By on May 5 2025 12:57 PMComments Off on Rockwall High School Senior Cheer Spotlight: Kamryn Bartoszek 2025) – Kam is a Senior Varsity Cheerleader at Rockwall High School She is a four-year member of the cheer team and served as the Varsity Game Day Captain Kamryn is the daughter of Tandra Calhoun and Ryan Bartoszek Kam has received many accolades during her time with Rockwall High School Cheer including being a 3-time NCA All-American 4.0 Club and two-time Rockwall Cheer Program MVP  She also had the opportunity to compete with the Rockwall Cheer competitive team every year she was with the program and finished her career by winning a 2025 NCA National Championship in the Performance Division She has been an all-star competitive cheerleader for 13 years at Cheer Athletics – Plano She has won every major all-star cheer competition during her time there:  6-Time NCA Champion She has been on several teams but has spent the last 5 years on the Cheer Athletics Panthers one of the most well-known teams in all-star cheer Kam is also a member of the National Honor Society (NHS) Kam will continue her education and cheer career at the University of Alabama and pursue a degree in Sports Management edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News   , , , , Rockwall High School Senior Cheer Spotlight: Kamryn Bartoszek added by on May 5, 2025 12:57 PMView all posts by Melanie M → By on May 3 2025 9:30 AMComments Off on Rockwall High School Stingerette Senior Spotlight 2025: Kinsley Moore 2025) – Kinsley Moore is our next Stingerette Senior Spotlight She is the daughter of Chris and Holly Moore and a three-year member of the team Kinsley currently serves as Head Rockwall Dance Instructor for the 2024–2025 year and holds the prestigious title of Miss Drill Team Kinsley has been a standout performer and leader She has been a member of the Showstopper Elite Team from 2023–2025 and served as Rockwall Dance Instructor in 2023–2024 She was honored as Rookie of the Year in 2022–2023 and was named Mama Rette in 2023 Kinsley’s competition accomplishments are equally impressive She was a member of the 2024 ADTS Best of the Best and National Champion Elite Team and National Champion Super Team She also contributed to the team’s RISD Trustee Award recognition in 2023 for the Stingerettes’ National Champion title Her excellence began early as a member of the 2022 ADTS Best of the Best and National Champion JV Team and as the JV Jacket Babe of the Year in 2021–2022 She participated in the 2024 Disney Imagination Campus Performance Workshop in Florida showcasing her dedication and passion for performance beyond the field Kinsley is a member of the National Honor Society and is ranked in the top 6% of the 2025 senior class She has served with the National Charity League from 2019–2025 and has danced competitively with Studio 3:23 since 2020 Kinsley will attend Baylor University to pursue a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with plans to become a Speech Pathologist She will also minor in American Sign Language   , , , , Rockwall High School Stingerette Senior Spotlight 2025: Kinsley Moore added by on May 3, 2025 9:30 AMView all posts by Melanie M → 2025 11:03 AMComments Off on Caregiving support services from Rockwall Meals on Wheels & Area Agency on Aging 2025) – Caregiving can be a demanding job – it’s almost impossible to take on alone and mental toll can leave you feeling exhausted the North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging provides temporary relief for family caregivers Eligible family members receive vouchers that may be used to purchase in-home or institutional care The Caregiver Respite program gives family caregivers a temporary break from their caregiving responsibilities It issues vouchers to caregivers so they can make arrangements with providers they trust which can be used all at once or gradually over a three-month period Resources are available at https://www.nctcog.org/aging-services/caregivers/caregiver-support-and-respite-services you will find Respite Voucher Program Guidelines and an application Programs are available for Caregiver support and other local and state services for family caregivers the caregiving journey can be more manageable Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County (MOWSS) is here to partner with you We collaborate with the North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging to provide caregiver support guide caregivers and seniors through all stages of life and preparation Check out our Resource Directory, FAQ, and Educational Events Calendar for more information on the North Central Texas Agency Agency on Aging website Permission is granted to duplicate all parts of this page to use in education programs supporting family members caring for elders For additional information, call Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County at 972-771-9514 Caregiving support services from Rockwall Meals on Wheels & Area Agency on Aging added by on May 5, 2025 11:03 AMView all posts by Melanie M → We recognise you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore cannot grant you access at this time e-mail us at cslinkard@heraldbanner.com or call us at 903-455-4220 By on May 3 2025 1:39 PMComments Off on Rockwall County Helping Hands honors volunteers at annual appreciation luncheon Rockwall County Helping Hands proudly hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon to recognize and celebrate the outstanding efforts of its 1,980 dedicated volunteers these ongoing volunteers contributed a remarkable 15,336 hours of service playing a vital role in the organization’s mission to assist Rockwall County families in crisis A heartfelt highlight of the event was the recognition of the 308 volunteers who made the December Toy Drive and Distribution possible collectively contributing 