‘Plan While You Can’ increased enforcement effort runs until March 19

AUSTIN (Feb. 28, 2018) – Each year in Texas, more than half of drivers involved in deadly drunk driving crashes are between the ages of 17 and 34.

As part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s “Plan While You Can” campaign leading up to Spring Break, the Palestine Police Department and law enforcement officers across Texas will increase DWI patrols to identify and stop impaired drivers. The campaign aims to decrease crashes and save lives by urging drivers to plan a sober ride as part of their Spring Break festivities. The increased enforcement runs through March 19, 2018.

“We encourage young people to make wise decisions during the Spring Break holiday,” said PPD Lt. R.C. Johnson. “Drinking and driving can severely impact the future of a young person for the rest of their life. Please plan ahead for a sober ride before the party starts. And remember, drinking under the age of 21 is illegal.”

During last year’s Spring Break in Texas, there were 410 crashes involving young drivers who were driving under the influence of alcohol. Those crashes killed 20 people and seriously injured another 48.

While drivers under the influence of alcohol risk killing or seriously injuring themselves or others, they also face up to $17,000 in fines and fees, jail time and loss of their driver’s license. A DWI could also cause loss of job and greatly limit future job potential. Palestine Police and TxDOT strongly encourage everyone to plan for a sober ride before going out. Visit SoberRides.org to find alternatives to drinking and driving, such as:

• Designating a sober driver.
• Contacting a cab or ride-share service.
• Using mass transit.
• Spending the night.

For more information, contact the Palestine Police Department at 903-729-2254.

The information contained in this report represents reportable data collected from the Texas Peace Officer's Crash Report (CR-3). This information was received and processed by the department as of Feb. 6, 2018.

PALESTINE, Texas (Feb. 27, 2018) – Starting March 1, Palestine residents will be able to get ride of excess garbage and debris for free up to four times a year.
The City of Palestine is starting a voucher program to replace the annual City-wide Clean Up Days that happen twice a year. Residents will be able to receive four vouchers for the city’s transfer station per year.

“The Public Works Department is excited to see the implementation of the new Voucher Program that will replace the City-Wide Cleanup events,” Public Works Director Tim Perry said. “The Voucher Program is intended to provide more opportunities for our residents to clean up their property.

“Every homeowner knows that there is always a project waiting to be done around the house, and these projects usually involve a cleanup project and/or the project produces additional waste that has to be dwelt with. The implementation of the Voucher Program will allow Palestine residents to plan for these projects on their time schedule, instead of waiting for one of the two cleanup event days to dispose of unwanted items and garbage.”

The vouchers give residents the ease of deciding when they want to get rid of any excess garbage or debris that would not qualify for regular trash pickup. The program also eliminates long lines, overtime expense, and the need to outsource waste disposal to a third-party representative, creating substantial savings of the taxpayers’ money.

Residents will be able to get rid of 3 cubic yards of debris with one voucher. Three cubic yards is approximately the size of a pickup truck bed filled to the top of the bed. Any waste over the top of the bed would require more than one voucher. Vouchers cannot be split if residents have less than 3 cubic yards at one time. Residents will also be able to receive a fifth voucher to dispose of four tires at the city’s compost facility.

The voucher program allows residents to transfer their vouchers to friends, neighbors, landscapers and personal waste haulers. Commercial dumping is not allowed. 

To receive a voucher for waste dumping, residents must pick up the vouchers in person at the City of Palestine Public Works office, which is on Debard Street behind the City Hall entrances at 504 N. Queen St. Proof of residency is required.

The city will also continue to offer curbside pick-up for the elderly and disabled. For more information on that service, call Public Works at 903-731-8423.
For more information on the City of Palestine Voucher Program, call Public Works at 903-731-8423.

PALESTINE, Texas (February 26, 2018) – The Palestine Police Department will be increasing their efforts in encouraging safe driving through a round added enforcement. This enforcement will focus specifically the offenses of driving while intoxicated (DWI), seatbelt, child seat, and speeding. The enforcement period will be between March 1 and March 19.

According to Palestine Police Chief Andy Harvey, “This is enforcement that directly is tied to keeping all of our citizens safe.”

The Palestine Police Department was awarded a STEP enforcement grant from the Texas Department of Transportation. The grant refunds the police department for the use of their officers and equipment for the additional enforcement. For additional information, please contact the Palestine Police Department at 903-729-2254, on Facebook @PalestineTXPD, or Twitter @PalestinePD.

