TxDOT #EndTheStreakTX Campaign

I would like to draw attention to a very important topic we face in Texas, which is roadway safety. Since November 7, 2000 at least one person has died every single day, with an average of 10 deaths everyday. As a result, The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently launched the annual #EndTheStreakTX campaign. During this campaign, TxDOT asks all Texans to join the effort to end the deadly 23-year streak on roadways in Texas. The Texas Transportation Commission has set a goal aiming to end all fatalities on Texas roads by 2050, with an interim goal to reduce them by half by 2035.  I hope we can work together to end this deadly trend to make all roadways in Texas safe.

The leading cause of fatalities continue to be failure to stay in one lane, alcohol, and speed. November 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas Roadways with fatalities resulting from vehicle crashes around 67,000. In 2023 alone, there were 4,283 lives lost. Furthermore, there is 1 reportable crash every 56 seconds, and 1 person killed every 2 hours and 3 minutes. These staggering statistics should serve as a reminder to drive safely and avoid distractions while driving. 

Additionally, TxDOT will dedicate $600 million for safety improvements across Texas roadways over the next two years. This includes widening some roads and adding rumble strips that alert drivers if they are veering out of their lane or off the road. Also, TxDOT will reinforce shoulders and select turn lanes, and deploy new technology that will increase safety on the entire roadway system. However, Texans play a major role in ending the deadly trend by changing simple driving habits, such as, wearing seatbelts, driving the speed limit, putting away the phone and other distractions, and never driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

I encourage all Texans to join the effort to end this steak to protect our families. To learn more about the annual #EndTheStreakTX campaign you can visit https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/psas/end-streak.html . Through this effort we can hopefully cause a wave of commitment and a surge of support to end the trend in Texas.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office.  Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).    

 

 – State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32 

 

 Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and Nueces County (Part).  He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672

 

BBB Scam Alert: Recognizing the red flags of a utility scam during freezing weather

Weather forecasts over the next week predict near or below-freezing temperatures across most of Texas, introducing the first cold snap of the winter season. As residents prepare their homes and businesses, chances are high that scammers will take advantage of the situation by impersonating utility companies and using the threat of disconnection to entice immediate payment.

Be wary of texts, phone calls or emails from the utility company that services your area, claiming that they will shut your heat off immediately unless payment is made. According to the Public Utility Commission of Texas, an electric utility company cannot disconnect a customer anywhere in its service area on a day when:  

The previous day’s highest temperature did not exceed 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and the temperature is predicted to remain at or below that level for the next 24 hours, according to the nearest National Weather Service (NWS) reports. 

For residents who rely on a gas heating system rather than electric, disconnection of a delinquent residential customer is prohibited under these same conditions, except where there is a known dangerous condition that stems from the gas being supplied to the residence.  

If contacted by your utility company demanding immediate payment during freezing temperatures, remain calm and contact your utility company through the phone number listed on your most recent bill to verify the situation. Complaints against a utility company for failure to comply with any of the Public Utility Commission of Texas’ rules can be filed online at https://puc.texas.gov/.  

Keep a lookout for some of these red flags of a utility scam:

Regular payment portals are inoperable. The scammer may claim that an automatic payment failed to go through due to complications with the utility company’s payment portal. They may attempt to collect payment directly over the phone or will provide a link to an alternative payment portal. 

Threats of immediate disconnection. Scammers thrive on emotional manipulation, and, during freezing temperatures, they understand how to capitalize on people’s fear of being without heat. Contact your utility company directly any time the threat of immediate disconnection is used. 

Use of links in texts or emails. Be wary of following any links or contacting a utility company through a provided callback number in a text or email. Always contact the utility company using a known, trusted method, such as through its official website portal, mobile app, or phone number listed on a recent bill. 

Service bundling. Some scammers claim they can bundle a target’s electricity, gas, internet, or other utility providers into a single bill which will save the customer money. Be wary of these claims and verify affiliation or partnership with the utility service provider before engaging with these services. 

Better Business Bureau recommends customers review their utility provider’s policies and scam prevention guidelines regarding delinquent payments or contact. Many will specifically describe the type of information they will request over the phone, how to verify a legitimate employee, and other details that can help avoid utility scams. 

