Narvaez Beef Stores closed its East Saunders location on Sunday.
Owner Carlos Narvaez said Monday he closed that store, located at 401 E. Saunders Road, in order to consolidate his business.
"I've been in the business for 34 years," Narvaez said.
He said "maybe 20" employees were affected by the East Saunders closure.
Narvaez added that his Zapata Highway location (219 Zapata Highway) and Narvaez Beef Processors remain open for business.
-- Joe Rutland
Monday, January 25, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
TxDOT closing Camino Colombia Toll Plaza/TxTag location Jan. 29 ....
The Texas Department of Transportation Laredo District office sent this message out Friday afternoon. Just passing it along ...
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The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is closing the Camino Colombia Toll Plaza Operations Building at the end of this month. After January 29, 2010, motorists on the Camino Colombia toll road will no longer be able to pick up a TxTag at the roadside plaza building.
Last July, TxDOT stopped collecting cash tolls on Camino Colombia and began requiring that drivers have a prepaid toll account such as a TxTag. To ease the transition to all-electronic tolling, the agency continued to staff the Toll Plaza Operations Building and allowed motorists to stop and open a TxTag account.
Area drivers who wish to open a TxTag account in person will still be able to do so at the TxDOT Laredo Travel Information Center at I-35 North and U.S. 83 and the TxDOT District Office at 1817 Bob Bullock Loop. TxTags are also conveniently available online at TxTag.org or by calling 1-888-GoTxTag. International customers can call 001-512-874-9998 to reach TxTag Customer Service.
Currently, there is no charge for a TxTag sticker, which is installed on a vehicle’s windshield. To open an account, drivers simply prepay $20 in tolls. TxTag is also accepted on toll roads in Austin, Dallas, Houston and Tyler.
The Camino Colombia toll road (State Highway 255) begins near the Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge and stretches 22 miles east to I-35 north of Laredo. Motorists can view toll rates and get additional information about the toll road at www.caminocolombia.org.
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The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is closing the Camino Colombia Toll Plaza Operations Building at the end of this month. After January 29, 2010, motorists on the Camino Colombia toll road will no longer be able to pick up a TxTag at the roadside plaza building.
Last July, TxDOT stopped collecting cash tolls on Camino Colombia and began requiring that drivers have a prepaid toll account such as a TxTag. To ease the transition to all-electronic tolling, the agency continued to staff the Toll Plaza Operations Building and allowed motorists to stop and open a TxTag account.
Area drivers who wish to open a TxTag account in person will still be able to do so at the TxDOT Laredo Travel Information Center at I-35 North and U.S. 83 and the TxDOT District Office at 1817 Bob Bullock Loop. TxTags are also conveniently available online at TxTag.org or by calling 1-888-GoTxTag. International customers can call 001-512-874-9998 to reach TxTag Customer Service.
Currently, there is no charge for a TxTag sticker, which is installed on a vehicle’s windshield. To open an account, drivers simply prepay $20 in tolls. TxTag is also accepted on toll roads in Austin, Dallas, Houston and Tyler.
The Camino Colombia toll road (State Highway 255) begins near the Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge and stretches 22 miles east to I-35 north of Laredo. Motorists can view toll rates and get additional information about the toll road at www.caminocolombia.org.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Cuellar announces job creation for Census 2010 ...
I received this information from U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar's office on Tuesday morning. Just passing it along as a public service. ...
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, announced that 2,000 new jobs will be created in 11 South Texas Counties including, Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg, Frio and La Salle, in preparation for the 2010 Census beginning this March. Jobs will include part-time to full-time opportunities for workers ranging between 20 to 40 hours per week.
“These new jobs are a win-win for our community; not only will these workers help our counties get an accurate Census count, but we’ll help create new jobs in these tough economic times,” said Congressman Cuellar. “By getting an accurate count this 2010 Census, we’ll help our communities get the federal funding they need.”
The U.S. Census occurs once every ten years to determine how more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is distributed to state, local and tribal governments.
The new 2,000 Census jobs will help local outreach efforts to encourage 2010 Census participation across Texas. Average pay is $8.00 to $24.00 per hour and bilingual speakers are especially needed along the border. Positions range from Census clerks to supervisors. Hours of employment will primarily be during weekends and evenings.
Applicants need to be U.S. Citizens and at least 18 years of age. They are also required to have a valid driver’s license and access to use of a vehicle. Students, retirees, community leaders, job seekers and full-time workers are encouraged to apply.
Interested applicants can call 1-(866)-861-2010 or call the local Laredo Census Office at (956) 231-5803. Applicants can also visit the local Laredo 2010 Census Office at Molly Drive, Laredo, TX, 78045.
“I encourage people throughout our communities to apply for these jobs and participate in the 2010 Census,” said Cuellar. “The more we work together between now and April, the more accurate our Census will be.”
