AUSTIN — More than 200 Texas Department of Public Safety agents, troopers, pilots and Texas Rangers took part in an Oct. 21 sweep targeting the La Familia Michoacana criminal cartel resulting in 81 arrests in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Austin areas.

The law enforcement work was done in coordination with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Reported as seized in the sweep: 220 pounds of methamphetamine, 23.1 pounds of cocaine, 1 gallon of liquid methamphetamine, $960,000 in cash, 54 guns, 53 vehicles, 1 jet ski, 1 recreational vehicle and two all terrain vehicles, the DPS reported.

Earlier this year, Mexican authorities arrested 27 public officials in the state of Michoacan with suspected ties to La Familia, the DPS reported.

RRC creates new division

The Texas Railroad Commission, the state agency that regulates the energy industry, last week approved the creation of a new Alternative Energy Division. Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones provided the impetus.

Jones said the new division will focus on existing alternative energy currently under the commission’s jurisdiction and will provide a platform for development of alternative energy forms such as compressed and liquefied natural gas.

Community college enrollment

Enrollment increased by 65,000 at Texas community colleges this fall – an 11 percent increase – the Texas Association of Community Colleges reported last week.

Dr. Richard Rhodes, TACC chair and president of El Paso Community College, and Dr. Rey Garcia, TACC president and CEO, said in a letter to the governor, lieutenant governor and House speaker that community colleges in Texas have grown by more than 40 percent since 2000, like “adding the equivalent of seven Texas Tech universities or four Universities of Texas at Austin to the state’s higher education system capacity.”

Changes to reduce wait times

The DPS is doing something to reduce wait times for residents applying for licenses or for renewing them.

As of Oct. 29-30, those motorists who want to reinstate suspended or revoked driver’s licenses or obtain copies of their driving record, instead of showing up at the DPS office will instead submit their required documentation online or by mail.

Giant school aid fund recovers

The Permanent School Fund overseen by the State Board of Education apparently is mirroring the recovery generally seen in the financial markets.

The fund was down to about $16 billion last spring, but it is now around $22 billion, the Texas Education Agency announced Oct. 23.

The fund, established in 1854, helps pay for textbooks and other educational expenses.