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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-14 Euless ArticlesWEDNESDAY MAY 25 2016 I STAY CONNECTED H-E-BNEWS.COM + FACEBOOIUOM/STARTELEGRAM TWITTER.(OMJSTARTELEGRAM AN EDITION Of THE STAR·TELEGRAM VOLUME l . NUMBER l1 TO SUSPEND OR CANCEL DELIVERY. PLEASE CALL 800·n6·78l7. ANDREW BUCKLEY Special to the St1r·Telegr1m Kaden Fimbres sounds the starting horn during the Euless Police & Fire Community Fun Run on Saturday at Bob Eden Park in Euless. EULESS Community, police join forces for fitness fun in the park Hurst police seeking grants for body cameras BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL li.z@star·tdqram.com HURST Police are seeking state gr.ant funding to buy body cameras for use when officers are on patrol. Last week, the City Cowtcil approved a resolution autho- rizing Hurst to apply for funds from the criminal justice divi- sion of the governor's office to buy 56 body cameras for the Police Department. Lt. Billy Keadle told c0wtcil members that Hurst could re- ceive $79,000 in grant funds and that the city's cost would be arowtd $30,000. Hurst is testin2 five cameras "They capture a perspective not fowtd on the in-car sys- tems," he said. Recent police shootings na- tionwide and advances in tech- nology have brought the use of body cameras to the forefront, Keadle said. "The cameras improve ac· cowitability and transparency and also improve evidence col- lection," he said. Fort Worth and Dallas already use body cameras. Euless doesn't have them, and Bedford · Police Chief Jeff Gibson said his department is researching them. Arlington is also looking at using body cameras, and the City Cowicil recently asked oolice to orovide ootential fund- Euless Mayor Linda Martin is introduced during the event. Hurst's newest council member doesn't duck jokes about her family Trasa Robertson Cobern ls part of the "Duck Dynasty" extended family She, three Incumbents are sworn In to office BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL liz@star-ttltgram.com HURST Trasa Robertson Cobern, daughter of the Duck Dynasty MAX FAULKNER mfllulknerfpstai·tll!lll!gl'im.com star known as Uncle Si, offi-Trasa Cobern became a Hurst ciallv took her seat on the council member Mav 17. H-f-R HAPPENINGS Stay cool at area water parks With temperatures creep- ing into the 90s, the timing is perfect for the opening of city-owned water parks in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford area. Here's a look at the H·E·B water parks, as well as NRH,o in North Rich- land Hills. Bedford Bedford Splash Aquatic Center, 2817 R.D. Hurt Parkway (Bedford Boys Ranch) Opened Saturday Hours: Monday-Saturday noon-7 p.m; Swtday noon-6 p.m. bedfordsplash.com Euless Family Life Aquatic Park, 300 W. Midway Drive Open daily beginning Saturday Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Swtday noon-7p.m. eulesstx.gov (click on Parks Department) Hurst After a year of rain de- lays, the newly rebuilt, $8 million Chisholm Aquatics Center, 2200 Norwood Drive0opens Saturday with a special ceremony at 9:45 a.m. Hours: Monday-Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday/ Swtday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The Central Aquatic Center, 715 Mary Drive, is closed this summer for renovations. burst.Ix.us (click on Recreation, the Hurst Aquatic Centers) North Richland Hills NRH,o, 9001 Boulevard 26 Open daily Saturday through Aug. 21 (and Aug.27-28, Sept. 3·5, Sept. 10-11) Hours: Opens at 10 a.m., closing times vary nrh2o.com Chisholm Aquatics Center in Hurst reopens Saturday. H·E·B schools out today; graduations on Saturday The last day ol school in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford district is today, so keep an eye out for kids on the loose! Bell High School's gradu- ation is at 10 a.m. Saturday, and Trinity High School's is at 2 p.m., both at the Fort Worth Convention Center. NORTHEAST TARRANT MAY 23, 2016 2:45 PM Euless cop killer’s mental state was questioned before shooting HIGHLIGHTS: • Euless police took Jorge Brian Gonzalez to JPS on Feb. 29 • Doctor recommended psych treatment for Gonzalez • Gonzalez ambushed police officer the next day Jorge Brian Gonzalez, 22, was fatally shot after he ambushed police and killed Officer David Hofer on March 1. Gonzalez struggled with