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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-10 Euless Articles 1 Injured in Crash on Airport Freeway in Euless The exit to Highway 10 from Airport Freeway is closed while police investigate the crash By Hannah Jones • Published February 25, 2020 • Updated on February 25, 2020 at 7:35 am Metro A person is injured after a crash on Airport Freeway in Euless Tuesday morning. Euless police and fire units responded to a crash in the 400 block of Airport Freeway westbound at about 4:30 a.m. When officers arrived at the scene, a vehicle was flipped over in the median between the off ramp and the freeway. One person was seriously injured during the crash. Euless police said the exit to Highway 10 from Airport Freeway westbound is closed while officers investigate the crash. No other information was available. Petition drive leads to fair overtime vote in a Fort Worth suburb BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL February 28, 2020 05:15 AM EULESS Last year about 300 union workers picketed on the edge of the American Airlines campus, demanding higher wages and job benefits for food service workers. MITCH MITCHELL MITCHMITCHELL@STAR-TELEGRAM.COM Workers at LSG Sky Chefs, the city’s largest employer, upset that they often must work overtime hours without advance notice, launched a successful petition drive to get an initiative on the November ballot calling for fair overtime practices. On Tuesday, the Euless City Council voted unanimously to call the Nov. 3 special election, but there were concerns that if voters approve the measure, Euless could face legal challenges. Sky Chefs provides food and beverages to airlines, including American Airlines at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. According to a news release, the employees submitted petitions with 1,280 signatures from registered voters which met the requirements to get the initiative on the ballot. If approved, companies in Euless with over 200 employees would have to allow workers the opportunity to decline overtime work without penalty except for an emergency. In case of emergency, the company must pay a premium wage for forced overtime, and provide a written work schedule 10 days in advance. Sky Chefs employees who spoke during Tuesday’s meeting described how the practice of requiring them to work overtime with little notice created hardships for their families. Paulin Yakasa, a Sky Chefs employee who has worked for the company for five years and who said he is also a pastor in Euless, said when he has to work extra hours with little notice, he can’t spend time with his family or visit members of his congregation. “This mandatory overtime affects my life and ministry,” he said during the council meeting. “I am fighting for my freedom. Today, it feels like I’m not free when Sky Chefs imposes mandatory overtime on me.” Another employee, Leticia Gomez, told the city council that she is a single mom who must scramble when it is time to pick up her children from school. Sometimes, her daughter must wait until 6 p.m., Gomez said. “It made me feel really bad; I cried,” she said. LSG Sky Chefs said in an emailed statement to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the employees’ overtime concerns are in negotiations. “The union is requesting that a local city council intervene in a matter that is already addressed in our Master National Agreement (MNA) negotiated between the company and union under the Railway Labor Act. The company assigns or requests overtime in accordance with the terms of the MNA. The company is currently engaged in negotiations with the union with the assistance of a federal mediator and the bargaining table is the appropriate venue to address this matter,” according to the company. City attorney Wayne Olsen told council members that if voters approve the fair overtime resolution, it could lead to lawsuits. He said that Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote a letter “strongly opposing” the resolution because it violates the Texas Minimum Wage Act and the Municipal Airport Act. Austin, San Antonio and Dallas adopted resolutions requiring their largest employers to have mandatory sick leave policies. Austin’s requirement for employers to have sick leave was challenged in court, and the case is now in the Texas Supreme Court. Euless Councilman Harry Zimmer said he is obligated to vote in favor of calling the special election, but he is also concerned about the ramifications if there is a legal challenge. “You can decide on what’s fair for people who are working at Sky Chefs….” Zimmer said, referring to voters. “I am not punting; I’m saying that this involves all of us.” Zimmer said. Zimmer also asked if Euless will have to establish a labor relations board to monitor whether employers are complying with the overtime rules if voters approve the initiative. Aspen Dental Makes Access to Comprehensive Care Easier in Euless, TX February 27, 2020 Aspen Dental is expanding