April 2012 - Posts
On Tuesday May 1, 2012, local authorities will unveil the second mural created in a program that uses art to rehabilitate at-risk students.
The mural was painted by 11 boys and three girls from the El Paso Independent School District that are under supervision of the El Paso Juvenile Probation Department. The program is spearheaded by local muralist Jesus "Cimi" Alvarado, with the idea that nurturing artistic talents in delinquent children helps them change their destructive behavior.
"Art is a powerful motivator that helps teens rehabilitate from substance abuse problems and other negative habits by developing new skills and helping them feel proud of their work," Alvarado said.
The mural is located in the handball court at Ascárate Park, and depicts migrant workers, activist Cesar Chavez, and several Aztec symbols that represent the Hispanic heritage. The project was financed through a donation from the Adult Probation Department's "Graffiti Wipeout Program" and the supplies were furnished by the El Paso Independent School District.
The mural will be unveiled on Tuesday May 1, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. by El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal, 65th District Court Judge Yahara Lisa Gutierrez, El Paso Juvenile Probation Department Chief Roger Martinez, and EPISD Fine Arts Director Charles Angerstein.
The first mural created under the program also paid homage to immigrants, depicting farm workers, monarch butterflies (who migrate back and forth from Canada and Mexico every year), and Statue of Liberty along with Lady Justice. The mural was unveiled in June 2010 and remains at the offices of Las Americas Immigrant and Advocacy Center, 1500 E. Yandell Dr., in central El Paso.
For more information about the program, please call Assistant County Attorney Tracy C. Almanzan at 546-2050.
WHO: Representatives from participating agencies and students from EPISD.
WHAT: Mural Unveiling.
WHEN: Tuesday May 1, 2012 at 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Handball Courts at Ascárate Park, 6900 Delta Avenue.
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2012 Mural Project Press Release.pdf
Arrest roundups will begin unannounced immediately after
El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced that more than 250 individuals have taken advantage of the hot check amnesty period since its implementation on March 14, 2012. During the first 29 days of the amnesty period the County Attorney's Office has received payment of 502 hot checks worth $82,200.
Bernal also reminded hot check writers with outstanding arrest warrants that the amnesty period ends today at midnight.
Individuals who take advantage of the amnesty period and pay their outstanding balances by today will avoid arrest during an upcoming county-wide warrant roundup that will be conducted by investigators of the El Paso County Attorney's Office, the Sheriff's Office, and Constables from Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Additionally, they will not have to pay the extra fees related to incarceration such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond.
A list with the names and addresses of more than 2,700 individuals with outstanding hot check warrants who owe local merchants more than 2.1 million dollars was made public on April 1, 2012 and remains posted at the El Paso County's main webpage at www.epcounty.com. Additionally, several local media outlets have posted the Hot Check Warrant List on their web sites to make it easier for the public to access the information.
Residents with outstanding hot check warrants can make their payments in person at the following locations:
- El Paso County Courthouse
500 E. San Antonio, room 503
M- F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- El Paso County Ysleta Annex
9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3
M - F 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- El Paso County Attorney's Northeast Annex Office
4641 Cohen St., Suite D
M- F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Forms of payment accepted include credit cards, money orders, cashier checks, and cash; however, those paying with cash will have to bring the exact amount (cashiers cannot give change).
In addition, residents can make payments online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through "Hot Check E-pay," by visiting the El Paso County Attorney's Office web-page at https://www.epcounty.com/hotchecks/. Some individuals may be eligible for a payment plan.
For more information regarding hot check payments and balances please contact the El Paso County Attorney's Office Hot Check Unit at 546-2051 or visit the El Paso County Attorney's Office web site at: www.epcounty.com/CA.
2012 Last Day Hot Check Amnesty Press Release.pdf
El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced that more than 205 individuals have taken advantage of the hot check amnesty period since its implementation on March 14, 2012. During the first 27 days of the amnesty period the County Attorney's Office has received payment of 415 hot checks worth $73,000.