PALESTINE, Texas (Feb. 20, 2018) – The City of Palestine has launched a new Community-Wide Events Calendar on its website and are encouraging organizations to utilize the calendar to increase citizen awareness of events which are open to the public and held within the city limits.

“With the large number of organizations in Palestine, a singular calendar that posts public events would benefit the citizens greatly,” Project Manager Danielle Shultz said. “This is a fantastic tool that will help organizations not only schedule their events but advertise them as well!”

This calendar will generate awareness to the community about events open to the public including festivals, business and educational opportunities, concerts, theatrical shows, summer camps, cultural enrichment events, parades, banquets, community performances, informational seminars, clinics, and other community activities. It also presents an opportunity for non-profit agencies, schools, social service or other organizations to advertise their fundraisers to the public.

The Community Events Calendar is available at www.cityofpalestinetx.com and located inside the Special Events tab on the left side of the page. Here, citizens can view the calendar, and organizations can also review the guidelines then submit their special events for posting.

Through the online submission form, the city will begin publishing events that will be held in the month of February 2018 and beyond.
For more information, please contact Danielle Shultz at 903-731-8437 or dshultz@palestine-tx.org.

PALESTINE, Texas (February 19, 2018) – The City of Palestine is excited to host Brian Sullivan, Associate General Counsel for the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association this Thursday, February 22, 2018 for a seminar focusing on the Legal and Effective Use of the local Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT). The meeting will be held at City Hall, located at 504 N Queen St., from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

This meeting is open to the public and anyone who has an interest in understanding how HOT funds can be used or hosting events that could produce an overnight stay in a hotel is encouraged to attend.

Brian Sullivan serves as Associate General Counsel for the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association (THLA), the largest state hotel association in the country. In that role, he helps lead the expert legal department of THLA in its superior legal services, educational resources, and legislative representation to more than 3,400 members.

The seminar will review who collects the Local Hotel Occupancy Tax, exemptions from the tax and the appropriate uses of the tax revenues.

“Each year, there are funds available through the HOT Fund budget to businesses, individuals and organizations that are seeking to host events that will draw people to stay overnight in a hotel in our community,” said Mary Raum, Tourism Marketing Manager. “We are excited to host this seminar so that the public can see how the funds can be used. The revenue is collected from guests that stay the night in one of our hotels, which we can then use to promote Palestine to draw guests and visitors to the area.”

For more information regarding the HOT seminar, please contact Mary Raum, Tourism Marketing Manager for the City of Palestine at 903-723-3053 or mraum@palestine-tx.org

PALESTINE, Texas (Feb. 15, 2018) – The City of Palestine’s Office of Emergency Management would like to bring awareness to our citizens about the current flu season and methods of prevention. Influenza is a condition that will affect up to 20 percent of Americans each year. It can be debilitating, cause a great disruption to our daily lives and can possibly become a very dangerous illness. People such as the elderly, young children and those with certain medical conditions are at greater risk of developing a more severe case of Influenza, further complicating the illness, with possible severe effects.

Flu season typically correlates with the fall and winter months each year, generally understood as October through March. Historically, the incidents of Influenza peak in the month of February. It is important to note that Flu can be contracted at any time of the year, despite the prevalence during Flu season.

Influenza (commonly known as “The Flu”) is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can easily be spread amongst others and can cause symptoms that can range from mild to very severe. Flu can cause symptoms such as high fever, headache, moderate to severe body aches, runny nose, severe cough, and occasionally sore throat. The onset of Flu is generally rapid, unlike the gradual onset of the common cold.

Flu is most commonly spread through airborne means, when infected persons cough, sneeze, etc. and the uninfected are exposed to these pathogens. It can also be spread through contact, after touching an item that contains the Flu virus and then touching your mouth or nose. Flu is most contagious in the middle of its infection, between the third and fourth day, but can be spread throughout the infection cycle. The average span from infection to appearance of symptoms is two days. Flu can become further complicated and lead into cases of pneumonia or other infections.

