The city of Glenn Heights in southern Dallas County has a new police chief comes to North Texas after serving as deputy chief of patrol and later acting police chief for the Regional Transportation District Police Department in Denver who had served in the role since 2023 before stepping down in November Horn was sworn in last month as the new leader of approximately 30 officers serving a growing community of almost 19,000 residents “We all have a vested interest in the city of Glenn Heights,” Horn said at his swearing-in ceremony at the March 4 city council meeting “And one thing I can share with everyone present I do everything in my powers and with the team to continue to elevate the city of Glenn Heights.” Glenn Heights Mayor Sonja Brown said Horn stood out from the seven finalists during the interview process According to a statement from the city of Glenn Heights Horn’s priorities include community safety He has a history of reducing criminal activity Priscilla Rice is KERA’s communities reporter. 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If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today Kindred Homes is thrilled to introduce Hampton Park Estates a brand-new community in the rapidly growing Glenn Heights area Perfectly situated just 25 minutes from downtown Dallas Hampton Park Estates offers homebuyers an exceptional combination of convenience Nestled amidst beautiful greenspaces and family-friendly amenities Hampton Park Estates will feature a variety of customizable floor plans ensuring that every home can be tailored to fit your lifestyle Each homesite includes convenient upgrades such as sprinkler systems providing enhanced comfort and curb appeal The community’s extensive amenities include a playground Residents will enjoy the tranquility of natural surroundings while staying close to Cedar Hill State Park and popular shopping and dining destinations in Cedar Hill and DeSoto “Glenn Heights is a fantastic location for families and commuters alike,” said Todd Miller “Hampton Park Estates reflects our commitment to creating vibrant well-planned communities where families can grow this community truly has something for everyone.” Homeowners will also benefit from proximity to excellent education opportunities within Red Oak ISD making this community an ideal place to raise a family Join the VIP interest list today to receive exclusive updates and be among the first to explore all that Hampton Park Estates has to offer For more information about Kindred Homes and Hampton Park Estates please visit www.kindredhomes.com or call 469-772-9081 Kindred Homes is a family-owned builder with a mission to help homebuyers “build their idea of home.” Based in the Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio areas Kindred Homes brings a “family first” philosophy to all aspects of the homebuilding process Each home is carefully crafted to foster memories and provide lasting value for families Your access to this service has been limited If you think you have been blocked in error contact the owner of this site for assistance If you are a WordPress user with administrative privileges on this site please enter your email address in the box below and click "Send" You will then receive an email that helps you regain access Wordfence is a security plugin installed on over 5 million WordPress sites The owner of this site is using Wordfence to manage access to their site You can also read the documentation to learn about Wordfence's blocking tools or visit wordfence.com to learn more about Wordfence Click here to learn more: Documentation 6 May 2025 9:12:09 GMT.Your computer's time: document.write(new Date().toUTCString()); When its animal shelter partnership with the the city of Ferris ended earlier this year Hutchins city officials were left looking for an alternative location While searching for a potential partnership Hutchins Police Chief Steve Perry reached out to the city of Glenn Heights “Glenn Heights said unfortunately we don’t have the space here,” he said “But we are looking for a more permanent solution and would love to partner you all on an animal shelter.” Perry and Glenn Heights city manager Cliff Blackwell briefed the Hutchins City Council this week about the two cities potentially creating a shared animal shelter as a long-term solution Potential locations for the shared shelter include 550 W or the construction of a new shelter in a location to be determined Both cities would have to approve the plan before it moves forward the Tri-City Animal Shelter in Desoto is taking in Hutchins’ animals while the city renovates its temporary shelter – the former police station located at 205 Hickman The city council approved the renovations this summer Perry said they hope to have the temporary animal shelter operational by January 2025 The discussion for a new permanent shelter comes as Hutchins – like cities around North Texas – experiences an increase in stray animals Perry also proposed adding signage in some areas of town to deter suspected illegal animal dumping “We occasionally pick up stray dogs around the city and we can never find an owner for these particular animals,” he said “We don’t know if they’re coming from Dallas we don’t know if they’re coming from Wilmer.” Dowdy Ferry and North Denton are the main locations where stray animals have been spotted The proposed signs read “Abandoning an animal is a violation of Texas law.” It carries a penalty of up to $4,000 and/or a year in jail The sign also directs people to rehoming resources Perry said animal services has placed cameras where he suspected animal dumping is taking place Perry said he hopes the new signs will help deter animals being abandoned Priscilla Rice is KERA’s communities reporter. Got a tip? Email her at price@kera.org This notice concerns the 2024 property tax rates for City of Glenn Heights This notice provides information about two tax rates used in adopting the current tax year’s tax rate The no-new-revenue tax rate would Impose the same amount of taxes as last year if you compare properties taxed in both years the voter-approval tax rate is the highest tax rate a taxing unit can adopt without holding an election these rates are calculated by dividing the total amount of taxes by the current taxable value with adjustments as required by state law The rates are given per $100 of property value To see the full calculations, please visit https://glennheightstx.gov for a copy of the Tax Rate Calculation Worksheet Principal or Contract Payment to be Paid from Property Taxes This notice contains a summary of actual no-new-revenue and voter-approval calculations as certified by John R Visit Texas.gov/PropertyTaxes to find a link to your local property tax database on which you can easily access information regarding your property taxes including information about proposed tax rates and scheduled public hearings of each entity that taxes your property GH Notice of Public Heering on Tax Increase proof Glenn Heights is a step closer to getting a new emergency warning system The city about 20 minutes south of Dallas was granted $510,000 in federal Community Project Funding to help replace the current warning system “We needed to bring it up to better standards just for the city of Glenn Heights and for our residents our business owners,” Mayor Sonja Brown said Plans include replacing the six alarms throughout the 7-square-mile city and adding a seventh The city also plans to create a weather station to help with future forecasts and alert residents more quickly in case of a weather emergency Glenn Heights was among the cities in North Texas that were hit by 12 tornadoes in December 2015 destroying more than 200 homes and leaving 13 people dead Dallas and Tarrant Counties are considered highly vulnerable counties for tornadoes in the country Census Bureau and the National Weather Service Brown said public safety is one of the city’s top priorities to ensure residents have time to be prepared for natural disasters “When you realize the devastation that was caused it just makes it even more important for us to really make enhancements to this system,” she said Congresswoman Jasmine Crocket presented the check to Glenn Heights at a ceremony on Wednesday Brown said she expects to receive the money in October Penelope Rivera is KERA’s news intern. Got a tip? Email Penelope at privera@kera.org 2024) – The Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) laboratory has confirmed mosquito samples that have tested positive for West Nile Virus The mosquito samples were collected from zip codes 75104 in Cedar Hill In conjunction with the Dallas County municipalities mosquito abatement teams are responding by treating impacted areas DCHHS has scheduled ground spraying in the below area(s) Dallas County continues to see significant mosquito activity and residents should take the necessary precautions to avoid mosquito bites that may cause West Nile Virus recommends following the four Ds to prevent mosquito bites DCHHS encourages residents in affected areas to be a part of the solution by eliminating insect breeding areas and larvae before they develop into adult Standing water can be treated with EPA-approved larvicides that are available for retail purchase Larvicides are products used to kill immature mosquitoes before they become adults Larvicides are applied directly to water sources that hold mosquito eggs larvicides can help reduce the overall mosquito burden by limiting the number of mosquitoes that are produced according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/dchhs/communicable-diseases/west-nile-watch/west-nile-watch-24.php the Glenn Heights Police Department responded to the report of a body found in a pond in the 1600 block of Waters Edge Drive The deceased was a local resident reported missing by family members the day prior The Dallas County Medical Examiner responded and took custody of the deceased The cause