For more information on how to stay safe from scams during winter weather, visit BBB.org/Winter

 

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – DECEMBER 2024

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Corpus Christi Housing Report for December 2024.

Our active listing median prices have softened the past month to $357,000 which is actually a 23.4% decrease from where it was compared to last December at this time! CCAR shows us the data that has risen for active listings t0 41.2% with a total of 298 properties this past month compared to December 2023 while inventory also rose to 10.3 compared to 6.6 last year at this time.

Days on the market increased this past month with an average of 116 days and the highest categories for sales with 37.5% of all the sales being priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The market is still softening a bit as we head into new year with properties available across many pricing areas. Padre Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI is open for sales of their lots in Phase 1, Contact Coastline Properties Agent Ms. Amber Spicak at their office for all pre-sales. amber@coastline-properties.com

The Consumer Price Index rose at a slightly quicker pace than the 0.3% increase in the prior month, as energy prices surged by 2.6% in December alone. Gasoline prices shot up 4.4%. Over the year ending in December, CPI rose 2.9% — up from 2.7% in November 2024.

Cheri Sperling is the owner of Coastline Properties with a dedicated team of agents specializing in residential listings, sales, and property management in the Padre Island Corpus Christi real estate market. Coastline’s team is the most knowledgeable real estate office on Padre Island. No pressure style, patience, and an intimate understanding of the local market. They go to work for you!

 

Padre Island Corpus Christi December 2024 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

padre-island-corpus-christi-housing-report-november-2024

Human Trafficking Awareness 2025

The month of January serves as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Governor Abbott has proclaimed January 2025 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month. During this month, advocates, organizations, and individuals unite to raise awareness about this very important issue. According to the Department of Homeland Security, human trafficking is “modern-day slavery and involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act.” Human trafficking is not the same as human smuggling, which involves the illegal transportation of a person across a border. Victims of human trafficking are of all genders, ages, races, countries, socioeconomic statuses, and so on. While human trafficking can happen to anyone, people who are already in vulnerable situations – such as people experiencing homelessness – may be more likely to be targeted.

Human trafficking is often thought to be an international issue, however, this crime exists in all fifty states within the United States. Human trafficking has become the second-largest criminal activity/industry in the US and generates billions of dollars in illegal profits annually. According to the Human Trafficking Institute, 22,326 people were identified as victims or survivors of human trafficking. In addition to this, The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported that over 11,500 human trafficking cases were reported in the U.S. Approximately 1,080 of these cases were reported from within Texas. It is crucial to continue to be proactive and increase our partnerships and collaborations with organizations or governmental entities locally and throughout our nation to stop this activity and bring awareness to this issue.

In order to prevent human trafficking, we must expand our knowledge of the issue.  Understanding what human trafficking is and how to recognize it is essential.  Some resources to review are the Polaris Project https://polarisproject.org/human-trafficking and the Blue Campaign https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign. To research statistics and other facts about human trafficking in Texas, visit the Texas Human Trafficking Task Force Reports https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/initiatives/human-trafficking.

The Texas Legislature continues to work diligently to introduce legislation to combat this industry. For this reason, the current anti-human trafficking laws were reviewed and revised throughout the most recent Legislative Session to ensure the prosecution of these criminals continues and stops others from being involved in these activities. The goal is to create laws that stop, prevent, and end the human trafficking epidemic.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office.  Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32

 Rep. Hunter represents Nueces County (Part).  He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672

BBB Tip: Practice and reinforce safe cybersecurity habits during Cybersecurity Awareness Month

In the modern age, very few people can go an entire day without accessing at least one digital system, and even fewer people can last a whole week. Whether checking bank accounts, social media feeds, emails, or tracking an online purchase, consumers and businesses access digital accounts so frequently that it feels almost natural. With companies continuously strengthening security systems in their fight against cybercriminals, including adding biometric identifiers such as fingerprints or retina scans, many people think their personal information and online accounts are safe and secure. However, the vulnerability that most often results in a compromised account is something outside what most companies can control – the account holders themselves.