916 hours to ensure local children experienced the joy of the holiday season This year’s luncheon also continued its special recognition — the Starfish Award — presented by each department within Helping Hands the award honors individual volunteers who went above and beyond in their service and made a lasting impact in their specific areas From the Health Center and Food Pantry to the Thrift Store and Emergency Services each department proudly selected one outstanding volunteer who truly embodied the spirit of compassion and dedication “Volunteers are the heartbeat of Helping Hands,” said Jon Bailey “The Starfish Awards symbolize the power of one person making a difference ripples out into our community in powerful ways.” Rockwall County Helping Hands continues to thrive because of the generous support and tireless efforts of its volunteers, who serve with heart and purpose year-round.  Want to make a real difference in our community? Discover how you can become a Helping Hands volunteer and turn compassion into action! Learn more at https://rockwallhelpinghands.com/volunteer/ P.S. Stay connected with us! Sign up for our monthly recap blast, visit RockwallHelpingHands.com, and follow us on Facebook to stay updated on upcoming events and the incredible ways your support is making a difference in our community Rockwall County Helping Hands strives to ensure that no one in Rockwall County goes to bed hungry without a roof overhead or is deprived of essential medical care   , , , , Rockwall County Helping Hands honors volunteers at annual appreciation luncheon added by on May 3, 2025 1:39 PMView all posts by Editor → By on May 2 2025 11:49 AMComments Off on Rockwall High School Stingerette Senior Spotlight: Jasmyne Ivy 2025) – Jasmyne Ivy is our next Stingerette Senior Spotlight Jasmyne is the daughter of Fonda and Barry Ivy She is a three-year member of the team and currently serves as a Rockwall Dance Instructor for the 2024–2025 year Jasmyne was honored with both Miss 50 Yard Line and Miss Jump Split in 2025 – titles that reflect her show-stopping performances and passion for dance She is a two-year member of the Showstopper Elite Team a long-time member of both Tap Company and Kick Company and performed in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City Her competition highlights include being part of the 2024 ADTS Best of the Best National Champion Team and Elite Team as well as the 2023 ADTS National Champion Super Team she helped the team earn Crowd Pleasers Winner for Elite Jasmyne has received numerous team recognitions including Spirit Girl of the Week She also participated in the San Antonio Trip and the Walt Disney World Trip She also earned the RISD Trustee Award in 2023 Jasmyne is a Senior Company Member at The Dance Fx She is also a member of the National Honor Society Jasmyne has served at LakePointe Church since 2017 and has accumulated over 100 volunteer hours Jasmyne will attend New York University to pursue a degree in Real Estate She also plans to continue her training with the dream of becoming a Radio City Rockette Rockwall High School Stingerette Senior Spotlight: Jasmyne Ivy added by on May 2, 2025 11:49 AMView all posts by Melanie M → 2025 12:09 PMComments Off on Rockwall’s Concert by the Lake series features tribute band 2025) – Thursday nights this summer will be extra special in Rockwall as the city presents its annual Concert by the Lake series the concerts feature a wide assortment of musical artists Called the most authentic Def Leppard tribute act in the world Def Leggend performs songs from 10 of the original band’s albums including hits like “Photograph,” “Animal,” “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Hysteria.” The band has more than 120 years of combined performance experience and while most members are DFW-based they’ve toured throughout the United States and Mexico Expect an experience of sight and sound that will make you think you’re at one of the best hair band concerts of the ’80s Rockwall will be recognized as a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community – a new state designation that highlights Visit Rockwall’s commitment to tourism as an essential part of local economic development City Council members and representatives from Visit Rockwall will be on hand as Nate Gieryn the deputy director for tourism with Texas Economic Development & Tourism Widely recognized as one of the greatest live music cities in Texas Rockwall has been named the “Free Live Music Capital of North Texas” Rockwall has hosted more than 200 different bands at Concert by the Lake One of the best things about Concert by the Lake is that you can experience the shows from land or from water: Scores of boats will fill the Rockwall Harbor enjoying the sounds of the summer concerts Parking: Free parking is available in the TrendHR parking garage at the top of Summer Lee Drive and in public parking lots on Shoreline Trail Note: There is no on-grass parking anywhere at The Harbor Information: Rockwall.com Rockwall’s Concert by the Lake series features tribute band, Def Leggend on Thursday, May 8 added by on May 2, 2025 12:09 PMView all posts by Melanie M → By on May 1 2025 9:57 AMComments Off on Rockwall High School Stingerette Senior Spotlight 2025: Reese Harding 2025) – Reese Harding is our next Stingerette Senior Spotlight Reese is the daughter of Kristina and Erik Harding She is a two-year member of the team and currently serves as Rockwall Dance Instructor for the 2024–2025 year Reese has been a member of the Showstopper Elite Team from 2023–2025 and currently dances with the Studio 3:23 Senior Elite Team She was selected to perform in the prestigious Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2024 and has been honored with multiple team awards including Slayer Reese was part of the 2024 ADTS Best of the Best and