of death is still pending at this time but there is no immediate threat to the public and there were no obvious signs of foul play no additional information will be released at this time Anyone with information that might be related to this incident is asked to contact the Glenn Heights Police Department at (972) 223-3478 The city of Glenn Heights is making sure that children of all ages and abilities can get to enjoy a playground the city had the grand opening for its new all-abilities park and a playground with words in Spanish and Braille having access to an inclusive park in her own community is important — her son is hearing impaired Bradford was at the park’s opening and said her son has already had the chance to try the playground out Bradford said she had seen something similar at the Perot Museum but didn’t have access to anything like it in her suburb of Glenn Heights Glenn Heights City Council member Travis Bruton said the community had been supportive of the project “You see kids’ parents tearing up just over excitement of being able to have a safe place that they can take their kids,” Bruton said “And that their kids can feel the normalcy of any other kids He said the park is one of the few all-abilities parks in this region. Denton is in the process of developing its own inclusive playground employees and state dignitary office representatives welcomed the National League of Cities’ (NCL) representatives to Glenn Heights The National League of Cities’ (NCL) representatives are traveling around the United States aboard a wrapped tour bus to celebrate 100 years of strengthening cities The NLC Centennial Roadshow is just one of the highlighted events this year to recognize the strength of cities big and small throughout the country NLC representatives toured the City Center facilities welcomed the crew from NLC with a proclamation and an introduction to the city “We were honored to welcome the National League of Cities as they visited Glenn Heights during their 100th anniversary and member City Roundup tour,” Brown said “This esteemed visit highlights our city’s commitment to growth It provides a unique opportunity to showcase the progress and achievements of Glenn Heights while also allowing us to engage with fellow leaders and share best practices that will further enhance our city’s future.” Glenn Heights City Council Place 3 Travis Bruton who serves on the National League of Cities Board of Directors said he was excited about Glenn Heights being part of the NLC 100 year celebration “This is a great opportunity to showcase nationally the progress that our city is making,” Bruton explained “In the short time that Glenn Heights has partnered with NLC we have experienced firsthand the tremendous support and opportunities that have enriched our city.” Bruton also stressed that NLC has brought valuable free programs to the community including a Grant Finder for accessing state grants and CVS discounted medical services for residents Mayor Brown also brought the local infrastructure hub that aids in securing resources from the Federal level back to the city from NLC to further help realize the city’s vision for a vibrant community where residents can live NLC’s recognition of a city councilman from a small Texas city to lead as the Vice Chair of Small Cities nationally and serve on the Board of Directors speaks volumes about the inclusive and empowering spirit of NLC,” Bruton added “I am encouraged by the work that the organization has already done and excited to see what the organization will accomplish in the next 100 years.” Member Services and Engagement for the National League of Cities also stressed the importance of diversity in communities and local governments “We really had a chance on this 100th anniversary to go out and celebrate that diversity and we want to thank you for having us this morning,” Griffith said “It is 100 years in the making with a look at how we can continue to advance and better serve our communities.” The NLC Roadshow began in February in the birthplace of NLC Kansas visiting 100 cities celebrating 100 years As the roadshow toured the country and the State of Texas each stop was meant to highlight the many unique stories and experiences of municipalities nationwide “Being part of this centennial celebration underscores the value and strength of our collective efforts to create thriving communities and we look forward to the continued collaboration and innovation that the National League of Cities promotes,” Brown concluded GLENN HEIGHTS – The City of Glenn Heights received a generous $510,000 check for Community Project Funding on Wednesday morning from District 30’s Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett The funds secured by Congresswoman Crockett came from a FY 2024 appropriations bill and will be available to the city this fall and used for an Emergency Warning System Replacement Project The project will replace the city’s current system with a new state-of-the-art warning system to cover approximately seven-plus square miles of land area Both Congresswoman Crockett and Glenn Heights Mayor Sonja A Brown mentioned at Wednesday’s check presentation the devastation Glenn Heights saw nine years ago during a tornado outbreak that destroyed over 200 homes in the city and left nine dead across North Texas Congresswoman Crockett said experts agreed without the city’s emergency warning system the damage in Glenn Heights could have been far worse Mayor Brown thanked Congresswoman Crockett “for the work you have done for us” and added “oftentimes smaller cities are overlooked but that has never been the case due to Congresswoman Crockett’s hard work to take care of her district.” “We are not being overlooked for funds,” Mayor Brown added “and it is a breath of fresh air to know that she is aware of us and she helps us with all the things we need in the city to be successful.” Tarrant and Dallas Counties are ranked 15th and 16th on a list of most vulnerable counties to tornado damage in 2024 The new state-of-the-art emergency warning system will ensure residents are alerted to not only weather but the system will function as an overall alert mechanism in cases of emergency Mayor Brown acknowledged the new emergency warning system could be a matter of life and death while expressing her deepest gratitude to Congresswoman Crockett “for your unwavering dedication and tireless efforts.” Congresswoman Crockett said Wednesday “I do my best to spread the love among my district and I am very excited today to be bringing home this money to Glenn Heights.” She also recognized Mayor Brown during the ceremony “for her strength” in what she “has to say in her advocacy” for the City of Glenn Heights This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page 1/40John Glenn boys basketball hosts Bay City Western.st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Lee Thompson | lthomps2@mlive.comBANGOR TOWNSHIP MI – John Glenn keeps making 11-foot plays on a 10-foot rim And that’s all part of a season of rare air for the Bobcats With three high-flying dunks – a new element to Glenn’s basketball repertoire this season – the No 8-ranked Bobcats soared to a 71-50 victory over neighboring rival Bay City Western and shattered a program record with their 12th consecutive win “We’ve got a strong group and we’re playing some crazy basketball right now,” Glenn senior Oliver Masters said Perhaps the craziest part is Glenn’s above-the-rim ability a fairly uncommon trait in Bay County basketball circles The Bobcats are throwing down dunks like never before during their 14-2 run “We had seven different guys dunk in practice yesterday,” 19th-year Glenn coach Dale Clyde said “I don’t know if we’ve had seven kids total who could dunk before this We can put in some things and run some plays that we never could before Glenn was having difficulty shaking free of Western early in the third quarter when the first of two sensational dunks by Masters seemed to do the trick It helped fuel a 23-4 run that iced the contest “The bench went crazy and we started playing better after that,” said Masters John Glenn’s Oliver Masters (14) looks to pass the ball during a high school basketball game on Tuesday all on breakaway dunks that put his high-leaping skills on full display for the excitable crowd “It can be a momentum swing – and his dunks are usually loud,” said Clyde Hayden Ruff also threw down a dunk for Glenn coming at a key time after Western diced Glenn’s 16-point lead down to seven midway through the second quarter That helped the Bobcats maintain the upper hand in the always spirited matchup Glenn owns a 6-5 edge after avenging last year’s action-packed three-point loss that came down to the final possession “We were singularly focused on this,” Clyde said “The guys said they’ve been waiting for a year for this game – almost to the day It was tight last year and you hate to lose those ones “Sometimes they’re goofy and we have a lot of fun in practice But they were high-energy and fully focused the whole practice yesterday Then they came out and played a complete first quarter.” Glenn roared to a 20-4 lead after one quarter as five different players quickly got in the scoring column That would be the trend for much of the game as Glenn put four players in double figures had eight with four or more points and 10 who contributed to the tally Meech Ward led with 14 points while Jimmy McCrum and Danzell Calhoun scored 12 apiece and Ruff finished with 10 The Bobcats sank six 3-pointers in the contest including a buzzer-beating bomb by senior Marcus Castillo that put an exclamation point on the victory Bay City Western’s Chance Sajdak (3) attempts a basket during a high school basketball game on Tuesday In a season that has already featured Clyde’s 200th career victory the program’s 500th all-time win and a rare appearance in the state rankings the Bobcats now own the longest winning streak in program history Western (3-12) is on the other kind of streak after dropping its eighth consecutive game they’re still fighting,” first-year Western coach Will Williams said “We’re coming up on a stretch where we’re going to see teams in our district The whole goal is to get better for March.” with Chance Sajdak and Zay Hardwick each scoring 12 points and Lukas Arnold breaking out with a 10-point performance Western connected on eight 3-pointers in the game If you would like your local high school sports news delivered free to your inbox daily, click here and sign up for one of our local high school sports newsletters Love reading about local sports? 