While massive data breaches that provide the account details for thousands or millions of users are not unheard of, a much more likely cause is an individual account holder accidentally providing the information needed for the hacker to gain access to the account or providing a means for an entire computer system to be taken over. Often through impersonation, tech support fraud, or phishing attacks, cybercriminals direct targets to malicious links that collect login details, install keyloggers, or take over computer systems. For this reason, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other consumer advocacy groups stress the importance of practicing safe cybersecurity habits, and Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great time to address possible vulnerabilities.

“Cybercriminals are constantly looking for new ways to exploit digital systems,” said Heather Massey, vice president of communications for Better Business Bureau serving the Heart of Texas. “Everyone, businesses and consumers alike, must proactively protect their accounts by safeguarding information and being extremely cautious when interacting with any links that direct them to an unknown website.”

To promote and reinforce safe cybersecurity habits, BBB offers the following tips and resources:

Browser privacy. Many websites use files called cookies to personalize user experiences and provide targeted ads. Website browsers, such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Microsoft Edge, allow users to adjust their privacy settings and delete or manage cookies. Changes made on one device do not carry over to other devices, so adjust these settings on any device you use to access the internet.

Smartphone privacy. Most mobile devices allow users to control whether they receive targeted ads based on app usage and browsing activity. Settings include resetting advertising identifiers, tracking control, location control and ad personalization. Toggling these settings will change the permissions of apps and browsers used on a mobile device. Additionally, the Digital Advertising Alliance and the Network Advertising Initiative have free opt-out tools for consumers who wish to stop receiving targeted advertisements. Learn more about adjusting privacy settings for your devices at FTC.gov.

Protect your device. Download and maintain up-to-date security software to prevent malware from infecting your device. Along with computers, other web-enabled devices, such as smartphones and gaming systems, also need protection from viruses and malware. Make sure to use security software to scan for viruses on any external device, such as a USB flash drive, before downloading data to your hard drive.

Exercise good cybersecurity habits. Become familiar with the five-step approach to cybersecurity: identify, protect, detect, respond and recover. Be cautious when interacting with links received through email or social media, and make it a habit to check for the ‘lock’ icon in a website address that indicates it is a secured system before making an online purchase. Protect your most vital accounts by enabling the strongest authentication tools available, such as biometrics, security keys or a unique one-time code through an app on your mobile device. Read more on how to safeguard your home from cybersecurity threats on BBB.org.

For additional resources on how businesses can practice safe internet habits, visit BBB.org.

 

 

 

 

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – NOVEMBER 2024

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Corpus Christi Housing Report for November 2024.

Our active listing median prices have softened the past month to $485,000 which is actually a 20.1% increase from where it was compared to last November at this time! CCAR shows us the data that has risen for active listings t0 33.6% with a total of 322 properties this past month compared to November 2023 while inventory also rose to 11.5 compared to 7.3 last year at this time.

Days on the market stayed steady this past month with an average of 86 days and the highest categories for sales with 30.4% of all the sales being priced between $300,000 – $399,999. The market is still softening a bit as we head into the last month of 2024 with properties available across many pricing areas. Padre Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI is open for sales of their lots in Phase 1, Contact Coastline Properties Agent Ms. Amber Spicak at their office for all pre-sales. amber@coastline-properties.com

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose by 0.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in November versus the prior month, following four consecutive months of 0.2 percent increases. Over the past 12 months, the all-items index has increased by 2.7 percent before seasonal adjustment.

Cheri Sperling is the owner of Coastline Properties with a dedicated team of agents specializing in residential listings, sales, and property management in the Padre Island Corpus Christi real estate market. Coastline’s team is the most knowledgeable real estate office on Padre Island. No pressure style, patience, and an intimate understanding of the local market. They go to work for you!

 

Padre Island Corpus Christi November 2024 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

padre-island-corpus-christi-housing-report-november-2024

National Impaired Driving Awareness Month

The month of December is proclaimed as National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month or National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. The time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is described by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals as “One of the deadliest and most dangerous times on America’s roadways due to an increase in impaired driving.” Therefore, for more than 40 years, preventionists across the country have observed National Impaired Driving Prevention Month in December to raise awareness that impaired driving can be deadly and to put strategies in place for all of us to make it home safely.