drug abuse and mental health issues. Gonzalez family BY DIANE SMITH dianesmith@star-telegram.com EULESS The day before Jorge Brian Gonzalez shot and killed a Euless officer, a doctor at John Peter Smith Hospital offered to admit Gonzalez into the hospital’s psychiatric unit, but was assured by police that the patient was going to be in “jail for a while.” The doctor wrote that Gonzalez could receive psychiatric treatment at the Tarrant County Jail and also recommended he be placed on suicide watch, according to a Feb. 29 medical report obtained by the Star- Telegram. Euless Police officer David Hofer. Euless Police Department The officer, who is not identified in the medical report, told the ER doctor that because Gonzalez “had broken into a building” and “broken into 15 cars” that he would be “processed and charged, would not bail out but would then be taken to Tarrant County Jail.” Instead, after being discharged, Gonzalez — who had been arrested earlier that day for public intoxication — was returned to the Euless Jail. He was released the next morning. Four hours after getting out of jail, the 22-year-old Gonzalez ambushed and fatally shot Officer David Hofer in a neighborhood park in Euless. Police shot and killed Gonzalez, who had methamphetamine, amphetamine and cocaine in his system at the time of the shootings, according an autopsy report. Euless police declined comment on the medical report, saying the case is still under investigation. JPS would not comment, citing privacy law. EULESS POLICE ARE CONDUCTING TWO INVESTIGATIONS OF THE SHOOTING. ONE DELVES INTO THE SHOOTING AND WILL BE TURNED OVER TO THE TARRANT COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE. THE OTHER LOOKS AT POLICE PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE WHETHER POLICIES WERE FOLLOWED. Gonzalez, who had a long history of drug abuse and run-ins with police, had been arrested on Feb. 29 after his father called 911, saying his son and a friend were high and had stolen money from him. Gonzalez had cuts on his hand and wrist. His cuts began to bleed as his behavior became more bizarre, and he was transported from the Euless Jail to JPS. In the Feb. 29 medical report, Dr. Jonathan Kirk wrote that Gonzalez had “acute drug intoxication” and had been brought to the hospital after being arrested for suspicion of car burglary. A Feb. 29 police report said that Gonzalez told officers he had cut his hand while “breaking out the windows of his own vehicle.” The report said an auto repair shop in Euless had reported that several vehicles had broken windows with “several areas of fresh blood,” but it was not determined whether Gonzalez and his friend were suspects. The doctor asked the police officer what the “pathway” would be for Gonzalez if he was not under arrest. The doctor said he could help place the young man in the behavioral evaluation unit, also known as the Psychiatric Emergency Center on the 10th floor of the main hospital, according to the JPS report. The officer said he had seen Gonzalez “change a lot over the years due to known drug abuse” and understood that he has “mental health challenges,” according to the medical report. The officer told the doctor that Gonzalez would be “in jail for a while.” About 5:30 p.m., Gonzalez was discharged into police custody. But instead of going to the Tarrant County Jail, police took Gonzalez back to Euless. ‘He was bad in the head’ The Feb. 29 hospital visit was the second time in fewer than 10 days that Euless police had taken Gonzalez to JPS. On Feb. 21, while riding in an ambulance to JPS, Gonzalez told a Euless officer that he wanted to kill him. A doctor at JPS diagnosed Gonzalez with having homicidal thoughts and numerous drug-related disorders, according to discharge papers. Gonzalez was released on Feb. 23. Gonzalez’s father, Jorge Antonio Gonzalez, questioned why his son wasn’t arrested on “threats to a police officer” after the Feb. 21 incident and why he wasn’t kept in the hospital longer for psychological treatment. “If they took him to the doctor, why didn’t they leave him there,” said Gonzalez, in Spanish. “They knew he was sick — that he was bad in the head.” The father said he does not know if his son was breaking into cars the morning of Feb. 29. “I can’t say yes or no, because I don’t know,” he said. But since his son’s