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All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices By Chase RogersStaff Writer 29: Revised to include a response from Glenn Heights police chief.An off-duty Dallas police officer was in jail Monday where he was facing a misdemeanor criminal mischief charge Officer Austin Garza was booked into the Ellis County jail Monday on a warrant issued by the Glenn Heights Police Department Dallas police said in a news release Monday afternoon and remained there in lieu of $3,000 bail Monday night It was not immediately clear whether he had an attorney The nature of the alleged offense was unclear Glenn Heights police Chief Nick Bristow did not respond to a list of questions about the arrest instead referring a reporter to submit an open records request Breaking NewsGet the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond GoogleFacebookBy signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy A records request from The Dallas Morning News seeking additional information was pending Tuesday afternoon who has been with Dallas police since June 2022 and is assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal affairs administrative investigation He grew up in Granbury and studied journalism at Texas State University in San Marcos he reported for the Austin American-Statesman and the Corpus Christi Caller-Times He can be reached at 361-239-6527 and Signal at crogers.95 GLENN HEIGHTS – The Glenn Heights City Council meeting was a packed house Tuesday night In order to accommodate everyone there were residents spilling out into the Fire Department bay Residents were on hand to speak out against a resolution that was later passed 4 – 1 Place 5 Shaunte Allen voted against and Place 3 Travis Bruton and Place 6 Machanta Newsom were not in attendance Shaunte Allen provided the following statement to Focus Daily News after the meeting: “I am deeply disappointed in the Glenn Heights City Council for allowing the complaints of employees – who serve us – to go unheard and a toxic workplace created by the city manager should be thoroughly investigated by a third-party organization It is incumbent upon the city council to exercise our due diligence in this matter I vehemently oppose Resolution R-40-21 as it is unethical and unfair Evidence from both parties should have been presented beforehand.” A number of residents spoke against Glenn Heights City Manager David Hall in regard to his oversight of the police department Many expressed concern regarding the turnover in that department alleging employees that speak out are being retaliated against from former Human Resources Manager and wife of Luc Benson Kacye Benson stated there was an improper use of language by Hall in regard to her husband among a number of other allegations (that FDN has not been able to confirm prior to press time) Benson spoke in support of her husband stating her husband was “belittled degraded and threatened,” while serving as Interim Police Chief in Glenn Heights She played a recording of a conversation between her husband and City Manager Hall Hall said the recording Benson played during public comments was taken out of context Glenn Heights City Attorney Victoria Thomas told Benson to stop playing the recording during her public comment due to swear words She expressed concern the language was inappropriate for a younger audience that might be listening to the meeting as it was being live streamed Another point in question was the existence of the Glenn Heights Fraternal Order of Police which was mentioned No one was able to confirm this organization existence of viewpoints by press time The resolution which passed was in support of the City Manager’s oversight of the Police Department A letter had been received by the City Council from Jeremy Adye “purportedly in his capacity as president of an organization referred to in that letter as the Glenn Heights Fraternal Order of Police (the “GHFOP”).” Adye had also posted the letter on the Glenn Heights Police Officer Association social media account The letter “contained conclusory allegations of misconduct by the City Manager in the oversight of the City of Glenn Heights Police Department.” The resolution that council passed stated the City had “attempted to independently confirm the existence of the GHFOP and Mr Adye’s office with such organization and was unable to find any evidence of its existence Adye provide some confirmation of the organization’s existence and his office with the organization Those requests were declined and/or unanswered as of press time.” Residents who spoke about the Police Department controversy also said Hall had terminated or made employees resign in lieu of termination At least one of the speakers was too emotional to read his statement himself For the first time in four years as City Manager Hall spoke on his own behalf before the vote on the resolution Because I have been your City Manger almost four and a half years loyal employee for six and a half years and I’m the only employee here that’s not taken a vacation that whole time And what I’m tired of is that I’ve had people stand here and lie At that point Hall’s statement was interrupted by heckling from a member of the audience at which point Mayor Garrett said Manager Hall deserved the same respect he gave them when they spoke He warned the audience that if anyone could not be respectful he’d have them escorted out by the Police Department In addressing some of the complaints Hall confirmed he is “absolutely given to colorful metaphors.” had just several months ago sent him a text message to have lunch he said that the part of the recording that was not played involved Luc Benson and him talking It included him apologizing for using language that the former interim police chief said offended him Hall said that while these people could get up and tell the audience their truths I welcome anything you want to see about any personnel decision I have made.” resident Scott Anderson who spoke against the City Manager held up his phone while another resident pointed to his watch indicating Hall was out of time He was asked by Glenn Heights Mayor Harry Garrett to show the same respect to Hall as everyone showed to those who spoke during public comment “The constitution allows me to be disrespectful.” As he was being escorted out he made a lewd hand gesture toward Hall and the City Council Hall said “It is not me versus the Police Department.” As he concluded his remarks Hall again said he welcomed anyone to make an open records request to look at any of the files of those who had been terminated or who had resigned Glenn Heights Mayor Pro Tem Sonja Brown said that she urged all citizens to request open records Concerned citizens can see for themselves the documentation of those who had been terminated and who had resigned since Hall took the helm as City Manager Garrett stated “In 20 years proceeding Hall we have had more than a dozen City Managers Hall has not … we have made tremendous progress.” Garrett also wondered what had happened in the last two months since Hall was celebrated by every department “The loud minority gets all the voice,” Garrett added “This city needs to rest; we are making positive progress in this city.” *We encourage concerned residents to view the City Council meeting for yourself: https://glennheightstx.swagit.com/play/09072021-1108 **Focus Daily News has made an appointment with the City Manager next week to look at the open records of all terminated and resigned employees in the past three years and will report any information that is in question at that time budget items were discussed and council voted 5 – 0 on adopting and levying ad valorem taxes for the fiscal year 2021-2022 at a rate of $0.769146 per $100 assessed valuation on all taxable property within the corporate city limits of Glenn Heights Council also approved the 2021 estimated tax roll It was determined the Glenn Heights Senior Center would not reopen until January 1 Staff told council even though this is the case senior services are still in place Breakfast meals were recently added to accommodate citizens during this time There’s a new mayor in town and she has lofty goals for her city Brown is Mayor-Elect of the City of Glenn Heights and says I had to repair the fractured relationships this city had with other leaders she became the Mayor Pro Tem of Glenn Heights 13 months later by a unanimous vote by her fellow Councilmembers I continue to serve in this position of great responsibility in my third elected term as Mayor Pro Tem.” She says “During town hall meetings and casual encounters around the city residents have asked me to focus on education “I’m a proud product of the Dallas Independent School District I graduated from the Lincoln Humanities/Communications Magnet at the age of 16.” her educational concentration was Radio/Television and she had many extra-curricular activities which included: Swim Team She went on to attend Prairie View A&M and took courses at UT Arlington and completed her education when she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Canterbury University She began her working career as a City of Dallas Lifeguard at Grauwyler Swimming Pool in the medical district followed by a job as a radio researcher at K-104 FM