SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 18 -- The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command issued the following news: U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class William Booth was named the U.S. Army Medical Recruiting Brigade's best warrior of the year Feb. 28, all while breaking a finger during the competition. Booth is an Army combat medic by trade currently serving as a health care recruiter at the Kansas City Medical Recruiting Station, one of 14 medical recruiting stations assigned to the 5th Medical Recruiting Battalion  more

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 17 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Team Sheppard, we are entering new era as we work to manage and mitigate this national emergency, as declared by the president. We will now diligently work to "flatten the curve" of coronavirus, or COVID-19, activity in our community. Now is not a time to panic, rather it's time to join together, stay calm, be patient and flexible. We will get through this together. The  more

SPRINGFIELD, Virginia, March 21 -- The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on March 19, entitled: "Onions Grown in South Texas; Decreased Assessment Rate". The proposed rule was issued by Bruce Summers, Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. DATES: Comments must be received by April 20, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abigail Campos, Marketing Specialist, or Christian D. Nissen, Regional Director, Southeast Marketing Fiel  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 17 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Air Education and Training Command leaders are encouraging employees at high-risk for contracting COVID-19 to work with their supervisors to begin teleworking. "We want to be proactive to ensure we are protecting our most vulnerable," said Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, AETC commander. "We are providing the most flexibility to our directors and supervisors so they can prote  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 18 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: The Department of Defense response to the coronavirus outbreak continues to be dynamic and policy may quickly change, but as of March 17, U.S. Air Force's basic military training, technical training and flying training operations have been deemed mission essential and will continue with mitigation for COVID-19, Air Education and Training Command announced. Additionally, all technical training and   more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 18 -- The U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center issued the following news: Air Force privatized housing residents who want to exercise the rights outlined in the recently-signed Tenant Bill of Rights will have several options to raise concerns and resolve issues. Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper and the service secretaries signed the Tenant Bill of Rights Feb. 25, empowering residents with processes to receive information, assistance, advocacy  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 18 -- The U.S. Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center issued the following news: Air Force privatized housing residents who want to exercise the rights outlined in the recently-signed Tenant Bill of Rights will have several options to raise concerns and resolve issues. Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper and the service secretaries signed the Tenant Bill of Rights Feb. 25, empowering residents with processes to receive information, as  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 17 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center has canceled its 2020 Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conference due to travel restrictions and health risk mitigation strategies associated with the global coronavirus pandemic. I-WEPTAC was scheduled for April 6-8 in San Antonio. AFIMSC senior leaders are considering ways of sharing pro  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 18 -- The U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center issued the following news: The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center has canceled its 2020 Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conference due to travel restrictions and health risk mitigation strategies associated with the global coronavirus pandemic. I-WEPTAC was scheduled for April 6-8 in San Antonio. AFIMSC senior leaders are considering ways of sharing progress and rec  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 17 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: The Air Force presented a $3 million Small Business Innovation Research program award to an Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center innovation project March 12. The project uses drones and machine learning to revolutionize how the Air Force Civil Engineer Center collects data for its environmental mission. The initiative is powered by a partnership between AFIMSC, Air Force Innovation Hu  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 21 -- The U.S. Air Force Personnel Center issued the following news: The Air Force Master Sergeant (20E7) promotion board originally set to convene here March 23 is rescheduled to ensure personal health and safety concerns associated with Coronavirus disease-19, or COVID-19, can be maintained. The 20E7 board is now scheduled to convene the first week of June, with a public promotion release projected for the end of July. The delay does not impact t  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 19 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: For the first time since the inception of the Air Force Recruiting Service Operation Blue Suit award, AFRS is recognizing its Total Force partners by honoring an Air Force Reservist and Air National Guardsman. Since 1979, Operation Blue Suit has honored the top recruiters in AFRS. Although it has been in existence for 41 years, this is the first time Operation Bl  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 21 -- The U.S. Air Force Reserve Command issued the following news: For the first time since the inception of the Air Force Recruiting Service Operation Blue Suit award, AFRS is recognizing its Total Force partners by honoring an Air Force Reservist and Air National Guardsman. Since 1979, Operation Blue Suit has honored the top recruiters in AFRS. Although it has been in existence for 41 years, this is the first time Operation Blue Suit has include  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 18 -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Southwestern Division announce changes to lake operations in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas amid health concerns. Effective today, the Southwestern Division will take a number of measures across the region to reduce risk to employees, volunteers and lakes guests. "The health and well-being of our visitors, volunteers and employees is our highest priority,  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 17 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Southwestern Division announce changes to lake operations in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas amid health concerns. Effective today, the Southwestern Division will take a number of measures across the region to reduce risk to employees, volunteers and lakes guests. "The health and well-being of our visitors, volunteers and employees is our highest prior  more