access to care in the Euless, TX community with a new office opening on Thurs., Feb. 27. The new office, at 2501 Hwy 121 has convenient parking and features many amenities designed to make a patient’s visit as easy and comfortable as possible. In addition, the office is open extended hours on weekdays and on select Saturdays. Walk-in and emergency patients are welcomed. Dr. Jessfor Baugh, who received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University Of New England College Of Dental Medicine, leads the new practice. The doctor and her team will provide a range of dental services, including dentures, preventive care and restoration. In addition to affordable comprehensive dental care, the new Aspen Dental office provides: • A free new patient exam and X-rays for those without insurance • An on-site denture lab and a Denture Money Back Guarantee • Financing options The office is located in Tarrant County – which has been designated as a dental health professional shortage area by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To make an appointment, patients can go to www.aspendental.com and click on Schedule a New Patient Appointment; call 817-786-0837 or 800-ASPEN DENTAL (800-277-3633). About Aspen Dental Offices Aspen Dental branded offices are committed to breaking down the barriers to oral care, getting patients the care they need today. Dentists and team members across the Aspen Dental network believe everyone has the right to quality, affordable oral health care. In more than 800 offices, covering 41 states, these dentists supported 5.5 million patient visits in 2019. Each location offers patients a safe, welcoming, judgment-free environment to address their dental challenges, including comprehensive exams, cleanings, extractions, fillings, periodontal treatment, whitening, oral surgery, crown and bridge work, and denture services. About Aspen Dental Management, Inc. (ADMI) ADMI helps streamline and consolidate business support services across more than 800 Aspen Dental branded practices, allowing offices the benefit of shared infrastructure, technology and benchmarked care. Most importantly, offering consolidated support services, from location selection, leasing, outfitting each practice with state-of-the art equipment, accounting and marketing, allows the dentists and support staff in every Aspen Dental network practice to focus on what they do best: practice dentistry with clinical autonomy, while delivering the quality of care that patients expect in today’s changing healthcare landscape. NBCDFW Man Found Shot in Euless Apartment Complex Laundry Room Dies: Police The man was pronounced dead at the hospital Published March 1, 2020 • Updated on March 1, 2020 at 12:15 pm Officers found the man about 9:15 p.m. in the laundry room at the Manchester Apartments in the 100 block of Manchester Drive, near West Airport Freeway, with a gunshot wound. A 21-year-old man was fatally shot Saturday night at a Euless apartment complex, police say. Officers found the man about 9:15 p.m. in the laundry room at the Manchester Apartments in the 100 block of Manchester Drive, near West Airport Freeway, with a gunshot wound. He was taken to Baylor Scott and Medical Center Grapevine, where he died, police said. The latest news from around North Texas. Any witnesses or possible suspects had left the scene before officers arrived, police said. Anyone with information may call Detective Coffee at 817-685-1535. Anonymous tips may be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 817-469-8477, or by visiting 469tips.com. Jeff Cason, Jeff Whitfield lead in Texas House District 92 primary races By Mark Dent March 03, 2020 08:03 PM Republican Jeff Cason will face Democrat Jeff Whitfield in November in for the House District 92 seat, according to unofficial results. Cason had 54.09% of the vote compared to Bedford mayor Jim Griffin’s 36.62 with 100% of precincts reporting this morning. Whitfield led Steven Riddell with 56.22% of the total votes. Just after midnight, Whitfield’s campaign declared victory. “I’m honored to have the support of the voters in House District 92,” he said in a statement. “I got in this race to fight for the issues that matter to the members of this community — increasing access to affordable healthcare, prioritizing public education, and promoting policies that grow our economy and create jobs. Now it’s for all of us to unite in this fight and win in November.” Whitfield, an Air Force veteran who grew up in the Mid-Cities, was running for the first time. Riddell won the Democratic primary in 2018, with just over 5,600 total votes. More than 11,000 votes had been counted in the Democratic race Tuesday as of midnight. House District 92 mostly covers Hurst, Euless and Bedford, as well as other portions of northeast Tarrant County. Cason is trying to prove that North Tarrant County remains a strong base for conservative Republicans. A former Bedford city councilman, he has identified key issues such as curbing illegal