Bernal also reminded hot check writers with outstanding arrest warrants that the amnesty period ends Friday April 13, 2012, at 5:00 p.m.
Individuals who take advantage of the amnesty period and pay their outstanding balances before Friday, April 13, 2012, will avoid arrest during an upcoming county-wide warrant roundup that will be conducted by investigators of the El Paso County Attorney's Office, the Sheriff's Office, and Constables from Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Additionally, they will not have to pay the extra fees related to incarceration such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond.
A list with the names and addresses of more than 2,700 individuals with outstanding hot check warrants who owe local merchants more than 2.1 million dollars was made public on April 1, 2012 and remains posted at the El Paso County's main webpage at www.epcounty.com. Additionally, several local media outlets have posted the Hot Check Warrant List on their web sites to make it easier for the public to access the information.
Residents with outstanding hot check warrants can make their payments in person at the following locations:
- El Paso County Courthouse
500 E. San Antonio, room 503
M- F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- El Paso County Ysleta Annex
9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3
M - F 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- El Paso County Attorney's Northeast Annex Office
4641 Cohen St., Suite D
M- F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Forms of payment accepted include credit cards, money orders, cashier checks, and cash; however, those paying with cash will have to bring the exact amount (cashiers cannot give change).
In addition, residents can make payments online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through "Hot Check E-pay," by visiting the El Paso County Attorney's Office web-page at https://www.epcounty.com/hotchecks/. Some individuals may be eligible for a payment plan.
For more information regarding hot check payments and balances please contact the El Paso County Attorney's Office Hot Check Unit at 546-2051 or visit the El Paso County Attorney's Office web site at: www.epcounty.com/CA.
2012 Hot Check Amnesty Expires 3 days Press Release.pdf
El Paso County Attorney's Office, the University Medical Center of El Paso, and the El Paso County Medical Society, along with other community organizations, will celebrate National Healthcare Decisions Day (April 16) with two public events highlighting the importance of advance healthcare decision-making.
On April 13 and 14, 2012, volunteers from our organizations will be providing information and forms to individuals interested in talking to family, friends and healthcare providers about their medical wishes. During the events licensed attorneys will provide free assistance on how to execute advance directives (Medical Power of Attorney and Medical or "living" Wills).
The kick-off event is scheduled for Friday April 13, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. at the lobby of the University Medical Center, at 4815 Alameda. Following the kick-off, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., local attorneys will be offering free assistance regarding advance care planning and advance directive forms.
The second event will be held on Saturday April 14, 2012 at Bassett Place Mall, 6101 Gateway Blvd. West, also from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Again, local attorneys will be offering free assistance regarding advance care planning and advance directive forms.
Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to convey your decisions about end-of-life care ahead of time. They provide a way for you to communicate your wishes to family, friends and health care professionals, and to avoid confusion later on.
A Directive to Physicians or Living Will tells how you feel about care intended to sustain life. You can accept or refuse medical care. There are many issues to address, including:
- The use of dialysis and breathing machines
- If you want to be resuscitated if breathing or heartbeat stops
- Tube feeding
- Organ or tissue donation
- Blood transfusions
A Medical Power of Attorney is a document that names your health care proxy. Your proxy is someone you trust to make health decisions if you are unable to do so.
El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal explained that living wills, and medical powers of attorney help families avoid painful decisions during very difficult times.
"The absence of written directives may prolong invasive and often painful but ultimately fruitless therapies, or deny a patient treatment that could provide comfort," Bernal said.
"Every year our office promotes the use of advance directives with the expectation that fewer families and healthcare providers will have to struggle with making difficult healthcare decisions without any input from the patient. We also want healthcare providers and facilities to be better prepared to honor patient wishes when he or she becomes incapacitated," Bernal concluded.
Individuals interested in getting the Directive to Physicians and Medical Power of Attorney forms can download them by visiting the County Attorney's web page at www.epcounty.com/ca
For more information about National Healthcare Decision Day, please visit http://www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org/.
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2012 NHDD Press Release.pdf
Boletín Campaña 2012 Testamentos Medicos.pdf