HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-06-18 Euless Articles DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF /
MAYOR CITI'COUNCIL CITI'ATTORNEI' CRL11 HEAQVIG MCKAAIIE RIDGlVAY(2) BOYETT
'YOUNG A&DONALD COLLLN'S WILHITE GETCIIELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED
D.9 TE OF ARTICLE ,� — NEWSPAPER DiYlN
' "It's a substantial amount of be there,there was a drastic dif-
EULESS money but a very small percentage ference in the amounts."
of our annual insurancecosts,"Mr. Mr. McKamie does not be-
®�� McKamie said. He said the miss- sieve any other employees were
ing funds would not affect any em- involved.Lt.Eskew said investi-
Fployee's insurance coverage. gators are checking Ms. Mon-
Ms. Money, a Euless resident, ey's criminal history and are
pleaded guilty to embezzlement in working with two law enforce-
En
id,Okla.,in 1982 and was given ment agencies — one in Texas,
three years of suspended proba- one in Oklahoma.He would not
' tion,a Garfield County Court clerk divulge details or the names or
said. locations of the agencies.
had a Ms. Money embezzled $55.69 Lt.Eskew said its rare for a
from the Day Ford Co.,according large amount of city money to
' to court documents.A condition of become missing in Euless.
her probation was payingthe com- "It's never happened to m
record
pant'$7,200 in restitution. knowledge,"Lt.Eskew said. y
Mr.McKamie said background He said the investigation has
checks were not easily accessible moved more slowly because the
� money or common for civilian employees
in the late 80s, and the city was y disappeared over a num-
not aware of her criminal record ber of years:"There's a tremen-
Probe of missinguntil last month. dbus amount of paperwork and
money Police officials said they are accounts and things we're wait-
finds she had pleaded compiling information from Ms. mg on that's basically brought
guilty in '82 case Money's home and work comput- everything to a stop right now."
' ers and bank records. Charges of fraud and theft by
By BRANDON FORMBY Euless police Lt. S.L. Eskew a public servant are possible in
Staff Writer said the investigation centers on the case.
' A former Euless employee un- howthe money was taken from the
der investigation in connection fund. E-snail bformby@dallasnews.com
with missing city funds pleaded "That's what we're investigat- or call817-865-4970
guilty to embezzlement in 1982 in ing,"he said. "She was about the
' Oklahoma. only one who would have had the
Tammy Money, 45, was fired access necessary to make that
last month after an audit revealed amount of money disappear."
that about$200,000 was missing Ms. Money's attorney was not
' from the city's employee health in- available for comment.
surance fund. Ms. Money, who The city realized money was
had been employed with the city missing after an internal audit in
since 1988,. was the human re- late 2003.
' sources and risk administrator. "The money was unaccounted
Deputy City Manager Gary for,"Lt.Eskew said."On the books
McKamie said Ms. Money had it was there, but when we got to
been a trusted Euless employee looking for what was supposed to
' before she was fired and that she
had managed a key component of
the city's service to its employees.
Euless, which self-insures its
employees, has an annual insur-
ance budget of about$2.8 million.
The missing funds span nine
yam•
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MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGIVAI'(2) BOYETT ;
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS WILHITE GETCHELL LIBRA RYADMLV LIBR4RYREF ANIMAL CNTR
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a
NOTICE OF DETERMINATION i
NOT TO UPDATE LAND USE ASSUMPTIONS,
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN,
OR IMPACT FEES
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PAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIAI HENNIG AICKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT
'OUNG McDONALD COLLINS U17_HITS GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED CP I G DATE OF ARTICLE 4 112- / z'/j NEWSPAPER FUST
' The City Council of the City of Euless has determined that no
change to the land use assumptions, capital improvements plan,
or impact fees is necessary.
The service area is described as the corporate city limits of the
' City of Euless, Texas, in which the updating has been
determined to be unnecessary.
' If the City of Euless receives a written request from a person on
or before August 13, 2004, requesting that the land use
' assumptions, capital improvements plan, or impact fee to be
updated, the City of Euless will comply with the request by
following the requirements of the Texas Local Government Code
' Sections 395.052-395.057.
Any such written request should be sent to the following official
of the City of Euless:
' Mike Collins
Director of Planning and Development
' City of Euless
201 N. Ector Drive
' Euless, Texas 76039
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AIA YOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRLVI HENNIG MCF-AMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT '
YOUNG Mc•DONALD COLLINS 11ILIIITE GETCIIELL LIBRARYADA/IN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
I DATE OF ARTICLE 3 D NEWSPAPER DNIN
DATE DISTRIBUTED (p % %
Games
In addition to lifeguarding, for bringing the games back to the
Of
'e � new events are figure skating,la- area,but he said the TAAF would
Crosse, powerlifting, sailing and like to see the games back in '
shooting. northeast Tarrant County.
Kelly Allensworth, a TAAF However,Browne said there is
return state swimming commissioner, more cooperation than competi-
said lifeguarding will test entrants' tion for areas desiring future '
speed and skill at saving distressed games.
swimmers.The lifeguarding event "Nearly 70 parks and recre-
is at the NRH20 Family Water ations departments were around
Six new events added Park in North Richland Hills. last year studying what we did," '
for July 22-25 TAAF Figure skating is scheduled for Browne said. "Round Rock was
the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Eu- around too.We'll do anything we
competitions less. can to help out Round Rock."
By RICK KRETZSCHMAR "We don't have a winter games ,
E-mail rkretzschmaz@dallasnews.com
Special Contributor
of TAAF yet.It is different to.have
The Games ofTexas are consid- it during this time of year,but it is
erably different from the Super an Olympic sport," said Browne,. ,
Bowl. Yet in one of the six new who's also the parks and recre-
events at this year's games,an or- ation director for North Richland
ganizer sees a similarity. Hills. "We try to coordinate as
That's lifeguarding. many Olympic and Pan-American ,
"Ultimately,the top two teams sports as we can."
from five statewide competitions This is the second consecutive
will be competing. It will be a year the games are hosted by `
unique and different event," said. northeast Tarrant County. The '
Joe Browne, opening ceremonies are scheduled
chairman of the GAMES for July 23,the second day of com
Games of Texas �F'TEXAS
Organizing petition, at Pennington Field in ,
Committee. Bedford.