immigration and moving away from property taxes. The No. 1 priority listed on his campaign website is protecting life. Cason had the backing of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility and the True Texas Project (formerly the Northeast Tarrant Tea Party). “These were the issues that we ran across over and over again,” Cason said. “I just feel like looking at the numbers, we have a good base going into November.” Griffin, who was mayor of Bedford, ran on a more traditional Republican platform, stressing his business acumen and job creating abilities. Another candidate, Taylor Gillig, was in third place, with 9 percent of the vote. Nearly 12,000 votes had been counted in the Republican primary. Cason’s share of votes must remain above 50 percent to avoid a runoff. Democrats, on a quest to take back the Texas House, view this seat as winnable. Tea party Republican Jonathan Stickland defeated Riddell in 2018 by less than 1,500 votes, or 2.4 percentage points. Stickland, 36, then drew criticism in the 2019 legislative session for interrupting hearings with arguments that bothered Democrats and Republicans alike and nearly derailing, with a parliamentary maneuver, a mental health bill championed by Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Texas Monthly gave Stickland its inaugural Cockroach Award for being a legislator who “accomplishes nothing but always manages to show up in the worst possible way.” Stickland announced he would not seek reelection last June. Even without him, the general election is once again shaping up to feature a similar clash between a moderate Democrat and conservative Republican. LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE EULESS MAN FROM ROOF DURING HOUSE FIRE, OFFICIALS SAY The cause of the fire is under investigation. Author: WFAA Staff Published: 03/06/20 When a fire broke out early Friday morning in a Euless home, a young man escaped out of the house and onto the roof. That's where firefighters rescued him, officials said. Firefighters responded to the scene around 1:45 a.m. and found him standing on the roof of a patio after he climbed out of an upstairs window, according to officials. They brought him down and transported him to the hospital to check for smoke inhalation. Officials say he is expected to be OK. WFAA Fire crews on scene said the man used the roof to escape because the two-story house on the 300 block of Branch Bend had filled with so much smoke that he was unable to go down the stairs to get out. There was another man in the home at the time, crews said, but he was able to get out on his own safely. Crews were able to extinguish the fire in the upstairs room where it started before it spread anywhere else, officials said, so the damage was mainly contained to that room. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Young Man, 4 Juveniles Including 12-Year-Old In Custody Following Home Burglary, Chase March 6, 2020 at 3:36 pm GRAPEVINE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – Four juveniles and one young adult face multiple charges after a police pursuit overnight in Grapevine following a home burglary. Grapevine Police said around 2:45 a.m. Friday, officers responded to a 911 call about a burglary in progress at a home in the 500 block of Woodhill Court. An officer found an SUV nearby that matched the suspect vehicle description and activated his emergency lights. The suspect vehicle sped away. A pursuit began on Post Oak Road, traveled through Grapevine, and ended on the service road of south SH-121 in Euless. Five people in the suspect vehicle jumped out in a parking lot in the 2600 block of SH-121 and ran in different directions. The vehicle pursuit involved two Grapevine Police units, while Euless Police helped with the foot chase. In the end, all five suspects were taken into custody and no one was hurt. Four of the suspects, a 12-year-old and three 14-year-olds, were taken to a juvenile detention center, while 18-year-old Sergio Ortiz was booked into the Grapevine Jail. All five suspects live in Fort Worth. Sergio Ortiz (Grapevine Police Dept.) Grapevine Police investigators discovered the suspects were driving a vehicle stolen out of Fort Worth. Various stolen property was found inside and police are processing the items to be returned to owners. Police said any victims from the neighborhood around Woodhill Court whose vehicle was burglarized must first make a police report for items stolen. Recovered property will be reunited with owners based on information given in the police reports. Victims should call the non-emergency police number to begin the process of making a report at 817-410-8127. Medical examiner’s office releases name of man shot in the chest at Euless apartment By Emerson Clarridge March 07, 2020 02:56 PM A 33-year-old man was slain on Friday night at a Euless apartment building, authorities said. Billy Greenidge was shot about 8:45 p.m. in the 400 block of East Harwood Road, at the Park Place Town