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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-01 Euless Articles Paragon Mortgage Corporation Arranges $38.4 Million to Refinance Multifamily Property in Euless, TX July 08, 2020 01:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jim Swanson, President of Paragon Mortgage announced that on June 26 Paragon arranged the refinancing of The Franciscan at Bear Creek Apartments in Euless, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. Paragon secured the $38.4 Million loan through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 223(f) mortgage insurance program. The HUD program provided the owner with a low interest rate, 35 year fully amortized, non-recourse financing to restructure the property debt and fund minor repairs to the property. “During these uniquely challenging times, we appreciated the cooperation and commitment of all parties involved. The collaboration between our client and our highly experienced underwriting team resulted in a successful transaction,” said Swanson. Property Details The Franciscan at Bear Creek is a 264-unit luxury market-rate apartment community consisting of one-, two- and three-bedroom type units offering numerous amenities. Residents enjoy access to an elegant community clubhouse, engaging social spaces, barbeque areas with grills, park, courtyard, pool views and offers attached and detached garages. About Paragon Paragon Mortgage Corporation is an FHA, HUD MAP and LEAN approved mortgage lender solely focused on HUD-insured financing for over 33 years. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Paragon Mortgage is known for its highly experienced staff representing decades of originating, underwriting and processing of HUD/FHA loans. This experience combined with Paragons long standing reputation within the industry and relationships within the development community has resulted in the closing of over $3B in FHA insured loans. Paragon Mortgage specializes in FHA Insurance loans for a variety of project types – Multi-Family Refinancing, Acquisition, New Construction, Substantial Rehabilitation in addition to Senior Housing and Healthcare. For more information, visit: www.paragon-mortgage.com. Meet Brad Schupbach, a state championship- winning TXHSFB head coach and DFW firefighter Chris Amaya Jul 13 In addition to serving as Dallas Lutheran's head coach, Brad Schupbach is also a firefighter for the Euless Fire Department. When he isn't on the sideline, Dallas Lutheran head coach Brad Schupbach can be found working for the Euless Fire Department. Since 1999, he has served the Euless community through various times of difficulty, including Y2K in 2000 and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. As a football coach, he’s worked around a tornado and he’s currently navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic that has gripped the world since March. “In all those times, even this one, it’s been about not knowing what tomorrow brings and not knowing what you’re dealing with at the beginning,” Schupbach said. As he heads into his sixth year at Dallas Lutheran, Schupbach is tasked with a new and difficult challenge: remote coaching. When a tornado passed through the Dallas area on Oct. 20, 2019, the Dallas Lutheran School’s main building and practice fields took a direct hit. Although it was near the end of the season, the football team still felt the repercussions when the school’s students were forced into distance learning on Zoom and other web chat interfaces. “[Schupbach] had no field to practice on, so we had to find someplace else for him to go,” said Kurt Frieling, Dallas Lutheran athletic director. “He had to figure out practices without as much of his equipment as he typically asked because some of it is in somebody’s backyard. So he lost some of his equipment.” The head coach didn’t always balance his time between football and firefighting. He didn’t become heavily involved in football until 2001 when he started playing as an offensive lineman for the DFW Panthers of the National Public Safety Football League — a union of public safety agency football teams located throughout the U.S. His playing career went on until he reached the age of 39 when he made his first venture into coaching for the newly formed Dallas Defenders. “I always thought that I would be a coach in football and ended up in the fire department, and never knew that the fire department would end up taking me into coaching,” Schupbach said. After his quick tenure as a defensive and offensive coordinator for the Defenders, Schupbach entered the realm of high school football. Jeff Price, current head coach of the Defenders, said he helped Schupbach learn about six-man football when he landed his first high school job at Wylie Prep Academy. A stint at Wylie Prep soon led Schupbach to Dallas Lutheran in 2014, where he converted the football team from an 11-man program to a six-man team. As his jobs