death, Gonzalez’s father has repeatedly questioned why his son was not jailed on a theft charge. “I wanted him to go to jail so he could get better,” Jorge Antonio Gonzalez previously told the Star- Telegram. Randy Moore, an attorney with the Texas Municipal Patrolman’s Association, said Euless police likely did all it could legally do to hold Gonzalez. “It takes time to work up criminal cases and invoke legal rights for the accused, including the right to bond,” said Moore, who is representing four officers in connection with Gonzalez’s shooting death. “The suspect didn’t meet mental commitment criteria, in my opinion, but if he did, it takes time to get the process started and finished. Even then, my experience is that they get out in 48 hours or so.” Moore added that the police mental warrant system that could have been used only covers 72 hours and voluntary admission doesn’t “work for adult addicts” because they can sign out after a cooling off period. “...the suspect could have walked out of jail and admitted himself to JPSH or his family could have gotten involved to do so,” Moore said in a statement. “Why didn’t that happen? The bottom line is that he assassinated an officer and the dead officer is the victim.” Alert after being shot After being returned to the Euless Jail on Feb. 29, Gonzalez spent the night in jail and was released the next morning after appearing before a municipal judge and agreeing to a sentence of 20 hours of community service. “IF THEY TOOK HIM TO THE DOCTOR WHY DIDN’T THEY LEAVE HIM THERE. THEY KNEW HE WAS SICK — THAT HE WAS BAD IN THE HEAD.” Jorge Antonio Gonzalez, father Jorge Antonio Gonzalez said he believes his son took drugs soon after he left jail. Police say Gonzalez broke into a Euless house and stole guns and went to J.A. Carr Park. Hiding along a creek bed, he fired a few random shots. Hofer, who responded to the 911 call, was fatally wounded as he approached Gonzalez. Hofer died on the operating table at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Grapevine. Gonzalez was shot multiple times by Euless officers and was pronounced dead at JPS. According to ambulance records, EMS workers with the Euless Fire Department wrote that upon arriving at the park, the wounded Gonzalez was in police custody and “reported that he wanted to be let go.” The patient “reported that he would not give any more info at this time.” Workers wrote that the patient was “breathing well” and that “minimal bleeding was noted” and that police officers were administering first aid. He was taken by ambulance to JPS, where his condition worsened and he was pronounced dead. His cause of death was listed as multiple gunshot wounds. Gonzalez scarred by abuse Medical records, police reports and Gonzalez’s family have stated that Gonzalez struggled with drug abuse, including meth and cocaine. His family has stated that Gonzalez’s sexual abuse by a pastor who was also a family friend contributed to the young man’s problems. Between June 2014 and March 1, Gonzalez’s health, drug abuse, emotional and psychological well-being were addressed several times by JPS medical staff. Healthcare personnel inquired about his hallucinations, drug use and suicide attempts. Gonzalez told medical caregivers at JPS that being sexually abused as a child hardened him as a teen. “He still struggles with this event despite multiple attempts at counseling,” a report dated Oct. 25, 2015 said. “He states he started gang-banging and being aggressive at that time to keep people away from him so no one would touch him again.” On Oct. 25, 2015, he also documented his fear of himself to medical staff: “He states that he is ‘afraid of myself’ and the ‘things I can do if I lose my self-control.’ ” Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/northeast- tarrant/article79351577.html#storylink=cpy LOCAL JUNE 1, 2016 3:29 PM Bad weather pushes back closing of Main Street bridge in Euless HIGHLIGHTS: Bridge over Texas 183 will close on Tuesday It and pedestrian bridge to be removed later Businesses will face headaches BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL liz@star-telegram.com EULESS Steady rain has pushed back the closing of the Main Street bridge over Texas 183 to Tuesday. The bridge was scheduled to be closed at 11 p.m. Friday, said Selma Santin, a spokeswoman for SouthGate Constructors, the company managing the Midtown Express construction project. It is still scheduled to be demolished June 10. The pedestrian bridge that served Euless Junior High will also be removed June 10. The bridge connects the junior high, north of Texas 183, to neighborhoods south of the highway. But drivers need to gear up for detours that will be in effect for about 18 months. The result will be a wider bridge to accommodate increasing traffic. Sean Hooda owns the Chevron at north Main and 183 in Euless. The two-year project to replace the bridge will have a huge effect on Hooda's business. pmoseley@star-telegram.com Business owners got a chance to see the detour maps last month during a meeting in Euless. Santin said the best way to stay informed about up-to-the-minute road and highway closures is to follow the Midtown Express project on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter and on the Midtown Express website. The detour from South Main to North Main Street calls for drivers to turn right on Texas 10. If they don’t, they’ll be forced onto the Texas 183 frontage road. From Texas 10, drivers will turn right on Dickey Drive, then left on East Euless Boulevard. That will take them to the American Boulevard cloverleaf lanes, which lead to the eastbound Texas 183 frontage road, which leads back to North Main Street. To get from North Main Street to South Main Street, drivers will turn right on the westbound Texas 183 frontage road and follow it to Ector Drive, where they will make the U-turn across Texas 183 and head back east to South Main Street. AS MUCH AS WE WANT TO SEE PROGRESS WITH BETTER HIGHWAYS AND BETTER ACCESS, THE STRUGGLE IS FOR THE BUSINESS OWNERS. WE’RE HOPING THAT WE CAN SURVIVE THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS. Sean Hooda, who owns a Chevron gas station, a 7-Eleven and a Texaco gas station on three corners of the intersection where the bridge will be removed The Midtown Express project includes rebuilding main lanes on Texas 183, improving ramps and access roads, and adding one toll lane in each direction. The project is an extension of the $2.5 billion North Tarrant Express in neighboring Bedford and Hurst. When the work is finished, the entire 28-mile corridor of Loop 820 and Texas 121/183 will be rebuilt from Interstate 35W in Fort Worth to I-35E in Dallas. Drivers can use the main lanes or the toll lanes, also called TEXPress lanes. The Main Street bridge needs a makeover, as it has consistently gotten poor inspection scores. The bridge, built in 1970, is structurally obsolete, according to Texas Department of Transportation records. The bridge at Industrial Boulevard will also be replaced as part of the Midtown Express project. Business concerns Sean Hooda, a longtime business owner in Euless, has a big stake in the upcoming bridge closure. Hooda owns a Chevron Service station, a 7-Eleven and a Texaco on three corners of Main Street and Texas 183. The Chevron is next to a Starbucks that has already closed because of the construction. “As much as we want to see progress with better highways and better access, the struggle is for the business owners. We’re hoping that we can survive through the next couple of years,” Hooda said. One of Hooda’s biggest concerns is that construction will force him to move his gas pumps and canopy at the Chevron about 10 feet from their current location. His convenience store will stay open, but Hooda said he won’t be able to sell gas for a while. Euless spokeswoman Betsy Deck said the city will post maps soon on its website showing additional alternate routes to avoid the construction. There are 64 businesses on Main Street and around 100 on Texas 10 and Texas 183. “We are making specific calls to places we know will be affected to let them know about the bridge closure,” Deck said. Steve Heyduck, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Euless, said he spent time talking to Sunday school classes with some members in their 90s about the upcoming changes. Many church members come from north of Texas 183, and they’ve already found alternate routes to get to Sunday services, Heyduck said. “We’ve known about this for two years,” he said. THIS REPORT INCLUDES MATERIAL FROM THE STAR-TELEGRAM ARCHIVES. Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/article81175857.html#storylink=cpy Vehicle Drives Into Euless Convenience Store: Police By Holley Ford Police say a vehicle has driven into a convenience store in Euless Friday afternoon. It happened at about 3:15 p.m. at Euless Family Mart on North Main Street. A witness tells NBC 5 vehicle, which appears to be a Ford sedan, slammed into the store through a large front window. The entire car is inside the building, according to the witness. There is no word on injuries at this time. Published at 3:42 PM CDT on Jun 3, 2016 http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Vehicle-Drives-Into-Euless-Convenience-Store-Police-381811441.html HURST-EULESS-BEDFORD NEWS JUNE 5, 2016 11:15 AM Special foster care needed for badly injured puppy The Trinity GAP Club, a dog rescue group at Trinity High School, is looking for a special foster home for a five- month-old pit bull puppy that was abandoned at the emergency animal clinic in Euless with a jaw that was broken in several places. The puppy named Rex had surgery to repair his jaw but he must be closely watched because he can't chew on toys, jump up or eat hard food. (Star-Telegram/Max Faulkner) mfaulkner@star-telegram.com BY ELIZABETH CAMPBELL liz@star-telegram.com EULESS When Steffenie Vela learned that a 5-month-old pit bull puppy with a broken jaw was left at an emergency animal clinic last month, she thought something had to be done to help it. Vela is the sponsor for the Trinity GAP (Girls Awareness Program) Club, an organization based at Trinity High School that helps rescue and foster animals in Euless. She soon realized that the puppy, Rex, was a special case in need of a foster family that can closely monitor him as he recovers from surgery to repair his jaw, which was broken in several places. “Everyone who witnessed Rex’s extreme pain and suffering was very upset by his condition,” she said. The GAP Club is working with its go-to veterinary care provider, Animal Hospital and Clinic of Arlington, where Rex is awaiting a foster family. Two years ago, the clinic treated Riley, a German shepherd mix who was badly scalded in a domestic violence incident. Terrell Hill was convicted of animal cruelty/torture last year and sentenced to 10 years of probation. Keli Brace, the clinic’s office manager, adopted Riley and is also helping to care for Rex. Brace said that Rex has many restrictions, such as not playing, chewing or eating hard food — all difficult things for a puppy. “The injuries were very severe, and the prognosis was very guarded for Rex,” Brace said. She described how Rex had a fracture to the middle of his right lower jaw and another on the lower left side where the jaw curves toward the temple. Veterinarian Doug Riley operated on part of Rex’s jaw but realized that a dental specialist was needed to repair the lower left portion. Bonnie Bloom, a veterinarian who specializes in dentistry at the I-20 Animal Medical Center in Arlington, performed that surgery at a discounted cost to the GAP Club. Rex’s injuries are not consistent with being hit by a car, which was the explanation given when he was dropped off, Brace said. HE LOVES NOTHING MORE THAN TRYING TO CRAWL ONTO YOUR LAP. HE HAS A HELICOPTER TAIL, ALMOST A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION. Keli Brace, office manager at the Animal Hospital and Clinic of Arlington “There are bruises and other evidence if an animal is hit by a car. It was blunt force trauma,” she said. “Dumping” animals is a problem, Brace said. “In this day and age, unfortunately, pets have kind of become a disposable commodity if people are moving, if they are having a baby. I can’t begin to tell you the number of excuses we hear on a daily basis,” she said. “It takes a village to combat that problem.” Rex is showing all of the signs of a normal, active puppy, but he has many restrictions until his jaw heals. He cannot chew hard food, toys or bones. He also cannot jump or become overly excited so that he won’t accidentally re-injure his jaw, Brace said. Vela said that GAP Rescue is looking for a “special foster” for Rex who can handle his medical needs and keep him in a quiet environment. Rex is learning simple commands such as sit and stay, and he loves taking walks, although he must be watched so he doesn’t try to pick up sticks or other things. “He loves nothing more than trying to crawl onto your lap. He has a helicopter tail, almost a weapon of mass destruction,” Brace said. Elizabeth Campbell: 817-390-7696, @fwstliz HOW TO HELP To make a donation to help defray Rex’s medical costs, visit bit.ly/1UkEkrl. Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/hurst-euless- bedford_news/article81882247.html#storylink=cpy YOUR COMMUTE JUNE 6, 2016 9:47 AM More detours, road closures coming this week on Texas 183 in Euless The Euless Main Street bridge will be closed Tuesday night and torn down this weekend. Paul Moseley pmoseley@star-telegram.com Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/traffic/your-commute/article82021867.html#storylink=cpy EULESS Are you ready for some detours? The Main Street bridge over Texas 183 will be closed Tuesday night in preparation for its demolition this weekend. The bridge — along with a pedistrian bridge that serves Euless Junior High — will be demolished beginning at 11 p.m. Friday, which will result in numerous roads being closed, including: 11 p.m. Friday to 11 p.m. Saturday ▪ All lanes of eastbound 183 will be closed at Industrial Boulevard ▪ All lanes of westbound 183 will be closed at Main Street. ▪ Industrial Boulevard will be closed under 183. ▪ Ector Drive will be closed under 183. ▪ Eastbound on-ramp to 183 from Murphy Drive will be closed. ▪ Eastbound on-ramp to 183 from Industrial will be closed. The bridge is being removed as part of the reconstruction of Texas 183 from Euless to Interstate 35E in Dallas. Some businesses have already closed on Main Street because of the pending closure and removal. Main Street detours in place Detours for the Main Street bridge removal wil be in effect for about 18 months. The detour from South Main to North Main Street calls for drivers to turn right on Texas 10. If they don’t, they’ll be forced onto the Texas 183 frontage road. From Texas 10, drivers will turn right on Dickey Drive, then left on East Euless Boulevard. That will take them to the American Boulevard cloverleaf lanes, which lead to the eastbound Texas 183 frontage road, which leads back to North Main. To get from North Main to South Main, drivers will turn right on the westbound 183 frontage road and follow it to Ector Drive, where they will make the U-turn across 183 and head back east to South Main. The Midtown Express project includes rebuilding main lanes on Texas 183, improving ramps and access roads, and adding one toll lane in each direction. The project is an extension of the $2.5 billion North Tarrant Express in neighboring Bedford and Hurst. When the work is finished, the entire 28-mile corridor of Loop 820 and Texas 121/183 will be rebuilt from Interstate 35W in Fort Worth to I-35E in Dallas. Drivers can use the main lanes or the toll lanes, also called TEXPress lanes. THIS REPORT INCLUDES MATERIAL FROM THE STAR-TELEGRAM ARCHIVES. Elizabeth Campbell: 817-390-7696, @fwstliz Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/traffic/your-commute/article82021867.html#storylink=cpy Hwy 183 In Euless To Close For Bridge Demolition June 10, 2016 6:26 AM By Andrew Greenstein DALLAS (1080 KRLD) – If your weekend travels normally include Highway 183 in Euless, make plans now to take a different route. Highway 183 will be closed at Euless Main Street starting at 11:00 p.m. Friday through 6:00 a.m. Monday. Selma Santin with the Midtown Express Project says crews will be taking down the Main Street Bridge, and it will take all weekend to do so. “The bridge has to be removed in its entirety so we can start working on the replacement bridge” said Santin. “We anticipate it will take up to 18 months for the replacement bridge.” While the new bridge is under construction , drivers can take Ector Drive or American Boulevard to get across Hwy 183 and back onto Main Street. (©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.) HURST-EULESS-BEDFORD NEWS JUNE 13, 2016 11:28 AM Women’s summer basketball starts in Euless BY RICK MAUCH Special to the Star-Telegram The Dallas Wings probably weren’t thinking about the Euless Women’s Summer Basketball League when they planned their inaugural WNBA season, but their arrival works out quite nicely for the local folks. The summer league in Euless has been around for a couple of decades, said Euless athletics director John Douthit. They began play this week. “Now that we’ve got a WNBA team, I think