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Home My WebLink About2008-02-22 Euless ArticlesDISTRIB [[TED TO: RfZ4YOR CITYCIVCL CITYATTNY CRIiW A~CKAIWE RIDCWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG kfcDONALD COLL1.V.Y C. B.4RKER CETCHELL LIBRAR YADIMIIV LIBRARY REF A,VIiMAL CNTR \ DATE DISTRIBUTED EULESS FIRE CHIEF ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT EULESS, TEXAS -Fire Chief Lee Koontz an- nounced today that he will retire on March 1, 2008 after 26 years with the city. During his tenure Chief Koontz emphasized the need for education and safety in the fire service. Chief Koontz joined the City of Euless in 198 1. He has served as Fire Chief for 20 years and has dedi-. cated a total of 26 years to Euless. He is one of the longest tenured Fire Chiefs in Tarrant County. Under his leadership, Koontz oversaw many aspects of Firefighting , .. , ,. i&lL$ing Search &~escue, Ifi$g~tions, [nvestigations, Suppression and Rescue but also Hazardous Ma- terials Response, Vehicle Rescue (extrication) and ALS Emergency Medi- cal Service on both first response vehicles and Mo- bile Intensive Care Units process and his work to (MICU). This is in addition assure that fire infrastruc- to promoting public educa- ture was in place to sup- tion of fire safety at every port fire protection in the opportunity. community. Currently rated Koontz was personally at a three, the IS0 visited responsible for leading his Euless in December and department through the we have high expectations transition to EMS response of receiving a higher rating in 1988 and provided cross in the summer. This will training for all personnel to lower insurance costs for ' provide both Fire and EMS residents on the fire portion response. He now ensures of their insurance premium. that the latest training is With his announcement, provided to his staff on a City Manager Gary McKa- weekly basis. mie stated, "Lee has been In addition, the Euless the Fire Chief for an amaz- Citizen's Fire Academy be- ing 20 years. He built the gan under Chief Koontz's Euless Fire Department into guidance, as well as the what I believe to be the best Alumni Association that Fire Department anywhere. supports the Fire Depart- He started the Paramedic ment in many capacities. service in the late 80's and The ECFAAA members directed our recent IS0 play a vital role in helping rating which we think will to build better citizen in- result in a significant rating volvement and participation upgrade. His commitment as well as public education ; a~d dedication is greatly ., in Euleqy . ,. - c ' ta ' appreciated and his impag Most currently, Koontz has on emergency services has led the charge of reclas- been extremely valuable." sifying Euless' Insurance Koontz, 58, began his Services Office (ISO) rat- ing. This was accomplished through his firm under- standing of the evaluation career in the fire service in 1965 as a volunteer fire- fighter before making it a career. Koontz served as a Captain for the City of Leon Valley prior to com- ing to Euless. He is a Mas- ter Firefighter, Licensed Paramedic and Level 11 Certified Instructor and has taught for 15 years at the Texas A&M Municipal Fire School. He is a member of the Society of Executive Fire Officers, National Fire Protection Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Tarrant County Fire Chiefs Association, Texas Fire Chiefs Associa- tion an@erves on ,the Tar- rant County College EMS Advisory Board. Koontz holds a Bachelors -__ - of Science from Southwest Texas State University. He and his wife Lark, or as they're better know around Euless "Chief and Sparky," have been married for 37 years. They have a daughter Tamara. She and husband Ken Beavers have one son, K.J. .(>41z IBUTED TO: PAGE / OF 4 MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNT�R I DATE DISTRIBUTED I . l C5' DATE OF ) � 6)`� � NEWSPAPER 'y FROM THE LOCAL . 4� LEADERSHIP I Ix M.d'1' r '. I3t i A may''^ i.�, ' Mayor Saleh The annual Town Hall EUl2SS large commercial develop- the library now you can see I meetings in the City of ments. In a very short time the first tile that depicts the '"` "`' Euless' were well attended K tS§ you will see construction log cabin house in our Heri- ie and discussion was lively begin on the Glade Parks tage Park. It is so beauti- ' and informative. Euless development on State High- ful! All citizens can donate has hosted sixteen years of way 121 between Glade to the project,and you can Town Hall meetings, and Road and Cheek-Sparger get;more information at the I each year more citizens get Road. This will be a multi- library. involved and we have great use development with small As you plan to celebrate attendance. and large businesses,park- Valentine's Day,think of I February will