She’s currently the Lead Communications Coordinator for Lancaster ISD She moved into an administrative assistant position after subbing and additionally volunteered numerous hours in the Communications Department “I was blessed with a reassignment to the Communications Department.” Eighteen months later she became a Communications Specialist and another 18 months later promoted to Lead Communications Coordinator She works closely with the Superintendent of Schools and the Chief of Communications She says her favorite thing about her work is the educational impact she makes on students and their families through partnerships and collaborative efforts between the District and Community Stakeholders she says she’s been focused on the progress and growth of Glenn Heights an honor to serve ALL the residents of our wonderful city.” While most people know Brown is married with two grown children and four grandchildren In 2005 she joined her church members in a 21-day fast “Twenty-one to Life.” Her book was about the healthy lifestyle she adopted and her transformation from the inside out “The diet came from the Book of Daniel in the Bible,” she explains Now in 2022 she’s working on the second addition – having recently lost 34 pounds and counting – about what types of foods to eat to stay healthy “Most churches that do a group fast encourage their members to start one at the beginning of the year It’s all about eliminating processed foods and eating nuts and grains and being intentional about what you are eating.” She admits her cheat food is “TACOS “Working full-time and serving on the Council doesn’t lend much time to creating beautiful pieces anymore There were seven awardees during the last grading period Brown is proud of this initiative. She says, “I’ve been endorsed by DeSoto ISD School Board Trustee Chasiti McKissic and Red Oak ISD School Board Trustee Michelle Porter because of my ability to collaborate with local school districts to achieve educational goals we will continue to bring the focus of education back where it belongs: student success.” “I often hear we need more jobs in Glenn Heights,” so to attract more businesses and a mixed-use development (currently under construction) on Bear Creek “In addition to the AutoZone and 7-11 currently under construction Glenn Heights will more than double the amount of retail space currently with the completion of the mixed-use development.” She explains “With more businesses come more jobs and more sales tax revenue More sales tax revenue allows us to continue the six-year trend of lowering the tax rate for us Road repair in the Mesas and all of the water lines have been replaced When the Bear Creek Expansion Project from Hampton to I-35 is complete, Brown says, “We will enjoy two lanes of traffic in both directions with sidewalks. I believe it’s my steadfast work to improve our city that earned endorsements from City of Glenn Heights Mayor Harry Garrett and Former Glenn Heights Councilmember Pastor Ron Adams among many others.” broadband speed plays an integral role in our overall quality of life and Brown says “I’m working with County and State Officials to ensure we receive more choices in broadband providers and the broadband speeds they promise.” She’s also worked in another area of communication, with the Glenn Heights Police Department to launch “Guardian Program.” It assists officers during encounters with members of the community who are non-verbal or some other form of mental/intellectual disability and need special care to ensure their safety and the safety of our officers Brown is responsible for the city’s Citizens Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) Members of this committee meet monthly and can give advice on issues related to the community and policing and assist the Police Department with conducting research “By leaning into education and infrastructure to provide economic security we will improve the quality of life for ALL Glenn Heights residents I am proud to have been endorsed by the Glenn Heights Professional Firefighter Association for my commitment to ensure our city is safe and growing in the right direction.” Her vision is a thriving, engaged city that provides a safe place to live I see diverse recreational and cultural amenities that support a sense of community sustainable economy reflecting community values I will work with city staff to ensure our city-owned infrastructure and amenities enhance the quality of life and attractiveness of communities I will deliver an efficient and effective city government in a fiscally responsible I will continue the forward progress of our city We will become a premiere city that other cities pattern themselves after.” she plans to still be working in school PR and serving the residents of Glenn Heights School PR is a powerful tool that bridges schools and their respective communities I will continue to serve the residents of Glenn Heights in other ways but the details are still being determined It may be held at the new City Center which will house Public Safety As Mayor she’ll serve a three-year unpaid term and she’s looking forward to making a positive impact on the ever-growing Glenn Heights community Tours of the new City Center will be on December 9th from 8 am to 4 pm For more information contact the City of Glenn Heights located at 1938 S Hampton Road 972-223-1690 or email sonja@sonjaabrown.com GLENN HEIGHTS – The City of Glenn Heights has successful extinguished a 350-acre fire Three neighborhoods have been evacuated as of 5:15 p.m. this afternoon and is currently located in the field between the Lin Dell Estate and Mesa addition area of the city Dispatch requested assistance from Cedar Hill Homeowners were carrying buckets of water to try and prevent the spread to their homes and Glenn Heights Public Safety personnel are unable to respond at this time GLENN HEIGHTS – The City of Glenn Heights opened the doors to its new Community Center last week That’s just one month after the City Center facility including the new City Hall and Public Safety Buildings were open in the new complex The official City Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony located at 1938 South Hampton Road took place several weeks before the holiday in December “The City of Glenn Heights is thrilled to invite residents to the new City Center complex so come visit the new facility said Glenn Heights City Manager David Hall “The future in Glenn Heights is now and we are excited for the new year.” The new community center offers a basketball court weight room and space for residents to hold meetings and parties There will be no fee for entry/use of the Community Center for Glenn Heights residents through Jan City Hall is located in the middle building between the Community Center and Public Safety Building “We hope everyone will visit the new complex and take part in the exciting future that is Glenn Heights,” Hall concluded GLENN HEIGHTS – The City of Glenn Heights promoted from within this week officially naming its new City Manager and Deputy City Manager to lead the city Clifford Blackwell was named the new City Manager in Glenn Heights Blackwell has worked in local government for the past 27 years in a wide range of government positions including municipal finance and city management His career began in the City of Fort Worth He has also held a variety of positions with the cities of Kennedale He joined the City of Glenn Heights in 2022 as the Deputy City Manager Blackwell has also served as president of the Government Finance Officers Association of Texas (GFOAT) and recently served on the GFOAT board of directors as well as serving on the Texas Municipal League’s board of directors Blackwell earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration in Accounting from Prairie View A&M University a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Texas and has been a Certified Government Finance Officer since 2003 “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to serve the City of Glenn Heights And I look forward to working with the City Council in carrying out the desired vision for this wonderful community.” Also moved from his Director of Public Safety position was Keith Moore who has been moved into the role of Deputy City Manager Moore began his career in 1999 with the Glenn Heights Fire Department as a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT – Basic the City of Glenn Heights hired Moore as one of its first ever full time Firefighters and Ellis County Fire Marshal while moving up the ranks in the city’s Fire Department He was named Fire Chief in 2017 and Director of Public Safety in 2021 overseeing the operations of Glenn Heights’ Police and Fire Departments Moore has been awarded several awards for his career in Public Safety including lifesaving awards police commendation awards and one Medal of Valor by the City of Glenn Heights being one of only three recipients to ever receive this award by the city He also received the State of Texas Law Enforcement Medal of Valor at that same time “My family and I have built a life full of memories with the City of Glenn Heights,” Moore said Blackwell to serve in the position of Deputy City Manager which will allow me to continue to serve the citizens of Glenn Heights and our Glenn Heights City Staff.” With these changes in the organizational structure of Glenn Heights Nick Bristow has now been named the official Chief of Police Nick Williams as the official Fire Chief and Sherry Roberts as the city’s Finance Director The positions of Director of Public Safety Deputy Police Chief and Senior Financial Analyst have been removed from the City’s organizational chart the Deputy Fire Chief position will remain as part of the organizational structure Travis Bruton: Glenn Heights City Council Place 3 TB: Elected February 2021 and re-elected November  2021 TB: First, I will be partnering with the council to create the vision, branding and strategic plan for the city. There needs to be one vision for the city as well as updated short and long term strategic plans to achieve the vision.  