"It feels like What:The 19thAllensworth,who works for the
the Super Bowl annual names of Rockwall Parks Department,said
Texas,run by the I
oflifeguarding." Texas Amateur northeast Tarrant County has
The Games Athletic Federation done a good job with hospitality,
of Texas,run by When:July 22-25 organization and promotion.
the Texas Ama- Where:Bedford, This will be the last time north- '
teur Athletic Colleyville,Euless, east Tarrant County will hogt the
Federation, re- Grapevine,Hurst, games'.until at least 2008. The
turns to North- North Richland 2005 games willbe held in Waco.
east Tarrant Hills and Grand The 2006 and 2007 games will be '
County on July Prairie are host held in the Austin area.According
22-25.The 19th cities. to the TAAF, the games had
edition of the Events:Baseball, 53,000 spectators last year.
games is co- bowling,boxing, Browne said there are no plans '
.hosted by the disc golf,extreme
cities of Bed- games,fencing,
ford, Colley- figure skating,golf,
ville, Euless, gymnastics,judo, '
Grapevine,• lacrosse,
Hurst and lifeguarding,
North Richland powerlifting,
sailing,shooting,
Hills. Grand '
soccer,softball,
Prairie will also
swimming,tennis,
be involved, track and field
hosting ex-
treme-games events. '
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jWM4 CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HE•NNIG MChAMIE RIDGIIA}'(2) BOYETT
YOUNG Mc•DONALD COLLINS 1117L1IITE GETCIIELL LIBR4RYADMIN LIBR4RYREF ANLIIAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED (>> DATE OFARTICLE NEWSPAPER- AWN
EULESS
' Students Euless residents
'� Lynn and
Vernell
' tell city h a Vantreese enjoy
a stroll in the
how to ,{ park.
� develop
reserve
YM`f.
N
atura ar designers
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' Photos by RON BASELiCE/Staff Photographer
From left:Danielle Rose,10,Aubree Stevens,11,Alyssa Johnson,10,and Paisley Stevens,10,are among'scores of stu-
dents who helped design McCormick Park Preserve.Euless plans to complete work on the undeveloped park next spring.
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITY ATTORNEY CRLVI IIENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT ,
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS I'VI HITS GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIA'IAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED / 1 6 DATE OFARTICLE & Z41--5164
NEWSPAPER DA/:V '
By KATHY A.GOOLSBY is scheduled to complete work on really neat to bring kids to the de-
Staff Writer the undeveloped park next sign element,"said parks director Glade
What do children want in a spring. Ray McDonald. "They came UPN sso '
park? The answer can be found It will feature benches and ta- with a lot of great ideas,and it's 121 1
in McCormick Park Preserve in bles made from recycled materi- been great to see the enthusiasm EULESS �{
Euless. als, wetland, a birding habitat and excitement of the kids." M�
Since the fall, more than 75 and lots of trails.It will also have Mr.McDonald said he thinks �\6-Cities '
students from schools near the exhibits on the Texas prairie and it's the first time children have
27-acre site have been working plant and animal life. been involved in helping design a
With the Euless Parks Depart- Many of the park ideas were Euless park. McCormick Park
ment and a Dallas design compa- generated during after-school Preserve is a $1 million project,. Ash '
ny to bring life to the natural area brainstorming sessions.
along Little Bear Creek.The city "We just thought it would be ED OWENS/Staff Artist
s
r, s
rr
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s3+
RON BASELICE/Staff Photographer
A squirrel enjoys a nut at the park,which will feature exhibits
on the Texas prairie and plant and animal life.Many ideas '
were generated during after-school brainstorming sessions.
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NIAYOR CITYCOUAUL CITYATTORA'EY CRINI IIENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGlVAY(2) BOYETT
'YOUNG J&DONALD COLLL\'S 117LIIITE GETCIIELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED (( /� S /L' I DATE OF ARTICLE / l /�7 NEWSPAPER DNIN
' with half the funding provided by "Kids have just as much to con-
the city and the other half from a tribute as adults,especially when it
Texas Parks and Wildlife matching comes to recreation," he said.
' get. "They looked at it from a play per-
"Since I've been in Texas, I've spective, which allowed them to
never heard of someone asking see the need to treat it as a natural
' kids'opinions on something as big area. They wanted to protect
as this," said Aubree Stevens, 11, what's there."
who'll be a sixth-grader at Lake- Mr. McDonald said the chil-
wood Elementary in the fall. "It dren added a shade-element to the
' was really neat to help design the playground. They also suggested
park and be a part of it." signage with the names of plant
Gloria Chatelain,science coor- life,and they asked for puppy foun-
dinator for the Hurst-Euless-Bed- tains.The latter are dog-height wa-
' ford school district,and Euless rec- ter fountains alongside regular
reation manager Suzanne fountains so canines can get a
Hendrickson coordinated efforts drink of water after walks in the
by the students from Lakewood, park with their owners.
' North Euless and Bear Creek ele- Of course, not all their ideas
mentary schools and Euless Junior were useable.
High School. Park officials asked "There were some thingswejust
for the students'ideas,in part,be- .couldn't do,like put a lion's cage in
' cause the preserve will be a learn- the park or the Ferris wheel," he
ing center for schools. said. "But it was great for people
Ms. Chatelain is rewriting the like me in the parks profession to
' fifth-grade science curriculum to see there are kids interested in our
include field trips to the preserve. parks,and the kids saw that parks
She said the outdoor setting will al- don't just appear. There's a lot of
low students to accomplish in two planning that goes into apark"
' hours what would take a month in
a classroom. E-mail kgoolsby®dallasnews.com
"The preserve has prairie, or call 817-865-4959
grassland and forest ecosystems,
trees that are over 100 years old
and a large variety of plant and ani-
mal species," Ms. Chatelain said.
"The park will provide a myriad of
learning experiences,and they'll be
able to see interactions in the envi-
ronment."
Ten-year-old Alyssa Johnson,
' who lives a block from the pre-
serve,plans to spend lots of time
there with friends. She was sur-
prised that adults would ask chil-
dren to help with the project but
said it makes sense.
Alyssa,an incoming fifth-grad-
er at Lakewood Elementary, said
' it's important that people—espe-
cially children — are involved in
their city.
"If they're going to go to the
' park, they should be involved in
planning it,"she said.
The students did a wonderful
job on the project, said Bryan
' Klein, managing director of Ion
Design Group, which is drawing
up the park plans.
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HEAAIG AICKAAIIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT ;
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS FVI/LHITE GETCHELL LIBR_4RYADAI1N LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED 7 DATE OFARTICLE - t� NEII'SPAPER FWST
Aid a
hill �,
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S,T n x
Celebration
At top,Cely Singh,left,and Cherry Chastain of the Ma-
harlika Dancers perform a Tahitian dance Saturday at ,
Pista Sa Nayon,the Philippine Republic Day celebration,
at Bob Eden Park in Euless.Below,Vil Almerido cooks up
shish kebabs.The day celebrates the Philippines'inde-
ID pendence from Spain.The event included a health fair ,
anal traditional food.
s
141
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SPECIAL TO THE STAR-TELEGRAM/RICHARD W.RODRIGUEZ '
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. .IL-1 YOR CITY COL:\CIL CITYATTORNEY CRIAI HENNIG AICKAMIE RIDGIVAY(2) BOYETT
YOUNG .1h.-DONALD COLLINS IfILHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADAIIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
I
DATE DISTRIBUTED � / I� DATE OFARTICLE Z-� /_, /T l NEII'SPAPER FIRST
' and tragic,but there's a double- Grapevine Police Chief Dale
� , ouble
Dri—ve
� senselessness to it in that it was Wks praised Medlin as a
' a drunk driver, or an alleged "highly respected and well-edu-
drunk driver,that took his life" officer."cated ocer." j
Medlin's death was captured "His loss is devastating to the
on videotape at 232 a.m. by a Grapevine Police Department,"
' camera in his patrol car.As with he said.