This March, more than 130 million addresses across the nation will receive a Census questionnaire in the mail. One of the shortest Census forms in history, the 2010 Census questionnaire asks 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, announced that 2,000 new jobs will be created in 11 South Texas Counties including, Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg, Frio and La Salle, in preparation for the 2010 Census beginning this March. Jobs will include part-time to full-time opportunities for workers ranging between 20 to 40 hours per week.
“These new jobs are a win-win for our community; not only will these workers help our counties get an accurate Census count, but we’ll help create new jobs in these tough economic times,” said Congressman Cuellar. “By getting an accurate count this 2010 Census, we’ll help our communities get the federal funding they need.”
The U.S. Census occurs once every ten years to determine how more than $400 billion per year in federal funding is distributed to state, local and tribal governments.
The new 2,000 Census jobs will help local outreach efforts to encourage 2010 Census participation across Texas. Average pay is $8.00 to $24.00 per hour and bilingual speakers are especially needed along the border. Positions range from Census clerks to supervisors. Hours of employment will primarily be during weekends and evenings.
Applicants need to be U.S. Citizens and at least 18 years of age. They are also required to have a valid driver’s license and access to use of a vehicle. Students, retirees, community leaders, job seekers and full-time workers are encouraged to apply.
Interested applicants can call 1-(866)-861-2010 or call the local Laredo Census Office at (956) 231-5803. Applicants can also visit the local Laredo 2010 Census Office at Molly Drive, Laredo, TX, 78045.
“I encourage people throughout our communities to apply for these jobs and participate in the 2010 Census,” said Cuellar. “The more we work together between now and April, the more accurate our Census will be.”
This March, more than 130 million addresses across the nation will receive a Census questionnaire in the mail. One of the shortest Census forms in history, the 2010 Census questionnaire asks 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
J&A Pharmacy closes doors ...
J&A Pharmacy, a longtime fixture on Laredo’s health care landscape, has closed its doors at its McPherson Road location.
A sign on the pharmacy’s front door informs patrons that it closed effective Dec. 31, 2009, and transferred all customer files to The Medicine Shoppe North.
Laredo HME (Home Medical Equipment) will be taking over that spot as some of the store’s equipment already is in there.
J&A had been in business for more than 15 years.
We'll have more on this. Check back here or at www.lmtonline.com for more information.
-- Joe Rutland
A sign on the pharmacy’s front door informs patrons that it closed effective Dec. 31, 2009, and transferred all customer files to The Medicine Shoppe North.
Laredo HME (Home Medical Equipment) will be taking over that spot as some of the store’s equipment already is in there.
J&A had been in business for more than 15 years.
We'll have more on this. Check back here or at www.lmtonline.com for more information.
-- Joe Rutland
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Support for Haiti ...
Yeah, I know it's not Laredo business related news ... yet it's hard not to notice the news, video and pictures coming out of Haiti and not be moved by them.
I may be breaking a rule here, OK, but The Miami Herald has offered some incredible coverage of this hellacious earthquake.
Meanwhile, if you want to find out more information about Haiti itself, it's here.
There are numerous contribution locations on the Internet.
Twitter has been quite active by passing along Haitian native singer Wyclef Jean's site that is taking donations for his native homeland.
It looks like people are putting aside business and political differences for the betterment of mankind.
Good. More of this is needed and encouraged for our world.
I have no comment on Pat Robertson.
-- Joe Rutland
I may be breaking a rule here, OK, but The Miami Herald has offered some incredible coverage of this hellacious earthquake.
Meanwhile, if you want to find out more information about Haiti itself, it's here.
There are numerous contribution locations on the Internet.
Twitter has been quite active by passing along Haitian native singer Wyclef Jean's site that is taking donations for his native homeland.
It looks like people are putting aside business and political differences for the betterment of mankind.
Good. More of this is needed and encouraged for our world.
I have no comment on Pat Robertson.
-- Joe Rutland
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Arrow Trucking, we need to talk ...
So I remember hearing a few weeks ago about Arrow Trucking out of Tulsa, Okla., stranding truckers in Laredo and across the country because it just shut down.
It just left drivers and employees out in the dark, making them call some mysterious phone number and hear a recorded message telling the drivers where to park their rigs.
Hmmm. Well, it appears Arrow Trucking is facing at least one lawsuit over possibly not following the federal Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act (WARN).
To be fair, here's an article posted on this topic.
Now if anyone reading this knows anyone who worked with Arrow Trucking and is willing to come forward and talk about this situation or even have his/her attorney talk about it ... then come on.
I'm sorry, but this is unacceptable treatment of workers. These are human beings, OK.
They deserved proper notice about their company's situation.
If you are a member of Arrow Trucking's leadership, then respond to this question:
Why are you in the dark? Come out, make a statement. Be fair. Look people in the eyes and state your truth. The linked article from www.lawyersandsettlements.com does mention a statement from Arrow Trucking's CEO.
Apparently, this matter also was covered in a Christian Science Monitor story, too.
So if there's an Arrow Trucking employee in Laredo willing to talk ... contact me through this blog or hit me up with an e-mail at jrutland@lmtonline.com.