National Champion Team she helped earn Best of the Best and First Overall Team honors she contributed to First Overall Elite Team titles at both MA and CP Regionals Reese earned Rookie of the Year and the Best Friends Award in 2023–2024 and was previously recognized as Squad Standout and Miss Star Dancer in 2023 She is also a member of the Tap Company and ranked in the Top Five during Varsity Line Tryouts in 2023–2024 She also participated in the 2024 Walt Disney World Performance Experience and was further recognized with the RISD Trustee Award for her role in the Stingerettes’ National Championship She is a member of the National Honor Society and was invited to join the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society She earned the AP Scholar Award and achieved a perfect AP score of 5 Reese will attend the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a degree in nursing She plans to continue her education with the goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner Rockwall High School Stingerette Senior Spotlight 2025: Reese Harding added by on May 1, 2025 9:57 AMView all posts by Melanie M → By on May 1 2025 2:13 PMComments Off on Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch launches school supply drive 2025) Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch has launched a school supply drive they are collecting the following essentials for Rockwall County students in need: drop off supplies at the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office TL Townsend Drive in Rockwall; Fate DPS at 128 E Main Place in Fate; McLendon-Chisholm Fire Department at 1345 W FM 550 in McLendon-Chisholm; or Royse City Fire Department at 300 Erby Campbell Blvd   , , , , Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch launches school supply drive added by on May 1, 2025 2:13 PMView all posts by Editor → By Alyson RodriguezEvents Producer Every Thursday evening from May through July dubbed the “Free Live Music Capital of North Texas,” will host local bands with the scenic backdrop of Lake Ray Hubbard The live music features a variety of genres that can be enjoyed on the water or by land with scenic backdrops like the Scott Self Lighthouse The bands will perform at Rockwall’s amphitheater Music fans can bring their own lawn chairs News RoundupsCatch up on the day's news you need to know GoogleFacebookBy signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy DETAILS: Every Thursday, May 1 through July 31 from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Harbor, 2059 Summer Lee Dr., Rockwall. Free. Arts Access is an arts journalism collaboration powered by The Dallas Morning News and KERA. This community-funded journalism initiative is funded by the Better Together Fund, Carol & Don Glendenning, City of Dallas OAC, Communities Foundation of Texas, The University of Texas at Dallas, The Dallas Foundation, Eugene McDermott Foundation, James & Gayle Halperin Foundation, Jennifer & Peter Altabef and The Meadows Foundation. The News and KERA retain full editorial control of Arts Access’ journalism. LinkedIn IconJoin the conversation Thank you for reading. We welcome your thoughts on this topic. Comments are moderated for adherence to our Community Guidelines Please read the guidelines before participating 2025 2:24 PMComments Off on Swingin’ for Scholarships: Rockwall Aggies tee off May 16 2025) The Annual Rockwall County A&M Club Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held on Friday compete in the putting contest and enjoy the driving range prior to the tournament start Volunteers are needed and welcome to register for the tournament as well Please use the link below to see the details of the golf tournament and use the “Click Here To Register Online” Submitted press release by Christi Mishler   , , , , , Swingin’ for Scholarships: Rockwall Aggies tee off May 16 added by on May 1, 2025 2:24 PMView all posts by Editor → May 2, 2025 | LIFESTYLE + ENTERTAINMENT Rockwall Founders Day celebrates the town’s 171 birthday on Saturday The free festival takes place both in downtown Rockwall and at Harry Myers Park with a robust lineup of family programming that begins at 8 a.m downtown and culminates that evening with high-energy performances by Will Jones William Beckmann and headliner Josh Turner in the park A trolley will shuttle festival goers between downtown and Harry Myers Park from 12:30 p.m Festivities begin with the Rockwall Farmers Market which takes place on the downtown square from 8 a.m The farmers market has become a popular destination for locals to purchase fresh produce and specialty foods such as grass-fed meats From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., join Rockwall Art League for a Founders Day pop-up exhibit and sale downtown in San Jacinto Plaza The pop-up features fresh new works from 15 local artists in a variety of media plus plein air demonstrations and hands-on art activities for all ages From noon to 4 p.m., a wine walk takes place in downtown Rockwall, sponsored by Downtown Rockwall Association Guests purchase wine glasses at San Jacinto Plaza then go from shop to shop across downtown sipping samples from each merchant Proceeds benefit the Downtown Rockwall Association Founders Day continues at Harry Myers Park starting at 1 p.m A vendor market keeps shoppers entertained until 5 p.m live animal shows introduce exciting creatures to festival goers guests will see why Rockwall is widely recognized as one of the greatest live music cities in Texas The city has been named the “Free Live Music Capital of North Texas” by the Texas House of Representatives Two up-and-coming country acts open the stage at Harry Myers Park to warm up the crowd whose sound is rooted in the country and bluegrass music that he grew up listening to in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains Jones