February 21, 2008
CITY HONORS EMERGENCY RESPONDERS
The City of Midland will honor the over 100 people who responded to the dangerous grass fire on February 8, 2008, in north Midland.
Firefighters, dispatchers, emergency management, police officers, and other city and county officials will be treated to an appreciation lunch on Friday, February 22, 2008, at 11:30 a.m., in the Emergency Operations Center, 601 N. Loraine.
The group of emergency responders worked together quickly to put an end to a potentially dangerous and costly situation. The fire burned north of Midland and caused the evacuation of nearby neighborhoods and businesses. Thankfully, no one was injured during the blaze.
Those responding were recognized by Mayor Wes Perry during the February 12 City Council meeting.
M.P.D. OFFICER NO BILLED
Midland Police K-9 Officer Mark Garza was no billed by the Midland County Grand Jury on Wednesday, February 20, 2008. This case was in connection with an officer involved shooting on December 20, 2007, where officers with the Midland Police Department’s SWAT Team executed a high risk narcotics search warrant at 905 N. Weatherford. Garza and another officer encountered Alfredo Losoya Vela in a bedroom of the house, backed into a corner, facing the officers with a semi-automatic gun pointed at them. Garza fired his weapon, a .223 caliber rifle, fatally shooting the 38-year-old suspect. Vela was wanted for delivery of a controlled substance.
Garza was placed back on full duty with the Midland Police Department on January 30 after the Administrative Review Board met on January 25, to review the shooting death. The board found that the officer's actions were in compliance with state law and MPD General Orders, that the officer's actions were not indicative of a need for further training or counseling, and that no further action is warranted.
FOG SEAL
On Friday, February 22, 2008, the City of Midland Transportation Division will be applying a fog seal on Briarwood Avenue, between Holiday Hill Road and Oriole Drive.
On Sunday, February 24, 2008, barring inclement weather, the Transportation Division will be applying a fog seal on Midland Drive, between Briarwood Avenue and Loop 250.
On Monday, February 25, 2008, the Transportation Division will be applying a fog seal on Briarwood Avenue, between Oriole Drive and Midland Drive.
Street Maintenance crews will begin placing traffic control devices around 8:30 a.m. The outside lanes will be sealed first. Freshly sealed lanes will be closed to traffic and reopened after a brief curing period. North and south bound traffic will have access during the seal. We urge the public to slow down and observe all traffic control devices, especially the Fresh Oil signs.
A fog seal consists of an emulsified asphalt diluted with water. It has many uses, but for this particular situation, it should help hold back further separation of gravel from the pavement surface.
City officials thank the public for their patience during this inconvenience.
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