Over 10,000 American lives are lost to drunk and drug-impaired driving each year, accounting for nearly a third of all traffic deaths. In addition to this, The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2019 during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, 210 lives were lost due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes. A person’s ability to operate a vehicle is impaired by the effects of illegal drugs, prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, or a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 grams per deciliter or higher.

Accidents caused by driving under the influence are preventable. Here are a few tips to keep in mind. Firstly, always plan ahead. Designate a sober driver, and arrange for an alternative route home just in case. Second, if you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or even friend, talk to your loved ones to remind them how important it is to be responsible and stay safe. Additionally, if you are the one hosting the party, always offer a non-alcoholic option for drinks for your guests so they can still have a good time eating and drinking with everyone else. This holiday season, each of us has the power to prevent a tragedy and ensure that those we know and care about get to and from their celebrations. If we practice prevention to keep ourselves and our communities safe, the holidays can be full of the joy we expect them to be.

To learn more about National Impaired Driving Prevention month please visit https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/national-impaired-driving-prevention-month. Additionally, you can visit National Safety Council to learn more about impaired driving and safety tips https://www.nsc.org/road/safety-topics/impaired-driving. Along with this Mothers Against Drunk Driving also known as MADD, is a great resource to learn about the statistics and prevention of impaired driving. They also provide support to those who are victims of these horrible crimes. Their website is https://madd.org/.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32

Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and Nueces County (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.

BBB Tip: How to avoid purchasing fake tickets to events

As another Texas summer with record-breaking heat ends and cooler fall temperatures approach, many people will be looking to get out and enjoy themselves at various events across the state. Sports enthusiasts may be planning on watching their favorite team compete this season, while those more interested in music eagerly await to see their favorite artist perform live. With the prices of tickets to major events increasing and the ever-present threat of con artists capitalizing on marketplace trends, BBB recommends consumers exercise caution when searching for and purchasing tickets to their next event.

While most people know to be careful when purchasing tickets off a third-party website or reseller, recent reports to BBB Scam Tracker show a concerning trend of scammers disguising themselves as reputable ticket sellers when interacting with the victim. These schemes often leverage the credibility of companies such as Ticketmaster to convince victims to provide payment for tickets that are either fake, for the wrong event or priced significantly higher than the going rate. Some may also advertise discounted tickets for high-priced seats or sections, which turns out to be false once the tickets are received, or the purchaser arrives at the venue.

In some worst-case scenarios, a consumer who is provided a fake ticket plans an entire weekend around the event, including travel costs and a hotel room, only to be turned away at the entrance. Victims may also find that the credit or debit card used to pay for the tickets has a series of charges they do not recognize, resulting in them having to cancel the card and dispute those transactions with their bank to varying degrees of success.

To help prevent fraudulent sellers from interrupting your event plans, Better Business Bureau provides the following tips:

  • Purchase directly from the venue whenever possible. Many consumers automatically go to a secondary resale market to purchase tickets for an upcoming event before first checking with the venue. Going directly to the venue may not only save money but is also a way to ensure that a purchase is for a valid ticket. Venues also often include what secondary resale organization they are listing their tickets on, giving consumers an additional layer of protection from purchasing fake tickets.
  • Consider your source. There is a significant difference between purchasing a ticket from a professional ticket broker and a ticket scalper. While dealing with the latter may result in obtaining valid tickets, the risk of encountering a scammer is significantly greater. Always exercise caution when purchasing from sources that are not members of the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB) or Better Business Bureau.
  • Research the seller/broker. Brokers who are members of NATB offer a 200% purchase guarantee on tickets, protecting consumers that use their services. Visit NATB.org to confirm you are interacting with a NATB-member resale company.
  • Check for website encryption. It is good practice to always check for the lock symbol in the website address, indicating a secured system is enabled on the site. BBB strongly recommends against giving any banking information to websites that are not secured.
  • Know the refund policy. Only purchase tickets from a ticket reseller that clearly details the purchase terms. Avoid sellers who do not disclose where the seats are located or where purchasers can pick up tickets. If the deal seems “too good to be true,” trust your instincts and thoroughly investigate the seller before purchasing tickets.
  • Use protected payment options. Debit or gift cards, mobile banking apps and cash transactions are risky due to difficulties recovering money if the tickets are fake. BBB recommends using credit cards for all online purchases due to the additional protections they offer consumers to obtain a refund.
  • Verify tickets. If you doubt the authenticity of a purchased ticket, present it to the “Will Call” or customer service center of the event venue. They will inform you if it is legitimate or explain how a legitimate ticket for their venue should look.