draws inspiration from greats including Keith Whitley and Tony Rice the singer-songwriter is influenced by classic country and the mariachi and Norteño sounds of northern Mexico Headliner Josh Turner takes the stage at 8 p.m Known for songs like “Long Black Train” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Turner’s global reach includes nearly six billion streams 1 singles also include “Your Man,” for which the official music video has 226 million views Turner released his first “Greatest Hits” album in 2023 which features 11 of his biggest songs from seven studio albums For more information on Rockwall Founders Day, including tips on where to park, visit rockwall.com/event_FoundersDay.asp 2025 2:42 PMComments Off on Hudson selected as Chief Executive Officer of ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Rockwall County 2025) – Jason Hudson recently was named Chief Executive Officer of ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Rockwall County The new 36-bed medical rehabilitation hospital is scheduled to open this fall in Heath and will treat patients with disabling injuries or illnesses caused by strokes Hudson brings three decades of healthcare experience to his role having started his career as a licensed vocational nurse He has since held a range of patient care and leadership positions including more than eight years of managing inpatient rehabilitation operations at hospitals and facilities in New Jersey he served as CEO of an acute rehabilitation and long-term acute care hospital in Victoria as reflected in my career in nursing,” Hudson says we’re bringing a much-needed level of specialized rehabilitative care to the community – care that hasn’t been available locally until now By offering this advanced care close to home we help patients and their families avoid the financial and emotional strain of traveling or staying overnight in another town while a loved one receives treatment.” Hudson earned a licensed vocational nurse certification from Odessa College in Odessa He earned his associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from Angelo State University in San Angelo He also holds certifications as an Emergency Medical Technician and as a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse   , , Hudson selected as Chief Executive Officer of ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Rockwall County added by on May 1, 2025 2:42 PMView all posts by Melanie M → By on April 30 2025 12:36 PMComments Off on Rockwall High School Stingerette Senior Spotlight 2025: Bethany Haack 2025) – Bethany Haack is our next Stingerette Senior Spotlight She is the daughter of Kelly and Chris Haack and a three-year member of the team Bethany currently serves as a Rockwall Dance Instructor and New Girl Sergeant for the 2024–2025 year She is known for her excellence in leadership consistently standing out as a role model on the team Bethany was named Stingerette of the Week and played a key role in the team’s impressive performances at ADTS Nationals where they were named National Champion Best of the Best Team She also contributed to MA Birdville’s First Place Elite Team and Best of the Best Team titles in both 2024 and 2025 Bethany is a member of the Stingerette Showstopper Elite Team and has danced with the Studio 3:23 Senior Elite Team from 2021–2025 She traveled to Walt Disney World for the Disney Imagination Campus Performance Workshop in 2024 and received the RISD Trustee Award in both 2023 and 2024 in recognition of the team’s national championship success and the Worker Bee Award during her time as a Jacket Babe in 2021–2022 She was also named Jacket Babe of the Week and was a member of the ADTS Best of the Best JV National Champion Team in 2021–2022 she was a Showtime Regional Solo Runner-Up in 2022 Bethany is ranked in the Top 3% of the 2025 senior class and is a RISD AP Scholar with Honor She is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars Bethany will attend Texas A&M University to pursue a degree in Forensic and Investigative Sciences with plans to attend law school and ultimately pursue a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Rockwall High School Stingerette Senior Spotlight 2025: Bethany Haack added by on April 30, 2025 12:36 PMView all posts by Melanie M → 2025 1:39 PMComments Off on Texas Health Hospital Rockwall provides sex assault victims with a SAFE place for initial care a Department of Justice report showed a 95 percent increase in successful prosecution of cases where evidence was collected by a SANE-certified nurse Victims of any age can be seen and treated at any time of the day or night in the Texas Health Rockwall emergency department  SANE-certified nurses are available 24 hours a day They know that when a sexual assault crisis strikes it’s important for victims to receive health care in a safe respected and professional manner – all while working to collect specimens that have the potential to be valid forensic evidence Texas Health Rockwall’s SANE Coordinator “For me there is something about meeting someone in their most vulnerable position The Texas Health Rockwall SAFE program includes: Texas Health Rockwall has partnered up with the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center (DARCC) and the Children’s Advocacy Center for Rockwall County (CACRC) to provide services for patients of all ages the hospital is a regular supporter of the Children’s Advocacy Center CACRC President and CEO is well versed in the hospital’s SANE program “I am so grateful for our partnership and the great work Texas Health Rockwall does to ensure children in our community receive recommended services” says Mejia “A medical evaluation is a critical component of a child’s healing from abuse.” Staff receive specialized training on how to care for victims of all ages and genders This training