

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DALLAS NAMED TO EPA’S GREEN POWER LEADERSHIP CLUB
CITY’S 2008 CLEAN ENERGY PURCHASE AMONG TOP IN NATION

DALLAS - The City of Dallas announced today that it has been named to the EPA’s Green Power Leadership Club, a distinction given to organizations that have significantly exceeded EPA’s minimum green power purchase requirements. Green Power Leadership Club members must purchase ten times the partnership’s minimum requirement organization-wide. The City of Dallas’ commitment to green power helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions while also supporting the development of new renewable generation capacity nationwide.

“This is a huge honor and we are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” said City Manager Mary K. Suhm. “Purchasing green power helps our organization become more sustainable, while also sending a message to others across the U.S. that supporting clean sources of electricity is a sound business decision and an important choice in reducing climate risk.”

The City also announced today that, for all four quarterly ranking periods in 2008, it appeared on two of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) lists of largest green power purchasers: Top 10 Local Governments List (now the Top 20 Local Governments List) and the National Top 25 List (now the National Top 50 List).

The City of Dallas landed in the No. 1 spot on the EPA’s Top 10 Local Government List for two quarters and in the No. 2 spot for the third and fourth quarters. The rankings are based on kilowatt-hours (kWh) purchased. Dallas, with its purchase of nearly 334 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power which is enough power to meet 40 percent of the organization’s purchased electricity use, was at No. 1 for two quarters. Mid-way through the year, the City of Houston bumped up its renewable power purchase from 20 percent to 27 percent, enough to jump ahead of Dallas in kWh used. Rankings from each of the four quarters can be found at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/top20localgov.htm#lists

In addition, Dallas floated between No. 9 and No. 11 on the National Top 25 List on the four quarterly rankings. This list includes leading U.S. organizations — from Fortune 500 companies to local, state and federal governments, and a growing number of colleges and universities.

Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. The City of Dallas currently buys 40 percent of its total purchased electricity from renewable sources, primarily
wind.

According to the EPA, the City of Dallas’ green power purchase of nearly 334 million (kWh) is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of nearly 48,000 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 33,000 average American homes annually. The City continues its commitment to purchase 40 percent of its power from renewable sources in 2009.

Each of the EPA’s National Top Partner lists highlight some of America’s largest green power purchasers. Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases. EPA’s updates its Top Partner Lists quarterly at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/ . The next quarterly update will be published on January 26, 2009.

About Green Dallas
The purchase of renewable, green power is just one of many steps the City has taken as part of the Green Dallas initiative. For example, Dallas also boasts the largest alternative fueled city-owned fleet in Texas and one of the largest in the nation with 41 percent of its fleet running on alternative fuels or a hybrid mix.

To find out more about how the City of Dallas is an environmental leader and what residents can do to ‘build a greener Dallas,’ visit the City’s green Web site www.GreenDallas.net

About EPA’s Green Power Partnership
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has hundreds of Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities.

For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower.

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Literacy Collection now in place at the Martin Luther King Branch;
Young adults, teens, children are making good use of the collection

Dallas – Literacy Changes Lives, a new Literacy Collection is now available at the Martin Luther King Jr. Branch Library, 2922 MLK Blvd. The library received a $2500 grant from the Texas Book Festival and the Texas Library Association to build a book collection for low level or problem readers.

The collection was designed to assist and encourage low-level readers to learn the fundamentals of reading with books and CDs that provide basic skills in critical reading, science, social studies, writing, language, biographies, and Literature for English. Essentials of Reading - selections from the news, focuses on three categories: supernatural/paranormal, true crime, and unexplainable events. The new Literacy Collection is also a resource for GED students and adults with low-level reading skills or wanting to learn to read. The collection includes GED manuals, readers, spelling, vocabulary word power, and books about workplace and career development.

“The Literacy Collection was created to stimulate and target the educational needs of adults, parents and their children,” said Branch Manager Lynne Craddock. “The library’s role is to provide access to educational materials and programming that will support and bridge the literacy gap.”

The Texas Book Festival celebrates authors and their contributions to the culture of literacy, ideas and imagination. In 1995, First Lady Laura Bush convened a task force to plan a book festival that would promote the joys of reading and benefit public libraries. Since then, the Texas Book Festival has contributed more than $2 million to over 650 Texas public libraries, enabling them to expand their book collection and literacy programs.

The Dallas Public Library operates the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young St., and 25 branch locations. A library card is free for any Dallas resident. For information on the many programs and services available at the Dallas Public Library, visit: www.dallaslibrary.org.

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City of Dallas to join forces in Statewide Warrant Round-Up
Officers will be arresting people in Dallas who have outstanding warrants

Dallas – People who fail to pay their outstanding warrants could be in for a rude awakening on March 7. That’s when the City of Dallas will join law enforcement agencies from across Texas for the 2009 Statewide Warrant Roundup. Officers will arrest people with outstanding fines pending before their respective municipal courts.

Persons with outstanding City citations can avoid arrest by appearing in person at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center Lobby, 111 W. Commerce, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week or by visiting 106 S. Harwood between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, (wheelchair access is at 2014 Main Street). Citations can also be paid online at
http://www.dallascityhall.com/courts/court_online_payments.html.

Payment options are available, including making full payment or a suitable arrangement for full payment. Defendants with hardship situations can also discuss payment and payment options by calling (214) 670-0109 or toll free (866) 835-2305.

“The City of Dallas is serious about clearing warrants and pleased to be part of this statewide effort,” said Court and Detention Services Director Gloria López Carter. “We hope those with outstanding warrants will heed our warning and act now to avoid arrest.”

The 2009 Roundup will again focus on violators with outstanding Class C misdemeanor fines; most of which are traffic-related. Next week, the City of Dallas will notify approximately 72,000 persons with outstanding citations warning them to pay their fines or risk going to jail.

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