Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-25 Euless Articles 2 Euless Officers Injured After Struggle With Driver Who Didn’t Want To Pull Over After Traffic Violation June 12, 2019 at 8:44 pm Filed Under: DFW News, euless police, officers injured, physical confrontation, Struggle, suspect caught, traffic violation EULESS, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – Two Euless Police officers ended up in the hospital on Wednesday after a traffic stop got physical. Police said around 5:20 p.m. a Euless Patrol Officer tried to pull over a vehicle for a traffic violation. The driver failed to yield and continued a short distance before stopping in the 100 Block E. Denton Dr. The man got out of the vehicle, did not comply with officer commands and a physical struggle ensued, police said. The man then ran off but was caught by responding officers not far away. Two Euless officers were taken to Baylor Grapevine hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The suspect was also injured with non-life threatening injuries and taken to a hospital as well. Survey teams confirm 4 tornadoes hit Dallas, Tarrant counties on Sunday Written by Jesus Jimenez, Staff Writer June 19, 2019 Updated at 1:30 p.m.: Revised to include a fourth tornado confirmed in Farmers Branch. Survey teams confirmed four tornadoes touched down Sunday afternoon — three in Tarrant County and one in Dallas County. The National Weather Service deployed teams Monday morning to assess whether damage across parts of Dallas-Fort Worth was the result of straight-line winds or tornadoes. The teams surveyed parts of north Fort Worth, North Richland Hills and Arlington, and a path of damage in the Euless, Irving and Farmers Branch areas. About 95,000 customers in North Texas were without power after Sunday’s storms, but by Monday afternoon, that number had dropped to fewer than 8,000, according to Oncor. • A large oak tree limb landed about 100 yards from its trunk, landing in the parking lot outside Globe Life Park in Arlington, Sunday, June 16, 2019. A path of high winds ripped through a neighborhood near the Ballpark as thunderstorms rolled through the Metroplex. (Tom Fox/Staff Photographer) Arlington A survey team confirmed that an EF-1 tornado traveled less than a mile in Arlington, before dissipating just north of AT&T Stadium and northwest of Globe Life Park. The tornado was only on the ground for about 1 minute, reaching peak winds speeds of 95 mph. Outside Globe Life Park, a large limb came to rest about 100 yards away from the tree it fell from. There was also tree damage along Mark Holtz Lake, north of the ballpark. Texas Rangers spokesman John Blake said the storms caused minor damage inside the ballpark. High winds dislodged a speaker from a roof in the upper left field, and some outfield and foul pole signage had to be replaced. No damage was reported to the Rangers' future home, which is under construction, Blake said. Other damage in the area was the result of powerful straight-line winds, likely between 60 and 70 mph. Storms in Arlington felled several trees, some of which landed on homes and vehicles. Survey teams planned to continue evaluating damages Tuesday afternoon in central and southern Arlington. 3:55 PM. A National Weather Service survey team has determined a brief tornado occurred in Arlington yesterday afternoon. The preliminary rating is an EF-1 with wind speeds of 95 mph North Fort Worth The weather service confirmed that an EF-0 tornado with winds of up to 85 mph moved through North Fort Worth, and was on the ground for about 1 mile in the Crawford Farms and Vista Meadows subdivisions. Farmers Branch The damage in Bedford, Euless, Irving and Farmers Branch was initially believed to be the result of straight-line winds. Survey teams on Tuesday, however, conducted additional assessments and a weather radar analysis to confirm. The teams determined a brief EF-0 tornado traveled a distance of 0.12 miles Sunday at 3:45 p.m. in Farmers Branch near Mustang Trails Park, reaching peak wind speeds of 85. The weather service issued a tornado warning at 3:31 p.m. Sunday for the Farmers Branch and Addison areas. No other tornadoes were found in the Bedford, Euless or Irving. Eagle Mountain Lake Based on video evidence, the weather service also confirmed a weak EF-0 tornado over Eagle Mountain Lake around 3 p.m. Sunday. No damage was reported. 4:50 PM. A National Weather Service survey team has determined an EF-0 tornado with wind speeds of 85 mph tracked for 1 mile through North Fort Worth in the Crawford Farms to Vista Meadows subdivisions. In nearby North Richland Hills, a survey team determined the damage was the result of straight-line winds. The week ahead More storms could be ahead for Dallas-Fort Worth on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to KXAS-TV (NBC5) meteorologist Grant Johnston. The area could be at a slight risk for severe weather Wednesday. Some of those storms could produce strong wind gusts, heavy rain and frequent lightning, according to the weather. North Texas is expected to dry out after Wednesday, and high temperatures could reach the upper-90s, Johnston said. Texas Rep. Jonathan Stickland won’t seek re- election: ‘It is not the Lord’s will.’ BY ANNA M. TINSLEY JUNE 24, 2019 10:17 AM, State Rep. Jonathan Stickland — long known as a firebrand and political bomb- thrower — will not seek another term in office. The 35-year-old Bedford Republican announced Monday morning that he was leaving the office he has held since 2013 on his own terms. “Eight years was enough for George Washington, and it certainly is for me,” he posted on Facebook. “After much prayerful consideration and reflection, I have determined it is not the Lord’s will for me to seek re-election. “Instead, I intend to dedicate more time to my family, my church, and my business,” he wrote. “It was never my intention to grow old in office.” Stickland, a staunch and vocal Tea Party conservative, stressed that he never gave up or sold out. He has been a lightning rod since taking office, drawing headlines for everything from pushing expanded gun rights in Texas to being part of an investigation about whether witness cards for a legislative committee hearing were falsified. He narrowly won his 2018 re-election bid. “Rep. Stickland’s effectiveness has been waning and he effectively became a party of one in the Legislature as he fought battles with less support than sessions past,” said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. “He was the target of much of the ire from both parties for, in their opinion, obstructing the process. “There is a sense that the conservative movement has lost momentum and Rep. Stickland was the lone voice preaching to a dwindling flock of true believers.” This leaves up for grabs in next year’s election the job of representing House District 92, which includes Hurst, Bedford and parts of Arlington, Fort Worth and Grand Prairie. Stickland supporters shared messages on social media. “At first this will surely seem like devastating news,” wrote Julie White McCarty, who heads the NE Tarrant Tea Party. “Just know that lots of plans are in the works. Folks ask me to run for office all the time. My response is always, ‘I’m more useful out here.’ I believe the same is true for Stickland. He’s my trusted friend, and I support this decision 100%. “The fight not only continues ... we just got stronger.” Critics also weighed in on Stickland’s decision. “Texas is the biggest battleground state. Republicans know it,” Abhi Rahman, communications director for the Texas Democratic Party, said in a written statement. “The simple facts are that Jonathan Stickland is too far to the right for Texas and represents an increasingly Democratic district.” Stickland drew attention late in the session not only for speaking out against certain bills, but also for being the only one to vote against key bills such as school finance and retired teachers pension funds. “People have noticed his votes and that he’s on an island,” Brian Hodgdon, executive director of the House Democratic Campaign Committee, said during the session. This year marked the first time since taking office that Stickland passed a bill — the plan to eliminate red light cameras throughout Texas, which Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law. He often butted heads with House leadership, was a vocal presence at the back microphone in the House and has been the centerpiece of many dramatic moments in the Legislature. “He truly was loyal opposition,” said Bill Miller, an Austin-based political consultant. This session, he pushed a plan known as “constitutional carry,” which would let Texans carry handguns without having a license, that prompted a gun rights advocate to visit the homes of some lawmakers, including House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, when legislators were in Austin. Bonnen, who said he received death threats this session, declared Stickland’s bill dead. So did Stickland. “I cannot participate in political theater and ask that Texans come to Austin to spend their time and money for a piece of legislation that has no path to success,” he wrote in a statement. In 2017, he and members of the Texas Freedom Caucus — a right-leaning group dedicated to fighting for conservative causes — became frustrated late in the session because they felt their voices weren’t being heard. That led to what has become known as the Mother’s Day Massacre, when Stickland and other upset caucus members used procedural moves to kill more than 100 bills. And in 2015, Stickland was kicked out of a House Committee hearing — as he was presenting a bill to ban red light cameras — after concerns were raised that witness registration forms were improperly submitted. “I did nothing against the rules. I did nothing against the law,” he told the Star- Telegram at the time. “I did nothing that was even wrong. I’m going to continue to stay down here and fight for limited government and conservative principles.” The focus for many now turns to the HD 92 district. Filing for next year’s election doesn’t begin until later this year, but many already are looking at this district. “It’s a Republican seat under most circumstances,” Miller said. “But the circumstances these days are unusual. “This seat absolutely will be in play.” Stickland narrowly won his 2018 re-election bid with 49.8 percent of the vote against Democratic challenger Steve Riddell’s 47.43 percent. Libertarian Eric P. Espinoza claimed 2.75 percent of the vote. Riddell said he has never stopped running — and will again seek to represent HD 92 next year. “Mr. Stickland’s departure is a great opportunity to change the tone, tenor and quality of this community’s representation in Austin,” Riddell said. On the Republican side, former Bedford City Councilman Jeff Cason has announced that he’s running for this seat. Other potential candidates mentioned include Trasa Robertson Cobern, a teacher and former Hurst City Councilwoman who unsuccessfully ran for Tarrant County Tax Assessor last year, and Bedford City Councilman Roger Fisher, who unsuccessfully ran for the GOP nomination for the post in 2012 and said he will spend the next few weeks “in prayerful consideration” with his family about “the future of HD 92.” A website set up for the “Dogs of HD-92,” after Stickland killed an animal protection bill many had hoped would pass, cheered Monday’s announcement. “While the Empower Texan crew will likely find another terrible candidate to back, today we can relax ... but stay tuned, we will #resist any animal unfriendly candidate,” the website posted on Facebook. Stickland has been described by Texas Monthly as someone who seems to be “at war with the world.” This year, when the magazine released its list of best and worst lawmakers, writers created an entirely new category for him: Cockroach. He has said he often felt the need to fight in the Legislature, working on