in the high school ranks changed, one thing remained constant: the teamwork skills he learned as a firefighter. “It’s all about teamwork in both arenas,” Price said. “That’s one of the most valuable things you can teach young athletes is that you need to depend on each other and support each other and don’t let each other down.” In 2017, Schupbach led Dallas Lutheran to its first ever TAPPS six-man Division I state title. He said he originally took the job at Dallas Lutheran because the administration helped him figure out a way to balance football and the fire department. Essentially working two careers helped Schupbach learn how to adjust his plans on the fly. On the coaching side, he figured out how to work with his players from a distance and on the firefighting side he learned to slow down and assess an emergency situation to avoid bringing dire consequences to his department. Schupbach said navigating through the unknowns after the October tornado gave his players an edge when they had to work remotely through the new pandemic. “The way I look at it, if so happens Aug. 3 comes around and they say we can play, we’ll be a little bit more prepared as far as the teaching aspect of it goes,” Schupbach said. “I’m not so sure that’s gonna happen.” As Schupbach takes on a new way of coaching, he believes he can continue to use the principles of distance learning in the future. Conducting Saturday morning meetings via Zoom calls is an example. Occasionally the head coach will miss a practice or two because of his firefighting work in Euless, but the support he gets from those in and around the Dallas Lutheran program is unwavering. He provides a good example to his players by balancing two careers, Frieling said. “Our parents and our kids, they see that they have a coach that not only puts his time in as a head coach of our football program, but that he is somebody that really is on the front line,” Frieling said. “He really is one of those people that should be celebrated for the things that he does.” Drive-By Celebration in Euless for Veteran's 96th Birthday John 'Sonny Boy' Palko didn't have to go without a birthday party because of the pandemic. The people of Euless made sure the party came to him. By Noelle Walker • Published July 16, 2020 • Updated on July 16, 2020 at 5:48 pm John 'Sonny Boy' Palko sat in a lawn chair under an umbrella in his Euless neighborhood Thursday morning, and waited with anticipation. "I can't believe this," Palko said under his breath as the first car came up over the hill, in a line as far as his eyes could see. "Wow, so many people! Gosh! No ending!" Cars decorated with American flags and 'happy birthday' signs passed by Palko's front yard seat, honking and shouting well wishes along the way. "I can't believe I'm 96," Palko said with a twinkle in his eye. "No way!" The retired soldier served in World War II. He was a prisoner of war and received a Purple Heart. "It's hard to imagine today what he went through," Palko's son, Gary, said. "We're just proud that he's being honored today. He deserves it, all the things he's done for the country." The parade down Palko's street lasted close to 20 minutes. The veteran was clearly moved by the mobile party. "Oh, I can't believe this. No! I never dreamed this all happening," Palko said as his neighbors clapped. "I love you...I love you all!" Tarrant County Public Schools to Be Online- Only Until Sept. 28 Religious private schools are strongly urged but not ordered to follow mandate By Scott Gordon, Lili Zheng and Allie Spillyards • Published July 21, 2020 • Updated on July 21, 2020 at 10:52 pm Tarrant County’s health department on Tuesday ordered public schools and non-religious private schools in the county to conduct online-only classes until at least Sept. 28. The mandate does not apply to private religious schools, but it "strongly urged" them to follow the same plan as public schools "to protect the health and well-being of students, teachers, staff, parents and our community." It also restricts all school-sponsored activities, including clubs, sports, band and academic or athletic competitions, to be done remotely or outside with proper social distancing. The decision was a curveball to parents who had planned on their children being in school in just a few weeks. "Life is a full stop right now," said Bridgette Ralliford, a mother of four FWISD students who lost her job as a home health care nurse in March. "Everyone is being asked to adapt and adjust in a moment's notice." The order was signed by local health authorities from Tarrant County, the city of Arlington and the city of Burleson. Vinny Taneja, director of Tarrant County Public Health, was part of the discussions prior to the announcement Tuesday. "These decisions are based on what local data is showing us in Tarrant County. We are in a significant surge scenario in Tarrant County," Taneja said. "A lot of people think, 'Oh, young kids, they get the illness but they’re