If you have been a victim of a fake ticket scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker. Information provided could prevent another person from falling victim.

For more information about ticket scams, visit BBB.org.

 

PADRE ISLAND HOUSING REPORT – OCTOBER 2024

Corpus Christi Association of Realtors has posted the Padre Island Corpus Christi Housing Report for October 2024.

Our active listing median prices have risen the past month to $556,7500 which is actually a 23.7% increase from where it was compared to last October at this time! CCAR shows us the data that has risen for active listings t0 33.3% with a total of 328 properties this past month compared to Ocotber 2023 while inventory also rose to 11.7 compared to 7.3 last year at this time.

Days on the market stayed steady this past month with an average of 143 days and the highest categories for sales with 40.0% of all the sales being priced between $500,000 – $749,999. The market is still softening a bit as we head into the holidays with properties available across many pricing areas. Padre Island’s newest development Whitecap NPI is open for sales of their lots in Phase 1, Contact Coastline Properties Agent Ms. Amber Spicak at their office for all pre-sales. amber@coastline-properties.com

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent on a seasonally
adjusted basis in October, the same increase as in each of the previous 3 months, the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.6 percent before
seasonal adjustment.

Cheri Sperling is the owner of Coastline Properties with a dedicated team of agents specializing in residential listings, sales, and property management in the Padre Island Corpus Christi real estate market. Coastline’s team is the most knowledgeable real estate office on Padre Island. No pressure style, patience, and an intimate understanding of the local market. They go to work for you!

 

Padre Island Corpus Christi October 2024 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

padre-island-corpus-christi-housing-report-october-2024

Importance of Blood Donation

The Coastal Bend Blood Center was formed in 1969 to centralize blood donation efforts in the South Texas area, as well as for Port Aransas, Rockport-Fulton, and Corpus Christi communities. Since its formation, it has involved over 35,000 volunteers per year, which is crucial since over 150 people per day are needed to donate blood to meet the needs in South Texas. The Blood Center often places its mobile centers at different areas such as high schools, churches, and hospitals. Individuals who want to donate blood can visit the Blood Center on 209 North Padre Island Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas during normal business hours. While many of the donation activities occur in Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, and Rockport-Fulton, the Coastal Bend Blood Center actually serves ten counties in South Texas, which includes over half a million residents. Bloodmobiles operate seven days a week to ensure that hospital and patient needs are met in this large geographical area.

While opportunities for blood donation are available and welcome throughout the year, there is currently a critical need for type B- blood and O- blood which is known as the universal donor. O- blood can be given to people of all blood types and is critical in emergencies before the patient’s blood type is known and with newborns that need blood. The general qualifications for blood donation include: be 17 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, have a pulse range between 50-100, have not donated whole blood in the last 8 weeks, have normal blood pressure, pulse and temperature, do not have a cold or sore throat, are not pregnant, and are not taking antibiotics for an active infection. If you have a specific question regarding your eligibility, please call 800.299.4943.

I want to continue to bring awareness to the many great organizations in our Coastal Bend such as the Coastal Bend Blood Center. About 1 in 7 people need blood when entering a hospital, so we can truly benefit from these types of worthwhile organizations by doing our part to raise awareness and try and participate in blood donations.

You can find more information about ways to help by donating blood as well as gain additional information about the Coastal Bend Blood Center and what it does as an organization by visiting their website at Coastal Bend Blood Center.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32

Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and Part of Nueces County. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.