FORT WORTH -- Thirty cases of the West Nile virus have been reported in Tarrant County, including five in Fort Worth, Sandra Parker, medical director of Tarrant County Public Health, told Fort Worth City Council members Tuesday.
Last week, the department reported 26 cases.Parker's report included advice for how people can minimize the risk of infection: Drain standing water, remember that mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, use insect repellant outside, and wear long pants and shirts with sleeves.Police reservesFort Worth Police Chief Jeff Halstead told the council that the department hopes to "re-engage" 25 to 30 reserve police officers now that the program has been reinstated.The department had 50 to 55 reserve officers when the program was suspended in March 2011, Halstead said."Many of them have chosen to go on to different agencies," Halstead said.The council will have to vote on each officer. Halstead said he hopes to have a list of proposed officers by October or November.Rail working groupThe council approved a 14-member working group to oversee the city's participation in passenger rail initiatives.The chair is District 6 Councilman Jungus Jordan.Other members are Mayor Betsy Price, District 9 Councilman Joel Burns and District 4 Councilman Danny Scarth; T Board members Gary Cumbie, Rosa Navejar, Gary Havener and Steve Berry; Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley; Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce President Bill Thornton; Fort Worth Black Chamber President Dee Kelly Jr.; Michael Morris, transportation director of North Central Texas Council of Governments; and the head of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce when a new one is named. Navejar is stepping down as Hispanic Chamber head next month.Dick Ruddell, CEO of The T, briefed the council on the progress of TexRail, a line that will connect southwest Fort Worth to D/FW Airport. Negotiations continue between Fort Worth and Western Railroad on rights of way, he said, and he thanked Price and Jordan, who have taken the lead on negotiations.Scott Nishimura,817-390-7808