CUL I e se
any routine traffic stop, he ap- Dearing described Medlin as
proached the Mustang from the the kind of guy you'd like to
' driver's side and spoke to the clone,a really good cop."
woman through her rolled- "This is a hard one to deal
in death
down window, Dearing said. with,but we'll get through it,"he
The lights atop his patrol car said.
were flashing. Medlin has two preschool-
Medlin had been talking with age daughters, and two grown
onleer stepchildren, Grapevine police
Of her for less than a minute when said.
a dark-colored Lincoln sped into He lived in Roanoke with his
the picture. The vehicle struck wife, Gina, whom he married
A Grapevine traffic the rear driver's side of the Mus- about six years ago.
patrolman killed Saturday tang and Medlin almost simulta- Neighbors on the quiet subur-
' is the city's first officer to die in the neously,jolting the Mustang for- ban street in Roanoke where
line of duty. ward and slairiytg Medlin into Medlin lived remember him as a
the Lincoln's win shield before good neighbor and father. He
' By DAVE FERMAN he fell to the ground. and his wife enjoyed working to-
and GORDON DICKSON After the impactgether on their lawn, according
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITERS p 'the Lincoln t0 family friend Michelle
continued forward for several
A Grapevine police officer who spe- seconds„drift' !' down an em- Sanchez, who lives three doors cialized in taking intoxicated motorists bankment bee.coming to a down.
off the road was struck and killed by a stop on the Texas 121 frontage `Just the other;day, he was
drunken-driving suspect early Saturday road between G14de and Cheek- cutting the grass,"said Sanchez,
while making a routine traffic stop,police
' ffiSparger roads,D g said. who added that Gina Medlin of-
said. The yeoman ink, e Mustang ten took Sanchez's foster chil-
Darren Medlin,34,a four-year veteran crawled through
of the Grapevine Police Department and1*car window dren to a nearb�church. "I just
a former Marine,was standing beside a and ran to the Adler.When she found out at noon.I was just in
t Ford Mustang he had pulled over on realized that Mewas injured, shock I know Gina would be
southbound Texas 121 in Euless near the she ran back to hie�'.tIcar to call 911 there for him always. She sup-
Grapevine border when he was struck by on her cellphone;llearing said, ported him a lot"
a Lincoln driven by a Bedford man,Sgt. °Iv
The wan, who was not Ramesh Prekumar, who
'
identified
Todd Dearing said. by police was street from the
taken to lives across the
Medlin, who was thrown about 50 Harris Methodist.H.E.B.hospital Medlins,called them"a wonder-
yards,was pronounced dead at the scene. in Bedford for treatment of in- ful couple,a wonderful family."
' Roy Alvin juries that were not life-threaten- Premkumar's wife, who de-
The Lincolns driver, Wig,police said, clined to v
Adams Jr.,27,was arrested on suspicion give hermame,said the
of intoxication manslaughter.He was re- Adams was arrested without two families moved onto the
leased Saturday afternoon from the in
incident near the scene by Euless street within weeks of each oth-
Euless Jail after posting$50,000 bail,offi- police.His father,Roy Adams Sr., er in the fall of 2002.
cials said. said late Saturday that the fami- "I've seen him playing with
ly's attorney would'release a his kids all the time," she said.
Medlin is the first Grapevinestatement Monday.He declined "He's a very good father."
' pfficer killed on duty since the to name the attorney. Medlin was bom in Lubbock
tpception of the department in Adams Jr.has no c nvictions and has relatives in the Austin
1956. in Texas.He was arresed by Ar- area,Dearing said.
"What is most striking about lington police on suspicion of
' this is that part of the guy's job theft in 1993 but the cafe was lat-
was to get out there and fight er dismissed, according to Tar-
drunk driving," Grapevine City rant County court records.
Manager Roger Nelson said.
Wry death like this is senseless
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IM YOR
FIMYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEF CRLII IIE..NNIG 3IChA;IIIE RIDGIVAY(2) BOYETT
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS 111LI/ITE GETCHELL LIBKARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED l 7 DATE OF ARTICLE �:Cl /3 /�'� NE111SPAPER FIVST
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GRAPEVINE POLICE DEPARTMEt1t
Darren Medlin,the Grapevine patrolman who died Saturday,is survived by two young daughters;two grown 3
stepchildren and his wife.
Rememberin Darren Medlin veloped an expertise in identify- In Texas, a new law, nick-
9 He served in the Marinenamed"Move Over,"took effect
Visitation for Darren Medlin, Corps from the late 1980s until mg and apprehending people last September.The law requires
a Grapevine police.officer who who were intoxicated while
P about 1992 and was stationed in motorists to slow down or
was killed in the line of duty Sat Hawaii. He also served three boating. y, switch lanes when approaching
urday,will be frZm 10 a.m.to 8 He joined the Grapevine Po'
years in the Marine Reserves. an emergency vehicle that is 3
p.m.today at Lucas&Martin Fu- earned lice Department in May 2000 as
St r Grapevine0p0 W.College degree at xas A&M Unive�si- a patrol officer.In January 2002, stopped ts g°hts flashingde and that
Co us Christi before g he became one of two Grapevine
The funeral ill be at 1 p.m. ty 1°� DWI enforcement officers. Dave Ferman,(817)685-3957
Monday at First, aptist Church the Texas Parks and Wildlife De-
Sto in drunken drivers be- dfermanC�star-telegram.com
of Grapevine,3 E.Texas St. partment in January 1996. He pP g Gordon Dickson,(817)685-3816
as a ,.
Burial will be t 3 .tn.at Dal- worked e warden, came,I& niche in the law en-
p gam n, in- gdickson�star-telegram
las-Fort Worth' tional Ceforce ment community,fellow of
'me- eluding a stint at Lewisville Lake. <
tery,2000 Mou ain Creek In 1998, he was involved in ficers said. He was also trained
Parkway in Dallas the unsuccessful effort to cap- as a drug recognition expert'=
ture a wild panther reported in someone who could .iderifify
Grapevine of Grapevine,Colleyville and other People who were intoxicated on
killed on duty Northeast Tarrant County com- substances other than alcohol.
munities. Medlin had four 'letters of
While with the Parks and commendation and no discipli-
360•' Wildlife Department,Medlin de- nary actions.
