March 12, 2008
MARCH SALES TAX REVENUES
The City of Midland has collected this month's revenue from the State Comptroller's Office. The total amount of revenue received was $1,973,565.
This month's figure reflects a 30.34% increase or a $459,449 increase from March 2007.
The year-to-date total sales tax revenue for fiscal year 2007-2008 is up 11.24% or a $1,209,915 increase from last year's totals at this time. Fiscal year-to-date actual sales tax revenue is $11,972,997.
Sales tax revenue is generated by sales tax income from two months prior to collection; March collection is based on January sales.
This is the 54th consecutive month of increased sales tax revenues when compared to the same month the prior year.
EXTREME FIRE WEATHER PREDICTED
The state of Texas is expecting extreme to extremely critical fire weather conditions over much of the state for the next three to five days, with the most extreme conditions expected on Friday.
As a frame of reference, these conditions (particularly Friday) are very similar to March 12, 2006, when over 800,000 acres burned in one day in the Texas panhandle.
The Midland Fire Department would like to inform the citizens of Midland and Midland County of the extreme conditions predicted over the next couple of days.
As a reminder, the burn ban is still in effect and everyone is encouraged to refrain from outdoor activities that would potentially cause a fire. We would also suggest that residents help protect their homes from fire by clearing any combustible material around the home and the alleys.
Other tips in helping with fire prevention is to report any illegal burning activities, refrain from smoking outdoors, using your ashtray to dispose of cigarettes while in your vehicle, and reporting any fire quickly with accurate location information.
A STREP WARNING
The Midland Health Department and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) have informed hospitals, physicians, long-term care facilities, and others of a cluster of invasive Group A streptococcal cases (GAS) under investigation in Midland County. Query of both the region and state do not indicate an unusual number of reported cases other than in Midland. So far, the investigation does not suggest a common link among those infected.
The health department recently learned of 34 cases of GAS disease reported since December 1, 2007. Investigation so far reveals that eight to ten of these reported cases qualify as “invasive.” Nevertheless, four of the cases have resulted in fatalities; the remaining patients have recovered or are recovering. Texas averages approximately 263 GAS cases annually as of 2006.
Streptococcus pyogenes, the causative bacterium, appears to reside in the throats and nasal passages of 15 percent of the United States population. Infections caused by Group A Streptococcus usually take the form of “strep throat.” Strep A infection is not an airborne illness; transmission occurs by contact or large droplet. Invasive streptococcal disease rarely begins as strep throat. Instead, the bacteria enter the bloodstream and cause toxic shock syndrome, necrotizing fasciitis, organ failure, and other life-threatening conditions. Even these serious infections can be treated successfully with antibiotics if treatment begins soon enough.
Precautions for the public:
- Anyone taking an antibiotic should follow prescription orders completely, taking the medication as directed and until it is gone;
- As always, practice good personal hygiene by not sharing toothbrushes or drinking and eating utensils and by practicing good respiratory hygiene. Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, dispose of the tissue and wash hands; and
- Remember that hand washing with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer remains the best method to control communicable diseases
Please direct questions or case reports to Midland Health Department at 681.7613, or the DSHS regional office in Midland at 571.4138. For more information about the disease, visit the DSHS website at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/strep/groupa/faqs/
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