behalf of “liberty.” “There’s no doubt he was often willing to do what no one else would when it came to championing certain causes or issues in the House,” state Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, posted on Facebook. “I will especially miss his voice and efforts in those areas. “I am sure he will find some way to stay involved in the political/policy scene. I look forward to seeing what that will be,” he wrote. “Until then, Godspeed Sticky!” Stickland thanked his supporters for the work they’ve done on his behalf for years. But he said it’s time for him to leave. “I don’t want to turn into what we’ve been fighting and become part of the establishment,” he wrote on Facebook. And while he said part of him will miss serving in the Legislature, he looks forward to “gaining some of our personal lives back.” “This is not goodbye,” Stickland said in his post. “This is just a new chapter for the Stickland family. The fight and defense of liberty never stops for us. “It will just take a different shape.” Rep. Jonathan Stickland was loud and ineffective, but he matched our political times State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, a Ron Paul-style libertarian Republican from Bedford, was announced that his bill legalizing permitless carry was “dead.” Like any big group, the Legislature breaks down to certain personality types. There are the movers, who get the heavy work of policy done. There’s the furniture, so named because they blend in without much notice. There are the ideological firebrands, committed to their cause. Rep. Jonathan Stickland certainly fit the last of those categories. And Texas Monthly was compelled to create a whole new one just for him: the “cockroach.” The magazine, in its venerable listing of the best and worst legislators for this year’s session, said Stickland had gone beyond the “worst” list, where he’d become a regular feature, to deserving special recognition as a lawmaker who “accomplishes nothing but always manages to show up in the worst possible way.” Stickland, R-Bedford, announced Monday that four terms in the House is enough. And we agree. His chief causes —limited government, personal freedom, gun rights — deserve a better standard bearer. Jonathan Stickland says he won’t run for reelection to the Texas House The conservative firebrand made the announcement in an email to supporters Monday morning. BY CASSANDRA POLLOCK JUNE 24, 2019 State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, has been an outspoken member of the Texas House. Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune State Rep. Jonathan Stickland, a firebrand conservative Republican from Bedford and one of the most vocal members of the Texas House, announced Monday he will not run for reelection in 2020. Stickland, first elected to represent House District 92 in 2012, broke the news to supporters in an email, saying he had "determined it is not in the Lord's will for me to seek re-election." "Instead," he wrote, "I intend to dedicate more time to my family, my church, and my business." While in office, Stickland established a reputation as one of the House's more pugnacious members, often taking to the chamber's back microphone to debate — and sometimes kill — pieces of legislation. Stickland typically argued he was pushing back against bills in the name of liberty and freedom, a nod to the hardline conservative values he aligned himself with. Until the end of the regular 86th legislative session, Stickland was a member of the Texas House Freedom Caucus, which comprised members who said they were pushing priorities championed by the Tea Party and other conservative activists. Stickland resigned from the group at the beginning of May, telling caucus members he was recommitting himself "to the grassroots as a clear voice in the Texas House." Although Stickland was at times effective with his procedural maneuvers and tactics in the House, he didn't pass his first bill until this year. "I've been waiting a long time for this moment — seven years," he told colleagues as the House passed his measure to ban red light cameras in the state. "The people of Texas have been waiting a longer time than I have." While Stickland prided himself on his lone wolf image, the lawmaker was deeply unpopular with a faction of members and constituents who disagreed with his approach to politics. In the 2018 general elections, Stickland, running for a fourth term, almost lost to a little-known Democratic challenger. Stickland appeared to have a change of heart with those election results, telling the Fort Worth Star-Telegram after the elections that he was "going to try a little more honey than vinegar this time." But as the 2019 legislative session carried on, Stickland seemed to return to his usual ways. He killed a number of bills, including some that were perceived to be noncontroversial. He cast lone "no" votes on at least two major pieces of legislation, including a major school finance reform bill. And in the final days of the session, he publicly clashed with new House Speaker Dennis Bonnen over a major mental health bill he killed but that was later resurrected. "What a ride we've had!" Stickland tweeted Monday morning. "Never sold out. Never gave up. Walking out on my own terms." It's unclear who plans to run for Stickland's House seat in 2020, though Steve Riddell, the Democrat who nearly unseated the incumbent in 2018, has already announced he plans to run again. Still, the seat is all but certain to be a target for Democrats, who are looking to play offense in competitive House districts in hopes of flipping the House in 2020. "The simple facts are that Jonathan Stickland is too far to the right for Texas and represents an increasingly Democratic district," Abhi Rahman, communications director of the Texas Democratic Party, said in a released statement Monday. "We wouldn’t be surprised if there were more retirements because Republicans know their 2020 prospects are doomed."