Chris Sells

Tax Day is right around the corner. If you haven't filed yet, it's time to get your paperwork in order. Chris Sells has more in this Bobcat Update...
For students who have jobs, Uncle Sam is expecting his share. It's time to file your taxes. Many students have already done so...
SB
...and some haven't...
SB
If you fall into the latter category, it's better if you DON'T wait until the last minute.
Stand-up: If you're a do-it-yourselfer, there are a number of online programs you can use to file your taxes. But if you feel like you need some help, you might consider visiting a tax preparer.
SB
Whether you get help or decide to tackle the task on your own, remember the last day to file your taxes or ask for an extension is April 15th and the I-R-S isn't as forgiving as some of your professors when it comes to deadlines. For Bobcat Update, I'm Christopher Sells.

Marissa harold

Traffic on River Road between Hopkins and Cheatham in San Marcos has been slow lately. Mary Dichard tells us why in this Bobcat Update.
Construction of new sewer lines has disrupted traffic. The street is lined with road signs pointing in different directions, which makes it quite confusing to know which route to take.
SB- Alex Cabrera –Detours and mapping a rout
Texas Sterling Construction is in charge of the site and workers are busy rebasing manholes to make the streets more vehicle and pedestrian friendly.
Stand up: San Marcos residents are wondering when construction on Cheatham Street and River Road will stop.
The construction has taken longer than hoped and owners of nearby businesses are starting to get impatient.
SB: Catherine Wilsford- Parking and Noise
After the construction of the manholes is complete, Texas Sterling will lay down asphalt to complete the project.
Stand up/ Sign off: Due to company policy…construction should be complete by next week.

Andrew Salazar

New leadership will soon be taking over the Associated Student Government, so we took the opportunity to ask Texas State Students what they would like the A-S-G to address in the coming year.

Mary Dichard

Some Texas State Students may be in for a shock when they try to enroll for fall classes. Texas Representative Vicki Truitt (TRUE-IT) has authored House bill 18-75, requiring all full-time students enrolled at colleges and universities to be covered by a health insurance plan. According to the Assistant Director of the Student Health Center, more than 25 percent of Texas State students are uninsured. Truitt's proposal is being debated this week in Austin.

Sasha Armstrong

Goodwill Industries prides itself on serving the community to the fullest, and this week it started a new service to do just that. Sasha Armstrong has more in this Bobcat Update
For more than 100 years, Goodwill Industries has made it easier for people to attain everyday necessities from clothing to furniture at low prices. The organization is now branching out into a new endeavor. The San Marcos Goodwill store has opened a job help center, which provides essential information for those seeking employment.
Intake specialist Jamie Velazquez says the job center is very much needed.
SB
Finding available job listings, improving resume writing and interview skills are points the staff focuses on when working with customers.
SB
The Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 to 5. For Bobcat Update, I'm Sasha Armstrong.

Laura Coria

Every day some Texas State student somewhere on campus gets an unpleasant surprise – it's that orange ticket no one wants to receive. If you find one on your windshield, pay up as soon as you can to avoid late penalty charges. The parking services office is located in Nueces. And to avoid tickets altogether, read and obey the university's parking regulations. If you haven't bought a parking permit, your best bet for finding a space on campus is the L-B-J parking garage. Permits aren't required there, but you have to pay to park.

Amabilia Esparza

If you're graduating on time at Texas State, you might be eligible for a one-thousand dollar tuition rebate. However, many who qualify don't even know they are. Requirements include graduating within four years of enrollment and not exceeding one's degree plan by more than three hours. A rebate form can be found on the Texas State website or at an academic advisor's office. The form must be turned in to an advisor before graduation so that it can be reviewed by the student business office.

Katie Lombardi

The Annual Hays County Heart Walk was held at Bobcat Stadium this past Saturday. Many Texas State student and San Marcos residents came out to support the cause. Katie Lombardi has more on this Bobcat Update.

There was a moment of silence as people paused to remember those lost to heart disease. With the release of red balloons and a shot of gunfire the annual Hays county Heart Walk began. The American Heart Association raised money through donations and sponsorship. Students showed their support by donating and participating in the walk at Bobcat Stadium.

SB

SB

This year's heart walk was dedicated to Hays County Sheriff Allen Bridges who died of a heart attack in December. Bridges was a law enforcement veteran in Hays County for 11 years. Bridges' family showed its support by participating in the walk. Some walkers wore a red hat signifying that they were survivors of heart disease.