is extensive and includes proper examination processes to preserve and collect evidence all while providing emotional support and connected victims with services for comprehensive care and healing “I chose to be a SANE nurse because every survivor deserves to be treated with dignity compassion and care,” says Kim Crawford Director of Emergency Services and the SANE program at Texas Health Rockwall “I want to be a voice for the voiceless and stand by survivors as they begin their healing process.” Texas Health Hospital Rockwall provides sex assault victims with a SAFE place for initial care added by on April 30, 2025 1:39 PMView all posts by Melanie M → By Alfred Charles resulting in a huge traffic jam and snarling the evening commute for motorists It was not immediately clear what caused the crash or if any injuries were reported authorities said they expected the lanes to remain closed for an extended amount of time Drivers were urged to find alternate routes Breaking NewsGet the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond An image from traffic cameras in the area captured a plume of black smoke rising from the disabled tractor-trailer, which appeared to be parked on the side of the interstate. reporter and digital content creator/manager By on April 30 2025 11:18 AMComments Off on Rockwall ISD hiring event for educators set for May 29 2025) Rockwall Independent School District calls all educators to join the District Teacher Job Fair on Thursday Gene Burton College and Career Academy from 3 – 5 p.m Rockwall ISD believes in shaping the future by investing in those who educate This event is a chance to explore career opportunities in a district that feels like family Join the Rockwall ISD family and take the first step toward a fulfilling career Your future—and the future of our students—starts here Gene Burton College and Career Academy is located at 2301 S Rockwall Independent School District is dedicated to academic excellence and fostering a positive, supportive environment for both students and staff. With a commitment to innovation and community, Rockwall ISD is the perfect place to grow, lead, and make a difference. For more information, please visit www.rockwallisd.com/employment   , , , Rockwall ISD hiring event for educators set for May 29 added by on April 30, 2025 11:18 AMView all posts by Editor → 2025) -- Lubbock Christian University began their stint at the Lone Star Conference Championships Monday in Rockwall The Lady Chaps carded a team score of 606 and +30 ending the opening day in sole possession of sixth place Lubbock Christian ranked in the top five of birdies and par 4 scoring They narrowly missed that threshold in par 3 and 5 scoring After a slow start, Anaya Perales caught fire in the round two climbing to the top of the Lubbock Christian standings after the first 36 holes of play Perales had a two-round score of 147 and three-over-par tying for eighth place on the overall leaderboard In addition to leading the Lady Chaps on the scorecard she led the team in both par 3 and 5 scoring She had an average of 3.13 and score of +1 on par 3 holes and averaged 4.50 and a score of –4 on par 5 holes which also tied her for the fourth best score of the tournament on par 5s Following narrowly behind Perales, Alexandra Escamilla had identical +2 rounds finishing with a combined score of 148 and four-over-par The score landed Escamilla in a tie for 12th place in the tournament standings leading the entire field after she drained 10 over the first two rounds Escamilla was particularly strong on par 5 holes Alejandra Escobar closed her opening day in third on the Lubbock Christian leaderboard Escobar was the leader for the Lady Chaps after round one as she recorded an even-par score through 18 holes with a team leading average of 4.15 and score of +3 Escobar currently sits in a tie of 29th with a score of +10 Lily Griffin and Rianna LaFuente rounded out the Lady Chaps scorecard with scores of 14-over-par and 19-over-par Griffin had the largest stroke improvement of any Lubbock Christian golfer between rounds knocking four strokes off her opening round score in round two Griffin is tied for 39th place and LaFuente is deadlocked in 46th entering the last stroke play round tomorrow The Lady Chaps will look to build upon a solid opening day at Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club when they return to the course Tuesday for the third and final round of stroke play To advance to the match play round Wednesday they will need to secure a top four finish following tomorrow's finale Lubbock Christian will tee off at 8:30 a.m and will be paired with Dallas Baptist and Texas A&M – Int'l for the last 18 holes There are currently no upcoming/recent events Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here By on April 29 2025 12:26 PMComments Off on Rockwall High School Stingerette Senior Spotlight 2025: Magvira Flores 2025) – Magvira Flores is our next Stingerette Senior Spotlight Magvira is the daughter of Judith Ortiz and Ramiro Flores Magvira has earned the Star Dancer of the Week award in both 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 She has also been a member of the Hip Hop Company from 2022–2025 Her performance accomplishments include being part of the 2024 ADTS A Wish Come True Team She also contributed to the team’s MA Regionals Best of the Best Team title in 2024 and was a member of the ADTS National Champion Super Team in 2023 Magvira had the exciting opportunity to travel with the team to Walt Disney World in Florida where she participated in the Disney Imagination Campus Performance Workshop and upbeat spirit have made her a respected and cherished teammate over the past three years Rockwall High School Stingerette Senior Spotlight 2025: Magvira Flores added by on April 29, 2025 12:26 PMView all posts by Melanie M → The