be another like walkways and residen- the activities in the library active month as the City of tial uses. and the Texas Star restau- Euless welcomes the troops One of the goals of the city rant facility. Great things for their R&R programs. council and staff is revital- are happening in Euless. I We furnish a bus for vol- ization of the southern por- It's the place to be for en- unteers who participate and tion of our city. There are tertainment,good food and each volunteer receives a many beautiful older homes great volunteers! I patriotic t-shirt. It is surely one of the most rewarding and businesses and some that need special attention. I events anyone can attend. We especially want to show Once again,the city will off some of the lovely large be hosting a community older trees in the landscape. garage sale at the Midway The Texas Star Sunday I Recreation Center on Sat- Brunches are a real treat, urday,February 23, from and Chef John really knows 8 a.m. until noon. Anyone how to make an omelet. I interested in purchasing a Brunch is served from 11 table please call the Rec- a.m. until 2 p.m. On nice reation Center at 817-685- weather days,you can sit t 1666 for details. on the porch and watch the The city council and staff golfers play the 18th hole held an all day worksession while sipping coffee or tea. I to set goals for the coming The Euless Library Founda- year and review the accom- tion has a new art project plishments of the past year. they are just beginning to It has been a good year for initiate. It will be a large Euless with housing and group of tiles in a picture frame that represent the his- ' tory of Euless. If you go by IDISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF • MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY CRIM MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN IYOUNG McDONALD COLLINS C BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF ANIMAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBUTED ai / / a D �� DATE OF ARTICLE 0Z//4 v //I/U g NEWSPAPER ` , ,/771,,; 110 4/f1 • Os Stu , ► FAITH HILL ... P fd I am a 2 yr poodle/terrier mix. I came to DFW Tzus t with my Shih Tzu friend Tim McGraw. We had been very neglected at our ' previous home but we are now getting all of the care that we deserve. I love ' activity and love to run and play with my new toys.As you can see in my pictures, ' I had to have my coat cut very short.My curly coat is growing out and in a few weeks I will be even ' more beautiful.My baths are great and I am house ' trained. Euless Animal Services ' 1517 Westpark Way Euless, TX 76040 (817)685-1594 DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF / MA YOR ClTY CA'CL ClTY A TTNY CRIiM MClL4:MIE RIDG W,4 Y(2) DECK BRO WIV FOCTNC h1cDONALD COLLINS C BARKER CETCHEL L LIBRARY .J D:MN LIBR.4RY REF A.VIh1AL CNTR DATEDISTR/B(iTED 4/'d/'5) DATEOFARTICLE G? /Is/' NEWSPAPER D,\IIV AREA BRIEFS NE Tarrant Relay for Life scheduled for April fie ~merican Cancer Society's Northeast Tarrant County Relay for Life will be April 18-19 on the football field at Trinity High School in Euless. The 12-hour event is open to participants from Bedford, Colleyville, Eules~, Grapevine, Haltom City, Hurst, North Richland Hills, Richland Hills and Watauga. The event honors cancer SUMVO~S, cancer patients and caregivers. The relay involves teams walking on a track to raise funds to combat cancer. Volunteers also cb participate in a luminaria ceremony that will honor cancer patients and those who have died from the disease. For registration information, visit ~v.netarrantre~ay.com. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF / !MA YOR CITY ClVCL CITY A TTNY CRIIM MCKAMIE RIDGW,4 Y(2) DECK BRO WIV YOCirliC !ClcDO11.!4 L D COLLINS C. BARKER GE TCHELL LIBRAR Y A DiVIIN LIBRARY REF A:VI.M,4 L C!VTR ./ JJ /CJ~ DA TE DISTRIB [[TED DATE OF ARTICLE 4 / / 9 / o IY ,VEWSPAPER FWST COMMISSIONERS COURT Fickes in good shape folioowing liver, transpIant By JOHN KIRSCH jkirsch@star-telegram.com ' Tarrant County Commissioner Gary Fickes underwent liver transplant surgery Sunday morning in a Dallas hospital, his wife said Monday. Fickes, 58, had a "very successful" transplant and is "He's elated. He Fickes realizes he's been given a second chance," she said. The Precinct 3 commissioner, who represents Northeast Tarrant County has a blood disorder called hemo- chromatosis that causes iron to build up in the body's tissues and organs. Cathey Fickes said her husband will remain in the Dallas hospital for several days before returning to the couple's Southlake home to recove1 for several weeks. During that time, the family can- not receive visitors, flowers or food because Fickes will be in a sterile en- vironment, Cathey Fickes said. " But Gary Fickes will be in touch by phone and Internet, she said. Fickes, 58, is seeking re-election ta Precinct 3 this year. He is unopposed in the March 4 Republican primary. JOHN KIRSCH, 817-685-3805 DrsTRIBCITED To: PAGE / OF i 11111 YOR CITY CNCL CITY A TTiVY CRIitI A~CKAIMIE RIDGWA Y(2) DECK BROWV YOCIIYG ~ICDOKALD COLLIIVS C.B,4RKER GETCHELL LIBRARY,4D/VIIiV LIBRARYREF AiVI~VIALCiVTR /d$/" DATEOF.4RTICLE DATE DISTRIBUTED 9 d h9 1 'y rVEWSP.4PER D!