Stand Up

The Heart Association suggests that everyone get routine doctor visits and regular blood pressure check ups. Other tips to stay healthy include a balanced diet, regular exercise, moderate alcohol use and no smoking. For Bobcat Update, I'm Katie Lombardi.

Angelita Cabrera

A-S-G officials are waiting to see if students are more involved this year in voting for student government. The turnout last spring was about 5,000 students. Student Body President, Brett Baker said A-S-G candidates are concerned with a higher voting turnout. The three locations for voting are: L-B-J, in the Quad in front of Evans, and online. The voting polls will open March 31 and close April 1 at 5p.m..

Dara Downs

It's hard for many of us to imagine life before cell phones and iPods, but too much use could be bad for your health. Ailments such as Blackberry Thumb and iPod finger are becoming more common due to the popularity and over use of these devices.
Blackberry Thumb is described as pain or swelling in the thumb. Its cause is the unnatural position the thumb is in while using the phone to text or e-mail. Blackberry Thumb can also affect your arm, wrist and back. Massaging and stretching the tendons in the thumb as well as moving frequently can help relieve the pain.

Frances Rendon

Illegal downloading of music, movies, and other media may seem like a good idea at the time, but in the long run, they can be dangerous and expensive. Frances Rendon has more in this Bobcat Update.

When you use a free downloading website such as Limewire, you are seriously running the risk of harming your computer by exposing it to viruses and spyware. One of these viruses is called Conficker, which is also known as Downup or Kido. It is a computer worm that targets all Microsoft Windows operating system. The virus works by entering security holes and overflows in the Server Service on Windows computers. Although the virus has been around since October of last year, it is said to have a payload that will activate on April first.

Here at Texas State, the Information Technology Assistant Center, or ITAC (I-TACK) is ready to assist. I-TACK offers free virus scanning and repairs both p.c. and Macintosh computers. ITAC says its most popular service is virus scanning.

SB: Nalepa, pc advice…

Nalepa also says to make sure and create a back up of all your files from your computer before you take it in for repairs.

The Conflicker virus uses coding to execute on the computer it is infecting, then will disable services such as Windows Automatic Update, Windows Security Center, Windows Defender, and Windows Error Reporting. There is a patch that was distributed through Microsoft to fix the holes back in October to block the virus, but 30 percent of Windows computers don't have it.

STAND UP---Students, staff and faculty should be aware that there are always security risks on the internet including viruses and spyware.

ITAC rep Kevin Conway says there are steps you can take if your computer becomes infected by a virus.
SB: Conway, infection…

Last month, Microsoft announced a technology industry collaboration to fight Conficker. Microsoft is offering a 250-thousand dollar reward for information leading to the arrest of the criminals behind the creation and spread of Conficker. For Bobcat Update, I'm Frances Rendon.

Mitchell Devonport

Texas Senators passed legislation yesterday to end automatic entry for students who graduate in the top ten percent of their class. The legislation would cap automatic admissions under the ten percent rule to 60 percent of the incoming freshmen class. The reform answers the calls of the University of Texas capacity and acceptance problems created by the top ten policy. More than 80 percent of freshmen accepted by the University of Texas last year were admitted under the top ten rule. Under the bill, universities would be able to accept more students based on personal achievements, leadership and test scores.

Ben Wempe

Today at the L-B-J Bookstore from ten to three the Senior Send-off Grad Fair was held. At the Bookstore you will find different stations to help you with the graduation process. You can start off by filling out a card, which gives you a chance to win door prizes. In the Bookstore Apparel room Balfour had rings as well as graduation invitations available for order. Also, Classic Photography was on hand to take free cap and gown portraits. If you missed the fair, you can go onto TRACS and find the TXST Commencement link, which will answer any questions you may have.

Shay Creech

The body of a Texas State student who drowned last week in the San Marcos River has been identified. Shay Creech has more in this Bobcat Update.