I plan to get the youth advisory council started to engage the youth of our city and have more community engagement events to stay connected with the citizens You have to stay connected with the people you represent and one way that I will continue to do that is with my newsletter Truth with Travis TB: One of my favorite leadership’s quotes says “Great leaders don’t set out to be leaders they set out to make a difference.” The reason I got involved is to make a difference in our city communities and in the lives of the people who live in it politics by nature is an allocating of resources I wanted to make sure I had a seat at the table to make decisions on where our resources are best served and represent our entire city including our youth our seniors as well as our diverse communities and neighborhoods TB: I have been surprised by the amount of work and research that goes on behind the scenes to create initiatives, agenda items and even the budget.  If all people see are the council meetings twice a month then they may think that this role is easy but there is a lot of time and effort that goes into being a good councilmember TB: There are a lot of things that I would like to see developed in the city Glenn Heights’ revenue is super majority residential property tax whereas most surrounding cities have a mix of residential and commercial revenue There are some developments in the works but this poses the challenge of making sure that all the needs of the city and citizens are met while still being fiscally responsible TB: The city has been growing exponentially for the last five years and I foresee the growth continuing I’m going to take some drone footage of how the city looks now and then compare it to what it looks like three years from now I believe there will be an immense transformation Just in the next year the city has the new city center that will be opening June 2022 This will create a central location for residents to take advantage of city services It also has the Make-a-Wish Park that will be at the new city center This is big for the city because an amazing organization such as the Make-a-Wish foundation has never partnered with a city to create such an incredible space like the all abilities park we will have The city is moving in a positive direction and I plan to continue to push Glenn Heights higher as we become a premier city where we can safely work By Catherine MarfinBreaking News Reporter His body was found near the 700 block of East Pleasant Run Road The Dallas County medical examiner has yet to determine Piper’s cause of death Police said they believe Piper had been in DeSoto at least some of the time after his disappearance She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where she studied journalism and public relations Catherine served as managing editor of The Daily Texan and interned at the Texas Tribune and Houston Chronicle Few people can say they’ve died and come back to life he was “brought back to life” a dozen times “We are very active in the swing dance community in Dallas,” Michelle “We had been at a dance house party in Arlington and had just arrived home.” She said as they were getting ready to sleep Ken looked at her with a ‘funny look on his face.’ I was looking right at Ken when it happened Michelle said it looked like he started to focus to say something His body turned purple while I was on the phone.” Police Officers Joshua Hayden and Josh Kellis were the first to arrive to assess the situation Right behind them were Firefighter Paramedics Josh Richmond Justin Graham and Deputy Fire Chief Nicholas given medications through an IV and shocked one time in house a condition in which the heart ceases to beat a heart rhythm problem (arrhythmia) caused by irregular electrical signals in the lower chambers – ventricles – of the heart This condition may also be called V-tach or VT A healthy heart typically beats about 60 to 100 times a minute at rest Sometimes the rapid heartbeat prevents the heart chambers from properly filling with blood the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body you may feel short of breath or lightheaded En route to the hospital Ken was shocked five more times he was shocked one more time in the ER bay and the paramedics stayed in the trauma room 1 and assisted ER staff with their assessment of the situation One of the EMTs stayed with Michelle for several hours outside of the ER room where they were working on Ken The couple met 27 years ago when Michelle’s brother Steve invited her to a company party Michelle wasn’t looking for a companion and went along – her brother is her best friend even though he was being pursued by another woman at the party “There was an instant spark between us,” Michelle remembers Ken found a way to get away from his pursuer and come meet Michelle “We had both been through disastrous marriages and were divorced,” she explains But they clicked and married 11 months later “We still don’t know if my brother Steve was a matchmaker or not,” Michelle says with a laught Recognizing that a big wedding is no guarantee for a happy marriage of which Ken’s parents had been members for years The wedding was small with close family and friends and both of Michelle’s daughters Ken said vows to them that he would always love them and treat them as his own children Michelle said they enjoyed “The honeymoon of our dreams We spent two glorious weeks in Maui.” Then when it was time for them to return to Texas the charter airline they’d booked was having mechanical difficulties on all three of their planes The couple ended up being stranded in Honolulu for an extra three days although Michelle said it was Okay with them Michelle attributes Ken’s recovery from his heart attack as a true miracle “We are a close family.” She explains Her father lives 10 houses down the street lives right between them just five houses away professional actions of the Firefighters/EMTs Ken is alive – and thriving – today at age 60 Surgery to clear four blocked arteries now keeps his heart pumping strong Michelle says she was the one who sees a doctor regularly and was just telling Ken before his attack in October that he should see one too “Now he has lots of follow up appointments!” she says happily Ken only needed to attend three Physical Therapy sessions and is back at work Life Saving awards were presented to the Firefighters and Letters of Commendation to the two police officers who responded Michelle and Ken presented the awards at the ceremony “As I reflect on the miracles in my life I suddenly realized that preceding any miracle has been extreme heartbreak he gives so much more than what was taken away.” Glenn Heights Public Safety employees were recognized for rendering life-saving services by Glenn Heights residents Kenneth and Michelle Berta and the Glenn Heights Mayor and City Council the employees received Life-Saving Awards and Letters of Recognition GLENN HEIGHTS – The red ribbon was cut last week for the City of Glenn Heights new Senior Center The facility is the first newly constructed city facility in more than 20 years It is the first to offer senior programs in the city’s history Glenn Heights City Manager David Hall pointed out at the ribbon cutting “This is the first new facility for the city in over 20 years but the funny thing about this is you look at this and say wow If you look across the street you see mounds of dirt moving because we have three other facilities that are underway and you will soon see our new city center unveiled.” The Glenn Heights Senior Center is approximately 3,100 square feet It includes a large multipurpose room that will be used as a meeting space complemented by a full-service commercial kitchen Glenn Heights Mayor Harry Garrett commended Hall on taking the role of unofficial project manager while the Senior Center was being constructed “He has overseen this project and I would say that he has been the project manager even though the construction had a project manager He has still been here day-to-day to make sure things are the way they are Hall has meticulously planned everything we see so he is to be commended.” Garrett also pointed out that while this is the first building that has community meeting space in the city of Glenn Heights “I was so thrilled to see trunks dumping dirt that I could have danced a jig on the parking lot,” Garrett said how the wheels of city government move very slowly and so we are making tremendous progress This council that has been assembled that you all have voted into office we do not always agree but we are respectful of each other’s ideas.” The Glenn Heights Senior Center’s design includes space for activities such as card games A multi-functional craft room can be adapted for sewing The large multi-purpose room is served by a full kitchen and has the feel of a grand hall The room can also be transformed for movies and a variety of other programs The Senior Center was created as a place for older adults 55 and older Its a spot where they can meet and obtain services and enjoy activities that reflect their experience and skills GLENN HEIGHTS — Five counts of Home Rule Charter and City Ordinance violations resulted in Glenn Heights Mayor Leon Tate being ousted from his mayoral seat The direct nature of the counts other than the section numbers from the ordinances and home rule charter violations were not released from the city or the city’s attorney Infractions of sections 2.04 (a) and (b) were cited from the Home Rule Charter as well as 5.05 from the Charter and sections 1.02.045 O-27-12 and the Personnel Policy Section 10.6 of the city ordinances were the named violations Tate was removed for violating council members were asked to vote yes or no to each of the five infractions Machanta Newson and Harry Garrett voted