Homes, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office said. Greenidge was shot at least once in the chest, police said. Police had not announced an arrest Saturday afternoon. Greenidge was taken in an ambulance to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Grapevine and died there Friday night. ‘Be Kind Always’: Euless Trinity alum Myles Turner befriends young, bullied cancer patient before Pacers vs. Mavericks A’Myah Moon, who’s battling a rare form of cancer, was bullied by a Plano ISD classmate who ripped off her wig. A'Myah Moon (right), 11, talks with Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) before an NBA game between the Indiana Pacers and the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Moon, who has a rare cancer, was bullied at school. Turner and his family reached out to help and met with Moon before the game.(Ashley Landis / Staff Photographer) By Callie Caplan 8:10 PM on Mar 8, 2020 A’Myah Moon doesn’t watch many NBA games like her older brother does. She doesn’t have a favorite Mavericks player, either. But as she sat courtside Sunday before Dallas lost to Indiana 112- 109, she and her family had a new favorite basketball memory. Pacers center Myles Turner, a Euless Trinity graduate, heard last month that 11-year-old A’Myah, who’s battling a rare form of cancer, was bullied by a Plano ISD classmate, who ripped off her wig. He was appalled, and still is, but the two felt better after chatting about an hour before Sunday’s game. Turner and his sixth-grade guest shared a quiet moment on the Pacers’ bench after he warmed up on the American Airlines Center court. They discussed “Space Jam,” took a selfie and Turner told her he, too, had been bullied in middle school. During the couple-minute interaction — which preceded a postgame gathering between A’Myah’s family and Turner’s — Turner offered advice about strength, poise and understanding and showed his new fan how her grace would be recognized throughout his homecoming game: Turner wrote A’Myah’s name and “Be Kind Always” on his royal blue Nike shoes. “The reason I do this isn’t for the cameras and that kind of stuff,” Turner said. “Kids see us, and we’re larger than life. They see us out on the floor, kind of like superheroes in a sense, doing what we do. “When they see us [up close] in person, it’s like, you realize I’m just a human being like you are, too, so I think getting that one-on-one time to talk to her like that is important.” A couple of weeks before Turner tallied 16 points and 13 rebounds and helped Indiana hold the Mavericks scoreless in the final 3:14, Turner’s mom Mary was scrolling through Facebook and came across a disturbing link. That’s how she learned the story of A’Myah, who was diagnosed on Christmas Eve 2018 with Castleman disease, a rare disorder more often found in adults than children. A’Myah has received chemotherapy for a mass in her chest since that first hospital stay, resulting in hair loss and her desire to wear a wig to feel more comfortable upon returning to school last October. After spending a morning at the hospital for treatment in mid-February, A’Myah returned to Bowman Middle School for the remainder of her classes. In the gym that day, a classmate insisted A’Myah allow her to put A’Myah’s wig in a ponytail. A’Myah said no and tried to run away. “And then the girl ended up just going and taking her wig off in front of everyone and throwing it on the floor,” said A’Myah’s mom, Syreeta Smith. “She was devastated. Devastated.” After his mom forwarded him the news, Turner offered to buy A’Myah a second wig, but someone had already taken care of the purchase. Still, he wanted to do something “to let her know that we’re supporting her,” Mary said. So he organized the pre-game meeting, where for a few moments, A’Myah, her mother and her grandmother, Shelia Walker, weren’t thinking about the ongoing medical treatments A’Myah faces. A’Myah’s doctors have elected to not perform surgery to remove the mass that’s lodged on her lungs and behind her heart because it’s pressing on a main artery and would require them to remove a lung. Instead, she receives chemotherapy and other treatments in an effort to shrink the mass, which Smith said hasn’t worked so far, and blood transfusions to combat her bone marrow no longer producing blood cells. A’Myah’s smile Sunday while asking Turner for a selfie and ending their chat with a hug belied the rigorous procedures she regularly faces and the composure she’s learned to show since the bullying incident. A’Myah shared that her 13-year-old brother, Aydehn, is an ardent Mavericks fan and plays center on his middle-school team, wearing No. 33, like Turner. But donning her new Myles Turner shirt before watching Luka Doncic lead the Mavericks with 36 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists and Pacers guard Victor Oladipo hit a go-ahead jumper with 38.3 seconds remaining, A’Myah declared she wouldn’t hold the same allegiance as her brother. Who’s her favorite NBA team now? “I’m both.”