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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-13 Euless Articles DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF MA YOR CITY CNCL CITYATTNY SUTTER MCKAMIE BROWN YOUNG ANIMAL CNTR McDONALD COLLINS W. RHODES GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF H RTSELL DATE DISTRIBUTED 11/f l ( a / DATE OF ARTICLE l 0/31 / /a NEWSPA.PE Dallas Stars to participate in Try Hockey for Free Day Nov. 3 By Mike Heika/Reporter mheika@dallasnews.com 1:13 pm on October 31, 2012 1 Permalink Here is the press release: DALLAS STARS TO PARTICIPATE IN TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE DAY Dr Pepper StarCenters in Euless, Farmers Branch and McKinney to offer a free, four-week learn to play hockey program FRISCO, Texas - This Saturday November 3, the Dallas Stars, in conjunction with USA Hockey and the National Hockey League, will participate in Try Hockey for Free Day at the Dr Pepper StarCenters in Euless, Farmers Branch and McKinney. Try Hockey For Free Day will be the first day of a four-week initiative by the Dr Pepper StarCenter's Kids First program, which provides free hockey instruction and equipment to children ages 4-8 at the McKinney, Euless and Farmers Branch locations. "Since moving to Dallas nearly 20 years ago, the Stars have made it an organizational priority to expose children in the Metroplex to the game of hockey," said Dallas Stars President Jim Lites. "We believe that if kids try hockey just once, they will become lifelong participants and fans of the sport. We are proud to support these initiatives and others that help to grow the game." Try Hockey For Free Day is part of Come Play Hockey Month. The program, designed to provide youth hockey associations a national platform to introduce new kids to the sport, is a joint effort between USA Hockey, the NHL, and its member clubs. USA Hockey has nearly 500 locations, offering boys and girls this unique opportunity to be introduced to the game of hockey. Spots are going fast with a few openings still available at Euless and Farmers Branch. Those wishing to sign up for the program can do so by clicking on the link below and filling out the form, or by signing up in person at each Dr Pepper StarCenter: RINK DATES TIME Euless Each Saturday: 12:45-1:15 Registration Open Nov. 3, 10, 17, Dec. 1 On-Ice Each W 1400 S. Pipeline Rd **Check in and fitting at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 3** Euless, TX 76040 (817) 267-4233 DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF / MAYOR CITYCNCL CITYATTNY SUTTER MCKAMIE BROWN YOUNG ANIMAL CNTR McDONALD COLLINS W. RHODES GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF HA ' SELL DATE DISTRIBUTED /1 /13//a DATE OF ARTICLE /0 l(3 i /I NEWSPAPE a l :,� * � , _ I r Euless man named new Seguin fire chief - Seguin Gazette : News Euless man named new Seguin fire chief Felicia Frazar I Posted:Wednesday,October 31,2012 12:00 am SEGUIN —The city has announced the new fire/EMS chief. Clayton "Dale" Skinner has been named as Seguin Fire Chief Scott MyCue's successor. Skinner will be making the transition from Euless Fire Department Operations Division Chief to Seguin Fire Chief on Nov. 26, said Seguin City Manager Doug Faseler. "I think there will be about a week overlap for Chief MyCue to show him around and get him familiar with the area," he said. Earlier this year, MyCue announced his retirement after 38 year of service to the local fire department, having served almost 12 of those years as chief. With 25 years of service under Skinner's belt, Faseler felt he would be a good fit for Seguin. "He continues to improve himself and his abilities," Faseler said. "He has an associate's in fire science administration and continued on with his bachelor's in public safety administration. He currently holds state certifications as a Master Firefighter, Master Fire Instructor, HAZ-Mat Technician, Paramedic, and a number of other specialized training certificates. He has completed the Texas Fire Chief's Academy and attended the Executive Fire Officer Training Program at the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, Md." Along with keeping himself up-to-date, Skinner will be making sure his firefighters are as well. "I understand he is very big into fire training and that is something that is paramount in fire service," Faseler said. The interview process ensured that the city was making a good choice, Faseler said. "In meeting with him, we interviewed him here then I followed up with a second interview and traveled to the city of Euless," he said. "There I interviewed community leaders and leaders in adjacent