yes on all the counts Mayor Pro Tem Tony Bradley voted no on all counts The overall vote for removal was decided in a 5 – 1 vote of the city council members after six hours of testimony from city employees this week Close to that same amount of time was spent at the council meeting held October 1 Bradley said he felt the hearing proceedings went way too fast He also said he did not think it was “fair to make it up as we go while we are executing it.” Bradley said he voted against removing the mayor because he did not believe the charges and the evidence presented reached the level to remove an elected official Tate said earlier this month he believed the hearing was an unlawful act He also threatened litigation in the future and said the hearing was violating the charter after closing arguments at about 12:30 a.m Tate handed the City Secretary a note and had her read to council and those in the audience The City Council members were asked to consider the resignation Mayor Pro Tem Tony Bradley voted not to accept the resignation the vote to have Tate removed from his seat continued Had the City Council chosen to accept Tate’s resignation he would have remained in the mayoral seat until a special election was called to replace him The resignation was also not an item on the agenda Council would have been forced to address it at the next council meeting should they have decided to go in that direction Witnesses during the hearing this week were asked questions about Tate’s working relationship with the current City Manager Reports are that he did not agree with hiring David Hall for the job He was also accused of overstepping in his mayoral role directing employees and his lack of decorum during city council meetings City Manager Hall was asked questions by both attorney’s – including Tate’s council – as well the city’s former Director of Organizational Development and the current city’s Finance Director it was indicated Tate made directives to city staff without following procedure It was also noted the Mayor was not to give city staff directives The attorney for the city council members who had made the allegations against Tate showed video from various council meetings of Tate’s demeanor including what was said to be speaking down to other council members and gaveling members as they were talking The former mayor did not testify on his behalf but he did remain at most of the hearing sitting in the audience at this this week’s meeting There was an option to go into executive session to deliberate after the witnesses had been examined but Tate had requested the meeting be held in open session and it remained in open session throughout the hearing had been postponed until October 2 On October 2 when the hearing was still nowhere near being finished just after midnight it was decided the hearing would continue this week After Tate was voted out, a 6 -0 vote was cast declaring a vacancy in the office of the mayor as of October 17 It is not certain when the city will hold an election to fill the mayoral seat Hall said this decision by council “does not have a significant impact on our job which is to carry out the will of the council Tate did not respond to a phone call or text for comment on his removal from his seat Tuesday night His attorney had made comment Tuesday night he did believe an independent investigation had been held based on evidence While other city council members were ready to move on with city business and see the mayor removed Bradley continued to maintain throughout “we are missing the scale The city of Glenn Heights will be heading to the polls on November 6 2018 for a General Election and Home Rule Charter Amendment election with several city council seats up for election and all seats seeing both incumbents and challengers vying for the open seats Section 2.04 Council to Be the Judge of the Qualification of its Own Members The City Council shall be the judge of the qualifications of its own members and for such purpose shall have power to subpoena witnesses and determine by majority vote whether a member is guilty of an infraction for which a member may be censured or removed from office for cause (a)     knowingly and intentionally violating the provisions of this Charter; which shall be defined as intentional unlawful behavior relating to official duties Section 5.05 of the Home Rule Charter says Council Not to Interfere in City Manager’s Appointments Neither the Council nor any of its members shall direct or request the appointment of any person to or his/her removal from office by the City Manager or by any of his/her subordinates the Council may consult and advise the City Manager make inquiry regarding the appointments or removals and may express their opinion in regard thereto In regard to administrative and executive duties under the City Manager the Council and its members shall deal solely through the City Manager and neither the Council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinate of the City Manager Willful violation of the foregoing provisions of the Charter by any member of the Council shall constitute official misconduct and shall authorize the Council by a vote of a majority of its membership to expel such offending member from the Council if found guilty after a public hearing and thereby create a vacancy in the place held by such member The city council shall determine its own rules of procedure and may compel the attendance of its members shall not be allowed to speak or vote on any matter before the council by telephone electronic mail or other means of communication the mayor and city council members shall assist in preserving order and decorum and shall neither by conversation or otherwise delay or interrupt the proceedings nor refuse to obey the orders of the presiding officer or the rules of the city council (C)     Each councilmember may speak at any time with respect and courtesy to other members The mayor shall ensure that all councilmembers desiring to speak may do so If the mayor is in debate with another councilmember the mayor shall restrain his or her prerogative so as not to limit a response from the other member (D)     A city council member desiring to speak shall address the chair by hand or voice signal and upon recognition by the presiding officer shall confine discussion to the question under debate avoid discussion of personalities and indecorous language and shall refrain from personal attacks and verbal abuse The presiding officer shall recognize each member desiring to speak unless a member’s comments have become disruptive (E)     A city council member desiring to question a member or members of city staff shall address questions to the city manager who shall be entitled either to answer the inquiries or to designate some member of city staff for that purpose The mayor and city council member shall not berate nor admonish staff members in open session shall not be interrupted while speaking unless called to order by the presiding officer a point of order is raised by another member or unless the speaker chooses to yield to questions from another member If a city council member is called to order while speaking that member shall cease speaking immediately until the question of order is determined the member shall remain silent or make additional remarks only for the purpose of complying with rules of the city council (G)     If a member in debate transgresses the rules a majority vote of the remainder of the council shall require him/her to enforce the procedures during his annual State of the City Address Glenn Heights Mayor Leon Tate announced he planned to step down from his seat at the end of 2018 Tate has still not confirmed the plans he announced in April but soon it turns out that he might not have a choice Back in June Tate’s colleagues on the City Council decided perhaps the city’s mayor does need to do what he insinuated the council opened an investigation to look at the mayor’s possible ordinance and city charter infractions he is accused of violating Sections 2.04(a) and/or (b) of the Home Rule Charter through knowing and intentional violation of Section 5.05 of the Home Rule Charter On June 5 council members decided to retain an independent investigator to determine if Tate should be removed from office for what was called “knowing and intentional” violations The inital findings of that investigation were discussed at the August 21 A special hearing will take place September 18 The item was placed on the agenda by councilmembers Ron Adams and Machanta Newson Newson and Adams addressed the council and those in attendance about their reasons for the investigation regarding Tate’s behavior I look to my senior leaders for guidance and decorum during these very important meetings chiefly the mayor,” stated Place 6 representative Mchanta Newson “Because of the hostile and volatile environment created by the mayor there are often a number of items on the agenda that are not discussed due to wasted time arguing These actions have a domino effect which cause council members respond to the behaviors exhibited by the mayor.” citing the mayor’s behavior that violates the council’s ability to conduct business with peace and decorum Garrett also made mention of Tate’s behavior following the appointment of the City Manager David Hall in which Garrett said was berating to Hall Garrett also accused the mayor of putting undue stress on city staff According to the city council meeting minutes it was said Tate had refused to work with Hall in his role as city manager Tate and council member Tony Bradley pointed out none of the council members display ‘complete’ decorum Council emphasized the need to keep infractions in line with only the previously determined ordinances There was also discussion about the projected cost for the investigation and procedure for the possible removal of the mayor said there was not a lot of guidance in the charter  her firm put