it will bring more focus, especially if the team is successful,” Douthit said. “Just like the Stars in 1999, when everybody wanted to play hockey, and a few years ago with the Rangers, the baseball camps were packed.” The Stars were at their peak that season, winning their only Stanley Cup. They returned to the National Hockey League Finals the next season and finished second. The Texas Rangers advanced to the World Series in 2010 and 2011. “Any time you’ve got a successful pro team, it rubs off,” Douthit said. Not that the Euless Summer Women’s Basketball League needs a lot of help. It’s been very popular for a long time. “It used to be an NCAA league, but NCAA rules got so stringent,” Douthit said. “It got to be a giant headache.” No problem. It has continued to work quite fine as a recreation/competitive league. Games are played Sundays after church, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Euless Family Life Center, with teams playing an eight-game schedule. Following the regular season are the playoffs. Douthit said some great friendships have formed over the many years the league has been around. “A lot of the same ladies have been playing a long time,” he said. “Families and kids are there. It’s a fun environment and a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.” And though the season is already underway, latecomers can get on the free agents list. Often teams find themselves in need of a player. “We allow you to pick up players until the playoffs begin, as long as you let me know,” Douthit said, adding with a chuckle, “and as long as they’re not ringers.” For more information on the league, contact Douthit at 817-685-1838 or jdouthit@eulesstx.gov. You can also visit http://www.eulesstx.gov/pacs/athletics. Euless Track Club spotlight athlete: Russell Maryland (RJ) RJ has been with the Euless Track Club since he was eight years old and now competes in the 12U age group. He set a Texas Amateur Athletic Federation state record in the 8U long jump in 2012, clearing 13 feet, 9.75 inches. He has also won numerous gold medals in the 100-meter dash, 200 and high jump for the club, coach Lisa Runnels said. “RJ has a unique work ethic that seems to inspire his teammates to work harder to meet their goals,” Runnels said. “He will try every event at least once, and oddly enough he will succeed at it.” Calendar • Wednesday-Thursday (June 15, 16) - Learn to Skate Camp, Dr Pepper StarCenter, Euless, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Cost $40 per day. Call 214-975-3000. • Friday (June 17) - Neighborhood Fishin’ catfish stocking, Chisholm Park, Hurst. Call 817-732-0761. • Friday (June 17) - Bedford Splash swim team at Grapevine Meet. Contact Tyler Sievert attyler.sievert@bedfordtx.gov or visit the team’s website at www.bedfordsurf.com. • Saturday (June 18) - Euless Track Team at Flower Mound. Call 817-685-1838. • Saturday (June 18) and June 25 - Mid-Cities PeeWee Football and Cheerleading Association registration, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at their offices, 141 Harmon Rd. Call 817-282-2930. • Saturday (June 18) - Ninth Annual Big Apple/NYPD SBW Cup Series Qualifier, Softball World. Qualifier for the championship July 9 and 23. Men’s D, Men’s E, Co-Ed. Cost $200. Contact softball.world@usssa.com. • Monday (June 20)-June 23 and June 27-30 - L.D. Bell Blue Raider Baseball Camp, (choose a week), 9 a.m.-noon, L.D. Bell baseball field. Cost $90 pre-registration, $95 for walk-ups. Contact Bell baseball coach Paul Gibson, 817-437-7655. • June 24 - World’s Largest Swim Lesson, Bedford Splash Family Aquatic Center, 9:30 a.m. Free. Call 817-952-2323. • June 25-26 - Parks at Texas Star USSSA World Series Warm-Up. Entry fees $395 for 9AA, 11AA and 13AA teams, $445 for 14U Open 60/90 teams. Gate fee $125. Contact John Douthit at 817- 685-1838 or jdouthit@eulesstx.gov. • June 27-30 - Trojan Girls BB Shooting Camp, Trinity High School. Grades 5-9 (incoming), 9-11:30 a.m. Cost $75, includes t-shirt. The camp is conducted by Trinity coach Sue Cannon (1,090 career wins, District 7-6A Coach of the Year) and Amateur Athletic Union coach, mentor and elite skills trainer Jason Jones. Contact Cannon at 817-399-3673 orsuzancannon@hebisd.edu. Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/hurst-euless- bedford_news/article83457052.html#storylink=cpy