%f;V REGIONAL ROUNDUP County commissioner in hospital after transplant Tarrant County Commissioner .Gary Fickes is expected to spend the next week to 10 days in a Dallas hospital while recovering from a liver transplant, his wife, Cathey Fickes, said Monday. Mr. Fickes, 58, had the surgery Sunday morn- ing to correct hemochromatosis, a hereditary disease that affects the liver. Mrs. Fickes said the trans- plant was a success, and her hus- band was improving quickly. Mr. Fickes, a former Southlake mayor, was elected to commissioner Pre- cinct 3 in 2006 and is running for re-election. He is unopposed in the March Republican primary and will face Democrat Jerry Lee Phillips in November. JeffMosier DISTRIBUTED TO: PACE / OF / k1,4 YOR CITY CNCL CITY A TT!VY CRIjVI 1MCKA:MIE RIDCWA Y(2) DECK BROWN )IOU/VC IMcDO:VALD COLLINS C. BARKER GETCHELL LIBRARYAD1tfIiY LIBR'4RYREF ANIiWALCNTR Masked gunman robs check-cashing b"sin4ss EULESS - A masked gunman robbed a check-cashing busi- ness Tuesday afternoon and herded two female employees into a bathroom before he fled the store, police said. The employees waited several minutes before leaving the bath- room and alerting police shurtly after 3 p.m. at Check 'n Go in the 1200 block of North Main Street. No one was injured. Anyone with information should call Euless police at 817-685- 1538, - Domingo Ramir-e-ez Jv. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE i OF / MAYOR CITYCIVCL CITYATTNY CRIM MCK,-I!VfIE RIDGWAY(2) DECK BROWN YOUK lI./cDO!VALD C0LLI"VS C. BARKER GETCHELL L1BRARYAD:MIN LIBRARY REF AIVIIVAL CNTR DATE DISTRIBCJTED d/&,J/dP EULESS Face-lift ~lanned for conference center The expansion will provide more space for the center, which is booked up every weekend. By JESSICA D~LE~N jdeleon@star-telegram.com EULESS - Texas Star Confer- ence Centre is being renovat- ed. The City Council has ap- proved a construction con- tract with Lewisville-based JC Commercial. The total cost is $2.9 million and will be paid for by car-rental tax revenues. Construction on the 10- year-old building, at 1400 Tex- as Star Parkway, should be completed by January or Feb- ruary 2009. The Texas Star complexincludes a golf course that will not be affected by the renovations. Phase 1: The first phase, which should be finished by September or Octo- ber, will include: Extending the south side of building to increase banquet room capacity to 350 from 200. Adding a full catering kitchen. Adding two breakout rooms to fit 10 to 25 people. Improving the audio/visual system in the building. Phase 2: The second phase will focus on the north side and include: A complete renovation of the kitchen, enabling Raven's Grille restaurant to add more items, such as baked goods, to its menu. Adding tile floors and granite countertops to the bathrooms. Adding four offices for the staff. Currently, five workers work in one office with four desks. Expanding the Treaty Room, the private dining room for about 20 people, to include new carpet, fixtures and sound- deadening panels to reduce echo. Adding a dining area to the patio. Redoing the air conditioning and heating system to bring it up to current energy code stan- -. NE R'SP.4 PER FWST Texas Star renovations Renovations to the Texas Star Conference Centre,off Texas 10, should be completed next year. STAR:TELEGRAM/TIM BEDISON dards. Adding furniture. Whyneeded? Texas Star is maxed out every weekend with wedding recep- tions, parties and banquets. 'The place stays constantly busy," said Kyle McAdams, the city's fleet and facility opera- tions administrator. The construction contract was approved by the City Coun- cil last week- The new space will allow for varying room sizes, with three rooms large enough for 50 to 60 people and one room large enough for 150 people, Texas Star general manager Glenda Hartsell-Shelton said. If all three rooms are put together, 300 people could fit in. "It gives us a lot more options," she said. Last year, the conference center and Raven's Grille made a combined net revenue of $283,000. The city has no pre- dictions about how much mon- ey the improvements might . generate. The work is more renovation than expansion, city spokes- woman Betsy Deck said. ''It will allow us to offer a quality facility with more ameni- ties to our existing clientele," Deck said. JESSICA DELEON. 817-685-3932 1 1