This is the site that claimed the life of 24-year-old Tam Tran. Police say Tran was swimming in the San Marcos River last Friday when he drowned. Police say he was pulled out by a bystander who tried to revive him.
SB
Tran was a junior at Texas State; he lived at Comanche Hills Apartments and was a Mathematics major. Professor Moonis Ali taught Tran last semester and says he was an excellent student.
SB
I spoke with Tam's younger brother Thinh (TRIN) on the phone. He says the loss has been rough on the family. He says his family was told the undercurrent might have played a part in the death of his brother.
Tam's death is a tragedy affecting many.
SB
This is the # drowning that has been recorded in Sewell Park since #.
For Bobcat Update, I'm Shay Creech.

Brandon Simmons

Spring is usually the season of new beginnings, and for some it's the time of year when they look for a new place to live. Brandon Simmons has more in this Bobcat Update.
Housing location services will be busy for the next month or so, as students seek guidance in finding a place to live during the summer. Texas State sophomore Alexis Garcia is looking for her first apartment, and she's weighing a lot of different factors.
(SB)
Of course, many worry about the price of housing, and they're concerned about availability. Toward the end of the school year, a lot of apartment complexes run out of units. Electrical Engineeering Sophomore Vic Okon says he wishes he had started earlier looking for an apartment:
(SB)
Apartment complex managers know that students are eagerly searching at this time, so they promote certain features. Some offer to waive the application fee; others allow pets.
Students have many choices including whether to live on campus or off.
(SB)
(Standup)
For Bobcat Update, I'm Brandon Simmons.

Kara Marshall

Spring break may be over but that's no reason to cut back on playtime. Kara Marshall has more in this Bobcat Update.
As we grow older our playtime decreases, work time increases, and stress levels rise. Recent studies have shown incorporating free time into weekly routines can relieve stress and increase levels of happiness. Riding a bike, playing basketball, swimming, and other favorite pastimes are recommended activities.
Scott Jenke, Supervising Psychologist for the Texas State Counseling Center, recommends a balance between work and play.
SB
Texas State student Lindsay Campbell has her own methods for relieving stress.
SB
So there's some truth to the motto "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Taking time out for yourself is important, leading to a healthier and happier life. For Bobcat Update, I'm Kara Marshall.

Chris Sells

Even though Spring Break just ended, it's already time to start thinking about Summer School. Registration for summer classes begins Monday and runs through April eighth, so if you need to speak with an adviser or plan your schedule, it's probably a good idea to get started now. There will be a late registration period at the beginning of each summer session, but prompt registration is recommended since many classes fill up early. More information on Summer Registration can be found on CatsWeb or on the website for the registrar's office.

Amabilia Esparza

Campaigning for the Texas State A-S-G elections has begun. Amabilia Esparza has more in this Bobcat Update.
The Covo-Luna campaign has been handing out flyers, T-shirts and posting signs throughout the quad. Presidential candidate Chris Covo says he's excited about this year's elections.
SB:One of the more healthy elections.
The current A-S-G President, Bret Baker, encourages students to participate.
SB: Now is the time for students to research.
Opposing presidential candidate Brice Loving says he and Covo share a goal of promoting student organizations, but funding for campaigns is limited for each candidate.
SB: Average $2000-$3000 for campaign
The candidates are using inexpensive resources like Facebook and Twitter to promote their tickets
SB: ASG candidates will be campaigning in the quad for the rest of the week. Voting begins on Tuesday. For Bobcat Update I'm Amabilia Esparza.

Leza Abramov

The severe drought in the Lone Star state may force Texas State University to reduce its water usage in the near future. If cutbacks are required, the university will have to find ways to preserve its landscaping. Officials say the flow-rate of the San Marcos River is extremely low and The Rivers Systems Institute at Texas State will team with other universities and the federal government to find new ways to protect the water resources and to explore options for conservation.

Lindsay Skaggs

With warmer temperatures returning, many in San Marcos are engaging in outdoor activities again. And as Lindsay Skaggs tells us in this Bobcat Update, the river is one of the city's favorite attractions.
The San Marcos River is a popular hangout, but there are dangers. With no lifeguards on
duty, it is up to each individual to stay safe.
SU: Hundreds of students and families alike come here each summer to enjoy the beautiful San Marcos rivers, however many are unaware of the dangers that these waters bring. Knowing your surroundings and using caution will make for a more fun and enjoyable experience for everyone.
San Marcos resident Mark Diaz has some advice for those who plan to get in the water.
SB:
The river has always been a special site for San Marcos residents and its visitors. To keep it that way, take precautions and be sure to look out for those around you. For Bobcat Update, I'm Lindsay Skaggs.