FRISCO, Texas, March 17 -- The U.S. Army Reserve Command issued the following news: As the glow from a neighborhood CrossFit gym shines into the early morning darkness, massive floor-to-ceiling windows reveal a group of Soldiers huddled in a circle. These Soldiers stand focused on a young cadet preparing for a new Army milestone. The Frisco native and University of North Texas Army cadet nods in agreement as his peers and leaders give him pointers on the new Army Combat Fitness Test. By the end  more

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 17 -- The U.S. Air Force's 82nd Training Wing issued the following news: Team Sheppard, we are entering new era as we work to manage and mitigate this national emergency, as declared by the president. We will now diligently work to "flatten the curve" of coronavirus, or COVID-19, activity in our community. Now is not a time to panic, rather it's time to join together, stay calm, be patient and flexible. We will get through this together. The first thing y  more

SANTA FE, New Mexico, March 20 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management's New Mexico State Office issued the following news release: In keeping with the Administration's goal of promoting American energy security, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to offer 95 parcels totaling 45,445.76 acres at its May 2020 quarterly oil and gas lease sale. The proposed parcels are located in Chaves, Eddy and Lea counties in New Mexico; and Wise County in Texas. The lease sa  more

DALLAS, Texas, March 21 -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Southwest Regional Information Office issued the following report on the employer costs for employee compensation for the regions for December 2019: Private industry employer costs for employee compensation among the four regions of the country ranged from $30.48 per hour in the South to $39.37 in the West during December 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. In the other two regions, hourly emp  more

GALVESTON, Texas, March 18 -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District announced today that it has completed the Brazos River Fort Bend Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study and is recommending that no federal action be taken. "No structural plan was justified," said Dionicio Gonzales, project manager with USACE Galveston District, "and no non-structural plan was available, so our study recommends no federal action at thi  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- The U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol issued the following news: Nearly 100 Civil Air Patrol cadets are receiving academic and flight scholarships worth a combined total of $155,500, Cadet Programs has announced. Twenty others were recommended for acceptance to the U.S. Air Force Preparatory School in Colorado Springs. In all, 59 academic scholarships account for $116,500 of that amount and 36 flight scholarships for $39,000. The cadet recipients represent all  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service announced that it expects to award up to 20 cooperative agreements for the establishment of vegetable and fruit gardens, rainwater harvesting systems, pollinator habitat and high tunnels in Texas. The estimated total program funding available was cited as $125,000 with a ceiling of $18,500. The category of funding activity is environment. The funding is open to: Public and State controlled insti  more

GALVESTON, Texas, March 17 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District announced today that it has completed the Brazos River Fort Bend Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study and is recommending that no federal action be taken. "No structural plan was justified," said Dionicio Gonzales, project manager with USACE Galveston District, "and no non-structural plan was available, so our study recommends no federal action at  more

SPRINGFIELD, Virginia, March 21 -- The Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a notice, published in the Federal Register on March 19, entitled: "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews of 10 Species in Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Mexico". The notice was issued by Amy Luders, Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. DATES: To ensure consideration, we are requesting submission of new i  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the following statement: "A CDC food safety alert regarding a multistate outbreak of E. coli O103 infections has been posted: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2020/o103h2-02-20/index.html "What is new: * Since the last update on February 26, 2020, 25 additional people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O103 have been reported from two states, bringing the total to 39   more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, March 20 -- The U.S. Army Special Operations Command issued the following news: Members of the Mission and Installation Contracting Command at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, were among the contracting professionals seeing firsthand changes coming to the acquisition community during a March 4 demonstration of the Army Contract Writing System. ACWS will serve as the Army's single enterprise writing and management system, replacing two outdated systems tha  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- The U.S. Air Force (94th Airlift Wing) issued the following news: Over the past several days, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has relocated almost 2,000 passengers from the Grand Princess cruise ship to four Department of Defense military facilities: Travis Air Force Base and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, and Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia. We recognize this continues to be a challenging and s  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- The U.S. Air Force Reserve Command issued the following news: Over the past several days, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has relocated almost 2,000 passengers from the Grand Princess cruise ship to four Department of Defense military facilities: Travis Air Force Base and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, and Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia. We recognize this continues to be a challenging and stres  more