Hall Johnson Rd. Being a traffic officer is one of
the most dangerous forms of po-
lice work, according to national
Glade Rd. 4 , statistics.In 2003,13 police offi-
cern were killed when they were
' struck by vehicles while outside
their patrol cars,according to the
Cheek Sparge[f?d. National Law Enforcement Offi-
cers Memorial Fund.
::Euless
Harwood Rd.
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MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIJI H£:\'NIG MCKAIIIE RIDGIfAY(2) BOYETT
'YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS If'ILHITE GETCHELL LIBR.-iRYAD;IIL\�'/ LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED �,. J I /0 DATE OFARTICLE �) l�'7
AEIf SPAPER FFFST
Grapevine firefighter
amoflg 8 kille in 1-30 w
By GORDON DICKSON A Grapevine fire- Eight kilted
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER fighter and his son 9
SULPHUR SPRINGS — are among ht people
ei ,
9 p P in crashes
Grapevine residents who said killed in crashes Sunday on people Sunday
goodbye Monday to a fallen po- Interstate 30. traffic accidents near Sulphur
lice officer are also dealing with a 35
second tragedy:the loss of a fire- this," said Grapevine Mayor 75`
fighter and his young son killed Vi ham D.Tate,who knew both
Denton 380
late Sunday in a fiery northeast Ringler and Medlin. "It's almost McKinney Sulphur Spring,
,Texas crash. unbelievable that you could have Greenville 30
Matthew Ringler,33,a Grape- two incidents take such young CraP�.ine Hopkins county
vine firefighter lives with promising careers.This • 30 69
for about seven thing is overpowering to me."
'years, and his Ringler, his son and another Fort Dallas []
ll-year-old son, father and son — state Trooper Worth 80 Mapped area
Chance, were Stanley Wayne Avery and son 20
'among eight Jake, ll — were killed while re- -
people killed in rv> turning to their Sulphur Springs STAR-TELEGRAM/TIM BEDISON
a pair of related homes after a weekend of youth drive about 10 times a month Sulphur Springs when they came
crashes on In- RINGLER baseball in nearby Mount Ver- In addition to his full-time job, upon stalled traffic.
terstate 30 just non. Ringler was a part-time firefight- Two miles up the road,troop-
east of Sulphur Springs. Ringler was one of at least er for the Hopkins County Fire ers were working a fatal accident
Grapevine officials who on three Grapevine firefighters who Department and a volunteer fire- that had occurred about 90 min-
Monday attended a funeral for live in the clean air and green fighter in his rural neighborhood utes earlier.In that accident,three
'police officer Darren Medlin, fields of Sulphur Springs, com- of Brinker, a horse-and-ranch members of a Sulphur Springs
who was killed in the line of duty muting about 100 miles each way community just outside Sulphur family were killed and three were
Saturday, are searching for the to jobs in the Metroplex.Because Springs. injured in a one-vehicle rollover.
strength to cope with a second firefighters work 24-hour shifts, About 8:40 p.m., Ringler, Av- Both sides of the highway
'los's in as many days. the long-distance commuters ery and their boys were traveling were closed and traffic was being
"I just wasn't prepared for only have to make the round-trip westbound on I-30 just east of detoured to the frontage roads,
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MAYOR CITYCOU.NCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIhI TINNIG AICKAMIE RIDGl1AY(2) BOYETT
YOUNG McDONALD //COLLINS IV/I/LHITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANI:IIAL C.-VTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED 4" �y /L� T DATE OF ARTICLE 4 4 d l NEIL SPAPER F11 ST
said officials with the Texas De- Stanley Wayne Avery's,hiding his
partment of Public Safety. tears behind mirrored sunglasses.
Ringler's group, which was Chris Penny, a firefighter in
traveling in a Hyundai Santa Fe Sulphur Springs,said Ringler was
sport utility vehicle,was stopped one of his instructors at the Texas
in a line of traffic near the exit for A&M-Commerce fire academy.
Farm Road 69—the road leading "He stopped being an instruc-
to Ringler's home—when a trac- for to be with his son," Penny
tor-trailer rear-ended the vehicle. said.
The Hyundai was crushed In the first crash,troopers said
against a second tractor-trailer in they believe a blown tire caused.
front, and it burst into flames. the rollover. Several passenger,,
The driver of the first tractor- not wearing seat belts were eject_-''
trailer,William Ledford,of North ed onto the highway,according to
Carolina,died later Sunday at an a DPS report.
area hospital. Killed in the fust wreck were:
In all, five vehicles were in- Delfmo Bautista,46;his wife Hor-
volved in the second crash. tencia Bautista, 39; and Hilda..
The Ringlers and the Averys Martinez Bautista,ll.
were pronounced dead at the The Averys and the Ringlers°y
scene.Troopers said that at first attended Central Baptist Church-
they didn't realize the Hyundai in Sulphur Springs.Visitation for
was sandwiched between the two the Ringlers is from 6 to 9 p.m.
big rigs because it was so badly Wednesday at West Oaks Funeral
crushed.Then,they were devas- Home in Sulphur Springs.The fu-
tated to learn that the occupants neral will be at 10 am.Thursday
were good friends and colleagues. at Central Baptist Church,also in
"He was teaching my boy how Sulphur Springs.
to hit a baseball," said trooper Gordon Dickson,(817)685-3816
Dave Reynolds,a close friend of gdickson@star-telegram.com
,DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE OF `S
3 A1'OR CITI'COVACIL CITI'ATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG AICKAMIE RIDGII'AY(2) BO1'ETT
'YOUNG .11cDONALD COLLINS I17LHITE GETCHELL LIBR//ARYADMIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED / S �� DATE OF ARTICLE 47 /�5 /U NEWSPAPER FTT'ST
Hundreds of police officers, relatives and friends
attend the funeral of a Grapevine patrol officer
IN
\ \�
' - STAR TELEGRAM/JEN FRIEDBERG
Pallbearers carry the coffin of fallen Grapevine police officer Darren Medlin on Monday.
We are a
urting
By DOMINGO RAMIREZ JR. ■A Grapevine firefighter dies
and BEN TINSLEY
in East Tlexm auto' accident.13A y�STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITERS �•
■Lieber:Community mourns
GRAPEVINE They
fought to speak, emotion two senseless deaths. 113
choking the voices of two "
' men whose friend and col- many of them law enforce-
league was gone. ment officers with black tape
Game Warden Daniel across their badges — said _
Mueller remembered Grape- goodbye to Medlin at his fu-
' vine patrol officer Darren neral Monday afternoon at
Allen Medlin as a great father. First Baptist Church Grape- STAR TELEGRAM/JEN FRIEDBERG
Fellow officer Marc Shimmick vine. The officer, who had a 'Gina Medlin receives the flag from her hus-
said he loved his fallen com- special skill for spotting band's coffin from Grapevine Police Chief Dale
' rade. drunken drivers,is believed to Wilkins.The family allowed the media to docu-
More than 1,800 people — ment Darren Medlin's service.