together a procedure that it is believed will provide due process a vote was called to allow for the investigation to be broadened with Tate and Bradley as the lone dissenters At the August 21 city council meeting it was decided there would be a hearing Tate said to the council and those in the audience that he felt there was more to the investigation He was quite sure that it would come out as the inquiry progressed “Bigger issues are at play here,” Tate said “This is not just about the mayor and some people feeling some type of way.” Tate said he has always worked hard for the city He went on to discuss his work with the city manager He even further indicated he did not believe there was a disconnect between him and Hall Tate says that there might be some issue with how that work was defined The three term mayor also pointed out he believed some of the statements made were slanderous and he said he did have a problem with the chosen independent investigator Councilmember Bradley made a motion to table this item until October Garrett then made one to proceed with the hearing on September 18 for discussion and possible removal of the mayor Hall as their new City Manager effective June 5 Hall tendered his resignation to the Glenn Heights City Council and it was accepted with his last day with Glenn Heights set for June 3 The Council appointed Chief Keith Moore to be the Interim City Manager and approved David Hall to be the City Manager Emeritus Glenn Heights Council also approved Resolution R-09-23 approving a Consulting Services Agreement with David A Hall while the city searches for a new City Manager which the Mayor said could take 6 months In a May 8th Glenn Heights City Council special meeting City Manager David Hall addressed the council regarding his resignation He told council the City of Glenn Heights had been very good to him and he owes a sincere debt of gratitude to the city and it’s staff Mayor Sonja Brown said “I would like to go on the record publicly to say thank you for all the work that you have done We are in a much better place with your leadership and I think I speak for everyone on the council that we greatly appreciate your dedication and sacrifice with the numerous hours that you have put in to get us where we are City Council member Laymon Lightfoot told Hall he would be missed and thanked him for all his help and guidance Mayor Pro-Tem Harry Garrett then said he also appreciated Hall’s work and the city would have a very very difficult time finding someone as committed as Hall had been to the city … you will be solely missed … you were better than we deserved.” Council member Travis Bruton also thanked Hall for the legacy he was leaving with the city and how much he was appreciated Hall told council he was grateful and appreciated the current council and even more so He said they had at times suffered for him when at times he had ignored some of the things that had happened “I have to credit them for willing to take this journey with me,” he said “I remain eternally grateful for their hard work.” After the acceptance of Hall’s resignation Council then approved Resolution R-08-23 appointing Mr Hall to serve as City Manager Emeritus and Resolution R-09-23 a Consulting Services Agreement with Mr GLENN HEIGHTS – A suspect has been identified in last week’s August 10 afternoon shooting in the City of Glenn Heights The man has been identified as 28-year-old Wesley Warren Birdine The Glenn Heights Police Department currently holds two arrest warrants for Aggravated Assault/Deadly Weapon/Serious Bodily Injury/Family Violence for Birdine Birdine is considered armed and dangerous and was last seen driving a burgundy 2012 Nissan Maxima bearing Texas license plate RXT-6641 The shooting occurred last Thursday at 1:03 p.m Glenn Heights Police Officers were dispatched to the address after reports of shots fired were called in to 911 they found two victims with gunshot wounds The victims were transported to a local hospital with their conditions not being released by the Glenn Heights Police Department In a press release by the City of Glenn Heights it was reported the initial investigation indicated the shooting was an isolated incident Anyone with information regarding this offense is asked to call the Glenn Heights Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 972.223.1690 ext GLENN HEIGHTS – In keeping with other cities and communities in the area the City of Glenn Heights has teamed up with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas to create its own brand-new all-abilities park The Make-A-Wish Park will allow for children of all abilities to enjoy outdoor activities with family and friends in a safe and welcoming environment “The City of Glenn Heights is excited to partner with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas and Grossman Design Build to bring forth this inclusive project that further enhances city services to our community,” said Glenn Heights City Manager David Hall The park’s anticipated opening date is June of 2022 The Make-A-Wish Park is being developed as part of the Glenn Heights City Center Project That project joins all the existing administrative City facilities and Public Safety operations into one central location in order to make easy accessibility for residents and the general public In addition to a new public safety facility the Glenn Heights City Center complex will include a courtyard with an amphitheater and landscaped gardens and a community recreation center featuring an elevated track “The development of Make-A-Wish Park at the Glenn Heights City Center will serve as a potential central hub for the Make-A-Wish Foundation to host its Wish activities,” Hall said “This additional utilization and inclusivity will add another layer of positive activation in the city to coincide with area leading residential growth and increased commercial activities all of which continue the transformation of the community from a small bedroom town to a fully amenitized community.” The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes for children with critical illnesses some of whom have physical disabilities that keep them from playing at a typical city park The City of Glenn Heights believes the addition of this park will be a valuable resource for children and their families in the Glenn Heights area “All children, regardless of the challenges they may be facing, should have the chance to play. We’re excited to support Glenn Heights in this endeavor that will bring positivity and hope to children across the city,” said Scotty Landry President & CEO of Make-A-Wish North Texas Make-A-Wish has granted hundreds of thousands of life-changing wish experiences worldwide since its inception in 1980 the organization’s vision is to grant the wishes of every eligible child battling critical illness In the North Texas area the organization has turned wishes into reality in 161 counties since the local chapter was founded in 1982 “I want to thank the Glenn Heights City Council for their persistence in ensuring that we consider the accessibility of all residents and families who make use of our public parks,” Glenn Heights Mayor Harry A To learn more about the All-Abilities Park at the Glenn Heights City Center please visit glennheightstx.gov/379/City-Center-Project For more information about Make-A-Wish North Texas, visit wish.org/ntx By Claire Z. CardonaBreaking News Producer Officer Chris Womack responded about 9:15 p.m to the Jack in the Box in the 1700 block of South Beckley Road Dash cam footage from the squad car showed the officer pull up behind the flaming truck that was dangerously close to the drive-through his tires screeched and smoke billowed from the cab though some flames remained on the ground in the drive-thru where the truck had been It's unclear what caused the truck to catch fire Glenn Heights police on Facebook commended Womack for his "courage and quick thinking" that kept employees safe and prevented major damage to the building She grew up in New Orleans and graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin In a bold move highlighting the importance of summer learning initiatives Brown recently convened with US Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten at a special meeting held at the White House The White House Summer Learning Convening aimed to delve into the manifold benefits of summer learning programs and underscore their significance in shaping the future of education “Receiving a special invitation to the White House to discuss summer learning is not just an honor – it’s a powerful recognition of the importance of investing in our scholar’s futures It’s a testament to the collective effort and dedication to ensure that every child has access to quality education and enrichment opportunities year-round This meeting affirms my commitment to leveraging summer learning as a catalyst for equity we will continue to champion innovative solutions and forge partnerships to empower our students and build a brighter tomorrow.” and co-moderated by Domestic Policy Advisor brought together a diverse array of stakeholders all united by a common goal: to explore the transformative potential of summer learning initiatives Recognizing that summer break often exacerbates existing disparities in educational attainment she is championing initiatives aimed at expanding access to high-quality summer learning experiences for students from underserved communities By forging partnerships with stakeholders across sectors and championing data-driven solutions Mayor Brown is reimagining education for the 21st century Deputy Secretary Marten commended all for their unwavering dedication to advancing the cause of education and pledged continued support for their efforts Inspired by the insights shared and energized by the spirit of collaboration permeating the gathering attendees departed with a renewed sense of purpose and a shared commitment to