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 20 -- The U.S. Air Force (17th Training Wing) issued the following news: Col. Robert Ramirez, 17th Training Wing vice commander, and members of Goodfellow delivered lunch to the 17th Medical Group during a rush of patients at the Ross Clinic here, March 20. The food was donated by the city of San Angelo community partners. Goodfellow currently has no confirmed COVID-19 cases.  more

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 17 -- The U.S. Air Force (17th Training Wing) issued the following news: Leadership for the 17th Training Wing hosted a virtual Town Hall on March 17 to address COVID-19 concerns affecting the Goodfellow community. There is nothing more important than the health and welfare of the Goodfellow and local community. Wing leadership is working with base subject matter experts and community partners of San Angelo and surrounding areas to synchronize efforts. Go  more

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 20 -- The U.S. Air Force (17th Training Wing) issued the following news: Leadership for the 17th Training Wing hosted a virtual Town Hall on March 17 to address COVID-19 concerns affecting the Goodfellow community. There is nothing more important than the health and welfare of the Goodfellow and local community. Wing leadership is working with base subject matter experts and community partners of San Angelo and surrounding areas to synchronize efforts. Go  more

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 19 -- The U.S. Air Force (17th Training Wing) issued the following news: Background There is much to learn about the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Based on what is currently known about the virus, spread from person-to-person happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. Transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contamina  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 19 -- The U.S. Air Force (16th Air Force) issued the following news: The 616th Operations Center was activated here during a ceremony Monday. The new OC integrates the 625th OC, including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations with the 624th OC, including cyber operations. Lt. Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) commander, shared his vision for the new center. "Today we stand up a warfighting unit that   more

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 19 -- The U.S. Air Force (82nd Training Wing) issued the following news: Efforts are being made around Sheppard AFB to limit and prevent the spread of Coronavirus, or COVID-19, on base and in our surrounding communities. As is such, several agencies are modifying or suspending their hours and services during this unprecedented time. The following list will be updated and published at the end of each day as needed as new information is sent to the 82nd Trai  more

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 20 -- The U.S. Air Force (82nd Training Wing) issued the following news: Work will begin on or about March 23, 2020 on a construction project that will resurface Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Boulevard's north and southbound lanes. The first phase of the three-phase project will the southbound section between Ninth and Fifth avenues. Drivers will be detoured west onto Ninth Avenue to Moates Avenue; left onto Moates Avenue to Fifth Avenue; then left onto Fifth Avenu  more

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, March 17 -- The U.S. Air Force (16th Air Force) issued the following news: Members of the Air Force's 55th Wing, out of Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, stopped by JBSA-Lackland, to demonstrate the unique capabilities of the RC-135, known as Rivet Joint. The Rivet Joint is one of several Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft used, in part, to collect, survey and analyze data. "The plane can be best described as a vacuum," said Maj Jos  more