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AIA YOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTOR E-Y CRL1I HEr\NIG AICKAA1IE RIDGIVAY(2) BOYETT
YOUNG AICDONALD COLLINS II7LHITE GETCHELL LIBRA R YADAIIN LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED Ce I a / �' DATE OF ARTICLE 4 // -
NEbfSPAPER F!f'ST
Officer down
These are among the law officers in Tarrant County killed since
1990:
■ Arlington
have been killed by one Saturday Oct.9,1992:Patrol officer Jerry J.Crocker,43.Killed along with officer Terry L. 3
in Euless. Lewis,35,when their patrol car was struck by a tractor-trailer driven by a drunk-
The newly formed Grapevine en driver.
Fire Department honor guard Aug.3,1994:Officer Craig Michael Harking,26.Killed in an accident while re-
stood near the church doors dur- sponding to a burglary call. 3
ing his service.In a few days,they June 7,2001:Cpl.Joseph Cushman,27.Accidentallyshot and killed during a
will bury one of their own, training exercise.
The city of 43,700 also is N Fort Worth 3
mourning the death of a second Sept.2,1992:Officer Brent David Wisdom,22.Killed by a drunken driver while as-
Grapevine public servant—fire- sisting a disabled motorist.
fighter Matthew Ringler,33,killed June 27,1993:Detective Donald James Manning,28.Shot and killed while off-
Sunday night along with his son duty by five gang members who attempted to rob him.
3
and six other people in a traffic Dec.27,1993:Officer Alan Frederick Chick,33.Died five days after being struck
accident near Sulphur Springs. by a drunken driver while assisting a stranded motorist.
Grapevine firefighters "were March 31,1994:Officer Jesse Don Moorman,47.Died of a heart attack while chas-
the first at our doors when he ing a burglary suspect.
[Medlin] was killed," said ■Grapevine
Grapevine police Sgt.Todd Dear- June 12,2004:Officer Darren Allen Medlin,34.Killed by a suspected drunken dri-
in "We will be the first now.We ver during a traffic stop, 3
are all hurting." ■Haltom City add
Those who spoke at Medlin's March 6,1993:Officer Gary Cecil Hires,48.Killed while responding to.a call of
funeral clearly were. shots fired.A 14-year-old with a high-powered rifle shot him before he could
"He's been a wonderful dad to leave his vehicle.
old
}his daughters," said Mueller, his 0 Tarrant County Sheriff's Department
words halting with emotion. Be- Sept.17,1997:Lt.George Maurice Hendrix Jr.,51,and investigator Thomas Jay,
fore Medlin became a police offs- Smith,45.Killed in a helicopter crash. '
cer, he and Mueller were game N White Settlement
wardens in Denton County. April 24,2002:Capt.George Scott Monier,37.Shot and killed while responding to
"We are going to get on with a domestic disturbance ss A
our lives,but we will be around toss {x,� ,
.� SOURCES:Officer Down Memorial Page,www.omp.org; ar legramarchwEs� k N
help the family, Mueller said. dStTe
Compiled by Cathy Belcher,Star-Telegram news researcher
Medlin, 34, was married and
had two young daughters and two STAR TELEGRAM
grown stepchildren. His wife, How to help with intoxication manslaughter,
Gina,was helped into the sanctu-
ary,where she sat a few feet from The Grapevine Police Depart- police said.
her husband's American-flag- ment has set up a memorial fund ■
draped coffin. to assist the family of Darren Outside the church in down-
Shimmick,his voice cracking, Medlin.Donations to the"Darren town Grapevine, officers in pa-
said:"If I had a chance to talk to Medlin Memorial Fund"should be trol cars and on dozens of motor-
him one last time,Imade at Frost Bank in Grapevine.'d tell him,'It cycles,some from as far away as
was an honor to work with you.It Austin,lined Texas Street to pay
was a privilege to be your friend. with his spiritual armor." their respects to their fellow po-
And you will be forever missed. Early on Saturday,Medlin was lice officer,a former Marine.
And,I love you."' standing beside a Ford Mustang Austin police Sgt. Bruce
Chaplain Wayne Oglesby re- that he had pulled over on south- Lutringer said his department
membered his longtime friend. bound Texas 121 in Euless, near tries to send officers when the fu-
Medlin was a fisherman, a the Grapevine border, when he neral is within 250 to 300 miles.
duck hunter, a Blue Bell ice- was struck by a Lincoln driven by 'Any time you lose an officer,
cream junkie, and a lover of pot a Bedford man,police said. it impacts everybody.It makes of-
roast, orange Jell-O and Copen- Medlin was thrown about 50 ficers think about how dangerous
hagen snuff. yards. He was pronounced dead the job is,"Lutringer said:"It can
"Each night,he would put on at the scene. happen to anybody, no matter
his armor to make a difference on The Lincoln's driver, Roy how safe and cautious you are."
the street," Oglesby said. "On Alvin Adams Jr.,27,was arrested. The situation was familiar to
June 12, his physical armor Adams was released from the Eu- Irving police officers, who have
couldn't save his life, but he less City Jail after posting$50,000 seen two officers killed in the last
walked into the streets of glory bail and is expected to be charged 11 years. In 1993,an officer was
,DISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE 3 OF J
MAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIAI HENNIG AICIiAAIIE RIDGI►A172) B01ETT
'YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS Ih7LIIITE GETCHELL LIBRARYADMIN LIBRARY REF .-1.\7.1fAL C1'TR
DATE DISTRIBUTED f{ 104 DATE OFARTICLE � ��S f L, ;\E!i SPAPER F11 ST
Killed in the line
of duty
Law enforcement officers
killed in the line of duty
�.<
Year Texas United States
1992 15 158
1993 14 154
_a
1994 13 172
1995 8 178
" 1996 8 139
1997 11 168
1998 11 167
,y 1999
11 141
' >:x 2000 14 161
2001 19 234
2002 14 153
2003 10 145
SOURCE:National Law Enforcement Officers
' Memorial
w 7
S 3w
MIM i
NOR
vg
mMk
STAR-TELEGRAM
4:
t. a,
Medlin's widow.
At the end, a member of the
STARTELEGRAM/M.L GRAY Lone Star Chapter of the Para-
' A Grapevine police officer salutes the coffin of officer Darren Medlin on lyzed Veterans of America was
Monday at the First Baptist Church Grapevine.Medlin was killed in the lifted out of his wheelchair by
line of duty Saturday. two men who braced him and
helped him walk to Medlin's
killed by a hit-and-run driver.On ■ widow.
