Thursday News Rundown (10-23-2014)

By Nestor Vazquez
News Web Editor

Greeters will no longer be present at the entry of San Marcos schools. San Marcos Consolidated School District had assigned greeters at the entrance of 10 schools after a shooting incident that occurred last week. About a week ago SMCISD had a shooting threat that occurred at Miller Middle School. After the receiving the threat current staff members were posted at visitor access doors to control access into the schools. Schools yesterday returned to the standard visitor policy. Visitors will now be able to enter the front door only — all other doors will be locked. According to procedures, visitors will be required to show some sort of identification or will be turned away.

The Texas Freedom Network made their way to the Texas State campus today to discuss abortion issues. The organization’s “One In Three” campaign was heard publicly at the Fighting Stallions in The Quad. Delma Limones, a Texas State student, said “We have students from several organizations here who are just coming together, and we knew that there was going to be an anti-choice presence on campus and we didn’t want that to be the only voice. So, we’re here countering that and just letting the Texas State community know that the pictures that are out here are not factual and that one and three women will have an abortion by the age she’s 45, and its not something to be ashamed of. So, the shame and stigma ends with us and that’s what we’re just out here trying to let people know.”

The protest started earlier this morning and caught the attention of many students passing by.

San Marcos City Mayor Daniel Guerrero proclaimed November as National Hospice Month to recognize hospice staff and trained volunteers in the San Marcos community. Guerrero hopes to recognize the 5,500 hospice programs that assist with more than one million Americans living with chronic illnesses throughout the nation.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte will host a small rally in San Marcos Friday at the Embassy Suites to encourage early voting. After the rally, Senator Van de Putte will head to Black’s BBQ in Lockhart as part of her Vote Leticia Tour. Senator Van de Putte is visiting more than 30 cities and traveling more than 6,000 miles in 14 days. The tour will end on election night, Nov. 4.

Gov. Rick Perry’s infectious disease task force held it’s first public hearing in Austin today. The 17-man task force discussed ways to diagnose and isolate patients with Ebola more quickly as part of a contingency plan for “the unlikely event of a widespread outbreak of Ebola” in Texas. Other plans include creating a “second layer” of regional hospitals to care for patients if both specialized facilities are full. They are also ensuring that Texas doctors can treat children with the virus. The task force also wants to empower the state health commissioner to restrict travel and movement of Texans exposed to Ebola.