TEMPLE, Texas, March 18 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service Texas office issued the following news release: The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). ACEP, reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, funds easements for agricultural lands and wetlands. Approved agricultural easements prevent productive working lands from being converted to non-agricultural us  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation issued the following news release on March 16: * * * - Watershed groups in Alaska and Hawaii receive their first funding, joining other groups in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming * * * The Bureau of Reclamation has selected 29 projects to receive $2.8 million to complete watershed group development, watershed restoration planning and watershed managem  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 17 -- The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command issued the following news: A parachute slid off the wall, revealing the text behind it, "Welcome to Chapman Training Annex, home of Air Force Special Warfare Training." The life and legacy of a Special Tactics combat controller will forever be cemented into history with an installation renaming that serves to inspire not just Special Warfare trainees, but all Airmen that come through the gates of t  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 18 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: Air Force privatized housing residents who want to exercise the rights outlined in the recently-signed Tenant Bill of Rights will have several options to raise concerns and resolve issues. Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper and the service secretaries signed the Tenant Bill of Rights Feb. 25, empowering residents with processes to receive information, assistance, advocacy and insight into the   more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 21 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: Air Education and Training Command released a formal memorandum outlining the command's mission essential training determination during the new coronavirus outbreak. The signed memo officially authorizes travel for recruits and Airmen who are scheduled to attend basic military training, technical training and flying training. Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, AETC commander, signed the memorandum which was sent  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 18 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center has canceled its 2020 Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conference due to travel restrictions and health risk mitigation strategies associated with the global COVID-19 pandemic. I-WEPTAC was scheduled for April 6-8 in San Antonio. AFIMSC senior leaders are considering ways of sharing progress and recommendations mission area  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas, March 21 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following news: For the first time since the inception of the Air Force Recruiting Service Operation Blue Suit award, AFRS is recognizing its Total Force partners by honoring an Air Force Reservist and Air National Guardsman. Since 1979, Operation Blue Suit has honored the top recruiters in AFRS. Although it has been in existence for 41 years, this is the first time Operation Blue Suit has included all three comp  more

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 19 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Fort Worth District issued the following news release: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fort Worth District is taking measures to assist public health efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and protect USACE employees and visitors. "The health and well-being of our visitors, volunteers and employees is our highest priority," Brig. Gen. Paul E. Owen, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Southwestern Divisi  more

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 17 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release on March 16: Officials with the Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, announced that due to COVID-19 concerns the April 2 public meeting about the initiation of the revision to the Grapevine Lake Master Plan is canceled. The public will be informed with an update about the Grapevine Lake Master Planning revision when it is available. Questions can be addressed to: Kenneth Myers, CESW  more

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 18 -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release: Officials with the Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, announced today that due to COVID-19 concerns the April 2 public meeting about the initiation of the revision to the Grapevine Lake Master Plan is canceled. The public will be informed with an update about the Grapevine Lake Master Planning revision when it is available. Questions can be addressed to: Kenneth Myers, CESWF-OD-M, U.  more

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 17 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Fort Worth District issued the following news release: Officials with the Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, announced today due to COVID-19 concerns the canceling of the public meeting on March 24 at Tioga High School, 855 McKnight Road, Tioga, Texas 76271, to inform the public of the initiation of the revision to the Ray Roberts Lake Master Plan. The public will be informed with an update about the Ray Roberts La  more

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 18 -- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release: Officials with the Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, announced today due to COVID-19 concerns the canceling of the public meeting on March 24 at Tioga High School, 855 McKnight Road, Tioga, Texas 76271, to inform the public of the initiation of the revision to the Ray Roberts Lake Master Plan. The public will be informed with an update about the Ray Roberts Lake Master Planning revis  more

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 17 -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following news release: Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Officials at Canyon Lake announce today the lease of Comal Park to the Water Oriented Recreation District (WORD) of Comal County. "We believe WORD will be an excellent steward of Comal Park and will be able to offer an exceptional recreational experience to our residents and visitors," stated Lake Manager Javier Perez Ortiz. WORD will be releasin  more

TEMPLE, Texas, March 20 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service Texas office issued the following news release: The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through May 11 for On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials now in its second year. On-Farm Trials, part of the agency's Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) program, help support the adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural land. "NRC  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The White House issued the following news release: NOMINATIONS SENT TO THE SENATE: Aditya Bamzai, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board for a term expiring January 29, 2026. (Reappointment) Rick A. Dearborn, of Oklahoma, to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors for a term of five years, vice Jeffrey R. Moreland, term expired. Brett P. Giroir, of Texas, to be Representative of the United States on the Executive Board of  more

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas, March 17 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news: Beginning March 16, 2020, leaders at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center will begin implementing three entry and exit control points to ensure the continued health and safety of staff, volunteers and beneficiaries. To continue normal operations and patient care, the 59th Medical Wing will institute precautionary screening for staff and patients before enterin  more