' Christmas Eve in 2000, Officer At the cemetery, the caravan She wept as John Powell, 55,
Aubrey Hawkins was shot down wound along a curving road to of Balch Springs saluted her.
by prison escapees. the graveside shelter. Powell met Medlin only once,
' Irving police Sgt. Bo Owings Dearing said more than half in December. He had engine
said a death in a department of the Grapevine's 94 police offi- trouble and was stranded on In-
lingers• cers were there. terstate 635 in Grapevine.
"Everyone here is family, and A horse-drawn carriage bore Powell said Medlin stopped,
there will be a lot of grieving in Medlin's coffin to the cemetery. going out of his way to help him
Grapevine for quite some time," Pipe Maj. Robert G.Richardson get the car started again.Powell
he said. of Glasgow, Scotland, was there never forgot.
A few residents sat on their in full Scottish regalia to play "He didn't even know me,"
porches to watch the motorcade Danny Boy on bagpipes. Powell said. "He talked to you
pass,its sirens blaring and lights Officers from the.Irving Po- like a regular person instead of
flashing. lice Department delivered a rifle like a police officer.He really put
' Tributes to the fallen officer salute,relatives and friends sob- me at ease."
were all along the route to Dal- bing as the weapons discharged. Staff writer Ashley Womble
las-Fort Worth National Ceme- Two Arlington police officers contributed to this report.
tery in Dallas, including eight sounded taps. Domingo Ramirez Jr.,(817)685-3822
' tow trucks from B&B Wrecker A detail of Marines folded the ramirez@star-telegram.com
Service of Euless lined up along flag from the coffin with white- Ben Tinsley,(817)685-3821
Texas 360. gloved hands and presented it to btinsley@star-telegram.com
DISTRIBUTED TO:
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;IIAYOR CITY COUAUL CITYATTORNEY CRIM HENNIG MCKAMIE RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT
YOU\'G MCDONALD CO
LLINS
WI/LHITE GETCHELL LIBR�ARYADMIN /LIBRARYREF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED �i' l ( f DATE OF ARTICLE l;- 06. ��`/ NE,fESPAPER FIJIST
nomm
W M11
gr
'
i
2:
Y
STAR TELEGRAM/M.L GRAY
Cpl.H.W.Berry,left,and Cpl.Scott Peterson,both with the Euless Police Department,survey the scene along.Texas 121 in Euless where
Grapevine Police officer Darren Medlin was killed Saturday during a traffic stop.
0 Poo eers to receive eounseling
By DOMINGO RAMIM JR. The Arlington police crisis cers who need it,"Dearing said."We've
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER team was in Grapevine lost officers when they were off-duty,
GRAPEVINE—Mandatory counsel- on Saturday and also attended the but losing an officer while he was on
ing sessions are scheduled this week for funeral of officer Darren Medlin. duty is very hard to deal with"
officers who were working Saturday Medlin is the first officer in the de-
morning when officer Darren Medlin pulled over in connection with speeding. partment to die in the line of duty since .3
was killed by a man accused of driving Police did not identify the Mustang's the department began in 1956.
while intoxicated,police said Tuesday. driver. Police are investigating Roy Alvin
A crisis team from the Arlington Po- The Arlington officers were in Adams Jr.,27, of Bedford in connection 3
lice Department was in Grapevine on Grapevine on Monday at Medlin's finer- with a charge of intoxication manslaugh-
Saturday and will return this week. al and burial,and they plan to be in the ter,Euless police said Tuesday.
Medlin,34,was killed on Texas 121 in city as long as they are needed, said Adams, who police said was driving
Euless. A Lincoln struck him as he was Grapevine police Sgt.Todd Dearing. the Lincoln, could not be'reached to
standing beside a Ford Mustang he had "They have been here to counsel offi-
IISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE '&? OF
•AIAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CKLII HENNIG AICbAAI1E RIDGfi'AY(2) BOYETT
�'OUNG McDONALD COLLIAS IIILHITE GETCHELL LIBR//ARYADAIIN LIBRARYREF ANIAIAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED / � C DATE OF ARTICLE �£ / NEWSPAPER FIIIST
' "Right now,DWI deaths are not
seen as a dangerous crime."
' —Susan Bragg,a spokeswoman for
Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Fort Worth
' Capt. Harland Westmoreland
said.
Results of blood tests on
Adams will not be available for.
' several weeks, Westmoreland
comment. He was released said.
Saturday from the Euless Jail At this point,we're still in-.
' after posting$50,000 bail. vestigating where he may have:
The bail is "par for the been drinking,"Westmoreland
course," said Susan Bragg, a said.
spokeswoman for Mothers Several Grapevine officers
' Against Drunk Driving in Fort may have to wait a few days
Worth. "To a victim's family, for the counseling sessions be-
that's not much, but it's just a cause the officers are in the
promise to come back to department's honor guard,
' court." which will be in Sulphur
Authorities said the bail Springs this week for the fu-
amount meets the standard set nerals of Department of Public
by Tarrant County judges for Safety trooper Stanley Wayne
' the charge of intoxication Avery and Grapevine firefight-
manslaughter. er Matthew Ringler.
ght now,DWI deaths are Avery and Ringler, along
' not seen as a dangerous with their sons, were among
crime,"Bragg said. eight people killed Sunday
Euless investigators were at evening in two traffic acci-
southbound Texas 121 on Tues- dents near Sulphur Springs.
' day, re-examining the area Domingo Ramirez Jr.,(817)685-3822
where Medlin was hit, police ramirez@star-telegram.com +
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MAYOR CITYCOUNCIL CIT}'ATTORNE3' CRIM IIENNIG AICIiA.IIIE RIDGIIA)'(2) BOI'ETT
YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS 11'ILHITE GETCHELL LIBRA RYAD;IIIN /LIBRAR)'REF ANL11AL CNTR
DA TE DISTRIB UTED Zf I �� DATEOFARTICLE F NEiiSPAPER FifST
Loealgroups jump
at chance
1
on- R&R
welcome troopsto
® The Colleyville "Sweet Memories Cakes &
. v A North Texas welcome
Area Chamber of Catering will have some food,
Commerce will be the first and we'll have balloons and flags Soldiers in the military rest and re-
and a banner done up — and cuperation program have 15-day
local organization to wel- breaks in the U.S.
we'll have many volunteers,"
come troops home. Today's flight is an American Trans
chamber President Ret Stans- Air L-1011 with 280 military personnel.
By BRYON OKADA berger said. Flights will be showered by airport fire
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER Anyone interested in partici- trucks.Soldiers will then be greeted by
D/FW AIRPORT—The call +eating in the Colleyville effort volunteers,well-wishers and families.
for local support of American Families traveling with or meeting
through Sunday should contact troops will be allowed through securi-
troops returning from the Middle Stansberger at (817) 488-7148 or ty if escorted by a credentialed ser-
East has been met with a re- by e-mail at ret@colleyvil- viceman or servicewoman.
sounding answer in North Texas. lechamberorg. Arriving troops will go through U.S.