Flu prevention is highly important for our community and the wellness of everyone. The first and most effective means of preventing Influenza is the administration of an annual Flu vaccine. Influenza is the only respiratory infection that can be prevented by vaccine. Other methods of prevention include:

• Staying away from those that have the illness
• Covering coughs and or sneezing
• Frequent hand washing
• Avoid touching your face as much as possible without washing your hands
• Using antiseptic products to wipe surfaces, items, or hands
• If you are infected, stay away from the uninfected as much as possible for at least 24 hours after any fever subsides
• Keeping your immune system healthy and functioning well, through a healthy and balanced diet and adequate exercise

The City of Palestine’s Office of Emergency Management urges our citizens to take precaution to safeguard against the contraction or spreading of the Flu virus. The tips above can help accomplish this and keep our community healthy. Further information can be found at the website for the Center of Disease Control (CDC) at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm

PALESTINE, Texas (Feb. 12, 2018) – The City of Palestine Municipal Court announces several dates offering amnesty to those with warrants.

Anyone who has outstanding warrants with Palestine Municipal Court is invited to resolve their cases. Persons who voluntarily take action on their cases will not be arrested and may be eligible for alternatives such as community service or a reduction in their fine.

Beginning February 14 – March 29, defendants who appear in open court before the judge can take advantage of this offer. The judge will be available every Wednesday (excluding March 14) at 9 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. and March 1 and 29 at 9 a.m.

Defendants who have failed to appear in court and have arrest warrants or defendants who have been convicted, failed to pay their fine and have capias warrants will both be given amnesty.

“This is a great opportunity for people to dispose of their warrants and feel comfortable speaking to the judge without the fear of being arrested,” stated Courtney Acklin, court administrator.

A current list of warrants can be found on the city’s website at cityofpalestinetx.com. For more information on this initiative and other court information, please visit cityofpalestinetx.com/municipal court/ or call the Court during business hours at 903-731-8433.

PALESTINE, Texas (February 8, 2018) – The City of Palestine is looking to fill its ranks at the Palestine Police Department. To continue the recruiting efforts in 2017, the Department is once again offering incentives to new hires, correctional officers, and certified officers and military veterans.

“We are looking for the right fit,” Police Chief Andy Harvey said. “We are looking for those who are community-minded and want to serve our city. Our large number of correctional officers in the area presents an opportunity to invest locally. They have valued skills that can translate into becoming successful police officers.”

Also, the city is offering incentives for new hires, correctional officers, current certified officers and military veterans.

Non-certified new hires can look to receive $3,000 in hiring bonus. Correctional officers can receive $4,000 if hired. Certified officers and military veterans can receive $5,000 in incentives for joining the police department. The bonuses will be paid in two installments after the candidate has met training requirements.

Certified officers also will be able to make lateral transfers from their respective departments. All of the prospective candidates will sit for testing on Saturday, February 24.
The City will hold examinations for entry-level officers at 9 a.m., at the Palestine Police Department Training Room inside the Palestine Mall, 2000 S. Loop 256, Suite 38.

The test will start at 9 a.m. and applicants will need a photo ID to sit for the exam. Applicants who are late to the exam will not be admitted. If an applicant passes the written exam, he or she will take the physical agility test immediately following the exam at Fire Station No. 4 on Highway 287.

To fill out an application, contact the Palestine Police Department by requesting an application at cityofpalestinetx.com. The information must be complete by Thursday, February 16, 2018, no later than 5 p.m.

Please bring a copy of a TCOLE certificate if certified. If an applicant has served in the military, please bring a copy of the applicant’s DD214.

For further questions, contact Assistant Chief Gary Rayford at 903-731-8471, or at grayford@palestine-tx.org.

PALESTINE, Texas (Feb. 7, 2018 ) – The Palestine Library Friends are holding an extended Book Donation Day on Saturday, Feb. 10 from noon to 2 p.m. The Friends will accept up to two boxes of books a person and ask that they are brought to the Book Sale room at the Mall, 2000 S. Loop 256, Palestine.

The Friends Donations Guidelines are at the library and online on the library’s website at www.palestine.lib.tx.us , in the About Us tab, under Donations which explains the types of books the Friends won’t accept (ex. water-damaged, moldy/mildew, missing or torn covers, etc.)

Also, some items such as magazines, Reader’s Digest condensed books, audiobooks, vinyl records, cassette tapes, 8-tracks, diet or health books more than 10 years old, and dated items (ex. 1983 Buying Guide, 1978 Travel Guide to Portugal) do not sell at the book sales and will not be accepted.

For more information, please contact the Friends at 903-724-3195. Thank you for your book donations which ensure that there are quality books which can be sold at the book sales benefitting Palestine Public Library.