mysterious rock wall that gave the North Texas city its name could for the first time in decades be viewable by the public The city of Rockwall said last week it has acquired the land where the famed formation sits underground “It'll be very additive to our community and part of our history and our story,” said Rockwall Mayor Trace Johannesen The wall was first discovered in 1852 when the land was being excavated for a well In 1936 a section was put on display for visitors for a small fee The city tried to acquire the land in 2012 the Canup family – whose ancestors were early Rockwall settlers – have donated a piece of land to the city that contains the original site where the wall was excavated former city council member and former chair of the Rockwall County Historic Commission for doing a lot of the “leg work” in meeting with Canup family and securing the land “It's just a unique opportunity,” Russo said something that's going to be great for future generations of Rockwall citizens.” The structure has been the subject of folk tales curiosity and study over the years – some residents claim it was made by extraterrestrial beings Testing over the years determined the formation is natural The wall remains underground and is not currently visible – but the city plans to consult with experts to determine the next steps to get it ready for public display "We're ready to hit the ground running," said Travis Sales director of Rockwall Park and Recreation and chair of the Rockwall County Historic Commission pieces of the rock wall are found throughout the city such as the courthouse and the Rockwall County Historical Foundation A bronze statue downtown depicts Benjamin Boydstun Terry Utley Wade and William Clay Stevenson the men who discovered the wall while digging a well Sales said people always ask him where they can see the famous rock wall “To actually get to walk and go sort of underground and see it in its natural form is gonna be really nice,” he said “I think it's gonna be a very highly visited historic park.” Priscilla Rice is KERA’s communities reporter. Got a tip? Email her at price@kera.org.  KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today By on April 29 2025 1:32 PMComments Off on Registration underway for summer camps 2025) Summer is just around the corner — and there’s no better place to train Join us for our Summer Sports Jam and a full lineup of high-energy camps and clinics designed to help athletes of all ages unleash their game in basketball Whether you’re polishing your skills AmeriSports is a Blue Ribbon News advertiser Registration underway for summer camps, clinics at AmeriSports Rockwall added by on April 29, 2025 1:32 PMView all posts by Editor → Rockwall County is reporting a second measles case this one possibly connected to the outbreak in West Texas An adult resident who recently traveled to West Texas tested positive for measles last week, according to a post shared Tuesday on the county commissioners court's Facebook page. The person has since recovered and stayed home for most of the time they were infectious The people who were exposed to the individual were notified The case was not included in the Texas Department of State Health Services’ biweekly update on the outbreak that has killed two Texas children and sickened 561 people in the state since late January Fifty-eight patients have been hospitalized The state has reported ongoing measles transmission in Dallam Fewer than 25 of the confirmed cases were believed to be actively infectious Rockwall County previously reported a measles case in an adult male believed to have contracted the disease while abroad The case was unrelated to the West Texas outbreak Tarrant County Public Health reported possible measles exposure in Grapevine between March 28 and 30 at Great Wolf Lodge and the Grapevine Mills Mall Vaccination remains the most effective prevention against measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention People who have had two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccination are at low risk of contracting the disease The CDC recommends children receive their first vaccination when they’re 12-15 months old The second dose is recommended for children between ages 4 and 6 teens and adults can receive their first and second doses at least 28 days apart coughing or a rash that shows up three to five days after symptoms begin Got a tip? Email Kailey Broussard at kbroussard@kera.org KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today By Emily BrindleyHealth Reporter The county’s health authority on Tuesday issued a public health alert about the confirmed case The illness was confirmed in an adult who recently traveled to West Texas and the person has recovered and is no longer contagious The individual remained at home for most of the contagious period and anyone who may have been exposed has already been contacted by health officials D-FW Public Health AlertsGet the latest public health updates The measles case is the second reported in Rockwall County this year the first case was not connected to the ongoing outbreak that began in West Texas That means Tuesday marks the first time a county in the Dallas-Fort Worth area has reported a measles case that could be connected to the West Texas outbreak The Rockwall case has not shown up in the statewide measles updates which the Texas Department of State Health Services releases on Tuesdays and Fridays The ongoing measles outbreak, which began in Gaines County in January, has spread to over 600 cases across three states Dr. Dirk Perritt an emergency room physician and the Rockwall County Health Authority said in a phone interview Wednesday that state officials had fully briefed him on the county’s measles case recently traveled to and flew back from West Texas health authorities believe the case is