Cities,groups and individuals Next up are the Irving-Las Customs before entering the termi-
are lining up to hand out gifts, nals.
Colinas chamber, the Hurst-Eu- 1
and to whoop, holler and carry D/FW Airport Ambassadors will
less-Bedford chamber and the
on Texas-style for disembarkingNorth Texas Commission help the troops move to terminals via t
troops as the military rest and re- Super er Shuttle,Terminal Link,train or �
Flights leave from Kuwait car-
other means.
cuperation program begins its Tying about 280 troops from Iraq Service members waiting for a
second round today at and Afghanistan.There is a brief connecting flight can Walt at the newly STAR TELEGRAM/STEWART F.HOUSE
Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. refueling stop in Germany or opened USO Center in Terminal B, Army`Maj. Ralph Marinoof Fo
-In the weeks leading to the re- Newfoundland. Arriving flights near Gate B15.The airport USO Center Worth speaks at a news confer„
sumption of R&R flights, local will be open daily from 8 a.m.until ence at Dallas/Fort Worth Airpor
organizations flooded the volun- are scheduled for 8 am.,although about 9 p.m.(after the last scheduled on Tuesday about the military
teer list.There is now a waiting actual times have been unpre- flight leaves Terminal B). R&R flights arriving at the airport
list of groups that wish to wel- dictable. Departing flights begin Troops who travel through D/FW beginning today.
come the troops.Each will partic- July 2. but not as part of the R&R Program
D/FW, Atlanta Hartsfield- and who need assistance should go to Services
ipate for a week starting Mon- Jackson and Baltimore-Washing- the personnel assistance point at Ter- Colleyville area chamber
days through Dec 31. minal B,Gate B36,lower level. Coppell chamber
"Here at D/FW,we offer more ton airports participated in the Air carriers involved in the R&R Dallas Convention&Visitors
than great flights," said Jim fust R&R program from October program are North American and Bureau
Cates, D/FW executive vice to January. This round will be American Trans Air.North American Farmers Branch chamber
handled by D/FW and Atl--nta will fl Boeing 767 aircraft,ATA will fl FKP Architects
pr�sident of operations. Y 9 Y
-To that add "absolutely in- ONLINE:D/FW Airport,wwwAfwairport.com Lockheed L-1011 aircraft,with each Grapevine chamber
credible community support,' Bryon Okada,(817)685-3853
type capable of handling about 280 Greater Keller chamber
okada@star-telegram.com passengers. Guaranty Bank
So
Crites said. Local R&R supporters(and the list Hurst-Euless-Bedford chamber
So many people want to help is growing): Hyatt Regency DFW Airport
that in some weeks more than Alcon Irving-Las Colinas chamber
,one group may participate, said Allen chamber Lockheed Martin
-Dan Petty,president of the North Bank of America Marriott/Renaissance Hotel
Texas Commission,which is or- Centex Construction Co. North Texas Commission
-ganizing the community support. City of Coppell North Texas Tollway Authority 3
„,_The Colleyville Area Cham- City of Rowlett Sons of the American Revolution
,berCleburne chamber Stemmons Corridor Association
ganization to play host. The of Commerce is the fust or- Coldwell Banker Relocation Town of Flower Mound
an
rchamber has already had several
local events supporting troops
.and veterans, including sending
2000 pounds of items to the
Nddle East.
tISTRIBUTED TO: PAGE / OF
LAYOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIA1 HENNIG MCKAA11E RIDGWAY(2) BOYETT
'OUNG McDONALD COLLINS [f1LH1TE GETCHELL LIBRARYADAIIN LIBRARYREF ANIAIAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED r /�d��'"y DATE OF ARTICLE G y /(� D) NEWSPAPER DA1N
Propen[y.
77
9 •
Values
growth slowing
' Mr. Marshall said the weakservative school district budget for
economy of recent years continued "We've had about 35,000 pro- the next four years to get the dis-
Preliminary figures to affect property valuations tests so far,"Mr.Marshall said."We trict on financial track and rebuild
' show generally small many individual values were held expect more than that but not
nearly as many as last year.° its fund balance, or savings ac-
gains for cities, schoolsto 2003 levels and business inven- count.
tory and equipment losses offset Protests expected Carroll trustees approved more
By MARICE RICHTER gains from new construction. However, some entities are than$6 million in budget cuts.
Staff Writer "Since the Sept.11 terror attacks, bracing for another year of massive Meanwhile, Colleyville and
Pro tax valuations in- protests. Grapevine-Colleyville school dis-
PertY big businesses like American Air- P tricthavepreliminarypropertyval-
'creased modestly in northeast Tar- lines have been relying on their ex- "We have about $500 million ue increases in excess of 6 percent.
rant County cities and school dis- isting inventories rather than buy- under protest right now," said Ccreas sin preliminary in-
downshift
this year, underscoring the ing new equipment,"he said."The Southlake finance director Sharen crease is 6.3 percent, and the
downshift in area growth. equipment ages and depreciates, Elam. "Last year at this point,we
Amon 12 cities and five school had$400 million under protest. Grapevine-Colleyville district's is
Among resulting in gloss ofvalue. P 6.7 percent.
districts in northeast Tarrant Countywide, many properties Southlake's preliminary value "It's good for us," said Colley-
County,only the Keller school dis- will not increase in value and thou- increase of 3.5 percent — from villa finance director Terry Leake.
Colley-
trict experienced a double-digit in- sands of homeowners and busi- $3.6 billion to $3.7 billion — is "We've had a lot of new Terry
Leake.
crease—11.8 percent—in proper- nesses will not receive property val- about what city officials had expec-
P Party tion in the last year.
uc-
ue notices this year. Usually the ted. Grapevine's preliminary in-
preliminary
values between 2003 and the notices are sent to new property "We had hoped for 5 percent P P �
. relimin values for 2004. P Pew' crease is 3.6 percent.
P owners and those who have chang- increase, but we planned conser-
' The Tarrant Appraisal District vativel for 3 percent,"Ms. Elam
recently released preliminary vat- es in their property or have their said y P Countywide figures
ues for cities and school districts.
property reappraised. Countywide, the increase in
Most homeowners'notices were The Carroll school district
Certified values will be released in showed a 4 percent increase in val- Property values is 6.5 percent,with
July,after property owners have the uations this year. After protests, areas such as Westworth Village
mailed last month,but some busi- y P and Crowleyshowinggains in val-
opportunity to protest preliminary Carroll isn't likely to see much
valuations. ness notices are still being mailed, y ue in excess of 20 percent.