communities as well and it just re-enforced my impression on him and his abilities and his work experience." Making the switch from Euless to Seguin might not be too difficult for Skinner, Faseler said. "The city of Euless's service is similar as in the size of the department," Faseler said. "They have three fire stations about 70 firefighters, I think it brings some similarities. This brings him the opportunity to become the chief of a medium sized department and bring his skills to that." DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE J OF MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY SUTTER MCKAMIE BROWN YOUNG ANIMAL CNT McDONALD COLLINS W. RHODES GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF HARTSELL DATE DISTRIBUTED ll/i '/ IQ DATE OF ARTICLE ii �`7 /i a NEWSPAPER FWST Northeast Tarrant cities share officers for regional SWAT team tevans@star-telegram.com Four Northeast Tarrant County cities are saving money and, in some cases, increasing police protection by combining resources for a new SWAT team. "Unfortunately, having a SWAT team in today's society is a necessity," said Bedford Deputy Police Chief Eric Griffin. Hurst, Euless, Bedford and Grapevine will deal with that necessity together under Griffin's command. The Northeast Tarrant County Area SWAT Team,or Netcast, not only will reduce costs for some cities but also will double the number of officers ready to respond to emergencies. Bedford Chief Roger Gibson said the move "will save us, on a conservative estimate, $33,000 [yearly] just in the overtime for training associated with it, along with the uniforms, ballistic vests and ammunition for the training." A ballistic vest costs$1,800 to$2,000, Griffin said. Ballistic shields can run $800 to $2,500 each. Both must be replaced every five years. Another advantage is that regional SWAT teams are favored over individual teams for federal equipment grants, Griffin said. Each city will provide eight officers, three negotiators and one commander, said Griffin, a 25-year police veteran with 20 years in SWAT. "This will reduce the city of Bedford's SWAT manpower requirements from 22 personnel to 12," he said. "This alone will have a significant impact on the cost related to training." Grapevine will get about$26,000 in savings, Sgt. Robert Eberling said.The cost impact in Euless will be negligible, Police Chief Michael Brown said. "We'll probably spend about the same dollars," he said. "We cut the number of officers involved, but on the back side of that, we increase training hours for those who are there." Euless'greater benefit is "a bigger team, a lot more resources to pull from, and more equipment that we don't have to worry about buying or borrowing in an emergency," Brown said. Other teams are also looking forward to sharing such equipment as Bedford's 40-year-old Chrysler Peacekeeper armored personnel carrier and a device called the wall banger, which converts a flash-bang grenade into a shape charge to shear off deadbolt locks or hinges. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OF 02 MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY SUTTER MCKAMIE BROWN YOUNG ANIMAL CNT McDONALD COLLINS W. RHODES GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF HARTSELL DATE DISTRIBUTED /1 /13/i DATE OF ARTICLE ll /t, /1 2 NEWSPAPER FWST Hurst won't see much change in its SWAT team budget, Assistant Police Chief Steve Niekamp said, but having two 16-person tactical teams and two six-person negotiating teams at hand will improve the city's ability to respond to emergencies. "We get the benefit of having 32 tactical officers instead of the 11 we currently have and 12 negotiators instead of the seven we currently have, without increasing our operating costs," he said. Even for cities with enough officers to staff full tactical and negotiating teams, responding to a call can stretch people thin, Niekamp said. "It takes 15 to 20 guys on the initial call out, and that can be quite a drain on a small police department's personnel," he said. The four cities average five SWAT emergencies each per year, and the frequency of situations that could escalate into deployments is growing, Gibson said. "There is an increasing number of emergency mental detentions we're facing," he said. "A lot of those don't get to the level of SWAT activation, but you'll have teams on standby and have negotiators involved in resolving those matters where people have barricaded themselves." Fort Worth, Arlington and North Richland Hills have SWAT teams. Keller, Roanoke, Colleyville and Southlake formed the North Tarrant Regional SWAT in 2010. The advantages of having another regional team depend on