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Family Birth Place expansion project is almost ready

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Like an expectant mother, the Family Birth Place expansion project has required about nine months and is about to be unveiled, according to Permian Regional Medical Center officials.

AEDC purchases land for possible affordable housing development

The city council on Thursday paved the way for a land purchase by the Andrews Economic Development Corporation that is targeted to draw an affordable housing project.

AHS track resurface to be considered

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The school board on Tuesday will consider awarding a bid for a project involving resurfacing the high school track.

Downed lines result in power outages

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Downed power lines in northwest Andrews early Friday resulted in around 1,700 Oncor customers losing power for several hours.

Economic incentives approved for GTG’s move to AEDC’s Business Park South

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The city council on Thursday approved an economic incentive package for Project Sunshine, which involves a longtime local business consolidating its locations at the Andrews Economic Development Corporation’s Business Park South.

Economic incentives include 11.5 acres at the park, along with a $200,000 jobs creation grant, according to AEDC Director Morse Haynes.

GTG Automation plans to build an office building and a warehouse at the AEDC’s Business Park South, Haynes noted.

Timing was right for Shaffer to throw hat into ring for city council election

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Randy Shaffer felt the timing was right to throw his hat into the ring for a city council seat.

Shaffer and his family are established in Andrews and it is one way to give back.

“We’ve lived in Andrews 14 years,” Shaffer explained. “It’s home. We have three daughters who are in the school system, and it seemed like time for me to step up and get involved a little bit.”

Shaffer is one of seven candidates vying for three city council seats in the May 1 election.

Early voting gets under way Monday at the school district tax office on N. Main St.

Helbig is one of the two incumbents in election

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Chris Helbig has gained keen insight into the city’s operation during his initial term on the city council.

City’s sales tax remains low

For the second consecutive month, the city’s sales tax allocation has been under $500,000 and below the city’s conservative budget estimate.

But city officials believe there is a reason for the low number this month and that rebate checks from the state comptroller’s office will begin to pick up in coming months.

The most recent rebate check was the second lowest of the fiscal year at $454,017. The lowest was the previous month’s check of $453,572.

Active virus cases down to two as immunizations grow

The virus situation continues to improve as Andrews County is approaching a significant number with vaccinations, according to the health department’s most recent report.

As of April 7, more than 9,000 Andrews County residents had received at least one shot or were fully immunized, the health department reported.

In other words, the county is way ahead of the game as far as early hopes when the vaccine first came out.

Wild West Fest will be first chamber event since before virus pandemic

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Around a year ago, those with the Andrews Chamber of Commerce had to make the tough decision to cancel the annual Wild, Wild West Fest because of the relatively new virus pandemic that had hit the area.