Most northeast Tarrant Countyofficials said. more than a 3 percent gain, offi-
The coup mailed ` about cials said. A lot of homes were built in Tar-
mcreases betes and ween l.about Shand 6property The flat tax values, coupled but most were ere pin moderately
' •
280,000 ro value notices with little student growth in Car-
percent, according to the prelimi- this year — about 80,000 fewer roll, have stymied budget plan- Priced communities such as Crow-
n fi res. than last year. ley, Mansfield and north Fort
"Were at the to of the moun- As a result,the number of pro- nem' Worth. Parts of north Fort Worth
P Sharon Eaves, Carroll's busi-
tests is expected to decline from last are in the Keller school district.
ro
tain,"said John Marshall, Tarrant ear,when 65,000 own- ness manager,has proposed a con-
e Party "Countywide there were 13,300
Appraisal District executive direc- ers protested their values, officials new homes built in the last year,"
'tor."We're not decreasing but were said.At least 60,000 protests were
not gaining like we once were. filed during the last fewyears. .
"It's an indication of slower Property owners had until June
growth." 1 or 30 days from the day they re-
Increases in city and school dis- ceive their notices to protest.
trict property valuations are from
new homes and businesses being
added to tax rolls as well as greater
property values on existing proper-
ty because of reappraisals.
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AIA YOR CITYCOU\'CIL CITYATTORAEY CRIM HENNIG AIChAMIE RIDGIf'AY(2) BOIETT ;
I'OUNG AIcDONALD COLLIAS fi/7LHITE GETCHELL LIBRARY/ADA7IN L/IBRARI'REF ANIMAL CNTR
DATE DISTRIBUTED /l Y =�'T DA TE OF ARTICLE /LC ( l l C r/ NEWSPAPER DMN
NORTHEAST TARRANT APPRAISALS BY CITY 3
2003 2004 Percent
City certified value estimated value change
Bedford $2.7 billion $2.8 billion 2.4%
Colleyville $2.5 billion $2.7 billion 6.3%
Euless $2.1 billion $2.2 billion 8%
Grapevine $4.95 billion $5.1 billion 3.6%
Haltom City $1.38 billion $1.4 billion 2.3% 3
Hurst $1.9 billion $2.1 billion 6.9%
Keller $2.5 billion $2.7 billion 7.2%
North Richland Hills $3 billion $3.2 billion 5.3°%
Richland Hills $383.7 million $399.2 million 4%
Southlake $3.6 billion $3.7 billion 3.5%
Trophy Club $564.6 million $600.1 million 6%
Watauga $908.4 million $959.9 million 5.7°%
SOURCE:Tarrant Appraisal District
NORTHEAST TARRANT SCHOOL APPRAISALS
2003 2004 Percent
School district certified value estimated value change
Birdville $6 billion $6.3 billion 4.2%
Carroll $3.6 billion $3.7 billion 4%
Grapevine-Colleyville $8.1 billion $8.6 billion 6.7%
H-E-B $7.4 billion $7.7 billion 4.4°%
Keller $6 billion $6.7 billion..� 11.8%
SOURCE:Tarrant Appraisal District
i
Mr. Marshall said. "But most of StaffwriterLaurie Fox contrib-
them were under$250,000,which uted to this report.
is not typically the price of homes
in Grapevine, Colleyville and E-mailmrichter@dallasnews.com
Southlake." or call 8177865-4962
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AIA YOR CITY COUNCIL CITYATTORNEY CRIAI HE,\':\IG MCK41HE RIDGH AY(2) BOYETT
'YOUNG McDONALD COLLINS ffILHITE GETCHELL LIBR4RY.4DA1LN" LJIBR4R1'REF A 1,11AL C1TR
DATE DISTRIBUTED_ l�J DATEOFARTICLE �� /C �/ NEIfSPAPER FWST
Texasgames back In Tarrant
' By ASHLEY WOMBLE The Games Volunteers needed
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER �
of Texas The Games of Texas are
The Games of Texas re- need about 800 volun- scheduled for July 22-25 in
' turn to Northeast Tarrant teers. Bedford, Colleyville, Euless,
County next month,bringing Grapevine, Hurst and North
10,000 athletes and more "We are calling upon the Richland Hills.Residents may
than 25,000 spectators. public to get involved, volunteer by visiting
About 800 volunteers are whether they are service or- www.gamesoftexas.com or by
needed to make the ganizations or church groups calling Jerry Poteet at(817)
Olympic-style sports event a or individuals,"said Jerry Po- 685-1449.
' success,organizers said.The teet, volunteer committee
games are expected to gener- chairman for the games. sports are open to all com-
ate about$10 million for the The 18th annual games petitors, but qualifying
local economy by bringing give athletes of all ages an rounds are required for the
' customers to restaurants,ho- opportunity to compete in 22 swimming, bowling, tennis,
tels and other businesses,or- sports,ranging from baseball and track and field events.
ganizers said. to figure-skating. Most
' Evepts are scheduled for shirts and keep score for
July 22 through 25 at venues bowling matches. This year,
throughout Bedford, Col- she plans to help with bowling
' leyville, Euless, Grapevine, again, but is looking forward
Hurst and North Richland to the opening ceremonies
Hills. July 23 at Pennington Field in
Volunteers are needed to Bedford.
' help with several tasks, in- "The opening ceremony
cluding scorekeeping, time- was a magnificent event to
keeping and selling T-shirts watch all the athletes come to-
and other goods for the Texas gether and parade around on
Amateur Athletic Federation. the fields,"she said.
The nonprofit organization Last year, a record 9,844
coordinates the games,which athletes participated.
are sponsored this year by "We appreciate the oppor-
�TXU• tunity to provide economic vi-
The games typically rotate tality during difficult times,"
around the state but will re- games Chairman Jim Browne
' turn to Northeast Tarrant said."Last year was the largest
County for the second consec- in the 18-year history,and our
utive year so organizers can goal is to make the 2004
take advantage of the know- games even better."
t how learned in 2003. ONLINE:www.gamesoftexas.com
Last year,Lisa Pierce of Eu- Ashley Womble,(817)685-3858
less volunteered to sell T awomble@star-telegram.com
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Briefs
E U L E S S A ruling on his death awaits
toxicology results,which could
Officials Suspect drugs take several weeks,authorities
caused death of man,20 said.
Heroin may have caused the A marijuana pipe was found
death of a 20-year-old Euless in the apartment,and Black-
man whose body was found well had a history of using
last week in his apartment,au- heroin,according to medical
thorities said Wednesday. examiner's reports.
The Tarrant County Med- Friends found Blackwell's
ical Examiner's Office identi- body in a chair in the living
fied Travis Blackwell,who was room,authorities said.
found dead about 6 p.m.June 9 He was seen alive June 5,
in the apartment in the 700 Euless police said.
block of East Mid-Cities Boule- —Domingo Ramirez Jr.
yard.
He was a running back on
the football team at Trinity
High School,where he gradu-
ated in May 2002,according to
school records.