going to bounce back.' That is true, but that doesn’t mean they can’t spread it to others." At least two weeks before reopening, school districts must submit a written plan for on-campus instruction to health officials, according to the order. The order was first revealed in an email to employees from Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Kent Scribner. Fort Worth ISD will conduct the first six weeks of classes online, Scribner said. The order also affects other schools in Tarrant County. In the email, Scribner said he had been in close touch with officials at the health department. "This fall, it will look very, very different. We will have a Fort Worth ISD curriculum, taught by a FWISD teacher. It is our intent that instruction will originate from our classrooms, that principals will be able to provide support, provide guidance," Scribner said. "Instruction will be four hours. Engagement with a teacher and a student. Three hours for our younger students." According to Scribner, exceptions include students enrolled in special education with individualized education plans that cannot be fulfilled online. Those students will be allowed into school buildings with appropriate social distancing and protections, Scribner said. The two largest districts, Fort Worth and Arlington had announced plans to start classes Aug. 17. Fort Worth had planned to reopen classrooms but also offer online classes for those who wanted them. At a news conference, Scribner said the current learning environment has put students at a disadvantage. Students haven't been in the classroom since before spring break, he noted. "We expect to see historic academic regression," he said. Our perspective is we must do as good of a job as possible. Humanly possible." Former Lewisville superintendent and University of North Texas visiting professor Stephen Waddell said it's a regression that also widens the performance gap. "I think it is a concern that there’s going to be an exaggeration on that regression divide that those kids that are at risk socioeconomically or for other reasons that place them at risk academically are going to regress more," Waddell said. Waddell said he's confident districts will help students overcome those deficiencies, but he doesn't believe it can be done in a year. He also said it will take cooperation between families, districts and state agencies. “This COVID generation, we may call them that, but it does not need to be negative for these kids. If anything, I think it gives them an opportunity to be more resilient, to learn to do things in creative ways, more perseverance," he said. Scribner said the district would hold town hall meetings at 5 p.m. next Monday and Tuesday to further explain the plan. New farmers market blooms at hip Euless shopping center at peak of season By Teresa Gubbins Jul 21, 2020, 2:01 pm Yes, we have some potatoes. We have some potatoes today. Four Seasons Farmers Market/ Facebook A new farmers market has sprouted up in the sizzling hot town of Euless. The market will set up on Saturdays at Glade Parks in Euless beginning July 25, and will be an "open air" style, perfect for social distancing during these coronavirus times. The Farmers Market on the Plaza at Glade Parks will feature essential groceries, locally grown produce, and artisan culinary creations, in what a release calls a European-style market setting in the Plaza at Glade Parks. The market is an initiative between the City of Euless, Glade Parks, and Four Seasons, and has been in the works for months, a spokesperson says. "We had planned to do this in the spring pre-pandemic, and have been working on it since 2019," the spokesperson says. Four Seasons Market is the "European-style" market concept organized by Vincent Hirth, a native of France who has worked with suburban cities such as Colleyville, Sachse, Richardson, and Garland to launch markets. His definition of a European-style market incorporates more than veggies and fruit: grass-fed beef, pasta, olive oil, pastries, chips and salsa, smoked meat, tamales, soaps, lotions, hair accessories, garden decor, jewelry, and fine arts. At the new Euless market, vendors already signed on include Misty Moon Farms of Argyle, DBar Farms of Ponder, and Cedar Ridge Egg Farms. Glade Parks is the mixed-use center on the west side of SH 121 between Cheek Sparger and Glade roads that has welcomed shops such as Old Navy and Michael's, and restaurants such as Lazy Dog. There's free parking on lots surrounding Glade Parks Town Plaza and across Glade Parks. The market will be set up at 1310 Chisholm Trail, next to Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill and MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza Company, from 9 am-1 pm, and is currently scheduled to run at least into mid-August. Euless man with COVID-19 dies after paramedics convince him to stay home, family says BY DOMINGO RAMIREZ JR. JULY 24, 2020 09:48 AM , UPDATED JULY 24, 2020 06:05 PM