County Attorney Press Releases

May 2009 - Posts

Fabens Residents Can Trade Old Mercury Thermometers For New Digital Ones

On Friday, May 15, 2009, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Fabens residents can bring mercury fever thermometers to the Thomason CARES clinic and exchange them for digital thermometers, free of charge.

This thermometer exchange is intended both to remove mercury from the municipal waste stream and to educate Fabens residents about the potential hazards posed by mercury found in thermometers and many other common household products.

The Fabens mercury thermometer exchange is sponsored in part by El Paso County Attorney's Office, Thomason CARES in Fabens, and Medlife.

"Fever thermometers are a common source of mercury in municipal trash. With thermometer exchanges like this one in Fabens, we can reduce the amount of mercury in the waste stream, and at the same time educate consumers about the need to be conscious and careful about the products they buy and how they dispose of them," said Assistant County Attorney Cristina Viesca-Santos.

Exposure to mercury may cause a variety of health effects in people, and children and developing fetuses are particularly sensitive to its hazards. Depending on the level of exposure, mercury can cause damage to the nervous system, the brain, the kidneys, the liver and the immune system.

In Texas and elsewhere around the country, mercury is released to the environment in the emissions of coal-fired power plants, and municipal and medical waste incinerators. Many common household products - such as thermostats, fluorescent light bulbs, switches and button batteries - contain mercury. When these products are incinerated, land filled or broken, the mercury can pollute the environment. All of these products can - and should - be disposed of properly at household hazardous waste collections or by calling a licensed hazardous waste disposal company.

But unfortunately, many mercury-containing products currently are tossed out with the household trash and end up in incinerators or landfills. Unlike many other pollutants, mercury does not degrade into something harmless once it mixes with the air or water. In fact, mercury persists in the environment for long periods of time, and bio-accumulates in animals and humans, meaning its concentrations and harmful effects only increase as it moves up the food chain. For additional information about mercury safety measures, please visit http://www.noharm.org/

For more information about the Fabens mercury thermometer exchange, contact the Cristina Viesca-Santos at (915) 546-2081.

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WHO:       County Attorney's Office and Thomason Hospital

WHAT:     Mercury Thermometer Exchange Event

WHEN:     Friday May 15, 2009 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

WHERE:  Thomason CARES Clinic in Fabens, 101 Potasio Street     

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Mercury Thermometer Event Press Release.pdf

Mercury Exchange Flyer Spanish.pdf

Hot Check Amnesty Week Ends Today

Few hours left for individuals with outstanding hot check warrants to take advantage of the amnesty period

            El Paso County Attorney José R. Rodríguez reminded county residents with hot check warrants that today Friday May 1, 2009 is the last day to pay any outstanding balances and avoid arrest during the upcoming massive warrant round-up.

            The hot check amnesty week began on Sunday April 26 with the publication in the local newspapers of more than 3,700 names of individuals with outstanding warrants, and will end today. Individuals who pay their outstanding balances during the Amnesty Week will avoid arrests during an upcoming county-wide arrest warrant round-up. Additionally, they will save money by avoiding the payment of various fees, such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond.

Since Thursday April 9, when the program was announced, until Thursday April 30, 2009, offenders had paid $80,746 in restitution to merchants. Currently, individuals in the hot check warrant list owe merchants more than $3.2 million.

Residents who still want to take advantage of the amnesty week can make their payments at the El Paso County Attorney's Office, 5th floor of the County Courthouse, 500 E. San Antonio. The payment windows at the County Attorney's Office will be open today until 6:00 p.m.

Forms of payment accepted include most credit cards, money orders, cashiers checks, and cash, however those paying cash will have to bring the exact amount (cashiers will not provide change).

For more information regarding hot check payments and balances please contact the El Paso County Attorney's Office Hot Check Unit at 546-2051. The complete and updated list of individuals with theft by check outstanding warrants will remain posted in the El Paso County web site at: www.epcounty.com/ca

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2009 Amnesty Week Report # 2 Press Release.pdf