(McKINNEY, Texas) -- Collin County Health Care Services (CCHCS) is investigating local reports of cryptosporidiosis in recreational water facilities. To date, CCHCS has seen an increase in the number of confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis when compared to the same timeframe last year. Since the recent increase in the number of cryptosporidiosis cases in the North Texas region, there have been 15 laboratory-confirmed cryptosporidiosis cases in Collin County.? Epidemiology staff are conducting investigations of reported cases and working closely with local jurisdictions to ensure proper disease prevention measures, such as hyperchlorination, are being taken to protect the public’s health.
Cryptosporidiosis or “Crypto” is a diarrheal illness caused by a microscopic parasite, Cryptosporidium. A person may become ill after swallowing water or food that has become contaminated with the parasite. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps which may last 1-2 weeks. People with vulnerable or weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and young children may become more seriously ill or be ill for a longer period of time.
In order to prevent the spread of cryptosporidiosis, CCHCS is recommending the following measures:
Do’s and Don’ts for the general pubic: •? DO seek medical attention upon onset of a diarrheal illness •? DON’T swim if you have diarrhea •? DON’T swim for 14 days after the diarrhea has ended •? DO shower before and after swimming •? DO wash your hands with soap and water before preparing or eating food and after using the toilet or changing diapers •? DON’T swallow water from pools and lakes
For operators of aquatic facilities: •?? Persons should not enter the water if experiencing symptoms until two weeks after diarrhea illness has ended •?? Visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website at www.healthyswimming.org for guidance and instruction on hyperchlorination to kill cryptosporidium •?? For questions or concerns about hyperchlorination in an incorporated city within the county, please contact your city’s environmental health department •?? For questions or concerns about hyperchlorination in the unincorporated areas of the county, please contact Collin County Developmental Services at 972-548-5585 •?? For additional information please visit www.dshs.state.tx.us ?
(McKINNEY, Texas) – A handful of county roads will be partially closed to traffic Sunday, March 9, 2008, as hundreds of cyclists compete in the Jesuit Ranger Roundup, one of several spring cycling events sponsored by Texas High School Cycling League.
The county’s Public Works Department will be setting up barricades and traffic cones for Sunday’s race, which runs east from Celina High School and loops back in a circuit using the following county roads: 134, 105, 132, 135, 177 and 175. (See Map) Signs will also be posted along the race course to remind motorists of the event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The cyclists will be using the right-hand side of the roadways only, with pace and follow cars to help protect racers. Event organizers say there will be temporary traffic stops at come county road intersections as the racers pass through.
County officials are asking residents and drivers in the area on Sunday keep an eye out for racers.
For more information on the partial road closing, contact Collin County’s Public Works, 972-548-3700. For details on the bicycle race, contact event organizer Andrew Armstrong, 617-480-6705, or logon to www.texashighschoolcycling.org.
(McKINNEY, Texas) -- In response to the number of brush fires currently burning in Collin County, an order prohibiting outdoor burning is now in effect. Until further notice, all outdoor burning is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Collin County.
Brush fires are currently burning in the following areas (Tuesday): •?Celina (Preston Rd and CR 95) •?Fairview (Bush Rd and Hwy 5) •?Wylie •?Weston (CR 136 and CR 138) •?McKinney (FM 2933 near CR 410 and 342) •?CR 830 near CR 1106 •?Lucas (1100 Forest Grove)
A county declaration of disaster has also taken effect due to the fires. The declaration triggers access to additional federal and state resources.
The deadline to register to vote is Monday, February 4, 2008 For the March 4, 2008 Primary Election
To be eligible to vote in Texas, you must: •?Be a U.S. citizen; •?Be a resident of the county; •?Be 18 years old (you may register at 17 years and 10 months) •?Not a convicted felon (unless a person’s sentence is completed, including probation) •?Not declared mentally incapacitated by a court of law. You must be registered at least thirty days prior to an Election.
Applications to register to vote can now be downloaded at http://www.collincountytexas.gov/elections/voter_registration/index.jsp or call the Collin County Elections Office at 972-547-1990 or metro 972-424-1460 Ext 1990 for an application.? Voter registration applications are also available at most post offices, libraries and high schools.???????? Faxed Applications are not accepted.
If you have registered but don’t have a current voter registration certificate (orange card), please contact the Collin County Elections Office at 972-547-1990 or metro 972-424-1460 Ext 1990 or go on line at http://www.collincountytexas.gov/elections/voter_registration/index.jsp and download an application and mail it to: 2010 Redbud Blvd. Suite 102, McKinney, TX 75069
You are only eligible to vote in the precinct where you live if you have registered in that precinct.
If you were registered to vote, but moved from one county in Texas to Collin County: * You will need to register with Collin County before being allowed to vote in Collin County by the above deadline.
*Limited Ballot Registered voters who move from one county to another may be eligible to vote in the new county of residence.? They are eligible if they are still registered in their old county of residence at the time they vote a Limited Ballot in their new county of residence.? Voters are entitled to vote on all statewide races and any district offices that are in common between the old and new counties.? Call the Elections Office for details.? You may only vote a Limited Ballot during the Early Voting Period (Feb. 19 through February 29, 2008).