connected to the ongoing outbreak in West Texas making it unlikely that they spread the virus then the person mostly stayed at home and around family members ― although they did seek urgent medical attention The people who may have been exposed to the virus mostly in the health care facility waiting rooms The person was not admitted to the hospital for their measles symptoms Perritt also said the person believes they were vaccinated against measles as a child although they were not able to confirm that with their medical records Perritt clarified that the person was not opposed to vaccination Given the limited interactions with others during the potentially contagious window it appears the person likely exposed only a small number of other people to the virus There could still be some additional cases connected to those exposures Perritt said he is concerned that the ongoing outbreak could lead to additional cases across the state and in North Texas “I do think that everyone should take this seriously,” Perritt said He added that the risk of contracting measles is higher now That might change the risk-benefit calculation for people who are not yet vaccinated or whose kids are not yet vaccinated “They just need to reassess the risk,” he said The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate about 20% of unvaccinated people who catch measles will be hospitalized. The agency further estimates that one to three out of every 1,000 children will die of the illness. “It doesn’t seem like huge numbers that one in 1,000 will die, until it’s your child,” Perritt said. “I do think there is ongoing risk to the unvaccinated community and the risk is much less to the vaccinated community.” The measles virus is also among the most contagious illnesses in the world, and can spread rapidly among unvaccinated people. The virus can live in the air and on surfaces for hours after an infected person has left the room, meaning that people can catch the illness without ever being in the same room as someone who is infected. However, the two-dose measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the illness. The vaccine is recommended for nearly everyone, beginning at about 12 months of age. The vaccine is not recommended for people who are pregnant or immunocompromised. Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information from the Rockwall County Health Authority, Dr. Dirk Perritt. She was previously an investigative reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram she covered the coronavirus pandemic at the Hartford Courant in Connecticut Rockwall County on Wednesday reported a confirmed case of measles in an adult resident Dirk Perritt said in a message on social media the Department of State Health Services reported the case to the county on Tuesday Everyone who had direct contact with the infected person has been notified Perritt said the case is not believed to be connected to the outbreak in West Texas that has sickened more than 120 people our team is closely monitoring the situation to swiftly identify and address any new cases," Perritt said Rockwall County emergency management coordinator said state health officials believe the person contracted measles during a trip abroad The news comes hours after the DSHS confirmed the first measles death in an unvaccinated school-age child Wednesday morning The outbreak is the largest in Texas in 30 years Perritt said residents — especially those who are unvaccinated too young to receive a vaccine or are immunocompromised— "should be particularly vigilant." He urged people to stay up-to-date with the MMR vaccine and stay home if they feel ill Measles is "highly contagious," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and spreads easily through coughs and sneezes with comment from Rockwall County Emergency Management Coordinator Jarod Rosson KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today. Thank you by | Apr 25, 2025 | Latest, Sports Wylie junior Amira Forbit went 1 for 3 in a 12-0 win for the Lady Pirates over Rockwall-Heath on Thursday [email protected] The Wylie softball team came into Thursday’s Game 2 of its Class 6A Division I bi-district playoff series against Rockwall-Heath with its backs against the wall the Lady Pirates responded in emphatic fashion Freshman pitcher Angel Wright tossed five scoreless innings with one strikeout against seven hits allowed and freshman Katelyn Ashenfelter went 2 for 2 with four RBIs including a home run to pace Wylie in a dominant 12-0 victory at Rockwall-Heath Wylie’s offense clicked from the very get-go Junior Ava Cook led off the game with a single and later scored the game’s first run on a wild pitch Senior Cori Vogeley made it 3-0 Lady Pirates with a two-run double Ashenfelter created even more separation for the Lady Pirates from the Lady Hawks by crushing a two-run home run over the wall in center field sophomore Carlee Casteneda made it 6-0 Wylie with an RBI triple Cook and Vogeley each had two hits as part of a 10-hit attack for the Lady Pirates To read the full story, keep informed about your community and support local journalism, subscribe to your local newspaper The Wylie News today Apr 24, 2025 | , Wylie first baseman Macey Stephenson steps on the bag for an out during Wednesday's 6-2 loss to Rockwall-Heath in Game 1 of a Class 6A Division I playoff game from Wylie. Photo by Elijah Kloepping / C&S Media By Mark Saldana [email protected] The Wylie High.. Apr 24, 2025 | “Our Fascination with Period Dramas,” explores the enduring popularity of historical fiction The Brown House in downtown Wylie is inviting guests to take a nostalgic look at the past through two new.. Apr 24, 2025 | , Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding residents that they can purchase certain emergency preparation supplies without paying sales tax during the