perspective, Griffin said. As far as residents are concerned,the greatest advantage is response time, he said. Unlike firefighters, SWAT team members have regular duties--working traffic, patrolling, investigating crimes. When called out, SWAT officers have to muster somewhere to gear up,then get to the scene. The closer a team is to a situation when it happens,the better the outcome, Brown said. "The theory behind this is that when you have a tactical incident, if you can bring highly skilled officers to that scene quickly,the chance of everyone walking away safely is a whole lot more likely," he said. From the officers' perspective,the more teams on hand the better, said Keller's SWAT coordinator, Lt. Brenda Slovak. Her regional team counts on the North Richland Hills team as its backup. That became crucial July 26, 2011,when Slovak's team answered a call in Watauga, where a suspect shot at officers and barricaded himself. "It was very hot," she said. "It's hard to stay outside with all that gear on without some relief." After several hours on the scene,the regional team welcomed North Richland Hills officers,who relieved them so they could cool down and eat, Slovak said. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE 07OF MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY SUTTER MCKAMIE BROWN YOUNG ANIMAL CNTR McDONALD COLLINS W. RHODES GETCHELL 3// LIBRARYADMINLIBRARY REF HARTTS,EAL,L_ DATE DISTRIBUTED l i/1a DATE OF ARTICLE /1 /O //' NEWSPAPER_ POLAR ICE IN GRAPEVINE The Skate With Santa event includes a skating lesson and skate rental. $8; no discount for taking your own skates. Nov. 23 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. (lesson 3:30 to 3:45), 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine. 972-874-1930. polaricehousegrapevine.com. ICE-SKATING CENTER AT THE GALLERIA Missile Toes, an ice-skating, back-flipping Santa Claus,will wow the kids(and may send them begging for ice-skating lessons). Nov. 23 at noon; Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22 at 5 p.m.The Nov. 23-24 shows will feature U.S. Olympic champion Brian Boitano, national champions and local children at the Macy's Grand Tree Lighting. Free. 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas. 972-392-3363. galleriaiceskatingcenter.com. ICE AT THE PARKS The annual Christmas show on Dec. 15 from 3 to 6 p.m. will feature students of the skating academy of Ice at the Parks in holiday costumes. Free.The Parks at Arlington, 3811 S. Cooper St., Arlington (on the lower level near Dick's Sporting Goods). 817-419-0095. iceattheparks.net. DR PEPPER STAR CENTERS Kids can skate with Santa at free celebrations that include a skating show, music and activities at Dr Pepper Star Centers in Farmers Branch, McKinney and Euless. Winterfest: Dec. 1 from 3 to 5 p.m. at 12700 N. Stemmons Freeway, Farmers Branch. Free. 214-432- 3131. Kids can also attend Skate with Santa on Dec. 15 and 22 at 1:30 p.m.for$6 for children 4-17, $7 for adults 18 and older. Icefest: Dec. 15 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. for holiday ice show, 3:45 to 4:45 for a free skate with Santa and cast,4:45 to 5:45 p.m. for a free skate for all. 1400 S. Pipeline, Euless. Free. 817-267-4233. Christmas on Ice: Dec. 16 from 4:45 to 7 p.m. 6993 Stars Ave. at Craig Ranch, McKinney. Free. 469-675- 8325. DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OF MAYOR CITY CNCL CITY ATTNY SUTTER MCKAMIE BROWN YOUNG ANIMAL CNTR McDONALD COLLINS W. RHODES GETCHELL LIBRARY ADMIN LIBRARY REF H} TSELL DATE DISTRIBUTED 1 I//3 /10 DATE OF ARTICLE 1// 7i f 2 NEWSPAPE Embrace the winter by skating with Santa — and your family141 1111?F. , \ - The Ice at Stonebriar Centre in Frisco hosts holiday events. Family entertainment nchurnin@dallasnews.com Published:08 November 2012 11:40 PM If there's one thing I've learned about winter, it's that you can't beat the cold, even with those warm mufflers and hats. So why not embrace it?Take a tip from Santa and bundle up the kids and head for the ice. In fact,at some of our local ice-skating rinks,you may even run into the big guy himself, showing off some fancy moves. THE ICE AT STONEBRIAR Expect skating performances by the Stonebriar Centre Skating Academy's synchronized-skating team and soloists who compete on the national level,followed by a Zamboni arriving with Santa aboard. It's all part of the Santa Welcome at the Ice party on Nov. 10 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.At 4:30,Santa will parade through the mall as he makes his way to the New North Pole. Free.2601 Preston Road at State Highway 121, Frisco (on the lower level near the Apple Store). 972-731-9600. stonebriarice.com.