If you moved from city to city within Collin county: You will need to change your voter registration before being allowed to vote in your new precinct by the above deadline.
If you moved from one address in a city to another address within the same city: You will need to change your voter registration before being allowed to vote in your new precinct by the above deadline.
You can now change your name or address by accessing the Sec. of State web address, www.sos.state.tx.us , if not, updates must be done by mail or in person. CHECK BACK SOON FOR THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION. To see the Sample Ballots, Early Voting dates, times and places and Election Day Information log onto http://www.collincountytexas.gov/elections/election_information/index.jsp????????
(McKINNEY, Texas) -- The Collin County Commissioners Court will host a special transportation workshop on Monday, Jan. 14, 2007, at 1:30 p.m. and will feature detailed updates and briefings on the county's transportation funding needs for the next 20 years.
The workshop, which will be held in the central jury room of the Collin County Courthouse at 2100 Bloomdale Road in McKinney, will include detailed presentations on federal, state and local transportation funding forecasts.
Also attending will be U.S. Reps. Ralph Hall and Sam Johnson; Texas Senators Florence Shapiro and Craig Estes; State Reps. Brian McCall, Jerry Madden, Ken Paxton and Jodie Laubenberg; plus, mayors and city managers from at least 10 Collin County cities.
Officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Texas Department of Transportation, the North Central Texas Council of Governments, the North Texas Tollway Authority, Dallas Area Rapid Transit and the Collin County Regional Airport will participate in discussions with Collin County leaders.
The deadline to register to vote in the Tuesday, November 6, 2007 Special Elections is Tuesday, October 9, 2007
To be eligible to vote in Texas, you must: •?Be a U.S. citizen; •?Be a resident of the county; •?Be 18 years old (you may register at 17 years and 10 months) •?Not a convicted felon (unless a person’s sentence is completed, including probation) •?Not declared mentally incapacitated by a court of law. You must be registered at least thirty days prior to an Election.
Update on the Criminal Investigation Regarding the Murphy, Texas NBC Dateline Program??
June 1, 2007 - Gregory S. Davis, First Assistant District Attorney for Collin County, Texas, has issued the following statement:
“The Collin County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the 23 cases in question, and declined prosecution because they failed to meet our evidentiary standards. We don’t anticipate any further action on these cases.”
There will be no further comment on this matter.
Eric Nishimoto Public Information Office 210 S. McDonald Street Suite 626 McKinney, Texas 75069 www.collincountytx.gov
Because of drought conditions, Collin County Judge Ron Harris today issued a disaster declaration and also issued an executive order prohibiting the outdoor use of combustible materials. “A lack of rain, low lake levels and a dry environment place the county at a great fire risk,” says Collin County Judge Ron Harris. “We must initiate these measures to protect our homes and property. We must initiate these measures to protect our homes and property."
Combustible materials include, but are not limited to, the use and discharge of all fireworks (aerial and non-aerial 1.4G fireworks); discarding of cigarettes, cigars or other flammable materials; materials used in activities such as welding or any other activity that could result in a fire.? At this time, no hot work permit will be required. However, persons who weld, cut, and use open torches or other hot work operations in an outdoor environment must abide by Chapter 26 of the International Fire Code. (Hot work operators may contact the Collin County Fire Marshal’s Office at 972-548-5589 for details.)? ?
The use of charcoal barbeque grills, gas grills and smokers and outdoor above ground fireplaces are not prohibited at this time.?However, a previously issued burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including ground fires, bon fires and campfires. Additionally, the sale and discharge of certain aerial fireworks, being skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins, is prohibited.
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Violation of these orders is a Class C Misdemeanor. There will be increased law enforcement patrols and “spotter plane” flights to provide early warnings of grass fires and to further protect county residents.
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The disaster declaration and executive order pertain to unincorporated areas and the county’s smaller cities. County residents are asked to check with their individual larger cities regarding individual ordinances and orders.?
(McKINNEY, Texas) -- Collin County Health Care Services (CCHCS) is investigating local reports of cryptosporidiosis in recreational water facilities. To date, CCHCS has seen an increase in the number of confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis when compared to the same timeframe last year. Since the recent increase in the number of cryptosporidiosis cases in the North Texas region, there have been 15 laboratory-confirmed cryptosporidiosis cases in Collin County.? Epidemiology staff are conducting investigations of reported cases and working closely with local jurisdictions to ensure proper disease prevention measures, such as hyperchlorination, are being taken to protect the public’s health. 
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(McKINNEY, Texas) – A handful of county roads will be partially closed to traffic Sunday, March 9, 2008, as hundreds of cyclists compete in the Jesuit Ranger Roundup, one of several spring cycling events sponsored by Texas High School Cycling League.
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also issued an executive order prohibiting the outdoor use of combustible materials.