leveraging summer learning as a catalyst for positive change Mayor Brown will continue to harness the momentum generated by the White House meeting working tirelessly to translate ideas into action and drive meaningful progress within her community and beyond and a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of education Mayor Brown remains steadfast in her pursuit of a brighter future for all students GLENN HEIGHTS – The City of Glenn Heights is still reeling from the shock of the passing of Deputy City Manager Brian Keith Lockley He had been with the city of Glenn Heights in the role of Deputy City Manager for two years this week Prior to his time with the City of Glenn Heights Lockley was the Director of Planning with the City of McKinney and the Director of Planning and Development with the City of Denton “The Glenn Heights community mourns together as we have lost a good man and faithful public servant in Mr. Lockley,” said Glenn Heights Mayor Harry Garrett he became a valued member of the executive leadership team He’s made an indelible impact on our community with the work that he gave as the Deputy City Manager living on through the future construction and continuous development of our City.” Lockley’s cause of death was not available but Glenn Heights City Manager David Hall said the cause of death was not COVID-19 The city tested recently for the coronavirus and Lockley did not test positive He received his Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from Cal Poly Pomona He spent his adult life in Colorado and North Texas and received his Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington Lockley was also certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners He was a member of the American Planning Association colleagues often become more like extended family members,” said Hall “Brian Lockley was more than just my co-worker and Deputy City Manager value and positive contributions to the team and the larger Glenn Heights community will greatly be missed.” During Tuesday’s Council Meeting Mayor Pro Tem Sonja A She described him as a gentle giant that’s left a huge void in the city By Hojun Choi and Maggie ProsserStaff Writers 3 to reflect the Amber Alert has been discontinued.Glenn Heights police discontinued an Amber Alert for a 14-year-old girl who was reported missing earlier this week Investigators said Tuesday night that the alert for Stevie Patrice Johnson was canceled based on new information A spokesman for the Glenn Heights police said they could “no longer confirm the child is in grave or immediate danger,” which is a requisite for issuing an Amber Alert Monday in the 800 block of Cascade Drive in Glenn Heights But police said the search for Stevie is ongoing Crime in The NewsRead the crime and public safety news your neighbors are talking about Stevie, who is Black, has brown hair and brown eyes, police said. She is 5 feet tall, weighs about 120 pounds and was wearing a gray jacket, blue jeans and Nike Air Force One shoes. Police said they are also looking for the girl’s biological mother, 33-year-old Shawnice Renee Hickman, in connection with the disappearance. She reportedly was driving a black 2017 GMC Terrain with Missouri license plate CT0D6R. Hickman, who is also black, is 5-foot-7, weighs about 190 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes, according to police. She was last seen wearing a black and red jacket with tiger-striped sleeves, black leather pants and red shoes, police said. Anyone with information about the case may call 911 or Glenn Heights police, at 972-223-3478. Maggie previously worked at the Chicago Tribune and The Columbus Dispatch GLENN HEIGHTS – While Glenn Heights Police Chief Vernell Dooley did not respond by press time Texas confirmed he is a shortlisted candidate for a new job The open position: Police Chief in the city of Victoria 30 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico in an area known as the Golden Crescent Victoria is also situated just two hours from Corpus Christi Dooley is a police chief finalist in the south Texas city along with Robert Arredondo Jr who currently works as  a major with the Dallas Police Department and Rich Austin Jr All three candidates recently did the formal meet-and-greet of law enforcement and officials in that city Reports indicated the three candidates agreed on not only wanting to take the key role in the Police Department but that building relationships with the community were of paramount importance While the candidates have diverse backgrounds the relationship building played a large role in their goals if hired That and working with nonprofits and other organizations Dooley voiced that while police departments have a community to take care of it cannot be done alone Dooley also stressed how important Hispanic and Spanish-speaking residents in the Victoria community are. As well as how important community engagement in that area is too With over 15 years of law enforcement experience, Chief Dooley began his career in 2005 in the City of Denton. He has been the police chief in Glenn Heights since 2017 “We have to remind people that law enforcement is still a very noble profession and we need people that are willing to step out and serve in this very important role,” Dooley said when being chosen as a finalist It is believed a choice could be made for the Victoria PD position this month The Chief of Police position in Victoria came open when the former chief left to take a police chief job in another city Brown has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2024 Council on Youth Mayor Brown was elected to a one-year term to develop and guide programs among local elected officials from similar communities The appointment was announced by NLC President Mayor-Elect David Sander of Rancho Cordova “I am deeply honored to lead the National League of Cities’ Council on Youth “Investing in our youth and fostering strong educational opportunities are crucial pillars for the growth and prosperity of our communities This appointment is not just a responsibility but serves as a platform to champion the future of our city and the nation Brown said through this role she will have the opportunity to shape policies and initiatives that will positively impact the lives of young people and their families ensuring a brighter and more equitable future for all and families serves as the cornerstone of strong I will pave the way for a brighter future for all ensuring that our cities thrive and flourish for generations to come,” Brown added and Families Mayor Brown will play a key role among a diverse group of local leaders to encourage collaboration and the development of resources and programs beneficial to communities that share demographics size or location that can be replicated across the country “Our member councils play an integral role in NLC’s work bringing local leaders together to share ideas and inform NLC policy about the issues and challenges facing every kind of community in America,” said NLC President Mayor David Sander of Rancho Cordova Brown serve on NLC’s Council on Youth The council will ensure that all of our cities and villages have access to ideas and resources they can use to thrive.” GLENN HEIGHTS – The City of Glenn Heights recognized Black History Month earlier this week with a strong program that included a glimpse into the past Glenn Heights Mayor Sonja A Brown presided over the evening’s event with the theme “Black Resistance.” A look at the past concentrated on Harriet Tubman & the Underground Railroad with comments by Sheran Goodspeed Keyton and Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price speaking; the segment on the present Here & Now included a video presentation “How we Got Here” and speaker Brianna Brown Co-Executive Director of the Texas Organizing Project (TOP) highlighting key discussion for that part of the program The future segment included an interpretative dance by DeSoto High School’s Director of Dance Regina Tucker with Charles O’Neal President of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce commenting for that part of the evening’s event My mother, a 1969 Bishop College graduate, often shared stories of not eating some days because they refused to enter through back doors while traveling with the choir. Now, her daughter is the first African American female Mayor of Glenn Heights I am honored to now be [a part of] Black History I look forward to working with other leaders across the nation to build bridges of diversity The evening’s program also included a black art exhibit with a look at the talent that resides in the community and the importance of recognizing Black History Month not only locally but throughout the United States About the City of Glenn Heights: The City of Glenn Heights was incorporated in 1969 and is located along IH-35 East. A hospitable, business friendly and rapidly growing community divided between- Dallas and Ellis counties TX – The City of Glenn Heights will host its annual City-Wide Clean-Up Event on Saturday to Noon at Heritage Community Park located at 400 E Bear Creek Rd “The City of Glenn Heights staff looks forward to providing this service to our residents because we know they take pride in keeping their properties and this community clean and safe” This free event is open to all Glenn Heights residents who present a valid photo ID and utility bill Services provided to residents as part of the city-wide cleanup and beautification include: The City invites neighborhood associations and residents to take part in the city-wide beautification effort by planning neighborhood cleanup & volunteer activities to assist fellow neighbors who might be disabled widowed or without tools & equipment for property cleanup To view the list of Frequently Asked Questions and find out more about the 2022 City-Wide Cleanup Event, visit: https://glennheightstx.gov/303/Citywide-Clean-Up-Community-Beautification