This is sad, ridiculous and just plain wrong.
-- Joe Rutland
It just left drivers and employees out in the dark, making them call some mysterious phone number and hear a recorded message telling the drivers where to park their rigs.
Hmmm. Well, it appears Arrow Trucking is facing at least one lawsuit over possibly not following the federal Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act (WARN).
To be fair, here's an article posted on this topic.
Now if anyone reading this knows anyone who worked with Arrow Trucking and is willing to come forward and talk about this situation or even have his/her attorney talk about it ... then come on.
I'm sorry, but this is unacceptable treatment of workers. These are human beings, OK.
They deserved proper notice about their company's situation.
If you are a member of Arrow Trucking's leadership, then respond to this question:
Why are you in the dark? Come out, make a statement. Be fair. Look people in the eyes and state your truth. The linked article from www.lawyersandsettlements.com does mention a statement from Arrow Trucking's CEO.
Apparently, this matter also was covered in a Christian Science Monitor story, too.
So if there's an Arrow Trucking employee in Laredo willing to talk ... contact me through this blog or hit me up with an e-mail at jrutland@lmtonline.com.
This is sad, ridiculous and just plain wrong.
-- Joe Rutland
Friday, January 8, 2010
State tax revenue declines ...
Comptroller Susan Combs announced today the state collected $1.65 billion in sales tax revenue in December, down 11.6 percent compared to December 2009.
“Declining sales tax collections, beginning in February 2009, have now extended through December 2009,” Combs said. “As has been seen the past several months, collections are down across most major sectors of the Texas economy, including oil and natural gas, construction, manufacturing and retail trade. It is expected the double-digit declines in tax collections seen over the last half-year will first moderate with collections returning to growth during the first or second quarter of 2010.”
Combs sent cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts their first sales tax allocations of 2010 — $405.2 million, down 11.8 percent compared to January 2009.
Combs sent January sales tax allocations of $274.4 million to Texas cities, down 11.4 percent compared to January 2009. Texas counties received sales tax payments of $24.3 million, down 16.1 percent compared to last January.
In addition, $16.2 million went to 163 special purpose taxing districts around the state, down 11.5 percent compared to last January. Ten local transit systems received $90.1 million in sales tax allocations, down 11.6 percent compared to a year ago.
December state sales tax collections and January allocations to local governments represent sales that occurred in November.
“Declining sales tax collections, beginning in February 2009, have now extended through December 2009,” Combs said. “As has been seen the past several months, collections are down across most major sectors of the Texas economy, including oil and natural gas, construction, manufacturing and retail trade. It is expected the double-digit declines in tax collections seen over the last half-year will first moderate with collections returning to growth during the first or second quarter of 2010.”
Combs sent cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts their first sales tax allocations of 2010 — $405.2 million, down 11.8 percent compared to January 2009.
Combs sent January sales tax allocations of $274.4 million to Texas cities, down 11.4 percent compared to January 2009. Texas counties received sales tax payments of $24.3 million, down 16.1 percent compared to last January.
In addition, $16.2 million went to 163 special purpose taxing districts around the state, down 11.5 percent compared to last January. Ten local transit systems received $90.1 million in sales tax allocations, down 11.6 percent compared to a year ago.
December state sales tax collections and January allocations to local governments represent sales that occurred in November.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
City announces cold weather preparations ...
Just wanted to pass along this notice sent out by the City of Laredo in regard to cold weather that will be in our forecast tonight. This notice comes from City of Laredo public information officer Xochitl Mora Garcia:
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-- Joe Rutland
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City of Laredo Ready To Help Neediest Residents Stay Warm
Shelter at Civic Center to open tonight as temperature is expected to hit near freezing
The City of Laredo will open the Laredo Civic Center tonight, starting at 6:00 p.m. to anyone seeking shelter from the cold. The Civic Center Auditorium, located at 2400 San Bernardo Avenue, will have cots, blankets, snacks, hot soup and coffee, as well as EMS on-site.
“We want to make sure that we provide a warm bed and food for some of our community’s neediest people,” said City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas. “It is important that we take care of them in these dangerously cold times,” he concluded.
Anyone who wishes to come to the shelter must register – simply sign-in, no identification will be required – to help Red Cross Volunteers manage the number of people in the facility. They will then be triaged to determine if there are any special needs, such as diet or health concerns, so that they can be processed accordingly. However, City Manager Carlos Villarreal stressed that no one will be turned away who is seeking rest, sleep or some hot food.
The facility is large enough o accommodate enough people, and spill-over, if necessary, will be placed in Civic Center meeting rooms.
Aside from paramedic presence on site, the Laredo Police Department will also be on site for security purposes only.
Additionally, City of Laredo Public Works crews are on stand-by to sand down any elevated bridges and highways, or respond to any other issues related to weather. The City of Laredo Utilities Department is doing preventative work to avoid line breaks because of the freezing temperatures.
-- Joe Rutland
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