Loaded: 9.45% Andy Norman of Euless, who had COVID-19, died Saturday at his home, his family said. COURTESY: FAMILY OF ANDY NORMAN A Euless man with COVID-19 symptoms was talked out of going to a local hospital by paramedics and died in his home just a few hours later, his family said. Test results received after his death indicated 41-year-old Andrew Norman had COVID-19, his family said Thursday. The family called 911 on July 18, and Grapevine paramedics responded because Euless paramedics were busy, according to Norman’s sister. Norman signed a refusal of treatment form after a Grapevine paramedic told him, “OK, we can take you to the hospital if you want, but I’m just warning you that you are probably going to be in waiting in a waiting room alone for hours, and by the time they get to you, they are gonna tell you to go home because there is no cure for this virus,” Norman’s sister, Michelle Tyler, wrote on social media. Michelle Tyler also said during the time the Grapevine paramedics and a Euless fire lieutenant were at the family’s home, they never took her brother’s vital signs. Grapevine paramedics and the Euless fire official left the home, but the family called 911 a second time about four hours later when Norman’s body began to “completely shut down,” Tyler wrote. Euless paramedics arrived and tried to revive Norman, but he died. “Any call involving the Euless Fire Department that results in a loss of life is taken very seriously and all aspects of the call response are thoroughly reviewed,” said Euless City Manager Loretta Getchell in an email to the Star-Telegram. “We express our sincerest condolences to the members of this family.” Getchell said the City of Euless Fire Department did respond to a call on July 18 at the noted address, and Euless fire officials requested mutual aid from a City of Grapevine medic as Euless medics were on other calls. “Mutual aid response is the normal protocol when call volume is high,” Getchell said. “The patient was not transported as a result of this call.” Grapevine officials could not be reached Friday for comment. Norman was pronounced dead July 18 in his northeast Euless home, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office website. A ruling on his death is pending. As of Thursday, Tarrant County had confirmed more than 23,900 COVID-19 cases, 319 deaths and at least 11,680 recoveries. Michelle Tyler gave this timeline of her brother’s illness and death: On July 8, Norman came down with a fever, and the family quarantined him because of the coronavirus pandemic. Norman went to a local CVS store and was tested for COVID-19 on July 11, but didn’t receive the results right away. From July 11 to July 17, Norman’s fever fluctuated, and he developed a slight cough and other symptoms. He told his family that he felt like he had the flu. On Saturday morning, July 18, Norman’s mother checked on him and he was significantly worse, having severe breathing problems, and so weak he could barely walk. “Since my brother, in general, has never needed a doctor or hospital, when he asked my mom to go, we knew it was serious,” Tyler wrote on Facebook. The family called 911 late that morning. A Euless dispatcher told the family they were busy and that Grapevine paramedics would respond as soon as possible. The family managed to move Norman downstairs to a living room couch in anticipation of paramedics needing to check him. Tyler said a Euless fire lieutenant arrived first, but he never entered the home. He asked Norman to come outside to talk to him about his health. Norman sat on a bench outside, while the lieutenant stood several feet away, she said. Grapevine paramedics arrived, suited up from head to toe, and began asking Norman questions. Because Norman was having trouble breathing, Tyler answered some of the questions. Tyler did not identify the lieutenant or the Grapevine paramedics. After one Grapevine paramedic finished asking questions, he made the comments to Norman saying the hospital probably wouldn’t able to do anything to help him, Tyler said. The Grapevine paramedic called COVID-19 a bad flu and told the family to keep giving Norman fluids and watch his symptoms, she said. Family members said the paramedics did not take any vital signs, and told them to keep doing what they had been doing and if Norman’s condition got worse, to call 911 again. Norman then signed a refusal form and was left at his home. Four hours later, family members called 911 a second time as Norman’s condition became worse. Euless paramedics arrived and spent almost 30 minutes trying to revive him. Norman died at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday. Tyler said she and her family are aware that medic teams are exhausted because of the pandemic. “These are the people we are supposed to turn to when we are distraught and need help,” Tyler wrote on Facebook. “To be turned away has us feeling nothing but defeat.” “I pray no one else goes through that,” she wrote.