County Lines for June 03, 2010

County Lines published in The Daily News:

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Skin Screening Finds Many With Lesions

Almost half the people who attended University of Texas Medical Branch skin cancer screenings in Galveston and League City in May were found to have cancer or precancerous lesions.

The annual free clinic, sponsored by the medical branch’s department of dermatology, was part of a national effort coordinated by the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Cancer Society to educate the public about the benefits of early skin cancer detection.

Of 113 people who were screened, 17 had nonmelanoma skin cancers, including three with probable melanomas, and 32 had precancerous lesions. All 52 — about 46 percent of the total — were encouraged to seek additional medical attention.

The department’s chairwoman, Sharon Raimer, said: “We would like to see even more people in our clinics. A screening takes only a few minutes and is painless. It’s important not to ignore lesions and precancerous conditions that are easily cured when caught early.”

— University of Texas Medical Branch

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County Transit District Public Hearing Today

LA MARQUE — County residents interested in the creation of an urban rural transit district will have their chance to speak on the subject at a public hearing today.

The members of the Galveston County Public Transportation Conference and Galveston County Commissioners Court are holding the hearing at 6 p.m. at Wayne Johnson Community Center in Carbide Park, 4102 Main St. (FM 519), La Marque.

The transportation conference is composed of Galveston County Judge Jim Yarbrough, county commissioners and the mayor or a council member from every municipality in the county.

During the hearing, members of the public may speak on any matter relating to the proposed district, which will be based on the Galveston County boundaries.

— The Goodman Corp.

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New Sewer To Close Island Road Friday

GALVESTON — City of Galveston crews will install a new sewer crossover at the intersection of 10 Mile Road and Stewart Road on Friday.

The installation will run from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., during which time the road will be closed to traffic.

For information, contact the city’s public works department at 409-797-3630 or e-mail publicworks(at)cityofgalveston.org.

— City of Galveston

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Medical Students To Hear Surgeon General

GALVESTON — U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin will be the keynote speaker for this year’s University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine commencement Saturday.

In 1995, Benjamin, who became surgeon general in January, became the first physician younger than 40, as well as the first African-American woman, to become a member of the American Medical Association board of trustees.

She also became the first African-American woman to lead a state medical society, as president of Alabama’s medical association in 2002.

The medical school’s commencement ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at the Moody Gardens Convention Center.

— University of Texas Medical Branch

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Marine Sanctuary To Run 5-day Workshop

GALVESTON —Galveston-based Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary is to hold a workshop for educators on the role science and technology in managing and protecting the nation’s natural resources.

The workshop, titled “Science at Sea,” will run from June 21-25 and feature three days of study at the sanctuary’s island headquarters and, weather permitting, two days on board ship in the Gulf of Mexico.

For information and registration materials, send an e-mail to Shelley.Dupuy(at)noaa.gov or visit the sanctuary’s website at http://flowergarden.noaa.gov/education/workshops.html.

— Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

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Deadline Nears For Aid Program Enrollment

A program for Hurricane Ike victims who still need help recovering from the storm has entered its final two months for enrollment.

Ike survivors will not be able to register for the Recovery for Ike Survivors Enterprise program after July 31.

The RISE program, which is funded by FEMA and administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, is a disaster case management service providing help, support and advocacy for Ike survivors through a network of 10 local agencies in 16 counties, including Galveston.

To be eligible for services, survivors must be living in one of the 16 counties, be a U.S. citizen or legal resident and not be receiving aid from the Disaster Housing Assistance Program or other similar services.

For information, call 1-888-453-7473 or visit www.texasrise.org.

— Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response

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New UTMB Residency Program Recognized

GALVESTON — A residency program in neurologic physical therapy created started in July last year by the University of Texas Medical Branch’s school of health professions and two partners has been credentialed by the American Physical Therapy Association.

The 12-month program — the first in the Southwest and one of only seven in the United States — offers classroom instruction at both the medical branch and Texas Woman’s University for neurologic physical therapists, who work with people who are recovering from strokes, brain and spinal cord injuries and such neurological diseases as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

They gain experience of patient care at several facilities throughout the Memorial Hermann System in Houston.

— University of Texas Medical Branch

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Hotline Seeks To Stop Recovery Work Fraud

GALVESTON — The city of Galveston’s Housing Recovery program, which has received more than 1,600 applications from Hurricane Ike victims, has set up a hot line to prevent fraud and abuse in the program.

Residents who suspect fraud or abuse in relation to the program can call 877-559-2144 or e-mail reportwasteandabuse@cityofgalveston recovers.org.

Calls can be made anonymously, or callers may request confidentiality.

Fraud and abuse of the system could include an application from a non-Galveston homeowner or from someone whose Galveston home was not their primary residence at the time of the hurricane, or from someone claiming falsely not to have received insurance for their damaged home.

Residents also should beware of anyone asking for sensitive information, such as a Social Security or bank account number, any Galveston Recovers program building contractor asking to be paid directly or anyone asking for a relief fund donation for an unknown “charity” or for a check to be made out to their name.

Go to www.cityofgalvestonrecovers.org.

— City of Galveston