state’s annual tax holiday every air traveler 18 years or older will be required to present a REAL ID compliant license or another acceptable form of identification to fly within the U.S according to the Department of Homeland Security.. Drone shot of the McMillen Road expansion site Courtesy City of Wylie The long-anticipated McMillen Road expansion — a $21 million infrastructure project meant to connect the cities of Wylie and Murphy with a safer wider route — has been in limbo following a federal.. Wylie city council candidates have filed their required 30-day preelection campaign finance reports ahead of the upcoming municipal election detailing their fundraising and expenditures in compliance with state law The two candidates who have filed reports are Hamza.. Collin County property values will take center stage as property owners will soon see how much the county thinks their property is worth Collin Central Appraisal District (CCAD) has been busy collecting and entering information in preparation to generate appraisal.. Wylie East junior Tyree Washington finished in second place at the Region II-6A track and field meet in the triple jump with a leap of 47-11.5. Photo by David Wolman / C&S Media By David Wolman [email protected] Wylie East junior Tyree Washington has.. Apr 23, 2025 | , Keith Self attended the April 22 Wylie City Council meeting to present special recognitions to members of the community Honorees included staff from the Smith Public Library and first responders from both the Wylie Fire-Rescue Department and the Wylie.. Apr 22, 2025 | , Wylie East players run out of the dugout to celebrate with senior Nash Aylor after he scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning in an 8-7 home win over Wylie on Monday Photo by Elijah Kloepping / C&S Media By David Wolman.. P.O. Box 369 Wylie, TX 75098 972-784-6397972-782-7023 Fax101 S. Main StreetFarmersville, TX 75442 972-442-5515972-442-4318 Fax110 N. Ballard AvenueWylie, TX 75098 by | Apr 26, 2025 | Latest, Sports Wylie senior Macy Alewine is greeted by her Pirate teammates at home plate after she hit a three-run home run in Game 3 of a Class 6A Division I bi-district playoff series from Sachse High School last Friday [email protected] Although the Wylie softball team lost Game 1 of the best-of-three Class 6A Division I bi-district playoff series against Rockall-Heath 6-2 Pirates head coach Heather Damron felt there wasn’t a lot that needed to be fixed Her only criticism was avoiding the big inning Rockwall-Heath scored four runs on three hits and three walks in the top of the second inning in an eventual 6-2 loss in Game 1 last Wednesday Damron was pleased with how well her team put that one “bad inning” behind them The Pirates outscored the Lady Hawks 24-3 over the final two games of the series to book a return trip to the area round The clincher was a 12-3 rout by Wylie in Game 3 from Sachse High School last Friday evening.  Wylie took a 1-0 lead after Cori Vogeley hit the ball just out of the reach of a diving Lady Hawk infielder for an RBI single in the top of the first inning to get the Pirates on the board That lead grew to 2-0 with a fielder’s choice Clutch two-out hitting helped Wylie to further distance itself from Rockwall-Heath Macey Stephenson hit a line-drive single into right field and Katelyn Ashenfelter later made it 5-0 Pirates with a two-run single into center field “We just had better at bats in the last two games,” Damron said “It’s not like that we had horrible at bats in Game 1 we just went up there and trusted the plan more We were able to come through and scratch those runs across.” Wylie got lockdown pitching from Angel Wright Damron brought in Wright in the fifth inning of the first game of the series to get her the experience of pitching in a playoff game.  but she got the start in both Games 2 and 3 including a five-inning shutout in the middle ballgame of the series and six shutout innings in the third game.  Although Rockwall-Heath scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning Wylie’s big lead proved more than enough as the Pirates ended the Lady Hawks’ season.  but Angel has a real chill personality and demeanor and kind of takes things in stride,” Damron said “She’s been throwing with the varsity all year long and they’re really embraced her and showed her a lot of love Wylie backed up Wright with great defense.  senior third baseman Macy Alewine caught a hard line drive then threw across the field to double off a runner at first base senior center fielder Kayla Santiago ran more than 15 feet to track down a hard fly ball to rob a Rockwall-Heath player of an RBI hit.  “I stress that because if you can do the fundamentals of the game and make the routine plays Alewine helped to put the game out of reach hitting a three-run home run over the wall in left field in the fifth inning for an 8-0 Wylie lead They could have easily strung something together It was really the cherry on top for Macy to come up and get that hit and bring in three runs It kind of deflated them a little bit more.” Apr 25, 2025 | , Wylie junior Amira Forbit went 1 for 3 in a 12-0 win for the Lady Pirates over Rockwall-Heath on Thursday. Photo by Elijah Kloepping / C&S Media By David Wolman [email protected] The Wylie softball team came into Thursday's Game 2 of its Class 6A Division I.. Wylie first baseman Macey Stephenson steps on the bag for an out during Wednesday's 6-2 loss to Rockwall-Heath in Game 1 of a Class 6A Division I playoff game from Wylie. Photo by Elijah Kloepping / C&S Media By Mark Saldana [email protected] The Wylie High.. Wylie East junior Tyree Washington finished in second place at the Region II-6A track and field meet in the triple jump with a leap of 47-11.5. Photo by David Wolman / C&S Media By David Wolman [email protected] Wylie East junior Tyree Washington has..